EXERCISE DEVICE FOR USE IN A BODY OF WATER

Abstract

A connector tube has opposite sealed ends. The two ends of the connector tube are inserted into a central bore at opposite ends of an elongated flotation device. The diameter of the connector tube is greater than a diameter of the central bore located at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device. The diameter of the connector tube may be 25% to 75% greater than the diameter of the bore through the elongated flotation device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of exercise in a body of water while an individual is supported in the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various exercise devices have been known for use in water. Most are of a complicated, expensive design constructed of many parts which may require repair and/or reconstruction over time.

A common pool toy known since 1995 as the Original Funnoodle®, available from JAKKS Pacific, Inc. of Malibu, Calif., is widely known for use for fun and play in a pool, typically by children. This product is formed of a brightly colored elongated tube having a centrally located hole extending the entire length of the toy. The original model of this product is able to support up to 250 pounds of weight. More recently, a greater diameter version has been manufactured to support up to 300 pounds in weight. While modifications to this product have been made to construct it into a chair or having opposite ends covered by a wider portion to form a type of jousting stick, this product has not been adopted for use as an exercise device. Its inherent buoyancy, by the present invention, can be taken advantage of to support an individual during an exercise regimen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to connect opposite ends of an elongated flotation device so that the flotation device may be wrapped around the waist of an individual. In this form, the individual is supported above the bottom of a body of water and is able to perform an exercise routine against the resistance of movement in water. This would enable individuals of any age or weight, up to 300 pounds, to move throughout a body of water while supported above the surface of the water and enable exercises in a vertical or horizontal orientation. The device may also be used to assist in flotation of children while learning to swim.

This object is accomplished by the use of a connector tube having sealed ends. The two ends of the connector tube are inserted into the central bore at opposite ends of the elongated flotation device. The diameter of the connector tube is greater than a diameter of the central bore located at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device. The diameter of the connector tube may be 25% to 75% greater than the diameter of the bore through the elongated flotation device. Typically, the bore through the elongated flotation device has a diameter of one inch. Accordingly, the diameter of the connector tube would vary from 1.25 to 1.75 inches, preferably 1.4 to 1.6 inches, and mostly preferably having a diameter of 1.5 inches.

By insertion of the connector tube into the opposite ends of the flotation device, the central bore of the flotation device serves to grab onto the connector tube with a friction fit and hold the connector tube rigidly in place.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, additional pieces of flotation material having different lengths may be inserted onto the connector tube between the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device. The additional pieces of flotation material may have a bore with a same diameter as the external diameter of the connector tube or may have the same bore diameter as the elongated flotation device, so as to be fixed in place on the connector tube between the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device and between the opposite ends of the connector tube.

The inclusion of additional pieces of flotation material may be added to increase the amount of buoyancy provided by the elongated flotation device. The extra pieces of flotation material also prevent encountering the connector tube by an individual so as to provide a continuous diameter of flotation device about the entire circumference of the exercise device formed by the insertion of the connector tube into the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device. The number and length of included extra pieces of flotation material may also be varied to increase the buoyancy of the individual within the circular exercise device.

Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device formed by an elongated flotation tube having opposite ends interconnected by a connector tube.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device formed by an elongated flotation tube having opposite ends interconnected by a connector tube with a diameter of a bore of the elongated flotation device being less than an outside diameter of the connector tube.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device formed by an elongated flotation tube having opposite ends interconnected by a connector tube with a diameter of a bore of the elongated flotation device being less than an outside diameter of the connector tube with the diameter of the connector tube being 25 to 75% greater than a diameter of the bore at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device formed by an elongated flotation tube having opposite ends interconnected by a connector tube with a diameter of a bore of the elongated flotation device being less than an outside diameter of the connector tube with the diameter of the connector tube being 25 to 75% greater than a diameter of the bore at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device with additional pieces of flotation material threaded onto the connector tube to increase buoyancy and fill a gap between the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device as desired by an individual.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the invention disclosed herein, and are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are substantially similar can use other components that have a different appearance.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of the exercise device of the present invention surrounding an individual in a body of water.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view illustrating the connection of the opposite ends of an elongated flotation device by a connector tube inserted into the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

FIG. 3 illustrates the connector tube inserted into one end of the elongated flotation device with the central bore of the elongated flotation device shown in dotted lines and the connector tube shown inserted partially into one end of the elongated flotation device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with the inclusion of a single additional piece of flotation material located on the connector tube and illustrating additional pieces of flotation material which may be inserted onto the connector tube.

FIG. 6 illustrates the inclusion of different length pieces of additional flotation material on the connector tube.

FIG. 7 illustrates many different additional pieces of flotation material located on the connector device so as to form a circular exercise device of constant diameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

With reference to the drawings, in general, and to FIGS. 1 through 3, in particular, an exercise device 10 for use in a body of water 12 is shown worn about the waist of an individual 14. The exercise device includes an elongated flotation device 16 having its ends 18 and 20 interconnected by a connector tube 22. The elongated flotation device is approximately two to four feet in length. The length of the flotation device may be cut to an optimum length to accommodate different size individuals. The diameter of the flotation device 16 is approximately 4 inches.

Extending longitudinally throughout the entire flotation device 16 is a centrally located opening or bore 24 of approximately one inch in diameter. The bore 26 is shown at end 20 in FIG. 3. Also shown in FIG. 3 is one end 28 of connector tube 22 inserted into the bore 24 of the elongated flotation device 16.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 4, the end 28 of the connector tube 22 is of greater diameter than the bore 24 of the elongated flotation device. Typically, the connector tube is 25 to 75% greater in diameter than the bore 24. Both ends 28 and 30 of connector tube 22 are sealed so as to form an air tight tube which assists in the flotation of the entire exercise device. It is understood as being part of the invention that end 30 of connector tube 22 is inserted into opening 26 of end 20 of the elongated flotation device so as to encircle the waist of an individual as shown in FIG. 1.

If additional flotation is desired, a plurality of individual flotation material including pieces 32 of approximately 4 to 6 inches in length and pieces 34 of approximately 8 to 10 inches in length may be threaded onto connector tube 22 by the cylindrical bores 36, 38, respectively, of the flotation pieces 32, 34. As shown in FIG. 5, a single flotation piece 32 extends between the ends 18 and 20 of the elongated flotation device.

In FIG. 6, two flotation pieces 32 and two flotation pieces 34 are threaded onto the connector tube. In FIG. 7, seven flotation pieces 32 are shown threaded onto the connector tube as well as two flotation pieces 34.

The amount of insertion of a connector tube into the ends 18 and 20 of the elongated flotation device would be varied to accommodate the various flotation pieces added onto the connector tube. The number and length of various flotation pieces added is variable depending upon the desired tightness of the exercise device around the waist of an individual. Therefore, a large number of possible arrangements of a connector tube between opposite ends of an elongated flotation device and flotation pieces on the connector tube are combinable to form the exercise device of the present invention.

The foregoing description should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An exercise device for use in a body of water, said exercise device comprising

an elongated flotation device, said elongated flotation device having a centrally located bore at least at opposite ends of the elongated flotation device, and

a connector tube located in said opposite ends of said elongated flotation device, a diameter of said connector tube being at least 25% greater than a diameter of said centrally located bore at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the connector tube is sealed at opposite ends.

3. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the connector tube is held in the centrally located bore of the elongated flotation device by a friction fit.

4. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device are spaced from each other.

5. The exercise device according to claim 4, wherein at least one piece of flotation material is positioned on the connector tube between the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

6. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the connector tube is 25 to 75% greater than the diameter of the centrally located bore at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

7. The exercise device according to claim 5, wherein a gap formed between the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device is filled with pieces of flotation material located on the connector tube.

8. An exercise device for use in a body of water, said exercise device comprising

an elongated flotation device, said elongated flotation device having a centrally located bore at least at opposite ends of the elongated flotation device, and

a connector tube located in said opposite ends of said elongated flotation device, a diameter of said connector tube being greater than a diameter of said centrally located bore at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

9. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the connector tube is sealed at opposite ends.

10. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the connector tube is held in the centrally located bore of the elongated flotation device by a friction fit.

11. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device are spaced from each other.

12. The exercise device according to claim 11, wherein at least one piece of flotation material is positioned on the connector tube between the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

13. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the diameter of the connector tube is 25 to 75% greater than the diameter of the centrally located bore at the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device.

14. The exercise device according to claim 12, wherein a gap formed between the opposite ends of the elongated flotation device is filled with pieces of flotation material located on the connector tube.