Floats for lane ropes

Abstract

To provide a float for lane rope which enables a person in a swimming pool to easily take a rest by gripping with hands or putting the arm over.SOLUTION: A float 100 for lane rope is fitted to rope R via a cylindrical part 200, divides each lane of a swimming pool, and is formed by a synthetic resin material. In it, a recessed support part 120 capable of supporting a part of the body is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a float for lane ropes installed in pools and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Various types of floats for lane ropes have been conventionally known. For example, the float for lane ropes disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and includes a tubular portion through which the rope is inserted at the center, a plurality of blade plates protruding in parallel with the rope, and an outer peripheral wall connected so as to surround the blade plates. Waves generated by people in the pool in each lane are taken into the interior of the float for lane ropes and are dissipated by the blade plates and the outer peripheral wall.

[0003] However, since the float for lane ropes disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a cylindrical shape whose outer side is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall, it is difficult to grip by hand or rest an arm thereon, and people in the pool such as swimmers, people walking in the pool, or people playing in the pool cannot take a rest by grasping the float for lane ropes or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a float for lane ropes that allows people in the pool to easily take a rest by gripping it with a hand or resting an arm thereon.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the lane rope float according to claim 1 of the present invention is attached to a rope via a cylindrical portion to demarcate each lane of a pool, and is a lane rope float made of a synthetic resin material, characterized in that it has a concave support portion that can support a part of the body.

[0007] Based on the above features, people in the pool can easily rest by gripping the concave support with their hands or resting their arms on it.

[0008] Furthermore, the float for lane ropes according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the outer diameter of the float for lane ropes is smaller on the central side where the concave support portion is formed than on the outermost, largest diameter portion.

[0009] Based on the above features, when a person in the pool grips the concave support with their hands or places their arms on it, their hands or arms are less likely to slip off, and the concave support can stably support the person in the pool.

[0010] Furthermore, the float for lane ropes according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized by being blow-molded using a soft synthetic resin material.

[0011] Based on the above characteristics, the floats for the lane ropes are easily deformed, and people in the pool can easily grip the concave support section with their hands or place their arms on it.

[0012] Furthermore, the float for lane rope according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the cylindrical portion is composed of a hard material and a soft material that is softer than the hard material, and the soft material is arranged on the side facing the rope.

[0013] Based on the above features, it is easy for people in the pool to grip the concave support with their hands or place their arms on it. Furthermore, based on the above features, the friction between the rope and the cylindrical part is increased, which prevents the lane rope float from moving around the rope (specifically, the lane rope float rotating around the rope and the lane rope float sliding laterally in the length direction of the rope). As a result, people in the pool swimming in each lane can rest while holding onto the lane rope float in a stable position.

[0014] Furthermore, the float for lane rope according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that the cylindrical portion is composed of a hard material and a soft material that is softer than the hard material, and the soft material is arranged on the side facing the rope.

[0015] Based on the above features, it is easy for people in the pool to grip the concave support with their hands or place their arms on it. Furthermore, based on the above features, the friction between the rope and the cylindrical part is increased, which prevents the lane rope float from moving around the rope (specifically, the lane rope float rotating around the rope and the lane rope float sliding laterally in the length direction of the rope). As a result, people in the pool swimming in each lane can rest while holding onto the lane rope float in a stable position.

[0016] Furthermore, the float for lane ropes according to claim 6 of the present invention is characterized in that the cylindrical portion is made of a soft material.

[0017] Based on the above features, it is easy for people in the pool to grip the concave support with their hands or place their arms on it. Furthermore, based on the above features, the friction between the rope and the cylindrical part is increased, which prevents the lane rope float from moving around the rope (specifically, the lane rope float rotating around the rope and the lane rope float sliding laterally in the length direction of the rope). As a result, people in the pool swimming in each lane can rest while holding onto the lane rope float in a stable position.

[0018] Furthermore, the float for lane ropes according to claim 7 of the present invention is characterized in that the cylindrical portion is made of a soft material.

[0019] Based on the above features, it is easy for people in the pool to grip the concave support with their hands or place their arms on it. Furthermore, based on the above features, the friction between the rope and the cylindrical part is increased, which prevents the lane rope float from moving around the rope (specifically, the lane rope float rotating around the rope and the lane rope float sliding laterally in the length direction of the rope). As a result, people in the pool swimming in each lane can rest while holding onto the lane rope float in a stable position.

[0020] Furthermore, the float for lane rope according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that rotation-restricting members are attached to both ends of the cylindrical portion, and the rotation-restricting members are made of a softer material than the material constituting the cylindrical portion.

[0021] According to the above features, it is easy for people in the pool to grip the concave support with their hands or place their arms on it. Furthermore, according to the above features, the friction between the rope and the rotation-preventing member is increased, so the movement of the lane rope float around the rope can be prevented (specifically, the lane rope float rotating around the rope and the lane rope float sliding laterally in the length direction of the rope). As a result, people in the pool swimming in each lane can rest while holding onto the lane rope float in a stable position.

[0022] Furthermore, the float for lane rope according to claim 9 of the present invention is characterized in that rotation-restricting members are attached to both ends of the cylindrical portion, and the rotation-restricting members are made of a softer material than the material constituting the cylindrical portion.

[0023] According to the above features, a person in the pool can easily grip the concave support portion with their hands or rest their arm thereon. Furthermore, according to the above features, the friction between the rope and the rotation inhibiting member increases, so that the float for lane rope can suppress the movement around the rope (specifically, the rotation of the float for lane rope around the rope, and the lateral displacement of the float for lane rope in the longitudinal direction of the rope). As a result, a person swimming in each lane in the pool can grab the float for lane rope to rest in a stable posture. Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the float for lane rope of the present invention, a person in the pool can easily take a rest by gripping it with a hand or resting an arm thereon. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view of the float for lane rope according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) is a side view of the float for lane rope, and (b) is a front view of the float for lane rope. [Figure 3] (a) is an A-A cross-sectional view of Fig. 2(a), and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the end portion of Fig. 3(a). [Figure 4] This is an overall perspective view of the float for lane rope according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) is a side view of the float for lane rope, and (b) is a front view of the float for lane rope. [Figure 6] (a) is a B-B cross-sectional view of Fig. 5(a), and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the end portion of Fig. 6(a). [Figure 7] This is a plan view in which the float for lane rope of Embodiment 1 and the float for lane rope of Embodiment 2 are attached to a rope. [Figure 8] (a) is a C-C cross-sectional view of Fig. 7, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the end portion of the float for lane rope in Fig. 8(a). [Figure 9] This is an overall perspective view of a float for a lane rope according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a side view of a float for lane ropes. [Figure 11] (a) is a section view taken along line D-D in Figure 10, and (b) is an enlarged section view of the area around the end of Figure 11(a). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0026] 100 Lane Rope Floats 120 Concave support part 200 Cylindrical part R Rope [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0028] <Embodiment 1> First, Figures 1 to 3 show a lane rope float 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the lane rope float 100, Figure 2(a) is a side view of the lane rope float 100, Figure 2(b) is a front view of the lane rope float 100, Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2(a) along A-A, and Figure 3(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the end of Figure 3(a).

[0029] The lane rope float 100 is a hollow, roughly cylindrical body with a tubular section 200 through which the rope R can be inserted in the center, and is surrounded by an outer wall 101. Because the inside of the lane rope float 100 is hollow, the lane rope float 100 can float on the water surface. The lane rope float 100 is also symmetrical in shape, and its center of gravity is located in the center of the lane rope float 100. The lane rope float 100 is blow-molded using a synthetic resin material. The synthetic resin material used to make up the lane rope float 100 includes EVA resin (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin), polyethylene, LDPE (low-density polyethylene), L-LDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), metallocene polyethylene, polypropylene, elastomer, styrene-based elastomer, or silicone, but is not limited to these. Any synthetic resin material can be used as long as the lane rope float 100 can be elastically deformed. Although the lane rope float 100 is blow-molded using a synthetic resin material, it is not limited to this, and the lane rope float 100 may also be manufactured by injection molding.

[0030] Furthermore, the lane rope float 100 is equipped with an outer maximum diameter section 110 with the largest outer diameter L1, and a central concave support section 120 with an outer diameter L2 smaller than the outer diameter L1 (L1 > L2). The concave support section 120 is concave so that a person in the pool can grip it with their hands or place their arms on it for support. In addition, because the maximum diameter section 110 has a larger outer diameter than the central concave support section 120, when a person in the pool grips the concave support section 120 with their hands or places their arms on it, their hands or arms are less likely to slip off, and the concave support section 120 can stably support a person in the pool. Moreover, by making the outer side the maximum diameter section 110, the float is configured so that at least a portion of the outer end of the lane rope float 100 remains above the water surface even when a person grabs the lane rope float 100 with their hands or places their body on it and sinks into it. Furthermore, the inner end 111 of the maximum diameter portion 110, which is the boundary between the concave support portion 120 and the maximum diameter portion 110, has a larger radius of curvature and is smoother than the outer end 112. This ensures that when you grip the concave support portion 120 with your hand or rest your arm on it, your hand or arm will not hurt if it comes into contact with the inner end 111.

[0031] Furthermore, the width L3 of the concave support section 120 is 100-150 mm (millimeters) to make it easy for people in the pool to grip it with their hands or place their arms on it. Also, the outer diameter, or diameter L2, of the cylindrical concave support section 120 is 40-60 mm (millimeters) to make it easy for people in the pool to grip it with their hands or place their arms on it. In addition, the surface of the outer wall 101 of the concave support section 120 is uneven, making it less likely for fingers and arms to slip. Moreover, the uneven surface shape of the outer wall 101 of the concave support section 120 is smooth, making it easy to grip and less painful to the hands. In addition, the uneven surface shape improves the strength of the concave support section 120, so even if the concave support section 120 is crushed by being squeezed, it easily returns to its original shape.

[0032] Furthermore, to prevent injury when a person's hand or foot collides with the lane rope float 100 in the pool, the maximum diameter portion 110 and the concave support portion 120 of the lane rope float 100 are elastically deformed, so the lane rope float 100 is made of a soft, flexible synthetic resin material. Also, because the lane rope float 100 is blow-molded from a soft, flexible synthetic resin material, it is easily deformable, making it easy for a person in the pool to grasp the concave support portion 120 with their hand or put their arm around it. In addition, because the lane rope float 100 is blow-molded, the thickness of the lane rope float 100 is greater in the concave support portion 120 than in the outer part (maximum diameter portion 110). Moreover, because the concave support portion 120 is thicker, it is less prone to deformation. Furthermore, because the lane rope float 100 is blow-molded, it is hollow and the inside is sealed, so even if it is deformed, it is easy to restore to its original shape.

[0033] Furthermore, in order to effectively prevent injuries even if the lane rope float 100 is elastically deformed and collides with the hands or feet of people in the pool, the hardness of the lane rope float 100, as measured by a durometer type A, is optimally in the range of 10 to 95. The hardness of the lane rope float 100 described above was measured by cutting out a portion of the molded lane rope float 100 as a test piece and measuring the hardness of that test piece using a durometer type A in accordance with JIS K6253-3.

[0034] Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 200 is located in the center of the lane rope float 100, with both ends 210 exposed on the front and rear surfaces of the lane rope float 100. This cylindrical portion 200 extends linearly across both ends 210 so that the rope R can be inserted through it. In addition, as shown in Figure 3(b), the cylindrical portion 200 comprises an inner soft layer 220 facing the rope R and a hard layer 230 covering the outside of the soft layer 220. Both the soft layer 220 and the hard layer 230 extend across both ends 210. The soft layer 220 is tubular in shape so as to surround the rope R and is made of a soft synthetic resin material. The soft synthetic resin material constituting the soft layer 220 includes EVA resin (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin), polyethylene, LDPE (low-density polyethylene), L-LDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), metallocene polyethylene, polypropylene, elastomer, styrene-based elastomer, or silicone, but is not limited to these. Any synthetic resin material that is softer than the synthetic resin material constituting the hard layer 230 may be used. Furthermore, the hardness of the soft material of the soft layer 220, as measured by a durometer type A, is optimally in the range of 10 to 95.

[0035] Furthermore, while HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and the like are used as the hard synthetic resin material constituting the hard layer 230, it is not limited to this, and any synthetic resin material may be used as long as it is harder than the synthetic resin material constituting the soft layer 220. In addition, it is optimal for the hardness of the hard material of the hard layer 230, as measured by durometer type A, to be in the range of 10 to 95. The hardness of the soft layer 220 and hard layer 230 described above was measured by cutting out a part of the soft layer 220 or hard layer 230 after molding as a test piece, and measuring the hardness of that test piece using durometer type A in accordance with JIS K6253-3.

[0036] <Embodiment 2> Next, Figures 4 to 6 show the lane rope float 100A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 4 is an overall perspective view of the lane rope float 100A, Figure 5(a) is a side view of the lane rope float 100A, Figure 5(b) is a front view of the lane rope float 100A, Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5(a) along line B-B, and Figure 6(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the end of Figure 6(a). Furthermore, the lane rope float 100A according to Embodiment 2 differs from the lane rope float 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 only in the configuration of the concave support portion 120A; all other configurations are the same as the lane rope float 100 according to Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0037] The lane rope float 100A has an outermost maximum diameter section 110A with the largest outer diameter L1, and a concave support section 120A with an outer diameter L4 smaller than the outer diameter L1 (L1 > L4). The concave support section 120A is concave so that a person in the pool can grip it with their hands or rest their arms on it for support. The cross-section of the concave support section 120A is a smooth curved shape with a concave center, making it easy for a person in the pool to grip it with their hands or rest their arms on it. The lane rope float 100A is also symmetrical, with its center of gravity located in the center. The concave support section 120A has a larger diameter than the concave support section 120 shown in Figure 1, making it easier to rest your arms on it than to grip it with your hands. In addition to resting your arms on it, the concave support section 120A can also be used as a pillow to rest your neck or head on.

[0038] Furthermore, the width L5 of the concave support section 120A is 100-150 mm (millimeters) to make it easy for people in the pool to grip it with their hands or place their arms around it. Also, the outer diameter, i.e., the diameter L4, of the smallest part of the roughly cylindrical concave support section 120A is 80-100 mm (millimeters) to make it easy for people in the pool to grip it with their hands or place their arms around it.

[0039] Furthermore, the lane rope float 100A, like the lane rope float 100 of Embodiment 1, is a hollow cylindrical body with a tubular portion 200A through which the rope R can be inserted in the center, and is surrounded by an outer wall 101A. The tubular portion 200A has the same configuration as the tubular portion 200 of the lane rope float 100 of Embodiment 1, and comprises an inner soft layer 220A facing the rope R and a hard layer 230A covering the outside of the soft layer 220A.

[0040] Next, Figures 7 and 8 show the state in which the lane rope float 100 of Embodiment 1 and the lane rope float 100A of Embodiment 2 are attached to the rope R. Figure 7 is a plan view of the lane rope float 100 of Embodiment 1 and the lane rope float 100A of Embodiment 2 attached to the rope R, Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along C-C of Figure 7, and Figure 8(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the end 210 of the lane rope float 100 in Figure 8(a).

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, lane rope floats 100 and 100A are alternately attached to a long rope R stretched across the pool to demarcate each lane M. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the rope R is inserted through the cylindrical portion 200 of the lane rope float 100 and the cylindrical portion 200A of the adjacent lane rope float 100A. The ends 210 of adjacent lane rope floats 100 and the end 210A of lane rope floats 100A are in contact with each other. A person swimming in each lane M can then easily rest by holding onto the concave support portion 120 of the lane rope float 100 or the concave support portion 120A of the lane rope float 100A with their hands or arms. Furthermore, the outer ends (near the widest diameter) of adjacent lane rope floats are made to have the same shape, giving an aesthetically pleasing impression. Furthermore, while the concave support parts (120, 120A) support the hands and arms as part of a person's body in the pool, they are not limited to this. The concave support parts (120, 120A) may also support any part of a person's body in the pool so that the person can rest. In addition, while rope R is used as the object to which the lane rope float is attached, it is not limited to this. Any material that can be used to which the lane rope float can be attached, such as wire, may be used.

[0042] Furthermore, the force applied to the lane rope floats (100, 100A) by the gripping force and the weight of the person in the pool when they lean their arms on them causes force to be applied, resulting in the rope R making strong contact with the soft layer (220, 220A) of the cylindrical section 200, causing it to bite into the soft layer. Since this soft layer (220, 220A) is made of a soft material, the friction between the rope R and the soft layer (220, 220A) increases, preventing the rope R from rotating relative to the soft layer (220, 220A), and thus preventing the lane rope floats (100, 100A) from rotating around the rope R. In addition, it prevents the lane rope floats (100, 100A) from sliding laterally in the longitudinal direction of the rope R. As a result, people in the pool swimming in each lane M can rest in a stable position by holding onto the lane rope floats (100, 100A).

[0043] Furthermore, a hard layer (230, 230A) is positioned outside the soft layer (220, 220A). Therefore, when force is applied to the lane rope float (100, 100A), the outer hard layer (230, 230A) can suppress excessive deformation of the inner soft layer (220, 220A). As a result, the soft layer (220, 220A) and the rope R can come into firm and strong contact, which can more effectively suppress the rotation of the lane rope float (100, 100A).

[0044] Furthermore, when no force is being applied to the lane rope float 100 by a person in the pool, although the rope R and the soft layer (220, 220A) are in contact, the frictional force between them is not strong, so the rope R can rotate relative to the soft layer (220, 220A), and the lane rope floats (100, 100A) can rotate around the rope R. Also, in Figures 7 and 8, the lane rope floats 100 and 100A are attached to the rope R alternately, but this is not limited to this, and the manner in which the lane rope floats 100 and 100A are attached to the rope R is arbitrary, such as attaching only one of the lane rope floats 100 or 100A to the rope R.

[0045] Furthermore, while the tubular portion (200, 200A) of the lane rope float (100, 100A) is equipped with a soft layer (220, 220A) and a hard layer (230, 230A), it is not limited to this. The tubular portion (200, 200A) may not be equipped with a hard layer (230, 230A), and may be equipped only with a soft layer (220, 220A). In other words, the entire tubular portion (200, 200A) may be composed of a soft material. Even in that case, the friction between the rope R and the inner surface of the tubular portion (200, 200A) will be increased, which will prevent the rope R from rotating relative to the soft layer (220, 220A), and will prevent the lane rope float (100, 100A) from rotating around the rope R. For example, if the entire cylindrical section (200, 200A) is blow-molded from a soft material called LDPE (low-density polyethylene), the resistance with the thin film wrapped around the surface of the rope R increases compared to HDPE (high-density polyethylene), thus preventing the lane rope float (100, 100A) from sliding laterally along the length of the rope R or rotating around the rope R. In addition, by providing irregularities on the inner surface of the cylindrical section (200, 200A), when the weight of a person in the pool is applied to the lane rope float (100, 100A), the resistance between the cylindrical section (200, 200A) and the rope R (or wire, etc.) increases, thus preventing the lane rope float (100, 100A) from sliding laterally along the length of the rope R or rotating around the rope R.

[0046] <Embodiment 3> Next, the lane rope float 100B according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is shown in Figures 9 to 11. Figure 9 is an overall perspective view of the lane rope float 100B, Figure 10 is a side view of the lane rope float 100B, Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 10, and Figure 11(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the end of Figure 11(a). Furthermore, the lane rope float 100B according to Embodiment 3 differs from the lane rope float 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 in that it does not have a soft layer and is equipped with a rotation suppression member 300B, but the other configurations are the same as the lane rope float 100 according to Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0047] The lane rope float 100B has the same configuration as in Embodiment 1, but the cylindrical portion 200B of the lane rope float 100B does not have a soft layer. The cylindrical portion 200B is composed of a hard layer 230B that extends linearly across both ends 210B, and the rope R can be inserted through the hard layer 230B. Rotation-preventing members 300B are attached to both ends 210B of the cylindrical portion 200B.

[0048] The rotation-retaining member 300B is made of a synthetic resin material that is softer than the synthetic resin material that constitutes the cylindrical portion 200B (in Figure 11, the hard material that constitutes the hard layer 230B), and as shown in Figure 11(b), it has a cylindrical insertion portion 310B and an end portion 320B. The cylindrical insertion portion 310B is cylindrical in shape so that a rope R can be inserted through it, and can be inserted into the hard layer 230B of the cylindrical portion 200B to be attached. When the cylindrical insertion portion 310B of the rotation-retaining member 300B is inserted into the hard layer 230B from the end portion 210B side of the cylindrical portion 200B, the end portion 320B of the rotation-retaining member 300B comes into contact with the end portion 210B of the cylindrical portion 200B, so that the rotation-retaining member 300B cannot be inserted any further into the cylindrical portion 200B.

[0049] The soft material used to constitute the rotation-preventing member 300B includes EVA resin (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin), polyethylene, LDPE (low-density polyethylene), L-LDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), metallocene polyethylene, polypropylene, elastomer, styrene-based elastomer, or silicone, but is not limited to these. Any synthetic resin material that is softer than the synthetic resin material constituting the cylindrical part 200B may be used. Furthermore, the hardness of the rotation-preventing member 300B measured by a durometer type A is optimally in the range of 10 to 95.

[0050] When the lane rope float 100B is attached to the rope R, the rope R is inserted through the cylindrical insertion portion 310B and cylindrical portion 200B of the rotation-preventing member 300B. When a person in the pool rests by holding onto the lane rope float 100B, force is applied to the lane rope float 100B due to the force of their grip and the weight of the person in the pool when they lean their arms on it, causing the rope R to come into strong contact with the cylindrical insertion portion 310B of the rotation-preventing member 300B, causing it to bite into the object. Since the cylindrical insertion portion 310B of the rotation-preventing member 300B is made of a soft material, the friction between the rope R and the rotation-preventing member 300B increases, preventing the rope R from rotating relative to the rotation-preventing member 300B, and thus preventing the lane rope float 100B from rotating around the rope R. As a result, people in the pool can rest in a stable position by holding onto the lane rope float 100B. Although the contact surface with the rope R will wear down and may require maintenance, this can be easily handled by simply replacing the rotation-preventing member 300B, which is separate from the cylindrical part 200B.

[0051] Furthermore, the frictional force between the cylindrical portion 200B and the cylindrical insertion portion 310B of the rotation-preventing member 300B is stronger than the frictional force between the rope R and the cylindrical insertion portion 310B of the rotation-preventing member 300B. Therefore, when force is applied to the lane rope float 100B, it is possible to prevent the lane rope float 100B from rotating around the rotation-preventing member 300B.

[0052] Furthermore, the rope to which the lane rope float of the present invention is attached is equipped with a hook that attaches to the outer wall of the pool so as to detach from the wall before the wire (rope) breaks when an abnormal load is applied to the lane rope float, thus preventing the wire (rope) from breaking. In addition, the lane rope float of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims and embodiments, and these modifications and combinations are also included in the scope of the patent rights.

Claims

1. A float for lane ropes, which is attached to a rope via a tubular section to demarcate each lane in a swimming pool, and is made of a synthetic resin material, A float for lane ropes characterized by having a concave support portion that can support a part of the body.

2. The lane rope float according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer diameter of the lane rope float is smaller on the central side where the concave support portion is formed than on the outermost, largest diameter portion.

3. A float for a lane rope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is blow-molded using a soft synthetic resin material.

4. The cylindrical portion is composed of a hard material and a softer material than the hard material. The float for a lane rope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the soft material is arranged on the side facing the rope.

5. The cylindrical portion is composed of a hard material and a softer material than the hard material. The float for a lane rope according to claim 3, characterized in that the soft material is arranged on the side facing the rope.

6. The float for lane ropes according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tubular portion is made of a soft material.

7. The float for lane ropes according to claim 3, characterized in that the tubular portion is made of a soft material.

8. Rotation-preventing members are attached to both ends of the cylindrical portion. The float for a lane rope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotation-preventing member is made of a softer material than the material constituting the cylindrical portion.

9. Rotation-preventing members are attached to both ends of the cylindrical portion. The float for a lane rope according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotation-preventing member is made of a softer material than the material constituting the cylindrical portion.

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