418results about "Swim fins" patented technology

Methods are disclosed to design resilient hydrofoils (164) which are capable of having substantially similar large scale blade deflections under significantly varying loads. The methods permit the hydrofoil (164) to experience significantly large-scale deflections to a significantly reduced angle of attack under a relatively light load while avoiding excessive degrees of deflection under increased loading conditions. A predetermined compression range on the lee portion of said hydrofoil (164) permits the hydrofoil (164) to deflect to a predetermined reduced angle of attack with significantly low bending resistance. This predetermined compression range is significantly used up during the deflection to the predetermined angle of attack in an amount effective to create a sufficiently large leeward shift in the neutral bending surface with the load bearing portions of the hydrofoil (164) to permit the hydrofoil (164) to experience a significantly large increase in bending resistance as increased loads deflect the hydrofoil (164) beyond the predetermined reduced angle of attack. The shift in the neutral bending surface causes a significant increase in the elongation range required along an attacking portion of the hydrofoil (164) after the predetermined angle of attack is exceed. Methods are also disclosed for designing the hydrofoil (164) so that it has a natural resonant frequency that is sufficiently close the frequency of the reciprocating strokes used to attain propulsion in an amount sufficient to create harmonic wave addition that creates an amplified oscillation in the free end of the reciprocating hydrofoil (164).

Methods are disclosed to design resilient hydrofoils (164) which are capable of having substantially similar large scale blade deflections under significantly varying loads. The methods permit the hydrofoil (164) to experience significantly large-scale deflections to a significantly reduced angle of attack under a relatively light load while avoiding excessive degrees of deflection under increased loading conditions. A predetermined compression range on the lee portion of said hydrofoil (164) permits the hydrofoil (164) to deflect to a predetermined reduced angle of attack with significantly low bending resistance. This predetermined compression range is significantly used up during the deflection to the predetermined angle of attack in an amount effective to create a sufficiently large leeward shift in the neutral bending surface with the load bearing portions of the hydrofoil (164) to permit the hydrofoil (164) to experience a significantly large increase in bending resistance as increased loads deflect the hydrofoil (164) beyond the predetermined reduced angle of attack. The shift in the neutral bending surface causes a significant increase in the elongation range required along an attacking portion of the hydrofoil (164) after the predetermined angle of attack is exceed. Methods are also disclosed for designing the hydrofoil (164) so that it has a natural resonant frequency that is sufficiently close the frequency of the reciprocating strokes used to attain propulsion in an amount sufficient to create harmonic wave addition that creates an amplified oscillation in the free end of the reciprocating hydrofoil (164).

An improved amphibious shoe (10) with a swim fin structure which extends for swimming and folds for walking. The amphibious shoe has, in one embodiment, an elastic connection member (27A, 27B) movably connecting the shoe portion (40) of the shoe to the fin portion (20) of the shoe. The elastic connection member maintains the relative positions of the shoe portion and fin portion in a swimming mode and a walking mode. In another embodiment, the shoe portion has a female recess (43A, 43B) for insertion of a corresponding male extension portion (26A, 26B) in the fin portion. Another embodiment includes a locking member (32B, 33B) and a locking plate (34B), wherein the locking plate defines a keyhole slot having a wide portion and a narrow portion, permitting conversion between walking mode and swimming mode when a lateral force is applied.

Designs and methods are disclosed for permitting permit scooped shaped swim fin blades (184) to flex around a transverse axis to a significantly reduced angle of attack while reducing or preventing the scooped blade portion (254) from collapsing or buckling under the longitudinal compression forces (222) exerted on the scooped portion during a large scale blade deflection (212) by strategically alleviating or controlling such compression forces (222). Method are also disclosed for increasing flow capacity, effective scoop length, scoop depth over a greater length of the blade, reducing blade resistance to large scale deflections, reducing bending resistance within scooped blade portions (254) that are experiencing high levels of blade deflection. Methods are also provided for reducing lost motion and increasing propulsion during the inversion phase of a reciprocating kicking stroke cycle while also increasing the formation of a scooped blade region (254) during the inversion phase of the stroke cycle.

Methods and compositions which can reduce the disturbance to wild life caused when man attempts to interact with wild life and more particularly methods and compositions which can enhance the interaction of man with aquatic life with minimal disturbance to the aquatic life.

The swim lap counter comprises a top section and a bottom section. In one aspect of the invention, the bottom section is suspended from the top section and comprises a pressure sensitive panel and a submersible digital display. The submersible digital display is disposed proximate the bottom edge of the bottom section.

Aquatic exercise system and method for use in a body of water is presented. In particular, the system comprises a sleeve correspondingly disposable in covering relation to at least a portion of a user's appendage, such as an arm or leg, a securing assembly to secure the sleeve to a user, and at least one fin outwardly extending from the sleeve and structured to increase resistance to the user regardless of the particular directional or rotational movement. In some embodiments, the sleeve is further structured to cover an extremity of a user, such as a hand or foot. Further embodiments include a seat assembly connectable to an access pole of a pool or hot tub. The method includes applying an aquatic exercise system to an appendage of a user, submerging the appendage and system, and moving the appendage and system through water in at least one direction to create resistance.

An aquatic training device including a body having a contact surface for engaging a hand of a user and a securing fin extending substantially transverse from the contact surface. The securing fin further includes a retaining member spaced from the contact surface. The aquatic training device is designed to improve a user's stroke technique, particularly with respect to hand arm positioning while swimming, by forcing the user to engage shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands, and fingers in optimal hand arm positions while swimming.

A method of manufacturing a molded product comprising the steps of: providing a mold conforming to the shape of the product the mold serving to define one or more molding surfaces which are to be reproduced in an article formed via the mold; mounting in the mold an article including or forming an image comprising at least one device, logo, letter, word or words or combinations of these in such a way that most, if not all of the article lies within the mold out of contact with the or each molding surface; and injecting into the mold a supply of polymerisible material so as to immerse the article; the material, at least following polymerisation being flexible and so providing at least in part, a substantially transparent product; and withdrawing the product from the mold. Typically the step of providing product is directed to an article of footwear such as a shoe or swimming fin (also known as a flipper). The invention provides for a single stage product or the step of providing the mold conforming to the shape of the product serves also to juxtapose a previously formed or molded product for attachment to a product formed in the injection step. The invention extends to a molded product which is of flexible plastics material molded by way of the method.

Methods and compositions which can reduce the disturbance to wild life caused when man attempts to interact with wild life and more particularly methods and compositions which can enhance the interaction of man with aquatic life with minimal disturbance to the aquatic life.

A buoyant silicone rubber compound-and process for preparing same-is disclosed wherein hollow micro spheres are incorporated into the formulation in order to decrease the specific gravity of the compound to less than 1.0. The disclosed compound is prepared by admixing from about 85 to 99 weight percent polydimethyl siloxane with from about 1 to 15 weight percent hollow micro spheres. The micro spheres are selected to have a mean particle diameter of from about 10 to 500 microns. Aquatic gear comprised of the afore-mentioned buoyant silicone rubber exhibiting positive buoyancy / flotation such as ear plugs, swim goggles, dive masks, fins and sun glasses are also disclosed.

An aquatic propulsion device for holding a hand or foot in a desired position, the device comprising a curvilinear support surface and a linking element arranged across the hand or foot joint at a desired angle to secure the joint in the desired position.