US 6,524,145 B1Granted

Swimmer propulsion device

OwnerJesse Gallegos Arzateinventor

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Abstract

A swimmer propulsion device includes a harness with attached frame and resilient tail assembly. A foot-operated driver on the frame rotates and forces an apex member against the fluked tail assembly, while tensioning propulsion bands. As the apex member rotates beyond perpendicular, the band snaps the upwardly displaced tail assembly downwardly, thus thrusting the swimmer forward. The tail assembly has a spine with resilient vertebrae and a resilient portion that are all deformed as the tail assembly is displaced upwardly by the apex member. As the tail assembly moves downwardly, the resilient portion and the vertebrae return to the undeformed state, thus adding thrust to that provided by the bands. Interchangeable drivers and propulsion bands are provided that adjusts the amount of thrust provided by the system. Interchangeable flukes and dorsal fins are also provided. A single piece tail assembly is also provided as an alternate.

Claims43

Dependent claims

A swimmer propulsion device, comprising:

a harness to be affixed to the body of the swimmer;
a frame extending from the harness toward the feet of the swimmer;
a tail assembly having:
a flexible spine;
and
a tail member;
a foot-powered driving assembly having:
at least one foot pedal to be attached to the swimmer's foot, the at least one foot pedal having a forward position and a rearward position;
and
a driver rotatably attached to the frame and ratchetably rotated by a rearward push on the at least one foot pedal, the driver having at least three apex members, the driver being spaced from the tail assembly such that two of the apex members are proximate the tail assembly;
and
at least one resilient propulsion member attached to the tail assembly and the frame, such that, as the at least one foot pedal is being pushed rearwardly, the driver is rotated causing one of the apex members to singularly bear upon the tail assembly, the single apex member displacing the tail assembly such that the tail member moves from a first position to a second position, the displacement of the tail assembly placing the at least one propulsion member in tension, the continued rotation of the driver causing the single apex member to rotate beyond a perpendicular position against the tail assembly, the propulsion member tension then causing the at least one propulsion member to contract and pull the tail assembly such that the tail member is brought from the second position to the first position, the at least one foot pedal being ratchetably movable to the forward position.

9 more elements

A swimmer propulsion device, comprising:

a harness to be affixed to the body of the swimmer, the harness further comprising a first back member and a second back member, the second back member being slidably coupled to the first back member;
a frame extending from the harness second back member toward the feet of the swimmer;
a tail assembly extending from the harness second back member having:
a flexible spine, the spine further comprising a first vertebra and a plurality of vertebrae, each of the vertebrae plurality being successively and partially encompassed by another of the vertebrae, and a resilient cord extending through the vertebrae such that the vertebrae are aligned and secured;
a resilient portion, having a generally longitudinal groove;
and
a tail member;
a foot-powered driving assembly having:
a pair of foot pedals to be attached to the swimmer's feet, the pedals having a forward position and a rearward position;
and
a driver rotatably attached to the frame and ratchetably rotated by a rearward push on the foot pedals, the driver having three apex members, each apex member having a roller, the driver being spaced from the tail assembly such that two of the apex member rollers are proximate the tail assembly resilient portion longitudinal groove;
and
a pair of resilient propulsion members attached to the tail assembly and the frame, such that, as the foot pedals are being pushed rearwardly, the driver is rotated causing one of the apex member rollers to singularly bear upon the resilient portion longitudinal groove, the single apex member roller displacing the tail assembly such that the tail member moves from a first position to a second position, the displacement of the tail assembly placing the propulsion members in tension, the continued rotation of the driver causing the single apex member roller to rotate beyond a perpendicular position against the tail assembly, the propulsion member tension then causing the propulsion members to contract and pull the tail assembly such that the tail member is brought from the second position to the first position, the foot pedals being ratchetably movable to the forward position.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.