Patent Application
20220203173
The invention relates to a diving flipper for propulsion in water, comprising
As a rule, diving flippers are provided to allow a certain mobility and speed for a user or diver in the water, while simultaneously reducing the energy or force of the diver to be expended for this purpose.
One object of the invention is to provide an improved diving flipper.
This object is achieved by inclining the dorsal edge of at least one rib relative to the median plane of the diving flipper, so that the dorsal edges have less of a distance to each other than the plantar edges of the ribs to each other, wherein the ribs elastically deform relative to each other at least in sections in the direction of the median plane of the diving flipper in the event of an external application of force to the flipper part in the plantar direction.
This increases the maneuverability of the diver in the water, wherein the diver can also move backward more easily, i.e., with less of a force expenditure.
The anatomical positional designations, such as “dorsal” and “plantar”, are generally known to the expert, and relate to the diving flipper or to the foot of a user or diver received in the diving flipper.
Let it be noted that a “median plane” represents a special case of a so-called “sagittal plane”, wherein a sagittal plane denotes a plane that extends from the top (dorsal) downward (plantar) and the back (proximal) toward the front (distal). A median plane is a sagittal plane that runs through the middle of the body, and quasi divides the body into a right and left half, wherein it must be noted that—in relation to the present application—the median plane does not represent a symmetry plane, since a foot of a user is not symmetrical, so that embodiments of the shoe part need not be symmetrically constructed to receive the foot of a user. In this conjunction, “body” or “middle of the body” here refers to the diving flipper.
However, it can be provided that the shoe part be symmetrically constructed.
It can be provided that the diving flipper be symmetrically constructed around its median plane.
The dorsal edges of both ribs can advantageously be inclined toward each other to the median plane of the diving flipper, so that the dorsal edges have less of a distance to each other than the plantar edges of the ribs to each other.
The ribs are flatly designed, wherein the ribs are arranged inclined on the shoe part in such a way that—as already mentioned—the dorsal edges of the ribs are spaced more closely apart from each other over the length of the ribs than the plantar edges of the ribs from each other over the length of the ribs.
In general, a user or diver with diving flippers moves in the water by executing a leg kick in a stroke direction, with the stroke direction essentially being in a plantar direction or in a direction against the desired direction of movement. Each leg kick in the stroke direction results in a forward motion of the diver, wherein the corresponding leg, and hence the diving flipper as well, must be pulled against the stroke direction in order to again perform a leg kick in the stroke direction.
When the user lunges to again kick a leg in the stroke direction, the water resists the motion against the stroke direction by exerting a force in the plantar direction, wherein the ribs here elastically deform at least in sections relative to each other in the direction of the median plane of the diving flipper due to the angled arrangement of the ribs on the shoe part. The deformation of the ribs in the direction of the median plane of the diving flipper also causes the blade to deform, wherein the surface of the blade is essentially tensioned between the ribs and flat in design in a resting position of the diving flipper, and curved if the ribs are deformed as mentioned above.
The curved surface of the blade can also lead to a “backward swimming” with the diving flipper.
Because of this elastic deformation of the ribs, the ribs become prestressed to some extent, and act as relaxing mechanical springs during a renewed leg kick in the stroke direction, wherein the restoring force that results in the process significantly reduces the force expended by the diver to move forward.
It can be provided that the dorsal edges be inclined to the median plane in the transverse direction of the ribs by an angle of 10° to 60°, preferably of 20° to 50°, preferably of 30° to 50°, in particular by 45°.
It can be provided that at least one rib, preferably each rib, be comprised of at least one first and one second layer, wherein the second layer is shorter than the first layer.
It can also be provided that at least one rib be comprised of additional layers, for example three or four layers. It can here be provided that each layer have a varying length.
The second layer preferably has at most a length of up to ⅔ of the length of the first layer, in particular at most of up to ⅓ of the length of the first layer.
As a result of the two layers, which have a varying length, the spring effect mentioned further above can be strengthened, or the latter can be correspondingly adjusted.
It can be provided that the first and/or second layer be tapered in the direction of the distal end of a rib.
It can be provided that the second layer be more strongly tapered than the first layer.
As a result of the tapering, the aforementioned spring effect can be further improved or adjusted.
If at least one rib is comprised of several layers, for example of three or four, each layer can be tapered to varying degrees.
It can be provided that the first and the second layer be connected with each other by means of an adhesive.
The advantage to this is that the ribs as a whole are more lightweight than, for example, layers connected by means of screws or the like.
It can be provided that the ribs be manufactured out of glass fiber, carbon fiber or bamboo laminate. It is clear that the aforementioned materials are regarded as composite materials, wherein the composite materials are designed as fiber material with a resin matrix, for example a glass fiber fabric with an epoxide or similar resin.
It can be provided that the distal ends of the ribs have a larger distance to each other than the proximal ends of the ribs to each other.
It can be provided that the blade be manufactured out of a polyester fabric or nylon fabric, in particular out of Dacron.
It can be provided that at least one expansion element be arranged on a distal end section of at least one rib, preferably on each rib, and be set up to expand the extension of the rib in a transverse direction, preferably in a plantar direction.
These expansion elements conduct the water flow into the center of the blade. They enlarge the blade on the one hand, and prestress the ribs during a motion against the stroke direction on the other.
It can be provided that the expansion elements have a distance to the corresponding rib, wherein the distance preferably measures between 5 and 15 mm, in particular 10 mm.
This ensures that water can flow through between the expansion element and the rib, which yields a more effective forward movement.
It can be provided that the shoe part be manufactured out of polyamide or polypropylene.
It can be provided that the blade only be connected with the ribs. As a result of the opening thereby created between the blade and shoe part, the proximal edge of the blade (the edge that faces the shoe part) serves as a leading edge for the water, in particular when the blade moves against the stroke direction (moves in a dorsal direction). This reduces the force expended by the diver or user, which improves forward motion in the water.
The invention will be explained in more detail below based upon exemplary drawings. Shown on:
An expansion element 400 is further arranged on the ribs 210 at a respective distal end section 262 of the rib 210, which is set up to expand the extension of the corresponding rib 210 in a transverse direction—an expansion in the plantar direction in the example shown. The expansion elements 400 here have a distance to the corresponding rib 210, and do not directly abut against the rib 210, wherein the distance measures 10 mm in the embodiment shown.
As more clearly evident on
In order to fasten the ribs 210 to the shoe part 100, the ribs 210 are inserted into the receiving openings 320 of the shoe part 100, wherein the notch 310 of the ribs 210 hits the stop inside of the receiving openings 320, so that the first fastening recess 330 of the ribs 210 and the two second fastening openings 340 of the receiving openings 320 overlap in such a way that the latter can receive a bolt or a screw 350 for immovably fixing the ribs 210 to the shoe part 100.
As shown on
In the example shown, each rib 210 consists of a first and a second layer 211, 212, wherein the second layer 212 is shorter than the first layer 211, and wherein the first and the second layer 211, 212 are connected with each other by means of an adhesive 213, as visible on
The first upward movement of the diving flipper on
Because of this elastic deformation of the ribs, the ribs become prestressed to some extent, and act as relaxing mechanical springs during a renewed leg kick in the stroke direction, wherein the restoring force that results in the process significantly reduces the force expended by the diver to move forward. Such a sequence of motions is depicted in the downward movement on
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A50218/2019 | Mar 2019 | AT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/056824 | 3/13/2020 | WO | 00 |
