ZA200309184B

ZA200309184B - Fins.

Info

Publication number: ZA200309184B
Application number: ZA200309184A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Jeremy Roy Williams
Original assignee: Jeremy Roy Williams
Priority date: 2001-04-05
Filing date: 2003-11-26
Publication date: 2004-09-17

Description

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FINS

. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION : This invention relates to fins for assisting swimming and diving.

BACKGROUND ART

The conventional fin or flipper comprises a blade terminating in a foot pocket. This pocket is generally made from rubber or equivalent flexible material so that differences in foot size may be accommodated.

The applicant regards this foot pocket as being inefficient as it tends to cause the foot to move forward during use and it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement which is far more efficient and which has other advantages that will become apparent on a reading of this specification.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arraignment which provides a far better fit for a foot so that the main advantage of the invention is achieved.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a fin includes blade and a foot pocket, the latter being substantially rigid at least in so far as the rear heel zone is concerned, and foot - retaining means adapted to urge the heel of the foot against the rear zone.

In a preferred form of the invention the-retaining means comprises a first strap which passes from the rear zone over the instep, and one or more additional straps to secure the foot in the pocket. The rear strap, when tight, ensures that the heel is hard up against : the rear zone so that an excellent purchase is attained of the foot against the rigid rear zone.

It is preferred that the rigidity of the foot pocket extends somewhat into the blade.

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

In Figure 1 a fin is shown in its open condition with straps 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 ready to be secured when a foot has been introduced into the foot pocket 20. The foc: pocket is made from rigid polymeric composition.

The rigidity of the foot pocket has an extension 22 well into the blade.

In Figure 2 the straps are shown in a closed position while in Figure 3 a foot has been located in the pocket and the straps have been tightened. []

Claims

~ ' } ‘ Co WO 03/013660 PCT/ZA02/00051 CLAIMS:

1. A fin including blade and a foot pocket, characterised in that the latter being : substantially rigid at least in so far as the rear heel zone is concerned, and foot - retaining means adapted to urge the heel of the foot against the rear zone.

2 The fin according to claim 1 characterised in that the retaining means comprises a first strap which passes from the rear zone over the instep, and one or more additional straps to secure the foot in the pocket.

3. The fin according to claim 2 characterised in that the rear strap, when tight, ensures that the heel is hard up against the rear zone so that an excellent purchase is attained of the foot against the rigid rear zone.

4. The fin according to any of the above claims characterised in that the rigidity of the foot pocket extends into the blade.

5. A fin substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 4 LJ