AU5947098A - Swimback - Google Patents

Description

.4

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent

SWIMBACK

The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me J1

SWIMBACK

The invention is a swimming aid in which the buoyancy element can be tailored to vary the angle of the wearer's torso and their level of positive buoyancy in the water.

A SWIMBACK will provide the wearer i.e. swimmer, novice swimmer, learner or non swimmer with positive buoyancy and allow them to tailor the angle of their torso. These needs will be dependent on the experience of the wearer and conditions at hand.

Many individuals with limited or no swimming experience try to avoid situations where the water depth is greater than their height. They invariably feel degrees of apprehension, stress, fear etc depending on their level of swimming competence. A SWIMBACK when worn correctly will provide the wearer with a degree of confidence and safety.

Swimming aids currently sold in Australia do little to alleviate these o emotions some provide to much support causing the wearer to move and ""20 look like a cork bobbing in the water others have the flotation material too wrapped around the arms restricting movement. These aids reduce the ability of the wearer to effectively utilise the arms or legs making it difficult to develop and an effective stroke pattern while in the water.

A SWIMBACK can be tailored to provide the required level of positive too. buoyancy and to angle the wearer's torso in the water allowing them a greater range of arm movements to develop an effective stroke pattern and confidence.

The SWIMBACK is a swimming aid made up of a number of individual expandable compartments. These compartments can be in a strand positioned on the torso, up the back over the shoulder and down the chest or conversely up the chest over the shoulder and down the back, or a vest type arrangement. The strands can also be positioned in a cross over pattern on the chest or back.

The buoyancy element used to fill compartment in the SWIMBACK could be any element that provides the wearer with positive buoyancy. If Air is used it can be inserted through inflation nozzles in each compartment If other elements are used they can be inserted into slots in each compartment. An airflow non return value will be attached to each inflation nozzle. The SWIMBACK can be manufactured to hold each type of buoyancy element separately or a combination of both.

When selected compartments are expanded with the buoyancy element, the number of these compartments and volume of expansion will determine the angle and level of positive buoyancy of the wearer's body in the water, as their torso will be suspended within the SWIMBACK. The angle and level of buoyancy will facilitate an easier swimming stroke while in the water.

The number of expandable compartments will be based on the age, height, i0 weight of the wearer.

A weight bearing strap surrounding the torso under each armpit will be an available option as it will hold the strands in position and support the weight of the body suspended within the SWIMBACK. A further strap can be attached around the waist, hips or thigh to hold the Device in position.

An emergency retractable inflation nozzle will be accessible to the wearer while the SWIMBACK is worn in the water, it can be used to inflate the ~upper compartments to provide additional positive buoyancy. An airflow ••20 non return value will be attached to each nozzle.

A compressed air cylinder (for use in an emergency) could also be inserted into the emergency inflation nozzle inflate the same upper compartments in an emergency.

The SWIMBACK could also be used as a flotation aid while not worn.

Materials used in the device: The Device will be made of a flexible material that is watertight which is durable an can be (preferably being positively buoyant) can be expanded.

The straps on each end of the Device (if necessary) will be made of a lightweight material with sufficient tensile strength to be weight bearing.

The strap surrounding the torso under the arms (if needed) can be made of the same material.

The emergency inflator nozzle and hose will be made of a flexible lightweight material (preferably being positively buoyant).

Claims (9)

1. A swimming aid comprising a series of expandable compartments positioned at the front and back of the torso through the use of straps or within a vest, with each compartment adapted for individual expansion on insertion of elements which provide positive buoyancy.

2. The swimming aid of claim 1 wherein expanding specific compartments at the front and back of the torso angles the wearer's torso when in water to the desired position to facilitate a swimming stroke.

3. The swimming aid of claim 1 wherein expansion of specific compartments suspends the wearer's torso within the expanded compartments.

4. The swimming aid of claim 1 wherein a further strap will surround the torso under each armpit to hold the expanded compartment in the 20 correct position a further is strap attached at the waist hips or thighs.

The swimming aid of claim 1 wherein expansion of upper compartments in an emergency by a retractable inflation nozzle accessible to the wearer while worn with an airflow non return value will be attached to each nozzle.

6. The swimming aid of claim 1 wherein expansion of upper compartments in an emergency by a small compressed air cylinders accessible to the wearer while worn with an airflow non return value 30 will be attached to each nozzle.

7. The swimming aid of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein that compartments are constructed of a pliable, airtight and watertight material.

8. The swimming aid of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein that straps and vest are constructed of a pliable material.

9. A swimming aid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Melville J Rossiter 23 March 1998