Swimming aid device

Abstract

Swimming aid device for placement on the forearm (10) of a person (11), comprising a fastening section (2) for fixing the swimming aid device (1) to the forearm (10) of the person (11) and a paddle section (3) adjoining the fastening section (2) and contacting the hand (13) of the person (11) to assist water displacement, wherein at least the paddle section (3) is designed as a buoyancy body.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a swimming aid device, which swimming aid device is preferably suitable for use by swimming students.

[0002] To shorten the duration of swimming lessons and make learning to swim easier, various state-of-the-art buoyancy aids are known. These buoyancy aids can essentially be divided into two categories. One category includes buoyancy aids that are firmly attached to the swimmer's body. Particularly well-known here are upper-arm buoyancy aids that are slipped over the upper arms of swimming students. These upper-arm buoyancy aids can consist of inflatable, ring-like tube elements. Buoyancy aids are also known that do not consist of inflatable tubes, but rather of a material with a consistently high buoyancy. Buoyancy aids that are placed around a person's stomach or back, such as life jackets, shark fins, and buoyancy aids sewn or inserted into swimwear, are also known.

[0003] The second category includes buoyancy aids and floats that the swimmer must hold independently. These include so-called swim noodles or inflatable buoyancy aids of various shapes. Swimming rings and float boards made of foamed plastic are also common.

[0004] One disadvantage of current swimming aids is that they distort the feeling of buoyancy. This is detrimental to learning correct swimming strokes for independent swimming or for keeping the head above water. During breaststroke, the head and shoulders are lifted out of the water by moving the arms and hands backwards and downwards. Pushing against the water resistance allows the head or upper body to be lifted. Current buoyancy aids, which are attached to the upper arms, keep the shoulders and therefore also the head above water even without movement. They thus convey a feeling of buoyancy emanating from the shoulders and upper arms. However, this does not correspond to the later buoyancy situation when swimming independently.

[0005] Furthermore, buoyancy aids attached to the upper arms, as well as free buoyancy aids / floatation devices, restrict or even completely prevent the correct swimming movement of the arms. In breaststroke, the arms are stretched out in a starting position and arranged parallel to one another. If buoyancy aids, such as armbands, are attached to the upper arms, it is very difficult to assume the correct arm position and - depending on the volume of the buoyancy aids - may even be completely prevented. In the final position of the breaststroke stroke, the upper arms should rest against the sides of the torso. Common buoyancy aids that are placed around the stomach, in turn, prevent this position of the arms.

[0006] Free-floating buoyancy aids, on the other hand, must be held by the swimmer. This prevents controlled movement of the arms or hands and the corresponding pushing against the water resistance. This makes these aids suitable for learning correct leg movements when swimming breaststroke.

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of providing a buoyancy aid that overcomes the disadvantages of prior art buoyancy aids. The present invention is particularly based on the object of providing a device that allows the execution of a correct swimming stroke without restriction while simultaneously not distorting the sensation of buoyancy or only slightly distorting it. The aim is to generate such a level of buoyancy that the swimmer can perform the breaststroke stroke incorrectly at the beginning of learning, while still being able to build up the tension between the forearms and upper body to keep their head above water.

[0008] This object is achieved by a buoyancy aid device for placement on a person's forearm, wherein the buoyancy aid device comprises a fastening section for securing the buoyancy aid to the person's forearm, as well as a paddle section adjoining the fastening section and contacting the person's hand to assist in water displacement. At least the paddle section is designed as a buoyancy body. Typically, not only the paddle section but also the fastening section is designed as a buoyancy body.

[0009] The buoyancy aid device according to the invention makes it ideally possible to facilitate learning to swim breaststroke. The buoyancy aid device according to the invention creates the feeling that the buoyancy is coming from the forearms. This allows the swimmer to build up the necessary tension between the hand and forearms towards the upper body without having to perform the correct arm movement. Furthermore, the buoyancy aid according to the invention does not interfere in any way with the correct execution of a swimming movement, as it does not have to be attached to the upper arms or the torso. The buoyancy aid device according to the invention thus enables a precise swimming movement to be performed, while at the same time making it easier to concentrate on the movement right from the start of the learning process, as the buoyancy ensures that the head stays above water. The correct feeling of buoyancy is therefore conveyed right from the start of learning to swim.The swimming student feels this sensation through the tension between the arms and upper body, which can be pushed upwards towards the water surface, thus keeping the head above water.

[0010] Various fastening options are conceivable for attaching the buoyancy aid to a person's forearm. For example, the fastening section can be secured by clamping it to the forearm, wrapping it around the forearm, or spanning the forearm. The fastening section is advantageously designed as a closed cuff. In such a design, the fastening section can be designed as a tube open on both sides. Furthermore, it is also possible for a closed cuff in the form of an inflatable plastic sleeve to form the fastening section.

[0011] Alternatively, the fastening section can be designed as a longitudinally slit cuff. Such a slit cuff can, for example, function as a type of clamp that is clamped to the forearm.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the buoyancy aid device according to the invention, the paddle section is designed as a scoop or spoon that widens forwards from the attachment section. With such an embodiment, the area that contacts the palm of a person's hand can be enlarged by an extended free end of the paddle section. This ensures that optimized water displacement can take place during the swimming movement. The paddle section is generally not a closed element that completely surrounds the forearm. However, the paddle section can be closed in the area of the hand, so that the person's hand is completely or partially enclosed. In addition, the paddle section can be flattened towards its free end.A free end of the paddle section which is both widened and flattened has particularly advantageous properties in terms of buoyancy and water displacement.

[0013] The buoyancy aid device according to the invention can be constructed in two or more parts. It is conceivable, for example, that the fastening section and the paddle section are two separate elements. In a preferred embodiment of the buoyancy aid device according to the invention, however, it is constructed in one piece. A one-piece design has, among other things, the advantage of making the device according to the invention easier for one person to use. Thus, with a one-piece device, there is no need to subsequently create a connection between the fastening section and the paddle section. Furthermore, a one-piece device is significantly easier to manufacture.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the buoyancy aid device according to the invention, at least the paddle section, preferably the entire buoyancy aid device, is made of a buoyant plastic, preferably foamed plastic, in particular expanded polypropylene. Such a material has proven particularly advantageous with regard to buoyancy behavior when learning a breaststroke stroke.

[0015] Advantageously, a grip element for contacting the person's palm is arranged on an inner surface of the paddle section facing the person's hand. With the aid of such a grip element, the buoyancy aid device according to the invention can be optimally guided when performing a swimming movement.

[0016] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings and the subclaims. The individual features may be implemented individually or in combination with one another.

[0017] The drawings show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a buoyancy aid device according to the invention; Fig. 2: another perspective view of the buoyancy aid device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of the buoyancy aid device of Fig. 1 in a position fixed on a person's forearm; Fig. 4: another schematic representation of two buoyancy aid devices attached to a person according to Fig. 1; Fig. 5: a further schematic representation of a buoyancy aid device according to the invention in a state attached to a person; Fig. 6: a perspective view of another embodiment of a buoyancy aid device according to the invention.

[0018] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference numbers.

[0019] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show perspective views of a buoyancy aid device 1 according to the invention. The buoyancy aid device 1 comprises a fastening section 2 for securing the buoyancy aid device 1 to a person's forearm. The buoyancy aid device 1 further comprises a paddle section 3 for assisting water displacement during a swimming movement. In the present example, the buoyancy aid device 1 is formed in one piece and made of expanded polypropylene. Thus, the entire buoyancy aid device 1 is designed as a buoyancy body, since expanded polypropylene buoys in water.

[0020] In the buoyancy aid device 1, the attachment section 2 is designed as a closed sleeve in the manner of a tube open on both sides. The paddle section 3 adjoining the attachment section is designed such that it widens toward the front, i.e., toward its free end 4, and is thus shovel-like. Furthermore, the paddle section 3 is flattened toward its free end 4.

[0021] To apply the buoyancy aid device 1 to a person's forearm, the person first inserts their hand through the rear opening 5 at the free end 6 of the fastening section 2 until it also reaches the front opening 7 of the fastening section 2 and finally reaches the free end 4 of the paddle section 3. On the inner surface 8 of the paddle section 3, a raised area designed as a grip element 9 is provided. This grip element 9 contacts the person's hand when the buoyancy aid device is fully applied and serves to optimally guide the buoyancy aid device 1 when performing swimming movements. The grip element 9 is also connected in one piece to the paddle section 3 and is realized during the manufacture of the buoyancy aid device 1.

[0022] The Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show schematic representations of the buoyancy aid device 1 in a state 1 fixed to the forearm 10 of a person 11. In the Fig. 3, the front area of the paddle section 3 is designed with a particularly large surface area in the shape of a round disc 12. With such a paddle section 3, a particularly advantageous water displacement can be achieved during the swimming process. The area 12 is contacted by the person's hand 13 and guided during the swimming movement.

[0023] All embodiments according to the invention have in common that the swimmer can optimally perform the breaststroke movement of the arms and thereby experiences supporting buoyancy for keeping the head 14 above water. This is in Fig. 5 is shown schematically.

[0024] The Fig. The embodiment of a buoyancy aid according to the invention shown in Figure 6 differs from that shown in Figures Fig. 1 and Fig.2 merely in that the fastening section 2 is designed as a slotted cuff in a type of flexible or rigid clamp.

Claims

[1] Swimming aid device for arranging on the forearm (10) of a person (11), comprising a fastening section (2) for securing the swimming aid device (1) on the forearm (10) of the person (11) and a paddle section (3) adjoining the fastening section (2) and contacting the hand (13) of the person (11) to assist water displacement, wherein at least the paddle section (3) is designed as a buoyancy body. [2] Buoyancy aid device according to claim 1, characterized by that the fastening section (2) is designed as a closed or longitudinally slotted sleeve. [3] Buoyancy aid device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the paddle section (3) is designed as a shovel or spoon that widens forwards starting from the fastening section (2). [4] Buoyancy aid device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it is formed in one piece. [5] Buoyancy aid device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least the paddle section (3), preferably the entire buoyancy aid device (1), is made of plastic that floats in the water, preferably of foamed plastic, in particular of expanded polypropylene. [6] Buoyancy aid device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a grip element (9) for contacting the palm of the person (11) is arranged on an inner surface (8) of the paddle section (3) facing the hand (13) of the person (11). [7] Buoyancy aid device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is at least partially constructed as an inflatable plastic shell. [8] Buoyancy aid device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the paddle section is flattened towards its free end (4).

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