419results 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).

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.

A tubular structural member that provides directional resistance. The tubular structural member has a flexural resistance that is greater in one direction than in another. The tubular structural member can be employed in variety of devices or structures so as to effect the overall stiffness of the device.

Buckle for tensioning the straps of fins or the like, having quick and simple fastening and unfastening means, comprising a base part designed to be attached to one side of the shoe of the fin, an intermediate lever hinged at one end by hinge pins to the said base part, and a terminal part which carries at one end the means of connection to the fin attachment strap, while its other end is hinged by the pins at a point on the said lever situated between the end hinged to the base part and its free end, characterized in that the lever possesses on its two flanks, near its free end, two elastically flexible wings, each having a tooth and an outwardly projecting pin, while the base is provided, likewise on each flank, in positions corresponding to the said teeth and to the said pins, with means for engaging with the said teeth, and for housing the said pins.

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 swimming flipper comprising a blade (1) made of relatively rigid material, a shoe (2) made of relatively yielding material and at least a pair of lateral ribs (3) extending along the edges of the blade. On the blade there are provided at least two longitudinal slots (9) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the flipper and two openings (11) extending diagonally from the shoe towards the lateral edges of the blade. The slots and the openings are filled with a relatively yielding material in the form of flattened ribs (12, 13).

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.