GB2271288A

GB2271288A - Swimming exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2271288A
Application number: GB9320393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Joseph Melia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-07
Filing date: 1993-10-04
Publication date: 1994-04-13
Also published as: GB9320393D0; GB9221030D0

Abstract

Apparatus for exercising in water comprises a sealable hollow body (1), which has a cylindrical hand grip (4) disposed towards one end, to bridge transversely spaced downwardly depending inclined limbs (10, 12) of the body (1). The body (1) is relieved to one side to receive the forearm of the user and has transversely spaced through holes to receive strapping (7) for securing the apparatus to the forearm. A releaseable plug (15) allows water or other ballast material to be introduced into the body (1) to vary its buoyancy. The buoyancy and/or the surface area of the apparatus can be increased by add-on units secured to the body (1). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Water Exercise Apparatus DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to apparatus for exercising in water.

Accordingly, the invention provides apparatus comprising a sealable hollow body provided with means to.

vary the floatation, the body having a hand grip (conveniently disposed towards one end) and preferably further comprising means for securing the body to the forearm of the user.

Said means for securing to the forearm of the user may comprise flexible strapping or clip means witr suitable fastenings and/or adjusting means.

The body is conveniently formed as a biow moulding from plastics material. Floatation is varied by introducing weight into the hollow body, converlienç water, to displace air. Conveniently a releasable sealing plug is provided in the body. Conveniently the body is formed with a generally concave recess along one side to receive the forearm of the user. The side remote from the forearm is generally plantar. The handle is preferably formed integrally with the body towards one. end and the means for securing to the forearm is conveniently disposed towards the opposite end of the body to that of the handle The apparatus can be used to perform many exercises in water with the aim of strengthening the muscles according to the direction in which movement is being resisted by the apparatus.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus, Figure 2 is an end view in the direction of arrow A of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 1, Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is an opposite end view of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, water exercise apparatus comprises a hollow body 1 formed as a blow moulding and having one side relieved w,th ve recessing 3 to receive the forearm of the user at least partially within opposite side members 6, 8. Formed integrally with the body and to one end bridging transversely spaced downwardly inclined limbs 10, 12 is a handle 4 formed as a cylindrical grip for holding by the hand of the user passing through aperture 17.

Relieving at 19 accommodates the wristbone. The other end of the body has transversely spaced through holes at 5 to receive therethrough strapping 7 shown as a loop for securing the apparatus to the forearm. The side of the hollow body opposite to the forearm is generally planar and has shallow recessing 13 to receive the strapping 7. The strapping is adjusted by a buckle 16 which is disposed in the recessing 13.

Shown at the end of the body opposite to the handle is a releasable plug 15 sealingly engageable with the body and by which water or other ballast material can be introduced into the hollow body to vary its floatation.

It is envisaged that in use a respective piece of apparatus would be provided for each arm and it will be understood that the resistance which is offered by the apparatus as the user tries to move it through the water wll serve to exercise the muscles of the user according to the direction of attempted movement. This is useful in hydrotherapy - both for fitness and health.

The apparatus may be supplemented by the provision of one or more add-on units to increase surface area and/or buoyancy. The add-on unit is releasably securable to the body 1 by any convenient fixing means conveniently embracing the planar surface of the body. The add-on unit may be a hollow body formed as a blow moulding with a releasable sealable plug for introducing ballast.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising a sealable hollow body provided with means to facilitate varying the floatation of the body, the body having a hand grip disposed towards one end and further comprising means for securing the body to the forearm of the user.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for securing to the forearm of the user comprises flexible strapping or clip means with suitable fastenings.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the body is formed as a blow moulding from plastics material.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which floatation is varied by introducing ballast into the hollow body.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which a releasable sealing plug is provided in the body 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the body is formed with a generally concave recess along one side to receive the forearm of the user.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the side of the body remote from the forearm is generally planar. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the handle is preferably formed integrally with the body towards one end and the means for securing to the forearm is disposed towards the opposite end of the body to that of the handle.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the hand grip is formed as a cylindrical grip integrally with the body and to one end thereof bridging transversely spaced downwardly inclined limbs.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claims 8 in which means for securing to the forearm comprising strapping which passes through transversely spaced through holes in the body.

11. Apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.