EP2058032A1 - Flosse für Unterwasseraktivitäten - Google Patents

Flosse für Unterwasseraktivitäten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2058032A1
EP2058032A1 EP07425708A EP07425708A EP2058032A1 EP 2058032 A1 EP2058032 A1 EP 2058032A1 EP 07425708 A EP07425708 A EP 07425708A EP 07425708 A EP07425708 A EP 07425708A EP 2058032 A1 EP2058032 A1 EP 2058032A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sole
foot
fin according
blade
fin
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Withdrawn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
EP07425708A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Marco Pisello
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.)
Omersub SpA
Original Assignee
Omersub SpA
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 Omersub SpA filed Critical Omersub SpA
Priority to EP07425708A priority Critical patent/EP2058032A1/de
Publication of EP2058032A1 publication Critical patent/EP2058032A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fin for underwater activities.
  • the fin traditionally comprises a foot pocket, in which the foot is inserted and which is associated with a respective blade which is generally elongated and flat.
  • the blade which when pushed by the foot (by virtue of the muscle action mainly of the legs and buttocks) against the water is subjected to a flexural load, allows the forward motion of the user with a speed which varies depending on the muscular effort and on the breadth and rate of fin motion.
  • fins have a role of primary importance among equipment dedicated to these activities, not only in terms of performance but also in terms of safety.
  • Known types of foot pocket are made of substantially soft material with calibrated deformability, traditionally rubber of various kinds, in order to allow insertion of the foot from above through a suitable opening and ensure a certain comfort of the fit.
  • the operations for inserting the foot in the foot pocket are not particularly quick and comfortable to perform for the user.
  • the blade can be provided monolithically together with the foot pocket (by molding) or can be provided separately and associated with the foot pocket in a second step and therefore can be made of materials of a different type.
  • the blade is made of polymeric material, which however does not have the best mechanical characteristics useful for the purpose, since it has a limited elastic response and consequently dissipates much of the muscle power during the flexing of said blade.
  • the blade has a coupling end, which is inserted in a suitable receptacle of the foot pocket, from the sides of which two longitudinal members protrude at the front which are provided with guides within which the sides of the blade are inserted by interlocking for a limited extent.
  • the blade and the foot pocket are then mutually fixed, generally by way of means of the screw type.
  • the mating between the blade and the foot pocket occurs over a small surface, and since the foot pocket is further made of soft material, the mating is not very rigid: accordingly, dissipation of muscle power when swimming with fins is high, due to the deformation of the foot pocket and to the mating which is, as mentioned, not very rigid.
  • the voids between the foot and the foot pocket can cause the onset of fatigue and even pain of the foot when swimming with fins, caused also by the substantial weight of the foot pocket made of rubber, so much as to force the user to a slower stroke or even to interrupt the practice of the underwater activity.
  • the materials traditionally used to provide the foot pocket are not soft enough to prevent, together with the friction due to the voids between the foot and the foot pocket, the onset of blisters and/or abrasions, and therefore during prolonged use it is practically mandatory to use boots in order to avoid the problem.
  • insertion of the foot in the foot pocket through said opening is not particularly easy and the fit is scarcely comfortable.
  • the aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing a fin for underwater activities which is comfortable, i.e., can be worn easily and comfortably, is lightweight, and avoids the onset of foot fatigue or even pain during its use, even if it is prolonged.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a fin which allows to minimize energy losses by providing a significantly higher efficiency than known types of fin, so as to achieve optimum propulsion thrust for the user.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fin which, thanks to its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fin which is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and also competitive from an economic standpoint.
  • a fin for underwater activities characterized in that it comprises at least one foot pocket provided with an upper, made of substantially soft and lightweight material suitable to provide excellent fit comfort and fixed to a sole made of rigid material, and at least one blade, which is associated with said sole by way of respective means for rigid coupling which may also be detachable, said blade comprising at least one coupling portion whose shape is substantially complementary to the shape of a respective seat formed within said rigid sole, so as to minimize the loss of energy and achieve optimum propulsion thrust.
  • the reference numeral 1 generally designates a fin for underwater activities according to the invention.
  • the fin 1 comprises at least one foot pocket 2 which has an upper 3, which is made of substantially soft and lightweight material suitable to provide optimum fit comfort and is fixed to a sole 4 made of rigid material, and at least one blade 5, which is associated with the sole 4 by way of respective rigid coupling means which can also be detachable.
  • the blade 5 comprises at least one coupling portion 5a, whose shape is substantially complementary to the shape of a respective seat 6 formed in the rigid sole 4, so as to minimize the loss of energy and achieve optimum propulsion thrust.
  • the foot pocket 2 comprises closure elements, which are adapted to fasten suitably the upper 3 around the foot of the user, so as to avoid the formation of disadvantageous voids between the foot pocket and the foot and minimize energy loss.
  • the front region of the rigid sole 4 comprises a protrusion 8, which protrudes at least from the sides of the tip of the foot pocket 2, and the seat 6 is formed at the front region of the sole 4.
  • the blade 5 comprises a first flat end portion 9 and a second flat portion 10 which has a free tip 10a and cantilevers out from the foot pocket 2 when the blade 5 is associated with the sole 4: the first portion 9 and the second portion 10 are mutually inclined, and a connecting region 11 with a preset radius of curvature is formed between them.
  • the coupling portion 5a comprises at least the first portion 9 and the connecting region 11, which is accommodated at the front in the seat 6, substantially proximate to the protrusion 8.
  • the coupling portion 5a comprises the first portion 9, the connecting region 11 and an initial region of the second portion 10, and the seat 6 accommodates the connecting region 11 and the initial region of the second portion 10 at the front, substantially at the protrusion 8.
  • the coupling portion 5a is affected by a distribution of through holes 12 and the sole 4 is affected, at the seat 6, by openings 13 and by at least one slot 14, which are located correspondingly with respect to the holes 12, for the detachable rigid locking of the blade 5 to the foot pocket 2 by way of the coupling means.
  • two of the holes 12 are arranged, in a configuration for mating the blade 5 with the foot pocket 2, at two respective through openings 13, which are provided substantially on the protrusion 8 of the sole 4 substantially at the sides of the tip of the foot pocket 2, and at least one other hole 13, and preferably three other holes 13, are arranged at three respective slots 14 located in the seat 6 substantially below the region on which the forefoot rests.
  • said coupling means comprise at least one plurality of threaded elements 15, which can engage in the holes 12, in the slots 14 and in the through openings 13 for the detachable rigid locking of the blade 5 to the foot pocket 2.
  • the coupling means comprise at least two screws 15, which can be inserted in the two through openings 13 and in the two corresponding holes 12 and can engage two respective locking nuts 16, and further comprise at least three other screws 15, which can be inserted in three additional holes 12 and in three corresponding slots 14 and can engage three additional respective nuts contained in receptacles formed within the sole 4 and connected to the slots 14 (the additional three nuts and the receptacles are not visible in the figures).
  • these last slots 14 are located in the seat 4, substantially below the region on which the forefoot rests, and in greater detail are arranged (and so are the respective three holes 12 on the coupling portion 5a) at the vertices of a triangle whose vertex is oriented toward the heel of the foot pocket 2.
  • the coupling means further comprise at least one substantially plate-like element 17, which is made of rigid material, has a shape which is substantially complementary to the shape of the coupling portion 5a, and is affected by a plurality of orifices 18 which are distributed so as to correspond to the holes 12 of the coupling portion 5a: positively, said portion is clamped detachably by means of the screws 15 between the substantially plate-like element 17 and the sole 4, so as to ensure an optimum rigid coupling between the blade 5 and the sole 4 of the foot pocket 2.
  • the protrusion 8 has a substantially isosceles trapezoid plan shape and protrudes from the tip of the foot pocket 2 laterally with the oblique sides and at the front with the longer parallel side; the two through openings 13 are provided at the oblique sides.
  • the protrusion 8 is affected by a substantially central weight reduction cutout 19, which extends partially below the tip of the foot pocket 2; the longer parallel side, which closes it at the front, gives it greater structural rigidity.
  • the closure elements 7 are of the adjustable type, so as to allow optimum fastening of the right and left flaps of the upper 3 around the foot of the user, and in particular comprise at least one strap 20, and preferably a plurality of straps 20 (for example two, as shown in Figure 1 and in Figure 3 ) with fastening of the Velcro type. Nevertheless, in other exemplary embodiments the closure elements 7 may also comprise laces or other fastening elements traditionally used with technical and sports footwear of a known type (and, like these last, the foot pocket 2 can comprise or not a tongue).
  • the foot pockets 2 have a first configuration which is suitable for fitting a right foot and a second configuration which is suitable for fitting a left foot, so as to adhere perfectly and comfortably to the feet of the user, minimizing the losses of energy that are instead high when using traditional fins due to foot pockets which have a so-called "ambidextrous" fit.
  • the sole 4, which as mentioned is conveniently rigid, can be made of polymeric material for example such as nylon loaded with glass fibers.
  • the sole 4 can be made of composite material, for example of the type of carbon fiber (or glass fiber or Kevlar or other engineered fibers) embedded in a resin matrix.
  • the blade 5 can be made of the materials normally used for traditional blades, but it is preferably made of composite material, for example of the type of carbon fiber embedded in a resin matrix, which notoriously has a high elastic response, higher than the other materials normally used, and ensures excellent efficiency of the fin and minimum energy expenditure for the user when swimming with fins.
  • the blade 5 can also be made of a composite material such as glass fiber (or also Kevlar or other engineered fibers) embedded in a resin matrix and, as mentioned, in even other materials.
  • the blade 5, and particularly the coupling portion 5a have an adequate thickness in order to withstand the mechanical stresses to which they are subjected when swimming with fins.
  • the rigid substantially plate-like element 17 also can be made of polymeric material, for example of the type of nylon loaded with glass fibers, or composite material, for example of the type of carbon fiber (or glass, or Kevlar or other engineered fibers) embedded in a resin matrix, and even other materials.
  • the upper 3, as mentioned, is made of substantially soft material, for example technical synthetic fabric, such as for example the fabric known by the registered name Cordura (registered trademark), which has high mechanical characteristics of strength and low weight, or also synthetic leather (imitation leather) and other materials normally used to provide the uppers of known types of technical-sports footwear.
  • technical synthetic fabric such as for example the fabric known by the registered name Cordura (registered trademark)
  • synthetic leather imitation leather
  • the upper 3 fastened by virtue of the closure elements 19 adheres perfectly to the foot of the user, adapting positively to the shape of said foot and thus avoiding the onset of fatigue, pain or abrasions, even after prolonged use.
  • the use of these materials advantageously allows to provide foot pockets 2 which are lightweight and therefore lighter than traditional foot pockets made of rubber, with advantages also in terms of reduced fatigue of the muscle areas involved in swimming with fins. Effectively, the comfort thus ensured by the foot pocket 2 allows the user to wear the fins 1 even without boots.
  • the shape of the foot pocket 2 of the technical-sports type facilitates effectively the insertion of the foot in the foot pocket 2, contrary to what occurs with foot pockets of known types of fin.
  • the upper 3 and the sole 4 are fixed to each other by adhesive bonding and preferably also by means of rivets 20 which are distributed peripherally at least in the rear region and in the central region of the sole 4, as shown in Figure 4 .
  • the fin comprises two foot pockets 2 (one for inserting a right foot and one for inserting the left foot), which are associated with a single blade which comprises two respective coupling portions and has an adequate width, which is greater than that of the blade 5 which can be coupled to a single foot pocket.
  • the user easily inserts, as mentioned, his/her feet in the foot pockets 2 and fastens the flaps of the respective uppers 3 firmly and comfortably on said feet by means of the described closure elements 7, so that there can be no play between the feet and the foot pockets 2; said foot pockets, by way of the soft and light material used to provide the upper 3, are effectively comfortable and lightweight, avoid the onset of foot fatigue or even pain during fin swimming, even after prolonged use of the fin, without the breath-hold diver being forced to slow down his/her action or even interrupt the practice of underwater activity as may occur when using fins of the known type provided with foot pockets.
  • the upper 3 and the sole 4 are rigidly fixed to each other, and the blade 5 also is rigidly coupled to the sole 4 by means of said rigid coupling means: therefore, the muscular effort applied by the user when swimming with fins is transmitted in an optimum manner to the blade 5, minimizing energy losses (which are otherwise typically high in traditional fins and are caused by plays between the foot and the foot pocket, by the materials of which said foot pockets are made, or by the limited rigidity of the coupling between the blade and the foot pocket).
  • This allows the user to achieve optimum propulsion thrust, at the same time reducing energy expenditure when swimming with fins, to the full benefit also of safety, since the exercise of underwater activity with the fins 1 is performed predominantly by breath-hold divers and fishers.
  • the advantages achieved by the described fin 1 are therefore evident also by virtue of the foot pocket 2 of technical-sports derivation, which comprises the upper 3 made of soft and lightweight material and the rigid sole 4 with which it is possible to associate the blade 5, the foot pocket 2 being evidently different from foot pockets of known types of fin; for the reasons described above, the comfort and efficiency of the fin 1 according to the invention are effectively far greater than those of the traditional type.

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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)
EP07425708A 2007-11-12 2007-11-12 Flosse für Unterwasseraktivitäten Withdrawn EP2058032A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07425708A EP2058032A1 (de) 2007-11-12 2007-11-12 Flosse für Unterwasseraktivitäten

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07425708A EP2058032A1 (de) 2007-11-12 2007-11-12 Flosse für Unterwasseraktivitäten

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2058032A1 true EP2058032A1 (de) 2009-05-13

Family

ID=39226878

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07425708A Withdrawn EP2058032A1 (de) 2007-11-12 2007-11-12 Flosse für Unterwasseraktivitäten

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2058032A1 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8641464B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2014-02-04 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same
US9440114B2 (en) 2012-10-12 2016-09-13 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Boot sole system and fin for same
US9943727B2 (en) * 2015-10-22 2018-04-17 Peter Stefano Giovannotto Semi-rigid foot pocket with non-invasive flipper attachment system
CN108502128A (zh) * 2017-06-21 2018-09-07 广州琪高投资有限公司 可拆卸蛙鞋
US10675508B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2020-06-09 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Coupleable fin apparatuses and boot toe bodies

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2343468A (en) * 1942-11-18 1944-03-07 Lawrence P Romano Propulsion device for swimmers
FR2490498A1 (fr) * 1980-09-24 1982-03-26 Vancheri Patrice Palme de natation
US5324219A (en) * 1992-06-03 1994-06-28 Technisub S.P.A. Swimming flipper
US5595518A (en) * 1992-04-23 1997-01-21 Ours; Roger Fin device, in particular for water sports, and method of manufacture of such a device
US5716250A (en) * 1996-05-03 1998-02-10 Htm Sport S.P.A. Swimming flipper
US20050079777A1 (en) * 2002-08-12 2005-04-14 Couzyn Rhys James Flipper
FR2863900A1 (fr) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-24 Breier Sas Dispositif d'assistance de type palme

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2343468A (en) * 1942-11-18 1944-03-07 Lawrence P Romano Propulsion device for swimmers
FR2490498A1 (fr) * 1980-09-24 1982-03-26 Vancheri Patrice Palme de natation
US5595518A (en) * 1992-04-23 1997-01-21 Ours; Roger Fin device, in particular for water sports, and method of manufacture of such a device
US5324219A (en) * 1992-06-03 1994-06-28 Technisub S.P.A. Swimming flipper
US5716250A (en) * 1996-05-03 1998-02-10 Htm Sport S.P.A. Swimming flipper
US20050079777A1 (en) * 2002-08-12 2005-04-14 Couzyn Rhys James Flipper
FR2863900A1 (fr) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-24 Breier Sas Dispositif d'assistance de type palme

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8641464B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2014-02-04 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same
US9737762B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2017-08-22 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same
US10112079B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2018-10-30 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same
US10675508B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2020-06-09 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Coupleable fin apparatuses and boot toe bodies
US9440114B2 (en) 2012-10-12 2016-09-13 Cetatek Holdings Inc. Boot sole system and fin for same
US9943727B2 (en) * 2015-10-22 2018-04-17 Peter Stefano Giovannotto Semi-rigid foot pocket with non-invasive flipper attachment system
CN108502128A (zh) * 2017-06-21 2018-09-07 广州琪高投资有限公司 可拆卸蛙鞋

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