JPS61293477A - Swimming aid having paddle - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Background of the Invention Humans have long envied ducks and frogs for their superior aquatic abilities. To mimic the benefits of their hooked appendages, it is common for swimmers and divers to attach fins to their feet. Along the same lines, a number of hand-worn webbed devices have been proposed, but none have gained the universal use that fins have.

Water sports have become increasingly popular and diverse over the past decade. Especially some water sports,
Surfing, for example, essentially requires only hand paddling. Other well-known water sports, such as swimming, surfing, diving and scuba diving, require both hands and feet to generate movement. All of these activities are enhanced by the addition of finned hands.

Competitor training regiments are also becoming more complex and demanding. For example, competitive swimming events, such as triathlons, require increased upper body and arm stretching during training, which can be facilitated by wearing fin devices on the hands.

Prior art includes, for example, U.S. Pat.
．． No. 312, No. 4.058.863, No. 3.938.
No. 207, No. 3.874,014@, No. 3.263,2
No. 48, No. 3.231.910 Bow, and others, teach various swimmer's gloves and gloves, etc.

The prior art teaches various swimming aids that provide a finned area between the thumb and index finger and between the remaining fingers of the swimmer's hand. The objectives of the prior art have either been achieved with too many features, resulting in too much complexity and high production costs, or with elements that are too overly simplified, making them difficult to cope with the rigors of strenuous swimming. I can't stand it.

Rigid webs are also used in water sports such as kayaking. However, such rigid webs were easily squeezed into the wearer's hands and were effectively just oars without handles. These webs caused fatigue and discomfort, and By increasing the volume of fluid displaced by each stroke of the swimmer's hand, as well as the other discussed activities,
Provides improved swimming ability. The additional resistance provided by such webs is advantageous in the swimmer's training in that it improves the swimmer's control, thereby increasing the swimmer's confidence in his own abilities;
It also requires more force to move your arms in the water, which strengthens your muscle tone.

Days 11 and 11 - The present invention provides an inexpensive, portable water hook swimming aid that is worn on the hand while swimming or participating in other water sports. This swimming aid provides the comfort and flexibility of a glove while performing the function of a web. Gripping objects, scratching itches, and other tricks that require manual dexterity are still possible because the fingertips are exposed. The swimming aid thus provides improved fluid displacement by the wearer's hands without interfering with other activities requiring the use of the hands.

The webbed swimming aid of this invention is constructed from two overlapping planar sheets that are easily made into a variety of sizes. A sheet, the back side of the swimming aid, is cut from an elastic, porous mesh material that allows the aid to fit snugly over the wearer's hand and to function as a glove. The second seat, the palm portion of the swimming aid, is made from a somewhat rigid, yet flexible, water-resistant or submersible material.

The two sheets are cut into sector-shaped pieces that generally fit the shape of an outstretched hand. To construct the webbed aid, stitching or other known means are used to join the outermost side edges of the swimming aid.

Open-ended fingerstalls spaced apart by closed webbed areas are formed by stitching or sealing areas along the upper edges of the stacked sheets. In a preferred embodiment, the stitching or sealing means: - generally form an oval triangular area to define a finger cot; Other stitching patterns, such as a single line directed from the tip edge towards the wrist area, also provide an extra wide finger knuck that utilizes the entire sector of the sheet as one webbed area. It could be used for The two sheets may have identical outer dimensions when first cut in the worn condition, but the elastic mesh material may be somewhat larger than the second sheet of water-resistant or water-permeable material. It may be extended forever. Permanently deforming the first sheet of material in this way allows the two-dimensional structure of the swimming aid to be made to better match the three-dimensional size deformation of the human hand. desirable.

To be most effective, swimming aids must be worn on both hands. The swimming aid of the present invention provides a method for attaching the swim aid to the wrist of the swimmer for securing the second swimming aid to the swimmer without assistance after putting on the first of a pair of swimming aids. It may be provided along the section. A sloppy closing method is undesirable, as more subtle movements are inconvenient. Retractable straps, snaps, or various hook and loop fasteners have been found to be generally satisfactory.

The invention also allows the swimmer's exposed fingertips to move freely, allowing the swimmer to grasp other water sports equipment, such as cameras, surfboards, etc. Baring the fingertips also confers psychological benefits to the wearer.

The disclosed invention addresses all of the concerns of the prior art while reducing device construction costs. Costs are minimized because no moldings or special parts are required. The main components may be cut from two different sheet materials using one pattern. The pattern is easily designed to fit sizes ranging from infants to adults.

The components are joined by simple stitching or a heat sealing device. The resulting product is
It is inexpensive, very portable (i.e. rolls to fit in a pocket), adaptable to varying hand sizes, and very effective. The swimming aid of this invention will probably be loaded onto windsurfing boards and watercraft for emergency cases.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The webbed swimming aid of this invention is depicted in the preferred embodiment of the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified configuration from a top plan view.

The structural properties of the sheet material from which the swimming aid is made are especially ff1l'. The swimming aid is primarily composed of two superimposed fan-shaped planar sheets 2 and 4 that generally conform to the shape of an outstretched hand. The lower sheet 2 is composed of a flexible, relatively hard, water-resistant or submersible material. Stiffness is required to withstand the forces of liquid applied to the webbed area during swimming. Also, the material should not be so flexible that it will accordion downwardly along the swimmer's fingers to reduce the surface area of the web.

The upper sheet 4 holds the lower sheet against the user's hand. The two sheets are joined along the a-edge and have open-ended finger knuckles formed by a sewn pattern that is spaced apart along the sheet.

Normally the upper sheet 4 primarily functions as the glove part of the swimming aid, in order to secure the web to the swimmer's hand. This upper sheet material must be elastic and porous, but allow water to pass through it fairly easily.

It should not be too absorbent, as the absorbed water makes the webbed aid unnecessarily heavy and deforms the shape of the sheet, making it a less snug fit. Elastic mesh material.

Forming a glove portion of a swimming aid that allows the aid to be tailored to the size of a particular wearer. Of course, the pattern in which the sheet material is cut may be sized to fit a range of hand sizes, but it is the elastic quality of the sheet material that provides the snug fit. It must fit snugly to avoid slipping along the hand during use. Such slippage is undesirable because it is uncomfortable for the wearer, as is the chafing of the skin that occurs over long periods of use. Quick Service Textiles (Quick 5service 7extNes
) Trademark F Iexa -Vent IF and F
Powe available in 1exa-V ent m
r-Net et, as well as the material known as Spandex®, has been found to be satisfactory. These materials are known to have a tendency to cling to the wearer's hands when wet.

The elastic quality of the material is very important because the upper sheet 2 must extend to accommodate the rounded shape of the swimmer's hand in order to displace liquid most effectively during the swimming stroke. . This rolled position is illustrated in the perspective views provided in FIGS. 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows
The position of the upper sheet 4 is illustrated and FIG. 3 illustrates the lower sheet 2 as seen from below the swimmer's hands.

The lower sheet 2, usually of material, must have sufficient stiffness to provide a webbed surface that is hard enough to displace water and withstand the forces of the swimmer's strokes. The webbed surface area is maximized to displace maximum water while the aid is used as a webbed.
It will be understood that what must be done. If the lower sheet of material is elastic enough to fold or wrinkle along the finger area, the effective surface area of the web is reduced, reducing the effectiveness of the swimming aid. However, this lower sheet of material must be flexible enough to allow the swimmer to comfortably curl his or her hands during the swim stroke, thereby avoiding further increasing the amount of fluid displaced by each stroke. As previously disclosed, the lower sheet of material also allows some freedom of movement, allowing the swimmer to put on the swimming aid without assistance;
And while wearing assistive devices, the child can grasp other objects. Vinyl coated polyester fabric, vinyl or urethane coated extremely durable ballistic fabric, Shelter-L
Tarp-Lotte available from ite Co.
3214 or Tarp-Lite 3222, and waterproof coated Cordura® nylon have all been found to be satisfactory as lower sheet materials for purposes of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. The tips of the eight fingers and thumb are exposed while the swimmer is wearing the swimming aid.

Due to the structure in which both ends of the finger cot are open, it is possible to universally determine the size of the pattern for the assistive device.

Variations in finger quality from wearer to wearer are easily accommodated by this open configuration. This feature also allows
Swimmers can easily grasp and manipulate objects such as other water sports accessories, such as cameras, surfboards, boogie boards, etc. For people wearing swimming aids while learning to swim, having sensitive fingertips exposed can help the swimmer feel better by not causing a claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in the device. Increase your sense of safety.

It is also known that the elastic mesh material 4 is less likely to slide along the skin of the hand once the material is wet.

This quality of the material allows the wearer to adjust the position of the swimming aid towards or away from the wrist to a certain extent, depending on the wearer's needs in a particular case. For example, while swimming or scuba diving, it is best to wear the aid as far away from the wrist as is comfortable to minimize the forces further generated by the webbed effect of the spread webbed hand. While handling items such as an underwater camera or adjusting an oxygen tank, the wearer may place the aid on the wrist to expose more of the fingertips, instead of removing the aid completely. You can also pull it in one direction.

As can be seen from the drawings, the configuration of the swimming aid is fairly straight. Both sheets are cut from substantially the same sector pattern. A fan-shaped profile generally fits the shape of a fully extended hand. The seat must be made for left and right hand use. A size range is readily provided to suit the size of the individual swimmer.

The lower sheet 2 differs in shape from the upper part 4 in that it has a wrist part 6 to which a wrist band 8 is fixed. For easy adjustment, the wristband may be provided with easily adjusted fastening means, such as Velcro hook and loop fasteners. FIG. 1 illustrates a wrist strap 8 formed from an elongate hook and loop fastener tape. The strap 8 is passed through the loop 9 and the end 11 is passed through the loop 9.
It is long enough for a hand to be inserted even when passed through. To secure the strap, the wearer only needs to pull the already threaded end 11 and fold the strap over to engage the hook and loop. This can be facilitated when the other hand is already wearing an aid. A flotation device, for example a small section of closed-hole foam, may also be incorporated in the wrist area of the lower seat 2, so that the swimming aid will float if inadvertently dropped into the water.

The upper seat 4 has a curved wrist edge 10 at the wrist edge of the seat so that it can move more freely and the hand can be easily inserted into the aid.

Swimming aids are easily customized to suit a variety of applications. Various variations of swimming aids may be constructed according to the particular intended application. For example, a surfer only needs to use a swimming aid when paddling.

Surfers are also encouraged to use variations of soft swimming aids, such as the most effective Cordura®.
You will find one consisting of the second sheet of . A simple stitching pattern (eg, a single line) may be sufficient to define a finger cot for an aid intended to be worn only for rowing. The softer glove allows the surfer to grip the board easily, is comfortable to wear, and provides improved paddling ability. A serious swimmer may require different degrees of stiffness from a swim aid, depending on the particular swimming style the swimmer is training. In those situations where it is sometimes desirable to put the fingers together, the webbed
It must be flexible enough that the fingers can be moved together axially.

If so, the webbed area may be reinforced by drawing a triangular core 5 in the area between the finger stalls before stitching. Such a core is suitable for increasing the stiffness of the webbed area, and softer materials are desirable for the bottom sheet of the swimming aid. FIG. 1 also illustrates such another embodiment of the invention, which includes a core 5 or stitching pattern 16 stitched together within an area defined by triangular stitching. Dew.

The core is cut from a material of desired rigidity, generally triangular, to fit between the upper sheet 2 and lower sheet 4 of the webbed area separating the various finger cots.

Another embodiment of the invention (not illustrated) provides for one arcuate reinforcement to be attached to the fingertip edge of the bottom second sheet of material. The side seams and triangular pattern are then joined in the usual manner. This arcuate reinforcement may be of any hard, water-resistant material and will counteract the tendency of the webbed area to fold downwardly along the finger. Because of one reinforcement, a softer material could be used as the bottom sheet without significantly increasing the labor required to construct the aid.

The specific qualities of either type of core can also be varied according to the particular application.

° For the manufacture of swimming aids, all raw edges are finished with a finish to prevent fraying of the material as necessary. It is placed in between depending on whether it is for right-handed use.

The stacked sheets are sealed at the thumb side seam 12 by stitching or other joining means, such as heat sealing.
and sealed along the outer seam 14.

One method known to facilitate the manufacture of swimming aids is to bond two sheets of material with water-soluble glue, rubber glue, or other temporary adhesive before cutting the aid from the pattern. Including the continuation of matching sheets. This gluing step ensures that the layers do not slip and that both sheets can be cut at the same time. Depending on the particular characteristics of the embodiment, the piece is finished to the extent possible before it is immersed in water (or other suitable measures are taken) to remove the adhesive. .

The wrist band 8 and flotation device, if any, are then secured to the wrist portion 6 by similar well known means. If one arcuate core is added, it is secured separately to the bottom sheet of material.

The fingerstall is then formed by a series of triangular stitches or fused patterns 16.

Once the core is incorporated into the swimming aid, each triangle pattern 1
The sides of 6 are first sewn together to form a pocket for core 20. The core 20 is then inserted and the upper edge of the pattern 16 is sewn or sealed at 18. The shape of the stitching pattern of this preferred embodiment is designed to seal the upper edge 18 of the webbed area to increase the stiffness of the webbed area and the swimming aid as a whole. It is understood that a variety of stitching patterns could be used to accomplish the needs for which a particular aid is intended.

As will be clear to those skilled in the art, the overall shape of the planar upper sheet 4 and lower sheet 2 must be sized to match the three-dimensional structure of the wearer's hand. Therefore, placing the stitching triangle 16 explains that the size of the finger cot is generous enough to accommodate the range of expected finger sizes.

The foregoing description is a detailed description of the invention.

The above statements are not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosed herein. Other modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a webbed swimming aid. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the webbed swimming aid in use. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the webbed swimming aid being used. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hooked swimming aid along section line 4--4 of FIG. In the figure, 2 and 4 are the seats, 6 is the wrist part, and 8
1 is a wrist band, 9 is a loop, 1o is a wrist edge, 11 is an end, 12 is a seam on the thumb side, 14 is an outer seam, 16 is a sewing pattern, 18 is an upper edge, and 20 is a core. Procedural amendment (formality) July 15, 1986

Claims (24)

[Claims] (1) a first sheet of resilient, thin, flexible, mesh material substantially shaped to conform to the shape of a generally outstretched hand; , and a second sheet of thin, rigid, flexible, water-permeable material having a wrist portion, the first sheet and the second sheet being held in a superimposed relationship; sewing areas of the superimposed first and second sheets to define a sealing means joining the outermost edges of the second sheet and a truncated, open-ended finger cot; A webbed swimming aid that has the following features: (2) further comprising adjustable wrist fixing means securely attached to said second seat.
Webbed swimming aids as described in Section. (3) The webbed swimming aid of claim 2, wherein the wrist securing means comprises a pair of hook and loop fastener straps. (4) The wrist fixing means comprises a loop attached to one side of the wrist portion of the second sheet and a strap attached to the opposite side of the wrist portion of the second sheet. A webbed swimming aid according to scope 2. (5) the strap includes a first portion of loop fastener tape attached to the second sheet and a second portion of hook fastener tape extending from the first portion, whereby the strap is threaded through the loop; when the wearer is able to easily position the hand within the aid without pulling the strap out of the loop, and the wrist securing means pulls the strap taut and the Fold the first part and
5. A webbed swimming aid according to claim 4, wherein the webbed swimming aid is adjusted and secured by mating engagement with the parts. (6) A webbed swimming aid according to claim 4, wherein the distal free end of the strap is provided with a stop means to prevent the strap from being inadvertently pulled out of the loop. (7) the first sheet facilitates hand insertion;
The webbed swimming aid according to claim 1, wherein the webbed swimming aid is shaped to have an inwardly arcuate portion at the wrist edge to allow the swimmer's curled hand to move more freely. . (8) said stitching of areas of the superimposed first and second sheets further comprising stitching of a generally triangular area, the apex of the triangle forming an open-ended finger cot with a webbed area therebetween; A webbed swimming aid according to claim 1, wherein the swimming aid is oriented toward the palm of the hand. 9. The webbed swimming aid of claim 8 further comprising a generally triangular seam retained within the generally triangular area between the finger cots. (10) The webbed swimming aid according to claim 1, further comprising a flotation device firmly attached to the wrist portion of the aid. (11) the flotation device comprises a strip of closed-hole foam retained along the wrist portion of the second sheet;
A webbed swimming aid according to claim 10. (12) A method of constructing a left-handed and a right-handed webbed swimming aid comprising: (a) a first sheet of elastic, thin, mesh material; and a second sheet of stiff, thin, water-resistant material; (b) providing a predetermined sized pattern generally shaped to conform to the shape of an outstretched hand from the wrist to just below the fingertips; (c) providing a sheet according to said pattern; cutting the first and second sheets; (d) stacking the first and second sheets so that their respective sides are aligned; (e) joining the sides of the stacked first and second sheets; and (f) above the superposed first and second sheets such that the apex of the triangle is generally towards the wrist portion of said sheet and the open space between the sides of the triangle defines a truncated thumb and finger cot; A method comprising sewing a triangular pattern along an edge. (13) The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of fixing wrist fixing means to the second sheet. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of securely attaching an arcuate core to a normal fingertip edge of the second sheet. (15) before the upper edges of each of the triangular patterns are sealed, the further step of placing a webbed core between the first sheet and the second sheet in the area between each of the finger cots; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising: (16) Claim 12, further comprising the step of fixing a flotation device to the wrist portion of the second seat.
The method described in section. (17) the overlapping step includes securing the first and second sheets together with a removable adhesive before cutting the sheets, and at least after the cutting step is completed; 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of removing the adhesive. (18) A fin for use in swimming and other water sports, comprising a sheet of a first material shaped substantially in the shape of an outstretched hand, the first material being thin and substantially submersible, sufficiently rigid to not substantially deform when plunged into or pulled from water, and sufficiently flexible to substantially conform to the arc of the fingers during water sports, at least when the hand is outstretched; The second part is shaped to fit your finger.
further comprising a sheet of material, the second material being sufficiently resilient and flexible to position the fin on the hand in a substantially fixed manner; the first and second sheets comprising: A hand fin which is sufficiently attached to one another to define a passageway for the thumb and fingers therebetween, said passageway being open at both ends to allow at least the tips of the fingers to extend beyond it. 19. The fin of claim 18 further comprising strap means adapted to connect to the sheet of first material for attaching the fin to the user's wrist. (20) a first sheet of thin, stiff, flexible, substantially water-permeable material shaped to conform to the shape of a substantially extended hand, generally conforming to at least the extended fingers and palm portion; a second sheet of resilient, thin, flexible material shaped as such, and connecting means for adhering the first and second sheets together to define a passageway for the thumb and fingers therebetween; A hand fin swimming aid, wherein said passageway is open at both ends such that at least the tip, but at most the outermost phalanx of a finger, can extend therethrough. (21) The swimming aid according to claim 20, wherein the second sheet is a mesh material. (22) A swimming aid according to claim 20, further comprising flotation means attached to the first sheet so that the hand fin floats when not in use. (23) The swimming aid according to claim 21, wherein water can easily pass through the mesh material. (24) a first sheet of thin, flexible material shaped to substantially conform to the shape of an outstretched hand, generally shaped to conform to at least the outstretched fingers and palm portion;
a second sheet of resilient, thin, flexible material, and connecting means for adhering the first and second sheets together to define a passageway for the thumb and fingers therebetween, said passageway comprising: open at each end so that at least the tip, but substantially at most the outermost phalanx of the finger, can extend through it and into the first or second sheet in the space of the widened interdigital gap. A fin further comprising a plurality of inserts of cores attached thereto, such that the fin is sufficiently rigid so as not to substantially deform when plunged into or pulled from water.