US3015829A

US3015829A - Swimming aid device

Info

Publication number: US3015829A
Application number: US783433A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gronkowski George
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-12-29
Filing date: 1958-12-29
Publication date: 1962-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1979-01-09

Description

Jan. 9, 1962 e. GRONKOWSKI SWIMMING AID DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1958 Geo/ye GrMAQJWSk/Q INVENTOR United States Patent 3,015,829 SWIMMING AID DEVICE George Gronkowski, Rte. 2, Box 357, Vashon, Wash. Filed Dec. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 783,433 4 Claims. (Cl. 9-307) My invention relates to swimming aid devices, and it has for a purpose the provision of a device characterized by a pair of swim-fins attachable respectively to the upper and lower portions of the limb of the wearer, and in positions to increase the surface area of said limb portions to, in turn, produce greater propelling action under the normal swimming movements of the limb, thereby causing the swimmer to move more rapidly through the water.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a swimming aid device wherein the two fins are pivotally interconnected at' points corresponding to the elbow or knee joints when attached to the upper or lower limbs of the wearer so that the two fins are susceptible of independent movements when required to respond to separate swimming movements of the upper and lower limb portions.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a swimming fin which is inflatable with air for the dual purpose of giving rigidity thereto against bending when moved through the water, so that it will provide the intended propelling function, and to lend a certain degree of buoyancy thereto to aid the swimmer in keeping afloat.

I will describe only two forms of swimming aid devices, and one form of fin, each embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the four swimming aid devices, each embodying my invention, in front elevation and applied to a persons limbs.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the devices shown in FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, my invention in its present embodiment comprises two forms of devices, one designed for use on an upper limb of the wearer, and indicated generally at D, and the other designed for use on a lower limb of the wearer, and indicated generally at D1. These devices are essentially the same in construction in that each is made of two swimfins having belts for attaching the fins to the limb, and a swivel connection between the fins to allow relative movement of the two as attached to different parts of the limb.

In the instance of the device D, the two fins are indicated at 15 and 16, the swivel connection at 17, and each belt at B. Each fin is constructed of flexible but inelastic rubber or other suitable material, and hollow so that it can be inflated with air through a suitable valve 18. Each fin is elongated and preferably of triangular form in cross section, and of course closed at its ends to form a hermetically-sealed body that will retain air therein when once inflated.

Each belt B is preferably made of elastic rubber and is formed in 'two

parts

19 and 20 integral with one side wall 21 of the fin so that they may be molded as an integral part of the fin. The other two

sides

22 and 23 of the fin extend in converging relation from the side wall 21 and thus provide oppositely inclined outer surfaces which constitute propelling surfaces under swinging motions of the wearers limb.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the belt part 19 is of triangular form and at its free end is formed with a strap 24. The belt part 20 is likewise of triangular form and at its free end is provided with a buckle 25 through which the strap "ice 24 is extended to hold the belt in circular form about the limb as the device is applied to the limb.

The swivel connection 17 may be of anyconventional form such as to so connect the confronting end walls of the

fins

15 and 16 that one fin is universally movable with respect to the other fin. In the present instance the connection 17 comprises a ball and socket joint, best shown in FIG. 3, having stems 17a extending therefrom and formed with plates 17b secured to the fin walls.

The device D, as previously stated herein, is designed for use on the upper limb of the wearer, that is the arm and, of course, two such devices are provided one for each arm. Accordingly, the fin 15 of each device is of a length corresponding to that of the upper arm, and the fin 16 of a length corresponding to that of the forearm.

Each swim fin 15 or 16 is provided with two belts B which when extended about the arm in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1, and placed under tension, securely hold the fin 15 along the outer side of the upper arm, and the fin 16 along the outer side of the forearm, with the swivel connection 17 opposite the elbow. As so attached the

walls

22 and 23 of each fin are positioned, respectively, forwardly and rearwardly at the outer side of the arm, and the belts prevent turning of the fins from these positions.

The device D1 as previously stated herein is designed for use on the lower limb of the wearer, and, of course, two such devices are provided one for each lower limb. The parts of each device D1 are designated in FIG. 1 of the drawings with the same letters and numerals as the device D, but with different exponents, except the numeral 17, designating the swivel connection, is the same.

To render the devices D1 suitable for use on the lower limbs, the

swim fins

15a and 16a of each device are of lengths corresponding, respectively, to the thigh and leg of the limb, and when attached by the belts B1, position the swivel connection 17 at the knee as illustrated.

Before attaching all four devices to the upper and lower limbs as shown in FIG. 1, the fins are inflated with air through the valves 18. By so doing the fins are made rigid to provide the intended propelling function when moved in the water under swimming movements of the upper arms and the forearms in one instance, and the thighs and legs in the other instance.

By virtue of the connections 17 the upper arms can be moved independently of the forearms, and the thighs moved independently of the legs as occurs in certain swimming strokes. Thus all fins can be used to increase the surface area of the upper and lower limbs to, in turn, produce greater propulsion with each swimming stroke and thereby cause the swimmer to move much more rapidly through the water. The inflated fins also render them buoyant to a degree such as not to interfere with their movements in the water and yet aid in sustaining the swimmer afloat.

It will be understood that when either device D or D1 is not in use the fins may be deflated by opening the valves 18, thereby causing them to collapse, and thus the entire device can fold into compact form to facilitate storage and shipment. Also, it will be understood'that while I have shown and described the fins as attachable to the limbs of the wearer by means of belts, it is within the scope of my invention to vulcanize the fins on a conventional rubber skin-divers suit.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of swimming aid devices, and one form of fin, each embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus adapted for use in aiding a swimmer,

comprising a plurality of pairs of. elongated inflatable finlike members arranged end-to-end and including a hinging connection between the adjacent ends of each pair of members, said inflatable members each including strap means for use in securing said members longitudinally along the exterior side of the swimmers arm or leg with one member above and the other member of a given pair of inflatable members disposed below the elbow or the knee joint, there being a separate pair of inflatable members for attachment to each arm and to each leg.

2. Apparatus, as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said inflatable members are substantially co-extensive with the length of thearm or leg to which the same are attachable.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said inflatable members are of substantially greater width along the inner longitudinal edge thereof than along the opposite outer edge thereof.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 characterized in the provision of a plurality of pairs of adjustable fastenerequipped strap means secured to the opposite sides of the inner wider edge of said inflatable members and cooperable to secure said members firmly to the legs and arms of the swimmer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 18,809 Gibson Dec. 8, 1857 661,595 Bartholomew Nov. 13, 1900 1,059,443 Cseki Apr. 22, 1913v 1,268,179 Swanson June 4, 1918v 1,275,727 Niec Aug. 13, 1918 1,508,651 Evans Sept. 16, 1924 2,692,995 Le Behan Nov. 2, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 163,582 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1933 640,355 Great Britain July 19, 1950 "Taft