TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A training apparatus for use inside a water pool is provided, along with a number of auxiliary devices and accessories that can be used therewith. The training apparatus comprises, at least in its operational state, a floating member made from material having density lower than water density at room temperature, and a support assembly comprising at least one sinking member with at least one suction cup configured to removably adhere the sinking member to a submerged surface of the water pool; and at least one elongated member connecting between the floating member and the at least one sinking member for fixing a position of the floating member with respect to said submerged surface.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

This presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to sports, and more particularly to a training apparatus for use in a water-based environment.

BACKGROUND

Aquatic therapy, therapeutic aquatic exercise, or aquatic rehabilitation refer to water-based treatments or exercises of therapeutic intent, in particular for relaxation, fitness, and physical rehabilitation. Treatments and exercises are performed while floating, partially submerged, or fully submerged in water. The benefits of aquatic exercise is well documented. Various properties of water contribute to therapeutic effects, including the ability to use water for resistance instead of gravity or weight, as resistance of the water to movement provides soothing therapeutic massage of the muscles; thermal stability that permits maintenance of fairly constant temperature; hydrostatic pressure that supports, and that influences heart and lung function; buoyancy that permits floatation, reduces the effects of gravity and prevents excessive impact on the joints during exercising activity; and turbulence and wave propagation that allow gentle manipulation and movement.

Various techniques and devices are used to deliver therapy in water. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,352 teaches an aquatic exercise apparatus for use in a pool of water by a person in the water for post operative and post injury muscular skeletal therapy and rehabilitation as well as conditioning and toning the muscles. The apparatus has a base member adapted to be removably anchored at the bottom of a pool of water with one or more pulleys removably connected on the base member and one or more flexible lines having a handle at one end, which passes through the pulley(s) and is attached at its other end to at least one buoyant float member. A person in the pool of water physically manipulates the handles to overcome the resistive upward buoyant force of the buoyant float member(s) in various exercises to condition and tone the muscles. In one embodiment the base member is a platform upon which the person exercising stands, and in another embodiment the base member is a suction cup member adapted to be removably secured to the bottom surface of the pool of water. The buoyancy of each float member can be selectively altered to provide a range of buoyancy forces.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter provides a novel training apparatus for aquatic exercising, which can be used during post-injury rehabilitation, including for conditioning and toning the muscles, as well as for general aquatic exercising by all ages which suggests a comprehensive, multi-purpose, adjustable, easy to use and safe solution for physical exercising in mimic environment, such as a water pool.

Thus, according to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a training apparatus for use inside a water pool, comprising at least when in use:

• • a floating member made from material having density lower than water density at room temperature, and
  • a support assembly comprising at least one sinking member with at least one suction cup configured to removably adhere the sinking member to a submerged surface of the water pool; and at least one elongated member connecting, at least in use, between said floating member and said at least one sinking member for fixing a position of said floating member with respect to said submerged surface.

In some embodiments, the sinking member can comprise a pedal for activating and inactivating the suction cup.

In some embodiments, to increase stability or endurance to large loads, the number of the suction cups can be two or more, and in such case, for convenience of usage, a single pedal can be configured for activating and inactivating the two or more suction cups.

Each suction cup can have a connection element connecting between the cup's bottom portion and the above pedal such that, during inactivation of the suction cup by the pedal, the connection element pulls said bottom portion off the submerged surface to thereby facilitate its detachment from the submerged surface.

The sinking member can comprise a chamber and a plurality of holes connecting the chamber to exterior of the sinking member, such that when the sinking member is submerged, said chamber is filled with water to increase the weight of the sinking member.

In some embodiments, the elongated member can comprise one or more attachment sites configured for mounting an accessory to the elongated member. In some embodiments, the elongated member be hollow and comprise holes formed therein to allow water entering its interior for increasing its weight. At least one of said holes can be configured for being used as an attachment site for mounting an accessory thereto.

In some embodiments, one or more attachment sites can comprise a sliding holder and the elongated member can have such a configuration in its cross-section as to enable sliding of said holder along the length of the elongated member while disabling its pivoting about the elongated member.

In some embodiments, the elongated member can have an adjustable length to enable its installation at different water levels. The elongated member can also be configured for being connected to the floating member either so as to be inclined to a horizontal reference plane at a single angle or at a variety of angles, and one such angle can be close to or equal zero.

The training apparatus can have a horizontal reference plane and it can be foldable from its operational state into a storage state, in which its overall height in the direction perpendicular to this plane is smaller than that in the operational state. In addition, the storage state of the training apparatus can be such that projection of the at least one elongated member on the reference plane overlaps with that of the floating member to a greater extent than in the operational position, thus occupying minimal space during storage.

The training apparatus can be used with a variety of auxiliary devices or training accessories to provide a comprehensive, one-shop solution for exercising in water. Moreover, its structure is upgradeable and additional auxiliary devices or training accessories can be designed to work with the apparatus of the presently disclosed subject matter.

According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a device, which can be used with the above training apparatus, or can be independently used inside water, the device comprising a sinkable fixation device configured to removably adhere to a submerged surface of the water pool, said sinkable fixation device comprising:

• • a floatable member being made from material having density lower than water density at room temperature and comprising a chamber configured to be filled with water when the sinkable device is in use;
  • at least one suction cup configured to removably adhere the sinkable device to a submerged surface of the water pool;
  • a plurality of holes connecting said chamber to exterior of the sinkable device, such that when the sinkable device is submerged, said chamber is filled with water to thereby increase weight of the sinkable device; and
  • at least one pulley configured for passing therethrough a rope element connected at one end thereof to a resistance device and having its other end configured to be at least indirectly pulled by a user.

The suction cup/s can be configured as described above with respect to the sinking member.

In some embodiments, the resistance device can be a floating device, which when pulled into water, faces its resistance. The floating device can be configured with variable surface area to provide a plurality of levels of resistance to water, when the device is pulled inside water. In some embodiments, the floating device can be constructed from a series of floating members such that varying said surface area is achievable by changing mutual orientation of said members.

According to a further aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a device, which can be used inside a water pool as an accessory to the above training apparatus or other suitable devices, comprising:

• • a seat chamber configured to be filled with water when the training device is in use,
  • controllable water inlet and air outlet in the seat chamber,

wherein height of the seat chamber inside the water can be controlled by said controllable water inlet and said controllable air outlet.

According to a further aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a device, which can be used inside a water pool as an accessory for the above training apparatus or other suitable devices, comprising:

• • a seat;
  • two cycling pedals;
  • a rotor with vanes, rotatable by said pedals; and
  • a housing accommodating said rotor so as to allow its rotation, and having at least one water inlet.

In some embodiments, disposition of the vanes relative to the housing is variable to provide different levels of resistance of the vanes to water during the rotor rotation.

According to still further aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a connector, which can be generally used for mounting a first elongated element to a second elongated element in spaced non-parallel orientation, and which can be particularly used for mounting different kinds of accessories to the elongaged member/s of the above training device. The connector can have mutually perpendicular horizontal and vertical reference planes and comprise two element engaging portions disposed on two sides of the vertical reference plane,

• • a first passage in one of the element engaging portions, the passage extending along a first axis parallel to said vertical reference plane and being configured for receiving therein said first elongated element;
  • two spaced apart mounting loop members constituting the other element engaging portion and extending on two sides of the horizontal reference plane so that a distance between them increases in the direction away from vertical plane, said loop members forming a second passage extending along a second axis parallel to the vertical reference plane and not parallel to the first axis, configured to allow for passing therethrough of the second elongated element with a sliding contact therebetween; and
  • a locking element disposed between the two loop members so that the connector can be moved along the second element with said loop members in sliding contact therewith until the locking element engages the second member so as to prevent the connector from further movement relative to the second member.

In some embodiments, the first passage has two passage portions spaced along the passage axis by a spacing region. The spacing region can be configured to receive therein an annular protrusion of an accessory in alignment with the two passage portions so as to allow said first elongated member to pass therethrough.

The presently disclosed subject matter enables forming kits for assembling a training apparatus from its components described above with or without accessories. One such kit can comprise at least the floating member and the support assembly. In some embodiments, the kit can further comprise the sinkable fixation device and the resistance device as described above. In yet other embodiments, the kit can further comprise one or more of the auxiliary devices and/or training accessories as described above and as will further be described in the Detailed Description.

Any component of the training apparatus, the auxiliary devices and the training accessories described above can be fully or partially made from light-weight materials, most of which can be floating materials (i.e. their density is lower than that of the water), or therefore it is friendly to handle, enabling quick and easy installation and transferring between different locations. The use of such components in water allows them, where required, to bear loads of magnitudes, which they would not be able to bear in the air due to them being made of the above mentioned materials.

In addition, the presently disclosed subject matter provides for a solution for those of the above light-weight components that are intended for use when submerged or for sinking at the pool's floor, associated with filling at least a part of the interior of these components with water. Some of the solutions utilize vacuum attachment principles, by providing suction cups, which can have a conventional or novel configurations for use on a submerged surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it can be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B exemplify a training apparatus according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 2A-2B exemplify a floating member that can be used in an apparatus according to the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 3A-3B exemplify a part of a support assembly that can be used with a training apparatus according to presently disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 4A-4D exemplify another part of a support assembly that can be used with a training apparatus according to the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 5A illustrates a support assembly comprising parts of the kind shown in FIGS. 3A to 4D, and carrying auxiliary devices according to different embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 5B-5E illustrate different views of one of the auxiliary devices shown with the support assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5F illustrates another auxiliary device shown with the support assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A-6D exemplify further auxiliary devices that can be used with a training apparatus according to further embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 7 exemplifies a training accessory that can be used with a training apparatus according to further embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; and

FIGS. 8A-8B exemplify another training accessory that can be used with a training apparatus according to still further embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to FIG. 1A showing a training apparatus 100 configured for use inside a water pool, in accordance with one example of the present presently disclosed subject matter, in its operational state.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the training apparatus 100 includes a floating member 110 configured for floating on the water when disposed therein, and a support assembly 120 configured for installing the training apparatus 100 inside the water pool, e.g. by fixing it to a solid submerged surface of the water pool. The training apparatus 100 has a horizontal reference plane HRP, on which the floating member 110 resides when it is in a horizontal position, i.e. the horizontal reference plane HRP can coincide with the water surface, when the floating member is freely disposed thereon.

The floating member 110 is typically made from material which has a density lower than water density at room temperature, enabling it to float independently and to be independently used, free of the support assembly 120, in various training exercises as will be further detailed below. More details about the floating member 110 are described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B below.

In the described example, the support assembly 120 includes three sinking members 140 each having three suction cups 142 configured to removably adhere the sinking member 140 to a submerged surface of the water pool (not shown). The support assembly 120 further includes three elongated members 130 each connecting between one floating member 110 and one sinking member 140, for fixing a position of the floating member 110 with respect to the submerged surface of the water pool during use. The number of the elongated members 130 and sinking members 140 in the support assembly 120 can be any one, i.e. it can even be one, and the same is correct with respect to the suction cups 142. In addition, the number of the sinking and elongated members can be different, e.g. it could be the case that a plurality of elongated members (two or more) connect between the floating member 110 and a single sinking member.

The support assembly 120 can be configured to stabilize or fixate the floating member, while it floats on the water surface, with respect to the submerged surface, with the latter having any possible orientation or construction. To this end, the submerged surface of the water pool, to which the floating member 110 is fixed by using the support assembly 120, can be horizontal, vertical or inclined with respect to the reference plane HRP (and the water surface). Additionally or alternatively, the submerged surface can possess a combination of the three mentioned orientations, and in such a case, the support assembly 120 can include a plurality of sinking and elongated members having different corresponding dimensions/orientations. Non-limiting examples of the submerged surface include, inter alia, a single surface, in a horizontal (floor), vertical (side wall) or inclined orientation (floor or side wall); in which case a single sinking member with one or more elongated members could be used; or a plurality of surfaces having any combination of the three mentioned orientations (horizontal, vertical or inclined), in which case a plurality of sinking and elongated members can be used. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, three sinking members with three respective elongated members are deemed to provide desired stability of the floating member. In the described example, the length of the elongated member is controllably variable to suit to the inclination of , depth of or distance to the submerged surface(s).

Connections between the floating member and the elongated members, and/or between the corresponding elongated and sinking members, in at least one of such pairs of the connected members, can be configured to allow for their relative movement and/or orientation.

Thus, in the described example, all the elongated members 130 are mounted at a proximal end thereof to the floating member, using a pivot 152 enabling the elongated member to form with the reference plane HRP a desired angle, which can be variable. In particular, in the described example, this angle is acute for each of the elongated members, if measured exteriorly with respect to the floating member, so that the elongated member extends away from the floating member, in the direction along the reference plane. However, the above angle can also be about 90 deg. when the elongated member/s has/have vertical orientation, or it can be close to or equal zero, when the elongated member/s extends/extend almost parallel or completely parallel to the reference plane HRP in the direction away from the floating member.

Regarding the connection between the elongated members' distal end and their corresponding sinking members, such connection can be in the form of a joint or a hinge, such as a spherical hinge 154, to enable an optimal contact between the sinking member and the submerged surface, no matter how this the surface is oriented.

The training apparatus 100 can be foldable for bringing it into a storage state, and FIGS. 1B-1 and 1B-2 illustrate, in bottom and side view respectively, one of possible storage states of the training apparatus 100. The storage state allows for space-saving storage as well as for easy transport from one pool to another whenever needed.

To enable the folding of the training apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS. 1B-1 and 1B-2, the pivoting connection of its elongated members to the floating member should be configured accordingly, i.e. should allow the elongated members to be pivoted to a position under the floating member, in which an angle formed thereby with the reference plane interiorly with respect to the floating member is close to zero or equals zero. Alternatively, the elongated members can be foldable at a location spaced from but adjacent to their proximal end, in which case the height of the training apparatus in such storage state will be somewhat greater than that in the storage state shown in FIGS. 1B-1 and 1B-2. Additional storage state of the training apparatus could be by disassembling it to the floating member, the elongated member(s) and the sinking member(s), to enable storing them in a dedicated package for easy carriage and transport.

Reference is made to FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrating one non-limiting example of the floating member 110, which has an annular shape. As already mentioned, the floating member can be used for exercising purposes as an independent, stand-alone exercising device, or as part of the training apparatus 100. Therefore, the floating member can be configured in different shapes and sizes to suit different uses. It can be round, as shown in the figure, or have a polygonal shape. It can be manufactured in different sizes to meet different ages or personal weights.

The floating member or at least a portion thereof can be made from a lightweight material, the density of which is lower than that of the water such that it floats naturally.

The floating member can have a unitary body or it can be integrally formed of a number of components, such as e.g. a lower component configured to face mainly downwardly, when the floating member is located on the surface of a water pool, and to be connected to the support assembly, and an upper component to be contacted by the user. In the latter case, the lower component can be made of a material which is more rigid than the upper component. In this case, the upper component can be inflatable.

In the described example, the floating member 110 comprises a lower component in the form of a rigid hollow tube unit 118 (FIG. 2B) configured to enhance its overall rigidity and maintain its annular shape.

Outer surface of the floating member, which is to be contacted with the user, can be formed with a pattern or a texture, which are not slippery in a mimic environment.

The floating member can also be equipped with integral handle(s), e.g. such as handle 112, to facilitate both gripping it by a user during various exercises and carrying it, with or without the support assembly, from one place to another.

The floating member can be formed with one or more depression(s), e.g. such as depression 114, formed in its upper surface and having such extensions along the peripheral and radial directions of the upper surface of the floating member, to allow functioning of the depression(s) as user supporting region(s), e.g. seating or standing region(s). The floating member can have attachment sites, e.g. such as holes 116, configured to attach one or more accessories to it.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrating one non-limiting example of the elongated member 130. In this example, the elongated member 130 has a hollow body with a cylindrical outer surface of an oval cross-sectional shape. Alternatively, the hollow body of the elongated member can be in the form of an elongated prism with an outer surface having polygonal cross-sectional shape.

The elongated member 130 can be made from a rigid material, which is non-deformable under normal operational conditions of the training apparatus. The material can be a light-weight material, e.g. such that has a density lower than that of water. In this case, to increase its relative weight and help it to sink, the elongated member can include through holes, such as holes 138 extending between the outer surface of the elongated member and its hollow interior, thereby allowing water to enter and air to exit during its sinking

As shown, the elongated member includes at its proximal ends a proximal connecting portion 132 and at its distal end a distal connection portion 134 for pivotally connecting it to the floating member and to the spherical hinge on the sinking member, respectively, at least in the operational state of the training apparatus.

The elongated member can further include one or more attachment site(s), which can be used to securely mount thereon a training accessory. The attachment site(s) can be formed along the elongated member in a spaced-apart relationship, to thereby enable mounting one or more accessories at different locations of the elongated member, e.g. at different heights with respect to the pool's floor or the water's surface. In the described embodiment, one or more of the hole(s) 138 can be used, additionally or alternatively, as attachment sites for securely mounting training accessories on the elongated member.

The elongated member's length can be adjustable, to enable installation of the training apparatus at different depths or in different positions. In the described example, the elongated member has a telescopic construction for adjusting its length, and it comprises two coaxially elongated sections, an outer section 130_O and an inner section 130_I slidable within the outer section and lockable thereto in a desired position. Examples of a locker that can be used for this purpose, are a locking ring 130_L as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, or a locking pin (not shown), each of which can use holes 136 to provide the locking.

Reference is made to FIGS. 4A-4D illustrating a non-limiting example of the sinking member 140. The sinking member 140 has a body 144 configured to allow pivotally connecting to its top the distal end of the elongated member 130, as mentioned above. In the described example, such connection is provided by a spherical hinge constituted by a spherical male element 146 protruding upwardly from the body 144 of the sinking member 140, and a corresponding spherical female cavity formed at the distal connection portion 134 of the elongated member 130.

As also mentioned above, the sinking member 140 is further configured to be removably secured to a submerged surface of the water pool by one or more attaching elements 142 mounted to the body 144 at its bottom. The attaching elements 142 can be in the form of suction cups configured to adhere the sinking member to the submerged surface using vacuum, as any conventional suction cup.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4C-1 and 4C-2, the body 144 also includes pedals 148 for easily and comfortably activating and inactivating the suction cups 142, when the sinking member rests on the submerged surface, e.g. by pressing the pedal with the foot to activate, or by pulling it upwards by the foot to inactivate. The activated pressed-down position of the pedal is illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 4C-2. To increase efficiency, the sinking member 140 can be configured with a single pedal which activates and inactivates all its suction cups. This option is illustrated in FIG. 4B.

The sinking member 140 can be made from any suitable material that enables it to sink in water. For example, the sinking member can be made from light-weight material having density lower than water density at room temperature and it can be configured to float, when no steps are performed to increase its weight in order to facilitate its sinking In the described example, to enable performing such steps, the sinking member includes a chamber 162 (as shown in FIG. 4C-2, which is a cross-sectional view of the sinking member taken along line C-C in FIG. 4C-1) and at least two holes 164 connecting the chamber to exterior of the sinking member, such that when the sinking member is submerged, the chamber 162 is filled with water through at least one of the holes, and air exits the chamber through at least one other hole.

The suction cups of the sinking member can each have a contact surface CS configured to ensure effective attachment and adherence of the cup to a plurality of different kinds of surfaces used in conventional water pools, such as flat smooth surfaces or textured, rough or patterned surfaces. To this end, the suction cup or at least its bottom portion including the contact surface can be made from a material capable of conforming its shape to that of the surface it contacts with in the presence of water. One example of such material is Silicon.

FIGS. 4D-1 and 4D-2 illustrate a special design of a suction cup configured to facilitate detaching of the sinking member 140 having an increased weight as described above, from the submerged surface. As shown, the suction cup has a connection element 166 which connects between its bottom portion at a peripheral edge of the contact surface CS and the pedal 148 such that, during inactivation of the suction cup by raising the pedal, the connection element 166 upwardly pulls with it the peripheral edge of the contact surface off the submerged surface. The connection element can be a resilient element which does not exert any force on the contact surface CS when the pedal is pressed to activate the vacuum, and it can be formed as a unitary body with the bottom portion of the suction cup, as shown in FIGS. 4D-1 and 4D-2. The connection element can be configured to take a loose and relaxed state during the activation of the suction cup, as in FIG. 4D-1 in which the pedal 148 is down, and a stretched state of its maximum length during the inactivation of the suction cup, as in FIG. 4D-2 in which the pedal 148 is up, in which the connection element 166 is configured to pull with it the contact surface CS.

The training apparatus 100 can be used with a plurality of accessories, which can be mounted directly to the above described components of the training apparatus or by means of auxiliary devices. FIGS. 5B-5F illustrate non-limiting examples of one kind of auxiliary devices configured for being held by the elongated member 130 of the training apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5A. More particularly, FIGS. 5C to 5E show a connector 170 configured for being dressed on the elongated member 130 prior to its assembly with the floating member and/or the sinking member, and FIG. 5F shows a connector 180, which can be attached to the elongated member 130 also after its assembling with the floating member and the sinking member.

Both connectors 170 and 180 are configured for connecting to the elongated member 130, a holder 182 for holding one or more accessories, as will be described further below. In the described example, the holder 182 is in the form of a rod oriented transversely to the elongated member, as shown in FIG. 5A. In the described example, the connector 170, 180 and/or the holder 182 can be made from a light-weight material, i.e. the material's density is lower than water's density at room temperature, such that when not connected to the elongated member, it is configured to float on the surface of water. In operation, the connector 170, 180 can slide along the elongated member 130 to enable attachment of the training accessory thereto by means of the holder 182 at different heights with respect to the reference plane HRP of the training apparatus 100. The different heights are defined by the attachment sites 136 of the elongated member. As such, while it is configured to slide along the elongated member, the connector has, as shown in FIG. 5E, a locking mechanism LM, which in the present example is in the form of a protrusion 178 configured for being received in one of the holes 136, thereby fixing the connector to the elongated member.

Referring to FIG. 5A, each of the connectors 170, 180 has a first, elongated-member engaging portion 170A, 180A and a second, holder engaging portion 170B, 180B. As appreciated, the connectors 170 and 180 are similar at their second portions 170B and 180B to which the holder 182 can be attached, and are only different at their first portions 170A and 180A.

More particularly, as best seen in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the first, elongated-member engaging portion 170A of the connector 170 is in the form of two loop members 172A and 172B having a closed configuration. The loop members have such size and are so oriented with respect to each other so as to form a passage 171 configured to slidingly receive therein the elongated member while at the same time enabling entrance of the protrusion 178 into one of the holes 138 when aligned therewith, thereby locking the connector 170 in place.

As seen in FIG. 5F, the first, elongated-member engaging portion 180A of the connector 180 differs from that of the connector 170 in that its loop members 182A and 182B, instead of being closed as the loops 172A and 172B, are in the form of oppositely curved wings 182A and 182B, each constituting a portion of an imaginary closed loop and extending along a majority of such loop so as to form a passage 182 configured to slidingly receive therein the elongated member 130 by embracing it with the two loop portions 182A and 182B in spaced opposite directions.

The second portions 172B and 182B of the connectors 170 and 180 are each in the form of two holder receiving annular arms 172 and 174 spaced by a region 176, with aligned through holes constituting two portions of a single passage 177 for slidingly receiving therein the holder 182.

With reference to FIGS. 5B and 5C, the connector 170, 180 can be considered as having mutually perpendicular horizontal and vertical reference planes HP and VP that intersect at the connector's central region of merger of the first and second portions along a connector axis X. The two portions of the connector 170A and 170B (or 180A and 180B) are thus disposed on two sides of the vertical reference plane VP, with:

• • the passage 177 extending along an axis 186 parallel to the vertical plane VP and spaced therefrom along the horizontal reference plane HP, and
  • the two loop members 172A and 172B (or 182A and 182B) extending on two sides, 192A and 192B, of the horizontal reference plane HP so that a distance between them increases in the direction away from the vertical plane VP and so that the passage 171 (or 181) extends along an axis Y parallel to the vertical plane VP and spaced therefrom along the horizontal plane HP.

In the described example, the axes X and Y of the respective passages 177 and 171 (or 181) are oriented so that their projections on the vertical plane VP are perpendicular to each other, though in general this does not need to be the case and they can be oriented so that that their above projections cross each other at an angle other than 90 deg.

Each loop member 172A, 172B of the connector 170 can be described as extending along a line lying on an intersection between an imaginary cylindrical surface (corresponding to the outer surface of the elongated member 130) and a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal plane HP, such that the planes of the two loop members define equal angles on different sides with the horizontal reference plane HP on different sides thereof. Each loop member 182A, 182B of the connector 180 can be similarly described as extending along a majority of the above line.

Reference is made to FIGS. 6A-6D, illustrating a training apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present presently disclosed subject matter. As will be described further below, the training apparatus 200 can be used independently as a stand-alone trainer or can be used in conjunction with the training apparatus 100 constituting its auxiliary device.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the training apparatus 200 further includes a sinkable fixation device 240 similar to the sinking member 140 described above (except for the absence of the male hinge portion), though it can have a larger size to suit its function, as further described below. Accordingly, every feature in the sinkable device which is similar in its function to the corresponding feature in the sinking member 140 is given a respective number being increased by 100. The sinkable device 240 thus has a body 244 having a chamber and holes similar to those of the body 144 of the sinking member 140, configured to adhere to a submerged surface of the water pool, in a removable way by using one or more attaching means. In the described example, these means are in the form of suction cup(s) 242, which can have the same features and are activated and inactivated in the same manner as those of the sinking member 140.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the training apparatus 200 further includes a resistance device 270, and the sinkable fixation device 240 further includes one or more pulleys 250 each configured for passing therethrough a rope element for any desired purpose. In the described example, such rope element 252 is connected at one end thereof to the resistance device 270 and at another end thereof to a handle 260 so as to be pulled by a user. FIG. 6B illustrates using the apparatus 200 as an independent training apparatus, while FIG. 6C shows how it can be used with the training apparatus 100.

In the configuration of FIG. 6C, the rope can be passed through a dedicated hole in the rod 182 held by the connector 170. Further, two ropes can be passed through one pulley of the sinkable member 240 and two spaced holes in the rod 182, so that a user can use both hands to pull the resistance device 270. When the device 240 includes more than one pulley, a corresponding plurality of users can do exercises from different sides of the device 240, at the same time.

In the described example, the resistance device 270 is a floating device, i.e. it is made from material having density lower than water density at room temperature, so as to be able to float on the water surface WS, until it is pulled inside water, e.g. downwardly. Such pulling causes the device to face resistance to progression from the water and to thereby perform its ‘resistance’ function. The floating device 270 can be configured with variable surface area to provide a plurality of levels of resistance to water, when the device is pulled inside water. For example, the floating device can be constructed from a series of floating members such that varying the surface area is achievable by changing mutual orientation of said members.

The floating device 270 can also be configured with holes extending along its length, i.e. in the direction of movement inside the water, such that by closing one or more of them the resistance of water to device's progression increases. In some other embodiments, when a series of elements are used, by altering their mutual orientation, e.g. by turning one with respect to the other, the surface area facing the water changes causing change in the overall resistance. As shown in FIGS. 6D-1 and 6D-2, two examples of the floating device 270 are presented. In the example described in FIG. 6D-1, the floating device 270A includes four identical elements, disposed above each other, having a predetermined shape and two holes H1 and H2 formed therein. By displacing or turning one or more of the elements around an axis passing through the hole H1 perpendicularly to the sheet plane, the overall surface area is varied and the resistance increases. In the four figures of the example described, the resistance increases from left to right. In the example described in FIG. 6D-2, the floating device 270B includes a series of four identical round elements above each other, with holes formed therein. Turning at least one element with respect to the others, around an axis passing through H3 perpendicularly to the sheet plane, blocks portions of the holes and thereby the resistance increases gradually from the left to the right figure.

The resistance device, the rope and the handles described above, when used with the training apparatus 100, can be considered as its training accessories.

Reference is made to FIG. 7 illustrating a non-limiting example of a further training accessory for use with the training apparatus 100, in the form a training device 300 mountable on one of the elongated members 130 of the training apparatus 100 using the connector 170. More particularly, the training device 300 is in the form of a seat 302 having a backrest 303 formed with a support ring 305, which when located between the arms 172 and 174 of the connector 170 in alignment therewith constitute a central part of the passage 177, in which the rod 182 is received, the arrangement being such that at least when downward force is applied on the seat 302, e.g. when a user is seated thereon, the rotation thereof about the axis X of the connector 170 is prevented.

The seat 302 includes a chamber 304 configured to be filled with water when the training device is in use inside the water. As appreciated, a user can sit on the seat and perform several exercises, some of which are described below.

The training device 300 can be made from light-weight material(s), having a density lower than water at room temperature, such that it can float when its chamber 304 is empty of water.

The training device 300 includes at least one controllable water inlet 306 and at least one controllable air outlet 308 to enable filling it with water. The water inlet 306 and air outlet 308 are controlled to thereby control the amount of water that enters the chamber 304. For example, the water inlet and air outlet can be configured with suitable one-way valves and which permit either water or air to flow through but not both. The amount of water inside the chamber defines the overall weight of the device, and the latter determines the buoyancy of the device. This way, it is possible to define the sinking level of the seat, i.e. the distance down from the water's surface, or the height above the pool's floor. Additionally, because of its controllable floating property, the device 300 can be used to transport inside water a user, who cannot walk independently, and to bring him to the training apparatus in order to perform exercises. When the user reaches the training apparatus, the device 300 can be mounted to one of the elongated members 130, as described above.

Reference is made to FIGS. 8A and 8B, illustrating another non-limiting example of a training accessory for use with the training apparatus 100, which is in the form of a training device 400 mounted on the training apparatus 100 using the connector 170 in the same way as described above with respect to the device 300.

The training device 400 includes a seat 402, two cycling pedals 404, a rotor 406 with vanes 408, rotatable by the pedals, and a housing 410 accommodating the rotor, to comply with safety measures, and so as to allow safe and uninterrupted rotation of the rotor, and at least one water inlet (disposed on a non-shown side) to fill the housing 410, around the rotor and vanes, with water. Optionally, the device can further include gripping handles 412, and a button 414 for setting training difficulty levels of the device. The housing 410 is mounted on a hollow tube 416 including holes and/or attachment sites for mounting the housing 410 at different locations thereon. The button 414 can be used to control orientation of the vanes 408 of the rotor 406 relative to the housing, by controlling their orientation angle, and/or their radial spacing from the housing, to thereby provide different levels of resistance of the vanes to water during the rotor rotation caused by cycling of the cycling pedals.

According to the presently disclosed subject matter, one or more training kits can be arranged from two or more training devices and accessories described above. For example, one such training kit can include the floating member and the support assembly of training apparatus 100. Additionally, the kit can include the sinkable fixation device and a resistance (e.g. floating) device. Additionally, or alternatively, the kit can include one or more of the training devices 300 and 400. Accordingly, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a wide range of novel rich combinations of training devices for use in a water pool, in a portable, extremely safe and cost effective manner

Claims

1-39. (canceled)

40. A training apparatus for use inside a water pool, at least when in an operational state, the training apparatus comprising: a floating member made from material having a density lower than water density at room temperature; anda support assembly including: at least one sinking member with at least one suction cup configured to removably adhere the at least one sinking member to a submerged surface of the water pool; andat least one elongated member connecting between said floating member and said at least one sinking member for fixing a position of said floating member with respect to said submerged surface.

41. The training apparatus of claim 40, wherein said at least one elongated member includes one or more attachment sites configured for mounting an accessory to the at least one elongated member.

42. The training apparatus of claim 40, wherein said at least one sinking member includes a pedal for activating and inactivating said at least one suction cup.

43. The training apparatus of claim 42, wherein the at least one suction cup includes at least two suction cups, and wherein said pedal is configured for activating and inactivating the at least two suction cups.

44. The training apparatus of claim 42, wherein the at least one suction cup has a bottom portion adjacent a contact surface thereof that is configured to adhere to the submerged surface, and a connection element connecting between said bottom portion and said pedal such that, during inactivation of the at least one suction cup by the pedal, said connection element pulls said bottom portion upwardly from the submerged surface to thereby facilitate detachment of the contact surface from the submerged surface.

45. The training apparatus of claim 40, wherein said at least one sinking member is made from a material having a density lower than water density at room temperature, and includes a chamber and a plurality of holes connecting said chamber to an exterior of the at least one sinking member, such that when the at least one sinking member is submerged, said chamber is filled with water to increase a weight of the at least one sinking member.

46. The training apparatus of claim 40, wherein said at least one elongated member has an adjustable length.

47. The training apparatus of claim 41, wherein at least one of the one or more attachment sites includes a sliding holder, and wherein said at least one elongated member has a configuration in a cross-section thereof to enable sliding of said sliding holder along a length of the at least one elongated member while disabling pivoting thereof about the at least one elongated member.

48. The training apparatus of claim 40, wherein said at least one elongated member is hollow and includes holes formed therein to allow water entering the at least one elongated member for increasing a weight thereof.

49. The training apparatus of claim 48, wherein at least one of said holes is configured for being used as an attachment site for mounting an accessory thereto.

50. The training apparatus of claim 40, wherein the training apparatus has a horizontal reference plane and, at least in use of the training apparatus, said at least one elongated member is configured for being connected to the floating member in one of the following manners: so as to be inclined to said horizontal reference plane; orso as to extend along said horizontal reference plane in a direction away from the floating member.

51. The training apparatus of claim 40, in which at least the floating member and the support assembly constitute a part of a kit, from which the training apparatus can be assembled.

52. A training apparatus for use inside a water pool, the training apparatus comprising: a sinkable fixation device configured to removably adhere to a submerged surface of the water pool, said sinkable fixation device including: a floatable member made from material having a density lower than water density at room temperature, the floatable member including a chamber configured to be filled with water when the sinkable fixation device is in use;at least one suction cup configured to removably adhere the sinkable fixation device to a submerged surface of the water pool;a plurality of holes connecting said chamber to an exterior of the sinkable fixation device, such that when the sinkable fixation device is submerged, said chamber is filled with water to thereby increase a weight of the sinkable fixation device; andat least one pulley configured for passing therethrough a rope element configured for being connected at one end thereof to a resistance device and for being at least indirectly pulled by a user at another end.

53. The training apparatus of claim 52, wherein said sinkable fixation device includes a pedal for activating and inactivating said at least one suction cup.

54. The training apparatus of claim 53, wherein the at least one suction cup includes at least two suction cups, and wherein said pedal is configured for activating and inactivating said at least two suction cups.

55. The training apparatus of claim 53, wherein the at least one suction cup has a bottom portion adjacent to a contact surface thereof that is configured to adhere to the submerged surface, and a connection element connecting between said bottom portion and said pedal such that, during inactivation of the at least one suction cup by the pedal, said connection element pulls said bottom portion upwardly from the submerged surface to thereby facilitate detachment of the contact surface from the submerged surface.

56. The training apparatus of claim 52, wherein said resistance device includes a floating device.

57. A training cycling device for use inside a water pool, the training cycling device comprising: a seat,two cycling pedals;a rotor with vanes, rotatable by said two cycling pedals; anda housing accommodating said rotor so as to allow a rotation of the rotor, and having at least one water inlet.

58. The training cycling device of claim 57, wherein disposition of the vanes relative to the housing is variable to provide different levels of resistance of the vanes to water during the rotation of the rotor.

59. The training cycling device of claim 57, configured for mounting the training cycling device to an elongated member of a training apparatus at one or more attachment sites of the training apparatus.