Modular fin with common rail system

Abstract

A disclosed diver fin includes a blade and a foot pocket, distinct from one another and releasably connected to one another by one or more rails extending from a leading edge of the blade to the foot pocket. The rails extend from either side of the foot pocket and extend parallel to one another at least partway along the length of the blade towards a trailing edge of the blade. Each rail includes two sections: a first rail section, extending from the leading edge of the blade and terminating in a free end, and a second rail section, extending from the foot pocket and terminating in a free end. The free end of one rail section includes a female recess, and the free end of the other rail section terminates in a male extension, slidably receivable in the female recess. The disclosed fin is reconfigurable to accommodate different diving conditions.

Claims

1. A dive fin, comprising a blade and a foot pocket distinct and spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another by only a pair of rails extending between the blade and the foot pocket, wherein the rails are integral with the foot pocket, extend along either side of the foot pocket towards a toe end of the foot pocket and extend parallel to one another at least partway along the length of the blade towards a trailing edge of the blade, each rail comprising two sections; a first rail section, extending from a leading edge of the blade and terminating in a free end, and a second rail section extending from the toe end of the foot pocket and terminating in a free end, in which the free end of one rail section comprises a female recess, and the free end of the other rail section comprises a male extension insertable into the female recess.

2. A dive fin as claimed in claim 1 in which a transverse aperture is located through the male extension, and corresponding apertures are located through side walls of the female recess, the apertures being configured to align with one another when the male extension is inserted into the female recess.

3. A dive fin as claimed in claim 2 in which a fastening element is insertable through the aligned apertures located in the female recess and the male extension, to secure the male extension within the female recess.

4. A dive fin as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the foot pocket comprises any of a full foot, an open heel configuration, or a footplate for a step-in shoe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are part of the disclosure and are incorporated into the present specification. The drawings illustrate examples of embodiments of the disclosure and, in conjunction with the description and claims, serve to explain, at least in part, various principles, features, or aspects of the disclosure. Certain embodiments of the disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the implementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same or identical, elements throughout.

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fin, according to an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates perspective views of the fin when assembled, according to an embodiment.

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of various configurations of the fin, according to various embodiments.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of various configurations of the fin, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 in which like features are indicated by like numerals, the fin 10 includes a blade 12 and a foot pocket 14, distinct from one another and releasably connected to another by a pair of spaced apart rails 16 extending along the foot pocket 14 to the blade 12, and at least partway along the length of the blade 12.

(7) It will be noted that even when connected, the foot pocket 14 and the blade 12 are spaced apart from one another by a gap 22 and only connected to one another by the rails 16.

(8) Each rail 16 includes two sections, the first section 16a extending along at least a portion of the length of the blade 12 and terminating in a male extension 18 towards the foot pocket end of the blade, and the second rib section 16b extending along the length of the foot pocket 14 and terminating in a female recess 20 towards the toe end of the foot pocket. The male extension 18 of the first rail section 16a is slidably receivable in the female recess 20 of the second rail section 16b to provide an overlapping interface. This overlapping interface between the male 18 and female 20 rib sections provides a continuous structural element for joining the blade 12 to the foot pocket 14 and eliminates an identified weak point at the junction between the blade and the foot pocket.

(9) As a result of this configuration, torque between the blade 12 and foot pocket 14 generated by drag on the fin blade during the diver's kicking motion does not act to separate the blade 12 from the foot pocket 14, as is the case with conventional systems. Furthermore, thrust generated by the blade 12 acts to force the male rail extension 18 further into the female recess 20, rather than trying to separate the two.

(10) The male extension 18 is retained within the female recess 20 by one or more removable fastening elements comprising a pin or a plug 24, insertable through aligned apertures 26, 28 located in the walls of the female recess and through the body of the male extension. The pin or plug 24 serves to hold the male 18 and female 20 integers in place and does not bear any of the loads generated by the diver's kicking action. Additionally, as the fastening element 24 does not bear load, it can be configured so as to be easily removable by hand to facilitate quick disassembly of the fin for travel.

(11) It will be noted that even when connected, the foot pocket 14 and the blade 12 are spaced apart from one another by a gap 22 and only connected to one another by the ribs 16. By eliminating any need for additional engaging devices between the foot pocket and the blade at the toe-end of the foot pocket, the disclosure provides for a modular fin which is hydrodynamic and avoids load at the toe-end of the foot, thus allowing for better power transfer from each kick and reduced fatigue and cramping of the foot during use of the fin. The extension of the ribs 16 into the foot pocket 14 of the fin, so that the ribs 16 are integral with the foot pocket 14 also provide rigidity to the foot pocket, preventing flex of the foot pocket 14 under load.

(12) The rails 16 extend parallel to one another at least partway along the length of the blade 12 towards the trailing edge 30 of the blade.

(13) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 it will be noted that the rails 16 can either extend through the body of the blade, such that the blade 12 is divided into three portions; a central portion 32, and two side wings 34. Alternatively, and referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the rails 16 can extend along the outer edges of the blade 12.

(14) The rails may additionally include an articulated hinge 36 with limiting structures, located at the leading edge 38 of the blade.

(15) Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 the foot pocket may be an open heel configuration (FIGS. 3A and 4A), a shoe (FIGS. 3B and 4B) or a full foot (FIGS. 3C and 4C),

(16) To assemble the fin 10, the male extension 18 of the first rail section 16a is inserted into the female recess 20 of the second rail section 16b, and is secured in place by the pin 24, inserted through the aligned apertures 26, 28. In this manner, the foot pocket 14 is connected to the blade 12, and the fin is ready for use.

(17) To disassemble, one merely removes the pin 24, and slides the male extension 18 out of the female recess 20, disconnecting the foot pocket 14 from the blade 12, thus allowing the fin to take up less space during storage or travelling.

(18) Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, one big advantage of such a modular design, is that only one blade size is required for different sizes and styles of foot pocket. This dramatically saves in tooling and production costs. By employing a common rail dimension and spacing, every size and style foot pocket fits every blade size and design. This eliminates the complexity that would otherwise be involved in making a single blade size homogenously fit up to 12 different size and style foot pockets and, as a result, dramatically reduces the tooling costs of a new fin model (from up to 12 large fin mold down to a single new blade mold).

(19) A further advantage of such a fin, is that the foot pocket and the blade can be manufactured separately and from different materials.

(20) Furthermore, and referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, a diver is able to interchange various foot pockets and blades depending on diving conditions and requirements. This results in a significant space saving, and makes the fins travel friendly.