WO2003022374A1

WO2003022374A1 - Safety device for use during swimming lessons

Info

Publication number: WO2003022374A1
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000562
Authority: WO
Inventors: André DE KRUIJF
Original assignee: De Kruijf Andre
Priority date: 2001-09-07
Filing date: 2002-08-26
Publication date: 2003-03-20
Also published as: NL1020880C1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for keeping the human body near the surface of the water. The device comprises a float, a collar, and a flexible connection between the float and the collar. During swimming, the float is movable unimpeded relative to the collar and the body, so that the swimming can proceed unimpeded. Should the swimmer sink too deep in the water, the float ensures the swimmer cannot sink to the bottom.

Description

Safety device for use during swimming lessons

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of Claim 1. Such a device is known, inter alia from US-A-1442746, and is used during the giving of swimming instruction, for example during swimming classes for children.

The known device is composed of two floats that are connected by a flexible strap, a collar that is fitted around the learner' s neck, and a strap by means of which the floats are fastened around the neck or against the body. The floats ensure that the learner's mouth does not go under water during swimming, which means that the learner gains, more self-confidence, and it is easier to learn the technique of swimming. As the learner has more lessons and learns to make better use of the thrusting surfaces of his arms and legs to keep him above water, it is necessary to reduce the buoyancy of the floats by letting air out of them, or by removing the floats, so that the learner can learn to move in the water without buoyancy aids.

At this stage there is a risk of the learner encountering difficulties, so that he is in danger of drowning. A possible consequence of not intervening at this point is that the learner will swallow water, and in doing so will also take water into his lungs, after which he may lose consciousness and sink to the bottom. Owing to the activity of other swimmers in the water, the wave movements and the shimmer on the water, it is not easy to see the bottom of the swimming pool from the edge of the swimming pool, which is where the lifeguard is positioned. The learner who has sunk to the bottom of the pool and is not noticed there in time will drown. In order to reduce the undesirable risk described above, a device designed according to the characterizing part of Claim 1 is used for learning to swim. Since the learner' s neck is always near the

• surface of the water when he is learning to swim, the collar will also always be near the surface of the water, so that the float can float on the surface of the water, while the float, owing to the short flexible connection between float and collar, does not exert any upwardly directed force on the learner. The float therefore does not give any buoyancy, and this means that the learner has to swim entirely by his own effort and without support from the float, and a further factor is that he is not obstructed by the float when he is making swimming movements. If, through circumstances such as insufficient swimming skill, swallowing water, cramp and the like, the learner sinks too low under water, the float will prevent him from sinking to the bottom. During this time the float remains visible above the water. The supervisory personnel will see the movements of the learner thrashing about below the surface of the water and/or will see the float and, if the person has lost consciousness, will probably also see the body, which is visible just below the surface of the water, so that the necessary action can be taken quickly.

The way in which the device can be of benefit when a person is learning to swim is described above. Of course, the device is not limited to this use. In swimming pools and near swimming water many other situations may arise where inexperienced swimmers find themselves in too deep water, so that there is also the risk of the swimmer sinking in an unconscious state to the bottom, without this being noticed by other users or the supervisory person (s) present. The use of the device limits that risk without the swimming or play being impeded.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 2. In this way the float always stays close to the swimmer's neck during swimming, and the float will not impede or assist the swimming movements. This promotes use of the device.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 3. This ensures that if the float becomes stuck behind something, the float comes away from the collar, and great forces are not exerted upon the neck. This makes the device safe also during playing or, for example, if it is being used on a slide.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 4. In this way the self- releasing coupling is designed in a simple manner.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 5. In this way the self- releasing coupling is simplified further.

According to a further improvement, the device is designed according to Claim 6. Such a volume of the float is sufficient to prevent the body of an unconscious swimmer from sinking to the bottom, while the float does not become too large to be a hindrance.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 7. In this way it is ensured that the float is not a nuisance to users, either during breaststroke or during backstroke.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 8. In this way it is ensured that people in the vicinity of a swimmer in difficulty are alerted to the emergency situation and are able to take action quickly.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 9. In this way it is ensured that the supervising personnel receive an additional signal if something is the matter with the swimmer.

According to one embodiment, the device is designed according to Claim 10. In this way it is ensured that an instructor can give specific teaching, so that the instructions can easily be heard above the noise in a swimming pool.

The invention is explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment with a drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the use of the device of Figure 1 during breaststroke swimming;

Figure 3 shows the use of the device of Figure 1 during backstroke swimming; and Figure 4 shows a different embodiment of the device according to the invention.

A collar 1, made of a strap 4 and a quick-acting closure 7, is shown in Figure 1. The strap 4 is made of water-resistant material, such as, for example, a woven plastic strap. The length of the strap 4 is adjustable by sliding it in a manner known per se through the quick-acting closure 7. The end 6 of the strap pushed through the quick-acting closure 7 can be fastened by means of a Velcro strip connection 5 to the strap 4, with the result that undesirable length adjustment is avoided. The quick-acting closure 7 is provided with a first snap connection 8, by means of which the other end of the strap 4 is fastened to the quick-acting closure. If desired, the quick-acting closure 7 is provided with a second snap connection 9, so that opening of the quick-acting closure 7 is possible only with two hands and undesirable opening of the quick- acting closure 7 is avoided. The width of the strap 4 is preferably at least 30 mm, and possibly 50 mm, so that it does not cause constrictions on the neck if force is exerted upon it. For this reason, the material of the strap 4 is smooth and supple.

A float 3 is fastened by means of a flexible connection on the collar 1. In Figure 1 the float 3 is shown as a rectangular block in which two holes have been made. The float 3 shown is, for example, a block of flexible foam with a volume of approximately 1.5 litres. Such a float 3 has sufficient buoyancy to prevent the body of an unconscious child from sinking to the bottom. If the device is being used by adults, the volume of the float 3 can be, for example, 3 litres .

The float 3 is fastened flexibly to the collar 1 by means of a cord 2. For that purpose, the float 3 is provided with two holes, through which the cord is threaded in a U-shape, and the cord 2 forms a closed loop through the annular collar 1. The cord 2 can move along the strap 4 of the collar 1. In the embodiment shown, the cord 2 is of such length that the distance between the collar 1 and the float 3 is preferably less than 80 mm. If the top side of the collar 1 is pulled more than 80 mm under water, the float 3 exerts an upwardly directed force by way of the cord 2 upon the collar 1.

A simple example of the device is shown in Figure 1. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that many variants are possible. The float 3 may be cylindrical, instead of rectangular. Instead of flexible foam, it is possible to choose an air-filled float with flexible or rigid wall. The float 3 can also be designed in various shapes, such as animal figures, or other shapes that children find interesting.

The flexible connection between the float 3 and the collar 1 may also be designed in a manner that differs from that shown. The length is in any case not great, for example less than 10 cm, so that the swimming movement is not impeded by the float 3 and/or the flexible connection. The flexible connection can, for example, also be a single cord that is fastened to the collar 1 and/or the float 3.

It has emerged from tests with children that it is preferable to make the distance between the float 3 and the collar 1 three to seven centimetres, so that the child's head can remain at least partially above water and the child can move his mouth above water by turning his head in the collar. The most suitable distance depends on the size of the child, so that it is advisable to have available floating devices with distances of three, five and seven centimetres between float 3 and collar 1, in order to ensure that a choice can be made. If desired, the abovementioned distance may be continuously adjustable between three and ten centimetres. In this way the learners are prevented from losing consciousness.

Figure 2 shows a user 10 using the device during swimming forwards. It can be seen here that the collar 1 is fastened loosely around the neck. The float 3 is floating on the water and trailing along behind the user 10. The cord 2 exerts a slight, more or less horizontal force upon the collar 1. This does not affect the swimming performance, so that learning to swim is not impeded.

Figure 3 shows the use of the device during swimming on the back. The user 10 now has the float 3 placed in front of him, on his chest. Here again, the swimming performance is not affected by the use of the device.

In an embodiment that is not shown, warning means may be built into the float 3. Said warning means contain a sensor, which can determine the direction and/or the magnitude of the force exerted upon the float 3 by the cord 2 or another flexible connection. If the force is directed downwards and/or the magnitude exceeds a certain value, and this situation continues, for example, for longer than a time that can be set, such as 15 seconds, then a signal is given. The sensor and the means for measuring the time can be constructed from mechanical components, and the signal is, for example, a signalling arm that becomes visible on the float 3. The sensor and the means for measuring the time may be of an electronic type, with means being fitted on the float to give an acoustic and/or visual signal. If desired, it is possible for the supervisory personnel to be warned by radio or by means of an ultrasonic signal through the water that one of the swimmers is in a distress situation. In another embodiment that is not shown, a radio receiver with a loudspeaker and/or a headphone is fitted on or in the float 3. An instructor can give the swimmer swimming instructions by way of the radio receiver. Figure 4 shows an embodiment with a cylindrical float 23. The float 23 is made of physically foamed, cross-linked polyethylene foam. Such foam is approved for toys and contains no toxic substances. The float 23 has a length 11 of approximately one hundred and seventy-five millimetres and a diameter 12 of approximately one hundred millimetres, so that it has a volume of 1.3 litres. A cylindrical hole 24 is made in the end of the float 23, into which cylindrical hole 24 two plugs 13 are pressed. The plugs 13 are threaded onto a cord 16. The cord 16 is of plastic and has a diameter of approximately five millimetres. The cord 16 cannot be pulled out of the plugs 13, because said cord is bounded by a knot 15, which by way of a ring 14 rests against one of the plugs 13. The plugs 13 are made of EVA foam, also a type of polyethylene, and are more elastic than the float 23, so that with the cylindrical hole 24 they form a self-releasing coupling. If the float 23 pulls with a great force, for example of more than 50 to 100 newton, on the cord 16, the plugs 13 will be pulled out of the cylindrical hole 24, with the result that the force on the cord 16 is limited. Of course, other designs of the self- releasing coupling are also possible, for example in the case of which the plugs 13 are made of rigid material, and the walls of the cylindrical hole 24 are of more elastic material.

The cord 16 is fastened to a collar 25, which is a simplified design of the collar 1 shown earlier. The greatest distance between the collar 25 and the float 23 is indicated by a distance 17. In the case of the dimensions of the float 23 shown, which float is used for teaching children between seven and ten years of age, this distance is seventy millimetres. The collar 25 is made of a plastic strap 18, which is twenty-five millimetres wide. A ring 20 is fastened by means of stitching 21 on one end of the strap 18, while at the other end of the strap 18 a Velcro strip 19 is fastened on the strap 18, by means of which strip the collar 25 can be closed at the correct size by threading the strap 18 through the ring 20.

The float 23 is constructed of discs 22, which are of different colours and are glued to each other. The discs 22 are preferably made in striking colours on the side facing away from the cord 16. If in a distress situation a swimmer becomes unconscious and the swimmer's body is pulling the collar 25 downwards, the float 23 tilts, and the discs 22 with the striking colours become more clearly visible above the water. The emergency situation will be noticed more quickly in this way. The float 23 may be of a narrower and longer design if desired, the length 11 being three hundred and twenty millimetres, and the diameter 12 being seventy millimetres. In the event of tilting in a distress situation, the end of the float 23 facing away from the cord 16 will project further above water and will attract greater attention.

The device of Figure 4 can also be used in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3. It is essential in this case for the swimmer not to be obstructed by the collar and the float during swimming and other activities in the swimming pool or near swimming water, whilst still having the advantage of the collar and float in a distress situation.

Claims

1. Device for keeping a human body (10) near a water surface, comprising a float (3; 23), a collar (1; 25) for fastening the float to the body, and a short flexible connection (2; 16) between the float and the collar, characterized in that the short flexible connection (2; 16) and the float (3; 23) are designed in such a way that during use the float is movable unimpeded around the collar (1; 25) and the body (10) .

2. Device according to Claim 1, in which the short flexible connection (16) is designed in such a way that there is a distance (17) of approximately 70 millimetres between float and collar.

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the short flexible connection is a self-releasing coupling (13, 24) .

4. Device according to Claim 3, in which the self- releasing coupling is designed with a cord (16) and a plug (13) that is fastened around the cord and pressed elastically into a cylindrical wall (24) connected to the float (23) .

5. Device according to Claim 4, in which the cylindrical wall is formed by a hole (24) in the float (3; 23) .

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the float (3; 23) has a volume of between one and three litres.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the float (23) has a length of less than 200 millimetres .

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the float (23) is partially designed with a striking colour that is provided on the side facing away from the flexible connection (16) .

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the float is provided with a sensor and possibly electronic signalling means for detecting and, after a time that can be set, signalling that the short flexible connection has been pulling on the float for a fairly long time.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the float is provided with receiving means with a loudspeaker and/or a headphone, for giving instructions to the wearer of the collar.