Buoyant aquatic exercise chair

Floatable chair devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using the chair having buoyant material in the headrest as well as the arm rests to provide for a stable floatation platform that would suspend the user to “lounge” or relax or engage in various exercises. The chair can be adjusted by moveable and extendable outrigger floats and/or a head rest, Parallel sideway extending gripping handles can provide the ability to maintain control of the chair and prevent the user from drifting out of the chair during various rigorous exercises. The seat can incorporate unique features to hold the user in place to facilitate the various exercise and prevent “drift” out of the chair yet not secure the individual to the seat in a way that would prevent rapid separation from the device in case of capsize or a compromised position that could increase the risk of drowning. The chair can be easily maneuvered around a swimming pool by kicking with the legs or propelled forward or backward by arm movements. The chair can include a molded back and torso section to the seat to optimize range of motion of the upper extremities and in the lower seat portion of the chair range of motion of the lower extremities. Additional resistance elements, such as but not limited to weighted bands and elongated resistance bands can be used. Methods of doing exercises in one's legs, arms, stomach, and the like, can be used.

This invention claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/145,662 filed Jan. 19, 2009.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to exercise, in particular to devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a floating chair for exercise and rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Swimming exercises are generally limited to swimmers practicing different types of swimming such as the crawl, the backstroke, and the like. Here, the swimmer must have some knowledge of how to swim as well be able constantly move from place to place within a pool.

Popular swimming exercise and training equipment includes, floats such as floatation boards and/or fins that generally limit a swimmer to practice their kicking. Additionally, the use of hand paddles is known which attach to a swimmer to allow them to practice their hand strokes, and the like.

Other types of well known floats have included raft type floats. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,384,857 to Hoy, Jr.; 5,088,723 to Simmons; and 5,779,513 to Burton et al. However, such rafts are not useable for practicing exercises other than some kicking and paddling with their hands, and do not allow the exerciser to be in a supported seated position.

Floating chair type devices have also been well known. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,555,589 to Farina; 2,803,839 to Mosley; 3,117,327 to Mathew; 5,052,965 to Klapp et al.; and 5,964,628 to Scanlon et al. The stability of these devices is generally limited to the person sitting in a non-moving position so that the chair will not capsize. A user is not able to do much more than some kicking, and the like, as any form of exercise.

Attempts have been made of the years to create some exercise floats. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,102,280 to Williams; 5,314,395 to Ciolino; and 6,837,765 to Lauziere. However, these devices are generally limited to seat type devices where the user may be able to do sit-ups, and/or paddle with their hands, and the like. However, these devices are not too stable to be easily used over time, and are prone to capsizing

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a stable floating chair for various types of exercise and rehabilitation where the user can be maintained in an upright position.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a floating chair for various types of exercise and rehabilitation having separately spaced apart hand grips adjacent to a headrest and seat to aid in stability, and that can be used by different sized persons.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a floating chair for various types of exercise and rehabilitation having outwardly extending outrigger floats that can be adjusted up and down for different chair reclining angles, and different sized persons.

A fourth objective of the present invention to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a floating chair for various types of exercise and rehabilitation that allows the exerciser to do knee lifts and/or leg lifts and/or feet bends.

A fifth objective of the present invention to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a floating chair for various types of exercise and rehabilitation that allows the exerciser to do sit ups and/or abdomen crunches.

A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a floating chair for various types of exercise and rehabilitation that allows the exerciser to do different range of arm bends, elbow bends, wrist bends, combinations thereof and the like.

The seventh objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a floating chair for various types of exercise and rehabilitation in order to work core muscle groups and participate in various cardiovascular conditioning exercises.

The invention includes a novel floatable chair having buoyant material in the headrest as well as in outrigger floats to provide for a stable floatation platform that would suspend the user in the optimal position to either “lounge” or relax or engage in various exercises. The buoyancy characteristics of the chair can be adjusted by raising and lowering the outrigger floats, and/or the headrest floats, the latter for allowing the headrest to be lengthened or shortened. Different spaced apart hand grips along with the sides of the seat allow for different comfort levels and different sized exercisers. The chair back and seat can be contoured and include ventilation openings to fit the body contour, the height, and the weight of the user.

The chair structure can facilitate the various exercise and prevent “drift” out of the chair yet not secure the individual to the seat in a way that would prevent rapid separation from the device in case of capsize or a compromised position that could increase the risk of drowning. The chair can be easily maneuvered around a swimming pool by kicking with the legs or propelled forward or backward by arm movements. The chair can include a molded back and torso section to the seat to optimize range of motion of upper extremities and in the lower portion of the chair range of motion of lower extremities.

Different methods of practicing exercises are also novel with the chair.

An embodiment of the floating chair can include a seat portion, a backrest portion attached to the seat portion, a floatable headrest extending up from the backrest, at least one left handle attached to and parallel to a left side of the seat portion, at least one right handle attached to parallel to a right side of the seat portion, and outrigger floats attached to and extending forward from the seat portion

The left handle can include a plurality of parallel left handles, and the right handle can include a plurality of parallel right handles.

The outrigger floats can include adjustable members to allow the floats to be raised and lowered so as to adjust recline positions of the seat portion. The outrigger floats each can include an elongated member having one end attached to a portion adjacent to the seat portion and an opposite end attached to a float.

The floating chair can include a backrest extension members for allowing the backrest to extend upward and downward to different heights relative to the seat portion.

The floating chair can include a headrest extension members for allowing the headrest to extend upward to different heights relative to the backrest and seat portions.

The floating chair can include a headrest pad attached to a front of the headrest. The floating chair can include a seatbelt adapted for attaching an exerciser to the seat portion and the backrest portion.

Ventilation openings can be in the seat portion. Ventilation openings can also be in the backrest portion. These openings can also help facilitate sinking the backrest and seat underwater. Water can flow in and out of these openings to prevent a suctioning effect between the chair and the seated exerciser.

The floating chair can include a pair of elongated bent members, each having upper portion and a lower portion, forming a support frame for allowing the headrest portion and backrest portion to be attached to the seat portion.

Drainage holes can be in the lower portion of each of the elongated bent members for draining water from the support frame.

A pair of outrigger floats can be attached to elongated members, and bent elbows for attaching the elongated members to the lower portions of the support frame, the bent elbows being rotatable to allow for raising and lowering the outrigger floats and adjust recline angles of the seat portion.

Elongated resistance bands (such as bungee type cords) can be attached to various components of the invention, such as to the headrest, and/or to the seat handles. The exerciser can pull on the outer ends of the resistance bands to provide for progressive resistance exercises for the upper and lower extremities.

Weights can also be used with the invention. For example, elastic wrist bands and/or elastic arm bands and/or elastic ankle bands can be weighted to add further resistance and enhance the results of the exercises. A user can also grip small hand barbell type hand weights while performing exercises.

A method of exercising in a stable seated position in water, can include the steps of providing a floating chair with seat portion and backrest portion, attaching outrigger floats to the chair, attaching a headrest float to the chair, seating an exerciser into the floating chair, and exercising legs, knees, feet, arms, elbows, wrists and hands without capsizing the floating chair.

The method can further include the steps of providing a plurality of parallel right handles that extend sideways from a right side of a seat portion of the chair, providing a plurality of parallel left handles that extend sideways from a left side of the seat portion of the chair, gripping one of the parallel right handles, gripping one of the parallel left handles, and exercising the legs, knees, feet without capsizing the floating chair.

The method can include the steps of extending the headrest float to different height positions relative to the backrest portion.

The method can further include the steps of extending the backrest portion to different height positions relative to the seat portion.

The method can further include the steps of disassembling the headrest from the chair, disassembling the outrigger floats from the chair, and collapsing the headrest and the outrigger floats onto the chair into a collapsed state for transportation and storage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. A listing of the components will now be described.10. Aquatic Exercise Chair.20. Adjustable chair back.23. flange socket(s)30. Chair seat with incorporated handles.32. Front edge of seat36. Two Parallel channels underneath seat40. Outrigger float.42. Socket flange50. Left seat rail.52. Vertical upright portions55. Angled side outward flaring mid portion56. horizontal seat rail57. Side holes58. angled end60. Right seat rail.62. Vertical upright portion65. Angled side outward flaring mid portion66. horizontal seat rail68. angled end70. Handle grips (part of seat).80. Hollow floatation headrest.90. Outrigger spar.92. Inner end98. Outer end.100. Adjustable outrigger elbow joint.110. Headrest pad.120. Headrest rail.130. Backrest lock pin.140. Headrest lock pin.150. Outrigger lock pin.160. Headrest rail bushing.170. Seat rail drain holes.180. Multiple holes in seat rails for outrigger adjustment.190. Multiple holes in headrest rails for headrest adjustment.200. Multiple holes in seat rails for back adjustment.210. Waterline.220. Person.230. Optional seat belt.300. Weighted bands350. Free weights400. Elastic resistance bands

FIG. 1is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the exercise chair10.FIG. 2is a rear perspective view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a front view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a rear view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 5is a right side view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 6is a top view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 7is a bottom view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 8is a front exploded view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 9is a rear exploded view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1-9, the novel exercise chair10can include an adjustable chair back20that can have a contoured concaved curved surface with through-holes and slits for allowing circulating water to reach the back of the exerciser. Beneath and in front of the chair back20can be a contoured concave chair seat30also having openings/slits for water circulation and perimeter handles. These openings/slits allow for the seat and chair back to better sink into the water since water can easily pass through the openings/slits. Also, the openings/slits help prevent the seated exerciser from being stuck(suctioned) to the seat and backrest when they are performing their exercises.

Extending to and connected to both the right side and to the left side of the seat30can parallel gripping handles70(two are shown on each side of the seat) with a frame75which can raise the handles to be above the bottom of the seat30. The handles can be cylindrical and can have ends that are rotatably mounted to the frame75.

Referring toFIGS. 4,5,7-9, the seat30and adjustable chair back20can be attached to one another by left seat rail50and right seat rail60. The back of the chair back20can be four flange sockets23attached thereto and extending rearwardly from the chair back20(two on each side stacked one over the other). Each of the seat rails50,60can include vertical hollow tubular portions52,62with open ends that allow for the bottom ends of left and right headrest rails120to be telescopingly inserted therein. The vertical tubular portions52can be each inserted into a pair of flange sockets23that are attached to the rear of the chair back20. The top of the left and right headrest rails120can be attached to the bottom of a hollow floatation headrest80, that can have a horizontal cylindrical orientation. Left and right cylindrical rail bushings160, each with headrest lock pins140allow the headrest rails120with raised headrest80to be selectively raised or lowered to desired settings of the exerciser. The headrest80can be buoyant based on being foam filled, air filled, combinations thereof, and the like. Across the front and/or back of the headrest80can be a headrest pad110, such as but not limited to a soft pliable cushion.

Referring toFIGS. 8-9, the left seat rail50can include an angled side outward flaring mid portion that extends beneath the vertical portion52, that is then attached to a horizontal seat rail56, and to an angled end58. The right seat rail60can include a vertical upright portion62that is similarly attached to an angled side outward flaring mid portion65, which is attached to a horizontal seat rail66, and which is attached to an angled end68. The bottom of the seat30can include parallel channels36underneath the left and right portions of the seat30that can snapably fit over and to the horizontal seat rail portions56,66, so that the seat is fixed to the set rails50,60. Optional fasteners, such as but not limited to screws, and the like, can also be used to attach the chair to the side holes57seat rails50,60. Additionally, the side holes57can also be used as seat rail drain holes170to allow for any water that gets into the chair rails50,60to drain out.

FIG. 10is a top right perspective view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1with outrigger connection details. Multiple holes180in chair rail allow the elbow joint100be positioned at different angles around the chair rail(s)50,60.FIG. 10Ais an enlarged view of the elbow joint100attached to the chair10.FIG. 10Bis another enlarged view of the elbow joint100detached from the chair10.

Referring toFIGS. 8,9,10A and10B, an angled elbow joint100has one end that telescopingly attaches to end58of the chair rail50, and can be held in place by an outrigger lock pin150that passes through a hole103in the elbow joint100and through any one of the single holes180in the seat rail50. The opposite end of the angled elbow100can be telescopingly attached to the inner end92of the outrigger spar90. Another fastener such as another lock pin (not shown) can be used to attach these members together. The outer end98of the outrigger spar90can be telescopingly inserted into a socket flange42that is attached to the outrigger float40. Additionally, another fastener such as another lock pin (not shown), can also be used to attach these members together.

The outrigger float can be a buoyant float such as an air filled globe shaped ball, or be a foam filled float, combinations thereof, and the like. The outrigger float(s)40can be adjusted up and down relative to the seat30by rotating the elbow joint100and fitting the lock pin150into different ones of the multiple holes180in the seat rails50,60for the outrigger adjustment. Lowering the outrigger float(s)40can result in raising the front edge32of the seat30. Likewise raising the outrigger float(s)40can result in lowering the front edge32of the seat30.

FIG. 11is a side view of the exercise chair30ofFIG. 1showing adjustability of chair back20and headrest80.FIG. 12is another side view of the exercise chair30ofFIG. 1with floats40adjusted for extreme recline position of the seated person220.

Referring toFIGS. 2,4,5,9-12, the headrest80with headrest pad110can be raised an lowered by telescopingly inserting the lower end of headrest rail(s)120into upper vertical end52(&62) of the chair rail50(&60). The lock pin140can attach through any one of the multiple holes190in the headrest rails120and rail bushings160so that different vertical extensions can be individually adjusted by an exerciser to match their different heights.

Referring toFIGS. 8,9,11, and12, the chair back20can be adjusted to different heights by passing a backrest pin(s)130through the flange socket(s)23and into any of the vertical row of multiple holes200in the seat rails50,60to also allow for different back adjustment for the seated person exerciser220.

FIG. 13is another side view of the exercise chair30ofFIG. 1with floats40adjusted for medium recline position for the seated person220. The outrigger float(s) and floatation headrest80at waterline210can support the chair10. The seated exerciser220can also grip the handle grip(s)70.

FIG. 14is another side view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1with outrigger floats40can be raised to be adjusted for minimum recline position of the exerciser220.

FIG. 15is a front perspective of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1with person220exercising their arms. Arm exercises can include but not be limited to raising and lowering the arms, extending and retracting the arms, rolling the hands and arms, and the like, while submerged underwater. Weighted wrist bands300can be attached by fasteners, such as but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, about wrists, arms, and ankles of the exerciser to aid in the various exercises. Additionally, free weights350, such as small dumbbells350can be gripped by the exerciser220.

An optional seat belt230can be used to attach the exerciser220to the seat10. Fasteners, such as but not limited to buckles, hook and loop fasteners (Velcro®) can be used to attach the seat belt230about the chair back20.

FIG. 16is another front perspective of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1with person220exercising their legs by raising and lowering their legs, bending their knees, bending their feet, and the like. Additionally, the user can do bends at their waist to simulate abdomen crunches, and the like. Again, progressive resistance type weight bands300and the like can be used to add additional resistance for enhancing exercises.

FIG. 17is a top view of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1showing a wide range of motion for separate or combined arm and leg exercises of the exerciser220, such as but not limited to raising and lowering the arms, bending the elbows, and wrists, and the like.

Exercises can also include the use of additional resistance devices, such as but not limited to elongated elastic resistance bands400. The bands400have one end fixably attached to various points, such as but not limited to the headrest80and side handle(s)70on the seat of the chair10. The exerciser can grip the free end of the elongated elastic bands, and pump their hands for further resistance exercises. Additionally, the bands400can be used with other components, such as with the weighted wrist bands300, and the belt230. For example, an exerciser wearing the seatbelt230and gripping the ends of the headrest80attached elongated resistance bands400can do various types of sit ups, as well as pumping one hand outward or both hands outward at one time. Additionally, the elongated elastic resistance bands400can be clipped onto the chair10at different locations using hooks, and the like.

FIG. 18is a front perspective of the exercise chair10ofFIG. 1broken down for storage or transport. The headrest80with headrest pad(s)110, can be laid on the chair seat30. The outrigger spars90with end attached outrigger floats40can each be laid on top of the floatation headrest80with the headrest rails vertically positioned between the spar90and the chair back20. The entire collapsed assembly can then be easily moved and transported from place to place and assembled where needed.

The invention can be used by a wide variety of exercisers from children to the elderly. Additionally, the invention can have utility with persons having various disabilities, such as those that suffer from strokes and neurological disorders. Additionally, the invention can be used to facilitate helping someone learn to get used to being safely and comfortably supported in the water when learning how to swim.

Although the outrigger floats30and headrest float80are described as buoyant with air and/or foam, these floats can be inflatable bladders that can be pumped up by blowing into air valves. Alternatively, hand pumps can be used to blow up the bladders. Where different amounts of air volume can be used for different exercisers220having different body weights.

While various members are described as attaching members to one another with locking pins, the components can be fastened together by other techniques, such as screwable threads between telescoping members, and between spar members and sockets and elbow joints, and between spar members and the outrigger floats.

Although the preferred embodiments show examples of the structure of the novel floating chair, other variations can be used with the invention. For example, handles on the armrests, can extend upward and/or downward from the armrests to enable better gripping action. Additional handrails be use attached to the sides of the headrest80to allow the user to be able to grip the head rest area that can help the exerciser being able to raise and lower both legs together.

Other than the floats, the components of the invention can be formed from various materials, such as but not limited to plastic, PVC, fiberglass, metal, aluminum, combinations thereof, and the like.