An Apparatus for Increasing the Power and Speed of Swimmers.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Dec., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Increasing the Power and Speed of Swimmers.
I, NORRIS FASHAM DAVEY of Havering House, Abergavenny in the County
of Monmouth Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
It consists in thin plates or discs of metal, vulcanite, wood or other suitable
material of circular, oval, or other form, exceeding the area of the hand and so
giving greater power and hold upon the water. Each plate or disc is attached by
hinges to a suitable band passing round the wrist and secured by a buckle or
other fastening and when required is supported by a metal frame as shewn in
Fig. 1. The plate or disc may be more or less curved to the form of the hand
as shewn in Fig. 2 and may have a rim to increase the hold on the water as shewn
in section in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6. The back of each plate is furnished with a band
of metal, vulcanite, stiff leather or other material beneath which the fingers are
passed as shewn in Fig. 1, or with a stem and mushroom-like top to be held by
the fingers as in Fig. 5, both of which attachments are shewn in section in Figs. 4
and 6, or by any other form of hold for the fingers which will admit of rapid
release and recovery.
The construction is such that the swimmer can while
swimming quickly let go the plate and as quickly recover it, the plate in the
detached position Fig. 5 offering no impediment.
Dated this 24th day of March 1892.
NORRIS F. DAVEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus for Increasing the Power and Speed of Swimmers.
I, 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 :—
It consists in thin plates or discs of metal, vulcanite, wood or other suitable
material, of circular, oval, or other other form, flat or curved, exceeding the area
of the hand and supported by a light metal frame which is prolonged towards the
wrist by thin metal stems or rods, terminating in loops or eyes, which eyes are on
each side hinged to a band of metal linen or leather passing round the wrist and
secured by a buckle, button, or clasp: the hinges are formed either by metal studs
attached to the wristband as shewn in Figs 1. 2. 3 & 5 of the drawings left with
the Provisional Specification, or by loops of linen, leather or cord. The back of
each plate is furnished with a band or loop of metal, vulcanite, leather, or other
material beneath which the fingers are passed, as shewn in Fig. 1, or with a flat
stem supporting a button or stop to be held between the fingers as shewn in Fig. 5,
forms of both which attachments are shewn in section in Figs 4 & 6; or by any
other form of hold for the fingers which will admit of a rapid release and recovery,
the construction being such that the swimmer can while swimming instantly let go
the plate, leaving the hand at liberty as shewn in Fig. 3 and can as quickly recover
it. The plates may be furnished with a rim to increase the hold on the water
as shewn in Figs. 4 and 6.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,―
1. The use of thin plates attached to the hands and wrists and exceeding the
hands in area, thus increasing the hold upon the water and giving greater power
and speed to the swimmer.
2. I claim such a mode of attachment to the hands and wrists as will enable the
swimmer while swimming to quickly let go the plates leaving the hands at liberty,
and as quickly recover them.
1000