Retractable fin and fin box
A retractable fin system having a retractable fin and fin box is disclosed. An example retractable fin system includes a housing insertable into an opening in a watercraft board. The example retractable fin system also includes a retractable fin. The example retractable fin system also includes a bias to maintain the retractable fin in a default outward position from the housing. The bias retracts the retractable fin into the housing on contact with an outside force.
1. A retractable fin system, comprising:
a housing insertable into an opening in a watercraft board;
a retractable fin;
a spring to maintain the retractable fin in a default outward position from the housing, the retractable fin retracting against the spring at least partly into the housing on contact with an outside force; and
an insert platform connected to the housing;
a first notch in the insert platform to receive a rotational cylinder on the retractable fin; and
a second notch in the housing to receive the rotational cylinder on the retractable fin, the first and second notch together with the rotational cylinder forming a rotational axis for pivoting the rotational cylinder.
2. The retractable fin system of claim 1 , further comprising a rim of the housing, the rim configured to be in substantially a same plane as a bottom surface of the watercraft board when the housing is fully inserted into the opening in the watercraft board.
3. The retractable fin system of claim 1 , further comprising a rotational cylinder on the retractable fin.
4. The retractable fin system of claim 1 , further comprising a mount for the spring in the housing.
5. The retractable fin system of claim 1 , wherein the spring contacts a notch formed in the retractable fin.
6. The retractable fin system of claim 5 , wherein the spring has a rubber end for frictional engagement with the notch formed in the retractable fin.
7. The retractable fin system of claim 1 , wherein the spring is a coil spring to control the motion of the fin.
8. The retractable fin system of claim 7 , wherein the coil spring provides a folding motion to move freely and reduce friction and resulting restricting of the coil spring.
9. The retractable fin system of claim 1 , wherein the spring is selected from the group comprising: a leaf spring, a clock spring, and a torsion spring.
10. The retractable fin system of claim 1 , further comprising an interior chamber of the housing, the interior chamber configured to fully retain the retractable fin.
11. A retractable fin system, comprising:
a housing insertable into an opening in a watercraft board;
a retractable fin;
a spring to maintain the retractable fin in a default outward position from the housing, the retractable fin retracting against the spring at least partly into the housing on contact with an outside force; and
a first notch in an insert platform to receive a rotational cylinder on the retractable fin.
12. The retractable fin system of claim 11 , further comprising a second notch in the housing to receive the rotational cylinder on the retractable fin, the first and second notch together with the rotational cylinder forming a rotational axis for pivoting the rotational cylinder.
13. A retractable fin system, comprising:
a housing insertable into an opening in a watercraft board;
a retractable fin;
a spring to maintain the retractable fin in a default outward position from the housing, the retractable fin retracting against the spring at least partly into the housing on contact with an outside force; and
wherein the spring contacts a notch formed in the retractable fin, and
wherein the spring has a rubber end for frictional engagement with the notch formed in the retractable fin.
14. A retractable fin system, comprising:
a housing insertable into an opening in a watercraft board;
a retractable fin;
a spring to maintain the retractable fin in a default outward position from the housing, the retractable fin retracting against the spring at least partly into the housing on contact with an outside force; and
wherein the spring is a coil spring to control the motion of the fin, and
wherein the coil spring provides a folding motion to move freely and reduce friction and resulting restricting of the coil spring.
15. A retractable fin system, comprising:
a housing insertable into an opening in a watercraft board;
a retractable fin;
a spring to maintain the retractable fin in a default outward position from the housing, the retractable fin retracting against the spring at least partly into the housing on contact with an outside force; and
an insert platform connected to the housing;
wherein the spring contacts a notch formed in the retractable fin;
wherein the spring has a rubber end for frictional engagement with the notch formed in the retractable fin.
16. A retractable fin system, comprising:
a housing insertable into an opening in a watercraft board;
a retractable fin;
a spring to maintain the retractable fin in a default outward position from the housing, the retractable fin retracting against the spring at least partly into the housing on contact with an outside force; and
an insert platform connected to the housing;
wherein the spring is a coil spring to control the motion of the fin;
wherein the coil spring provides a folding motion to move freely and reduce friction and resulting restricting of the coil spring.