US3146470A

US3146470A - Articulated aquatic flipper

Info

Publication number: US3146470A
Application number: US278263A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jesse R Hamblin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-06
Filing date: 1963-05-06
Publication date: 1964-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1981-09-01

Description

P 1964 J. R. HAMBLIN 3,146,470

' ARTICULATED AQUATIC FLIPPER Filed May 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JESSE R. HAMBL/N INVENTOR 14 TTOPNEKS P 1, 1954 .1. R. HAMBLIN 3,146,470

ARTICULATED AQUATIC FLIPPER Filed May 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F JESSE R. HAMBLM/ 6 7). IN V E N TOR A 7TORNEV$ United States Patent 3,146,470 ARTiCULATED AQUATIC FLIPPER Jesse R. Harnblin, 512 McDonald Way, Bakersfield, Calif. Filed May 6, 1963, Ser. No. 278,263 3 Claims. (Cl. 9-307) The present invention relates to an articulated aquatic flipper particularly adapted for use as a propelling fin for swimmers.

Various types of flexible fin-like devices have been fabricated for use on the feet of swimmers as aids to propelling themselves through water. Such devices have primarily served to increase the total reaction surfaces available to swimmers so as to permit a more efficient utilization of the swimmers energy. Such known devices have not been suited for manual use, in that different stroking characteristics are required for leg and arm propulsion during swimming. Generally, rigid attachrnents, as well as flexible fins of limited rigidity, have been found to be unsuited for use as flippers for attachment to the arms and hands of swimmers.

Previously known devices for hand attachment have been of excessive weight in relation to their utility, and have been unable to fold to a return stroke position thereby to reduce the frictional drag incident to their use. While certain of such devices have been of insufficient rigidity to permit full utilization of the swimmers energy, others of a more rigid nature have not provided suitable attachment means so that excessively high stress forces have been imposed on the wrists and hands of users.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight aquatic flipper which affords an area of reaction surface suflicient for effective swimming.

Another object is to provide an articulated aquatic flipper which automatically opens to an extended swimming position during use and also folds to a closed return position during appropriate swimming strokes.

Another object is to provide an aquatic flipper as an aid to swimmers which permits releasable attachment to the hand and arm of a user.

A further object is to provide an aquatic flipper of minimum dimensions thereby to minimize total weight while providing adequate surface area for efficient utilization.

A still further object is to provide in an articulated aquatic flipper reinforcing structure to prevent the imposition of high stress forces on the wrist of a wearer.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a pair of articulated aquatic flippers embodying the principles of the present invention as worn by a person swimming in a body of water.

FIG. 2 is a view, somewhat enlarged, in side elevation of one of the flippers shown in FIG. 1 in an extended swimming position.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the flipper in a folded, return stroke position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the articulated flipper of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view in front elevation taken from a position indicated by the line 5--5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical, transverse section taken on line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a view in vertical, transverse section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pair of individual, articulated, aquatic flippers 10 are 3,146,470 Patented Sept. 1, 1964 illustrated attached to the arms and hands of a. swimmer propelling himself through a body of water. As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each of the flippers It) includes an elongated support plate 11 having respective forward and trailing ends 12 and 13. The plate also provides a downwardly disposed contact surface 14 adapted to rest upon the back of the hand of the wearer. The plate 11 is provided with a rearward arcuate portion 15 affording a curved surface partially to embrace the wrist and forearm of the wearer, thereby to transmit stress forces directly to the forearm. Such a construction and arrangement relieves the Wrist of a major portion of the burden of such stress forces during swimming. To facilitate transmittal of such stress forces and to enhance the longitudinal rigidity of the plate, a plurality of longitudinally extended, transversely spaced reinforcing ribs 16 are individually secured to the upper surface of the plate, as by rivets 17. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the reinforcing ribs 16 are arranged in a forwardly divergent pattern so as to provide a suflicient width at the forward end to support a web, subsequently to be described, and which provides the necessary water reaction surface for the flipper.

A handle 20 is provided for manual grasping by the wearer and includes an attaching yoke 21 secured to the plate 11 as by the upset ends 22 of the yoke. If desired, the ends 22 may be rigidly secured to the plate after the yoke has passed through suitable apertures provided therein. A cylindrical roller 23 is supported on the yoke and adapted to be grasped by the swimmer during use of the flipper.

A wrist band 25 permits releasable attachment of the flipper to the arm of the wearer. The band includes

opposite ends

26 and 27, as shown in FIG. 7, each of which is anchored to the plate, as by rivets 28. A buckle 29 permits ready attachment of the flipper to an arm of the wearer.

A plurality of transversely spaced jointed rib members 35 are disposed in forwardly divergent relationship, as can be seen in FIG. 4. Each of the rib members is provided with forward and rearward

elongated sections

36 and 37, respectively, which are pivotally interconnected by a pivot pin 38. It can be seen that the forward ends 39 of the rib members are more widely spaced than the rearward distal ends 40. Each of the rib members 35 is provided with an integral upwardly projected reinforcing fin 41, which can be not-ed in FIG. 5. A pair of laterally projected flanges 42 extend from opposite sides of the fin 41 and afford lower attachment surfaces 43.

Articulation of the rib members relative to the support plate 11 is provided by individual pivot pins 50, each affording a substantially transverse pivotal axis for its respective jointed rib member. An individual stop pin 51 is rigidly carried by each of the elongated reinforcing ribs 16 so as to limit the range of movement of the jointed rib members to an extended swimming position, shown in FIG. 2. For a similar purpose, each of the jointed rib members is provided with a stop pin 52 disposed adjacent to its respective pivotal connection provided by the pin 38.

A web 60 of flexible material is secured to the attachment surface 43 afforded by the laterally projecting flanges 42. A suitable Waterproof adhesive effects a satisfactory attachment of the web to the flanges. Alternatively, the web may be secured by rivets, and other suitable mechanical means of attachment will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The web 60 is extended transversely between the furthermost rib members 35 which define the lateral limits of the flipper. The web thereby provides a lower surface 61 which serves as a reaction surface during the swimming stroke and when extended to the position shown in FIG. 2.

An example of an ideal material particularly adapted for use as the web 60 in the present invention is relatively thin, sheet rubber or other like, elastomeric material. The web material should be sufficiently flexible readily to permit automatic folding of the flipper to the position shown in FIG. 3 during a return stroke. In addition to the desired flexibility, the web should also be sufliciently longitudinally and laterally dimensionally stable so as to resist stretching when providing a reaction surface in an extended swimming position and when being used in propelling the user through the water.

Examples of materials excellently suited for use in the flipper of the present invention in fabricating the support plate and jointed rib members are aluminum, magnesium, and synthetic resins impregnated with reinforcing fibers, such as that commercially available and sold under the trademark Fiberglas. Such materials are relatively free from oxidation in moist conditions, are of low density and are sufficiently longitudinally rigid to withstand the force imposed during use of the flipper.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. The flipper is readily attached to the arm and hand of the intended user by manually grasping the roller 23 of the handle 20 and fastening of the belt 25 about the wrist. Consequently, the wearer can transmit a propelling force to the flipper through the attaching yoke 21 and the upset ends 22 engaging the plate 11.

During the power or swimming stroke, as illustrated by the position of the right arm of the wearer in FIG. 1, the flipper of the present invention is automatically extended to a swimming position, more clearly shown in FIG. 2. Such automatic extension is insured by reason of the relative large reaction area afforded by the web 60 in relation to the mass of the jointed rib members 35 and because of the flexibility of the web and the pivotal connection of the rib members to the plate 11.

Following completion of the power, or swimming, stroke, the swimmer does not always raise his hand above the surface of the water to make a return for the initiation of a subsequent power stroke. In the event that the wearer maintains his hand below the surface, as in the case of use during skin diving, or other swimming below the surface of the water, the flipper automatically assumes a folded, return stroke position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Such automatic assumption of a folded position during the return is accommodated by the pivot pins 38 and 50 and the flexibility of the web 66. Regardless of the point at which a successive power stroke is initiated, the flipper automatically returns to an extended swim ming position upon initiation of the power stroke.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an effective articulated aquatic flipper of light-weight rigid construction which enhances the enjoyment of aquatic sports, such as swimming and skin diving. The invention has particular utility in skin diving uses, since the wearer must necessarily make a return stroke with the hand and flipper completely submerged.

It will also be observed that the arrangement and construction of the support plate 11 in conjunction with the handle 20 and the wrist band 25 precludes the transmission of high stress forces to the wrist of the wearer in that they are directly transmitted to the rigid portion of the forearm by reason of the arcuately curved lower surface afforded by the rearward portion 15. Accordingly, the invention provides a device which is safe to use, permits eflicient utilization of the wearers energy, and is readily releasably attached to the wearers arm and hand.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

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

1. An articulated aquatic flipper adapted for use as an aid in propelling a person in a body of water comprising an elongated, longitudinally rigid support plate providing a substantially plane lower surface adapted to contact the hand of a wearer and a transversely arcuately curved surface partially to embrace the wrist and forearm of the wearer; a plurality of jointed rib members, each having at least two elongated sections pivotally interconnected for relative movement about a respective transverse axis, each of the members providing a forwardly projecting distal end and a rearward proximal end; reinforcing means in the form of an upstanding elongated channel element having a cross-sectional configuration of an inverted U and being integrally carried by each of the members to afford longitudinal rigidity thereto; means connecting each of said rib members to the support plate for pivotal movement about respective transverse axes to and from an extended swimming position and a retracted return-stroke position; a plurality of stop pins carried by the plate to limit the range of movement of said rib members to said extended swimming position; a stop pin carried by each of the rib members adjacent to said pivotal interconnection of the sections to limit the range of pivotal movement to an extended position; a web of flexible, substantially impervious, stretch-resistant, waterproof material extended between said rib members to provide a reaction surface when in an extended swimming position; and means secured to the support plate and adapted for releasably attaching the plate to the arm of a wearer.

2. An articulated aquatic flipper adapted for use as an aid in propelling a person in a body of water comprising an elongated support plate providing a substantially plane lower surface adapted to contact the hand of a wearer and a transversely arcuately curved surface partially to embrace the wrist and forearm of the wearer; a plurality of elongated reinforcing ribs longitudinally extended and transversely spaced on said plate member to enhance the longitudinal rigidity thereof; a plurality of jointed rib members, each having at least two elongated sections pivotally interconnected for relative movement about a respective transverse axis, each of the members providing a forwardly projecting distal end and a rearward proximal end; reinforcing means integral with and carried by each of the members to afford longitudinal rigidity thereto, said rib members having a cross-sectional configuration of an inverted U and providing opposed, laterally extended flanges aifording respective attachment surfaces; means connecting each of said rib members to the support plate for pivotal movement about respective transverse axes to and from an extended swimming position and a retracted return-stroke position, said connecting means providing a predetermined forwardly divergent relationship between said rib members; a plurality of stop pins carried by the plate to limit the range of movement of said rib members to said extended swimming position; a stop pin carried by each of the rib members adjacent to said pivotal interconnection of the sections to limit the range of pivotal movement to an extended position; a web of flexible, substantially impervious, stretch-resistant, waterproof material extended between said rib members and secured to the respective attachment surfaces thereof to provide a reaction surface when in an extended swimming position; and means secured to the support plate and adapted for releasably attaching the plate to the arm of a wearer.

3. An articulated aquatic flipper adapted for use as an aid in propelling a person in a body of Water comarena-7o prising an elongated support plate providing a substantially plane lower surface adapted to contact the hand of a wearer and a transversely arcuately curved surface partially to embrace the Wrist and forearm of the wearer; handle means rigidly secured to and depending from said plate member and adapted for manual grasping by the wearer; a plurality of elongated reinforcing ribs longitudinally extended and transversely spaced on said plate member to enhance the longitudinal rigidity thereof; a plurality of jointed rib members, each having at least two elongated sections pivotally interconnected for relative movement about a respective transverse axis, each of the members providing a forwardly projecting distal end and a rearward proximal end; reinforcing means integral with and carried by each of the mem bers to afford longitudinal rigidity thereto, said rib members having a cross-sectional configuration of an inverted U and providing opposed, laterally extended flanges affording respective substantially flat attachment surfaces; means connecting each of said rib members to the support plate for pivotal movement about respective transverse axes to and from an extended swimming position and a retracted return-stroke position, said connecting means providing a predetermined forwardly divergent relationship between said rib members; a plurality of stop pins carried by the plate to limit the range of movement of said rib members to said extended swimming position; a stop pin carried by each of the rib members adjacent to said pivotal interconnection of the sections to limit the range of pivotal movement to an extended position; a web of flexible, substantially impervious, stretch-resistant, Waterproof material extended between said rib members and secured to the respective attachment surfaces thereof to provide a reaction surface when in an extended swimming position; and means secured to the support plate and adapted for releasably attaching the plate to the arm of a wearer.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS France Apr. 6, 1908 Germany Apr. 19, 1922