Abstract:
An apparatus related to a swim training vest with which one or more water resistance induction ducts may be associated; consisting of a front panel and back panel secured together by an adjustable strap; generating a variable amount of resistance in the water by adjustment of a flap at the exhaust end of the water resistance induction ducts.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/148,553 entitled “Swim Training Vest” which was filed on Jan. 30, 2009 and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to swim training gear. Specifically, the present invention is related to a swim training vest with which one or more water resistance generating ducts may be associated. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There is a variety of fitness and training techniques associated for training swimmers. Swimmers undergoing trainings can train for speed (i.e. to compete in swimming contest) or train for endurance (i.e. triathlon). Strength endurance is used to develop the swimmer&#39;s capacity to maintain the quality of their muscles&#39; contractile force, necessary to maintain their speed through the water. All swimmers need to develop a basic level of strength endurance and participate in activities such as resistance swimming to develop strength endurance. 
         [0004]    A common training technique is using life jacket and attach at least one flotation device to the life jacket which creates drag and resistance for the swimmer. As the swimmer progresses with his strength and speed in swimming through the water, additional floatation devices are attached to create additional drag. 
         [0005]    A problem with this form of swim training is that such apparatus can be clunky difficult to manage in the water. A life jacket inhibits the natural motion of a swimmer preventing the swimmer from practicing correct swimming techniques. Though the utilization of the life jacket method may produce the desired results of increased strength, the development of incorrect technique as a result of the restricted range of motion is undesirable. Such a trade off reduces the effectiveness of using such a technique for swim speed and strength training. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, given that each swimmer has a different body profile, the addition of floating devices to the life vest often means they are attached at different points of the life vest thus making the calibration of swimmer&#39;s skill between each swimmer to be impossible. 
         [0007]    There have been very few attempts at solving the problems of this approach toward swim training. Therefore, it is desirable to readily be able to calibrate the swimmer&#39;s skill through training using an apparatus that is easy to manage and has consistent drag profile between swimmers when used. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of this invention to create an apparatus to effectively and efficiently train swimmers through variable resistance training while swimming. 
         [0009]    It is an objection of this invention to create an apparatus to effectively calibrate a swimmer&#39;s skill. 
         [0010]    It is an object of this invention to create an apparatus that creates a consistent drag profile between swimmers when used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention comprises an apparatus suitable for wearing while swimming and contains one or more water resistant induction ducts on the vest to create drag or resistance in the water. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the swim training apparatus includes a shell suitable for swimmer to wear whereby the vest contains openings for neck (head) and the arms. Further the vest contains two panels, one front panel and one rear panel where the front panel, when worn by the swimmer, is situated to the front side of the swimmer and a rear panel, when worn, is situated at the rear of the swimmer. The front panel and the rear panel, when worn, are connected by various connecting mechanism, such as straps, zippers, latches and the likes. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, one or a plurality of water resistant induction ducts are attached on the surface of the front and rear panel where the water resistant induction duct contains an intake opening at the end closest to the neck and head of the swimmer where the intake opening is suitable for water to enter as the swimmer is swimming forward wearing the vest. The other end of the water resistant induction duct is either completely closed, creating maximum water drag, or partially closed, allowing the water to escape at a reduced rate. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the vest is constructed where the water resistant induction ducts can be attached to both the front and the rear panels. In another embodiment, the vest is constructed where the flap on the exhaust opening of water resistant induction duct can be adjusted for complete closure or various degrees of partial closure. The advantage of the adjustable flap is that it allows for the creation of different drag models within the water depending upon the selected degree of closure of the exhaust opening. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the vest is preferably constructed at least in part of a semi-elastic material such as neoprene. In another embodiment, the water resistant induction duct is constructed of nylon, or plastic materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a drawing from a right front perspective of an embodiment of a swim training vest in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a drawing of a frontal view of the swim training vest illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a drawing of a side view of the swim training vest illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a drawing of a top view of the swim training vest illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The present invention is a swim training vest. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
         [0021]    The present invention comprises a wearable structure (vest or jacket) suitable for swim training where one or more water resistant induction ducts are affixed to the vest where the water resistant induction ducts produce drag or resistance within the water for purpose of training the swimmer for speed and endurance. 
         [0022]    One embodiment of a swim training vest in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 . Specifically, the swim vest is of the type which is adapted to be worn about the torso of a human. 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the swim vest generally comprises a body  101 . The shell of the body  101  has a front  101  and a back or rear  102 . When worn, the front  101  is oriented towards the front (i.e. chest) of the wearer. The back  102  is oriented towards the back of the wearer. An opening  103  is available on both sides through which the arms of a wearer may extend through. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the front  101  can contain a number of water resistant induction ducts  104  and the rear  102  can also contain number of water resistant induction duct  104  for generating water resistance. In another embodiment, the number of water resistant induction ducts  104  can be adjusted manually by removing or attaching additional water resistant induction ducts to the vest. Each water resistant induction duct  104  has an intake opening  105  at the front of the duct where water would enter when the swimmer is swimming forward. Each water resistant induction duct  104  also contains an exhaust opening  106  where the exhaust opening can be completely or partially blocked so that the flow of water through the water resistant induction duct  104  is restricted. In a preferred embodiment, the exhaust opening  106  allows a mechanism where partial closure of the exhaust opening  106  can be adjusted resulting in an adjustable flap  107  whereby the resistance of water flow through water resistant induction duct can be adjusted. 
         [0025]    One means of connecting and disconnecting the front  101  and rear  102  is preferably a strap  108 . 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0026]    In  FIG. 1 , a drawing of the swimming apparatus from a 45-degree angle is disclosed. The front  101  of the vest is oriented towards the front of the person. An opening  103  for the head of the swimmer is located at the top. In this embodiment, the swim vest contains three water resistant induction ducts  104  attached to the front  101  of the vest. The intake opening  105  of the water resistant induction duct is unrestricted. The exhaust opening  106  is partially restricted by an adjustable flap  107 . A strap  108  secures both the front  101  and rear  102  together. 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 2 , a drawing of the swimming apparatus from the front is disclosed. The front  101  of the vest is oriented towards the front of the person. An opening  103  for the head of the swimmer is located at the top. In this embodiment, the swim vest contains water resistant induction ducts  104  attached to the front  101  of the vest. The intake opening  105  of the water resistant induction duct is unrestricted. The exhaust opening  106  is partially restricted by an adjustable flap  107 . A strap  108  secures both the front  101  and rear  102  together. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 3 , a drawing of the swimming apparatus from the side is disclosed. The front  101  of the vest is oriented towards the front of the person. The swim vest contains a water resistant induction duct  104  attached to the front  101  of the vest as well as the back  102  of the vest. The intake opening  105  of the tube like structure is unrestricted. The exhaust opening  106  is partially restricted by an adjustable flap  107 . A strap  108  secures both the front  101  and rear  102  together. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 4 , a drawing of the swimming apparatus from above is disclosed. The front  101  of the vest is oriented towards the front of the person. An opening  103  for the head of the swimmer is located at the top. In this embodiment, the swim vest contains three water resistant induction ducts  104  attached to the front  101  of the vest as well as three water resistant induction ducts in the back  102  of the vest. In another embodiment, water resistant induction ducts  104  may be added or removed from the front  101  and rear  102 .