US20100075554A1

US20100075554A1 - Swim fins

Info

Publication number: US20100075554A1
Application number: US12/565,675
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark R. Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-25
Filing date: 2009-09-23
Publication date: 2010-03-25
Also published as: WO2010036812A1; TW201032865A

Abstract

Swim fins that attach to the legs of a swimmer to aid movement through the water. In one example embodiment, a swim fin includes an upper support frame, a lower support frame, a lower blade attached to the lower support frame, and at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame. The upper support is configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg between the swimmer's knee and ankle The lower support frame is configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot. The at least one hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from the swimming position to a walking position. The walking position enables the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/100,207, entitled SWIM FINS, which was filed on Sep. 25, 2008, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates swim fins and, in particular, to swim fins that attach to the legs of a swimmer to aid movement through the water.
2. Description of Related Art
Typical swim fins are worn on the foot of a swimmer to aid movement through the water while surface swimming or participating in swimming-related activities such as bodyboarding, bodysurfing, kneeboarding, riverboarding, snorkeling, and various types of underwater diving. For example, scuba divers use swim fins to move through water efficiently, as human feet provide relatively poor thrust, especially when the diver is carrying equipment that increases hydrodynamic drag.
Unfortunately, typical swim fins have several problems. For example, since typical swim fins attach only to the foot and heel of a swimmer, typical swim fins can cause severe ankle strain and calf muscle fatigue. This is due to the mass of water moved by the fin and the fact that the ankle joint rotates through a complex, non-planar, arc. Further, the ankle does not generally orient the foot optimally for forward thrust, thus reducing the efficiency of the hydrofoil properties of the fin. Further, typical swim fins increase the footprint of the swimmer and are constructed of heavy and bulky materials, thus making it difficult to walk, as is often necessary when entering or exiting water via a shoreline, a boat, or a dock.
Another major problem with typical swim fins is related to an integral foot pocket which at least partially encloses the foot of the swimmer. Unfortunately, foot pockets tend to inadvertently gather foreign objects such as sand or gravel which can chafe the foot of the swimmer making swimming and walking uncomfortable or even painful, and can further risk infection. Further, foot pockets tend to retain some water which can be uncomfortable because the foot of the swimmer does not dry even when the swimmer is out of the water. Further, it can be difficult or impossible to clear foreign objects or water from the foot pocket without completely removing the swim fin from the foot of the swimmer. Finally, foot pockets deprive the swimmer of the joyful sensation of walking bare-footed across the warm sand of a sandy beach or the cool grass of a grassy lawn.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A need therefore exists for a swim fin that eliminates the above-described disadvantages and problems.
One aspect is a swim fin that includes an upper support frame, a lower support frame, a lower blade attached to the lower support frame, and at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame. The upper support is configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg between the swimmer's knee and ankle The lower support frame is configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot. The at least one hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from the swimming position to a walking position. The walking position enables the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.
Another aspect is a swim fin in which the upper support frame at least partially wraps around the front of the swimmer's lower leg.
Yet another aspect is a swim fin that also includes a pair of straps configured to attach the upper support frame to the swimmer's lower leg.
Still another aspect is a swim fin that further includes padding positioned between the upper support frame and the front of the swimmer's lower leg and configured to make direct contact with the swimmer's lower leg.
Yet another aspect is a swim fin in which the lower support frame includes two braces and a cross member. The two braces are configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's foot and attached to the at least one hinge assembly. The cross member connects the two braces and is configured to provide support to a portion of the lower blade that is configured to make contact with the top (dorsum) of the swimmer's foot during a down strike while swimming.
A further aspect is a swim fin in which the upper support frame includes two braces and two cross members connecting the two braces. The two braces are configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's lower leg and attached to the at least one hinge assembly.
A still further aspect is a swim fin that includes a spring configured to automatically rotate the lower support frame from the swimming position to the walking position.
Still yet another aspect is a swim fin that includes a dampener configured to dampen the automatic rotation of the lower support frame from the swimming position to the walking position.
A further aspect is a swim fin in which the at least one locking hinge assembly is configured to lock in the swimming position.
A still further aspect is a swim fin in which the at least one locking hinge assembly is further configured to lock the lower support frame in any one of multiple swimming positions.
A yet further aspect is a swim fin that includes an upper support frame, a lower support frame, a lower blade attached to the lower support frame, and at least one locking hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame. The upper support frame is configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg. The lower support frame is configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot. The at least one hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from a locked swimming position to a locked walking position.
Another aspect is a swim fin in which the at least one hinge assembly further include spring-loaded release buttons that are configured to unlock the at least one hinge assembly when depressed.
Still another aspect is a swim fin in which at least one hinge assembly is further configured to lock the lower support frame in any one of multiple swimming positions.
Still another aspect is a swim fin that includes an upper support frame, a lower support frame, a lower blade attached to the lower support frame, and at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame. The upper support frame is configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg. The lower support frame is configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot. The at least one hinge assembly includes a spring. The spring is configured to automatically rotate the lower support frame from a walking position to a swimming position.
Another aspect is a swim fin that includes a latch configured to retain the lower support frame in the walking position.
Still another aspect is a swim fin in which the latch is attached to the upper support frame and engages the lower support frame or the latch is attached to the lower support frame and engages the upper support frame.
Yet another aspect is a swim fin which includes a dampener configured to dampen the automatic rotation of the lower support frame from the walking position to the swimming position.
Still another aspect is a swim fin in which the spring is further configured to generally maintain the lower support frame in the swimming position even during the upstroke of the swimmer's leg.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments to further clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example swim fin in a swimming position strapped to the leg of a swimmer;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the example swim fin of FIG. 1A in a walking position;

FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view of the example swim fin of FIG. 1A in the swimming position disclosed in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second example swim fin in a swimming position strapped to the leg of a swimmer;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the example swim fin of FIG. 2A in a walking position; and

FIG. 2C is an exploded perspective view of the example swim fin of FIG. 2A in the swimming position disclosed in FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but it is merely representative of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention.
The present invention is generally directed towards swim fins that are worn on the foot of a swimmer to aid movement through the water while surface swimming or participating in swimming-related activities such as bodyboarding, bodysurfing, kneeboarding, riverboarding, snorkeling, and various types of underwater diving. The swim fins disclosed herein are also specifically designed to be worn by the swimmer while the swimmer is walking in shallow water or out of the water such as on a beach, a boat, or a dock, for example, without interfering with the stride of the swimmer.
Additionally, to assist in the description of the swim fins, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right, left, up, and down are used to describe the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. It will be appreciated, however, that the present invention can be located in a variety of desired positions—including various angles, sideways and even upside down. A detailed description of the swim fins now follows. As discussed below and shown in the accompanying figures, the swim fins may be worn by a swimmer in a “swimming position” while swimming as well in a “walking position” while walking along in or out of the water. This dual-functionality avoids the time and hassle of having to remove the swim fins in order to transition from swimming to walking The dual-functionality also enables the swimmer to comfortably wear the swim fins well in advance of entering the water to swim, even when the swimmer must walk short or long distances before entering the water to swim. Further, the swim fins allow the swimmer to comfortably wear the swim fins even while wearing other footwear, such as sandals or water socks, for example.

First Example Swim Fin

As disclosed in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a first example swim fin 100 generally includes an upper support frame 102, a lower support frame 104, a lower blade 106 attached to the lower support frame 104, and a pair of hinge assemblies 108 and 110 connecting the upper support frame 102 and the lower support frame 104. The hinge assemblies 108 and 110 connect the upper support frame 102 to the lower support frame 104 and allow the lower support frame 104 to be rotated upward from a “swimming position,” disclosed in FIG. 1A, to a “walking position,” disclosed in FIG. 1B, while the upper support frame 102 remains securely attached to the lower leg 302 of a swimmer 300. The swimming position disclosed in FIG. 1A enables the swimmer 300 to swim through water with increased thrust as compared to swimming with a bare foot. The walking position disclosed in FIG. 1B enables the swimmer 300 to walk on a surface 400 without the swim fin substantially contacting the surface 400 and without the swim fin 100 interfering with the stride of the swimmer 300.
As disclosed in FIG. 1A, in the swimming position, the lower support frame 104 and the lower blade 106 are configured to generally extend from the front of the swimmer's ankle 304 to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot 306. As disclosed in FIG. 1B, in the walking position, the lower support frame 104 and the lower blade 106 are configured to generally extend from the front of the swimmer's ankle 304 to a position proximate the swimmer's knee (not shown).
As disclosed in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the upper support frame 102 is configured to be generally positioned along the front of lower leg 302 of a swimmer 300 between the knee (not shown) and the ankle 304. The upper support frame 102 generally includes two braces 112 and 114 and two cross members 116 and 118. The braces 112 and 114 are configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's lower leg 302. The braces 112 and 114 are also configured to be attached to the hinge assemblies 108 and 110, respectively. The cross members 116 and 118 connect and support the braces 112 and 114. The cross members 116 and 118 may further be configured to at least partially wrap around the front of the swimmer's lower leg 302.
The upper support frame 102 is configured to be securely attached to the swimmer's lower leg 300, instead of to the swimmer's heel 308. For example, the upper support frame 102 may further include a pair of straps 120 and 122 configured to attach the upper support frame 102 to the front of the swimmer's lower leg 300. The straps 120 and 122 may be adjustable straps to accommodate multiple swimmers with variously sized lower legs. For example, each of the straps 120 and 122 may include a buckle, Velcro®, a rachet buckle, or other adjustable fastener to accommodate various sizes of lower legs. The straps may be formed from various materials or combinations of materials including, but not limited to, polychloroprene.
The upper support frame 102 can be constructed, by molding for example, from a relatively rigid substance, such as a relatively rigid plastic, in order to provide structural support to the hinge assemblies 108 and 110. It is understood, however, that portions of the upper support frame 104, such as middle portions of the braces 112 and 114, may be constructed from a less rigid substance in order to allow the upper support frame 102 to fit snuggly against the swimmer's lower leg 302 during swimming and walking
As disclosed in FIG. 1C, the swim fin 100 may further include padding 124 positioned between at least portions of the upper support frame 102 and the front of the swimmer's lower leg 302. The padding 124 is configured to make direct contact with the swimmer's lower leg 302 and cushion the force of the braces 112 and 114 and the cross members 116 and 118 of the upper support frame 102 against the swimmer's lower leg 302 as the straps 120 and 122 are tightened. The padding can be formed, by stamping for example, from a soft and comfortable material, such as polychloroprene.
As disclosed in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the lower support frame 104 generally includes two braces 126 and 128 and a cross member 130 a. The braces 126 and 128 are configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's foot 306. The braces 126 and 128 are also configured to be attached to the hinge assemblies 108 and 110, respectively. The cross member 130 a connects and supports the braces 126 and 128. The cross member 130 a may further be configured to provide support to a portion of the lower blade 106 that is configured to make contact with the top (dorsum) of the swimmer's foot 306 during a down stroke while swimming. Advantageously, the cross member 130 a enables the swimmer's foot 306 to contribute force to the down stroke of the swim fin 100 without any portion of the swim fin 100 being attached to the swimmer's foot 306. The cross member 130 a may alternatively be positioned to avoid contact with top (dorsum) of the swimmer's foot 306 during the down stroke so that the entire force of the down stroke is provided by the swimmer's lower leg 302, thus allowing the swimmer's ankle 304 and foot 306 to generally remain at rest while swimming. For example, additional padding 124 can be positioned near the lower portion of the upper support frame 102, beneath the cross member 118 for example, in order to tilt the lower support frame 104 further away from the swimmer's foot 306. Further, the cross member 130 a can be curved upward away from the swimmer's foot 306 to avoid contact with the swimmer's foot 306 during a down stroke.
The lower support frame 104 can be constructed, by molding for example, from a relatively rigid substance, such as a relatively rigid plastic, in order to provide structural support to the blade 106 and the hinge assemblies 108 and 110. It is understood, however, that portions of the lower support frame 104, such as lower portions of the braces 126 and 128, may be constructed in such a way as to allow these portions to flex up (during a down stroke) and down (during an up stroke) while swimming. For example, the cross section of braces 126 and 128 could be generally rectangular, and the upper and lower sides of the braces 126 and 128 can be grooved to facilitate flexion in the upward and downward directions. Alternatively, or additionally, portions of the braces 126 and 128 can be constructed from a less rigid substance in order to allow these portions to flex up and down during swimming. In at least some example embodiments, the flexible portions of the braces 126 and 128 enable the lower support frame 104 to flex up and down, but avoid enabling the braces 126 and 128 to flex inward or side to side. For example, the cross member 130 a can support the braces 126 and 128 in order to avoid the braces 126 and 128 from flexing inward toward one another or outward away from one another. Further, the function of the cross member 130 a can be augmented by one or more additional cross members, as disclosed below in connection with FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.
The blade 106 can be formed from a relatively light and flexible material, such as a relatively flexible vinyl, silicon, rubber, or rubberized rip-stop nylon material, in order to allow the blade 106 to flex during swimming. Furthermore, the blade 106 may be made from a partially or totally transparent material in order to avoid impeding the view of the swimmer 300 during walking Further, the blade 106 may incorporate hydrofoil chutes 106 a and 106 b that allow water to be pushed through the blade 106 in a direction that is generally inline with the forward motion of the swimmer 300. These chutes may be formed from a material that allows the chutes to transition from protruding from the top surface of the blade 106 (during a down stroke) to protruding from the bottom surface of the blade 106 (during an up stroke) in order to direct water propulsion and provide increased forward thrust during both the up and down strokes while swimming.
As disclosed in FIG. 1C, the locking hinge assembly 108 includes an upper hinge member 108 a, a locking ring 108 b, a spring 108 c, a lower hinge member 108 d, and a release button 108 e. The locking hinge assembly 110 similarly includes an upper hinge member 110 a, a locking ring 110 b, a spring 110 c, a lower hinge member 110 d, and a release button 110 e. In operation, the locking hinge assemblies 108 and 110 are configured to automatically lock the lower support member in either the swimming position, disclosed in FIG. 1A, or in the walking position, disclosed in FIG. 1B.
The locking mechanisms 108 b and 110 b are configured to be unlocked by manually pressing the release buttons 108 e and 110 e, respectively, thus disengaging the locking rings 108 b and 110 b, respectively, and allowing the lower support frame 104 to be rotated between the swimming and walking positions. Once the lower support frame 104 is rotated to either of the swimming or walking positions, the springs 108 c and 110 c automatically reengage the locking rings 108 b and 110 b, respectively, thus automatically locking the lower support frame 104 with respect to the upper support frame 102.

Second Example Swim Fin

With reference now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, a second example swim fin 100′ is disclosed. The swim fin 100′ is identical to the swim fin 100, with the exception of the lower support frame 104′, the blade 106′, the hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ and a latch 132.
As disclosed in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the lower support frame 104′ includes an additional cross member 130 b that augments the supporting function of the cross member 130 a by supporting the braces 126′ and the 128′. Further, the blade 106′ incorporates hydrofoil chutes 106 c, 106 d, and 106 e that allow water to be pushed through the blade 106′ in a direction that is generally inline with the forward motion of the swimmer 300. Like the chutes 106 a and 106 b, the chutes 106 c, 106 d, and 106 e may be formed from a material that allows the chutes to transition from protruding from the top surface of the blade 106 (during a down stroke) to protruding from the bottom surface of the blade 106 (during an up stroke) in order to direct water propulsion and provide forward thrust during both the up and down strokes while swimming.
It is understood that the sizes, positions, and shapes of the hydrofoil chutes 106 a-106 e disclosed in FIGS. 1A-2C are example numbers, sizes, positions, and shapes only. Other sizes, positions, and shapes of hydrofoil chutes are possible and contemplated. For example, each of the blades 106 and 106′ can have zero or more hydrofoild chutes. Further, the size of the hydrofoild chutes on the blades 106 and 106′ can be smaller or larger than the chutes disclosed in FIGS. 1A-2C. Also, the positions of the hydrofoil chutes can vary from the positions disclosed in FIGS. 1A-2C. Finally, the shapes of the openings of the hydrofoil chutes can differ from the generally parabolic shape disclosed in FIGS. 1A-1C and the generally rectangular shape disclosed in FIG. 2A-2C. For example, the shapes of the hydrofoil chutes can be triagonal, trapezoidal, square, or pentagonal, for example. The openings of the hydrofoil chutes can also have any of a variety of different shapes.
As disclosed in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the braces 126′ and 128′ are bent forward to a greater degree than the braces 126 and 128 disclosed in FIG. 1B. The shape of the braces 126′ and 128′ also causes the shape of the blade 106′ to bend forward to a greater degree than the blade 106. The shape of the braces 126′ and 128′ and the blade 106′ allow the swim fin 100′ to function properly while swimming with less forward rotation of the swimmer's ankle 304 than is required by the swim fin 100.
As disclosed in FIG. 2C, the example swim fin 100′ includes modified hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′, as well as a latch 132. Unlike the hinge assemblies 108 and 110, the hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ are not locking hinge assemblies. Instead, the hinge assembly 108′ includes a dampener 108 f and the hinge assembly 110′ includes a power spring 110 f The power spring 110 f is biased to automatically rotate the lower support frame 104′ from the walking position to the swimming position. The power spring 110 f is further configured to generally maintain the lower support frame 104 in the swimming position both during the upstroke and the downstroke of the swimmer's lower leg 302, but without rigidly locking the hinge assembly 110′. Accordingly, unlike the relatively rigid locking hinge assembly 110, the hinge assembly 110′ allows the lower support frame 104′ to automatically rotate upward if the swimmer 300 stands on the swim fin 100′ in the swimming position without bending or otherwise damaging the lower support frame 104′ and/or the hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ of the swim fin 100′. The dampener 108 f is configured to dampen the force of the power spring 110 f while the lower support frame 104′ is automatically rotating from the walking position to the swimming position such that the rotation is more gradual and less abrupt.
The bias of the power spring 110 f can be overcome by the swimmer grasping the lower support frame 104′ in the swimming position and rotating the lower support frame 104′ to the walking position, at which point in time the lower support frame 104′ automatically engages with the latch 132. As disclosed in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the latch 132 is attached to the cross member 118 of the upper support frame 102 and is configured to engage with the cross member 130 a of the lower support frame 104′ in order to retain the lower support frame 104′ in the walking position. The latch 132 is stationary and allows the cross member 130 a to slip under the latch 132 by manually flexing the cross member 118 and/or the cross member 130 a.
Alternatively, the latch 132 can be configured to slide up and down and be spring loaded to bias the latch 132 down in front of the cross member 130 a, as disclosed in FIG. 2B. As the lower support frame 104′ is manually rotated up to the walking position by the swimmer 300, the swimmer 300 can simultaneously manually slide the latch 132 up to allow the cross member 130 a to slip under the latch 132 and then release the latch 132 to automatically allow latch 132 to slide back down to retain the lower support frame 104′ in the walking position.
Although the latch 132 is attached to the cross member 118 of the upper support frame 102, it is understood that the latch 132 could instead be attached to the cross member 130 a of the lower support frame 104′. Further, it is understood that in at least some example embodiments, the latch 132 can be omitted altogether. For example, the cross member 118 and 130 a can instead be configured and positioned to overlap and engage one another by slipping the cross member 130 a under the cross member 118 by manually flexing the cross member 118 and/or the cross member 130 a.
As disclosed in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ are generally positioned proximate the swimmer's ankle 304. However, it is understood that the hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ could instead be positioned further up the swimmer's lower leg 302 or further down the swimmer's foot 306. It is further noted that the lower blade 106′ can also include an opening through which at least a portion of the swimmer's foot 306 or toes can protrude to enable the braces 126′ and 128′ and the blade 106′ to have less curvature and better align with the swimmer's lower leg 302.

Alternative Swim Fins

In at least some alternative embodiments, aspects of the swim fins 100 and 100′ can be modified and/or combined. For example, the power spring 110 f can be reversed in order to automatically rotate the lower support frame 104′ from the swimming position to the walking position, and the dampener 108 f can be reversed to dampen the force of the reversed power spring 110 f. In this alternative embodiment, locking aspects of the locking hinge assemblies 108 and 110 can be employed to allow modified hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ to lock in the swimming position. The unlocking of the modified hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ can therefore result in the reversed power spring 110 f causing the automatic rotation of the lower support frame 104′ from the swimming position to the walking position. The latch 132 can be omitted in this alternative embodiment as the reversed power spring 110 f will generally maintain the lower support frame 104′ in the walking position. Further, a ratchet mechanism can be included in the modified hinge assemblies 108′ and 110′ in order to allow the swimmer 300 to ratchet the lower support frame 104′ to a position between the walking and swimming positions, and then to begin swimming in order to allow the rachet mechanism to complete the rotation of the lower support frame 104′ into the swimming position.
In another alternative embodiment, the locking hinge assemblies 108 and 110 can be configured to lock the lower support frame 104 in one of multiple swimming positions and/or one of multiple walking positions. For example, in a first swimming position, the cross member 130 a can be configured to provide support to a portion of the lower blade 106 that is configured to make contact with the top (dorsum) of the swimmer's foot 306 during a down stroke while swimming. In a second swimming position, the cross member 130 a can be configured and positioned to avoid contact with the top (dorsum) of the swimmer's foot 306 during a down stroke while swimming. In this alternative embodiment, manually pressing the release buttons 108 e and 110 e disengages the locking rings 108 b and 110 b, respectively, and allows the lower support frame 104 to be rotated to the next of the multiple swimming or walking positions. It is understood that the release buttons can be replaced with other release mechanisms that are positioned in other areas of the swim fin 100. For example, one or more release mechanisms can be positioned on the upper support frame 102 in order to allow the release of the locking mechanisms 108 and 110 to be accomplished by the swimmer 300 without reaching all the way down to the swimmer's ankle 304. Further, one or more release mechanisms can be positioned on lower support frame 104 in order to allow the release mechanism(s) to be released by the heel of the swimmer's other foot.
It is understood that although a pair hinge assemblies are disclosed in connection with each of the swim fins 100 and 100′, the functionality of the pair of hinge assemblies could instead be combined into a single hinge assembly, or could be distributed across three or more hinge assemblies. Accordingly, example embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular number of hinge assemblies. It is further understood that the functionality of any of the hinge assemblies disclosed herein can be combined with the functionality of any other hinge assembly disclosed herein in order to provide one or more hinge assemblies with multiple functionalities. For example, the power spring 110 f and the dampener 108 f can be combined into a single hinge assembly.
It is understood that the lower support frames and the lower blades disclosed herein can, in at least some embodiments, be formed as a single component and/or from a single material.
The example swim fins disclosed herein thus allow the lower support frame to be quickly and easily placed in the swimming position to allow a swimmer to swim and in the walking position to allow the swimmer to walk. By attaching only to the lower leg of the swimmer, instead of to the foot and heel, the swim fins disclosed herein cause less ankle strain and calf muscle fatigue than typical swim fins. Further, attaching to the leg instead of to the foot and heel of the swimmer allows the swim fins disclosed herein to avoid the problems associated with rotational movement of the ankle joint and to consistently propel the swimmer in a direction that is aligned with the direction of the swimmer's legs and torso. In addition, once rotated to the walking position, the swim fins disclosed herein can remain attached to the swimmer's leg without increasing the footprint of the swimmer, thus making the swim fins ideal for walking when entering or exiting water via a shoreline, a boat, or a dock. Also, the relatively light blade portion of the swim fins disclosed herein is less heavy and less bulky than the materials from which typical swim fin blades are made, making the swim fins less cumbersome for use when the swimmer is out of the water. The swim fins disclosed herein also have relatively efficient hydrofoil properties. These advantages of the swim fins disclosed herein are accomplished without the integral foot pocket included in typical swim fins, and thus the problems associated with foot pockets listed herein are completely avoided. Further, unlike users of typical swim fins, a swimmer can wear the swim fins disclosed herein in the walking position and simultaneously experience the joyful and uninhibited sensation of walking bare-footed across the warm sand of a sandy beach or the cool grass of a grassy lawn.
Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A swim fin comprising:

an upper support frame configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg between the swimmer's knee and ankle;

a lower support frame configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot;

a lower blade attached to the lower support frame; and

at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame and configured to be positioned proximate the swimmer's ankle, wherein the at least one hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from the swimming position to a walking position, the walking position enabling the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.

2. The swim fin as in claim 1, wherein the upper support frame at least partially wraps around the front of the swimmer's lower leg and includes an upper blade attached to the upper support frame.

3. The swim fin as in claim 2, further comprising:

a pair of straps configured to attach the upper support frame to the swimmer's lower leg;

4. The swim fin as in claim 3, further comprising:

padding positioned between the upper support frame and the front of the swimmer's lower leg and configured to make direct contact with the swimmer's lower leg.

5. The swim fin as in claim 1, wherein the lower support frame comprises:

two braces configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's foot and attached to the at least one hinge assembly; and

a cross member connecting the two braces, the cross member configured to provide support to a portion of the lower blade that is configured to make contact with the top (dorsum) of the swimmer's foot during a down strike while swimming.

6. The swim fin as in claim 1, wherein the upper support frame comprises:

two braces configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's lower leg and attached to the at least one hinge assembly; and

two cross members connecting the two braces.

7. The swim fin as in claim 1, further comprising:

a spring configured to automatically rotate the lower support frame from the swimming position to the walking position.

8. The swim fin as in claim 7, further comprising:

a dampener configured to dampen the automatic rotation of the lower support frame from the swimming position to the walking position.

9. The swim fin as in claim 8, wherein the at least one hinge assembly is configured to lock in the swimming position.

10. The swim fin as in claim 9, wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly is further configured to lock the lower support frame in any one of multiple swimming positions.

11. A swim fin comprising:

an upper support frame configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg;

a lower blade attached to the lower support frame; and

at least one locking hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame, wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from a locked swimming position to a locked walking position.

12. The swim fin as in claim 11, wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly further comprises at least one spring-loaded release button that is configured to unlock the at least one locking hinge assembly when depressed.

13. The swim fin as in claim 11, wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly is further configured to lock the lower support frame in any one of multiple swimming positions.

14. The swim fin as in claim 11, wherein the walking position enables the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.

15. A swim fin comprising:

a lower blade attached to the lower support frame; and

at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame, the at least one hinge assembly including a spring, the spring configured to automatically rotate the lower support frame from a walking position to a swimming position.

16. The swim fin as in claim 15, further comprising:

a latch configured to retain the lower support frame in the walking position.

17. The swim fin as in claim 16, wherein:

the latch is attached to the upper support frame and engages the lower support frame; or

the latch is attached to the lower support frame and engages the upper support frame.

18. The swim fin as in claim 15, further comprising a dampener configured to dampen the automatic rotation of the lower support frame from the walking position to the swimming position.

19. The swim fin as in claim 15, wherein the spring is further configured to generally maintain the lower support frame in the swimming position during an upstroke of the swimmer's leg.

20. The swim fin as in claim 15, wherein the walking position enables the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.