Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating Swimming.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating Swimming.
I, ROBERT NEWBERRY COOK, of Rixar House, Mantle Street, Wellington, in
the County of Somerset, Commercial Accountant, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
:-
My invention relates to apparatus or devices adapted to be attached to the ankles
of swimmers for facilitating their 'movement through the water.
In carrying out my invention I provide a band or strap adapted to surround the
ankle and to the outer side of this band is hinged a plate of wood, papier mache or
other like material forming a kind of fin or flap, the hinge being so arranged that
when the leg is drawn upwards it offers no resistance to the water being in a
position substantially parallel with the leg. When however the leg is thrust
against the water the fin moves into a position substantially at right angles to the
leg and thus affords a considerable bearing against the water..
Dated the 6th day of August 1890.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating Swimming.
I, ROBERT NEWBERRY COOK, of Rixar House, Mantle Street, Wellington, in
the County of Somerset, Commercial Accountant, 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 apparatus or devices adapted to be attached to the ankles
of swimmers for facilitating their movement through the water.
In carrying out my invention I provide a band or strap adapted to surround the
ankle, and to the outer side of this band is hinged a plate of wood, papier-mache or
other like material forming a kind of fin or flap.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an elevation of one of my devices:
:-
Figures 2 and 3 are views illustrating the method of applying the same to the
foot.
« indicates the band or strap, which is preferably made of three thicknesses of
canvas or water-proof material and provided with a buckle and brace to secure it to
the ankle, and is the plate of wood or like material connected to the said band by
a hinge c, and forming a kind of flap, the said hinge being, by preference, rivetted
to two of the three thicknesses of the band so that the inner thickness forms a
protector to the leg.
The inner edge of this flap projects slightly beyond the back of the hinge so that,
when the plate or flap is in the position shewn in full lines in Figure 3, it will be
firmly supported against the anklet or band and so enabled to bear the strain put
upon it.
d is a strap passing under the foot and connected to the band at its two ends, the
said strap serving to hold the apparatus in position by preventing it from slipping
up the leg.
It will be obvious that when in swimming or in treading the water the legs are
being drawn upwards, the said flaps will take the position indicated by dotted lines
C

page_text: in Figure 3, and thus offer practically no resistance to the water, but that, when
the legs are thrust backwards or downwards the fins will move to positions sub-
stantially at right angles to the legs, as shewn by the full lines in the said figure,
and thus afford considerable, bearing against the water.
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. An apparatus or device for use in swimming comprising a band or strap having
a flap hinged thereto, substantially as described.
2. The manufacture and use of the improved apparatus or device hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose specified.
Dated the 25th day of April 1891.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.