MXPA00011053A - Aquadynamic swim apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An aquadynamic swim apparatus (10). A foil (18) projects outwardly from a swimmer's leg, the foil having the shape of an airfoil and being adapted for a controlled angle ofattack and rate of change thereof in response to forces applied by a swimmer's leg strokes. A second foil (20) projects inwardly from the swimmer's lower leg, the foil being adapted for passive, limited inclination and declination.

Description

ACUADINAMICO APPARATUS TO SWIM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for putting on that helps to swim, particularly this apparatus advantageously employs the dynamics of the flow of water on and against surfaces thereof. Description of Related Technology The simple devices that are put to help swimming employ a semi-flexible swimming member having a surface that is fixed to the foot to increase the effective surface area thereof. The idea appears to be to increase the amount of water to which a swimmer can impart a kinetic energy backwards and thus achieve forward propulsion in a desired direction of swimming (hereinafter the "swim direction"). Swim member substantially moves with the foot, so that the bulging surface is directed through the foot to orient against the swimming direction, during a leg kick, along the swimming direction, during the kick of return of the leg. The more complex swimming aid devices typically employ a fixed leg or foot swimming member, the swimming member includes a body having a bulging surface. The body is fixed in a hinge to the swim member and rotates under the induced forces when swimming to present the bulging face to the swimming direction during the leg kick and retracts or reorients the bulging face during the return movement of the leg. These more complex devices seem to employ the same physical principle as the simple devices mentioned above. Each of these devices operates to provide an additional surface area for a leg or a foot, the surface area provides an element for a swimmer to exert an additional force against water other than that which would otherwise exert with the leg or the bare foot. There are mainly two disadvantages in these devices. First, it has not been found that these devices provide the desired improvements in swim speeds. Second, these devices have a limited capacity to improve the efficiency of swimming. It is desirable to obtain maximum propulsion with minimum effort. Although the aforementioned devices can provide elements to increase the force that the swimmer can apply to the water, apparently this does not increase the effectiveness of propulsion, or the speed of swimming, in terms of a certain amount of force applied or effort of the swimmer. Another disadvantage of many of these devices is the incorporation of a member or body having a moment of the arm with respect to the swimmer's leg or foot, so that the force applied to the swim member tends to turn or bend annoyingly, and while the more this is, the greater the capacity of the body to provide propulsion. Prior art devices impose severe bending efforts on the swimmer's ankles, especially during the return kick where the swimmer keeps the toes in an extended and pointed configuration. Moreover, it is advantageous for a swimming apparatus to allow a normal walking without removing it and, to varying degrees, the devices of the prior technologist do not provide this advantage. Correspondingly, there is a need for a novel method and apparatus for aquadynamic swimming in order to provide greater speed and swimming efficiency, to provide reduced torsional transmission to the swimmer's leg and to allow the swimmer to walk using the apparatus. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aquadynamic swim apparatus of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems and meets the aforementioned needs by employing, in the swimming of the swimmer, a leg brace having a metal sheet pivotally connected to a first shaft that extends outward from the outside of the swimmer's leg near the swimmer's ankle, the metal sheet has a working position where the working surface of the mental sheet rests substantially in the plane that divides the body into a front half and a back half (referred to herein as the crown plane). Leg bracelet further includes an inner metal sheet pivotally connected to a second axis extending outwardly from the inside of the swimmer's leg proximal to the swimmer's ankle, the inner metal sheet has a work surface that also substantially falls in the plane of the crown, and a channeling member to distribute the water between the inner metal sheet and the outer metal sheet. The outer metal sheet and, preferably, the inner metal sheet, substantially have an aerodynamic profile parallel to the plane substantially dividing the body in the left half and in the right half (hereinafter referred to as a midplane), particularly a profile which resembles a transonic aerodynamic profile of a high aspect ratio, where the profile is inverted from its normal orientation in an aircraft. The outer metal sheet includes a position control mechanism for changing the position thereof in response to the kicks of the swimmer's leg. In a preferred embodiment, the outer metal sheet includes a hub that defines a center of rotation of the metal sheet. The position control mechanism includes a control arm rigidly connected to the hub and extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the mental sheet when the metal sheet is in its working position, and an extendable arm connected with pivoting to a distant end thereof to control the arm and anchor it to the proximal end thereof to the bracelet at a location near the swimmer's knee. The extendable arm includes a mechanism for position change direction change speed which preferably is a piston and cylinder assembly that allows the extension and contraction of the extendable arm in response to the force applied to the metal sheet by the kick of the swimmer. The piston and cylinder assembly includes elements to control the rate at which the fluid, preferably water, can enter and exit the cylinder, to control the rate at which the metal sheet can peck around its ankle in response to kicks when swimming, so that the angle of attack of the metal sheet can be placed continuously and advantageously with respect to the progress of the swimmer's swimming style. The metal sheet, preferably, has an aerodynamic profile as mentioned above. The interior of the metal sheet includes articulation elements to change the position of the latter in response to the swimmer's kicks. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge element includes a cap that is rigidly fixed to the distal end of the second axis, the distal end of the shaft extending beyond the outer lateral surface of the inner metal sheet. The cap includes a stop arm that extends substantially parallel to the outer lateral surface of the metal sheet. The hinge element also includes a barrier plate fixed to the outer side surface of the metal sheet, the barrier plate has a slot which receives the cap and the stop arm and which has a shape that interferes with the arm Take in predetermined amounts of rotation of the inner metal sheet. The hub preferably includes a distribution element for rotating the outer metal sheet in the median plane and for bending the metal sheet against the outside of the swimmer's leg in an accommodating position, to facilitate walking with the apparatus. Therefore, it is a main objective of the present invention that of providing an improved aquadynamic swimming apparatus and a method for using same. It is another object of the present invention to provide a swimming apparatus and a method that maximizes the swimming speed of the swimmer. It is also another objective of the present invention to provide a swimming apparatus and a method that maximizes the swimming efficiency of the swimmer. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a swimming apparatus and a method that minimizes torsional reactions around the longitudinal axis of the swimmer's leg. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a swimming apparatus and a method that allows a swimmer to walk normally on land without removing the swimming apparatus. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a swimming apparatus and a method employing a swimming member having an aerodynamic configuration. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a swimming apparatus and a method that employs elements to control the angle of attack of the swimming member. It is also another object of the present invention to provide a swimming apparatus and a method wherein the angle of attack of the swimming member is controlled with respect to the angle of the swimmer's leg. The above and other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of an aquadynamic swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation of a profile of a metal sheet according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a pictorial view of a leg cuff and the interior appearance of the swim apparatus of Figure 1, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4A is a side elevation of the walking apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 4B is a cross section of the swimming apparatus of Figure 4a, taken along line 4B-4B thereof. Figure 5 is a pictorial view of a structural member and the appearance of a first axis and a second axis of the swimming apparatus of Figure 1, according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a close-up view of the internal aspects of the swimming apparatus of the Figure 1, showing an outer metal sheet according to the present invention taken from a working position in anticipation of accommodation. Figure 7 is a pictorial view of an aspect of the cube of the apparatus of Figure 1, according to the present invention. Figure 8A is a side elevation of the cube of Figure 7. Figure 8B is a top view of the cube of Figure 8A taken along line 8A-8A thereof. Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of an outer metal sheet and a spring biasing mechanism according to the present invention. Figure 10A is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 6 with the outer metal sheet rotated about 90 degrees out of the working position. Figure 10B is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 6 with the outer metal plate of Figure 6 pivoted about 45 degrees toward the accommodation position. Figure 11 is a pictorial view of a swimming apparatus of Figure 1 with the outer metal sheet of Figure 6 in an accommodation position. Figure 12 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 6 with the outer metal sheet partially cut.

Figure 13 is a partial section of a pictorial view of the swimming apparatus of Figure 1 with the outer metal sheet of Figure 6 removed. Figure 14 is a side elevation of an element for controlling the speed at which fluid enters a cylinder according to the present invention. Figure 15A is a side elevation of the profile of Figure 2 and of the hub of Figure 8A having substantially an angle of attack of zero degrees. Figure 15B is a side elevation of the profile and hub of Figure 15A having a positive angle of attack. Figure 16 is a partial section of the top view of the swimming apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 17A is a top view of the outer metal sheet of Figure 6 in a straight configuration. Figure 17B is a top view of the outer metal sheet of Figure 6 in a tapered configuration. Figure 17C is a top view of the outer metal sheet of Figure 6 in a sweep configuration.

Figure 18A is a side elevation of the outer metal sheet of Figure 6 showing a foam distribution therein. Figure 18B is a section of a top view of the metal sheet of Figure 18A, taken along line 18B-18B thereof. Figure 19 is a cross-section of the leg of a swimmer having a swim apparatus fixed thereto of Figure 1, particularly showing a protrusion according to the present invention. Figure 20 is a pictorial view of the swim apparatus of Figure 1 with the outer metal sheet of Figure 6 in an accommodating position, the swimming apparatus is supported in part by the leg straps corresponding to the present invention. Figure 21 is a pictorial view of the neoprene suit for use with the present invention, the neoprene suit incorporates the leg straps of Figure 20. Figure 22A is a side elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 1 substantially at the beginning of the swimmer's push stroke. Figure 22B is a side elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 22A substantially in a quarter of the swimmer's stroke. Figure 22C is a lateral elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 22A substantially midway of the swimmer's stroke stroke, the figure also shows a delay spring according to the present invention. Figure 22D is a side elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 22A substantially at the bottom of the swimmer's stroke. Figure 22E is a side elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 22A at the beginning of the swimmer's return stroke. Figure 22F is a lateral elevation of the swimming apparatus of Figure 22A substantially one quarter of the swimmer's return stroke. Figure 22G is a side elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 22A substantially in the middle of the swimmer's return stroke. Figure 22H is a side elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 22A substantially at the top of the swimmer's return stroke. Figure 221 is a side elevation of the swim apparatus of Figure 22A substantially at the beginning of the swimmer's stroke. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment With reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of an aquadynamic swimming apparatus 10 for use in swimming a swimmer 12 in a swimming direction 14 includes a leg brace 16 having an outer metal sheet 18 extending outside the leg of the swimmer. swimmer 11 proximate the swimmer's ankle and having a work surface 13 disposed, when in a working position 15, to substantially fall back into the crown plane, an inner metal sheet 20 extending within the swimmer's leg which has a work surface 17 which also substantially lies in the crown plane, and a channeling member 22 for distributing the water therebetween. With reference to Figure 2, it has been found advantageous to employ both in the outer metal sheet 18 and in the inner metal sheet 20 a profile 26 having a curvilinear shape, specifically, the aerodynamic shape as taken along a plane substantially perpendicular to the respective working surfaces 13, 17. Since water is a fluid that can not be compressed, the dynamics of the water flowing around the metal sheets will generally not be governed by the laws of aerodynamics; however, an improvement in the efficiency of swimming and speed can be achieved by using a profile 26 which, for illustrative purposes, can be seen as resembling an inverted version of what is known in technology as aerodynamics in terms of transonic aerodynamic profile. The profile 26 includes a convex lower contour 28 and an upper contour 30 joining the lower contour at the points "pi" and "P2." The contours 28 and 30 also form an outline with the work surfaces 13, 17 of the sheets of metal 18, 20. A convex portion 36 of the upper contour substantially smoothly connects a concave portion 38 thereof in a rearward half 34 of the profile 26, preferably in about 75% of the position 42, with reference to the arrow marked as "X%" The aspect ratio of the profile 26, that is, the ratio of its thickness "T" to its length "L", taken between the points "Pl" and "P2", is preferably substantially 0.2. Other aspect ratios, however, can be employed without departing from the principles of the invention It is considered that the inverted aerodynamic shape creates a pattern of particularly advantageous vortices in the water during the movement of the metal sheet 18 through this last kick, where the vortices associated with the lower contour 28 of the work surfaces 13 or 17 of the metal sheets interact with the vortices associated with the upper contour 30 thereof in such a way that it contributes unexpectedly to the swimmer's propulsion. In particular, in a downward kick, a strong first vortex develops in the formation of a low pressure area above and behind the trailing edge of the metal plate. This first strong vortex follows the downward kick and increases in magnitude until the downward kick ends. Similarly, in a second upward kick, the counter rotation, causes it to develop in weaker vortex below and behind the trailing edge of the sheet metal, in a recent formation of a low pressure area. However, while forming a new area of low pressure, the first strong vortex moves aggressively towards it causing the two vortices to join. At the moment of joining, the first strong vortex pushes the second weaker vortex, which rotates contrarily, moving it away, generating a jet of thrust against the metal sheet in the upward kick. Moreover, while the vortices try to move towards the area of weaker low pressure, the entrainment is completed by the swimmer's vortex, and of course, any vortex drag that is generated by the swimmer's body is absorbed by the first larger vortex and the second greater vortex generated by the movements of the metal plate. This completion and / or drag reduction is seen as an improvement in the energy of the swimmer's style. With reference to Figures 3, 4A and 4B, the cuff of leg 16, preferably circulates the lower part of the leg from the top of the inner passage to substantially six inches up the leg from there, and includes substantially around an eighth of an inch thick of an elastomeric lining material like neoprene. The bracelet 16 also preferably provides substantially about an eighth of an inch of space between the liner material and the swimmer's leg to accept a thickness of one-eighth of an inch below the neoprene suit, in order to provide comfort to the swimmer. Alternatively, the cuff can be adapted for use with any other neoprene wetsuit thickness or without wearing a wetsuit. The bracelet 16 includes a hinge 24 and diametrically opposed diagonally a longitudinal slot 25, the hinge opens the bracelet to be placed around the leg 11, and the slot includes fastening members 27, for example hook and loop fasteners, to close and Secure the bracelet around the leg. Preferably an upper portion 21 of the bracelet is formed of a relatively rigid material, preferably a composite plastic material, in order to provide a structure on which the elements that will be introduced next are mounted. Preferably, likewise, a lower portion 23 of the bracelet is formed of a flexible plastic material, to provide functioning of the hinge 24. The upper portion and the lower portion are preferably formed integrally of the same plastic matrix, obtaining the differences in flexibility through selectively adding composite materials and adjusting the thickness as will be appreciated without problems by ordinarily trained people. The bracelet 16 also preferably includes a top leg harness 152 that includes a belt 154 and a fastening mechanism, such as a hook fastener and a collar (not shown). The harness on the upper leg stabilizes the device 10.

With reference to Figure 5, the bracelet 16 includes a plurality of radially projecting structural members 31 that are spaced from each other. The structural members are shaped on the surface of the leg cuff, and therefore substantially towards the shape of the swimmer's leg, and preferably, include weight reducing apertures 33 located at or near the central axis of the structural members. The structural members 31 are furthermore tied together by a torsion-transmitting member 37 which is preferably a tube that extends through the structural members and is adhered to each of the structural members. The structural members 31 may be of zero stainless and adhesion may be achieved through welding. The structural members can also be formed of a composite plastic material and adhesion can be achieved with adhesive. Preferably, the structural members, the torsion member 37 and the bracelet 16 are formed integrally from the composite plastic material. Between the structural members 31 there are two structural members 31a and 31b that support, between these, a first axis rigidly connected and radially projecting, the first axis substantially rests in the crown plane of the swimmer and extend outwardly. of the swimmer's leg. The first shaft 39 is adhered to or integrally formed to the two structural members 31a and 31b, and can be made of metal or plastic. Preferably, the shaft 39 and the structural members 31a, 31b are integrally formed of a composite plastic material. With reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the first shaft 39 extends beyond the outer edges 41 of the structural members 31a and 31b at a distance sufficient to support a bearing 35a of a hub rotatably connected. With reference to Figure 8B, the shaft 39 is internally threaded to receive a detent screw 43 which passes through the hub 48 and the end bearing 35c and retains the hub 48 to the shaft while controlling the longitudinal play. The structural members also include two structural members 31c and 31d which support, between these, a second axis rigidly connected and radially projecting, the second axis substantially recesses in the crown plane of the swimmer and extends inwardly from the swimmer's leg The second shaft 57 is adhered to or integrally formed with the two structural members 31c and 31d, and can be made of metal or plastic. Preferably, the shaft 57 and the structural members 31c, 31d are formed integrally of a composite plastic material. Referring again to Figure 3, the inner metal sheet is fixed to the apparatus 10 through a hinge element 19. The hinge member 19 includes a cap 47 that is rigidly fixed to the distal end of the second shaft 57, the end Distant of the shaft extends beyond the outer lateral surface 44 of the inner metal sheet 20. The cap retains the inner metal sheet on the second axis 57. Correspondingly, the shaft 57 is preferably internally threaded and the cap preferably has a threaded rod (not shown) to equalize the coupling there, the cap 57 that captures a bearing 35b (not shown) to surround the shaft. The cap 47 includes a stop arm attached thereto, the stop arm extends substantially parallel to the side surface 44 of the metal sheet. The element 19 also includes a barrier plate 46 fixed to the side surface 44, preferably with a screw 49, the barrier plate has a slot 50 that receives the cap 47 and the stop arm 45 and has a shape so that interferes with the stop arm in predetermined amounts of rotation of the inner metal sheet. Other elements well known in the technology for limiting the rotation of the metal sheet 20 can also be used without departing from the principles of the invention. Additionally, to provide the function described above, the barrier plate 46 is provided to retain the water on the work surface 17 of the interior of the metal sheet 20. Correspondingly, the barrier plate extends and is substantially perpendicular to the surface of work 17. Preferably, the barrier plate is substantially flat and has a profile that follows the shape and size of the lateral surface 44 of the metal sheet 20. With reference to Figures 6, 7, 8A and 8B, the hub 48 includes an inner leaf 52 hingedly connected to the outer sheet 54 in a hinge 56 disposed proximate the axis 39, the hinge 56 has a hinge axis that substantially rests in the midplane of the swimmer. The inner blade includes an opening 58 for equalizing reception, for example, through a frictional fit with the bearing 35a. From there, the inner daughter 52 is allowed to rotate around the first axis 39. The outer sheet 54 may include a cavity 60 to promote franking for the shaft 39 and the retaining screw 43 when the outer sheet 54 is bent against the inner sheet. An axis of the outer metal sheet 68 is rigidly connected to the outer sheet 54 so that, when the hinge 56 is in a closed configuration, the axis of the outer metal sheet is substantially collinear with the first axis 39. Preferably, the axis of the outer metal sheet 68 and the outer sheet are integrally formed of a composite plastic material. Especially if the axis of the outer metal sheet is formed of stainless steel, it is preferable to include an internal recess 69 for lighting thereof. Preferably a molded seating member 71 is used around the shaft 68 to seat the outer metal sheet 18 against the outer sheet 54. With reference to Figure 9 and again to Figure 6, the outer metal sheet 18 includes a skeleton 144. which internally loads and is rigidly connected to a shaft housing 70 that fits around the axis of the metal sheet 68 to allow rotation of the metal sheet 18 relative thereto. The axle box 70 includes a projection 72 for engaging a spring biasing mechanism 74 connected to the axis of the metal sheet 68. A spring biasing mechanism 74 includes a proximal spring cup 75, a distal spring cup 76, and a coil compression spring 78 positioned therebetween. The spring cups 75, 76 and the spring 78 surround the axis of the metal sheet 68, and the proximal cup 75 and the spring are allowed to move relative to it, while the distant cup 76 is fixed with respect to the shaft of the metal sheet 68 through a detent cap 80. From there, a force applied to the proximal cup 75 tending to move it toward the distant cup 76 will cause the proximal cup 75 to move outward along the length of the cup. shaft of the metal sheet 68 against the force of the compression spring 78. This force is applied by the projection 72 of the shaft housing 70 when the outer metal sheet 18 is pulled outwardly. From there, the spring 78 tends to polarize the outer metal sheet 18 towards the swimmer's leg. A shock absorbing member, such as an O 77 ring, is employed between the retainer cap 80 and the axial case 70, to absorb the shock encountered by the outer metal sheet 18. Referring again to FIGS. 7 and 8B, it provides a metal sheet pin 82 for engaging the metal sheet 18 when the metal sheet is in its working position 15. The spring 78 biases the metal sheet against this as mentioned above. The metal sheet pin 82 extends substantially parallel to the axis 39 and depends on the inner sheet 52. The pin 82 is matched with an opening 83 in the metal sheet 18 to secure the metal sheet in the working position. The outer sheet 54 includes a lock arm 62 having a re-entry lock portion 64 adapted to receive a spring-biased lock pin 66 disposed along an inner surface 99 of the inner sheet 52. The portion of secure 64 reaches the securing bolt 66 through the opening of the latch 97 on the inner blade 54. The latch arm and the latch bolt are employed to secure the metal sheet 18 in its working position as will be more fully described. in OPERATION below. With reference to Figure 12 and again to Figure 7, the lock pin 66 is preferably a slidable elongated member captured by the inner surface 99 of the inner sheet 52 and has a tip 101 that is equalized with a portion entering 64 of the lock arm 62. Lock pin 66 is adapted to be operated remotely by the swimmer. The lock bolt 66 is mounted on a bolt body 88 that slidably receives the bolt and a first compression spring 89 that polarizes the bolt to the lock portion 64 of the hub 48 when acting between the body of the bolt 88 and a first one comes out of the bolt 66. A remote assembly 86 communicates with the bolt of the safety 66 and includes a remote body 93 that can be fixed to the bracelet 16 or to the external surfaces of the apparatus 10 that are described below. The remote body 93 houses a second compression spring 94 which acts against a second projection 96 to bias a remote rod 98 towards the body of the pin 88. A remote rod 98 communicates at a first end thereof with an end of the pin. 66 through 100a hooks, 100b fixed respectively to the remote rod and bolt 66, where the hooks allow the communication of the tension force, to pull the bolt 66 away from the portion of the safety 64 and thus allowing the opening of the hinge 56 mentioned above . The remote rod 98 is preferably operated by the swimmer through an operating rod 102 connected to a second end of the remote rod, where the remote rod is operated through an operating lever 104 fixed to the bracelet 16. The operating rod 102 experiences only tension and can, alternatively, be formed from a cable or chain. The operating lever is fixed to a bracket 109 on the bracelet 16 (see Figure 5) With reference to Figure 13 and again to Figure 7, the apparatus 10 includes a position control mechanism 51. The position control mechanism it includes a control arm 61 projecting radially from the hub 48, substantially in the median plane and substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the work surface 13 of the metal sheet 18. The control arm includes a distal end 103 to which the distal end 105 of an extendable arm 73 of the control mechanism 51 is pivotally fixed. The extendable arm is anchored to the proximal end 106 from there to the bracelet 16 on a bracket 108 located near the knee of the swimmer. The control arm 61 provides control, through the extendable arm, of position of the outer metal sheet 18. The extendable arm 73 includes a speed change and direction adjustment mechanism 110 which controls the speed at which the metal sheet 18 can rotate about the axis 39 in response to the applied forces of swimming to the metal sheet 18 through the swimmer's kick. The mechanism 110 preferably includes a piston and cylinder assembly 112 that allows extension and contraction of the extension arm 73 in response to the swimming forces. The piston and cylinder assembly 112 includes a double-headed piston 114 in a cylinder 116 pivotally mounted to a bracket 108 fixed to the bracelet 16. The piston creates a substantially watertight seal with the cylinder. The piston 114 includes opposing rods 119a and 119b extending outwardly where the rod 119a is formed at the end of the extendable arm 73 and the rod 119b floats freely. The compression springs 118a, 118b surround the respective rods and exert force against the rear surface 120a, 120b respectively of the piston 114 and between the respective ends 122a, 122b of the cylinder 116. The springs 118a, 188b, are adapted so as to tend to restoring the piston 114 to a substantially mid-position within the cylinder. From there, the assembly 112 biases the extendable arm 73 into a medium length configuration. Each end 122a, 122b includes a port 124a, 124b to allow a working fluid, preferably water, to enter and exit the cylinder. Each of the ports includes an input 126a, 126b respectively. The entrances are in fluid communication with a source of fluid which, preferably, is water in the swimmer's swim. The inlets include respective bypass valves 127a, 127b to allow fluid to enter the cylinder from there but not to exit. Each of the ports also includes an output 128a, 128b respectively. The outlets have communication with the source of the fluid, preferably through hoses 130a, 130b respectively. Preferably also, the tubes 130a, 130b include respectively elements 132a, 132b to control the speed at which the fluid can enter and exit the cylinder, to control the speed at which the metal sheet can peck around its axis in response to the swimming strokes, so that the angle of attack of the metal sheet can be placed continuously and advantageously with respect to the progress of the swimming styles of the swimmer. With reference to Figure 15, the element 132a, 132b include respectively chambers 134a, 134b communicating the fluid with the tubes 130a, 130b. The chambers 134a, 134b form a passage through which the fluid can escape through the respective tubes. The chambers include respective valves 136a, 136b, preferably screwed into the chamber arranged in such a manner as to lock the chamber to an adjustable point. By adjusting the valves 136a 136b, adjustment is provided to the resistance of a position change speed and position control mechanism 110 for ejection of the fluid from the cylinder 116. The mechanism of change of direction and position control speed 110 allows the hub 48 to rotate at a controlled rate either clockwise in a counterclockwise direction, the speed is clocked to relate to the speed of the swimmer's stroke, to achieve a position or angle attack that fits for the angle of the leg. The mechanism of change of speed and position control is also adapted to optimally eliminate the I amount of rotation in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, through a trip of the pistons 114a, 114b . In particular, the piston and cylinder assembly 112 can be adapted for different travel lengths of the piston 114 and, therefore, can have an effect on a different position limitation for the push and return kicks. However, it has been found to be preferable, for both position limitations that are substantially of the order of 25 degrees. Similarly, the different settings of the valves 136a and 136b may allow different speeds or rotation in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The extendable arm 73 and the position change and position control rate mechanism 110 are adapted to maintain the hub 48 in a predetermined angular orientation of the first component. With reference to Figure 15A, the metal sheet 18, when secured in its working position, is maintained in a predetermined angular orientation of the second component with respect to the hub. The sum of the angular orientation of the first component and the angular orientation of the second component is an angular orientation 87 resulting where the metal sheet preferably has a substantially zero position, or is neutral, with respect to the elongated axis of the lower part of the swimmer's leg when no forces are applied to the metal sheet. The axis of the metal sheet that is provided to measure this angle is determined by the "L" line described above. From there, when the hub 48 is oriented so that the orientation 87 substantially aligns with the elongated shaft of the lower part of the swimmer's leg, the metal sheet is referred to herein as being in a neutral position, or It has an angle of attack of zero degrees. With reference to Figure 15B, the inclinations of the metal sheet, as might occur in the swimmer's return stroke, are referred to herein as having positive attack angles. With reference to Figure 15C, the declinations of the metal sheet, as might occur during the swimmer's push stroke, is referred to herein as having negative attack angles. The aforementioned definitions of orientation also apply in the present to the inner metal sheet 20. With reference to Figure 16, the metal sheet 18 includes a metal sheet cover 146, which slides over the skeleton of the sheet of metal and is attached to the skeleton of the metal sheet 144. The cover of the metal sheet 146 includes the working surface 13 of the metal sheet 18. The cover of the metal sheet 146 includes an opening 148 for passing through the metal sheet. through the hook 84, and can be secured to the skeleton of the metal sheet with screws 150. Referring again to Figure 12, a delay mechanism 138 employs a leaf spring 140 fixed to a pivot point 142 to the bracelet 16 and extending along of this substantially parallel to the outer leaf 154 of the hub 48. A stop 143 is also fixed to the bracelet disposed in such a way that it contacts the spring 140 in the middle portion thereof. A distal end 141 of the spring 140 comes into contact during the selected portions of the swimming kick, a delay spring bolt 79 extending from the bolt of the metal sheet 82 as will be described more fully below in ORIENTATION. The axes 39 and 57 are positioned within the profile and are substantially perpendicular to the profile 26 of their respective metal sheet 18 and 20 in a position 54 substantially of the order of 30% (see Figure 2). This provides substantially 70% of the surface area of the metal sheets 18 and 20 to be arranged rearwardly of their associated axes 64 and 47. The precise location, in the profile 26, of the connection of the axes 39 and 57 to their Associated metal sheets 18 and 20 depend, inter alia, on the particular geometry of the metal sheets, for example, whether the metal sheets are "straight" as shown in Figure 17A, "tapered" as described in Figure 17B, or "sweeps" as described in Figure 17C. The metal sheets 18 and 20 may have any of these configurations and may include aspects of any of these configurations in combination. With reference to Figures 18A, 18B and again to Figure 6, the metal sheet 18 includes members for stiffening the skeleton 186 that strengthen the sheet metal so that it can withstand the forces of swimming. The metal sheet 18 is preferably not watertight, so that a foam distribution 184 is preferably used to control the buoyancy center of the metal sheet. The density and distribution of the foam 184 is selected so that the buoyancy center of the metal sheets 18 is situated substantially around the position 54 to 30% described above. With reference again to Figures 1 and 13, a fairing 160 comprises the piping member 22 that protects downward while the swimmer swims. The fairing houses the extendable arm 73 and the speed change mechanism and position control 119, and covers the structural members 31. The first axis 39 and the second axis 57 extends through the fairing to connect to the blades of metal 18 and 20 respectively. The hub 48 extends through the fairing into a slot 162, the slot being adapted to allow the outer blade 54 of the hub to rotate throughout its range of motion without interfering with the fairing. The fairing also provides space for the extendable arm 73 and the position change speed and position control mechanism 110 to move internally therein. The fairing 160 preferably includes an adjustable thigh cushion 168 that is adapted to have adjustable extension groove inward and outward to join the swimmer's leg and help stabilize it, together with the leg harness 152, and the apparatus 10 (see Figure 12). Additionally, the fairing works to reduce drag. The fairing can be attached to the cuff of the leg 16 by adhering it, with an adhesive, or with the use of fasteners as trims or locks, or in any other advantageous manner known in the art. The channeling member 22 is advantageously formed and positioned to distribute the water flowing through it between the outer metal sheet 18 and the metal sheet 20, in order to balance the forces the swimmer applies to the water through the the two metal sheets. With reference to Figure 19, the cross-sectional shape 171 of the channel member descends abruptly, away from the leg of the swimmer 11, from the cuff of the leg 16 on the side 170 near the outer metal sheet 18, ending in a flange 172, and ascends concavely, towards the swimmer's leg, towards the bracelet of the leg 16 on the side 174 next to the inner metal sheet 20. The channeling member 22 is preferably polarized towards the outer metal sheet 18, because the outer metal sheet has larger working surfaces 28 and 30 than the inner metal sheet 20, as will be discussed in OPERATION below. Referring again to Figure 13, the profile 173 of the channeling member 22 is substantially convex. The profile 173 curves down from around the knee of the swimmer and becomes substantially parallel to the swim direction 14 promoting the swimmer's foot. The channeling member 22 may employ other shapes and configurations in order to achieve its purpose of guiding water on the apparatus 10 and dividing the water between the metal sheet 18 and 20, as will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art. As will also be appreciated, it is preferable that the channeling member employs shapes and configurations that tend to minimize entrainment. OPERATION The leg bracelet 16 is fixed to the lower portion of the swimmer's leg by opening the bracelet on the hinge 24, placing the hinge around the leg 11, closing and then securing the bracelet. As described in Figure 20, the swimmer can walk with the apparatus in an accommodating position 81. With reference to Figures 10A, 10B, and 11, the metal sheet 18 may be unsecured from its working position by pulling the sheet metal outwardly against the spring 78, thereby releasing the opening 83 from the pin 82. The metal sheet can now be rotated about the axis 39 substantially about 90 degrees in advance of accommodation (See Figure 10A). From this, the lock arm 62 can be unlocked by removing the lock bolt 66, preferably as described below. The hinge 56 can now be opened, so that the metal sheet can be pivoted in the hinge 56 substantially about 90 degrees out of the working position and into the accommodating position 81 (see Figures 10B and 11), the open hinge 56 allows the metal sheet 18 to be substantially planarly bent against the swimmer's leg. The hook 84 on the metal sheet and a fastening strap 85 fixed to the bracelet are used to secure the metal sheet 18 in the accommodating position 81. When the swimmer is ready for a swimmer, the aforementioned procedure is reversed. Figure 20 also describes the leg straps 175 which advantageously functions to resist twisting of the swimmer's leg in response to the torsional forces that may be encountered in swimming with the apparatus 10. With reference to Figure 21, it is preferred that the swimmer employs a neoprene suit 176 that includes leg straps 175 for use with larger metal sheets 18, where a larger metal sheet 18 has an upper surface 26 that is greater than 80-100 square inches. However, the use of a neoprene suit 176 is not required for the practice of the invention, nor is it always advantageous. The channeling member 22 divides the water flow between the outer metal sheet 18 and the inner metal sheet 20 resulting from the thrust kick, to balance the forces applied to the metal sheets in order to decrease or eliminate twisting on the swimmer's leg. However, the surface area of the outer metal sheet 18 is relatively larger compared to the surface area of the inner metal sheet 20. From there, to achieve approximately balanced flow effects in each of the metal sheets. , it has been found that more water can be channeled to the inner metal sheet 18, by polarizing the location of the channeling member 22 towards the outer metal sheet 18. The channeling member must produce a minimum drag of a certain amount of water channeled. It is believed that the above-described cross-sectional shape 171 and profile 173 of the channel member minimize drag. The inner metal sheet 20 includes the barrier plate 46 which has been found to improve the balance effect of water flowing on the inner metal sheet, by tending to retain the water having a greater velocity on the upper surface 30 of the Metal sheet . The shape of the outer metal sheet 18 and the control of its angle of attack with respect to the swimmer's kicks is shaped in a pattern reminiscent of the shape and the observed swimming movements of a dolphin. With respect to this form, the backward portion 40 of the profile 26 is configured to mimic the shape of a rear portion of the dolphin's body, which includes the fins of its tail. With respect to the dolphin's swimming movements, it has been observed that the dolphin pushes a rear portion of its body downward while manipulating the tail fins to maintain an optimal angle of attack. In the lower part of a pushing movement, the dolphin maintains an anterior edge of the fins downward with respect to the horizontal in order to create a negative angle of attack of 15 degrees at 40 degrees. As the dolphin lifts the back portion of its body during a return movement, the fins transition to a positive angle of attack, also 15 to 40 degrees. In the present invention, the rotation of the metal sheet 18 with respect to the hub can be controlled in response to the swimmer's kick through the extendable arm 73 and to the position change and position control 110 speed mechanism. of metal 18 changes its position or its angle of attack from a neutral position either up or down in response to the force applied to the metal sheet 18 as a result of the resistance of the mechanism 110. The range of the angle of attack is limited by the geometry of the control arm 61 and the extendable arm 73, as well as by the mechanism 110. As mentioned above, the range is preferably limited between 25 degrees negative with respect to the swimmer's leg during the push movement and at 25 degrees positive during the return movement. The response speed of the metal sheet can be adjusted to match the swimming characteristics of the swimmer by adjusting the valves 136a, 136b of the mechanism 110. The effective size of the respective chambers 134a, 134b is preferably adjusted so that the ejection velocity of the Water is clocked in order to match the speed of the swimmer's kick with the strength of the swimmer who can typically apply. A calculation of this speed and a determination of the required adjustment in the purge of the mechanism 136 is preferably carried out with the aid of a special computer or small calculator for this purpose. With reference to Figures 22A-22I, while the swimmer's leg pushes down, the metal sheet 18 is allowed to assume the negative angle of attack. The normal force applied to the lower surface 28 of the metal sheet 18 is transmitted to the hub 48, which tends to twist the hub in the declination direction of the metal sheet. This twisting is transmitted to the control arm of the hub 61, which in turn pulls the extendable arm 73 to move the piston 114 towards the end 122a of the fixed cylinder 116. The water trapped between the rear surface 120a of the piston and the end 122a of the This cylinder is thus forced by the piston through the outlet 128a and the hose 130a, at a speed governed by the selected setting of the valve 136a, the pressure in the cylinder, and the viscosity of the water. At the same time, the volume of the cylinder between the rear surface 120b of the piston 114 and the end 122b of the cylinder increases in this manner, tending to put the water through the inlet 126b through the bypass valve 127b to fill the cylinder between the surface 120 and 122b. While the leg of the swimmer is pushed up, the metal sheet 18 is allowed to assume a positive angle of attack. The normal force applied to the upper surface 30 of the metal sheet 18 is transmitted to the hub 48, which tends to twist the hub in the direction of the inclination of the metal sheet. This twist is transmitted to the control arm of the hub 61, which in turn pushes the extendable arm 73 to move the piston 114 towards the end 122b of the fixed cylinder 116. The water trapped between the rear surface 120b of the piston and the end 122b of the cylinder it is thus forced by the piston through the outlet 128b and the hose 130b, at a speed governed by the selected setting of the valve 136b, the pressure in the cylinder, and the viscosity of the water. At the same time, the volume of the cylinder between the rear surface 120a of the piston 114 and the end 122a of the cylinder increases in this way, tending to put the water in the inlet 126a through the bypass valve 127a to fill the cylinder between the surface 120a and 122a. The operation of the delay mechanism 138 will be described below. It has been found to be advantageous to delay the transmission of the metal sheet during the start portion of the pushing movement. The delay spring stops at the middle portion 145 of the trip up through the stop 143. However, the distal end 141 of the spring is free to bend around the stop 143. During the start portion of the push movement, shown in FIG. Figures 22A-22C, the pin of the delay spring 79 (see Figure 12) makes contact with the distal end 141 of the spring 140 and pushes it upwards so that the spring bends around the stop. But, because the radius of the bolt pivot 79 is greater than the radius of the pivot of the spring 140 while being stopped by the stop 143, the distal end 141 eventually loses contact with the bolt and thus is released by the bolt 798 (Figure 22C). From there, during the initial part of the thrust movement, the spring 140 acts to retard the rotation of the metal sheet 18, while in the final part of the movement, the spring releases, and the rotation of the metal sheet is governed only by the piston and cylinder assembly 112. During the return movement, the spring is restored to its original position again, due to the respective differences in the spokes of the pivot between the spring and the pin 79. The spring 140 does not affect the movement return . It is recognized that, although the specific aquadynamic swimming apparatus and the method used for this have been shown in the preferred manner, other configurations may be used, in addition to the configurations already mentioned without departing from the principles of the invention. Particularly any number of metal sheets and channeling members may be employed, and any of these may employ any of the principles ascribed to any of the metal sheets 18, 20 and 182, or to the channeling member 22. The terms and expressions that have been used in the present specification are used as terms of description and not limitation, and there is no intention to use these terms and expressions as excluding equivalents of the characteristics shown and described or portions thereof, it is recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims below.

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for assisting the swimmer to swim, comprising: a leg brace adapted to be attached to a swimmer's leg; a first sheet of metal connected to this leg bracelet having a work surface and a profile of the work surface having a curvilinear shape taken along the longitudinal plane of the work surface; this first metal sheet is pivotally coupled to the leg brace to allow relative rotation therebetween, a position control mechanism coupled between the first metal sheet and the leg bracelet to control the rotation of the first metal sheet; and the position control mechanism comprises: a control arm coupled to the first metal sheet and extending away from the work surface, and an extendable member pivotally coupled to the control arm at a distal end of the control arm, A length of the extensible member is automatically adjusted in response to a force applied to the work surface.
2. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the profile of the work surface is curved.
3. 3. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the curved work surface is a lower surface of the first metal sheet.
4. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the first metal sheet is pivotally connected to the leg bracelet to allow rotation of the metal sheet around the axis that lies substantially in the crown plane of the swimmer.
5. 5. The apparatus of Claim 4, further comprising a delay mechanism connected to the leg cuff, this delay mechanism is arranged to make contact with the first metal sheet during the selected portions of the swimmer's swim style and it is adapted to retard the rotation of the first metal sheet during this contact.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5, wherein the delay mechanism includes a leaf spring where the leaf spring has a distal end for contacting the metal sheet in a projection thereof, and this projection has a first radius of pivot and the leaf spring has a second pivot radius that is smaller than the first pivot radius.
7. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the position control mechanism is adapted to control rotation in relation to the forces applied to the first metal sheet by the swimmer's swim styles.
8. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the extendable member includes a speed change control mechanism and a position adjusting mechanism disposed there, wherein the speed change control mechanism controls the speed at which the speed changes. which automatically adjusts the extensible member.
9. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the steering change speed control mechanism includes a substantially confined working fluid and an adjustable valve mechanism adapted to allow the working fluid to escape from the confinement at a predetermined rate, and wherein the expandable member is adapted to pressurize the working fluid in response to a force applied to this working surface of the first metal sheet.
10. 10. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein the predetermined speed is adjusted to correlate with the speed of the swimmer's swim styles.
11. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the extendable member is automatically adjusted to limit the inclination and the declination of the first metal sheet substantially around 25 degrees.
12. 12. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprises a second sheet of metal projecting from the leg cuff on one side of the swimmer's leg substantially opposite to the swimmer's leg side from which the first sheet of metal is placed. It projects, to help minimize the twisting of the swimmer's leg during swim movements.
13. 13. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the second metal sheet is rotatably connected to the leg bracelet.
14. 14. The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprises limiting elements for limiting the inclination and declination of the second metal sheet.
15. 15. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein the limiting element limits the inclination and declination of the second metal sheet to substantially about 40 degrees.
16. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the second metal sheet includes a barrier substantially perpendicular to the working surface of the second metal sheet, to resist a flow of water thereon.
17. 17. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the second sheet metal includes a work surface, wherein the profile is substantially transonic aerodynamic.
18. 18. The apparatus of Claim 12 further comprises a channeling member disposed between the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet to distribute a flow of water therebetween.
19. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the leg cuff includes an element for accommodating the first metal sheet against the swimmer's leg to allow it to walk with the apparatus.
20. An apparatus for assisting a swimmer to swim, comprising: a leg brace adapted to be attached to a swimmer's leg; a first metal sheet coupled to the leg cuff, wherein the first metal sheet includes a work surface and a work surface profile having a curvilinear shape taken along the longitudinal plane, wherein the first sheet of metal engages with pivoting to the leg cuff to allow rotation between these, a delay mechanism coupled to the leg cuff and structured to selectively delay the praying of the metal foil relative to the leg cuff, and the delay mechanism includes a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring is structured to make contact with the first metal sheet in a projection thereof, where this projection includes a first pivot radius and the leaf spring includes a second pivot radius that is less than the first radius of the pivot.
21. 21. An apparatus for assisting a swimmer to swim, comprising: a leg brace adapted to be attached to a swimmer's leg; a first sheet of metal coupled to the leg bracelet; a second sheet of metal coupled to the leg cuff and projecting from the leg cuff on one side of the legs of the substantially opposite swimmer on the side of the swimmer's leg from which the first sheet of metal projects; and a channeling member disposed between the first sheet of metal and the second sheet of metal, wherein the channeling member is structured to distribute a flow of water between the first sheet of metal and the second sheet of metal.
22. 22. An apparatus for assisting a swimmer to swim, comprising: a bracelet adapted to be attached to a swimmer's leg, a first metal sheet connected to the east bracelet, and the leg bracelet includes elements to accommodate the first sheet of metal against the swimmer's leg to allow him to walk with the apparatus.