The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 27, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 16, 2002
Alan Perry, San Jose, CA (US);
Peter H. Müller, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An enhanced swim fin is provided comprising a flipper blade having an increased effective surface area during movement in a first direction, and a decreased effective surface area during movement in a second direction. The swim fin preferably comprises a staged opening during movement in the first direction, in which the opened flipper blade provides increased flexion as the effective surface area is increased. The swim fin preferably comprises a staged closing during movement in the second direction, in which the opened flipper blade provides decreased flexion as the effective surface area is decreased. In some embodiments of the staged swim fin, a central hinge, generally located longitudinally along the blade on the fin, provides staged opening and flexion. Various embodiments provide fin opening and closing for either forward or backward kicks. The enhanced swim fin is typically attached to a foot, such as for performance, for training, or for physical therapy. Alternate embodiments of the expandable fin blade may be attached to a hand or to an oar or paddle shaft.