High efficiency swim fin using multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiters
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A63B-031/08
A63B-031/11
출원번호
US-0871161
(2013-04-26)
등록번호
US-8926385
(2015-01-06)
발명자
/ 주소
Woods, David
Smith, Ron Evan
출원인 / 주소
Woods, David
대리인 / 주소
Steinberger, Brian S.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
22
초록▼
Apparatus, devices and methods of multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic horizontal ladder oriented vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiting flexible webs attached between semi-flexible support beams on swim fins. Pivotal rotation of the hydrofoil vanes can be restricted by flexible membrane
Apparatus, devices and methods of multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic horizontal ladder oriented vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiting flexible webs attached between semi-flexible support beams on swim fins. Pivotal rotation of the hydrofoil vanes can be restricted by flexible membranes, between the hydrofoil vanes and the support beams, to provide an optimum angle of attack for the hydrofoil vanes during a swimming stroke. The fins can have at least one pivoting vane region connected to the support beams with a flexible hinge member. The support beams can be fixedly or rotationally attached at one end to a foot pocket. Methods are provided for limiting the rotation of at least one of the pivoting vanes using flexible web members between vanes and the support beams. Methods for increasing lift and decreasing turbulence and drag on hydrofoils or vanes of the swim fins are also included.
대표청구항▼
1. A fin apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a swimmer or diver during self propulsion through water, comprising: a plurality of high aspect ratio dynamic vanes arranged in a ladder configuration, each vane having a left end and a right end;two side beams, each arranged to both side ends of t
1. A fin apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a swimmer or diver during self propulsion through water, comprising: a plurality of high aspect ratio dynamic vanes arranged in a ladder configuration, each vane having a left end and a right end;two side beams, each arranged to both side ends of the ladder configuration of vanes;a foot pocket attached to one end of the side beams;a plurality of pliable hinges that attach the ends of the vanes to the side beams, the pliable hinges allowing the vanes to rotate on a lateral axis during a kick stroke and be resisted by the pliable hinges, wherein each of the pliable hinges includes: a flexible hinge mechanism which allows resisted rotation along a central axis of at least two objects wherein each object has a generally conical rigid protrusion fixedly attached and aligned with the other object's generally conical rigid protrusion and separated by a gap;a centerline of the generally conical rigid protrusions defines generally a centerline of the axis of rotation of the flexible hinge mechanism without using a hinge pin or shaft; anda pliable material overlaid over the generally conical rigid protrusions and gap which allows limited resisted rotation around the axis of rotation for each object, and wherein the axes of rotation of both objects need not be parallel or concentric. 2. The fin apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the vanes are planarly curved so that a leading edge of the central portion of the vane is behind a leading edge at the lateral edges of the vane. 3. The fin apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the vanes are longitudinally semi-flexible. 4. The fin apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the vanes is a flexible vane that flexes in a lateral axis direction. 5. The fin apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side support beams terminate prior to the trailing edge of the trailing vane. 6. The fin apparatus of claim 1, wherein the planar projection of the trailing edge of the pliable webs form a convex curve in relation to the web. 7. The fin apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two side beams, each arranged to both side ends of the ladder configuration of vanes are rotationally fixed to the foot pocket allowing the side beams to flip up relative to the foot pocket. 8. The fin apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the vanes are planarly curved so that a leading edge of the central portion of the vane is behind a leading edge at the lateral edges of the vane. 9. The fin apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the vanes are longitudinally semi-flexible. 10. The fin apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the vanes is a flexible vane that flexes in a lateral axis direction. 11. The fin apparatus of claim 7, wherein the side support beams terminate prior to the trailing edge of the trailing vane. 12. The fin apparatus of claim 7, wherein the planar projection of the trailing edge of the pliable webs form a convex curve in relation to the web. 13. A method of improving the efficiency of a swimmer or diver in self propulsion through water, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of dynamic vanes arranged in a ladder configuration, each vane having a left end and a right end;providing side beams, each arranged on side ends of the ladder configuration of vanes;providing a plurality of pliable hinges that attach the ends of the vanes to the side beams, the pliable hinges allowing the vanes to rotate on a lateral axis during a kick stroke and be resisted by the pliable hinges, wherein each of the pliable hinges includes:providing a flexible hinge mechanism in each pliable hinge which allows resisted rotation along a central axis of at least two objects wherein each object has a generally conical rigid protrusion fixedly attached and aligned with the other object's generally conical rigid protrusion and separated by a gap;providing a centerline of the generally conical rigid protrusions to define a generally a centerline of the axis of rotation of the flexible hinge mechanism without using a hinge pin or shaft; andproviding a pliable material overlaid over the generally conical rigid protrusions and gap which allows limited resisted rotation around the axis of rotation for each object, so that axes of rotation of both objects need not be parallel or concentric. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the vanes are planarly curved so that a leading edge of the central portion of the vane is behind a leading edge at the lateral edges of the vane. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the vanes are longitudinally semi-flexible. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the vanes is a flexible vane that flexes in a lateral axis direction. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the side support beams terminate prior to the trailing edge of the trailing vane. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the planar projection of the trailing edge of the pliable webs form a convex curve in relation to the web. 19. The method claim 13, wherein the two side beams, each arranged to both side ends of the ladder configuration of vanes are rotationally fixed to the foot pocket allowing the side beams to flip up relative to the foot pocket. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the vanes are planarly curved so that a leading edge of the central portion of the vane is behind a leading edge at the lateral edges of the vane. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the vanes are longitudinally semi-flexible. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the vanes is a flexible vane that flexes in a lateral axis direction. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the side support beams terminate prior to the trailing edge of the trailing vane. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the planar projection of the trailing edge of the pliable webs form a convex curve in relation to the web.
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