Heel element for swim fins

Abstract

A heel member for an open-heel fin includes a loop-shaped body having a substantially parabolic profile, with an inner portion shaped as a cavity of substantially parabolic profile that is configured for housing the ankle of a user. The heel member is provided, on both of its arms, with at least one axial duct suitable for housing a strap that engages the sides of the foot pocket of the fin.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heel member for an open-heel fin, comprising:
 a loop-shaped body having arms that define a substantially parabolic profile with an inside shaped as a cavity having a substantially parabolic profile and configured to completely house a rear portion of a user's ankle, and   a strap engaging sides of a foot-pocket of the fin,   wherein the loop-shaped body is provided, on both of said arms, with an axial duct adapted to house said strap.   
     
     
         2 . The heel member according to  claim 1 , wherein an additional concavity is defined at a vertex of the substantially parabolic profile of said cavity, the additional concavity being shaped like a rounded ogive. 
     
     
         3 . The heel member according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one radial cavity defined on each one of said arms and communicating with said duct, said at least one radial cavity being adapted to receive an element configured to be connected to one end of said strap. 
     
     
         4 . The heel member according to  claim 3 , wherein said arms are each provided with a second axial duct parallel to the first duct, said radial cavities being in communication with one of the two axial ducts. 
     
     
         5 . The heel member according to  claim 1 , wherein said loop-shaped body has a vertex provided with a gripping member on an outer wall of said vertex. 
     
     
         6 . The heel member according to  claim 5 , wherein said gripping member comprises a through opening defined near said vertex. 
     
     
         7 . The heel member according to  claim 1 , wherein said heel member is made as one piece of an elastically yielding material. 
     
     
         8 . The heel member according to  claim 7 , wherein the elastically yielding material is made from a polymeric foam. 
     
     
         9 . The heel member according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric foam is of closed cell type. 
     
     
         10 . The heel member according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric foam comprises one or both of polyurethane or polystyrene. 
     
     
         11 . The heel member according to  claim 7 , wherein the elastically yielding material is a thermoplastic rubber, a natural rubber, or a mixture thereof.