Abstract:
This invention is intended as an improved swimming aid for the hand. It is a ridged paddle having several features to enhance the paddles&#39; performance for enjoyable swimming. The paddle has a finger tip hood that permits the fingers to extend unobstructed through finger facing apertures. The paddle has a wrist portion having a wrist strap. A thumb notch formed at a lateral end, by the palm potion of the paddle. The palm portion has a Transverse Ridge, that together with two lateral flanks form a triangle of three major bends at the palm. And, with two bends for the finger apertures and finger tip hood, change the paddles&#39; shape from a flat surface to a three dimensional form, that deflect water, adds structural strength, and aids in hand comfort. The arrangement of these features, provide an enjoyable instrument that facilitates good leverage in the water.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to hand paddles for swimming. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Swimming aids such as hand paddles are used for swimming faster, or as endurance training aids. In the majority of hand paddle designs which have been attempted, the blade consists of a flat planar member roughly in the outline of a hand and having a strap or brace on one side of the blade to accommodate the hand. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 894,311 to Brenton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,389,196 to Harmon, U.S. Pat. No. 2,555,969 to Holcombe, U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,042 to Montrella, U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,740 to Potter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,418 to Schlueter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,254 to Elson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,998 to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,710 to Rives et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,650 to Rives et al. and many others all disclose swim paddles having flat planar swim blades with one or more straps for securing the paddle to the hand. Other swim paddles use a flat planar blade having a plurality of apertures configured to permit the swimmer to grasp onto the blade by passing the fingers through the apertures to facilitate a grip of the paddle. U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,119 to Whipple and U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,414 to Webb are examples to this application of design. Yet another design for swimming hand paddles consist of a flat blade having an integral hand grip permitting the swimmer to grip onto the paddle by grasping the hand grip. U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,925 to Proctor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,662 to Richmond and U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,603 to Brown are examples of this later design. 
   The prior art for hand paddles all permit the swimmer to apply greater force to their swimming strokes. However, they encounter problems, such as, flutter, wobble, water shear and hand fatigue. As a flat planar paddle is forced through the water by a swimmer, the paddle will tend to flutter (movement at sides) or wobble (movement between hand and paddle), thus causing the swimmer to expend energy by holding his hand steady through the stroke. A fluttering motion experienced by flat planar swimming paddles may cause the swimmer to loose his or her control of the paddle. As a result, the swimmer must tighten his or her grip on the paddle in order to keep the paddle in control during the stroke. A tighter grip creates increased fatigue and muscle strain for the swimmer. Besides, maintaining the hand in a flat position with the fingers outstretched against a flat surface for long periods of time, results in increased hand strain and hand fatigue. 
   Swimming paddles having concaved shapes have been attempted. These paddles usually include a blade having a concave surface on the waterside, and a hand holding aid, such as a hand strap, on the other side. U.S. Pat. No. 950,633 to Eastman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,159,972 to Larson and U.S. Pat. No. 183,045 to Dunlop and U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,027 to Evans et al. are examples of this type of design. These swim paddles consist of a flat member having a concave surface on one side, a convex surface on the opposite side, and a hand strap being incorporated on the convex side. These designs have the advantage of permitting the swimmer to place the hand on the paddle in a comfortable manner. However, concave paddle designs also suffer from the problems associated with paddle flutter and water shear. Indeed, these concave designs often suffer from increased flutter and water shear due to turbulence created by the concave surface impinging on the water. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a hand swimming paddle with features to overcome drawbacks of the prior art, such as flutter, wobble, water shear, structural strength, and hand strain to enhance the blades&#39; fluid dynamics for maneuverability. The improved hand paddle is a ridged blade having a hand side opposite to the waterside, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and opposite first and second lateral ends. Two lateral flanks, a wrist portion, a palm portion, a thumb notch, an inter digital portion, finger apertures and a finger tip hood are shaped and configured to achieve an improvement. 
   First and Second flanks are formed on the first and second lateral ends, respectively. The flanks are bent upward from the waterside towards the hand side of the blade. The first flank extends from the proximal end to the thumb notch in the blade. The second flank extends from proximal end to the little finger aperture. A wrist portion on the proximal end takes on the shape of a V-shaped wedge between the two flanks at the lateral ends to receive the hand at the wrist. 
   A palm portion in the center of the blade takes a major bend aiding in hand comfort and fluid dynamics. A thumb notch at the palm portion adds to a good grip. An inter digital portion where the finger apertures are formed takes a bend to position the apertures to face the fingers. Another bend at the top of the finger apertures, align the finger tip hood above and parallel to the finger tips, allowing the fingers to pass through the apertures unobstructed, and secure the blade firmly while swimming. 
   With the foregoing in view, advantages will become apparent to which this invention relates to. The invention is further described by reference to the accompanying drawings, which includes a description of the embodiment for the principles of the present invention. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1 . is a top view of a right hand swim paddle made in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 2 . is a sectional view of the swim paddle shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A. 
       FIG. 3 . is a sectional view of the swim paddle shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line B-B. 
       FIG. 4 . is a top view of a right hand swim paddle shown in  FIG. 1 , made in accordance with the invention being worn by the hand. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the swim paddle shown in  FIG. 4 , taken along line C-C, from  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of right hand swim paddle shown in  FIG. 4 , made in accordance with the invention being worn by hand with the fingers curled, to hold the blade firmly. 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the right hand swim paddle shown in  FIG. 6 , made in accordance with the invention being worn on the hand with the fingers extended, in a relaxed position. 
     In the drawings, numbers of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to FIGS.  1 , 3 . A swim paddle made in accordance with the invention for use on the right hand is shown as item  10 . The present invention is directed towards swim paddles for use with both the right and left hand. A swim paddle made in accordance with the present invention for use with the left hand, would be a mirror copy of paddle  10 , and would have all of the features of the paddle shown in  FIG. 1 . Paddle  10  consists of: a ridged blade  12 , having a hand side  14 , and a waterside  16 , which is the opposite side to the hand side. A proximal end  18 , where the blade begins at the wrist portion of the hand. A distal end  20 , opposite the proximal end, where the blade ends at the finger tips of the hand. A first lateral end  22 , is at the thumb side of the blade, and a second lateral end  24 , is at the little finger side of the blade. The outlined shape of the blade is a symmetrical outline of the human hand held with fingers spread open in a comfortable position, not stretched, because this would cause fatigue. From this outline in a flat form sheet metal or plastic, features are created to make this swim paddle unique. These features are now discussed. 
   First and Second Flanks  42 , and  44 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , are formed from the first and second lateral ends  22 , and  24 , of the blade respectively. The flanks  42 , and  44 , extend from bends  110 , and  111 , to the lateral ends  22 , and  24  of the blade respectively. The first flank  42 , extends from the thumb notch  48 , to the proximal end  18 , in a straight line. The second flank  44 , extends from the proximal end  18  in a straight line, to the little finger aperture  40 , continuing through the aperture, to the finger tip hood  32 , at bend  103 . Bend  111 , which creates flank  44 , flattens at the top of the little finger aperture  40 . At this point flank  44 , ends by taking a turn to become part of the finger tip hood  32 . Flanks  42 , and  44 , are approximately one inch in width, and angled upward at approximately 20 degrees. As seen in  FIG. 2 , first flank  42 , and second flank  44 , are bent upward from waterside  16 , towards hand side  14 , such that the flanks extend upward to form an upward V-shaped wrist portion  26 , between the flanks. The significance of flanks  42 , and  44 , are threefold: 1. Bends  110 , and  111 , in the flat blade form upward flanks  42 , and  44 , that add structural strength to the blade, making it rigid and three dimensioned, so that the blade will not bend or wobble when in use. 2. The flanks  42  and  44 , help to deflect water, eliminating flutter and water shear. 3. Flanks  42 , and  44 , allow for smoother water disbursement, to permit the swimmer to control the blade, as it is forced through the water, this aids in hand comfort and security for the palm, resulting in less hand strain. 
   A wrist portion  26 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 . is formed and dimensioned for the lower palm of the hand that meets the wrist. It forms an upward V-shaped wedge at the proximal end  18 , to receive the hand at the wrist  64 , of the right hand. Slits  28 , and  30 , are formed and positioned on the wrist portion  26 , to accommodate a wrist strap  62 , to secure the blade to the wrist. The significance of the upward V-shaped wedge are twofold: 1. Flanks  42 , and  44 , form the upward V-shaped wedge that deflect water at the lateral ends, along the sides of the hand, resulting in less hand strain. 2. Flanks  42 , and  44 , aids in hand comfort and security for the palm of the hand. 
   A Palm portion  46 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , is located in the center of blade  12 , between the wrist portion  26 , the Inter digital portion  56 , and the first and second lateral ends  22 , and  24 . And, has a central bend  113 , that runs in a straight line from the center of the little finger aperture  40 , to approximately one inch above the thumb notch  48 , at the first lateral end  22 . Bend  113 , forms a Transverse Ridge  52 , on the hand side  14 , and a hollow V-shaped wedge  50 , on the waterside  16 , of blade  12 . The significance of Bend  113 , are six fold: 1. Bend  113  is crucial, because the Transverse Fasciculi, which is the meaty portion on the palm of the hand, that is just below where the fingers meet the palm, rests upon ridge  52 , which is formed by bend  113 . Ridge  52 , offers an arched support for a relaxed position, allowing the fingers to bend down, forming a slight cup in the hand for comfort. 2. Ridge  52 , conveniently positions the fingers for the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 . 3. Ridge  52 , forms a line of central force that is applied by the meaty portion of the palm, to blade  12 . Because, this is the central part of the hand that manipulates the entire movement of blade  12 . 4. On the waterside  16 , of blade  12 , ridge  52 , creates a hollow V-shaped wedge  50 , that runs from one inch above the thumb notch  48 , at the first lateral end  22 , to the center of the little finger aperture  40 , situated close to the second lateral end  24 . This allows for water disbursement to the lateral ends  22 , and  24 , reducing water pressure to reduce flutter and water shear. 5. Ridge  52 , adds structural strength to make blade  12 , ridged, to eliminate wobble between blade  12 , and the hand. 6. Ridge  52 , is set along the meaty portion of the palm, where the fingers meet the palm of the hand. This forms a line of central force that is at an angle to the perpendicular of blade  12 . Because, this part of the human hand is angled to the perpendicular. Therefore, bend  113 , adds a slight twist to blade  12 , which causes a steeper slope at the first lateral end  22 , and a slight slope at the second lateral end  24 . Thus creating a deeper and wider hollow V-shaped wedge  50 , at the first lateral end  22 , and a narrower and shallower hollow V-shaped wedge  50 , at the little finger aperture  40 , close to the second lateral end  24 , on the waterside  16 . This configuration of blade  12 , makes it a custom fit to the hand, just as a base ball glove does, making blade  12 , unique. 
   A thumb notch  48 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 , for the thumb is provided at a convenient location at the first lateral end  22 , of the blade to accommodate the thumb. Since the thumb is situated at the side of the hand, it is convenient to provide a notch  48 , at the first lateral end  22 , for the thumb to fit into, and hold the blade securely when the fingers are engaged in the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 . From this configuration a secure grip is obtained. 
   An inter digital portion  56 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5  is located between the palm portion  46 , and finger tip hood  32 . It is the area of the blade that includes the Finger Apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and the Inter Digital Portions  54 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 , which are the spaces between the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 . The Apertures for the fingers are dimensioned and positioned in inter digital portion  56 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 . Inter digital portions  54 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 , are bent upward at an angle approximately 30 degrees toward the hand side  14 , of blade  12 , by bend  102 . Bend  102 , runs from the first lateral end  22 , to the little finger aperture  40 , along the bottom of the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , which are at a convenient location to meet the first knuckle of each finger respectively. Bend  102 , repositions inter digital portion  56 , upward, to position the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , to face the fingers of the hand, so that the fingers may enter the apertures unobstructed, and continue to remain straight, or curl slightly at the finger tips, or curl completely at the tips, depending upon the swimmers&#39; disposition at the time of use. The significance of the angulation for the finger apertures are threefold: 1. The finger apertures are repositioned for the fingers to enter the apertures without bending for hand comfort. This allows the hand to remain in a comfortable position, to reduce hand strain and increase maneuverability. Because, the fingers can be held in any position; straight, tips curled slightly, or tips curled completely to hold the blade firmly at any time as need be. 2. The angulation created by bend  102 , adds structural strength to eliminate bending or wobble by the blade when in use. 3. The angulation allows for water deflection, to improve water disbursement, to reduce water pressure for a smoother hand stroke. 
   A finger tip hood  32 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , is positioned and formed by bend  103 , at the top of inter digital portion  56 , that extends from the top of finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , to the distal end  20 , at the finger tips. The distal end  20 , becomes part of the finger tip hood  32 . Bend  103 , runs along the top parts of inter digital portions  54 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 , along the top parts of the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , across blade  12 , from the first lateral end  22 , to second lateral end  24 . Bend  103 , forms and position the finger tip hood  32 , forward from the hand side  14 , toward the waterside  16 , of the blade, placing the finger tip hood  32 , at a position above and parallel to the finger tips of the hand, when the fingers are outstretched through the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 . The significance of the finger tip hood  32 , are threefold: 1. By raising the finger tip hood  32 , the fingers are able to enter the finger facing apertures and remain straight, curled slightly at the finger tips, or curled completely at the tips. This is made possible because, this part of the blade, the distal end, no longer obstructs the fingers. This aids in hand comfort and blade control. 2. Bend  103 , raises the finger tip hood  32 , to extend above and parallel to the tips of the fingers, thereby maintaining size and the desired thrust to propel the swimmer through the water. 3. The finger tip hood  32 , aids in finger tip comfort, and security for the finger tips. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 , when using swim paddle  10 , the swimmer places his hand  60 , on hand side  14 , of the paddle, and inserts his fingers  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 , through apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , respectively, and with thumb  66 , on thumb notch  48 . The wrist strap  62 , is then engaged to secure the wrist  64 , to the blade. The palm of the hand  76 , rests on palm portion  46 , of the blade, with flank  42 , and flank  44 , running along the sides of the hand. As seen in  FIGS. 6 , and  7 . The swimmer may hold onto blade  12 , by curling finger tips  78 , through the finger apertures to grip the blade firmly as shown in  FIG. 6 , or by extending finger tips  78 , for comfort, as shown in  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 5 , the upward bend  102 , for inter digital portion  56 , and the forward bend  103 , for finger tip hood  32 , permit finger tips  78 , to extend unobstructed through the finger apertures  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 . With this arrangement, the fingers can be stretched without constriction, while wearing the blade. Thus, the hand is in a comfortable position, thereby decreasing muscle strain on the hand. 
   In essence, by placing two bends at the inter digital portion, and a triangle of three bends at the palm portion of the blade, changes its shape to make it a three dimensional ridged form, that give the blade three important features: Structural Strength, Water Deflection and Hand Comfort. Which aids in blade control, while dealing with the fluid mechanics for maneuverability. 
   The methods for manufacturing the swim paddle in accordance with this invention are:
         1. For the embodiment of the invention, a foam is injected into a reactive molding machine to form the paddle blade ( 12 ) in one operation. The preferred design is molded using conventional injection molding to attain between 2-5 mm thickness of copolymers and other mixes to produce the desired properties.   2. Another method for production is to stamp out sheet metal, producing formed paddles in one operation.       

   The embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.