Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency – Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-09-18
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency
Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290559
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises improved apparatus for the fastening or attachment of footwear such as may be used for various sporting activities, including skiing, underwater diving, swimming, fishing, snowboarding and so on. The invention finds a particular application in relation to swimming fins.
Swimming fins, also commonly referred to as “flippers”, are generally provided with a large propulsion portion in the form of a flexible blade (the fin), which itself has an integral foot receiving area with open heel. Conventionally straps are provided which span the back of the open heel to secure the user's foot once located within the integral root receiving area.
In the present invention it is recognised that these straps, and particularly their need to be tied or buckled with the employment of the user's hands, are associated with several disadvantages. For example, divers may be required to carry heavy and cumbersome equipment, affecting their balance and manoeuvrability. Usually this equipment is adorned by the diver prior to the fins being worn. In order to put on the fins and fasten them to the diver's foot using straps or other fastening means heretofore known, the diver is required to rely on assistance from another person or to crouch down, probably with all or at least the majority of his own weight and the weight of his equipment on one leg. This difficulty must be considered not only in calm beach conditions, but also on rocks potentially buffeted by waves and or of slippery or hazardous surface from seaweed, barnacles and so on. Similar difficulties are encountered in boats where level and stable footings may be unavailable.
There have been many accidents, some even fatal, caused by divers slipping or otherwise losing their balance and it is apparent that the simple adorning of fins should not be a strenuous activity, particularly prior to diving where regular and calm breathing cycles are desired.
Typical fastening means known to the art may be examined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,067 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,384. In both these prior art publications the fastening means substantially comprises of a strap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for securing a person's foot in footwear, such as a swimming fin. A further object is to provide a means for securing a person's foot in footwear which may be easily fastened and released without or with minimal use of the person's hands. A further object of the present invention is to replace the need for straps, which require to be tied or clipped, with a mechanical clamp requiring no such tying during normal use.
According to the present invention there is provided footwear comprising a foot receiving portion having an open heel area and fastening means for securing a user's foot within the foot receiving portion characterised in that the means substantially comprises a mechanical clamp.
Preferably the clamp is operable between a first non-securing position whereat the clamp does not interfere or impede the access or removal of the user's foot to or from the foot receiving portion to a second securing position whereat the clamp presses against the heel portion of the user's foot such that the foot is retained or secured within the foot receiving portion.
The clamp may be biased to move toward the aforesaid second position whenever the clamp is not located in the aforesaid first position.
Advantageously the clamp may be operable between the aforesaid first and second positions by the use of the user's other foot.
Optionally, the footwear is a swimming fin.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5083954 (1992-01-01), Jacobs
patent: 5282327 (1994-02-01), Ogle
patent: 572853 (1993-12-01), None
Fleshner & Kim LLP
Swinehart Ed
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