Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Swimming
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-01-23
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Swimming
C441S117000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176815
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to swimming devices and, more particularly, to an exercise and training apparatus for swimmers.
2. Description of the Related Art
The importance of teaching people to swim cannot be understated. The number of deaths due to drowning continues to rise year after year. Thus, people are always in search of suitable devices to assist with the process of learning to swim.
Several devices have been developed to address this need. Most simply consist of some sort of flotation device, such as circular bands for insertion around a person's arms or waist, a vest worn around a person's upper torso or a board for the person to lean on.
Although somewhat useful for their intended purpose, these prior art devices have not proven to be entirely satisfactory. Specifically, it may be preferable for a person to learn the mechanics of swimming by remaining in a stationary position. Also, means for tethering the swimmer to the side of the pool or to the shore may be desirable to facilitate the swimmers exit or retrieval during an emergency. Moreover, if learning to swim in an ocean, lake or other moving body of water, maintaining the swimmer in a stationary position and tethered to the shore may be vital. It is not uncommon for swimmers to be swept out into deeper waters by the tide or undercurrent. This could pose a great danger to beginning or novice swimmers.
Swimming has also become a common means of exercise for many people. In addition to the muscular activity, it is widely recognized that swimming is good for the cardiovascular system. For such purposes, people generally swim several laps. However, swimming laps typically requires a large pool, which is not always available. Even when such a large pool is available, swimming laps may not be feasible if the pool is crowded.
Accordingly, there is still a need in the art for an apparatus which enables a person to safely learn to swim while being maintained in a stationary position. Any such device should include means for tethering the swimmer to the side of the pool or to the shore so that the swimmer could pull himself to safety or be pulled to safety by others. Any such device should also be capable of use by swimmers as a means for exercise. The present invention is particularly suited to overcome those problems which remain in the art in a manner not previously known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards a new and improved swimming exercise and training apparatus comprising a flotation member constructed of a generally lightweight, semi-rigid, buoyant material and sized and shaped so that it may be positioned against a portion of a person's upper torso, a plurality of straps structured to removably secure the flotation member to the person's upper torso and a pair of cords structured to retain the flotation member, and consequently, the swimmer wearing the flotation member, substantially in place. Each cord includes a first end attached to the flotation member and an opposite second end attached to a suction cup, structured for removable attachment to a generally flat stationary surface, such as the wall in or deck surrounding a swimming pool, or a stake-like member structured for removable insertion into the sand or ground adjacent an ocean, lake or other body of water. Each stake-like member includes a generally flat horizontal surface on its upper portion, to facilitate pushing the stake-like member into the sand or ground, and a hook on its lower portion to facilitate attachment to ragged surfaces, such as rocks, trees, etc. A swivel, attached to the second end of the cord, may be secured to the upper portion of the stake-like members to allow the cord to pivot around the stake-like member in a generally horizontal plane. A resistance varying mechanism, in which a single cord extends through the flotation member, around a first pulley at a first end of the flotation member, back into the flotation member and onto a second take-up pulley within the flotation member and a tension rod exerts variable resistance on the cord, may also be included for exercise purposes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and swimming training apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art devices and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which maintains the swimmer in a generally stationary position.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which includes means for tethering the swimmer to the side of the pool or to the shore.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which is capable of use by swimmers as a means for exercise.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which includes means for varying the resistance against which the swimmer is swimming.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4247096 (1981-01-01), Schmitt
patent: 4519783 (1985-05-01), Burke
patent: 4551108 (1985-11-01), Bass
patent: 5601514 (1997-02-01), Horn
patent: 5630589 (1997-05-01), Adie
patent: 5832672 (1998-11-01), Griffiths
Brown Michael A.
Oltman Flynn & Kubler
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