TW201544145A - Flipper - Google Patents

Abstract

A flipper is provided. The flipper includes a foot bag, a fin and a strengthening structure. The foot bag is for accommodating a foot of the user, the fin extends forward from the foot bag, and the strengthening structure is disposed at the fin and extends to reach a front edge of the fin. The flexural strength of the strengthening structure is larger then that of the fin to constrain the swinging angle of the fin relative to the foot bag. Through the strengthening structure constraining the swinging angle of the fin, the flipper not only can provide larger propulsion at down-kicking state, but also decrease the resistance of water at up-kicking state.

Description

Fins

The present invention relates to a flipper, and more particularly to a flipper having a structural reinforcement.

Fins are common equipment for water sports. Because flippers can increase the area of force when paddling, especially when diving, almost everyone will wear flippers.

However, due to differences in the strength and durability of muscles in various parts of the body, there is a significant influence on the strength and durability of the stroke. For example, in the kicking state, the leg muscles cause the legs to straighten out, the muscles provide a larger force, and the durability is also higher, so that the main propulsive force during the dive is the stroke action from the kicking state. . In order to be able to repeatedly perform the kicking action of the kick, the diver is bound to repeatedly close the leg, that is, the kicking state. However, the muscle strength and endurance of the stroke movement when the kick is completed are poor, so that the push force is required to provide the same amount of propulsion as the kick-down state, and the diver's muscles are unloaded and easily exhausted.

Therefore, the conventional flippers are designed to balance the upper leg kicking state and the kicking state of the leg muscles, and are often designed to reduce the resistance of the flippers, such as using a softer material or providing perforations on the crotch surface, deliberately making the running water easy. Flowing through the flippers. However, although these measures can reduce the resistance of the kicking state, they also reduce the resistance of the kicking state, resulting in a significant decrease in propulsion.

In view of this, providing a better improvement solution is a problem to be solved in the industry.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a flipper that maintains sufficient kicking force while reducing the resistance to the kicking state.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flipper comprising a foot pocket, a cymbal and a reinforcing structure; the foot pocket is for receiving a user's sole; the cymbal extends forward from the foot pocket. The reinforcing structure is disposed on the crucible, and the reinforcing structure extends to a leading edge of the crucible; wherein the reinforcing structure has a flexing strength greater than a flexural strength of the crucible, and thus the swinging angle of the crucible relative to the swing of the foot pocket is Limited by the reinforcement structure.

Restricting the swing angle of the raft through the reinforced structure not only allows the flipper to generate more propulsion when it is kicked down, but also reduces the resistance of the running water when it is in the kicking state.

The above objects, technical features and advantages will be more apparent from the following description.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7‧‧ ‧ flippers
101, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701‧‧ ‧ foot pockets
401a‧‧‧ pivot
401b, 501b‧‧‧ protruding parts
110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710‧‧‧蹼
111, 611‧‧‧ top
112, 212, 612‧‧‧ bottom
713‧‧‧ Picture
120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720‧ ‧ reinforced structure
121, 221, 321, 421, 521, 621‧ ‧ reinforced ribs
521a‧‧‧ card hook
122‧‧‧Strengthen
123‧‧‧ Strengthening layer
330, 430, 530, 630, 630-1, 630-2‧‧‧ swing limit structure
430b, 530b, 630b‧‧‧ grooves

1A is a front elevational view of a flipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
1B is a schematic rear view of a flipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic rear view of a flipper according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
3A is a front elevational view of a flipper according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
3B is an exploded perspective view of a flipper according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
4A is a front elevational view of a flipper according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
4B is an exploded perspective view of a flipper according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
4C is a schematic view showing a swing restricting structure of a flipper according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5A is a front elevational view of a flipper according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5B is an exploded perspective view of a flipper according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
5C is a schematic view showing a swing restricting structure of a flipper according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
6A is a front elevational view of a flipper according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6B is an exploded perspective view of a flipper according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
6C is a schematic view showing a swing restricting structure of a flipper according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a flipper according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

First of all, the terms "before", "left", "right", "top" and "bottom" as referred to below are named according to the relative orientation of the user when wearing the flippers. In other words, the direction in which the user's toes are pointed is the front, the same direction as the instep is the top surface, and the same direction as the sole is the bottom surface. When the user wears the flippers, the left and right directions of the flippers are the same as the left and right directions of the user.

In addition, the "up kick state" and "down kick state" referred to below are based on the user's wearing of flippers for water sports, and the deflection of the fins due to the resistance of the running water when the legs are stroked. The "down kick state" refers to the deflection state of the flippers when the stroke direction of the legs is the same as the face of the face, and the "up kick state" refers to the deflection of the flippers when the stroke direction of the legs is opposite to the face of the face. The state of the song.

Please refer to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively a front view and a back view of a flipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides a flipper 1 comprising a foot pocket 101, a stack 110 and a reinforcing structure 120. The foot bag 101 can be used as a shoe or a sock to accommodate the user's sole and optionally accommodate the user's ankle. The crucible 110 has a fan-like or flat structure extending forward from the foot pocket 101.

The reinforcing structure 120 is disposed on the crucible 110 and extends to a leading edge of the crucible 110, and the extension of the reinforcing structure 120 may exceed or be slightly shorter than the leading edge of the crucible 110. In this embodiment, the extension of the reinforcing structure 120 is just It is aligned with the leading edge of the crucible 110. The reinforcing structure 120 may be disposed on a top surface 111 or a bottom surface 112 of the crucible 110, or may be disposed on the top surface 111 and the bottom surface 112 of the crucible 110, respectively. The flexural strength of the reinforcing structure 120 is greater than the flexural strength of the crucible 110, so the swinging angle of the crucible 110 relative to the swing of the foot pocket 101 is limited by the reinforcing structure 120.

The swing angle can be defined as a first swing angle and a second swing angle. Through the above structure, when the flipper 1 is in the down kick state, the swing angle of the swing 110 relative to the foot pocket 101 is the first swing angle, and the maximum swing angle is 30 degrees, but not limited thereto; when the flipper 1 is in the When in the upper kicking state, the swinging angle of the cymbal 110 relative to the foot pocket 101 is a second swinging angle, which may be up to 70 degrees, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, the flipper 1 can generate more propulsion when kicking down, and can reduce the resistance of running water when kicking.

The construction of the reinforcing structure is detailed below. In the flippers 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1A, the reinforcing structure 120 can extend over the top surface 111. The reinforcing structure 120 may have two reinforcing ribs 121 that may extend forward from one of the left and right sides of the foot pocket 101 along one of the two side portions of the pocket 101 to the leading edge of the crucible 110, respectively. The two sides of the foot bag 101 refer to the portion of the foot bag 101 located on the left and right sides of the user's foot when the user wears the flipper 1. Therefore, the reinforcing structure 120 can also prevent the water flow from causing the deflection of the foot bag 101, so that the use It is more labor-saving.

The both side portions of the aforementioned cymbal 110 refer to the left and right edge portions of the top surface 111 of the cymbal 110. Therefore, when the reinforcing ribs 121 of the reinforcing structure 120 extend forward from both side portions of the foot pocket 101 along both side portions of the crucible 110, the reinforcing structure 120 can restrict the both side portions of the crucible 110 from swinging relative to the foot pocket 101. The angle of the swing. Since a middle portion of the crucible 110 is not limited by the reinforcing structure 120, the middle portion is deflected by the resistance of the water when the user kicks down to increase the pushing force of the stroke.

In addition, the reinforcing structure 120 may further have a reinforcing sheet 122. The reinforcing sheet 122 is connected to the reinforcing rib 121, and may extend from the reinforcing rib 121 toward the top surface 111 of the crucible 110, so that the two reinforcing ribs 121 and the reinforcing sheet 122 are integrated into one body. . The reinforcing sheet 122 covers the crucible 110, but does not cover the intermediate portion of the crucible 110, so that the intermediate portion can still flex due to the resistance of the flowing water when the user kicks down.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the reinforcing structure 120 of the present embodiment may also be disposed on the bottom surface 112 of the crucible 110. The reinforcing ribs 121 of the reinforcing structure 120 may extend forward from the left and right sides of the foot pocket 101 along the two sides of the bottom surface 112 of the raft 110 to the leading edge of the 蹼110, respectively, and the reinforcing sheet 122 may be self-reinforcing the rib 121 toward the 蹼121. The bottom surface 112 of the 110 extends, and the two reinforcing ribs 121 disposed on the bottom surface 112 are integrally formed with the reinforcing sheet 122.

In this embodiment, the reinforcing structure 120 may further have a reinforcing layer 123 covering the bottom of the foot bag 101, thereby preventing the user from wearing a flipper 1 to be stabbed by an object while walking on land.

In order to make the flexural strength of the reinforcing structure 120 greater than the flexural strength of the crucible 110, the crucible 110 and the reinforcing structure 120 may be made of different materials, or the shape of the reinforcing structure 120 may be matched to make the reinforcing structure 120 larger. The flexural strength; for example, the thickness of the reinforcing structure 120 can be made thicker.

蹼110 can be made of natural rubber, Silicone Rubber, Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Synthetic Vinyl (EVA), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Thermoplastic) Polyurethane, TPU) or a combination of the above.

The material of the reinforced structure 120 is natural rubber, polycarbonate (PC), Alkylbenzene sulfonate (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic. Rubber, Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride, Polystyrene (PS), Polyurethane (PU), Nylon, Synthetic Vinyl (EVA) or a combination of the above.

Next, please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic view of the back side of the flipper according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A second embodiment of the present invention provides a flipper 2 having a technical feature similar to that of the first embodiment, the difference being that the reinforcing structure 220 of the flipper 2 is disposed on the bottom surface 212 of the crucible 210, and the reinforcing structure 220 has only two The reinforcing ribs 221 are reinforced, and the reinforcing sheets and the reinforcing layers are omitted.

The foregoing embodiments and illustrations are mainly intended to reveal the shape and arrangement of the reinforced structure of the flipper, and can be easily thought of by the person skilled in the art, such as the quantity and position of the reinforced structure. Whether the setting method or the modification of the reinforcing sheet or the reinforcing layer does not deviate from the scope of the foregoing disclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are respectively a front view and an exploded perspective view of a flipper according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment of the present invention proposes a flipper 3 having a technical feature similar to that of the first embodiment, with the difference that the flipper 3 of the third embodiment further includes at least one swing restricting structure 330.

More specifically, the at least one swing restricting structure 330 is a two swing restricting structure 330, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the foot pocket 301. The reinforcing structure 320 is fixed to the swing restricting structure 330, and the reinforcing structure 320 can be swung by at least one swing angle with respect to the foot pocket 301. In other words, the swinging angle of the reinforcing structure 320 relative to the foot pocket 301 is restricted by the swing restricting structure 330, and the reinforcing structure 320 can limit the swinging angle of the weir 310 relative to the foot pocket 301; that is, the swing restricting structure 330 can be indirectly limited The swing angle of 蹼310.

One end of the reinforcing rib 321 that does not extend to the leading edge of the crucible 310 is fixed to the swing restricting structure 330. In this embodiment, the two swinging restricting structures 330 and the two reinforcing structures 320 may be integrally formed, but are not limited thereto in other embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are respectively a front view and an exploded perspective view of a flipper according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment of the present invention proposes a flipper 4 having a technical feature similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the fins 4 of the fourth embodiment may further include at least one swing restricting structure 430.

More specifically, at least one of the swing restricting structures 430 is disposed on the left and right sides of the foot pocket 401, that is, the left side surface and the right side surface, respectively. One end of the reinforcing rib 421 that does not extend to the leading edge of the crucible 410 is fixed to the swing restricting structure 430. In detail, in this embodiment, the two side portions of the crucible 410 can be divided into a left side portion and a right side portion, and the reinforcing rib 421 located at the left side portion of the crucible 410 and the swing restricting structure 430 located at the left side surface of the foot pocket 401. For integral molding, the reinforcing rib 421 located at the right side portion of the crucible 410 is integrally formed with the swing restricting structure 430 located on the right side surface of the foot pocket 401.

Referring to FIG. 4C together, FIG. 4C is a schematic view showing the swing restricting structure of the flipper according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the swing restricting structure 430 is pivotally disposed on the foot pocket 401, and the swing restricting structure 430 does not swing relative to the reinforcing structure 420.

The foot pocket 401 has two pivots 401a, and the pivots 401a are respectively disposed on two sides of the foot pocket 401. The swing restricting structure 430 is fixed to the foot pocket 401 through the pivot 401a, and the swing restricting structure 430 can pivot the pivot 401a to the foot pocket 401 as a rotating shaft. The pivot 401a further has a protruding portion 401b. Each of the swing restricting structures 430 has a recess 430b, and the protruding portion 401b is received in the recess 430b, so that the protruding portion 401b can restrict the swing restricting structure 430 relative to the foot pocket. The swing angle of the 401 swing.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively, FIGS. 5A and 5B are front and exploded perspective views, respectively, of a flipper according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a flipper 5 having a technical feature similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the flipper 5 of the fifth embodiment may further include at least one swing restricting structure 530.

More specifically, at least one swing restricting structure 530 and two swing restricting structures 530 are respectively disposed on both sides of the foot pocket 501. The reinforcing rib 521 is not extended to one end of the leading edge of the crucible 510, and has a engaging hook 521a. The reinforcing rib 521 is fixed to the swing restricting structure 530 through the engaging hook 521a.

Referring to FIG. 5C together, FIG. 5C is a schematic view showing the swing restricting structure of the flipper according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the swing restricting structure 530 is pivotally disposed on the foot pocket 501, and the swing restricting structure 530 does not swing relative to the reinforcing structure 520. The foot bag 501 has two pivots (not shown), and the pivots are respectively disposed on two sides of the foot bag 501. The swing restricting structure 530 is fixed to the foot pocket 501 through a pivot, and the swing restricting structure 530 can pivot relative to the foot pocket 501 to pivot.

Each of the two sides of the foot pocket 501 has a protrusion 501b. The swing restricting structure 530 has a recess 530b, and the protrusion 501b is received in the recess 530b, so that the protrusion 501b is used to limit the swing restricting structure 530. A pivot angle that is pivoted relative to the foot pocket 501.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are respectively a front view and an exploded perspective view of a flipper according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment of the present invention proposes a flipper 6, which has a technical feature similar to that of the first embodiment, with the difference that the fins 6 of the sixth embodiment may further include at least one swing restricting structure 630.

More specifically, at least one swing restricting structure 630 is a four swing restricting structure 630, which are disposed on both sides of the foot pocket 601 and connected to the position of the two swing restricting structures 630-2 of the reinforcing structure 620 of the bottom surface 612. The position of the two swing restricting structure 630-1 connected to the reinforcing structure 620 located at the top surface 611 is closer to the crucible 610.

Referring to FIG. 6C together, FIG. 6C is a schematic view showing the swing restricting structure of the flipper according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the swing limiting structure 630 is fixed to the foot pocket 601, but the reinforcing structure 620 can be pivoted relative to the swing restricting structure 630. The swing restricting structures 630 each have a recess 630b that extends from the swing restricting structure 630 to the leading edge of the crucible 610 through the recess 630b, so that the pivoting angle of the reinforcing rib 621 is limited to the recess 630b.

Further, under the restriction of the recess 630b, the reinforcing structure 620 connecting the swing restricting structure 630-2 is restricted by the recess 630b, the first swing angle is 30 degrees, and the second swing angle is 70 degrees. The reinforcing structure 620 connecting the swing restricting structure 630-1 is limited by the recess 630b, the first swing angle may be 70 degrees, and the second swing angle is restricted by the position of the swing restricting structure 630-2, and the second swing angle is It is 0 degrees.

Next, please refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flipper according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The seventh embodiment of the present invention proposes a flipper 7, which has a technical feature similar to one of the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment, with the difference that the 蹼 710 of the flipper 7 of the seventh embodiment has two 蹼The piece 713, the crotch piece 713 extends forward from the foot bag 701 in a side-by-side manner, and the crotch pieces 713 partially overlap.

Similar to the other embodiments, the reinforcing structure 720 can limit the swinging angle of the crucible 710 relative to the swing of the foot pocket 701, and in the present embodiment, the flap 713 can be separated in the upper kicking state to make the running water pass more easily, and thus Can reduce the resistance of running water.

In summary, the fins of the present invention limit the swing angle of the squat through the reinforcing structure, which not only allows the flippers to generate more propulsive force in the down state, but also reduces the resistance of the running water in the upper kicking state, so the user can It's easier and less energy-efficient for water activities.

The above embodiments are only used to exemplify the implementation of the present invention, and to explain the technical features of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any changes or equivalences that can be easily accomplished by those skilled in the art are within the scope of this creation. The scope of protection of this creation shall be subject to the scope of the patent application.

1‧‧‧Fins

101‧‧‧foot bag

110‧‧‧蹼

111‧‧‧ top surface

112‧‧‧ bottom

120‧‧‧Strengthened structure

121‧‧‧ Strengthening ribs

122‧‧‧Strengthen

Claims (10)

A flipper that contains:
a foot pocket for receiving the user's sole;
a raft extending forward from the foot pocket; and a reinforcing structure disposed on the raft, and the reinforced structure extends to a front end of the raft;
Wherein the flexural strength of the reinforcing structure is greater than the flexural strength of the crucible.
The fin shoe of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure is disposed on a bottom surface of the crucible.
The flipper of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure is disposed on a top surface of the crucible.
The flipper of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure is disposed on a bottom surface and a top surface of the crucible.
A flipper according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the reinforcing structure extends forward from both sides of the foot pocket along the sides of the weir to the front end of the weir.
The fin shoe of claim 5, wherein the reinforcing structure extends from the side edges of the crucible to the top surface or the bottom surface of the crucible.
The flipper of claim 5, further comprising at least one swing limiting structure respectively disposed on the two sides of the foot pocket, the reinforcing structure being fixed to the swing restricting structure, and the reinforcing structure being capable of being opposite to the The foot bag swings at least one swing angle.
The flipper of claim 7, wherein the at least one swing restricting structure is two or four swing restricting structures, and the swing restricting structures are pivotally fixed to the foot pocket, the both sides of the foot pocket Each of the protrusions has a protrusion for limiting the swing angle of the swing restricting structure relative to the foot pocket.
The flipper of claim 7, wherein the swing restricting structure is integrally formed with the reinforcing structure.
A flipper according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cymbal has two cymbals which extend forward from the foot pocket in a side-by-side manner.