Fin assembly

Abstract

A fin assembly including a fin having a base portion, the base portion having at least one extension portion extending from the base portion, at least one extension portion mounting at least one engagement portion, at least one socket mount for substantially permanent inclusion in a watercraft to which the fin is to be mounted, the socket mounting having at least one opening corresponding with and complementary to the extension portion and engagement portion on the fin so that the at least one extension portion and engagement portion can be received in the respective openings; and a securing means for releasably securing the fin relative to the socket mount.

1 . A fin assembly including a fin having a base portion, the base portion having at least one extension portion extending from the base portion, at least one engagement portion with an abutment shoulder of lesser height than the at least one extension portion extending from the at least one extension portion, at least one socket mount for substantially permanent inclusion in a watercraft to which the fin is to be mounted, the socket mounting having at least one opening corresponding with and complementary to the extension portion and engagement portion on the fin so that the at least one extension portion and engagement portion can be received in the respective openings;
 at least one opening for receiving a securing means; and   at least one securing means for releasably securing the fin relative to the socket mount by abutting the abutment shoulder of the at least one engagement portion.   
   
   
       2 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein at least one extension portion and at least one engagement portion form a fixing portion to be received and retained in the at least one opening in a socket mount. 
   
   
       3 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the fin has a tip, a base edge and opposed major surfaces extending from the tip to the base, a leading edge and a trailing edge, based on the direction of travel in ordinary usage. 
   
   
       4 . A fin assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the base edge of the fin is configured to abut an outer, lower surface of the watercraft when properly and securely attached to the watercraft. 
   
   
       5 . A fin assembly according to  claim 4  wherein a pair of fixing portions are provided, a first fixing portion located spaced from the leading edge end of the base edge and second fixing portion spaced from the trailing edge end of the base edge. 
   
   
       6 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each extension portion is coplanar with the fin. 
   
   
       7 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the extension portion is integrally formed with the fin. 
   
   
       8 . A fin assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the extension portions extend from the base edge of the fin and are narrower than the width of the fin to provide a shoulder portion to more effectively position the fin adjacent the underside of the watercraft. 
   
   
       9 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one engagement portion is mounted relative to the extension portion to extend at an angle to the extension portion. 
   
   
       10 . A fin assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the engagement portion extends substantially perpendicularly from the extension portion. 
   
   
       11 . A fin assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one engagement portion is mounted to extend on one lateral side of the extension portion. 
   
   
       12 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each of the engagement portions includes an elongate member. 
   
   
       13 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each of the socket mounts has a substantially cylindrical body with an outermost face when mounted relative to a watercraft. 
   
   
       14 . A fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the socket mount includes at least one locating lug to assist with locating the socket mount on the watercraft. 
   
   
       15 . A fin assembly according to  claim 13  wherein each socket mount is provided with a substantially rectangular main slot opening to the outermost face. 
   
   
       16 . A fin assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the main slot opening is located parallel to the length of the watercraft. 
   
   
       17 . A fin assembly according to  claim 15  further including a laterally extending slot opening formed in conjunction with the main slot opening to form a T-shaped opening. 
   
   
       18 . A fin assembly according to  claim 17  further including an obliquely extending opening extending from the uppermost face and intersecting the laterally extending slot opening to engage the engagement portion of the fin when properly located. 
   
   
       19 . A fin assembly according to  claim 18  wherein the obliquely extending opening is adapted to receive a removable securing means to secure the engagement portion in the laterally extending slot opening and therefore secure the fin to the board. 
   
   
       20 . A fin assembly according to  claim 18  wherein the open end of the obliquely extending opening in the socket mount into which the securing means is received is closed with a core plug pressed into the hole so that its upper face is flush with the surface of the plug. 
   
   
       21 . A fin assembly including a fin having a base portion, the base portion having at least one fixing portion, the at least one fixing portion including at least one extension portion extending from the mounting base portion;
 each at least one extension portion mounting at least one engagement portion, at least one socket mount for permanent inclusion in a watercraft to which the fin is to be mounted, the socket mounting having at least one opening corresponding with and complementary to the at least one fixing portion on the fin so that the at least one fixing portion can be received in the respective openings; and   a securing means for releasably securing the fin to the socket mount.   
   
   
       22 . A fin assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the fin has a tip, a base edge and opposed major surfaces extending from the tip to the base, a leading edge and a trailing edge, based on the direction of travel in ordinary usage, and further including a pair of fixing portions, a first fixing portion spaced from the leading edge end of the base edge and a second fixing portion spaced from the trailing edge end of the base edge.