US3775788A

US3775788A - Inflatable swimming supports

Info

Publication number: US3775788A
Application number: US00198561A
Authority: US
Inventors: B Markwitz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-02-19
Filing date: 1971-11-15
Publication date: 1973-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-04
Also published as: FR2131251A5; DE2107979A1; AT320441B; CH560125A5; ES173294Y; ES173294U; GB1366696A; BE775495A

Abstract

An inflatable swimming support for the upper arm consisting, in the uninflated condition, of two superimposed cylindrical annular parts connected along their edges, made of a flexible water-and air-tight material, wherein a part of the circumference which rests on the inside of the upper arm when the ring is fitted is formed as a non-inflatable surface, and the diameter of the uninflated swimming support, the circumference of which is about double its length in the uninflated state, is about twice as large as the mean diameter of the upper arm of a person for whom the swimming support is intended while, in the longitudinal direction of the upper arm, the width of the swimming support corresponds substantially to the length of the upper arm between the armpit and elbow bend of the person. The two parts of the swimming support are connected in the zone opposite the noninflatable surface along a line which divides the inflatable portion of the swimming support into two substantially equal inflatable chambers, each chamber being adapted to be inflated through a nipple which is closable by means of a removable plug.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Markwitz INFLATABLE SWIMMING SUPPORTS [76] Inventor: Bernhard Markwitz, Brodersweb 9/10, Hamburg, Germany [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 198,561

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 19, 1971 Germany P 21 07 979.8

[52] US. Cl. 9/344 [51] Int. Cl. B63c 9/16 [58] Field of Search 9/344, 340, 342, 9/329, 337, 333

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,296,636 1/1967 Markwitz 9/340 2,292,150 8/1942 Murray 9/340 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 29,680 4/1919 Norway 9/340 Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler AssistantExaminew-Paul E. Sauberer Attorney-Townsend F. Beaman et a].

[451 Dec. 4, 1973 [5 7 ABSTRACT An-inflatable swimming support for the upper arm consisting, in the uninflated condition, of two superimposed cylindrical annular parts connected along their edges, made of a flexible water-and air-tight material, wherein a part of the circumference which rests on the inside of the upper arm when the ring is fitted is formed as a non-inflatable surface, and the diameter of the uninflated swimming support, the circumference of which is about double its length in the uninflated state, is about twice as large as the mean diameter of the upper arm of a person for whom the swimming support is intended while, in the longitudinal direction of the upper arm, the width of the swimming support corresponds substantially to the length of the upper arm between the armpit and elbow bend of the person. The two parts of the swimming support are connected in the zone opposite the noninflatable surface along a line which divides the inflatable portion of the swimming support into two substantially equal inflatable chambers, each chamber being adapted to be inflated through a nipple which is closable by means of a removable plug.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU UEE 4 i975 SHEET 10F 2 .PATENTEDHEB 4 m5 SHEET 2 BF 2 iii? . 1 INFLATABLE SWIMMING SUPPORTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a swimming support for the upper arm. 7

An inflatableswimming support for theupper arm is already knownwhich can be fitted in the uninflated state freely over the upper arm and which consists in the uninflated condition of two superimposed cylindrical annular parts, connected along their edges, made of flexible, water and airtight plastic foil, whereina part of the circumference which rests on the inside of the upper arm when the ring is fitted, is formed as a flat non-inflatable surface, and the diameter of the uninflated swimming support, the circumference of which is about double its. length in the noninflated state, is

about twice as large as the mean diameter of the upper arm of the person for whom the swimming support is intended, while in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the upper arm, the width of this swimming support corresponds substantially to the length of the upper arm between the arm pit and the elbow bend.

In the inflated state, the noninflatable surface of this upper arm swimming support rests on the inside of the upper arm of the swimmer, along which pass both the main vein and the main-artery side by sidewhich secure the blood circulation for the arm. The noninflatable surface preventsthe blood circulation from being impaired, so that this known upper arm swimming support can be worn inflated for longer periods. On the other hand, the large diameter of the cylindrical annular parts ensures a sufficiently large volume on the upper arm of the swimmer. The foil of which the inflatable upper arm swimming support is made may be regarded as practically nonelastic. During the inflation of the swimming support, the outer annular part expands outwardly, and the inner annular part inwardly, while simultaneously the width of the swimming support, measured in the direction of the length of the upper arm, is reduced in the regions where the outer annular part expands outwardly, and the inner annular part inwardly. In view of the large diameter of the two annular parts in the uninflated state of the support, the inner annular part is pressed against the upper arm only with comparatively small pressure. The flat, noninflatable surface of the swimming support prevents the accidental rolling off of the inflated swimming support from the upper arm, even with comparatively low pressures.

Owing to the noninflatable surface, the inflated upper arm swimming support isvpositioned obliquely on the upper arm. However, since the inner annular part expands inwardly, a particularly large-shrinkage fold is formed. Between this particularly large shrinkage fold and the noninflatable surface, further shrinkage folds form according to the specific conditions. Generally, however, the inflated upper arm swimming support forms between the noninflated surface and the just mentioned facing shrinkage fold two inflated cushions between which a free space-with substantially triangular cross-section forms on the side of the uninflated sur-' face. The base of this triangle is formed by the noninflatable surface, while the sides of the triangle are formed by the more or less differently curved inner part of the ring.

, The upper arm of the swimmer is positioned between these two cushions, namely generally in such a way that the upper arm is more on the side of the noninflatable surface in consequence of the fact that also here an uninflated space of substantially triangular cross-section exists. However, even if the inner surface of the upper arm of the swimmer is more or less remote from the noninflatable surface, an inflated air filled chamber is tion, the same volumes of the swimmer are submerged in the water on both sides of the longitudinal center axis, so that the swimmer is not affected by any momenttending to displace him from this 'center position.

The fact that in this center position a part of each of the two swimming supports located on one upper arm projects from the water, render the swimmer automatically stable about his center axis. If, for example, the swimmer is more deeply submerged on his right side, the hitherto projecting volume of the rightupper arm swimming support is submerged. This produces a corresponding additional buoyancy on the right upper arm of the swimmer. This buoyancy now counteracts the dip of the swimmer towards the right. During this dipping, the left inflated upper arm swimming support is more or less lifted out of the water, so that the buoyancy acting on the left upper arm has been correspondingly decreased. When now the buoyancy acting on the right upper arm starts to counteract the dip, the left upper arm swimming'support quickly submerges in the water and brakes the returning movement. This is repeated continuously on the left 'and on the right upper arm, so that the position of the swimmer is automatically stabilised about his longitudinal axis.

This slanting configuration of the upper arm swimming supports also enables them to make small rotational movements about the axis of the upper arm of the swimmer under the action of his upper arm movements and the forces exerted by the water, but in principle, the above described position on the upper arm is maintained.

Also with a purely static investigation of the additional volume provided by these two upper arm swimming supports, it is apparent that this additional volume acts at the most favourable point near the swimmers head, without impairing the breathing and head movements of the swimmer.

In consequence of the substantial, particularly practical advantages of this known swimming support, the latter is used very extensively by persons, and particularly by children, who are unable to swim or can swim only insufficiently. Furthermore, the advantage of the swimming support also enable a large number of swimming pupils to be supervised by a single person, if all these pupils wear such swimming supports for learning to swim. However, as with all other inflatable swimming aids, air can escape from the swimming support, owing to unforeseeable accidents. For example,'the inflating nipple can be opened accidentally or intentionally, and air can be allowed to escape. Also damage to the swimming support must be envisaged as a possible, although very rare occurrence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention has the object of providing an inflatable swimming support of the type hereinbefore described, which has all the advantages mentioned above,

but in which the risk of air escaping has been substantially' reduced or even completely eliminated.

According to the invention, this object is realized in that the two annular parts of the swimming support are connected with each other in the zone opposite the non-inflatable surface along a line which divides the inflatable part of the swimming support into two substantially equal parts, each of which is inflatable through a nipple, adapted to be closed by a plug.

Swimming supports, and more particularly upper arm swimming supports, with separate and separately inflatable chambers, are known. However, the invention is based on the specific features and properties of the inflatable upper arm swimming supports, which have, after inflation, on the side opposite the non-inflatable surface, a deep shrinkage fold, along which theouter and inner annular parts may potentially make slight contact after the inflation, by both parts bulging in the shape of a saddle inwardly in the region of this fold, as viewed in the direction of the axis of the upper arm. Immediately adjacent this longitudinal fold, the annular parts curve, the outer towards the outside and the inner towards the inside. in this manner, the known inflatable upper arm swimming support forms a large standby buoyancy volume on the side opposite the noninflatable surface of the upper arm swimming support.

This large standbybuoyancy volume on the outside of the upper arm is necessary for securing the property of the swimming support of automatically stabilizing the position of the swimmer about his longitudinal axis.

Starting with this property of the swimming support, the two parts of the support are connected at this point along a line. The separate chambers formed in the upper arm swimming support are each equipped with an inflating nipple. The volume of the inflated upper arm swimming supporthas not thereby been reduced and the standby buoyancy volume projecting from the water with the swimmer in the center position has not been reduced. All decisive features of the known upper arm swimming support have been maintained. However, the. total volume of the swimming support has been divided into two partsby this line, and these parts have to meet only the condition that they should have substantially the same size.

lf now one of the parts is emptied for any reason, i.e., it loses its buoyancy, half the total buoyancy volume acting on the upper arm is maintained. The inflated half ensures, in conjunction with the noninflatable surface a sufficient mounting of the partly failed upper arm swimming support on the swimmers upper arm so that the swimmer continues to be statically and dynamically supported by this reduced upper arm support, even if he does not swim well. This condition contributes to prevent panic of the learner in thecase of partial failure of the inflatable upper arm swimming support constructed according to the invention.

While the non-inflatable surface is formed with a fairly large surface in the direction of the circumference of the support, in order to prevent reliably the main blood vessels on the inside of the upper arm (main vein and main artery) from being affected by pressure which might affect the circulation, the additional connection of the two parts according to the invention must, on the one hand, be opposite the noninflatable surface, and on the other hand, be substantially in the form of a line. This line connection is located at a point, where a non-inflated line portion occurs anyway, owing to the shrinking of the inner annular part, so that the line'connection according to the invention cannot adversely affect the favourable properties of the known upper arm swimming support, while providing the additional advantages just described.

The object of the invention is further improved in that, as known, the length of the uninflated swimming support for children in about'230 mm, for adults with normal upper arm about 250 mm and for adults with well developed or with clothedupper arm about 280 mm, while the width of the uninflated upper arm swimming sup port, measured along the length of the upper arm is about 150 mm.

With these dimensions, particularly good results are obtained for the buoyancy acting on the upper arm,

andfor the standby buoyancy on its outside, combined with very advantageous conditions for the free movement of the upper arm equipped with the inflated upper arm swimming support.

The invention is further improved in that the width of the upper arm swimming support is reduced in the direction of the length of the upper arm in the region of the non-inflatable surface, wherein the reduced width is arranged symmetrically relative to the remaining width of the swimming support.

As may be seen from the preceding statement, the object according to the invention is made preferablyin different sizes.

Preferably, the width of the non-inflatable surface is reduced the more, the smaller is the upper arm for which the swimming support is intended. Thus, children can be provided with an upper arm swimming support, the width of which, in the direction of the length of the upper arm, is equal to the width of the swimming support for adults, merely by reducing the noninflatable area located between the arm pit and the elbow bend.

With the swimming support according to the invention, it is recommended to make the non-inflatable surface comparatively long, as viewed in the direction of the circumference. This results in a definite restriction on the other side of the upper arm swimming support in which the line connection between the two parts of the support is located.'

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, with a length of the swimming support of about 230 mm, the non-inflatable surface has a length of about 50 mm and a width of about mm, while with a length of 250 mm, the non-inflatable surface has a length of about 85 mm and a width of about mm, and finally, with a length of the non-inflated swimming support of 280 mm, the non-inflatable surface has a length of 85 mm and a width of mm.

For embodiments of the invention, plastic foils are particularly suitable with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. Such foils are mechanically sufficiently strong, and are also sufficiently flexible for purposes of the invention. Particularly suitable are plastics which can be welded by HF techniques, i.e., foils of soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Polyolefine foils, e.g., of polethylene or polypropylene may also be used, but these foils can be welded only by the application of heat, and this is less advantageous for the execution of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or Tl-IE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of one embodi-' ment of an upper arm swimming support in accordance with the invention, in the region of the two inflating nipples, in the non-inflated state;

FIG. 2 is a view of the upper arm swimming support of FIG. 1, in the non-inflated state; FIG. 3 is a view of the upper arm swimming support of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the inflated condition, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the upper arm but without the upper arm; the swimming support being shown in cross-section in the left half and-in side elevation in the right half of this Figure;

FIG. 4 is a view of the upper arm swimming support of FIGS. 1 to '3, in the inflated state, but without the upper arm;

FIG. 4a is'a cross-section along the line IValVa of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4b is a view of the swimming support of FIG. 4, seen in the direction of the arrow lVb;

FIG. 5 is a view of an upper arm swimming support in accordance with the invention, corresponding to FIG. 2, but drawn to the scale of 1:2 for size 0, intended for children;

FIG. 6 is a view of an upper arm swimming support in accordance with FIG. 5, drawn to scale 1:2, but for size I, intended foradults with standard upper arm;

FIG. 7 is a view of an upper arm swimming support in accordance with the invention according to FIG. 5, but for size ll intended for adults with strong upper arm and for adults with the. upper arm clothed.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The upper arm swimming aid is shown at l in FIGS. 1 and 2. It consists of an inner ring part 2 and an outer ring part 3, which aresuperimposed flat one on the other, when the inflatable upper arm swimming aid is not inflated. The swimming aid is, in this embodiment, made from high-frequency weldable soft PVC with a thickness of 0.2 to 0.3 mm. The inner part 2 and the outer part 3 are welded together along the edges 4. The flat hoses formed in this manner are connected at their free ends by a weld 5.

This inflatable upper armswimming support has a length a measured in the direction of the circumference of the support and a length b measured along the upper arm, double the length a being equal to the circumference of the uninflated upper arm swimming support.

Accordingly, the diameter D resulting therefrom equals 2a/rr, and is about twice as large as the average diameter for which this upper arm swimming support is intended. However, in view of the non-inflatable area of the upper arm swimming support, calculated further below, it should be expressly stressed that the human arm has not, in principle, a circular cross-section, but is flattened on the inside and on the opposite outside.

This inflatable upper arm swimming support is equipped with a non-inflatable surface shown generally at 6, and having no channels through which air could flow from one part of the swimming support to the other part. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the weld 6,

connecting the inner part 2 with the outer part 3, isarranged on the inside 7 of the noninflatable surface, but this is not essential.

The non-inflatable surface-may be formed by the weld 4 and by cross-welds 8 and 9 which may be constructed for reliability as two adjacent welds. The width d of non-inflatable surface 6 may be equal to the width b of the inflatable part of the swimming support, but this is not true for the preferred embodiments of the invention and is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as explained further below. b

Naturally, this upper arm swimming support may be constructed or welded together from foils in another manner, for example the two

parts

2 and 3 may be made from a finished extruded hose, in which case the welds 4 are omitted. From such a hose, the length of which is slightly more than the amount 2a, the flat upper arm swimming support consisting of two parts may be constructed.

The non-inflatable surface has a length 0 in the direction a and a length d in the direction b. The magnitudes of the dimensions a, b, c and d mayvary within certain limits, but have substantially definite values divided into supports for children, adults, and adults with very thick upper arms or adults with clothed upper arms, as explained in detail further below. 1

Substantially diametrically opposite the noninflatable surface 6, there is a welded seam 10 extending from one edge 4, formed more particularly by weld-- ing, to the other edge 4, formed more particularly by welding, and forming a tight closure of the two chambers of the upper arm swimmingsupport, constructed in this manner. One. chamber is formed during the inflation of the swimming support between this weld l0 and the left part of the non-inflatable surface 6, FIG. 2, while the other chamber is formed between the right edge 9, FIG. 2 of the non-inflatable surface 6 and the weld l0. v

The two separate chambers are shown at 11 and 12.

Each chamber is associated with an inflating nipple 13 which is provided with a plug 14 and is so constructed that, with the upper arm swimming support inflatecl, it can be pushed into the air filled

chamber

11 or 12 respectively. In addition, after removing the plug 14, the nipple is usedfor emptying the

chambers

11 and 12, i.e. to allow air to escape from these chambers. The nipple 13 has a neck 15 with reduced crosssection, and a cylinder 16 with larger cross-section of flexible soft plastic foil which enables the nipplewith its plug to be pressed into the

chambers

11 and 12 when the upper arm swimming support is inflated.

In a manner known in the art, the nipple body has a flange 17 which enables the nipple to be welded into the outer part 3 whichhas been provided with a suitable opening.

The width d of the non-inflatable surface may, as already indicated, be equal to the width b of the upper arm swimming support. However, it might be useful to have the width d of the non-inflatable surface smaller than the width b of the swimming support itself. This applied particularly to swimming supports intended for persons with thinner upper arms, and with shorter upper arms. The recommended dimensions are given further below.

ln-principle, the widths b and dare defined by the length of the upper arm between the armpit and the elbow bend, while obviously a sufficient distance must remain between the armpit and the elbow bend, so that 7 the swimming motions of the swimmer are not inhibited. On the other hand, as large a value as possible is desirable for the length b because this determines to a substantial degree the magnitude of the static volume and of the dynamic standby volume available after the inflation. For small persons and children, it is, therefore, recommended to reduce the width d of the non inflatable surface, compared with the width b of the remaining part of the swimming support in order to keep the non-inflatable surface, even in the case of small persons, sufficiently far away from the armpit on one side, and from the elbow bend on the other side.

It is also recommended to construct the nipples in such a manner that, as known in the art, air can be exhausted through the nipple only if the part 16 of the nipple is compressed in a certain direction, while the parts of the swimming support can be inflated without any obstruction.

Preferably, the two nipples .13, namely one each for the two chambers 11 and '12, are provided at equal distances on both sides of the seam 10. However, in principle the nipples may be mounted at any point of the outer part 3 of the

chambers

11 and 12. The arrangement of the nipples near the seam substantially in the center of the dimension b is recommended only because the seam is on the outside of the upper arm and the nipples can be particularly easily operated in this position for inflation and deflation.

' FIGS. 3, 4, 4a and 4b show the upper arm swimming support according to the invention in the inflated state, in which the outer part which bulges outwardly is tight in the center relative to the dimension b. The edges 4 along which the non-inflatable surface 6 and the seam 10 are connectedremain substantially unchanged in length, because the foil-must be regarded as being practically nonelastic. Viewed from the seams, the inner part 2 bulges evenly and forms, since the inner part has become too long during this bulging, shrinkage folds 18 which may continue beyond the edges 4 to the edge zones of the outer part 3. More particularly, under the action of the connecting seam 10, a deep shrinkage fold 19 forms in the zone opposite the non-inflatable surface 6. I

In this fold, the inner part 2 would face the outer part 3 along a line even if the connecting seam 10 were not provided at all. In the absence of the connecting seam, it may happen under certain conditions that two adjacent folds of lesser depth are formed instead of the single deep fold 19. These deep shrinkage folds form necessarily because the inner part 2 bulges inwardly during the inflation of the upper arm swimming support, and the resulting surplus of inner foil surface must be released in the shape of folds. The seam l0 merely ensures the formation of a deep shrinkage fold 19, which continues to form asurface 20 across which the inner parts of the two

chambers

11 and 12 face each other.

Near the non-inflatable surface 6 there forms a noninflated space 21 which is not covered by the upper arm swimming support, and the cross-section of which is similar to an equilateral triangle. The base of this triangle is formed by the non-inflatable surface 6, which might possibly slightly bulge inwardly while the two sides of the triangle are formed by the more or less

curved surfaces

22 and 23 which extend from the surface 20 to the

edges

8 and 9.

FIGS. 4 and 4a show that during the inflation the edges 4 bulge towards each other, since the outer part 3 bulges outwardly and the inner part 2 bulges inwardly; while the edges 4 undergo practically no expansion. Thus, the bulging of the'two parts is possible only by the inflated swimming support having its length reduced in the direction of the width d. However, this reduction does not take place along the seam 10, along which the two

parts

2 and 3 face each other, and in the zone of the non-inflated surface 6 where the two parts. are also opposite each other. In order to make possible the bulging of the outer part 3 towards the outside, and of the inner part 2 towards the inside, the seam 10 is slightly arcuate towards the inside from the

edges

24, 25 and correspondingly the non-inflatable surface 6 slightly bulges inwardly from the

edges

26 and 27, as shown in FIG. 4.

The cross-section of FIG. 4a shows clearly the outward bulging of the outer part 3 and the inward bulging of the inner part 2, as well as the movement of they edges 4 towards each other, i.e. the reduction of the distance between them, while the

edges

26, 27 of the non-inflatable surface 6 have only moved slightly towards each other because this surface has moved slightly inwardly.

FIG. 4b shows a view of the inflated swimming sup port in the direction of the arrow IVb in FIG. 4. The length of the seam 10 between the

edges

24, 25 is substantially equal to the distance of

edges

26, 27 of the non-inflatable surface 6.

Owing to its curvature towards the inside, the noninflatable surface 6 forms small shrinkage folds because the surface itself has no rigidity,.contrary to the seam 10. These shrinkage folds are completely eliminated when the inflated upper swimming support embraces theupper arm, the surface 6 is then only stressed in tension and cannot exert any substantial pressure on the inside of the upper arm.

FIG. 5 shows an inflatable upper arm swimming support of size 0 for children on reduced scale of 1:2. The length a is here about 230 mm, the width b is about 150 mm, the length c of the non-inflatable surface is about 50 mm, and the width d of the non-inflatable surface is about mm.

FIG. 6 shows on the scale of 1:2 a similar swimming support for normal adults with unclothed upper arm. The length a is about 250 mm, and the width b is about 150 mm. The length c of the non-inflatable surface is about 85 mm and the width d of the non-inflatable surface is about mm.

FIG. 7 shows on the same scale of 1:2 an upper arm swimming support for adults with particularly strong upper arms or for adults with clothed upper arms. Here, the length a is about 280 mm, and the width b is about 150 mm. The length 0 of the non-inflatable surface is about 85 mm, and the width d is about mm. In all cases, the rule applies that the non-inflatable surface is symmetrical relative to the upper arm swimming support, i.e., the dimension d is symmetrical relative to the dimension b. r

In all embodiments, the length c of the non-inflatable surface 6 is comparatively large compared with the length a of the swimming support. The length c is at least equal to one-fifth of the length a of the swimming support. This improves on the one hand the fitting of the inflated swimming support on the upper arm, and contributes on the other hand to the formation of a deep shrinkage fold l9 automatically in the zone of the connecting seam 10 according to the invention.

Various other embodiments and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable swimming support adapted to encircle the upper arm of the wearer comprising, in combination, an annular tubular member of flexible, air im pervious material defining a circumferential configuration and having an axis, a circumferential noninflatable segment of said member defining a flat noninflatable surface, the circumferential length of said non-inflatable segment being at least equal to one-fifth of the circumference of said member in the noninflated state, a transversely extending air impervious member with respect to said non-inflatable segment.

IUNI'I EDJ STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Paterxt 3,775,788 f Dated December 4,1973 Inventor (s) Bernhero lf'larkwit Z T T It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9; linel3, efter "of", first occurrence, insert one-half of Si-shed aim sealed this i day'- diflflwember 1974' I (SEAL) Atteet: mecoy M. GIBSON "JR. c; MARSHALL DANN Attesting'officer Commissioner of Patents FORM Po-wso'nmss) I 1 USCOMWDC 316m 9 ".5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE "I. O-JG-iSL

Claims

1. An inflatable swimming support adapted to encircle the upper arm of the wearer comprising, in combination, an annular tubular member of flexible, air impervious material defining a circumferential configuration and having an axis, a circumferential non-inflatable segment of said member defining a flat non-inflatable surface, the circumferential length of said non-inflatable segment being at least equal to one-fifth of the circumference of said member in the non-inflated state, a transversely extending air impervious seam extending across said member transverse to the circumference thereof substantially parallel to said axis and diametrically located on said member circumference with respect to said non-inflatable segment, the two member portions intermediate said segment and said seam constituting a pair of separate non-connected, inflatable chambers each having an axial dimension greater than the axial dimension of said non-inflatable segment, and a pair of valves mounted on said member, each valve communicating with a different inflatable chamber and each valve being located adjacent said seam and on the opposite side of said member with respect to said non-inflatable segment.