Swim fins

Abstract

Swim fins that attach to the legs of a swimmer to aid movement through the water. In one example embodiment, a swim fin includes an upper support frame, a lower support frame, a lower blade attached to the lower support frame, and at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame. The upper support is configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg between the swimmer's knee and ankle The lower support frame is configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot. The at least one hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from the swimming position to a walking position. The walking position enables the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.

1 . A swim fin comprising:
 an upper support frame configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg between the swimmer's knee and ankle;   a lower support frame configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot;   a lower blade attached to the lower support frame; and   at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame and configured to be positioned proximate the swimmer's ankle, wherein the at least one hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from the swimming position to a walking position, the walking position enabling the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.   
   
   
       2 . The swim fin as in  claim 1 , wherein the upper support frame at least partially wraps around the front of the swimmer's lower leg and includes an upper blade attached to the upper support frame. 
   
   
       3 . The swim fin as in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a pair of straps configured to attach the upper support frame to the swimmer's lower leg;   
   
   
       4 . The swim fin as in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 padding positioned between the upper support frame and the front of the swimmer's lower leg and configured to make direct contact with the swimmer's lower leg.   
   
   
       5 . The swim fin as in  claim 1 , wherein the lower support frame comprises:
 two braces configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's foot and attached to the at least one hinge assembly; and   a cross member connecting the two braces, the cross member configured to provide support to a portion of the lower blade that is configured to make contact with the top (dorsum) of the swimmer's foot during a down strike while swimming.   
   
   
       6 . The swim fin as in  claim 1 , wherein the upper support frame comprises:
 two braces configured to be positioned on either side of the swimmer's lower leg and attached to the at least one hinge assembly; and   two cross members connecting the two braces.   
   
   
       7 . The swim fin as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring configured to automatically rotate the lower support frame from the swimming position to the walking position.   
   
   
       8 . The swim fin as in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a dampener configured to dampen the automatic rotation of the lower support frame from the swimming position to the walking position.   
   
   
       9 . The swim fin as in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one hinge assembly is configured to lock in the swimming position. 
   
   
       10 . The swim fin as in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly is further configured to lock the lower support frame in any one of multiple swimming positions. 
   
   
       11 . A swim fin comprising:
 an upper support frame configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg;   a lower support frame configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot;   a lower blade attached to the lower support frame; and   at least one locking hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame, wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly allows the lower support frame to be rotated upward from a locked swimming position to a locked walking position.   
   
   
       12 . The swim fin as in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly further comprises at least one spring-loaded release button that is configured to unlock the at least one locking hinge assembly when depressed. 
   
   
       13 . The swim fin as in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one locking hinge assembly is further configured to lock the lower support frame in any one of multiple swimming positions. 
   
   
       14 . The swim fin as in  claim 11 , wherein the walking position enables the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface. 
   
   
       15 . A swim fin comprising:
 an upper support frame configured to be generally positioned along and attached to the front of a swimmer's lower leg;   a lower support frame configured to extend, in a swimming position, from a position proximate the swimmer's ankle to a position beyond the end of the swimmer's foot;   a lower blade attached to the lower support frame; and   at least one hinge assembly connecting the upper support frame to the lower support frame, the at least one hinge assembly including a spring, the spring configured to automatically rotate the lower support frame from a walking position to a swimming position.   
   
   
       16 . The swim fin as in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a latch configured to retain the lower support frame in the walking position.   
   
   
       17 . The swim fin as in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the latch is attached to the upper support frame and engages the lower support frame; or   the latch is attached to the lower support frame and engages the upper support frame.   
   
   
       18 . The swim fin as in  claim 15 , further comprising a dampener configured to dampen the automatic rotation of the lower support frame from the walking position to the swimming position. 
   
   
       19 . The swim fin as in  claim 15 , wherein the spring is further configured to generally maintain the lower support frame in the swimming position during an upstroke of the swimmer's leg. 
   
   
       20 . The swim fin as in  claim 15 , wherein the walking position enables the swimmer to walk barefoot on a surface without the lower support frame nor the lower blade substantially contacting the surface.