Universal swim fin replacement heel strap

Abstract

With the development of the universal swim fin replacement strap swimmers will be able to carry inexpensive, colorful, replacement straps with them whether they came on the swim fins or not, so that in the event a buckle or strap breaks or is lost, the swimming activity is not spoiled by not being able to use the swim fins. These unique heel straps will not be encumbered with heavy adjusting buckles or heel supports, but will incorporate a novel method of length adjustment using the existing knobs located on the sides of the swim fins and a plurality of orifices along the sides from the heal area to each distal end of the strap. Pull tabs or pull rings will aide in the mounting of the universal replacement swim fin strap to the swim fins and to putting the swim fins on the foot. Additional embodiments of this invention endeavor to accomplish the same goals using similar means of attachment while staying within the scope of this patent.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A universal swim fin replacement heel strap comprising: 
 a. a flat strip of flexible material of sufficient size that includes pull tabs, loops or orifices as a means of attachment to the user's foot and fin and as a means of length adjustment    b. a bungee like flexible material of sufficient size that includes pull tabs or loops and a means of length adjustment    c. a flexible tubing material of sufficient size that includes attachment clips made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, pull tabs or loops and a means of length adjustment    
     
     
         2 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap made of rubber like elastic material will have some means of pull tabs or loops positioned at key points of said strap.  
     
     
         3 . The heel strap of  claim 2  wherein said pull tabs or loops can be positioned at the appropriate angles for easy handling of said strap.  
     
     
         4 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap may be made from a rubbery like elastic material where any number of orifices that can come in a variety of geometrical shapes molded or placed into said strap.  
     
     
         5 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap made of rubber like elastic material can conform to the heel of the user's foot.  
     
     
         6 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap made of rubber like elastic material can have a textured surface on said strap.  
     
     
         7 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap made of rubber like elastic material can be made with a smooth surface on said strap.  
     
     
         8 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap will be of a uniform and constant thickness.  
     
     
         9 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap can have varying thickness of material through said strap.  
     
     
         10 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap may be made of a rubber elastic material can come in a variety of colors and hues.  
     
     
         11 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap may be made with a bungee or bungee like material and would have a means of attachment to the open heel dive fin strap attachment knobs placed on both outer sides of the foot pocket.  
     
     
         12 . The heel strap of  claim 11  wherein said strap can also be equipped with an adjustable tensioning device below the loop in the heel portion or said strap to make length adjustments.  
     
     
         13 . The heel strap of  claim 12  wherein said strap can be made without the adjustable tensioning device.  
     
     
         14 . The heel strap of  claim 11  wherein said strap can have some means of a pull tab instead of a loop or tensioning device.  
     
     
         15 . The heel strap of  claim 1  wherein said strap made of a stretchy rubber tubing like material can be slipped onto the attachment clips that fasten to the dive fin attachment knob that protrudes out from both sides of the foot pocket securing the strap to the fin and will be equipped with a loop in the heel portion of said strap.  
     
     
         16 . The heel strap of  claim 15  wherein said strap will be slipped onto the attachment clips wherein said attachment clip comprising of one or more protruding prongs that attach to the corresponding ends of the stretchy rubber tubes.  
     
     
         17 . The heel strap of  claim 15  wherein said strap will be equipped with an adjustable tensioning device below the loop in the heel portion to make length adjustments on said strap.  
     
     
         18 . The heel strap of  claim 17  wherein said strap can be made without the loop or adjustable tensioning device.  
     
     
         19 . The heel strap of  claim 15  wherein said strap may be equipped with some means of a pull tab instead of a loop at the heel portion of said strap.  
     
     
         20 . The heel strap of  claim 16  wherein said strap can come in various shapes and thickness depending on the tinsel strength of the material and the size and shape of the prongs of the attachment clips.  
     
     
         21 . The heel strap of  claim 20  wherein said strap has prongs on the attachment clips which can came in various shapes and sizes to correspond with the shape of the tubing of said strap.