Abstract:
A swimming training system is described herein that includes a vertical pillar connected to a horizontal sliding grooved bar with flexible rope or tether member to be tied to a swimmer&#39;s belt to provide float support while in the swimming crawl position. In a related embodiment, the training system is configured for portability and yet in another example embodiment the training system is configured to be permanently affixed to a large commercial swimming pool such as used in a fitness club. Not only can this system be used widely for beginners to learn how to swim but it can also be used by experienced swimmers who are seeking to improve their swimming technique or are using same to as a resistance training aid.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to a swimming teaching aid and system that provides an elevated conveyor system to support a swimmer but allow free range of motion for a variety of swimming strokes. 
         [0002]    In many common production lines and other assembly applications, workpieces are transported along an overhead rail, for instance a monorail. Motor-driven trolleys travel along the rail to and between various workstations. Electrical conductors can be provided along the rail to provide power. The carriages carry workpieces along the path defined by the rail for delivering the workpieces to the various workstations. However, there is no frame structure designed to support a swimmer in a pool. 
         [0003]    Currently there are a number of solutions for teaching people how to swim. The most common way to teach people how to swim is to either use flotation devices or having someone hold the person up in the water. Some of these solutions attempt to make beginner swimmers feel more comfortable in the water, but these solutions are inconvenient and fail to meet the needs of the industry because small children and first time swimmers still need to have a person close by in the event something happens. Other solutions attempt to teach people to swim, such as holding a Sheppard&#39;s hook near the swimmer, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because they require one-on-one supervision, are typically uncomfortable and restrict the motion of a swimmer. 
         [0004]    It would be desirable to have a system and device that allows beginning swimmers to feel safe even without one-on-one supervision. Additionally, it would be desirable to have a swimming training device that provides beginner swimmers to learn to swim away from the pool walls. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a system that advanced swimmers can use for resistance training and to provide them the flexibility of practicing, training and/or exercising using all kinds of swimming technique and styles such as front crawl, backstroke, butterfly, and sidestroke. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a swimming training system and device that includes a support frame which helps to promote safety and provides peace of mind to new swimmers. Since the swimming is recommended by exercise experts to enhance individual health, this invention will help those people who desire to learn how to swim while helping to lower some of the risk. One of the advantages of the swim training system described herein is that it will hold the user right at the surface level of the water, yet enable them to move up and down a designated lane in a pool to practice swimming. 
         [0006]    In one example embodiment, a swimming training system includes vertical poles connected to a track which allows for a bracket assembly, attached to a flexible rope or tether (hereinafter a cable) to be tied to a swimmer&#39;s belt or harness to provide float support while in the swimming crawl position. In a related embodiment, the training system is configured for portability and yet in another example embodiment the training system is configured to be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to a large commercial swimming pool such as used in a fitness club. Not only can this system be used widely for beginners to learn how to swim but it can also be used by experienced swimmers who are seeking to improve their swimming technique or are using it as a resistance training aid. 
         [0007]    Several advantages of the swimming trainer system and device described herein includes enabling gyms, schools and other places that have swimming lesson, reduce their payroll and liability insurance expenses because they can have a higher student to teacher ratio while increasing safety; allows for resistance training without the cost of expensive air pumping systems typically used by resistance trainers; and assists beginners to feel more at ease in the water 
         [0008]    The invention described herein could also be used to advance aquatic sports. In one example a new sport is contemplated that provides different weights or different resistance connected to the swimmer harness. In another related embodiment the swimming training device includes a monitor (electronic and/or manual; wireless and/or wired) that will display various forces or measures from each individual swimmer. 
         [0009]    The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a multiple track swimming training system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows an perspective view of a one-track swimming training system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bracket assembly configured for a track of the swimming training system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevation view of a pillar with the bracket assembly and carabineer. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an perspective view of the bracket assembly that attaches to the track. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the swimming training system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the swimming training system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    In one example embodiment, there is disclosed a swimming training system  10  configured for use with a pool that includes a steel (or other metal such as aluminum or plastic) pillar or pole fixed on the ground. Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2  which illustrate a perspective view of two embodiments disclosed herein. The swimming training system  10  generally includes a support frame  15  and a bracket assembly  20 . Bracket assembly  20  further comprises a roller  25  and a brace portion  30 . The swimming training system  10  is configurable to be erected adjacent a swimming pool to allow for a person to improve their swimming mechanics. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , where support frame  15  structure is illustrated with a plurality of tracks  35 , poles  40  and pillars  45 . In at least this example embodiment support frame  15  is configured to be positioned over a swimming pool. Although one of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand the variety of means to secure support frame  15  to a position adjacent a swimming pool, a removable securement means is preferred. Still referring to  FIG. 1 , pillar  45  has a terminal end  46  which is connected to support plate  50 . As illustrated, support plate  50  is coupled to terminal end  46  by known means, such as welding or mechanical fastening. Support plate  50  may further include apertures to allow securement means such as bolts (not shown) to removeably couple support frame to surfaces in and around the swimming pool. It should be appreciated that track  35  is positioned in manner that will allow continuity with swimming lanes, if such configuration is desired. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  which illustrates support frame  15  with a single track  35  affixed to a plurality of poles  40  and pillars  45 . As described above, pillars  45  have a terminal end  46  which is connected to support plate  50 . Support plate  50  may further include apertures to allow securement means to removeably couple support frame  15  to surfaces in and around the swimming pool. 
         [0020]    Support frame  15  may be any number of shapes and configurations suitable for supporting the load of a swimmer or swimmers when in use. The support frame  15  materials are conventional and well known to those skilled in the art. The support frame  15  generally includes at least one track  35  and a plurality of poles  40  which are used to form the support matrix to attach track  35 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , which depict track  35  that is substantially perpendicular to poles  40 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , track  35  can be arranged through appropriate configuration of at least one sidewall  60  and a support platform  65 . Support platform  65  may further comprise flange  55  defining a channel or slot therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, sidewall(s)  60  can be part of a channel to support bracket assembly  20  along a substantial portion of the longitudinal length track  35 . In one example embodiment a side elevation view would illustrate a U-shaped channel defining a path of travel for the swimmer training system  10 . Support platform  65  can be any desired cross-sectional configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the support platform  65  includes a surface engaged with an exterior surface of each roller  25 . Preferably, the support platform  65  is in the form of an elongate member extending along a substantial portion of the longitudinal length of the corresponding track  35 . 
         [0022]    The addition of the flange  55  in combination with the support platform  65  and the generally complementary surface on the exterior of the roller  25  provides a self righting function to bracket assembly  20  as it moves along the long-axis of track  35 . In other words, any side to side motion caused by a swimmer attached to swimming training system  10  that deviates from a generally parallel orientation with track  35  will not cause track  35  to become dislodged from support frame  15 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5  bracket assembly  20  generally comprises a plurality of rollers  25  that are rotatably mounted to a brace portion  30 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , rollers  25  may pass through an aperture  84  adjacent a terminal end  46  of brace portion  30 . Rollers  25  in fixed locations spaced along the path of travel. Referring specifically to  FIG. 3-5 , bracket assembly  20  is shown with rollers  25  and a brace portion  30 . Brace portion  30  is configured to provide structural support between rollers  25 . Brace portion  30  may optionally include an additional attachment appendage  80  to allow for easily attaching additional securement means to bracket assembly  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , appendage  80  allows for a carabineer  83  to be readily attached before a swimmer begins training In order to further describe the purpose of the bracket assembly  20 , an elongate cable (not shown) is attached at one terminal end  46  to attachment appendage  80  or carabineer  83 . At the other opposed end, the cable is coupled to a harness, further described below, to allow for a swimmer to be secured to swimming training system  10 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , which illustrates an alternative embodiment of swimming training system  10 . In at least this example embodiment, swimming training system  10  generally includes a base  85  and a boom  90 . Base  85  is constructed in a manner that includes a generally planar bottom surface to be placed adjacent a pool. Base  85  may further comprises a non-skid surface (not shown) to prevent swimming training system  10  from being easily moved along a surface when in use. Similar to the description above, base  85  may also include support plates or apertures to allow for removeably securing base  85  to the surface adjacent a pool. 
         [0025]    A boom  90  generally includes a proximal end  100  and a distal end  105 . Boom  90  is positioned in a manner to extend outwardly and upwardly from base  85  when in use. Proximal end  100  is coupled to base  85  which may further comprise a hinge  95  affixed to the bottom of the boom  90  which will facilitate adjusting the height of proximal end  100  and the angle at which boom  90  is positioned. The distal end  105  includes a cable roller  110  which helps to conveniently store cable  75  when not in use. Cable  75  is attached to swimming training system  10  on one terminal end  115  and the opposed terminal end  120  is attached to a harness  70 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , which depicts another exemplary embodiment of swimming training system  10  that generally includes a pair of pillars  45  that are positioned on the opposing longitudinal ends of a cable roller  110  which helps to conveniently store cable  75  when not in use. Similar to aforementioned embodiments, cable  75  is attached to swimming training system  10  on one terminal end  115  and the opposed terminal end  120  is attached to a harness  70 . This example embodiment may further include pillars  45  connected to support plate  50 . Support plate  50  may further include apertures to allow securement means to removeably couple support plate  50  to surfaces in and around the swimming pool. 
         [0027]    Cable  75  generally provides elastic resistance to the user and can be comprised of several materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a list of non-limiting materials includes rubber, plastics and nylon materials. Cable  75  will typically be comprised of a single unitary body. One terminal portion of cable  75  is connected to harness  70  where the opposing terminal end  46  is coupled to swimming training system  10 . 
         [0028]    Harness  70  is attached to a terminal portion of cable  75  through known means. The attachment means may include an adjustment feature to allow for quick adjustment before a swimmer enters the pool when the distance between harness  70  and bracket assembly  20  is to remain substantially constant (i.e.  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Conversely, the terminal end  46  of cable  75  may be coupled to harness  70  without an adjustment means, when the distance between cable roller  110  and harness  70  will vary when a swimmer is training (i.e.  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). It should be appreciated that having a means to adjust harness  70  width will allow for a system that is adapted to be used for a variety of sized of midlines of the user. To state another way, harness  70  is structured in manner to fit the user, in most instances, regardless of the person&#39;s physical build. The adjustment could include any number of fastening mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners or a buckle. In a preferred embodiment, the use of a fastening mechanism will be substantially water resistant to avoid rust or deterioration over extended time and use. 
         [0029]    Harness  70  is generally a semi-stretchable belt of suitable width and preferably-made of canvas, neoprene or another material that will securely fix around the midline of a swimmer. Harness  70  may optionally include suspenders (not shown) to prevent harness  70  from slipping when swimming training system  10  is in use. Harness  70  may also include a floatation material to allow added buoyancy to a user. 
         [0030]    When in use, at least the example embodiments in  FIGS. 6 and 7  provide a means of releasing cable  75  to allow a swimmer to move without incurring any additional pull except for the frictional relationship of the cable  75  being pulled from cable roller  110 . However, swimming training system  10  may also include a resistance means to increase and decrease resistance on the cable  75  to provide the swimmer with increased force while swimming. 
         [0031]    Alternatively, the cable roller  110  may also include a retraction means to provide an opposing force while swimmer is training This type of retraction means may also be utilized to retract cable  75  back on cable roller  110  to help facilitate preparing the swimming train system  10  for storage. Although not wanting to be bound by any particular theory, the retraction means could be initiated by pushing a button or lever, similar to mechanisms on a variety of vacuum cleaners. Alternatively, cord could be manually retracted with a crank-style mechanism. 
         [0032]    When in use swimming training system  10  may be used for a number of swimming applications. In one example use, swimming training system  10  may be used to facilitate a swimming class to help beginners and intermediate swimmers gain confidence in swimming away from the wall, as is classically done in introductory swimming classes. 
         [0033]    Additionally, swimming training system  10  also allows for an instructor to reduce liability of an inadvertent drowning when students are attached to swimming training system  10 . In another example method of use swimming training system  10  may be used to help train swimmers by increasing resistance on a cable attached to a swimmer thereby increasing the amount of force a swimmer must use to achieve a goal (i.e. time. distance, etc.). 
         [0034]    Comparing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the various embodiments illustrated may be more useful depending on the type of swimming area used in combination with swimming training system  10 . For example,  FIG. 1  describes an embodiment which is configured to cover a substantial portion of a large or commercial sixed swimming pool. However, this embodiment could also be configured in a manner to facilitate swimmers in a residential swimming pool. 
         [0035]    Alternatively,  FIG. 2 , illustrating a one-track swimming training system  10  is configurable for use in a personal or small pool. Additionally, this embodiment may be used to allow for large commercial pools to only occupy a single lane to allow for other swimmers, not using swimming training system  10  to utilize the facilities. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.