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US 6,685,521 B1Granted
Hand fin apparatus
OwnerJohn Meliusinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Hand fins for swimmers include an aerodynamic cross-section that is shaped to generate hydrodynamic lift when water passes over it. Water flowing over a main body portion is guided toward a center of the hand fin to maximize performance. A handle portion is provided preferably via an opening in the main body portion. A wrist strap is attachable to the handle portion to help support a user's hand during use, thereby enhancing the power and control of the hand fin. The hand fin may be constructed of multiple materials with a rigid internal structure and a flexible outer surface, as an inflatable hand fin, and as hollow hand fin having an internal chamber. Some embodiments of the hand fin is designed to flex under water pressure during use, to produce larger lifting surfaces thus producing greater lift.
Claims42
A hand fin apparatus, comprising:
- an aerodynamic exterior hand fin surface with a curved leading edge having a first thickness;
- a curved trailing edge positioned in spaced relation from the leading edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge joined at opposing first and second trailing points, the trailing edge with a second thickness, narrower in thickness than the first thickness of the leading edge;
- a main body portion extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the main body portion being shaped such that water flowing over the main body portion is guided toward a centerline of the hand fin apparatus;
- and
- a handle portion positioned across the centerline of the hand fin apparatus, the handle portion further positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus, the handle portion sized to receive a user's hand therein.
2 more elements
A hand fin apparatus, comprising:
- an aerodynamic hand fin apparatus with a substantially symmetrical, aerodynamic dolphin tail shape, the hand fin apparatus with a curved leading edge having a first thickness;
- a curved trailing edge positioned in spaced relation from the curved leading edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge joined at opposing first and second trailing points, the hand fin apparatus with a trailing edge having a second thickness, narrower in thickness than the first thickness located at the leading edge of the swim fin apparatus, the main body portion includes a third thickness that is thicker than the first thickness located at the leading edge, and the third thickness tapers towards the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus;
- a main body portion extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the main body portion shaped such that water flowing over the main body portion is guided toward a center of the hand fin apparatus;
- and
- an elongated handle portion positioned across the center of the hand fin apparatus, the elongated handle portion further positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus, the handle portion sized to receive a user's hand therethrough.
2 more elements
A hand fin apparatus, comprising:
- an aerodynamic hand fin apparatus with a substantially symmetrical fish tail shape, the hand fin apparatus with a curved leading edge having a first thickness;
- a curved trailing edge positioned in spaced relation from the curved leading edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge joined at opposing first and second trailing points, the hand fin apparatus with a trailing edge having a second thickness, narrower in thickness than the first thickness located at the leading edge of the swim fin apparatus, the main body portion includes a third thickness that is thicker than the first thickness located at the leading edge, and the third thickness tapers towards the second thickness located at the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus;
- a main body portion extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the main body portion shaped such that water flowing over the main body portion is guided toward a centerline of the hand fin apparatus and toward the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus;
- and
- an elongated handle portion positioned across the centerline of the hand fin apparatus, the elongated handle portion positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus, the handle portion sized to receive a user's hand therethrough, the handle portion further sized to allow water to pass through the handle portion to redirect water flow passing over the hand fin apparatus, during use;
- and
- a focusing raceway formed along the main body portion of the hand fin apparatus, the focusing raceway tapering in thickness toward the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus to direct and funnel water flow passing over the hand fin apparatus towards the centerline of the hand fin apparatus, and to generate lift during use.
4 more elements
A hand fin apparatus, comprising:
- a) an aerodynamic hand fin apparatus with a substantially symmetrical fish tail shape, the hand fin apparatus with a first cast material forming a curved leading edge portion having a first thickness;
- b) a second cast material forming a main body portion positioned in spaced relation from the curved leading edge, the second cast material selected to be less rigid than the first cast material, the main body portion being shaped such that water flowing over the main body portion is guided toward a centerline of the hand fin apparatus;
- and
- c) a flexible, curved trailing edge portion secured to the second cast material, the curved trailing edge positioned in spaced relation from the main body portion, the trailing edge portion with a second thickness, narrower in thickness than the first thickness, the trailing edge is flexible to generate lift as the hand fin apparatus is moved through water;
- d) the leading edge and the trailing edge joined at opposing first and second trailing points;
- and
- e) a handle portion positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the hand fin apparatus, the handle portion sized to receive a user's hand therethrough, and the handle portion is sized to allow water to pass through the handle portion to redirect water flow passing over the hand fin apparatus, during use.
4 more elements
A hand fin apparatus comprising:
- a) an aerodynamic hand fin apparatus with a main body portion, a curved leading edge, a curved trailing edge positioned in spaced relation from the curved leading edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge joined at opposing first and second trailing points, the main body portion of the hand fin having a top side and a bottom side;
- b) a handle aperture extending at least partially through the main body portion of the hand fin apparatus, the handle aperture sized to receive a user's fingers at least partially therein, the handle aperture positioned between the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the opposing first and second trailing points of the main body portion;
- c) a flexible top flap secured to the top side of the main body portion of the hand fin in proximity to the leading edge, and sized to at least partially cover the top side of the handle aperture;
- d) a flexible bottom flap secured to the bottom side of the main body portion of the hand fin in proximity to the leading edge, and sized to at least partially cover the bottom side of the handle aperture.
1 more element
A hand fin apparatus comprising:
- a) an aerodynamic hand fin apparatus with a main body portion, a curved leading edge, a curved trailing edge positioned in spaced relation from the curved leading edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge joined at opposing first and second trailing points, the main body portion of the hand fin having a top side and a bottom side forming an air tight chamber there between;
- b) a handle aperture extending at least partially through the main body portion of the hand fin apparatus, the handle aperture sized to receive a users fingers at least partially therein, the handle aperture positioned between the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the opposing first and second trailing points of the main body portion without affecting the integrity of the air tight chamber;
- c) the opposing trailing points each having an air valve aperture extending through at least one of the top side and the bottom side;
- d) the opposing air valve apertures each having a removable and replaceable valve cap for selective insertion of air and liquid within the air tight chamber, the liquid serving as a ballast and the air serving as a buoyant fluid, enabling the user to selectively control the buoyancy of the hand fin apparatus.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.