Swim fin with energy storage and release system for improved angle of attack and water flow characteristics
AssigneeJohnson Outdoors Inc.
InventorSergio A. Angelini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A swim fin and a method providing thrust from a kick by a swimmer are disclosed. The swim fin includes a swim fin for use by a swimmer comprising a foot pocket adapted to receive a foot of the swimmer; a blade extending from the foot pocket; a biasing system configured to allow the blade to bend within a narrow range of angles of attack under a wide range of loads. The method comprises providing a swim fin comprising a foot pocket, a blade, and one or more non-linear ribs that extend generally perpendicular to the blade. The method also comprises bending the blade relative to the foot pocket about an axis and controlling the bending of the blade by providing varying resistance by the non-linear ribs.
Claims39
A swim fin for use by a swimmer comprising:
- a foot pocket adapted to receive a foot of the swimmer;
- a blade extending from the foot pocket;
- a biasing system configured to allow the blade to bend within a narrow range of angles of attack under a wide range of loads, the biasing system including one or more non-linear ribs configured to deform as the blade bends.
A swim fin for use by a swimmer comprising:
- a foot pocket adapted to receive a foot of the swimmer;
- a blade extending from the foot pocket and configured to flex about an axis;
- a biasing system configured to control the angle of attack of the blade, the biasing system comprising one or more sinusoidal shaped ribs that extend generally perpendicular from the blade and located adjacent to the axis.
A swim fin for use by a swimmer, the swim fin comprising:
- a foot pocket adapted to receive a foot of the swimmer;
- a blade extending from the foot pocket;
- means for controlling flexing of the blade.
A method of providing thrust from a kick by a swimmer, the method comprising:
- providing a swim fin comprising a foot pocket, a blade, and one or more non-linear ribs that extend generally perpendicular to the blade;
- bending the blade relative to the foot pocket about an axis;
- controlling the bending of the blade by providing varying resistance by the non-linear ribs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.