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US 12,734,409 B2Granted
Pivotable swim fin device
OwnerShelley Cottrillinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pivotable swim fin device includes a footwear element, such as a boot, and a fin element pivotably attached thereto. The fin element is able to be moved between a downward ‘swim’ position and an upward ‘walking’ position, thereby enabling the pivotable swim fin device to be used in the downward position for water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, etc.; and in the upward position for walking on land unobstructed.
Claims11
A swim fin device comprising:
- a. a footwear element for wear on a foot of a user, the footwear element including an opening to receive the foot of the user, a front side opposite a rear side relative to the user, and a toe portion at the front side;
- and
- b. a fin element pivotably connected to the footwear element such that the fin element is movable between a swim position and a walking position, the fin element including a substantially planar body having a longitudinal axis defining a front end opposite a rear end, the body being hydrodynamically shaped to aid in movement of the user through water when in the swim position wherein the rear end of the fin element includes a corresponding second connector configured to engage with the first connector and selectively lock the fin element in the swim position;
- c. and further comprising a pivot element including a pair of circular members attached at opposing sides of the footwear element, each of the pair of circular members housing a ratchet mechanism including a gear and a pawl, the pawl engaging with the gear to lock the fin element in one of the swim position and the walking position;
- d. wherein the fin element further includes a pair of arms integral to sides of the fin element and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of the pair of arms attached between a respective one of the pair of circular members and a corresponding side of the fin element;
- and
- e. wherein a pair of springs are attached at opposing sides of the fin element, the pair of springs together aiding movement of the fin element between the swim position and the walking position.
4 more elements
A swim fin device comprising:
- a. a boot element for wear on a foot of a user, the boot element including an opening to receive the foot of the user, a front side opposite a rear side relative to the user, and a toe portion at the front side, the toe portion including a first connector;
- and
- b. a fin element including a body having a longitudinal axis defining a front end opposite a rear end, the body being hydrodynamically shaped to aid in movement of the user through water, the fin element being pivotably connected to the boot element such that the fin element is movable between a swim position and a walking position, the swim position including the fin element being positioned in front of the foot of the user with the longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to a leg of the user, the walking position including the fin element being positioned upward against the leg of the user with the longitudinal axis of the fin element being generally parallel to the leg of the user, and wherein the rear end of the fin element includes a corresponding second connector configured to engage with the first connector on the boot element and selectively lock the fin element in the swim position,
- c. wherein the device further comprises a pivot element including a pair of circular members attached at opposing sides of the boot element, each of the pair of circular members housing a ratchet mechanism including a gear and a pawl, the pawl engaging with the gear to lock the fin element in one of the swim position and the walking position;
- d. wherein the fin element further includes a pair of arms integral to sides of the fin element and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of the pair of arms attached between a respective one of the pair of circular members and a corresponding side of the fin element;
- e. and wherein a pair of springs are attached at opposing sides of the fin element, the pair of springs together aiding movement of the fin element between the swim position and the walking position.
3 more elements
A swim fin device comprising:
- a. a slip-on shoe element for wear on a foot of a user, the slip-on shoe element including an opening to receive the foot of the user, an ankle strap for fastening the slip-on shoe around an ankle of the user, a front side opposite a rear side relative to the user, and a toe portion at the front side, the toe portion including a first connector;
- and
- b. a fin element including a body having a longitudinal axis defining a front end opposite a rear end, the body being hydrodynamically shaped to aid in movement of the user through water, the fin element being pivotably connected to the slip-on shoe element such that the fin element is movable between a swim position and a walking position, the swim position including the fin element being positioned in front of the foot of the user with the longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to a leg of the user, the walking position including the fin element being positioned upward against the leg of the user with the longitudinal axis of the fin element being generally parallel to the leg of the user, and wherein the rear end of the fin element includes a corresponding second connector configured to engage with the first connector on the slip-on shoe element and selectively lock the fin element in the swim position;
- c. wherein the device further comprises a pivot element including a pair of circular members attached at opposing sides of the slip-on shoe element, each of the pair of circular members housing a ratchet mechanism including a gear and a pawl, the pawl engaging with the gear to lock the fin element in one of the swim position and the walking position;
- d. wherein the fin element further includes a pair of arms integral to sides of the fin element and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of the pair of arms attached between a respective one of the pair of circular members and a corresponding side of the fin element;
- and
- e. wherein a pair of springs are attached at opposing sides of the fin element, the pair of springs together aiding movement of the fin element between the swim position and the walking position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.