JPH0975476A - Fin foot for diving - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the propulsion efficiency of a diving fin by applying the constitution that a show-like member for bearing a user's foot is provided with a blade member formed to have a side end and extend forward to the front end of the shoe-like member, and the instep part of the shoe-like member is provided with a vertically extended fin. SOLUTION: A diving fin 1 is formed out of a shoe-like part 2 for bearing a user's foot, and a ring strap 3 for holding the fin 1 on the user's foot. Also, a blade 4 is extended forward from the front area of the shoe-like part 2. Furthermore, a dorsal fin 5 is projected upward from the instep part 6 of the show-like part 2. The dorsal fin 5 has a front end faced to the rear part of the fin 1, and the curved rear end of the dorsal fin 5 is faced to a direction toward the free end 9 of the blade 4, thereby forming the dorsal fin 5 hydrodynamically. In this case, the positioning of the dorsal fin 5 is important for applying a turning point to generate turning moment around, and when the dorsal fin 5 is positioned at the free end 9 or a nearby position, the turning moment becomes inefficient. On the other hand, the dorsal fin 5 positioned at the instep part 6 increases mobility.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to diving fins for swimmers and especially board riders.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION To date, many diving fins have been developed to assist scuba divers, swimmer body riders and body surfers. Many projects have been made to improve the thrust efficiency and mobility of these diving fins. So far, there has been some improvement in thrust, but very little improvement in maneuverability.
In fact, attempts in the prior art have reduced the efficiency of diving flippers.

[0003]

The flexibility of the blade is extremely important to the efficient operation of diving fins. Due to the flexibility of the blades Smooth transmission of propulsion during the power stroke, 1. 2. a smooth transition between the end of the power stroke and the start of the return stroke, 3. Smooth but usually low transmission of propulsion during the return stroke, and 4. Allows a smooth transition between the end of the return stroke and the start of the power stroke.

This is because the fins continuously deform themselves, substantially parallel to the relative directions of the water flowing near them, thereby reducing water resistance and maximizing propulsion efficiency. Results in a smooth, periodic kick stroke. This cyclic flexion is similar to the flexion of the tail movement of a dolphin during swimming, and is sometimes called the dolphin kick. If the fin blade is stiff, the fin efficiency is greatly reduced, if not helpful.

US Pat. No. 5,183,424 discloses at least one relatively large and substantially stiff, perpendicular to flipper blade, and partially on the flipper blade and partly to increase blade stiffness. Figure 9 illustrates a diving fin with fins on the upper of the shoe. However, this stiffness greatly reduces the thrust efficiency of the flippers. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,563 illustrates an upper fin 13 that extends from the fin shoe to the free end of the blade and is believed to greatly increase blade stiffness and reduce thrust efficiency of the diving flippers. ing. The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and to provide an improved diving fin.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in one broad form, is a shoe-like member for receiving a user's foot and having an upper and a tip, and extending forwardly from the shoe-like member and having a side edge. And a hydrodynamically shaped dorsal fin extending upwardly from the instep of the shoe-like member and providing a diving fin foot. Suitably, the blade member has a strip extending upwardly along the side edge thereof, at least in the region in contact with the shoe-like member.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be exemplarily described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The diving flipper 1 is worn by the user in the same manner as a normal diving flipper, and comprises a shoe 2 and an annulus 3 for holding the diving flipper 1 on the user's foot. ing. Extending from the front of the shoe 2 is a blade 4.

A dorsal fin 5 projects upward from an upper 6 of the shoe-shaped part 2. The dorsal fin 5 is formed hydrodynamically with the leading edge 7 facing the rear of the flipper 1 and the curved trailing edge 8 facing the free end 9 of the blade 4. The design of the dorsal fin 5 may be the same as the fin of any wave riding plate.
Positioning of the dorsal fin is important to provide a turning point around which turning moments occur. It was found during testing that this pivoting moment was relatively inefficient if the dorsal fin 5 was at or near the position of the free end 9. However, if the dorsal fins 5 were present on the instep 6 of the shoe 2, the maneuverability of this swiveling moment, and thus of the diving fins, was greatly increased.

Extending from the rear of the shoe 2 along the side edge 10 to near the front end 11 of the shoe 2 is an upwardly extending low angle wedge-type fin or strakes.
Twelve. In the preferred form of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the strips 12 prevent water from spilling from the side edges 10 of the diving fins 1 during a power kick or down kick and provide the optimum blade 4 Warping is allowed to occur, thus resulting in maximum acceleration of fin surface water flow, resulting in increased thrust caused by the kick.

When the fins for diving move suddenly, the strip 12
A whirlpool of water from the trailing edge 13 forming a turbulence barrier is created to reduce or prevent water spilling around the dorsal fin 5. This results in very sensitive maneuverability for diving flippers, especially in turbulent water.

Therefore, when a user of this diving flipper traverses a wave on a steep surface, the user is forced into the wave by pressure so as to maintain essential vital edge control. Strip (in
side stroke) can be controlled. Increased control and maneuvering occur due to the respective positions of the dorsal fin 5 and the slat 12, and also greater surface area of the dorsal fin 5 and the slat 12 results in increased thrust efficiency.

Although in the preferred embodiment an ankle zoning 3 is shown, the diving fin can also have a complete shoe. Further, the bottom of the shoe-shaped portion may have a drainage hole. Preferably, the diving flippers are made of plastic or a suitable elastomeric material, the composition of which is:
It can vary depending on the flexibility required for different parts of the diving flippers. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the diving flippers without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a diving flipper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a rear view of the diving flippers shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is a plan view of the diving fin shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the diving flippers shown in FIG. 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Fins for diving 2 Shoe-shaped part 3 Rings 4 Blades 5 Dorsal fin 6 Instep 7 Front edge of dorsal fin 8 Rear edge of dorsal fin 9 Free end 10 Side edge 11 Front end 12 Strip plate 13 Strip plate rear edge

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A shoe-like member (2) for receiving a user's foot and having an upper (6) and a tip (11), and a front edge extending from the shoe-like member and having a side edge (10). And a fin for diving, having a blade member (4) terminating in a leading edge (9) and a hydrodynamically shaped dorsal fin (5) extending upward from the upper of the shoe-like member. 2. The shoe-like member has a heel orb (3) integrally formed with the diving fin foot, and the user's foot is fixed to the shoe-like member during use. Diving flippers according to claim 1, adapted to extend around the heel of the dive. 3. A strip (12) with each side edge (10) of said blade member extending upwardly, at least near the shoe-like member.
The flipper for diving according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. Diving fin according to claim 3, characterized in that each said strip increases in height along its length from its trailing edge (13) to its leading edge (9). leg.