MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES

Abstract

A mono-fin for swim training is disclosed. The mono-fin has two separated boot structures that from two separate foot cavities for holding feet with toes positioned in front regions of each of the boot structures and heels positioned at back regions of each of the boot structures. The mono-fin has a mono-fin structure connecting the boot structure through the front regions of each of the boot structures. In a middle region of the mono-fin structure and between the front regions of the boot structures, there is flex region. The flex region allows angles between the boot structures and distances between the back regions of the boot structures to be changed by a swimmer while swim training.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from the co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/494,465, filed on Aug. 10, 2016, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES.” The provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/494,465, filed on Aug. 10, 2016, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES” is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mono-fins used in water related activities including swimming training, snorkeling and scuba diving.

BACKGROUND ON INVENTION

Swim fins, fins or flippers are fin-like accessories worn on the foot or leg and made from rubber, plastic or combinations of these materials, to aid movement through the water in water sports activities such as swimming, body-boarding, body-surfing, knee-boarding, river-boarding, underwater hockey, underwater rugby, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Swimfins help the wearer to move through water more efficiently, as human feet are too small and inappropriately shaped to provide much thrust, especially when the wearer is carrying equipment that increases hydrodynamic drag. Very long fins and mono-fins provide underwater propulsion and do not require high frequency leg movement. This improves efficiency and helps to minimize oxygen consumption. Short, stiff-bladed fins are effective for short bursts of acceleration and maneuvering.

Swim training fins have unique properties to help enforce or train swimmers to kick more efficiently and/or exercise targeted muscle groups to improve endurance and swim techniques. One such swim fin is commonly referred to as a mono-fin. A mono-fin has one or two boot structures that secure to both feet of a swimmer and allows the swimmer to simultaneously kick with both legs through a kick stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a mon-fin for swim training. The mono-fin of the present invention has two boot structures for inserting feet. The two boot structures have strap features that are permanently attached to the boot structures or have release features, such as buckles, clips, snaps and the like. With the strap features in a closed position, the boot structures and the strap features form cavities for holding swimmer's feet. Both of the boot structures are coupled to a mono-fin structure at front portions of the each of the boot structures. The mono-fin structure has a flex region positioned in front of and between the front portions of each of the boot structures. The flex region allows the angle between the boot structures and the distance between back portions of the boot structures to be changed while swim training. The flex region can be a living hinge, an elastic stretch region and/or include swivel features, such as pins attached through plates and the like.

In accordance with a preferred embedment of the invention the mon-fin is monolithic with the boot structures, the strap features, the mono-fin structure and the flex region being formed from molded polymeric material such as rubber or silicon. The mono-fin structure preferably has a dual protrusion structure with one protrusion feature positioned near a front portion of each boot structures and a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned in front of the flex region.

In operation a swimmer places his or her feet into the boot cavities and the swimmer can then practice kick strokes with both legs simultaneously while changing the angle between the boot structures (his or her feet) and the distance between back portions of the boot structures and strap features (his or her foot heals).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIGS. 1A-C show views of a mono-fin for swim training with a flex region for changing angles between boot structures and distances between back regions of the boot structures, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a monolithic mono-fin for swim training, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention is directed to a mono-fin 100 with movable or adjustable boot structures 125 and 125′. The mono-fin 100 of the present invention has two separated boot structures 125 and 125′ for inserting feet (not shown) with the toes positioned in front regions (or toes regions 231 and 231′; FIG. 2), of each of the boot structures 125 and 125′ and heels positioned at back regions of each of the boot structures 125 and 125′. The two boot structures 125 and 125′ are separated in the sense that the foot cavities 123 and 123′ formed by the boot structures 125 and 125′ are capable of being moved, as described below.

The boot structures 125 and 125′ preferably have strap features 127 and 127′ that are permanently attached to the back portions of the boot structures 125 and 125′ and helps secure the feet. Alternatively, the boot structures 125 and 125′ include strap features 127 and 127′ that have release features, such as buckles, clips, snaps and the like. Whether the strap features 127 and 127′ are fixed, adjustable and/or removable, with the strap features 127 and 127′ in a closed position as shown, the boot structures 125 along with the strap features form two separate cavities 123 and 123′ for holding a swimmer's feet.

Both of the boot structures 125 and 125′ are coupled to a mono-fin structure 101 at the front portions 231 and 231′ (FIG. 2) of the each of the boot structures 125 and 125′. The mono-fin structure 101 has a flex region 109 positioned between the front portions 231 and 231′ of each of the boot structures 125 and 125′. The flex region 109 allows angles between the boot structures 125 and 125′ and distances between back portions of the boot structures 125 and 125′ and the strap features 127 and 127′ to be changed, as indicated by the arrow 103, 103′ and 103″, while swim training. The flex region 109 can be a living hinge, or an elastic stretch region and/or include swivel features, such as pins 111 attached through plates and the like. The flex region 109 can be formed form the same or different materials than that of the rest of the mono-fin 100, but is preferably softer and more elastic than other portions or regions of the mono-fin structure 101.

In accordance with a preferred embedment of the invention, the mono-fin 200 is monolithic with the boot structures with strap features and 225′, the mono-fin structure 221 with a flex region 209 being make from one or more molded polymeric materials such as rubber or silicon. The mono-fin structure 221 preferably has a dual protrusion structure with one protrusion feature positioned near the front portions 231 and 231′ of each boot structures and a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned in front of the flex region 209 and between front portions 231 and 231′ of the boot structures.

In operation a swimmer places his or her feet into the cavities 223 and 223′ of the boot structure with foot heels in the back portions of the boot structures secured by the strap features 225 and 225′ toes in the front portions 231 and 231′ of the boot structures. Then the swimmer can practice kick strokes with both legs simultaneously while changing angles between the boot structures (his or her feet) and distances between back portions of the boot structures (his or her foot heals) through the flex region 209 of the mono-fin structure 221, as described above.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. As such, references herein to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mono-fin comprising boot structures with separate cavities for holding feet each attached to a mono-fin structure near toe regions of the boot structure, wherein the mono-fin structure is flexible, such that angles between the boot structures and distances between the boot structures are changeable while swim training.

2. The mono-fin of claim 1, wherein the boot structures and mono-fin structure are monolithic.

3. The mono-fin of claim 1, further comprising strap features for securing the feet within the separate cavities.

4. The mono-fin of claim 1, where in mono-fin structure has protrusion features positioned in front of toe regions of each of the boot structures and a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned between the protrusion features.

5. A mono-fin comprising:

a) boot structures with separate cavities for holding feet with toes positioned in front regions of each of the boot structures and heels positioned at back regions of each of the boot structures; and

b) a mono-fin structure coupled to the front regions of each of the boot structures, with a flex region, such that angles between the boot structures and distances between back regions of the boot structures are changeable while swim training.

6. The mono-fin of claim 5, wherein the boot structures and mon-fin structure are monolithic.

7. The mono-fin of claim 5, further comprising strap features for securing the feet within the separate cavities.

8. The mono-fin of claim 5, where in mono-fin structure has protrusion features positioned in front the front regions of the boot structures and a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned in front of the flex region of the mono-fin structure.

9. A mono-fin comprising:

a) two separated boot structures for holding feet with toes positioned in front regions of each of the boot structures and heels positioned at back regions of each of the boot structures; and

b) a mono-fin structure coupled to the front regions of each of the boot structures, wherein the mono-fin structure has a flex region positioned in a middle region of the mono-fin structure and between the front regions of each of the boot structures such that angles between the boot structures and distances between the back regions of the boot structures are changeable while swim training.

10. The mono-fin of claim 9, wherein the boot structures and mon-fin structure are monolithic.

11. The mono-fin of claim 9, further comprising strap features for securing the feet within the boot structures.

12. The mono-fin of claim 9, where in mono-fin structure has protrusion features positioned in front of the front regions of each of the boot structures and a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned in from of the flex region of the mono-fin structure.