Winged aquatic apparatus

Abstract

A winged apparatus for use in aquatic environments is described. In one aspect, the apparatus includes: a water-impermeable wing for mounting on a user's arm, the wing having a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface; and a handle positioned on the bottom exterior surface of the wing, the handle being adapted to receive a hand of the user.

1 . An aquatic apparatus, comprising:
 a water-impermeable wing for mounting on a user's arm, the wing having a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface; and   a handle positioned on the bottom exterior surface of the wing, the handle being adapted to receive a hand of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener positioned on the bottom exterior surface of the wing to secure the user's arm to the wing, the at least one fastener being positioned in spaced relation to the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the handle and the at least one fastener are generally aligned along a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wing has a generally oval shape. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the handle and the at least one fastener are positioned closer to a first lateral side of the wing than to a second lateral side of the wing, such that the user's arm is closer to the first lateral side than the second lateral side when the handle is gripped. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the wing comprises a forearm portion and a deformable portion, the forearm portion being a portion of the wing which rests along the user's forearm when the handle is gripped by the user and the deformable portion being a portion of the wing which extends laterally outwards from the forearm portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the handle and the at least one fastener are positioned on the forearm portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the deformable portion has a greater surface area than the forearm portion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a grip support extending from the bottom exterior surface and a grip bar extending from the grip support, the grip bar extending in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom exterior surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein one end of the grip bar is attached to the grip support and another end of the grip bar is free. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is substantially centrally positioned between two lateral sides of the wing. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the wing is generally symmetrical with respect to a central axis of the wing, the central axis being generally coplanar with the wing and extending longitudinally along a length of the wing centered between the two lateral sides. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises a buckle and adjustable strap assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wing is constructed of plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wing is constructed of hard rubber. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wing is no more than 0.5 inches thick. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a surface area of the top exterior surface of the wing is at least one square foot. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a screw plate positioned on the top surface of the wing, the screw plate configured to fasten one or more screws used to fixedly attach the handle to the bottom exterior surface of the wing. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wing defines one or more apertures extending between the top exterior surface and the bottom exterior surface and wherein the apertures are unfilled. 
     
     
         20 . A kit, comprising:
 a first water-impermeable wing for mounting on a user's right arm; and   a second water-impermeable wing for mounting on the user's left arm,   
       wherein the first and second wings each have a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface, and wherein a handle is positioned on the bottom exterior surface of each of the first and second wings, the handles being adapted to receive hands of the user.