Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency – Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-03
2004-07-20
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency
Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
active
06764362
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a monofin swimming apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to flipper type apparatus suitable for wearing on a swimmer's feet. The apparatus of the invention optimizes a swimmer's propulsion resulting from a given movement and allows for wearers with different sized feet or high insteps to fit the swimming apparatus on his feet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Monofin swimming apparatus suitable for wearing on a swimmer's feet are desirable to optimize a swimmer' propulsion resulting from a given movement and allows for wearers with different sized feet or high insteps to fit the swimming apparatus on his feet.
The uses of monofin swimming apparatus are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,934,290 and 4,055,174 to Le Vasseur disclose a swimming system having a single fin for the feet with a large fluke and two foot openings leading to foot pockets separated by a cushion. A series of water directed openings extend rearward and outward from a line above the toe portions of the pockets diagonally through the fluke to a line near a tip of the fluke on a rearward portion of the fin. Holes let water out of foot pockets in the foot-receiving portion. Port openings connect diagonal passageways with lower rearward ports. The foot fluke fin has a laterally extended fluke portion, which tapers outwardly and terminates in a curved distal edge. However, Le Vasseur's patents do not disclose a fin having a load-bearing, resilient frame member of substantially arcuate configuration having two relatively stiff spaced ends and a common connecting portion. This patent does not provide a flipper internal configuration so as to provide maximum propulsion benefit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,449 to Grilli, discloses a swimsuit in the form of a sock or bag of elasticized fabric or cloth having a tubular body tapering from one end to the other, The narrow end of the body of the swimsuit is closed forming a pocket or foot portion for the feet of the wearer. The pocket is formed with spaced perforations at opposite sides. A fin structure is attached to the pocket. The fin structure comprises a triangular-shaped body formed of two sheets to solid rubber, the sheets at the wide portion of the body being juxtaposed and secured together by adhesive and at the upper narrower portion being spaced apart providing a socket portion to receive the foot portion. The upper tapered portion is formed with spaced perforations aligned with the perforations in the foot portion, so that passages are provided across the socket portion of the fin structure. The wide portion of the body is curved at its bottom edge and indented centrally and is formed with curved laterally extending wing portions. However, Grilli's patent does not disclose a load-bearing, resilient frame member of substantially arcuate configuration having two relatively stiff spaced ends and a common connecting portion and does not provide a flipper internal configuration so as to provide maximum propulsion benefit.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,637 to Caires discloses a transverse fin swimming apparatus that forms a resilient material and twists during swimming. This fin is disclosed in combination with a unitary wet suit. However, Caires' patent does not disclose a fin having a frame member of substantially arcuate configuration having two relatively stiff spaced ends and a common connecting portion and does not provide a flipper internal configuration so as to provide maximum propulsion benefit.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,536 to Evans discloses a monofin with two-foot pockets that can be positioned on a swim blade for optimal foot position. The blade is v-shaped with upturned outer wing sections that does not provide a fin with a hydrofoil shape and having a frame member of substantially arcuate configuration having two relatively stiff spaced ends and a common connecting portion and does not provide a flipper internal configuration so as to provide maximum propulsion benefit.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 328,118 to Evans discloses a unitary swim fin that provides a monofin with foot pockets. However, Evans' design patent does not provide any structure for the fin and is not in the general shape of a porpoise tail so as to provide maximum propulsion benefit.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 379,398 to Garraffa et al. discloses a swim fin that provides a monofin with foot pockets. However, Garraffa's patent provides a substantially rectangular flipper and does not provide any structure for the fin and is not in the general shape of a porpoise tail so as to provide maximum propulsion benefit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,509 to Patterman discloses a swimming tail that is formed by a pair of teardrop-shaped flippers located beside each other such that one flipper has an elongated fin projecting from a heal end and the other has an elongated fin projecting from a toe end. However, the swimming tail of Patterman's patent provides two separate flippers with substantially different configurations when worn and does not provide a monofin.
None of the aforementioned patents discloses a monofin with a load-bearing, resilient frame member of substantially arcuate configuration having two relatively stiff spaced ends and a common connecting portion, the frame member being sufficiently flexible to permit bending and twisting in response to an applied load, the substantially flexible, resilient webbing juxtaposed between the end legs and secured thereto, the webbing bowing in response to an applied load, or the foot-receiving pocket in the common connecting portion of the frame member for accommodating both feet of the swimmer of the apparatus of the invention, whereby in operation the apparatus captures a pocket of water in the flexible webbing thereby distorting the shape of the frame member and the webbing and propelling the water rearward in a narrow stream as the swimmer effects upward and downward foot motion.
Although some of the aforementioned references teach the use of a porpoise tail shaped flipper as an aid to aquatic propulsion, none of these patents discloses a flipper internal construction of the type of the invention, which provides maximum propulsive benefit. Since any given shape may be constructed to be rigid or flexible, those skilled in the art have heretofore been left unaided in designing flipper-type apparatus that provides strength and flexibility in the proper regions in order to maximize the propulsion advantages achievable through their use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,810 to Wenzel, herein incorporated by reference discloses a swimming apparatus having a porpoise tail shape that increases a swimmer's speed in the water. This patent provides a monofin device having fluked foot flippers constructed to include a stiff load-bearing frame member in the leading edge of the fluke. As the swimmer pumps the flipper, a web secured to the frame member is caused to cup the flowing water by arching its surface. The flipper permits arching of the web and bending of the frame member both upward and downward, thereby creating a powerful stream of water propelled to the rear and resulting in a powerful propulsive forward thrust of the swimmer. The thrust is further enhanced by applying precisely formed hydrofoil cross-sectional or chordwise shaping to the fluke to accelerate the flow of water into the pocket. This flow also creates a lifting force that is in the direction of the fluke's motion and thus supports the kicking effort. In addition, spanwise hydrodynamic shaping serves to guide a greater volume of water into the pocket thereby further increasing the propulsive thrust.
However, the monofin described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,810 does not allow for a single monofin to be fit on a variety of size feet or feet with high insteps. It also makes no provision for having a blunt fluke on the leading edge and a reduced trailing edge to increase the flexibility and decrease the weight of the monofin.
Therefore, a ne
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