Abstract:
A resistance kickboard. The resistance kickboard includes plural resistance indicia that provide varying levels of resistance when the resistance kickboard is moved through water. The varying levels resistance allow swimmers, exercisers and rehabilitation patients to spend less time in a pool while obtaining additional training, exercising or rehabilitation effects. The resistance kickboard may also include a reservoir to hold a liquid (e.g., water, an electrolyte solution, etc.). The liquid allows a user to stay hydrated while using the resistance kickboard for longer periods without stopping the activity.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/578,369, filed Jun. 9, 2004, and 60/603,782, filed Aug. 23, 2004, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to kickboards. More specifically, it relates to a resistance kickboard.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A number of devices have been developed to assist swimmers in learning how to swim, improving the swimming ability of experienced swimmers and to provide aids for water based exercise programs for fitness and rehabilitation after injury. Kickboards are one such device. The kickboard is typically made from a material which will float and helps support a swimmer, water exerciser or rehab patient in the water.  
         [0004]     The use of kickboards is particularly helpful to swimmers engaged in competitive swimming. In competitive swimming, there are various leg kicking techniques associated with different swimming strokes. Kickboards are used to help an experienced swimmer develop a stronger leg kick for swimming competitions.  
         [0005]     However, there are several problems associated with kickboard known in the art. One problem is that competitive swimmers typically spend many hours training in a pool. One primary use of a kickboard is to provide resistance to a swimmer, in order to strengthen the swimmer&#39;s legs while maintaining good body position. However, most kickboards do not provide much resistance for a swimmer. Most kickboards known in the art are smooth on both sides and do not provide much drag in the water.  
         [0006]     Another problem as a swimmer&#39;s ability improves, more resistance is needed, otherwise has the swimmer must spend more time in the pool to obtain the same training effects using the kickboard. However, most kickboards know in the art do not provide additional or configurable resistance as a swimmer&#39;s ability improves. The same is true for exercisers and rehab patients.  
         [0007]     Another problem is that swimmers, exercisers and rehab patients currently have to stop from time to time to drink water to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration. This disrupts swimming training, exercising and rehab activities. Runners and athletes in other sports drink while exercising. However, drinking is difficult in the swimming pool while training, exercising or rehabbing.  
         [0008]     The have been attempts to solve some of the problems associated with kickboards. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,111, entitled “Kickboard,” that issued to Katz, et al. teaches “a kickboard comprising a relatively thin, buoyant board no longer than twenty six inches. The board has a back edge and a front edge joined by side edges. The board also has top and bottom surfaces joined by the front, back and side edges. Two, spaced-apart, forearm receiving depressions are provided in the top surface of the board, the depressions extending forwardly from the back edge of the board over a major portion of the length of the board to near the front edge. The depressions help to retain the forearms of a swimmer using the board on the board. The kickboard has hand grips located in front of the forearm receiving depressions. Preferably, at least the front portions of the side edges are bent toward each other, and the hand grips are located on the bent front portions, preferably just in front of, and aligned with, the forearm receiving depressions. Gripping the bent front portions allows the wrists to remain in a normal position relative to the forearms thus reducing stress.” 
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,831, entitled “Kickboard,” that issued to Katz et al., teaches “a kickboard having a rigid base of generally thin, rectangular, shape. At least one shallow cutout or depression is formed in the top surface of the base, the depression extending rearwardly from near the front edge of the base and being at least wide enough and long enough to receive a swimmer&#39;s arm when the swimmer grips the front edge of the base with his hand. A layer of cushioning material can be provided in the depression to cushion the arm of the swimmer while gripping the board by the front edge. The front edge of the board is rounded and at least partly cushioned as well. A groove is provided in the bottom surface of the base positioned to receive the finger-tips of the swimmer while gripping the front edge. A second groove can be provided in the top surface of the base, just behind the finger-tip groove, for receiving a portion of the palm of the swimmer&#39;s hand while gripping the front edge.” 
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,834, entitled “Ergonomic kickboard,” that issued to Cole et al. teaches “kickboard made of an elongate board having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the board has front, rear, and side edges that border the top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface of the board is substantially convex in shape within the front and side edges. The board has a pair of elongate channels of defined depth formed in the bottom surface. The channels extend longitudinally from the rear edge toward the front edge and taper in depth near the front edge. The channels provide a variety of comfortable, ergonomically designed hand grip positions and also provide stability to the kickboard.” 
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,429, entitled “Kickboard,” that issued to Gravlin teaches “a kickboard for a swimmer which has a rigid, smoothly contoured, buoyant body symmetrical about a longitudinally extending notional plane perpendicular to its top surface and passing through a center thereof. When referenced to the kickboard being supported by a flat horizontal support surface, the top surface is inclined rearwardly, along the intersection with the notional plane, from a front peripheral edge and upwardly from the support surface reaching a maximum and then curving downwardly toward the sides and in a rearwardly direction. A central curvilinear opening extends from proximal the maximum with opening peripheral side edges extending rearwardly, spaced away from respective outer peripheral side edges of the body so as to provide contoured elongated arm receptacles. A bottom surface of the body follows a similar profile as the overlying top surface.” 
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,638, entitled “Kickboard for swimmers,” that issued to Winters teaches “a variable drag and buoyancy kickboard for a swimmer comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a plurality of pairs of hand grasping locations. The second portion extends from a lateral edge of the first portion. The first portion defines a first planar surface and the second portion defines a second planar surface. The first and second planar surfaces form an obtuse angle. The first and second portions having a periphery upon which the hand grasping locations are disposed. Each pair of hand grasping locations are laterally opposite each other on the periphery. Grasping different pairs of hand grasping locations varies the flow characteristics of the kickboard by varying its position in the water. Thus, the drag of the kickboard may be varied.” 
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,518, entitled “Combined kick board and arm stroke swimming practice device,” that issued to Boissiere teaches “the practice device has convexly rounded streamlined sides which flank a flat thinner center portion to provide hollows at each face which generally conform to the insides of the thighs of the user and is held between the thighs during arm stroke practice. During leg kick practice the sides of the device are held by the hands of the swimmer for use as a “kick board”. Hand hold recesses can be provided on the sides to facilitate gripping during kick-board use, and the sides of the hollows can diverge to better conform to the configuration of the insides of the thighs.” 
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,068, entitled “Swimmer&#39;s Aid,” that issued to Carbonero teaches “the swimmer&#39;s aid is a generally S-shaped board having means on the upper surface thereof for engagement with the hands of a swimmer. The swimmer holds the board in front of him with his arms extended and propels himself by means of kicking his legs. The rearward end of the board is downturned to act as a drag. The forward end of the board is upturned to minimize any tendency of the board to dive into the water during use. The swimmer&#39;s aid is a practice device intended to assist in improving a swimmer&#39;s ability.” 
         [0015]     However, none of these solutions solve all of the problems associated with kickboards. Thus, it is desirable to provide a kickboard for swimmers, exercisers and rehaber with resistance. It is also desirable to provide a resistance kickboard that allows a user to stay hydrated without leaving stopping use of the resistance kickboard.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, some of the problems associated with kickboards overcome. A resistance kickboard is presented.  
         [0017]     The resistance kickboard includes plural resistance indicia that provide varying levels of resistance when the resistance kickboard is moved through water. The resistance kickboard may also include a reservoir to hold a liquid. The liquid allows a user to stay hydrated while using the resistance kickboard.  
         [0018]     The foregoing and other features and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description. The detailed description proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a top view of a resistance kickboard;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a bottom view of the resistance kickboard;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a side view of one removable resistance indicia;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a side view of the angular left side the resistance kickboard;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a side view of the angular right side the resistance kickboard;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a top view of the resistance kickboard with exemplary measurements and angles for one exemplary embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a side view of the angular left side the resistance kickboard with exemplary measurements and angles for one exemplary embodiment;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a bottom view of the resistance kickboard with exemplary measurements and angles for one exemplary embodiment;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a top view of the resistance kickboard with a reservoir; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a top view of the resistance kickboard with an integral reservoir.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a top view  10  of a resistance kickboard. The resistance kickboard includes a rigid buoyant body  12  with a smooth top portion  14  with a straight front side  16 , an angular left side  18 , an angular right side  20  and an angular back side  22 .  
         [0031]     The smooth top portion  14  includes a first angular gripping location  24  and a second angular gripping location  26  to allow a user to grasp the resistance kickboard. The first angular gripping location  24  and the second angular gripping location  26  are included on the angular back side  22 . The resistance kickboard also includes a first contoured gripping location  28  and a second contoured location  30  also used for holding the resistance kickboard.  
         [0032]     In one embodiment, the right buoyant body  12  comprises Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam or closed cell EVA foam. In another embodiment, the rigid buoyant body  12  comprises an elastomer. As is known in the art, a elastomer is type of polymer that exhibits rubber-like qualities. However, the present invention is not limited to these materials and other rigid buoyant materials, such as wood, plastic, rubber, composite materials, etc. can be used to practice the invention.  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, the rigid buoyant body  12  includes a pre-determined width-to-length ratio in which a width of at least two times a pre-determined length is used. In this embodiment, a width of at least two times a pre-determined length that allows the resistance kickboard to provide resistance while allowing arms of a user to be placed in a comfortable position. A wider width-than-length provides stability in water, resistance and comfort to the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and other width-to-length ratios can also be used to practice the invention.  
         [0034]     In another embodiment of the invention, the resistance kickboard includes a length-to-width ratio in which a length of at least two times a pre-determined width is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and other length-to-width ratios can also be used to practice the invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a bottom view  32  of the resistance kickboard. The resistance kickboard includes a bottom non-smooth side  34  of the rigid buoyant body  12  with plural resistance indicia  36  that provide resistance when the rigid buoyant body  12  is moved through water.  
         [0036]     In one embodiment, the plural resistance indicia  36  include plural equal spaced angular indicia each attached to the bottom non-smooth side  34  at a same pre-determined angle. In one embodiment the pre-determined angle includes a pre-determined angle between forty-five (45) degrees and one-hundred thirty-five (135) degrees. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and other pre-determined angles can be used to practice the invention.  
         [0037]     In one embodiment, the angle of the plural resistance indicia is varied to provide varying levels of resistance in the water. For example, a first lowest level of resistance may correspond to an angle of forty-five degrees. A last highest level of resistance may correspond to an angle of one-hundred thirty-five degrees, or visa-versa. Other levels of resistance used to attach the plural resistance indicia are used to provide other levels of resistance. The varying levels of resistance allow swimmers, exercisers and rehab patients to vary resistance levels and to increase resistance levels to higher resistance levels and fitness and strength improves.  
         [0038]     In another embodiment, the plural resistance indicia  36  include plural non-equally spaced angular indicia each attached to the bottom non-smooth side  34  at a same pre-determined angle. In another embodiment, the plural resistance indicia  36  include plural non-equally spaced angular indicia each attached to the bottom non-smooth side  34  at different or varying angles. In another embodiment, the plural resistance indicia  36  include plural non-angular indicia (e.g., rounded or other resistance indicia).  
         [0039]     In one embodiment, the rigid buoyant body  12  includes plural different colors. A selected color indicates a resistance level for the plural resistance indicia  36  that provide a selected resistance when the rigid buoyant body  12  is moved through water. For example, the rigid buoyant body  12  may include a green color for a lowest resistance level, a yellow color for a next resistance level, a red color for a next resistance level, and a black color for a highest resistance level. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific colors, and more, fewer or other colors can also be used to practice the invention. The plural different colors allow a desired resistance level to be easily and quickly determined, while selecting a resistance kickboard for use.  
         [0040]     In one embodiment the plural resistance indicia  36  are permanently attached to the rigid buoyant body  12 . In another embodiment the plural resistance indicia  36  are removable and dynamically adjustable to varying angles providing varying levels of resistance. In such an embodiment the plural resistance indicia  36  each include plural attachment means that attach to plural attachment receptacles (e.g., holes, etc.) in varying locations on the bottom non-smooth side  34  of the rigid buoyant body  12  to provide adjustable varying levels of resistance.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a side view  38  of one removable resistance indicia  40 . In this exemplary embodiment, the removable resistance indicia  40  includes plural attachment portions (e.g., pegs, etc.)  42  that attach to plurals holes in one set of plural locations on the bottom non-smooth side  34  of the rigid buoyant body  12  to provide adjustable varying levels of resistance.  
         [0042]     For example, a first removable resistance indicia  40  could be added to the rigid buoyant body  12  for a first level of resistance. A second removable resistance indicia  40  could then be added to the rigid buoyant body  12  to provide a second higher level of resistance. Additional removable resistance indicia  40  can be added until all the plural attachment receptacles are filed with resistance indicia  40  at which a maximum level of possible resistance is reached. Similarly, selected ones of the removable resistance indicia  40  can be added for removed to provide detachable and adjustable and varying levels of resistance.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a side view  44  of the angular left side  18  the resistance kickboard.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a side view  46  of the angular right side  20  the resistance kickboard.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a top view  48  of the resistance kickboard with exemplary measurements and angles for one exemplary embodiment.  
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a side view  50  of the angular left side  18  the resistance kickboard with exemplary measurements and angles for one exemplary embodiment.  
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a bottom view  51  of the resistance kickboard with exemplary measurements and angles for one exemplary embodiment.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 6, 7  and  8  illustrate exemplary measurements (e.g. in inches) and angles for one exemplary embodiment. These measurements and angles are exemplary only for one specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to these measurements and angles and other measurements and angles can be used to practice the invention.  
         [0049]     Swimmers, exercisers and rehab patients currently have to stop from time to time to drink water to stay hydrated. This disrupts swimming training, exercising and rehab activities. Runners and athletes in other sports drink while exercising.  
         [0050]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a top view  52  of the resistance kickboard with a reservoir  54 . In one embodiment, the reservoir  54  is attached to the top smooth side  14  on the rigid buoyant body  12  for holding a liquid. A flexible tube  56  is connected at one end to the reservoir  54 . The flexible tube  56  includes a compressible mouthpiece  58  attached at another other end of the flexible tube  56  for releasing a liquid from the reservoir  54  through the flexible tube  56  when compressed. The reservoir  54  also includes a filing means  60  with a closing means (not illustrated).  
         [0051]     In one embodiment, for example, the reservoir  54  may include a filing component  60  with a screw cap that allows the reservoir  54  to be filled with a hydrating liquid (e.g., water, electrolyte solution, soft drink, etc.). However, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment, another other embodiments may also be used to practice the invention.  
         [0052]     In one embodiment, the compressible mouthpiece  58  is inserted into a user mouth. When liquid from the reservoir  54  is desired, the compressible mouthpiece  58  is compressed by the user (e.g., biting down on it, squeezing it, etc.) liquid is obtained from the reservoir  54  via the flexible tube  56 . However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other embodiment may also be used to practice the invention.  
         [0053]     In one embodiment, the reservoir  54  is permanently attached to the rigid buoyant body. In another embodiment, the reservoir  54  is removable and attached to the rigid buoyant body  12  with one or more flexible bands including, but not limited to, elastic, rubber, plastic, composite materials, etc.  
         [0054]     In one embodiment the reservoir  54  is attached to the top smooth side  14  on the rigid buoyant body  12  for holding a liquid. In such an embodiment, the reservoir  54  adds additional resistance to the resistance kickboard.  
         [0055]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a top view  62  of the resistance kickboard with an integral reservoir  64 . In such an embodiment, the reservoir  64  is integral to the resistance kickboard. That is, the resistance kickboard includes the reservoir  64  in a hollow portion of the rigid buoyant body  12 . The hollow portion is illustrated as only a pre-determined portion of the rigid buoyant body  12 . However, in another embodiment, the hollow portion may include an entire portion of the rigid buoyant body  12 . In such an embodiment with an integral reservoir  64 , only the flexible tube  56  extends from the top smooth side  14  and provides very minimal additional resistance to the resistance kickboard.  
         [0056]     In embodiments with a reservoir  54 ,  60 , the weight of the liquid will provide additional resistance to the user as the resistance kickboard is moved through the water. As the liquid is consumed, the resistance kickboard will become more buoyant and provide less resistance for the user. In such embodiments, the buoyancy of the resistance kickboard is adjusted to compensate for being filed with a liquid and for having the liquid consumed. Thus, the buoyancy of a resistance kickboard with a reservoir may be slightly different than a resistance kickboard without a reservoir.  
         [0057]     It should be understood that the materials and components described herein are not related or limited to any particular type materials and components unless indicated otherwise. Various other types of materials and components may be used with or perform operations in accordance with the teachings described herein.  
         [0058]     In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. For example, more or fewer elements may be used in the block diagrams.  
         [0059]     The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. In addition, use of the term “means” in any claim is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, and any claim without the word “means” is not so intended.  
         [0060]     Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.