Apparel – Bathing garments
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-09
2001-03-06
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Bathing garments
C002S069000, C434S254000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195801
ABSTRACT:
I. TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a swim training apparatus in the form of a garment to be worn by a swimmer which provides guidance for the swimmer's hands during the learning of various strokes. Specifically, the garment has tactile-stimulating panels which can be felt by the swimmer's fingers as the hand brushes across the swimmer's body along the appropriate path.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When teaching competitive swimming, it is important that each hand and arm movement be mastered for each stroke (freestyle, breast stroke, butterfly, etc.). One of the more difficult parts of teaching a swimming stroke is movement of the arms during the pushing or power phase of each stroke. Young swimmers arc shown stroke movements while standing vertically on dry land. This is very unlike moving forward horizontally through the water. Coaches can observe and critique swimming students while in action, but it is very difficult to provide real-time feedback as to whether each hand movement was executed correctly.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus in the form of a garment which provides immediate feedback to a swimmer as to whether hands are properly positioned during the pushing or power portions of each stroke. It includes a garment sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the swimmer's body, usually the torso section. The garment has first and second portions with contrasting tactile properties. For example, one portion may be smooth while the other is bumpy other is bumpy or ridged. The portions are positioned on the garment such that the swimmer can feel the tactile differential as a guide to the swimmer's hand while practicing swim strokes.
In one embodiment, a tactile-stimulating panel is applied to the front of the garment in an inverted Y-shape. A relatively narrow band of this material extends from the neckline straight down the chest, splitting apart and widening on the abdomen, and then wrapping around the side of the thighs. In this manner, the swimmer can use the tactile panel as a guide as the hand is moved down the center of the chest and then kept close against the body as the arm straightens and reaches the swimmer's thigh.
One of the problems often encountered by swimming students is the failure to keep the hand close against the body during the full stroke. The present invention provides a reminder to the swimmer in that the tactile panel should be felt with the hand during the entire stroke or during a particular portion of the stroke.
According to a preferred embodiment, one of the garment portions, preferably the portion which forms the guide, includes “dots” or “ridges” applied to the fabric in the form of a thermoplastic material, resin material, or the like. An example of an acceptable material treatment is often found on lightweight work gloves.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an additional tactile-stimulating panel may be applied to the outer thighs at the point where the hand is to make its final push or release. This additional panel may be in the form of a somewhat raised protrusion so that contact by the hand at that point is unmistakable.
Many other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon inspection of the various figures of the drawing, review of the disclosed best mode for carrying out the invention, and the appended claims, all of which comprise the present disclosure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3744052 (1973-07-01), Rector
patent: 4946453 (1990-08-01), Monson
patent: 5033116 (1991-07-01), Itagaki et al.
patent: 5282277 (1994-02-01), Onozawa
patent: 5887280 (1999-03-01), Waring
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Hale Gloria M.
LandOfFree
Swim training apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Swim training apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Swim training apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2489323