Assistive aquatic propulsion device

Abstract

An assistive aquatic propulsion device affixable to a wearer's body to increase speed and mobility of bodily movement during surface and underwater swimming. The device includes a flexural fin member which in one embodiment of the invention is joined to a transversely extending spar member joined to a longitudinally extending yoke member, with the yoke member being releasably secured to the legs of a wearer, and with the spar member being arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinally extending yoke member. In a specific embodiment, the device includes a biomimetic tailfin simulative of tailfin structure of a whale, porpoise, manatee or other marine animal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/543,580 filed Feb. 11, 2004 in the name of Robert E. Lundquist for “Assistive Aquatic Propulsion Device” is hereby claimed under the provisions of 35 USC §119.

BACKGROUND OF TIE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an assistive aquatic propulsion device, which is affixable to a wearer's body to enhance the speed and mobility of bodily movement during surface and underwater swimming.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of swimming aids and swimming gear, there is a continuing effort focused on wearable articles for increasing mobility and speed in surface as well as subsurface swimming. This effort has resulted in the development of wet suits, aquatic caps, flippers, hand scoops and numerous other articles that are worn by swimmers and divers in the quest for enhanced swimming performance.

Swimmers targeted in this effort have included recreational swimmers, as well as professionals, including marine search and rescue personnel, marine military personnel, and competitive professional swimmers.

It would be a significant advance in the art to provide a device that dramatically improves speed and mobility of swimmers in surface and underwater swimming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an assistive aquatic propulsion device that is worn by a wearer, being secured to the legs of the wearer, and effective to substantially increase the speed and mobility of the wearer in surface and sub-surface swimming.

The invention may be embodied in various forms, as more fully shown hereinafter.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a biomimetic tailfin that is secured by securement structure to the legs and/or feet of the wearer, and is operative to propulsively assist the wearer in an aquatic environment to swim with increased speed and/or mobility, by movement of the wearer's legs in a fashion simulating the movement of the posterior section of the body of a marine animal such as a pilot whale or porpoise, e.g., in a back-and-forth stroking and/or kicking movement.

The biomimetic tailfin can be formed of a suitable flexural material, such as a rubber or flexible polymer. The tailfin may be formed as a unitary element, so that when affixed to the wearer's body, the fin extends transversely outwardly from the wearer's feet region. The tailfin alternatively can be formed in tailfin half-sections, with each half-section being affixed to a respective one of the wearer's legs.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to an assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising a fin structure arranged to extend transversely outwardly from a wearer's lower leg or foot region, and securement structure for securing the fin structure to the wearer's body.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to an assistive aquatic propulsion device, comprising a flexural fin member joined to a longitudinal yoke member securable to the legs of a wearer, said flexural fin member rearwardly of the yoke member extending transversely outwardly therefrom.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an assistive aquatic propulsion device that includes an elongate yoke member positionable between the legs of the wearer and below the wearer's knees. The elongate yoke member has at its proximal portion couplings for detachably connecting the device to the wearer's legs, and at its distal portion the elongate yoke member has couplings for detachably connecting the device to the wearer's ankle region, so that the elongate yoke member when coupled is rigidly bound to the wearer's legs with the legs maintained in fixed position on either side of the elongate yoke member.

At its distal portion, the elongate yoke member is joined to a transversely extending spar member at a medial region of the spar member, so that the spar member extends outwardly in opposite directions from the elongate yoke member.

The transverse spar member in turn has joined thereto along its length a flexural fin member that is formed of a suitable material, e.g., a flexible resilient polymeric or rubber material that flexes during leg movement of the wearer in an aqueous medium. In this manner, the flexural fin member mimics a tail fin structure of a marine animal such as a mackerel, porpoise or whale.

The yoke member can be fabricated with a spring-loaded portion thereof in proximity to the junction of the yoke member with the spar member, so that the spar member and flexural fin member secured thereto is able to move pivotally in relation to the major portion of the yoke member that is proximal to the junction of the yoke member with the spar member.

The couplings can be of any suitable type, including straps with quick-release buckles, as hereafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, or alternatively, ties, tumbuckles, Velcro® wrap strips, or any other structural article or assembly that is effective to detachably attach the device to the body of the wearer.

The yoke and spar members of the device can be formed of any suitable material, including wood, metal, plastic, fiber-reinforced composites, ceramics, etc., with plastics (polymeric materials) generally being preferred. The flexural fin member likewise can be constructed of any suitable material of construction, and preferably is a plastic, e.g., polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polybutylene, etc.

The yoke and spar members can be suitably dimensionally sized for the wearer, and the spar can be of appropriate dimensional extent giving due regard to the strength of the wearer, generally having a transverse dimensional extent (length, as measured in the transverse direction) that is from about 1.5 feet to about 5 feet, although greater or lesser dimensions can be employed to good advantage. The spar can be formed with a linear or curvate leading edge, or a swept wing configuration, or other shape, as appropriate to the effective use of the device. The yoke can be sized appropriately to the spar and the body of the wearer. In general, the yoke will have a length in a range of from about 15 inches to about 3 feet, although, again, greater or lesser dimensions can he employed to good advantage. The flexural fin member may have a transverse dimensional extent that is greater or smaller in length, as measured in the transverse direction, in relation to the spar. For example, the transverse dimensional extent of the flexural fin member may be on the order of from about 1 to about 6 feet, although greater or lesser dimensions may be employed in specific embodiments of the invention. The dimensional extent of the flexural fin member in a direction parallel to the yoke member may be of any suitable dimension. In a specific embodiment, the longitudinal dimension may be from about 3 inches to about 30 inches, although greater or lesser dimensions can be usefully employed in specific embodiments within the broad scope of the present invention.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assistive aquatic propulsion device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of FIG. 1, as installed on the body of a wearer.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in another orientation of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of an assistive aquatic propulsion device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation view of yet another embodiment of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a further schematic side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention in another embodiment, including biomimetic tailfin half-sections, each of which is securable to the leg of a wearer.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention in yet another embodiment, in which the biomimetic tailfin is formed as unitary construction with a longitudinally extending beam member that includes securement structure for coupling the device to the legs of a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

FIGS. 1-5 show various views of an assistive aquatic propulsion device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all parts and features are correspondingly numbered.

The assistive aquatic propulsion device 10 as illustrated includes a transversely extending spar member 14, to which a rectangular sheet-form flexural fin member 12 is secured by means of mechanical fasteners 16. Mechanical fasteners 16 may be screw and nut fasteners, rivets, grommets, bolt and nut assemblies, or any other fixation means which serve to secure the flexural fin member 12 to the spar member 14. The spar member 14, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, is secured to a longitudinally extending yoke member 18. The yoke member is secured to the spar member in any suitable manner, such as by bonding medium, journaling in a recipient opening of the yoke member, mechanical fastening, etc., or alternatively, the yoke and spar members may be unitarily formed as a single piece, e.g., by molding, casting, or other suitable method of manufacture.

The yoke and spar members may be formed of any suitable material of construction, as previously noted in the Summary of the Invention section hereof.

At its distal portion, the yoke member 18 has a fixed thereto a coupling structure 20 for securing the device to the lower leg/ankle region of the wearer, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. At its proximal end, the yoke member has secured thereto coupling structures 22 and 24, for securing the device to the upper calf/knee/thigh area of the wearer, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5.

The coupling structure may be of any suitable type, as effective to positionally secure the device on the body of the wearer, for use in assisting the aquatic propulsion of a wearer in an aquatic environment.

In a specific modification, the flexural fin member may be unitarily formed with the spar and/or yoke members, as may be desired in a specific embodiment of the invention. For example, the flexural fin member may be manufactured as part of a conjoint flexural fin member/spar member assembly, of a single material of construction, in which the spar portion is of substantially increased thickness and rigidity relative to the flexural fin member.

As a still further alternative, the spar member, yoke member and flexural fin member may be component parts of a single-piece construction, e.g., as unitarily molded or cast from a suitable material of construction.

Dimensionally, the spar member may have a transverse dimension A (as shown in FIG. 1) that is from about 1.5 feet to about 5 feet, although greater or lesser dimensions can be employed. The flexural fin member 12 may have a transverse extent that is greater or lesser than the spar member transverse dimension. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the flexural fin member is extended in transverse extent beyond the ends of the spar member, having a transverse extent that may for example be on the order of about 1-3 inches greater at each side of the device. By way of further example, the transverse dimension B of the flexible fin member may be from about 1 foot to about 6 feet, although again, greater or lesser dimensions can be employed. The longitudinal dimension C of the flexible fin member can be from about 3 inches to about 30 inches, although greater or lesser dimensions can be employed in specific embodiments.

Further, although the flexural fin member in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is shown has having a linear trailing edge (i.e., the edge farthest from the wearer of the device), it would be appreciated that the trailing edge may have a curved, scalloped, saw-toothed, sinusoidal or other shape edge, as appropriate to the specific embodiment of the device. Other (non-rectangular) forms of the flexural fin member are also contemplated within the scope of the invention.

The yoke 18, as shown in FIG. 3, has a longitudinal dimension D that may range in length from about 15 inches to about 3 feet, although greater or lesser dimensions can be employed in specific embodiments of the invention.

The various fin, yoke and spar members of the device may be variously formed of any suitable materials, including material(s) specifically identified in the Summary of the Invention section hereof.

FIGS. 6 is a side elevation view of an assistive aquatic propulsion device 50 according to another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the device 50 includes a yoke member 52 having opening 54 at its proximal end portion, to accommodate passage therethrough of knee straps or other coupling structure, for affixation of the device to the body of a wearer. At its distal end, the yoke member 52 is provided with a cut-out 56 between distal flanges 60 and 62, in which is mounted a backbone portion 58 of the flexural fin member. In this embodiment, the flexural fin member includes a hinge 64 joining the backbone portion 58 to the main fin portion 66 of the flexural fin member, as illustrated.

By the construction shown, the flexural fin member is able to pivot about the hinge 64, between an upper position at which the flange 60 of the yoke member acts as a positive stop, and a lower position at which flange 62 of the yoke member 52 acts as stop limit structure. By this arrangement, the fin is able to pivot flexibly between respective upper and lower limit-stopped positions associated with the respective flanges 60 and 62.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a device 70 according to yet another embodiment of the invention, featuring a yoke body 72 having opening 74 in a proximal end portion thereof for accommodating coupling structure for securing the device to the body of a wearer.

At its distal portion, the yoke member 72 has a cut-out 76 accommodating mounting therein of a backbone portion 82 of the flexural fin member. The backbone portion 82 is joined to a hinge 84 which in turn is joined to a main fin portion 86 of the flexural fin member.

In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the distal portion of the yoke member 72 has on its upper face a securement element 92 which secures the cable 88 to the yoke member 72. The other end of the cable 88 is secured to main fin portion 86 of the flexural fin member, by means of securement element 90.

In like manner, a second cable 94 is secured to the bottom face of the yoke member 72 by securement element 98 and an opposite end of the cable is joined to the main fin portion 86 of the flexural fin member by securement element 96.

By the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the main fin portion 86 of the flexural fin member is able to pivot about hinge 84, between a position as shown, at which the cable 94 is fully extended, and a corresponding position in which the cable 88 is fully extended and the cable 94 is in a relaxed (untensioned) state.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. This drawing shows a side elevation view of aquatic assistive propulsion device 100 as comprising a yoke member 102 having at its proximal end portion an opening 104 for engaging the coupling structure for securing the yoke member on the body of the user.

At its distal end portion, the yoke member 102 features a cut-out 106. In such cut-out opening, there is disposed a backbone portion 116 of the flexural fin member, which is joined to the main fin portion 120 of the flexural fin member by hinge 118. Disposed in the cut-out opening 106, on either side of backbone fin portion 116 are stop plates 112 and 114, as illustrated. The stop plates 112 and 114 extend rear-wardly from the yoke member 102 and thus provide limitation of the pivotal movement of the main fin portion 120 of the flexible fin member of the device.

In the view shown, the main fin portion 120 of the device is shown at its uppermost position, as limited by the stop plate 112. The main fin portion 120 may correspondingly pivot downwardly until stopped by lower stop plate 114. In such manner, the flexural fin member can move freely in pivotal fashion about the hinge through an arc defined by the stop plates 112 and 114 when in respective contact with the main fin portion of the flexible fin member.

It will be recognized that the aquatic assistive device embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-8 have been shown without depiction of the lower coupling structure on the yoke member, as otherwise illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. Such coupling structure may be disposed on the yoke members in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-8 in like manner, or in other fashion, as may be desired in specific embodiments of the invention, the omission of such distal coupling structure in FIGS. 6-8 being for the sake of clarity of illustration and description.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention in another embodiment, including biomimetic tailfin half-sections, each of which is securable to the leg of a wearer.

The assistive aquatic propulsion device 150 in the FIG. 9 embodiment features the biomimetic fin as being formed in two half-sections 164 and 172, each of which is formed of a suitably hard flexural rubber material and includes a fin half-section 168 and 174, respectively.

Fin half-section 168 is formed in a unitary manner with an elongate mast member 166 having a backbone portion 152 to which the cuff members 156 and 160 are joined, as illustrated. The cuff members have free ends with complementarily matable hook-and-loop fastener portions, to secure the half-section 164 to one of the wearer's legs.

In like manner, fin half-section 174 is formed in a unitary manner with an elongate mast member 172 having a backbone portion 154 to which the cuff members 158 and 162 are joined, as illustrated. The cuff members have free ends with complementarily matable hook-and-loop fastener portions, to secure the half-section 174 to the other one of the wearer's legs.

The device half-sections may be formed by molding of the fin and mast portions as a unit, or by casting or other suitable technique, following which the cuff members can be affixed to the backbone of the mast portion by mechanical fasteners, welding, or other suitable joining or bonding methodology.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsion device 200 of the invention in yet another embodiment, in which the biomimetic tailfin 202 is formed as unitary construction with a longitudinally extending beam member 204 that includes securement structure, in the form of straps 206, 210, 214 and 218 having hook-and-loop fastener portions 208, 212, 216 and 220, respectively for coupling the device to the legs of a wearer.

It is possible to widely vary the assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention in specific form. Although the fin may as shown herein be of a planar sheet form, it is more preferably configured to structurally and functionally simulate the tailfin structure of a marine animal such as a manatee, pilot whale, porpoise, mackerel, or other marine animal having a tailfin of appropriate character for improving speed and/or mobility of a wearer thereof in an aquatic medium, relative to a corresponding individual lacking such assistive device. The beam, yoke member or mast portion of the device may be secured to or formed with additional securement structure for coupling with the body of the wearer, e.g., as part of an enhanced wetsuit or other swimming garment, or a supportive structure such as a jacket or lifevest, shoulder harness, diver's belt, or other apparel or wearable structure to which the fin is secured or coupled. The device may include a spar or cross-beam member with foothold pockets or other structure for securing the device to the body of the wearer, such as stirrups, rings, etc.

The use of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of the present invention has been demonstrated to substantially increase the speed and/or mobility of a swimmer using same, and thereby represents a substantial enhancement for aquatic movement and maneuvering, relative to assistive devices of the prior art.

It will be appreciated that the structures, features and approaches of the invention may be practiced in a widely variant manner, consistent with the broad disclosure herein. Accordingly, while the invention has been described herein with reference to specific features, aspects, and embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not thus limited, but is susceptible of implementation in other variations, modifications and embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is intended to be broadly construed to encompass all such other variations, modifications and embodiments, as being within the scope of the invention hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising a fin structure arranged to extend transversely outwardly from a wearer's lower leg or foot region, and securement structure for securing the fin structure to the wearer's body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure comprises a unitary sheet-like member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure comprises fin half-sections.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure comprises a biomimetic tailfin.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the biomimetic tailfin is a unitary tailfin structure.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the biomimetic tailfin comprises tailfin half-sections.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure is joined to an elongate yoke member, and the securement structure is mounted on the yoke member.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the securement structure comprises releasibly connectible coupling members.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the coupling members include one or more members selected from the group consisting of belts, straps, elastic loops, mechanical fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, sleeves, bands, harnesses, cords, chains, and apparel articles.

10. An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising a biomimetic tailfin joined to a yoke member securable to legs of a wearer so that legs of the wearer are secured together in side-by-side manner.

11. An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising:

a longitudinally extending yoke member constructed and arranged for positioning between legs of a wearer;

coupling structure for securing the yoke member to the legs of a wearer;

a spar member extending transversely outwardly from and secured to the longitudinally extending yoke member; and

a flexural fin member secured to the spar member.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the spar member is joined to the longitudinally extending yoke member at a distal portion of the yoke member, with the spar member arranged perpendicularly to the yoke member.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexural fin member is formed of a flexible resistant polymeric or rubber material.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the coupling structure is quick-releasable in character.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the spar member has a dimensional extent in a range of from about 1.5 feet to about 5 feet and the yoke member has a dimensional extent in a range of from about 15 inches to about 3 feet.

16. An assistive aquatic propulsion device, comprising a flexural fin member joined to a longitudinal yoke member securable to the legs of a wearer, said flexural fin member rearwardly of the yoke member extending transversely outwardly therefrom.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the flexural fin member is formed of a flexible resistant polymeric or rubber material.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the flexural fin member and the yoke member are integrally formed.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the yoke member is securable to the legs of a wearer by quick-release coupling members.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the yoke member is formed of a same material as the flexural fin member.