Abstract
This invention is related to an apparatus and a method for aquatic propulsion by use of a swimming aid comprising an anchoring article and handles that are compressed and retracted in a scissor-like fashion by a User. This inward and outward motion translates by way of a pivot point to the other end of the handle, causing another set of arms operably connected to the anchoring article by way of two sets of straps, to pivot in a manner perpendicular to the motion of the handles, thus causing two vertical fins to move laterally through the water, displacing water, and propelling the user in a forward direction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, foldable fin arms are attached to the second set of arms that is manipulated by the straps.
Claims
1. A Powered-Arm Swimming Aid apparatus comprising: a. two Swim Arms operably connected at the proximal end of each by a Pivot Point; b. two Swim Handles pivotally attached to the Swim Arms, wherein the Swim Handles are connected to each other by a rotatable joint; c. two Fin Arms, each of which is pivotally attached at its proximal end to one Swim Arm by way of an Elbow, such attachment allowing for partial rotation of the Fin Arms; d. a Center Elastic running through both sets of the Swim Arms and the Fin Arms, secured to the outer ends of the Fin Arms; e. a Main Head pivotally attached to each of the Swim Arms at the proximal end of each Swim Arm; f. wherein each Swim Arm is attached at its distal end to (1) an Upper Elastic that is routed through an anchor ring on the Main Head and (2) a Lower Elastic routed between the Swim Arms and the Swim Handles.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) FIG. 1 illustrates an “exploded” view (a drawing that shows the relationship of various parts by slightly separating each component by an equal distance, suspended in surrounding space) of a preferred embodiment of the Powered-Arm Swimming Aid.
(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the complete Powered-Arm Swimming Aid in its normal configuration while not in motion. This configuration comes as a result of the greater force provided by the Upper Elastic 8, which causes the Swim Arms 1 to settle at an angle away from the user when not in motion. The Swim Handles 6 are in an open position, before being brought together.
(3) FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the complete Powered-Arm Swimming Aid in the configuration after the User has performed a power stroke by bringing the two Swim Handles 6 together. As the Swim Handles 6 are brought together by the User, the Swim Arms move toward the user, stretching the Upper Elastic 8. As the Swim Arms 1 move toward the user, the Fin Arms 2 also move toward the user, and are pushed by the resistance of the water into the Elbows, forcing each pair of Swim Arms 1 and the Fin Arms 2 to straighten and fully extend. This allows the user to move water with more force. It can also be seen that the Pivot Point 10 is in a bent position, pulled to that position by the power provided by the User when pushing the Swim Handles 6 together.
(4) FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of the present invention in the upward position where the Swim Arms are extended; this configuration is what is referred to as the normal configuration. In this position, the Upper Elastic is in its retracted state, bringing the Swim Arms upwards, while the Lower Elastic is extended below the junction between the two Swim Arms where the Pivot Point and the portion of the Swim Handles opposite the user grips.
(5) FIG. 4B depicts the Swim Handles, Swim Arms, Fin Arms, among other components, of an embodiment of the present invention in a configuration where the Swim Arms are positioned toward the user. This configuration is that of the present invention immediately following the power stroke. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 4A and 4B, the junction point between the Swim Arms has moved a short distance away from the user, causing the fins to move a great distance, thus propelling the User forward by pushing water toward the user. In the position immediately following the power stroke as depicted in FIG. 4B, the Swim Handles have been brought together, pushing the ends of the Swim Arms upwards, aided by the retracting force of the Lower Elastic. This movement stretches the Upper Elastic, which allows for a Elastic-aided retraction of the Swim Arms back to the normal configuration at the completion of the power stroke. As a result of the length of the Swim Arms and the Fin Arms combined, the short range of motion of the Swim Handles causes the Swim Arms and Fin Arms to make powerful strokes through the water, resulting in a power stroke that propels the User forward.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
(6) With reference to FIG. 2, a User holds the present invention with both hands by way of the Swim Handles 6 at the end near the handles and straps, and positions the Main Head 3 in the direction in which the User would like to move. The User begins operating the present invention by moving the Swim Handles 6 towards each other, initiating the power stroke. As a result of this motion by the Swim Handles 6 at the end where the User holds them, the Swim Handles 6 pivot, causing the other end of the Swim Handles 6, where the lower fin straps are connected by rotatable means, to move inwards. This inward motion forces the lower fin straps to rotate with respect to the Swim Handles 6, pushing the end of the lower fin straps, which are connected by rotatable means to the Swim Arms 1, away from the user. In an embodiment, a guide wire may restrict the distance between the Main Head 3 and the joint where the swim handles meet, keeping the joint from extending past a maximum distance. As the innermost end of the Swim Arms 1 moves away from the user, the upper fin straps, connected by rotatable means a short distance down the Swim Arms 1, force the outer ends of the Swim Arms 1 to move toward the user as depicted in FIG. 2. This process is aided by the connection by rotatable means between the Main Head 3 and the upper fin straps, which keeps the Swim Arms 1 from moving laterally with relation to the Main Head 3.
(7) As the Swim Arms 1 pivot toward the user as shown by comparing FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, the Pivot Point 10 bends to help control lateral movement and stabilize the device. Additionally, the forces on the Lower Elastic 7, which is connected to the anchor rings that are operatively attached to the lower side of the left and right Swim Arms 1, travels through the junction between the Swim Arms 1, are decreased. Furthermore, the Center Elastic 9 provides another stabilizing force that pulls the Swim Arms toward a straight, parallel configuration. These forces, in conjunction with the force provided by the User's inwards motion on the Swim Handles 6, overpowers the resistance provided by the Upper Elastic 8.
(8) As the Swim Arms 1 are forced toward the user by the upper fin straps, the water resistance on the Fins 5 pushes them, along with the Fin Arms 2, to a flat orientation in parallel with one Swim Arm 1 each. The Fins 5 are prevented from hyperextending past the flat orientation by the Elbow 4, which keeps the Fin Arm 2 at the parallel position with respect to the Swim Arm 1. This flat orientation provides maximum extension for the arms of the present invention, and translates the inward motion of the Swim Handles 6 to the large distance traveled by the Fins 5, thus pushing water backwards toward the user and propelling the User forward. This range of motion is demonstrated by comparing FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B.
(9) Once the User completes the Power Stroke, and the Swim Arms 1 are at the most downward angle allowed by the Main Head 3, the User begins to reset the present invention to the normal configuration shown in FIG. 2 by pulling the Swim Handles 6 outward. This outward motion is made easier by the retracting force of the Upper Elastic 8, pulling the Swim Arms 1 upwards by way of the anchor rings attached to the upper side of the Swim Arms 1, in addition to the expansion force provided by the Center Elastic 9.
(10) As the Swim Arms 1 begin to angle upwards towards the normal configuration, the water resistance pushes the Fins 5 and Fin Arms 2 toward the user into a parallel configuration with the Swim Arms 1. Given that the Elbow 4 is open on the lower side of the Swim Arms 1 and the Fin Arms 2, the Fins 5 and Fin Arms 2 fold back towards perpendicular with respect to the Swim Arms 1, thus minimizing any drag caused by water resistance. Once the Swim Handles 6 are brought to the filly outstretched position, as shown in FIG. 2, the present invention has returned to the normal configuration and one cycle has been completed. The User would then continue to operate the present invention by repeating the above described power stroke.
