Patent Publication Number: US-4480829-A

Title: Aquatic exercising and body toning device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the growing concern for physical fitness, there is an increased interest in swimming and water recreation as forms of exercise. While swimming laps in a pool is an extremely beneficial exercise, many people are inclined to consider it monotonous and inadequate for development of muscles of the upper body. Accordingly, many people are seeking other forms of physical exercise and muscle development in which to engage while enjoying the water. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an arm, shoulder and upper body exercising device that can be used while one is in a swimming pool or spa. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an exercising device for development of the arms, shoulders and upper body, with means for varying the amount of physical effort needed to manipulate it. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description to follow, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In carrying out this invention, I provide a barbell-shaped device, including a handle to be gripped by the user with enlargements at the opposite ends. Each enlargement comprises a pair of discs, one rotatable on the other. Sector openings through the disc can be positioned in varying degrees of registry to vary the size of the effective openings through the discs, and thereby to adjust the amount of resistance that the water presents to movement of the discs through it. Hence, rotary adjustment of the discs, varies the effective &#34;weights&#34; at the ends of the exerciser. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the drawing: 
     FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the exerciser of the invention in use; and 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view in perspective showing the means for adjusting the resistance of the device to movement through water. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, the aquatic exercising device 10 of this invention is adapted to be manipulated by a person P while standing or sitting in a body of water 12, such as in a swimming pool or spa 14. Of course, it may also be used in any natural body of water, as long as the water 12 is deep enough to enable movement of the device 10 below the surface without interference. 
     The exercising device 10 includes a handle 15 that interconnects circular enlargements 16 at opposite ends thereof, in the general configuration of a barbell. Each circular enlargement 16 includes an outer ring 18 which may be formed integrally with a plurality of spokes or sectors 20 providing sector openings 22 between them. Near the center of the ring 16, the spokes 20 terminate in a hub 24 carrying a short spindle 26. 
     Rotatably carried on the spindle 26 is a second circular disc 28 which is rotatably received in a track 30 provided in the ring 18. The disc 28 also includes a plurality of solid sectors or spokes 32 with sector openings 34 therebetween. 
     It is obvious, that by turning the disc 28 relative to the ring 18, the sector openings 22 and 34 may be brought into varying degrees of registry, thereby to adjust the effective openings through the two discs 20 and 28. 
     Any suitable means may be provided for fixing the relative positions of the discs 20 and 28. For example, there may be provided a series of serrations 36 in the outer periphery of the disc 28, to be engaged by a pointed spring detent 38, which is slidable in the handle 15. The detent 38 is biased by a spring 40 into engagement with a tooth 36 aligned therewith. The detent 38 may be withdrawn by pulling on the knob 42 to retract the detent and enable partial rotation of the disc to a newly selected position. Then, the knob maybe released to enable reengagement of the detent 38, fixing the spoked wheel 28 in a newly adjusted position. The wheels 16 at the other end of the handle 15 may be adjusted in like manner to vary the total resistance of the device to movement through the water 12. 
     In use, a person can stand or sit in a body of water and pull the device through the water to develop arm muscles, shoulder muscles and other muscles throughout the upper body by bending, twisting and engaging in other maneuvers resisted by resistance of the water to movement of the device. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined by the claims appended hereto.