Patent Application
20250160449
The present disclosure relates to a swimming short. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a swimming short that is adjustable in length so as to train a swimmer.
Swimming is an important skill, especially for those individuals that compete in triathlons or swimming competitions. Many individuals, at a young or old age, take swimming lessons to learn this important skill. However, there are individuals that do not have an opportunity to learn swimming skills, or there may be youth that cannot take swimming lessons. Because there are so many individuals that do not know how to swim or how to swim well, there are devices on the market that assist the individuals, no matter the age or gender. Some of these devices may include life jackets, float collars, floatation belts, and neoprene swimwear, whether suits, tops, or shorts. While these devices may aid in flotation and help an individual swim, they often fail to teach proper swimming technique so as to remove dependency on these devices. Swimming is difficult for many adults who did not learn these skills as a youth and many of these adults rely on these swimming devices to remove the frustration of not knowing how to swim well.
One type of floatation aid is buoyancy swim shorts, which aid in keeping the lower part of the body higher in the water, making it easier to swim faster. Many individuals are dependent on these types of shorts to be able to swim with proper swimming technique, and they may never truly learn how to swim without them.
Accordingly, there is a need for a swimming short and program that assists a user in learning proper swimming technique. The present invention seeks to solve these and other problems.
In one embodiment, a modifiable swim short for use in a pool or another water source comprises a chassis that includes a front waist section, a back waist section, and a crotch section that is disposed longitudinally between the front and back waist sections. A waist band may circumscribe an opening to enter the shorts.
Descending below the front, back, and crotch sections may be a first leg portion and a second leg portion. The first leg portion may comprise a plurality of first segments that begin proximate a first leg opening and proceed upward toward the front and back waist sections and the crotch section. The plurality of first segments may include a first segment, a second segment, a third segment, a fourth segment, a fifth segment, and a sixth segment. The second leg portion may comprise a plurality of second segments that begin proximate a second leg opening and proceed upward toward the front and back waist sections and the crotch section. The plurality of second segments may include a seventh segment, an eighth segment, a ninth segment, a tenth segment, an eleventh segment, and a twelfth segment.
In one embodiment, a method of using the modifiable swim short with its respective program comprises a user swimming with the shorts for a first period of time and/or until a first objective is met. The user removes a first segment of first segments on a first leg portion and a seventh segment from second segments on a second leg portion. The user swims with the shorts for a second period of time and/or until a second objective is met. The user removes a second segment of the first segments on the first leg portion and an eighth segment from the second segments on the second leg portion. The user swims with the shorts for a third period of time and/or until a third objective is met. The user removes a third segment of the first segments on the first leg portion and a ninth segment from the second segments on the second leg portion. The user swims with the shorts for a fourth period of time and/or until a fourth objective is met. The user removes a fourth segment of the first segments on the first leg portion and a tenth segment from the second segments on the second leg portion. The user swims with the shorts for a fifth period of time and/or until a fifth objective is met. The user removes a fifth segment of the first segments on the first leg portion and an eleventh segment from the second segments on the second leg portion. The user swims with the shorts for a sixth period of time and/or until a sixth objective is met. The user removes a sixth segment of the first segments on the first leg portion and a twelfth segment from the second segments on the second leg portion. Once all segments have been removed, the user has finished the program.
In one embodiment, a method of using the modifiable swim short with its respective program comprises a user swimming with the shorts until one or more predetermined objectives are met. Then the user removes one or more first segments and one or more second segments from each leg of the modifiable swim shorts. The user swims until his or her personalized swimming goals are reached.
While embodiments of the present disclosure may be subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular features, forms, components, etc. disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure will cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure.
Reference to the invention, the present disclosure, or the like are not intended to restrict or limit the invention, the present disclosure, or the like to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “alternate embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic.
Any arrangements herein are meant to be illustrative and do not limit the invention's scope. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their ordinary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described.
It will be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. In fact, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various, different sequences and arrangements while still being in the scope of the present invention. Certain terms are used herein, such as “comprising” and “including,” and similar terms are meant to be “open” and not “closed” terms. These terms should be understood as, for example, “including, but not limited to.”
As previously described, there is a need for a swimming short and program that assists a user in learning proper swimming technique. The present invention seeks to solve these and other problems.
Swimming may be difficult for individuals who did not grow up swimming and did not have swimming lessons, never learning proper technique. It can be frustrating and time consuming to learn to swim with proper technique. Buoyancy swim shorts can act as a swim aid for many. Specifically, buoyancy swim shorts assist the individual by keeping the lower part of the body higher in the water, which makes it easier to swim and swim faster. While there are many buoyancy swim shorts on the market, these shorts have one major shortcoming. That is, individuals become dependent on these shorts and fail to learn proper swimming technique. While some may not show any concern about learning swimming technique, others would pursue the opportunity to learn proper technique, which would make them a faster, better, and more consistent swimmer.
The modifiable swim short described herein includes a chassis, a front waist section, a back waist section, and a crotch section. The shorts include multiple segments on a first leg portion and a second leg portion. The segments allow a user to decrease the length of each leg portion to remove dependency on the shorts and improve swimming technique.
It will be appreciated that the shorts and method of use described herein allow users to enjoy the benefit and ease of swimming with buoyancy shorts, but aides them in how to reduce their dependence on them as their swimming improves. It will further be appreciated that the shorts may be configured to be incrementally cut/shortened as swim technique improves in a step-wise manner. As such, learning to swim becomes more enjoyable and difficult swim workouts are more likely to be completed and not dreaded and skipped. This leads to better performances for competitive athletes and will keep people engaged in all swimming ventures. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that these shorts may be used by any individual regardless of age or gender.
As shown in
Descending below the front, back, and crotch sections 104-108 may be a first leg portion 114 and a second leg portion 116. The first leg portion 114 when on the leg of a user may extend a first length that terminates proximate the knee of the user. Similarly, the second leg portion 116 when on the leg of a user may extend a second length that terminates proximate the user's second knee. The first and second leg portions 114, 116 may be tubular in shape and tapered toward the knees of the user. In other embodiments, the length of the first and second leg portions 114, 116 may be longer or shorter than generally knee length. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second leg portions 114, 116 may extend to the calf muscle, to the ankles, or halfway between the hip and knee. Accordingly, it will be understood the first and second leg portions 114, 116 may be a variety of different lengths and may be modifiable/customizable by a user.
The first leg portion 114 may comprise a plurality of first segments 118 that begin proximate a first leg opening 120 and proceed upward toward the front and back waist sections 104, 106 and the crotch section 108. As the plurality of first segments 118 move upward toward the front and back waist sections 104, 106 and the crotch section 108, the plurality of first segments 118 may begin to curve until termination so as to create the shape and function of a Speedo® swim brief when all segments are removed. The plurality of first segments 118 may be generally horizontal segments that move upward towards the crotch section 108. The plurality of first segments 118 may include a first segment 122A, a second segment 122B, a third segment 122C, a fourth segment 122D, a fifth segment 122E, and a sixth segment 122F. The second leg portion 116 may comprise a plurality of second segments 124 that begin proximate a second leg opening 126 and proceed upward toward the front and back waist sections 104, 106 and the crotch section 108. As the plurality of second segments 124 move toward the front and back waist sections 104, 106 and the crotch section 108, the plurality of second segments 124 begin to curve until termination so as to create the shape and function of a Speedo® swim brief when all segments, on both legs, are removed. The plurality of second segments 124 may be generally horizontal segments that move upward towards the crotch section 108. The plurality of second segments 124 may include a seventh segment 128A, an eighth segment 128B, a ninth segment 128C, a tenth segment 128D, an eleventh segment 128E, and a twelfth segment 128F.
Each segment 122A-122F of the plurality of first segments 118 may be removed as well as each segment 128A-128F of the plurality of second segments 124. For example, the plurality of first segments 118 may be removed one by one starting near the first leg opening 120 and continuing until the last segment is removed near the crotch section 108. Each segment of the first and second segments 118, 124 may be defined by lines that are colored, whether solid or dashed, or any other indicia, so as to provide direction for a user to remove each segment with a cutting device. For example, the segments may be alternating colors, such as green and black. In some embodiments, each segment of the first and second segments 118, 124 may be removably attachable, meaning capable of reattachment, and be fastened to each other via zippers, hook and loop, snap buttons, magnets, or any other securement mechanism. In some embodiments, the segments 118, 124 may utilize perforations so as to allow a user to tear each segment off. In some embodiments, the first and second segments 118, 124 may each comprise eight segments. However, it will be understood that the first and second segments 118, 124 may include more or less than twelve segments. For example, each segment 118, 124 may include four segments. In some embodiments, the first and second segments 118, 124 may each be a height of one inch; however, other heights may be utilized which are taller or shorter than one inch. It will also be appreciated that while the segments may all be the same height in some embodiments, other embodiments may comprise segments with staggered heights. As an example, segments nearest the first and second leg openings 120, 126 may be one inch while the adjacent segment is two inches in height. One or more segments may be removed by a user, meaning that if the user is learning quickly, that the user may remove, for example, two segments at a time.
While the shorts 100 described herein include defined segments, it will be understood that the method described below may be performed with other swim shorts lacking segments. Furthermore, the method of use described below, if used with swim shorts lacking segments, may instruct a user to utilize a ruler or other measuring device to measure the shorts and mark them so as to remove the necessary amount to comply with the method of use (i.e., training program).
The shorts 100 may be manufactured from a neoprene material. Other materials used for the shorts 100 may include ariaprene® or any other type of material that has buoyancy properties. Further, the shorts 100 may include different thicknesses of material to aid the user in developing swimming skills, meaning there may be different thicknesses of the shorts 100 that a user may choose from based on that user's swimming skills. For example, a version of the shorts 100 with a thicker, more buoyant material may be used by a less skilled swimmer, while a version of the shorts 100 with a thinner, less buoyant material may be used by a more skilled swimmer. In some embodiments, the shorts 100 and/or the first and second segments may be colored coded to notify the user of the thickness of the shorts, the first and second segments that need to be removed, sizes of the shorts, and/or gender or age specific shorts. Other indicia may be utilized that include numbering, proprietary markings, etc.
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As discussed herein, in other embodiments, the number of segments may vary from shorts to shorts. Accordingly, there may be more or less steps than discussed above. With each cut or removal of each segment, the shorts 100 provide less and less buoyancy for the user, thereby helping the user reduce their dependency on the shorts 100 as their swimming improves. The periods of time discussed within the steps may include and provide users with prescribed swim work outs and graded/timed sessions that will guide them as to when they are ready to remove segments from the shorts 100. After segments of the first and second segments 118, 124 have been removed, the user will repeat the prescribed swim workouts (i.e., objectives) and then reassess to determine if further shortening is warranted. When a user has removed the last segments, the user has finished/graduated from the program.
It will be understood that while various embodiments have been disclosed herein, other embodiments are contemplated. Further, certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties or features described in other embodiments. Consequently, various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, disclosure of certain features or components relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the application or inclusion of said features or components to the specific embodiment unless stated. As such, other embodiments can also include said features, components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein are examples of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless a feature or component is described as requiring another feature or component in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Although only a few of the example embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications are possible without materially departing from the present disclosure described herein. Accordingly, all modifications may be included within the scope of this invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/601,310, filed on Nov. 21, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63601310 | Nov 2023 | US |
