Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Swimming
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-12
2004-01-06
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Swimming
CD21S678000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06672993
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of exercise and physical therapy equipment, more specifically, exercise and physical therapy equipment used in an aquatic environment where the individual using this equipment is completely in or partly under the water. Aquatic physical exercise has been found to be one of the best forms of exercise, where the water supports the individual's body and they may exercise prescribed specific muscle groups without stressing other areas of the body. They can usually exercise for longer periods of time due to being in the cool water environment and not having to support their body. Physical therapy for the elderly in the water has become very popular because many of them are overweight and most forms of rigorous exercise will put too much strain on their hearts and joints and ligaments. Taking care of an individual's body has become very popular and in the field of physical exercise equipment there is a growing need for refinement of all the apparatuses used.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an exercise device used by individuals in water. More particularly, it relates to a new and unique hand-held aquatic exercise device which works equally well providing exercise to those inclined to stringent aggressive workout schedules as well as for those who need a gentle form of physical therapy. The device can be used singularly, being used in one hand at a time or in combination where two of the devices are used together and they will come in a variety of sizes.
Where many aquatic exercise devices use flotation as a resistance force, the device herein does not incorporate any means of flotation, thereby allowing that the individuals using it are not exerting themselves by trying to hold it under the water. The device herein provides an equal resistance in any direction during a workout, and is especially beneficial in a boxing style workout, because of the unique shape and the type of resistance in the pushing and pulling motions. A plurality of orifices in the spherical surfaces are designed to maintain a means for controlled release of the resistance pressure upon the device minimizing the stirring and splashing of the water in the individual's face when they are using it. The lightweight simple design also allows that it can be easily fabricated, shipped and stored. Another alternate preferred embodiment of the device provides for the incorporation of an additional resistance member attaching to the fins outer edge.
2. Prior Art
Water oriented exercise devices have been described and disclosed in prior art in various forms which of course yield functions based on their individual form.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,116 (Weissbuch) teaches a hand held aquatic exercising device, which includes a handle and relatively moveable hydro-resistive elements at respective ends of the handle. The hydro-resistive elements can be moved to different positions relative to a longitudinal axis through the handle. In another embodiment the hydro-resistive elements are selectively removable from the handle. The hydro-resistive elements can be assembled in different relative positions with the handle. The handle is selectively solid or hollow. The device thereby presents a resistance to the water that can be varied according to the desires of the user. The hydro-resistive elements may be cup-like and may be flexible to facilitate reversal about their bases. A hand-gripping element facilitates rotation of the handle about the longitudinal axis while the gripping element is held in the palm of a user and the device is moved through water.
Weissbuch here uses cup-shaped hydro-resistive elements to achieve subsurface resistance for exercising, producing a great deal of stirring and splashing of the water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,331 (Perham) discloses a buoyant body shaped substantially as a short, flexible, columnar buoyant body, constructed from polyethylene expanded foam material having a coloring substance added to produce a colored buoyant body to enhance their use, and to facilitate color coordination with an exerciser's swimwear. The buoyant body includes a port for receiving a hand, or foot, appropriately for the particular device to be used. The port is provided centrally positioned on the buoyant body, and defines a cavity, sized for receiving the exerciser's hand or foot in a relaxed and extended manner, and thus facilitates a non-gripping securement and grip-free manipulation of the buoyant body to produce resistance in a water exercising environment. For a hand manipulated buoyant body, the defined cavity is a rectangular shaped, tapered through-hole that dimensionally conforms to the tapered shape of a hand from fingertips to beyond the knuckles and part of the palm without including the thumb. The fit is snug and relaxed without an exerciser having to exert a gripping force on the buoyant body while manipulating the buoyant body. The feel to the hand during use is a snug, relaxed, and secure feeling, and reflects a compressed deformation of the pliable foam material. The feel to the foot for a corresponding buoyant body is substantially the same.
Perham emphasizes a geometrically shaped buoyant body to provide subsurface resistance, with ports for receiving either a hand or foot. Perham also requires buoyancy of the device for the exercise procedures.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,710 (Rives) teaches a swimmer's flexible hand paddle which includes a raised portion centered under a swimmer's hand extending from near a first finger joint to a palm position of the paddle and a flat portion extending from the raised portion out past a outline of a swimmer's hand having thumb, little finger and finger tip offset. The raised portion is substantially straight across a finger edge and tapers of a V-shaped palm edge. The raised portions have shoulders that slope down to the flat portion with the thumb side shoulder forming a thumb rest. A palm piece is also disclosed which is attachable to prior art paddles and provides the raised portion to prior art paddles. Rives however, is directed to a palmed paddle device unlike Applicant's device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,657 (Macedo) discloses an invention wherein a modular aquatic exercise equipment assembly for use by a person in water comprises a gripping bar with water resistance members removably fixed on opposite ends thereof. Each water resistance member comprises a pair of interlocking components having a shaft portion and a planar fin water resistance portion, the two portions having slots for engaging each other so that the components lie substantially flat and when assembled, the two components are interlocked and present a plurality of planar fin water resistance surfaces which extend radially outwardly from the shaft portion.
Macedo essentially protects a modular underwater dumbbell with fin-like water resistant members.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,312 (Weissbuch) teaches a hand held aquatic exercising device, which includes a handle and relatively moveable hydro-resistive elements at respective ends of the handle. The hydro-resistive elements can be moved to different positions relative to a longitudinal axis through the handle. In another embodiment the hydro-resistive elements are selectively removable from the handle. The hydro-resistive elements can be assembled in different relative positions with the handle. The handle is selectively solid or hollow. The device thereby presents a resistance to the water that can be varied according to the desires of the user. The hydro-resistive elements may be cup-like and may be flexible to facilitate reversal about their bases. A hand-gripping element facilitates rotation of the handle about the longitudinal axis while the gripping element is held in the palm of a user and the device is moved through water.
Weissbuch thus describes an exercise device, which uses cup-shaped hydro-resistive elements which are bar mounted to achieve subsurface resistance for exercising.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,959
Aqualogix, Inc.
Crow Stephen R.
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