Fin Patent

Abstract

A fin or finlike structure attached at its base to a hydrofoil or watercraft having one or more channels running along its side surfaces at either a horizontal angle or an acute angle as measured from the intersection of the fin's leading edge and its base. These channels may be arranged side-by-side, separated by the side surfaces of the fin or finlike structure, or separated by flanges or convex shapes in a fashion similar to a true ‘spoiler’ in automobiles. As water moves through these channels it is compressed which consequently creates a drop in pressure and generates a significant increase in speed when compared with a fin or finlike structure having traditionally foiled or flat surface or surfaces. The channels and, when applicable, flanges or convex shapes generate speed, reduce drag, provide additional stability, drive through turns, maneuverability, responsiveness, and, when extending at an acute angle away from the intersection of the leading and base edges, lift. The channels, flanges or convex shapes may be of any acute angle, curvature, number, orientation, shape, size, symmetry and type so long as those characteristics ensure the flow of water through these comparatively narrow ways at increased velocity and with intended direction off the trailing edge and, depending on their orientation, the tail-end, or tip, of the fin. This invention has particular application to the field of wave-riding vehicles such as surfboards, sail boards, body boards, paddle boards, and windsurfing boards but also it will be apparent that the invention has further application to the broader field of watercraft in general.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fin or finlike structure having both a leading edge and a trailing edge which meet to define a fin tip, a base having a base edge that connects to a hydrofoil or watercraft, said fin or finlike structure including:
 a channel or channels placed on one or both side surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels are of any size and shape so long as those characteristics ensure the flow of water through said channel or channels and off said trailing edge and, depending upon their orientation, said fin tip. 
     
     
         3 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels are of any type including but not limited to: round, square, block, slot, triangular, angular, and curved. 
     
     
         4 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels are placed anywhere latitudinally and anywhere longitudinally on the side-surface or surfaces of said fin or finlike structure. 
     
     
         5 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channels are placed side-by-side. 
     
     
         6 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channels are separated by either the foiled or flat side-surface or surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channels are separated by one or more flange(s) or convex shape(s). 
     
     
         8 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said flange(s) or convex shape(s) are of any number, size, and shape so long as those characteristics ensure the flow of water through said channel or channels and off said trailing edge and, depending upon their orientation, said fin tip. 
     
     
         9 . A fin or finlike structure having both a leading edge and a trailing edge which meet to define a fin tip, a base having a base edge that connects to a hydrofoil or watercraft, said fin or finlike structure including:
 one of more flange(s) or convex shape(s) separated by either the foiled, concave, or flat side-surface or surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said flange(s) or convex shape(s) are of any number, size, and shape so long as those characteristics ensure the flow of water around and over said flange(s) or convex shape(s) and off said trailing edge and, depending upon their orientation, said fin tip. 
     
     
         11 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spacing in between said channels is uniform. 
     
     
         12 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spacing in between said channels is not uniform. 
     
     
         13 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels extend at a horizontal angle. 
     
     
         14 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels extend at an acute angle as measured from the intersection of said leading and base edges. 
     
     
         15 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channels extend at different acute angles as measured from the intersection of said leading and base edges. 
     
     
         16 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lengths of said channels are the same. 
     
     
         17 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lengths of said channels are not the same. 
     
     
         18 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the depth(s) of said channel or channels is/are uniform throughout its or their length, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the depth(s) of said channel or channels gradually decrease(s) through the trailing edge. 
     
     
         20 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the width(s) of said channel or channels is/are uniform throughout its or their length, respectively. 
     
     
         21 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the width(s) of said channel or channels is/are not uniform throughout its or their length, respectively. 
     
     
         22 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the width(s) of said channel or channels get(s) wider throughout its or their length, respectively. 
     
     
         23 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the width(s) of said channel or channels get(s) narrower throughout its or their length, respectively. 
     
     
         24 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels is/are straight. 
     
     
         25 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels is/are not straight. 
     
     
         26 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the curvature of said channel or channels remains constant throughout its or their length, respectively. 
     
     
         27 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the curvature of said channel or channels progressively decrease(s) throughout its or their length, respectively. 
     
     
         28 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said curvature of said channel or channels is/are substantially parabolic in shape relative to said base edge. 
     
     
         29 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel or channels is/are initially curved towards the intersection of said leading and base edges before following a straight path. 
     
     
         30 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channels are symmetrical on either side surface. 
     
     
         31 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channels are not symmetrical on either side surface. 
     
     
         32 . A fin or finlike structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said hydrofoil or watercraft is a surfboard, windsurfing board, sailboard, paddle board, body board, wakeboard, waterski, boat, sailboat, catamaran, water scooter, jet ski, wave runner, yacht, submarine, and any and all other wholly or partially submerged vessels or vehicles.