US20140080372A1

US20140080372A1 - Swimming assistance device

Info

Publication number: US20140080372A1
Application number: US13/621,261
Authority: US
Inventors: Denese M. Lassair; Debra Denson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-16
Filing date: 2012-09-16
Publication date: 2014-03-20

Abstract

The present invention is a swimming assistance device that includes a floating pouch with a front facing and a back facing, the floating pouch floats on a body of water that a user is in, an adjustable belt with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the adjustable belt is sewn on the front facing of the floating pouch, where the adjustable belt is wrapped around the user and a clamp buckle with a female portion and a male portion. The male portion is inserted into the female portion forming the clamp buckle, where the clamp buckle releasably secures the second end of the adjustable belt to the front facing of the floating pouch, thereby allowing the user to float in the body of water.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

Currently there are several devices designed to allow a user with one or more lower body injuries to float on top of a body of water in a pool. If the user desires to exercise their upper body, it can be difficult to stay afloat without assistance.
The present invention generally relates to a swimming device. More specifically, the invention is a swimming assistance device.
It is an object of the invention to provide a swimming assistance device that allows a user to move their arms as the user's body floats freely around a pool or other body of water the user is in.
It is an object of the invention to provide a swimming assistance device that allows a physically handicapped user to participate in a water sport without restriction.
It is an object of the invention to provide a swimming assistance device that adjustably attaches to a physically handicapped user's stomach or back for an appropriate fit.
What is really needed is a swimming assistance device that allows a user to move their arms as the user's body floats freely around a pool or other body of water the user is in that allows a physically handicapped user to participate in a water sport without restriction that adjustably attaches to a physically handicapped user's stomach or back for an appropriate fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a swimming assistance device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
FIG. 1 illustrates a swimming assistance device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The swimming assistance device 100 allows a user to move their arms as the user's body floats freely around a pool or other body of water that allows a user to participate in a water sport without restriction that adjustably attaches to a user's stomach and back for an appropriate fit.
The swimming assistance device 100 includes a floating pouch 110, an adjustable belt 120 and a clamp buckle 130. The swimming assistance device 100 is made of nylon and is also resistant to salt water but can be made of any other suitable material. The floating pouch 110 is generally square shaped 112 but can be any other suitable shape such as generally round shaped (not shown). The floating pouch 110 has a front facing 114 and a back facing 116. The floating pouch 110 floats on a body of water that the user, such as a physically handicapped user, is in such as a pool, a lake, an ocean or any other suitable body of water. The adjustable belt 120 has a first end 122 and a second end 124. The first end 122 of the adjustable belt 120 is sewn on the front facing 114 of the floating pouch 110. The adjustable belt 120 is then wrapped around the stomach or back of the user. The clamp buckle 130 has a female portion 132 and a male portion 134. The male portion 134 is inserted into the female portion 132 forming the clamp buckle 130 that is self-locking. The female portion 132 has a pair of internal protrusions 133 that correspondingly interlock with a pair of indentations 135 on the male portion 134 of the clamp buckle 130, releasably securing the second end 124 of the adjustable belt 120 to the front facing 114 of the floating pouch 110. The male portion 134 of the clamp buckle 130 also includes a raised tab 137 disposed on the male portion 134 that allows the male portion 134 to be released when the female portion 132 is depressed onto the raised tab 137, thereby releasing the female portion 132 of the clamp buckle 130 from the male portion 134 of the clamp buckle 130. Other suitable fasteners such as a traditional buckle and tine (not shown) can also be utilized to secure the floating pouch 110 to the adjustable belt 120.
A plurality of smaller clamp buckles (not shown) can also be used in place of the relatively larger single clamp buckle 130 to secure the floating pouch 110 to the adjustable belt 120. The plurality of small clamp buckles can include 3 smaller clamp buckles or any suitable number of smaller clamp buckles such as two or four smaller clamp buckles. The smaller clamp buckles can be disposed on the front facing 114 of the floating pouch 110 and are correspondingly interlocked with 3 smaller female portions (not shown) disposed on the second end 124 of the adjustable belt 120.
The swimming assistance device offers support for a lower body of a user in a pool. Comprised of nylon or other outdoor material, the swimming assistance device wraps around the stomach or back area of the user. Square or oval shaped, the swimming assistance device has an adjustable belt and a clamp buckle to ensure that the swimming assistance device is securely attached to the user. Upon entering a pool or other suitable body of water, the user may have free movement of their arms to swim and float freely around the pool or other body of water, the user's lower body may quickly and easily follow with little drag or resistance. The swimming assistance device may be readily available for purchase at stores where pool accessories are sold. The swimming assistance device provides individuals with lower body disabilities the ability to swim in a pool. The swimming assistance device can also be designed to be available with swim wear to provide color coordinated items.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Claims

1. A swimming assistance device, comprising:

a floating pouch with a front facing and a back facing, said floating pouch floats on a body of water that a user is in;

an adjustable belt with a first end and a second end, said first end of said adjustable belt is sewn on said front facing of said floating pouch, said adjustable belt is wrapped around said user; and

a clamp buckle with a female portion and a male portion, said male portion is inserted into said female portion forming said clamp buckle, said clamp buckle releasably secures said second end of said adjustable belt to said front facing of said floating pouch, thereby allowing said user to float in said body of water.

2. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said floating pouch is generally square shaped.

3. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said body of water is a pool.

4. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said body of water is a lake.

5. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said user is a handicapped user.

6. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable belt is wrapped around a user's stomach.

7. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable belt is wrapped around a user's back.

8. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said female portion has a pair of internal protrusions that correspondingly interlock with a pair of indentations on said male portion of said clamp buckle.

9. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said male portion of said clamp buckle includes a raised tab disposed on said male portion.

10. The swimming assistance device according to claim 9, wherein said raised tab allows said male portion to be released when said female portion is depressed onto said raised tab.

11. The swimming assistance device according to claim 1, wherein said swimming assistance device is made of nylon.

12. A swimming assistance device, comprising:

a generally square shaped floating pouch with a front facing and a back facing, said floating pouch floats on a body of water that a user is in;

a clamp buckle with a female portion and a male portion, said male portion is inserted into said female portion forming said clamp buckle, said male portion of said clamp buckle includes a raised tab disposed on said male portion, said raised tab allows said male portion to be released when said female portion is depressed onto said raised tab, said female portion has a pair of internal protrusions that correspondingly interlock with a pair of indentations on said male portion of said clamp buckle, said clamp buckle releasably secures said second end of said adjustable belt to said front facing of said floating pouch, thereby allowing said user to float in said body of water.

13. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said body of water is a pool.

14. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said body of water is a lake.

15. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said body of water is an ocean.

16. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said user is a handicapped user.

17. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said adjustable belt is wrapped around a user's stomach.

18. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said adjustable belt is wrapped around a user's back.

19. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said swimming assistance device is made of nylon.

20. The swimming assistance device according to claim 12, wherein said swimming assistance device is resistant to salt water.