DETACHABLY COUPLED SWIM FINS

Abstract

A pair of swim fins may be detachably coupled together to form a monofin. An elongated projection running along and extending from the inner edge of a first fin releasably mates with a C-shaped linear slot formed in a projection at the inner edge of the second fin, the slot slidably receiving the projection of the first fin via an opening at one end of the slot. A stopper means located at the other end of the slot prevents further movement of the projection of the first fin along the slot once the fins are properly aligned, and the c-shaped slot prevents relative movement of the find in a direction perpendicular to the length of the slot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to swim fins, and particularly to individual swim fins that may be readily coupled together when desired to form a monofin, and likewise readily decoupled when the user prefers to have two separate fins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The construction of the instant invention allows the two swim fins to be easily attached to and detached from each other at their respective inner edges, and further includes a stopper means that limits the movement of the fins relative to one another as the fins are coupled together.

Description of the Drawings

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures:

FIG. 1 depicts a pair of swim fins that have been coupled together in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the swim fins as they are being coupled, or decoupled.

FIG. 3 is a view from the front edge of the fins, showing the coupling mechanism

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the coupling mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the instant invention is shown in FIG. 1. Monofin 10 is formed by swim fins 12 and 14, which are coupled together by the construction discussed below. Each of the fins 12 and 14 includes an integral pocket or foot bed 16 having an opening that allows the user to insert his or her foot into each of the fins.

As shown in FIG. 2, the instant construction allows the fins 12 and 14 to be attached to each other, as desired, by sliding one fin into connection with the other fin at their respective inner edges. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, fin 14 includes a T-shaped projection 20 on its inner edge, which may be fitted into and slid along a slot 24 formed in a C-shaped projection 22 extending along the inside edge of fin 12. A stopper 26 at the end of the slot (i.e., the end of the slot away from the foot opening) prevents the fin 14 and its projection 20 from sliding any further after the projection 20 hits the stopper. Stopper 26 (FIG. 1) preferably comprises a wall formed at the end of the slot 24.

The T-shaped projection 20 on fin 14 has a head that slidably mates with the slot 24 in projection 22, the C-shaped slot overlapping the head of projection 20 and preventing movement of fin 12 and 14 away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slot 24 and projection 20. The height of projection 22 in FIG. 4 may be 22 mm, the projection 20 and slot 26 being appropriately proportioned relative thereto

Fins 12 and 14 may be readily decoupled from each other by sliding the projection 20 out of the slot 24 in the direction away from the stopper 26.

Fins 12 and 14 may be formed or constructed from known materials, such as a blend of polypropylene (42%), thermoplastic rubber (54%), and polyvinyl chloride (4%).

Those skilled in the art may readily recognize various alterations, modifications, and improvements. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting.

From the description of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one of more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are mean to be exemplary and the actual parameters, dimensions, materials and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, with the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A monofin comprising:

a first swim fin;

a second swim fin, each of said fins having an integral pocket for receipt of a portion of a user's foot;

an elongated projection running along and extending from the inner edge of the first fin

an elongated projection running along and extending from the inner edge of the second fin, and having a linear slot to slidably receive the projection of the first fin through an opening at one end of the slot; and

a stopper comprising a wall located across the other end of said slot of said second fin to stop further movement of the projection of the first fin along the slot of the second fin once the fins are properly aligned.

2. The monofin of claim 2, wherein the elongated projection of the first fin and the slot in the elongated projection of the second fin are shaped to prevent movement between the fins in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the slot.

3. The monofin of claim 2, wherein the elongated projection of the first fin generally has the shape of a T in cross-section, and the slot has the general shape of a C in cross-section.

4. The monofin of claim 2, wherein each swim fin has a first end and a second end, the pocket for receipt of a portion of a user's foot being located at the first end, and the opening in the slot of the second fin being located closer to the first end of the fin than the second end.