US1691385A - Swimming shoe - Google Patents

Description

SWIMMING SHOE Filed Feb. 6, 1928 Inventor v I fluyustu Fina/:98, 351M; V I

v Alfomey Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED s'rA-TEsf PATENT 0m 1.

AUGUSTUS s. unions, or snort-Linn,"wesiimorroiv, assrenoitior onn rnnrn'ro rraavn n. rnrrrs AND ELMER J. nnwnnns, BOTH or SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, AND rrvn-rnnrns TO CHARLES rrsrena, TRUSTEE.

SWIMMING SHOE.

Application filed February 6, 192 8. SerialNo 252,082.

My present invention relates to an im proved swlmmlng shoe adapted to be worn by the swimmer for the purpose of lncreasmg the effect and power applied by the leg stroke of the swimmer and thereby increase the speed of the swimmer. In carrying out my invention I utilize a shoe thatemay be of" oanvas or other suitable material and which is provided with usual lacing or fastening devices, and the sole of the shoe is fashioned with surrounding extensions at front, rear and sides. These extensions form a normally flat web of flexible material rubber that is designed to fold or bend along the longitudinal center line of the foot as the leg and foot are moved forward on the swimming stroke, and to return to fiat position and remain extended during the backward movement or 'kick'of the swimming stroke for the purpose of increasing the propulsive effect of the stroke. I

The web is provided with resilient reinforcing members that facilitate the movement and actions of the web and these elements are so distributed throughout the web as to secure the most effective service of the web duringthe swimming stroke.

My invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention in which the parts are combined and arranged according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention. V

Figure 1 is a. plan view of a shoe and web according to my invention and shown in working position.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation showing the web out along the longitudinal line 2-2 of Fig. 1. p

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view at line 33 of Fig. 1 andshowing by dotted lines the flexed position of the web.

. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view as at the upper edge in Fig. 1 and along the dotted line 83.

In carrying out my invention I utillze a conventional swimmingshoe as 1 that may be of leather or other suitable material and provided with a lace or other fastening device as 2.

The sole of the shoe is extended in all directions from the shoe to form a web 3 and this web is preferably of rubber. As shown, the web extends in front of the toe and back of the heel as well as at both sides of the shoe. Theweb is of approximate elliptical form and along its two sides are provided a pair of wires 4, 4 that extend around adjacent to the edge of the web] but terminate at their ends at the front and rear ends of the web and at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the shoe and web. The wires are embedded within the web and the latter is provided with -ment permits the web to be folded along its center line when the leg is being drawn forward, and the web of course is extended fiat when the leg is being kicked backwardly for the pushing stroke of the swimmer. The

web may be reinforced with a suitable numberof radially extending resilient blades 7 and these blades extend from near the longitudinal blades 6 out to the wire edge memhere 4. 4

As thus constructed it will be apparent that the swimming shoes of my device when worn by the swimmer will enable him to secure an enhancing propulsive effect from his swimming stroke over that secured without the use of these swimming shoes.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A swimming shoe having a web extending therefrom, a pair of longitudinally exlongitudinal center of the shoe, wire reinforc; 1

ing elements along the side edges of the Web, the Web to permit the Web to flex along its and radially extending resilient blades belongitudinal center, and Wire reinforcing tween the longitudinally extending blades elements along the side edges of the Web 1 and said Wire strips. having their ends connected to an adjoining 2. A swimming shoe having a Web extendresilient blade. ing therefrom, a pair of longitudinally ex In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

tending spaced resilient blades embedded in I I AUGUSTUS F; FIBIGER.

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