Patent Publication Number: US-7582045-B1

Title: Variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The benefits of water exercise are well founded. Water exercise is also especially beneficial to those with physical limitations, offering an environment closer to weightlessness, and therefore less of a weight load on limbs. The fluid environment also offers resistance training that is superior to typical weighted resistance exercises. Water exercises further have the ability to offer resistance to almost any movement, throughout almost any motion and range of motion that can be imagined. Water offers both concentric and eccentric resistance to muscular activities. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus relates to aquatic exercise devices and more especially to an adjustable resistance aquatic exercise device. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Prior related art U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,306 issued to Solloway on Jan. 19, 1982 teaches an aquatic exercise assembly that can be provided in various forms. The device is cumbersome by comparison to the present apparatus and does not offer the variable resistance nor design of the present apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,011 issued to Solloway on Jun. 4, 1985 teaches a hand engageable aquatic exercise assembly that provides finger holds for grasping. The device does not provide the variable resistance adjustments of the present apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,521 issued to Weisbuch on Jan. 31, 1995 teaches an aquatic exercise device that can be either handheld of worn. This device and others in the prior art do not provide the advantages of the present apparatus, particularly the variable resistance adjustability. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus that provides for the advantages of the present variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus. In this respect, the present variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. Therefore, a need exists for an improved variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus which has many novel features that result in an improved variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus is comprised of two platforms, one of each of which is removably worn on a user&#39;s hand and arm. The user therefore preferably wears a platform on each arm. One embodiment of the apparatus provides identical platforms. Each is comprised of at least one strap for temporarily securing the platform to a user. The straps are preferably flexible and adjustable. Each platform is preferably sized at about 20 inches long and 14 inches wide at the widest dimension. Preferably, the thickness tapers, from about 1½ inches to about ¾ inch. Size varies with different embodiments, however. Each platform provides adjustable resistance, in both forward and backward movement of the platform through water. Orifice sizes available in the disc preferably range from 1 inch, 1½ inch, 2 inches, 2½ inch, and 3 inches in diameter. Orifices are preferably equidistantly spaced about the disc. The platform orifice to which the disc orifices collaborate is preferably about 3 inches in diameter. 
   Various materials are used in the makeup of the apparatus. Straps are made of nylon, flexible rubberized material, and other suitable strap materials. The platforms are lightweight and preferably of foam and other such synthetic materials that are appropriate for water usage. Other elastomers and plastic-like materials are used in various other components of the apparatus. 
   Another embodiment of the apparatus provides platforms that are shaped for right and left hand use. Each platform is a mirror image of the opposite platform, with an indent in one edge of each platform. 
   Each platform further provides for other novel uses. For example, a platform can be used to carry food and drink items. 
   Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the improved variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   An object of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus is to provide increased resistance to a user&#39;s movements in water. 
   Another object of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus is to provide adjustably variable resistance to a user&#39;s movement in water. 
   A further object of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus is to provide adjustable fit. 
   An added object of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus is to provide resistance in both fore and aft movement in water. 
   And, an object of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus is to provide uses other than water resistance. 
   These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the improved variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the improved variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
   In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the improved variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the improved variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross sectional top plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial blow up of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cross sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 2   
       FIG. 7  is a view of  FIG. 6 , with alternative uses of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the apparatus in use in aquatic exercise. 
       FIG. 9  is an alternative embodiment of one platform of the apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 9  thereof, the principles and concepts of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus  10  comprises a pair of platforms  12 . Each platform  12  has a length, a width, and a thickness. Each platform has a heel  20 , a toe  18 , a top  14 , and a bottom  16 . Preferably, an arm depression  23  is disposed in the top  14  of each platform  12 . At least one adjustable strap  72  is provided for removably securing each platform  12  to the limb of a user  200 . Each strap  72  is preferably size adjustable. Each strap  72  is optionally elastic. Each strap  72  passes through strap slots  70  to anchor the strap  72  to the platform  12 . More than one one-way valve  30 ,  32  is disposed within the platform  12 . Preferably, each platform  12  comprises two small one-way valves  32  and two large one-way valves  30 . The large one-way valves  30  are disposed proximal to the heel  20 . The small one-way valves  32  are disposed more distally from the heel  20 , above the large one-way valves  30 . The one-way valves  30 ,  32  are disposed on either side of the arm depression  23 . The platform orifice  24  is disposed proximal to the toe  18  of the platform  12 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rotatable disc  50  is disposed within the platform  12  and revolves around the disc axis  64  that resides within the center section  51  of the disc  50  by using hole  62 . The plurality of disc openings  52  are provided in the disc  50 . Each disc opening  52  is of a different diameter. 
   Each opening  52  is rotatably positionable coincidentally with the platform orifice  24 . The preferred means for temporarily locking each disc opening  52  in a selected position is the lock  53 . The lock  53  is partially comprised of the plurality of lock notches  54  in the disc  50  and the lock tab  56 . The lock tab  56  is pivotally held to the tab pivot  58 . The tab pivot  58  pivots from the lower center of the tab housing  57 . A pivot recess  59  is disposed on either side of the tab pivot  58 , providing for limited side-to-side movement of the lock tab  56 . The lock tab  56  movement is hindered in one direction and aided in the opposite direction by the spring  60 , which rests against the lock tab  56  and one pivot recess  59 . The spring  60  loading of the lock  53  thereby resists movement of the disc  50  in one direction and slightly aids movement of the disc  50  in the opposite direction. The lock  53  holds the disc  50  selectively in position. The disc  50  is thereby temporarily locked with one of the plurality of disc openings  52  coincidental with the platform orifice  24 . The disc  50  is also capable of locking in a position of no disc opening  52  coincidental with the platform orifice  24 . 
   To  FIG. 5 , each small one-way valve  32  and each large one-way valve  30  is comprised of a rigid outer valve perimeter  34  surrounding a valve center  38 . The plurality of valve ribs  36  extends from the perimeter  34  to the center  38 . A sectioned flexible material  40  is disposed on one side of the ribs  36  and the center  38 . The flex material  40  moves in one direction away from the ribs  36  to allow water flow  90 , but the flex material  40  is prohibited from opposite movement via the ribs  36 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , each platform  12  bottom  16  further comprises a cutout  26  which is similar in size and shape to the arm depression  23  on the opposite top  14  of each platform  12 . The disc  50  is disposed within the platform  12  specifically within the disc cavity  76 . The largest opening  52  is illustrated which in turn allows the greatest water flow  90  through the platform orifice  24 . The overall thickness of the platform  12  tapers from larger at the heel  20  to the tow  18 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 7 , the alternative use of the platforms  12  is limited only to imagination. The illustration places a drink  100  within the platform orifice  24  by way of the disc  50  being spun about the disc axis  64  to reveal the largest disc opening  52 . The food items  110  are temporarily held within the cutout  26  of the bottom  16  of the platform  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the user  200  is immersed in water. One platform  12  is fitted to each hand and arm of the user  200  with the toe  18  of each platform  12  farthest from the user  200 . With the downward and backward motion of the user  200  right arm, the water flow  90  is illustrated passing through the platform orifice  24  and the chosen disc opening  52 . The left arm of the user  200  is in forward motion as shown. The water flow  90  is reversed from that experienced by the right arm of the user  200 . The water flow  90  is through the platform orifice  24  and also passes through the large one-way valves  30  and the small one-way valves  32 , thereby enabling forward motion of each platform  12  to be easier than is backward motion. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , an alternate embodiment of the apparatus  10  is illustrated wherein a pair of platforms  12   a  comprises one platform  12   a  that is a mirror image of the other platform  12   a . One edge  13  of each platform  12   a  is dissimilar to an opposite edge  13  of the same platform  12   a . One edge  13  provides an indent  22 . The opposite platform  12   a  provides the indent  22  on an opposite platform  12   a  edge  13 , thereby mirroring the first platform  12   a . The platforms  12   a  are thereby provided with a right hand and a left hand embodiment. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus. 
   Directional terms such as “front”, “back”, “in”, “out”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus may be used. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the variable resistance aquatic exercise apparatus.