EP3357545B1

EP3357545B1 - Monofin swimming apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3357545B1
Application number: EP18155287.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jessica Wiseman
Original assignee: Sun Tail Mermaid LLC
Current assignee: Sun Tail Mermaid LLC
Priority date: 2017-02-06
Filing date: 2018-02-06
Publication date: 2021-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-06
Also published as: ES2894675T3; EP3357545A1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates to a monofin for use when swimming.

Background Art

A monofin is a type of swimming fin. A typical monofin consists of a single fin with foot pockets that hold the user's feet to the fin.
Monofins are often used in underwater sports such as finswimming, free-diving and underwater orienteering. Additionally, monofins have become very popular with children and adults who want to swim like a dolphin or a mermaid.
Typical monofins, however, have many problems. The hard rubber and straps used for the foot pockets in typical monofins can cause blisters on the user's feet. Additionally, typical foot pockets may be uncomfortable or may not fit atypical feet, such as feet with high arches or the like.
The fins, themselves, may also be easily broken. Landing on or pushing off the edge of the fin may cause it to break. Additionally, children tend to be abuse monofins and often break the fin portion.
Accordingly, what is needed is a monofin that is comfortable to use and which has a fin that is very durable while allowing enough flexibility for the monofin to function correctly. A monofin having the features as set forth in the preamble of claim 1 is known from document US2016/0051860 .

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The monofin, as disclosed hereafter in this application, is strong, durable, comfortable and automatically adjusts to many different sizes of users. The invention relates to a monofin comprising the features of claim 1. Further advantageous features are listed in the dependent claims.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the monofin will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a monofin on a user;
FIG. 2 is a top view of a monofin on a user;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a monofin;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a monofin;
FIG. 5 is a side view of a monofin;
FIG. 6 is a back view of a monofin;
FIG. 7 is a front view of a monofin;
FIG. 8 is an exploded top view of a monofin;
FIG. 9 is an exploded bottom view of a monofin;
FIG. 10 is a partially exploded bottom view of a monofin;
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a foot pocket assembly;
FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an open foot pocket assembly;
FIG. 13 is a cross section of a monofin taken at line A-A of FIG. 2;
FIG. 14 is a cross section of a monofin taken at line B-B of FIG. 2;
FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a monofin; and
FIG. 16 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of a monofin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a monofin for use while swimming. In particular, disclosed is a monofin which is comfortable, durable and which may be used by many different sizes of user.
FIGs 1-7 illustrate a monofin 10 consisting of a fin 12 and a foot pocket assembly 14.
The fin 12, as illustrated, is shaped like a whale's tail consisting of two flukes 21. These two flukes 21 are the two halves of the fin 12 which meet in the middle at notch 29. Each fluke 21 is a mirror image of the other. Each fluke 21 is also shaped like a triangle, however, flukes 21 of other shapes such as squares, circles, rectangles, ovals, trapezoids and the like could also be used. While the fin 12 may be any shape desired, shaping fin 12 like a whale's tail is aesthetically pleasing and gives the user the feeling of swimming like a dolphin, whale, mermaid or the like.
Rather than having two flukes 21, as described above, the fin 12 may be any shape desired. The fin 12 may be shaped like a triangle, trapezoid, rectangle, square, oval, circle or the like. The fin 12 may be formed as a single piece or may be formed as multiple pieces coupled together. The fin 12 may also be hinged or the like.
The fin 12, itself, is formed from a thin, flexible, resilient material. The fin 12 must also be formed from a material that is strong enough to withstand the forces applied to it while the fin 12 is in use. Further, the fin 12 must be flexible enough to bend in the water as it is pushed back and forth by a user. Additionally, the fin 12 must resume its original shape when not in use or at other times during the user's stroke. Materials which may be used to form the fin 12 include polymers, plastics, composites, rubber or the like. Other materials with the properties described above may also be used.
The fin 12 has a leading edge 25 and a trailing edge 27. The leading edge 25 is the edge of the fin 12 that is pulled through the water by the user in their swimming stroke. The trailing edge 27 follows the path of the fin 12 through the stroke.
The fin 12 is slightly thicker at the leading edge 25 or back of the fin 12. The fin 12 gradually thins towards the trailing edge 27 or front of the fin 12. This difference in thickness in the fin 12 allows the trailing edge 27 to bend and flex during the user's swimming stroke, while the leading edge 25 is stronger and not as flexible.
The fin 12, further, comprises at least two ribs 26. The at least two ribs 26 begin at the back of the fin 12 as can be seen in the exploded views illustrated in FIGs 8 and 9. The ribs 26 continue along the leading edge 25 of the fin 12 to a location approximately two thirds of the way down the fin 12. The ribs 26 are a thickening of the edge of the fin 12. The ribs 26 extend above the surface of both the top and the bottom of the fin 12. The ribs 26 add strength and stiffness to the fin 12. By not having the ribs 26 continue to the front of the fin 12, the front portion or trailing edge 27 of the fin 12 is allowed to bend more than the back portion of the fin 12.
While ribs 26 are formed in the surface of the fin 12, the ribs 26 could be formed separately and coupled to the surface of the fin 12. The ribs 26 may be formed from the same material as the fin 12 or they may be formed of other material such as metal, fiberglass or the like. Additionally, the ribs 26 may be reinforced with materials such as metal and the like, while still being formed primarily from the same material as the fin 12.
Ribs 26 may also be placed in other locations on the fin 12. Additional ribs 26 may be placed along the top and bottom surfaces of the fin 12 to add strength to the fin 12.
Additionally, the ribs 26 may be lengthened or shortened in order to change the movement of the fin 12 in the water.
A center rib 36, see FIG 8, extends down the center of the top of the fin 12. The center rib 36 is a thicker portion of the fin 12 that extends a majority of the length of the fin 12. The center rib 36, like the other ribs 26, adds strength to the fin 12. The center rib 36, also, helps to comfortably separate the user's feet.
While the center rib 36 is illustrated as being formed in the surface of the fin 12, the center rib 36 could be formed separately and coupled to the surface of the fin 12. The center rib 36 may be formed from the same material as the fin 12 or it may be formed of other material such as metal, fiberglass or the like. Additionally, the center rib 36 may be reinforced with materials such as metal and the like, while still being formed primarily from the same material as the fin 12.
Center ribs 36, which are only formed on a single side of the fin 12, may be placed in other locations on the fin 12. Additional center ribs 36 may be placed along the top and bottom surfaces of the fin 12 to add strength to the fin 12.
Additionally, the center rib 36 may be lengthened or shortened to change the movement of the fin 12 in the water.
The center rib 36 may also be thicker than illustrated or may be formed in any other shape desired such as a square, triangle, circle, curved line or the like.
The fin 12 may also contain, include or comprise corrugations 28. The corrugations 28, as seen in FIGs 1 and 7, are creases formed in the fin 12. The fin 12 is formed with triangular peaks and triangular valleys which extend from the trailing edge 27 of the fin 12 through a majority of the fin 12 towards the leading edge 25. The corrugations 28 are formed with a similar curvature to the leading edge 25 of the fin 12. The path of the corrugations 28, therefore, mimics the shape of the edge of the fin 12. The corrugations 28 are also located parallel to the leading edge 25 of the fin 12, as illustrated in FIGs 1-4 and 8-10.
While the figures illustrate, corrugations 28 which are formed with sharp triangular peaks and valleys in a triangular wave form, corrugations 28 which are a shaped like a square waveform, sine waveform, sawtooth waveform or the like may also be used. Depending on the shape of the wave form, each corrugation 28 may have a triangular cross section, a square cross section, a curved cross section or the like
Additionally, the corrugations 28 could be formed over the entire length of the fin 12 from the back to the front trailing edge 27 or they could be formed in shorter lengths as desired.
The corrugations 28 help to strengthen the fin 12.
The fin 12 is attached to the user's feet through the foot pocket assembly 14. The foot pocket assembly 14 is illustrated separately from the fin 12 in FIGS 11 and 12.
The foot pocket assembly 14 includes a foot pocket cover 24. The foot pocket cover 24 covers the user's feet while the user is using the monofin 10. The foot pocket cover 24 also acts to attach the foot pocket assembly 14 to the fin 12.
The foot pocket cover 24 may be formed from any material desired. However, it may be preferable to form the foot pocket cover 24 from a material which is soft, flexible and comfortable for users. Additionally, material which is strong, washable and which can withstand harsh pool chemicals may also be desired.
The top of the foot pocket cover 24 is shaped like an elongated diamond without a top point as can be seen in FIG 8. The bottom of the foot pocket cover 24 is shaped like a diamond without a top or a bottom point as can be seen in FIG 9.
The top of the foot pocket cover 24 and the bottom of the foot pocket cover 24 are coupled together at the back of the foot pocket cover 24 with a gusset 39. The gusset 39 is a piece of material that adds depth to the back portion of the foot pocket cover. The gusset 39 allows room for the heels of the user's feet when the monofin 10 is in use.
As shown in FIG 6, the gusset 39 may be shaped as a rectangle which tapers towards the ends. The gusset 39, however, may also be any shape desired, such as a rectangle, square, triangle, trapezoid or the like.
The gusset 39 may be formed from the same material as the rest of the foot pocket cover 24, or the gusset 39 may be formed from a different material with different desirable properties.
The gusset 39 may be permanent or may be removable as desired. The coupling between the gusset 39 and the top and bottom of the foot pocket cover 24 may also be permanent or removable as desired.
The foot pocket cover 24 wraps around the fin 12 as shown in FIGS 1-4. The back of the foot pocket cover 24 with the gusset 39 is placed over the back of the fin 12. The front of the foot pocket cover 24 is wrapped around the notch 29 of the fin 12.
When in place on the fin 12, the portion of the foot pocket cover 24 placed around the back or leading edge 25 of the fin 12 is wider than the portion of the foot pocket cover 24 placed around the front or trailing edge 27 of the fin 12.
The foot pocket cover 24 may also be formed to cover more or less of the fin 12 when it is in place.
The front of the foot pocket cover 24 is coupled together using the foot pocket cover couplers 30 shown in FIGS 8-10 and 12. The foot pocket cover couplers 30 may be any type of coupler that secures the foot pocket cover 24 in a closed position around the fin 12. The foot pocket cover couplers 30 may be hook and loop, snaps, buttons, zippers, adhesives, stitching, stapling or the like.
The foot pocket cover couplers 30 may be permanent or may be removable. Removable foot pocket cover couplers 30 allow the foot pocket cover 24 to be removed for cleaning, replacement or repair of either the foot pocket assembly 14 or the fin 12.
FIGS 1-3 show the top of the foot pocket cover 24 which has at least one foot opening 18 or foot hole formed in it. Typically, two foot openings 18 will be formed in the top of the foot pocket cover 24. The foot openings 18 are holes formed in the foot pocket cover 24. The foot openings 18 allow the user's feet to be inserted through the top of the foot pocket cover 24.
The foot openings 18 may be formed in any size or shape desirable. They may also be formed at any location in the foot pocket cover 24. However, it is likely that a location towards the back of the foot pocket cover 24 will be desirable.
The foot openings 18 are surrounded or circumscribed by cuffs 20. The cuffs 20 function to hold the monofin 10 on the user's feet. The cuffs 20 are formed from an elastic material with a high degree of elasticity and strength. In order for the cuffs 20 to secure the monofin 10 to the user, the cuffs 20 must stretch to snuggly fit multiple leg or ankle sizes. Once the user stretches the cuffs 20 enough to insert their feet through the foot openings 18, the cuffs 20 automatically tighten due to the elasticity of the material.
The cuffs 20 allow the monofin 10 to fit various sizes of users without any adjustments of straps or the like.
Additionally, the cuffs 20 may be formed from a soft elastic material which is more comfortable than the rubber straps used on typical monofins.
The foot openings or foot holes 18 are in communication with at least one foot pocket 38 shown in FIGs 9-14. The at least one foot pocket 38 may be a pouch or pocket into which the user's foot is placed during use. The foot pockets 38 as shown in the figures are mesh pockets formed by a piece of mesh material or fabric being coupled to the bottom surface of the top piece of the foot pocket cover 24. The foot pockets 38 comfortably hold the user's feet while allowing them to move freely with nothing stiff to rub against and cause pain.
The foot pockets 38, as illustrated are formed from mesh. The foot pockets 38, however, may be formed from any material desirable, i.e. rubber, fabric, plastic or the like. It may be desirable to have the foot pockets 38 formed from material which is water permeable in order to allow water to move freely around the user's feet.
Additionally, the foot pockets 38 may be permanently or removably coupled to the top surface of the foot pocket cover 24.
In alternate embodiments, no foot pockets 38 may be used. Instead, the user's feet would simply rest on the fin 12 itself.
The foot pockets 38 are separated by the foot separator 40. The foot separator is a seam at which the foot pocket 38 material is coupled to the bottom surface of the top portion of the foot pocket cover 24. The foot separator 40 will likely be located in the center of the foot pockets 38. Additionally, the foot separator 40 may extend the entire length of the foot pocket cover 24 or may only be partially as long as the foot pocket cover 24.
The foot separator 40 may be formed by stitching the foot pocket 38 fabric to the foot pocket cover 24 or it may be formed by any other coupling means desirable, such as adhesive, heat welding, hook and loop, zippers, snaps and the like.
The foot separator 40 may be permanent or removable.
When in use, the foot pocket cover 24 is placed around the fin 12, as illustrated in FIGS 1-4, and coupled securely. Then at least one strap 22 is used to strengthen and secure the foot pocket assembly 14 in place. The at least one strap 22 is a rectangular length of material such as webbing which is inserted into two strap openings 32 formed in the fin 12 itself. Once the at least one strap 22 is received through the strap openings 32, the ends of the strap 22 are coupled together using strap couplers 34.
The at least one strap 22 is illustrated separately from the remainder of the monofin 10 in the exploded views shown in FIGS 8 and 9. As shown in these figures, the at least one strap is a length of material such as would be used for belts or bag straps. Typically this type of material is a form of webbing. The at least one strap 22, however, may be formed in any shape, length or from any material desirable. Though, material with very little elasticity may be desired in order to provide strength to the monofin 10. The at least one strap 22 may be formed from rubber, plastic, fabric, webbing or any other material desired.
On larger embodiments of the monofin 10, multiple straps will likely be used in order to add necessary strength.
The strap 22 is placed through at least two strap openings 32 formed in the fin 12 itself. These strap openings 32 may be formed in any shape desired, however, a small slot the same thickness and height as the strap 22 is sufficient.
Two strap openings 32 formed on either side of the foot pocket assembly 14 are desirable for each strap 22 used. The strap 22 travels through one opening 32, across the foot pocket assembly 14 and through the other strap opening 32.
The strap 22 is then coupled together on the bottom of the monofin 10 below the foot pocket cover 24. FIG 10 illustrates a monofin 10 with the foot pocket cover 24 and the strap 22 uncoupled. The strap 22 when coupled is illustrated in FIG 4. The strap 22 may be coupled by any coupling method desired. Strap couplers 34 may include hook and loop, snaps, zippers, buttons, clips and the like. The strap couplers 34 may be adjustable such as hook and loop which may be pulled tighter or snaps which may mate with any number of other snaps.
Additionally, the strap couplers 34 may be removable or permanent couplers.
FIGs 1, 2, 13 and 14 illustrate the monofin 10 on a user. In order to use the monofin 10, the user places their feet 42 into the foot openings 18. The user's legs 16 are surrounded securely by the cuffs 20.
The user's feet 42 are secured in the monofin 10 by the cuffs 20 surrounding the user's legs 16. As the user is putting the monofin 10 on, the user stretches the cuffs 20 in order to fit them over the user's feet 42 and onto their legs 16. Once the cuffs 20 are on the user's legs 16 or ankles, the cuffs 20 attempt to return to their initial size securely around the user's legs 16. By attaching, the monofin 10 to users in this way, the monofin 10 may easily be used by users of different sizes without the need to adjust straps and the like.
The user's feet 42, as shown in the cross sections illustrated in FIGs 13 and 14, sit in the foot pockets 38 on the fin 12 itself. This allows the user to move the fin 12 upwards by pushing with their feet 42. The user moves the fin downwards by pulling their feet 42 against the foot pocket cover 24 in a downward motion. By moving the fin 12 up and down, the user can propel themselves through the water.
FIGs 15-16 illustrate an alternate embodiment of a monofin 60. As illustrated in the figures, an alternate embodiment of a monofin 60 may include an ankle strap 62 passing through the inside of cuff 20. An ankle strap 62 may be utilized in both of cuffs 20.
Ankle strap 62 may be formed from any material desirable, including, webbing, elastic, or the like.
Cuff 20 is formed by folding material in half, couple the sides of the material together so that it forms a circle and coupling that material to the foot pocket cover 24. An opening is formed in the external surface of cuff 20 in order to allow ankle strap 62 to be inserted into the inside of cuff 20. The enclosed interior of cuff 20 is the area between the two halves of material used to form the cuff 20. The enclosed interior of cuff 20 is toroid or ring-like in shape.
The ankle strap 62 is inserted into the cuff 20 and passes around the ring or toroid exiting through the same opening it was inserted into.
The ankle strap 62 is then coupled together with adjustable coupler 64. Adjustable coupler 64 may be any coupling device which couples the two ends of ankle strap 62 together so that ankle strap 62 forms a loop. The adjustable coupler 64 is permanently coupled to one end of the ankle strap 62 and removably coupled to the other end of the ankle strap 62 in order to form a loop. The loop of the ankle strap 62 may be made larger or smaller by passing more or less of the ankle strap 62 through the adjustable coupler 64. Once the ankle strap 62 has been adjusted appropriately, the adjustable coupler 64 is engaged so as to hold the ankle strap 62 loop at the desired size.
The adjustable coupler 64 may be any type of coupler which allows the strap to be adjusted and then firmly holds the strap in place. Adjustable couplers 64 may include buckles, adjustable side release buckles, center release buckles, cam buckles or the like.
In use, the user unhooks the two ends of the ankle strap 62. The user then inserts their feet into the cuffs 20 of the foot pocket cover 24. Once, the user's feet are all of the way inside the foot pockets, the user inserts the uncoupled end of the ankle strap 62 into the adjustable coupler 64. The user pulls the uncoupled end of the ankle strap 62 through the adjustable coupler 64 until the ankle strap 62 forms a loop that was tight around the user's ankle. The user then closes or otherwise secures the adjustable coupler 64 into place.
The ankle straps 62 help to better secure the monofin to the user when the monofin is in use.
The alternate embodiment of a monofin 60 illustrated in these figures also includes a permanent strap 66. The permanent strap 66 may be wider than the strap 22 discussed previously.
Additionally, the permanent strap 66 is a thick or wide strap located towards the top of the foot pocket cover 24. The permanent strap 66 may be sewn or otherwise permanently coupled to the bottom of the foot pocket cover 24.
The permanent strap 66 adjustably couples to itself on the top of the monofin 60. The permanent strap 66 may be coupled to itself, as illustrated, through the use of fastener 68. Faster 68 may be hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers, couplers or the like.
The permanent strap 66 is coupled in a loop around the user's feet in order to couple the user's feet more securely to the monofin 60. Additionally, the permanent strap 66 gives the user more control of the monofin 60 when in use.
In use, the user inserts their feet into the foot pockets and then tightens the permanent strap 66 around their feet in the foot pockets and around the fin 12.
While the figures illustrate, permanent strap 66 being used on its own on the monofin 60. Strap 22 may be used in conjunction with permanent strap 66.
In alternate embodiments, permanent strap 66 may be used with or without ankle straps 64.
Accordingly, for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, the components defining any embodiment of the invention may be formed as one piece if it is possible for the components to still serve their function. The components may also be composed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended mechanical operation of the invention. For example, the components may be formed of rubbers (synthetic and/or natural), glasses, composites such as fiberglass, carbon-fiber and/or other like materials, polymers such as plastic, polycarbonate, PVC plastic, ABS plastic, polystyrene, polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, phenolic, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, stainless steel, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, alloys, such as aluminum, and/or other like materials, any other suitable material, and/or any combination thereof.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical applications and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the forthcoming claims. Accordingly, any components of the present invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible components and not as a limitation.

Claims

A monofin (10) comprising:
a resilient fin (12);

wherein said resilient fin further comprises a leading edge (25) and a trailing edge (27);

a foot pocket cover (24) coupled to said resilient fin;

wherein said foot pocket cover is coupled over a portion of said leading edge (25) and said trailing edge; and
- at least one foot pocket (38) coupled to said foot pocket cover (24), characterised in that the fin (12), further, comprises at least two ribs (26),

- the at least two ribs (26) begin at the back of the fin (12) and continue along the leading edge (25) of the fin (12) to a location approximately two thirds of the way down the fin (12), wherein

- the ribs (26) are a thickening of the edge of the fin (12), and are extending above the surface of both the top and the bottom of the fin (12), wherein

- the foot pocket cover (24) wraps around the fin (12) so that the back of the foot pocket cover (24) with a gusset (39) is placed over a back of the fin (12), wherein the front of the foot pocket cover (24) is wrapped around a notch (29) of the fin (12), and further wherein

- when in place on the fin (12), the portion of the foot pocket cover (24) placed around the back or leading edge (25) of the fin (12) is wider than the portion of the foot pocket cover (24) placed around the front or trailing edge (27) of the fin (12).
The monofin of claim 1, further comprising at least one cuff (20) in communication with said at least one foot pocket, wherein the monofin preferably further comprises at least one ankle strap (62) located in said at least one cuff
The monofin of claim 1, wherein said foot pocket cover is removably coupled to said resilient fin.
The monofin of claim 1, further comprising at least one strap (22) coupled to said foot pocket cover, wherein said at least one strap is preferably adjustable.