Abstract:
An aquatic exercise apparatus and method therefor comprised of two flotation devices connected by a plurality of tube members that can be easily and inexpensively adjusted by length and angle, allowing a person to swim by cranking two flotation devices while kicking his or her feet. Preferably, PVC tubes and PVC elbows are used so that the overall length of the aquatic exercise device and the length between a first handle and a second handle can be easily and inexpensively adjusted by substituting PVC tubes of different lengths and PVC elbows of different angles. In this way, swimmers of different sizes can use the same aquatic exercise apparatus by adjusting it to their preference. Additionally, a single swimmer can adjust the aquatic swimming apparatus in order to focus on different muscle groups.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to aquatic exercise devices and methods therefor and, more specifically, to an apparatus having two flotation devices connected by a plurality of polyvinyl chloride tubes and polyvinyl chloride elbows enabling a user to adjust the apparatus as desired by length and angle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Swimming is a popular form of exercise as well as a sport. Water allows for low-impact exercise, allowing people to build muscle strength in their arms, legs, and other body parts. Some people, however, have difficulty supporting their body in water for long periods of time. For this reason, some swimmers require a flotation assist device in order to allow them to exercise in the water. Kickboards and other lighter than water objects are often used to allow a swimmer to hold on with their hands while exercising their legs. In order to achieve a more complete workout, however, a device that can both float as well as provide a workout for one&#39;s upper body is preferred.  
         [0003]     Several attempts have been made to address this need. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,631 issued to Gag, U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,213 issued to Yuen, U.S. Pat. No. 2,416,471 issued to Chappedelaine, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,349,891 issued to Kuznetzoff all show various types of swimming devices comprising two flotation devices connected to one another and having two handles for a person to paddle by rotating the handles while kicking the feet. None of the aforementioned prior art allow a person to adjust the dimensions of the swimming device to make it wider, narrower, or otherwise adjust the angles. Adjustment of this kind is necessary, however, when people of different sizes desire to use the same device. A person with broad shoulders for example, will need a wider aquatic exercise apparatus than a smaller person with narrower shoulders. Even if only one person is using the aquatic exercise device, adjustment is preferable to allow a person to concentrate on different muscle groups by adjusting the angles of the device.  
         [0004]     One prior art swimming apparatus attempts to solve this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 1,777,749 issued to Eguiluz utilizes an adjustable sleeve connected to the two hand grips, allowing for the handles to be adjusted diagonally from one another. The Eguiluz design, although providing for some adjustment, only permits diagonal adjustment of the space between the handles. Without the ability to also adjust the length and angle of the other sections and elbows of the exercise device, a person is unable to increase the overall width of the device, or angle of usage, without simultaneously increasing the distance between the handle grips.  
         [0005]     A need therefore existed for an aquatic exercise apparatus that preferably utilizes polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes and elbows, making it possible for a person to adjust the length of each individual section by replacing one tube of PVC with a PVC tube of a different length. Additionally, a need existed for an aquatic exercise apparatus that allows for elbows of various bend angles to be used in order to further adjust the aquatic exercise apparatus to a person&#39;s preferences.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic exercise apparatus capable of allowing a user to make various adjustments to the distance and angles between two flotation devices and between two handles, and a method therefor.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0007]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an aquatic exercise apparatus is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a first flotation device having a density less than water, a second flotation device having a density less than water, a first polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being dimensioned to mate with the first flotation device, a second polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second flotation device, a first polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the first polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the first elbow, a second polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the second polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the second elbow, a third polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the first polyvinyl chloride elbow, a fourth polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the second polyvinyl chloride elbow, a third polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the third polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the third elbow, a fourth polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the fourth elbow, a fifth polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the third polyvinyl chloride elbow, a sixth polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the sixth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the fourth polyvinyl chloride elbow, a first polyvinyl chloride gripping tube having a first end and a second end and having a diameter greater than the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube and a length less than the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube, the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to be inserted through the first polyvinyl chloride gripping tube so that the first polyvinyl chloride gripping tube being dimensioned to rotate around and relative to the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube, a second polyvinyl chloride gripping tube having a first end and a second end and having a diameter greater than the sixth polyvinyl chloride tube and a length less than the sixth polyvinyl chloride tube, the sixth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to be inserted through the second polyvinyl chloride gripping tube so that the second polyvinyl chloride gripping tube being dimensioned to rotate around and relative to the sixth polyvinyl chloride tube, a fifth polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the fifth elbow, a sixth polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the sixth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the sixth elbow, and a seventh polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the seventh polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the fifth elbow, the second end of the seventh polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the sixth elbow.  
         [0008]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an aquatic exercise apparatus is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a first flotation device having a density less than water, a second flotation device having a density less than water, a first polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being dimensioned to mate with the first flotation device, a second polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second flotation device, a first polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the first polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the first elbow, a second polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the second polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the second elbow, a third polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the first polyvinyl chloride elbow, a fourth polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the second polyvinyl chloride elbow, a first polyvinyl chloride gripping tube having a first end and a second end and having a diameter greater than the third polyvinyl chloride tube and a length less than the third polyvinyl chloride tube, the third polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to be inserted through the first polyvinyl chloride gripping tube so that the first polyvinyl chloride gripping tube being dimensioned to rotate around and relative to the third polyvinyl chloride tube, a second polyvinyl chloride gripping tube having a first end and a second end and having a diameter greater than the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube and a length less than the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube, the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to be inserted through the second polyvinyl chloride gripping tube so that the second polyvinyl chloride gripping tube being dimensioned to rotate around and relative to the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube, a third polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the third polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the third elbow, a fourth polyvinyl chloride elbow having a first end and a second end, the second end of the fourth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to securely mate with the first end of the fourth elbow, and a fifth polyvinyl chloride tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the third elbow, the second end of the fifth polyvinyl chloride tube dimensioned to mate with the second end of the fourth elbow.  
         [0009]     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an aquatic exercise apparatus is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a first flotation device having a density less than water, a second flotation device having a density less than water, a first handle, a second handle, and a plurality of tube members dimensioned to be coupled to the first flotation device and the second flotation device and the first handle and the second handle so that the first handle and the second handle and the plurality of tube members being adjustable in length and disposed of between the first flotation device and the second flotation device.  
         [0010]     In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a method for aquatic exercise is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a first flotation device having a density less than water, providing a second flotation device having a density less than water, providing a first handle, providing a second handle, providing a plurality of tube members, coupling one of the plurality of tube members to the first flotation device, coupling another of the plurality of tube members to the second flotation device, coupling one of the plurality of tube members to the first handle, coupling one of the plurality of tube members to the second handle, all the plurality of tube members being disposed of between the first flotation device and the second flotation device, and adjusting a distance between at least one of the first handle and the second handle, and the first flotation device and the second flotation device.  
         [0011]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the aquatic exercise apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the aquatic exercise apparatus of the present invention, showing longer tubes being coupled to the first flotation device and the second flotation device in order to increase the width of the aquatic exercise apparatus.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the aquatic exercise apparatus of the present invention, in which fewer tubes are used than in the aquatic exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  in order to decrease the width of the aquatic exercise apparatus.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the aquatic exercise apparatus of the present invention in which elbows having a less than 90 degree bend are used to increase the width of both the aquatic exercise device as well as the distance between the first handle and the second handle.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the aquatic exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing a swimmer (in phantom) gripping the first handle and the second handle.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the aquatic exercise apparatus of the present invention in which the first flotation device and the second flotation device are shaped like propellers.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a flotation device having the shape of a pyramid.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a flotation device having the shape of a propeller.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a flotation device having the shape of a cross.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side, cross-sectional view of the gripping tube coupled around another tube having a smaller diameter.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the gripping tube coupled to another tube that is coupled to an elbow.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 1A ,  2 ,  3  and  3 A, reference number  10  refers generally to the aquatic exercise apparatus of the present invention. The aquatic exercise apparatus  10  generally comprises a first flotation device  12  and a second flotation device  14 , each having a density less than water. The first flotation device  12  and the second flotation device  14  can be in the shape of a pyramid  13  (shown in  FIGS. 1, 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 , and  4 ), a propeller  15  (shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4A ), a cross  17  (shown in  FIG. 4B ) or any other shape so long as the flotation device has a density less than water.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 1A ,  2 ,  3 , and  3 A, the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  further comprises a first handle  16  and a second handle  18 . The first handle  16  and the second handle  18  are dimensioned to be grasped by a swimmer  20  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3 A). A plurality of tube members  22 , preferably made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are used to couple the first flotation device  12  and the second flotation device  14  to the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  and to one another so that the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  and the tube members  22  are disposed of between the first flotation device  12  and the second flotation device  14 . While, in the preferred embodiment, the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  comprises a plurality of PVC tube members  22 , it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which an alternative material is used, so long as it is readily available in different lengths in order to permit a person to couple together tubes members  22  of different lengths in order to adjust the width of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 . Preferably, the aquatic exercise apparatus comprises a plurality of coupling elbows  24  dimensioned to couple the plurality of tube members  22  to the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  and to other tube members  22 .  
         [0025]     In one embodiment of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 , shown in  FIG. 1 , the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  comprises a first PVC tube  26  having a first end  28  dimensioned to mate with the first flotation device  12 . Preferably, the first end  28  of the first PVC tube  26  is inserted into an aperture  25  (shown in  FIG. 4A ) defined by the first flotation device  12 , although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the first PVC tube  26  is coupled in some other way to the first flotation device  12 , such as by coupling to a protruding peg  27  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4 B). In a similar fashion, a second PVC tube  32  is coupled to a second flotation device  14 . Preferably, the second end  30  of the first PVC tube  26  is coupled to one end of a first PVC elbow  34 . One end of a third PVC tube  36  is coupled to the other end of the first PVC elbow  34 . Similarly, a second PVC elbow  38  is coupled to one end of a fourth PVC tube  40 . The other end of the third PVC tube  36  is coupled to one end of a third PVC elbow  42 . Similarly, the other end of the fourth PVC tube  40  is coupled to one end of a fourth PVC elbow  44 . A fifth PVC tube  46  is coupled to the other end of the third PVC elbow  42 . Similarly, a sixth PVC tube  48  is coupled to the other end of the fourth PVC elbow  44 . The fifth PVC tube  46  is inserted into a first PVC gripping tube  50  having a diameter greater than the fifth PVC tube  46  so that the first PVC gripping tube  50  is dimensioned to rotate around and relative to the fifth PVC tube  46 . The first PVC gripping tube  50  is preferably what forms the first handle  16 . Similarly, the sixth PVC tube  48  is inserted into a second PVC gripping tube  52  having a diameter greater than the sixth PVC tube  48  so that the second PVC gripping tube  52  is dimensioned to rotate around and relative to the sixth PVC tube  48 . The second PVC gripping tube  52  is preferably what forms the second handle  18 . The other end of the fifth PVC tube  46  is coupled to one end of a fifth PVC elbow  54 . Similarly, the other end of the sixth PVC tube  48  is couple to one end of a sixth PVC elbow  56 . A first end of a seventh PVC tube  58  is coupled to the other end of the fifth PVC elbow  54  and a second end of the seventh PVC tube  58  is coupled to the other end of the sixth PVC elbow  56 . By using these plurality of PVC tubes and PVC elbows, a person is able to easily assemble and disassemble the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 , as well as adjust the distance both between the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  as well as the distance between the first flotation device  12  and the second flotation device  14  by using PVC tubes and elbows of varying lengths and angles. The availability and diversity of PVC allows one to easily assemble and modify the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 . Using PVC elbows of less than 90 degrees for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , allows a person to widen the distance between the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  without altering any of the lengths of any of the PVC tubes.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , an alternative embodiment of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 , hereinafter  10   a , is shown. The aquatic exercise apparatus  10   a  is essentially the same as the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 , except that two less PVC tubes  22  and two less PVC elbows  24  are used to couple the first flotation device  12  to the second flotation device  14 . This is a simpler, smaller version, which illustrates the versatility that using PVC tubes and elbows provides when assembling and modifying the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 .  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , a relatively wider version of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  is shown. The first PVC tube  26  and the second PVC tube  32  are relatively longer than other PVC tubes in order to increase the overall width of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  by increasing the distance between the first flotation device  12  and the second flotation device  14 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , preferably the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  are constructed by using two PVC tubes  22 , one being inserted to another having a greater diameter. The interior PVC tube  22  preferably has a smaller diameter and a greater length than the exterior PVC tube  22  (shown in  FIG. 5  as the first PVC tube gripping member  50 ). In this way, the exterior tube  22  can be grasped by a person  20  and rotated about the interior tube  22  in order to allow a swimmer  20  to crank the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  in the water and initiate movement. While, in the preferred embodiment, the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  are comprised of an interior PVC tube  22  and an exterior PVC tube  22 , it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  of the present invention in which the first handle  16  and the second handle  18  are comprised of another material, so long as the rest of the plurality of tube members are interchangeable in order to permit easy adjustment of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 .  
       Statement of Operation  
       [0029]     In order to make use of the aquatic exercise apparatus  10 , a person preferably couples PVC tubes  22  to a first flotation device  12  and a second flotation device  14 , using PVC elbows  24  to couple the sections together in order to create a crank that can be used to propel a swimmer  20  forward in water when the swimmer  20  cranks the aquatic exercise apparatus  10  while kicking his or her feet.  
         [0030]     It should be clearly understood that it is within the spirit and scope of this invention that the tube members  22  may be fixedly coupled together (for example with glue) to create increased stability. Adjustment would then be accomplished by simply sawing off the PVC tube members  22  and replacing them. It is because of the availability of PVC and other plastics that may be used, that the aquatic exercise apparatus can be easily and inexpensively adjusted.  
         [0031]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.