Swim fin with fabric foot pocket

Abstract

A swim fin comprises a symmetrical fin blade. The symmetrical fin blade has a symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck. The symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion has a support portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck. A symmetrical fabric foot pocket is joined to an upper surface of the symmetrical fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion. A symmetrical sole is joined to a lower surface of the symmetrical fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion. The symmetrical sole has a base portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A swim fin comprising a symmetrical fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion; and a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the symmetrical fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion.  
     
     
         2 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , wherein the foot pocket receiving portion and the fabric foot pocket are symmetrical.  
     
     
         3 . The swim fin of  claim 2 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the sole is symmetrical.  
     
     
         4 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , wherein the symmetrical fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and the foot pocket receiving portion has a support portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck.  
     
     
         5 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , wherein the symmetrical fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and the symmetrical fin blade has fillets along intersections of the side ribs and the blade deck.  
     
     
         6 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , wherein the symmetrical fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and the symmetrical fin blade has a plurality of grooves on upper and lower surfaces of the blade deck extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion.  
     
     
         7 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the symmetrical fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and wherein the sole has a base portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck.  
     
     
         8 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion has a first stretchable fabric layer, a second less-stretchable fabric layer disposed over at least a portion of an upper surface of the first stretchable fabric layer, and a heel strap portion with a strap keeper loop and a buckle that has a double bar configuration.  
     
     
         9 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion extends generally parallel to the upper portion.  
     
     
         10 . The swim fin of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion has a stretchable fabric bottom layer defining multiple drain holes, the multiple drain holes include a primary drain hole and a series of smaller secondary drain holes, and the series of smaller secondary drain holes include drain holes being defined such that the series of smaller secondary drain holes extends further toward a toe region and side portions of the stretchable fabric bottom layer than the primary drain hole extends.  
     
     
         11 . The swim fin of  claim 10 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the symmetrical fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the sole and the symmetrical fin blade define multiple drain holes generally corresponding to the multiple drain holes defined in the stretchable fabric bottom layer of the lower portion of the fabric foot pocket.  
     
     
         12 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion; and a symmetrical fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion.  
     
     
         13 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , wherein the fin blade is symmetrical.  
     
     
         14 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the sole is symmetrical.  
     
     
         15 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , wherein the fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion has a support portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck.  
     
     
         16 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , wherein the fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and the fin blade has fillets along intersections of the side ribs and the blade deck.  
     
     
         17 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , wherein the fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and the fin blade has a plurality of grooves on upper and lower surfaces of the blade deck extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion.  
     
     
         18 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the fin blade additionally comprises a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, and wherein the sole has a base portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck.  
     
     
         19 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , wherein the symmetrical fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion has a first stretchable fabric layer, a second less-stretchable fabric layer disposed over at least a portion of an upper surface of the first stretchable fabric layer, and a heel strap portion with a strap keeper loop and a buckle that has a double bar configuration.  
     
     
         20 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , wherein the symmetrical fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion extends generally parallel to the upper portion.  
     
     
         21 . The swim fin of  claim 12 , wherein the symmetrical fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion has a stretchable fabric bottom layer defining multiple drain holes, the multiple drain holes include a primary drain hole and a series of smaller secondary drain holes, and the series of smaller secondary drain holes include drain holes being defined such that the series of smaller secondary drain holes extends further toward a toe region and side portions of the stretchable fabric bottom layer than the primary drain hole extends.  
     
     
         22 . The swim fin of  claim 21 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the sole and the fin blade define multiple drain holes generally corresponding to the multiple drain holes defined in the stretchable fabric bottom layer of the lower portion of the symmetrical fabric foot pocket.  
     
     
         23 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion, a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, the foot pocket receiving portion having a support portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck; and a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion.  
     
     
         24 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , wherein the fin blade is symmetrical.  
     
     
         25 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , wherein the foot pocket receiving portion and the fabric foot pocket are symmetrical.  
     
     
         26 . The swim fin of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the sole is symmetrical.  
     
     
         27 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , wherein the fin blade has fillets along intersections of the side ribs and the blade deck.  
     
     
         28 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , wherein the fin blade has a plurality of grooves on upper and lower surfaces of the blade deck extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion.  
     
     
         29 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the sole has a base portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck.  
     
     
         30 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , wherein the fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion has a first stretchable fabric layer, a second less-stretchable fabric layer disposed over at least a portion of an upper surface of the first stretchable fabric layer, and a heel strap portion with a strap keeper loop and a buckle that has a double bar configuration.  
     
     
         31 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , wherein the fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion extends generally parallel to the upper portion.  
     
     
         32 . The swim fin of  claim 23 , wherein the fabric foot pocket has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion has a stretchable fabric bottom layer defining multiple drain holes, the multiple drain holes include a primary drain hole and a series of smaller secondary drain holes, and the series of smaller secondary drain holes include drain holes being defined such that the series of smaller secondary drain holes extends further toward a toe region and side portions of the stretchable fabric bottom layer than the primary drain hole extends.  
     
     
         33 . The swim fin of  claim 32 , additionally comprising a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, wherein the sole and the fin blade define multiple drain holes generally corresponding to the multiple drain holes defined in the stretchable fabric bottom layer of the lower portion of the fabric foot pocket.  
     
     
         34 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion, a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, the fin blade having fillets along intersections of the side ribs and the blade deck; and a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion.  
     
     
         35 . A swim fin comprising, a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion, a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, the fin blade having a plurality of grooves on upper and lower surfaces of the blade deck extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion; and a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion.  
     
     
         36 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion; and a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, the fabric foot pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first stretchable fabric layer, a second less-stretchable fabric layer disposed over at least a portion of an upper surface of the first stretchable fabric layer, and a heel strap portion with a buckle having a double bar configuration.  
     
     
         37 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion; and a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, the fabric foot pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first stretchable fabric layer, a second less-stretchable fabric layer disposed over at least a portion of an upper surface of the first stretchable fabric layer, and a heel strap portion with a strap keeper loop.  
     
     
         38 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion; and a, fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, the fabric foot pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending generally parallel to the upper portion.  
     
     
         39 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion; and a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, the fabric foot pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a stretchable fabric bottom layer defining multiple drain holes, the multiple drain holes including a primary drain hole and a series of smaller secondary drain holes, the series of smaller secondary drain holes including drain holes being defined such that the series of smaller secondary drain holes extends further toward a toe region and side portions of the stretchable fabric bottom layer than the primary drain hole extends.  
     
     
         40 . A swim fin comprising a fin blade having a foot pocket receiving portion, a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck; a fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion; and a sole being joined to a lower surface of the fin blade at the foot pocket receiving portion, the sole having a base portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck.  
     
     
         41 . A swim fin comprising a symmetrical fin blade having a symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck, the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion having a support portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck, the symmetrical fin blade having fillets along intersections of the side ribs and the blade deck, the symmetrical fin blade having a plurality of grooves on upper and lower surfaces of the blade deck extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion; a symmetrical fabric foot pocket being joined to an upper surface of the symmetrical fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, the symmetrical fabric foot pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first stretchable fabric layer, a second less-stretchable fabric layer disposed over at least a portion of an upper surface of the first stretchable fabric layer, and a heel strap portion with a strap keeper loop and a buckle having a double bar configuration, the lower portion extending generally parallel to the upper portion and having a stretchable fabric bottom layer defining multiple drain holes, the multiple drain holes including a primary drain hole and a series of smaller secondary drain holes, the series of smaller secondary drain holes including drain holes being defined such that the series of smaller secondary drain holes extends further toward a toe region and side portions of the stretchable fabric bottom layer than the primary drain hole extends; and a symmetrical sole being joined to a lower surface of the symmetrical fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, the symmetrical sole having a base portion extending generally parallel to the blade deck, the symmetrical sole and the symmetrical fin blade defining multiple drain holes generally corresponding to the multiple drain holes defined in the stretchable fabric bottom layer of the lower portion of the symmetrical fabric foot pocket.  
     
     
         42 . A method of making a swim fin comprising the steps of: 
 forming a fin blade having a symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion, a tip portion, a blade deck, and side ribs extending from the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion to the tip portion along side portions of the blade deck;    forming a symmetrical fabric foot pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first stretchable fabric layer, a second less-stretchable fabric layer disposed over at least a portion of an upper surface of the first stretchable fabric layer, and a heel strap portion, the lower portion extending generally parallel to the upper portion and having a stretchable fabric bottom layer; and    joining the symmetrical fabric foot pocket to an upper surface of the fin blade at the symmetrical foot pocket receiving portion.