FR2533830A1 - FIN, AND FOOTWEAR FOR USE THEREWITH - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION CONCERNS A FIN OF EXTREMELY SIMPLIFIED CONFIGURATION INCLUDING A FLAT PART 14 FOR FIXING THE FIN ON A CONVENTIONAL SHOE, A PART IN THE SHAPE OF A FIN 12, AND ATTACHMENT DEVICES 18, 18 FOR FIXING THE FIN TO A FOOT SHOE OR NOT PLACED ON PART 14. THE FIN CAN THUS BE USED WITH A SHOE OF ANY TYPE, SIZE OR SHAPE, OR DIRECTLY ON THE USER'S FOOT, WITHOUT THE DANGERS CAUSED BY THE BUCKLES AND STRAPS KNOWN IN THE ART. THE FIN ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION CAN BE USED WITHOUT DIFFERENCE ON THE LEFT FOOT OR ON THE RIGHT FOOT OF THE USER. SHOES ARE ALSO DESCRIBED WITH SPECIAL MEANS WHICH MAKE IT SUITABLE FOR USE WITH THE FIN WHICH IS THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION.

Description

2533835 O

  The present invention relates generally to a palm for sports use, and more particularly a palm which can be attached to any type of shoe which can

be used in water.

  A large number of fins are known which are fin-shaped at their front end and which have a configuration allowing the user to introduce the foot into the rear end, generally molded from one piece to

  from a flexible elastomer material The elasticity of the material

  third of which the palm is made fixes the palm at the foot of the utility

  launcher with a greater or lesser tension, and in some known cases using straps, loops or other means of adjustment on the foot In certain existing types of fins; the part which receives the user's foot is made separately from the fin itself and has

  lateral projections which allow insertion and fixing

tion of the palm.

  All the fins known in the prior art

  re have disadvantages with regard to their

  The first type of drawback stems from the fact that the existing fins are generally molded in sizes varying according to an alternating number of sizes, and that they do not allow only an adjustment limited to the user's foot It is practically impossible to adjust the width of the foot or the height of the kick

  which greatly reduces the comfort of the palm.

  Taking into account the rapid growth of a

  fant, we also observe that conventional fins

  must be changed frequently In the case of use.

  tion by users who swim in cold water, pal-

  my conventional do not generally allow the use

  tion of insulated boots or booties, which makes it necessary

  may need to make other adjustments or use more

large palms.

  The second type of drawback inherent in the manufacture of

  tion of conventional fins arises from the fact that pal-

  my conventional ones are made up either of rubber, or of a mixture of rubber and plastic or

  other synthetic materials Even in cases where swimming

  re is detachable, however, there remains the complexity of manufacturing a more or less flexible part intended to receive the foot and another detachable part made of a different material, as well as possible difficulties as regards concerns the perfection of the assembly, aggravated

  by the inevitable losses when working in the same

  molds me with different materials.

  According to the present invention, a palm comprising

  a part in the form of a flexible fin and a part for fixing

  tion is characterized by the fact that the fixing part

  is substantially planar, with sufficient space to extend

  tender under the sole of the user, and is more

  rigid than the fin-shaped part, and that it does not

  feels no particular shape reserved for a given foot.

  It is understood that the palm according to the invention has no particular shape for the insertion of the user's foot. It is however associated with separate means for connecting its part or fixing plate to the foot. or the like which encircles the plate and the foot, or even a conventional shoe or boot, for example a tennis shoe

  or a diver's boot, combined with means for mounting

  ter the plate on the sole of a shoe or boot.

  Various known means can be used to ef-

  fix on the plate and on the sole of the shoe or boot, and preferably include

  quick release fasteners (for example straps

  bearing a Velcro type material (Trademark)).

  It will also be understood that the basic part of the palm is simple to manufacture, inexpensive and very durable,

and also easy to maintain.

  The palm of the invention is also advantageous in that it is easy to stack, and therefore to be transported, and

  that it does not use a large number for its manufacture-

253383 O.

bre of different molds.

  Another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe

  sure suitable for use with this palm and which is characterized by devices located in the heel region, which allow the attachment of the shoe on the

  flat attachment part of the palm.

  The advantages already mentioned of the present invention

  tion, as well as others, will appear more clearly at the

  reading of the following detailed description, given as

  example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

  Fig 1 is a plan view of a form of r-éa-

  reading of the palm according to the present invention Fig 2 is a longitudinal section of the palm of Figure 1, mounted on a conventional shoe; Fig 3 is a sectional view of a fastening device which can be used with the palm of the invention Fig 4 is a plan view of the palm of Figure 1, mounted on a conventional shoe; Fig 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a palm according to the invention Fig 6 is a view in longitudinal section of the embodiment of the palm of Figure 5; Fig 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing device used with the embodiments of the fins of Figures 5 and 6 '; FIGS. 8 A and 8 B are plan views from above and from below of another embodiment of a palm according to the present invention FIGS. are views in longitudinal section of a shoe attached to the palm shown in Figures 8 A and 8 B, using six different fastening means; 'and Figures lla and llb- illustrate a type of buckle

  used to attach the palm to a shoe.

  Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a palm 10 made in accordance with the present invention, comprising

  mainly a flexible blade or fin-12 made of plas-

  tick and a stiffer plate or platform 14 for the

  fastening on a conventional sports shoe, for example-

  ple a tennis shoe, or on a professional shoe-

  nelle, for example a diver's boot The attachment platform 14 is a continuous part of the palm 10, and is made more rigid than the fin or blade 12, so as to establish a zone 16 of articulation which allows

  the bending of the fin 12 relative to the platform 14.

  In the platform 14 are located devices 18 and 18 'for mounting the palm 10 on a conventional shoe, which can for example be a shoe of

  tennis 20 or a diver's boot 22 In the case of the

  me of realization of the palm 10 shown in the figures

  1 to 4, the fixing device can be a fixing screw

  tion 24 which crosses the sole 26 of the shoe and the plate

  shape 14 by being retained by a nut 25 and a washer 28, and the upper part of which is protected by any conventional means Although only two fixing devices 18 and 18 ′ are shown, each of them comprising two screws, it is obvious that the number of fasteners

  and screws can be modified without departing from the scope of the

vention -

  We can observe from the structure represented

  tée on Figures 1 to 4 that the palm obtained is in a fa-

  extremely simplified brication and great adaptability to any type or size of shoe chosen by the user, or even at the foot of the user, thanks to

  to fixings specially provided for this purpose - Due to -

  no single configuration, the palm can be used indi-

  fiercely on the p i to d vg a u c h e e S u r lre

  right foot, without the discomfort caused by elastic tension

  than conventional fins on the foot, especially in the heel area, or by -devices

  such as buckles or straps used in tech-

  previous pic This prolongs the life of the fins,

  especially in the case of growing children, who

  otherwise, new conventional fins would be discontinued each year The dotted lines 20 and 22 in Figure 2 show the adaptability of the fin 10 to different types of shoes (in this case a tennis shoe and a diver's boot), while the lines 20 'and 22' in figure 4 indicate the soles of the right foot and the left foot, in order to show the adaptability of the palm to

each foot.

  Figures 5 and 6 show another version

  palm according to the invention, which comprises an intermediate plate

  diary 30 which is fixed to a shoe 20 or 22 by means of fastening devices 18 and 18 'The intermediate plate has an edge 32 which is inserted into molded rails 34

  of a part on the platform 14 for fixing the pal-

  me 10 Once it is set up in the platform

  14, the intermediate plate 30 can be locked

  lée in place by any conventional means, for example an elastic tab The purpose of the intermediate plate 30 is to impart greater rigidity to the rear part

  palm 10, as some types of diving require

aged.

  It is clear that many configurations of dis-

  attaching the palm 10 to the shoe 20 or 22 can be used without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention Thus straps, fastening devices

  by engagement, male and female screws or buttons-

  quick release pressure can be used in-

  vention, or even straps or other devices

  both the direct attachment of the palm to the foot of the utility

  sator. As a specific example, the palm 10 in FIG. 1 can be modified to eliminate the mounting devices 18, 18 ′, in which case the front part of the palm can be fixed to the foot or to the shoe by a strap comprising a material of Velcro type (Trademark) which, in use, encircles the platform 14 and the front part of the foot and / or the shoe One or more Velcro type straps (Trademark) can also be used in the

  heel area but, when a shoe is used, com-

  me in figure 2, the mounting device can be replaced

  placed by a non-circular head stud formed or fixed on the upper surface of the platform 14 and an opening

  similar in shape in the heel of the shoe, the-

  said opening being oriented with an angle of 90 relative to

  wearing at the head of the nipple This allows the fin to be placed

  created in a turned position of 900, after which it is

  turned towards its final position in order to lock the head

  tone in engagement by quick engagement in the opening

  formed in the sole of the shoe Finally the strap

  wearing the Velcro type material (Trademark) is put

in place on the front part.

  It is further understood that the fin-shaped part and the part or platform for fixing the palm

  could be two separate parts and brought together in due time.

  Finally, in another variant, the lower surface

  re platform 14 or 114 can be provided with insertion recesses 3, 5 (Figure 1) intended to receive weights in

  lead or the like, as required for the balance of flo-

user rating.

  Figures 8 A and 8 B illustrate a second form

  for producing a palm according to the invention, in plan of

  above and below, respectively With reference to these figures

  res, the palm 110 has a shape slightly different from that of the palm 10 of FIG. 1, sectional views of the shape

  of FIG. 8 being shown in the figures

  gures 9 A, 9 B, 9 C, l OA, l OB and l OC So we understand that the platform or fixing part 114 ends at the front part of a curved edge 36 followed by a curved surface 37 inclined towards the bottom, which descends to the upper surface

  38 palm 112 In the lower surface of the platform

  me 114 is formed a recess 39, behind said surface

tilted 37.

  In the palm shown in FIGS. 8 A and 8 B, each lateral region of the platform 114 is provided with two

  slots 40 dimensioned so as to receive a strap

  bearing a Velcro material (Trademark) used for fixing the front part of the platform on the part

front of the shoe.

  Figures 9 A, 9 B, 9 C, OA, OB and 10 C illustrate various ways of attaching the palm 110 to a tennis shoe 200. Figure 9 a shows on the heel of the shoe

  , fixed or molded in one piece with it, a delicate part

  providing a vertical opening 41, while the part

  rear of the platform 114 of the palm is provided 1 o with an L-shaped engagement element 42 comprising a vertical tab whose upper end 43 is thickened so as to define an abutment surface directed towards the

  bottom The L-shaped element has a certain elasticity

  tee, so that when the end 43 is inserted through

  towards opening 41, the vertical tab is slightly short

  gaped forward and, when head 43 emerges, the tab

  rotates in its normal position which prevents the separation of the shoe and the palm if the vertical tab is not forced by hand towards the front to bring it down through the opening 41 The front part of the shoe 200 is fixed by a strap-comprising a Velcro type material (Trademark), which can surround the shoe as well as the platform 114 of the palm, or which can be

  passed through two slots 40 shown in the figures

res 8 a and 8 b.

  In order to better adapt the palm to a given size

  born from shoe 200, the other leg 45 of the ele-

  ment 42 can be fixed in an adjustable way on the platform

  114 of the palm, This fixation could for example be ef-

  carried out by means of a screw passing through one of several

platform openings 114.

  In the case of FIG. 9B, the lower part of the platform 114 is provided with three hooks 46 to

  any of which depending on the shoe size

  sure-200 can be connected an elastic ring 47 This configuration is also shown in Figure 8 B. On the heel of the shoe 200 is provided a projection-48

  with a neck region 49 As indicated by the arrows

  ches on figure 9 B, it is enough to pull the ring 47 towards

  back and up to pass it around the sail-

  binds 48 and places it in the neck 49, to ensure in this way the fixing of the rear part of the sole to the rear part of the platform 114 At the front part of the foot, the fixing is still carried out by one or more straps 44 comprising a Velcro type material (Trademark). FIG. 9C shows another, simpler way of fixing the rear parts of the platform 114 together.

  and shoe 200 In this case, the sole of the shoe

  sour is provided with a recess having a surface of

bottom 50 entirely smooth.

  The rear part of the platform 114 comprises a cup-shaped suction cup 51, a simple pressure being

  sufficient to adhere the suction cup 51 to the surface 50.

  It has been found that high fixing forces can be

  be obtained using this system Here again, the platform

  form 114 presents various locations for the attachment of the suction cup, in order to obtain a perfect fit between the palm and the specific size of the shoe. Again a strap 44 is used to fix the front part of the

  platform 114 on shoe 200.

  Figures l OA, OB and OC illustrate three other embodiments for attachment to the rear part of the shoe. In FIG. L OA, the platform 114 is provided with three openings 52, one of which, chosen according to the

  shoe size 200, is intended to receive an er-

  bayonet type which can be rotated by 900, and

  carrying in its upper end a transverse bar

  dirty 54 arranged to be received in a cavity formed in

  the sole of the shoe 200 Access to the cavity 55 is per-

  put through a transverse slot 56 whose extent is felt

  siablement equal, or slightly greater, to the length of the bar 54; when it reaches inside the

  cavity 55, the lug 53 is turned 90, and thus fixed.

9,

  Figure l OB represents an embodiment-

  similar, in which the lug 53 'is fixed on the platform

  shape 114 and cannot rotate The upper end of the lug 53 'is also provided with a transverse bar 54' received in a cavity 55 'through a slot 56' In this case, the whole shoe is placed at 900 compared to the

  palm, in order to allow the access of the lug 53 'in the case

  55 ', after which the shoe is turned, 900 in the

  opposite direction to remain in its position of use.

  In the case of FIG. 10 C, the rear part of the platform 114 selectively receives in one of the three openings 57, along the shoe size, the male part 58 of a snap button, the part of which female

  59 is integrated into the sole of the shoe 200 In use

  reading a snap fastener with a high fastening force, it turned out that this system also works well to ensure

  fixing the rear part of the pal-

  me to the sole of the shoe 200.

  Here again, the front attachment consists of one or more strips 44, in each of the cases in FIGS. OA, OB and 10 C.

  Figures l A and ll B illustrate a way of

  attach the straps with Velcro (Trademark) on

  the top of the shoe In this case the straps are

  signed by the references 44 a, 44 b, 44 c and 44 d An external

  half of each of these straps is passed through a window

  te 40 (figures SA and 8 B) provided in the palm, and folded over

  itself backwards to fix said end The au-

  very ends of each of the straps 44 a and 44 b are fixed

  on a half 60 of a curved loop 61, and the other ex-

  hoop strips 44 c and 44 d are attached to the other half-

  tie 62 of the same loop Half 60 of loop 61 is the

  female part and has two abutment surfaces 63 and 64.

  The other half 62 of the buckle is provided with a tab

  curved 65 with a heel 66 Note that the buckle

  offers three possibilities, i.e. a complete position

  tement open in which the latch 66 is pulled down to release the stop 63 and the stop 64, so that

  the two halves of the loop can be completely dried

  ready; a fully closed position as shown

  tee in Figures 1 l A and ll B, in which the latch 66 is blocked by the stop 63, and in which the shoe is firmly attached to the palm, and a third position in which the heel 66 is blocked by the other abutment surface 64 to leave the buckle in a half open position and make the straps 44 a and 44 b loose enough to remove the shoe 200 To put the shoe on the palm in a position of use, it is enough to press

  again the loop to bring it back to its full position

closed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the palm 10 or 110 is molded from a polypropylene copolymer which will give a finished product with a hardness of 98 on the Shore scale, which will give it good mechanical strength and

  scratches without affecting its flexibility.

Claims (16)

R E V E N D I C A T I 0 N S   1 Palm of the type comprising a part in the form of a flexible fin and a part for fixing the palm, characterized in that the fixing part (14; 114) is substantially planar, with an extent sufficient to extend below the sole of the foot, and is more rigid than the fin-shaped part (12; 112), and that it   has a shape suitable for all feet.   2 Palm according to claim 1, characterized in that the fin-shaped part (12; 112) and the fixing part constitute a single molded element   from a synthetic material.   3 Palm according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized by the fact that it further comprises   fixing adapters adaptable to the foot (18, 18 ', 24; 44, 45;   47; 51; 53; 53 ', or 58, 59) intended for amo-   visible from the fixing part (14, 114) on the foot of the   user, in a position-extending under the sole of a shoe (20; 22; 200).   4 Palm according to claim 3, characterized in that the devices adaptable to the foot comprise one or more straps - (44).   Palm according to claim 4, characterized in that each strap (44) comprises a material of Velcro type (Trademark) -   6 Palm according to claim 3, characterized   by the fact that the devices adaptable to the foot include   a conventional shoe (20; 22; 200) and other means for fixing said fixing part (14; 114) to the sole of a shoe.   7 palm according to claim 6, characterized by   the fact that the adjustable means for fixing the part of the   fixing (14; 114) include at least one release clip   fast positioning, in use, in the heel region of the shoe (20; 22; 200) and at least one other   quick release clip (18 ', 44) positioned, in use   tion, in the front region of the sole of the shoe (20, 22, 200).   8 Palm according to claim 7, characterized in that said first attachment comprises a part on the palm (10) combined with another part on the shoe (20, 22, 200).   9 Palm according to claim 8, characterized in that said part on the palm is the male part (58) of a snap button, while the part on the   shoe includes the female part (59) thereof, integrated   rigged in the sole of the shoe.   Palm according to claim 8, characterized in that said first attachment is of the balcnnette type or screw (53 or 53 ').   11 Palm according to claim 8, characterized in that said part on the palm comprises one or more hooks (46) and that the part on the shoe   includes an external projection (48) on the heel of the shoe   secure, the fastener further comprising an elastic ring for   before being engaged on or on any one of the hooks (46) and stretched in a position in which it will also encircle said projection (48) 12 Palm according to claim 8, characterized in that the first part of the first attachment includes a suction cup (51), and the other party includes   a corresponding smooth surface (50) located in a recess   -ciently provided in the sole of the shoe.   13 Palm-according to one of claims 7 to 12,   characterized by the fact that the first fastener comprises   a strap (44) comprising a material of the Velcro type (Mar- than Filed).   14 A palm according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the lateral regions of the attachment part of the palm, slots (40) are provided, each being dimensioned so as to allow the passage of a strap (44) containing Velcro type material (Trademark). Palm according to claim 14, characterized in that the first attachment comprises at least two straps (44) comprising a Velcro- (Trademark) type material, one end of a strap (44 a or 44 b) being connectable at one end of the other strap (44 c or 44 d)   by means of a loop (61) with two locking positions.   16 Shoe suitable for use with a   palm according to claim 1, characterized in that it-   it comprises one or more devices (41; 48; 50; 55 55 '; or 59) in the heel region, intended to fix the flat fixing part (14, 114) of said palm on the shoe.   17 Shoe according to claim 16, character-   laughed at by the fact that said devices include a   tie from a quick release fastener.   18 Shoe according to claim 16, character-   laughed at by the fact that said part of the fastener comprises the female part (59) of a snap button integrated in the shoe sole.   19 Shoe according to claim 17, character-   sed by the fact that said part of the fastener comprises the female part of a fastener of the integrated bayonet type: ; 55 ').   Shoe according to claim 16, character-   laughed at by the fact that the device (s) is, or are,   arranged in the heel portion of the shoe.   21 Shoe according to claim 20, character-   laughed at by the fact that said devices include a   external projection (48) in the heel part of the shoe.