GB2474829A - A swimming safety aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A swimming aid comprises a generally horseshoe shaped, substantially rigid buoyancy member having two elongate legs 1.3 connected by a central arc 1.2. The central arc 1.2 comprises a platform which, in use, serves as a head or chin rest, with the legs 1.3 of the horseshoe extending rearward from the arc and passing beneath the armpits of the swimmer. The aid is intended to allow the swimmer unrestricted movement of the arms and legs when in a prone or supine position. The aid includes integral stabilizers at the free end of the legs to counterbalance the forward weight of the swimmer. The aid may include additional floats 1.4 which may be removably attached to the horseshoe legs, e.g. using hook and loop fasteners or elastic tubes. The aid may be formed from a first plastics foam providing buoyancy and structural strength, and a second, softer plastics foam 1.5 provided across the arc and legs of the aid for reasons of comfort. The swimming may be provided in various sizes to suit age ranges from toddlers to adults. The aid is not intended to be inflatable, or attached to the swimmer.

Description

A safety swimming aid.

Reference: The Swim-Log Concept The Swim-Log is designed to meet the needs of a pupil learning to swim. It provides the pupil with safety, develops their water confidence, but does not restrict the pupil in movement or from being independent from the supervising Instructor / adult. The product serves three purposes: 1) It is a safety swimming aid, which allows free movement of arms and legs. This solves the problem of having straps fitted on the swimmers body, which can make them feel restricted and in turn give them a false feeling of capability when these straps and security item is removed. It also solves the problem of safety jackets which ride up on the body and can be uncomfortable. In particular for toddlers and disabled pupils, who have not mastered balancing skills, it will help protect them from overbalancing, which is dangerous and life threatening. Even swallowing a teaspoon of water in to the lungs can cause secondary drowning. The Swim-Log is particularly helpful and important for the aquatic teaching in special needs.

2) It is to aid the Instructor in teaching frontcrawl, backstroke, breastroke and to develop the conect leg kick propulsion in all strokes. It is designed to help both the non-swimmer and beginner become competent and efficient swimmers both in shallow and deep water. A school swimmmg Instructor may have to take up to twenty pupils in a class; this product gives the Instructor confidence in a safety teaching aid. Due to the numerous possible distractions an Instructor is presented with, there is a real need for a belief in a product which solves so many issues. It prevents rubbing under the arms, it is manageable for all ages, it is compact, easy to use, no part is inflatable, which is helpful for the instructor who has daily lessons, there is no need to undo any security straps fitted to the swimmers body therefore no need to manually assist a lift to reposition them from their front on to their back.

3) It can be used as a keep fit tool both in aqua fit classes and in Mums to Be' aqua classes, A variety of tasks can be undertaken by the swimmer with a wide variety of activities from resistance to propulsion exercises. The Swim-Log is also beneficial for people recovering from sport injury, who may require support for a short period of time.

There are a range of sizes to accommodate toddlers, juniors and adults. The Swim-Log can be used for toddlers under the age of four and is ideal for parent and toddler classes, also pre-school lessons. The Swim-Log for juniors could range from age four and upwards and well suited for school swimming lessons and the private sector. The adult sizes may vary in sizes.

Design Features 1) The elongated horseshoe shape fits close to the pupil's body. Although moulded it still provides some flexibility. The coming together of the handles/arnirests provides an almost encompassing circle for safety. The Swim-Log fits close to the pupil's sides; which eliminates the need for them to continuously pull the handles in close to their body and therefore saves valuable energy. When the swimmer is in a prone position, the front arc shape does not hinder the pupil performing under water arm actions and it is excellent for developing the under water breastroke circular arm pull.

2) There are stabilizers on the product, which help counter balance the weight of the pupil as they lean forward, this reduces the risk of a pupil tipping too far forward. The pupil remains centralised with head, hips and feet streamlined. Importantly when a vulnerable pupil is in a vertical position the stabilized balance will help stop them inadvertently rolling backwards.

Figure 1 shows an example of the stabilizers incorporated in to the one moulded shape with a set of detachable floats connected by elastic rubber tubes.

In figure 1.1, as an example the stabilizers are shown positioned at the back open ends incorporated as all one piece. The stabilizers may form a V shape with the widest part of the V at the back end of the handles which gradually narrow as it extends forward; the sides may slope upwards to make a curved shape for ease of grip, but the shape, size and position may be varied.

3) The central extended platform section at the front, Fig 1.2, is designed to support and encourage the correct head position in backstroke and chin position in breastroke; it also allows transitional skills for breathing techniques in frontcrawl. This extended platform section also gives confidence to the nervous pupil afraid of submersing their face in the water. As an example this extended platform may be curved at the top section and underwater be a V shape to make the product hydrodynamic, but the platform may be of any format and may be covered with the cushioned foam for comfort.

4) The supporting handles/arm rests, Fig 1.3, allow the pupil to place their hands in a variety of positions as they grow in confidence and this helps the Instructor introduce new skills to strengthen their muscles. When in a supine position, the handles remain near the pupils sides so they are hands free to practice basic backstroke arm action.

The handles/arm rests are an easy to grip shape. As an example the open end handles, may be elongated to give extra length and then incorporated as part of the stabilizers so that it heavier at the back for corrective balance.

5) The additional set of detachable floats may connect on to the handles, Fig 1.4, as an example this may be done by a rubber elastic tube to hold the two firmly together or by any connecting method. As an example the extra floats may be situated on the right and left side of the handles. The system allows the extra floats to be detached when the swimmer attains a certain level of confidence.

Figure 2 shows an example of one set of additional detachable floats positioned beside the stabilizers in a mesh bag connecting the two by Velcro. (RT M) In figure 2, as an example the additional floats are shown attached to the Swim-Log by means of Velcro fastening. The floats may be contained in a mesh pocket and attached by Velcro on to the swim-log. The floats may be of any shape. Any other type of connecting method may be used and more than one set of floats can be added.

Safety For every Instructor safety is paramount and the Swim-Log is designed with that in mind. In particular, the appropriate size of various diameters of the handles/armrests ensuies the swimmer is able to finnly hold on and most importantly maintain their grip.

A vulnerable time for the pupil is when they have to independently manoeuvre from their front on to their back, the balanced stabilized sturdy frame provides support and security all round, but allows freedom of movement for transitional skills.

In school swimming lessons an Instructor can have up to twenty pupils in a class, it is important that the swimming aid is safe, child friendly and manageable.

Material The product may be constructed from two types of foam. The first foam for buoyancy and structure, but permits some flexibility. The advantage of this foam is that the child will resist biting in to it, which firstly, reduces the risk of them choking on it and secondly; the lifeguard will not be distracted from supervision duties in order to remove these floating pieces of foam. The second foam is a softer texture and is across the top of the mid section for the chest area, Fig 1.5. This provides added comfort under the arms for when the swimmer lays on it. The Instructor can then do more repetition work without complaints arising about pinching or red marks developing from pressure rubbing.

As an example the two types of foam could be differentiated by using two different coloured foams and the cushioned foam may extend in to the platform section.

There is a real necessity to have a variety of sizes. The Swim-Log can be use for toddler's approximately eight months old; the junior's age group could start at age four and upwards. It is equally important that there is a size to suit the apprehensive adult swimmer. The adult must enjoy the freedom of movement in water without feeling self conscious due to their inability or because of their fear; a variety of sizes could be available.

The Instructor Instructors can have complete confidence in the Swim-Log. It is safe, practical, manageable and the design features allow the correct streamline position for teaching strokes, for developing and improving leg kick and the soft cushioned foam gives added comfort under the arms, maintaining longer usage. The product also gives the vulnerable and nervous swimmer water confidence. As a pupil progresses and moves in to deep water, it provides added confidence for that initial transition period. All users of the Swim-Log whether able bodied or special needs will find it invaluable in assistance.

The concept and design of the Swim-Log enables the pupil to conserve their strength and energy for the skills of learning to swim, this in turn enables them to focus on their lesson and have a more enjoyable experience.

Claims (7)

1. Claims 1. A swimming aid which allows full freedom of movement with out hindrance to the swimmer and provides correct sizing to individual needs from toddlers to adults.
2. 2. A teaching aid to assist the Instructor in developing correct techniques in the various strokes and leg kick action.
3. 3. A tool for assisting able bodied and special needs people to be independent from the instructor whilst remaining safe.
4. 4. A keep fit aid for aqua fit lessons and for mums to be' classes to be used as a work out involving resistance, propulsion and lifting exercises.
5. 5. The stabilizers are strategically placed to counter balance the weight of the pupil leaning forward. A) They are incorporated as one piece of the moulded arc shape. B) In addition, there are attachable stabilizers by any connecting method situated on the left and right hand side of the handles/arm rests. The system allows the extra stabilizers to be detached when the swimmer attains a certain level of confidence and skill.
6. 6. The extended platform is used as a chin/head rest to assist correct techniques in various strokes.
7. 7. The two foams are for two specific purposes, one to reduce rubbing under the arms and provide comfort; the other for buoyancy and structure.