From the Inventor and Patent Holder of the NEW Speedo Breaststroke Fin . . .                          View 3 Minute Demo! CONSTRUCTION DESIGN
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Construction & Design

The drawing left depicts one side of a FlipTrain Station. It is comprised of 4 main components that are referred to throughout this website and all accompanying product support material.

  1. Float
  2. Hand Platform
  3. Sweep
  4. Tailpipes

The Float core is cut from an extruded high performance closed cell polyethylene foam plank (2.2 lbs/cu ft). The outer colored skin is cut from an extruded closed cell polyetheylene foam sheet (7lb/cu ft) which is heat laminated . . . NOT glued, to the core. Within the float core is a custom built internal pvc pipe assembly that allows connection of all external parts.


The Hand Platform is a custom molded ABS plastic part that is actually comprised of a top and bottom part welded together. The hand platform part is hollow to meet two very important requirements, 1) to be light weight, and 2) to flood when placed in the water.

Probably the most intracate characteristic of FlipTrain's design is the achievement of perfect balance or level postioning of both float and hand platform when the product is placed in the water and the hand platform and pipe structure flood. Another important feature and requirement of the hand platform was that the edges be contoured and completely smooth to the touch for those times when swimmers advertantly brush up against them. Flood and drain properties were also important considerations in the final design. Both happen quickly and efficiently.

The custom formed Sweep and the Tailpipes are made of a unique co-extruded pvc internal fit pipe that is lightweight, UV protected and break resistant. The outer colored layer of the pipe is not painted on, but an actual second layer of colored pvc. The function of the sweep, of course is to connect the hand platform to the float and position the hand platform appropriately. The function of the tailpipes is a little less obvious yet critical to optimal functionality. The tailpipes slide just under the lane line and fulfill two very important requirements once secured, 1) counter balance the sweep/hand platform structure for level positioning in the water, and 2) stabilize position of the device when the swimmer presses down on the hand platform, i.e. when the swimmer presses down on the hand platform, the tailpipes press up into the lane line. The structural and mechanical effect, of which, strengthens the internal pipe assembly within the float as each of these forces counter the other.


Product Assembly - FlipTrain Station

Tools required: 2 Flat Head or 2 Phillips screw drivers
Pictured to the left are the main components of one side of a FlipTrain Station. They are:

1) 1 Float with 3 connector "spuds"
2) 1 90 degree sweep
3) 2 tailpipes
4) 1 hand platform

One assembled side of a FlipTrain Station
 
Stainless Steel hardware for connecting components Ball Bungee Cords for connecting floats to lane lines  
Connect sweep to hand platform Connect sweep to float Secure hand platform connection with barrel bolt
Tighten with opposing screw drivers Secure sweep to float with barrel bolt Tighten connection
Connect tailpipe to float Push down firmly to secure Secure tailpipe with barrel bolt
Tighten connection Connect other tailpipe and place in Deck Rack. Assemble second side of FlipTrain Station the same way and place in Deck Rack

Product Assembly - Deck Rack

Note: Deck Rack assembly requires no tools and no glue

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