GB2272163A

GB2272163A - Finger mounted swimming aid.

Info

Publication number: GB2272163A
Application number: GB9321473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas John Larter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-11-04
Filing date: 1993-10-18
Publication date: 1994-05-11
Also published as: GB9321473D0

Abstract

A finger mounted swimming aid comprising a hand of material attached to the band. The material between the fingers and thumb acting as swimming aid webs. The band may be attached to the hand by means of finger and thumb pockets to retain each finger and thumb and/or spaced, formed slits, whereby each finger and thumb is passed through the slits, thus attaching the aid to the hand. Alternatively, or as well, loops may he formed to retain the base of each finger and thumb. A strap may be used, attached to each side of the aid and filling across the back of the hand. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SWIMMING AIDS.

This invention relates to swimming aids.

One form of swimming aid comprises a webbed clove.

The invention provides an inexpensive alternative to a webbed grove and also avoids at least one fault processed by a webbed clove, namely the collection of water within the alove.

Accordino to the invention a swimming aid comprises, a band of material, oenarally crescent shaped, preferably flexible and formed with pockets to retain the end of each finger and thumb, whereby the band is secured to the hand, the portions of the band between the finders and thumb servino as swimming aid webs.

An embodiment of the invention wilj now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyinc drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a veiw of the back of the left hand showino the swimming aid in position.

Figure 2 is a veiw of the palm of the left hand showing the swimming aid in position.

Ficure 3 is a veiw of the back of the left hand showing the swimminc aid in position with a retaining strap.

Figure 4 is a plan veiw of the swimming aid showing the finger pockets before sewing or otherwise fixed into position as well as spaced finger slits.

Figure 5 is a veiw of the back of the left hand showing spaced slits securing the swimming aid to the hand.

Figure ó is a veiw of the palm of the left hand showing spaced slits securing the swimming aid to the hand.

Figure 7 is a veiw of the back of the left hand showing elongated finger pockets on the thumb and little finger.

The figures show a swimming aid "A" comprising a band of, preferably flexible sheet material such as neoprene, which is resilient as well as flexible. !4materials other than neoprene may be used, for example, cotton, linen, plastic or rubber materials, or combinations of suitable materials, which may be reinforced by any means as reauired.

The figures show dotted lines which represent the parts of the users hand obscured by the parts of the swimming aid "A".

The swimming aid "A" as shown in Figure 1 , with finger pockets e to retain the end of each finger and thumb.

These finger pockets "B" may encase the fingers and thumb to any degree an may be stitched or otherwise attached.

It may be advantaoeous for the finger pockets "e" to be loner on the thumb and little finger, both being on the outer of the swimming aid"" as shown in Figure 7.

The finger pockets "B" may have any number of holes to release surplus water from within the finger pocket "B".

The finger pockets "B" may be an integral part of the sheet material as shown in Figure 3. This would simplify the lanufacturino procedure. The dotted lines in Figure 3 represent the point at which the finger pockets "B" may be folded to create the finger pockets "B" as shown in Figure 1.

The slits "C" enable the user to attach the swimming aid "A" to the hand as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Any number of slits "C" may be used in any suitable position on the swimming aid "A". The slits "C" may be formed with a hole at either end to help prevent tearing of the material.

Any other means of reinforcement may be employed for this purpose.

Any number of retainino loops "D" may be used, as shown in Figure , te attach the swimming aid "A" to the hand.

The retain inc loops "D" may be positioned in any suitable manner on the swimming aid "A" and can be stitched or otherwise attached on each side of the finger or thumb or as required.

A retaining strap "E" may be employed as shown in Figure 3. This retaining strap "E" may be elasticated to create some decree of tension within the swimming aid "A".

The retaining strap "E" may be made of any suitable material and may be secured musing any suitable means for example, velcro or a button may fasten two parts of the retaining strao "E" across the back of the hand when the swimming a ic "" is in position.

The retaining strap "E" may be an integral part of the sheet material, as described for the finger pockets "B" or may be attached to the swimming aid "A" in any suitable position.

Any combination of methocs may be employed to retain the swimming aid "A" to the hand.

A swimming aid "A" according to the invention may be formed so that the number of digits on each hand, used by the wearer may be varied from the four fingers and thumb.

For example, an aid may be formed so that only the fingers of the user may be employed.

Other modifications of the invention may comprise a swimming aid "A" formed by moulding.

Claims

Claims.

What is claimed is: 1 . A finger mounted swimming aid comprising a crescent shaped band of material attached to the hand by various means. The material between the five digits of each hand acting as swimming webs.
2. A swimming aid as set forth in claim 1., in which the band is attached to the hand by means of thumb and finger pockets which may encase the thumb or finger to any degree and which may also have one or more holes for dispelling water from within the thumb or finger pocket.
3. Aswimming aid as set forth in claims 1. and 2., in which the base of each finger and thumb may be attached to the band by means of slits formed in the material. the slits being reinforced as neccessary.
4. A swimming aid as set forth in claims 1. and 2. , in which the base of each finger or thumb may be attached to the band by means of loops attached to the band between each finger and thumb, as shown in Figure 3, "D".
5. A swimming aid as set Forth in claims 1. and 2.. in which the base of each finger and thumb are attached to the band by means of a strap across the back of the hand.

The strap may be attached to the band at the base of the thumb and little finger as shown in Figure 3, at points (i).
6. A swimming aid as set forth in claims 1., 2. and 5., in which the finger and thumb pockets and strap may be an integral part of the material, whereby the crescent shaped band incorporates the finger and thumb pockets as shown in Figure 4. The finger and thumb pockets can then be folded and sewn ( or otherwise attached ) to create the finger or thumb pockets.
7. A swimming aid as set forth in claim 1., in which retaining slits are formed in the band to enable the band to be attached to the fingers as described in Figure 5., "C" indicating the formed slits.