Finger web swimming aid
A finger web swimming aid embodying fingerstalls and web membranes molded to form one integral body therefrom, and wherein the web membranes are connected between side walls of each of the fingerstalls. The fingerstalls provide ends of each of tubular members allow for the first joint of each of the user's fingers to expose therefrom. Ribbed edges are configured on outer edges of each of the web membranes, which enhance strength and allow for easy removal thereof. Furthermore, a plurality of grooves are further defined on surfaces of each of the web membranes, and which provide the web membranes with a moderate degree of concavity, and functions in coordination with flexing of the fingers of the user. In particular, when necessary, easy removal of at least one finger of the three center fingers from the fingerstalls is effectuated, and which thereby facilitates manipulative movements therewith.
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structural design of a finger web swimming aid, and more particularly to the finger web swimming aid that provides for easy wearing on fingers of a swimmer, thereby enabling the swimmer to realize enhancement to paddling motive force by means of web membrane connections between side walls of fingerstalls, while still maintaining dexterity in movement of the fingers of the swimmer.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A conventional web-fingered glove 10 (see
However, because of hindrance resulting from thickness of the web membranes 102, and, moreover, because the fingerstalls 101 are of a complete finger-type structure and fitted onto the fingers, therefore, upon a user wearing the web-fingered glove 10 on the hand, concerted movement between the fingers is impeded thereof, moreover, hindrance in dexterity of the fingertips results there because. Hence, when the user wishes to perform various movements underwater, the web-fingered gloves 10 must be temporarily removed in order to benefit movement of the hands, and upon requiring assistance in swimming movement, the web-fingered gloves 10 are put on again. The web-fingered gloves 10 having such a mode of usage not only results in putting on and removing of the web-fingered gloves 10 time consuming, moreover, because the web-fingered gloves 10 are made from water impermeable rubber material, after the gloves 10 have come in contact with water, a substantial friction force between the rubber material and the hand results thereof, which makes putting on and removing of the gloves 10 extremely difficult. Furthermore, when the swimmer is underwater and meets with an emergency situation, because the gloves 10 are difficult to readily remove to allow the hands to cope with the emergency, therefore hidden worries arise for the swimmer over misgivings concerning safety aspect of wearing the web-fingered gloves 10.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA primary objective of the present invention is to provide a structural design of a finger web swimming aid embodying two portions structured so as to comprise fingerstalls and web membranes molded to form one integral body therefrom, and wherein the web membranes are connected between side walls of each of the fingerstalls. The fingerstalls provide for the fingers of a user to insert thereinto, and whereby ends of each of tubular members of the fingerstalls allow for the first joint of each of the fingers to expose therefrom. A plurality of grooves are further defined on surfaces of each of the web membranes, whereby configuration of the grooves is such to provide the web membranes with a moderate degree of concavity, thereby providing the web membranes with flexing functionality to function in coordination with flexing of the fingers of the user.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide the structural design of the finger web swimming aid that enables, when necessary, at least one finger of the three center fingers to be removed from the fingerstalls, and which thereby facilitates manipulative movements therewith.
Yet another objective of the present invention Is to provide the structural design of the finger web swimming aid having ribbed edges configured on outer edges of openings of the tubular members of the fingerstalls, and, moreover, walls of the fingerstalls are adapted to assume a taper form extending from the ribbed edges and in direction of extremity of the fingerstalls, thereby facilitating action of putting on and removing of the finger web swimming aid when in usage.
To enable a further understanding of the said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
The fingerstalls 1 provide tubular members for fingers to be placed thereinto, and ribbed edges 11 are configured on outer edges of openings of the tubular members of the fingerstalls 1, moreover, walls of the fingerstalls 1 are adapted to assume a taper form extending from the ribbed edges 11 and in direction of extremity of the fingerstalls 1 (see
Referring to
According to aforementioned structural members, the fingerstalls 1 are so deployed such that an angle of each of the fingerstalls 1 corresponds with an angle of each finger of the user; moreover, the web membranes 2 are connected between each of the fingerstalls 1, and molded so as to form one integral body therewith. Hence, when a swimmer wears the finger web on the fingers, such a structural assembly realizes enhancement to paddling motive force of the hand of the swimmer.
Referring to
In addition, the plurality of grooves 22 defined on the front and rear surfaces of each of the web membrane 2 assume a radiating form that outwardly extends from junctures between the fingers as center to the outer edges of the web membranes 2, wherewith, when spreading apart and merging together the fingers, enables the membrane surfaces of the web membrane 2 to realize easier coordinative and dexterous flexing therewith (see
Furthermore, during actual usage of the finger web of the present invention, a clearance A results (see
In conclusion, the structural design of the finger web swimming aid assuredly achieves unhindered free dexterous movement of the fingers when the user wears the finger web swimming aid, and, moreover, achieves anticipated functionality to assist propelling the swimmer forward. Hence, advancement in effectiveness has been realized, moreover, means to accomplish such are of an innovative nature, and which conform to important conditions required of a new model. Accordingly, an application for a new patent is proposed herein.
It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1-2. (canceled)
3. A finger web swimming aid for a plurality of fingers of a user comprising:
- a) a plurality of fingerstalls, each of the plurality of fingerstalls is a tubular member having a first ribbed edge on a first end thereof and an outer periphery tapering inwardly from the first end toward a second end thereof, each of the plurality of fingerstalls having one of the plurality of fingers of the user inserted therein, a first joint of one of the plurality of fingers protruding outwardly from the second end of each of the plurality of fingerstalls; and
- b) a plurality of web membranes, one of the plurality of web membranes is located between two adjacent fingerstalls of the plurality of fingerstalls, each of the plurality of web membranes having: i) a second ribbed edge located between the second end of two adjacent fingerstalls of the plurality of fingerstalls; ii) a plurality of first grooves formed on a first surface; and iii) a plurality of second grooves formed on a second surface opposite the first surface, one of the plurality of first grooves aligning with each of the plurality of second grooves,
- wherein the plurality of fingerstalls are integrally formed with the plurality of web membranes.
4. The finger web swimming aid according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of fingerstalls and the plurality of web membranes are molded from a soft rubber material.
5. The finger web swimming aid according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of first grooves and the plurality of second grooves radiate outwardly from a first edge to a second edge of each of the plurality of web membranes.
Type: Application
Filed: May 25, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2005
Inventor: Shao-Hua Wang (Banchiau City)
Application Number: 10/852,230