SWIM TRAINER

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The forgoing application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 63/076,743 to Thomas Allen Sollars II entitled “Devices for Swimming, Aquatherapy, and Water Safety Training,” filed Sep. 10, 2020 and incorporated fully herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The disclosures herein relate to swim training devices. Specifically, the disclosed invention relates to a device and methods of use to aid teaching of non-swimmers techniques for flotation and propulsion in the water to reduce risks of accidental drowning.

State of the Art

Accidental drowning is a substantial public health problem. According to statistics presented by the organization Stop Drowning Now (“SDN”). (https://www.stopdrowningnow.org/what-is-drowning), approximately 3,500 people drown annually in the United States. This averages to over ten (10) drownings daily and is likely under-reported. Moreover, drowning is the third-leading cause of accidental death worldwide, accounting for seven percent (7%) of all injury-related deaths. If this weren't tragic enough, the highest impact is on small children and their families. Drowning rates are highest among children from 1-4 years of age and second-highest rates in the 5-9 age group. For every drowning fatality, between 5 and 10 additional people are hospitalized for treatment of near-drowning injuries.

Only rudimentary skills are necessary to reduce the risk of drowning. Any person (child or adult) must merely be able to (1) float in a more-or-less horizontal position; and (2) propel themselves to safety, i.e., the side of the pool, boat, etc. Regardless, SDN estimates that ⅔ or greater of children across all races have few or no swimming skills. In families where neither parent knows how to swim, their children are unlikely to have proficient swimming skill. Rates are highest among African American (78%) and low-income (79%) households. Per SDN, learning to swim through instruction in basic techniques can reduce drowning risk by 88% for 1-4-year-olds.

Flotation aids are widely used by persons who are unable to swim. Examples of such aids include inflatable arm rings (“floaties”), buoyancy belts, vest-type life jackets, floating pool toys, and the like. An aspect common to the foregoing floatation aids is positioning of the body in a vertical position, with the head held above the water and the feet deepest in the water. This vertical position creates a feeling of safety for the user of a flotation aid. If a non-swimmer falls into the water. In fact, a person who cannot swim will instinctively attempt to lift their head out of the water. This is counterproductive, however. Lifting the head causes the hips sink downward whereupon the body assumes a vertical position. A non-swimmer in a vertical position in water over their head instinctively attempts to “run” to safety. A vertical position coupled with “running” movements is completely ineffective in moving the non-swimmer even a short distance to safety, such as the edge of a swimming pool. The body is completely submerged, creating drag that resists any meager forward propulsion generated by the inefficient running movements. Currently available swim aids merely serve to reinforce the vertical position and make it impossible to generate effective propulsion.

For at least the foregoing issues, the use of existing flotation and swimming aids fails to accustom or train a non-swimmer to assume a horizontal position in the water that is favorable to forward propulsion. Consequently, and because of these and other problems, there is a need for an improved swim trainer design and methods of use that addresses the aforementioned deficiencies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a swim trainer that encourages positioning of a user's body in a horizontal position, teaches supine and prone-position horizontal flotation skills, and enables effective kicking for efficient forward propulsion to safety. Embodiments of the swim trainer include an elongate body, which may be generally cylindrical, penetrated at two locations along the body for holes sized to accommodate a highly buoyant float, such as a “pool noodle” commonly used for floatation in swimming pools. The swim trainer body constrains the float, which may be flexible, in a “U” configuration wherein the body also functions to support the upper body of a user.

Disclosed is swim trainer comprising an elongated cylindrical body having two ends and two float mounts penetrating through the body; and an elongated float coupled to the body at each of the two float mounts, wherein the float penetrates the body at each of the two float mounts, wherein the body constrains the float in a “U”-shaped configuration coplanar with the body, and wherein the body separates the float into a head section and two flank sections.

In some embodiments, the two float mounts are oriented perpendicular to a long axis of the body.

In some embodiments, the float is removably coupled to the body. In some embodiments the float is adjustably positioned with respect to the body such that a head section length and a flank section length are adjustable.

In some embodiments, the body comprises a central support surface disposed between the two float mounts. In some embodiments, the body comprises an arm support surface disposed between each of the float mounts and the ends.

In some embodiments, the swim trainer further comprises a grip formed at each end of the body. In some embodiments, each grip comprises a step. In some embodiments, each grip comprises a plurality of steps.

Disclosed is a swim trainer comprising an elongated cylindrical body having a long axis; two float mounts, each float mount comprising a hole penetrating through the body in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the body; wherein each of the two float mounts is configured to receive a float, and wherein the float is retained by the float mounts in a configuration coplanar with the body.

In some embodiments, the swim trainer additionally comprises a float adjustably coupled to the body.

Disclosed are methods of using a swim trainer to instruct a child or adult how to float horizontally, either prone or supine, and propel themselves through the water by kicking. Disclosed is a method of using a swim trainer having a body and a float comprising steps entering a body of water holding a swim trainer; grasping the swim trainer; and rolling onto the swim trainer wherein the buoyancy of the swim trainer facilitates support of the user in a horizontal position with respect to a surface of the body of water.

In some embodiments, the grasping step comprises grasping each of two flank sections of the float with a body of the swim trainer against the back of the shoulders; and the rolling step comprises lying supine on the swim trainer to float face-upward.

In some embodiments, the method additionally comprises resting the head on a central support surface disposed on a body of the swim trainer. In some embodiments, the horizontal position is a prone position.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step resting the forehead on a central support surface disposed on a body of the swim trainer.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body of a swim trainer;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a body of a swim trainer;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a body of a swim trainer;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a body of a swim trainer;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a body of a swim trainer coupled to a float;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a swim trainer coupled to a float;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a swim trainer coupled to a float;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view a user using a swim trainer having a float;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of use of a swim trainer; and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an additional method of use of a swim trainer-trainer; and

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating yet another method of use of a swim trainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of a swim trainer are described in detail herein. The swim trainer is designed and configured to teach and promote floating in a horizontal position, and to develop propulsive kicking skills in non-swimmers. The ability to float horizontally, whether supine (on the back) or prone (on the stomach) and kick enables a child or adult lacking more advanced swimming skills to safely reach the edge of a pool or other fixed support. The inventor has discovered that these skills are very easy to teach and highly effective in reducing the risk of accidental drowning, especially in small children and toddlers. Simply knowing how to float horizontally supine can be lifesaving.

An unskilled swimmer or non-swimmer will react with panic when falling into a swimming pool or other body of water if the water is deep enough to preclude holding the head high enough out of the water to comfortably breath without standing on the bottom. Instinctively, the unskilled/non-swimmer with react by struggling to hold the head out of the water, whereupon the body becomes vertical in the water. Lacking swimming skills, the individual will attempt to “run” in the water to a fixed point of support, such as the side of the pool. This instinctive running movement is largely non-propulsive and rapidly exhausts the already panicked person, who soon can no longer hold their head out of water to breathe. Floating in a horizontal position, however, requires very little energy. Moreover, floating horizontally places the non-swimmer in position to effectively propel themselves to the pool edge by kicking.

Embodiments of the swim trainer teach and increase confidence in floating horizontally, whether prone or supine. Use of the swim trainer develops kick strength to provide propulsive power to reach a fixed point of safety. As a floatation aid, embodiments of the swim trainer may be used in physical rehabilitation of children and adults, including those recovering from orthopedic spine injuries. The swim trainer can be used in non-weight bearing patients following lower extremity fractures, sprains, knee and hip injuries, and lower extremity joint replacement surgery.

Example embodiments with reference to the several drawing figures are described herein to provide an understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and methods of use of a swim trainer. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that the devices, embodiments, and methods described herein are non-limiting examples and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. Features of one embodiments exemplified by the description(s) or shown by drawings herein may be combined with features of other embodiments and are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention. Reference to “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” and various embodiments,” and the like throughout the written description do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. The disclosed particular features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, in whole or in part, with other features, structures, and characteristics of one or more other embodiments, without limitation.

As used herein, “horizontal” means oriented substantially parallel to the surface of a body of water. As used herein, “vertical” means oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of a body of water.

The structure and function of several example embodiments of a swim trainer will now be discussed by referring to the several drawing figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body of a swim trainer, FIG. 2 is a side view of a body of a swim trainer, and FIG. 3 is a top view of a body of a swim trainer. FIGS. 1-3 show a swim trainer 100. Trainer 100, in some embodiments, comprises an elongated body 102 having two ends 105. Body 102, in the embodiments shown by the drawing figures, has a generally cylindrical shape, however this is not intended to be limiting. Generally elongated shapes are possible having any combination of angular surfaces and shapes are possible. Elongated shapes are necessary, however, such that two float mounts are disposed on body 102 at a distance sufficient to form and constrain a float into a “U” shape, as discussed in detail herein below. In some embodiments, body 102 is formed as a unitary body.

Body 102 comprises two float mounts 106, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Float mounts 106, in some embodiments, are holes or similar voids passing through body 102. Float mounts 106 are configured to receive a float 108. As shown, and in some other embodiments, float mounts 106 are oriented perpendicular to a long axis A of body 102, as shown in FIG. 2. In some alternate embodiments (not shown), float mounts pass through body 102 at an angle not perpendicular to the long axis A of body 102. In some alternate embodiments (not shown), float mounts 106 are not holes passing through body 102 and may be clips, pins, or similar structures configured to couple body 102 to a buoyant float. It is important, however, for float mounts 106 to position float 108 in a position either coplanar to or in a plane parallel to the plane of body 102.

As used herein, “buoyant” means having a specific gravity less than 1 wherein a buoyant object tends to float on or at the surface of a body of water. “Buoyancy” means referring to buoyant properties. A buoyancy of a buoyant object may arise from inherent properties of one or more materials forming or comprised by the object or may arise from alteration of the object, such as filling an inflatable object with air or other buoyant gas or other buoyant material, for example.

In some embodiments, body 102 additionally comprises various surfaces that function to increase comfort and stability during use of swim trainer 100. For example, in some embodiments, body 102 has a planar or curved central support 103. In some embodiments, body 102 has two central supports 103 symmetrically disposed opposite one another on body 102, as shown by FIGS. 1-2. Central support 103 is formed by a broad depression along body 102 for the user's head or upper body. For example, a user who wishes to float on supine (on her back), may rest the back of her head on central support 103 (see FIG. 8, for example). Central support 103 may also support the back of the neck. When trainer 100 is used to float in a prone (face down) position, central support 103 may support the forehead or chin of a user. In some embodiments, central support 103 supports the upper body (chest or shoulders) of a user.

In some embodiments, body 102 comprises an arm support 104, disposed between the float mount 106 and corresponding end 105. Arm supports 104 may be planar or curved and configured to support the hands, wrists, or forearms of a user. Arm supports are particularly useful for the user to rest her forearms or wrists when using swim trainer 100 to float in a horizontally prone position, on the water surface.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a body of a swim trainer. Ends 105 of body 102 are fitted, in some embodiments, with a grip 111. Grip 111 is formed by forming a hole or hollow depression within end 105. In some embodiments, the curvilinear edge of the hole or depression forms grip 111. Certain users, such as a small child, use grip 111 by plunging his clenched fists into the hole or depression forming grip 111. This is particularly important when trainer 100 is being used by an infant or toddler who does not yet have sufficient grip strength to grasp an edge of end 105 forming part of grip 111. In this instance, the infant/toddler is able to use her arm strength to hang on to body 102 of trainer 100 and does not need to rely on her grip strength, alone or at all.

In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 4, grip 111 additionally comprises one or a plurality of steps 112. Step 112 is formed as one or more concentric ledges within the walls of the hole or depression forming grip 111. Step 112 functions to increase friction between a user's hand/fist and grip 111, increasing security of the user's hold on body 102.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a body of a swim trainer coupled to a float, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a swim trainer coupled to a float, and FIG. 7 is a top view of a swim trainer coupled to a float. In some embodiments, swim trainer 100 includes a float 108, shown by a dashed line in the several drawing figures. Float 108 is, in some embodiments, a cylindrical, buoyant device manufactured from closed-cell polyethylene foam. Such devices are commonly known as “water noodles,” or “swim noodles” and are bendable/flexible, and substantially elongated as compared to a length of body 102 along axis A. This is not meant to be liming, however. Float 108, in some embodiments, is inflatable with air or other buoyant fluid or material. The relative position of float 108 within float mount 106 defines a head section 109 and a flank section 110 of float 108, in some embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 5-7. A head section length 120 and a flank section length 121 is also shown by FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, trainer 100 is assembled by the end user by inserting one end of float 108 through one float mount 106, passing a length of float 108 completely through float mount 106. The use then bends float 106 in order to insert the other end of float 108 through the remaining float mount 106. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show the resulting configuration of trainer 100, comprising body 102 coupled to float 108, in some embodiments. In some embodiments of trainer 100, body 102 is provided with float 108, wherein the user assembles body 102 and float 108 as described herein and shown by FIGS. 5-7. In some embodiments, trainer 100 is provided with float 108 assembled to body 102. In some embodiments, trainer 100 is provided as body 102 only. In some embodiments, trainer 100 is provided as a “kit” including body 102 and float 108 for the user to assemble by coupled float 108 to body 102. In some embodiments of trainer 100, float 108 is rigidly coupled to float mount 106 of body 108, such as by adhesives, thermal welding, or unitary construction of body 102 with float 108, for example.

In some embodiments of swim trainer 100, float 108 is not fixedly coupled to body 102 and can be moved back and forth through float mount 106. The ability to move float 108 within float mounts 106 allows the user to adjust the relative size of head section 109 and flank sections 110 of float 108. This feature enables adjustment of the position of float 108 with respect to body 102, according to the preference of the user. In other words, a user can adjust the position of float 108 by moving body 102 up or down the lengths of flank sections 110 changing the relative dimensions of head section 109 and flank sections 110. Friction between float 108 and float mounts 106 holds float 108 in a stable position with respect to body 102 following adjustment, in some embodiments.

Head section 109 comprises a head section length 120. Correspondingly, flank sections 110 comprise a flank section length 121, in some embodiments and as shown in FIG. 5. It is desirable for some users to change or adjust head section length 120 and flank section length 121 to “fine tune” a center of buoyancy of swim trainer 100. A center of buoyancy inherent within swim trainer 100 can be adjusted by varying the values of head section length 120 and flank section lengths 121 to facilitate optimal adjustment with respect to anthropometric aspects specific to the user, such as the body size and weight distribution, for example, to position of the user in an optimal position for floating horizontally at the water surface, whether the user is floating supine or prone.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view a user using a swim trainer having a float. As shown by FIG. 8, the user (not numbered) is floating in a supine position (on his back) with trainer 100. The user is floating horizontally with respect to a water surface 115. Central support 103 supports the back of the user's head or the junction between the back of the head and the neck of the user, as shown by FIG. 8, in some embodiments. Head section 109 (not labeled in FIG. 8) provides additional buoyancy for the user's head and upper body. If the user desires to increase or decrease buoyancy in the head and upper body region, she may adjust the position of float 108 with respect to body 102 of trainer 100 by moving float 108 along float mounts 106, in some embodiments. FIG. 8 also shows the body of the user positioned in the water between flank sections 110 of float 108.

The components defining any swim trainer may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a swim trainer. For example, the components may be formed of rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and including neoprene, whether closed or open-cell; glasses, such as fiberglass, carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, and combinations thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics, including ABS, fluoropolymers, polyacetal, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polysulfone, and/or the like; thermosets, such as epoxy, phenolic resin, polyimide, polyurethane, silicone, and/or the like, any combination thereof; and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any swim trainer may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, gelding, hardening, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactures separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, annealing a fastener, a pin, and/or the like; an any combination thereof, and/or the like, for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include polishing, coating, and/or painting the components, for example.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 are flowchart diagrams of a method of using a swim trainer. FIG. 9 shows a method 200 comprising an entering step 210; a grasping step 220; and a rolling step 230. FIG. 10 additionally shows resting step 240 of method 200. FIG. 11 additionally shows an assembling step 205; and a kicking step 240 of method 200.

Entering step 210 comprises entering the water with a swim trainer. In some embodiments, the user enters the water with a swim instructor, wherein either the user or the swim instructor holds the swim trainer. Entering step 210 is optimally performed in water with a depth sufficient for the user to either float in a horizontal position or stand with his head comfortably out of the water.

Grasping step 220, in some embodiments, comprises the user grasping the swim trainer. The details of grasping step 220 depend on whether the user will be using the swim trainer to facilitate floating in a prone or supine position. If the user will be floating prone, the user grasps a portion of a body of the swim trainer with each hand with the swim trainer in front in front of the user. The user may grasp the body at the ends, near the ends, or near a midpoint of the body such that a float mount is located in between the user's hand and the respective end of the body of the swim trainer. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the user grasps each flank section of a float coupled to the body of the swim trainer, holding the swim trainer in front of the user. In some additional embodiments, the user may grasp a head section of the float coupled to the body while holding the swim trainer in front of the user.

In some embodiments, grasping step 220 comprises the user firmly inserting her hands into a hole or depression forming a grip at each respective end of the body of the swim trainer (in some embodiments of the swim trainer having a grip) and clutching the body of the swim trainer between her hands. In some embodiments, the user inserts her clenched fists into the holes forming the grips. In some embodiments wherein the grips comprise one or more steps, the user may grasp a step. Alternatively, the user my wedge her clenched first into a portion of the hole bounded by a step, wherein friction between the user's first and the step aid the user in grasping the body of the swim trainer.

In some alternative embodiments, grasping step 220 is performed in preparation of using the swim trainer to float in a supine position. In these and some other embodiments, the user grasps each flank section of the float coupled to the body of the swim trainer while facing away from the swim trainer and holding the swim trainer behind him.

Rolling step 230, in some embodiments, comprises the user rolling onto a portion of the swim trainer wherein the user is partially or fully supported in the water by the buoyancy of the swim trainer while assuming a horizontal position. In some embodiments wherein the user will float in a prone, face-down horizontal position, the user rolls forward while grasping the swim trainer. In some embodiments, the user rests her forehead on a head section of the body while floating. In some embodiments, the user rests her chin on the head section while floating. In some embodiments, the user floats horizontally with her face in the water with her head and upper body disposed between the two flank sections of the float of the swim trainer, holding the swim trainer in front of them while floating horizontally in a prone position.

In some embodiments wherein the user floats in a supine position, the user maintains a firm grasp on the flank sections while rolling backwards onto the body of the swim trainer, wherein the body is positioned generally under the back of the head, the back of the neck, or with the upper shoulders of the user resting on the body of the swim trainer. In some embodiments, the user rests his head, neck, or shoulders on a central support of the body of the swim trainer. In some embodiments, the user rests a portion of each arm on the respective arm support of the body of the swim trainer. As noted herein, several positions are possible in the various embodiments, however in all positions assumed by the user in floating step 230, buoyancy of the swim trainer facilitates support and positioning of the user in a horizontal position.

In some embodiments, method 200 further comprises an assembling step 205. Assembling step 205 comprises coupling a float to the body of the swim trainer. In some embodiments, assembling step 205 comprises inserting an end of the float through a hole forming the float mount of the swim trainer, bending the float, and inserting the second end of the bent float through a hold in the body forming a second float mount. In some embodiments, assembly step 205 comprises the user coupling the float to the body of the swim trainer at each of two float mounts. In some embodiments, assembling step comprises adjusting a head section length and a flank section length by changing a position of the body relative to a position of the float by moving the body along the float at the float mounts, or by moving the float along the body at the float mounts.

In some embodiments, method 200 comprises a kicking step 240. Kicking step 240 comprises kicking the legs to propel the user holding the swim trainer across a surface of the water. Use of the swim trainer aids in maintaining the user's body in a horizontal position at the water surface wherein kicking is most effective to propel the user.

The swim trainer is effective for use in teaching proper effective efficient kicking technique and developing kicking strength in non-swimmers and unskilled swimmers. The swim trainer may also be used, in some embodiments, as part of a program of strengthening and physical rehabilitation of persons who have suffered an incapacitating injury or disease, or are recovering from surgery; particularly, persons recovering from orthopedic injuries, orthopedic surgeries including joint replacement surgeries, and certain persons recovering from traumatic brain injury, spine injury, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), or degenerative neurological and neuromuscular diseases, for example.

An interactive swim trainer has been described herein. Embodiments of the swim trainer are used to facilitate rapid and effective teaching of basic flotation and kick-propulsion techniques to toddlers, small children, and adults. It is anticipated that widespread use of embodiments of the swim trainer, as disclosed herein, can be effective in reducing the incidence of deaths by accidental drowning, particular childhood deaths.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible, in light of the teachings herein above.