AQUATIC EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract

An aquatic exercise device is disclosed, able to exert omnidirectional uniform water resistance while exercising, so that equal force is required to move it in any direction. The water resistance of the device according to the invention can be adjusted in a quick and measured way. This device can be operated with one hand and can be brought close to the body of exerciser.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of devices for exercises in water or aquatic exercise devices, intended for physical fitness, development of muscles or general body toning exercises performed while immersed in water. Aquatic exercise devices can be broadly described as utilizing water resistance to the movement of such device when immersed, in place of the gravity force or the force of springs (elastic rubber bands etc.). Exercising in water can provide multiple benefits, such as decreasing the apparent weight of an overweight person, lessening the load on a spine of a person in such a need, or just providing general pleasantness of being in water, increasing the comfort of an exercising person, making the experience of exercising more positive, therefore adding to the overall effect of the exercizes.

BACKGROUND

Among previous achievements in the current technical field, several deserve mention. U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,553, published 8 Nov. 2005 (Stout, 2005), and closely related solutions—U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,955,633, 6,672,993, 7,314,433 disclose dome- or semi-sphere-shaped apertured bell with a handle inside for gripping and fins or resistance plates outside. Such devices are cumbersome, cannot be brought close to the body of the person that is exercising, and do not allow for quick and measured adjustment of water resistance.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,727,123, published 1 Jun. 2010, teaches a water exercise device, characterized by a bar and two resistance mechanisms, attached to opposite ends of the bar, consisting of fins extending radially from the bar, and a dome shaped bell, attached to a distal end of the bar. This device must make use of two different resistance elements resulting in increased bulkiness; it does not allow for quick and measured adjustment of water resistance.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,951, published 11 Apr. 1989 (Solloway, 1989) discloses an aquatic exercise device, consisting of a handle bar and fins: transverse end fins, lateral fins and axial fins. Axial fins span the whole length of the bar making the device bulky and cumbersome, and prohibiting bringing it close to one's body when exercising. Neither does this device provide quick and measured adjustment of water resistance.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,142, published 18 Nov. 1986 (MacKechnie, 1986) teaches a device for aquatic exercising, consisting of a handle and two funnel shaped supports fixed to the handle from both sides, supporting two types of vanes which differ in size. Seemingly omnidirectional water resistance provided by this device is not however uniform, because vanes of the different size provide substantially different resistance. Furthermore, this device does not provide possibility to adjust water resistance in a quick and measured way.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,829, published 6 Nov. 1984 (Yacoboski, 1984), teaches a water exercising device, consisting of two resistance members arranged on opposite ends of a handle, which resistance members comprise each a pair of coaxial discs with sector openings. Fixing these discs in various respective positions allows for adjustment of water resistance. Nevertheless, this device, while being revolutionary in its day, has some limitations. Almost all of the resistance is only available when the paddle face is at 90 degrees to the direction of movement, making some exercises ineffective.

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

The field of aquatic exercise devices definitely lacks a device that is able to exert omnidirectional uniform water resistance while exercising, so that equal force is required to move it in any direction; whereby the water resistance of such device would be possible to adjust in a quick and measured way, which device besides would be possible to operate with one hand and to bring close to the body of exerciser.

Solution to Problem

The solution to the above stated problem is achieved by following. Surfaces that offer water resistance, a set of at least three, interspaced with openings at equal angles to each other, are attached to both ends of the handle transversally, cross-axis, and at such an angle, or bent in such a way, that these surfaces resist movement through water in all directions, along the axis of the handle as well as orthogonally to it. In other words, water resistance is exerted either during movements in all planes, parallel to the handle axis, or during movements in the plane, perpendicular to the axis of the handle. Moreover, to each set of (outer) water resistance surfaces at both ends of the handle attached with possibility of rotation there is another (inner) set of water resistance surfaces, interspaced with openings at equal angles to each other, so that openings between water resistance surfaces of inner and outer layers can be opened and closed (or partially closed) depending on degree of the turn. At the same time, bent or angled water resistance surfaces make waisted shape together with the handle.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The proposed invention achieves easy adjustment of the water resistance in all directions of movement in water together with equal force of resistance, exerted in all directions, having at the same time waisted shape (providing ability to bring the device closer to one's body during exercises) and one hand operability. This combination of capabilities is not achieved by any of the previously disclosed aquatic exercise devices. None at all of the known devices can offer quick and easy adjustment of omnidirectional and uniform water resistance in a measured way, as none of the state of the art devices allows adjustment of water resistance without at least partial disassembling and/or exchange of parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. demonstrates the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, assembled, longitudinal section and both side perspectives; the right side perspective is marked with A.

FIG. 2 shows the left inner cone of the preferred embodiment, left side, and, exemplary front and upper perspectives.

FIG. 3 shows the right inner cone of the preferred embodiment, the front and the right side perspective, which is marked with A.

FIG. 4 demonstrates an outer cone of the preferred embodiment of the invention, both side perspectives, front and upper perspectives; an inner side perspective is marked with A.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the handle of the preferred embodiment, side, front and upper perspectives.

FIG. 6 shows the inner tube of the preferred embodiment, its left side, and exemplary front and upper perspectives.

FIG. 7 shows the locking key for the fixing mechanism of the preferred embodiment, its front and right side perspectives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

According to the present invention, an exercising device for use by a person who is positioned in water in its preferred embodiment comprises a handle (3) to be gripped by said person and two water resistance members fixed to the ends of said handle. Each water resistance member is shaped as a baseless cone and is fixed to an end of said handle by its apex. Each said baseless cone-shaped resistance member consists of two coaxial cones, inner (2, left and 6, right) and outer (1), such that one can be fitted inside the other in face to face engagement. Each of said coaxial cones has a hub and an outer ring. Said coaxial cones can rotate over each over and have matching cut-outs/apertures (1.4, 2.2, 6.2) so that apertures can be exposed for the water to flow through thus reducing the resistance in the water. Said water resistance members have means for rotating one of said coaxial cones relative to the other to vary the registration of apertures in one of the said coaxial cones with apertures in the other thereof to adjust the degree of resistance to movement of said device through water. Said water resistance members also have means for releasably securing said one coaxial cone in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other so that the relative degree of resistance thereof to said movement is visually indicated and can be varied. The handle (3) of the device is conditioned to be gripped at any location around the periphery thereof so that said device can be moved through water in any plane.

The device according to this invention in its preferred embodiment is further characterized so that said outer cones (1) may be fixed to said handle by a clip mechanism (3.2, handle and 1.2, outer cone) for easy disassembling. The preferred embodiment of the invention further may have the inner cones (2, left and 6, right) at both ends of said handle (belonging to opposite resistance members) connected to each other using an inner tube (4) which can move within the said handle (3), locked with a fixing mechanism. The preferred embodiment of the invention can further have clips (1.2) fixed in place using the inner tube (4) that connects the two inner cones (2, left and 6, right), and the fixing mechanism comprises a locking key (5). The preferred embodiment of the invention may further have ridges (2.4) on inner cones (2, left and 6, right) that interfere with notches (1.6) in the outer cones (1) around the outer rim of the inner cones (2, left and 6, right), and said ridges provide a “click” effect to enable the selection of a number of openings and thereby a corresponding number of resistances. The number of said resistances for the preferred embodiment of the invention may be four. The preferred embodiment of the invention may additionally have ribs or fins arranged along outer (1.1) and/or inner cones (2.1) in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis. The preferred embodiment may additionally have flanges across cones and/or along outer ring (1.5), arranged in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis.

Other Embodiments

Other possible embodiments of the present invention include an aquatic exercising device that comprises: a handle to be gripped by an exercising person; two water resistance members fixed to the opposite ends of said handle, each said water resistance member consisting of two coaxial parts, inner and outer, so that one can be fitted inside the other in face to face engagement; each of said parts having a hub and a number of vanes, at least three, fixed to the hub in transverse fashion relative to the handle, radiating outwardly from said hub at equal angles to each other, thereby forming openings between them; means for rotating one of said parts relative to the other so as to vary the registration of openings of one of the said parts with openings of the other thereof so as to adjust the degree of resistance to movement of each of said members through water; whereby the said vanes are angled and/or bent relative to the handle in such a way that they are able to provide water resistance simultaneously in the coaxial direction to the handle and in at least three directions, at equal angles to each other, perpendicular to the handle axis; said water resistance members also comprising means for releasably securing said one part in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other part so that the relative degree of resistance thereof to said movement is visually indicated and can quickly be varied; said handle being conditioned to be gripped at any location around the periphery thereof so that said members can be moved through water in any plane from parallel thereto to normal thereto.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aquatic exercise device may have said vanes bent in a semicircular shape. In another embodiment of the present invention, the aquatic exercise device may have said vanes angled to the said hub as to form a cone. In another embodiment of the present invention, an aquatic exercise device may have said vanes bent in a shape of semi cylinder. Another variant embodiment of the present invention is an aquatic exercise device that has said vanes bent in a bowl-like shape. Another embodiment of an aquatic exercise device according to the present invention can have said vanes bent in a bowl-like shape. An aquatic exercise device according to the present invention in yet another embodiment may have said vanes of a said coaxial part of a water resistance member, joint together with connective links. An aquatic exercise device according to the present invention may further have said connective links joint together as a ring. Further variant of the aquatic exercise device according to the present invention, is where said connective links, joint together as a ring, form means for releasably securing said one coaxial part of a water resistance member in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other coaxial part. Another variant of the present invention is the aquatic exercise device, where said means for releasably securing said one coaxial part of a water resistance member in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other coaxial part, may be formed with the hubs of the said coaxial parts of a water resistance member. The aquatic exercise device according to the present invention in a further embodiment may have means to connect opposite inner coaxial parts together inside the handle as to enable simultaneous change of positions relative to the corresponding outer coaxial parts of the opposite water resistance members. An aquatic exercise device according to the present invention in yet another embodiment may have ribs or fins on water resistance members arranged along said vanes in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis. An aquatic exercise device in a further variant of the present invention may have additional flanges arranged across said vanes and/or said connective links and/or said ring made of joint links, arranged in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis. Said water resistance members of an aquatic exercise device according to another embodiment of the present invention can be detached for storage or transportation or to be replaced with a smaller or larger set of water resistance members to increase the range of water resistance adjustment. In a further embodiment of the present invention the said coaxial parts of water resistance members may be similarly formed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The way this invention can be used is best described utilizing as an example the preferred embodiment, but the following indication should not be understood as limiting. For example, the preferred embodiment of an aquatic exercise device according to the invention may be manufactured from polypropylene, but the present invention must not be limited by this material, because a number of materials suitable for manufacturing of an aquatic exercise device according to the present invention are known to a specialist in the field. The device according to the invention is assembled attaching outer cones (1) to the handle (3), whereby the ribs (1.1) of the outer cones connect with notches (3.1) in the handle, while clips (1.2) of outer cones lock on the holes (3.2) in the handle. The notches and clips are in place for fixing the outer cones and avoiding their rotation inside the handle during vigorous exercises. The cylindrical part (1.3) of the outer cones transfers the stress on the handle, avoiding stressing and destruction of the locking mechanism. On the next step the inner cones (2, 6) are assembled, inserting cylindrical cone parts (2.3, 6.3) into the void (1.7) of respective cylindrical parts of the outer cones (1.3); care is taken to arrange them in the similar position in relation to the closure of the openings (1.4, 2.2, 6.2). Thus, the inner cones keep the clips (1.2) in place (3.2) with the help of their cylindrical parts (2.3, 6.3). The assembly is concluded by passing the inner tube (4) through the cylindrical parts of the inner cones (2.3, 6.3), whereby protrusions (2.5) of the left inner cone apex insert in the notches (4.2) in the left end of the tube; at the same time the right, locking end of the inner tube (4.1) passes through locking holes (6.6), is closed by the key (5) by passing locking end of the inner tube (4.1) through its holes (5.1) and “clicking” the key over the bulges (6.5) on the apex of the right cone (6).

Dismantling of the device according to the invention, exemplified by the preferred embodiment, is done in reversed order.

Likewise a change of cone size is done. The cones can easily be scaled to provide a range of resistances so they can meet the requirements of any user.

The adjustment of the water resistance is done by “clicking” of ridges (2.4, left inner cone, 6.4, right inner cone) until preferable position is reached.

Exercising in the water is done by gripping the handle by a hand of exercising person and performing necessary movements. Secure grip of the handle in water is facilitated by ribbing (3.3) on the handle.

In addition ribs (fins) along the side of the cones (1.1, 2.1, 6.1) further disrupt the water flow so increasing the frontal resistance.

The use of a cone and the clip mechanism is designed so that the product could easily be disassembled for cleaning. As was identified through the practical use, the aquatic exercising device according to Yacoboski, 1984, could get dirt, grit or sand in it and if that happened the adjustment mechanism would lock because the particles would prevent the movement of the adjusting disk and cleaning of the device was difficult. The preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention is among others designed to be dis-assembled. In addition the use of a cone means that even if the parts have become locked together the can be easily freed as the cone within a cone releases naturally due to the nature of the geometry.

The end of the cone of the preferred embodiment of the invention features a return flange (1.5). The return flange is used to help balance the force in each direction as is mentioned above. It is also there to provide additional strength to the outer molding so that it would withstand a level of impact. In addition, it provides greater rigidity to that element, with the stiffness important in getting the “click” required as the inner cone is turned.

The waisted shape of the preferred embodiment of the invention is designed to enable the device to be brought close to the body of the user to facilitate exercises. The preferred embodiment of the invention can also have handle interlocking mechanism, which is disclosed lower. The handle and outer cones clip together for easy assembly. However, there can be significant force applied to the assembly when in the water during vigorous exercise. The fixing mechanism locks the clips in place using the inner tube that connects the two inner cones. This means that the force is not transferred to the clips and the unit does not come apart if the clips break.

Because of the unique design functionality, the device can be moved through a variety of movements in many different planes and angles of attack while maintaining desired resistances without ever having to change the position of the hands on the grip. This allows the user to train different muscle groups associated with each targeted exercise much more quickly and efficiently.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 outer cone

1.1 ribs/fins along an outer cone

1.2 clips

1.3 cylindrical part of an outer cone

1.4 cut-outs/apertures in an outer cone

1.5 return flange at the end of an outer cone

1.6 notches on an outer cone

1.7 void of the cylindrical part of an outer cone

2 left inner cone

2.1 ribs/fins along the left inner cone

2.2 cut-outs/apertures in the left inner cone

2.3 cylindrical part of the left inner cone

2.4 ridges on the left inner cone

2.5 protrusions of the left inner cone

3 handle

3.1 notches in the handle

3.2 clip openings in the handle

3.3 ribbing

4 inner tube

4.1 locking end of the inner tube

4.2 notches in the left end of the tube

5 locking key

5.1 locking key holes

6 right inner cone

6.1 ribs/fins along the right inner cone

6.2 cut-outs/apertures in the right inner cone

6.3 cylindrical part of the right inner cone

6.4 ridges on the right inner cone

6.5 bulges on the apex of the right inner cone

6.6 locking holes of the right inner cone

Claims

1. An exercising device for use by a person who is positioned in water comprising: a handle to be gripped by said person;two water resistance members fixed to the opposite ends of said handle,each said water resistance member consisting of coaxial parts, inner and outer,so that one can be fitted inside the other in face to face engagement;each of said parts having a hub and a number of vanes, at least three, fixed to the hub in transverse fashion relative to the handle, radiating outwardly from said hub at equal angles to each other, thereby forming openings between them;means for rotating one of said parts relative to the other so as to vary the registration of openings of one of the said parts with openings of the other so as to adjust the degree of resistance to movement of each of said members through water;whereby the said vanes are angled and/or bent relative to the handle in such a way that they are able to provide water resistance simultaneously in the coaxial direction to the handle and in at least three directions, at equal angles to each other, perpendicular to the handle axis; said water resistance members also comprising means for releasably securing said one coaxial part in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other coaxial part so that the relative degree of resistance thereof to said movement is visually indicated and can quickly be varied; said handle being conditioned to be gripped at any location around the periphery thereof so that said members can be moved through water in any plane from parallel thereto to normal thereto.

2. A device according to claim 1, where said vanes are bent in a semicircular shape.

3. A device according to claim 1, where said vanes are angled to the said hub as to form a cone.

4. A device according to claim 1, where said vanes are bent in a shape of semi cylinder.

5. A device according to claim 1, where said vanes are bent in a bowl-like shape.

6. A device according to claim 1, where said vanes of a said coaxial part of a water resistance member are joint together with connective links.

7. A device according to claim 6, where said connective links are joint together as a ring.

8. A device according to claim 7, where said connective links, joint together as a ring, form means for releasably securing said one coaxial part of a water resistance member in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other coaxial part.

9. A device according to claim 1, where said means for releasably securing said one part of a water resistance member in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other part are formed with the hubs of the said coaxial parts of a water resistance member.

10. A device according to claim 1, additionally having means to connect opposite inner coaxial parts together inside the handle as to enable simultaneous change of positions relative to the corresponding outer coaxial parts of the opposite water resistance members.

11. A device according to claim 1, additionally having ribs or fins arranged along said vanes in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis.

12. A device according to claim 7, having additional flanges arranged across said vanes and/or said connective links and/or said ring made of joint links, arranged in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis.

13. A device according to claim 1, where said water resistance members can be detached for storage or transportation or to be replaced with a smaller or larger set of water resistance members to increase the range of water resistance adjustment.

14. A device according to claim 1, where said coaxial parts of said water resistance members are similarly formed.

15. An exercising device for use by a person who is positioned in water comprising: a handle to be gripped by said person;two water resistance members fixed to the ends of said handle, each shaped as a baseless cone, which is fixed to an end of said handle by its apex;each said baseless cone consisting of two coaxial cones, inner and outer, such that one can be fitted inside the other in face to face engagement;each of said coaxial cones having a hub and an outer ring;said coaxial cones can rotate over each over and have matching cut-outs/apertures so that apertures can be exposed for the water to flow through so reducing the resistance in the water;means for rotating one of said coaxial cones relative to the other so as to vary the registration of apertures in one of the said coaxial cones with apertures in the other thereof so as to adjust the degree of resistance to movement of said device through water;and means for releasably securing said one coaxial cone in a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the other so that the relative degree of resistance thereof to said movement is visually indicated and can be varied;said handle being conditioned to be gripped at any location around the periphery thereof so that said device can be moved through water in any plane.

16. A device according to claim 15, where said outer cones are fixed to said handle by a clip mechanism for easy disassembling.

17. A device according to claim 16, where inner cones at both ends of said handle/belonging to both resistance members are connected to each other using an inner tube which can move within the said handle, locked with a fixing mechanism.

18. A device according to claim 17, where the clips are fixed in place using the inner tube that connects the two inner cones, and the fixing mechanism comprises a locking key.

19. A device according to claim 17, where inner cones have ridges that interfere around the outer rim of the inner cones, and said ridges provide a “click” effect to enable the selection of a number of openings and thereby a corresponding number of resistances.

20. A device according to claim 19, where the number of said resistances is four.

21. A device according to claim 15, additionally having ribs or fins arranged along outer and/or inner cones in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis.

22. A device according to claim 15, additionally having flanges across cones and/or along outer ring, arranged in symmetric fashion relative to the handle axis.