Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency – Foot attached
Patent
1994-10-24
1997-01-21
Swinehart, Edwin L.
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency
Foot attached
264244, A63B 3111
Patent
active
055955185
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a 371 of PCT/FR93/00383 Apr. 19, 1993.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a fin device, of the type comprising a front part forming a blade, made of a relatively rigid material, and means of fastening the blade to the foot of the user.
The invention more particularly relates to such a fin device intended for the practice of the water sport known by the name "body-boarding", or the practice of diving, or of "aerobics" in water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The sport known by the name of "body-boarding" consists in trying to move on the crest or close to the crest of a wave, while remaining face-down on a board whose dimensions are generally less than those of boards used for surfing, which is performed standing on the board.
When waiting for a wave, a sportsperson who is "body-boarding" adopts a position which is favourable for him/her to be carried along by the crest of the wave. When the crest arrives, it is furthermore necessary for him/her to exert sufficient energy to gain a speed, in the same direction as the crest, which allows the phenomenon of being carried along by the wave. For this purpose, the sportsperson is generally equipped with fins which allow him/her to impart sufficient change in momentum when the crest of the wave arrives. For these operations, the fin must remain substantially at the surface of the water and furthermore contribute to steering the sportsperson and his/her board.
This explanation demonstrates why the fin must be made of a material which is sufficiently hard to allow it to strike the water efficiently and obtain the desired momentum.
It is also apparent that abrupt movements are involved and that it is important for the fin to be fastened reliably to the foot of the user.
In the case of fins intended for diving, the forces transmitted to the fin are less intense, but it is still necessary for the fin to be relatively hard in order to retain a good degree of efficiency; similarly for aerobics in water, it is necessary to exert a force which will cause energy to be expended.
When engaging in the water sports mentioned hereinabove, the sportsperson is moreover frequently called upon to walk wearing fins on his/her feet between two sporting sessions. This results in sand, or other foreign bodies, being capable of entering the fins during such a walk, which is irritating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is above all to provide a fin device, of the type previously defined, which no longer, or to a lesser degree, exhibits the drawbacks mentioned hereinabove.
It is desired, in particular, for the fin device, whilst ensuring transmission, under satisfactory conditions, of momentum from the foot of the user to the blade, to exhibit a high degree of reliability as regards fastening the fin to the foot of the user, and to prevent the introduction of irritating bodies, such as grains of sand, or the like, between the fastening means and the foot of the user.
According to the invention, a fin device of the type defined previously is characterized in that the blade is fixed in its rear region under the sole of a shoe element made of a material more flexible than that of the blade and in that at least the front part of the shoe element is provided with a covering made of a material which is more rigid than that of the shoe element, this covering being solidly attached to the blade and being capable of correctly transmitting momentum from the foot to the blade.
With such a device, the efficiency of the fin is retained by virtue of good transmission of momentum from the foot to the blade, and this fin is more comfortable to use because introduction of irritating bodies, such as grains of sand, is reduced or eliminated by virtue of the shoe element which, by virtue of its flexibility, is comfortable to wear.
Preferably, the covering of the shoe element, made of a more rigid material, extends under the entire sole of this shoe element and rises, towards the rear part, to surround the heel region. The blade extends under a part of
REFERENCES:
patent: 2865033 (1958-12-01), Jayet
patent: 3239857 (1966-03-01), Gwynne
patent: 3908213 (1975-09-01), Hill
patent: 3922741 (1975-12-01), Semeia
patent: 4120477 (1978-10-01), Justamante
patent: 4954111 (1990-09-01), Cressi
patent: 5266062 (1993-11-01), Runckel
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