Abstract:
The present disclosure provides an aquatic exercise and flotation apparatus comprising a handlebar for maneuvering the apparatus, a flotation cylinder positioned on the handlebar and encompassing the handlebar by way of a hollow center, a first fin positioned at the first longitudinal end of the handlebar, and a second fin positioned at the second longitudinal end of the handlebar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/243,915 filed Oct. 20, 2015 titled “Aquatic Exercise and Flotation Apparatus.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to a device useful for water activities, and more specifically relates to a device particularly useful for aquatic exercise and flotation. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    A myriad of aquatic exercise equipment currently exists, such as flotation devices, resistance belts, and webbed gloves. These devices allow users to perform various exercises in the water and build muscle strength through the water&#39;s natural resistance. In addition, many aquatic exercise tools are for therapeutic purposes, which allow those with physical weaknesses to ease pain and build strength in an environment that is more forgiving on bones, joints, and muscles. However, the vast majority of the aquatic exercise equipment currently in existence focus on one area and do not provide the capability to float, swim, and exercise simultaneously. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus that combines floating, swimming, and exercising capabilities and allows use by people of all ages and levels of physical fitness. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In view of the foregoing shortcomings inherent in the conventional type of methods and systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an aquatic exercise and flotation apparatus that combines the capability to float, swim, and exercise simultaneously and that can be used by people of varying ages and fitness levels. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the aquatic exercise and flotation apparatus comprises a handlebar for maneuvering the apparatus and further comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, a flotation cylinder positioned on the handlebar and encompassing the handlebar by way of a hollow center, a first fin positioned at the first longitudinal end of the handlebar, and a second fin positioned at the second longitudinal end of the handlebar. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the aquatic exercise and flotation apparatus comprises a handlebar for maneuvering the apparatus and further comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, a flotation cylinder positioned on the handlebar and encompassing the handlebar by way of a hollow center, a first fin support attached to the first longitudinal end of the handlebar, a second fin support attached to the second longitudinal end of the handlebar, a first fin attached to the first fin support such that the first fin support is located between the first fin and the first longitudinal end of the handlebar, and a second fin attached to the second fin support such that the second fin support is located between the second fin and the second longitudinal end of the handlebar. 
         [0007]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0008]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings/pictures, recognizing however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    It should be noted that identical features in different drawings are shown with the same reference numeral. Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the flotation cylinders in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of a fin in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of a fin in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a rear perspective view of a fin and handlebar cross-section in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    An aquatic exercise and flotation apparatus has been developed. The present invention combines swimming, exercising, strength building, and flotation into one apparatus, and is designed for use with people of all ages and physical fitness levels. The apparatus can be used in enclosed bodies of water such as swimming pools or lakes, or can be used in open bodies of water, such as oceans or rivers. Moreover, the present invention may be used for a variety of purposes, such as strength building, swimming practice, flotation, recreational activities, and physical therapy. 
         [0017]    One embodiment of the aquatic exercise and flotation apparatus  10  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus  10  includes a handlebar  12  for a user to grip with his or her hands and maneuver the apparatus  10 . The handlebar  12  may be one single rod extending throughout the length of the apparatus  10 . Alternatively, the handlebar  12  may comprise two or more segments (not shown) that are fixed to one another in order to form one longer shaft or rod. The handlebar  12  may be made of polyvinyl chloride plastic (“PVC”), or other type of lightweight plastic, so that the handlebar  12  is sturdy but also lightweight and buoyant. Additionally, the handlebar  12  may be made of non-plastic substances such as wood, composite, or lightweight aluminum. Generally, the handlebar  12  may be tube-like in structure, maintaining a hollow interior to add to the handlebar&#39;s  12  buoyancy. For example, PVC piping may be used to construct the handlebar  12  to keep it both lightweight and hollow. Alternatively, if made of a lightweight material, the handlebar  12  may be solid or cylindrical in structure. 
         [0018]    The handlebar  12  may include grips (not shown) placed at certain locations along the handlebar  12 , to allow a swimmer to more easily grip and maneuver the apparatus  10  without slippage. Alternatively, the surface of the handlebar  12  may be covered with a rough material (not shown) to provide additional traction for the swimmer&#39;s hands. In some instances, the handlebar  12  may include straps (not shown) or handles (not shown) so that a user may grip and maneuver the apparatus  10  with his feet, thus allowing exercise of different muscle groups. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  also shows the flotation cylinders  18  positioned in the center of the apparatus  10 , as further described below in reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are two fins  14 , positioned on either longitudinal end of the apparatus  10 . The fins  14  may he attached to the handlebar  12  by fin supports  16 , as further described below in reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0020]    In use of the apparatus  10 , a swimmer may grip the apparatus  10  with both hands on the handlebar  12 —one hand on each side of the flotation cylinders  18 . The swimmer may hold the apparatus  10  in front of his body with arms extended, and alternatively push and pull each hand in the opposite direction, outward from his body and inward toward his body, causing the apparatus  10  to sway back and forth. This motion, similar to the rotating motion used by a kayaker when paddling through the water, creates resistance in the water by the fins  14 , therefore working the swimmer&#39;s pectoral and shoulder muscles. In another manner of use, the swimmer may not alternate his arms but instead move them both outward and inward at the same time. This motion similarly creates resistance in the water by the fins  14  and exercises the swimmer&#39;s muscles. There are countless techniques to utilize with the apparatus  10  depending on user preference and the target muscle area. The apparatus  10  can be used by a person standing in shallow water or swimming in deeper water, due to its flotation capabilities. Furthermore, the apparatus  10  may be used on the surface of the water, or it may be pushed under the water for added resistance. 
         [0021]    In any event, a key feature of the apparatus  10  is that the handlebar  12  is not overly long. The apparatus  10  is designed for use with individual swimmers who are either swimming or standing in the water, and for use in physical therapy and exercise situations. As a result, the apparatus  10  does not need to be a great deal wider than the swimmer himself. Preferably, the handlebar  12  will be long enough that a swimmer can grip the apparatus  10  comfortably on either side of the flotation cylinders  18  and hold his arms out in front of his body. However, the handlebar  12  does not need to extend much farther than that, and in fact it is preferable that the fin supports  16  are located in a close proximity to the portion of the handlebar  12  that will be gripped by the user. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show views of the apparatus  10  in which the flotation cylinders  18  can be seen clearly. The flotation cylinders  18  may be positioned in the center of the apparatus  10  so that the buoyancy properties are distributed along the apparatus  10  evenly, though the present invention contemplates that the flotation cylinders  18  may be located in different areas on the apparatus  10 . Each of the flotation cylinders  18  may be cylindrical in overall shape, and may contain an opening in the concentric center so that the handlebar  12  may be routed through the flotation cylinder  18 . Alternatively, however, the flotation cylinders  18  may any number of shapes, including squares, rectangles, tubes, sheets, and the like. Moreover, the flotation cylinders  18  may have squared-off or rounded edges. 
         [0023]    Although the embodiment in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  shows the use of two flotation cylinders  18 , any number of flotation cylinders  18  may be used depending on user preference. For example, the apparatus  10  may include only one flotation cylinder  18  if the user is a child or small person who does not need the buoyancy properties of more than one flotation cylinder  18 , or who is not strong enough to push and pull an apparatus  10  underwater if it includes more than one flotation cylinder  18 . Similarly, the apparatus  10  may include three or more flotation cylinders  18  if the user is a larger person who needs more buoyancy to stay afloat, or who needs more assistance swimming. The flotation cylinders  18  may be attached to the handlebar  12  such that they are removable, and a swimmer may use as many or as few as desired. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, the flotation cylinders  18  are made of an ethylene-vinyl acetate (“EVA”) or poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (“PEVA”) foam substance, commonly used in aquatic equipment, such as kickboards or pool noodles. EVA foam allows the flotation cylinders  18  to be lightweight, sturdy, water-resistant, and highly buoyant. This type of foam may be easily constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing the flotation cylinders  18  to be any shape or size, as described above. The flotation cylinders  18  may also be made of alternate materials, such as other types of foam or plastic. For example, the flotation cylinders  18  may be air-filled structures having either a rigid outer shell (not shown), or a soft, inflatable shell (not shown). The present invention contemplates that many types of buoyant material and structures may be used to provide flotation capabilities for the apparatus  10 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a fin  14  on one end of the apparatus  10 . The fin  14  may be paddle- or blade-like in order to provide resistance in the water, being thin overall when viewed from the tip or longitudinal end, but having a broad, flat surface when rotated. Although the fin  14  is shown with a particular shape, the present invention contemplates any number of paddle-like shapes may be used for the fins  14 , including those having cross-sections that are asymmetric, symmetric, curved, concave, winged, flat, dihedral, inclined, spooned, pointed, or twisted, to name a few examples. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show both fins  14  at either longitudinal end of the handlebar  12 . The two fins  14  will complement one another and allow the user to maintain symmetry with the exercises and movements. In a preferred embodiment, the fins  14  may be mirror images of one another with regard to shape, thus allowing the same resistance for each side of the body. The present invention contemplates fins  14  which are not mirror images of each other, though symmetry of motion is preferred in order to most efficiently exercise muscle groups and avoid unbalanced strength. For the same reasons, the fins  14  may also be oriented at the same pitch angle in opposite directions, similar to blades in a ceiling fan, so that they provide a similar movement on each side. In this regard, the broad side of the fins  14  would appear twisted or skewed slightly in relation to each other. Alternatively, the fins  14  may both have a flat pitch angle, making the broad side of each of the fins  14  appear as though they are located in the same geometric plane. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  also shows the fin supports  16 , which essentially connect the fins  14  to the handlebar  12 . The fin support  16  may be a separate piece fixed to the handlebar  12  on one side, and connected to the fin  14  on the opposite side. Alternatively, the fin support  16  may not be a separate piece but instead may be an extension of the fin  14  itself, making the fin  14  capable of direct attachment to the handlebar  12 . In the embodiment shown, the fin support  16  includes a recess on one end which is larger in diameter than the handlebar  12 . As a result, the handlebar  12  can slide into the recess of the fin support  16 , allowing the two elements to fit together. In alternative embodiments, the converse method may be used, that is, the hollow interior of the tube-like handlebar  12  may be larger in diameter than an extension (not shown) on the fin support  16 , allowing the fin support  16  to slide into the handlebar  12 . The present invention contemplates that other methods may be used to attach the handlebar  12  to the fins  14  or fin supports  16 , such as a dowel pin or rod (not shown) being inserted into the centers of the two pieces. 
         [0028]    For example,  FIGS. 5 and 6  show an alternative method of attaching the handlebar  12  to the fin  14 . In this embodiment, no fin support  16  is used Instead, the handlebar  12  itself contains a recessed slot  20  at each of its terminating ends. This recessed slot  20  is slightly wider than the width of the fin  14  such that the fin  14  may slide into the recessed slot  20 . The present invention contemplates that a number of fastening methods may be used to more permanently attach the fin  14  to the handlebar  12  once it is inserted into the recessed slot  20 , such as an adhesive material between the contacting surfaces of the fin  14  and recessed slot  20 . Alternatively, a rod (not shown), pin (not shown), or screw (not shown) may be inserted through the handlebar  12  and fin  14  at the location of the recessed slot  20 , so that the attachment is more secure. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5 and 6  also show an alternative shape of the handlebar  12 . In this embodiment, the handlebar  12  cross-section is an octagonal shape, whereas the handlebar  12  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  has a circular cross-section. The present invention contemplates that any number of geometric shapes could be used as a cross-section of the handlebar  12 , including but not limited to a square (not shown) or hexagon (not shown) shape. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the fins  14  and fin supports  16  may be made of PVC or other plastic material, allowing for the same durable, lightweight, water resistant characteristics as those of the handlebar  12  discussed above. Similarly, however, the fins  14  and fin supports  16  may be made of other materials such as composite, lightweight aluminum, or wood, in keeping with the purpose of the present invention. Buoyancy is a key feature of the present invention, allowing swimmers to use the apparatus  10  even if they generally have trouble keeping themselves afloat, and even without the use of separate floats or supports. 
         [0031]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed here.