Swim fin device

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for enhancing swimming and facilitating walking on land. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a foot thong having a body and a toe tether. The apparatus can include a swim fin device having a sole portion, toe portion, and fin portion, wherein the sole portion and toe portion cooperate to define an opening for receiving the toe tether to secure the swim fin device to the foot thong.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear for swimming and, more particularly, to devices for enhancing the speed of a user thereof e.g., a swimmer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to provide a swim fin for propelling a user thereof e.g., a swimmer. The prior art includes apparatus that have a foot portion and a fin portion, where the foot portion is a close-fitting shoe-like structure, and where the fin portion is attached and lengthy relative thereto. While a lengthy fin portion might increase the propulsive force of a swimmer's kick, such can be bulky and difficult to walk in, while the foot portion can be cumbersome to fit onto the foot and limiting by the foot size of the wearer. It is further known in the art to provide a swim fin that includes pivoting or locking mechanisms for purposes of flipping a fin area out of the way or removing it completely. While these mechanisms might surmount the problem of awkward walking on land or into a body of water, it is possible that such may be prone to malfunction or other problems, while preserving the bulky and cumbersome nature of the footwear. What is needed in the art is a swim fin device with enhanced ease of use to overcome these and/or other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a swim fin device that can be provided alone and/or in combination with footwear (e.g., a foot thong) and/or a heel strap.

In a first aspect of the invention, a swim fin device is provided. The swim fin device can include a sole portion for alignment with a sole area of footwear (e.g., a foot thong) and a toe portion extending from the sole portion for alignment with a sole area of the foot thong, where the sole portion and the toe portion cooperate to define an opening for receiving a toe support (e.g., a toe tether) of the foot thong. The swim fin can further include a fin portion extending from the toe portion. The sole portion, the toe portion, and the fin portion can be integrally formed, substantially continuous, and/or substantially planar.

In a second aspect of the invention, a swim fin device is provided in combination with a foot thong. The foot thong can include a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto, and further includes a toe tether having an end, which is referenced herein as an anchor, and which can be secured to the body proximal the first surface. The swim fin can be (i) secured proximal the first surface, (ii) include at least one portion in alignment with the foot thong and defining an opening that receives the toe tether, and (iii) include a fin portion extending from the at least one portion. A heel strap can be provided with ends that are attachable to corresponding ends of the toe tether.

Additional features, functions and benefits of the disclosed swim fin device, combinations including the swim fin device, and methods of use shall be apparent from the detailed description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, for example, a swim fin device1is shown constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The swim fin device1is shown in combination with a foot thong10. The foot thong10includes a body11having: a first surface12, e.g., a top surface, proximal to where a foot of swimmer is received; a second surface13, e.g., a bottom surface, that is opposite the first surface12and configured to contact the ground when the user is walking on land, such that the body11spaces the first surface12apart from the ground when a user is walking on land; and a third surface14and a fourth surface15, e.g., side elevational surfaces. The foot thong10further includes a toe tether16having a first end17extending from the third surface14, a second end18extending from the fourth surface15, and an end, referenced herein as an anchor19, extending from the first surface12. It is preferred that the anchor19of toe tether16be secured to the body11at a position at or proximal the first surface12, such that the foot thong10is configured, in use, to separate a big toe of a users foot from the remaining toes of a user's foot. It is contemplated that any suitable footwear (e.g., a foot thong) and toe support (e.g., a toe tether) can be utilized, and it is further contemplated that the ends17,18of the toe tether16(or other toe support) can extend from any surface of the foot thong10or other footwear. The footwear (e.g., a foot thong) is preferably formed of a water resistant material and, in this regard, is preferably formed of plastic or natural or synthetic rubber. It is contemplated that the footwear can comprise a shoe.

Continuing with reference toFIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the swim fin device1of the present invention is shown. The swim fin device1preferably includes a substantially continuous and substantially planar substrate formed of a resiliently flexible material, such as plastic. The material can be natural or synthetic. The swim fin device1has a sole portion2, a toe portion3extending from the sole portion2, and a fin portion4extending from the toe portion3opposite the sole portion2. It is contemplated that the swim fin device1can include additional structure distinct from and/or integral therewith. The sole portion2and toe portion3are sized, shaped, and dimensioned to be seated upon the first surface12, e.g., the top surface, of the foot thong10, and the fin portion4is positioned to be spaced apart from, e.g., elevated off of, the ground during walking, preferably at least about one-quarter inch (¼″), and more preferably about one-quarter inch (¼″) to about one-half inch (½″). The sole portion2is preferably tapered so as to fit between the toe tether ends17,18of both adult- and junior-size foot thongs. The sole portion2can be shaped to fit the sole of a user's foot with a left foot and right foot version.

The swim fin device1is securingly attached to the foot thong10by means of a scored or slotted opening5that can be defined by the sole portion2and the toe portion3. The slotted opening5and/or defining structure thereof can be provided with a flexible memory so as flex open and closed for attaching to, remaining attached to, and detaching from the toe tether of a foot thong. The slotted opening5extends from about the center of a lateral side edge of the sole portion2to the toe portion3and terminates at an area referenced herein as a hole6. The hole6is preferably sized, shaped, dimensioned, and positioned so as to receive the toe tether16and/or anchor19thereof proximal the first surface12of the foot thong10. The hole6of the toe portion3, for example, encircles or circumscribes the anchor19, thereby attaching the swim fin device1to the foot thong10. A foot of a user can be received between the toe tether16and the swim fin device1. The hole6is preferably positioned at a point common to a plurality of adult and junior size foot thongs.

In some embodiments, the sole portion2of the swim fin device1is abbreviated and tapers between the ends17,18of the toe tether16to end short of the heel, while the hole6in the toe portion3is positioned at the location of the anchor19of the toe tether16of the foot thong10so as to selectively allow attachment to and removal from and to fit multiple sized thongs, such as a foot thong having a first size and a second foot thong having a second size, e.g., adult- and junior-sized foot thongs.

Referring toFIG. 2, the swim fin device1is shown with further detail to comprise a continuous sole portion2, toe portion3, and fin portion, with the slotted opening5in the sole portion2traversing from the center of the tapered sole portion2to the toe portion3to terminate at the hole6, which, as indicated above, is sized, shaped, dimensioned, and positioned to secure to the toe tether16of the foot thong10. Lateral side edges of the toe portion3fan out and extend at a wider angle through to the fin portion4and can terminate at an end20that angles inwardly to converge, e.g., one-hundred and eighty degrees. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the end20is about three inches from that position of the swim fin device1configured for alignment with a toe edge of the foot thong1. In this regard, it is preferable that the fin portion4extend beyond a perimeter of the foot thong10, and it is preferably that the sole portion2and the toe portion3be positioned within a perimeter of the foot thong10.

Referring toFIG. 3, a schematic is provided to show the swim fin device1being assembled with the foot thong10. In the embodiment shown, the slotted opening5extends from about the center of a lateral side edge of the sole portion2to the toe portion3to terminate at the hole6, which is of the approximate size of and at the location of the anchor19of the toe tether16of the foot thong10. The swim fin device1is flexed, and the slotted opening5is opened (while retaining the flex memory) and the anchor19is slid or otherwise inserted into the opening5until the anchor19is received by the hole6, which encircles the anchor19of the toe tether16, attaching the recreational swim fin device1to the foot thong10. When the swim fin device1and the foot thong10are assembled, the sole portion2and the toe portion3are seated upon the foot thong10and/or first surface12thereof so as to be spaced apart from the ground. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lateral side edges of the toe portion3fan out to continue at a wider angle through the fin portion4and angle inwardly to converge at the end20. The end20can be about three inches longitudinally from the toe edge of the foot thong10so as to enable propelling of the user in water at a faster rate of speed due to the increased surface area that the fin portion4provides.

Referring toFIG. 4, the swim fin device1can optionally include or otherwise be provided with a heel strap7. For example, use of the heel strap7might be desirable when swimming in turbulent water. The heel strap7is preferably stretchable, and can include at ends thereof a plurality of fasteners. The heel strap7can include a plurality of strips of conjugable hooked/looped fabric or a “hook and loop fastener,” such as a Velcro® hook and loop fastener. For example, the ends of the heel strap7can each include a first fastener portion8(e.g., a two or three inch strip of the “hook portion”), and a second fastener portion9complementary therewith (e.g. a two to three inch strip of the “loop portion”) can be spaced apart from the first fastener portion9, e.g., by about two inches, and away from the center21of the heel strap7.

Referring toFIG. 5, the swim fin device1is shown to include the heel strap7ofFIG. 4and in combination with the foot thong10. The anchor19is securingly received within the hole6of the swim fin device1, and a users foot is received between the toe tether16and the swim fin device1. The heel strap7is fastened at ends thereof to the toe tether16and extends about the heel of the user so as to facilitate secure positioning of the foot, and it is contemplated that the center21of the heel strap7can secure the ankle. A first conjugable set of fastener portions8and9can be fastened proximal the first end17of the toe tether16, and a second conjugable set of fastener portions8and9are fastened proximal the second end18of the toe tether16. In some embodiments of the invention, the heel strap7is substantially free of supplemental fabric that might decrease hugging of the heel strap7on the foot and/or ankle.

In some embodiments of the invention, the swim fin device1can be characterized as a recreational swim fin unit. It shall be understood that embodiments of the invention may have broad application in use, such as in recreational swimming activities, swim fitness, swim instruction, snorkeling, etc. Moreover, the present invention contemplates recreational and/or non-recreational uses.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the swim fin device1accommodates walking on land at least by virtue of the elevation of the swim fin device1from the ground. Moreover, the swim fin device1is easily worn or removed in or out of the water at whatever interval the user wishes and provides added propulsion and enhanced foot/ankle flexibility while swimming. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an open heel and foot design that provides enhanced foot/ankle flexibility, easy removal, and portability. The swim fin device1is provided with sufficient flex-memory to provide an open position for attaching and detaching/removing the swim fin device1to the toe tether16of the foot thong10and a closed position for securing the swim fin device1to the foot thong10. A scored opening5and/or defining structure thereof can be provided with a flexible memory so as flex open and closed for attaching to, remaining attached to, and detaching from the toe tether16of a foot thong10. In some embodiments, a conventional or standard foot thong known in the art is provided with a conventional or standard toe tether. It is contemplated that the swim fin device1alone and/or in combination with the foot thong10(and/or heel strap7) can be provided in adult and/or junior sizes. It is contemplated that the toe tether16can be located at a point common among foot thongs known in the art. Other footwear and/or toe supports are contemplated.

The above aspects of the present invention have been given by way of illustrative example. It will be realized that any modifications and variations thereto are deemed to fall within the broad scope and field of the invention as herein set forth including a combination comprising a foot thong and a swim fin device formed integrally therewith, such as a molded, monolithic combination foot thong/elevated swim fin/heel strap (e.g., embodiments of the present invention contemplate a substantially monolithic structure including the foot thong, elevated swim fin device, and heel strap).

While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended to include all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.