EP0513132A1

EP0513132A1 - Swimming toy

Info

Publication number: EP0513132A1
Application number: EP19910903616
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerard Van Ruymbeke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-30
Filing date: 1991-01-29
Publication date: 1992-11-19
Also published as: FR2657538A1; AU7185791A; WO1991011235A1

Abstract

Jouet nageant, comportant un corps creux de forme allongée (1) auquel sont rattachées deux nageoires latérales souples (3) dont le bord antérieur (3b) est muni d'une poutre de nageoire (4) exécutée dans une matière rigide ou semi-rigide, ce corps creux renfermant, dans sa partie avant, un mécanisme d'actionnement (7) des nageoires (3) comportant au moins un organe d'entraînement (11) et deux leviers oscillants (19a, 19b) dont chacun est relié ou apte à être relié à l'une des poutres de nageoire (4), ce mécanisme d'actionnement étant mû au moyen d'un dispositif moteur (14) logé dans ledit corps creux (1) et fournissant la force motrice, caractérisé en ce que le corps (1) dudit jouet comprend une enveloppe extérieure ou peau (2) exécutée dans une matière souple et formée d'une seule pièce avec les nageoires latérales (3), et une ossature rigide interne (6-8a-8b-9) logée dans ladite enveloppe ou peau (2) et dans laquelle est installé le mécanisme d'actionnement (7) des nageoires (3).Swimming toy, comprising an elongated hollow body (1) to which two flexible lateral fins (3) are attached, the front edge (3b) of which is provided with a fin beam (4) made of a rigid or semi-rigid material , this hollow body containing, in its front part, an actuating mechanism (7) of the fins (3) comprising at least one drive member (11) and two oscillating levers (19a, 19b) each of which is connected or adapted to be connected to one of the fin beams (4), this actuation mechanism being moved by means of a motor device (14) housed in said hollow body (1) and supplying the driving force, characterized in that the body (1) of said toy comprises an outer envelope or skin (2) made of a flexible material and formed in one piece with the side fins (3), and an internal rigid frame (6-8a-8b-9) housed in said envelope or skin (2) and in which is installed the actuating mechanism (7) of the fins (3).

Description

- 1 -

Swimming toy

The present invention relates to a swimming toy capable of moving in water by undulations of lateral fins, in the manner of fish of the family of rajidae such as rays which the toy advantageously has the appearance.

We know (FR-A-739.836) a toy having the appearance of a fish and provided with two small rigid lateral fins, each assembled, by means of an articulation, to a fin support actuated by a drive mechanism. housed in the hollow body of the toy. The movement of this toy, designed to evolve on the surface of water, is obtained by alternating displacement from front to back and from back to front of the fins. However, the progression of such a toy in water is practically zero due to the fact that when the folded fins move forwards the toy recedes, while the movement of said fins towards the rear begins before the latter have not had time to unfold completely, so that this movement makes it possible to obtain a - * * displacement of the toy forwards, the amplitude of which is barely greater than that of the previous recoil. In this way. The toy is almost the _on site. In addition, the toy described in document FR-A-739,836 cannot move in water, being completely submerged, and its movements are uncontrollable so that its movements cannot be regulated.

There is also known (FR-A-2,580,944), a flying toy capable of moving in the air by flapping wings, comprising: - a hollow body executed in two parts assembled by interlocking and in the front part of which is housed an actuation mechanism of the wings moved by means of an elastic providing force motor; - Two flexible wings fixed, on the one hand, to said actuation mechanism and, on the other hand, to said body; - a winding system allowing the engine elastic to be twisted and installed at the _. rear part of the body which still carries an adjustable tail blade serving as rudder; - And a locking device or stop allowing to neutralize said wing actuation mechanism during its reassembly and before the flight control. Such a toy flies perfectly, imitating the flight of a bird which it can advantageously have The appearance, but it absolutely cannot evolve in water.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the shortcomings of moving water toys by means of fins of the kind described and illustrated in Document FR-A-739,836.

The swimming toy according to the invention comprises a hollow body of elongated shape to which are attached two flexible lateral fins, the front edge of which is provided with a fin beam made of rigid or semi-rigid material, this hollow body containing, in its part front, a fin actuation mechanism comprising at least one drive member and two pivoting levers each of which is connected or adapted to be connected to one of the fin beams, this actuation mechanism being driven by a motor device Housed in said hollow body and providing driving force. The toy thus produced also preferably comprising a locking device or retainer making it possible to neutralize the mechanism ^" of actuating the fins, this toy being remarkable for the fact that it comprises an outer envelope or skin made of a flexible material and formed in one piece with the side fins, and an internal framework executed in a rigid material, housed in said envelope or skin and in which is installed the actuation mechanism of the fins.

Thanks to the above provisions. The swimming toy according to the invention can move in water, perfectly imitating the swimming mode of certain fish such as rays or other fish of the rajidae species.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the motor device providing the driving force is constituted by at least one elastic connecting, on the one hand, the drive member of the fin actuation mechanism and, on the other hand , a winding system for twisting said motor elastic and installed at the rear part of the toy body; in this case, the rigid internal framework also comprises a sleeve or tubular part oriented longitudinally, and the actuation mechanism of the fins and the winding system are installed, respectively, at the front and rear ends of said rigid longitudinal sleeve.

Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible to produce an inexpensive swimming toy, the motor of which consists of a simple elastic strap. According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the fin beams are subject to the pivoting levers, by means of coupling means making it possible to modify and adjust the position of said fin beams. Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible to adjust in advance the movement of the toy.

The objects, characteristics and advantages mentioned above, and others still, will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and from the appended drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top view, with partial sections, of an example of configuration of the swimming toy according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of this swimming toy.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the latter.

Figures 4, 4A and 4B are detailed views constituted by sections along Lines 4-4, 4A-4A and 4B-4B, respectively, of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a front view of the actuating mechanism of the fins, the front reinforcement plate has been almost completely removed.

Figure 6 is a plan view of this mechanism.

Figure 7 is a rear view.

Figure 8 is a detail view, in axial section, showing the fin actuating device installed in the rear portion of the front part of the toy body.

Figure 9 is a detail view, in axial section, showing the winding device installed at the rear part of the toy body.

Figure 10 is a rear view of this device.

Figure 11 is a sectional view along line 11-11 of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a front view of one of the pivoting levers carrying the fin beams.

Figure 13 is a side view of this tilting lever.

Figure 14 is a front view of one of the knobs or coupling parts mounted on each fin beam and cooperating with a particular arrangement of the associated oscillating lever, to allow the position of the beam to be modified. FIG. 15 is a view in longitudinal section along line 15-15 of FIG. 14. Figure 16 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the inner end of a fin beam.

Figure 17 is a sectional view along line 17-17 of Figure 16.

FIGS. 18 to 20 are front views, with partial sections, illustrating three positions of one of the fin beams, obtained by means of the adjustment device, the members of which are shown separately in FIGS. 12 to 17.

Figure 21 is a side view of the toy fish, showing the position of the front edge of the fins, allowing diving towards the bottom.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the toy fish, illustrating the position of the front edge of the fins, which allows the ascent of the toy fish towards the surface.

Figure 23 is a front view of the toy fish, in which we see the inverted position of the front edges of the right and left fins, by which said toy fish progresses "in a spin".

FIGS. 24 and 25 are side views, with partial sections, illustrating the means of adjusting the width of the fins.

FIG. 26 is a plan view, partly in section, of FIG. 25.

Figures 27 and 28 are plan views of the toy fish, illustrating the effect obtained by modifying the span of one of the fins.

Figure 29 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the adjustable coupling device of the fin beams and the pivoting levers.

Reference is made to said drawings to describe an example of an interesting, although by no means limiting, embodiment of the swimming toy according to the invention. This example refers to an embodiment of the toy according to which the driving force is provided by elastic bracelets, but it is emphasized that this driving force can also be generated by other motor devices such as springs, waterproof electric motors, etc.

This toy comprises a hollow body 1 of elongated shape comprising an outer envelope or skin 2 made of a flexible material such as rubber, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other synthetic elastomer, and formed in one piece with two lateral fins. flexible 3, large in size, similar to the pectoral fins of fish of the order of rajidae such as rays.

The fins 3 have a general triangular shape and they are attached to the envelope 2 over all or almost all of the length of their internal side 3a. Interestingly. The fins 3 are attached to the envelope 2 over a distance going from the location of the mechanism for actuating the fins at the rear end of said envelope.

The front edge 3b of the fins 3 has a curved shape and it is provided with a fin beam 4 of circular or other section, executed in a rigid or semi-rigid material. This beam 4 is, for example, embedded in the edge 3b and it preferably extends over all or almost all of the length of said edge.

The front edge 3b of the fins 3 has a greater thickness than that of the remaining rear portion 3e of said fins, as can be seen in FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, said front edge 3b thus being provided with a certain rigidity or a degree of flexibility markedly lower than that of the remaining flexible portion 3e of said fins.

On the other hand, each fin beam 4 has a decreasing section in the direction of its outer end, so that the thickness of the front edge 3b of the fins 3 decreases progressively in the direction of their end (Figures 4, 4A, 4B). Advantageously, each fin beam 4 may comprise, in the vicinity of its external end, an eye 5 crossed by a retaining tab 3c obtained during the molding of the assembly 2-3. This tongue 3c keeps the beam in a functional position in the front edge 3b of the fin 3, by opposing any longitudinal movement of said beam (Figures 1 and 4) inside the fin 3 in which it is lodged. Other equivalent means could be used for this purpose, such as fin beams provided with reliefs and / or hollows, embedded in the flexible material constituting the front edge 3b of the fins 3.

The hollow body 1 also has a frame housed in the envelope or skin 2 and made of a rigid material. According to the illustrated embodiment, this rigid frame comprises a longitudinal tubular sleeve 6 advantageously having a cylindrical shape and extending over a length going from the rear part of the front portion of the envelope or skin 2 up to at the posterior end of the latter from which it protrudes over a length of a few millimeters or centimeters. The device providing the driving force is housed in the sleeve 6, as explained in the remainder of this description.

The hollow body 1 thus produced has an elongated shape which tapers from front to back and ends with a flexible tail 2a attached to the rear end of the envelope or skin 2. At the front, the 'envelope 2 has an opening 41 disposed at the location of the mouth of the fish. A The front part of the cylindrical sleeve 6 and in the rear portion of the front part of the envelope or skin 2, the fin actuation mechanism is installed, designated as a whole by the reference 7 in FIG. 3.

This mechanism comprises (FIGS. 5 to 8) a rigid frame made up of two rigid plates 8a, 8b, of substantially ellipsoidal shape and kept apart by spacers 9.

The rear plate 8a of the rigid frame is arranged or shaped to constitute the bearing 10 of a drive crank 11. For ease of assembly, this bearing can be executed in two half-parts 10a assembled and held in a body cylindrical 10b.

The drive crank 11 mainly comprises:

- a shaft 12 mounted revolutively in the bearing 10;

- A rear end 13 shaped as a hook on which is fixed one of the ends of the elastic 14 providing the driving energy;

- a crank plate 15 provided with a crank pin 16 ending in a hook 17.

On the crank pin 16, is articulated one of the ends of a primary link 18 whose other end is articulated on the internal end of a first oscillating lever 19a.

On the axis 20 of articulation of the link 18 on this first oscillating lever 19a, is also articu¬ lated one of the ends of a secondary link 21 whose other end is articulated on a second oscillating lever 19b.

The pivot axes 22a, 22b of the oscillating levers 19a, 19b, respectively, are arranged near the ends of the major axis of the armature plates 8a, 8b. The mechanism described above makes it possible to communicate an identical reciprocating pivoting movement to the oscillating levers 19a, 19b.

This mechanism is held in position, in the envelope or skin 2, by means of at least one pair of annular lips 23 with which said envelope is provided internally and between which is engaged and embedded the edge of at least one of the plates 8a, 8b of the rigid frame and which is the front plate 8b of said frame according to the embodiment shown (Figure 8).

The rear frame plate 8a is provided with a sleeve 37 formed in one piece with said piece and arranged around the bearing 10, coaxial with the latter. The mechanism 7 for actuating the fins is installed at the anterior end of the tubular sleeve 6, by means of this sleeve 37 which is fitted into the front end of said sleeve.

A removable ring 24 is preferably arranged around the hook 13 of the drive crank, this ring being for example mounted without play, in a slightly forced manner, on said hook which has a square cross section, and its function is to 'prevent the motor elastic 14 can not be accidentally released from said hook.

The internal ends of the fin beams 4 are fitted or shaped so that they can be fitted into a housing or fin base 25 with which each oscillating lever 19a, 19b is provided. Said fin beams passing through openings 26 reserved in the front part of the envelope 2. It is understood that the oscillation movement of the levers 19a, 19b communicates a pivoting movement aLternatif to the fin beams 4, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toy, this alternating pivoting generating movements of flapping or rippling of fins ensuring the propulsion of said toy in water.

The front edge of each fin has a notch 27 at the level of its attachment to the envelope or skin 2.

According to another characteristic arrangement, the device for actuating the fins comprises a stopper making it possible to neutralize said device during the winding action and before the toy is released into the water. This retainer is constituted by a bent lever 28 mounted with a tilting ability, by means of a sleeve 29 with which it is formed in one piece, on a hinge pin 30 connecting the rigid reinforcement plates. 8a and 8b. The sleeve 29 bears against the internal face of the front plate 8b and it prevents any transverse movement of the lever 28 on its articulation axis 30, said lever being, in this way, held against the internal face of the rear plate 8a rigid reinforcement. The lever 28 comprises, on either side of its tilting axis, a lever 28a passing through a transverse slot 31 formed in the dorsal wall of the envelope or skin 2, so as to be accessible outside of - The latter, and a locking rod 28b provided with a locking boss 28c which can be engaged in one of the hollows or holes of a pair of hollows or holes 32a, 32b that has the internal face of the plate posterior 8a of the rigid frame. These recesses or holes 32a, 32b are disposed on the path of the boss 28c and they make it possible to immobilize the stopper 28 in one of its two positions.

One of the holes (hole 32b, according to FIGS. 5 and 7 ⁾ corresponds to a position of the retainer 28 according to which the locking rod 28b is placed on the path of the crank plate 15 by preventing the rotation of the latter, while the second hole (hole 32a) corresponds to a position of said retainer according to which said locking rod 28b is disposed out of the path of said crank plate 15 thereby allowing the rotation of

_-- this and the functioning of the action mechanism of the fins.

The elastic 14 providing the driving force can be constituted by one or more elastic bracelets hung, on the one hand, on the hook 13 of the crank 1 'drive 11 and, on the other hand, on the hook 33 of the crank 34 of a winding system installed at the rear end 6a of the rigid tubular frame formed by the sleeve 6 and making it possible to twist the or said elastic bracelets. In a manner known per se, the winding crank 34 is secured to a flexible pawl 38 bearing on the cylindrical rear end of the tubular frame 6, which has one or more longitudinal ribs or projections 39 serving as stops at the free end of the pawl, so as to prevent the demotion of said crank (Figure 11).

A removable ring 35 can advantageously be arranged around the hook 33 of the winding crank 34. This ring is, for example, mounted directly, without play, in a slightly forced manner, on the hook 33 which has a square cross section. Like the ring 24, one of its functions is to prevent the driving elastic 14 from being able to detach accidentally from the hook 33. The ring 35 thus constitutes the shaft of the winding crank 34 which is thus mounted , with an aptitude for rotation, by means of this ring, in the rear end 6a of the tubular frame 6 arranged to serve as a bearing 36 for said winding crank. This bearing can be constituted by a sleeve comprising two concentric cylindrical walls between which is force fitted the rear end of the sleeve 6. The internal end of the ring 35 is provided with a circular shoulder 35a wedged against the free end of the internal wall 36a of the sleeve 36. On the other hand, the hook 33 is integral with two flexible retaining branches 58 comprising a spout 58a wedged against the internal end of the ring 35. Thanks to this arrangement, the crank 34 remains in place and perfectly positioned, both during reassembly actions and in the event of breakage of the engine elastic.

As previously stated. The use of one or more elastic bracelets is only one example of the use of a motor device capable of supplying the motive force necessary for obtaining swimming movements, this motive force being able to be generated by other motor devices, such as a spiral spring or other made of stainless metal, waterproof electric motor powered by one or more electric batteries installed in a housing that is also waterproof, these devices being housed in the body 1 of the toy and, by example, in the tubular frame or sleeve 6 of said body.

In certain applications, a sealed capsule or pocket containing air or capable of enclosing air can be housed in the envelope or skin 2. An optional such pocket of air has been illustrated 40 , in Figure 3.

Holes or openings are reserved in the body of the toy and in the mechanisms equipping it, to allow the penetration and passage of water into said body, including in the tubular frame 6, as well as evacuation of the air which is present in the latter when said water is put into the water I do.

These holes or openings comprise, in the first place, the slot 31 and the mouth 41 formed in the envelope or skin 2. On the other hand, holes or openings 42, 42a are formed in the rear armature plate 8a, in particular around the bearing 10, while the plate 34a of the winding crank 34 has holes or notches 43 for the evacuation of air.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the fin beams 4 are subject to the pivoting levers 19a, 19b and, more precisely, to the fin base 25 of the latter, by the intermediary of coupling means comprising a coupling part (described hereinafter in this description) integral in rotation with the fin beam and mounted with a thwarted rotational ability with respect to the fin, - this coupling part being, on the other hand, integral in translation with said fin leg and mounted with a thwarted translational ability with respect to said fin beam. These coupling means allow:

a modification of the angular position of each fin beam relative to its cylindrical housing 25a formed in the fin base 25, which makes it possible to modify the conformation of the front edge of the fin 3 considered and the angle of attack of this one;

- An adjustment of the depression of the internal end 4a of each fin beam 4 in its cylindrical housing 25a, which makes it possible to adjust the span of each fin.

These adjustable coupling means are illustrated in Figures 12 to 29 of the accompanying drawings. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 23, the means for adjusting the position angular of each fin beam 4 relative to its cylindrical housing 25a, include:

- On the one hand, a toothed segment 44 rigidly secured to the fin 25 and arranged near the entrance to the cylindrical housing 25a of the latter; a gap 45 being formed between the toothed segment 44 and the face of the fin base disposed opposite;

- On the other hand, a coupling piece constituted by a wheel 46 having a hole 47 crossed by the fin beam 4 and a concave toothing 48 formed by a portion. of ring gear and being engaged with the convex toothing of the toothed segment 44.

At the edge of the hole 47, the wheel 46 has projections 49, 50 for guiding and abutment. One of these projections (projection 49) ends with a tooth 51 oriented in the direction of the axis of the hole 47. This tooth 51 is engaged in one of the notches of a succession of notches 52, 52 ', 52 "which has the internal end 4a of fin beams 4. (FIGS. 16 and 17), these notches possibly being advantageously provided in the bottom of a longitudinal cut 55.

The outer edge of the concave toothing 48 is provided, in its median part, with a retaining lug 53 oriented in the direction of the axis of the hole 47. This lug 53 is housed in the interval 45 formed between the toothed segment 44 and the face of the fin base in which the cylindrical housing 25a opens.

The wheel thus shaped is provided with ^" a small operating lever 54.

It is understood that the rotation of the wheel 46 causes a corresponding rotational movement of the fin beam 4 by means of the tooth 51 housed in one of the notches 52, 52 'or 52 "of L'entailLe Longitudinale 55. The angular movement of the wheel 46 and of the fin beam 4 can have a maximum amplitude of the order of 17 to 20 degrees on either side of a median position, and this assembly 4-46 can be immobilized in a plurality of positions which is a function of the number of teeth of the toothed segment 44 and / or of the toothing 48.

FIGS. 18 to 20 illustrate three possible positions of the thumb wheel 46 and of the fin beam 4 relative to the wing foot 25.

Figures 21 to 23 illustrate the results that are obtained by adjusting the angular position of the fin beams.

When the wheel 46 of each fin beam coupling is placed in the middle position, the. fins 3 have, at rest, a substantially flat shape, and when the toy-fish is put in the water and swims, it moves straight in front of it.

The displacement of the lever 54 of the wheel 46 backwards (FIG. 21) has the effect of bulging the front part of the fin 3 in the direction of the top, and this positive curvature 3d has the effect of making the toy fish sink , if the two fins 3 are positioned identically.

Conversely, the displacement of the knob of the thumb wheel forwards (figure 22) has the effect of bending the front part of the fin 3 in the direction of the bottom, and this negative curvature 3d * has the effect of raising the fish. -j.ouet upwards, if the two fins 3 are positioned i dentically.

If the curvatures of the two fins 3 are reversed, so that one is oriented upwards and the other downwards, the toy fish swims in a spin (FIG. 23).

The means to change the scope of fins are more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 16, 17 and 24 to 26.

These means include the tooth 51 fitted to the wheel 46 and the succession of notches 52, 52 ′, 52 ″ which is provided with the internal end 4a of the fin beam 4 and in one of which can be engaged said tooth. a tensile or pushing force on the fin beam 4, parallel to the axis of the latter, it is possible to sink more or less said fin beam inside its housing 25a, by passing the tooth 51 from one notch 52, 52 ', 52 ", to the other. We can see that it is thus possible to easily modify the span of the fins 3.

Figures 27 and 28 illustrate the results obtained by modifying the span of the fins 3.

When the two fins 3 have an identical span (Figure 27) The toy fish progresses in a straight line. On the other hand, if one gives, to one of the fins (3 'fin according to FIG. 28), a smaller span than that of the other fin, which makes it more flexible, the toy fish swims in turning on the side of the fin (nageoi re .3 ") which has the largest span and which is more taut than the fin whose span has been reduced.

It is understood that the possibilities of evolution of the toy fish in the water are extremely varied.

According to the embodiment which has just been described, the tooth 51 is used to drive the fin beam in rotation and to immobilize the latter in axial translation in the position which has been given to it.

According to the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 29, the tooth 51 is engaged in the longitudinal notch 55 * devoid of notches, and it is not used that L * ent raine ent in rotation of the fin beam 4, in order to modify the angle of attack of the fins 3. In this case, the internal end 4a of each fin beam 4, is provided with notches transverse 56, 56 ', 56 "constituted by circular notches arranged in succession. On the other hand, the associated fin foot 25 is provided, near its housing 25a, with a tooth 57 which can be engaged in the any of said curved cuts 56, 56 ', 56 ".

The tooth 57 and the curved notches 56, 56 ′, 56 "allow the position of the fin beam 4 to be adjusted in the axial direction, while allowing the rotation of the latter driven by the tooth 51 of the engaged wheel 46 in the entai lle 55 ', to allow adjustment of the angular position of said fin beam.

The adjustment of the position of the fin beams 4 is facilitated by the provision of a pad 59 around the inlet of the housing 25a of the fin legs 25, this pad being constituted by a portion of cylinder.

Claims

1. - Swimming toy, comprising a hollow body of elongated shape (1) to which are attached two flexible lateral fins (3) whose front edge (3b) is provided with a fin beam (4) executed in a rigid material or semi-rigid, this hollow body containing, in its front part, an actuating mechanism (7) of the fins (3) comprising at least one drive member (11) and two oscillating levers (19a, 19b) each of which is connected or able to be connected to one of the fin beams (4), this actuating mechanism being moved by means of a motor device (14) housed in said hollow body (1) and supplying the driving force, characterized in that the body (1) of said toy comprises an outer envelope or skin (2) executed in a flexible material and formed in one piece with the lateral fins (3), and an internal rigid framework (6-8a-8b -9) housed in said envelope or skin (2) and in which is installed the action mechanism fin (7) fins (3).

2. - A swimming toy according to claim 1 whose motor device providing the driving force is constituted by at least one elastic (14) connecting, on the one hand, the drive member (11) of the actuation mechanism (7 ⁾ fins (3 ⁾ and, on the other hand, a winding system (33-34) allowing- to twist the driving elastic (14) and installed at the rear part of the body (1) of the toy, characterized in that the rigid internal framework (6-8a-8b-9) also comprises a sleeve or tubular part (6) oriented Longitud-i-nally and in that the actuation mechanism ⁽ 7) and the winding system (33-34) are installed, respectfully, at the ends anterior and posterior of said rigid Longitudinal sleeve (6).

3. - swimming toy according to claim 2, characterized in that the fins (3) have a generally triangular shape and are attached to the envelope (2) over all or almost all of the length of their internal side (3a ); Said fins (3) being preferably attached to the envelope (2) over a distance from the location of the actuating mechanism (7) of the fins (3) to the rear end of said envelope.

4. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the front edge (3b) of the fins (3) has a greater thickness than that of the remaining posterior portion (3e) of said fins, so that said front edge (3b) has a much lower degree of flexibility than that of the remaining flexible portion (3e) of said fins, and in that the thickness of the front edge (3b) gradually decreases towards the end of these last.

5. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fin beams (4) extend over all or almost all of the length of the front edge (3b) of the fins (3 ) and are preferably permanently embedded in said edge.

6. - swimming toy according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means (5, 3c) opposing the longitudinal displacement of the beams fins (4) inside their housing.

7. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuating mechanism of the fins (3) comprises a rigid frame formed by an anterior plate (8b) and a posterior plate ( 8a), kept apart by spacers (9), and between which are housed the transmission members (15, 18, 19a, 19b, 21) of said mechanism, said rear plate (8a) carrying the bearing (10) of the crank training (12-13-15).

8. - swimming toy according to claim 7, characterized in that the mechanism for actuating the fins comprises a primary link (18 articulated, on the one hand, by one of its ends, on the crank pin (16) of the drive crank

(12-13-15), and, on the other hand, via its opposite end, on the end of one of the oscillating levers (19a), a secondary link (21) also being articulated, by via one of its ends, on the articulation axis (20) of the primary link (18) on said oscillating lever (19a), this secondary link (21) being articulated, via its opposite end, on the second oscillating lever (19b).

9. - swimming toy according to one of Claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the mechanism ^has' ctionnement fins is held in position in the casing or skin (2) by means of at least one pair annular lips (23) which is provided, internally, said envelope, and between which is embedded the edge of at least one of the plates (8b) of the rigid frame (8a-8b) of said mechanism.

10. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a stopper (28) for neutralizing the actuation mechanism of the fins, this stopper being by

5 example constituted by a lever (28) mounted with a tilting ability, by means of a sleeve (29) on a hinge pin (30) connecting the rigid reinforcement plates (8a, 8b), this lever comprising, on either side of so, n axis of _Q tilting, on the one hand, a lever (28a) passing through a transverse slot (31) formed in the dorsal wall of the envelope or skin (2 ) and, on the other hand, a locking rod (28b) capable of being placed on the trajectory of the leveling plate (15) ₅ of the drive crank (12-13-15), in order to prevent the rotation of the latter; the retainer (28) and the fin actuation mechanism being provided with complementary means (28c; 32a; 32b) for locking said stopper, in its two extreme positions, said complementary locking means comprising, for example, on the one hand, a boss (28c) which is provided with the locking rod (28b) of the retainer and, on the other hand, two holes or cavities (32a-32b) that presents the rear plate (8a) of 5 l ' rigid frame (8a-8b).

11. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a removable ring (24, 35) is arranged around the hook (13) of the drive crank (12-13-15) , and / or around 0 of the hook (33) of the crank (34) of the winding system.

12. - swimming toy according to claim 11, characterized in that the ring (35) disposed around the hook (33) of the crank (34) of the reassembly, comprises a circular shoulder (35a) through which it is wedged against the internal end of the bearing (36) of said crank (34) whose hook (33) is provided with two opposite flexible branches (58) provided a spout (58a) bearing against the internal end of said ring (35).

13. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a waterproof capsule (37) containing air or capable of enclosing air is housed in the front part of the envelope or skin (2).

14. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that holes- or openings (31, 41, 42, 42a, 43) are reserved in the body of the toy and in the mechanisms equipping it- ci, to allow the penetration and passage of water in said body, including in the tubular framework (6), as well as the evacuation of the air present in the latter during the launching of said water toy.

15. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the fin beams (4) are subject to the pivoting levers (19a, 19b) by means of coupling means (25, 44 , 46, 48, 51, 52, 52 ', 52 ", 55) for adjusting the position of said fin beams.

16. - swimming toy according to claim 15, characterized in that the means for fixing each fin beam (4) on the associated pivoting lever ⁽ 19a, 19b) comprise a coupling piece (46) integral in rotation with the fin beam (4) and mounted with a rotational capacity thwarted relative to the pivoting lever which comprises a fin base (25) in which is engaged the internal end (4a) of said fin beam (4), this coupling part (46) being , on the other hand, integral in translation with said fin foot (25) and mounted with a translational ability thwarted with respect to the fin beam (4).

17. - swimming toy according to claim 16, characterized in that the coupling piece (46) is provided with a concave toothing (48) engaged with a toothed segment (44) integral with the fin base (25) of the pivoting lever (19a, 19b).

18. - swimming toy according to claim 17, characterized in that the concave toothing (48) is provided with a retaining lug (53) engaged in a gap (45) formed between the toothed segment (44) and the face of the fin foot (25) in which the cylindrical housing (25a) of the fin beam (4) opens.

19. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the coupling part (46) is provided with a tooth (51) engaged in a longitudinal notch (55, 55 *) which is provided with the internal end (4a) of the fin beam (4 ⁾ .

20. - Jpuet swimming according to claim 19, characterized in that the bottom of the notch

longitudinal (55) is provided with notches (52, 52 ', 52 ") arranged in succession and in any one of which can be engaged the tooth (51) of the coupling piece (46).

21. - swimming toy according to claim 19, characterized in that the internal end (4a) of the fin beam (4) is provided with a succession of transverse notches formed by circular _ς notches (56, 56 ', 56 "), and in that the fin foot (25) is provided, near its housing (25a), with a tooth (57 ⁾ which can be engaged in any one of said circular notches.

22. - swimming toy according to any one of claims 0 to 21, characterized in that the fin foot (25) comprises, around and in front of the entrance to its housing (25a), a pad (59) consisting of a portion of cylinder.