ERGONOMIC SWIMMING PADDLE

Abstract

 Disclosed is an ergonomic swimming paddle, comprising a main plate (1) and an auxiliary bendable plate (2), removably connected to the main plate (1). In this way, although greater force is needed to execute each stroke, at a fixed swimming speed, the overall stroke power increases. The ergonomic swimming paddle has additional advantages, such as boosting hand position perception and preventing abrupt changes of direction of the upper limbs, thereby improving swimming efficiency in terms of hydrodynamic forces. The paddle is suitable to be used by swimmers of all levels and ages to improve their sporting performance.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The purpose of this utility model application is an ergonomic swimming paddle, according to claim 1, incorporating notable innovations and advantages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various swimming paddles with different arrangements are known in the state of the art in order to present a greater or lesser thrust surface against the water, a more or less comfortable and simple attachment to the hand of the swimmer, a more or less aerodynamic shape, with materials of greater or lesser quality.

[0003] Thus, according to patent US7179146, a swimming paddle simulating shape of human hand is known from the state of the art. It is made up of a generally planar member of PVC foam and has a dome-shaped central area for receiving the palm of the hand of the swimmer. The paddle includes areas for receiving the thumb and fingers of the hand of the swimmer. A wrist strap and one or more finger straps secure the hand of the user to the paddle. The palm area, and also the areas which receive the thumb and fingers of the swimmer, are provided with a series of apertures to allow the swimmer to feel passing water.

[0004] Moreover, according to patent US9717953, a swim training paddle is also known from the state of the art, having a plate member with a first surface and an opposed second surface and a leading edge and a trailing edge; the opposed first surface and second surface being separated by a leading edge and a trailing edge on opposed ends thereof. The plate member is formed to mount to the hand of the swimmer with the first surface contacting the hand. It includes at least two elastic strips each forming separate arcs on the first surface and extending out of the second surface.

[0005] However, no document or background has been found that presents a swimming paddle having adjustable geometry and with an element of technical correction and energy return through elastic deformation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to an ergonomic swimming paddle, suitable to be used by swimmers of all levels and ages to improve their sporting performance.

[0007] Said swimming paddle has been designed to be able to adapt, with a single size, to the greatest number of people, with their respective hand shapes and sizes, with the further objective that it is capable of resisting all the forces to which it is going to be subjected during its intended use. Moreover, its design has been optimised to reduce production costs as much as possible.

[0008] It is worth mentioning that adjustable geometry and fastening methods have been sought, using elements connected to the main plate. The first installable element is an auxiliary bendable plate that is positioned and fastened to the lower portion of a main plate. Said auxiliary bendable plate deforms towards the main plate, due to the forces that act on same during the forward or gripping phase of the stroke, to return to its original position in the backward phase of the stroke, propelling the swimmer. This effect constitutes an increase in the force capacity perceived by the swimmer in the first phase of the stroke, which is less physiologically demanding than the second phase of the stroke, where the propulsion by elastic recovery of the auxiliary bendable plate is generated. From that, a homogenisation of the perception of force and physiological demand of the general underwater phase of the stroke is achieved. Moreover, this element forces the swimmer to avoid inserting the hand and moving the same in the water with priority incidence of the wrist, compared to the tips of the fingers, which implies greater biomechanical efficiency.

[0009] More particularly, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises a main plate, and an auxiliary bendable plate, removably connected to the main plate. In this way, although greater force is needed to execute each stroke, at a fixed swimming speed, the overall stroke power increases. Moreover, said ergonomic swimming paddle has additional advantages, such as boosting hand position perception and penalizing abrupt changes of direction of the upper members, thereby improving swimming efficiency in terms of hydrodynamic forces. In short, it provides new stimuli to the swimmer, and its use can be applied in certain injury recovery therapies and even strengthening in elderly people.

[0010] Preferably, the auxiliary bendable plate is configured to bend with respect to its point of attachment with the main plate, due to the movement of the arm of the swimmer underwater, having the effect of increasing the force needed to execute each stroke, although having the advantageous effect that the overall stroke power increases. It should be specified that, although the main movement of the auxiliary bendable plate is that of bending with respect to its transversal axis, a certain rotation with respect to its longitudinal axis also occurs. The longitudinal axis is understood as the direction that goes from the position of the wrist to the position for placing the fingers of the hand of the swimmer, and the transversal axis is understood as the direction perpendicular to the previous one, which runs horizontally on the palm of the hand once placed on the main plate.

[0011] It should be specified that the auxiliary bendable plate has been named this way since it is a plate that is affixed to the main structure, and that in the face of the pressures caused by the swimming cycle itself, will bend. The purpose of said component is to deform from its neutral position in the initial underwater phase of the stroke, to then recover its neutral shape in the final phase of the stroke, thus propelling the swimmer in the forward direction. In this way, a homogenisation of the curve of forces exerted by the swimmer during the underwater phase of the stroke is produced.

[0012] Additionally, the auxiliary bendable plate is configured to rotate with respect to its longitudinal axis, due to the movement of the arm of the swimmer underwater. It has been experimentally observed that said rotation of the auxiliary bendable plate with respect to the longitudinal axis favours the natural biomechanics of the underwater stroke, compared to the absence of said rotation.

[0013] It is worth mentioning that the main plate and/or the auxiliary bendable plate are made of a thermoplastic polymer material. Said class of polymers, unlike thermoset polymers, can be recycled, which encourages more environmentally friendly waste treatment policies. They can be composed of different families of polymers, said parts being separable or not separable from each other. Additionally, since the parts of the ergonomic swimming paddle can be broken down, at least into a main plate and an auxiliary bendable plate, product recycling processes are favoured.

[0014] It must be added that, preferably, both the main plate and the auxiliary bendable plate have been designed to be manufactured by injection moulding, since said process allows the manufactured components to be made of recycled plastic, such as polypropylene. Said material, apart from consolidating the product as environmentally friendly, meets the technical specifications and requirements for its use.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises means for attaching the auxiliary bendable plate with respect to the main plate, wherein the attachment means comprise adjustment means for adjusting its position and/or its orientation, so that the user can calibrate to a certain extent the energy accumulation effect of the auxiliary bendable plate throughout the stroke, as well as the rotation and reorientation effect of the paddle underwater. It should be mentioned that said system gives the possibility of redirecting the forces resulting from the stroke on the hand of the swimmer, achieving technique correction effects if the adjustment is being used correctly.

[0016] More specifically, the adjustment means are a plurality of first holes in the main plate and/or in the auxiliary bendable plate, thus providing its user with a margin for regulating their position. The arrangement of said first holes is such that it allows the accommodation of screws, screwed to complementary inserts, in order to provide the greatest possible displacement capacity of the auxiliary bendable plate with respect to the main plate, both vertically, horizontally, and in counterclockwise rotation seen from the top, with a preferred range of 0° to 10°. Said adjustability enables the provision of adjustable geometry, offering the swimmer the opportunity to adjust the auxiliary bendable plate with respect to the main paddle plate, in turn altering the directions of the resulting forces on the hand of the swimmer during the stroke.

[0017] It should be mentioned that the presence of said first holes makes it possible to achieve a wide range of displacements of the auxiliary bendable plate with respect to the main plate, both of which can be manufactured by simple injection moulding methods while not compromising their resistance to forces. The permissible rotations have been taken counterclockwise since there are these rotations that would favour the natural movement of the stroke, especially in the crawl and breaststroke style.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprise at least one metallic attachment element insertable through the main plate and the auxiliary bendable plate, thus presenting a robust and reliable attachment.

[0019] It must be noted that in the lower front portion of the main plate, there is a recess in the first holes, intended for positioning the heads of metal inserts as attachment elements. Said insert heads have a thickness that is lower than that of the auxiliary bendable plate so that they are more integrated when connected. The metal attachment elements are preferably stainless steel screws, and the inserts are brass nuts, in order to meet the requirements for forces, market supply and resistance to environmental conditions.

[0020] Using methods such as pressure and/or heat, the metal inserts are embedded in the auxiliary bendable plate so that the customer perceives said inserts as a single piece fully integrated into the assembly of the auxiliary bendable plate.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the auxiliary bendable plate comprises a reinforcement, of a mechanical type, preferably placed on its surface, and more particularly on its upper portion, i.e., the surface that faces the lower face of the main plate. Said reinforcement is optionally a hexagonal pattern, specifically designed so that the auxiliary bendable plate reaches its end-of-travel position as horizontally as possible for the maximum design load. In this way, advantage is taken of the maximum possible travel of the deformation thereof, preventing some areas from reaching the height of the main plate much sooner than others.

[0022] Optionally, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises a first support plane in the area corresponding to the thumb, and a second support plane corresponding to the palm of the hand, wherein the second plane is above the first plane. Thus, there are two support planes, in which the first lower plane is located in the region of the thumb area since this, naturally, tends to fall on a lower plane than the rest of the hand, so that the ergonomics of the component are improved.

[0023] Moreover, the main plate comprises a spherical protrusion in its upper central area, which plays a supporting function in the area of the hollow of the palm of the hand. Said spherical protrusion preferably has the shape of an oval hemisphere. This allows for a greater contact surface between the hand and the paddle, and thereby control and convenience benefits.

[0024] Preferably said spherical protrusion comprises a perforated surface having a hexagonal pattern in order to lighten this section as much as possible, at the same time providing a good grip between the skin and the paddle while allowing the swimmer to feel the water in the palm of their hand.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main plate comprises a keel in its lower central area, preferably in the front portion. The presence of said keel has the effect of inducing the swimmer to adopt a better swimming technique. This is because if the swimmer attempts to swim with the longitudinal axis of the keel, with a perpendicular tendency towards the swimming direction, it will cause the paddle to brake and become destabilised with respect to the hand. This also limits excessive rotation of the wrist during the swimming motion.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises a plurality of elastic fastening means configured to embrace the middle finger and/or wrist of the hand of the swimmer, offering support to both the front and back of the hand. It should be noted that intermediate and advanced level swimmers tend to use only the elastic for the finger since it is usually more comfortable for them, although less experienced swimmers or those with poorer swimming technique can use both elastics, as they provide greater support and stability. It should be added that this fastening method between the hand and the paddle is economical in its production, and the one that best adjusts to different hand shapes and sizes.

[0027] It should be noted that the elastic fastening means can be made of any elastic material that does not cause friction on the skin, and that resists immersion, humidity and solar radiation conditions to which the product, such as latex, will be exposed. Thus, said elastic fastening means are preferably made of latex rubber.

[0028] Complementarily, the main plate comprises a plurality of second circular holes configured to house the elastic fastening means, presenting a way to collect or house the elastics that will serve as fastening, to the middle finger and to the wrist respectively, i.e., both on the front and back portion of the paddle.

[0029] Advantageously, the plurality of second circular holes are chamfered, i.e., the same exhibit a rounding on the edge of said second holes.

[0030] Said chamfering and/or rounding of the holes where the elastic attachment means are housed are included so that they can better adjust to the bending as it passes through the holes and protrude as little as possible towards the outside, which would generate greater hydrodynamic resistance, and an appearance of less integrity. Said chamfer can be optionally included only in those holes that are considered to be used by the majority of swimmers, and it is not necessary to include the same in the rest so as not to compromise the resistance of the paddle against forces.

[0031] The attached drawings show, by way of non-limiting example, an ergonomic swimming paddle, constituted according to the invention. Other features and advantages of said ergonomic swimming paddle object of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] 

Figure 1 shows a diagram view of the swimming stroke cycle, using an ergonomic swimming paddle, according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an upper perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including an auxiliary bendable plate, according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a lower perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including an auxiliary bendable plate, according to the present invention.

Figure 4 shows an upper perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including fastening means, according to the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a lower perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including fastening means, according to the present invention.

Figure 6 shows an upper exploded perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including fastening elements, according to the present invention.

Figure 7 shows an upper perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, adjusted over the hand of a swimmer, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] In light of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a diagram of the swimming stroke cycle, using an ergonomic swimming paddle, in which the swimmer (5) moves their arm (51) producing a sweep of the water (6) with the main plate (1) while the auxiliary bendable plate (2) folds.

[0035] Figure 2 shows an upper perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, which comprises a main plate (1) with a first plane (11), a second plane (12) and a central area (13) with a spherical protrusion (14) which has a perforated surface (14a). It also includes an auxiliary bendable plate (2) connected through attachment means (3), which comprise adjustment means (31) with first holes (32) intended for attachment elements (33), second holes (41) for fastening means (4) also being observed.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a lower perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, with a first plane (11) and a second plane (12), including an auxiliary bendable plate (2), and with the detail of a chamfer (41a) in a number of second holes (41).

[0037] Figure 4 shows an upper perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including a spherical protrusion (14) with a perforated surface (14a) in the second plane (12), an auxiliary bendable plate (2) and fastening means (4) passing through second holes (41).

[0038] Figure 5 shows a lower perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including fastening means (4), while at the same time showing the presence of a keel (15) and through attachment elements (33) through the auxiliary bendable plate (2) and the main plate (1).

[0039] Figure 6 shows an upper perspective view of the exploded view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, including a main plate (1) with a second plane (12), and an auxiliary bendable plate (2) which has a longitudinal axis (21a), a transversal axis (21b) and a reinforcement plate (22). Also visible are attachment means (3) of the auxiliary bendable plate (2) with adjustment means (31) and first holes (32) for at least one attachment element (33), also including fastening means (4) for fastening the hand (52) of the swimmer (5).

[0040] And Figure 7 shows an upper perspective view of an ergonomic swimming paddle, adjusted on the hand (52) of a swimmer (5), through fastening means (4), linking the middle finger (52b) and the wrist (53), while the palm (52c) rests on a spherical protrusion (14) of the second plane (12), and the thumb (52a) rests on the first plane (11).

[0041] More particularly, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises a main plate (1) and an auxiliary bendable plate (2), removably connected to the main plate (1).

[0042] Additionally, as shown in Figure 1, the auxiliary bendable plate (2) is configured to bend with respect to its point of attachment with the main plate (1), due to the movement of the arm (51) of the swimmer (5) underwater (6).

[0043] Moreover, as shown in Figure 1, the auxiliary bendable plate (2) is configured to rotate with respect to its longitudinal axis (21a), due to the movement of the arm (51) of the swimmer (5) underwater (6). It is worth mentioning that the main plate (1) and/or the auxiliary bendable plate (2) are made of a thermoplastic polymer material, and alternatively, of a carbon fibre composite. It should be noted that there would also be the possibility of manufacturing in other materials, such as carbon fibre composites or more flexible materials such as latex, or even conventional stretched fabrics.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises attachment means (3) of the auxiliary bendable plate (2) with respect to the main plate (1), wherein the attachment means (3) comprise adjustment means for adjusting (31) its position and/or orientation.

[0045] More in detail, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the adjustment means (31) are a plurality of first holes (32) in the main plate (1) and/or in the auxiliary bendable plate (2).

[0046] Additionally, as shown in Figure 6, the attachment means (3) comprise at least one metallic attachment element (33) insertable through the main plate (1) and the auxiliary bendable plate (2). Said metal attachment element (33) can optionally be a stainless steel screw together with a brass nut-type insert.

[0047] Complementarily, as shown in Figure 6, the auxiliary bendable plate (2) comprises a reinforcement (22), which is optionally a sheet having a hexagonal pattern structure, attached to the surface of the auxiliary bendable plate (2).

[0048] According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises a first support plane (11) in the area corresponding to the thumb (52a), and a second support plane (12) corresponding to the palm (52c) of the hand (52), wherein the second plane (12) is above the first plane (11).

[0049] Moreover, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6, the main plate (1) comprises a spherical protrusion (14) in its upper central area (13).

[0050] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6, the spherical protrusion (14) comprises a perforated surface (14a) having a hexagonal pattern.

[0051] Advantageously, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the main plate (1) comprises a keel (15) in its lower central area (13).

[0052] According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises a plurality of elastic fastening means (4) configured to embrace the middle finger (52b) and/or the wrist (53) of the hand (52) of the swimmer (5).

[0053] Optionally, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the elastic fastening means (4) are made of latex material.

[0054] It should be noted that, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the ergonomic swimming paddle comprises a plurality of second circular holes (41) configured to house the elastic fastening means (4).

[0055] Additionally, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the plurality of second circular holes (41) have a chamfer (41a).

[0056] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the components used in the implementation of the ergonomic swimming paddle, may be conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essential nature of the invention or from the scope defined by the claims that are included in the following list.

List of numerical references:

[0057] 

1

main plate

11

first plane

12

second plane

13

central area

14

spherical protrusion

14a

perforated surface

15

keel

2

auxiliary bendable plate

21a

longitudinal axis

21b

transversal axis

22

reinforcement plate

3

attachment means

31

adjustment means

32

first holes

33

attachment element

4

fastening means

41

second holes

41a

chamfer

5

swimmer

51

arm

52

hand

52a

thumb

52b

middle finger

52c

palm

53

wrist

6

water

Claims

1. An ergonomic swimming paddle comprising a main plate (1), characterised in that it comprises an auxiliary bendable plate (2), removably assembled to said main plate (1).

2. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary bendable plate (2) is configured to bend with respect to its point of attachment with the main plate (1), due to the movement of the arm (51) of the swimmer (5) underwater (6).

3. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary bendable plate (2) is configured to rotate with respect to its longitudinal axis (21a), due to the movement of the arm (51) of the swimmer (5) underwater (6).

4. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main plate (1) and/or the auxiliary bendable plate (2) are made of a thermoplastic polymer material.

5. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises attachment means (3) of the auxiliary bendable plate (2) with respect to the main plate (1), wherein the attachment means (3) comprise adjustment means for adjusting (31) its position and/or orientation.

6. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 5, characterised in that the adjustment means (31) are a plurality of first holes (32) in the main plate (1) and/or in the auxiliary bendable plate (2).

7. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 5, characterised in that the attachment means (3) comprise at least one metallic attachment element (33) insertable through the main plate (1) and the auxiliary bendable plate (2).

8. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary bendable plate (2) comprises a reinforcement (22).

9. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a first support plane (11) in the area corresponding to the thumb (52a), and a second support plane (12) corresponding to the palm (52c) of the hand (52), wherein the second plane (12) is above the first plane (11).

10. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main plate (1) comprises a spherical protrusion (14) in its upper central area (13).

11. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 10, characterised in that the spherical protrusion (14) comprises a perforated surface (14a) having a hexagonal pattern.

12. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main plate (1) comprises a keel (15) in its lower central area (13).

13. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of elastic fastening means (4) configured to embrace the middle finger (52b) and/or the wrist (53) of the hand (52) of the swimmer (5).

14. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 13, characterised in that the elastic fastening means (4) are made of latex material.

15. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claims 13 or 14, characterised in that the main plate (1) comprises a plurality of second circular holes (41) configured to house the elastic fastening means (4).

16. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 15, characterised in that the plurality of second circular holes (41) have a chamfer (41a).

Amended claims

Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT

1. An ergonomic swimming paddle comprising a main plate (1) and an auxiliary bendable plate (2), removably connected to said main plate (1), and characterised in that the auxiliary bendable plate (2) is configured to rotate with respect to its longitudinal axis (21a), due to the movement of the arm (51) of the swimmer (5) underwater (6).

2. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary bendable plate (2) is configured to bend with respect to its point of attachment with the main plate (1), due to the movement of the arm (51) of the swimmer (5) underwater (6).

3. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main plate (1) and/or the auxiliary bendable plate (2) are made of a thermoplastic polymer material.

4. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises attachment means (3) of the auxiliary bendable plate (2) with respect to the main plate (1), wherein the attachment means (3) comprise adjustment means for adjusting (31) its position and/or orientation.

5. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 4, characterised in that the adjustment means (31) are a plurality of first holes (32) in the main plate (1) and/or in the auxiliary bendable plate (2).

6. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 4, characterised in that the attachment means (3) comprise at least one metallic attachment element (33) insertable through the main plate (1) and the auxiliary bendable plate (2).

7. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary bendable plate (2) comprises a reinforcement (22).

8. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a first support plane (11) in the area corresponding to the thumb (52a), and a second support plane (12) corresponding to the palm (52c) of the hand (52), wherein the second plane (12) is above the first plane (11).

9. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main plate (1) comprises a spherical protrusion (14) in its upper central area (13).

10. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 9, characterised in that the spherical protrusion (14) comprises a perforated surface (14a) having a hexagonal pattern.

11. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main plate (1) comprises a keel (15) in its lower central area (13).

12. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of elastic fastening means (4) configured to embrace the middle finger (52b) and/or the wrist (53) of the hand (52) of the swimmer (5).

13. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 12, characterised in that the elastic fastening means (4) are made of latex material.

14. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claims 11 or 12, characterised in that the main plate (1) comprises a plurality of second circular holes (41) configured to house the elastic fastening means (4).

15. The ergonomic swimming paddle according to claim 14, characterised in that the plurality of second circular holes (41) have a chamfer (41a).

Drawing