EP3445458B1 - Swim shoe - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a swimming shoe for learning or to support the leg beat for swimming in the breast, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a manufacturing process for the swimming shoe, according to claim 18.

Such swimming shoes are for example from the documents DE 26 58 584 A1 and DE 10 2007 003 508 B3 known. They are used as swimming and learning aids, on the one hand to make it easier to learn to swim and on the other hand to practice correct breast swimming techniques and also to continuously check them. document WO2010 / 123345 A1 describes a breaststroke swimming shoe and a modular system.

These known swimming shoes have a sole flap which can be pivoted towards the outside of the foot via a type of hinge joint arrangement. With this shoe, the flap opens when the breastbone is struck, so that the enlarged kick surface of the feet makes it immediately noticeable whether the foot position is correct or not. If the legs, more precisely the lower legs, are drawn towards the buttocks while swimming continues, the flap that closes almost without resistance closes due to the flow resistance. During the subsequent circular swing movement until the legs are stretched, the flap is opened again, so that the foot's increased push-off area results in better propulsion. Thus, the person wearing the swimming shoe feels very quickly whether his foot position is right or wrong when he strikes his chest. If the wearer of the swimming shoe receives different feedback from his left and right swimming shoe, he can very quickly conclude that his left and right leg are not moving symmetrically and correct this immediately.

Such swimming shoes have proven themselves in practice. With continuing education according to DE 10 2007 003 508 B3 A further improvement has been achieved in that an adjustment of the maximum pivoting angle of the sole flap has been made possible in order in this way to adjust the support effect of the swimming shoe, to protect the joint device and to allow safe walking with the swimming shoe outside the water. The Hinge-like hinge device itself in this known case formed by two textile bands, of which one textile band on the inside of the joint on the sole of the shoe body and the top of the sole flap and the other textile band on the outside of the joint on a flap nose and on the side surface of the shoe body is arranged. The textile tapes are attached to the respective sections with a high-strength adhesive, for example.

Apart from the fact that the known structure of the hinge joint arrangement is relatively complex and complicates the manufacture, it becomes apparent with prolonged use that the sole flap is not always reliably pressed against the soles by the joint prestress. Therefore, this known swimming shoe has manually operated fixer devices with which the sole flap is kept essentially parallel to the bottom surface of the shoe body when walking outside the swimming pool. This makes the construction of the swimming shoe a little more complex. The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a generic swimming shoe in such a way that it ensures a long-term function with great ease of use with a simplified structure.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, an elastic and outwardly bent flap is used in the joint arrangement, via which the sole flap is connected to the shoe body, the flap elastically pressing the sole flap with a prestress on a bottom surface of the shoe body. When the sole flap is pivoted away from the shoe body, the elastic flap stores energy in the form of prestressing force, which is used to pivot the sole flap back onto the shoe body. If the tab presses the sole flap on the bottom surface of the shoe body, there is the advantage that walking with the swimming shoe outside of the water is made easier. The elastic flap prevents the sole flap from accidentally deflecting or swiveling out. The sole flap always rests against the bottom surface of the shoe body without water resistance with sufficient pretensioning of the flap. The dimensions of the tab can be varied within wide limits. This enables a robust Structure of the swimming shoe according to the invention, whereby the function is guaranteed over a long time.

Furthermore, according to the invention, no additional fixation of the sole flap for walking outside the water has to be provided. Because the sole flap is always automatically on the bottom surface of the shoe body due to the pretension of the tab. According to the invention, a stop for the sole flap is fundamentally no longer required. Because of the preload, a sufficient feed force can be generated when the leg is hit before a limit swivel angle is reached.

This has the additional advantage that the manufacture of the swimming shoe remains economical. Because the elastic flap can either be manufactured integrally with the shoe body or separately using the injection molding process.

Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The subject matter of claim 2 provides the advantage that the entire length of the tab can be used to provide the joint function. The pivotable section pivots together with the sole flap through the water resistance, and then presses the sole flap with pretension against the bottom surface of the shoe body. With such a simple construction, the pivoting of the sole flap is made possible, the dimension of the tab being able to influence the prestressing force.

With a further development of claim 3, the pivot angle is limited by the stop of the sole flap or the tongue on the shoe body, but not by the elastic limit of the tongue. This has the advantage that the tab does not reach its elastic limit and thus the life of the tab is extended.

By means of the tab integrally formed with the shoe body, the tab with the shoe body can be produced as one part. This reduces the manufacturing effort and the cost.

According to claim 5, the tab is separately attached to the shoe body. This gives the advantage that the tongue and the shoe body can be made of different materials. The tab can e.g. be formed by a reinforced and possibly more expensive material to provide a safe function, while the shoe body can be formed by a non-reinforced material that is optimized for comfort and therefore generally less expensive. This enables economical production.

The pivoting section can be divided into several fastening tongues, which can be assigned different functions. This results in a further increase in the flexibility of the design.

According to claim 7, it is possible to connect the tab very firmly to the sole flap, since the fastening tongue is arranged in a sandwich-like manner of attachment between the bridge and the outer section of the sole flap. Furthermore, assembly is simplified since the bridge defines the position of the tab and its attachment point. There is also a better appearance.

According to claim 8, the structure of the sole flap is simplified. The connection is stabilized by braiding the fastening tongues of the tab into the sole flap.

The advantage of the development of claim 9 is that the pretensioning tongue provides a further supporting force which acts on the sole flap, it being possible to dispense with fastening the pretensioning tongue to the sole flap.

Through the development of claim 10, the sole flap can be mounted and replaced with the tab.

The development of claim 11, according to which a plurality of ribs is formed on an underside of the sole flap, has the advantage that the sole flap is prevented from changing its shape when deflected and swung out. In addition, the ribs can be given an anti-slip function. Preferably, the ribs extend in the transverse direction of the shoe body. With such a direction of extension of the ribs, the sole flap obtains its required stiffness to support the leg kick, while it does not hinder a rolling movement of the swimming shoe when running. User security is therefore improved.

Through the development according to claim 13, the weight of the sole flap can be reduced.

The tab does not necessarily have to be formed with the same wall thickness everywhere. For example, according to claim 14, a rib extending along the pivot axis may be formed at the position between the pivotable portion and the non-pivotable portion. This point can therefore become thicker if the tab is in a bent state. Therefore this point is reinforced by the rib. As a result, the long-term functionality is improved.

It has been shown in tests that a tab made of a material is sufficient to generate sufficient pretension, the tab thickness being from 3 mm to 5 mm. This opens up the possibility of producing the flap and the shoe body from one and the same material, preferably by injection molding.

If the shoe body is formed symmetrically to a longitudinal central axis, the swimming shoe can be economically manufactured, for example by injection molding. Because only one injection mold is required for a pair of swimming shoes for the two shoe bodies, right shoe body and left shoe body.

The manufacturing process according to claim 18 enables economical manufacturing. Because the flap is made integrally with the shoe body on the one hand by injection molding, and for a pair of swimming shoes it is only an injection mold for the two shoe bodies, the right and left Shoe body, required. This leads to economical production. On the other hand, if the tongue and the shoe body are manufactured separately by injection molding, they can be formed by different materials. Also in this manufacturing process, only one shoe body, a single flap and - for the second embodiment with the braided fastening tongues - a single sole flap are required, which can be used for the two shoes, the left shoe and the right shoe. This leads to a further simplification of the production.

• Figur 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schwimmschuhs für den rechten Fuß gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• Figur 2 eine Ansicht des Schwimmschuhs gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform von unten;
• Figur 3 den Schnitt A - A in Figur 2, in der der Stift weggelassen ist;
• Figur 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schwimmschuhs in einem montierten Zustand gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform, in der die Sohlenklappe weggelassen ist;
• Figur 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Schuhkörpers und einer Lasche in der Rohform gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform nach dem Entnehmen aus einer Spritzgussform;
• Figur 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Sohlenklappe für den Schwimmschuh gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform von einer Oberseite;
• Figur 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Sohlenklappe für den Schwimmschuh gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform von einer Unterseite;
• Figur 8 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Schwimmschuhs für den rechten Fuß gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• Figur 9 eine Ansicht des Schwimmschuhs gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform von unten;
• Figur 10 den Schnitt B - B in Figur 9;
• Figur 11 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schwimmschuhs in einem montierten Zustand gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform, in der die Sohlenklappe weggelassen ist;
• Figur 12 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Sohlenklappe für den Schwimmschuh gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform von einer Oberseite;
• Figur 13 in einem etwas vergrößertem Maßstab eine der Figur 12 ähnliche perspektivische Ansicht einer Variante der zweiten Ausführungsform der Sohlenklappe; und
• Figur 14 die perspektivische Ansicht der Sohlenklappe gemäß Figur 13 von unten gesehen.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings. Show it:

• Figure 1 a perspective view of a swimming shoe according to the invention for the right foot according to a first embodiment;
• Figure 2 a view of the swimming shoe according to the first embodiment from below;
• Figure 3 the section A - A in Figure 2 in which the pen is omitted;
• Figure 4 a perspective view of a swimming shoe according to the invention in an assembled state according to the first embodiment, in which the sole flap is omitted;
• Figure 5 a perspective view of a shoe body and a tab in the raw form according to the first embodiment after removal from an injection mold;
• Figure 6 a perspective view of a sole flap for the swimming shoe according to the first embodiment from an upper side;
• Figure 7 a perspective view of a sole flap for the swimming shoe according to the first embodiment from an underside;
• Figure 8 a perspective view of a swimming shoe for the right foot according to a second embodiment;
• Figure 9 a view of the swimming shoe according to the second embodiment from below;
• Figure 10 the section B - B in Figure 9 ;
• Figure 11 a perspective view of a swimming shoe according to the invention in an assembled state according to the second embodiment, in which the sole flap is omitted;
• Figure 12 a perspective view of a sole flap for the swimming shoe according to the second embodiment from an upper side;
• Figure 13 on a slightly larger scale one of the Figure 12 similar perspective view of a variant of the second embodiment of the sole flap; and
• Figure 14 the perspective view of the sole flap according Figure 13 seen from below.

In the figures, reference numeral 10 designates a swimming shoe, more precisely the right swimming shoe, for learning or to support the contribution to breaststroke swimming. A description of the left swimming shoe is omitted here, since it is mirrored to the right swimming shoe.

The following is with reference to the Figures 1 to 7 the swimming shoe according to a first embodiment explained.

As in Figure 1 As shown, the swimming shoe 10 mainly consists of two parts, namely the actual shoe body 12 and a sole flap 14 connected to it via a joint arrangement 18, which will be described in more detail below in the Figures 6 and 7 is shown separately. The hinge arrangement 18 has an elastic flap 20, via which the sole flap 14 is connected to the shoe body 12, the flap 20, by virtue of its flexurally elastic deformation, pressing the sole flap 14 elastically with a prestress on a bottom surface 32 of the shoe body 12. When using the swimming shoe as a swimming aid or swimming learning aid, when the sole flap 14 is pivoted away from the shoe body 12, the elastic flap 20 builds up a pretension with further flexurally elastic deformation, which is used to pivot the sole flap 14 back onto the shoe body 12.

In this embodiment, the tab 20 is injection molded integrally with the shoe body 12, i.e. molded onto the shoe body. The shoe body 12 with the flap 20 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer based on urethane (TPU). The sole flap 14 is designed as a plastic injection molded part.

Figure 5 shows the elastic tab 20 in a relaxed state, for example in the form in which it comes out of the injection mold together with the shoe body. The sole flap is not yet installed. The tab is still unprocessed. In this relaxed state, part of the elastic tab 20 projects beyond the bottom surface 32 of the shoe body 12.

As in Figures 3 and 4 shown, the portion of the tab 20 projecting beyond the base surface is bent outwards in the assembled state of the sole flap and connected to the sole flap 14. As a result of this flexurally elastic deformation, the tab 20 builds up a prestressing force, via which the sole flap 14 is pressed elastically against the bottom surface 32 of the shoe body 12. This protruding section of the tab 20 forms a pivotable section 30 which, together with the sole flap 14, can pivot due to water resistance when the leg is hit. The section which does not project beyond the bottom surface 32 forms a non-pivotable or non-pivotable section 28 which is connected to the shoe body 12. A pivot axis 16 of the joint arrangement 18 lies between the pivotable section 30 and the non-pivotable section 28. The entire length of the bracket can thus be used to provide the joint function. The tab 20 in the form of a material flap has a uniform wall thickness and - depending on the material - a thickness d in the range from 3 mm to 5 mm. Tests can show that long-term function can be guaranteed.

The tab does not necessarily have to be formed with the same wall thickness everywhere. For example, a reinforcing rib 60 can be formed between the pivotable section 30 and the non-pivotable section 28, which extends along the pivot axis 16 (this variant is shown in FIG Figure 5 indicated by dashed lines).

Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the swimming shoe 10 according to the first embodiment. The sole flap 14 has an outer section 22, to which the pivotable section 30 of the tab 20 is fastened, and an inner section 24, which rests against the bottom surface 32 of the shoe body 12 in the retired state. The sections 22 and 24 are separated from one another by the pivot axis 16.

The type of connection between the tab 20 and the sole flap 14 according to the first embodiment is explained in more detail below.

The sole flap 14 has - as best from the Figures 6 and 7 can be seen - a bridge 26 projecting upward from the sole flap 14, which includes a first end section 34, a second end section 36 and a base plate 38, as a result of which a slot 40 is formed between the bridge 26 and the outer section 22 into which the pivotable section 30 the tab 20 can be inserted as a fastening tongue 42, as in FIG Figures 3 and 4 shown.

To fasten the sole flap 14, the fastening tongue 42 is inserted into the slot 40 from the inside. The outer contour of the fastening tongue 42 thus follows the contour of the slot 40. The fastening tongue 42 and thus the tab 20 can be detachably connected to the sole flap 14. In the embodiment shown, there are three drilled openings or bores 58 on the base plate 38 of the bridge 26 of the sole flap 14, three drilled openings or Bores 61 are formed on the outer portion 22 of the sole flap 14 and three drilled openings or bores 59 are formed on an end portion 43 of the fastening tongue 42 of the tab 20, each of which is flush with one another and into which a pin or a bolt can be inserted. The openings 58, 59, 61 are matched to one another in terms of their position such that - as in Fig. 3 shown - the sole flap 14 lies flat on the bottom surface 32. The three connection points are formed essentially along the longitudinal direction of the swimming shoe 10. The tab 20 is thus positioned by the bridge 26 and connected to the sole flap 14 in a sandwich-like arrangement.

Figure 3 shows the state of the swimming shoe 10 with the mounted sole flap 14. It can be seen that the sole flap 14 is pressed flat against the bottom surface 32 of the shoe body 12 with the pre-tensioned portion 30 of the flap 20 which is bent outwards by approximately 90 °. The sole flap 14 can also protrude slightly beyond the bottom surface contour on the side opposite the joint arrangement. If the leg beat is performed correctly, the sole flap will open due to the water resistance. As long as the water pressure is higher than the biasing force of the tab 20, the water is forced into the space between the sole flap 14 and the bottom surface 32 of the swimming shoe 10, whereby the sole flap 14 is pressed by 90 ° due to the water resistance and an upper side 27 of the bridge 26 the side wall of the shoe body 12 strikes. If the legs, or more precisely the lower legs, are drawn towards the buttocks while the swimming movement continues, the sole flap 14 which can be pivoted almost without resistance closes due to the flow resistance and the pretensioning of the flap 20, while the water from the space between the sole flap 14 and the bottom surface 32 the swimming shoe 12 is pushed. During the subsequent circular swing movement until the legs are extended, the sole flap 14 is opened again. Thus, the swimmer feels very quickly whether his foot position is right or wrong.

The sole flap 14 according to the embodiment shown also has a plurality of ribs 44. These ribs 44 are formed on the underside 47 of the sole flap 14 and extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the Shoe body 12. Selected ribs 62 of ribs 44 extend through the three connection points. When the swimmer wears the swimming shoes and goes out of the water, the sole flap lies against the bottom surface of the shoe body with the pretension of the tab. The pretension of the tab and the ribs extending in the transverse direction prevent the sole flap from inadvertently deflecting or pivoting out, while a rolling movement of the swimming shoe is not impeded due to the ribs extending in the transverse direction.

As in Figure 2 illustrated, the outer portion 22 of the sole flap 14 also has two recesses 46 which are formed under the bridge 26 between the three ribs 62 which extend through the three connection points.

How best of all Figure 3 can be removed, the shoe body 12 is formed symmetrically to a longitudinal central axis MA. In this way, it is possible to use an identical injection mold for a left and a right swimming shoe.

The following is with reference to the Figures 8 to 12 of the swimming shoe according to the second embodiment. To simplify the description, those components which correspond to the components of the first embodiment are provided with similar reference numerals, but which are preceded by a "1".

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a swimming shoe 10 for the right foot according to a second embodiment. As in Figure 8 As shown, the swimming shoe 10 consists mainly of two parts, namely the actual shoe body 12 and a sole flap 114 connected to it via a joint arrangement 18, which is described in more detail Figure 12 is shown separately. The joint arrangement 18 has an elastic tab 120, via which the sole flap 114 is connected to the shoe body 12, the tab 120 elastically pressing the sole flap 114 with a prestress on a bottom surface 32 of the shoe body 12.

In this embodiment, the flap 120 is again made integrally with the shoe body 12 using the injection molding process. The shoe body 12 with the flap 120 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer based on urethane (TPU). The sole flap is designed as a plastic injection molded part.

As in Figures 8 and 10th In the assembled state of the sole flap, the portion of the tab 120 projecting beyond the base surface is bent outwards and connected to the sole flap 114. This section forms a pivotable section 130 which, together with the sole flap 114, can pivot when the leg is hit by water resistance. The section which does not project beyond the bottom surface 32 forms a non-pivotable or non-pivotable section 128 which is connected to the shoe body 12. A pivot axis 116 of the joint arrangement 18 lies between the pivotable section 130 and the non-pivotable section 128. Thus, the entire length of the bracket can be used to provide the joint function.

The tab 120 in the form of a material flap has a uniform wall thickness and - depending on the material - a thickness d in the range from 3 mm to 5 mm.

Figure 9 shows a view of the swimming shoe 10 according to the second embodiment from below. The sole flap 114 has an outer portion 122, to which the pivotable portion 130 of the tab 120 is fastened, and an inner portion 124, which rests against the bottom surface 32 of the shoe body 12 in the retired state. Sections 122 and 124 are separated from one another by pivot axis 116.

The type of connection between the tab 120 and the sole flap 114 according to the second embodiment is explained in more detail below.

As in Figure 12 As shown, the sole flap 114 has two rows of elongated holes, each of which contains an inner elongated hole 50 and an outer elongated hole 52 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the shoe body. Furthermore, the pivotable section 130 of the tab 120 has two fastening tongues 142.

To fasten the sole flap, the fastening tongue 142 is braided into the elongated holes. More specifically, the fastening tongues 142 are each inserted into the corresponding inner elongated hole 50 from above and then inserted into the corresponding outer elongated hole 52 from below. The fastening tongues 142, and thus the tab 120, can be detachably connected to the sole flap 114. In the embodiment shown, two drilled openings or bores 161 are formed on the outer section 122 of the sole flap 114 and two drilled openings or bores 159 on an end section 143 of the fastening tongue 142 of the tab 120, each of which is flush with one another and in each of which a pin or Bolt can be inserted. The openings 159, 161 are coordinated with one another in terms of their position such that - as in FIG Fig. 10 shown - the sole flap 114 lies flat on the bottom surface 32. The two connection points are formed essentially along the longitudinal direction of the swimming shoe 10.

The sole flap 114 can with the pivotable portion 130 of the tab 120 by the resistance of the water max. are pressed by 90 ° until an upper side 48 of the end section 143 of the fastening tongue 142 strikes the shoe body 12.

Furthermore, the pivotable section 130 has a biasing tongue 56. The pretensioning tongue 56 is arranged between the two fastening tongues 142 and bears under a bending pretension in an assembled state of the sole flap 114 on an upper side 54 of the outer section 122 of the sole flap 114. There is no need to attach the biasing tongue 56 to the sole flap 114.

The sole flap 114 according to the embodiment shown also has a plurality of ribs 144. These ribs 144 are formed on the underside 147 of the sole flap 114 and extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shoe body 12.

How best of all Figure 10 can be removed, the shoe body 12 is formed symmetrically to a longitudinal central axis MA. In this way, it is possible to use an identical injection mold for a left and a right swimming shoe.

Below is a variant of the sole flap according to Figure 8 to 12 referring to the Figures 13 and 14 described in more detail. To simplify the description, those components which correspond to the components of the second embodiment described above are provided with similar reference numerals in which the preceding "1" is replaced by the "2".

Deviating from the embodiment according to Figure 8 to 12 the sole flap 214, which is preferably designed as an injection molded part, has an opening 253 instead of the elongated holes 50, 52, over which a bridge 255 extends approximately in the center. Thus, the fastening tongues 142, which are not shown in detail and form the outer tab segments, as in FIG Figures 10 and 11 shown - braided into the sole flap 214 and are. With 261 openings are designated, which serve to receive rivets, via which the braided fastening tongues are connected to the sole flap 214. The reference numeral 263 designates a breakthrough for the production of a further rivet connection with the pretensioning tongue 56, which, under flexurally elastic pretension, provides an additional pretensioning force for pressing the sole flap against the bottom surface of the shoe body.

In a further deviation from the embodiment according to Figure 8 to 12 the ribs 244 are formed on the side of the sole flap 214 facing the shoe body. Finally, a fixing tab 270 is formed on the sole flap 214 on the side opposite the openings 253, which serves as an opening 272 for receiving a push-button connecting element, not shown, with which the sole flap 214 can be releasably secured to the shoe body by deactivating the joint function. In this way, the sole flap can additionally be fixed on the shoe body by means of a separate holding device when the shoe is to be used outside the water. The push-button connection can be carried out in this way, for example as they are in, for example Fig. 8 of the German patent DE 2007 003 508 B3 shown or as in the older German patent application DE 10 2015 101 287 with reference to the Figures 1 to 7 is described.

The flap 270 can be stowed in a "space saving" manner, which is indicated by the dash-dotted line in FIG Figure 13 is indicated. Here again, a push-button connection can be used, for which an opening 274 is provided in the sole body 214. The arrangement is such that the flap 270 'which is folded in and fixed via the push-button connection does not protrude beyond the ribs 244, and that the push-button connecting elements do not protrude beyond the ribs, so that the sole flap 214 is pressed against the bottom surface of the shoe body without a gap and neither the tab 270 nor the push button connection is felt when walking with the shoe.

According to the bottom flap 214 view from below Figure 14 it can be seen that the underside is provided with a multiplicity of knobs 278 which ensure a non-slip grip when walking with the swimming shoe. It can also be seen that the openings 261, 263 and 274 are designed in such a way that the push-button connecting elements can be accommodated in the sole body 214 in a form-fitting manner and as far as possible so that they do not bulge and do not impair the function of the sole flap 214.

Tests have shown that the construction of the swimming shoe according to the invention of both embodiments ensures that, with good user-friendliness, a stable long-term function which has not been achieved to date can be guaranteed. In other words, the function supporting the leg stroke of the breaststroke swimmer is maintained for a long time via the simplified structure with the elastic strap. At the same time, the swimming shoe can be kept relatively small, and the manufacture of the swimming shoe is further simplified compared to previous solutions. Due to the construction of the joint arrangement with the elastic strap, the sole flap, which is not pivoted, remains secure even when walking outside the water in a neutral position near the shoe body, so that the joint is protected and the risk of falling is reduced. Finally, the swimming shoe is characterized by a greatly improved wearing comfort, especially when walking with the swimming shoe.

The manufacture of the swimming shoe is also explained.

In the first step, the shoe body (12) is produced integrally with a left flap and a right flap, each of which projects with a pivotable section (30; 130) over a bottom surface (32) of a shoe body (12), preferably by injection molding. As an alternative to the first step, the shoe body (12) can be produced on both sides with identical fastening sections for the separate flap (20; 120), preferably using the injection molding process. In the second step, the left flap or the right flap is cut off. As an alternative to the second step, the separate tab (20; 120) can be fastened to the fastening section of the shoe body (12). Finally, the sole flap (14; 114) is attached to the pivotable section (30; 130) by bending it outwards. The swimming shoe according to the invention can be manufactured through this simplified manufacturing process.

Of course, modifications of the embodiment shown are possible without departing from the basic idea of the invention.

Starting from the first embodiment, the long-term functionality can be improved by various modifications. For example, the material TPU can be replaced by other materials with similar physical properties.

The elastic flap also does not have to be formed in one piece with the shoe body. The non-pivotable section of the tab can be attached to the shoe body, for example, by a releasable connection. The manufacturing process can be varied accordingly. The swimming shoe thus consists of three parts, ie a shoe body, a tongue and a sole flap, which can be used for the two shoes, the left shoe and the right shoe.

To fix the sole flap, an additional, for example length-adjustable, band can also be used, as described with reference to FIG Figures 6, 7 , 9 and 10th of the German patent DE 2007 003 508 B3 is described.

The pin-like connection between the flap and the sole flap can also be established by means of an adhesive or push-button connection.

Of course, the number of connection points can also be varied.

Starting from the second embodiment, the number of rows of elongated holes and the number of fastening tongues can be varied. A row of elongated holes and a fastening tongue or a plurality of rows of elongated holes and correspondingly a plurality of fastening tongues can be formed. The number of bias tongues can also be varied and can be zero or more than two.

The position of the tab can also be varied. In the embodiments described above, the tab is arranged on the side wall of the shoe body. The tab can also be formed within the side wall of the shoe body.

Claims (18)

1. Swimming shoe (10) for learning the leg kick and/or for support of breaststroke swimming, with a shoe body (12) and a sole flap (14; 144) connected to the shoe body (12) via a lateral hinge coupling (18), characterized in that the hinge coupling (18) comprises a flexible strap (20; 120) which is bent outward by which the sole flap (14; 144) is connected with the shoe body (12), with the strap (20; 120) flexibly pressing the sole flap (14; 144) under pre-tension to a floor space (32) of the shoe body (12).
2. Swimming shoe (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the strap (20; 120) has a swiveling section (30; 130) and a non-swiveling section (28; 128) between which a swivel axis (16; 116) is located, extending essentially in a longitudinal direction of the shoe body (12); and
   wherein the sole flap (14; 144) has an outer section (22; 122) to which the swiveling section (30; 130) is attached and an inner section (24; 124) which are separated from each other by the swivel axis (16; 116).
3. Swimming shoe (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a stop for limiting a swivel angle of the sole flap (14; 144) is installed on the shoe body for the sole flap (14; 144).
4. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the strap (20; 120) is an integral part of the shoe body (12).
5. Swimming shoe (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the non-swiveling section (28; 128) of the strap (20; 120) is attached to the shoe body (12).
6. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the swiveling section (30; 130) of the strap (20; 120) has at least one fastening tongue (42; 142).
7. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the sole flap (14) additionally has a bridge (26), whereby a slot (40) is formed between the outer section (22) and the bridge (26), into which slot (40) the at least one fastening tongue (42) of the swiveling section (30) of the strap (20) can be inserted.
8. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the sole flap (144) has at least one row of long holes, which contains an inner long hole (50) and an outer long hole (52) across the longitudinal direction of the shoe body (12), with the at least one fastening tongue (142) of the swiveling section (130) being interlaced with the long holes (50, 52), and preferably the at least one fastening tongue (42; 142) is inserted from above into the inner long hole (50) and then from below into the outer long hole (53).
9. Swimming shoe (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the swiveling section (130) furthermore has at least one additional pre-tensioned tongue (56), which rests under bending pre-tension against a top side (54) of the outer section (122) of the sole flap (144).
10. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the swiveling section (30; 130) of the strap (20; 120) is loosely connected with the outer section (22; 122) of the sole flap (14; 144).
11. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 2 10, characterized in that numerous ribs (44; 144) are installed at a bottom (47; 147) of the sole flap (14; 144).
12. Swimming shoe (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the ribs (44; 144) extend in a crosswise direction of the shoe body (12).
13. Swimming shoe (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the sole flap (14) furthermore has two recesses (46) at the outer section (22).
14. Swimming shoe (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the strap (20) has a ridge (60), which extends along the swivel axis (16) between the swiveling section and the non-swiveling section.
15. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the strap (20; 120) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer based on urethane (TPU).
16. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the strap (20; 120) has a thickness d of 3 mm to 5 mm.
17. Swimming shoe (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the shoe body (12) is aligned symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal central axis (MA).
18. Method for producing a swimming shoe (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

    a) molding, in particular injection molding, a shoe body (12) with a left strap and a right strap which respectively protrude with a swiveling section (30) over a floor space (32) of a shoe body (12), or molding, in particular injection molding, a shoe body (12) with identical fastening sections for a separate strap (20; 120) which protrudes with a swiveling section (130) over a floor space (32) of a shoe body (12) on both sides of the shoe body (12);

    b) cutting off the left strap or the right strap, or attaching the separate strap (20; 120) to the fastening section of the shoe body (12);

    c) attaching the sole flap (14; 144) to the swiveling section (30; 130) by bending the sole flap (14; 144) outward.

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