Reverse thrust swimming flipper

Abstract

The Reverse Thrust Flipper is a swimming flipper similar to a regular swimming (scuba diving, exercise, recreational) flipper that has the function of generating thrust in the opposite direction to the swimmers direction. The purpose of this flipper is to allow the swimmer to exercise without the need of a large body of water. The flipper's reverse thrust reduces de forward movement while still requiring the swimmer to exert the same amount of work. Its oscillating fin makes it possible to produce the reverse thrust in both the upward and downward leg strokes, thus maximizing the work out and enabling a simulated forward swimming experience.

1 . An aquatic foot flipper that produces a reverse thrust to the swimmer allowing him to exercise with diminished forward movement. The use of which enables the swimmer to transform the energy delivered to the flippers trough the leg strokes into a water flow thrust that is opposite in direction to the swimmers direction. This thrust generates a force opposite to the direction of the forward-moving resultant force created by the legs and arm motion in customary swimming. The cancelation of these forces results in a decrease or elimination of forward movement. 
     
     
         2 . The aquatic foot flipper according to  claim 1 , redirects water flow thrust, generated by the leg strokes, towards the direction of the swimmers heading. 
     
     
         3 . A water contact fin that is hinged, by means of a flexible hinge or a pined hinge, to the end of a swimming flipper that allows the flipper assembly to redirect the flow of water in a direction opposite to a conventional flipper. 
     
     
         4 . A water contact fin that is hinged, by means of a flexible hinge or a pined hinge, to the end of a swimming flipper according to  claim 3 , that allows movement of the fin in an upward and downward direction as to redirect the flow of water during downward and upward leg strokes without having to modify the flipper assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The use of non permeable flexible membranes or film to connect the lateral sides of a hinged water fin to a flipper assembly so as to create a cavity and constrain the water flow created from a leg stroke in a direction opposite to the heading of the flipper (swimmer). 
     
     
         6 . The use of non permeable flexible membranes or film to connect the lateral sides of a hinged water fin to a flipper assembly according to  claim 5 , so as to control de range of movement of a back hinged moving fin while allowing it to move freely during the transitional movements of the fin. 
     
     
         7 . A rigid frame connecting a water shoe to a hinged moving (oscillating) fin and side flexible membranes with a minimal contact area that reduces the forward water thrust and transfers the forces from the shoe (swimmer) to the fin and the reacting forces from the fin to the shoe (swimmer).