Aquatic activity fin (1) comprising a foot support portion (2) configured for fixing to a person’s foot, and a fin portion (3) extending from the foot support portion substantially along a base plane (P). The fin portion (3) comprises a support frame (4), a plurality of hydrofoil blades (5) mounted pivotally to the support frame (4) via pivot couplings (6), and a mechanism for limiting the maximum blade pivot angle β of each hydrofoil blade. The mechanism for limiting the maximum blade pivot angle comprises bidirectional angle stops (7) configured to allow pivoting of the hydrofoil blade from the a thrust position where a trailing edge (9b) of the hydrofoil blade is above said base plane (P), to a return position where the trailing edge (9b) is below said base plane (P).

A fin blade for free diving or swimming or scuba diving is described, which has a cross section at one end angled about a yaw, or longitudinal, axis relative to the cross section at the other end. The arrangement is such that a lateral line at a proximal end is disposed at an angle relative to a lateral line at a portion spaced from the proximal end. The fin blade is more closely aligned with the ergonomic complexities of the human body, such that during finning the fin blade provides greater comfort and/or propulsion. A fin blade is also described which includes a reinforced zone in one portion of the fin blade, such that one portion of the blade at the distal end is relatively increased in flexibility to provide a catch zone at one portion of the distal end of the fin blade.

A swim fin and a method proving thrust propulsion during a swimmer's kicking cycle may include a foot pocket and a fin blade extending from the foot pocket. Fin rails may extend along the lateral edges of the fin blade. The fin rails may include an integral fin spine or separately assembled fin spine configured to provide a swim fin with predetermined hydrodynamic characteristics.

A swim fin or pair of fins, and method of providing omni directional thrust propulsion during a swimmer/users, power cycle relative to range of motion, that may comprise of, elastomeric flexible to rigid and/or composite materials, a leg bracket, accompanied by leg strap, ankle strap, and attaching hardware, a foot pocket comprising a plurality of pressure entrapment orifices, and fixably attached orifice flaps, disposed dorsally about a foot pocket, a fin blade extending outwardly of said foot pocket, comprising a plurality of fin blade orifice, fixably attached orifice flaps disposed about said fin blade. Sockets, with attaching hardware, disposed about the edges of said fin blade, having removably attached articulating socketed and non-socketed jointed members that extend along the medial to lateral edges as well as anteriorly from said fin blade edges, articulating members may include, integral joint sections having separately assembled internal hardwares, along with corresponding removably attached cable/tendon hardware, which is routed from said lower leg bracket, internally through the fin blade body, to the interior of said socket sections, and removably attached to articulating members, outwardly about the swim fin assembly, a swim fin may further include a fixably attached webbing comprising of thin flexible materials, disposed between said articulating members and fin blade edges, for a uniquely improved method of hydrodynamic pressure entrapment, for the advantage of uniquely increased angle of attack propulsion method for a given user in water.

The invention relates to an aquatic shoe consisting of a shoe body (1), a pair of wings (3) and floats (4, 4′), characterized in that the wings (3) are symmetrical, glued together, and linked to the shoe body (1), below the shoe, so as to constitute a part of the sole (2) of the shoe, and in that the float (4) is integrated below the wings (3), at the sole (2), so that one of its faces covers the sole (2), and in that the wings (3) are fixed by a pivot connection on both sides of the shoe, so that they descend when the foot ascends into the water and rise when the foot goes down into the water so that they return to their original position. The invention also relates to the use of footwear in the fields of recreational water and/or sport and in the paramedical fields. The shoe according to the invention can be used for the rehabilitation of animals.

A swim fin or pair of fins, and method of providing omni directional thrust propulsion during a swimmer/users, power cycle relative to range of motion, that may comprise of, elastomeric flexible to rigid and/or composite materials, a leg bracket, accompanied by leg strap, ankle strap, and attaching hardware, a foot pocket comprising a plurality of pressure entrapment orifices, and fixably attached orifice flaps, disposed dorsally about a foot pocket, a fin blade extending outwardly of said foot pocket, comprising a plurality of fin blade orifice, fixably attached orifice flaps disposed about said fin blade. Sockets, with attaching hardware, disposed about the edges of said fin blade, having removably attached articulating socketed and non-socketed jointed members that extend along the medial to lateral edges as well as anteriorly from said fin blade edges, articulating members may include, integral joint sections having separately assembled internal hardwares, along with corresponding removably attached cable/tendon hardware, which is routed from said lower leg bracket, internally through the fin blade body, to the interior of said socket sections, and removably attached to articulating members, outwardly about the swim fin assembly, a swim fin may further include a fixably attached webbing comprising of thin flexible materials, disposed between said articulating members and fin blade edges, for a uniquely improved method of hydrodynamic pressure entrapment, for the advantage of uniquely increased angle of attack propulsion method for a given user in water.

A swim fin may include a foot pocket configured to receive a foot of a swimmer and a fin blade extending from the foot pocket. A relatively rigid substrate chassis may be bonded to the foot pocket. The fin blade may be relatively flexible. Fin rails may extend along the lateral edges of the fin blade. The fin rails may include a fin spine comprising a plurality of fin spine segments in linear configuration. The fin spine may be configured to provide a swim fin with predetermined hydrodynamic characteristics. The swim fin may flex within a maximum angle of attack that may be variable and dynamically changed, within a predetermined maximum attack angle range, as a function of the kicking force generated by a swimmer during a kicking cycle.

One embodiment of improved swim fins consists of a right foot attachment (101) with an outer right blade (111) and an inner right blade (112) which is arranged such that it does not mechanically interfere with an inner left blade (113). The blades may include a pivot mechanism (220) that allows the blades to maintain an optimal angle of attack as the swimmer moves their legs up and down. In another embodiment, a right blade (1011) and a left blade (1013) are attached to the feet of a person who is propelled by the blades above the surface of the water as they pump their feet up and down, forming a human-powered hydrofoil. Other embodiments are described and shown.

A swim fin may include a foot pocket configured to receive a foot of a swimmer and a fin blade extending from the foot pocket. A relatively rigid substrate chassis may be bonded to the foot pocket. The fin blade may be relatively flexible. Fin rails may extend along the lateral edges of the fin blade. The fin rails may include a fin spine comprising a plurality of fin spine segments in linear configuration. The fin spine may be configured to provide a swim fin with predetermined hydrodynamic characteristics. The swim fin may flex within a maximum angle of attack that may be variable and dynamically changed, within a predetermined maximum attack angle range, as a function of the kicking force generated by a swimmer during a kicking cycle.

Aquatic activity fin (1) comprising a foot support portion (2) configured for fixing to a person's foot, and a fin portion (3) extending from the foot support portion substantially along a base plane (P). The fin portion (3) comprises a support frame (4), a plurality of hydrofoil blades (5) mounted pivotally to the support frame (4) via pivot couplings (6), and a mechanism for limiting the maximum blade pivot angle of each hydrofoil blade. The mechanism for limiting the maximum blade pivot angle comprises bidirectional angle stops (7) configured to allow pivoting of the hydrofoil blade from the a thrust position where a trailing edge (9b) of the hydrofoil blade is above said base plane (P), to a return position where the trailing edge (9b) is below said base plane (P).