WO2006099669A1

WO2006099669A1 - An exercising device

Info

Publication number: WO2006099669A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yvonne Maria Mertens
Original assignee: Yvonne Maria Mertens
Priority date: 2005-03-21
Filing date: 2006-03-21
Publication date: 2006-09-28

Abstract

A pool exercising device comprises a body holding part (10, 30), a line member (11, 40) which is adapted for attachment to an anchor point, at least one resilient portion, and at least one hand/foot grip (13, 35).

Description

An Exercising Device

Field of the Invention.

This invention is directed to an exercising device and is particularly directed to an exercising device for use in swimming pools and the like and which can provide versatility to the types of exercise that can be done in the swimming pool.

Background Art.

Many people are very attracted to exercising in swimming pools. The swimming pools may be large Council swimming pools that may be an Olympic size swimming pool but may also comprise the much smaller backyard swimming pools, splash pools, lap pools and the like. Swimming pools of varying sizes are found in most hotels and motels, and also in retirement villages and the like.

One of the best forms of exercise is swimming. The swimming may comprise of various different types of swimming strokes including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, etc. In order to provide a proper amount of exercise, it is usually necessary to swim for at least 100 metres and preferably for a longer distance.

This can present a problem for smaller swimming pools (e.g. backyard pools) which usually have a length of between 6-10 metres. Thus, to swim an appropriate distance, it is necessary to do multiple turns in the swimming pool and it is found that many people lose interest in swimming long distances in small swimming pools.

Many other people, and particularly older people, enjoy pool exercise that does not only comprising swimming. The pool exercises can comprise walking exercises, leg and arm lifting exercises, upper and lower body exercises. The swimming pool water provides buoyancy and particularly enables older people to conduct these exercises.

Also, swimming pool exercises are quite widely used in rehabilitation of injured people and also to provide exercise to disabled people.

In order to provide a solution to the problem of swimming long distances in small swimming pools, it is known to provide a device that is attached to the person in the swimming pool and that "anchors" the person to a post or other type of attachment means on or adjacent the pool. Particularly, the person is attached to some form of harness and a rope or other type of line member attaches the person to an anchor point. The rope or line member is shorter than the length of the pool so that the person can swimming vigorously in the pool without ever reaching the end of the pool. An example of this type of device is described in German patent specification 19945383. A similar type device is described in U.S. Patent No. 5083522 where the line member is anchored to the pool ladder. Yet another device is described in U.S. Patent No. 4524711 where the line member is attached to a diving plank or something similar. A relatively complicated arrangement is described in U.S. Patent No. 4247096 which requires a frame assembly to be bolted to the side of the pool to provide an anchor for the line member.

Each of these above specifications may also describe some form of elasticity or spring in the line member to provide an improved exercise regime.

There is also described various types of attachments of these devices to a person. Usually the attachment is a simple waist line but the attachment may also be a more complicated harness arrangement as described in the above German patent application. A simple type belt arrangement is described in U.S. Patent No. 4109905 which describes a length of cushioning material (typically foam rubber) that presses against the swimmer's body and provides a degree of comfort.

There are however some disadvantages with existing devices. One disadvantage is that the attachment of these devices is usually quite involved and requires there to be positioned a bolted post or some form of attachment bolted to the inside of the pool and most domestic swimming pools do not have such an attachment point. It is not considered advisable to bolt a post to the pool coping or the pool surrounds as this can form a striking hazard when the pool is not used. If the post is of the removable type, there will be left behind some form of socket or other piece in which the post can be placed or to which the post can be attached, and this can also create a tripping or injury hazard. Corrosion is also a major problem around the immediate pool area. Some domestic swimming pools do not contain a handy pool ladder to which the device can be attached. Also, many swimming pools have a pool ladder positioned in a relatively awkward place and usually at the deepest part of the pool and some people (particularly elderly people) could find it inconvenient or even dangerous to attempt to attach their device in the deepest part of the pool.

Another disadvantage with existing devices is that the line member is usually fixed in a non-adjustable member to the belt part or harness part that is attached to the person. For instance, the above referenced German patent application describes a line member being attached to the harness using some form of eyelet. Similarly, U.S. patent document 5083522 describes a line member attached to the body belt via some form of fixed arrangement. Perhaps the clearest example is in U.S. Patent 4109905 which shows a clip 14 which attaches to the line member.

While this type of arrangement may be sufficient if the device is used only to hold a person in the pool while the person is swimming (e.g. using freestyle, etc.), there are disadvantages if the exercising device is required to be more versatile.

To explain, many people wish to have an exercise device that still anchors them via a line member relative to the pool edge but where the exercise itself is not a swimming exercise. Some people would like to "walk" in the pool water and be held back using the line member. Other people would like to do an exercise where they walk backwards or otherwise "strain" against the line member to provide exercise. With these "non swimming" types of exercises, there is a disadvantage in having the line member fixed to the body belt (or other type of body attachment member). The main difficulty is that should the person wish to exercise at an angle to the line member, the person needs to slide the entire body belt around their waist. However, some body belts are more complicated in design and provide back support and these belts should not be slid around the person's body.

Another major disadvantage with existing exercising devices is that they are not set up for any other type of exercise except swimming and the like. These devices are therefore relatively restrictive in use and usually only find acceptance by people that are still able to enjoy swimming. These existing devices are generally not suited for people that wish to conduct different types of pool exercises such as leg exercises, stretching exercises and the like.

Therefore, there is a need in the marketplace to provide an exercising device and particularly an exercising device for use in pools and which would be more versatile than existing devices that really only are suited for strong swimming strokes, and which is still relatively simple in design.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention. It is an object of the invention to provide an exercising device that may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an exercising device for use in water and which comprises a body holding part or body supporting part, a line member directly or indirectly attached to the body holding part, a first attachment means to attach the line member or other part of the exercising device to an external or other anchor point, and at least one hand/foot grip which is attached to or relative to the line member.

It is found that this combination of a line member together with a body holding part and a hand/foot grip provides a great deal of versatility and improves the use of the exercising device. This will be described in greater detail below.

The exercising device can be very versatile and the at least one hand/foot grip can be formed separately and can be attached to the line member such that a certain range of exercises can be conducted. In this variation, the hand/foot grip and the line member need not be operatively attached with the body holding part (although it may be desirable to have the body holding part attached to the person's body to provide some buoyancy, etc).

Thus, in another form the invention can comprise an exercising device for use in water and which comprises a body holding part or body supporting part, a line member, a first attachment means to attach the line member or other part of the exercising device to an external or other anchor point, and at least one hand/foot grip which is attached to or relative to the line member.

hi this version of the invention, the body holding part need not be attached to the line member or hand/foot grip, but can be so if desired.

Hereinafter, the exercising device will be described as a pool exercising device, but it should be appreciated that this should not place any unnecessary limitation to the exercising device. For instance, it is envisaged that there may be circumstances wherein the exercising device may be used in a river, a lake, a farm dam and the like.

It is envisaged that the pool exercising device will find particular suitability with backyard pools. However, no particular limitation should be placed on the invention by the word "pool". For instance, the word "pool" may include a typical backyard pool or various sizes and configurations, a public pool (such as a Council pool) which may be much larger and may even be an Olympic sized pool, pools that are typically found at hotels, motels and units, pools that are used by the elderly in a retirement complex, therapy pools that may be used with hospitals and nursing homes, splash baths, possibly some large types of spas, above ground pools, inground pools, the larger inflatable pools and the like.

The pool exercising device contains a body holding or body supporting part which hereinafter will be described as a body holding part. The body holding part may be a relatively simple design or may be a more complex design, hi a simple design, the body holding part may comprise a belt, band, strap, line member and the like that can extend at least partially about a person's body. If desired, the body holding part may be cushioned to provide greater comfort. The cushioning may be in the form of a foam material, a rubberized material and the like. Alternatively, the body holding part may be more complex in configuration. It is envisaged that a more complex body holding part will do more than simply support the body and may also provide back support, tummy support, hip support, buttock support, or if necessary, support of other parts of the body that may be injured or weak (such as neck and the like). It is envisaged that one type of more complex design is that illustrated in at least figures 6-7 which comprises a larger area that can support the back or tummy and smaller side areas which can extend about the person's sides. However, it should be appreciated that no particular limitation should be placed on the configuration, size, etc. of the body holding part merely by the illustrations provided herein.

The body holding part may be made of buoyant material or flotation material. This may provide extra safety particularly for children or elderly people, for poor swimmers, for sick and injured people that use the device for rehabilitation and muscle strengthening and the like. The body holding part may therefore contain or be attached to otherwise operatively associated with the flotation devices such as air inflatable devices that may be releasably attached or permanently attached (and inflatable and deflatible) to provide this margin of safety and comfort to people that are poor swimmers in the swimming pool.

It is particularly preferred, particularly for versatility, that the body holding part contains a band portion or something similar or is otherwise configured to enable the line member to be attached to the body holding part in a moveable or sliding manner, the reason for which will be described in greater detail below.

The body holding part may be configured or sized to hold any suitable part of the person's body. It is envisaged that the most common type of support will be a waist support and it is therefore considered that the most common type of body holding part will extend substantially about the midriff of a person. However, it is envisaged that the body holding part may comprise a harness or something similar that can extend over the shoulders and under the arms or elsewhere or that the body holding part supports one or more parts of the body or that the body holding part supports areas such as an arm, a leg, a foot, a neck portion, a shoulder portion, the buttock region, and the like (this may be necessary if the exercising device is used for rehabilitation or muscle strengthening of injured people and the like).

The body holding part will typically be made of material that is resistant to water and particularly to pool water. Thus, the body holding part should be made of material that can resist corrosion or deterioration in chlorine, salt, and the like.

The exercising device also comprises a line member. The line member can be used to hold a person somewhere in the pool such that the person can strain or pull against the line member. The length of the line member may vary depending on the size and shape of the pool, and also the type of exercise that is required. It is envisaged however that the line member will have a length of between 1-10 metres and will typically have a length of between 2-4 metres for a normal domestic pool, etc. As with the body holding part, the line member should be made of material that is resistant to water, chlorine, salt and the like. Therefore, the line member may be made of plastic such as polypropylene, artificial rubbers such as neoprene, natural rubbers, composite materials and the like. It is however envisaged that the line member may also be made of metal such as galvanized wire or other corrosion resistant metals. It is envisaged that the line member may comprise a wire or a rope. The rope may comprise a metal rope formed of woven or nonwoven metal threads, or may comprise a plastic rope made of woven or nonwoven plastic lines (typically polypropylene). It is also envisaged that the line member may comprised linked material such as plastic or metal chains.

It is envisaged that the line member will typically be entirely flexible along its length. However, circumstances are envisaged where the line member may contain rigid portions, for instance adjacent the anchor point of the line member or adjacent the attachment point of the line member to the body holding part, the latter possibly assisting in preventing the line member from winding about a person or otherwise endangering the person. It is also envisaged that the line member may comprise rigid lengths that are attached or linked together in an adjustable or flexible manner. In this alternative, the line member may comprise rigid or relatively rigid rods or tubes (that may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic, rubber or metal) that may be linked together by metal or plastic links to provide flexibility along the length.

However, notwithstanding the above variations, it is considered that the exercising device will most commonly comprise an entirely flexible plastic or rubber line.

The line member as well as being formed of various different suitable materials, some of which have been described above, may also comprise a substantially solid member, a substantially hollow member or a combination. For instance, the line member may comprise a substantially solid wire or flexible plastic or rubber line. It is more preferred however that the line member is made of a tubular material. It is found that the tubular material can make the line member with better properties of buoyancy, elasticity and strength and greater flexibility while maintaining the strength.

The diameter of the line member will depend on the length of the line member, the amount of strain that is envisaged that will be placed on the line member, and the material from which the line member will be made. It is considered that a diameter of typically between 2-5 mm will be suitable for a substantially solid strong line member (e.g. metal or plastic rope) but for tubular line members, the diameter may be between 5-20mm. Of course, no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by the description of these dimensions.

There is an advantage, and therefore it is preferred, that the line member can stretch. The degree of stretching may vary but it is envisaged that the line member should stretch from at least 5% up to possible 100% of the original unstretched length. The line member may contain or may comprise stretchable or elastic material. However, it is envisaged that the line member may be substantially inextensible but then may be connected either directly or indirectly to some form of biasing means. The biasing means may comprise one or more springs such as helical springs, but may also comprise elastic sections, "shock" cord, a rubber cord, a bendable and "spring-like" post, etc. It is also envisaged that the line member may comprise portions that are elastic and portions that are not elastic. However, to provide greatest versatility to the exercising device, and particularly with the hand/foot grip, the line member may be entirely elastic and is at least elastic between where the line member attaches to the body holding part up to approximately where the line member leaves the pool.

The line member is attached to the body part, and the line member may be directly or indirectly attached. The line member may be attached to the body part at one place or at a plurality of places either on the line member or the body part. The attachment may comprise a fastener such as a clip, a hitch, a clamp, an eyelet, and may also enclose a Velcro loop, an ordinary line member that is tied off, a chain, a knotted rope and the like. The attachment may comprise a pivot axis and therefore may swivel relative to the body part. It is preferred that the line member is adjustably or slidably attached to the body part. Thus, the body part may contain an elongate band portion and the attachment (e.g. eyelet) may be slidably attached along the band portion. The advantage of this is that a person can twist relative to the line member without needing to move the body portion relative to the person. Thus, if the body portion is of "complex" manufacture and contains, for instance, a back support portion, it is not necessary to twist this away from the back.

The device contains a first attachment means which enables the exercising device to be attached to an external anchor point. The term "external anchor point" is meant to include somewhere the line member can be attached to enable a person to strain, pull, etc. against the line member. It is envisaged that the external anchor point will contain an eyelet, post, loop, etc. that may be placed in the pool, on the pool coping, on the pool surround pavers or concrete and the like. However, a particularly preferred type of external anchor point will be a pool fence post which is sufficiently remote from the pool and means that no further drilling, etc. is required or around the pool to attach the anchor point. However, it is envisaged that the anchor point may also contain a weight (e.g. a sand bag, a concrete block, a water filled block or container, etc.) that can be placed somewhere at or about the pool and which can form an anchor point and which can be removed afterwards. It is also envisaged that the anchor point may comprise a pool ladder, a pool ramp and the like. The first attachment means can be attached to the external anchor point by any suitable method. Again, the attachment means may comprise a clamp, clip, eyelet, a Velcro loop, a separate line or wire that is tied off, a chain and the like and it is not considered that any particular limitation should be placed on the first attachment means. It is also envisaged that the line member may be attached at a plurality of places or to a plurality of external anchor points.

It is preferred that the first attachment means is slidably mounted relative to the line member to enable it to slide along the line member (or to enable the line member to slide along the attachment means) to provide greater versatility to the exercising device, and the reason for this will be described in greater detail below.

The device will contain at least one hand/foot grip. Suitably, a pair of groups is provided, and under some circumstances, the device may contain up to four groups or possibly even more, particularly if a single device will be used by a number of people.

The term hand/foot grip is meant to include any part that can be held by a person's hand or which can be attached to the persons foot. It is preferred that the grip is of the design that enables it to be used both as a handgrip and a foot grip, as this can reduce the need to provide separate grips.

The shape and size of the grip can vary but it is envisaged that the grip will have a shape and a size that enables it to be properly used but not be so large as to be cumbersome. Thus, it is envisaged that the grip will have a size of between 5-20 cm but it should be appreciated that no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by providing these dimensions.

hi a simple form, the grip will have a circular or loop-type structure that can be held by a person's hand or through which the person's foot can extend. However, it is envisaged that the grip may also have different shapes such as L shapes, T shapes, and the like. The grip can be made of any suitable material but should be made of the material that will be resistant in water and particularly saltwater or chlorinated water. Also, it is preferred that the grip is made of material that is comfortable to hold. Therefore, it is envisaged that the grip will be made of a plastic material or a rubber material and the like. The grip may be made of rigid material or flexible material or a combination of rigid material and flexible material. It is also envisaged that the grip may be adjustable and therefore may be made larger or smaller to suit.

It is preferred that the grip is attached to the line in such a manner that the position of the grip on the line can be adjusted. It is considered that any suitable adjustment member may comprise part of the present invention. In one form, the grip may be provided with an adjustable clamp that can adjust the position of the grip on the line and then clamp the position in this desired place. However, the grip may also be provided with other adjustment means such as a buckle, Velcro, and the like.

It is preferred that the grip is attached to the line and at a position spaced from the body holding means. Suitably, the grip will be attached to the line more towards the end of the line that is away from the body holding means.

hi a variation, the grip is attached to its own line member and this line member may be elastic or have elastic portions. This line member may be similar to that described above. It is preferred that a pair, or a plurality, of grips is provided on the line member to form a grip assembly. The assembly may therefore comprise one or more (and preferably two) grips that may be spaced apart and a line member which may be at least partially elastic. The line member may also contain a spring if desired.

The grip assembly may be provided with an attachment means to enable the grip assembly to be attached to the body holding part and/or the line member that can be used to attach the entire device to an external anchor point (e.g. a pool fence). The attachment means may comprise a clip, a hook, Velcro, a clamp, or any other type of attachment means. The attachment means may be provided adjacent a grip.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the grip assembly can be placed between the body holding part and the other line member (that is the line member that can be attached to an external anchor point). If the grip assembly has an elastic portion, the other line member can be a simple nylon rope, and the elastic portion on the grip assembly can function to absorb any forces (by stretching). However, the grip assembly can be quite easily undipped from the body holding part while still being attached to the other line member to provide a different type of exercise regime. Alternatively, the grip assembly can be clipped to the body holding part only (and not to the other line member) to provide yet another range of exercise regimes.

The grip may comprise a hand grippable portion and a loop. The size of the loop can be adjusted by an adjustment means.

A second attachment means may be provided. The second attachment means may enable the line to be attached to an anchor point. The second attachment means may be separate from the first attachment means which means that the line can be attached at two different places to the anchor point. The anchor point of the second attachment means may be different to the anchor point of the first attachment means. This can shorten the length of the line member such that exercises can be conducted relatively close to the pool edge.

It is preferred that the second attachment means is positioned to facilitate use of the handgrip/handgrips as an exercising device, and the first attachment means is positioned to facilitate use of the device as a swimming device. This will be described in greater detail below.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the part of an exercising device according to an embodiment of the invention and particularly illustrates the body holding part, the grip assembly (comprising a pair of grips interconnected by a stretchable member), and a line member which can connect the grip assembly to an external anchor point (e.g. the pool fence).

Figure 2 illustrates a variation of the exercising device where the grip assembly is connected to the body holding part and to the line member.

Figure 3 illustrates a close-up of how the grip assembly is connected to the body holding part.

Figure 4 illustrates another variation of the exercising device where the grip assembly is attached to the line member (intermediate attachment) but is not attached to the body holding member.

Figure 5 illustrates another variation of the exercising device where the grip assembly is attached in another manner to the line member (end attachment).

Figure 6 illustrates an exercising device according to a second embodiment of the invention and particularly illustrates the body holding part, a long flexible line member, a first attachment means and a pair of grips.

Figure 7 illustrates the exercising device of Figure 6 from a different angle and now also illustrates the second attachment means.

Figure 8 illustrates a close-up view of a preferred grip used in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6-7.

Figures 9-11 illustrate various pool exercises.

Best Mode.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 6 and 7, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a pool exercising device that comprises the following main components: a body holding part 10, a line member 11, a first attachment means 12 and a pair of grips 13. Figure 7 illustrates these features and now also illustrates the second attachment means 14.

The body holding part 10 in the particular (non-limiting) embodiment is of a more complex shape and contains a main large part 15 which is adapted to support the person's back or tummy (depending on which way the person attaches part 10) and is designed to extend about the person's midriff area. Part 15 terminates in a pair of side parts 16 which are thinner and are adapted to extend about each side of the person. The side parts are interconnected by a belt 17 that is adjustable in length. Belt 17 as illustrated in Figure 6 also extends on the inside of the body holding part 10. The belts can be adjusted to be a comfortable fit to securely hold the body holding part 10 about the person.

Line member 11, in the particular embodiment, comprises a flexible tubular plastic member that is filled with air. The line member 11 will typically have a length of about 3m but this can of course vary. Line member 11 will have a diameter of approximately 10 mm but this can again vary. The line member is also somewhat elastic in nature and can stretch.

One end of line member 11 is looped at 18 to provide an attachment point for a buckle 19 which attaches the line member to belt 17. Importantly, and in the preferred embodiment, buckle 19 is slidable along belt 17 which means that a person can twist in the water without the body holding part 10 needing to twist about the person's body.

At and adjacent the other end of line member 11 is a pair of grips 13 and figure 8 illustrates the grip in greater detail and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. One grip is attached to the end of line member 11 and the other grip is attached to line member 11 about 1-1.5m away from the other grip. Of course, this can vary to suit.

Referring to Figure 8, in the particular embodiment, grip 13 has a handle 20, and a base portion 21. Inside base portion 21 is a clamping mechanism which is already known in the marketplace and which basically comprises a cam which can be moved between a clamping position where it clamps the line member to the grip, and a free position where the grip can be slid along the line member to another desired place. A small button 22 (see Figure 8) can be pushed to clamp or release the grip to the line member. Spaced between 1-1.5m from grip 13 is the first attachment means 12. In the particular embodiment, the first attachment means 12 comprises a stainless steel buckle. The buckle is designed such that it can slide along the line member 11. The buckle is used to attach the line member to an external anchor point. The anchor point may comprise a pool post, or anything else that is suitable. When so attached, the line member will function to enable a person to vigorously swim in the pool without ever reaching the side of the pool. However, the line member can also function to enable a person to walk or conduct other types of exercises in the pool while straining against the line member.

When so attached, the buckle 12 will slide along the line member until it abuts against grip 13 and this will hold the buckle against simply sliding entirely off the line member. Therefore, in the embodiment, grip 13 functions to hold the buckle in place.

Referring to Figure 7, there is now illustrated an additional and optional part which is the second attachment means. In the particular embodiment (which is non-limiting), the second attachment means comprises a loop that can be attached about a post and which contains a buckle 25 which attaches to line 11 but in such a manner that the line can still slide through buckle 25. The buckle is attached to the line between the two grips 13, 14.

Figures 1-5 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention. Many features of this embodiment are similar to that described above. Again, there is provided a body holding part 30 which can be made of closed cell foam, or other material which is suitable for use in a pool environment and which is somewhat buoyant and cushioning. The body holding part 30 is relatively straight and contains a strap 31 which extends substantially about the body holding part 30. The strap has a buckle 32 which is best illustrated in Figure 3, and when the buckle is closed, the strap forces the body holding part into a curved (typically relatively U-shaped) orientation which is illustrated in Figures 1-2. The strap is length adjustable via the buckle 32 (this being quite well known).

Next to the buckle is an attachment means 33 in the form of a D ring or something similar. This is used as an attachment point for the grip assembly as will be described in greater detail below.

The device further includes a grip assembly 34, which is formed separately and which, in the particular embodiment, comprises a pair of grips 35. These can be hand and/or foot grips which are interconnected by a line member 36 which in the particular embodiment comprises an elastic line member. Line member 36 will typically have a length of between 40-150 cm and, in the particular embodiment, has a length of about 60 cm.

Each grip 35 comprises a cushioned, relatively cylindrical (and in this particular case having an external profile) member 37 having an internal passageway through which the line member 36 can pass.

An adjustment means 38 is provided to allow the "loop" of each grip to be adjusted. The adjustment means 38 comprises a plastic plate like member formed with openings through which the line member can pass. The adjustment means 38 also allows the length of the line member 36 between the grips to be adjusted.

Each end of the line member 36 terminates in an attachment means in the form of a clip 39.

hi this particular embodiment of the invention, there is provided another line member 40 which can comprise a flexible but substantially inextensible plastic cord which is used to attach the device to an external anchor point (for instance a pool fence).

Figure 2 shows one use of the device, hi this arrangement, the body holding part 30 is connected to the grip assembly 34 and the grip assembly 34 is connected to the line member 40. Specifically, one of the end clips 39 of the grip assembly 34 is attached to the attachment means 33 on strap 31 which is attached to the body holding part 30.

The other end a clip 39 is attached to line member 40. In this arrangement, the grip assembly 34 functions as a "spring" between the flexible line member 40 and the body holding part 30. The line member 40 can then be attached to an external anchor point (e.g. pool fence) and a person can place the body holding part around them and can swim in the pool with the line member preventing the person from reaching the other end of the pool. The elastic properties of the grip assembly 34 provides a cushioning effect.

Figure 3 shows in greater detail how the grip assembly 34 (and particularly clip 39) is attached to the body holding part via the shackle 33 on strap 31.

Figure 4 shows a different use of the device, hi this variation, line member 40 is attached to an external anchor point (not illustrated) and the other end of line member 40 is attached via shackle 42 to the line member 36. This attachment can be seen as an "intermediate" attachment. In this arrangement, a person can stand in the pool and conduct exercises by gripping the two grips 35. hi this variation, the body holding part 30 is not attached either to the grip assembly 34 or line 40.

Figure 5 shows the use of the device which is similar to Figure 4 except that the line member 40 is attached to an end clip 39 of the grip assembly. This can be seen as a "edge" attachment. This enables a different series of exercises to be conducted. For instance, a series of leg exercises can be conducted.

Figures 9-11 illustrate uses of an exercising device in the pool. In Figure 9, the grip part of the exercising device is used while the remaining part of the exercising device is idle. However, the body holding part 10 is attached to provide back support, hi Figures 10-11, the exercising device is used for swimming with the body holding part 10 being fitted around the person.

The grips can be used by a person's hands or feet to provide a different range of exercises.

It should be appreciated that the rope can be attached to other parts of the device in a manner different to that illustrated in figures 2,4 and 5. For instance the rope 40 may be looped through the clip 42 and adjusted in length using the adjuster 50 [ see figure 5]. The device is relatively simple in design yet is extremely versatile as it can provide a range of aquatic exercises and therefore should find great appeal with all types of people young, old, healthy, frail and the like.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An exercising device for use in water and which comprises a body holding part, a line member which is adapted for attachment to an anchor point, at least one resilient portion, and at least one hand/foot grip.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a grip assembly, the grip assembly¹ comprising at least one hand/foot grip and a line member.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the grip assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart grips and the line member comprises an elastic line member.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 comprising a pair of attachment means to enable the grip assembly to be attached to the body holding part and/or the line member.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the grip assembly is attached to the body holding part and is attached to the line member which is adapted for attachment to an anchor point, the elastic line member of the grip assembly comprising the at least one resilient portion.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line member is elastic, or comprises an elastic portion, and at least one hand/foot grip is attached to the line member.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 comprising a pair of spaced apart grips which are attached to the line member.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the line member is attached to the anchor point between the body holding part and the at least one hand/foot grip.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one hand/foot grip is operatively attached to the line member but not to the body holding part.