Patent Publication Number: US-9833651-B2

Title: Aquatic exercise device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/181,262, filed Feb. 14, 2014, titled “Aquatic Exercise Device,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/588,958, filed Aug. 17, 2012, titled “Aquatic Exercise Device,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/559,420, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,246,523, filed Sep. 14, 2009, entitled, “AQUATIC EXERCISE DEVICE,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/413,645, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,851, filed Apr. 28, 2006, entitled “AQUATIC EXERCISE DEVICE”, which is a division application of Ser. No. 10/688,453, filed Oct. 18, 2003, entitled “AQUATIC EXERCISE DEVICE,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/419,604, filed Oct. 18, 2002; the disclosures of each of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This document relates to exercise and physical therapy, and particularly to aquatic-based exercise and therapy. 
     Aquatic physical exercise has been found to be one of the best forms of exercise. Water supports an individual&#39;s body and alleviates most of the effects of gravity allowing the individual to exercise prescribed specific muscle groups without stressing other areas of the body. The reduced physical strain on these other area allows the individual to exercise for longer periods of time. The individual is also able to exercise longer due to a lower and more stabilized body temperature resulting from contact with the water. Strain on the heart, muscles and ligaments is minimized while the benefits of physical activity are maximized. 
     Accordingly, aquatics-based exercise is gaining in popularity, while aquatics-based physical therapy is becoming more preferred in the treatment of the elderly, the obese, and the infirm. There is a huge demand for an exercise modality which provides long-term health benefits and which can exist in the favorable environment of lower stress and freer movement. Conventional aquatic exercise devices and methods, however, are limited in several ways. For example, conventional devices do not offer uniform directional or rotational resistance when moved through the water. As a result, the devices feel awkward and unstable to the user. Further, conventional devices do not provide the appropriate resistance for exercises designed to develop muscles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a perspective view of an aquatic exercise device in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a side view of the aquatic exercise device in an unfastened arrangement in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a perspective view of a second exemplary aquatic device including a shoe. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a top-down view of an aquatic exercise device in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention from the perspective of a user standing upright and wearing the device in a fastened arrangement. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a perspective view of a latitudinal fin attached to a longitudinal fin. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a side view of a longitudinal fin in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 7-11  are illustrations of cross-sectional top views of several variations of the side plate attached to a fin. 
         FIG. 12  is flow chart of an exemplary method of performing aquatic exercise using an aquatic exercise device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary aquatic exercise device  100  in a fastened arrangement and  FIG. 2  shows a side view of the exemplary aquatic exercise device  100  in an unfastened arrangement. The aquatic exercise device  100  provides substantially uniform directional resistance when moved through water by a user wearing the device  100  around the user&#39;s ankle area (not shown). The aquatic exercise device  100  includes a plurality of fins  106  attached to the user&#39;s foot or ankle by at least one fastening strap  102 ,  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening straps include a cuff strap  102  configured to be wrapped around the ankle area of the user&#39;s leg and a stirrup strap  104  connected to the cuff strap  102  and configured to be wrapped around the bottom of the user&#39;s foot. The fastening straps  102 ,  104 , therefore, form a strap assembly that allows the aquatic exercise device  100  to be fastened, attached, or otherwise worn by the user. Although the plurality of fins  106  may have any of numerous shapes and orientations, the fins  106  in the exemplary embodiment are attached to the cuff strap  102  in an orientation to position the fins  102  substantially parallel to the leg of the user when worn. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening straps  102 ,  104  are segments of a flexible material. The flexible material may include several layers of materials that are glued, sewn, or otherwise attached to each other. An example of a suitable arrangement of flexible materials includes a layer of neoprene attached to a resilient nylon layer such as a Dacron® material layer. Where the flexible material is elastic, a suitable fastening technique includes stretching the fastening straps  102 ,  104  to adapt the aquatic exercise device to fit various sized users. Where an inelastic material is used, a particular aquatic device  100  may fit a limited number of users. In some situations, the cuff strap  102  may be a continuous cuff formed from a flexible material allowing the user to insert the user&#39;s foot through the cuff to position the cuff strap  102  at the ankle of the user. In the exemplary embodiment, the cuff strap  102  includes two ends  132 ,  134  that are attached to each other by a cuff attachment when the cuff strap  102  is fastened to the user. The cuff attachment includes a first cuff attachment portion  128  and a second cuff attachment portion  130  that allow the ends  132 ,  134  of the cuff strap  102  to be secured in a relative position. In the exemplary embodiment, the cuff attachment includes a ‘hook and loop’ mechanism, such as a Velcro® attachment mechanism, where the first cuff attachment portion  128  includes the hook portion and the second cuff attachment portion  130  includes the loop portion. The cuff attachment is arranged on the cuff strap  102  such that first end  132  of the cuff strap  102  overlaps the second end  134  when the cuff strap  102  is attached to the user. The first cuff attachment portion  128 , therefore, is drawn in  FIG. 2  using dashed lines to illustrate that the first cuff attachment portion  128  is on the inside of the cuff strap  102 . Examples of other suitable cuff attachments include clasps, belt buckles, and snaps. 
     Although the stirrup strap  104  may form a continuous stirrup extending from the cuff strap  102 , the stirrup strap  104  in the exemplary embodiment includes a first stirrup section  124  and second stirrup section  126  that are attached to each other with a stirrup attachment when the aquatic exercise device  100  is fastened to the user. The stirrup attachment includes a first stirrup attachment portion  136  and a second stirrup attachment portion  138  that allow the first stirrup section  124  to be secured to the second stirrup section  126 . In the exemplary embodiment, the stirrup attachment includes a ‘hook and loop’ mechanism, such as a Velcro® attachment mechanism, where the first stirrup attachment portion  136  includes the loop portion and the second stirrup attachment portion  138  includes the hook portion. The stirrup attachment is arranged on the stirrup strap  104  such that first stirrup section  124  overlaps the second stirrup section  128  when the stirrup strap  104  is attached to the user. The first stirrup attachment portion  136 , therefore is drawn using dashed lines to illustrate that the stirrup attachment first portion  136  is on the inside of the first stirrup strap section  124 . Examples of other suitable stirrup attachments include clasps, belt buckles, and snaps. 
     The stirrup strap  104  is attached to the cuff strap  102  by stitching an end  114  of the first stirrup strap section  124  to the cuff strap  102  and stitching an end  116  of the second stirrup section  128  to the cuff strap  102  in the exemplary embodiment. The two straps  102 ,  104 , however, may be connected using any of numerous techniques and connection systems where some suitable examples include using rivets, snaps, buttons, and hook and loop fasteners. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the cuff strap  102  includes a cuff tab  120  to aid the user in fastening the aquatic exercise device  100  by providing an easily gripped handle to allow the user to move the cuff strap  102  to desired position. A stirrup tab  122  facilitates the positing and fastening of the stirrup strap  104  in the exemplary embodiment. The tabs  120 ,  122 , therefore, aid the user to move and position the fastening straps  102 ,  104  between the fastened and unfastened arrangements of the aquatic exercise device  100 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the plurality of fins  106  extend outwardly in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the cuff strap  102  to position the fins  106  substantially parallel to the user&#39;s leg and extending outwardly from an interior  110  of the cuff strap  102 . An example of a suitable shape of the plurality of fins  102  is a symmetrical elongated oval. In some circumstances, the fins  102  may have other shapes such as circles, squares, triangles or rectangles for example. The fins  106  are equally spaced along the cuff strap  102  such that, in the fastened arrangement, the fins  106  extend outwardly from a common central axis within the interior  110  and at equal radians to provide substantially uniform directional and rotational resistance. For example, where four fins  106  are used, the fins  106  extend out from the cuff strap  102  at substantially 90 degree increments in the fastened arrangement. 
     Any of numerous techniques or mechanisms can be used to directly or indirectly attach the fins  106  to the cuff strap  102 . In the exemplary embodiment, a fin attachment mechanism  108  connects the fins  106  to the cuff strap  102 . The fin attachment mechanism  108  is attached using rivets in the exemplary embodiment. Examples of other suitable techniques for attaching the fin attachment mechanism  108  to the cuff strap  102  include using screws, bolts, glue, staples and stitching. In some circumstances, one or more of the fins  106  may be releaseably attached using a fin attachment mechanism  108  that allows the fins  106  to be replaced. In such circumstances, various sized fins ( 106 ) can be used with a single fastening strap assembly. For example, a fin  106  of a first size or shape can be detached from the attachment mechanism  108  and a fin of a second size or shape can be attached or “snapped” to the fin attachment mechanism  108 . The fins  106  may be any shape, and can be of different sizes to accommodate different levels of resistance based on a direction of movement. In the exemplary embodiment, the fins  106  are spaced roughly 1.5 inches apart, and are roughly 2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. Vertically elongated fins  106  allow for greater freedom of movement and can lessen the potential for hitting or snagging against another aquatic exercise device  100  or other object, while providing a preferred surface area to provide resistance. 
     A suitable configuration of the aquatic exercise device includes a cuff strap  102  having width of approximately two (2) inches and a length of ten (10) inches that can accommodate a large range of foot and ankle sizes. In operation, the cuff strap  102  is wrapped around the ankle of a user as a cuff, and the stirrup strap  104  is wrapped under the foot of the user to inhibit vertical movement of the cuff strap  102 . Either the cuff strap  102  or the stirrup strap  104  may be fastened first. 
     An exemplary method of exercising the user includes wrapping the cuff strap  102  around an ankle of the user, where the first strap  102  includes two or more outwardly-extending fins  106  preferably aligned in the direction of the person&#39;s leg. The method further includes wrapping two portions of the second strap  104  under the foot of the person and connecting the two portions. A second aquatic device  100  is fastened to the other foot. As the legs of the user are moved through the water, the fins  106  provide near-uniform resistance in the opposite direction to the direction of movement. 
     The aquatic exercise device  100  is ideal for stimulating the hip flexors, quadriceps and extensors when pushed forward. When the device  100  is pulled back, the hamstring, calves and gluteus muscle groups (often referred to as “glutes”) are stimulated. When the aquatic exercise device  100  is moved in a side to side manner, the inside of the hips and thighs are stimulated, known as abduction and adduction. All movements can be performed in water and are useful for stretching and sports-specific movement, as well as rehabilitation for better health, weight loss, and wellness. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the aquatic exercise device  300  where a shoe  302  forms the fastening strap assembly. The shoe  302  is formed using a waterproof boot, or “bootie”, where the cuff strap  102  is disposed at or near a top of the shoe  302 . In order to fasten the aquatic exercise device  300 , the user inserts a foot through the opening formed within the inner portion  110  of the cuff strap  102  and pulls on the aquatic exercise device  300  in manner similar to the technique used to adorn a sock. The cuff strap  102  includes two or more fins  106  substantially as described above with reference to the first strap in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The fins  106  can be attached directly to the shoe  302  at the cuff strap  102  or using a fin attachment mechanism  108 . 
     The cuff strap  102  is formed of the same material as the shoe  302  so as to be contiguous with adjacent portions of the shoe  302  in the second exemplary embodiment. The cuff strap  102  may be a separate, adjustable part of the aquatic exercise device  300  in some circumstances and may be a strap that can be held by or connected to the shoe  302 . For example, the cuff strap  102  may be formed of a strap that is threaded through loops provided on the outer surface of the shoe  302 . Further, the cuff strap  102  may be sewn or glued to an outer surface of the shoe  302 . Other means of attachment may be used in some situations. 
     The cuff strap  102  can be formed of an elastic material to accommodate various sizes of ankles and to conform to the ankle to prevent the shoe  302  from slipping off the user&#39;s foot. The shoe  302  is formed from neoprene in the second exemplary embodiment. The shoe  302  can be made of other materials such as rubber, nylon, Dacron®, or any combination thereof in some circumstances. The shoe  302  can also include one or more adjustable fasteners  306  to better conform the shoe  302  to a user&#39;s foot. The fasteners  306  can include hook and loop fasteners such, as Velcro® fastening mechanisms, or other fastening mechanisms. The fastener  306  may perform the function of a stirrup strap  104  in some circumstances. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a top-down view of an aquatic exercise device  400  in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment from a perspective of a user standing upright and wearing the aquatic exercise device  400  in a fastened arrangement. In addition to the plurality of fins  106  and the cuff strap  102  discussed with reference to the first and second exemplary embodiments, the aquatic exercise device  400  includes one or more latitudinal fins  402 . In the third exemplary embodiment, the latitudinal fin  402  is a single latitudinal fin  402  constructed of flexible material such as neoprene or rubber. In some circumstances, the latitudinal fin  402  may be a single latitudinal fin  402  constructed of more rigid material such as plastic and may include one or more cuts. Such cuts may completely pass completely through the latitudinal fin  402  or may pass partially through making the latitudinal fin  402  sufficiently flexible to allow the user to insert the foot into the aquatic exercise device  400 . Fins  106  may be coupled directly to the cuff strap  102  or may be attached using a fin attachment mechanism  108 . The cuff strap  102  may be a continuous piece of material, as described with reference to  FIG. 3 , or may be formed from a strap that is wrapped and secured around the ankle area of a leg of a user as discussed in reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     In the third exemplary embodiment, the latitudinal fins  402  are planar and are connected at the approximately to the midpoint in a longitudinal axis  408  of the fins  106 . The latitudinal fins  402 , however, can be connected at any point to the longitudinal fins  106  and may have any suitable thickness. The latitudinal fin  402  may also extend outwardly from the interior  110  of the strap  102  out to the end of the longitudinal fins  106  or beyond. The latitudinal fins  402  provide additional resistance when, for example, the aquatic exercise device  400  is moved in an up-and-down movement in the longitudinal axis  408 . 
     The latitudinal fin  402  is connected to the longitudinal fins  106  at substantially right angles in the third exemplary embodiment. In some circumstances, the latitudinal fin  402  is connected at an angle other than 90 degrees to provide resistance in a specific direction. The latitudinal fin  402  may also be releaseably connected to the fin attachment mechanisms  108 . Such an arrangement may be useful where the latitudinal fin  402  is formed from a rigid material and can be mounted to the aquatic exercise device  400  after the user has inserted the foot. In the third exemplary embodiment, the latitudinal fin  402  includes a plurality of apertures  404  to allow the passage of water and to reduce resistance in the longitudinal axis  408 . The number and size of the apertures  404  regulate the resistance in the longitudinal axis  408 . 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a perspective view of a latitudinal fin  402  attached to a longitudinal fin  106  where a latitudinal fin  402  is attached to each of the plurality of fins  106 . Each latitudinal fin  402  provides a resistance as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . By separating the single latitudinal fin  402  into a plurality of latitudinal fins  402 , however, the latitudinal fins  402  may be constructed of rigid materials. 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of a side view of one longitudinal fin  106  in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention. The longitudinal fin  106  is connected to latitudinal fin  402  as discussed with reference to the third exemplary embodiment and is also connected to a side plate  602  that provides added resistance in a sideward direction (i.e. the direction of least resistance for the particular vertical fin  106 ). In some circumstances, the side plate  602  includes one or more plate apertures  604 . The size and number of apertures as well as the size and shape of the side plate  602  determines the added resistance in the direction of the longitudinal fin  106 . 
       FIGS. 7-11  are illustrations of cross-sectional top views of several variations of the side plate  602  attached to a fin  106 .  FIG. 7  shows a “T”-shaped cross section of a fin  106  with side plate  602  coupled at a right angle at a distal end of the fin  106 . The perpendicular a side plate  602  may have a rounded or squared surface area.  FIG. 8  shows a “Y”-shaped cross section of a fin  600  with angled extending side plate.  FIG. 9  shows a fin  106  having a perpendicular side plate  602  connected within the middle area of the fin  106 .  FIG. 10  shows cylindrically shaped side plate  602  coupled at a distal end of fin  106 .  FIG. 11  shows a curved side plate  602  coupled at a distal end of the fin  106 . Those skilled in the art will readily apply the teachings herein in accordance with known techniques to modify the side plate shape, size, orientation and relative position. The curved side plate  602  referenced in  FIG. 11 , for example, may be coupled in the middle of the fin  106 . 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart of an exemplary method of performing aquatic exercise using an aquatic exercise device  100 . The method may be performed using any aquatic exercise device having a plurality of fins  106  attached to a cuff strap  102 . 
     At step  1202 , the cuff strap  102  of an aquatic exercise device  100  is fastened to an ankle area of leg of a user. In the exemplary method, the cuff strap  102  is snugly wrapped around the ankle area and fastened using the cuff attachment. Where the cuff attachment includes a hook and loop fastener, the loop portion is snuggly pushed against the hook portion to secure the cuff strap  102 . 
     At step  1204 , the stirrup strap  104  is fastened around the foot of the user. In the exemplary method, each section of the stirrup strap  104  is snugly wrapped under the user&#39;s foot and fastened to the opposite section using the stirrup attachment. Where the stirrup attachment includes a hook and loop fastener, the loop portion is snuggly pushed against the hook portion to secure the stirrup strap  104 . 
     At step  1206 , steps  1202  and  1206  are repeated for the user&#39;s other foot. 
     At step  1208 , the user moves their feet in water to move the aquatic exercise device  100  through the water to create a resistance opposite to the direction of motion. Step  1208  is repeated as necessary to stimulate and break down muscle fiber for physical fitness or therapy. The movement may be performed by engaging in walking in a pool, executing swimming strokes, randomly moving the feet or kicking while sitting on the edge of pool or any other motion that creates a resistance and causes leg muscles to work. 
     Clearly, other embodiments and modifications of this invention will occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Therefore, this invention is to be limited only by following claims, which include all such embodiments, equivalents, and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings.