FLIPPERS FOR BREAST-STROKE SWIMMING Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: sports equipment. SUBSTANCE: flipper blade has pair of outer fins 8 and pair of inner fins 10, which are pivotally connected with their bases. Fins are positioned on side at an angle one relative to the other and have straight end parts 5 and 9 and curved free end parts. Mirror position of paired fins provide for formation of fanlike rowing surface. Curved end parts of fins imitates natural shape of fish fins or whale flippers. Geometrical shape of fins of inner pair of fins imitates shape of amphibians limbs. Outer and inner pairs of fins are joined in plane of symmetry of fully open blade so as to define angle, whose apex is oriented in the direction of idle stroke of blade. Such construction allows breast-stroke swimming speed to be increased due to reduced turbulent flow about flippers, which normally tends to prevent swimmer from advancing in forward direction. Flippers blades are made self-folding and self-closing by interaction with water body to reduce water body draft and, as a result, decrease loading exerted to swimmer. EFFECT: increased efficiency, simplified construction and enhanced reliability in operation. 6 cl, 11 dwg