WO2015040430A1 - A swimming aid device - Google Patents

A swimming aid device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015040430A1
WO2015040430A1 PCT/GB2014/052884 GB2014052884W WO2015040430A1 WO 2015040430 A1 WO2015040430 A1 WO 2015040430A1 GB 2014052884 W GB2014052884 W GB 2014052884W WO 2015040430 A1 WO2015040430 A1 WO 2015040430A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
armband
float
aid device
swimming aid
floats
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2014/052884
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ian Rumsey
Original Assignee
Xpe Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xpe Limited filed Critical Xpe Limited
Publication of WO2015040430A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015040430A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B31/00—Swimming aids
    • A63B31/08—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs
    • A63B31/12—Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs held by, or attachable to, the arms or legs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/13—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2210/00—Space saving
    • A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/60—Apparatus used in water
    • A63B2225/605—Floating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/12—Arrangements in swimming pools for teaching swimming or for training
    • A63B69/14—Teaching frames for swimming ; Swimming boards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/13—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist
    • B63C2009/131—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist specially adapted for being attachable to a single arm or wrist
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/13—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist
    • B63C9/135—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like attachable to body member, e.g. arm, neck, head or waist using solid buoyant material

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a swimming aid device.
  • Floatable armbands are often worn by young and inexperienced swimmers when learning to swim. These typically comprise a pair of inflatable plastic sleeves (commonly known as a pair of 'inflatable armbands'), which are placed on each arm of the user and inflated.
  • the inflatable armband is extremely buoyant and therefore helps the user stay afloat when learning to swim. The amount of air in the plastic sleeve may be adjusted to alter the buoyancy of the device.
  • Other forms of floatable armbands include foam armbands.
  • the inflatable armband tends to slide off the user's arms (particularly when not inflated to the correct pressure), which can be dangerous when the user is particularly inexperienced.
  • a swimming aid device comprising an armband; and a float, wherein the armband and the float are connectable.
  • the present invention therefore provides a modular swimming aid device.
  • the armband may be placed on the upper arm of the user, and the float may then be connected to it.
  • the armband can therefore be manufactured such that it is the correct shape to frictionally engage a user's arm (which may not be the case once the inflatable armbands of the prior art are inflated).
  • the float may then be interchanged with other similar floats (connectable to the armband), but having a different shape, size or branding (e.g. a different colour).
  • the swimming aid device may further comprise a plurality of floats, wherein the armband and plurality of floats are connectable.
  • the user may therefore vary the buoyancy of the device by increasing the number of floats connected to the armband.
  • the buoyancy of the device is also clearly quantifiable to the user (which would be very difficult to measure for the inflatable armband of the prior art).
  • the armband and the float may include a complimentary interlocking connection. This provides an easy to use interface to connect the armband with the float (or each float of the plurality of floats).
  • the armband may include a first and second protrusion disposed on opposing sides of the armband, and the float (or each float of the plurality of floats) includes a first and second receptacle for receiving the first and second protrusion respectively.
  • the first and second protrusion/receptacle may therefore provide the complimentary interlocking connection.
  • the first and second protrusion/receptacle may have different shapes, such that the armband and float (or each float of the plurality of floats) may only be connected in a particular orientation.
  • the armband and/or float may be constructed from polyolefin foam.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of an armband of an embodiment of a swimming aid device of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the armband of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of a float of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the float of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a plan view of a first alternative float of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 6 is a plan view of a second alternative float of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 8 is a side view of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ;
  • FIGS 1 and 2 illustrate an armband 10 of the swimming aid device 1.
  • the armband 10 includes an outer sleeve wall 12 which includes a first and second protrusion 18a, 18b.
  • the first and second protrusions are disposed on opposing sides of the outer sleeve wall 12 and have different shapes.
  • the armband 10 also includes an inner sleeve wall 14, defining a central hole in the armband 10 through which the user may place their arm.
  • the inner sleeve wall 14 is shaped to frictionally engage the user's arm.
  • the armband 10 also includes a plurality of holes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d disposed within the outer sleeve wall 12 and inner sleeve wall 14.
  • the armband 10 is constructed from a plurality of polyolefin sheets, such as LD24 polyethylene or EV50 EVA/PE co-polymer (for example, as supplied by Zotefoams of Croydon).
  • the plurality of polyolefin sheets are laminated to the desired thickness (as shown in Figure 2).
  • the armband 10 has a thickness of around 75mm. Once the sheets are laminated to the correct thickness, the foam is cut by a waterjet to produce the shape shown in Figure 1. Thus the thickness is variable in manufacture.
  • FIGS 3 and 4 illustrate a float 20 of the swimming aid device 1.
  • the float 20 includes an outer wall 22 which, in this embodiment, is shaped in the form of a fin.
  • the float 20 also includes an inner wall 24 which is shaped to receive and connect to the armband 10. Accordingly, the inner wall 24 defines a hole and includes a first and second receptacle 28a, 28b about the hole.
  • the float 20 is constructed from a sheet of polyolefin foam, such as LD33 polyethylene or LD45 polyethylene (for example, as supplied by Zotefoams, Croydon).
  • the polyolefin sheet may be split to the desired thickness, which may be around 25mm (as shown in Figure 4).
  • the polyolefin sheet is then waterjet cut or die cut to give the required shape.
  • the float 20 may be cut to a number of different shapes and sizes, and may be split or laminated to a desired thickness.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show a first and second alternative float 20a, 20b.
  • the swimming aid device 1 may then be assembled by connecting the float 20 and armband 10.
  • the swimming aid device 1 includes an armband 10 connected to a plurality of floats 20, 30, 40.
  • the armband 10 thus extends through each float 20, 30, 40 and is connected thereto by the interlocking connection of the first and second protrusions with the first and second receptacles.
  • the first and second protrusions/receptacles provide an easy to use interlocking connection between the float and armband.
  • the skilled person will understand that these are not essential and that any suitable connection between the float and armband may be used.
  • the armband alone may provide limited buoyancy for use by a more experienced swimmer.
  • floats it is not essential for a plurality of floats to be used with the armband. Rather a single float may be used.
  • the dimensions given above are merely examples, such that the armband and float may be, for example, of the same thickness. Different floats may also be provided for use with an armband so that the user may select a different float for different occasions, buoyancy needs, or uses.
  • the floats and armband may be constructed from other suitable materials.
  • the polyolefin foam may be branded to include sparkle imagery and logos.

Abstract

A swimming aid device is provided including an armband and a float, the armband and float being connectable (e.g. by an interlocking connection). The armband and float are therefore modular.

Description

A SWIMMING AID DEVICE
This invention relates to a swimming aid device.
Floatable armbands are often worn by young and inexperienced swimmers when learning to swim. These typically comprise a pair of inflatable plastic sleeves (commonly known as a pair of 'inflatable armbands'), which are placed on each arm of the user and inflated. The inflatable armband is extremely buoyant and therefore helps the user stay afloat when learning to swim. The amount of air in the plastic sleeve may be adjusted to alter the buoyancy of the device. Other forms of floatable armbands include foam armbands.
There are problems with the inflatable armbands of the prior art. For example, the inflatable armband tends to slide off the user's arms (particularly when not inflated to the correct pressure), which can be dangerous when the user is particularly inexperienced.
It is therefore desirable to alleviate some or all of the above problems.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a swimming aid device comprising an armband; and a float, wherein the armband and the float are connectable.
The present invention therefore provides a modular swimming aid device. The armband may be placed on the upper arm of the user, and the float may then be connected to it. The armband can therefore be manufactured such that it is the correct shape to frictionally engage a user's arm (which may not be the case once the inflatable armbands of the prior art are inflated). The float may then be interchanged with other similar floats (connectable to the armband), but having a different shape, size or branding (e.g. a different colour).
The swimming aid device may further comprise a plurality of floats, wherein the armband and plurality of floats are connectable. The user may therefore vary the buoyancy of the device by increasing the number of floats connected to the armband. The buoyancy of the device is also clearly quantifiable to the user (which would be very difficult to measure for the inflatable armband of the prior art).
The armband and the float (or each float of the plurality of floats) may include a complimentary interlocking connection. This provides an easy to use interface to connect the armband with the float (or each float of the plurality of floats).
The armband may include a first and second protrusion disposed on opposing sides of the armband, and the float (or each float of the plurality of floats) includes a first and second receptacle for receiving the first and second protrusion respectively. The first and second protrusion/receptacle may therefore provide the complimentary interlocking connection. The first and second protrusion/receptacle may have different shapes, such that the armband and float (or each float of the plurality of floats) may only be connected in a particular orientation.
The armband and/or float (or each float of the plurality of floats) may be constructed from polyolefin foam. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of an armband of an embodiment of a swimming aid device of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the armband of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a plan view of a float of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a side view of the float of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a first alternative float of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is a plan view of a second alternative float of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ; and
Figure 8 is a side view of the swimming aid device of Figure 1 ;
An embodiment of a swimming aid device 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an armband 10 of the swimming aid device 1. The armband 10 includes an outer sleeve wall 12 which includes a first and second protrusion 18a, 18b. The first and second protrusions are disposed on opposing sides of the outer sleeve wall 12 and have different shapes.
The armband 10 also includes an inner sleeve wall 14, defining a central hole in the armband 10 through which the user may place their arm. The inner sleeve wall 14 is shaped to frictionally engage the user's arm. The armband 10 also includes a plurality of holes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d disposed within the outer sleeve wall 12 and inner sleeve wall 14. In this embodiment, the armband 10 is constructed from a plurality of polyolefin sheets, such as LD24 polyethylene or EV50 EVA/PE co-polymer (for example, as supplied by Zotefoams of Croydon). The plurality of polyolefin sheets are laminated to the desired thickness (as shown in Figure 2). In this embodiment, the armband 10 has a thickness of around 75mm. Once the sheets are laminated to the correct thickness, the foam is cut by a waterjet to produce the shape shown in Figure 1. Thus the thickness is variable in manufacture.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a float 20 of the swimming aid device 1. The float 20 includes an outer wall 22 which, in this embodiment, is shaped in the form of a fin. The float 20 also includes an inner wall 24 which is shaped to receive and connect to the armband 10. Accordingly, the inner wall 24 defines a hole and includes a first and second receptacle 28a, 28b about the hole.
In this embodiment, the float 20 is constructed from a sheet of polyolefin foam, such as LD33 polyethylene or LD45 polyethylene (for example, as supplied by Zotefoams, Croydon). The polyolefin sheet may be split to the desired thickness, which may be around 25mm (as shown in Figure 4).
The polyolefin sheet is then waterjet cut or die cut to give the required shape. The float 20 may be cut to a number of different shapes and sizes, and may be split or laminated to a desired thickness.. Figures 5 and 6 show a first and second alternative float 20a, 20b.
The swimming aid device 1 may then be assembled by connecting the float 20 and armband 10. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the swimming aid device 1 includes an armband 10 connected to a plurality of floats 20, 30, 40. The armband 10 thus extends through each float 20, 30, 40 and is connected thereto by the interlocking connection of the first and second protrusions with the first and second receptacles.
The first and second protrusions/receptacles provide an easy to use interlocking connection between the float and armband. However, the skilled person will understand that these are not essential and that any suitable connection between the float and armband may be used. Furthermore, the armband alone may provide limited buoyancy for use by a more experienced swimmer.
The skilled person will also understand that it is not essential for a plurality of floats to be used with the armband. Rather a single float may be used. The dimensions given above are merely examples, such that the armband and float may be, for example, of the same thickness. Different floats may also be provided for use with an armband so that the user may select a different float for different occasions, buoyancy needs, or uses.
The skilled person will also understand that the floats and armband may be constructed from other suitable materials. However, the polyolefin foam may be branded to include colourful imagery and logos.
The skilled person will understand that any combination of features is possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as claimed.

Claims

1. A swimming aid device comprising
an armband; and
a float, wherein the armband and the float are connectable.
2. A swimming aid device as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the float and the armband include a complimentary interlocking connection.
3. A swimming aid device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the armband includes a first and second protrusion.
4. A swimming aid device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the first and second protrusion are of different shapes.
5. A swimming aid device as claimed in either Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the float includes a first and second receptacle for receiving the first and second protrusion respectively.
6. A swimming aid device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the float is constructed from polyolefin foam.
7. A swimming aid device as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the float is one of a plurality of floats, wherein the armband and the plurality of floats are connectable.
8. A swimming aid device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the armband has a complimentary interlocking connection with each float of the plurality of floats.
9. A swimming aid device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the armband includes a first and second protrusion.
10. A swimming aid device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the first and second protrusion are of different shapes.
1 1. A swimming aid device as claimed in either Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein each float of the plurality of floats includes a first and second receptacle for receiving the first and second protrusion respectively.
12. A swimming aid device as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 1 1 , wherein each float of the plurality of floats is constructed from polyolefin foam.
13. A swimming aid device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the armband is constructed from polyolefin foam.
14. A swimming aid device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB2014/052884 2013-09-23 2014-09-23 A swimming aid device WO2015040430A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1316820.8 2013-09-23
GB1316820.8A GB2518421A (en) 2013-09-23 2013-09-23 A swimming aid device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015040430A1 true WO2015040430A1 (en) 2015-03-26

Family

ID=49553229

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2014/052884 WO2015040430A1 (en) 2013-09-23 2014-09-23 A swimming aid device

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GB (1) GB2518421A (en)
WO (1) WO2015040430A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019209146A (en) * 2018-05-30 2019-12-12 株式会社アクアティック Swimming training tool

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5764065A (en) * 1980-08-16 1982-04-17 Hoelzel Bernd Auxiliary tool for swimming training and rescue
WO2011058337A1 (en) * 2009-11-13 2011-05-19 Monkeys Inc Limited Flotation aid
GB2482229A (en) * 2010-07-19 2012-01-25 Peter John Charles Spurgeon An aquatic exercise resistance device with detachable fins
CN202368771U (en) * 2011-12-20 2012-08-08 上海盈泰塑胶有限公司 Multifunctional swim ring

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI67061C (en) * 1980-08-16 1985-01-10 Bernd Hoelzel SIM- OCH RAEDDNINGSFLYTDON
US4936804A (en) * 1988-12-09 1990-06-26 Dowdeswell M Richard Non-inflatable buoyancy aid
FR2822075A3 (en) * 2001-03-13 2002-09-20 Jean Louis Biles Hand surfing implement comprises polymer foam float with resin surface, attached to forearm by straps
US7160167B2 (en) * 2004-06-03 2007-01-09 Peters Lynne R Animal safety apparatus
AU2004208691A1 (en) * 2004-09-03 2006-03-23 Jeffrey John Flood A buoyancy device
GB2430411B (en) * 2005-09-22 2010-09-08 Marc Spinoza Buoyancy and rescue device
GB0822485D0 (en) * 2008-12-10 2009-01-14 Rainbowswim Ltd Flotation aid
CN202096669U (en) * 2011-06-21 2012-01-04 周杰 Floating auxiliary armlet device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5764065A (en) * 1980-08-16 1982-04-17 Hoelzel Bernd Auxiliary tool for swimming training and rescue
WO2011058337A1 (en) * 2009-11-13 2011-05-19 Monkeys Inc Limited Flotation aid
GB2482229A (en) * 2010-07-19 2012-01-25 Peter John Charles Spurgeon An aquatic exercise resistance device with detachable fins
CN202368771U (en) * 2011-12-20 2012-08-08 上海盈泰塑胶有限公司 Multifunctional swim ring

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019209146A (en) * 2018-05-30 2019-12-12 株式会社アクアティック Swimming training tool
JP7053045B2 (en) 2018-05-30 2022-04-12 株式会社アクアティック Swimming practice equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2518421A (en) 2015-03-25
GB201316820D0 (en) 2013-11-06

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