Dual adjustable strap designs for swim fins

Abstract

An improved adjustable heel strap having an adjustable instep strap connected to the heel strap adjacent the heel portion of a swimmer' foot. Methods are provided for providing a highly adjustable strap system for preventing loss of swim fins in rough water conditions such as large surf and large open ocean waves. Methods are also provided for providing multi-dimensional heel strap adjustability around the ankle and instep to reduce ankle strain, increase ankle support, distribute load and stress points, reduce chaffing and blisters, increase leverage and power to the swim fin, reduce looseness and play between the foot and the swim fin, to increase comfort, to increase control, to improve positioning control, to improve sizing adjustment and to provide increased conformity to greater variations in foot and ankle sizes, shapes and contours. Methods are also provided for providing dual adjustable heel straps and instep straps having sufficient quick release capabilities for permitting the swim fin to be put on and taken off quickly and easily while in the water, including while in rough water conditions.

1 . An improved strap assembly for a swim fin, comprising: 
 (a) an adjustable heel strap having two distal ends arranged to be secured to two lateral sides of a swim fin foot pocket, said adjustable heel strap having a predetermined heel strap tension between said two lateral sides, at least one of said two distal ends having an adjustable heel strap buckle arranged to adjust said predetermined heel strap tension;    (b) an instep strap secured to said adjustable heel strap with an instep strap connection located between said distal ends, said instep strap secured to said heel strap at an instep strap base, said instep strap having a free end portion spaced from said instep strap base and said adjustable heel strap, said free end portion being secured to an adjustable instep buckle, said adjustable instep strap being capable of securing to the ankle of a swimmer with a loop having a predetermined instep strap tension between said instep strap base and said adjustable instep buckle, said instep buckle being arranged to permit said predetermined instep strap tension to be significantly adjustable, said instep strap connection being sufficiently spaced from said adjustable heel strap buckle to permit said adjustable heel strap buckle to efficiently adjust a significant amount of said predetermined heel strap tension.    
   
   
       2 - 21 . (canceled)