Patent Publication Number: US-6712741-B1

Title: Water exercise device and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/853,434 filed May 9, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,898, commonly owned with the present invention. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to floating devices for use in the water, and, more particularly, to floating devices for use in exercise programs in the water. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Water flotation devices are well known in the art, including life vests, tubes, boards, and “water wings.” 
     However, none of the known devices are adapted for use during water exercising, since all interfere with the arms, the legs, or both. Also, some of them do not ensure that the head is kept above water without some action by the arms or legs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for use in the water that supports the user in an upright position. 
     It is an additional object to provide such a device that does not hamper user movement. 
     It is another object to provide such a device that requires no straps or belts. 
     These and other objects are achieved by the device of the present invention, a water exercise device that keeps the user in an upright position while in the water. 
     The exercise device comprises a material adapted for floating that has two opposed end portions that together have sufficient buoyancy to support a user positioned in a body of water. The device also has a narrowed central portion in connecting relation to the two end portions. The central portion is dimensioned to fit between the upper leg portions of the user. In use the user places the central portion between the legs, causing the end portions to be buoyed upward. Thus the trunk of the user becomes enveloped by the end portions, and the user is thereby supported in an upright position. Such a position is suitable for performing an exercise, as the head is supported above the water surface and the hands and legs are free. 
     The method of the present invention comprises the steps of providing an exercise device as outlined above. The central portion is positioned between the legs, either while in the water or prior to entering the water. Once the water is entered and the device positioned as defined, the end portions envelop the user&#39;s trunk, enabling an exercise to be performed without fear of drowning and without interfering with the movement of the limbs. 
    
    
     The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the water exercise device in an open position. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device in use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     The exercise device  10  of the present invention is shown in plan view in FIG.  1  and in use in FIG.  2 . In a preferred embodiment, the device  10  is a unitary member and comprises a foam material such as closed-cell foam or other types of flotation material. At least a portion of the material of which the device  10  is made must be adapted for floating, since the device  10  must have sufficient buoyancy to support a user  20  positioned in a body of water  30 . 
     The device  10  has two opposed end portions  12 , 14  that are generally rectangular in shape with rounded corners  122 , 124 , 142 , 144  and generally parallel ends  121 , 141 . Preferably the end portions  12 , 14  should each have a width  123 , 143  generally smaller than the width of the user&#39;s torso. This feature permits free arm movement by the user. 
     In a first embodiment, the device  10  is usable without the addition of straps or belts. In a second embodiment, the end portions  12 , 14  each have a pair of generally opposed holes  125 , 126 , 145 , 146 , with one hole positioned along the sides  127 , 128 , 147 , 148  of each end portion  12 , 14 . These holes  125 , 126 , 145 , 146  are for the insertion and retention of a body-encircling strap  13 . 
     The device  10  additionally has a narrowed central portion  16  that is in connecting relation to the two end portions  12 , 14 . The central portion  16  is dimensioned to fit between the upper leg portions of the user  20 . This central portion  16  is a distinguishing feature of the device  10 . 
     The method of using this device  10  includes the steps of placing the central portion  16  between the user&#39;s legs  202  and entering a body of water  30  with the head  204  upward. 
     The first end portion  12  is permitted to float upward toward the chest  206  of the user  20 , and the second end portion  14  is likewise permitted to float upward toward the back  208  of the user  20 . Thus the exercise device  10  is positioned in supporting relation to the user  20  and retains the head  204  above the water surface  302 . 
     When using the second embodiment of the device  10 , the strap  13  is attached, either while in the water or while on land. 
     In this position a water exercise can be easily performed, with the limbs free. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction. 
     Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.