WINGED AQUATIC APPARATUS

FIELD

The present application relates to an apparatus for use in an aquatic environment and, more particularly, to a winged apparatus suitable for wearing on a person's arm when participating in aquatic activities.

BACKGROUND

Water aerobics has become an increasingly popular form of exercise, combining the benefits of resistance and aerobic endurance training with the advantage of a stable, less intensive environment for exercise. Swimming is also a popular aquatic exercise and is a staple of cardiovascular training.

It would be advantageous to provide for an apparatus which promotes effective strength and cardiovascular training in various forms of aquatic fitness activities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1C show a bottom view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of an aquatic apparatus in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows perspective views of components of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A-C.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show a bottom view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of another aquatic apparatus in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a bottom view and a top view, respectively, of the apparatus of FIGS. 3A-C when worn by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the present application describes a winged apparatus for use in an aquatic environment. The apparatus includes a water-impermeable wing for mounting on a user's arm. The wing has a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface. The apparatus also includes a handle positioned on the bottom exterior surface of the wing. The handle is adapted to receive a hand of the user during use of the wing.

In another aspect, the present application describes a kit including a first water-impermeable wing for mounting on a user's right arm and a second water-impermeable wing for mounting on the user's left arm. The first and second wings each have a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface. The first and second wings each also have a handle positioned on the respective bottom exterior surfaces. The handle of the first wing and the handle of the second wing are adapted to receive the right hand and the left hand of the user, respectively.

Other aspects and features of the present application will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following description of examples in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1A to 1C which show bottom, side and top views, respectively, of an example aquatic apparatus 100. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be used during aquatic fitness and injury rehabilitation exercises. For example, the apparatus 100 may serve as a resistance training equipment suitable for use in aquatic environments. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be used by a swimmer during swimming or underwater diving to aid in propulsion and movement.

The aquatic apparatus 100 includes a wing 102. The wing 102 is impermeable to water. To facilitate ease of use in water, the wing 102 can be constructed from relatively light and rigid material. In some embodiments, the wing 102 may be constructed of plastic, such as polystyrene. In some other embodiments, the wing 102 may be constructed of hard rubber. Other materials may be used in other embodiments. For example, the wing 102 may be made with a rigid polyurethane core and covered with polyester resin.

The wing 102 has a top exterior surface 105 and a bottom exterior surface 103. The wing 102 is adapted to be mounted on a user's arm when the user is participating in aquatic activities. When mounted on a user's arm, the bottom exterior surface 103 is closer to the user's arm than the top exterior surface 105. In some embodiments, the wing 102 lies generally longitudinally along a user's forearm when mounted on the user's arm. For example, the bottom exterior surface 103 of the wing 102 may lie along and be in contact with a user's dorsal forearm when the wing 102 is mounted. That is, when mounted on a user's arm, the wing 102 may extend from below the user's elbow along the length of the user's forearm. In some embodiments, the wing 102 may extend past a hand of the user when the user's arm is secured to the wing 102.

In at least some embodiments, the wing 102 is generally elongate. That is, the wing 102 is longer along its length than its width. The length of the wing 102 may be defined as the largest distance between a front end 114 and a back end 115 of the wing 102, and the width of the wing 102 may be defined as the largest distance between two lateral sides 115 of the wing 102. The positional details of the front end 114, the back end 115 and the lateral sides 116 of the wing 102 will be described below. In at least some embodiments, the length of the wing 102 may be greater than ½ foot. The width of the wing 102 is greater than the width of a user's arm. In at least some embodiments, the width of the wing 102 may be greater than ½ foot.

The wing 102 also defines a surface area for the top exterior surface 105 and the bottom exterior surface 103. In at least some embodiments, the top exterior surface 105 and the bottom exterior surface 103 have the same surface area. In such embodiments, the surface area of the top exterior surface 105 will be referred to as the surface area of the wing 102. In some embodiments, the surface area of the wing 102 may be greater than 1 square foot. The surface area of the wing 102 affects the amount of water displaced by the wing 102 during use in aquatic activities. Accordingly, for embodiments of the apparatus 100 that are used for resistance training, the surface area of the wing 102 controls the amount of water resistance provided by use of the apparatus 100. For example, the apparatus 100 may be used as a type of free weight, much like a dumbbell or barbell, and the surface area of the wing 102 may indicate the amount of force required to be exerted to move the apparatus 100 in water. For embodiments of the apparatus 100 that are used for swimming or diving, a large surface area of the wing 102 can increase the propulsive force exerted by a user's arms due to a larger amount of water being displaced by each stroke.

In some embodiments, the top exterior surface 105 and the bottom exterior surface 103 may be generally parallel. That is, the wing 102 may have uniform thickness along its length. In at least some embodiments, the wing 102 may have a thickness ranging between 0.25 inches and 0.75 inches. For example, the wing 102 may be ⅜ inches thick. In some other embodiments, the top exterior surface 105 and the bottom exterior surface 103 may not be generally parallel. For example, the wing 102 may have greater thickness near its center than along its perimeter. That is, the distance between the top exterior surface 105 and the bottom exterior surface 103 at a center position of the wing 102 may be greater than the width of the edges along the perimeter of the wing 102. In at least some embodiments, the wing 102 may be no more than 0.5 inches thick.

The wing 102 may have various shapes in order to accommodate a range of different uses in an aquatic environment. In the example of FIGS. 1A to 1C, the wing 102 has a generally oval shape. In some other embodiments, the wing 102 may be bean-shaped. The shape of the wing 102 may affect the overall hydrodynamic qualities of the apparatus 100. Furthermore, different shapes and sizes of the wing 102 can provide varying degrees of difficulty and resistance in use of the wing 102 during water aerobic exercises. In some examples, such as in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the wing 102 may be generally symmetrical with respect to a central axis 109 of the wing 102. The central axis 109 will be described in more detail below.

The apparatus 100 also includes a handle 104. The handle 104 is positioned on the bottom exterior surface 103 of the wing 102 and is configured to receive a hand of the user. As noted above, the wing 102 includes a front end 114. The front end 114 of the wing 102 is the side of the wing 102 which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a length of the user's forearm and which is closer to the user's hand than to the user's elbow when the handle 104 is gripped and the wing 102 is mounted on the user's arm. The back end 115 of the wing 102 is the side of the wing 102 which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a length of the user's forearm and which is closer to the user's elbow than to the user's hand when the handle 104 is gripped and the wing 102 is mounted on the user's arm. In particular, the front end 114 and the back end 115 are generally opposite ends of the wing 102. In at least some embodiments, as in the example of FIGS. 1A to 1C, the front end 114 and the back end 115 may be curved. The handle 104 is located closer to the front end 114 of the wing 102 than the back end of the wing 102. Thus, the front end 114 of the wing 102 is generally associated with (i.e. located near) the user's hand, while the back end 115 of the wing 102 is generally associated with (i.e. located near) the user's forearm.

Two lateral sides 116 extend between the front end 114 and the back end 115 of the wing 102. The lateral sides 116 of the wing are the two sides of the wing 102 which extend in a direction that is generally parallel to a length of the user's forearm when the handle 104 is gripped and the wing 102 is mounted on the user's arm. That is, the lateral sides 116 are generally adjacent to a line at which both the handle and the fastener are centered upon. The two lateral sides 116 are adjacent to the user's arm when the apparatus 100 is worn by the user. More particularly, a left lateral side 116 may be located to the left of the user's arm and a right lateral side may be located to the right of the user's arm. In some embodiments, as in the example of FIGS. 1A to 1C, the lateral sides 116 may be curved.

In at least some embodiments, the handle 104 may be substantially centrally positioned between the lateral sides 116 of the wing 102. The handle 104 may be centered between the lateral sides 116 of the wing 102. For example, FIG. 1A shows a handle 104 which is positioned on the bottom exterior surface 103 such that it is equidistant from each of the lateral sides 116. In such embodiments, the wing 102 may be symmetrical with respect to a central axis 109 that runs perpendicular to the handle 104 through a midpoint of the handle 104. That is, the central axis 109 may bisect the wing 102 into two components which are substantially the same size. The central axis 109 of the wing 102 is an axis that is substantially coplanar with the body of the wing 102 and which extends longitudinally along a length of the wing 102, centered between the two lateral sides 116 of the wing 102. The central positioning of the handle 104 and the symmetrical shape of the wing about the central axis 109 allows the wing 102 to displace similar amounts of water on a left side of the wing 102 as on the right side of the wing 102. Such symmetry may assist with resistance training in some embodiments.

In some other embodiments, the handle 104 may not be centrally positioned on the bottom exterior surface 103. For example, the handle 104 may be positioned closer to a first lateral side of the wing than to a second lateral side of the wing, where the first lateral side is closer to the user's body when the wing 102 is mounted on the user's arm and the handle 104 is gripped by the user.

In at least some embodiments, the position of the handle 104 may be adjustable. That is, the handle 104 may be attached to the bottom exterior surface 103 in such a way as to allow the position of the handle 104 to be changed. For example, the position of the handle 104 along a length of the wing 102 may be adjustable. By adjusting the position of the handle 104, a user can control how much of the wing 102 is mounted on the user's arm. If the position of the handle 104 is adjusted such that the handle 104 is close to a back end 115 of the wing 102, the wing 102 will cover a short length of the user's arm when the user's arm is secured to the wing 102. If the position of the handle 104 is adjusted to move the handle 104 close to a front end 114 of the wing 102, then the wing 102 will cover a greater length of the user's arm when the wing 102 is secured to the user's arm. Beneficially, adjusting the position of the handle 104 may allow users having different arm lengths to use the same wing. In some embodiments, the position of the handle 104 along a width of the wing 102 may be adjustable. The handle 104 may be mounted on a track to allow it to move along the bottom exterior surface 103. That is, one or more tracks may be installed on the bottom exterior surface 103 to allow the handle 104 to be mounted on and moved along the tracks. In some embodiments, the handle 104 may be detachable from the wing 102, and the wing 102 may be provided with multiple mounting locations, allowing the handle 104 to be removed and attached at different locations. Varying the position of the handle 104 may be a useful way to control the isolation of particular muscle groups during resistance training exercises in water aerobics.

In at least some embodiments, the handle 104 includes a grip support 113 extending from the bottom exterior surface 103 and a grip bar 112 extending from the grip support 113. FIG. 1B shows a side view of a grip support 113 of the handle 104. The grip support 113 is of such height as to allow the grip bar 112 to be sufficiently distanced from the bottom exterior surface 103. In particular, the distance between the grip bar 112 and the bottom exterior surface 103 is large enough such that the handle 104 can accommodate a user's hand. For example, the distance between the grip bar 112 and the bottom exterior surface 103 may be greater than 3 centimeters.

The grip bar 112 of the handle 104 extends in a direction perpendicular to the grip support 113 and substantially parallel to the bottom exterior surface 103. In the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the grip bar 112 is parallel to the bottom exterior surface 103 and extends along a width of the wing 102. In at least some embodiments, one end of the grip bar 112 is attached to the grip support 113 and another end of the grip bar 112 is free. The free end of the grip bar 112 of the handle 104 allows for quick and convenient release of the handle 104 by a user. For example, when a swimmer wishes to free her hands during swimming while her arm is secured to the wing 102, either to tread water using her hands or to deal with an emergency situation, the free end of the grip bar 112 allows an easy release of the handle 104 to free up the swimmer's hands. By way of further example, if a user experiences pain in her forearm while performing arm curls using the apparatus 100 during resistance training, the free end of the grip bar 112 allows her to quickly release the handle, possibly avoiding any strain or damage to her muscles.

While the grip bar 112 and the grip support 113 are referred to with different identifiers, it will be appreciated that these components may be integrally formed. For example, the grip bar 112 and the grip support 113 may be a single piece of plastic.

The handle 104 may also include a plurality of grooves along a length of the grip bar 112 to accommodate a user's fingers when the handle 104 is held by the user. The shape of the grip bar 112 should allow for proper gripping and facilitate pushing or pulling exercises, similar to a dumbbell or barbell.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 1A, the apparatus 100 includes at least one fastener 106 positioned on the bottom exterior surface 103 to secure the user's arm to the wing 102. The at least one fastener 106 ensures that the wing 102 remains fixedly mounted on the user's arm during swimming or diving activities and during water aerobic exercises using the wing 102. That is, the at least one fastener 106 can be used to maintain the wing 102 in a fixed position relative to the user's arm. In at least some embodiments, the bottom exterior surface 103 may be in contact with the user's arm when the user's arm is secured to the wing 102. In some other embodiments (not shown), the at least one fastener may secure the user's arm such that the user's arm is separated from the bottom exterior surface 103 of the wing 102. For example, the at least one fastener 106 may comprise a plurality of fastener mounts, extending vertically from the bottom exterior surface 103, which can be adapted to accommodate the user's arm. A fastener mount may include a pair of fastener mount supports and an armrest bar extending between the fastener mount supports. In at least some embodiments, the armrest bar may have a curve shape to accommodate a user's arm. The fastener mount supports are of such vertical height as to maintain the armrest bar separated from the bottom exterior surface 103 of the wing 102. In some embodiments, the height of the fastener mount supports may be greater than 5 cm. The plurality of fastener mounts can separate a user's arm vertically from the wing 102, which may allow water to flow between the user's arm and the bottom exterior surface 103 of the wing 102.

In at least some embodiments, the at least one fastener 106 may be positioned in spaced relation to the handle 104 along a length of the wing 102. That is, a minimum longitudinal distance from the at least one fastener 106 to the handle 104 is greater than zero in some embodiments. For example, the at least one fastener 106 may be positioned at least 10 centimeters away from the handle 104. In the example of FIG. 1A, the handle 104 is closer to the front end 114 of the wing 102 than the at least one fastener 106 and the at least one fastener 106 is closer to the back end 115 of the wing 102 than the handle 104. The position of the at least one fastener 106 is such that the wing 102 remains fixedly attached to the user's arm while still allowing the user to bend her elbow when her arm is secured to the wing 102.

In at least some embodiments, the position of the handle 104 and the position of the at least one fastener 106 along the bottom exterior surface 103 may be generally aligned along a longitudinal direction of the wing 102. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, the handle 104 and the at least one fastener 106 are both centrally positioned between the lateral sides 116 of the wing 102. More particularly, the fastener 106 and the handle 104 are both disposed along the central axis 109. In the example of FIG. 1A, when the handle 104 is gripped by a user and the user's forearm is secured to the wing 102 by the at least one fastener 106, the wing 102 should rest substantially longitudinally along the user's forearm, with the user's forearm being centered between the lateral sides 116.

Several different mechanisms may be used for the at least one fastener 106 of the apparatus 100. In at least some embodiments, the at least one fastener may comprise a buckle and adjustable strap assembly. A buckle and adjustable strap assembly can conveniently allow a user to adjust the length of a strap to accommodate the size of the user's arm. In some embodiments, a latch design may be used that allows the user to release the strap by applying pressure to the buckle. In some other embodiments, the at least one fastener 106 may comprise hook-and-loop fasteners. Other types of fasteners may be used in other embodiments.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows a perspective view of various components of the example apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

FIG. 2 shows a handle 104 including a grip support 113 and a grip bar 112. In this example, the grip support 113 and the grip bar 112 are integrally formed. The grip bar 112 is attached to the grip support 113 at one end and is free at the other end. The free end of the grip bar 112 allows for an easy release of the handle 104 even when a user's arm is strapped to the wing 102 by the at least one fastener 106. That is, the user may be able to free her hands from the apparatus 100 even when the at least one fastener 106 keeps the wing 102 affixed to the user's forearm.

In the example of FIG. 2, the wing 102 defines one or more screw holes 202 extending between the top exterior surface 105 and the bottom exterior surface 103. The screw holes 202 are configured to receive screws that are used to affix the handle 104 to the bottom exterior surface 103 of the wing 102. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a bottom surface of the handle 104 may have one or more holes defined thereon, corresponding in position and size to the one or more screw holes 202 of the wing 102.

In at least some embodiments (not shown), the wing 102 may define one or more apertures, different from the screw holes 202, extending between the top exterior surface 105 and the bottom exterior surface 103. The one or more apertures of the wing 102 are left unfilled in order to allow water to pass through the body of the wing 102 during use of the apparatus 100. For example, when using the apparatus 100 in water aerobics, the number and size of the one or more apertures can control the level of resistance by varying the amount of water which is allowed to pass through the body of the wing 102. Larger apertures will allow more water to pass through the body of the wing 102, thereby reducing the level of resistance involved in moving the apparatus 100 through water. In at least some embodiments, the one or more apertures may have covers that prohibit the flow of water through the apertures. That is, a user may be able to control the level of resistance provided by the apparatus 100 by covering, partially covering or leaving open the one or more apertures.

FIG. 1C and FIG. 2 show a screw plate 108. The screw plate 108 is positioned on the top exterior surface 105 of the wing 102. The screw plate 108 is configured to fasten one or more screws that are used to attach the handle 104 to the bottom exterior surface 103 of the wing 102. In at least some embodiments, the screw plate 108 may have defined thereon one or more holes 204 which correspond in position to the screw holes 202 of the wing 102. The positions of these holes 204 define the position of the screw plate 108 with respect to the top exterior surface 105. In some cases, the screw plate 108 may accommodate a plurality of nuts for securing screws. Use of a screw plate 108 to secure the screws for fastening the handle 104 to the wing 102 can promote distributing the force applied to the screws over a wider surface area, helping to avoid potential fracturing of the body of the wing 102.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 1C and FIG. 2 may be well-suited for use for in-water resistance training. A user may attach the apparatus 100 to the user's arm and may stand in a pool or other body of water and use the apparatus 102 for resistance training. For example, the user may simulate out-of-water exercises that are typically performed with dumbbells or barbells. For example, a dumbbell curl may be performed in some embodiments. While the user is performing the exercise, the user attempts to keep her feet planted on the ground of the pool or body of water.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A to 3C, which show another embodiment of an aquatic apparatus 300 of the present disclosure, and to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which show a bottom view and a top view, respectively, of the apparatus of FIGS. 3A-C when worn by a user. The apparatus 300 of FIGS. 3A to 3C includes many features which are similar to the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1C and the description of these features will not be repeated at length. However, the apparatus 300 of FIGS. 3A to 3C also includes additional features which may make the apparatus 300 well suited for use as a swimming apparatus to assist a user in swimming.

In the example of FIGS. 3A to 3C, the handle 304 and the at least one fastener 306 are positioned on the bottom exterior surface 310 and closer to one of the lateral sides 316 of the wing 302 than to the other lateral side 317. The handle 302 and the fastener 306 are positioned near the lateral side 316 of the wing 302 that will be adjacent to a user's body during swimming. In the example illustrated, the handle 304 and the fastener 306 are positioned within 3 centimeters from the lateral side 316. As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the wing 302 may define a forearm portion which rests along a user's forearm when the handle 304 is gripped by the user and the user's arm is secured to the wing 302. In at least some embodiments, the handle 304 and the at least one fastener 306 are both positioned on the forearm portion. The forearm portion of the apparatus 300 is the portion of the apparatus that is generally adjacent to the user's arm. That is, the forearm portion is aligned with the user's arm, preventing this portion from deforming when in use.

The wing 302 may also define a deformable portion which extends laterally outwards from the forearm portion. In at least some embodiments, the deformable portion of the wing 302 is a part of the wing 302 that does not rest on a user's arm when the user's arm is secured to the wing 302. For example, the deformable portion may be located to the left or right of a user's arm when the user's arm is secured to the wing 302. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the deformable portion extends beyond the forearm portion in a direction that is generally away from a front end 314 of the wing 302. In some embodiments, the deformable portion may have a greater surface area than the forearm portion. The deformable portion of the wing 302 may be elastically deformable during use of the apparatus 300 in water. For example, when a user wears the apparatus 300 during swimming, the deformable portion may undergo slight deformation or bending as a result of the force of water that the apparatus 300 encounters. This deformation occurs, in part, because the deformable portion is not supported by the rigidity of a user's arm.

Elastic deformation of the deformable portion may help to reduce friction between the wing 302 and water when a user is wearing the apparatus 300 during swimming. Once a user's arm is secured to the wing 302, the user can extend her arm in a lateral direction (i.e. generally perpendicular to her torso) while in a swimming or diving position and move the wing 302 vertically up and down in a flapping motion. The forearm portion of the wing 302 remains immobile and affixed to the user's forearm, but the deformable portion of the wing 302 may deform or bend slightly to accommodate the movement of water past the forearm portion.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A to 3C and FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first lateral side 316 of the wing 302 has a straight-edge portion 312. In at least some embodiments, the straight-edge portion 312 corresponds to a forearm portion of the wing 302. In particular, the straight-edge portion 312 of the first lateral side 316 extends along the forearm portion of the wing 302. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the handle 304 and the at least one fastener 306 are positioned immediately adjacent to the straight-edge portion 312 of the first lateral side 316. For example, the distance between the straight-edge portion 312 of the first lateral side 316 and the handle 304 may be less than 5 centimeters. Similarly, the distance between the straight-edge portion 312 of the first lateral side 316 and the at least one fastener 306 may also be less than 5 centimeters.

In another aspect, there is provided a kit comprising a first water-impermeable wing for mounting on a user's right arm and a second water-impermeable wing for mounting on the user's left arm, where the first wing and the second wing may be adapted as embodiments of the apparatus 100 or apparatus 300 as described herein.

In at least some embodiments, a first wing for a user's right arm and a second wing for the user's left arm can be connected together to simulate a barbell. In particular, for those embodiments of the apparatus 100 used for weight and resistance training, a first wing for a user's right arm and a second wing for the user's left arm may be connected in a fixed configuration such that the user can use the connected wings as a single piece of equipment. For example, the first wing and the second wing may be joined by a connector which keeps the two wings adjacent and in fixed relative position to each other, forming a single apparatus with three components (i.e. the first wing, the second wing and the connector). When the user secures her right arm and left arm to the first and second wings, respectively, in the connected apparatus, she can use the apparatus to perform arm curls in water by a technique similar to barbell curls. For example, the user can submerge the connected apparatus in water and raise the apparatus until her forearms are substantially vertical, causing water to be displaced by the raising motion. The resistance of the water against the raising or curling motion allows the connected apparatus to be used for the purpose of weight or resistance training in water.

Certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be made. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive.

WINGED AQUATIC APPARATUS

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