Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency – Arm attached
Patent
1996-06-19
1998-01-13
Avila, Stephen
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency
Arm attached
A63B 3112
Patent
active
057072663
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The following invention relates to a device to aid a swimmer or surfer for example in a swimming or paddling action through or upon water.
When swimming or surfing, or otherwise moving through or upon water using the paddling action of ones arms, the available thrust is limited to the extent to which the swimmer or surfer may cup his or her hand to displace the water. Another limiting factor is the projected area of the swimmer's forearm which also passes through the water during a paddling action.
It would be desirable to provide a means of increasing the projected area of a swimmer's forearm when viewed in a direction of movement of the forearm through the water during paddling. It would also be desirable to limit the projected area of the forearm when the arm is moved in the opposite direction through the water.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
There is disclosed herein a device for wearing by a swimmer, surfer or other person to aid in paddling through or upon water, said device comprising: to open upon movement of the person's limb substantially in a first predetermined direction through the water, and to essentially close upon movement in a direction substantially opposite to said first mentioned direction.
Preferably, two such flaps are provided, each at mutually opposite lateral locations of the flexible cover.
Preferably, each flap is attached to the flexible cover to form a cup shape therewith.
Preferably, the flaps are stitched to the flexible cover.
Preferably, the flexible cover has an opening at one end which is substantially smaller than an opening at the other end.
Preferably, the flexible cover comprises a zipper or other fastening means extending from the end having said smaller opening toward the other end.
Preferably, the zipper or other fastening means reaches the other end.
Preferably, inserts are located in each flap, which inserts are more rigid than the material from which the cover and flaps are formed.
Preferably, the flexible cover is formed of neoprene or any other suitably flexible and elastic material.
Preferably, the flap(s) is/are formed from a substantially inextensible, though flexible material, typically nylon sheeting.
Preferably, the device further comprises a pair of substantially inextensible bands, each located about the openings at said one and other ends.
In an alternative form of the invention, the flexible cover may simply be part of the sleeve of a wet suit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a swimming or paddling
FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a surfer wearing a pair of paddling aids as depicted in FIG. 1 about his forearms,
FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of a surfer wearing a long sleeved wet suit, the sleeves of which each have a pair of flaps attached thereto in the region of the surfer's forearms,
FIG. 3A is a schematic end elevational view of a paddling aid having closed flaps during movement in one direction through water,
FIG. 3B is a schematic end elevational view of a paddling aid having the flaps open during movement in the opposite direction, and,
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an outfolded swimming/paddling aid.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a swimming/paddling aid 10 which comprises a flexible cover 11, typically formed of neoprene rubber and to be worn about the forearm of a surfer, swimmer or any one who might like to paddle through water. The flexible cover 11 might alternatively be the sleeve of a wet suit as for example shown in FIG. 2B.
Stitched to or otherwise adhered to the flexible cover 11 is a pair of laterally opposed flaps 12, also formed of flexible material such as neoprene rubber or thinner nylon fabric or the like. The stitching indicated by 13 in the drawings.
It should be appreciated that one end of the cover 11 has an openin
REFERENCES:
patent: 1545807 (1925-07-01), Ajello
patent: 1622914 (1927-03-01), Kindt
patent: 1695125 (1928-12-01), Rensing
patent: 2771618 (1956-11-01), Crum
patent: 3107371 (1963-10-01), Thompson
patent: 3286287 (1966-11-01), Martin
patent: 4040136 (1977-08-01), Garcia
patent: 4756699 (1988-07-01), Brom
Arena Joseph
Avila Stephen
Ross Barry Raymond
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