EP1591146A1 - Palme de plongée - Google Patents

Palme de plongée Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1591146A1
EP1591146A1 EP05103598A EP05103598A EP1591146A1 EP 1591146 A1 EP1591146 A1 EP 1591146A1 EP 05103598 A EP05103598 A EP 05103598A EP 05103598 A EP05103598 A EP 05103598A EP 1591146 A1 EP1591146 A1 EP 1591146A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blade
foot
fin according
foot pocket
pocket
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05103598A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Marco Bonfanti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
C4 Sas Di Marco Bonfanti & C
Original Assignee
C4 Sas Di Marco Bonfanti & C
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by C4 Sas Di Marco Bonfanti & C filed Critical C4 Sas Di Marco Bonfanti & C
Publication of EP1591146A1 publication Critical patent/EP1591146A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B31/00—Swimming aids
    • A63B31/08—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs
    • A63B31/10—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet
    • A63B31/11—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet attachable only to the feet

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fin for underwater swimming.
  • the solution that is currently universally adopted is to increase the surface of the swimmer's organs of propulsion, i.e., the feet.
  • the fin is composed of a part into which the foot is to be inserted (termed foot pocket) and a flat part, the mechanical behavior of which entails propulsion (termed blade).
  • the blade flexes due to the motion of the foot (kicking) and of the fluid drag of the water.
  • the blade of a fin is made of materials that allow the best elastic response to forces, ensuring flexing with minimum energy absorption.
  • the need for propulsion is different: in diving with self-contained breathing apparatus, the user employs, for vertical movements, an inflatable element, by means of which he neutralizes the flotation or sinking components, said element therefore allowing him to remain stationary at the chosen depth; in free diving, the user uses only the propulsion of his legs both for vertical travel and for horizontal travel.
  • a free diver needs to have fins (or a monofin) in which the blade has an excellent elastic behavior, minimizing the dissipated energy without however being too rigid, as this would entail rapid fatigue.
  • the tip of the blade cannot be thinner than a minimum limit set by the manufacturing process and by the need to withstand breakage and wear: during flexing, the blade undergoes a deformation, varying conspicuously from the ideal parabolic shape, as a consequence of the excessive thickness of its tip portion.
  • the structure of a fin of this type entails a connection between the soft foot pocket (in order to improve fit) and the more rigid blade: this connection is a critical point for the transmission of energy from the foot to the blade.
  • this connection is a critical point for the transmission of energy from the foot to the blade.
  • the fit of the foot in the foot pocket is not sufficiently comfortable, since foot pockets all have the same fit for both feet (for an equal size), and said fit is not even adjustable. Therefore, the foot pocket must be sufficiently oversized with respect to the foot in order to accommodate equally the right or left foot; the play between the foot and the foot pocket contributes to the dissipation of energy and easily allows skin abrasion due to the rubbing of portions of the foot pocket against the foot.
  • Conventional foot pockets are coupled to the blade by means of grooves, provided in appropriate lateral longitudinal members of the foot pocket, within which the edges of the initial part of the blade are inserted, while the end part is free: the initial end is inserted below the foot pocket in an appropriately provided receptacle.
  • This coupling affects only a small portion of the foot pocket and therefore the initial end of the blade affects only on the initial half of the foot, causing (after prolonged use) intense fatigue of the body part, caused by intense specific pressure below the sole of the foot.
  • the longitudinal members mate with the blade only in an initial portion of its length.
  • lateral profiles have been introduced in many fin models which are designed to be fitted laterally to the blades and have a substantially T-shaped cross-section, the vertical portion of the T-shape being affected by a groove so that it is possible to accommodate the edge of the blade inside said groove.
  • the horizontal portion of the T-shape which is perpendicular to the blade after assembly, constitutes an edge for containing the stream of water, increasing blade efficiency.
  • the mechanical characteristics of the profile are constant along its length, and the profile therefore causes a generic stiffening of the blade that is in contrast with the need to have a flexibility that increases gradually toward the end tip in order to approximate a parabolic deformation.
  • the profiles are fitted exclusively in the lateral end part of the blade, since in the initial part the edges of the blade are already coupled to the longitudinal members of the foot pocket (which also perform a conveyance function, albeit a weaker one, caused both by their shape and by their partially transverse placement with respect to the direction of motion of the fluid): therefore, in addition to a discontinuity in the channeling of the stream of water (between the longitudinal member and the profile), the profile acts on (and stiffens) the end part of the blade, which instead would require the maximum possible flexibility.
  • the aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to meet the mentioned requirements, by providing a fin for underwater swimming in which flexibility increases gradually from its initial tip to its end tip, in order to undergo deformation so as to approximate a parabola during use, improving the separation of the fluid threads from its surface.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a fin in which the blade is coupled to the foot of the user at the region of the foot where forces are applied naturally (substantially the articulation region of the foot between the metatarsus and the phalanxes).
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fin for underwater swimming in which the foot pocket mates firmly with the foot, avoiding relative movements and ensuring a comfortable fit.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fin for underwater swimming, in which the foot pocket and the blade are mutually associated so that the foot acts on the initial part of the blade.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fin for underwater swimming in which the water conveying profiles are distributed along most of the length of the blade.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fin that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.
  • the present fin for underwater swimming of the type that comprises a blade, which is made of a material having a high elastic response, is flat and substantially rectangular and has two surface portions that are mutually inclined and generated without discontinuities, in which the initial portion is inclined, and a foot pocket, which is made of substantially soft material, said blade and said foot pocket being mutually associated by way of connecting means; characterized in that said blade has a thickness that decreases gradually from its initial portion to its end portion, the end tip of said blade being provided with a substantial centered and protruding surface portion, which is narrower than the width of said blade and has a length that is substantially proportional to the length of the blade; and in that said initial portion, when the blade is fitted below said foot pocket, remains entirely below the sole of the foot pocket, the corner region at which the inclined portion begins being proximate to the area of the foot pocket intended to accommodate the articular region between the metatarsus and the phalanxes of the foot when the blade
  • the reference numeral 1 generally designates a fin for underwater swimming according to the invention.
  • the fin 1 is constituted by a blade 2 and a foot pocket 3, which are mutually coupled by way of a receptacle 4 of the foot pocket 3, in which the initial portion 5 of the blade 2 is inserted, and by way of fixing means 6, which are arranged in the initial portion of the foot pocket 3 (and in the corresponding position also in the blade 2), which can be for example pairs of threaded elements that mate with each other.
  • the receptacle 4 provided on the bottom of the foot pocket 3 can reach the region intended to accommodate the heel of the foot 12, the initial portion 5 of the blade 2, when said blade 2 is fitted to the foot pocket 3, being fully comprised therein and being therefore rigidly coupled to the entire sole of the foot 12.
  • the receptacle 4 may also be of a conventional type, ending at the region intended to accommodate the concave part of the foot 12 (between the heel and the forefoot).
  • the foot pocket 3 is provided, in an upper region, with a contoured portion 7 shaped like an inverted letter U, which is provided without discontinuities so that the lateral arms of the U-shape are blended respectively with the right flap 8 and with the left flap 9 of the upper 10.
  • the contoured portion 7 has a plurality of through holes 11, which are aligned in pairs: said holes 11 are adapted to accommodate a lace (not shown in the figure), by means of which it is possible to move mutually closer the two facing sides of the contoured portion 7 and accordingly move the right flap 8 closer to the left flap 9, tightening the upper 10 around the foot 12 so as to improve the fit.
  • a lace not shown in the figure
  • screw-and-nut pairs each of which is inserted in a respective hole 11, so that their tightening entails the mutual approach of the two flaps 8 and 9, fastening the foot 12 within the upper 10.
  • the foot 12 can be inserted within the foot pocket 3 by means of an opening 12a, which is located in the rear upper portion of the foot pocket 3, and rests on the sole 13 of the foot pocket 3.
  • the foot pockets 3 are provided according to two different configurations (left foot pocket 3 and right foot pocket 3) in order to further improve comfort and ensure maximum stability of said foot pockets on the foot 12 (all relative movements caused by the presence of voids between the foot pocket 3 and the foot 12 are avoided).
  • the blade 2 is constituted by two parts: the initial portion 5 (which will be associated with the foot pocket 3 and therefore is tapered) and the end portion 14 (which is much longer and has a substantially constant width).
  • the end portion 14 has a substantial centered and protruding surface portion 15 that is narrower than the width of said blade and has a length that is substantially proportional to the length of the blade (hereinafter termed flap 15) at its free end 16.
  • the flap 15 has a substantially trapezoidal shape, since the side that would constitute the longer parallel side is rigidly coupled to the free end 16 (since it is a continuation thereof), the side that constitutes the shorter parallel side is constituted by the tip edge 17, and the two oblique sides are constituted by the lateral edges 18.
  • the lateral edges 18 may be linear or curved, and are curved in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures.
  • the approximate dimensions of the flap are closely correlated to the dimensions of the end portion 14 of the blade 2: generally, a length of no more than 20% of the length of the portion 14 and a width comprised between 20% and 70% of the width of the end tip 16.
  • the flap 15 has a surface area that substantially does not exceed 10% of the surface area of the portion 14 but reaches, in a preferred embodiment, approximately 5% of the surface area of the portion 14.
  • the initial portion 5 and the end portion 14 of the blade 2 are mutually separated by a corner region 19, along which the two surfaces are blended: such surfaces are in fact mutually inclined with an angle that is generally comprised between 15 and 25° (said angle is preferably 20°).
  • the presence of such an inclination between the portions 5 and 14 is intended to maximize the thrust provided by the swimmer for an equal energy expenditure thereof, further improving the comfort and ergonomics of the use of blades 2 having this configuration.
  • Profiled elements 20 that have a substantially T-shaped cross-section are fitted on the lateral surface of each blade 2.
  • the vertical portion of said T-shape is provided with a longitudinal groove 20a, along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 20, which is suitable to accommodate the lateral edge of the blade 2, while the horizontal portion of the T-shape has a variable length along the extension of the profiled element, giving the profiled elements 20 a shape (if viewed from the side) that substantially resembles an elongated teardrop.
  • the horizontal portion of the T-shape has a minimum length, which may even be negligible, at the two tip regions of the profiled element 20, and a maximum length in an intermediate region that is comprised, when the profiled element 20 is fitted to the blade 2, between the corner region 19 and the midpoint of the end portion 14: this configuration gives the various sections of the blade 2 variable flexibility, improving their elastic response.
  • the user inserts his feet 12 through the openings 12a into the foot pocket 3.
  • the corner region 19 lies below the articulation region between the metatarsus and the phalanxes (the sort of pad before the toes).
  • This location improves, with respect to conventional embodiments, the transfer of energy from the foot 12 to the blade 2, since the blade 2 is rigidly coupled to the part of the foot 12 that has no articulations, thus eliminating all the muscular efforts caused by the increase in the distance of application of the forces (lever arm) transferred through the toes of the feet 12 for the stiffening required for a correct fin stroke.
  • the portion of the foot 12 that is constituted by the articulation region between the metatarsus and the phalanxes is the natural place through which a force is transferred from the leg to an external element.
  • the coupling between the foot and the pedal is fixed by means of appropriate fastening elements in order to keep the pedal constantly associated with the articulation region between the metatarsus and the phalanxes.
  • support is provided in the articulation region between the metatarsus and the phalanxes in order to improve force application without causing fatigue of the toes of the foot 12.
  • Adjustment of the foot pocket 3 according to the shape of the foot 12 is performed by taking care to fasten the lace arranged between the holes 11 in order to move the flaps 8 and 9 of the upper 10 mutually closer.
  • the effort required for the fin stroke is minimized by the presence of the flap 15 and by the configuration with gradually decreasing thickness (from the corner region 19 to the end 16) of the end portion 14.
  • the shape of the profiled elements 20 also contributes to improve the elastic response of the fin 1, which can undergo deformation during use with a curvature that can be likened to a parabola.
  • the combination of the presence of the flap 15 and of the particular configuration of the profiled elements 20 ensures that the blade 2 flexes progressively, also improving fluid thread separation.
  • the blade 2 of the fin 1 according to the invention can also be fitted to conventional foot pockets 21 provided with a lower receptacle (not shown in the figures), which affects only the initial part (in practice from the region below the region designed to accommodate the toes to the region below the region intended to accommodate the arch of the foot 12): in this case, it is necessary to resort to a particularly shaped blade 2a.
  • the suitable blade 2a has an initial portion 22 that is shorter than the initial portion 4 of the blade 2 and has at least one hole 23 for coupling to the foot pocket 21.
  • the foot pocket 21 also comprises two lateral longitudinal members 24, which by being provided with a groove on their internal surface are interlocked on the part located proximate to the corner region 19 of the lateral surfaces of the end portion 25 of the blade 2a.
  • Profiled elements 26, shaped like the profiled elements 20 but shorter, are accommodated on the part of the lateral surface of the blade 2a that is left free by the longitudinal members 24.
  • the profiled elements 26, when viewed from the side, are less elongated than the profiled elements 20 although being likewise teardrop-shaped (in a different embodiment, the profiled elements 26 may also have a constant thickness along their entire extension).
  • the blade 2a ends with a flap 26a that is shaped like the flap 15 and has the same dimensional characteristics.
  • the fin 1 according to the invention can also be provided according to an embodiment (monofin 1a) provided with a double foot pocket 27, which has a first receptacle 28 that is contoured for insertion of the right foot 12 and a second receptacle 29 that is contoured for insertion of left foot 12, said receptacles being arranged side by side and being rigidly coupled to each other.
  • a double foot pocket 27 which has a first receptacle 28 that is contoured for insertion of the right foot 12 and a second receptacle 29 that is contoured for insertion of left foot 12, said receptacles being arranged side by side and being rigidly coupled to each other.
  • the blade 30 In order to provide to the monofin 1a, the blade 30 must have a suitable width, which is increased with respect to the width of the blades 2 for the foot pocket 3 with a receptacle 12a for a single foot 12.
  • Its initial portion can be associated stably with a receptacle provided below the double foot pocket 27, the corresponding angle of variation of the inclination (equal in breadth to the angle described for the blade 2) being arranged below the area of the region of articulation between the metatarsus and the phalanxes.
  • the blade 30 has substantially twice the width of the blades 2 for the foot pocket 3 provided with a receptacle 12a for a single foot.
  • the specifications of the monofin 1a are similar (except for the dimensional indications already described) to the ones described for the fin 1 in everything that regards the configuration of the profiled elements 31 (similar to the profiled elements 20), of the flap 32 (similar to the flap 15 also as regards its dimensional parameters), and of the means for fastening the foot pockets 27 to the feet 12.
  • the preferred material for providing the blades 2, 2a and 30 is a composite material constituted by a matrix of thermosetting resin with structural reinforcements made of high-performance fibers (for example carbon fiber, glass fiber or Kevlar) arranged appropriately so as to give the best elastic response along particular directions of deformation.
  • the blades 2, 2a and 30 may be made of polymeric material with suitable mechanical characteristics.
  • the foot pockets 3 and 27 may be made preferably of polymeric material (such as polyurethane) and rubber.
  • the foot pockets 3 and 27 (at least part thereof), too, are provided by using a composite material (for example a structural component constituted by carbon fiber, glass fiber or Kevlar immersed in an epoxy resin matrix) in order to strengthen their parts that are most intensely stressed during the fin stroke.
  • a composite material for example a structural component constituted by carbon fiber, glass fiber or Kevlar immersed in an epoxy resin matrix
  • the right flap 8 can accommodate a ratchet lever and the left flap 9 can accommodate the corresponding engagement element, in an embodiment in which the contoured portion 7 is not present (or is shaped differently), so that the two flaps 8 and 9 can be moved mutually closer by means of a fastening action performed with said lever.
  • the embodiment of the present invention shall be carried out in the most scrupulous compliance with the statutory and regulatory provisions related to the products of the invention or correlated thereto and following any required authorization of the corresponding competent authorities, with particular reference to regulations related to safety, environmental pollution and health.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
EP05103598A 2004-04-30 2005-04-29 Palme de plongée Withdrawn EP1591146A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO20040273 2004-04-30
ITBO20040273 ITBO20040273A1 (it) 2004-04-30 2004-04-30 Pinna per nuoto subacqueo

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1591146A1 true EP1591146A1 (fr) 2005-11-02

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ID=34939620

Family Applications (1)

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EP05103598A Withdrawn EP1591146A1 (fr) 2004-04-30 2005-04-29 Palme de plongée

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EP (1) EP1591146A1 (fr)
IT (1) ITBO20040273A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101712751B1 (ko) * 2015-12-16 2017-03-07 다이텍연구원 핀 블레이드
CN108502128A (zh) * 2017-06-21 2018-09-07 广州琪高投资有限公司 可拆卸蛙鞋
EP3970812A1 (fr) * 2020-09-17 2022-03-23 Cressi-Sub S.p.A. Palme de plongée sous-marine dotée d'une grande capacité de propulsion

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2729832A (en) * 1952-02-28 1956-01-10 Schmitz Walter Swimming fin
GB2128096A (en) * 1982-10-05 1984-04-26 Bruno De Otero Hermany Swimming flipper
FR2543004A1 (fr) * 1983-03-25 1984-09-28 Dessault Hugues Palme de natation a voilure amovible
FR2611509A1 (fr) * 1986-12-05 1988-09-09 Petit Jean Christophe Dispositif de palme compacte
FR2676001A1 (fr) * 1991-05-02 1992-11-06 Brunet Jean Palme a chausson de maintient.
FR2699084A1 (fr) * 1992-12-10 1994-06-17 Guidone Regis Voilure pour palmes de natation.
US5522748A (en) * 1994-07-01 1996-06-04 Cressi Sub S.P.A. Flipper for swimming and production method
EP0872263A1 (fr) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-21 HTM SPORT S.p.A. Palme de natation avec partie chaussante ouverte
DE20318748U1 (de) * 2003-12-04 2004-04-22 Schultz, Andreas, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Fußblatt aus CFK (Kohlenstoff-faserverstärkter Kunststoff) mit Gummi-Layer für teilbare Taucherflossen

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2729832A (en) * 1952-02-28 1956-01-10 Schmitz Walter Swimming fin
GB2128096A (en) * 1982-10-05 1984-04-26 Bruno De Otero Hermany Swimming flipper
FR2543004A1 (fr) * 1983-03-25 1984-09-28 Dessault Hugues Palme de natation a voilure amovible
FR2611509A1 (fr) * 1986-12-05 1988-09-09 Petit Jean Christophe Dispositif de palme compacte
FR2676001A1 (fr) * 1991-05-02 1992-11-06 Brunet Jean Palme a chausson de maintient.
FR2699084A1 (fr) * 1992-12-10 1994-06-17 Guidone Regis Voilure pour palmes de natation.
US5522748A (en) * 1994-07-01 1996-06-04 Cressi Sub S.P.A. Flipper for swimming and production method
EP0872263A1 (fr) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-21 HTM SPORT S.p.A. Palme de natation avec partie chaussante ouverte
DE20318748U1 (de) * 2003-12-04 2004-04-22 Schultz, Andreas, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Fußblatt aus CFK (Kohlenstoff-faserverstärkter Kunststoff) mit Gummi-Layer für teilbare Taucherflossen

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101712751B1 (ko) * 2015-12-16 2017-03-07 다이텍연구원 핀 블레이드
CN108502128A (zh) * 2017-06-21 2018-09-07 广州琪高投资有限公司 可拆卸蛙鞋
EP3970812A1 (fr) * 2020-09-17 2022-03-23 Cressi-Sub S.p.A. Palme de plongée sous-marine dotée d'une grande capacité de propulsion

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Publication number Publication date
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