WO1999028003A1

WO1999028003A1 - Swimming device

Info

Publication number: WO1999028003A1
Application number: PCT/PL1998/000047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacek Skolik; Czes$m(D)aw STUDNICKI
Original assignee: Jacek Skolik; Studnicki Czesdaw
Priority date: 1997-12-04
Filing date: 1998-12-02
Publication date: 1999-06-10
Also published as: PL323567A1; PL184107B1; AU1447399A

Abstract

The device has a frontal increased buoyancy zone (1) connected with a central zone (2) of a smaller buoyancy and increased flexibility at least near the swimmer's lower pelvis, entering between the thighs and ending in a rear increased buoyancy zone (3) protruding above lower pelvis. It may have also the elements preventing slipping off, including extensions (5) adhering to the trunk sides. The device can be made from the elastic foil with inflatable chambers, eventually divided into smaller segments, with the chambers from the more rigid thermoplastics, blow moulded during moulding, or from the elastic closed-cell foamed plastics.

Description

Swimming device

The subject of this invention is a swimming device, made at least in part from elastic material, especially inflated, and used primarily for recreation in water.

Known are swimming devices in a shape of a circle, mattress, pontoon or other more complex shapes, for example taking animal shapes or constituting a combination of these shapes. They are equipped with the increased buoyancy zones, most often in the shape of one or several air-inflated, supporting the swimmer, to keep him afloat; and sometimes they additionally have the reduced buoyancy zones, to better fit to the swimmer's silhouette; these may be reduced to a flexible belt - as it was disclosed namely in German patent specification Nos. 28 10 217, 29 44 316 and 30 14 079 or in the Polish utility model No. 52 846. Some known devices have the elements serving tor fastening the swimmer or for putting on, especially on his extremities - as it was also disclosed namely in the German patent specification Nos. 29 03 750 or 28 20 675; or these devices are in the shape of life jackets - as it was disclosed namely in the German patent specification No. 28 51 632.

The essence of the invention is a new shape of the swimming device. Swimming device as per invention has a frontal increased buoyancy zone supporting the swimmer's trunk from below, joined with a central zone of lower buoyancy, and the central zone has increased flexibility at least near lower pelvis, especially when immersed in water, enabling easy bending and gripping of the device between the thighs. The central zone enters between the swimmer's thighs and ends in a rear increased buoyancy zone, protruding above the swimmer's lower pelvis.

It is advantageous when the frontal increased buoyancy zone supports at least the upper trunk and additionally at least the lower part of the swimmer's head and its width from the armpits to the front of this zone does not exceed the swimmer's silhouette width in the armpits region; and besides when this zone is narrowed in the swimmer's shoulder region, for it ensures greater freedom of movement of the hands during swimming. For stable positioning of the device under the swimmer, the frontal increased buoyancy zone in the head support region can have a hollow, and also it can have a longitudinal hump in the middle, stabilizing body position when swimming on the back, placing itself between the swimmer's shoulder blades under the buoyant forces. This lessens a possibility of the device slipping from under the swimmer.

Whereas the central zone can consist of at least one flexible strip, narrowed at least in the region where it joins the rear increased buoyancy zone. The central zone may have also a cavity and/or an opening in the genitals' area of the male swimmer, to reduce the pressure onto them; and advantageously when it is extended to the abdominal area, lowering the centre of gravity, reducing buoyancy and additionally stabilizing the body position within this area. The opening may elongate over the rear increased buoyancy zone and splits it into two arms elongated backwards, which can be joined at the end. Besides the frontal increased buoyancy zone and/or the central zone, in the trunk region below the armpits, may have the extensions adhering to the trunk sides, additionally increasing the stabilization of the device arrangement under the swimmer.

In order to reach suitable stabilization, the frontal increased buoyancy zone in the swimmer's trunk region shall have a thickness not exceeding 2/3 of its width. Whereas the width of the rear increased buoyancy zone in the region of contact with the legs shall be at least twice smaller than the width of the frontal increased buoyancy zone, and the buoyancy - of the part submerged in water - of the rear increased buoyancy zone shall be at least twice lower than the buoyancy of the frontal increased buoyancy zone, to obtain proper angle of inclination of the swimmer's silhouette.

An outer edges of at least one of the device zones may be additionally furnished with the decorations displaced above water surface, namely in the shape of fairy-tale figures, advertising elements and the like.

The device as per the invention can be made so as to form a whole, or some of its parts are formed as uniform element of varying section - it means without clear boundaries between individual parts. Also, at least some parts of the device may be divided into smaller interconnected segments, with clear boundaries between individual segments as well as parts, including device zones too. Even then however, some adjoining segments - belonging to different parts of the device - may be jointly formed as uniform element. At the same time clear boundaries between individual zones and other parts of the device may exist even in case of it not being divided into smaller segments.

Furthermore - especially in case the device does not feature inflated elastic foil chambers, and is made instead namely from elastic closed-cell foamed plastics or from thermoplastics with the chambers blow moulded during hot moulding - at least some parts of the device can have differently shaped opposite outer surfaces, so that the first outer surface fits the front of the swimmer's silhouette, for swimming on the stomach; and the other outer surface fits the rear of the silhouette, for swimming on the back.

The advantage of the device as per the invention is that it gives the swimmer a right position for swimming and rest in water even at standstill, while simultaneously ensuring consid- erable freedom of movement and stable body arrangement, giving the impression of being one with the device - and this without engaging prehensile body parts and without a need to apply additional fastening devices. Thanks to good fitting to the body contours it gives the swimmer the feeling of comfort and safety, both when swimming on the stomach or on the back. The device is mainly adapted for recreation but it may be also used namely in swimming-lessons, rehabilitation and the like.

The subject of invention in exemplary executions is shown on a drawing, where Fig. 1 shows the swimming device submerged in water with the thermoplastic chambers blow moulded during moulding, with the swimmer's silhouette on the stomach outlined, in side view, and Fig. 2 - in top view. Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show in diagrammatic mode, in top view, the devices made from elastic foil, with air-inflated chambers, with the marked advantageous minimum and maximum outline of individual zones, at the same time Fig. 3 shows the devices with the single rear increased buoyancy zone, Fig. 4 - with the rear zone split into two arms, and Fig. 5 - when those arms are joined at the end. Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show successively the devices as per Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 but submerged in water, with the swimmer's silhouette outlined, in a view from the swimmer's back. Fig. 9 shows the submerged in water devices as per Fig. 3, with the swimmer's silhouette swimming on the back outlined, in side view, and Fig. 10 - in top view. Fig. 11 shows the device consisting of two inflated chambers, in bottom view, Fig. 12 - in side view, and Fig. 13 shows this device submerged in water, in a cross-section along A-A line at Fig. 11, showing the silhouette of the swimmer on the back. Fig. 14 shows the device consisting of several segments in form of inflated chambers, in bottom view, Fig. 15 - in side view, and Fig. 16 shows this device submerged in water, in a cross-section along B-B line at Fig. 14, outlining the silhouette of the swimmer on the stomach. Fig. 17 shows another device consisting of several inflated segments and provided with a decoration, in top view, and Fig. 18 shows this device submerged in water, with the silhouette of the swimmer on the back outlined, in side view. Whereas Fig.19 shows the device made from elastic foamed plastics, with differently shaped outer surfaces, in bottom view, Fig. 20 - in a longitudinal section along C-C line at Fig. 19; and Fig. 21, Fig. 22, Fig. 23, Fig. 24 and Fig. 25 show this device in a part cross-section, successively along D-D, E-E, F-F, G-G and H-H lines at Fig. 19; and besides Fig. 26 shows this device submerged in water, in a reduced side view, with the silhouette of the swimmer on the stomach outlined, and Fig. 27 - with the silhouette of the swimmer swimming on the back outlined.

In the first example, illustrated on the drawing, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the swimming device features two chambers made from thermoplastics, blow moulded during hot forming and joined by a strip from strong flexible foil. This device has the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1, supporting the swimmer's trunk from the bottom and joined with the central zone 2 of lower buoyancy. The central zone 2 constitutes the flexible foil strip, situated underneath the swimmer's pelvis, narrowed at the end, which enters between its thighs. The central zone 2 ends in the rear increased buoyancy zone 3, protruding above the swimmer's lower pelvis, at the other side of its silhouette. The thickness of the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 is about 2.5 times smaller than its width, and this width is smaller than the swimmer's silhouette width in its armpits region. Moreover the width of the rear increased buoyancy zone 3 in the region of contact with the legs is approximately 3 times smaller than that of the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1, and the buoyancy of the rear increased buoyancy zone 3 submerged in water is about 6 times lower that the buoyancy of the frontal zone 1. This deλ'ice allows to maintain proper swimming position in the water, slightly inclined, with the thighs and legs submerged in water and the mouth above its level, whereas such comfortable and stable position is kept even at standstill - and this both on the stomach and at the back; and the considerable freedom of limb movement is ensured.

In the other examples, illustrated on the drawing, Fig. 3, Fig. 6, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 - in the swimming device made from elastic foil with air-inflated chambers, the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 is elongated forward, additionally supporting the swimmer's head, and its advantageous maximum reach illustrates the shaded area of this zone 1. Whereas the advantageous minimum reach of the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 - supporting the upper trunk and lower part of the head and narrowed in the shoulder region - illustrates clear area. Furthermore the central zone 2 in its minimum reach, is shaped like two elongated channels of a small cross-section, converging towards the swimmer's thighs and connecting with the chambers of the increased buoyancy zones 1 and 3. At the same time this central zone 2 has additionally a cavity 4 filled only by a piece of foil or alternatively an opening, in the swimmer's genitals region, extending to the abdominal area, and the advantageous maximum reach of this cavity 4 or the opening illustrates the shaded area in the zone 2 region. Such solution maintains sufficiently increased flexibility near lower pelvis of the swimmer, enabling easy gripping of the device with the legs in the region of the central zone 2 and its bending, permitting the displacement of the rear increased buoyancy zone 3 above the swimmer's lower pelvis. Whereas in its maximum reach the central zone 2 is in its full shape, it means without the opening and the cavity 4. Also elongated backwards is the rear increased buoyancy zone 3, and its advantageous maximum reach is illustrated by the shaded area of this zone 3. In the solution of the svvinrming device, described hereunder, its individual parts, it is the zones 1, 2 and 3, are foπned as the uniform element of varying section, in form of a single inflated chamber, without clear boundaries between these zones 1, 2 and 3, however the chamber houses the connectors made from foil strips (not shown on the drawing) connected with its walls and setting the distance between this walls after inflating.

In the slightly modified example of the invention, in the device as hereabove described, additionally the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 and the central zone 2, in the trunk region below the swimmer's armpits, has the extensions 5, adhering to the trunk sides. Such extensions 5 - illustrated on the drawing by the areas lined with a grid - are made in the form of separate chambers, connected by a seam weld with the chambers of the zones 1 and 2 and are displaced upwards by the water, additionally increasing the device stability under the swimmer's trunk, reducing a possibility of its slipping to the sides.

In the next examples of the invention, illustrated on the drawing, Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, and also Fig. 5 and Fig. 8, the swimming devices are made similarly as the ones hereabove presented and illustrated on the drawing, Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, except that in the devices as shown on the drawing, Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, the cavity 4 turns into the opening and extends over the rear increased buoyancy zone 3 and splits it into two arms 6 elongated backwards, whereas in the devices as shown on the drawing, Fig, 5 and Fig. 8 - additionally the arms 6 are joined at the end.

In the example illustrated in detail on the drawing. Fig. 11, Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the swimming device is made from elastic foil in form of two inflated chambers, joined in the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1. so that the zone 1 is divided into three segments 7 with two connections 8 in the shape of longitudinal seam welds, constituting clear boundaries between such segments 7. The extreme segments 7 are shaped here as uniform element of varying section together with the central zone 2 and the rear increased buoyancy zone 3, without clear boundaries between them. In this device the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 supports the upper trunk and the lower part of the swimmer's head, and is narrowed in the shoulder region and has a hollow 9 in front of this zone 1, in the head support region. Moreover the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 has a longitudinal hump 10 in the middle, formed by protuber- antly shaping the central segment 7 of this zone 1, which placing itself between the shoulder blades of the person swimming on the back - as shown on the drawing, Fig. 13 - stabilizes the position. Besides, when swimming on the stomach or on the back, the position stability is increased by flexible connections 8 of the segments 7, facilitating good adherence of the frontal zone 1 to the trunk; and also the hollow 9; opening 4, extended over the abdominal area and enabling to locate it in this opening 4; also extensions 5, adhering to the trunk sides, and which are fomied as unifonn element with the central zone 2 and the extreme segments 7 of the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1; and further the increased flexibility of the central zone 2 near the swimmer's lower pelvis, making possible the passage and setting of the device between the thighs and its bending in the water. In case of swimming on the stomach the stable positioning is increased by placing the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 between the swimmer's arms. Other features of the device were presented in the previous examples.

In the next example of the invention, illustrated on the drawing, Fig. 14, Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the swimming device has the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 and the central zone 2 divided other than in the previous example, into segments 7 with the connections 8 in form of transverse seam welds. Such division into segments 7 also stabilizes the device position imder the swimmer's trunk, by pressing up the frontal zone 1 and extensions 5 due to water buo3'- ancy - as illustrated on the drawing, Fig. 16. Remaining features of this device were described hereinabove.

Further, on the drawing, Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, is illustrated an example of the swimming device, similar to the preceding one, differing in that it has no hollow (9) in the head support region and the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 in the head region is slightly larger and is divided into different segments 7. Moreover the outer edge at the end of the rear increased buoyancy zone 3 is furnished with the decoration 11, displaced above water surface, in the shape of the mouse head.

In the final example of the invention illustrated on the drawing, Fig. 19 through Fig. 27, the swimming device is shown, made from elastic closed-cell foamed plastics. This material, having sufficient (although slightly lower) elasticity, enables at the same time easier forming of more complex shapes than in case of inflated devices. The swimming device has here the elements and features presented above but the frontal increased buoyancy zone 1 and partly the central zone 2 have differently shaped opposite outer surfaces 12 and 13, so that the first outer surface 12 fits more closely the front of the swimmer's silhouette and the other outer surface 13 - the rear of the silhouette. Due to this swimming on the device becomes more comfortable: in the first position on the stomach and in the other position, after turning over the device - on the back. The details of the outer surfaces 12 and 13 shape of the device are illustrated by the cross-sections on the drawing, Fig. 20 through Fig. 25. Moreover, due to lower elasticity of the material applied, the central zone 2, entering between the thighs, is in this case more gently curved, and the rear increased buoyancy zone 3 ending and protruding above the lower pelvis it is in this case more deflected backwards, as shown on the drawing, Fig. 26 and Fig. 27. The above examples do not exhaust all possibilities of taking advantage of the invention, which may be used also in other construction versions, adapted to special needs or liking of various users or resulting from different properties of the materials applied.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Swimming device having flexibly connected buoyancy zones, supporting the swimmer, characterized in that it has a frontal increased buoyancy zone (1), supporting the trunk, joined with a central zone (2) of lower buoyancy, which has increased flexibility at least near lower pelvis and enters between the thighs, and ends in a rear increased buoyancy zone (3), protruding above the lower pelvis.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1), supports at least upper trunk and additionally at least lower part of head, and its width from the armpits towards the front of this zone (1) does not exceed the silhouette's width in the armpit region.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1) is narrowing in the shoulder region.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1) has a hollow (9) in the head support region.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1) has a longitudinal hump (10) in the middle.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central zone (2) consists of at least one flexible strip, narrowed at least in the region where it joins the rear increased buoyancy zone (3).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central zone (2) has a cavity and/or an opening (4) at least in the genitals' area, advantageously extended to the abdominal area.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening (4) elongates over the rear increased buoyancy zone (3) and splits it into two arms (6), elongated backwards.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the arms (6) are joined at the end.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1) and/or the central zone (2) have extensions (5) in the trunk region below armpits, adhering to the trunk sides.

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1) in the trunk region has thickness not exceeding 2/3 of its width, and a width of the rear increased buoyancy zone (3) in the region of contact with the legs is at least twice smaller than the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1) width, however the buoyancy of the submerged part of the rear increased buoyancy zone (3) is at least twice smaller than the buoyancy of the frontal increased buoyancy zone (1).

12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that an outer edges of at least one of the zone (1, 2, 3) are furnished with decorations (11), displaced above water surface.

13. Device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, characterized in that at least some of its parts (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11) are formed as uniform element of varying section.

14. Device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, characterized in that at least some of its parts (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11) are divided into smaller, interconnected segments (7).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that some adjoining segments (7) are jointly formed as uniform element.

16. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of its parts (1, 2, 3) have differently shaped opposite outer surfaces (12, 13), so that the first outer surface (12) fits the front of the silhouette and the other outer surface (13) fits the rear of the silhouette.