Aquatic device

Abstract

An aquatic device ( 10 ) for providing maneuverability to a user ( 11 ) moving in water. The aquatic device ( 10 ) may be propelled through the water in any appropriate way, such as by being towed through the water or propelled through the water by the user ( 11 ). The aquatic device ( 10 ) comprises a handle means ( 20 ) adapted to be grasped by the user ( 11 ) with arms extending forwardly, and two fins ( 21, 22 ) movable one with respect of one to the other to manoeuvre the aquatic device. The aquatic device ( 10 ) can be maneuvered through movement of the fins ( 21, 22 ) to provide directional control or variation to the orientation of the aquatic device. The directional control may include both steering and depth control. The handle means ( 20 ) are operably connected to the two fins ( 21, 22 ) whereby the user can manually control movement of the fins one with respect to the other.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
         1 . An aquatic device comprising handle means adapted to be grasped by a user, and two control elements moveable one with respect to the other to manoeuvre the aquatic device. 
     
     
         2 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  wherein the control elements comprise fins. 
     
     
         3 . An aquatic device according to  claim 2  wherein each fin comprises a leading end, a trailing end, and upper and lower control surfaces therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . An aquatic device according to  claim 3  wherein the upper and lower control surfaces taper inwardly with respect to each other in the direction towards the trailing end. 
     
     
         5 . An aquatic device according to  claim 3  wherein the leading end is profiled to facilitate movement through the water. 
     
     
         6 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  wherein the handle means are operably connected to the two control elements whereby the user can manually control movement of the control elements one with respect to the other. 
     
     
         7 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  wherein the control elements are pivotally moveable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         8 . An aquatic device according to  claim 7  wherein the control elements are movable about a common pivot axis. 
     
     
         9 . An aquatic device according to  claim 8  the common axis is generally transverse to the direction of travel. 
     
     
         10 . An aquatic device according to  claim 7  wherein the pivot axis is generally horizontal when the aquatic device is travelling in a generally horizontal straight line direction. 
     
     
         11 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  wherein the handle means comprises two handles each connected to a respective one of the control elements. 
     
     
         12 . An aquatic device according to  claim 11  wherein the two control elements are disposed adjacent each other and the two handles are located laterally outwardly thereof. 
     
     
         13 . An aquatic device according to  claim 11  wherein the two handles are disposed adjacent each other and the two control elements are located laterally outwardly thereof. 
     
     
         14 . An aquatic device according to  claim 11  wherein the relative positions of the handles with respect to the control elements are selectively variable between an arrangement in which the two control elements are disposed adjacent each other and the two handles are located laterally outwardly thereof and an arrangement in which the two handles are disposed adjacent each other and the two control elements located laterally outwardly thereof. 
     
     
         15 . An aquatic device according to  claim 11  further comprising an axle, each control element and the respective handle connected thereto being rotatably supported on the axle. 
     
     
         16 . An aquatic device according to  claim 16  wherein the control elements and the handles are removable from the axle. 
     
     
         17 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  adapted to be towed through the water. 
     
     
         18 . An aquatic device according to  claim 17  further comprising a connection means for attachment to a tow line. 
     
     
         19 . An aquatic device according to  claim 18  wherein the connection means is associated with the axle. 
     
     
         20 . An aquatic device according to  claim 19  wherein the connection means comprises a bridle having sections extending from each end of the axle. 
     
     
         21 . An aquatic device according to  claim 19  wherein the connection means comprises a coupling on the axle, the coupling being so located that there is a respective control element and handle to each side thereof. 
     
     
         22 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  adapted to be propelled through the water by the user. 
     
     
         23 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  further comprising an on-board propulsion system. 
     
     
         24 . An aquatic device for towing a user through a body of water, the aquatic device comprising handle means adapted to be grasped by the user, and two control elements moveable one with respect to the other for directional control of the device. 
     
     
         25 . An aquatic device according to  claim 1  wherein each control element is configured to guide water flow with respect to the control surface. 
     
     
         26 . An aquatic device according to  claim 25  wherein each control element comprises protrusions extending from either or both of the upper and lower control surfaces. 
     
     
         27 . An aquatic device according to  claim 26  wherein the protrusions comprise an outer rib extending between the leading end and the trailing end of each control element 
     
     
         28 . An aquatic device according to  claim 27  wherein the protrusions further comprise an inner rib extending between the leading end and the trailing end of each control element 
     
     
         29 . An aquatic device according to  claim 27  wherein the outer rib is located at an outer side edge of the control element. 
     
     
         30 . An aquatic device according to  claim 29  wherein the outer rib is configured to taper inwardly in the forward direction and merge with the leading end of the control element. 
     
     
         31 . An aquatic device according to  claim 27  wherein the inner rib is located adjacent an inner side edge of the control element. 
     
     
         32 . An aquatic device comprising handle means adapted to be grasped by a user to apply propulsion thereto, and two control elements moveable one with respect to the other for maneuvering the aquatic device while being propelled by the user, the handle means being operably connected to the two control elements whereby the user can manually control movement of the control elements one with respect to the other. 
     
     
         33 . A swimming aid comprising handle means adapted to be grasped by a user, and two control elements moveable one with respect to the other to manoeuvre the swimming aid, the handle means being operably connected to the two control elements whereby the user can manually control movement of the control elements one with respect to the other. 
     
     
         34 . An aquatic device comprising handle means adapted to be grasped by a user, and two control elements moveable one with respect to the other to manoeuvre the aquatic device; wherein the control elements comprise water guiding members. 
     
     
         35 . A swimming aid comprising handle means adapted to be grasped by a user, and two control elements moveable one with respect to the other to manoeuvre the aquatic device; wherein the control elements comprise water guiding members.