Learn-To-Swim Training Device

A swim training flotation device system includes two oblong inflatable bags connected to a belt worn about a swimmer's waist. The swim training flotation device allows swimmers to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position and from a prone position to a supine position without adjustment of the device. In addition, the device does not inhibit a swimmer's arm stroke and the device promotes a neutral swimming position.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 17/182,209, filed Feb. 22, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/979,432, filed Feb. 21, 2020, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to personal flotation devices and, in particular, to personal flotation devices used with beginners' swimming instruction.

Description of the Related Art

Unlike quadrupeds, such as dogs and horses, which naturally float in a horizontal position and can propel themselves in the water using the same motor motions as on land, i.e., “doggy paddle,” the natural floating position for humans is vertical and the learned motor skills on land for running and walking are of no benefit in the water. Accordingly, swim instructors first teach beginner swimmers to move from their natural vertical floating position to a horizontal swimming position before they can teach beginner swimmers how to swim. Because the change in position is away from the natural vertical floating position, the change is frightening to most beginner swimmers. Once beginner swimmers take a horizontal position, the swimming instructor can teach the beginner how to swim. And, once the beginner swimmer knows rudimentarily how to swim, the swimmer no longer fears the water and moves without worry from the vertical position to the horizontal position.

Buoyancy flotation devices have been known to assist humans in learning to swim for thousands of years. Since at least 1901, a variety of inflatable “water wings” or “floaties” intended to facilitate learning to swim, for both children and adults, have been on the market. The early devices were made of textile fabric and were relatively airtight. Some were cumbersome to wear, only permitted the user to be in one position, either on the back, stomach or vertically in the water, and some could be unintentionally detached. In addition, many prior-art devices limited a swimmer's freedom of movement and prevented swimmers from practicing proper strokes. In addition, many of the prior-art designs were not comfortable to wear, which limited the duration of training sessions and inhibited widespread adoption.

German patent application DE102004013848A1 to Braunlich (hereinafter Braunlich '848) describes, “Buoyancy Belt for Person Learning to Swim has Strap Passing Round Swimmer's Body and through Loops in Sides of Twin Buoyancy Bags Inflated with Air.” The buoyancy belt described in Braunlich '848 has the following shortcomings. The shape of the “cushions” and the attachments of the cushions to the belt do not enable the wearer to turn from front to back positions. The attachments of the cushions to the belt do not hold the cushions securely and allow the cushions to twist. The tie belt can be unintentionally released permitting a child swimmer to slip out of the device. The device cannot be used in a vertical position to teach vertical swimming as needed for water sports like water polo and synchronized swimming.

U.S. Pat. No. 673,672 to Ayvad (hereinafter, Ayvad '672) describes a, “Life-preserver.”

U.S. Pat. No. D35,550 to Ayvad (hereinafter, Ayvad '550) describes a, “Design for a Life-Preserver Body.” The disclosed design is for a life preserver.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,132,346 to Holroyd (hereinafter, Holroyd '346) describes, “Water-wings.” Holroyd '346 made minor design changes and was sold as an improvement that attaches to the front of a swimming suit to prevent the water wings from slipping from a person unable to swim. The purpose of Holroyd '346 is to allow a person unable to swim, to enjoy the water in safety: something like wearing a life-vest, but less intrusive. The attachment to the front of the suit became obsolete in the 1930s, when women no longer used the bloomer costumes and men began wearing trunks.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,262,296 to Alther (hereinafter, Alther '296) describes, “Water-wings.”

U.S. Pat. No. D149,579 to Messing (hereinafter, Messing '579) describes, “Inflatable Swim Support or Similar Article.” The disclosed article is only useful for swimming or floating on the stomach as the floats were designed to be attached to the back of the user. To prevent users from slipping out, the article includes an adjustable strap that attaches the two wings across the back of the user. The article and attachment mechanism cannot be used to teach swimmers in prone, supine, and upright positions.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,810,556 to Frank (hereinafter, Frank '556) describes, “Water Wings.”

U.S. Pat. No. 2,898,610 to Chamberlain (hereinafter, Chamberlain '610) describes, “Swimming Buoy or Apparatus.” The buoy is inflatable. The buoy is secured by a belt to the user's back. The buoy cannot rotate relative to the swimmer because it is seated against the swimmer's back.

The Chamberlain '610 float is not attached by a “hinge” which is, by definition, “a movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it opens and closes or which connects linked objects.” The Chamberlain '610 float does not move, it is attached in a stationary position, in the middle of the back of the wearer, and is not intended to move. See FIG. 12A, 13B, and 14A. As shown in the illustration below, no matter what position of the user takes in the water while wearing the Chamberlain '610 device, the float remains fixed at the center of the back, with the buoyancy of the float forcing the user toward a prone position. It is impossible for the user of the Chamberlain '610 float to roll over from a prone to supine floating position without the Chamberlain float providing an uncomfortable, un-stable and “unnatural lift” from unnatural buoyancy underneath the body. See FIG. 15. Additionally, in a vertical position, the Chamberlain '610 float forces the body forward at a 45-degree angle, as can be seen in the figures and videos of the device being used online.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,161 to Weissbuch (hereinafter Weissbuch '161) is designed to be a buoyant “exercise” device intended to be used in a vertical position for vertical exercise, i.e. aqua jogging, etc. And not for swimming in a horizontal position, in this sense, Weissbuch '161 works exactly like a reduced lifejacket which provides an unnatural buoyancy that “lifts” the lower half of the body up, with the heavy head out of the water. The Weissbuch '161 device is incapable of producing “natural buoyancy” that can keep the body of the wearer in a “natural, horizontal floating” horizontal position. While Chamberlain provides additional buoyancy to the body about the waist, it makes no claim in the abstract that it can be used horizontally in the prone or supine positions, or to be used to learn to swim properly or effectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,752,969 to Denbo (hereinafter, Denbo '969) is to provide a swimmer's buoy that will support the body of a person in water by applying buoyancy to the body in approximately the same horizontal plane as the lungs of the user. The device will function as a swimmer's buoy or could very readily and quickly be secured to the body⋅ in case of emergency as a life preserver. Instead, as Denbo, FIG. 1 demonstrates, Denbo raises specific gravity and center of buoyancy enabling the wearers heavy head and shoulders to rise out the water, and heavy legs well under the water and not in a natural horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 10A-10C, which show how Denbo would work in a vertical and supine position.

The prior art including devices, like “floaties”, “water wings”, and inflatables that are worn over the biceps or swim buoys, which are strapped to the back of the child, or flotation added under the chest is that they prevent the swimmer from obtaining a horizontal, or natural, swimming position in the water.

Ultimately, there have been many attempts by prior inventors to develop a swimming aid that would meet all the requirements of practice. These prior art swimming devices have shortcomings. The prior art devices may require an instructor's hold. The device may require to be attached to a wall. The prior-art flotation devices may restrict or limit movement of a swimmer's (i.e., a user's or wearer's) body, arms, or legs. Prior art flotation devices may hold the wearer in an unnatural position in the water that raises the specific gravity of the user.

Such prior art swimming aides do not teach the wearer to learn to be comfortable and relaxed without the prior art swimming aides. Studies show less than thirty percent (<30%) of people who claim to be swimmers cannot swim more than twenty-three meters (>23 m) without stopping to rest and less than five percent (<5%) of people who claim to be swimmers can swim more than three-hundred sixty-six meter (>366 m) without stopping to rest. When not taught to swim properly, swimming is exhausting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a swimming aide (i.e., a learn-to-swim training device) that overcomes the disadvantages of the devices of this general type and of the prior art.

This invention relates to an improved type of swimming aide for teaching both children and adults to overcome their fear of the water, and to become as relaxed, confident, and comfortable in deep water as they are on land.

It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to provide a device that will put the wearer in a proper swimming position by enabling the wearer to relax and overcome the wearer's fear and misgivings of the water—the most important factors in learning to swim. A device that will position the wearer in the water to allow the wearer to learn equilibrium and balance in a horizontal position the water by using basic arm/hand and leg/foot movements. on the wearer's back (i.e., supine)—without the uncomfortable feeling of the eyes, nose, and mouth being in the water, all while being able to see and breathe normally. The swimming aide according to the invention also enables the wearer to move freely to prone and vertical positions without having to remove and readjust the device.

It is a further object of this device to be adjustable not only to fit the shape and size of the user's body, but to adjust the volume of air required to lower the user's center of mass or buoyancy and support the heavy, lower half of the body into a horizontal floating or swimming position, without raising the specific gravity of the user.

It is a further object of this device that it can be utilized to teach vertical sculling and eggbeater kicking, using proper arm and leg motions with a variety of strokes horizontally and vertically and to be used by beginning water polo and synchronized swimmers as they learn to move in different positions. These and other objects will become more readily apparent from consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and illustrations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a learn-to-swim training device that can help both children and adults, able bodied and disabled, to learn to swim, or otherwise enjoy the health benefits of water immersion or aquatic therapy by buoying the wearer comfortably with full freedom of movement in a balanced horizontal swimming or floating position on the back or stomach, or even vertically in the water.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an instrumentality that promulgates learning-to-swim, swimming, safety, and training in aquatic endeavors by lowering the center of buoyancy from the lung area lower down the body towards the stomach. This manipulation of the center of buoyancy enables the wearer to easily maintain a horizontal-floating or swimming position in the water, rather than the natural vertical floating position of the human body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a training device that enables a non-swimmer to have a freedom of movement and comfort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a training device that has a shape that allows the following objects to be achieved.

    • The training device is easy to use and fits snugly and comfortably on the user.
    • The training device's shape and configuration enables a wearer to feel safe and secure while floating.
    • The device permits the user to move his or her arms easily, without obstructing natural movement of the arms while swimming.
    • The device enables the user to roll over from a stomach down horizontal (prone) position in the water to a horizontal, on-the-back (supine) position. Likewise, the device enables its user to roll from a supine to prone position. In addition, the device enables a swimmer even to take a vertical position in the water without any adjustments to the device or interference with arm movements. The device can be a one size fits all device that enables use by persons, male and female, from age three to adult.

In accordance with the objects of the invention, a device having two laterally disposed buoyant bags, a front adjustable belt connected to both laterally disposed buoyant bags, and a rear adjustable belt connected to both laterally disposed buoyant bags. Together, the front adjustable belt and the rear adjustable belt encircle a swimmer's waist while worn and attached by front and back adjustable belts. The buoyant bags could be inflatable or made from a buoyant substance such as polystyrene foam or wood. A first of the buoyant bags has a buckle or snap attachment that can be placed in the front for adults or in the back for children. A second of the buoyant bags can be adjustable and made not to detach. “Made not to detach” means that the second inflatable bag cannot detach during normal intended use and that the act of detaching would irreversibly alter the device until repaired by someone other than the user.

The device includes two, oval-shaped buoyant devices that may be inflatable or solid. The two, oval-shaped buoyant devices are deployed on a removable and adjustable belt circumscribing the body of the wearer. The buoyant devices are attached and positioned on the belt so as to remain on the sides of the body and in line with the long axis of the body, and maintain that position whether the body is in a horizontal position on the back, a horizontal position on the stomach or in a vertical position, without interfering with the free movement of the arms. The oval shape of the buoyant devices and the shape of the hinge that is responsible for attaching the buoyant devices to the belt are fashioned in such a way so as to resist torsion, assuring that the buoyant devices do not twist or turn and are always remain positioned in line with the long axis of the body no matter the orientation of the body in the water, i.e., on the back, on the stomach or in a vertical position.

Extensive testing of non-swimming children and adults has shown a significant shortening in the time it takes beginners to acclimate to the water and learn to swim compared to other devices and training methods.

The inventor observed that, with minimal instruction, persons wearing this device actually teach themselves how to feel comfortable in the water and learn to swim.

The shape and configuration of the device enable the device to be used as a training device in other branches of aquatics such as hydrotherapy and aquatic meditation. In addition, the device has applications as a training tool for aquatic sports like water polo, synchronized swimming, and snorkeling.

In addition to swimmers, the device can be used by pets, particularly dogs, to help the pet to swim.

The device can be combined and integrated with swimming apparel. For example, the device can be included in a bathing suit, ultraviolet protective clothing, rash guard, or wetsuit.

Other features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a learn-to-swim training device, the invention is not limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing from the invention and the equivalents of the claims. However, the construction and method of operation of the invention together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Buoyancy, Body Position, and Floating

To understand the invention, a synopsis of human anatomy, specific gravity, and fluid dynamics is provided. First, on average, humans have the same specific gravity as fresh water which enables us to float with a full chest of air, ninety-eight percent (98%) submerged, in a mostly vertical position, with our nose and mouth underwater as shown in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6B, by throwing one's hands back, with a full chest of air, one is able to float with one's nose and mouth of the water—and are able to see and breathe. If a person does not learn to swim, that person may drown for the following reasons. See FIG. 5. Unlike fish and dogs, a person's center of buoyancy and center of gravity are aligned to make humans naturally float in a vertical position when in the water. When in danger, humans panic and take short, shallow breaths. Without a full chest of air, the human body sinks. As a person struggles, the person begins to swallow water. The motor skills humans instinctively use on land (e.g., climbing with the hands, waving for help, and climbing or running with legs, all make a person exhausted and sink. illustration below.

Learning to Swim with the Swimming Aide

The invention includes two oval shaped inflatable bags attached to an adjustable belt. When properly worn, the position of the device, lowers the century of buoyancy from the upper chest toward the abdomen, This allows the hips and legs to lift naturally toward the surfaces of the water. See FIG. 7.

To introduce non-swimmers to the water, the wearer is first taught to float horizontally on his or her back as shown in FIG. 7. In this way, the user learns to relax and overcome his or her fear and misgivings of the water; which are the most important factors in learning to swim. The user also learns equilibrium and how to balance themselves in the water through basic arm/hand and leg/foot movements—without the uncomfortable feeling of the eyes, nose, and mouth in the water—all while being able to see and breath normally.

    • mouth underwater and if we don't learn to swim, we drown for the reasons shown in the illustration below.

Unlike prior-art devices like Denbo '969, the invention teaches a device that is to be worn at the waist. The invention adds buoyance to the heavy, lower half of the body. FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B show the location of the floats according to the invention compared to the natural center of buoyancy of a person. FIG. 16A shows how the device according to the invention places the body of a user in a more natural position than higher located floats or single floats beneath a center of a user's back. Compare the body position produced by the invention in FIGS. 11A-11C to the prior-art position in FIGS. 10A-10C.

Vertical, Prone, and Supine Positions

The invention includes a “hinge” which is, by definition, “a movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it opens and closes or which connects linked objects.” The prior art does not teach a float that can move. Compare the positions of the floats in FIGS. 12B-12D and 14A-14D.

The hinges of the device according to the invention allow a user to roll from a prone to supine floating position (FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C) without providing an uncomfortable, un-stable and “unnatural lift” from unnatural buoyancy underneath the bod. See FIG. 15.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A is a front side view of a buoy of a learn-to-swim training device according to the invention if worn by a swimmer in a prone position.

FIG. 1B is a rear side view of the buoy shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a front side view of the hinges.

FIG. 1D is an exploded left side view of the learn-to-swim device.

FIG. 1E is an exploded front side view of the learn to swim device.

FIG. 1F is an exploded rear side view of the learn to swim device.

FIG. 1G is top side view of a flap of a hinge.

FIG. 2 is a top side view of the device with the buoys shown moving between two positions.

FIG. 3A is a partial front side view of the device.

FIG. 3B is an exploded partial front side view of the device shown in FIG. 3A when inflated.

FIG. 3C is an exploded partial front side view of the device shown in FIG. 3A when deflated.

FIG. 4A is a top side view of the device when a user is in a vertical position.

FIG. 4B is a front side view of the swimmer wearing the device while in a vertical position.

FIG. 4C is a front side view of the device when a user is in a supine position.

FIG. 4D is a right side view of a swimmer wearing the device while in a supine position.

FIG. 4E is a front side view of the device when a user is in a prone position.

FIG. 4F is a right side view of a swimmer wearing the device while in a prone position.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a drowning swimmer according to the prior art.

FIG. 6A is a right side view of a swimmer floating naturally in a prone position according to the prior art.

Fight 6B is right side view of a swimmer floating naturally in a supine position according to the prior art.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of a swimmer wearing the device while in a supine position.

FIG. 8A is a right side partial sectional view of a swimmer according to the prior art.

FIG. 8B is a right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 8A while wearing the device.

FIG. 9A is a front side partial sectional view of a swimmer according to the prior art.

FIG. 9B is a front side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 9A while wearing the device.

FIG. 10A is a left side view of a swimmer wearing a prior-art device while in a prone position.

FIG. 10B is a left side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 10A while in a vertical position.

FIG. 10C is a left side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 10A while in a supine position.

FIG. 11A is a right side view of a swimmer wearing the invention while in a prone position.

FIG. 11B is a right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 11A while in a vertical position.

FIG. 11C is a right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 11A while in a supine position.

FIG. 12A is a right side view of a swimmer in a vertical position with a device according to the prior art.

FIG. 12B is right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 12A with a device according to the invention in a neutral position.

FIG. 12C is right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 12A with a device according to the invention in a forward position.

FIG. 12D is right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 12A with a device according to the invention in a rear position.

FIG. 13A is a rear side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 12B.

FIG. 13B is a rear side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 13A while wearing a device according to the prior art.

FIG. 13C is a rear side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 13A while wearing a device according to the prior art.

FIG. 14A is a right side view of a swimmer in a vertical position with a device according to the prior art.

FIG. 14B is right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 14A with a device according to the invention in a neutral position.

FIG. 14C is right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 14A with a device according to the invention in a forward position.

FIG. 14D is right side view of the swimmer shown in FIG. 14A with a device according to the invention in a rear position.

FIG. 15 is a right side view of a swimmer in a prone position wearing a device according to the prior art.

FIG. 16A is a right side view of a swimmer in a prone position wearing a device according to the invention.

FIG. 16B is a right side view of a swimmer in a prone position wearing a device according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below and is shown in the figures of the drawing.

FIGS. 1A-1G show the parts of the swim training flotation device system and how it is constructed. and worn. The swim training flotation device system includes a first oval shaped piece 1, which is made of PVC, TPU, or other non-porous textile or material, with an inflation valve 0, welded to the surface that will enable the bag or float to be inflated by mouth or deflated once it is welded to a second oval 2, are welded or joined together at the same time with two identically shaped pieces, 3 & 4 along the long axis of the conjoined ovals as shown at point 1234. Once the four pieces are joined it will create an oval bag, or float, with two flaps, 3 & 4 forming a hinge along the connecting seam 1234, that will allow the bags or floats 12, to rotate one-hundred eighty degrees (180°) or to swing like a bar-door, as shown as the Top View in FIG. 1. and FIG. 2. The unique shape of the hinge pieces, outlined in red in 3 & 4, with one end formed to match the arc shape of the oval pieces 1 & 2. The length of his arc is twice the width of the opposite end that connects to the belts at the belt loops 5. It is this unique shape that keeps the bags or floats 12, in line with the side of the user and which prevents the bags or floats 12, from twisting when changing positions during use as shown in FIG. 2. When in a vertical position (see FIGS. 4A-4B), the bags or floats 12, remain parallel to the long line of the body. When in supine and prone positions, the bags or floats continue to remain parallel to the long line of the body as they rotate to the surface of the water, adding buoyancy to the lower half of the body for maintaining a horizontal, natural floating position at the surface of the water. The inflation valves 0, allow the bags/floats 12 to be adjusted to the need of the wearer, to provide enough buoyancy to bring the hips and legs to the surface, but not to a position out of the water.

Welded onto the hinge pieces 3 & 4, is a belt loop 5, that will allow a system of belts 6, 8 & 10, which are made of nylon webbing or other similar non-stretch material, to pass through and connect the hinges 3 & 4, (34 in the front and back views), to the two identical bags or floats 12, as shown in the front and back views. In addition to preventing the bags or floats 12, from twisting as the body of the user changes positions in the water, the shape of the hinges 3 & 4, (FIG. 3) and the location of the belt loops 5, protects the skin of the user from irritation and chafing, keeps the floats snug and correctly positioned on the body and makes the device comfortable to wear.

The belt connecting system includes front snap buckles 7 and 9, which each have an adjustable component that connects the belts 6 & 8, to the floats 12, through a belt loop 5, and which enables the belts 6 and 8 to be adjusted to accommodate the waists of children or adults, regardless of their waist size. Integral to this adjustment is a back buckle 11, which allows the belt 10, to connect to the two floats 12, by passing through the belt's loops 5. This three-way adjustment system (i.e., belts 6, 8, and 10) not only allows the device to be loosened or tightened to accommodate the waist size of children and adults, it also ensures that the snap attach/release buckles 7 & 9 are in the center of the body, but also ensures that the two floats (12) are aligned in proper position, parallel with the long line at the side of the body. See FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A device to be worn by a swimmer shifting between a prone position and a supine position during swimming instruction, comprising:

a belt configured to be worn around a waist of the swimmer;
a first bag being connected to said belt and extending outwardly from said belt, said first bag being connected to said belt along a first seam, said first seam being configured to align longitudinally along a left side of a waist of the swimmer; and
a second bag being connected to said belt, extending outwardly from said belt, and opposing said first bag, said second bag being connected to said belt along a second seam, said second seam being configured to align longitudinally along a right side of the waist of the swimmer;
said first bag rotating posteriorly by buoyancy about said first seam when the swimmer moves to the prone position;
said first bag rotating anteriorly by buoyancy about said first seam when the swimmer moves to the supine position;
said second bag rotating posteriorly by buoyancy about said second seam when the swimmer moves to the prone position; and
said second bag rotating anteriorly by buoyancy about said second seam when the swimmer moves to the supine position.

2. A device to be worn by a swimmer shifting between a prone position and a supine position during swimming instruction, comprising:

a first oblong shaped bag having a meridian; a second oblong shaped bag having a meridian; and
a belt for encircling a waist of a swimmer being connected to said oblong shaped bag, said belt including a first flap, a second flap, and a belt segment, said first flap being configured to overly a right part of the waist of the swimmer and being connected to said belt segment and said first oblong shaped bag, said first flap extending medially from said meridian, said first flap having a first seam being connected along said meridian and being configured to run longitudinally along the right part of the waist of the swimmer; said second flap being configured to overly a left part of the waist of the swimmer and being connected to said belt segment, and said second oblong shaped bag, said second flap extending medially from said meridian, said second flap having a second seam being connected along said meridian and being configured to run longitudinally along the left part of the waist of the swimmer;
said first oblong bag rotating posteriorly by buoyancy about said first seam when the swimmer moves to the prone position;
said first oblong bag rotating anteriorly by buoyancy about said first seam when the swimmer moves to the supine position;
said second oblong bag rotating posteriorly by buoyancy about said second seam when the swimmer moves to the prone position; and
said second oblong bag rotating anteriorly by buoyancy about said second seam when the swimmer moves to the supine position.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein:

said first oblong shaped bag has a length; and
said first seam has a length equal to one half of said length of said first oblong shaped bag.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said belt further includes:

a further belt segment being connected to said first flap and said second flap.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said belt has a buckle and said buckle allows said belt to adjust to a circumference between sixty centimeters and one-hundred-thirty centimeters.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said belt segment adjusts from nineteen centimeters to forty-one centimeters.

7. A method of adjusting a device to be worn by a swimmer shifting between a prone position and a supine position during swimming instruction, which comprises:

providing a device including: a belt configured to be worn around a waist of the swimmer; a first bag being connected to said belt and extending outwardly from said belt, said first bag being connected to said belt along a first seam, said first seam being configured to align longitudinally along a left side of a waist of the swimmer; and a second bag being connected to said belt, extending outwardly from said belt, and opposing said first bag, said second bag being connected to said belt along a second seam, said second seam being configured to align longitudinally along a right side of the waist of the swimmer; said first bag rotating posteriorly by buoyancy about said first seam when the swimmer moves to the prone position; said first bag rotating anteriorly by buoyancy about said first seam when the swimmer moves to the supine position; said second bag rotating posteriorly by buoyancy about said second seam when the swimmer moves to the prone position; and said second bag rotating anteriorly by buoyancy about said second seam when the swimmer moves to the supine position;
placing said belt around the waist of the swimmer and clipping said first clip part to said second clip part; and
tightening said belt around the waist of the swimmer while aligning said first seam longitudinally on the left side of the waist and aligning said second seam longitudinally on the right side of the waist.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first bag is oblong shaped.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first bag is connected to said belt by said first seam and only said first seam.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240253755
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 6, 2023
Publication Date: Aug 1, 2024
Inventor: Bruce J. Wigo (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Application Number: 18/503,173
Classifications
International Classification: B63C 9/15 (20060101); A63B 69/12 (20060101);