Swim fins

Abstract

A swim fin is herein presented. The swim fin can include a frame and one or more louvered blades coupled to the frame. The swim fin can additionally or alternatively include a proximal mount coupled to a proximal portion of the frame and configured to attach to the leg of a swimmer, and a distal mount coupled to a distal portion of the frame and configured to attach to the leg, foot, or the ankle of a swimmer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0104968, filed Nov. 3, 2010, entitled Retractable Swim Fins, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 258,094, filed Nov. 4, 2009, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 449,599, filed Mar. 4, 2011, entitled SWIM FINS, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention generally relates to swim fins. Typical swim fins are worn on the foot of a swimmer to aid movement through the water while surface swimming or participating in swimming-related activities such as bodyboarding, bodysurfing, kneeboarding, riverboarding, snorkeling, and various types of underwater diving. For example, scuba divers use swim fins to move through water efficiently, as human feet provide relatively poor th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In some embodiments, the swim fins are configured to mount to the leg in such a way that the ankle joint and calf muscles are spared from strain and fatigue caused by typical swim fins. Mounting to the leg rather than solely to the foot can improve efficiency of the blade for better forward propulsion, and improve general comfort and usability. Accordingly, some configurations of swim fins disclosed can generally place the fin between the knee and the foot / toes. For instance, the swim fin can be supported proximally near the knee and distally near the ankle / foot / toes. Additionally, in some configurations, the swim fins can include louvered blades.

Problems solved by technology

For example, scuba divers use swim fins to move through water efficiently, as human feet provide relatively poor thrust, especially when the diver is carrying equipment that increases hydrodynamic drag.

Unfortunately, typical swim fins have several problems.

For example, since typical swim fins attach only to the foot and heel of a swimmer, typical swim fins can cause severe ankle strain and calf muscle fatigue.

Further, the ankle does not generally orient the foot optimally for forward thrust, thus reducing the efficiency of the hydrofoil properties of the fin.

Further, typical swim fins increase the footprint of the swimmer and are constructed of heavy and bulky materials, thus making it difficult to walk, as is often necessary when entering or exiting water via a shoreline, a boat, or a dock.

Another major problem with typical swim fins is related to an integral foot pocket that at least partially encloses the foot of the swimmer.

Unfortunately, foot pockets tend to inadvertently gather foreign objects such as sand or gravel which can chafe the foot of the swimmer making swimming and walking uncomfortable or even painful, and can further risk infection.

Also, foot pockets tend to retain some water which can be uncomfortable because the foot of the swimmer does not dry even when the swimmer is out of the water.

Further, it can be difficult or impossible to clear foreign objects or water from the foot pocket without completely removing the swim fin from the foot of the swimmer.

Also, foot pockets tend to restrict the other types of footwear, such as sandals or water socks, that can simultaneously be worn.

Images