Inverted T Swim Aid Flotation Device for Leg Kicking Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current swim aid flotation devices immobilize the legs, preventing scissor kicking motions, which limits the development of various swim strokes and focuses solely on arm stroke development.
Innovation Solution
A swim aid flotation device in the shape of an inverted T, with a flexible, water-resistant strap for secure positioning around the waist, allowing leg scissor kicking and other leg motions by providing buoyancy without requiring leg squeezing, constructed from resilient and buoyant materials for adjustable fit and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current pull buoy devices are used to provide buoyancy support, then the swimmer's body flotation is improved, but the legs are immobilized and scissor kicking motion is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation device is divided into separate components: a waist-worn flotation section and leg sections connected by flexible cords. This segmentation allows the flotation section to provide reliable buoyancy support while the leg sections move independently, enabling scissor kicking motion without immobilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible cords or straps serve as intermediaries connecting the waist flotation section to the leg sections. These intermediaries transmit the buoyant force to support the legs while allowing sufficient flexibility and range of motion for various kicking techniques including scissor kicks.
2Ease of manufacture
If pull buoy devices with fixed structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different swimmer body types and kicking styles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable components including flexible cords with varying lengths and adjustable straps that can be customized to fit different swimmer body types. This dynamic adjustability allows the same basic device structure to adapt to various users and kicking styles while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If devices requiring leg squeezing for positioning are used, then device stability is improved, but leg movement freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyant force generated by the flotation device acts as a counterweight to gravity, providing upward support that stabilizes the swimmer's body and legs in the water without requiring the swimmer to actively squeeze or constrict their legs to maintain device positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The flotation device maintains its own positioning through the buoyant force and flexible cord connections, eliminating the need for the swimmer to continuously engage leg muscles to hold the device in place. The device self-adjusts to maintain stable positioning while allowing natural leg movements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective buoyancy support for the lower body, facilitating various swim strokes and leg movements, enhancing swimming techniques beyond just arm development while ensuring comfort and adjustability.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion 11 which is generally elliptical in shape and a second portion 12 which is in the form of an inverted T shape... composed of a material that floats in water
Implementation Method 2
made of resilient and buoyant material
Data Source
AI summary
A swim aid flotation device for supplementing the buoyancy of a swimmer's lower body torso and legs while allowing the swimmer the ability to kick their legs includes a unitary or two part foam member generally in the form of an inverted T-shape with the horizontal part of the T-shape connected to the vertical part of the T-shape. The vertical portion has an expanded top portion and keeps the device positioned between the legs while the horizontal portion straddles the legs. A flexible woven strap connects the device with a loop around the swimmer's body at the waist keeping the device positioned in the crotch area of the swimmer. This provides sufficient buoyancy without need for squeezing the legs together, maintains the swimmer's body in a more horizontal swim position and allows scissor leg kicks or other types of leg kicking motion.