Assistive aquatic propulsion device

Abstract

An assistive aquatic propulsion device affixable to a wearer's body to increase speed and mobility of bodily movement during surface and underwater swimming. The device includes a flexural fin member which in one embodiment of the invention is joined to a transversely extending spar member joined to a longitudinally extending yoke member, with the yoke member being releasably secured to the legs of a wearer, and with the spar member being arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinally extending yoke member. In a specific embodiment, the device includes a biomimetic tailfin simulative of tailfin structure of a whale, porpoise, manatee or other marine animal.

1 . An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising a fin structure arranged to extend transversely outwardly from a wearer's lower leg or foot region, and securement structure for securing the fin structure to the wearer's body.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fin structure comprises a unitary sheet-like member.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fin structure comprises fin half-sections.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fin structure comprises a biomimetic tailfin.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the biomimetic tailfin is a unitary tailfin structure.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the biomimetic tailfin comprises tailfin half-sections.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fin structure is joined to an elongate yoke member, and the securement structure is mounted on the yoke member.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the securement structure comprises releasibly connectible coupling members.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling members include one or more members selected from the group consisting of belts, straps, elastic loops, mechanical fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, sleeves, bands, harnesses, cords, chains, and apparel articles.  
   
   
       10 . An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising a biomimetic tailfin joined to a yoke member securable to legs of a wearer so that legs of the wearer are secured together in side-by-side manner.  
   
   
       11 . An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising: 
 a longitudinally extending yoke member constructed and arranged for positioning between legs of a wearer;    coupling structure for securing the yoke member to the legs of a wearer;    a spar member extending transversely outwardly from and secured to the longitudinally extending yoke member; and    a flexural fin member secured to the spar member.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the spar member is joined to the longitudinally extending yoke member at a distal portion of the yoke member, with the spar member arranged perpendicularly to the yoke member.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the flexural fin member is formed of a flexible resistant polymeric or rubber material.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling structure is quick-releasable in character.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the spar member has a dimensional extent in a range of from about 1.5 feet to about 5 feet and the yoke member has a dimensional extent in a range of from about 15 inches to about 3 feet.  
   
   
       16 . An assistive aquatic propulsion device, comprising a flexural fin member joined to a longitudinal yoke member securable to the legs of a wearer, said flexural fin member rearwardly of the yoke member extending transversely outwardly therefrom.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the flexural fin member is formed of a flexible resistant polymeric or rubber material.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the flexural fin member and the yoke member are integrally formed.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the yoke member is securable to the legs of a wearer by quick-release coupling members.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the yoke member is formed of a same material as the flexural fin member.