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  Surfboard fin systemUSPTO Application #: 20070259579Title: Surfboard fin system Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfboard fin system which includes a generally horizontal hydrofoil intersecting or connecting with one or more vertical fins. The generally horizontal hydrofoil of the invention is designed using principles of hydrodynamics, that is, the forces generated by the flow of water over a hydrofoil or wing, to create a force that pulls downward on the fin system and, in turn, downward on the tail end of the water planing hull or surfboard. (end of abstract)
Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. - Chicago, IL, US Inventor: Kenneth E. Schmidt USPTO Applicaton #: 20070259579 - Class: 441079000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Buoys, Rafts, And Aquatic Devices, Water Skimming Or Walking Device, Having Stabilizing Surface The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070259579. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention is related to water planing hulls, such as surfboards, and the design of hydrodynamic fins to stabilize the performance of the planing hull as it moves through the water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Surfboards may generally be described as water planing hulls and are constructed of various lengths, width, shapes and thicknesses. Surfboards have a forward tip which is connected by generally symmetrically shaped sides to the rearward tail. Surfboards currently available in the marketplace typically have a large vertical fin located underneath and near the tail of the surfboard. The large fin is usually located on the center line of the surfboard. Some surfboards have additional smaller fins, which are offset at equal distances from the center line. Current fin designs may result in undesirable horizontal or lateral stability of the entire surfboard. Moreover, fin designs typically do not affect the vertical or pitch stability of the surfboard. Thus, the desire for enhanced stability is an objective of surfboard designers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] Briefly, the present invention relates to a fin which includes a generally horizontal hydrofoil intersecting or connecting with a typical vertical fin. The generally horizontal hydrofoil of the invention is designed using principles of hydrodynamics, that is, the forces generated by the flow of water over a hydrofoil or wing, to create a force that pulls downward on the fin system and, in turn, downward on the tail end of the water planing hull or surfboard. The effect of the downward force on the tail is counterbalanced by an upward force on the planing hull forward of the tail. The upward force acts to stabilize the planing hull by the effects of the positive upward force of the lifting or rising of the middle and forward section of the planing hull. [0004] The improved fin design results in a surfboard with a forward section that will rise higher out of the water due to the tail being pulled downwardly from the surface of the water by the negative force generated by hydrodynamic flow over the hydrofoil. The negative force is generated by the generally inverted wing foil shape of the hydrofoil. Thus a generally vertical fin provides lateral stability and directional control, and generally horizontal sections or vector components thereof on fins or foils attached to the vertical section provide vertical stability and negative lift. For purpose of the invention "horizontal" describes the hydrofoil attached to the vertical section or fin, and does not require that the foil be limited to any particular angle as compared to the vertical section or fin. Thus, the foil may include or generate both horizontal as well as vertical vector forces on the generally horizontal board. [0005] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a surfboard construction having enhanced stability. [0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a surfboard construction which employs stabilizing fin elements or foils on the underside of the surfboard. [0007] A further feature of the invention is to provide a surfboard construction which employs a stabilizing fin construction which provides a downward vector force on the board. [0008] These and other objects, advantages and features will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: [0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view an embodiment of the fin system of the invention attached to the tail portion of a surfboard; [0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the fin or foil construction of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the hydrofoil of the fin system of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the fin system of FIG. 1 depicting a rectangular shaped hydrofoil; [0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a fin system having two vertical fins and a rectangular-shaped hydrofoil; [0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a fin system with two generally parallel vertical fins, a rectangular-shaped center hydrofoil section and two tapered rearward-swept hydrofoil sections; [0016] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fin system with a tapered, rearward-swept hydrofoil; [0017] FIG. 8 is a top view of a fin system, with a tapered, forward-swept hydrofoil; [0018] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fin system with a rectangular-shaped, rearward-swept hydrofoil; [0019] FIG. 10 is a front plan view of the fin system of FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 11 is a front plan view of a fin system with the hydrofoil attached to the vertical fin with a dihedral angle; Continue reading... Full patent description for Surfboard fin system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Surfboard fin system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Surfboard fin system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Powered surfboard Next Patent Application: Cleaning pad for flatwork ironer Industry Class: Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Surfboard fin system patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 13.18942 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
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