US1908184A - Swimming appliance - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1933. w. F. RICHMOND SWIMMING APPLIANCE Filed May 25, 1952 Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STAT as WILLIAM F. nIorrMoNn, OF cnroaeo, runners SWIMMING Application filed Ma 23,

This inventionrelates to improvements in swimming appliances having for an object to provide a device of the character mentione'd, capable of'ready and convenient attachment to the wrist or near fore portion of a users arm, operable in such a manner, during the execution of swimming strokes to increase the proficiency of the swimmer user and also, to enable said user to'traverse his swimming course at a greater speed than that attainable from the same physical effort were the swimmer not equipped wvith the appliance.

It is also an equally important object of the invention to provide a swimming appli ance so constructed andpositioned with relation to a users arm or arms, that when an equipped arm is moved in a predetermined direction in the effecting of a propelling swimming stroke, the same will be caused 0 to immediately and automatically move to an operative position and in so doing, afiord material aid to the user in attaining a maximum of propulsion from the then executed swimming stroke with but a minimum of physical effort. V I It is likewise an object of the invention to provide a device of the character stated which, during and throughout the return of a users arms from executed swimmingor propelling strokes to positions for execution of others, will be caused to automatically move to an inoperative or feathered position with respect to the equipped arm or arms, hence, avoiding resistance by'the same to the water and allowing the users arms to he carried through their respective return movements prior to initiatingpropelling strokes Withoutadding burden to and by consequence prematurely tiring theswimmer.

Yet another object of the invention may be stated to reside in the provisionof a swimming appliance, the construction of 'which is of strong and durable character,- and furthermore, of such a simple nature as to permit its manufacture at a minimum cost. I Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. V

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by APPLIIANCE 193a serial at. 612,944.,

those skilled in theart to which it appertains, have in the accompanyingdrawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out one possible embodiment of my invention.

In thisdrawing; Figure 1 is a top view of the;improved appliance'showing the same attached 'to the wrist of a userahd showing the operative positions of the blade frames in dotted lines FigureQ is a top plan view ofithe device in 160 which the basal portion and the blade frames, together. with the wrist attaching band have beenillustrated in flattenedpositions whereby ,to show, mo'reclearly, the construction and arrangement of thepparts of the appliance; A" a Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line of Figure 1 looking in the direction in whichthe arrowspoint, and,

Figure 4 is affragmentary detailiin' end elevation, looking toward the normallyforward end of one side of thejap'pliance, illustrating the curvature of the inner endpor tion of the blade frame and the arrangement of the water deflecting beading engaged aliiout portions of'each ofthe blade frame s1 es.

Having more particular referenceito the drawing, in connection with which like characters of reference 'will designate corresponding parts throughoua the device consists of a body portion, preferably constructed of spring wire orv its equivalent, made from a single piece of such material, which, as will be noted upon reference tothe 5 Figure2 of the; accompanying drawing, is bent upon itselftoprovide a basal part 1 and a pair of correspondingly formed juxtaposed loop-like or elongated bladeframesflf, The basal -part -1 has the intermediate portion thereof curved upon itself so as to substantiallyconform to the contour of the. wrist or near forearm portion of ausers arm, while the opposite extremities of said part, togeth-, er withjth-e adjacent portions "of the outer sides of the blade frames are curved or'flared outwardly, as indicatedat 3, the purposeof which will be subsequently; described. A

, Theibladeframe s'i 2Lare tautly covered with a suitable material, such as sheetrubbenrubberized fabric or the like, indicated by the numeral 4, the marginal portions of which are molded or vulcanized over and about the side and end portions of the blade frames and the adjacent portions of the basal part 1, as is clearly shown in the Figure 1. It will be thus seen that the blade frames, together with their respective coverings 4, will provide the device with water engaging sur faces. Each of these blade frames 2 are provided upon their outer or free ends with a strip-like beading 5 of channel-like formation in order to permit of engagement over and about'adjacent portions of said frames 2 and afiixation thereto by molding or vulcanizing. It will be noted that not only are the beading strips 5 engaged over the normally outer or rearward ends of the frames 2 but also, that the strips each extend inwardly along the outer sides of their respective frames for portions of the lengths thereof. Each of the headings is provided with a finlike web 6. Eachof the webs are curved upon themselves in outward direct-ions so as to substantially correspondto the curvature and disposition: of the portions 3 of the blade frames 2, and also, it will be noted that the webs 6taper off along the respective outer sides of said frames. These webs, While not being rigid, do possess a certain degree of inherent stiifness which will prevent an excessive flexing of the same. a v

' In order that the device may be effectually attached to the wrist of a user, it is provided with a wrist engaging band, preferably formed of inelastic material, such as rubberized heavywebbing or the like, indicated bythenumeral 7. The band is fixedly connected, adjacent portions ofits inner edge to corresponding portions of the basal part 1, as by molding or vulcanizing the same to said adjacent portions of the basal part or by stitching, as indicated at 8 To facilitate securing of the band about the wrist of a wearer, I preferably provide the opposite ends thereof with series of eyelets 9, through which a suitable lace 10 is adapted to be passed for drawing the band tightly about the users wrist, whereupon it is secured in such engaged position by tying the free ends of the lace; Because of the manner in which the inner or normally forward end of the appliance is connected-to the basal part 1, as heretofore referred to by the numeral 8, it will be understood that outward swinging movement of the spring wire blade frames with relation thereto, will be permitted at times. To limit this outwards swinging movement of the blade frames 2 with respect to the wrist band 7 and a users forearm, and also, to place each blade frame under spring tension or a normal urge toward inward movement, upon such outward swinging thereof, I provide an elastic checking or tethering device 11, as is shown in the Figure 2, arranging saiddevice or element adjacent the outer side and intermediate portion of the wrist engaging band '4' and vulcanizing or otherwise fixedly connecting the side and normally inner marginal portions thereof to said band. The elastic element 11 is adapted to have straddling arrangement with respect to adjacent portions of the juxtaposed sides of the blade frames 2 and is molded or vulcanized to or about said adjacent portions of the frames whereby to effect positive connection therewith. Thus, it will be seen that upon outward swinging movement of the frames 2, to wit, movement of said frames in a pivotal manner away from the wrist attaching band -7, the elastic element 11 will be caused to stretch and by such stretching, will place the engaged portions of the frames 2 under tension, i. e., a normal inward urge or pull will be applied to said engaged portions of theblade frames 2 as they are moved in their outward swinging paths with respect to the users forearm, and particularly, to those positions as shown by dotted lines in the Figure 1. Consequently upon! this, it will be manifest that when the blade frames are disengaged from the water following the execution of a propelling swimming stroke, they will be caused to'automatically return to their inoperative or feathered positions with respect to the users arm, as isshown in full lines in the Figure 1.

To close the gap between those portions ofv the inner sides of the blade frames extending beyond the element 11 and to thereby afford a greater area of water engaging surface for the appliance; also, to prevent excessive spreading as between the blade frames when they move in their outward swinging positions, I attach an elongated piece of elastic "material 12 to said frames, as shown in the Figure 2, vulcanizing or molding the same into fixed connection with the wire engaged portions of the coverings 4. In this way, not only is the appliance provided with a greater water engaging surface, but also, it will be understood that the free ends of the; blade frames 2 will be permitted to move apart at those timeswhen theyare swung outwardly to the positions as shown in dotted lines in the Figure '1; furthermore, by reasonof the elastic connection of the piece 12 with the frames, their return to their initial positions will be insured, duringand following their respective movements to the aforesaid feathered positions. J v j To' provide the appliance with additional water engaging surfaces, whereby to increase the traction efficiency thereof, with opening or outward swinging of the blade frames durments consisting of pieces of rubberized inelastic material 18. "The rearward marginal portions of each of these pieces 13 are oblique 1y disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of each of the blade frames 2 and certain of their side portions are vulcanized or otherwise fixedly connected -to adj acent portions of the normally outer :side of the Wrist engaging band 7, while other portions of the device are vulcanized or similarly connected to adjacent portions of the normally underside of the coverings 4 of the blade frames 2," as indicated by the numeral 14. Because of the disposition of the pieces 13 withrespect to the wrist band and theblade frames, it will be understood that when the appliance itattached to the wrist of a user and is in thatposition as shown in the full lines in Figure 1, said pieces will be folded upon themselves so as to not interfere with the feathered arrangement of the blade frames. However, when the blade frames are swung to their operative positions, away from a users forearm, as during the execution of a propelling swinging stroke, the outward swinging or spreading movement of said blades will be such that the pieces 13 will be caused to assume positions at substantially right angleswith relation to the inner sides of the coverings at by reason of their spanning connection therewith and with the aforesaid portions of the wrist engaging band 7. By reason of this positioning of the pieces 13,'it will be understood that pockets will be formed thereby adjacent theinn er surfaces of the coverings 4t and that these pockets will serveas additional means for increasing the propelling efficiency of the appliance.

In'usage of my improved swimming appliance, the same is placed upon a users wrist, in the manner as is shown in the Figure 1. The wrist engaging band 7 is drawing snugly about the users wrist by means of the lace 10, which is tied adjacent the normally inner or underside of the wrist. In this way, it will be seen that the appliance will be firmly or securely positioned in an embracing-like engagement over or about the wrist and forearm portion of the user, with the free or normally inner ends of the blade frames 2 in snug or juxtaposed relation to-said users forearm. When the user executes a propelling swimming stroke, it will be understood that the equipped arm will be drawn rearwardly and downwardly through the water. At the beginning of this propelling swimmlng stroke that is, as the equipped arm is moved downwardly and rearwardly through the Water, it will be seen that the engagement of the water under the normally inner ends of the blade frames 2 will be sufficient to cause an outward flexing or spreading'of the same. The engaging of the water under the blade frames to effect this outward flexing or spreading is facilitated by reason of the curvature 3 of the blade frames and thebasal part l,

together with the outwardly curved web portions 6' of the strip-like beads 5. Consequently upon this spreading? or outward flexing of-the blades 2 from the basal part 1, a lifting efficiency will be imparted "to'the. device, which Will serve as a means for enabling the user to more'effectually keep vand maintain his body upon or near the surface of thebody ofwater inwhich he is'swimming. As the user draws his equipped arm rearwardly in a continuation of the propelling swimming stroke, it will be seenthatthe resistance ofzthe wateroffered to the normally free or innerlendszof the blades 2 will be such as to'oausesaid blades to be swung outwardly Withrespectto the users forearm, to positions at a substantially 45 degree angle, as illustrated in the dotted lines of the Figure 1. This outward swinging of the blades to i the dotted'line positions, obviously, provides an increased water engaging surface, and in so doing, enables the user to attain amaximum propelling efliciency fromthe executed stroke.

As the propelling swimming stroke is completed,the'users equipped arm is now re turned or moved forwardly to a position for execution of a following or another propelling stroke. Such forward movement, following thecompletion of a propelling stroke,

obviously, removes the water resistance to the previously outwardly swung iblades 2 and thereupon, the inherent resiliency of the wire constituting said blades and the inward pull imparted *to the blades from the stretched elastic element 11 will cause saidblades to immediately returnto their normal or initial positions withrespect to theusers arm, hence, providing for what may be aptly described as a feathering of the blades 2 upon theirre turn stroke and thereby preventing that impedance 'to the forward propulsion ofthe users body which would be encountered were the blades 2 permittedto remain in their outwardly swung positions or in substantially outwardly swung positions, Also, it will be understood that with the return movement of the users arm from a propelling swimappliance comprising blade-like spring dies, a wrist attaching bandconnected to certain of the ends of-said bodies a'manner to permit of, swinging movementofthelatterwithrespecttotheband,

and yieldable means connected to a portion of the wrist attaching band and having tethering connections to portions of said bodies for part in a manner to permit of outward swinging movement of the blades with respect to that portion of a users body to which the appliance is attached, at times, a spring means connected to said band and to portions of the blades for normally retaining said blades in juxtaposed relation to the users arm and with outward swinging of the blades to the band and said users arm, to impart an inward pull thereto whereby to cause automatic return of the blades to their normal positions following an outward swinging of the same. a a

I 3. A swimming appliance, comprising a wrist embracing spring basal portion, the opposite extremities of which are adapted to, be extended beyond the wrist of a user, spring blades carried upon the opposite portions of said basal part adapted to be disposed coincidentally with respect to the users arm and to be normally arrangedlin an embracing-like engagement with respect to said arm, a wrist attaching band-secured to said basal part in a manner to permit of outward swinging movement of the blades with respect to the band and with respect to the users forearm, elastic means connected to the intermediate portion of one side of said band and having tethering connection to adjacent portions of said blades whereby to normally retain the bladesin their embracing-like engagement with respect to the users forearm and with outward swinging movement of said blades with respect to the users arm, to cause their automatic return to said embracinglike engagement, and means upon certain of the marginal portions of'said blades for causing the deflection of water engaged thereby to the under-sides of the same in the execution of a propelling swimming stroke.

4. A swimming appliance comprising a body consisting of a piece of spring material, including a basal part curved tohave snug embracing-like engagement with the wrist of a users arm and the opposite sides thereof ginal portions of said blades for causing water to be deflectedto the under sides of the blades during the execution of a swimming stroke, a wrist attaching band connected to said basal part in a manner to permit, at times of outward swinging movement of said blades with respect to the band and the ,users arm, spring means connected to a portion of' the band and to adjacent portions of said blades operable, with outward swinging movement of said blades, to impart an inward pull thereto, whereby to return the blades to their normal positions with respect to the users arm following a swimming stroke, and finlikemeans connected to other portions of the wrist attaching bandand to portions of the normally undersides of said blades, operable with outward swinging of the blades to provide water engaging means, v

, 5. A swimming appliance, comprising a spring basal element, having the opposite extremities thereof outwardly curved, looplikeframes carried upon opposite portions of the basal element, co-incidentally disposed with respect to each other, coverings foreach of said frames, an attaching band disposed transversely of and connected to portions of said loop-like frames, and yieldable means connected to portions of said attachingband and having tethering connections to portions of said loop-like frames for placing the same under spring urge upon and duringtimes of outward swinging movement of the frames with respect to said band. 4

In witness whereof he has hereunto set his hand. WILLIAM F. RICHMOND.

being fashioned into elongated complemental and juxtaposed loop-like frames, covering material engaged over each of said loop-like frames whereby to constitute water engaging blades adapted to be normally arranged in embracing-like engagement-over and about an adjacent portion of the users arm, water deflecting means upon certain of theimar-

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