GB2064337A

GB2064337A - Swimming aid

Info

Publication number: GB2064337A
Application number: GB8034523A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: WARMUTH F
Current assignee: WARMUTH F
Priority date: 1979-11-02
Filing date: 1980-10-27
Publication date: 1981-06-17
Also published as: ES262526Y; ES262526U; IT8025727A0; IT1134139B; NL8006002A; FR2468387A1

Abstract

The swimming aid, especially for babies and children, is characterized in that it comprises a float part to provide stability in the water and a body-adjusting part connected to the latter and adapted to fit detachably around the trunk of the user to support him in his swimming position. The body adjusting part is at least partly inflatable so that the aperture can be varied to suit the user's trunk by varying the degree of inflation. Preferably, the body adjusting part is attached at an angle to the float part so as to support the user in a natural inclined swimming position. Also, the float part is of U, or horseshoe form with the open end facing rearwardly to allow free leg movement of the user. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Swimming aid The invention relates to swimming aids, especially for babies and children.

Swimming aids known hitherto normally comprise an inflatable ring worn around the trunk below the armpits of the user, which adjusts itself to the trunk when inflated, or a pair of inflatable rings worn around the arms.

An object of this invention is to provide an alternative swimming aid which is stable in use, which can safely hold the user's head above water and which prevents him from slipping out of the aid should it be tipped over by external influences. A further object is to provide an aid in which the user is supported in an optimal position for swimming, and which does not hinder the user's swimming movements.

According to this invention, a swimming aid is characterised in that it comprises a float part of a shape to provide stability in the water and a bodyadjusting part connected with the latter and being adapted to fit detachably around the trunk of the user to support him in his swimming position, the body adjusting part being at least partly inflatable so that the aperture thereof for receiving the user's trunk can be varied to suit, by varying the degree of inflation.

Conveniently, the body adjusting part is attached to the float at an angle so as to support the user in a natural, inclined swimming position. Thus, by this feature, in a position for swimming, the plane of the aperture of the body-adjusting part which receives the user is kept in a vertical position with a slight inclination (preferably about 15 degrees) this position corresponding to a natural swimming position for the user in the water, i.e. with an inclination (preferably of 15 degrees) to the level of the water surface.

In a preferred form, the float comprises an inflatable tube generally of U, or horseshoe shape with its open end intended to face rearwardiy, to which the body-adjusting part is attached. Thus, the user can rest his head or shoulders on the closed front end of the float part when tired. At the same time, this front end prevents him from dipping his head into the water. By the float part being open at its rear end the user's legs are allowed full freedom of movement for swimming.

The float part ofthe swimming aid may be in the form of a tube which is sub-divided into at least two air-chambers which are arranged to extend in sideby-side relationship, and which are independently inflatable, so that they can keep the float part of the aid in a stable position in use. By this arrangement either of these air-chambers can be partially deflated without the float part losing its stability. According to the amount of air let out, the user himself must produce more buoyancy in the water, which will thereby speed up the learning process. On account of the stability in use provided by the float part, even with little air in the tube, the swimming aid provides a safe support; thereby accidents will be avoided and the learner will be given confidence.

The swimming aid according to this invention is such that its buoyancy may be reduced progressively, thereby making the user produce more of his own buoyancy in the progress of his learning, without the aid losing any of its stability.

In order that the invention will be readily understood, one constructional embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a general plan view of the aid.

The swimming aid comprises a float 31 which, due to its shape, will maintain a stable position in the water. As shown, the float 31 is preferably of horseshoe-shape with its open end facing rearwardly so that the user has full freedom of leg movement for swimming. The float 31 is constructed as a tube which is made up into the horseshoe form to provide limbs 38 and 39, these latter providing two separate air-chambers 32,33 extending in sideby-side relationship, and which are independently inflatable by means of respective valves 34 and 35.

A bridge piece 36 connects the limbs 38,39 of the float 31, which bridge piece extends from the closed, front end 37 of the latter to half the length of its limbs. This bridge piece is inflatable and supports the user's breast. In the case of a baby, the head would rest on the front end 37 of the float 31, whilst in the case of an older child, the head would be forward of this front part, with the shoulders resting on the latter.

The bridge piece 36 thus provides a lower support of the body-adjusting part of the swimming aid, the upper support, around the user's back, consisting of two inflatable wings 40,41, also attached to respective limbs 38, 39 of the float, which may be connected together by a zipper 42,43 or any other reliable readily detachable fastening.

With the body-adjusting part fastened around the user, the amount of air inflated into the wings 40,41, through respective valves 46,47 will result in the three body-adjusting parts 36,40,41 providing a variable aperture to suit the trunk of the user. Also, by more or less inflating the bridge piece 36, the user's body can be raised or lowered with respect to the water level. By being inflatable, the bridge piece 36 enables the user's height position in the water to be adjusted and also acts to steady the float 31 and to prevent wrinkles in said bridge piece.

The float 31 may be conveniently formed by a single tube which is divided by means of a separating wall, the line of which is shown by the seam 48, into the two air-chambers 32, 33. Plastics materials are best suited for the swimming aid, the seam 48 between the tube and dividing wall naturally having no holes, but being a welded seam joining separate halves of the tube to form the air-chambers 32,33.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the float and the body adjusting part of the swimming aid can be adjusted with respect to each other in such a way as to secure a position of equilibrium for the user's body. Thus, an unintentional dipping of the user's face into the water is avoided and chil dren, especially babies, may rest their heads on the front end of the float when tired. The float and the body adjusting part should offer as little hyd rodynamic resistance as possible in the water.

It is the purpose of the float to produce the neces sary buoyancy and to impart a stable position to the swimmer. That is why, instead of a complete ring or a horseshoe shape, the float may also be shaped like a catamaran. In that case the float would be formed by two tubes connected by a cross connection.

Appropriately, the angle at which the body adjusting part 36,40,41 is attached to the float is chosen to provide a preferred inclination between the user and the water surface so that the user is supported in a natural, ideal position in the water; an angle of about 15 degrees has been found suitable. As described above, the body adjusting part will adjust to the user's trunk when inflated. By regulating the air pressure within the various chambers of the float and body adjusting parts, both the buoyancy of the swimming aid can be adapted to the user's weight, and the swimming position can be adjusted.

Claims

1. A swimming aid for babies and children, characterized in that it comprises a float part of a shape to provide stability in the water, and a body adjusting part connected with the latter and being adapted to fit detachably around the trunk of the user to support him in his swimming position, the body adjusting part being at least partly inflatable so that the aperture thereof for receiving the user's trunk can be varied to suit, by varying the degree of inflation.

2. A swimming aid according to Claim 1, characterized in that the body adjusting part is attached to the float part at an angle so as to support the user in a natural inclined swimming position.

3. A swimming aid according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the body adjusting part comprises a bridge piece connected to the float for supporting the breast of the user, and two wings arranged to wrap over and enclose the user's back, said wings having means by which they can be detachably fastened together.

4. A swimming aid according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the float has a front transverse part which, in use, lies belowthe user's head or shoulders to provide support.

5. A swimming aid according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the float being of a shape providing a rear open end so as not to hinder leg movements of the user.

6. A swimming aid according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the float part and the body adjusting part are independently inflatable and, preferably, each has several air-chambers.

7. A swimming aid according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized by the body adjusting part being rigidly connected to the float part.

8. A swimming aid according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized by the float part being subdivided into at least two air-chambers, situated essentially in side-by-side relationship, each of which is independently inflatable and is able to impart to the float part a stable position in the water

9. Aswimming aid according to Claim 8, characterized by the air-chambers of the float part being formed by sub-dividing a bigger chamber, preferably by a dividing wall welded into and along a tube forming the float part.

10. A swimming aid according to one of Claims 3 to 9, characterized by the bridge piece ofthe body adjusting part being inflatable independently of any other part af the complete aid.

11. A swimming aid constructed, arranged and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.