BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention provides fins, and in particular, fins that are used for snorkeling
or diving sports with a secondary blade set.
Descriptions of the Related Art
[0003] During water sports such as snorkeling, diving activities or the like, people usually
wear fins to increase the water-kicking area to generate a sufficient pushing force.
As shown in
FIG. 1, flat-plate fins
40 (or paddle fins) are commonly used by the user to perform an activity under water.
When used, a resistance will be generated by the water on the web portion of the fins
so that the web portion is bent when the feet of the user are swinging upwards and
downwards to kick the water (in the direction towards the water surface and the bottom
of the water when the user faces down). The web portion applies a force to the water
by virtue of the elasticity recovery of the material and the structure thereof so
that the user can move forward in the water.
[0004] However, regardless of the skills, manners and strength of the legs of the user when
kicking the water, or the use of fin forms with different ribs and cavities, the web
surface of the web portion will shake, incline, sway or the like during the water-kicking
action under the disturbance of water resistance of different strengths and from different
directions as long as the fins are flat-plate fins, thereby, influencing the pushing
efficiency (as shown in
FIG. 1). Thus, this results in increased physical exertion and oxygen consumption of the
user. Some manufacturers have designed fins with a web portion made of a lighter and
softer material or fissure fins (or split fins) to solve the aforesaid drawbacks and
thus achieve the effect of reducing the load of the legs and reducing the oxygen consumption
of the body during the water-kicking action. However, with certain sea conditions,
such fins provide an insufficient pushing force so that the user cannot propel themselves
adequately out to safety. Accordingly, it is important in the art to find a web surface
that does not shake, incline or sway during usage while maintaining or increasing
the pushing force during usage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide fins with a secondary blade set,
which can provide a sufficient or even enhanced pushing force while reducing the load
on the legs of a user during the water sport.
[0006] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the fins of the present invention comprises a
foot pocket portion, a main blade and a secondary blade set. The foot pocket portion
is for a user's foot to insert therein. The main blade comprises a first end and a
second end. The first end is fixed to the foot pocket portion, while the second end
is extended along the first direction that is away from the foot pocket portion. The
secondary blade set comprises at least one secondary blade which is disposed on the
main blade via a fixing portion.
[0007] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the secondary blade set included in the fins
of the present invention is formed integrally with the main blade.
[0008] To achieve the aforesaid objective, an included angle between the at least one secondary
blade and the main blade of the fins of the present invention is between 0 degree
to 90 degrees.
[0009] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the main blade included in the fins of the present
invention comprises an upper surface facing the user and a lower surface opposite
to the upper surface. When the at least one secondary blade comprises a plurality
of secondary blades, the secondary blades are disposed on the upper surface and the
lower surface respectively in a corresponding manner or an alternating manner.
[0010] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the main blade included in the fins of the present
invention further comprises at least one fixing hole, through which the fixing portion
of the at least one secondary blade is passed, so that the at least one secondary
blade is disposed on the main blade.
[0011] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the main blade included in the fins of the present
invention comprises an upper surface facing the user and a lower surface opposite
the upper surface. The fixing portion is disposed on at least one of the upper surface
or the lower surface by locking, snapping-in or bonding.
[0012] To achieve the aforesaid objective, in the fins of the present invention, the first
length of the main blade extending along the first direction is unequal to the second
length of the at least one secondary blade extending along the first direction.
[0013] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the fixing portion of the secondary blade set
included in the fins of the present invention is disposed on the main blade, and located
between one-quarter to three-quarters of the first length of the main blade.
[0014] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the secondary blade set included in the fins
of the present invention has a height perpendicular to the main blade. The height
is at least 40 millimeters.
[0015] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the secondary blade set included in the fins
of the present invention has a blade thickness. The blade thickness increases from
the end away from the foot pocket portion to the other end closer to the foot pocket
portion.
[0016] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the blade thickness of the secondary blade set
included in the fins of the present invention ranges between 3 millimeters to 15 millimeters.
[0017] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the material of the secondary blade set included
in the fins of the present invention comprises metal.
[0018] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the secondary blade set included in the fins
of the present invention extends along the second direction, and an included angle
between the second direction and the first direction is between 0 degree to 45 degrees.
[0019] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the secondary blade set included in the fins
of the present invention comprises an external profile or a section shape which is
fish fin-like, triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular, L-shaped or S-shaped.
[0020] The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention
are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people
skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the streamflow status during the use
of general flat-plate fins;
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of fins according to the present invention;
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic perspective views illustrating the type of a foot pocket portion of
general flat-plate fins;
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of fins with a plurality of ribs according to the
present invention;
FIG. 5A to FIG. 5G are schematic perspective views of fins with different configurations of secondary
blades according to the present invention;
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic perspective views of fins with secondary blades of different lengths
according to the present invention;
FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are schematic perspective views of fins with secondary blade sets assembled in different
manners according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of fins according to the present invention;
FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C are schematic cross-sectional views taken along line A-A of the fins of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10A is a schematic top view of secondary blades with different thicknesses of the fins
according to the present invention;
FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C are schematic cross-sectional views taken along line B-B of the secondary blades with different thicknesses of the fins of FIG. 10A;
FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are schematic cross-sectional views taken along line B-B of the secondary blades with different angles of inclination of the fins according
to the present invention;
FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are schematic top views of secondary blade sets with different extending directions
of the fins according to the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the swing of the secondary blade during
the use of the fins according to the present invention; and
FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the streamflow status during the use
of the fins according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of fins
10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fins
10 have a foot pocket portion
100, a main blade
200 and a secondary blade set
300. The technical contents of these elements will be described sequentially as follows.
[0023] The foot pocket portion
100 may be used for a user's foot to insert therein when the user is performing a water
sport such as snorkeling or diving. The foot pocket portion
100 may be selected to be a full-foot foot pocket portion (as shown in
FIG. 3A) or an open-hell foot pocket portion (as shown in
FIG. 3B) depending on the habits of the user. The main blade 200 comprises a first end
210 and a second end
220. The first end
210 is fixed to the foot pocket portion
100, and the second end
220 is extended along the first direction
D1 that is away from the foot pocket portion
100. The secondary blade set
300 comprises at least one secondary blade 310 which is disposed on the main blade
200 via a fixing portion
312.
[0024] As shown in
FIG. 4, the main blade
200 has an upper surface
202 and a lower surface
204 that is opposite to the upper surface
202 (which respectively correspond to the instep of and the sole of the user's foot).
The upper surface
202 and the lower surface
204 may have a plurality of ribs and a plurality of grooves to assist in stream guiding.
The secondary blade set
300 may be disposed on both the upper surface
202 and the lower surface
204 of the main blade
200, or disposed on the upper surface
202 or lower surface
204 of the main blade
200. The secondary blade set
300 may have ribs and grooves (not shown) similar to these of the main blade
200.
[0025] In detail, the secondary blade set
300 may be disposed in many manners in response to requirements of different water sports
performed by the user. As shown in
FIG. 5A to
FIG. 5G, the secondary blade set
300 may have the following aspects where the at least one secondary blade
310 may be a single secondary blade
310 or two secondary blades
310 which are all mounted on the upper surface
202 (as shown in
FIG. 5A and
FIG. 5B). The at least one secondary blade
310 may also be two or more than two secondary blades
310 which are respectively disposed on the upper surface
202 and the lower surface
204 corresponding to each other (as shown in
FIGs. 5C to
5E). The at least one secondary blade
310 may also be more than two secondary blades
310 which are respectively disposed on the upper surface
202 and the lower surface
204 in an alternating manner (as shown in
FIG. 5F). The number of the at least one secondary blade 310 is more than two, and the at
least one secondary blade is presented as secondary blades 310' with a smaller size
and arranged on the upper surface 202 in alignment with each other (e.g., three secondary
blades 310' arranged in alignment with each other as shown in
FIG. 5G). With the variation of the secondary blades 310 in different amounts and configurations,
the fins 10 can provide the stream guiding effect at different degrees to reduce or
eliminate the disturbance of the water resistance, thereby, maintaining or improving
the pushing efficiency in the water for the user as compared to the prior art.
[0026] Additionally, in the present invention, the first length
L1 of the main blade
200 extending along the first direction
D1 may be unequal to the second length
L2 of each of the secondary blades
310 of the secondary blade set
300 extending along the first direction
D1. That is, depending on the region where the user intends to perform the water sport
or the purpose that the user intends to achieve during the water sport, the second
length
L2 of the secondary blade
310 may be generally equal to that of the main blade
200 as shown in
FIG. 2, or may be larger than that of the main blade
200 as shown in
FIG. 6A to increase the contact area during the water-kicking action and thus, improve the
pushing efficiency. Moreover, as shown in
FIG. 6B, to enhance the stability of the main blade
200 during the water-kicking action, the second length
L2 of the secondary blade
310 may also be shorter than the first length
L1 of the main blade
200 to prevent the shaking, inclining and swaying of the main blade
200 during usage. As a result, there is less water resistance and fatigue to the legs
when kicking.
[0027] The main blade
200 and the secondary blade set
300 may be formed integrally as shown in
FIG. 2 (e.g., formed integrally by a single material or formed integrally by overmolding
more than two materials). The main blade
200 and the secondary blade set
300 may also be formed separately and then assembled with each other.
[0028] In the aspect where the main blade
200 and the secondary blade set
300 are assembled with each other, the main blade
200 may further comprise at least one fixing hole
206. The fixing portion
312 of the at least one secondary blade
310 can pass through the at least one fixing hole
206 so that the at least one secondary blade
310 is disposed on the main blade
200. Furthermore, as shown in
FIG. 7A, the secondary blade
310 may be made of a soft material, so the secondary blade
310 may pass through the fixing hole
206 so that the fixing portion
312 is clamped within the fixing hole
206. As shown in
FIG. 7B, the fixing portions
312 of the two corresponding secondary blades
310 may be connected and clasped with each other, so the fixing portions may respectively
pass through the fixing hole
206 to be fixed on the main blade
200. Or as shown in
FIG. 7C, the main blade
200 may be provided with lockholes, grooves or mortises so that the fixing portion
312 of the at least one secondary blade
310 may be disposed on at least one of the upper surface
202 or the lower surface
204 by locking, snapping-in or bonding. In this way, the user may assemble different
secondary blades
310 on the main blade
200 depending on the requirements thereof.
[0029] With reference to
FIG. 8 and in the preferred embodiment, the fixing portion
312 of the secondary blade
310 is disposed between one-quarter to three-quarters of a first length
L1 of the main blade
200 to provide a better water-shearing position.
[0030] Additionally, as shown in
FIG. 9A to
FIG. 9C, the at least one secondary blade
310 has a height
H perpendicular to the main blade
200 (the height
H extends upward from the upper surface
202 or extends downward from the lower surface
204). The height is at least 40 millimeters to provide a sufficient water-shearing effect
so that the water can pass through the main blade
200 smoothly to reduce the shaking of the main blade
200 caused by the water resistance when the user is kicking water. Also, as shown in
FIG. 9A to
FIG. 9C, the secondary blade
310 may further comprise an external profile or a section shape which is fish fin-like,
triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular, L-shaped or S-shaped, thereby achieving different
water-shearing and swaying effects.
[0031] With reference to
FIG. 10A, the secondary blade set
300 may have a blade thickness ranging from 3 millimeters to 15 millimeters. The blade
thickness increases from the end away from the foot pocket portion
100 to another end closer to the foot pocket portion
100 in a horizontal direction. Or as shown in
FIG. 10B, the blade thickness increases from the end away from the main blade
200 to another end closer to the main blade
200 in a vertical direction. The secondary blade set
300 may also be made of materials with different hardness so that the end away from the
foot pocket portion
100 or away from the main blade
200 is softer and swings softly with the water like the fin of a fish. In this way, the
water can pass through the main blade
200 more smoothly to reduce the inclining or swaying of the main blade
200 caused by the water resistance during the swing of the main blade
200. The material of the secondary blade set
300 may further comprise metal. For example, a metal sheet of which the thickness is
less than 1 millimeter can also be adopted to achieve this effect (as shown in
FIG. 10C).
[0032] With reference to
FIG. 11A and
FIG. 11B, as observed from the back view, except for the case where the at least one secondary
blade
310 is installed perpendicular to the main blade
200, an angle
A may be included between the at least one secondary blade
310 and the main blade
200. The angle
A ranges from 0 to 90 degrees.
[0033] On the other hand, as observed from the top view of
FIG. 12A, the at least one secondary blade
310 may extend along the second direction
D2. Angle
A2 is included between the second direction
D2 and the first direction
D1. Angle
A2 ranges from 0 degree to 45 degrees or forms a bent arc towards the second direction
D2 (as shown in
FIG. 12B).
[0034] With reference to both
FIGs. 13 and
9A, only the fixing portion
312 of the at least one secondary blade
310 is connected with the main blade
200, and other parts of the secondary blade
310 except for the fixing portion
312 may not be limited by the swing direction of the main blade
200 (which usually swings upwards and downwards) and swings casually along the direction
of the water flow (usually swinging leftwards and rightwards) at a swing angle that
may be greater than 90 degrees.
[0035] In this way, with the arrangement of the secondary blade set
300, the user can indeed perform water shearing when the user is wearing the fins
10 to perform a water sport so that the water is split by the secondary blade
310 and smoothly passes through the web surface of the main blade
200. Thus, the water will not press against each other on the web surface to generate
a disturbing resistance, thereby, reducing the incline and swaying of the main blade
during usage in the prior art, and providing the user with a stable pushing force
(as shown in
FIG. 14). Since the secondary blade set
300 may casually swing and twist along a direction opposite to the direction in which
the main blade
200 swings, the area of contact with water is increased and the pushing force is enhanced
during the swing movement.
[0036] Additionally, the fins
10 provided with the secondary blade set
300 of the present invention can generate a pushing force even if the fins
10 operate in a non-up-and-down manner (such as in frog-type water-kicking action) so
that it is easier for the user to tune the amount of the pushing force and the speed
required, thereby, making it more convenient for the user to observe aquatic creatures.
[0037] In other words, the advantage of the fins
10 provided with the secondary blade set
300 of the present invention is that in the case where the soft degree of the main blade
200 is not changed to maintain the original pushing force, the user is allowed to have
sufficient water sensation during diving and snorkeling sports and can feel more relaxed
and smooth. The difficulty of the operation can be reduced; for example, the user
can easily move in the water with a posture of a relatively high degree of difficulty,
without being limited by the swimming skill of the user. At the same time, the consumption
of the strength and the oxygen consumption of the user are reduced, and thus, the
pushing efficiency is improved.
[0038] The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive
features thereof. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications
and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described
without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications
and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially
been covered in the following claims as appended.
1. A fins with a secondary blade set, comprising;
a foot pocket portion, for a user's foot to insert therein;
a main blade, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixed
to the foot pocket portion and the second end is extended along a first direction
that is away from the foot pocket portion; and
a secondary blade set, comprising at least one secondary blade which is disposed on
the main blade via a fixing portion.
2. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the secondary blade set is formed integrally
with the main blade.
3. The fins according to claim 1, wherein an angle included between the at least one
secondary blade and the main blade is between 0 degree to 90 degrees.
4. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the main blade comprises an upper surface facing
the user and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and when the at least
one secondary blade comprises a plurality of secondary blades, the secondary blades
are disposed on the upper surface and the lower surface respectively in a corresponding
manner or an alternating manner.
5. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the main blade further comprises at least one
fixing hole, through which the fixing portion of the at least one secondary blade
is passed, so that the at least one secondary blade is disposed on the main blade.
6. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the main blade comprises an upper surface facing
the user and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and the fixing portion
of the at least one secondary blade is disposed on at least one of the upper surface
or the lower surface by locking, snapping-in or bonding.
7. The fins according to claim 1, wherein a first length of the main blade extending
along the first direction is unequal to a second length of the at least one secondary
blade extending along the first direction.
8. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion of the secondary blade set
is disposed on the main blade, and located between one-quarter to three-quarters of
a first length of the main blade.
9. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the secondary blade set has a height perpendicular
to the main blade, and the height is at least 40 millimeters.
10. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the secondary blade set has a blade thickness,
and the blade thickness increases from an end away from the foot pocket portion to
another end closer to the foot pocket portion.
11. The fins according to claim 10, wherein the blade thickness is between 3 millimeters
to 15 millimeters.
12. The fins according to claim 1, wherein a material of the secondary blade set comprises
metal.
13. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the secondary blade set extends along a second
direction, and an included angle between the second direction and the first direction
is between 0 degree to 45 degrees.
14. The fins according to claim 1, wherein the secondary blade set comprises an external
profile or a section shape which is fish fin-like, triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular,
L-shaped or S-shaped.