The invention relates to a breast stroke swimming shoe. Such swimming shoes are known from the prior art. An early type of breast stroke swimming shoe has been disclosed in US 3,671,987. The known swimming shoe is adapted especially to aid in the performance of the breast stroke comprising: a sole, means for attaching the sole to the foot of the wearer and a scoop-shaped fin extending from the underside of the sole. In the known swimming shoe, the joint between the fin and the sole extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the sole, and the scoop portion of the fin opens towards the inward side of the wearer's foot.

A later example of the swimming shoe has been described in US 4,310,938. The respective swimming shoe has two thrust or propulsion flaps or flippers, both being hinged to the shoe body in such a manner that a pulling movement of the swimmer's legs substantially reduces the surface area of the swimming shoe, whereas a thrust or propulsion movement of the swimmer's legs increases the "thrust surface area" in an optimal manner. To this end one propulsion flap is hinged to a longitudinal edge of the sole whereas another propulsion flap is hinged to the longitudinal side of the shoe upper, diagonally opposite the first flap or flipper. Also, yet another example is known from US 5,374,210, which discloses a breast-stroke swimming fine consisting of a flexible rubber shoe having a short rigid wing at the front with twisted profile and an oscillating rigid wall under one of the fin sides.

The known solutions provide an advantage of training the breast stroke. They are mainly based on the idea of providing fins that swing outwardly to provide extra push propulsion, and inwardly to allow retraction (during a subsequent pull action). The present invention aims to provide an improved breast stroke swimming shoe. Particularly, the invention aims to provide a breast stroke swimming shoe than can provide improved training of the breast stroke.

To this aim, the invention provides a breast stroke swimming shoe that is characterized by the features of claim 1.

Advantageously, there is provided a swimming shoe comprising: -a guidance flap, extending sideways from a side of the shoe body, the guidance flap being configured to effect a swimming shoe guidance force, acting on the respective shoe body, during a pull portion of the breast stroke.

The guidance flap is preferably configured to provide a predetermined guidance of the swimming shoe during operation, and particularly during a breast stroke pull portion (i.e. when the swimmer retracts legs and feet, preparing for a subsequent thrusting push action). A basic idea of the invention is that training of the breast stroke also involves a certain guidance of the swimmer's foot during retraction of the foot (the guidance particularly involving an additional force, acting on the respective shoe body). Besides, the guidance flap may train leg muscles during the pull portion of the breast stroke. Preferably, the guidance flap generates a drag force (in swimming water), at least during the breast stroke pull portion, the drag force acting via the guidance flap onto the swimming shoe to guide the shoe to a desired position. For example, according to a more preferred embodiment, the guidance that is effected by the guidance flap enhances a rotating movement of the swimming shoe during the pull portion of the breast stroke (such that the swimmer wearing the swimming shoe experiences a force driving the respective foot towards a position wherein the foot sole is faced away from a saggital plane of the swimmer). Also, in a further example, during operation, the guidance flap can cooperate with an optional propulsion flap during the breast stroke push portion, to provide training, as well as a stable guidance of the shoe and swimmer's feet and legs towards a desired extended position.

Preferably, the guidance flap is stationary mounted to the shoe body, to provide a stable swimming shoe guidance action. In an alternative embodiment, the guidance flap may be movably mounted to the shoe body, for example pivotally, via a hinge.

It has been found that good results are be obtained in case the guidance flap reaches from a bottom side of the a shoe body, in a lateral direction. Also, preferably, the guidance flap has an arcuate shape, particularly an upwardly arcuate shape, when viewed in a front view.

Also, an aspect of the invention provides a modular system that preferably comprises a swimming shoe according to the invention.

Also, an aspect of the invention can include a modular system that for example includes a swimming shoe according to the invention. Advantageously, the modular system includes at least one flap removable connected to the shoe body, and at least a second flap that is connectable to the shoe body to replace the first flap. For example, the system can include a first mounting structure that is removably connected to the swimming shoe, the mounting structure being provided with at least one flap, wherein the system is provided with at least a second mounting structure configured to be connected to the swimming shoe instead of the first mounting structure.

For example, the second flap (or second mounting structure) may have a different configuration (for example a different shape, different dimensions, a different weight, a different flexibility -if any- or a combination of such configuration parameters) than the configuration of the first flap (or mounting structure).

The modular system allows application of different training configurations, for example to provide the same swimmer a selection of different types of breast stroke training, and/or to provide different swimmers with specifically adapted, personalized, breast stroke training shoes. As an example, the system can include a number of swimming shoes of substantially the same configuration, wherein one or more flaps that will provide a predetermined personalized training configuration, can be selected from a plurality of flaps providing different training configurations. The selected one or more flaps are then mounted to a swimming shoe, to be used to train the swimmer in question.

The invention will now be further elucidated by means of, non- limiting, examples referring to the drawings. Therein shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 a side view of the embodiment;

Fig. 3 top view of the embodiment;

Fig. 4 a bottom view of the first embodiment;

Fig. 5 a front view of the first embodiment, wherein the propulsion flap is in a first position;;

Fig. 6 a similar cross-section as Fig. 5, , wherein the propulsion flap 11 is in a second position;

Fig. 7 a similar front view as Fig. 5 of a further example; and

Fig. 8 a similar front view as Fig. 5 of a yet further example. In this application, corresponding or similar features are denoted by corresponding or similar reference signs.

Figures 1-6 show a preferred example of a breast stroke swimming shoe.

The swimming shoe preferably comprising a shoe body 1, having a foot receiving cavity 2, a first flap (or fin) 11 (a propulsion flap), being pivotal between a first state, wherein the flap extends sideways from a first (external lateral) side of the shoe body to provide propulsion during a breast stroke push portion, and a second state, wherein the flap extends near the shoe body to allow shoe retraction during a breast stroke pull portion. The shoe body is also provided with a second flap or fin 12 (a guidance flap), extends sideways from a second (external lateral) side of the shoe body, faced away from the first side.

Preferably, the second lateral side (from which the guidance flap protrudes) is the side that coincides with a lateral inner side of the sole (i.e. a foot sole of a user wearing the respective swimming shoe). Also, preferably, the first lateral side (from which the propulsion flap 11 protrudes) is the side that coincides with a lateral outer side of the sole (i.e. a foot sole of a user wearing the respective swimming shoe). In the present example, external surfaces of both the propulsion flap 11 and the guidance flap 12 extend substantially in parallel with respect to a virtual longitudinal axis of the swimming shoe (as follows from Figures 5-6). In another embodiment, not shown, external surfaces of the propulsion flap 11 and/or the guidance flap 12 may extend in a different direction, for example a direction wherein the surfaces includes a small angle (for example plus or minus 0 to 20°) with respect to a line that intersects the surface and that is parallel to the virtual longitudinal axis of the swimming shoe.

The propulsion flap is a preferred feature. Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the shoe body 1' that is not provided such a propulsion flap. The swimming shoe body 1 can be configured in various ways, as will be appreciated by the skilled person. In the example, the shoe body includes an upper wall Ia, bottom wall Ib, lateral side walls Ic, Id, the walls defining the foot receiving cavity 2. In the embodiment, the walls Ia- Ib have been made in one piece, of a resilient material, for example rubber or an elastic plastic, and are dimensioned to be held stably and firmly by the foot of the swimmer. The upper wall is provided with a foot entry opening 3.

In the exemplary embodiments, a hinge device 4 is provided, to pivotally hold the propulsion flap 11. The present hinge device 4 extends in parallel with respect to a longitudinal (virtual) axis of the shoe. The hinge device 4 can be configured to define an initial propulsion position (the first state) of the propulsion flap 11 (shown in Figures 1-5), from which position the flap 11 can swing downwardly to the second state (i.e. towards the shoe bottom). A blocking unit is preferably provided for blocking swinging of the propulsion flap from the first state in an opposite direction, i.e., towards the upper side of the shoe; in the example, the hinge device 4 acts as blocking unit. According to a more preferred embodiment, the hinge device 4 can be taken apart, to remove or replace the respective flap 11. For example, the hinge device 4 can include hinge parts (that are connected to the flap 11 and shoe body), the hinge parts being held together by a hinge axis (i.e. a rod); the hinge axis can be removable, to disconnect the respective hinge parts, and thus uncouple the flap 11 from the shoe body.

In the first example, the guidance flap 12 is stationary mounted to the shoe body 1. The guidance flap 12 reaches from a bottom side (provided by the bottom wall Ib) of the shoe body 1, in a lateral direction. As follows from Figures 1-4, in the example, a length of the guidance flap 12 (measured in a longitudinal direction of the shoe) is at least half a length of the shoe body 1. In a further example, the guidance flap 12 protrudes sideways (from the second lateral side) over a distance that is at least half the width of the shoe body (measured in the same direction), or over a larger distance. The present guidance flap 12 has an arcuate (i.e. curved) shape, particularly an upwardly arcuate shape, when viewed in a front view (and when viewed in cross- section). Herein, the upward direction is a direction from the shoe bottom Ib towards the opposite foot entry opening. Particularly, the guidance flap 12 is configured to induce a rotative force upon the swimming shoe, the force providing a rotation having a (virtual) rotation axis that extends in parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shoe, during a pull portion of a breast stroke, such that the swimmer's footsole is guided to substantially face away from a saggital plane. In other words: the guidance flap 12 provides guidance to the foot during the pull action, teaching the user to guide the foot along an optimal path towards a desired foot position -the sole facing outwardly, substantially away from the saggital plane.

The propulsion flap 11 has an arcuate shape, particularly a downwardly arcuate shape (in case the propulsion flap 11 is in a laterally extending position as in Fig. 5), when viewed in a front view. Thus, a lower surface of the propulsion flap 11, that provides a propulsion surface during the push action of the breast stroke, is a concave surface. Also, a lower surface of the guidance flap 12 is a convex surface. The upper surface of the guidance flap 12 (facing away from the lower surface of the flap 12) is a concave guidance surface, providing enhanced drag in swimming water during the pull action of the breast stroke. In the present example, the upper surface of the guidance flap 12 partly faces an external lateral side of the swimming shoe, (see Fig. 5), i.e., that surface bends slightly towards the second lateral side of the shoe body. The upper surface of the optional propulsion flap 11 preferably is curved away from the external second lateral side of the swimming shoe 1.

For example, a lateral edge part of the guidance flap 12 can extends along a virtual tangential plane that includes an angle β in the range of 20-90° with a bottom face of the swimming shoe, for example, an angle β of about 40-90°. The guidance flap 12 includes a water guiding surface having a substantially U-shaped lateral edge, when viewed in a bottom view.

More particularly, the present propulsion flap 11 includes a propulsion surface PS, preferably having a curved, substantially U-shaped lateral edge, when viewed in a bottom view.

In a further embodiment, a surface of the propulsion flap is provided with a guidance enhancing structure, for example a structure having one or more curved guidance ribs 11a (one being indicated in Fig. 4), provided on the propulsion side PS of the flap 11. For example, the guidance rib 11a can protrude over a small distance, for example about 1 to 5 mm, or another distance, outwardly from the respective side of the flap 11. Preferably, the propulsion side PS of the flap 11 is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart guidance enhancing ribs. In this example, a proximal (inner) end of the guidance rib 11a is located at a first distance Dl from a lateral front of the shoe, and a distal (outer) end of the rib 11a is located at a second distance D2 from the lateral front of the shoe, the first distance Dl being smaller than the second distance D2. The concave side of the rib 11a is faced towards the mounting plate and shoe body. For example, each of these ribs 11a can act as a reinforcement rib. The rib 11a can provide additional steering of foot movement during the breast stroke.

Alternatively, for example, as is indicated by dashed line lib in Fig. 4, one ore more such guidance ribs lib can be provided on a propulsion side of the propulsion flap, wherein a proximal (inner) end of the rib lib is located at a first distance from a lateral front of the shoe, and a distal (outer) end of the rib lib can be located at a second distance from the lateral front of the shoe, the first distance being larger than the second distance. Preferably, each guidance rib is a continuous, uninterrupted, rib, that preferably extends all the way from a lateral inner end to a lateral outer end of the propulsion flap 11. Alternatively, a guidance rib can be an interrupted rib, for example provided by an array of spaced-apart rib sections. Also, in an embodiment, the guidance rib does not reach the lateral inner end of the propulsion flap 11, or to a lateral outer end of the flap 11, or both.

In yet a further embodiment, one or both sides of the guidance flap 12 can be provided respective guidance ribs (not shown), protruding there-from, to provide additional guidance during operation

As follows from Fig. 3-4, the guidance flap 12 also has a curved lateral edge. The skilled person will appreciate that the flaps 11, 12 may also have different shapes, for example having polygonal shapes. Besides, in the present example, each of the flaps 11, 12 is provided with uninterrupted (i.e. continuous) surfaces to provide desired propulsion and guidance during respective strokes of the swimmer. Alternatively, the propulsion flap 11, guidance flap 12, or both, can be provided with one or more water passages, for example, perforations, for example to adjust the flap effect (drag forces) during operation. In yet another example (not shown), the one or more water passages can be adjustable, for example closable (using a respective water passage closure means), to set a desired level of flap action. The guidance flap 12 is preferably made of a rigid material, for example a metal or an alloy, or a rigid plastic. The propulsion flap 11 and guidance flap 12 can be made of the same material. Alternatively, the propulsion flap 11 can be made of a different material than the guidance flap 11. Also, according to a further embodiment, the flaps 11, 12 may have about the same rigidity, however, that is not essential. For example, according to a more preferred embodiment, the stationary guidance flap 12 is less rigid than the swivable propulsion flap 11, for example by manufacturing the guidance flap 12 from a material having some elasticity or resiliency (at least a resiliency that is lower than a resiliency of the propulsion flap -if any).

Preferably, a mounting structure 10 is provided, that is connected to the swimming shoe body 1. In this example, the mounting structure 10 and the guidance flap 12 have been made in one piece, from the same material. Particularly, the guidance flap 12 is a laterally extending part that protrudes from the mounting structure 10. In this example, the mounting structure is a mounting plate 10, however, the skilled person will appreciate that the mounting structure can also be configured differently (for example a structure of several rods or platelets, or a mesh). The mounting structure can be connected to the shoe body 1 in several ways. In the example, the mounting structure 10 is detachably connected to the bottom of the shoe body, using detachable connectors 5. For example, the connectors can be configured to detachably clamp or click or strap the mounting structure 10 to the shoe body 1. Also, for example, the connectors 5 can be threaded connectors, for example threaded bolts, screws, nuts, cooperating with treaded connector receivers of the shoe body. Alternatively, the mounting structure 10 can be connected to the shoe body such, that removal of the mounting structure 10 is only possible after damaging that structure and/or the shoe body 1. For example the mounting structure can be attached to the shoe body 1 using an adhesive. Figures 5-6 show operation of the swimming shoe. Particularly,

Fig. 5 shows a swimming shoe state during a push action of the breast stroke (carried out by a swimmer swimming in water, and wearing the shoe), and Fig. 6 shows the state during a pull action of the breast stroke. As follows from the drawing, during a push phase of a breast stroke (wherein the shoe is moved in a push direction such as indicated by an arrow G in Fig. 5), a lower surface (i.e. propulsion side PS) of the propulsion flap 11 increases the surface area of the swimming shoe, capturing water, to provide additional thrust (a respective thrust force of water is schematically indicated by arrows T). Herein, the (optional) guidance enhancing structure of the propulsion side PS (for example the one or more curved ribs 11a or lib) can provide additional steering. Besides, the convex, outwardly curved lower surface of the guidance flap 12 (extending in opposite direction with respect to the propulsion flap 11) allows water to be passed there-along, providing additional thrust. In the present example, the propulsion flap 11 provides significantly more trust than the guidance flap 12, during the push phase of the breast stroke. The guidance flap 12 also increases stability, and enhances swimmer action to reach out his ankles, and position the food in an optimal manner.

The push phase is followed by a pull phase, wherein the shoe is retracted, in opposite direction. As a result, the propulsion flap pivots to its second position, facing the bottom of the shoe (in this case facing the mounting structure 10). As a result, water can pass the shoe along the first lateral side, as is indicated by arrows P. The upwardly curved guidance flap 12 remains substantially stationary with respect to the swimming shoe, thereby providing a guidance of the shoe during the pull phase. The guidance may involves a lateral guidance of water along the flap 12 (the guidance being indicated by arrow H), for a controlled rotation about a longitudinal axis of the shoe, the rotation being schematically indicated by an arrow R in Fig. 6. Particularly, the guidance provided by the guidance flap 12 can correct undesired deviations of feet movement (i.e. deviations from an optimal foot retraction path).

In case both feet of the swimmer are provided with a respective swimming shoe 1, both the swimmer's footsoles (resting on the bottoms of the respective shoe bodies) can be urged/guided to substantially face-away from the saggital plane of the swimmer (i.e., the foot soles face each other). In this way, the swimmer can be trained to achieve optimal breast stroke swimming technique, to improve performance.

As a result, the fixed (stationary) guidance flap 12 can provide swimming shoe guidance, for training the breast stroke. The guidance flap 12 can provide stability during the push phase (in cooperation with the propulsion flap 11), and may serve to control/train foot orientation during the pull phase. Optionally, the guidance flap 12 can provide muscle training during each breast stroke pull portion.

In a preferred embodiment, as is indicated in Figures 1-4, 7, 8, there is provided a modular system comprising the swimming shoe, having the shoe body 1. In that case, a first mounting structure 10 can be available, for example a mounting structure as shown in Figures 1-4. Then, in a further embodiment, the mounting structure 10 can be removably connected to the swimming shoe (particularly to the bottom wall of the shoe body). Preferably the system is provided with at least a second mounting structure (not shown) configured to be connected to the swimming shoe instead of the first mounting structure 10. For example, a second mounting structure, replacing the first one 10, can be provided with a propulsion flap and a guidance flap having different dimensions than the dimensions of these flaps 11, 12 of the first mounting structure.

Figure 7 shows another (third) mounting structure 210, which is provided with two propulsion flaps 211 (pivotally connected to that structure 210), to replace the first mounting structure 10. Thus, the swimming shoe can be adapted in a straight forward manner, to provide different types of breast stroke training.

Also, for example, a modular system can include at least one first flap 11, 12, removable connected to the shoe body, and at least a second flap 111, 112 that is connectable to the shoe body to replace the first flap 11, 12. Also, one or both flaps 11, 12 can be removably connected to a respective mounting structure 10, for example to be replaced by another type of flap.

Also, Fig. 8 depicts yet another example, wherein a mounting structure 310 having a stationary guidance flap 12 is connected to the shoe body. In this case, the swimming shoe does not have the (swivable) propulsion flap.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other features or steps then those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. For example, according to a further embodiment, a front side of the swimming shoe may be provided with one or more additional flaps, for example a front fin 13 having a downward curve, to enhance swimming shoe propulsion during a push phase. Figure 2 schematically depicts an example of the front fin, by a dashed line 13. In a preferred example, both a guidance flap 12 and a propulsion flap 11 are provided with such a front fin part 13. Alternatively, only one of the guidance flap 12 and a propulsion flap 11 is provided with a curved front fin part 13. Such a further flap (front fin 13) may be made of rigid material, flexible material, or be pivotally connected to the shoe body (for example via a mounting structure 10). Advantageously, each front fin 13 has been made in one part with a respective flap 11, 12. Also, for example, in a further embodiment, a modular system comprises the swimming shoe, and includes a swimming flipper that is removable connected to the shoe body (for example via a suitable mounting structure), for example to replace an above-described breast stroke flap configuration, to perform a swimming action different than the breast stroke, for example flippering. Besides, other types of swimming fin structures can be detachably connected to the swimming shoe, particularly utilizing via a suitable mounting structure.