US2692995A - Lifesaving and swimming device - Google Patents

Lifesaving and swimming device Download PDF

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Publication number
US2692995A
US2692995A US315363A US31536352A US2692995A US 2692995 A US2692995 A US 2692995A US 315363 A US315363 A US 315363A US 31536352 A US31536352 A US 31536352A US 2692995 A US2692995 A US 2692995A
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United States
Prior art keywords
sleeve
sheet
folded
edge
longitudinal
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Expired - Lifetime
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US315363A
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English (en)
Inventor
Bihan Charles Le
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Individual
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Individual
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B31/00—Swimming aids
    • A63B31/08—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs

Definitions

  • My invention concerns devices adapted for use in saving shipwrecked persons and aiding swimmers more particularly swimming pupils.
  • My invention consists of a pair of sleeves which the shipwrecked person or swimmer can readily engage on his arms and which are made of a flexible material having a high buoyancy, such as expanded rubber or the like.
  • Each sleeve has a streamlined cross-section, the inner longitudinal edge being thick and rounded and the outer longitudinal edge being thin and adapted to act as the fin of a fish.
  • the sleeve is constructed so as to enclose at least a part of the hand and the fore-arm of the user and it is provided, on its inner rounded edge with a hole for the passage of the thumb.
  • the device Due to the flattened shape of the sleeve and due to the said thin outer edge extending as a fin, when the user holds his hands flat in a horizontal position, his arms being either folded in front of his body or extended forwards, the device affords a large supporting surface whereby the wearer is fully supported on the water surface, with his head clear of the water.
  • Fig. l is a perspective view of a sleeve in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view, to a smaller scale of the single sheet of a low density material, constituting the sleeve before it is folded over.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-section along 33, Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view of the thick rounded edge formed when the sheet shown in Fig. 2 is folded upon itself.
  • Fig. 5 is a view of the front end of the sleeve.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the sleeve, along the line 66 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal section along the line 77 of Fig. 1.
  • Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of two other embodiments.
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment in which the sleeve is open at both ends and adapted to be unfolded flat.
  • Fig. 11 is a view of the sleeve when unfolded.
  • Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment.
  • Figs. 13 to 19 concern a further embodiment.
  • Fig. 13 shows the device in use.
  • Fig. 14 is a view of the inner face of a sheet of rubber or the like, from which the sleeve is obtained.
  • Fig. 15 is a plan view of the sleeve.
  • Fig. 16 is a corresponding side view.
  • Figs. 17, 18, 19 are cross-sectional views along the lines 1717, 18-18 and 1919, respectively.
  • my improved device is arranged to cover the hand M and fore-arm A of the wearer. It is constituted by a sleeve in the form of a flattened sheath open at the rear end and closed at the front end. Its inner width decreases progressively from the open rear end to the closed front end.
  • This sleeve is obtained from a sheet 1 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which is made of a material having a light specific weight and a high buoyancy, such as natural or artificial expanded rubber, for instance a composition 2,692,995 Patented Nov. 2, 1954 such as a superpolyamid or neoprene, having a closed cell structure, said material should be adapted to resist the action of the sun and the water.
  • a material having a light specific weight and a high buoyancy such as natural or artificial expanded rubber, for instance a composition 2,692,995 Patented Nov. 2, 1954 such as a superpolyamid or neoprene, having a closed cell structure
  • the sheet 1 has a symmetrical shape about the longitudinal axis ab (Fig. 2).
  • the width of the sheet 1 increases progressively from a to b.
  • the front edge 2 is cut out so as to form two pointed parts.
  • the lateral edges 3 diverge progressively from each other from a to b along two successive straight lines having a decreasing obliquity.
  • the rear edges 4 are arranged at an angle with respect to the axis ab, so as to give the sheet a dovetail shape comprising two pointed parts extending rearwardly at 5.
  • This sheet 1 is provided with a hole 6 near the front, on the axis ab, said hole having a size suflicient to allow for the passage of the thumb P of the wearer (Fig. 1).
  • the sheet 1 is not of a uniform thickness. Its thickness along the axis line ab, (Fig. 3), which is comparatively small, increases progressively on both sides of said axis and thereafter decreases down to the lateral edges 3 which form two lips of reduced thickness. In the longitudinal direction, the thickness is substantially constant from the rear edge 4 to the part abreast hole 6 and the thickness then decreases progressively down to the front edge 2, which may be cut on the bevel.
  • the sheet 1 is folded upon itself along the line ab.
  • a rounded thick edge 7 (Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6) is formed along the said folding line ab, and the thin lips provided by the lateral edges 3 are superposed face to face and form together a lateral longitudinal thin web portion 8.
  • the sleeve will thus assume a streamlined shape in cross-section as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6, and the superposed rear pointed parts 5 will form a triangular extension having its apex on the outside.
  • the height of the inner cavity in the sleeve decreases progressively at the front end portion occupied by the fingers as shown in Fig.
  • the sheet 1 is held permanently in its folded position by its front edges 2 and lateral edges 3 which are glued together along a gluing margin 9.
  • Said gluing margin 9 is preferably interrupted at the front edge, at one or several points 10 thereby affording apertures for the outflow of the water that fills the sleeve when in use.
  • the sleeve is used in the following manner: the prospective wearer engages his hand flatwise into said sleeve until his thumb P freely extends through the hole 6. The inner rounded edge of the sleeve will then reach a portion of the fore-arm close to the elbow, the rear triangular extension 5 extending beyond the outer part of the latter.
  • the sleeve is unable to rotate around the hand and fore-arm, the upper wall 12 and lower wall 13 remaining parallel to the back and the hollow of the hand, respectively.
  • the wearer (shipwrecked person or swimmer) is thus provided with large supporting elements acting as floats and this under the best conditions for use, i. e. at the ends of his hands and arms.
  • the wearer By holding his hands in a horizontal position, his arms being folded up on his breast or extended forwards at right angles to his breast, the wearer will enjoy a perfect stability, his whole body being vertical or substantially vertical, i. e. in the best position to ensure that his head be out of the water.
  • the thumb can be bent inwardly to help in retaining the sleeve in position and the other fingers can also be bent against the hollow of the hand due to the fact that the front end of the sleeve is thin and thus sufiiciently flexible.
  • the sleeves will facilitate his training. Generally speaking, they are useful for all swimming styles.
  • the supporting surfaces alforded by the sleeves constitute real fins which can be displaced in all directions by moving the arms. If the arms are extended forwards in the prolongation of the body, the two sleeves will in fact act as swimming boards which enable the swimmer to execute with his feet the kicks of the crawl.
  • the thin lateral portions 8 and the rear triangular extensions not only act as supporting surfaces but, due to the flexibility of the rubber foam or like material of which they are made, they are able to vibrate in the same manner as membranes or fins, and the user, by imparting small flapping movements to his hands will keep said vibrations in action, so that the elficiency of the whole sustaining device is considerably increased.
  • the device is also useful for experienced swimmers, particularly for improving their performances or effecting a lengthy race with less strain.
  • the rear triangular extensions 5 may advantageously extend farther to the rear beyond the wearers elbow as shown in chain-dot lines at 5 (Figs. 1 and 13).
  • Fig. 8 show an embodiment in which the sleeve, instead of being made of a single sheet, comprises an upper Wall 15 and a lower wall 115 which are separate members permanently assembled along the inner edge of the sleeve by means of a strip 17 of cloth, or any other flexible material, an eyelet 1%; is provided in said inner edge for the passage of the thumb.
  • the two thin outer edges or lips of said walls 15, 16 are permanently assembled by means of a U-shaped member 19 secured to said walls 15, 16 by gluing, rivets or otherwise.
  • Fig. 9 shows another embodiment in which the sleeve is made of two flexible walls 20, 21 bent so as to form the inner thick rounded edge and assembled together at 22. Said walls form a double wall which is filled with a light material 23 having a high buoyancy, such as kapok, cork, etc. As in the prior embodiment described, an eyelet 18 is provided for the passage of the thumb.
  • the sleeves due to their flattened shape, can be stored conveniently in a restricted space, by being placed one upon the other in a pile.
  • Figs. and 11 show another embodiment in which the sleeve is open not only at its rear end but also at the front, at 24, whereby the wearers fingers are left free.
  • the sheet 25 is provided with a plurality of connecting members such as press-buttons 27 adapted to detachably assemble the outer edges together.
  • the sleeve can thus be opened flat so that it can be more easily placed upon the fore arm, over the garment sleeve. It can also be stored very conveniently and used as a seat pad, especially on a flying machine, where the prospective wearer may keep it within easy reach on his seat, either on the seat itself or. on the back of the seat.
  • Fig. 12 shows an embodiment in which the sleeve comprises two parts or sections: a front section 28 which covers the flat part of the hand, the wrist and the forearm, and a rear section 39 covering at least a part of the arm proper of the user.
  • the two sections are connected to each other either by means of a bellows like part 31, formed of a flexible sheet, or by one or several flexible elements, which facilitate the flexion movements of the wearers elbow.
  • the front end of the sleeve can be closed by an additional portion, glued or sewn on, affording glove fingers 29, said glove fingers could be replaced by a mitten.
  • Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment in actual use, the two sleeves being shown at 56 and 51.
  • 50 Fig. denotes the front part f the sleeve 56, whose inner rounded edge 52 will extend down to the fold of the users elbow.
  • 50 denotes the rear triangular extension.
  • the sleeve is made of a sheet 57 of expanded rubber or other suitable material as explained above.
  • This sheet is rounded at its front corners '58, it is provided with two holes 59 and slit along oblique lines 60, 61 so as to form a flap 63 adapted to pivot around the part 64.
  • the sheet 57 is folded upwardly along its longitudinal axis XX (Fig. 14) and the free edges of the sheet are glued together along a margin es.
  • the gluing can be reinforced by small intermediate strips 69 (Fig. 14) of rubberized cloth which will prevent any tearing off.
  • the gluing may be replaced or completed by means of rivets or clips.
  • the sleeve will then take a streamlined shape in cross-section and the marginal portions of: will form lateral flat extensions (Fig. 17) which are thin and flexible and adapted to act as the fin of a fish.
  • the flap 63 is then folded over upon the front part of the sleeve (Fig. 15) by pivoting around the part 64, the two holes 59 coming one upon the other.
  • the flap 63 is then glued along its edges upon the front part of the sleeve.
  • the thumb of the wearer When in use, the thumb of the wearer extends through the registering holes 59 and his other fingers extend freely outside (Fig. 13), which affords various advantages as explained above. The wearer may also withdraw his thumb from the holes and extend his whole hand to the outside in order to execute any desired operation.
  • the retaining plates 70 (Fig. 16) will then grip the outer part of the elbow and contribute to prevent the sleeve from slipping off from the fore-arm.
  • the flap 63 could eventually be folded down upon the inner face of the sleeve instead of the outer face.
  • a float device for saving shipwrecked persons and aiding swimmers comprising a sleeve made of a buoyant flexible material and having a streamlined cross section, the inner longitudinal edge of the sleeve being rounded and fitting around the wearers arm and the outer longitudinal edge forming a thin and flexible web which extends laterally, the said sleeve having such length that it will cover at least a part of the, hand and the forearm of the user, said sleeve being provided in the front part of its inner rounded edge with a hole for the passage of the thumb.
  • the sleeve comprises a single sheet of a buoyant flexible material folded longitudinally, means for securing to each other the longitudinal edges of said sheet, the sheet being slit obliquely in its rear part on both sides of its longitudinal axis so as to form a flap which is folded upon the front part of said sleeve, and means for securing the flap to the sleeve.
  • the sleeve comprises a single sheet of a buoyant flexible material folded longitudinally, means for securing to each other the longitudinal edges of said sheet, the sheet being slit obliquely in its rear part on both sides of its longitudinal axis so as to form a flap which is folded upon the front part of said sleeve, means for securing the flap to the sleeve, retaining flexible plates arranged upon the inner face of the rear part of the sleeve, on both sides of its longitudinal axis and means for securing said retaining plates on the sleeve.
  • a float device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a glove attachment secured to the front of the sleeve and adapted to close the same.
  • a float device comprising a sleeve as claimed in claim 1 and adapted to cover the fore-arm, and comprising further an auxiliary sleeve made of a buoyant flexible material adapted to cover the upper part of the arm above the elbow, and flexible liaison means connecting said sleeve and said auxiliary sleeve.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Details Of Garments (AREA)
US315363A 1951-11-23 1952-10-17 Lifesaving and swimming device Expired - Lifetime US2692995A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR965556X 1951-11-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2692995A true US2692995A (en) 1954-11-02

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ID=9499594

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US315363A Expired - Lifetime US2692995A (en) 1951-11-23 1952-10-17 Lifesaving and swimming device

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US2692995A (de)
BE (1) BE515356A (de)
DE (1) DE965556C (de)
FR (2) FR1046933A (de)
GB (1) GB721792A (de)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2745119A (en) * 1954-06-07 1956-05-15 Richard R Whipple Hand swimming paddle
US2975438A (en) * 1957-06-24 1961-03-21 Magone Roscoe Swimming device
US3015829A (en) * 1958-12-29 1962-01-09 Gronkowski George Swimming aid device
US3117325A (en) * 1961-10-11 1964-01-14 Plastics Continental Hand paddle
US3261040A (en) * 1963-10-14 1966-07-19 Everett M Olson Swimmer's gloves
US3286287A (en) * 1964-08-27 1966-11-22 Martin William Knox Body fins for swimmers
US4521011A (en) * 1981-10-26 1985-06-04 Solloway Daniel S Hand engageable aquatic exercise assembly
US4755158A (en) * 1985-09-16 1988-07-05 Tidal Control Pty. Ltd. Paddling glove
US4804326A (en) * 1987-01-15 1989-02-14 Lennon Paul R Swimming instruction and training aid
US4905991A (en) * 1988-07-06 1990-03-06 Alston Gregory A Swim weights
US5033116A (en) * 1989-07-24 1991-07-23 Descente Ltd. Clothing for reducing fluid resistance
US6342031B1 (en) * 1995-08-17 2002-01-29 Stephanie R. Vaughan Water gaiters and sleeves
US6685521B1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2004-02-03 John Melius Hand fin apparatus
US20090280703A1 (en) * 2008-05-08 2009-11-12 John Lewis Rachels Strap-on swimming fin
CN102649467A (zh) * 2011-02-27 2012-08-29 贾国友 水上行具
WO2015171018A1 (ru) * 2014-05-08 2015-11-12 Владимир Олегович ПРОКОПЕНКО Водное крыло для плавания

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3698026A (en) * 1970-10-15 1972-10-17 Jenry J Buntin Swimming teaching and training aid

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US149513A (en) * 1874-04-07 Improvement in life-preservers
US216455A (en) * 1879-06-10 Improvement in swimming-gloves
US789428A (en) * 1904-09-06 1905-05-09 Thomas J Hruby Life-preserver.
GB190703622A (en) * 1907-02-13 1907-12-31 Michael Kriskovic An Improved Swimming Fin or Blade.
US1611427A (en) * 1925-10-22 1926-12-21 Evans George Sleeve to aid natation
GB358997A (en) * 1930-06-17 1931-10-19 Geoffrey Price Denton Improvements in or relating to life-saving jackets
US2111358A (en) * 1935-05-23 1938-03-15 Crockett Valentine Victor Safety swimming sleeve

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE622591C (de) * 1933-01-10 1935-12-02 Robert Pail Frederic Ferber Schwimmflossenpaar zum Erhoehen des Vortriebes durch die Arme eines Schwimmenden

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US149513A (en) * 1874-04-07 Improvement in life-preservers
US216455A (en) * 1879-06-10 Improvement in swimming-gloves
US789428A (en) * 1904-09-06 1905-05-09 Thomas J Hruby Life-preserver.
GB190703622A (en) * 1907-02-13 1907-12-31 Michael Kriskovic An Improved Swimming Fin or Blade.
US1611427A (en) * 1925-10-22 1926-12-21 Evans George Sleeve to aid natation
GB358997A (en) * 1930-06-17 1931-10-19 Geoffrey Price Denton Improvements in or relating to life-saving jackets
US2111358A (en) * 1935-05-23 1938-03-15 Crockett Valentine Victor Safety swimming sleeve

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2745119A (en) * 1954-06-07 1956-05-15 Richard R Whipple Hand swimming paddle
US2975438A (en) * 1957-06-24 1961-03-21 Magone Roscoe Swimming device
US3015829A (en) * 1958-12-29 1962-01-09 Gronkowski George Swimming aid device
US3117325A (en) * 1961-10-11 1964-01-14 Plastics Continental Hand paddle
US3261040A (en) * 1963-10-14 1966-07-19 Everett M Olson Swimmer's gloves
US3286287A (en) * 1964-08-27 1966-11-22 Martin William Knox Body fins for swimmers
US4521011A (en) * 1981-10-26 1985-06-04 Solloway Daniel S Hand engageable aquatic exercise assembly
US4755158A (en) * 1985-09-16 1988-07-05 Tidal Control Pty. Ltd. Paddling glove
US4804326A (en) * 1987-01-15 1989-02-14 Lennon Paul R Swimming instruction and training aid
US4905991A (en) * 1988-07-06 1990-03-06 Alston Gregory A Swim weights
US5033116A (en) * 1989-07-24 1991-07-23 Descente Ltd. Clothing for reducing fluid resistance
US6342031B1 (en) * 1995-08-17 2002-01-29 Stephanie R. Vaughan Water gaiters and sleeves
US6685521B1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2004-02-03 John Melius Hand fin apparatus
US20090280703A1 (en) * 2008-05-08 2009-11-12 John Lewis Rachels Strap-on swimming fin
CN102649467A (zh) * 2011-02-27 2012-08-29 贾国友 水上行具
WO2015171018A1 (ru) * 2014-05-08 2015-11-12 Владимир Олегович ПРОКОПЕНКО Водное крыло для плавания

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB721792A (en) 1955-01-12
FR63161E (fr) 1955-08-25
DE965556C (de) 1957-06-13
BE515356A (de)
FR1046933A (fr) 1953-12-09

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