Hands-Free Flipper Heel Retention for Safe Fastening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flipper designs require users to bend and use their hands to fasten and unfasten, posing risks of accidents, especially on unstable surfaces, and are not easily applicable to conventional flippers without structural modifications.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with U-shaped jaws and elastic plates that allow the flipper to be secured and released with minimal force, enabling hands-free operation and secure retention without the need for manual adjustment or structural changes to the flipper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional strap fastening systems are used, then the flipper can be secured to the foot, but the user must bend and use hands to fasten, creating safety risks on unstable surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The flipper fastening system performs the fastening operation automatically through the mechanical interaction of the heel insertion motion itself. The heel's forward motion automatically engages the retaining means with the shoe, securing the flipper without requiring manual intervention. This transforms a manual fastening task into an automatic self-service operation that occurs naturally during the donning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining means is pre-positioned and spring-loaded to be ready for engagement before the heel is inserted. The elastic strap and retaining mechanism are prepared in advance so that the simple forward motion of inserting the heel automatically triggers the fastening action, eliminating the need for subsequent manual fastening operations.
2Ease of operation
If adjustable strap systems are integrated into flippers, then comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases and manual adjustment is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable strap system automatically adjusts and secures itself through the mechanical action of inserting the heel. The elastic strap tension and retaining mechanism engagement occur automatically during the donning process, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining comfort through the elastic properties of the strap.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fulcrum of rotation is placed in a defined position to create a stable first position, then the apparatus remains in equilibrium, but the apparatus may pass beyond the pin anchoring element making repositioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means is designed to be dynamically reversible, allowing it to transition between retained and unrestrained states. The spring-loaded mechanism can be easily reset by applying force in the opposite direction, enabling quick repositioning if the apparatus passes beyond the pin anchoring element, while still providing stable retention during normal use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the heel is made separate and adjustable, then adaptability to different foot lengths is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of manual adjustment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separate heel with adjustable tongue is designed to self-adjust through the mechanical action of insertion. The tongue with slot and saw-tooth elements automatically engages with the opening clip during heel insertion, providing adaptability to different foot lengths without requiring manual adjustment. The elastic properties of the components enable automatic positioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and easy fastening and removal of flippers without hands, maintaining secure retention during use and allowing versatility across different flipper sizes, reducing the risk of accidents and accommodating conventional flipper designs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one plate (7b) is made with an elastic material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
An apparatus for putting on flippers (2) comprising retaining means (10) of a user's foot inside a shoe (3) of a flipper (2), and in which apparatus the retaining means (10) are mechanically connected and pivoted to removable mounting means (9) of the shoe (3) of the flipper (2), the removable mounting means (9) being removably associable to a portion of the base (8) of the shoe (3).