ES2377357T3 - Adjustable swimming fin depending on foot size - Google Patents

Abstract

The flipper (1) has a support part (3) integrating a web (4) and a foot-receiving part receiving area (5). A foot-receiving part (2) has a lower foot-receiving part (6) at a reception area of the support part and an upper foot-receiving part (7) independent from the lower foot-receiving part. An adjustable connection unit (8) ensures a connection of the upper foot-receiving part and the support part according to two longitudinal adjustment positions allowing locking of the parts (6, 7) around a foot of a user according to a size of the foot.

Description

Adjustable swimming fin depending on foot size

[0001] The present invention relates to a swimming fin, in particular for leisure activities. It refers more particularly to a fin whose foot part can be adjusted according to the size of the foot of the wearer. This fin is intended to equip adult or child individuals for nautical leisure activities, such as diving, underwater hunting, apnea, swimming, bodyboarding or even snorkeling. However, it is also feasible that this same fin can be used in various professional activities, by fishermen or divers, or even in rescue activities at sea.

[0002] A swimming fin is essentially composed of two parts, this is the foot part that is intended to house the user's foot and the support part whose front part is formed by the fin's paddle and whose rear part houses the calzante part. Depending on the different types of fins, the foot part and the support part are either independent and separable from each other, or are solidly fixed to each other, or even fully integrated. In the latter case, the fin is a monobloc piece in which the two calzantes and support parts are of the same material.

[0003] As regards the footwear part, it is essential that the foot is held correctly during use, given the stresses exerted during the movements of the foot. If the foot part is not properly adjusted around the foot, there is a greater risk that the fin will release from the foot during use.

[0004] In a first type of flap, the foot part is formed by a shoe that is attached to the support part and completely surrounds the user's foot, this is both the heel, the sole of the foot and the instep. A shoe of this type is made of a plastic and elastic material, usually an elastomer, in such a way that it can be deformed to allow the insertion of the foot and in such a way that it guarantees an effective support of the foot once it is placed in The inside of the shoe. It is found that the introduction of the foot into this shoe is not practical, the user being forced to stretch hard on the edges of the footwear to deform it and be able to introduce the foot. In addition, a swimming fin of this type is designed for a foot size, that is to say a certain foot size, the adaptation to a slightly larger size being only possible by deformation of the material used to make the shoe, with the consequent increase in pressure on the foot and eventually discomfort for the user due to a too strong grip. Finally, the quality of the support of the foot, even when the user has the required size, can vary depending on the shape of his instep, a user who has a wide instep having his foot excessively tight and instead a user with a narrow instep being able to find that your foot dances slightly inside the footwear.

[0005] In a second type of swimming fin, the foot part only consists of a half shoe, attached to the support part, which only surrounds the front part of the foot including the instep and the front part of the sole of the foot . In this case, the footwear part also consists of an elastic band, which extends the half shoe so that it partially holds the back of the foot. The elasticity of the rear band is used to allow the use of a fin that has a certain size by users who have a foot slightly larger than the size in question. However, this does not avoid the inconvenience of excessive pressure at the height of the instep, fitted within the half shoe. In addition, because the band has a relatively small width, additional restraint at the height of the back of the foot can also be annoying to the user.

[0006] The latter drawback can be avoided by applying a rear band that is provided with an adjustment buckle, which allows the length of said band to be adjusted and, therefore, its pressure. However, this particular provision does not provide a solution to the problem of excessive pressure at the height of the instep that is due to the fact that the half shoe is a definitively preformed piece, this problem can be presented to those people who have the size appropriate to that of the fin because of the shape of its instep, but especially to those people who want to use a fin that is of a certain size when they have a size larger than this.

[0007] US 5 259 798 has already proposed a flap in which the foot part is closed in the back such that it holds the heel and is open, on the one hand, in the front to leave the step to the toes and, on the other hand, at the top in such a way that it forms a flap that allows to facilitate the introduction of the foot and also adjust the pressure at the height of the instep by means of fixing straps. The user can, therefore, adjust the pressure of the shoe part to the height of his instep. In addition, in theory, this fin, intended for a given size, should be able to be used for larger sizes to the extent that the length Leftover foot can protrude unobstructed through the opening made in the front of the foot part.

[0008] However, the applicant has found that in this case the support of the foot was no longer guaranteed in good conditions, to the extent that the flap and the fixing straps make the pressure in an area of the foot that is different according to the user's foot size.

[0009] Also document US 2005/221698 has proposed a flap that has similar characteristics and disadvantages to those of the fin described in document US 5 259 798, with the difference that the foot part is locked in an area of reception arranged in a support part that supports a shovel. This foot part is closed from behind in such a way that it holds the heel and comprises side flaps that, in a closed position, cover both the instep and the toes. On the other hand, fixing straps are provided on the support part and allow the pressure of the flaps to be adjusted at the height of the instep. However, these straps exert pressure on an area of the foot that is different according to the user's foot size, thus not guaranteeing the support of the foot in good conditions.

[0010] It also proposes document EP-0 572 853, in accordance with one embodiment, a flap comprising a foot part that can be engaged in a reception area arranged in a support part that supports a blade. The foot part consists of a low foot part that engages in said reception area, a particular neoprene shoe that girdles the foot and a high foot part that allows covering the instep and toes contained within the shoe. In addition, straps fastened to the low footwear allow to regulate the pressure of the high footwear around the instep.

[0011] This results in, in this case, some inconveniences similar to those mentioned above, the belt making a pressure in an area of the foot that is different according to the user's foot size. The support of the foot by means of the fixing strap, therefore, is not guaranteed in good conditions.

[0012] Document EP-0 682 545 also proposes a flap equipped with a high calzante part independent of a low calzante part. The lower footing part is located in a reception area provided in a support part that supports a shovel. This low footwear part is open at the back. The high foot part is placed on the instep, a fixing strap allowing to adjust the pressure of the foot part around the instep. The high and the low calzante part form, once put the fixing strap, a half open shoe in the back. In addition, the foot part comprises a rear elastic band that girdles the back part of the foot placed inside said half shoe formed in this way.

[0013] In this case, the support of the foot is also not guaranteed in good conditions to the extent that the foot part and the fixing strap exert a pressure on an area of the foot that is different according to the user's foot size, once the rear part of the foot is conveniently placed, that is to say supported, with respect to the elastic band that guarantees the support of the foot inside the half shoe.

[0014] The first objective of the present invention is to propose a flap that can be adapted to feet of different sizes, while solving the aforementioned drawback.

[0015] The second objective of the present invention is to propose a flap that can not only be adapted according to the length of the foot, but also according to the shape of the instep.

[0016] It is a fin that consists of a calzante part and a support part, said support part forming a shovel and a reception area of the calzante part.

[0017] Typically, the foot part consists of a low foot part attached to the support part at the height of the reception area of the support part and at least one high foot part, independent of the low foot part . In addition, said flap comprises adjustable joining means suitable for guaranteeing the connection of the high wedge part and the support part, in accordance with at least two longitudinal adjustment positions of each connection means with respect to the support part, which allow an adjustment of said high and low calzantes parts around the foot of the user, adjustment that can be adapted according to the size of said foot.

[0018] Thus, in accordance with the particular arrangement of the present invention, it is sufficient for the user, depending on his foot size, to select the longitudinal adjustment position that is best suited to him so that he shifts the calf part high with respect to the adjustable joining means and make the adjustment of the high and low soothing parts around your foot.

[0019] Indeed, documents EP-0 682 545 and EP-0 572 853 disclose a flap equipped with a high calzante part independent of the low calzante part that is at the height of the reception area of the part of support for. However, in these documents, the joining means that allow the adjustment of said footwear parts are fixed and no reference is made with respect to the adaptation of said fin depending on the size of the foot.

[0020] According to a variant embodiment, the means for attaching the flap of the present invention consist of:

a) on the one hand, of at least one set of at least two pairs of coupling means, the two couples being separated from each other, and each pair being formed by two coupling means that respectively equip both sides of the support part near from the reception area; Y

b) on the other hand, for each set, of an adjustment element that is suitable for cooperating with the two coupling means of the same pair.

[0021] The position of each pair of coupling means determines a longitudinal adjustment position and the distance, taken in the longitudinal direction of the fin, between the two pairs of coupling means determines the unitary position of adaptation of the fin to the foot size variations.

[0022] In a certain type of fin, the blade is not in the extension of the receiving area of the footing part as is the case in documents US 5 259 798, US-2005/221698, EP-0 572 853 and EP-0 682 545; This is in a plane that is angularly inclined with respect to the general direction of the receiving area of the footwear. For this, the blade is extended by two lateral arms that end towards the back of the receiving area of the footwear. In this case, preferably according to the present invention, the couples of coupling means of a first set by equipping these two lateral arms.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the support part consists, towards the front of the reception area, of two lateral flanges that are equipped with pairs of coupling means of a second set. Thus, in this embodiment, the adjustment of the high and low soothing parts around the user's foot is carried out at two different points by means of the two sets of couples of coupling means. Typically, the first set allows adjustment towards the back of the instep while the second set allows adjustment towards the front of the instep near the toes. This arrangement guarantees a particularly effective support of the foot.

[0024] Advantageously, in the aforementioned embodiments, three sets of coupling means pairs are provided on the lateral arms and on the lateral flanges, corresponding to three longitudinal adjustment positions.

[0025] In a variant embodiment, the flap of the present invention consists of two high wedge parts, one front and one rear, and for each high foot part, of adjustable joining means. Particularly in the embodiment in which the support part consists of two lateral arms and two lateral flanges, as indicated above, the adjustable joining means for the rear high calzante part consist of the first set of couples of coupling means that equip the lateral arms and the adjustable joining means for the upper upper part consist of the second set of couples of coupling means that equip the lateral flanges.

[0026] Preferably, the adjusting element is a belt consisting of means that allow it to close on itself and the hooking means consist of a groove made in the support part and allowing the passage of said belt.

[0027] Preferably in this case, for each belt, the joining means also consist of a positioning clip that is mounted on the high wedge part corresponding to said belt. The belt in question passes through the clip with a small clearance in such a way that the clip effectively guarantees a precise positioning of the belt on said high soothing part.

[0028] The means that allow the belt to close on itself are, in particular, self-adhering parts of the type hooks and loops, for example those known under the name Velcro ®.

[0029] In this embodiment of a swimming fin whose support part consists of two arms, the grooves on each arm are preferably parallel to each other, separated from each other by a given distance and substantially inclined towards in front of. The separation determines the distance between the different adjustment positions. The forward inclination corresponds practically to the inclination of the upper part of the instep in such a way that a good positioning of the belt is achieved on the high calving part.

[0030] The present invention will be better understood by reading the description to be made following a preferred example of the realization of a swimming fin equipped with adjustment means that allow its adaptation according to the size of the foot of the user, to which the accompanying drawings illustrate in which:

 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the side of said fin in a first adjustment position,

which corresponds to a size of small size; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the fin of Figure 1 in a second adjustment position

which corresponds to a medium size size; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the fin of Figure 1 in a third adjustment position

which corresponds to a large size.

[0031] The swimming fin 1 consists of a soothing part 2 and a so-called support part 3 comprising a shovel 4 and a receiving area 5 of the soothing part 2.

[0032] In the embodiment described and illustrated below, by way of non-exclusive example, the blade is not in the extension of the reception area 5; this is angularly separated, leaning down with respect to the plane that forms the general direction of said reception zone 5. For this, the support part 3 consists of two lateral arms 11 that laterally extend the blade 4 to the rear part 5a from the reception area 5.

[0033] In addition, the support part 3 consists, towards the front part 5b of the reception area, of two lateral flanges 15 which are in turn connected to the rear part of the blade 4 by means of two auxiliary lateral arms 16.

[0034] In accordance with the present invention, the wedge part 2 of the fin is formed by a lower part 6 and a high part 7 which are independent of each other; it is the lower part 6 that is placed on the support part 3 according to the entire reception area 5, being fixed or being able to be fixed thereto or even being integrated thereto by overmolding, in particular when the foot part 2 is made from of an elastomeric material, different from that with which the support part 3 is made.

[0035] As illustrated in the figures, the back part 6a of the lower foot part 6 has a bowl-shaped configuration to accommodate the back part of the foot, in particular the heel.

[0036] The high foot part 7 is intended to partially wrap the upper part of the foot, in particular the instep as can be seen in Figure 1. The geometric configuration of the high foot part 7 is practically complementary to the of the low footing part 6. In the case of a longitudinal adjustment corresponding to a small foot size, the rear edges 7a and bottom 7b of the high footing part 7 are glued to the low footing part 6 and the edges 6b and corresponding 6c.

[0037] In Figure 1, which corresponds to this type of adjustment, it is clearly observed that between the two lower and lower 7 footwear parts 7, there is only a very small separation, said parts perfectly wrapping the foot with the exception of the fingers .

[0038] In accordance with the present invention, the flap 1 comprises adjustable joining means 8 suitable for guaranteeing the connection of the high wedge part 7 and the support part 3, in accordance with at least two longitudinal adjustment positions and suitable for allowing an adjustment of said high 7 and low 6 foot parts around the foot 17 of the user, said adjustment being able to adapt according to the foot size.

[0039] In the example illustrated, the adjustable joining means 8 consist of two sets of three pairs of coupling means, which are made respectively in the two lateral arms 11 for the first set and in the two lateral flanges 15 for the second game, near the reception area 5; in this case, each coupling means is a groove, with the reference 10 if they are the grooves made in the two lateral arms 11 and with the reference 14 for those made in the two lateral flanges 15; there are, therefore, three slots 10 in the left side arm and, with the same arrangement, three slots made in the right side arm, not visible in the figures, thus constituting three pairs of slots 10. Each pair determines a longitudinal adjustment position. The pair of grooves 10a, which is more to the right in Figure 1, which is the closest to the bowl 6a, corresponds to the adjustment for a smaller foot. On the contrary, the pair of slots 10c which is further to the left in Figure 1, that is, the furthest from the bowl 6a, corresponds to the adjustment for a larger foot; The same is true for the three pairs of grooves 14 made on the left side flange 15, visible in Figure 1 and on the right side flange not visible.

[0040] The adjustable connecting means 8 also consist, for each set, of an adjustment element which, in this case, is a strap, respectively, 9 for the first set and 13 for the second set, presenting closing means on itself, which consist of hook and loop fastener elements 12. The width and thickness of the belt 9, 13 are determined to allow its passage through each of the grooves 10,

14.

[0041] Before use, the straps 9 and 13 are not closed on themselves, leaving the high wedge part 7 clear; in this way the user can easily place his foot on the lower foot part 6 and place his heel inside the back cup 6a; considering that this user has a foot size that corresponds to a small size, the straps 9 and 13 are passed over the high wedge part 7 by the pairs that correspond to the slots 10a and 14a, those that are more to the right . To achieve a proper fit, it is enough for the user to grab the first strap 9, tighten it to get an adjustment of the high caliper 7 against the back of the instep and close this strap on itself by applying the self-adhering parts12 against each other. the others.

[0042] Each slot 10 is slightly inclined forward with respect to the general direction of the receiving area 5, which corresponds to the general direction of the sole of the foot 17. This inclination corresponds to the average inclination of the instep of the user of such so that it allows a good positioning of the belt on the high calzante part, thus avoiding the possible sliding of the belt during its use.

[0043] The same is true, to a lesser extent, as regards the grooves 14 for the second belt 13 which rests on the front part of the high calming part 7, behind the toes.

[0044] If the user has a foot size that corresponds to a larger size, this may, thanks to the invention, modify the longitudinal adjustment of the joining means. To do this, it moves the straps 9 and 13 of a pair of slots 10 and 14 to the other. Figure 2 illustrates the adjustment corresponding to a medium size carving, straps 9 and 13 passing through the pairs of intermediate grooves 10b and 14b.

[0045] It is found that, with respect to figure 1, the high foot part 7 has shifted slightly to the left and upwards with respect to the low foot part 6 due to the relative increase in foot size 17.

[0046] Figure 3 illustrates the adjustment of fin 1 for a foot size corresponding to a large size; belts 9 and 13 are passed through the pairs of slots 10c and 14c those that are furthest from the back bowl 6a; the separation between the high wedge part 7 and the low foot part 6 is even greater both longitudinally and in height.

[0047] In this position, the front end of the foot 17a is slightly retracted with respect to the front end 6b of the lower foot part 6. Due to the structure of the fin 1 with the blade 4 angularly spaced from the support part 3 of the soothing part 2, does not affect the operation of the fin during the movement of the foot, contrary to what could happen in the case of a fin in which the blade is in the extension of the reception area of support of the calzante part, as described in document US-5 259 798. Indeed, in this case, if the fin were used for a larger size, the toes would be placed on the actual shovel of the fin, which could alter the proper functioning of this.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of non-exclusive example. In particular, in order to keep each of the straps 9, 13 on the high wedge part 7, in a good position, there are provided clips, not shown, fixed on the top of said calming part 7, preventing the sliding of the belts 9 and 13 during use of fin 1.

[0049] In addition, the footing part 2 may consist not only of a high footing part as described above, but of a high front foot part and a rear foot part, independent of each other. In this case, there are mandatory, for each high calzante part, adjustable means of union. In the example described and illustrated above, the adjustable joining means for the rear high caliper part would consist of the first set of coupling means pairs made on the side arms, while the adjustable joining means for the calving part. Previous discharge would consist of the second set of couples of coupling means made on the side flanges 15.

[0050] This particular embodiment, which divides the high calzante part into two different pieces, allows a more precise adjustment of the clamp of the calzante part on the foot, allowing a better adaptation depending on the specific shape of the foot, in Particular of the instep, of the user.

[0051] The adjustment element being a belt consisting of means that allow its closure on itself, the engagement means is not necessarily a groove that is made on both sides of the support part. It may be a groove that is in the form of a gap in a loop that is in turn fixed on the side of the support part near the reception area. In that case, there is no risk that the mechanical properties of the support part are altered, which is due to the presence of the grooves, in particular in the lateral arms of the support part.

[0052] Finally, other types of engagement means can be considered as long as they are suitable for cooperating with an adapted fastener. It could be, for example, pivots that protrude on the sides of the support part near the reception area; in that case, the clamping element could be an elastic strap of which each end would be provided with an opening that allows its fixation on one of the pivots.

Claims (11)

1. Flap (1) consisting of a foot part (2) and a support part (3), said support part forming a shovel (4) and a reception area (5) of the foot part (2) , and the footwear part consisting of: of a low calzante part (6) attached to the support part (3) at the height of the reception area (5) and, of at least one high calzante part (7) independent of the low calzante part (6), comprising adjustable joining means, which allow a clamping of said high (7) and low (6) soothing parts around the user's foot that can be adapted according to the size of said foot, which is characterized by the means Adjustable joint (8) are suitable to ensure the union of said high footing part (7) and of the support part (3), in accordance with at least two longitudinal adjustment positions of each adjustable joining means with respect to the support part.

2.

Swimming fin according to claim 1 characterized in that the joining means (8) consist of:

on the one hand, of at least one set of two couples of coupling means, the two couples being separated from each other, and each pair being formed by two coupling means that equip respectively both sides of the support part (3) near the reception area (5); and, on the other hand, for each set, of a clamping element (9), said element being suitable for cooperate with the two coupling means of the same couple, each coupling means couple (10) forming a longitudinal adjustment position.

3.

 Swimming fin according to claim 2 characterized in that, the support part (3) consisting of two lateral arms (11) joining the paddle (4) to the back (5a) of the reception area (5), the couples of coupling means (10) of a first set equip these two lateral arms (11).

Four.

Swimming fin according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the support part (3) consists of two lateral flanges (15) joining the paddle (4) to the front part (5b) of the reception area (5), the couples of coupling means (14) of a second set equip said lateral flanges (15).

5.

Swimming fin according to claims 3 and 4, consisting of three sets of coupling means couples (10, on the side arms (11) and on the side flanges (15) of the support part (3)). 14) corresponding to three longitudinal adjustment positions.

6.

Swimming fin according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it consists of two high calzantes parts (7), one anterior and another posterior, and, for each high calzante part (7), of joining means adjustable (8).

7.

Swimming fin according to claims 3, 5 and 6, wherein the adjustable joining means (8) for the upper high part (7) consist of the first set of coupling means pairs made on the side arms (11). ) and the adjustable joining means (8) for the upper high part (7) consist of the second set of coupling means pairs made on the side flanges (15).

8.

Swimming fin according to any one of claims 2 to 7 characterized in that the adjustment element is a strap (9, 13) consisting of means (12) that allow its closure on itself and why hooking means consist of a groove (10, 14) that allows the passage of said belt (9, 13).

9.

Swimming fin according to claim 8, wherein the joining means (8) comprise, for each strap (9, 13), a positioning clip mounted on the high wedge part (7) corresponding to said strap.

10.

Swimming fin according to one of claims 8 and 9 wherein the means for closing the strap (9, 13) on itself are self-adhering elements (12) of the type loops and hooks.

eleven.

Swimming fin according to claim 3 and one of claims 8 to 10 characterized in that the grooves (10), in each arm (11), are parallel to each other and are substantially inclined forward.