U.S. patent application number 10/852230 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for finger web swimming aid.
Invention is credited to Wang, Shao-Hua.
Application Number | 20050266745 10/852230 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35425975 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050266745 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang, Shao-Hua |
December 1, 2005 |
Finger web swimming aid
Abstract
A finger web swimming aid embodying fingerstalls and web
membranes molded to form one integral body therefrom, and wherein
the web membranes are connected between side walls of each of the
fingerstalls. The fingerstalls provide ends of each of tubular
members allow for the first joint of each of the user's fingers to
expose therefrom. Ribbed edges are configured on outer edges of
each of the web membranes, which enhance strength and allow for
easy removal thereof. Furthermore, a plurality of grooves are
further defined on surfaces of each of the web membranes, and which
provide the web membranes with a moderate degree of concavity, and
functions in coordination with flexing of the fingers of the user.
In particular, when necessary, easy removal of at least one finger
of the three center fingers from the fingerstalls is effectuated,
and which thereby facilitates manipulative movements therewith.
Inventors: |
Wang, Shao-Hua; (Banchiau
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROXELL LAW OFFICE PLLC
5205 LEESBURG PIKE
SUITE 1404
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22041
US
|
Family ID: |
35425975 |
Appl. No.: |
10/852230 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
441/56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 31/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
441/056 |
International
Class: |
A63B 031/10 |
Claims
1-2. (canceled)
3. A finger web swimming aid for a plurality of fingers of a user
comprising: a) a plurality of fingerstalls, each of the plurality
of fingerstalls is a tubular member having a first ribbed edge on a
first end thereof and an outer periphery tapering inwardly from the
first end toward a second end thereof, each of the plurality of
fingerstalls having one of the plurality of fingers of the user
inserted therein, a first joint of one of the plurality of fingers
protruding outwardly from the second end of each of the plurality
of fingerstalls; and b) a plurality of web membranes, one of the
plurality of web membranes is located between two adjacent
fingerstalls of the plurality of fingerstalls, each of the
plurality of web membranes having: i) a second ribbed edge located
between the second end of two adjacent fingerstalls of the
plurality of fingerstalls; ii) a plurality of first grooves formed
on a first surface; and iii) a plurality of second grooves formed
on a second surface opposite the first surface, one of the
plurality of first grooves aligning with each of the plurality of
second grooves, wherein the plurality of fingerstalls are
integrally formed with the plurality of web membranes.
4. The finger web swimming aid according to claim 3, wherein the
plurality of fingerstalls and the plurality of web membranes are
molded from a soft rubber material.
5. The finger web swimming aid according to claim 3, wherein the
plurality of first grooves and the plurality of second grooves
radiate outwardly from a first edge to a second edge of each of the
plurality of web membranes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a structural design of a
finger web swimming aid, and more particularly to the finger web
swimming aid that provides for easy wearing on fingers of a
swimmer, thereby enabling the swimmer to realize enhancement to
paddling motive force by means of web membrane connections between
side walls of fingerstalls, while still maintaining dexterity in
movement of the fingers of the swimmer.
[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A conventional web-fingered glove 10 (see FIG. 8) primary
provides usage for when swimming and diving, thereupon providing
functionality similar to that of flippers by means of membranes 102
connected between each of fingerstalls 101. Accordingly, upon a
swimmer wearing the web-fingered glove 10 on a hand, paddling
motive force of the hand of the swimmer is thereby enhanced.
[0005] However, because of hindrance resulting from thickness of
the web membranes 102, and, moreover, because the fingerstalls 101
are of a complete finger-type structure and fitted onto the
fingers, therefore, upon a user wearing the web-fingered glove 10
on the hand, concerted movement between the fingers is impeded
thereof, moreover, hindrance in dexterity of the fingertips results
there because. Hence, when the user wishes to perform various
movements underwater, the web-fingered gloves 10 must be
temporarily removed in order to benefit movement of the hands, and
upon requiring assistance in swimming movement, the web-fingered
gloves 10 are put on again. The web-fingered gloves 10 having such
a mode of usage not only results in putting on and removing of the
web-fingered gloves 10 time consuming, moreover, because the
web-fingered gloves 10 are made from water impermeable rubber
material, after the gloves 10 have come in contact with water, a
substantial friction force between the rubber material and the hand
results thereof, which makes putting on and removing of the gloves
10 extremely difficult. Furthermore, when the swimmer is underwater
and meets with an emergency situation, because the gloves 10 are
difficult to readily remove to allow the hands to cope with the
emergency, therefore hidden worries arise for the swimmer over
misgivings concerning safety aspect of wearing the web-fingered
gloves 10.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a
structural design of a finger web swimming aid embodying two
portions structured so as to comprise fingerstalls and web
membranes molded to form one integral body therefrom, and wherein
the web membranes are connected between side walls of each of the
fingerstalls. The fingerstalls provide for the fingers of a user to
insert thereinto, and whereby ends of each of tubular members of
the fingerstalls allow for the first joint of each of the fingers
to expose therefrom. A plurality of grooves are further defined on
surfaces of each of the web membranes, whereby configuration of the
grooves is such to provide the web membranes with a moderate degree
of concavity, thereby providing the web membranes with flexing
functionality to function in coordination with flexing of the
fingers of the user.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the
structural design of the finger web swimming aid that enables, when
necessary, at least one finger of the three center fingers to be
removed from the fingerstalls, and which thereby facilitates
manipulative movements therewith.
[0008] Yet another objective of the present invention Is to provide
the structural design of the finger web swimming aid having ribbed
edges configured on outer edges of openings of the tubular members
of the fingerstalls, and, moreover, walls of the fingerstalls are
adapted to assume a taper form extending from the ribbed edges and
in direction of extremity of the fingerstalls, thereby facilitating
action of putting on and removing of the finger web swimming aid
when in usage.
[0009] To enable a further understanding of the said objectives and
the technological methods of the invention herein, the brief
description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed
description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows an elevational schematic view according to the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional, structural schematic view
according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional schematic view of a
fingerstall according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional schematic view of a web
membrane according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 4
according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the web membrane in a
flexed state according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a finger web in use
according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a conventional web-fingered
glove.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, which show a structural design
of a finger web swimming aid of the present invention primarily
structured to comprise fingerstalls 1 and web membranes 2 molded
from soft rubber material so as to form one integral body
therefrom, and wherein:
[0019] The fingerstalls 1 provide tubular members for fingers to be
placed thereinto, and ribbed edges 11 are configured on outer edges
of openings of the tubular members of the fingerstalls 1, moreover,
walls of the fingerstalls 1 are adapted to assume a taper form
extending from the ribbed edges 11 and in direction of extremity of
the fingerstalls 1 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, angle of each of the
tubular members are configured to conform with angle of each finger
of a user, and length of each of the fingerstalls 1 are configured
so as to correspond with length of each of the fingers of the user,
and whereby first joint of each of the fingers of the user are
exposed and protrude from an extremity of each of the fingerstalls
1 respectively when wearing the finger web.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the web membranes 2 comprise
sheets connected between side walls of each of the fingerstalls 1,
and molded so as to form an integral body therewith. Ribbed edges
21 are configured on outer edges of each of the web membranes 2,
and a plurality of grooves 22 are further defined on front and rear
surfaces of each of the web membranes 2, whereby configuration of
the grooves 22 (see FIG. 6) is such to provide the web membranes 2
with a moderate degree of concavity, thereby providing the web
membranes 2 with flexing functionality to function in coordination
with flexing of the fingers of the user.
[0021] According to aforementioned structural members, the
fingerstalls 1 are so deployed such that an angle of each of the
fingerstalls 1 corresponds with an angle of each finger of the
user; moreover, the web membranes 2 are connected between each of
the fingerstalls 1, and molded so as to form one integral body
therewith. Hence, when a swimmer wears the finger web on the
fingers, such a structural assembly realizes enhancement to
paddling motive force of the hand of the swimmer.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 7, which shows the hand wearing the finger
web swimming aid of the present invention, wherein length of each
of the fingerstalls 1 are configured so as to correspond with
length of each of the fingers of the user, moreover, walls of each
of the fingerstalls 1 assume a taper form, and whereby first joint
of an extremity of each of the fingers of the user are exposed and
protrude from each of the fingerstalls 1 respectively when wearing
the finger web. Hence, when the user is wearing the finger web of
the present invention, the user is still able to exploit dexterity
of the fingertips to carry out various manipulative actions (for
instance, to cock a water jet, unfasten objects, and so on.)
[0023] In addition, the plurality of grooves 22 defined on the
front and rear surfaces of each of the web membrane 2 assume a
radiating form that outwardly extends from junctures between the
fingers as center to the outer edges of the web membranes 2,
wherewith, when spreading apart and merging together the fingers,
enables the membrane surfaces of the web membrane 2 to realize
easier coordinative and dexterous flexing therewith (see FIG. 6).
In addition, because thickness of portion of the web membranes 2
having the grooves defined thereat is relatively thinner, therefore
the ribbed edges 21 configured on the outer edges of the web
membranes 2 increases strength of the entire web membranes 2
therewith, and thus the web membranes 2 will not easily tear apart
at the portions having the grooves 22 defined.
[0024] Furthermore, during actual usage of the finger web of the
present invention, a clearance A results (see FIG. 7) between each
of the web membranes 2 and the juncture between each of the
fingers, and whereby formation of the clearances A ensures
resistance against stroking water by the hands is not too great.
After the user has worn the finger web swimming aid for a prolonged
length of time, because of not having to bear too great a
resistance against stroking the water, the user will not experience
fatigue and aching in the arms. Furthermore, because of the ribbed
edges 11 configured on outer edges of the openings of lower ends of
each of the tubular members, in general usage, openings of each of
the fingerstalls 1 can employ functionality of the ribbed edges 11
to afford a propped open state, thereby facilitating action of
putting on and removing the finger web swimming aid when in
usage.
[0025] In conclusion, the structural design of the finger web
swimming aid assuredly achieves unhindered free dexterous movement
of the fingers when the user wears the finger web swimming aid,
and, moreover, achieves anticipated functionality to assist
propelling the swimmer forward. Hence, advancement in effectiveness
has been realized, moreover, means to accomplish such are of an
innovative nature, and which conform to important conditions
required of a new model. Accordingly, an application for a new
patent is proposed herein.
[0026] It is of course to be understood that the embodiments
described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the
invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be
effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following
claims.
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