Attachable-and-releaseable (swappable) fin for sport board, and adjustable mast for foiling systems

Abstract

An embodiment of a mast includes a first support configured for coupling to one of a foiling platform and a foiling assembly, and a second support configured for coupling to the other of the foiling platform and the foiling assembly and for coupling to the first support in a manner that allows adjustment of a combined height of the first and second supports. For example, such a mast can be configured to have first and second telescoping supports that can be extended and retracted to different heights so that surfers of different skill levels can use the same mast.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mast, comprising:
 a first support configured for coupling to one of a foiling platform and a foiling assembly; and   a second support configured for coupling to the other of the foiling platform and the foiling assembly and for coupling to the first support in a manner that allows adjustment of a combined length of the first and second supports.   
     
     
         2 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein the second support is configured for coupling to the first support in a manner that allows adjustment of a combined height of the first and second supports. 
     
     
         3 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first support includes at least one first hole; 
 the second support includes at least one second hole configured for alignment with the at least one first hole; and 
 the aligned at least one first hole and at least one second hole are configured to receive at least one fastener. 
 
     
     
         4 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein the first and second supports are configured to slide relative to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein one of the first support and the second support is configured to slide inside of the other of the first support and the second support. 
     
     
         6 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein the first and second supports are configured to allow adjustment of the combined length of the first and second supports by allowing sliding of the first and second supports relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein the first and second supports are configured to allow adjustment of the combined length of the first and second supports by allowing sliding of one of the first and second supports inside of the other of the first and second supports. 
     
     
         8 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein one of the first and second supports is configured for coupling to a foiling platform at a location other than between a middle section and a rear section of the foiling platform. 
     
     
         9 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein one of the first and second supports is configured for coupling to a foiling platform at a location between a middle section and a rear section of the foiling platform. 
     
     
         10 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein one of the first and second supports is configured for coupling to a foiling platform at a front of the foiling platform. 
     
     
         11 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein one of the first and second supports is configured for coupling to a foiling platform at a rear of the foiling platform. 
     
     
         12 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein one of the first and second supports is configured for coupling to a foiling platform at a middle of the foiling platform. 
     
     
         13 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first support and the second support is configured to extend from the foiling platform at an obtuse angle relative to the foiling platform. 
     
     
         14 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first support and the second support is configured to extend from the foiling platform at an acute angle relative to the foiling platform. 
     
     
         15 . The mast of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first support and the second support is configured to extend approximately normal to the foiling platform. 
     
     
         16 . A mast, comprising:
 a female support having a first end configured for coupling to one of a foiling platform and a foiling assembly and a having second end having an opening; and   a male support having a first end configured for coupling to the other of the foiling platform and the foiling assembly and the having a second end configured for extending into the opening of the female support an adjustable distance.   
     
     
         17 . The mast of  claim 16 , further comprising a plate disposed at the first end of the female support and configured for coupling to the foiling board. 
     
     
         18 . The mast of  claim 16 , further comprising a nipple disposed at the first end of the male support and configured for coupling to the foiling assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein:
 the female support includes at least one female hole; 
 the male support includes at least one male hole configured for alignment with the at least one female hole; and 
 the aligned at least one female hole and at least one male hole are configured to receive at least one fastener. 
 
     
     
         20 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the female support has a tear-drop-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         21 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the female support has a rounded leading edge. 
     
     
         22 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the female support has a tapered leading edge. 
     
     
         23 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the female support has a tapered trailing edge. 
     
     
         24 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the male support has a tear-drop-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         25 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the male support has a rounded leading edge. 
     
     
         26 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the male support has a tapered leading edge. 
     
     
         27 . The mast of  claim 16  wherein the male support has a tapered trailing edge. 
     
     
         28 . A kit, comprising:
 a first support configured for coupling to one of a foiling platform and a foiling assembly; and   a second support configured for coupling to the other of the foiling platform and the foiling assembly and for coupling to the first support in a manner that allows adjustment of a height between the foiling platform and the foiling assembly.   
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 wherein the first support includes at least one first alignment hole and the second support includes at least one second alignment hold; and   at least one fastener configured to maintain alignment of at least one first hole with the at least one second hole.   
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein the at least one fastener includes at least one screw. 
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein the at least one fastener includes at least one nut-and-bolt combination. 
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein the at least one fastener includes at least one screw-and-bushing combination. 
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 28 , further comprising the foiling assembly. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 28  wherein the foiling assembly comprises:
 a fuselage; 
 a fin; and 
 a stabilizer. 
 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 28  wherein the fuselage has a receptacle configured for receiving an end of one of the first and second supports. 
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 28  wherein:
 the fuselage has a leading end; and 
 the fin is configured for coupling to the fuselage at, or approximately at, the leading end. 
 
     
     
         37 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein:
 the fuselage has a trailing end; and 
 the stabilizer is configured for coupling to the fuselage at, or approximately at, the trailing end. 
 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein one of the first and second supports is configured slide within the other of the first and second supports. 
     
     
         39 . A system, comprising:
 a platform;   a foiling assembly; and   a mast having a first end configured for coupling to the platform, having a second end configured for coupling to the foiling assembly, and being configured to allow adjustment of a height between the foiling assembly and the platform.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the platform and the mast are configured to support a person while the foiling assembly is moving in water and the platform is moving out of the water. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the platform includes a board. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the foiling assembly comprises:
 a fuselage; 
 a fin; and 
 a stabilizer. 
 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the foiling assembly comprises:
 a fuselage having a leading end and a trailing end; 
 a fin coupled to the leading end; and 
 a stabilizer coupled to the trailing end. 
 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first end of the mast is configured for coupling to the platform at a location other than between a middle section and a rear section of the platform. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first end of the mast is configured for coupling to the platform at a location between a middle section and a rear section of the platform. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first end of the mast is configured for coupling to the platform at a front of the platform. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first end of the mast is configured for coupling to the platform at a rear of the platform. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first end of the mast is configured for coupling to the platform at a middle of the platform. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the mast is configured to extend from the platform at an obtuse angle relative to the platform. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the mast is configured to extend from the platform at an acute angle relative to the platform. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the mast is configured to extend approximately normal to the foiling platform. 
     
     
         52 . A method, comprising:
 adjusting a height of a mast disposed between a board and a foiling assembly; and   securing the mast at the height.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein adjusting the height includes moving one section of the mast relative to another section of the mast. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52  wherein adjusting the height includes sliding one section of the mast relative to another section of the mast. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52  wherein adjusting the height includes sliding one section of the mast inside of another section of the mast. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52  wherein securing the mast includes inserting a faster into aligned holes in sections of the mast. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising, before adjusting the height, unfastening one section of the mast from another section of the mast. 
     
     
         58 . A fin, comprising:
 a blade; and   a base configured for toolless installation within, and toolless removal from, a receptacle of a water board.   
     
     
         59 . The fin of  claim 58  wherein the blade is configured to engage a fluid including water. 
     
     
         60 . The fin of  claim 58  wherein the base is integral with the blade. 
     
     
         61 . The fin of  claim 58  wherein the base includes at least one attachment member configured to engage the receptacle. 
     
     
         62 . The fin of  claim 58  wherein the base includes at least one attachment member configured to engage at least one opening within the receptacle. 
     
     
         63 . The fin of  claim 62  wherein:
 the at least one attachment member includes at least one post; and 
 the at least one opening includes at least one slot. 
 
     
     
         64 . The fin of  claim 62  wherein the attachment member includes at least one protrusion configured to engage at least one notch within the receptacle. 
     
     
         67 . The fin of  claim 64  wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to disengage the at least notch in response to force generated on the attachment member. 
     
     
         66 . A fin receptacle for disposition on a water board, the fin receptacle comprising:
 an opening configured to receive a base of a fin; and   a structure configured to engage the base within the opening.   
     
     
         67 . The fin receptacle of claim  65  wherein the opening includes a slot configured to receive a post of the base. 
     
     
         68 . The fin receptacle of claim  65  wherein the structure includes a notch configured to engage a protrusion of the base. 
     
     
         69 . The fin receptacle of claim  65  wherein the structure includes a mechanism configured to latch the base within the receptacle. 
     
     
         70 . The fin receptacle of  claim 66  wherein the structure includes a mechanism configured to latch the post within the slot. 
     
     
         71 . The fin receptacle of  claim 69  wherein the mechanism is configured to release the post from the slot. 
     
     
         72 . The fin receptacle of  claim 69  wherein the mechanism includes a button configured to release the post from the slot while the button is being pressed. 
     
     
         73 . A sport board, comprising:
 a first surface configured to face a supporting medium; and   a receptacle disposed in the first surface and configured for toolless engagement and disengagement of a fin.   
     
     
         74 . The sport board of  claim 73  wherein the first surface includes a bottom surface. The sport board of  claim 73  wherein supporting medium includes water. 
     
     
         76 . The sport board of  claim 73  wherein the receptacle includes:
 an opening configured to receive a base of a fin; and 
 a structure disposed within the opening and configured to engage and to disengage the base in a toolless manner. 
 
     
     
         77 . The sport board of  claim 76  wherein the structure is configured to engage and to disengage a post of the base. 
     
     
         78 . The sport board of  claim 76  wherein the structure is configured to engage and to disengage a protrusion of the base. 
     
     
         79 . The sport board of  claim 76  wherein the structure includes a mechanism configured to latch the base within the receptacle and to unlatch the base from the receptacle. 
     
     
         80 . The sport board of  claim 76  wherein the structure includes a button configured to disengage the base while the button is being pressed. 
     
     
         81 . A method, comprising:
 installing a fin in a sport board; and   securing the fin to the board.   
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81  wherein installing the fin includes inserting a base of the fin into a receptacle disposed in the sport board. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82  wherein securing the fin includes securing a fin base within the receptacle. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 82  wherein securing the fin includes latching a fin base within the receptacle. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 82  wherein securing the fin includes engaging a fin base with a mechanism within the receptacle. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 82 , further comprising removing another fin from the sport board before installing the fin. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 82 , further comprising removing the fin from the board after securing the fin to the board.