Invention for Increasing the Power and Speed of Swimmers by Means of an Improved Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1889.
Complete Specification Left, 7th 'Mar., 1890-Accepted, 17th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Invention for Increasing the Power and Speed of Swimmers by
Means of an Improved Apparatus.
I, NORRIS FASHAM DAVEY of Havering House, Abergavenny, in the County of
Monmouthshire, Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
The attachment to the feet and ankles and to the hands & wrists of metal frames
or levers furnished with vanes or wings tide Figs. 1 & 2 of accompanying drawings
which close while advanced in the water and expand while moved in the reverse
direction like a duck's foot, thus increasing the hold of the swimmer upon the
water; the length of lever virtually elongating the hands & feet & thus increasing
the length of stroke & velocity, of the swimmer.
1 1
117 1
1000
:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Invention for Increasing the Power and Speed of Swimmers by
Means of an Improved Apparatus.
1, NORRIS FASHAM DAVEY of Havering House, Abergavenny, in the County of
Monmouth, Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
Namely by the attachment to the feet and ankles, and to the hands & wrists of
frames or levers of metal carrying hinged vanes or wings of thin wood, metal,
vulcanite or other suitable material, so constructed that the vanes close together
while advancing in the water and expand while moving in a reverse direction,
like a duck's foot, thus increasing the hold of the swimmer upon the water and
increasing his speed by the virtual elongation of his feet and hands as levers and
the greater range of stroke thus obtained.
The frames for the feet are secured to a sole of wood, vulcanite, metal or other
material, which is attached to the foot by straps, buckles, sandals or canvas shoes, or
they may be secured to the sole of an ordinary lace-up or other form of shoe or
boot.
The form & position of the frames when so secured is such as to enable the
wearer to walk upon, and spring from, the bottom without damage to the vanes.
The vanes may vary in shape, area and position, and are furnished with suitable
checks to limit the extent of their contraction & expansion, and provided when needful
with metal or rubber springs to start their expansion at the commencement of each
stroke.
The frames for the hands are constructed of rods of metal united by cross-pieces, the
hindmost cross-piece covered with wood, cork or vulcanite forming a handle to be
grasped; the vanes are attached to a central rod and furnished with checks & springs
as in the apparatus for the feet. The metal frame is prolonged from the handle to the
wrist on each side of which it terminates in a ring or eye. It is attached to the wrist
by means of a band of suitable material encircling the wrist & fastened with a buckle:
this band is provided on each side of the wrist with studs passing through the
terminal eyes of the metal frame & secured by nuts from displacement: the whole
attachment to the wrist is such that the frame can be instantly let go, leaving the hand
at liberty, and can be as quickly recovered.
The frames & vanes for both feet and hands may be varied in form, size & position:

page_text: their principles & construction are sufficiently exhibited in Figures 1 & 2 of the
Drawings left with the provisional Specification.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
& in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
The attachment to the feet & hands of swimmers of frames or levers carrying vanes
or wings expanding & collapsing on the principle of the duck's foot; and I
particularly claim the principle of the elongation of the feet & hands as levers by
means of the said frames carrying vanes as described, thereby increasing the length of
stroke of the swimmer, and I further claim the combination of this principle of
elongation of the foot & band as levers with the system of expanding & collapsing
vanes and also the mode of attachment to the wrists described.
Dated this 7th day of March 1890
NORRIS F. DAVEY,
Applicant.