Abstract:
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.

Description:
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&#39;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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiment(s) considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a swim fin device constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the swim fin device being shown in combination with a foot thong; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the swim fin device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic showing the swim fin device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  being assembled with the foot thong of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a heel strap for use with the foot thong and swim fin device of  FIGS. 1-3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the heel strap of  FIG. 4  in combination with the foot thong and swim fin device of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , for example, a swim fin device  1  is shown constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The swim fin device  1  is shown in combination with a foot thong  10 . The foot thong  10  includes a body  11  having: a first surface  12 , e.g., a top surface, proximal to where a foot of swimmer is received; a second surface  13 , e.g., a bottom surface, that is opposite the first surface  12  and configured to contact the ground when the user is walking on land, such that the body  11  spaces the first surface  12  apart from the ground when a user is walking on land; and a third surface  14  and a fourth surface  15 , e.g., side elevational surfaces. The foot thong  10  further includes a toe tether  16  having a first end  17  extending from the third surface  14 , a second end  18  extending from the fourth surface  15 , and an end, referenced herein as an anchor  19 , extending from the first surface  12 . It is preferred that the anchor  19  of toe tether  16  be secured to the body  11  at a position at or proximal the first surface  12 , such that the foot thong  10  is configured, in use, to separate a big toe of a users foot from the remaining toes of a user&#39;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 ends  17 ,  18  of the toe tether  16  (or other toe support) can extend from any surface of the foot thong  10  or 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 to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the swim fin device  1  of the present invention is shown. The swim fin device  1  preferably 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 device  1  has a sole portion  2 , a toe portion  3  extending from the sole portion  2 , and a fin portion  4  extending from the toe portion  3  opposite the sole portion  2 . It is contemplated that the swim fin device  1  can include additional structure distinct from and/or integral therewith. The sole portion  2  and toe portion  3  are sized, shaped, and dimensioned to be seated upon the first surface  12 , e.g., the top surface, of the foot thong  10 , and the fin portion  4  is 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 portion  2  is preferably tapered so as to fit between the toe tether ends  17 ,  18  of both adult- and junior-size foot thongs. The sole portion  2  can be shaped to fit the sole of a user&#39;s foot with a left foot and right foot version. 
     The swim fin device  1  is securingly attached to the foot thong  10  by means of a scored or slotted opening  5  that can be defined by the sole portion  2  and the toe portion  3 . The slotted opening  5  and/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 opening  5  extends from about the center of a lateral side edge of the sole portion  2  to the toe portion  3  and terminates at an area referenced herein as a hole  6 . The hole  6  is preferably sized, shaped, dimensioned, and positioned so as to receive the toe tether  16  and/or anchor  19  thereof proximal the first surface  12  of the foot thong  10 . The hole  6  of the toe portion  3 , for example, encircles or circumscribes the anchor  19 , thereby attaching the swim fin device  1  to the foot thong  10 . A foot of a user can be received between the toe tether  16  and the swim fin device  1 . The hole  6  is preferably positioned at a point common to a plurality of adult and junior size foot thongs. 
     In some embodiments, the sole portion  2  of the swim fin device  1  is abbreviated and tapers between the ends  17 ,  18  of the toe tether  16  to end short of the heel, while the hole  6  in the toe portion  3  is positioned at the location of the anchor  19  of the toe tether  16  of the foot thong  10  so 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 to  FIG. 2 , the swim fin device  1  is shown with further detail to comprise a continuous sole portion  2 , toe portion  3 , and fin portion, with the slotted opening  5  in the sole portion  2  traversing from the center of the tapered sole portion  2  to the toe portion  3  to terminate at the hole  6 , which, as indicated above, is sized, shaped, dimensioned, and positioned to secure to the toe tether  16  of the foot thong  10 . Lateral side edges of the toe portion  3  fan out and extend at a wider angle through to the fin portion  4  and can terminate at an end  20  that angles inwardly to converge, e.g., one-hundred and eighty degrees. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the end  20  is about three inches from that position of the swim fin device  1  configured for alignment with a toe edge of the foot thong  1 . In this regard, it is preferable that the fin portion  4  extend beyond a perimeter of the foot thong  10 , and it is preferably that the sole portion  2  and the toe portion  3  be positioned within a perimeter of the foot thong  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a schematic is provided to show the swim fin device  1  being assembled with the foot thong  10 . In the embodiment shown, the slotted opening  5  extends from about the center of a lateral side edge of the sole portion  2  to the toe portion  3  to terminate at the hole  6 , which is of the approximate size of and at the location of the anchor  19  of the toe tether  16  of the foot thong  10 . The swim fin device  1  is flexed, and the slotted opening  5  is opened (while retaining the flex memory) and the anchor  19  is slid or otherwise inserted into the opening  5  until the anchor  19  is received by the hole  6 , which encircles the anchor  19  of the toe tether  16 , attaching the recreational swim fin device  1  to the foot thong  10 . When the swim fin device  1  and the foot thong  10  are assembled, the sole portion  2  and the toe portion  3  are seated upon the foot thong  10  and/or first surface  12  thereof so as to be spaced apart from the ground. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lateral side edges of the toe portion  3  fan out to continue at a wider angle through the fin portion  4  and angle inwardly to converge at the end  20 . The end  20  can be about three inches longitudinally from the toe edge of the foot thong  10  so as to enable propelling of the user in water at a faster rate of speed due to the increased surface area that the fin portion  4  provides. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the swim fin device  1  can optionally include or otherwise be provided with a heel strap  7 . For example, use of the heel strap  7  might be desirable when swimming in turbulent water. The heel strap  7  is preferably stretchable, and can include at ends thereof a plurality of fasteners. The heel strap  7  can 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 strap  7  can each include a first fastener portion  8  (e.g., a two or three inch strip of the “hook portion”), and a second fastener portion  9  complementary therewith (e.g. a two to three inch strip of the “loop portion”) can be spaced apart from the first fastener portion  9 , e.g., by about two inches, and away from the center  21  of the heel strap  7 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the swim fin device  1  is shown to include the heel strap  7  of  FIG. 4  and in combination with the foot thong  10 . The anchor  19  is securingly received within the hole  6  of the swim fin device  1 , and a users foot is received between the toe tether  16  and the swim fin device  1 . The heel strap  7  is fastened at ends thereof to the toe tether  16  and extends about the heel of the user so as to facilitate secure positioning of the foot, and it is contemplated that the center  21  of the heel strap  7  can secure the ankle. A first conjugable set of fastener portions  8  and  9  can be fastened proximal the first end  17  of the toe tether  16 , and a second conjugable set of fastener portions  8  and  9  are fastened proximal the second end  18  of the toe tether  16 . In some embodiments of the invention, the heel strap  7  is substantially free of supplemental fabric that might decrease hugging of the heel strap  7  on the foot and/or ankle. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the swim fin device  1  can 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 device  1  accommodates walking on land at least by virtue of the elevation of the swim fin device  1  from the ground. Moreover, the swim fin device  1  is 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 device  1  is provided with sufficient flex-memory to provide an open position for attaching and detaching/removing the swim fin device  1  to the toe tether  16  of the foot thong  10  and a closed position for securing the swim fin device  1  to the foot thong  10 . A scored opening  5  and/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  16  of a foot thong  10 . 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 device  1  alone and/or in combination with the foot thong  10  (and/or heel strap  7 ) can be provided in adult and/or junior sizes. It is contemplated that the toe tether  16  can 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.