WO2004014496A1

WO2004014496A1 - Shoe transformable into a flipper

Info

Publication number: WO2004014496A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maria Laura D'annibale
Original assignee: D Annibale Maria Laura
Priority date: 2002-08-12
Filing date: 2003-06-19
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Also published as: AU2003242283A1; ITPE20020012U1

Abstract

Shoe (1) comprising: a vamp (2); a sole (3); and a flipper member (4) apt to assume a walking configuration, in which it is overlapped to the vamp (2), and a swimming configuration, in which it projects frontally with respect to the vamp (2) so as to carry out a propulsive function during an aquatic activity.

Description

SHOE TRANSFORMABLE INTO A FLIPPER

Description

The present invention relates to a shoe transformable into a flipper, and in particular to a sea shoe, e.g. a rock shoe. The in-water practice of playing or sporting activities, like e.g. swimming, underwater fishing and the so-called snorkeling, is quite common, above all during summer stays at sea- or lake-side resorts. Most of these activities requires the use of flippers, or could anyhow be carried out more easily and effectively employing such an aid. However, flippers are generally rather bulky and therefore cumbersome to carry, especially for those subjects wishing to use them in purely playing or amateur activities.

Moreover, the wearing on of known-art flippers is rather uncomfortable, requiring the subject to be seated. Furthermore, often the involved subject has to walk, e.g. towards or along a shoreline, with worn-on flippers, which flippers, as it is well-known, markedly hinder motions.

All this discourages the use of flippers, to the detriment not only of an improved enjoyment of the aquatic activities by the subjects, but also of their safety. In an attempt to provide an instrument of easier use, some flipper designs have been introduced in which the front portion projecting with respect to the foot, i.e. that apt to carry out the propulsive function, is removable with respect to the foot- covering portion. However, these flipper designs do not solve satisfactorily, or do not solve at all, the abovementioned drawbacks. In fact, first of all these flipper types require anyhow a cumbersome carrying of the different component parts of each flipper. Moreover, the connecting of the front part of the flipper to the remainder thereof is awkward, and it entails disadvantages analogous to those associated with the wearing on of traditional one piece - formed flippers. The present invention originates from the detection of the hereto-mentioned drawbacks of the known-art flippers, and hence the technical problem underlying it is that of providing a product allowing to overcome such drawbacks.

Such a problem is solved by a shoe transformable into a flipper according to claim P T/IT2003/000378

- 2 "

Preferred features of the present invention are provided for in the dependent claims thereof.

The present invention provides some relevant advantages. The main advantage lies in the fact that, there being provided a flipper member incorporated in the main body of the shoe when the subject walks, the shoe-flipper of the invention is extremely simple to use and easy to wear on. In particular, it requires no carrying, as it can be worn-on by the subject directly at the beginning of the day. Moreover, when needed, i.e. when it is desired to carry out a flipper-aided aquatic activity, it suffices to bring the flipper member from the walking configuration to the swimming configuration, with no need to wear additional components with respect to the shoe itself.

Other advantages, features and the operation steps of the present invention will be made apparent in the detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. It will be made reference to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the shoe according to the present invention in a walking configuration thereof;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the shoe of Figure 1 in a swimming configuration thereof; Figure 3 shows a partially sectional side view of the shoe of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the shoe of Figure 1 - taken along line A-A thereof - during the transition from the walking configuration to the swimming one;

Figure 4A shows a perspective view of a detail of the shoe of Figure 1 ; Figures 5A to 5C show each a perspective view of the shoe of Figure 1 during the transition from the walking configuration to the swimming one;

Figure 6 shows the shoe of Figure 1 during the use thereof for walking; and

Figure 7 shows the shoe of Figure 1 during the use thereof in aquatic activities.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, a shoe transformable into a flipper according to the invention is generally indicated by 1. In the present embodiment, the shoe 1 is a sea shoe, and precisely a rock shoe.

The shoe 1 comprises a main body apt to cover a user's foot and made of a vamp 2 and a sole 3.

Moreover, the shoe 1 comprises, according to the invention, a flipper member 4. As T IT2003/000378

it will be detailed later on, the flipper member 4 is apt to assume a two-fold configuration, and precisely a walking configuration - shown in Figure 1 - in which it is overlapped to the vamp 2 so as to allow the user's normal walking, and a swimming configuration - shown in Figure 2 - in which it projects frontally with respect to the vamp 2 itself.

Preferably, the shoe 1 also comprises means 5 for supporting the flipper member 4, shown in Figure 4 and it also detailed later on.

Always referring to Figures 1 and 2, the vamp 2 has a perforated structure, in order to allow correct foot perspiration and the egress of any sand or small pebbles, as already in the known-art rock shoes.

The vamp 2 has a reinforced back portion 6, centrally located and having a widened front portion 61 apt to protect the toes from knocks.

The vamp 2 has three engagement members in order to allow a reversible locking of the flipper member 4 on the vamp 2 itself when the former is in the abovementioned walking configuration. In particular, the vamp 2 has a first and a second side stake, 71 and 72, respectively, located sideways at opposite parts of the vamp 2 itself, and a third stake 73, centrally located on the reinforcement 6.

The engagement members 71 , 72 and 73 of the vamp 2 may be made integral to the remainder of the latter. The vamp 2, as well as the sole 3 and the flipper member 4, are preferably made so as to have a suitable elastic deformability, e.g. of a plastic material or of rubber.

Preferably, bottomwise the sole 3 has antislip relieves.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the sole 3 further has a longitudinal seat 8 apt to house said means 5 for supporting the flipper member 4 in a swimming configuration.

In the present embodiment, the supporting means 5 comprises a structure partially extractable from the sole 3, and in particular a pair of arms slidably coupled to the sole 3 itself, indicated by 91 and 92, respectively.

As mentioned above, the arms 91 and 92 are partially extractable from the sole 3, and hence they can assume a retracted configuration, shown in Figure 3, in which they are inserted in the sole 3 itself becoming part of the main body of the shoe 1 , and a supporting configuration, shown in Figure 4, in which they project frontally with respect to the main body. The total extraction of the arms 91 and 92 from the sole 3 is prevented by conventional means and/or modes, not shown. Moreover, as it is shown in Figure 4, the connection between the arms 91 and 92 and the sole 3 is such that the arms are mutually openable apart when in a configuration extracted from the sole 3 itself, thereby having a substantially compass-shaped configuration. Each arm 91 , 92 has an end portion, 101 and 102 respectively, curved towards the outside of the shoe 1. Each of such end portions 101 and 102 carries, at its free end, an engagement member, 111 or 112 respectively, in form of a stake. Each stake 111 or 112 is apt to engage a respective seat 121 or 122 obtained sideways in the sole 3 in order to reversibly lock the respective arm 91 or 92 with the sole itself when such arm is in a retracted position.

Moreover, as it is detailed in Figure 4A, each arm 91 , 92 carries a respective seat

131 or 132 apt to receive a respective stake 111 or 112 of a respective end portion 101 or 102 when such arm 91 or 92 is extracted from the sole 3.

Hence, the engagement members 111 and 112 and the respective seats 121 and 122 implement means for the reversible locking of the arms 91 and 92 to the sole 3.

Likewise, the engagement members 111 and 112 and the respective seats 131 and

132 implement means for the reversible locking of the end portions 101 and 102 to the remainder of the arms 91 and 92.

Both such reversible locking means are of snap type. Moreover, each arm 91 , 92 has, at its front end, an engagement member 141 or 142, it also in form of a stake, for the reversible locking of the arm 91, 92 itself to the flipper member 4 when the latter is in a swimming configuration.

Returning now to Figures 1 and 2, the flipper member 4 has a hydrodynamic contour and a shape suitable for carrying out its propulsive function. In particular, the flipper member 4 is substantially triangle-shaped and it has a central loop 15 at the side which is located outwardly in the swimming configuration.

The flipper member 4 further has a flexibility compatible with its propulsive function. Moreover, such flexibility is such that the member 4 does not hinder the flexing and compressing of the foot back during a normal walking, i.e. when the member 4 itself is overlapped to the vamp 2.

At a vertex thereof, the flipper member 4 is connected to the tip of the vamp 2 by a hinge 16 implemented with conventional means and modes.

The flipper member 4 further has three engagement seats, and precisely two side seats 161 and 162, obtained each at one end of the loop 15, and one central seat 163. Each seat 161, 162 or 163 is apt to receive a respective stake 71, 72 or 73 of T IT2003/000378

- 5 - the vamp 2.

Hence, the stakes 71 , 72 and 73 and the respective seats 161 , 162 and 163 implement means for reversibly snap-locking the flipper member 4 to the vamp 2 when the member 4 is in its walking configuration. Moreover, at the two side seats 161 and 162, the flipper member 4 also has two further seats 171 and 172 located at opposite part of the member itself, i.e. according to an arrangement specular with respect to the seats 161 and 162. Each of such further seats 171 and 172 is apt to reversibly receive a respective stake 141 or 142 of a respective arm 91 or 92. Hence, the stakes 141 e 142 and the respective seats 171 and 172 implement means for reversibly release-locking the flipper member 4 to the arms 91 and 92 when the member 4 is in a swimming configuration and the arms are in a position extracted from the sole 3.

The operation modes of the shoe 1 will by now be already apparent, and are briefly illustrated hereinafter referring to Figures 5A to 5C and to Figures 6 and 7.

First of all, as it is shown in Figure 6, a subject may wear on the shoe 1 and walk with it when the flipper member 4 is in a walking configuration. In such a configuration, the flipper member 4 is overlapped to the front portion of the vamp 2 and locked on the latter through the engagement of the stakes 71, 72 and 73 of the vamp 2 in the respective seats 161 , 162 and 163 of the flipper member 4.

The central connection between stake 73 and seat 163 prevents the buckling of the flipper member 4 during the normal dorsal flexing of the foot typical of walking.

Always in such walking configuration, the arms 91 and 92 are housed in the longitudinal seat 8 of the sole 3 and locked within the latter by the engagement of the stakes 111 and 112 of the end portions 101 and 102 in the respective seats 121 and 122 of the sole 3.

A user wishing to practice aquatic activities using flippers merely needs to transform the shoe 1 itself into a flipper. For this purpose, as it is shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the snap connection of the flipper member 4 to the vamp 2 is disengaged, and likewise the snap connection between the arms 91 , 92 and the sole 3 is disengaged. Then, such arms 91 and 92 are extracted from the seat 8 and their end portions 101 and 102 locked by the engagement of the stakes 111 and 112 of the latter in the respective seats 131 and 132 of the arms themselves.

Then, the flipper member 4 is swung of about 180 degrees about the hinge 16, so as to be arranged frontally to the vamp 2 and substantially parallel to the sole 3. T2003/000378

Then, the flipper member 4 is locked with the arms 91 and 92 opened apart via the engagement of the seats 171 and 172 of the member 4 itself by the stakes 141 and 142 of the arms 91 and 92.

Then, as it is shown in Figure 7, the flipper member 4 can be used for aquatic activities.

To bring back the shoe 1 in the walking configuration, it suffices to reversely carry out the hereto-described steps.

Preferably, the supporting structure of the flipper member 4, i.e. in the present embodiment the arms 91 and 92, has an elastic deformability such as to ensure an adequate reinforcement for the flipper member itself when the latter is in a swimming configuration and to allow walking with the utmost comfort when the structure is inserted into the sole 3, constituting no obstacle to the typical flexing and traction of the latter during walking.

It will be appreciated that the shoe 1 is transformable into a flipper by few, simple and immediate movements.

It will further be appreciated that the hereto-described shoe may be used for any activity, e.g. also to drive to the seaside, in lieu of slippers and sandals forbidden by the rule of the road.

The specific configuration described, in which the flipper member is overlapped to the vamp during the normal walking, provides that said member may be made of a size proportional to the user's foot size, i.e. that the member may suit perfectly the user's needs.

Moreover, it will be understood that the present invention is susceptible of several embodiments and variants alternative to the hereto-described ones, some of which will briefly be illustrated with reference to the sole aspects differentiating them from the hereto-considered embodiments.

First of all, the shoe of the invention may have reversible connection means between the flipper member and the vamp, between the flipper member and its supporting means and between the latter and the sole alternative to the abovedescribed ones.

Moreover, in order to transit from the walking configuration to the swimming one the flipper member may be slidable instead of swingable with respect to the remainder of the shoe. According to a further variant, in the walking configuration the flipper member may also be located at the sole instead that in the shoe vamp, and, e.g., be incorporated in the sole itself.

The flipper member may also be removable, so that it can be discarded when the user has no scheduled aquatic activity in the course of the day.

The present invention has been hereto described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments may exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

1. A shoe (1) having a main body apt to cover a user's foot and comprising a vamp (2) and a sole (3), characterized in that it further comprises a flipper member (4), wherein the overall arrangement is such that said flipper member (4) is apt to assume a first walking configuration, in which it is entirely located at said main body (2, 3) so as to allow the user's normal walking, and a second swimming configuration, in which it projects frontally from said main body (2, 3) so as to carry out a propulsive function during an aquatic activity.

2. The shoe (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the overall arrangement is such that in said walking configuration said flipper member (4) is overlapped to said vamp

(2).

3. The shoe (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flipper member (4) is rotatably connected to said vamp (2) to pass from said walking configuration to said swimming configuration and vice versa.

4. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said rotatable connection between the flipper member (4) and the vamp (2) is arranged at the tip of the latter.

5. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (161-71, 162-72, 163-73) for the reversible locking of said flipper member (4) to said main body (2, 3) in said walking configuration.

6. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said means (161-71 , 162-72, 163-73) for the reversible locking of said flipper member (4) to said main body (2, 3) is of snap type.

7. The shoe (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said reversible locking means comprises at least one engagement member (71, 72, 73) for the mutual engagement of said main body (2, 3) and of said flipper member (4).

8. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising supporting means (5) apt to support said flipper member (4) in said swimming configuration.

9. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting means (5) is apt to assume a first retracted configuration, in which it is arranged at said main body (2, 3), and a second supporting configuration, in which it projects frontally with respect to said main body (2, 3) to support said flipper member (4) in said swimming configuration. 3 000378

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10. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting means (5) comprises a structure (91 , 92) extractable from said main body (2, 3).

11. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said structure (91 , 92) is extractable from said sole (3).

12. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said extractable structure (91, 92) is slidably coupled to said sole (3).

13. The shoe (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said supporting means (5) comprises a pair of supporting arms (91, 92).

14. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim when dependent from claim 9, wherein the arms (91 , 92) of said pair are extractable from said main body (2, 3) and mutually opened apart when in supporting extracted configuration.

15. The shoe (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein said supporting means (5) has, in said retracted configuration, an elastic deformability such as to allow the normal flexing of the foot during walking.

16. The shoe (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 15, comprising means (111-

121, 112-122) for reversibly locking said supporting means (5) in said retracted configuration to said main body (2, 3).

17. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said means (111-121 , 112-122) for reversibly locking said supporting means (5) to said main body (2, 3) is of snap type.

18. The shoe (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said reversible locking means comprises at least one engagement member (111, 112) for the mutual engagement of said supporting means (5) and of said main body (2, 3).

19. The shoe (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 18, comprising means (141- 171 , 142-172) for reversibly securing said supporting means (5) to said flipper member (4) when the latter is in said swimming configuration.

20. The shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said means (141-171 , 142-172) for the reversible securing of said supporting means (5) to said flipper member (4) is of snap type.

21. The shoe (1) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said reversible securing means comprises at least one member (141, 142) for the mutual engagement of said supporting means (5) and of said flipper member (4).

22. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a reinforced vamp back portion (6), at which there is located said flipper member (4) in said walking configuration.

23. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is a rock shoe.

24. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said vamp (2) is perforated.