Apparatus for wearing fins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flipper footwear designs require assistance or awkward bending to secure the foot, lack adjustable sizing, and pose safety risks during fitting due to the need for manual intervention and instability.
Innovation Solution
A flipper apparatus with a retaining device and connecting device that are mechanically connected, featuring adjustable jaws and an adjustment mechanism allowing for secure fitting without hands, adaptable to foot length, and integrable into conventional flippers without structural modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional elastic straps or known fastening means are used to secure the foot in the flipper, then the foot can be retained, but the user requires assistance from another person or must perform laborious bending movements to fit the flipper
Solution Approach 1:
The flipper fitting apparatus enables the user to secure their own foot without assistance. The mechanical connection between the retaining device and connecting device allows automatic engagement when the foot is inserted, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or assistance from another person.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into two main segments: a retaining device integrated with the flipper shoe and a separate connecting device that attaches to the user's foot. This segmentation allows the components to be independently optimized and easily assembled without complex integration.
2Ease of operation
If the user stands on a single leg to put on each flipper, then the flipper can be fitted, but significant difficulty is generated due to the user's weight and equipment weight
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is pre-integrated into the flipper shoe structure, and the connecting device is designed to automatically engage with the user's foot upon insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for the user to exert force while balancing on one leg during the fitting process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size flipper designs are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the apparatus cannot adapt to the size of the wearer's foot, particularly foot length
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic adaptation to different foot lengths. The mechanical connection enables the device to be configured for various user sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.
4Reliability
If manual intervention is required to secure the tongue in the clip, then the heel position can be adjusted, but the action has features of great uncertainty, difficulty and high instability, being extremely risky
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection system automatically secures the foot without requiring manual intervention. The retaining device and connecting device engage through simple insertion movements, eliminating the risky manual tongue-securing actions required in traditional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manual adjustment mechanism involving tongues and clips is replaced with a simpler mechanical connection system that relies on direct engagement between the retaining device and connecting device, reducing operational complexity and safety risks.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for putting on flippers including means for retaining a user's foot inside a shoe of the flipper, the retaining means being mechanically connected to means for connection to the shoe of the flipper, the retaining means also being pivoted to the connection means by a hinge, the apparatus being characterised in that it comprises means for adjusting the mutual position between the retaining means and the connecting means for adapting the apparatus to the foot of the user.