Foldable Fabric Swim Fin With Batons for Compact Propulsion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional swim fins are bulky, heavy, and difficult to travel with due to their rigid material properties, posing challenges for users who need multiple types of fins for different water sports.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, lightweight fin made of materials like canvas cloth or polyester cloth with integrated batons for rigidity, allowing it to be folded for compact storage and use in various water sports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If traditional rigid materials (rubber) are used for swim fins, then the fins can generate sufficient propulsion force, but they become heavy and bulky, making them difficult to travel with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion forceVSAvoidfin weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fin combines flexible fabric material with rigid batons to create a composite structure. The fabric provides flexibility and lightweight properties, while the batons provide the necessary rigidity for propulsion. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between needing force generation (requiring rigidity) and needing low weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The fin uses a flexible fabric shell instead of traditional rigid rubber material. This flexible shell reduces weight and bulk while still allowing the fin to function effectively when combined with structural batons for rigidity support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If traditional rigid materials are used for swim fins, then the fins maintain structural integrity for propulsion, but they occupy excessive storage space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidstorage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fin transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The flexible fabric allows the fin to be collapsed and folded for compact storage, while the batons maintain structural integrity when the fin is in use. This dynamic property resolves the contradiction between strength and storage volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fin is divided into multiple flexible sections that can be folded relative to each other. The batons are positioned to provide structural support while allowing the fabric sections to fold, enabling compact storage while maintaining structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pairs of fins are carried for different water sports, then various swimming needs are met, but the total weight and bulk increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater sport adaptabilityVSAvoidtotal fin weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible fin design serves multiple water sports functions (swimming, snorkeling, freediving, SCUBA) while maintaining a consistent lightweight structure. The adaptability is achieved through the flexible material that can accommodate different usage conditions, eliminating the need to carry multiple specialized fin pairs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250352859A1Longitudinally folding swim fin

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 BARTON PATRICK

AI summary

A flexible fin may include a one-piece body having multiple batons inside of a flexible fabric blade, having sufficient rigidity for propulsion while retaining the flexibility to change the form factor when not in use. The fin can be fastened to a swimmer's foot with fastening straps attached to a surface of the one-piece body and can be adjustable in size to fit a variety of foot sizes.