Pivotable fin assembly, fin system including the same, and aquatic board including the fin system

Abstract

A pivotable fin assembly, fin assembly including the same, and an aquatic board including the fin system, the fin assembly including: a housing including a base, a side wall extending from the base, and a first boss disposed on the base; a retainer disposed in the housing and including a second boss; and a fin attached to the retainer. The retainer is configured to rotate in the housing by at least about 30°.

1 . A pivotable fin assembly, comprising:
 a housing comprising a base, a side wall extending from the base, and a first boss disposed on the base;   a retainer disposed in the housing and comprising a second boss;   a fin attached to the retainer,   wherein the retainer is configured to rotate in the housing by at least about 30°.   
     
     
         2 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is configured to pivot in the housing, between a first position where the second boss contacts a first side of the first boss, and a second where the second boss contacts a second side of the first boss. 
     
     
         3 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one spacer disposed between side wall of the housing and the retainer. 
     
     
         4 . The fin assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the retainer comprises at least one groove configured to receive the spacer. 
     
     
         5 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is configured to rotate by an amount ranging from about 30° to about 170°. 
     
     
         6 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises attachment grooves formed in an outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises alignment tabs extending from an edge of the sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The fin assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the alignment tabs comprise alignment indicia. 
     
     
         9 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener configured to hold the retainer in the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The fin assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the sidewall comprises a groove in which the fastener is disposed; and   the fastener comprises a spring clip or an annular plate.   
     
     
         11 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second boss is semi-circular. 
     
     
         12 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second boss comprises a recess configured to operate as a passage for water to flow within the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a fin slot configured to receive a support extending from the fin. 
     
     
         14 . The fin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a cap attached to the sidewall and configured to hold the retainer in the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A fin system for an aquatic board, the system comprising:
 a first fin assembly configured to be disposed on a first side of the aquatic board, the first fin assembly comprising a first housing, a first retainer disposed in the housing, and a first fin attached to the first retainer; and   a second fin assembly configured to be disposed on an opposing second side of the aquatic board, the second fin assembly comprising a second housing, a second retainer disposed in the housing, and a second fin attached to the second retainer,   wherein the first and second retainers are configured to rotate with respect to the first and second housings, by at least about 30°.   
     
     
         16 . The fin system of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second retainers are configured to rotate with respect to the first and second housings, by an amount ranging from about 30° to about 170°. 
     
     
         17 . The fin system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first retainer is configured to pivot in the first housing, such that the first fin rotates between a first position, where the first fin is parallel to a centerline of the board, and a second position where a trailing edge of the first fin is closer to the centerline than a leading edge of the first fin; and   the second retainer is configured to pivot in the first housing, such that the second fin rotates between a third position, where the second fin is parallel to the centerline of the board, and a fourth position where a trailing edge of the second fin is closer to the centerline than a leading edge of the second fin.   
     
     
         18 . The fin system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 when the aquatic board is turning in the first direction, the first fin assembly is configured to hold the first fin in the first position, and the second fin assembly is configured to rotate the second fin towards the fourth position; and   when the aquatic board is turning in the second direction, the second fin assembly is configured to hold the second fin in the third position, and the first fin assembly is configured to rotate the first fin towards the second position.   
     
     
         19 . An aquatic board comprising the fin system of  claim 15  disposed on a lower surface thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The aquatic board of  claim 19 , wherein the aquatic board is selected from a surfboard, a boogie board, a wake board, a water ski, or a wind surfing board.