Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency – Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2001-06-19
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency
Foot attached
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247982
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of swimming aids, and more particularly to a swim Fin.
Swim fins have been in use for many years as a swimming aid in helping swimmers travel faster while in the water. Typically a swim fin is an integral unit comprised of a shoe portion and fin portion. Some swim fins employ a full flexible shoe where the user steps into the unit. Other swim fins employ an open backed shoe and a tightening strap that holds the heal into the shoe. For purposes of this discussion and subsequent discussions, I will be referring to the full shoe design, however the present invention relates equally to the open backed strap type shoe.
Swim fins come in various lengths depending on the type of swimming to be done.
Deep ocean swimming may require long fins whereas fresh water or pool swimming may require shorter fins.
Current swim fins have a fin that is integrally connected to the shoe portion so that when a user is trying to walk on a hard surface such as a boat, ladder or beach, he or she must walk awkwardly because of the forwardly extending fins. This can result in the user falling or twisting an ankle. Additionally, a person may need to purchase a plurality of expensive swim fins because of the different swimming conditions he or she may encounter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to provide a swim fin where the user can release the fin portion and rotate it up to facilitate walking on land or other firm surfaces.
Another object of the invention is to provide a swim fin where the fin portion can be easily removed and replaced onto the shoe portion thereby allowing for replacement of a deffective fin or replacement of a longer or shorter fin.
Another object of the invention is to provide a swim fin where the fin portion automatically pops up when the release ring is pulled.
A further object of the invention is to provide a swim fin that is stream lined so that seaweed or the like can not get caught on the fin.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
Swim Fin comprising: a flexible shoe portion, a pair of rotatable hinge members located on opposite sides of said shoe portion, a snap in receptacle located at the end of each said hinge portion, a rigid flat plate located at the sole of said shoe portion, extending beyond the shoe portion by approximately one inch, a pair of vertically oriented brackets each having outwardly protruding, horizontally placed tabs, a strap extending from one said tab to the other said tab, a rigid inverted U shaped member enclosing the forward most portion of said shoe portion, said rigid U shaped member having a slot in each of the side walls and one centrally located slot in the central wall to accept said strap, and a fin having a flat flipper portion and a pair of integral arms extending from said flipper portion that terminate in a male snap that communicates with said female snap located in said shoe portion.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3315286 (1967-04-01), Brion
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