U.S. patent application number 14/985008 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-28 for ankle float buoy.
The applicant listed for this patent is TYR SPORT, INC.. Invention is credited to Philip M. Bayer, Matthew V. DiLorenzo, Kyle D. Sola, Yang Wang.
Application Number | 20160114234 14/985008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54208879 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160114234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DiLorenzo; Matthew V. ; et
al. |
April 28, 2016 |
ANKLE FLOAT BUOY
Abstract
A unitary ankle float buoy for immobilizing the legs during swim
training. The buoy is formed of a central portion connecting a top
wall and a lower wall and a pair of ankle openings disposed on each
side of the central portion. The ankle float buoy is designed and
configured to be worn upon both ankles of a swimmer below the calf
and above the foot.
Inventors: |
DiLorenzo; Matthew V.;
(Plainview, NY) ; Bayer; Philip M.; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Sola; Kyle D.; (Brooklyn, NY) ; Wang;
Yang; (Syosset, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TYR SPORT, INC. |
Farmingdale |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54208879 |
Appl. No.: |
14/985008 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14247407 |
Apr 8, 2014 |
9259632 |
|
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14985008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/55 ;
441/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 31/12 20130101;
A63B 69/14 20130101; A63B 2225/605 20130101; A63B 23/02 20130101;
A63B 23/035 20130101; A63B 69/12 20130101; A63B 31/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/12 20060101
A63B069/12; A63B 23/02 20060101 A63B023/02; A63B 23/035 20060101
A63B023/035 |
Claims
1. A unitary ankle float buoy for immobilizing the legs during swim
training, said buoy comprising: a central body; a left set of jaws
comprising a first left jaw element comprising a first end attached
to a left upper outside edge of the central body and extending away
from the central body to a second end which curves downward, and a
second left jaw element with a first end attached to a left lower
outside edge of the central body and mirroring the first jaw
element; a left gap formed between the second end of the first left
jaw element and the second end of the second left jaw element; a
right set of jaws comprising a first right jaw element comprising a
first end attached to a right upper outside edge of the central
body and extending away from the central body to a second end which
curves downward, and a right second jaw element with a first end
attached to a right lower outside edge of the central body and
mirroring the first jaw element; and a right gap formed between the
second end of the first right jaw element and the second end of the
second right jaw element; wherein the first left jaw element, the
second left jaw element, the first right jaw element, and second
right jaw element all have a closed position to which the jaw
elements are biased and return to without application of an outside
force.
2. The unitary ankle float buoy of claim 1, wherein a rear edge
narrows from the central body to a distal end to comfortably
accommodate a swimmer's lateral malleolus.
3. The unitary ankle float buoy of claim 1, wherein a space between
the first right jaw element and the second right jaw element forms
a right ankle opening, and a space between the first left jaw
element and the second left jaw element forms a left ankle
opening.
4. The unitary ankle float buoy of claim 3, wherein the buoy is
formed from a solid piece of buoyant, resilient foam.
5. The unitary ankle float buoy of claim 1, wherein a left ankle
gap between the first left jaw element and the second left jaw
element is wider in a middle of the left jaw elements than at left
gap.
6. The unitary ankle float buoy of claim 5, wherein the buoy is
formed from a compression molded foam.
7. The unitary ankle float buoy of claim 3, wherein the left ankle
gap is formed in a substantially straight cylindrical
configuration.
8. The unitary ankle float buoy of claim 1, wherein, when viewed
form the front, the left set of jaws forms a substantially
reverse-C shape and the right set of jaws forms a substantially C
shape.
9. An ankle float buoy, comprising: a top half, comprising: a
central body element; a left wing element extending away from the
central body element, comprising a width, a first end attached to
the central body element, and a second end opposite the first end;
a right wing element extending away from the central body element
in an opposite direction to the left wing element the right wing
element comprising a width, a first end attach to the central body
element, and a second end opposite the first end; a bottom half,
comprising: a central body element mirroring the top half central
body element; a left wing element mirroring the top half left wing
element, the bottom half left wing element comprising a width, a
first end attached to the bottom half central body element, and a
second end opposite the first end; and a right wing element
mirroring the top half central body element, the bottom half right
wing element comprising a width, a first end attached to the bottom
half central body element, and a second end opposite the first end;
wherein the width of the left wing top half element tapers from the
first end to the second end, the width of the right wing top half
element tapers from the first end to the second end, the width of
the left wing bottom half element tapers from the first end to the
second end, and the width of the right wing bottom half element
tapers from the first end to the second end.
10. The ankle float buoy of claim 9, wherein the top half and the
bottom half are molded from a foam polymer.
11. The ankle float buoy of claim 10, wherein the top half and the
bottom half are integrated.
12. The ankle float buoy of claim 9, wherein, when viewed form the
front, the left set wing of the top half and the left wing of the
bottom half form a substantially reverse-C shape and the right wing
of the top half and the right wing of the bottom half form a
substantially C shape.
13. The ankle float buoy of claim 9, wherein the second end of the
top half left wing element and the second end of the bottom half
left wing element form a gap, and the second end of the top half
right wing element and the second end of the bottom half right wing
element form a gap.
14. The ankle float buoy of claim 9, wherein the top half right
wing element, top half left wing element, the bottom half right
wing element, and bottom half left wing element are biased to a
closed position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to an ankle
floatation device, and more particularly to a swim training device
that maintains a swimmer's legs in a fixed position to focus on the
swimmer's core and shoulder training while swimming.
[0004] Typically, swimming utilizes an arm stroke and kicking of
the legs to propel the swimmer through water. While the arm stroke
generally provides the majority of thrust, strong kicking can often
compensate for a weak arm stroke. In order to overcome this
compensating ability, it is often desired to remove the legs from
the stroke to focus on the core and arm muscles to improve the arm
stroke. However, one cannot simply stop kicking, as the legs would
sink in the water causing an increased amount of drag that would
need to be overcome. Additionally, paraplegic swimmers, or others
with inabilities to kick their legs sufficiently, would be aided by
a device to maintain and float the legs, while allowing them to
swim only using the arm stroke.
[0005] In order to overcome these problems, various solutions have
been introduced. Traditionally, foam pull buoys have been used.
These pull buoys are figure-8 shaped devices that are held between
the legs of the swimmer, by the swimmer exerting a closing force
with their legs onto the pull buoy. This closing exertion, however,
can be uncomfortable and tiring for the user and still allows for a
certain degree of kicking being performed by the swimmer. Initial
attempts to overcome these deficiencies include further tying
straps to the swimmer's leg to maintain the pull buoy in position
without requiring a closing exertion from the swimmer and to
further limit the kicking ability. However, these straps can be
cumbersome and difficult to attach and remove. An advance on this
technology was described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,169,000, which
discloses a swimming aid training device that includes a buoy
assembly that attaches to a swimmer's calf area and a fin assembly
to prevent the swimmer from twisting their torso. However, in most
swimming strokes, the swimmer's torso rolls from side to side
during the arm stroke. This side-to-side roll requires the swimmer
to exhibit a great deal of core strength and endurance. If the
swimmer lacks the necessary core strength, the swimmer may break
form. As such, if one is desiring to increase the strength and
proficiency of their core, this device is not ideal. Further, its
placement on the calf area does not place the buoyant force at a
distal region of the swimmer's legs and, due to the tapering shape
of the calf region, requires a difficult to form configuration that
tapers from the opening to the exit and is described as a
"substantially rotated H-shape".
[0006] As such, there is a need for an improved swim training
device that not only allows a swimmer to focus on their arm stroke,
but also allows the swimmer to properly work their core, while
maintaining their legs in a fixed position with a buoyant force
being provided at the ankle region, in an easy to enter and exit
configuration, that is further easily and economically
manufactured.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is contemplated a unitary ankle float buoy for immobilizing
the legs during swim training. The buoy is formed of a central
portion connecting a top wall and a lower wall. The top wall
extends outward from the central portion in both directions and
curves downward at distal ends, while the lower wall extends
outward from the central portion in both directions and curves
upward at distal ends. Further, the buoy has a pair of ankle
openings disposed on each side of the central portion, below the
top wall and above the lower wall. Each ankle opening is defined by
a sidewall of the central portion, a rear opening, a front opening,
and a side opening. The central portion, top wall, and lower wall
define a front edge on the side of the buoy having front openings
and a rear edge on the side of the buoy having rear openings. The
ankle float buoy is designed and configured to be worn upon both
ankles of a swimmer below the calf and above the foot. To aid in
fitting the buoy on the swimmer's ankles, the rear edge may narrow
from the central portion to the distal ends to comfortably
accommodate the swimmer's lateral malleolus.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the ankle openings may be formed in
a substantially straight cylindrical configuration, wherein the
front and rear openings, and the portions between the two openings,
are substantially the same size. In particular, this substantially
straight configuration may be achieved when the buoy is formed from
a solid piece of buoyant, resilient foam and the ankle openings are
cut from the piece of foam.
[0009] In other embodiments, the ankle openings may be formed in a
convex configuration, such that the front and rear openings are
wider than a segment of the ankle openings located between the
front and rear openings. In particular, this convex configuration
may be achieved readily when the buoy is formed from a compression
molded foam. One benefit of the convex shape may be that the
narrower portion between the rear and front openings may assist in
securing the buoy to the swimmer as the portion of the ankle
between the swimmer's foot and calf region is generally narrower,
thereby allowing the convex formation to better fit to the
swimmer's anatomy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of an ankle float buoy in use on a
swimmer;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the ankle float buoy of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ankle float buoy in use
on a swimmer;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of the ankle float buoy of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ankle float buoy of
FIG. 2 with the swimmer's legs in place;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ankle float buoy of
FIG. 2 with the swimmer's legs partially in place;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of an ankle float
buoy;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ankle float buoy of FIG.
7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a front view of the ankle float buoy of FIG. 7;
and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of the ankle float buoy of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a
description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention,
and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present
invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets
forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and
operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the
same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by
different embodiments and that they are also intended to be
encompassed within the scope of the invention.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, an ankle float buoy 10 is attached to
the ankle region of a swimmer 15. This configuration allows the
swimmer 15 to isolate and train their arms, shoulders, and core
region by focusing on the arm stroke. The buoy 10 may formed of a
buoyant, resilient material and is configured to be easily
attachable to the ankle region 25 of the swimmer 15. By locating
the buoy 10 on the ankles 25, the buoyant force provided by the
buoy 10 is at a distalmost portion to maintain the swimmer's body
in proper form, while also maintaining a secure attachment to the
swimmer 15. As can be seen, the ankle region 25 defines a narrow
point of the swimmer's leg. As such, while the buoy 10 is easily
attachable and removable from the swimmer's body, it remains
securely attached during swimming without the need for cumbersome
straps or other securing means. Further, the design and
configuration of the buoy 10 can be simplified to maintain its
position at the ankle, in comparison to other configurations where
the device would be attached to a user's calf area. Generally, the
calf is wider at the upper portion and narrows to the lower portion
as you approach the ankle. As such, in devices attached to a
swimmer's calf, the geometry of the openings have to be tapered in
such a fashion to match the user's calf, resulting in more
complicated and/or expensive fabrication demands along with the
possibility of shifting or unintended detachment from the swimmer
during use.
[0023] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the buoy 10 is attached to the
ankles 25 of the swimmer 15 such that the buoy 10 has a front edge
12 facing in the direction of the swimmer's movement through the
water and a trailing rear edge 14. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4,
the buoy 10 includes a pair of ankle openings for receiving the
ankles 25 of the swimmer 15. The ankle openings are defined by
various openings and walls to receive and maintain the ankles. In
particular, the ankle openings include a rear opening 16 that, in
use, is located at the bottom of the ankle 25 near the swimmer's
foot and a front opening 18 disposed on the opposite side of the
buoy 10 that, in use, is located at the top of the ankle 25 near
the swimmer's calf. Further, the ankle openings have a side opening
20 that allows for the easy entry and exit of the swimmer's ankles
25 from the buoy 10. As such, it can be seen that the ankle
openings are open on three of its six sides. The three non-open
sides are defined by a top wall 22, a lower wall 24, and an inside
sidewall 28. As can be seen, the top 22, lower 24, and sidewalls 28
form a substantially C-shape configuration for maintaining the
ankles 25 in place during use. The top wall 22 is connected to the
lower wall 24 by a central portion 26, wherein the central portion
has the sidewalls 28 on each respective side. As shown in FIGS. 3
and 5, the top wall 22 and lower wall 24 both extend bilaterally
outward in a horizontal direction from the central portion 26. The
distal ends 30a of the top wall 22 curve in a downward fashion to
help secure the ankle 25 in place, while the distal ends 30b of the
lower wall 24 curve in an upward fashion. As such the distal ends
30a, 30b, while not connected, approach each other to form a
substantially C-shape configuration.
[0024] The front edge 12 is defined by the top wall 22, lower wall
24, and central portion 26 on the side of the buoy 10 having front
openings 18 and the rear edge 14 is defined by the top wall 22,
lower wall 24, and central portion 26 on the side of the buoy 10
having the rear openings 16. In certain embodiments, the rear edge
14 may be contoured to better accommodate the swimmer's lateral
malleolus (the outer protrusion of the ankle). In particular, the
rear edge 14 may take a convex configuration such that the central
portion 26 extends further than the distal ends 30a, 30b along the
rear edge 14. By tapering inward at the distal ends 30a, 30b, the
buoy 10 may avoid encompassing the swimmer's lateral malleolus
during use, thereby providing a more comfortable design than if the
buoy 10 were provided in a substantially straight configuration
that encompassed the user's lateral malleolus during use.
[0025] The buoy 10 is preferably formed from a buoyant and
resilient material in order to provide floatation assistance to the
swimmer while maintaining its shape during use, but being readily
deformable to allow for easy entry and exit of the swimmer's ankle
25. For example, the buoy may be formed from a foam polymer such as
polyethylene or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) FIG. 6 shows the entry
of the ankle 25 into the ankle openings of the buoy 10. As can be
seen in this figure, the distal ends 30a, 30b may be deformed away
from their typical closed position into an open configuration to
allow for the entry of the ankle 25. Whereupon when the ankle 25 is
in position in the ankle opening of the buoy 10, the resilient
material returns to its normal closed position thereby securing the
buoy 10 in proper position during use (as seen in FIG. 5).
[0026] As shown in phantom in FIG. 2, the ankle openings may be
formed in a substantially straight cylindrical shape. This
embodiment may be formed, for example, by cutting the ankle
openings out of a block of foam. This configuration, while easy to
form does not perfectly follow the anatomy of the ankle and allows
for some play between the buoy 10 and the ankles 25, while still
maintaining the buoy 10 in position during use.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7-10, the ankle
openings may be formed in a convex configuration. That is, the
portion of the ankle opening at the rear 16 and front opening 18 is
wider than the portion between the two openings. This configuration
allows for the buoy 10 to better grip the swimmer's ankles 25. This
configuration may formed by compression molding a piece of foam to
form the convex shape of the ankle openings.
[0028] As such, it can be seen from the unique configuration
disclosed herein, the buoy may be easily placed upon the user and
removed from the user without a need for complicated and cumbersome
straps or other attaching devices. Further, the configuration
allows for easy and economy in the manufacturing process in that
complex geometries and shapes are not necessary to maintain the
position of the buoy on the user's ankles. Additionally, the
placement of the buoy on the swimmer's ankle region, as opposed to
the calf or thigh region, places the source of buoyancy at a
distalmost portion of the leg region, thereby providing buoyancy in
a location that is able to maintain the swimmer in proper alignment
within the water. In addition to the use of a buoyant material in
forming the buoy, it is envisioned that the buoy may further be
configured in such a fashion to act as a hydrofoil. That is, the
outer shape of the buoy may be optimized such that the lift
generated by propulsion through the water while in use is
substantially larger than the drag generated by the buoy. By
shaping the buoy in such a manner, it further acts in a manner to
maintain the swimmer's body in proper alignment during use.
[0029] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein, including various ways of forming the
ankle float buoy and various sizes of the ankle float buoy for
swimmers of different ages and sizes. Further, the various features
of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in
varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be
limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the
scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated
embodiments.
* * * * *