Fin assembly for a water board and user propelled water board apparatus

Abstract

A user propelled water board apparatus ( 2 ) is described and comprises a hull, portion ( 4 ) defining a longitudinal axis x-x. The hull portion ( 4 ) is buoyant, to enable a user ( 6 ) to rest on hull portion ( 4 ) and be supported on the surface of a body of water ( 8 ). First and second lateral fin members ( 10 ) and ( 12 ) are pivotably mountable to the hull portion ( 4 ) in a position to project into the body of water in use. The first and second lateral fin members ( 10 ) and ( 12 ) are mounted in use on opposite sides of the hull portion 4 and are pivotable towards and away from the hull portion in the direction of arrow A. A user ( 6 ) rocking the hull portion in water about the longitudinal axis x-x causes the first and second lateral fin members ( 10 ) and ( 12 ) to pivot outwardly from the hull portion and drive the hull portion through the body of water in use.

1 . A fin assembly for a water board, the fin assembly comprising:
 a fin member pivotally mountable to a bracket portion;   wherein the bracket portion is mountable to a water board in a configuration in which the fin member projects laterally outwardly from the water board and is pivotable towards and away from the hull portion of a water board in use such that a user rocking the water board in water about the longitudinal axis of the water board causes the fin member to pivot outwardly from the water board and drive the water board through the body of water in use.   
     
     
         2 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin member comprises a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion, and wherein said leading edge portion has a lower flexibility than said trailing edge portion. 
     
     
         3 . An assembly according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said bracket portion comprises upper and lower support portions defining a recess therebetween for receiving an end of said fin member, and wherein upper and lower holes are formed through the upper and lower support portions to receive a pin mountable in said fin member. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said bracket portion comprises upper and lower support portions defining a socket therebetween for receiving a ball shaped end of said fin member in an interference fit. 
     
     
         5 . An assembly according to  claim 3  or  4 , wherein said bracket member defines a stop portion arranged to limit pivotal movement of the fin member outwardly from the hull portion of a water board in use when the assembly is mounted to a water board. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
 a first fin member pivotally mountable to a first bracket portion;   a second fin member pivotally mountable to a second bracket portion;   a strap portion connecting the first and second bracket portions to enable the assembly to be mounted to a water board such that the first and second fin members are located on opposite lateral sides of the water board in use.   
     
     
         7 . An assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the strap portion forms a loop arranged to be disposed around a water board, and wherein the size of the loop is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly according to  claim 6  or  7 , further comprising a plate member mounted between the ends of said strap portion. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the bracket portion is mounted to a first mounting plate adapted to receive a first end of a securing bolt, the securing bolt arranged to pass through a hole formed in a water board in use; and
 further comprising a second mounting plate adapted to receive a second end of the securing bolt and be mountable on the upper surface of said water board. 
 
     
     
         10 . A fin assembly for a water board, the fin assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         11 . A user propelled water board apparatus comprising:
 a hull portion defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the hull portion is buoyant to enable a user to rest thereon and be supported on the surface of a body of water;   first and second lateral fin members, each said fin member pivotally mountable to the hull portion in a position to project into the body of water in use, wherein the first and second lateral fin members are mounted in use on opposite sides of the hull portion and are pivotable towards and away from the hull portion; and   wherein the first and second lateral fin members are arranged such that a user rocking the hull portion in water about the longitudinal axis causes the first and second lateral fin members to pivot outwardly from the hull portion and drive the hull portion through the body of water in use.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the respective axis about which each said lateral fin member pivots is non-parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  or  12 , wherein the respective axis about which each said lateral fin member pivots is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 11  to  13 , wherein each said lateral fin member comprises a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion, and wherein said leading edge portion has a lower flexibility than said trailing edge portion. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to any one  claims 11  to  14 , further comprising a handle member defining a handle for gripping by a user, the handle member further comprising a bracket portion for receiving an end of one of said lateral fin members. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said bracket portion comprises upper and lower support portions defining a recess therebetween for receiving an end of one of said lateral fin members, and wherein upper and lower holes are formed through the upper and lower support portions to receive a pin mountable in said lateral fin member. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said bracket portion comprises upper and lower support portions defining a socket therebetween for receiving a ball shaped end of one of said lateral fin members in an interference fit. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said bracket member defines a stop portion arranged to limit pivotal movement of a lateral fin member mounted therein outwardly from the hull portion. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 15  to  17 , wherein said bracket portion is formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to any one of  claims 11  to  18 , wherein said hull portion is formed from a semi-rigid inflatable body. 
     
     
         21 . A user propelled water board apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.