Improved Apparatus and Means to Assist Persons in Swimming.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1893
LAT
COMI LEID DIECIFICATIVA
Improved Apparatus and Means to Assist Persons in Swimming.
I, JOEL ABRAHAM, of Cardingham, in the Parish of Crowan, in the County of
Cornwall, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
anner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to a new method for assisting the human body in swimming
either salt or fresh water by attaching certain artificial fins to the arms and feet
f the body.
T
llstated in the
companying drawing
COMI DUID
Improved Apparatus and Means to Assist Persons in Swimming.
I, JOEL ABRAHAM, of Cardingham, in the Parish of Crowan, in the County of
Cornwall, Farmer, 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 :-
My invention relates to a new method for assisting the human body in swimming
in either salt or fresh water by attaching certain artificial fins to the arms and feet
of the body.
I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing,
in which―
Fig. 1 is a plan of the hand bar.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the hand fin.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the surface of the hand fin when pressed against the water.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the foot plate and heal support.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the foot plate, heal support and fin.
Fig. 6 is the end view of Fig. 5.
The base of my invention for the hands is composed of a piece of wood or handle
bar b to reach below the elbow slightly hollowed to suit the under part of arm, as
narrow and light in weight as possible, the end of which is sharpened with a flat
hand pin or handle a on the top. The top of the hand fin c is also sharpened so
that the fin which is hinged by a metal hinge d placed back a little from the end
of the handle bar b and allowed perfect freedom is level either way, the motion
through the water will close it. The fins c could be made larger than base if
desirable. Two or more fins c as in section e might be placed on hand base or bar
fixed closely as possible in semi-circular manner. The edges of fins to be bevelled
except where fixed. My invention for feet consists of a foot plate h shaped as a
foot with a heel piece / sharpened behind to suit the heel, the fin i is fastened under
the base and inside longways by a hinge d, the edges to be shaped as in former
case. This fini has two guide pieces j the tops of which are sharpened and are
about one inch and a half long and a quarter of an inch wide more than two might
be added if desired shaped as in drawing Figs. 5, and 6, fixed inside fin i so that
when it is closed it is between a foot plate and fini; in stroking, room is allowed
by means of hinge d which is as in Figs. 4, and 6, or if from any cause it should
not turn it will be in the form of the leaf of a table. The guide pieces ; turn the
fin up when stroking. The hand bars for the arms and the feet plates for the feet
could be lined if desired with soft material. For the arm one strap is provided,
for the foot three in the slits g, the buckles being guarded, and the bases are cut
to receive straps. If desired the following alterations might be made :-Long or
short hinges with sides of equal or unequal length, in every case the handle bar
being made suitable to take them and the freedom of hinges limited, resistance
being made as little as possible.
Both the hand and foot apparatuses are constructed for the right and left or
what is termed "handed," and made of any size or from any suitable material.
Straps of any pattern may be used and if preferable slots can be cut in any part
of the apparatuses to receive one or more straps.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is :-
1. In a hand apparatus to assist persons to swim, the combination of the handle a

page_text: hand bar 6 slits g and hand fin c with hinge d, for the right or left hand, substan-
tially as herein described and according to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, of the accompanying
drawing.
2. In a foot apparatus to assist persons to swim, the combination of the heal
support f foot plate h slits g with foot fin i hinge d and guide pieces ; for the right
or left foot, substantially as herein described and according to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, of
the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 28th day of March 1893.
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, W., Agent for the Applicant.