Modular fin with common rail system
View Patent ↗A disclosed diver fin includes a blade and a foot pocket, distinct from one another and releasably connected to one another by one or more rails extending from a leading edge of the blade to the foot pocket. The rails extend from either side of the foot pocket and extend parallel to one another at least partway along the length of the blade towards a trailing edge of the blade. Each rail includes two sections: a first rail section, extending from the leading edge of the blade and terminating in a free end, and a second rail section, extending from the foot pocket and terminating in a free end. The free end of one rail section includes a female recess, and the free end of the other rail section terminates in a male extension, slidably receivable in the female recess. The disclosed fin is reconfigurable to accommodate different diving conditions.
1. A dive fin, comprising a blade and a foot pocket distinct and spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another by only a pair of rails extending between the blade and the foot pocket, wherein the rails are integral with the foot pocket, extend along either side of the foot pocket towards a toe end of the foot pocket and extend parallel to one another at least partway along the length of the blade towards a trailing edge of the blade, each rail comprising two sections; a first rail section, extending from a leading edge of the blade and terminating in a free end, and a second rail section extending from the toe end of the foot pocket and terminating in a free end, in which the free end of one rail section comprises a female recess, and the free end of the other rail section comprises a male extension insertable into the female recess.
2. A dive fin as claimed in claim 1 in which a transverse aperture is located through the male extension, and corresponding apertures are located through side walls of the female recess, the apertures being configured to align with one another when the male extension is inserted into the female recess.
3. A dive fin as claimed in claim 2 in which a fastening element is insertable through the aligned apertures located in the female recess and the male extension, to secure the male extension within the female recess.
4. A dive fin as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the foot pocket comprises any of a full foot, an open heel configuration, or a footplate for a step-in shoe.