Universal Foil Mounting System with Quick Connect & Disconnect

Abstract

A universal, quick release foil mounting system is disclosed. The device is comprised of three mam parts: a first part being a mount plate that is fixedly connected to existing kite surfing, windsurfing and standup paddle boarding foils by means of fasteners; a second part being a base plate that is fixedly secured to the mast track of existing kite surfing, standup paddle hoarding (SUP) and windsurfing boardsalso affixed by means of fasteners; a third part being a quick disconnect system on said mount plate or base plate comprised of, but not limited to catch tabs, locking pins and slide locks etc. The mount plate is configured to receive the base plate and temporarily join the foil mast to the board. An object of the invention is to allow any foil having standard 165 mm90 mm (6.53.5) hole mounts (as well as other dimensions) to be quickly installed or removed from a board.

Claims

1. A foil mounting system comprised of the following parts: (a) a base plate; (b) a mount plate; (c) a locking mechanism (d) a multitude of screws; and (c) a plurality of T-nuts.

2. The mount plate of claim 1 having slots configured to receive bolts positioned in apertures from a multitude of conventional foil masts.

3. The mount plate of claim 1 having apertures configured to receive bolts positioned in slots from conventional board mast tracks.

4. The mount and base plates of claim 1 having interlocking tongues and grooves respectively to provide enhanced strength to the connection.

5. The mount plate of claim 1 remaining on a board mast track when not in use.

6. The base plate of claim 1 remaining on a foil mast when not in use.

7. A method for connecting a foil to a board, the method comprising: (a) selectively connecting a plurality of foils to a board; (b) quickly connecting a foil to a board; (c) selectively locking a foil to a board; and (d) quickly unlocking a foil from a board.

8. The method of selectively locking a foil to a board of claim 7 wherein no tool is required.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIFFION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but nor the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the invention on a foil.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows an upward-looking, exploded view.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a downward-looking, exploded view.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows an off-center, section view.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows a center section view.

[0017] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0018] In this description, the directional preposition of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, tight and other such teems refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0019] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing a perspective view and a top view of the invention holding a foil 1 onto board 16. The figure showing the three main parts of the invention: base plate 4 (selectively affixed to a board mast track 3); mount plate 15 (selectively affixed to a foil 1); and quick disconnect mechanism 5 (fixedly-secured to said mount plate). Base plate 4 and mount plate 15 having a rectangular shape with a plurality of slots and apertures therein and being made, of a rigid material such as, but not limited to: aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber and the like. Said combination of apertures and slots accommodating conventional fasteners such as but not limited to bolts, T-nuts and the like and allowing a multitude of foils to the selectively affixed to a varietal of boards having mast tracks thereon.

[0020] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 showing upward looking and downward-looking, exploded views with fasteners 5 passing through apertures 9 on foil base 2 and mount plate 15 and affixing to T-nuts 6 to hold said mount plate 15 there between. The figures also showing fasteners 6 passing through apertures on base plate 4 and engaging in T-nuts 12 within mast track 3. The figures also showing and embodiment of quick disconnect mechanism 5 as a thumb screwother embodiments may include hit nor be limited to a release button, release pin, cam lever and the like.

[0021] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 showing off-center and center section views respectively. The figures showing fasteners 5 engaged with T-nuts 6 and 12 and sandwiching mount plate 15 and base plate 4 and foil base 2 there between. FIG. 6 illustrating L-shaped, groove on base plate 4 configured to receive and engage tongue 7 extending from a proximal portion of mount plate 15. The aforementioned mating parts within the invention adding more reinforcement to the connection of a foil to a board.

[0022] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may lie employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.