EP0884073A2 - Swim fin - Google Patents
Swim fin Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0884073A2 EP0884073A2 EP98110808A EP98110808A EP0884073A2 EP 0884073 A2 EP0884073 A2 EP 0884073A2 EP 98110808 A EP98110808 A EP 98110808A EP 98110808 A EP98110808 A EP 98110808A EP 0884073 A2 EP0884073 A2 EP 0884073A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- blade
- fin
- projection
- footpocket
- central
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 45
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007779 soft material Substances 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012778 molding material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B31/00—Swimming aids
- A63B31/08—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs
- A63B31/10—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet
- A63B31/11—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet attachable only to the feet
Definitions
- the invention relates to a swim fin, comprising a blade part and a seat for the foot, the so-called footpocket, the blade part consisting of at least two parts, made of different materials.
- the blade made of a substantially stiff material has longitudinal slits, widening towards the free end, which are filled with a generally elastic linking material, such as rubber or similar.
- the two materials forming the blade are both relatively stiff, though having a different stiffness and/or color.
- a first part of the blade, directly connected to the footpocket, has a generally central recess, and a relatively large size with respect to the total surface of the blade.
- the second part of the blade is complementary in shape to the recess in the first part of the blade and is housed in said recess, while being connected to the first part of the blade by chemical-thermal adhesion.
- the blades are too flexible and deformable, or not enough flexible and deformable, or the deformations follow directions which are unfavorable or non-optimal for a correct hydrodynamic behavior.
- the invention has the object to improve a fin of the type described hereinbefore, in a simple and cheap manner, and such as to obtain a better hydrodynamic behavior, closer to perfection.
- the invention achieves the above purposes by providing a fin of the type described hereinbefore, in which the blade has an additional part, which is made of a material being different at least from said second part of the blade.
- the second part of the blade is U- or V-shaped, and delimits a central area of the blade, separating it from the peripheral areas thereof, said second part of the blade being made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber, or similar.
- the second part of the blade V-shaped insert which surrounds the central area of the blade, may have different widths and is usually a few centimeters large.
- the V shape may be more or less pointed and rounded, from a round arched shape, through an arched spindle-like shape, to a V shape with straight arms, or similar.
- the second part of the blade may be extended up to the end of the blade, thus completely separating the central part of the blade from the first peripheral part, or may terminate at a certain distance from the end of the blade, so that the central area of the blade is connected to the first peripheral part, by two strips of material along the free edge of the blade.
- the second part of the blade and the central part thereof may be made of materials being different from each other and from the first peripheral part of the blade. Particularly, advantages are obtained from combinations, wherein the second part of the blade is different both from the first and from the central one, whereas the central part is made of the same material as the first part of the blade, or of a different material therefrom.
- the second part of the blade has an accordion, i.e. corrugated cross section.
- the blade In the embodiment in which the central part, delimited by the second V-shaped part of the blade, is made of the same material as the first peripheral part of the blade, the blade consists of two different materials, which may be both different from the materials forming the footpocket or the second V-shaped part of the blade may be made of a material which is substantially identical to that of the footpocket.
- the fin obtained therefrom would be composed of a minimum of two and a maximum of three different materials.
- the fin obtained therefrom will be formed by a minimum of three, and a maximum of four different materials.
- the flexibility and deformability properties of the fin are considerably improved, thereby providing an operating behavior which is as close as possible to perfection.
- the blade according to the invention provides optimal hydrodynamic characteristics.
- the fin according to the invention may be fabricated by a multi-injection process, or by inserting preformed members of the first peripheral part of the blade and of the central part thereof in a bi-injection mold, for the footpocket part and for the second part of the blade respectively.
- the invention relates to further characteristics, which form the subject of the dependent claims.
- the fin may be composed of a foot seat, the so-called footpocket 3, and of a blade part 1, having in its central part a U-shaped insert 201, made of a soft material, which has divergent arms, reaching the end of the blade.
- the footpocket 3 is made of a soft material, such as rubber or similar, whereas the blade part 1, connected to the footpocket 3 is of a relatively stiff material, particularly of plastic.
- the U-shaped insert 201 is one to a few centimeters wide, and is made of a material which is different from that of the blade 1, and particularly of the same material as the footpocket 3, such as rubber or similar.
- Said U-shaped insert 201 is connected through chemical-thermal adhesion, from one side to the peripheral part of the blade 101 and from the other side to a stiffer central area 301.
- the stiffer central area 301 may be made of the same material as the peripheral part 101 or in any other material having stiffness or color characteristics differing from those of the peripheral part 101 of the blade and of the U-shaped insert 201.
- This construction allows a perfect deformation of the blade 1: under water thrust, the central part 301, thanks to the higher deformability of the material forming the U-shaped insert 201 is moved and deformed, providing the blade 1 with a spoon shape in both directions, at least as seen in cross section and at least in its central area.
- the fin may be fabricated by multi-injection molding, with the nozzles for the different materials being provided in the different corresponding areas of the mold.
- the single central part 301 and/or the peripheral part 101 of the blade may be made in separate molds, whereon said parts are properly positioned in the injection mold for the molding material/s of the footpocket 3 and/or of the insert 201.
- the U-shaped insert 201 has the additional advantage that it allows higher tolerances in mutually positioning the peripheral part 101 and the central part 301 of the blade, often made of a stiffer material.
- the fin differs from the one shown in fig. 1 in that it has, in its central part, a pointed V-shaped insert 201, which does not reach the end of the blade 1.
- the central part 301 is connected to the peripheral part 101 by two lateral strips 501, made of the same material as the peripheral part 101. Hence, the central part 301 is substantially T-shaped.
- a hollow 2 having a corresponding projection 2' on the rear side, as shown in fig. 3.
- the hollow and the corresponding projection also have a pointed V shape, which is substantially similar to that of the part 201 of the blade.
- the hollow 2 is connected in decreasing depth to the end of the blade 1.
- the central area 301 of the blade has a slightly arched longitudinal projection 401 therein, having a substantially elongated shape in the axial direction of the blade, which has a corresponding step-like recess 401' on the rear side.
- the two lateral ribs 4 and the wide central projection 2' delimit two longitudinal side grooves 5 therein, which terminate at the point of the footpocket in a very deep notch 6.
- Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the blade 1, at about the middle of its length, with the two lateral ribs 4, the two downflow grooves 5, the second accordion-folded part 201 of the blade made of soft material, the central part of the blade 301, there being emphasized the longitudinal fore projection 401 and the corresponding step-like rear recess 401'.
- the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but may be greatly varied, especially as regards construction. So, for example, the different shapes of the second part 201 of the blade may be provided in combination with the example shown in fig. 1 and with that shown in fig. 2.
- the accordion cross section may be also provided in combination with the embodiment shown in fig. 1. The whole without departure from the guiding principle disclosed above and claimed below.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT97SV000032A IT1294057B1 (en) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-06-13 | SWIMMING FIN. |
ITSV970032 | 1997-06-13 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0884073A2 true EP0884073A2 (en) | 1998-12-16 |
EP0884073A3 EP0884073A3 (en) | 1999-12-01 |
Family
ID=11408228
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98110808A Withdrawn EP0884073A3 (en) | 1997-06-13 | 1998-06-12 | Swim fin |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0884073A3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1294057B1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1127589A1 (en) * | 2000-02-25 | 2001-08-29 | HTM SPORT S.p.A. | Swimming flipper |
US7077715B2 (en) | 2002-09-12 | 2006-07-18 | Pod Ware Pty Ltd. | Swim fins and method of manufacture thereof |
AU2003258381B2 (en) * | 2002-09-12 | 2008-04-17 | Pod Ware Pty Ltd | Improvements in swim fins and method of manufacture thereof |
US8641464B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2014-02-04 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same |
US9440114B2 (en) | 2012-10-12 | 2016-09-13 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Boot sole system and fin for same |
US10675508B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2020-06-09 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Coupleable fin apparatuses and boot toe bodies |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB746764A (en) * | 1953-03-23 | 1956-03-21 | E T Skinner & Company Ltd | Improvements in or relating to swim-fins |
FR2329307A1 (en) * | 1975-10-28 | 1977-05-27 | Cavalero Rene | Flipper for underwater swimming - has large rigid propelling surface extending into flexible robber base under foot for increased propulsion |
FR2506619A1 (en) * | 1981-05-27 | 1982-12-03 | Beuchat Georges | Swim fin with zones for propulsion - has half truncated cones with wide base at front to trap water |
US4599071A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1986-07-08 | Juang Ruey T | Adjustable beach-shoes |
EP0579046A1 (en) * | 1992-07-17 | 1994-01-19 | TECHNISUB S.p.A. | Swimming flipper |
EP0627245B1 (en) * | 1993-05-25 | 1997-01-02 | Alba Conseil | Three material swim fin with composite blade |
-
1997
- 1997-06-13 IT IT97SV000032A patent/IT1294057B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1998
- 1998-06-12 EP EP98110808A patent/EP0884073A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB746764A (en) * | 1953-03-23 | 1956-03-21 | E T Skinner & Company Ltd | Improvements in or relating to swim-fins |
FR2329307A1 (en) * | 1975-10-28 | 1977-05-27 | Cavalero Rene | Flipper for underwater swimming - has large rigid propelling surface extending into flexible robber base under foot for increased propulsion |
FR2506619A1 (en) * | 1981-05-27 | 1982-12-03 | Beuchat Georges | Swim fin with zones for propulsion - has half truncated cones with wide base at front to trap water |
US4599071A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1986-07-08 | Juang Ruey T | Adjustable beach-shoes |
EP0579046A1 (en) * | 1992-07-17 | 1994-01-19 | TECHNISUB S.p.A. | Swimming flipper |
EP0627245B1 (en) * | 1993-05-25 | 1997-01-02 | Alba Conseil | Three material swim fin with composite blade |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1127589A1 (en) * | 2000-02-25 | 2001-08-29 | HTM SPORT S.p.A. | Swimming flipper |
US6290561B1 (en) | 2000-02-25 | 2001-09-18 | Htm Sport S.P.A. | Swimming flipper |
US7077715B2 (en) | 2002-09-12 | 2006-07-18 | Pod Ware Pty Ltd. | Swim fins and method of manufacture thereof |
AU2003258381B2 (en) * | 2002-09-12 | 2008-04-17 | Pod Ware Pty Ltd | Improvements in swim fins and method of manufacture thereof |
US8641464B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2014-02-04 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same |
US9737762B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2017-08-22 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same |
US10112079B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2018-10-30 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same |
US10675508B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2020-06-09 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Coupleable fin apparatuses and boot toe bodies |
US9440114B2 (en) | 2012-10-12 | 2016-09-13 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Boot sole system and fin for same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITSV970032A1 (en) | 1998-12-13 |
IT1294057B1 (en) | 1999-03-15 |
EP0884073A3 (en) | 1999-12-01 |
ITSV970032A0 (en) | 1997-06-13 |
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Effective date: 20000602 |