AU2019264528A1

AU2019264528A1 - Aquatic exercise device

Info

Publication number: AU2019264528A1
Application number: AU2019264528A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Trenton Woolcott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-13
Filing date: 2019-11-11
Publication date: 2020-05-28

Abstract

Aquatic exercise device Abstract An aquatic exercise device (10) having a buoyant hull body (20) and a frame (50) mounted to the hull body (20). The device (10) includes one or more exercise bars (60) secured to the frame (50) and located about a waterline, the exercise bars (60) having user grip portions and/or mounting points for attaching exercise equipment. /r ~- 65 Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Description

Aquatic exercise device

Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to an aquatic exercise device. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercise device for use in swimming pools and other bodies of water such as dams, lakes and rivers and harbour foreshores.

Background of the Invention [0002] Society has become increasingly aware of the important role that exercise plays in healthy living. However, physical inactivity is still a big problem, and rates of obesity are increasing in many parts of the world.

[0003] In recent years there has been a trend toward exercise routines which include a gym training component and in particular weights training. The advantages of such gym training are many, including increased strength, improved bone density, weight loss, improved energy levels and improved brain health and memory function.

[0004] Some such gym routines focus on weights training which requires the participant to move various weights through a range of movements. In addition, there are resistance routines which tend to focus on the user lifting or moving their own body weight, against the forces of gravity. Such exercises include pull-ups, push-ups and dips.

[0005] For many people, correctly executing a body weight routine is not possible if they are not sufficiently strong to perform the exercise. For example, elderly people are unlikely to have the upper body strength to perform a pull-up or dip.

[0006] This physical limitation also applies to persons who are frail, recovering from injury or for other reasons not sufficiently strong to perform body weight exercises through a meaningful range of movement.

[0007] In order to assist with body weight exercises, it has become increasingly popular to use resistance bands. Resistance bands are rubber bands or straps which can be used to increase or decrease the amount of resistance required to perform certain exercises. For example, a resistance band can be attached to a pull-up bar and stretched under the user's feet or knees to reduce the amount of force require to lift the user's body.

2019264528 11 Nov 2019 [0008] In addition, resistance bands make it difficult to perform vertical core exercises such as L-sits, knee raises and hip exercises while hanging from a bar, or in a dip position, as the bands restrict leg movement.

[0009] However, there are inherent disadvantages associated with resistance bands. For example, they can be difficult to use correctly, and may be quite uncomfortable in use. Accordingly, they may not be suitable for elderly people, or people with limited exercise experience and/or confidence. Furthermore, it can be difficult to achieve the desired level of resistance or assistance with such resistance bands, as the amount of force generated by the band will depend on various factors such as the length of the band, the amount of extension and the user's body weight. Accordingly, it can be difficult to achieve a desired level of resistance or assistance.

[0010] Another factor with respect to gym training, and in particular weights training and body weight training, concerns the level of engagement provided by such activities. In order to achieve meaningful results, the participant must be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time engaged in such gym activities on a regular basis. Many people lose motivation with such routines over time, as their level of engagement and interest diminishes.

[0011] Aquatic training is used in some instances, for example for rehabilitation and for elderly people. By performing movements such as walking in water, the participant can experience resistance levels higher than normal walking, which may promote strengthening. However, there are limited options available for constructing such routines, and the routine typically requires a teacher or other person to guide the participant through a pre-planned routine. Despite possible health benefits, such water based exercise routines can be tedious and lack high levels of participant engagement.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be difficult to construct a suitable aquatic program for fit, active bodied participants which is suitably high in intensity.

Object of the Invention [0013] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

2019264528 11 Nov 2019

Summary of the Invention [0014] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an aquatic exercise device having:

a buoyant hull body;

a frame mounted to the hull body; and one or more exercise bars secured to the frame and located above a waterline, the exercise bars having user grip portions and/or mounting points for attaching exercise equipment.

[0015] The hull body is preferably defined by two elongated hull members which are laterally separated.

[0016] The frame preferably includes a plurality of support members each having a proximal end secured to one of the elongated hull members and a distal end extending away from the hull member.

[0017] The aquatic exercise device further preferably comprises a longitudinal bar extending generally parallel to the elongated hull members and secured to a distal end of each support member.

[0018] There are preferably two longitudinal bars which are parallel and laterally spaced, the exercise bars extending between and being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal bars.

[0019] The aquatic exercise device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyant hull body is padded.

[0020] The buoyant hull body is preferably defined by one or more hollow tubular members each being capped at each end.

[0021] The buoyant hull is preferably inflatable. The inflatable hull includes solid mounting points for securing the frame.

[0022] The frame preferably includes a truss member.

[0023] The exercise equipment preferably includes one or more of:

gymnastic rings;

climbing netting;

hanging ropes;

uneven bars; or parallel bars.

2019264528 11 Nov 2019 [0024] The buoyant hull body preferably has a generally rectangular profile when viewed from above.

[0025] There are preferably two of said exercise bars extending generally parallel and laterally spaced at around the width of a user's shoulders.

[0026] The frame is preferably adjustable in height to selectively alter the vertical location of the exercise bars. The vertical location of the exercise bars will alter the amount of buoyancy for the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0027] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of an aquatic exercise device;

[0029] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a variation of the aquatic exercise device of Fig. 1;

[0030] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of an aquatic exercise device;

[0031] Fig. 4 is a top view of the device of Fig. 3; and [0032] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a group of exercise devices, each being variations of the first embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0033] Several embodiments of aquatic exercise devices 10 are disclosed herein. The devices are intended to be placed in a body of water such as a swimming pool, dam, lake, river or harbour foreshore. The devices 10 are most suited to being deployed in water sources with good water visibility.

[0034] The aquatic exercise devices 10 are floating devices and have a hull body 20 which provides buoyancy for the device 10. The hull body 20 is sufficiently buoyant to support the device 10 along with the weight of any users. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, the hull body 20 is defined by two generally parallel tubes 30 which may be hollow tubes 30 such as PVC tubes having end caps 40 which enclose the tubes 30 to prevent the ingression of water. The tubes 30 may be externally padded with a suitable waterproof padding layer. This may be provided by a thick, soft fabric or polymer layer or an external airbag sleeve encompassing the tubes 30. The padding reduces the risk of injury if a user is to fall onto the hull body 20.

2019264528 11 Nov 2019 [0035] The length of the hull body 20 in one embodiment is around 3 metres. However, it may be longer or shorter. Furthermore, several of the hull bodies 20 may be interconnected end to end.

[0036] The hull body 20 may be provided with ladders or other features which assist a user to climb out of the water.

[0037] In one embodiment, the hull body 20 may be fabricated from an inflatable unit so that it can be inflated for use, and deflated when not in use. The hull body 20 material may be inflatable PVC, similar to inflatable boats, which provides both buoyancy and a cushioning effect for users if they fall onto it.

[0038] The exercise devices 10 may be tethered to a structure such as one or more mounting points located along an edge of a pool or lake. Alternatively, the exercise device 10 may be anchored to one or more fixation points or masses located on the floor of the pool or lake.

[0039] In the first embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, the exercise device 10 has two generally parallel, laterally separated tubes 30 which define the hull body 20. The hull body 20 serves as a mounting point for a securing a frame 50 which is supported generally above the waterline. The frame 50 provides a structure with various components that a user can engage with, such as horizontal bars 60. The horizontal bars 60 typically extend in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 30 defining the hull body 20. In this way, the user may enter the device 10 at one end, and exit the device at the opposing end, and during the transfer, the user will pass several sets of the horizontal bars 60. The longitudinally spaced tubes 30 permit the user to swim through the device 10 from end to end.

[0040] There may be several horizontal bars 60, and the horizontal bars 60 may be located at different vertical positions, so that different exercises can be performed, and so that different buoyancy forces can be experienced. Furthermore the vertical height of the bars 60 may selectively be changed, and in some embodiments, the anchoring of the bars 60 is adjustable so that the heights can be adjusted as desired. For example, this may be achieved by having a clamp type fitting to secure the ends of the bars 60 to the frame 50. Alternatively, the end of each bar 60 may include a hook which can engage with one of a plurality of vertically spaced holes located on the frame 50. It will be appreciated that other mechanisms and attachment means may be employed to achieve this adjustability of the bars 60 relative to the frame 50.

2019264528 11 Nov 2019 [0041] This arrangement enables the users to pass from end to end, within the device 10, and the device 10 can be used as a part of an exercise routine, where a group of users preferably move in the same direction through the device 10, resulting in a minimisation of instances of users passing each other.

[0042] In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the frame includes a pair of generally upright support members 55 located at each end of the device 10. The support members 55 may be vertical or nearing vertical. The support members 55 may be provided as a single tube. Alternatively, the support members 55 may each be defined by a truss such as a ladder truss or alternatively a three dimensional triangular truss. The frame 50 also includes a horizontal support bar on each side 65, being generally parallel with one of the tubes 30 of the hull body 20.

[0043] The combination of the support members 55, the horizontal support bars 65 and the horizontal exercise bars 60 defines a three dimensional portal frame. Gusset plates or tie bars 75 may also be located at or near the connection between each upright member 55 and each horizontal bar 60 to provide diagonal bracing and additional strength and rigidity.

[0044] The horizontal bars 60 may serve as engagement points for the user to grip directly. For example, if the bars 60 are 30mm-60mm diameter bars, the user may perform exercises such as pull-ups directly whilst gripping the bars 60. Alternatively, the bars 60 may be used to mount other exercise equipment such as gymnastic rings, hanging ropes, tethers or climbing mesh. The horizontal bars 60 may be bent or otherwise formed like chin-up bars or gym equipment which provide a range of different grips that target different muscle groups, and also for the novelty of providing different user engagement features.

[0045] The horizontal bars 60 may be mounted at different heights above the waterline. For example, referring to Fig. 1, a first bar 62 may be mounted about 1.2 metres above the waterline, whilst a second bar 64 may be mounted about 1.8 metres above the waterline. The lower the bar is relative to the waterline, the less energy is required to lift a person's weight due to the buoyancy effect of the water acting on the user's lower body. In this manner, the user may select from several vertically spaced bars 60 for the desired level of exercise intensity and resistance/assistance. Alternatively, the user may cycle through different bars 60 during a workout to vary the workout intensity and build in warm-up and cool-down routines.

[0046] Advantageously, the exercise bars 60, and any equipment mounted to the bars 60, are located over the water, clear of the hull body 20. This means that if a user lets go of the

2019264528 11 Nov 2019 bar 60, they will fall back into the water, and accordingly, the likelihood of injury is low. This also enables a person to perform exercise routines such as hanging upside down from the bars 60 by their legs, or spinning the user's body around one of the bars 60, without excessively risking injury.

[0047] Advantageously, the exercise devices 10 may be used to practice gymnastic routines. For example, uneven bar routines may be performed on the device 10 with reduced injury risk when compared to the same routines when performed on traditional floor equipment.

[0048] A second embodiment of the exercise device 100 is disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the hull body 120 is defined by a generally enclosed perimeter frame having two or more parallel bars 160. The bars 160 are mounted slightly above the water line and set at a width corresponding approximately with a typical user's shoulders. The bars 160 are typically used for performing dips or other such routines that one might practice on gymnastics parallel bars, such as core strengthening/leg exercises such as L-sits, scissor kicks, flutter kicks, knee raises and hip abduction and adduction with the added resistance of the water.

[0049] The bars 160 may be mounted to the device 100 so that they are non-parallel relative to the waterline, such that one end of the bar 160 is higher than the other. This permits differing levels of resistance to be achieved, as the users body will be positioned lower or higher in the water depending on the height of the bars 160, thereby affecting the buoyancy forces.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the user enters the clearance between the two bars 160 by swimming under the device 100, or alternatively climbing over the wall of the hull body 120. In a variation of the second embodiment (not shown) the hull body 120 may be stepped downwardly at or near the interface with the two bars 160 to define a lowered portion below the waterline, to permit a user to more readily enter the space between the bars.

[0051] In a further variation of the second embodiment (not shown) the hull body 120 may be terminated at or near the interface with the two bars 160, and end caps added to the hull body 120. In addition, a rigid lightweight spine may be added around the hull body 120 to maintain rigidity.

[0052] As depicted in Figs. 1 and 5, the device 10 may have pairs of horizontal bars 60 being located in the same vertical plane. This provides a formation that permits various

2019264528 11 Nov 2019 exercise activities, such as a pull-up from the lower bar 60, or balancing movements and stretches between the lower and upper bars 60.

[0053] Advantageously, the device 10 may be used to provide an exercise station in which different exercises can be performed as part of a routine.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the exercise devices 10, 100 of the first and second embodiments may be combined as a single aquatic exercise station, or used separately at the same time in the same body of water.

[0055] Advantageously, by altering the height of the bars 60, the device 10 can be set to different levels of intensity ranging from rehabilitation and aged care applications to advanced fitness training, facilitating intensive cardio and muscular workouts.

[0056] Advantageously, the exercise devices 10, 100 permit the user(s) to fall into water. This serves the purpose of reducing the risk of injury. However, this also permits the user(s) to engage in more play-like exercise routines, which in practice may be more enjoyable than traditional gym based training routines.

[0057] Beyond exercise and training, the devices 10, 100 may alternatively be used for free play, novelty activities and games etc.

[0058] In the embodiments of Fig. 5, it is shown that the parallel tubes 30 which define the hull body 20 may be provided as separate seeled vessels, such as drums etc, which may be directly physically connected to the adjacent drum, or only interconnected by way of the frame 50.

[0059] In some embodiments, the height of the upright members 55 may be selectively adjustable. This enables the height of the horizontal bars 60 to be customised for a particular user's exercise routine, or to alter the exercise routine, for example, as the user becomes stronger.

[0060] Advantageously, the devices 10, 100 can be used as part of a training circuit with the users swimming in between to provide a multi-discipline training program.

[0061] Advantageously, the devices 10, 100 provide additional ways of exercising, which may assist to get more people to be active, thereby increasing physical activity.

[0062] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An aquatic exercise device having:

a buoyant hull body;

a frame mounted to the hull body; and one or more exercise bars secured to the frame and located above a waterline, the exercise bars having user grip portions and/or mounting points for attaching exercise equipment.
2. The aquatic exercise device of claim 1, wherein the hull body is defined by two elongated hull members which are laterally separated.
3. The aquatic exercise device of claim 2, wherein the frame includes a plurality of support members each having a proximal end secured to one of the elongated hull members and a distal end extending away from the hull member.
4. The aquatic exercise device of claim 3, further comprising a longitudinal bar extending generally parallel to the elongated hull members and secured to a distal end of each support member.
5. The aquatic exercise device of claim 4 wherein there are two longitudinal bars which are parallel and laterally spaced, the exercise bars extending between and being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal bars.
6. The aquatic exercise device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyant hull body is padded.
7. The aquatic exercise device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyant hull body is defined by one or more hollow tubular members each being capped at each end.
8. The aquatic exercise device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyant hull is inflatable.

2019264528 11 Nov 2019
9. The aquatic exercise device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame includes a truss member.
10. The aquatic exercise device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exercise equipment includes one or more of:

gymnastic rings;

climbing netting;

hanging ropes;

uneven bars; or parallel bars.
11. The aquatic exercise device of claim 1, wherein the buoyant hull body has a generally rectangular profile when viewed from above.
12. The aquatic exercise device of claim 11, wherein there are two of said exercise bars extending generally parallel and laterally spaced at around the width of a user's shoulders.
13. The aquatic exercise device of claim 12, wherein the frame is adjustable in height to selectively alter the vertical location of the exercise bars.