GB2477363A

GB2477363A - A swimming training paddle shaped to fit in a users palm

Info

Publication number: GB2477363A
Application number: GB1008220A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-17
Filing date: 2010-05-18
Publication date: 2011-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-18
Also published as: GB0902596D0; GB2477363B; GB201001798D0; GB201008220D0

Abstract

A swimming training aid hand paddle with a body 2 shaped to fit within a user's palm and means 4 to attach the device to a user's hand. The attachment means 4 may be a flexible member threaded through the body 2. The body 2 may have rounded upper and lower surfaces, may be symmetrical and may be buoyant. There may also be a detachable fin 6 on the underside of the device. The device is designed to assist in the development of a user's stroke technique and hand position and in particular with respect to freestyle strokes.

Description

I

Swim Stroke Aid (Hand Paddle) This invention reLates to the fieLd of swimming and in particuLar a training aid device that attaches to a swimmer's hand to promote the correct and efficient use of the hand.

Background

A swimmer's performance can be improved in two basic ways: by improving fitness (strength) and by improving technique. Strength training can be addressed by many well established techniques, incLuding with the use of conventionaL hand paddles (see below).

The development of a correct swimming technique -equally important for a beginner or for development of a competent swimmer -will improve swimming efficiency irrespective of the swimmers strength. Since the majority of propulsion is generated by the hand / arm action, particularly in freestyle, focussing on this action will generate the greatest results.

Swimming efficiency can be assessed by the length of the swim stroke and this can be determined by the number of strokes taken to swim a given distance. As technique is improved and the hand / arm stroke becomes more effective, the number of strokes taken for this given distance can be reduced.

The effective use of the hand to catch, or to hoLd water, wilL alLow the swimmer to increase the distance the body can be pulled, or move through the water. If this hold on the water is not effective the swimmer exerts energy that is not effective in propelling through the water.

When learning effective swimming technique it is important to feel' the water during the propuLsive phase of the swim stroke -this ensures that effort applied by the working hand / arm is maximised.

There are currently a number of devices (hand paddles) that focus on the hand / arm action and assist in swim training; see Figure 1. However, the main benefit of these devices is to strengthen the swimmer due to the increase in the effective surface area of the hand. This requires that the swimmer applies a greater effort for the swimming action (these devices can, as a consequence, cause muscle damage). This type of device therefore satisfies one element of improvement, but not specifically to technique.

In addition, many of these devices force the swimmer to adopt an unnatural hand position; this provides a false feel' and can also add strain to the swimmers shouLder. Thus, when these devices are removed, the swimmers may be stronger but no more efficient since technique has not been developed.

To overcome these problems, the present invention uses a design that eliminates the feel of water to SPECIFICALLY focus on improving technique, not strength. This being the case, the invention can also be used without danger of injury.

Use of the present invention develops muscle memory so that the swimmer develops an efficient stroke. On removal of the device, the swimmer instantly feels' the water and stroke improvement is evident.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a training aid (hand paddle) for swimming that comprises: a) a symmetrically shaped body that fits naturally into the swimmer's hand to retain the correct hand shape'; and b) a detachable stabilising fin that can be fitted or removed depending in the swimmers ability; and C) a flexible means of retaining the invention to the swimmer's hand.

The critical component of the invention is the symmetrical main body that naturally fits into the swimmers hand. The shape of the device ensures that the swimmers hand is in the correct position for optimising the stroke whilst eliminating the feel of the water. In addition, the invention adds some buoyancy to the hand during the stroke to further help achieve the correct hand position during the stroke. The size of the body can be chosen to suit the swimmer.

In developing swim stroke, in particular in freestyle, the hand orientation on entering the water should be correct. A stabitising fin that can be attached to the main body of the invention helps in achieving this. It can be removed as the swimmer advances.

A flexible member is included to attach the invention to the swimmers hand; this can be adjusted to suit the swimmer.

Overview of the Figures Figure 1 shows examples of conventional, currently available swim hand paddles.

Figure 2 shows the basic shape of the invention, with the main body, 2, a flexible band, 4, and the fin,6.

Figure 3 shows the invention without the fin.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the front, side and top view respectively of the invention, all with the fin included.

Figures 7 and 8 show how the invention is attached to the swimmer's hand by means of the adjustable, flexible band applied to the middle finger. With the fin attached, the tip of the middle finger rests above the top of the fin to help develop the correct hand position for swimming.

Figure 8 shows how the invention fits within the envelope of the swimmers hand.

Description of the use of the invention

Description of the invention

Figures 2 through to 8 show the invention. The invention comprises a solid, but buoyant, member, 2, that is streamlined in shape from all perspectives -the front, top, bottom and sides, as shown specifically in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

The size of the invention can be varied to match the swimmer. However, the size is such that it fits within the envelope of the swimmer's hand, so that the finger tips extend beyond the front of the invention, The Little finger sits outboard of the outer edge of the invention and the thumb sits outboard of the inner edge of the invention. See Figure 8.

A flexible and adjustable member, 4, is threaded through four (4) holes that traverse from the top through to the bottom of the invention, 2. The holes are positioned such that the flexible member can be adjusted to fit the middle finger of the swimmer -hence attaching the invention to the swimmer's hand, Figure 7.

Use of the invention The symmetrical curvature or streamlining of the invention means that unless the correct technique is adopted, the swimmer experiences a reduction in the feel of the water. However, being slightly smaller than the swimmer's hand the extremities of the hand retain some feel, especially for when the technique becomes more proficient.

In addition, the shape of the invention provides a tactile means of ensuring that the swimmers hand is naturally held in the correct position, without being restrained in any way. This allows the swimmer to retain and learn an efficient hand position whilst retaining some feel' for the water. When the aid is removed, this position is retained for efficient swimming.

The invention reduces the amount of hold or feel of the water UNLESS the swimmer's hand is positioned correctly throughout the swim stroke. When positioned correctly throughout the stroke, the device is held' onto the swimmers hand by the force of the water. However, initially, the swimmer becomes less efficient and will have to complete more swim strokes for a given distance -a loss in propulsion.

With the invention attached, the swimmer has to make conscious movements of the hand to correct the technique. Hence, the invention forces the swimmer to think about the technique to reprogramme' the muscular movement to ensure an effective stroke. When the stroke is performed correctly, there is little loss of propulsion.

The resultant effect is that the swim stroke is efficient and effective ONLY when the hand position, and hold on the water, is correct throughout the whole stroke.

The invention incorporates provisions to accommodate a stabilising fin that aids in developing the correct position for the hand when entering the water. The profiLe of the fins can be altered to increase/decrease stability.

As the swimmers technique improves the fin can be removed to reduce the stabiLity and teach the swimmer to further enhance the technique. However, with the fin in place, the upper surface of the fin provides a stable and guiding position for the middle finger.

Sum mary The invention encourages the swimmer to adopt a hand position and stroke that optimises efficiency for maximising forward propulsion. Furthermore, when the invention is removed, the swimmer notices an immediate improvement in their ability and efficiency. The invention can be used for improvement in efficiency in all swimming strokes, in particular freestyle.