Patent ID: 6620008
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A swim fin comprisinga foot-pocket formation defining a foot-receiving cavity, the foot-receiving cavity defining a longitudinal axis and having a top side, a bottom side, a toe end, a heel end and two sides that extend between the heel and toe ends; and a fin blade that is spaced predetermined distance above the bottom side of the foot-pocket formation and that extends in a direction away from the heel end of the foot-pocket formation, no further than a predetermined distance beyond the length of the foot-pocket formation, thereby to permit walking while wearing the swim fin, in use, the fin blade including a frontal blade portion that extends longitudinally from the toe end of the foot-pocket formation and a pair of side blade portions that each extend outwardly transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the foot-pock t formation from a different side of the foot-pocket formation between the toe end of the foot-pocket formation and at least a position disposed opposite an ankle of a person wearing the swim fin, in use, each side blade portion comprising a fixed blade section and a moveable blade section in the form of a flap formation that is hingedly displaceable relative to the fixed blade section about an axis that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the foot-pocket formation, between an extended position wherein an upper surface of the flap formation is disposed substantially co-planar with an upper surface of the fixed blade section, thereby increasing the effective surface area of the fin blade during a propulsion stroke of the swim fin, in use, and a collapsed condition wherein the flap formation extends rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the fin blade through a body of water.