System for Fin Placement on Surfboards

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are provided for achieving a surfboard design that allows the user to execute turning maneuvers and maintain control while keeping the user's foot in the tail region of the surfboard stationary. In one embodiment, the deck supports the foot, which transfers a downward pressure at a first pressure point. A first fulcrum of balance may be located between a centerline of the surfboard and the first pressure point, such that the user is able to apply the downward pressure to a fin-ward side of the first fulcrum of balance, and thereby turn the board without having to adjust the foot position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surfboard, comprising:
 an elongated body extending between a nose end and a tail end along a centerline of a longitudinal axis, and comprising:
 a deck; 
 a bottom surface; and 
 a tail region; and 
   a first fin securely mounted to the bottom surface in the tail region at a first lateral distance from the centerline, resulting in a first fulcrum of balance located along the first lateral distance;   wherein the deck supports a foot of a user placed in the tail region, the foot transferring a downward pressure to the body at a first pressure point; and   wherein the first fulcrum of balance is located between the centerline and the first pressure point, such that the user is able to apply the downward pressure to a fin-ward side of the first fulcrum of balance.   
     
     
         2 . The surfboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first fulcrum of balance occurs at a location less than or equal to halfway from the centerline to the first fin. 
     
     
         3 . The surfboard of  claim 2 , wherein first fulcrum of balance is located at about a midpoint of the first lateral distance. 
     
     
         4 . The surfboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin is mounted no greater than twice a first pressure point distance between the centerline to the first pressure point. 
     
     
         5 . The surfboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first pressure point comprises a point of pressure for a heel of the foot. 
     
     
         6 . The surfboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first pressure point comprises a point of pressure for a ball of the foot. 
     
     
         7 . The surfboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral distance comprises a user defined distance from the centerline. 
     
     
         8 . The surfboard of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising a second fin securely mounted to the bottom surface in the tail region at a second lateral distance from the centerline, resulting in a second fulcrum of balance located along the second lateral distance. 
     
     
         9 . The surfboard of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the foot transfers a second downward pressure to the body at a second pressure point; and   the second fulcrum of balance is located between the centerline and the second pressure point, such that the user is able to apply the second downward pressure to a second fin-ward side of the second fulcrum of balance.   
     
     
         10 . The surfboard of  claim 9 , wherein the second fulcrum of balance occurs at a second location less than or equal to halfway from the centerline to the second fin. 
     
     
         11 . A surfboard, comprising:
 an elongated board comprising:
 a centerline of a longitudinal axis; 
 a top surface; 
 a bottom surface; and 
 a tail region; and 
   a first fin securely mounted to the bottom surface in the tail region at a first lateral distance from the centerline, resulting in a first fulcrum of balance located along the first lateral distance;   wherein the top surface supports a foot of a user placed in the tail region, the foot transferring a downward pressure to the board at a first pressure point; and   wherein the first pressure point is located between the first fulcrum of balance and the first fin, such that the user is able to apply the downward pressure to a fin-ward side of the first fulcrum of balance.   
     
     
         12 . The surfboard of  claim 11 , wherein the first fulcrum of balance occurs at a location less than or equal to halfway from the centerline to the first fin. 
     
     
         13 . The surfboard of  claim 12 , wherein the first fin is mounted no greater than twice a first pressure point distance between the centerline to the first pressure point. 
     
     
         14 . The surfboard of  claim 11 , wherein the first pressure point comprises a point of pressure for one of the a heel and a ball of the foot. 
     
     
         15 . The surfboard of  claim 11 , wherein the first lateral distance comprises a user defined distance from one of the centerline and a board edge. 
     
     
         16 . The surfboard of  claim 11 , wherein further comprising a second fin securely mounted to the bottom surface in the tail region at a second lateral distance from the centerline, resulting in a second fulcrum of balance located along the second lateral distance. 
     
     
         17 . The surfboard of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the foot transfers a second downward pressure to the board at a second pressure point; and   wherein the second pressure point is located between the second fulcrum of balance and the second fin, such that the user is able to apply the second downward pressure to a second fin-ward side of the second fulcrum of balance.   
     
     
         18 . The surfboard of  claim 17 , wherein the second fulcrum of balance occurs at a second location less than or equal to halfway from the centerline to the second fin. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 averaging a downward pressure by a user's heel in a tail region of a surfboard;   determining a pressure point in the tail region at which the heel transfers a defined downward pressure;   mounting a fin to a bottom surface of the tail region of the surfboard at a selected distance from the surfboard's centerline, such that a resulting fulcrum of balance for the surfboard is located between the centerline and the pressure point.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the fulcrum of balance occurs at a location less than or equal to halfway from the centerline to the fin.