WO1997035643A1 - Improved flippers - Google Patents

Improved flippers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997035643A1
WO1997035643A1 PCT/IL1997/000103 IL9700103W WO9735643A1 WO 1997035643 A1 WO1997035643 A1 WO 1997035643A1 IL 9700103 W IL9700103 W IL 9700103W WO 9735643 A1 WO9735643 A1 WO 9735643A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flipper
blade
flippers
ofthe
foot pocket
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL1997/000103
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Biran
Original Assignee
Daniel Biran
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daniel Biran filed Critical Daniel Biran
Priority to AU19380/97A priority Critical patent/AU1938097A/en
Publication of WO1997035643A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997035643A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A63B31/10—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet
    • A63B31/11—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet attachable only to the feet
    • 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
    • A63B31/10—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet
    • A63B31/11—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet attachable only to the feet
    • A63B2031/112—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet attachable only to the feet with means facilitating walking, e.g. rectractable, detachable or pivotable blades

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to diving and swimming equipment and more particularly to flippers worn on the feet
  • a flipper comprises a front section - the blade - and rear part being the foot pocket
  • the front part ofthe blade is made of thin rubber (or similar material), however, in order to fulfill its task there are provided reinforcement rails, usually at both edges ofthe blade and an additional one or two in the middle thereof
  • the construction provides a flipper which is worn by divers and which is not heavy on the one hand while on the other has the appropriate stiffness and flexibility
  • flippers made of two "hingedly” connected parts which would enable to fold the blade side-ways to enable free walking with the flippers while wearing same.
  • the flippers according to the invention is constructed of two parts, however, contrary to the known flippers made of one solid part, the two parts ofthe flippers according to the invention are interconnected in a special manner.
  • the foot pocket is adapted to swivel horizontally in respect ofthe blade part while the blade part is hingedly connected to the pocket part.
  • Figure 1 is a skin diver wearing his full gear including flippers.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a flipper
  • Figures 3a-b-c illustrate a flipper demonstrating the use of same.
  • Figures 4a, b, c, and d illustrate by way of example a manner of folding a flipper.
  • the flippers having the front part, the blade 3 and the rear part, and the pocket 5.
  • the blade is reinforced with rail or ribs 7.
  • the flippers comprises two parts, the blade 3 and the foot pocket 5.
  • Foot pocket 5 is adapted to swivel horizontally respective to the blade part 3.
  • the blade part 5 is "hingedly” connected to the pocket at 9.
  • a snap action fastener 10 which could be of different configurations.
  • the diver can release fastener 10, consequently the tip ofthe pocket is raised slightly which enables pivoting the foot, as seen in Figure 3b.
  • the blade 3 is free to be folded as seen in Figure 3c.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to swimming flippers (1) to be worn by swimmers and divers. The flippers according to the invention comprises two parts (3, 5) which would be 'hingedly' connected so as to enable the folding thereof while walking with the flippers.

Description

IMPROVED FLIPPERS
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to diving and swimming equipment and more particularly to flippers worn on the feet
Such flippers are widely used by divers and swimmers but in particular by skm divers
The construction of flippers has not changed since many years A flipper comprises a front section - the blade - and rear part being the foot pocket In order to diminish the weight ofthe flipper, the front part ofthe blade is made of thin rubber (or similar material), however, in order to fulfill its task there are provided reinforcement rails, usually at both edges ofthe blade and an additional one or two in the middle thereof
The construction provides a flipper which is worn by divers and which is not heavy on the one hand while on the other has the appropriate stiffness and flexibility
It is well known among the divers that it is practically impossible to walk while wearing flippers, accordingly divers who carry quite a lot of equipment must also carry the flippers before or after the diving OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the object ofthe present invention to provide flippers which would enable the diver to walk firmly while wearing flippers.
It is a further object ofthe present invention to provide a flipper the blade of which could be folded up and sideways.
The above is obtained by providing a two part flipper i.e. a blade part and a pocket part. Said two parts being connected in a manner enabling the folding of one part relative to the other. In the description the term "hingedly connected" is used in the wide sense thereof.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the invention there are provided flippers made of two "hingedly" connected parts which would enable to fold the blade side-ways to enable free walking with the flippers while wearing same.
The flippers according to the invention is constructed of two parts, however, contrary to the known flippers made of one solid part, the two parts ofthe flippers according to the invention are interconnected in a special manner. The foot pocket is adapted to swivel horizontally in respect ofthe blade part while the blade part is hingedly connected to the pocket part. By employing this unique construction the blade is folded sideways which enables the diver to walk freely. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a skin diver wearing his full gear including flippers.
Figure 2 illustrates a flipper.
Figures 3a-b-c illustrate a flipper demonstrating the use of same.
Figures 4a, b, c, and d illustrate by way of example a manner of folding a flipper.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning to Figure 1, the diver wearing his full gear including flippers 1. The flippers having the front part, the blade 3 and the rear part, and the pocket 5. The blade is reinforced with rail or ribs 7.
As can be seen in Figure 2 the flippers comprises two parts, the blade 3 and the foot pocket 5. Foot pocket 5 is adapted to swivel horizontally respective to the blade part 3. The blade part 5 is "hingedly" connected to the pocket at 9. At the tip ofthe pocket part there is provided a snap action fastener 10 which could be of different configurations. As can be seen in Figure 3 the diver can release fastener 10, consequently the tip ofthe pocket is raised slightly which enables pivoting the foot, as seen in Figure 3b. The blade 3 is free to be folded as seen in Figure 3c.
As stated above the blade part and pocket part are "hingedly" connected, such connector could be hinged proper or as seen in Figure 4 where the folding is performed due to the flexibility ofthe flipper however provided with imbedded reinforcement metal plates 12 and 14. The bending ofthe metal plate at 16 establish a snap action "hinge".
It is within the scope ofthe invention to install similar or other arrangements for the folding ofthe blade.
It is also within the scope ofthe invention to mount a spring intermediate said two parts ofa flipper to that the folding is automatic.

Claims

1. A flipper for aquatic use made of two "hingedly" connected parts which would enable to fold the blade ofthe flipper side-ways.
2. A flipper as claimed in claim 1 where the flipper is made ofa front part - the blade - and a second part - the foot pocket.
3. A flipper as claimed in claims 1 and 2 where said foot pocket swivels horizontally in relation to the blade.
4. A flipper as claimed in claims 1 to 3 where said blade is "hingedly" connected to enable it being folded sideways relative to the foot pocket.
5. A flipper as claimed in claims 1 to 4 where a spring is provided at the hinged connection to cause automatic folding of said blade.
6. A flipper as claimed in claims 1 to 5 where a snap action connection is provided to enable easy release or attachment of said foot pocket section from or to the blade section.
7. A flipper as claimed in Claims 1 to 6 where a snap action arrangement is provided intermediate with the two parts ofthe flipper.
PCT/IL1997/000103 1996-03-22 1997-03-20 Improved flippers WO1997035643A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU19380/97A AU1938097A (en) 1996-03-22 1997-03-20 Improved flippers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL11761496A IL117614A0 (en) 1996-03-22 1996-03-22 Improved flippers
IL117614 1996-03-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997035643A1 true WO1997035643A1 (en) 1997-10-02

Family

ID=11068691

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL1997/000103 WO1997035643A1 (en) 1996-03-22 1997-03-20 Improved flippers

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1938097A (en)
IL (1) IL117614A0 (en)
WO (1) WO1997035643A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1061264A (en) * 1912-11-26 1913-05-13 Peter Bys Life-saving device.
US1607857A (en) * 1926-05-27 1926-11-23 Zukal Frank Swimming device
US4310938A (en) * 1978-02-27 1982-01-19 Dieter Eichler Swimming shoe for breast stroke
US4981454A (en) * 1989-02-01 1991-01-01 Klein Kevin R Retractable swim fin

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1061264A (en) * 1912-11-26 1913-05-13 Peter Bys Life-saving device.
US1607857A (en) * 1926-05-27 1926-11-23 Zukal Frank Swimming device
US4310938A (en) * 1978-02-27 1982-01-19 Dieter Eichler Swimming shoe for breast stroke
US4981454A (en) * 1989-02-01 1991-01-01 Klein Kevin R Retractable swim fin

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL117614A0 (en) 1996-07-23
AU1938097A (en) 1997-10-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20080242167A1 (en) Aquatic propulsion device for swimmers
US5108327A (en) Retractable swim fin
US5671480A (en) Signaling device
EP0550608B1 (en) Swimming aid
US4981454A (en) Retractable swim fin
US5055075A (en) Directional fins for body and body board surfing
US8678870B2 (en) Retractable swim fins
US5632662A (en) Centrally articulated swin fin
GB0321768D0 (en) Mooring system
US4773885A (en) Swim fin with blade displaced from foot pocket
AU2001246463A1 (en) Swin or dive fin
WO1997035643A1 (en) Improved flippers
US7033235B1 (en) Personal water equipment extending the hand, and devices designed to receive such equipment
WO1999019029A1 (en) Improved flippers
US3968578A (en) Ski boat with adjustable rigidity
US20090298652A1 (en) Swim Training Device and Method
US6561862B1 (en) Swim fin assembly
US5879212A (en) Swim fin
US5616060A (en) Leg support for aquatic skis
US6702633B1 (en) Universal float tube and pontoon boat propulsion fin
US20220134187A1 (en) Underwater propulsion device removably fixed to a flipper
US5651326A (en) Device for protecting the hull of a water vehicle
EP0792666A3 (en) Adjustable back strap for diving and swimming equipment
WO1988001523A1 (en) Improvement in fins
WO2004014496A1 (en) Shoe transformable into a flipper

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CA CN JP KR US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 97534205

Format of ref document f/p: F

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase