TRAINING STRAP FOR SWIMMING

Abstract

A strap for use in swim training to immobilize or restrict the legs to promote proper positioning and to build upper body strength. The training strap is specifically configured and adapted to enable controlled adjustability, quick release functionality, and is formed from an elastomeric material. It is also contemplated that the strap may be combined with other straps of the same kind to create a larger diameter for use in other training exercises.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a swim training device, and more particularly, to a swim training strap adapted to be easily adjustable for extending around a swimmer's legs to immobilize at least a portion of the legs while swim training.

2. Description of the Related Art

Competitive swimmers oftentimes participate in swim training to improve their overall swim performance. Since swimming typically relies heavily on both the upper body and the lower body of the swimmer, swim training drills may be aimed at targeting one of the upper body or the lower body to strengthen that portion of the body and improve the overall swim form of the swimmer.

Many swim training, drills require, the use of one or more swim training devices or aids when participating in the swim training drill. For instance, one aid commonly employed when training the swimmer's lower body is, a kickboard, which is commonly employed to immobilize a swimmer's arms and focus the swimmer on improving the kick by strengthening the user's legs and improving the swimmer's form.

Other swim training exercises and devices may be employed to strengthen the user's upper body. For instance, “pull drills” are known in the swimming community for working the arm movements of a swim stroke independently of the kick. In this regard, the pull drill may allow the swimmer to concentrate on their body position in the water, as well as focusing, on the arm extension, and stroke technique.

In most instances, the swimmer's legs are immobilized while the swimmer performs the pull drill, and thus, several devices have been developed to achieve such leg immobilization during pull drills. An exemplary device is a pull buoy which is placed between swimmer's thigh or ankles to provide support to the body without kicking their legs. While conventional pull buoys may be capable of immobilizing a swimmer's legs in some instances, conventional pull buoys tend to suffer from deficiencies which may detract from their overall utility. For instance, conventional pull buoys do not bind the swimmer's legs together, and thus, the swimmer may feel awkward and uncomfortable because of pull buoy's typically large size and the large buoyancy force they typically provide.

Another conventional swim training device commonly used for pull drills are leg straps adapted to immobilize the swimmer's legs. Many straps, include a pair of loops which are coupled to each other, with each loop extending around one of the swimmer's legs. The swimmer's legs become immobilized due to the interconnection of the loops. However, conventional leg straps are commonly associated with several drawbacks. For instance, the straps may be difficult to adjust and tighten on the legs of the user, particularly if each loop requires separate adjustment. Furthermore, the straps may be formed from a material which, causes irritation on the user's skin.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a swim training strap for immobilizing a swimmer's legs during swim training, with the strap being more user friendly than conventional swim training straps. Various aspects of the present disclosure address this particular need, as will be discussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a strap for use in swim training to immobilize or restrict the legs to promote proper positioning and build upper body strength, as well as to improve kick form, tempo, and uniformity by limiting range of relative kick motion. The training strap is specifically configured and adapted to enable controlled adjustability, quick release functionality, and may be formed of an elastomeric material. It is also contemplated that the strap may be combined with other straps of the same kind to create a larger diameter for use in other training exercises.

According to one embodiment there is provided a training strap including a strap body, a first connector coupled to the strap body, and a second connector coupled to the strap body, with the second connector being selectively and cooperatively engageable with the first connector. An operative segment of the strap body is defined as that portion of the strap body extending between the first and second connectors. At least one of the first and second connectors are adjustably coupled to the strap body to enable selective length adjustment of the operative segment. The strap body, the first connector, and the second connector are sized and configured to collectively define a complete loop capable of extending around a first leg and a second leg of a user when the first connector and the second connector are engaged with each other.

The strap body may include a plurality of adjustment members adapted to enable selective incremental adjustment of the at least one of the first and second connectors relative to the strap body. Each adjustment member includes a rib defining a thickened region of the strap body. The strap body may be configured such that no portion of the operative segment overlaps with another portion of the operative segment when the strap is in the looped configuration. The strap body may include a first end segment, with the first connector being positioned between the operative segment and the first end segment. The strap body may additionally include a second end segment, with the second, connector being positioned between the operative segment and the second end segment. The first end segment and the second end segment may each be adapted to be pulled to cinch the strap around the first leg and the second leg, of the user. The strap body may be formed of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material may be a hypoallergenic material, such as a hypoallergenic silicone material.

The first connector and the second connector may both be adjustably coupled to the strap body. The first connector and the second connector may be cooperatively engageable male and female connectors. The at least one of the first and second connectors may be moveable along the strap body to enable adjustment of the operative segment to be equal to a first length associated with a first loop circumference wherein the loop is capable of extending around the first and second legs at a first location on the user, and to be equal to a second length associated with a second loop circumference wherein the loop is capable of extending around the first and second legs at a second location on the user.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a system for swim training. The system includes a first strap and a second strap, each, of which comprise a strap body, a first connector coupled to the strap body, and a second connector coupled to the strap body and being selectively and cooperatively engageable with the first connector. An operative segment of the strap body is defined as that portion of the strap body extending between the first and second connectors. At least one of the first and second connectors is adjustably coupled to the strap body to enable selective length adjustment of the operative segment. The first connector and the second connector of the first strap are connectable to each other to define a first loop having a first circumference. The first connector and the second connector of the first strap being is connectable to corresponding ones of the first connector and the second connector of the second strap to define a second loop having a second circumference larger than the first circumference.

According to yet another embodiment, there is provided a method of using a training strap for swimming. The method includes forming a complete loop around a first, leg and a second leg of a user with the training strap and adjusting the training strap on the user.

At least one of the first and second connectors may be positioned between the operating segment and an end segment, and the tightening step may include pulling the end segment to cinch the training strap around the first leg and the second leg of the user.

The forming step may include connecting the first connector to the second connector. The adjusting step may include adjusting the size of the complete loop such that the complete loop allows for a range of relative kick motion by the user.

The present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a swim training strap extending around a swimmer's legs at a first location, e.g., the swimmer's ankles;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the swim training strap shown on the swimmer depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the swim training strap shown in an enclosed loop configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the swim training strap depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the swim training strap in an open, disconnected configuration;

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the swim training strap in the enclosed loop configuration around the ankles of a user;

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the swim training strap being cinched around the ankles of the user;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the swim training strap extending around the swimmer's legs at a second location, e.g., the swimmer's knees;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the swim training strap shown on the swimmer depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a pair of swim straps disconnected from each other; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of the pair of swim straps of FIG. 10 coupled together to create a larger operative diameter.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a training strap for swimming and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various structure and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent structure and/or functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, and the like are used, solely to distinguish one entity from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure only, and are not for purposes of limiting the same, there is depicted a training strap 10 specifically configured and adapted for use in swim training to immobilize or restrict the legs of the swimmer 12 to promote proper positioning and upper body strength. The training strap 10 may additionally be used to improve a swimmer's kick form by limiting the range of relative kick motion and perfecting tempo. As will be described in more detail below, the training strap 10 is an improvement over conventional swim training straps by virtue of the strap 10 having controlled adjustability and quick-release functionality. The strap 10 may also be formed of an elastomeric material, preferably a hypoallergenic silicone material to provide enhanced comfort relative to conventional straps 10. Furthermore, the strap 10 may be combined with other straps 10 of the same kind to create a larger diameter/circumference for use in other training exercises.

According to one embodiment, the training strap 10 generally includes a strap body 14, a first connector 16, and a cooperatively engageable second connector 18. Each connector 16, 18 is coupled to the strap body 14, with at least one of the connectors 16, 18, and more preferably both of the connectors 16, 18, being adjustably coupled to the strap body 14. As used herein, “adjustably coupled” refers to the ability of the connector(s) 16, 18 to move/translate along the strap body 14 for adjustment purposes, as will be described in more detail below.

The strap body 14 is elongate and defines a pair of opposed end portions 20, 22, an inner surface 24, an opposing outer surface 26, and a pair of opposed lateral edges 28, 30 extending between the end portions 20, 22 of the strap body 14. In one implementation, the opposed lateral edges 28, 30 are spaced from each other by approximately 30-45 mm, and more, specifically by approximately 38 mm. By “approximately,” it is understood that slight variation may be assumed as a result of typical manufacturing tolerances. The strap body 14 extends in a longitudinal direction between the first and send end portions 20, 22.

According to one embodiment, the strap body 14 includes a plurality of adjustment members 32 adapted to enable selective incremental adjustment of at least one, and preferably both of the first and second connectors 16, 18 relative to the strap body 14. In the exemplary embodiment, each adjustment member 32 includes a rib or ridge extending away from the inner surface 24. The adjustment members 32 also extend between the opposed lateral edges 28, 30 in a latitudinal direction, i.e., generally perpendicular to the lateral edges 28, 30. The adjustment members 32 define thickened regions of the strap body 14 which restrict movement of the connector(s) 16, 18 along the strap body 14. Along these lines, a thickness T is defined as the distance between an apex of a respective adjustment member 32 and that portion of the outer surface 26 directly opposite the apex. According to one embodiment the thickness T is within the range of 3.10-3.40 mm, and may be approximately equal to 3.25 mm. In the exemplary embodiment, the adjustment members 32 are substantially evenly spaced along the strap body 14, although it is understood that the adjustment members 32 may be spaced in a variable spacing arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although the adjustment members 32 in the exemplary embodiment are depicted as including ribs or ridges, it is also contemplated that the adjustment members 32 may include grooves or other physical features which enable incremental adjustment of the connector(s) 16, 18 along the strap body 14.

The strap body 14 may be formed via molding to produce the adjustment members 32 along the strap body 14. The first and second end portions 20, 22 of the strap body 14 may be formed without adjustment members 32, and instead, may include a tapered thickness, wherein the thickness of each end portion 20, 22 is greatest at a respective shoulder 23, 25 and smallest at the respective tip 27, 29. The strap body 14 defines a strap length as the distance from one tip 27 to the other tip 29. According to one embodiment, the strap length is approximately equal to 450-850 mm, and more specifically equal to approximately 680 mm.

According to one embodiment, the strap body 14 is fabricated from an elastomeric, flexible material, capable of being used during long periods of time in water, and specifically adapted for use in chlorinated water, salt water, and/or fresh water. The elastomeric qualities of the strap body 14 may allow for limited relative leg motion during use, instead of completely immobilizing the user legs. Such limited relative leg motion may be used during training to improve kick form, uniformity, and perfect kick tempo. Exemplary materials for the strap body 14 include natural or polymer materials, such as rubber, silicone, latex, synthetic rubbers, etc. Although the strap body 14 may be capable of stretching, the dimensional information provided above pertains to the size of the strap body 14 when the strap body 14 is not being stretched, i.e., the dimensions of the strap body 14 when at rest. When the strap body 14 is stretched, the tension within the strap body 14 increases, and thus, the strap body 14 is considered to be at rest when the tension within the strap body 14 is at a minimum. In addition to being elastomeric, the material from which the strap body 14 is formed is preferably a hypoallergenic material, such as hypoallergenic silicone, although other hypoallergenic materials known in the art may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “hypoallergenic” refers to a material that is designed to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response, as by containing relatively few or no potentially irritating substances.

The connectors 16, 18 are specifically configured and adapted to be selectively engageable with each other. In the exemplary embodiment, the first connector 16 is a male connector and the second connector 18 is a female connector. Along these lines, the first connector 16 includes a pair of flexible arms 34 and the second connector 18 includes a pair of cutouts 36, with the arms 34 of the first connector 16 being received within respective ones of the cutouts 36 when the first connector 16 is engaged with the second connector 18. Thus, to engage the first connector 16 with the second connector 18, the first connector 16 is inserted into the second connector 18 until the arms 34 are received within the cutouts 36. To disengage the first connector 16 from the second connector 18, the arms 34 are pressed inwardly toward each other to enable removal of the first connector 16 from the second connector 18.

The first and second connectors 16, 18 are both configured to be attachable to the strap body 14. In this regard, the first connector 16 includes a bar 38 and an end wall 40 extending between two opposed sidewalls of the first connector 16. The bar 38 is positioned between a pair of gaps, with one of the gaps being formed between the bar 38 and the end wall 40. The strap body 14 is coupled to the first connector 16 by passing the strap body 14 in a first direction through one gap, then around the bar 38 and back through the second gap in an opposing second direction. The gap formed between the bar 38 and end wall 40 is specifically configured and adapted to prevent the strap body from being easily advanced through such gap. In this regard, the gap between the bar 38 and end wall 40 may be slightly smaller than the thickness T, thereby requiring the user to exert greater force on the strap body 14 to cause the strap body 14 to slightly deform to allow passage of the ridge 32 through the gap.

The second connector 18 includes structure similar to the first connector 16 for coupling the second connector 18 to the strap body 12. In this regard, the second connector 18 includes a bar 42 and an end wall 44, with the bar 42 being positioned between a pair of gaps. One of the gaps is formed between the bar 42 and the end wall 44 as is adapted to restrict passage of the strap body 14 therethrough, as described in more detail above.

When the strap body 14 is coupled to the first and second connectors 16, 18, an operative segment 46 of the strap body 14 is defined as that portion of the strap body 14 extending between the first and second connectors 16, 18. A first end segment 48 of the strap body 14 is defined as that portion of the strap body 14 extending from the first connector 16 to the first tip 27, and a second end segment 50 of the strap body 14 is defined as that portion of the strap body 14 extending from the second connector 18 to the second tip 29. Accordingly, the first connector 16 resides between the operative segment 46 and the first end segment 48 and the second connector 18 resides between the operative segment 46 and the second end segment 50. The length of the operative segment 46, the first end segment 48, and the second end segment 50 may be adjusted by adjusting the position of the first and second connectors 16, 18 on the strap body 14. As the first and second connectors 16, 18 move away from each other and toward the respective tips 27, 29 of the strap body 14, the length of the operative segment 46 increases and the lengths of the end segments 48, 50 decrease. Conversely, as the first and second connectors 16, 18 move toward each other and away from the respective tips 27, 29 of the strap body 14, the length of the operative segment 46 decreases and the lengths of the end segments 48, 50 increase.

The strap body 14, the first connector 16, and the second connector 16 are sized and configured to collectively define a complete loop capable of simultaneously extending around a first leg 52a and a second leg 52b of a user when the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 are engaged with each other. The strap body 14 may be configured such that no portion of the operative segment 46 overlaps with another portion of the operative segment 46 when the strap 10 is in the looped configuration. The first end segment 48 and the second end segment 50 may each be adapted to be pulled in opposite directions by a user to cinch the strap 10 around the first and second legs 52a, 52b of the user. Such cinching may cause movement of the connectors 16, 18 along the strap body 14 to adjust of the size of the loop. As such, the size of the loop may be adjusted to tighten the strap 10 on the swimmer. The size adjustability may also allow the user to use the strap 10 on multiple locations of the swimmer's legs 52a, 52b to perform different swim training exercises. For instance, one exercise may require the strap 10 to be positioned adjacent the swimmer's ankles (see FIGS. 1-2 and 6-7), while another exercise may require the strap 10 to be positioned adjacent the swimmer's knees (see FIGS. 8-9). For instance, by immobilizing or restricting the ankle area, both the upper body and abdominal muscle groups must work harder to maintain the correct swimming position, and by placing the strap by the knees to immobilize or restrict the knee area, the user may perform targeted breast stroke exercises which focus on proper leg movement. As such, the strap 10 is configured such that the operative segment 46 to be equal to a first length associated with a first loop circumference wherein the loop is capable of extending around the first and second legs 52a, 52b at a first location on the user, and to be equal to a second length associated with a second loop circumference wherein the loop is capable of extending around the first and second legs 52a, 52b at a second location on the user.

It is understood that different training exercises may require the legs 52a, 52b to be immobilized (e.g., substantially no relative range of kick motion), while other training exercises may require a certain amount of relative range of kick motion. The adjustability and stretchability of the strap 10 may accommodate the different training exercises. For instance, when the training exercise requires leg immobilization, the strap 10 may be tightly cinched around the user's legs 52a such that relative movement of the legs 52a, 52b is substantially limited. When the training exercise requires a certain amount of relative range of kick motion, the strap 10 may be adjusted to more loosely fit on the user's legs 52a, 52b and thus, the loose fit and stretchable nature of the strap 10 allows for the relative range of kick motion.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown strap system 60 comprising a first strap 10a and a second strap 10b to create a larger diameter for use in other training exercises. The first strap 10a includes a strap body 14a, a first connector 16a, and a second connector 18a, while the second strap 10b includes a strap body 14b, a first connector 16b, and a second connector 18b. The first connector 16a and the second connector 18a of the first strap 10a are connectable to each other to define a first loop having a first circumference. Furthermore, the first connector 16a and the second connector 18a of the first strap 10a are connectable to corresponding ones of the first connector 16b and the second connector 18b of the second strap 10b to define a second loop having a second circumference larger than the first circumference.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes of illustrative discussion, and are not presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the different features of the various embodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how these may be implemented in practice.

Claims

1. A training strap for use while swimming, the training strap comprising:

a strap body having a central portion, and a pair of opposed end portions, each end portion including a shoulder formed adjacent the central portion;

a first connector coupled to the strap body and slidable along the central portion, the shoulders being sized and shaped to prevent sliding of the first connector from the central portion to either one of the pair of end portions; and

a second connector coupled to the strap body and being selectively and cooperatively engageable with the first connector, the second connector being slidable along the central portion, the shoulders being sized and shaped to prevent sliding of the second connector from the central portion to either one of the pair of end portions;

the strap body having a plurality of adjustment members sized and shaped to enable selective incremental adjustment of the at least one of the first and second connectors relative to the strap body;

an operative segment of the strap body being defined as that portion of the strap body extending between the first and second connectors;

at least one of the first and second connectors being adjustably coupled to the strap body to enable selective length adjustment of the operative segment;

the strap body, the first connector, and the second connector being sized to collectively define a complete loop capable of extending around a first leg and a second leg of a user when the first connector and the second connector are engaged with each other.

2. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein both the first connector and the second connector are adjustably coupled to the strap body.

3. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein the strap body is formed of an elastomeric material.

4. The training strap recited in claim 3, wherein the elastomeric material is a hypoallergenic material.

5. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein each adjustment member includes a rib defining, a thickened region of the strap body, the pair of shoulders and the adjustment members being of different configurations.

6. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein the first connector and the second connector are cooperatively engageable male and female connectors.

7. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first and second connectors is moveable along the strap body to enable adjustment of the operative segment to be equal to a first length associated with a first loop circumference wherein the loop is capable of extending around the first and second legs at a first location on the user, and to be equal to a second length associated with a second loop circumference wherein the loop is capable of extending around the first and second legs at a second location on the user.

8. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein the strap body is sized such that no portion of the operative segment overlaps with another portion of the operative segment when the strap is in the looped configuration

9. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein the strap body includes a first end segment, the first connector being positioned between the operative segment and the first end segment.

10. The training strap recited in claim 9, wherein the strap body additionally includes a second end segment, the second connector being positioned between the operative segment and the second end segment.

11. The training strap recited in claim 10, wherein the first end segment and the second end segment are each capable of being pulled to cinch the strap around the first leg and the second leg of the user.

12. The training strap recited in claim 1, wherein the strap body includes a pair of opposed ends to define a strap length therebetween, the strap length being between 450-850 mm.

13. A system for swim training, the system comprising

a first strap and a second strap, each of the first strap and the second strap comprising: a strap body having a central portion, and a pair of opposed end portions, each end portion including a shoulder formed adjacent the central portion; a first connector coupled to the strap body and moveable along the strap between the shoulders; and

a second connector coupled to the strap body and being selectively and cooperatively engageable with the first connector; an operative segment of the strap body being defined as that portion of the strap body extending between the first and second connectors; at least one of the first and second connectors being adjustably coupled to the strap body to enable selective length adjustment of the operative segment;

the first connector and the second connector of the first strap being connectable to each other to define a first loop having a first circumference;

the first connector and the second connector of the first strap being connectable to corresponding ones of the first connector and the second connector of the second strap to define a second loop having a second circumference larger than the first circumference.

14. The system recited in claim 13, wherein the strap body is formed of an elastomeric material.

15. The system recited in claim 14, wherein the elastomeric material is a hypoallergenic material.

16. The system recited in claim 13, wherein the strap body includes a plurality of adjustment members sized and shaped to enable selective incremental adjustment of the at least one of the first and second connectors relative to the strap body.

17. A method of using a training strap for swimming, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a complete loop around a first leg and a second leg of a user with the training strap comprising: a strap body having a central portion, and a pair of opposed end portions, each end portion including a shoulder formed adjacent the central portion; a first connector coupled to the strap body and moveable along the strap body between the shoulders; and a second connector coupled to the strap body and being selectively and cooperatively engageable with the first connector; an operative segment of the strap body being defined as that portion of the strap body extending between the first and second connectors; at least one of the first and second connectors being adjustably coupled to the strap body to enable selective length adjustment of the operative segment; the strap body, the first connector, and the second connector being sized and shaped to collectively define the complete loop when the first connector and the second connector are engaged with each other; and

adjusting the training strap on the user.

18. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one of the first and second connectors is positioned between the operating segment and an end segment, the tightening step includes pulling the end segment to cinch the training strap around the first leg and the second leg of the user.

19. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the forming step includes connecting the first connector to the second connector.

20. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the adjusting step includes adjusting the size of the complete loop such that the complete loop allows for a range of relative kick motion by the user.