Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency – Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-01-30
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency
Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179675
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of the swimming accessories, in particular it has as its object a fin structure of the type consisting of several components of different stiffness molded in a sequence and superimposed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Concerning the characteristics of stiffness, it is known that swimming fins have to satisfy two substantially contrasting requirements. In fact, if on one hand the blade has to be very stiff to ensure a thrust as effective as possible, on the other hand it is desirable that the shoe area, i.e. the part housing the foot of the swimmer, be sufficiently soft and flexible so as to ensure a suitable ease of use thereof. The mere use of two different materials for the blade and for the shoe does not solve the problem, as it is through the shoe, of a softer material, that the swimmer applies to the blade the forces generating the propulsive effect, therefore the fin structure has to be apt to allow an efficient transmission of said forces.
According to the U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,748, the problem is solved by a swimming fin consisting of three members molded in a sequence and superimposed, i.e. a blade, a connection member and a shoe, in a decreasing order of stiffness. The connection member comprises a substantially curved portion for wrapping the shoe, and a fork-shaped portion for embracing the two side edges of the blade. To ease the transmission of the propulsive motion from the foot to the blade, the latter is provided with a downwardly bent, flat rear portion, onto which first the curved portion of the connection member and then the shoe are molded in a sequence.
However, the swimming fin hereto described foresees wraparound shoes of different sizes, allowing no footwear adjustments after the selection of the best fitting size. In most uses of a swimming fin this limitation is not a drawback, provided there has been a correct selection of the shoe sizes.
Nevertheless, for some performances, mainly in sports, the possibility of adjusting the tightness of the footwear is desirable in order to enable the swimmer to use the swimming fin in a graduated manner, using it depending on the kind of effort required by the pace and, in general, on the specific activity performed by the swimmer with the aid of the swimming fins. The adjustment can be made viable by means of an incompletely developed shoe, i.e. lacking the rear portion that is replaced by a strap provided with a buckle apt to adjust the length thereof.
However, making the foot of the swimmer integral to the swimming fin is more difficult in a swimming fin provided with an adjustable strap, as compared to a swimming fin provided with a wraparound shoe. In fact, even with a structure of the above-described type, the two points of the blade to which the strap ends are secured constitute of necessity pivot points that increase the degrees of freedom of the foot with respect to the fin, and limit the possible directions of transmission of the required force to the fin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to overcome these limitations, by providing a swimming fin that combines the advantages of the swimming fins provided with a wraparound shoe to those of the swimming fins provided with an adjustment strap.
Such object is attained by means of the swimming fin according to the present invention, that comprises a blade in a relatively stiff material, extending from a shoe having a partial development on the rear thereof performed in a relatively soft material, and a strap of adjustable length connected to said shoe for wrapping at the rear the foot of the swimmer. A generically hollow sole extends from the rear side of said blade, said shoe being connected onto the top face thereof, and respective connection members extending from the sides thereof to the ends of said adjustable strap, said swimming fin further comprising a longitudinal strip, in a material of intermediate stiffness with respect to those of said blade and of said shoe, located along the top face of said blade and extending up to above said shoe to connect at the top said blade and said shoe therebetween.
According to the invention, a manufacturing process of the swimming fin of the above-mentioned type, is also described.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 350801 (1994-09-01), Dagnino
patent: D. 421474 (2000-03-01), Godoy
patent: 4795385 (1989-01-01), Matsuoka
patent: 5292811 (1994-03-01), Murata et al.
patent: 5358439 (1994-10-01), Paolo
patent: 5522748 (1996-06-01), Cressi
Basinger Sherman
Browdy and Neimark
Cressi-Sub S.p.A.
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