Abstract:
Individual swimmers may routinely and easily perform exercise regiments to maintain or enhance their general health and fitness utilizing the present invention. Multiple part poles may be readily shipped, or otherwise transported, in a disassembled state and assembled easily and quickly to full length for use with the overall swimming exercise device. Various configurations of sections and connections are disclosed. Ideally a taper will exist where the deployed multiple part pole will flex more toward an outer end of the multiple part pole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of serial no.: 12/008,314 filed Jan. 10, 2008 and entitled “Swimming Exercising Device”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,206. The original application is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Generally, the invention relates to exercise devices which permit a swimmer to be retained in a generally stationary position within a body of water, such as a swimming pool, during performance of a conventional swimming action. More specifically, the invention relates to multiple part poles of such exercise devices. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous methods exist to exercise portions of the human body. Certain devices have been proposed which provide for the person performing the associated exercise to be in water. It has long been known that swimming is one of the very best forms of exercise. Many types of ‘strokes’, or swimming styles, are known in conventional swimming. Some of these utilize movement and exertion of the arms more than that of the legs. Some of these utilize movement and exertion of the legs more than that of the arms. Some of these utilize movement and exertion of both the arms and legs. During swimming, even through the arms and legs may appear to be performing most of the action, many muscles of the body are utilized. Therefore, a full body workout can be obtained by swimming for a reasonable period of time. 
     Swimming is considered by many in the medical and physical fitness fields as a nearly perfect exercise for nearly all persons regardless of age or general physical condition. Unlike running, or even walking, there is no impact delivered to the feet and legs, including all of the joints contained therein, during swimming. Additionally, many styles of swimming simultaneously exercise both the arms and legs during performance of the respective swimming action. Certain land based exercise routines, such as jumping jacks, exercise, both the arms and legs simultaneously but typically such exercises due not provide desirable resistance to the limbs during performance of the exercise. Water is the ideal medium for exercise due to the nature of the water and the natural resistance to motion of objects through water. During swimming the swimmer may merely increase their speed of completing each cycle of a stroke to increase the resistance of the exercise. Additionally, during swimming it is easy to change from one selected style of swimming to another style of swimming to vary the workout routine. 
     The fundamental problem with swimming as an exercise involves the fact that most Americans which routinely swim as an exercise do so in a swimming pool. Therefore, the swimmer will swim from one end of the pool to the opposing end, then turn one hundred and eighty (180) degrees and swim back to the then opposing end. This cycle will then be performed repetitively for the duration of the exercise routine. This constant contact with, or at least approach to, the hard perimeters of the opposing ends of the pool have obvious inherent dangers. Many swimming styles have the swimmer&#39;s face down into the water which is raised out of the water to breath and to look forward, if desired. Other swimming styles have the swimmer&#39;s face facing upward toward the sky, such as during performance of the backstroke. For these reasons it is difficult for the swimmer to constantly remain aware of their spacial orientation with the perimeter of the pool that they are approaching during movement from one end to the opposing end. Many swimming pools, particularly those associated with a individual home, are relatively small. Additionally, some swimming styles require a depth of water greater than that of the shallow end of some swimming pools. Often the swimmer desiring to perform their exercise routine in a swimming pool will have other swimmers utilizing the swimming pool for their own recreational use. For all of these reasons many persons having access to a swimming pool will not utilize the pool to the fullest extent possible for exercise. 
     Applicant previously developed and patented, U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,497 issued Jul. 23, 1985, an exercising device which provides many of the benefits of stationary swimming exercise. Applicant has been successfully marketing products based upon applicant&#39;s earlier invention for many years. Applicant has recently made numerous improvements to his product line which are the subject matter of the present invention. 
     Various deficiencies exist with nearly all forms of exercise and devices to facilitate each respective form of exercise. Applicant&#39;s previous invention, and products based upon that invention, provide for the optimal exercise routine in an extremely safe manner. Various minor disadvantages exist with applicant&#39;s prior invention and products based upon that invention. These minor disadvantages are particularly related to shipping and distribution of such products and transport and storage of such products by the end user. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a versatile and transportable swimming exercise device. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of exercise devices, your applicant has devised a swimming exercise device for a swimmer to allow generally free movement of legs and arms during performance of a swimming action by the swimmer within a body of water. The performance of the swimming action occurring while the swimmer is being restricted to a generally stationary position in the body of water. The swimming exercise device has a multiple part pole, means to retain the multiple part pole, an engagement member and a connection member. The multiple part pole has at least two pole sections and at least one connection between the pole sections. The multiple part pole has a securing end, an outer end and a resilient flexibility along a portion of the multiple part pole at least near the outer end. The connection between the pole sections of the multiple part pole is a securement coupling having a first threaded member and a second threaded member. The pole sections associated with the connection join, and are securely retained in that orientation, utilizing the first threaded member of the securement coupling and the second threaded member of the securement coupling. The multiple part pole has a securing end, an outer end and a resilient flexibility along a portion of the multiple part pole at least near the outer end. The means to retain the multiple part pole provide for the securing end of the multiple part pole to be retained in a fixed position relative to the body of water. The engagement member contacts the swimmer while leaving the swimmer free to manipulate their legs and arms during performance of the swimming action. The connection member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the connection member is secured relative to the outer end of the multiple part pole. The second end of the connection member is secured relative to the engagement member. This combination of the multiple part pole, the engagement member and the connection member cooperate to provide for a restriction of placement of the swimmer in the body of water during the performance of the swimming action while further providing for a lifting action to the swimmer while in the body of water during the performance of the swimming action. 
     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them herein disclosed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the functions specified. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for an exercise device which will retain a swimmer in a swimming pool in a generally stationary placement where the swimmer will exercise utilizing any desired swimming stroke for any desired duration of time. 
     Other objects include; 
     a) to provide for a lifting action to be exerted on the generally stationary swimmer where the stationary swimmer has a sensation generally equaling that obtained during movement through the water during conventional swimming. 
     b) to provide for a flexing of a multiple part pole tethering the swimmer where the stationary swimmer does not experience any sudden or unnatural restraining pressure during each stoke of a series of strokes during performance of the swimming action. 
     c) to provide for the multiple part pole of the swimming exercise device to be formed of multiple parts which may be separated where transport of the swimming exercise device may occur in shipping or transport containers which do not have excessive length. 
     d) to provide for an angular offset of portions of the multiple part pole. 
     e) to provide for the multiple part pole to be formed of two portions and one connection. 
     f) to provide for the multiple part pole to be formed of three portions and two connections. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein; 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a body of water have three (3) swimming exercise devices of the present invention positioned thereabout. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an engagement member and a connection member of the swimming exercise device. 
         FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b  are elevational views of a multiple part pole of the swimming exercise device in an assembled state and a disassembled state. 
         FIG. 4   a  and  FIG. 4   b  are elevational view of enlarged portions of the components depicted in  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b.    
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a portion of the assembly depicted in  FIG. 4   b  as taken from the section line ‘ 5 ’ shown in  FIG. 4   b.    
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a portion of the assembly depicted in  FIG. 4   b  as taken from the section line ‘ 6 ’ shown in  FIG. 4   b.    
         FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an intermediate portion of a multiple part pole. 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of enlarged portions of the intermediate portion of the multiple part pole depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9   a  and  FIG. 9   b  are elevational view of an enlarged offset coupling, a lower pole portion and an upper pole portion in a disassembled orientation and in an assembled orientation respectively. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Many different systems having features of the present invention are possible. The following description describes the preferred embodiment of select features of those systems and various combinations thereof. These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive at various desired working configurations of systems. 
     Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views. 
     The present invention provides for a person to perform a swimming based exercise in a generally stationary position within a body of water while experiencing all of the benefits of free movement swimming. In order to provide these benefits structural components cooperate to perform various required functions. The required functions include placement restriction, lifting action and resilient motion. Numerous structural arrangements are available to perform each of these functions and may be deployed in various combinations. An anchoring of the multiple part pole relative to the body of water, in combination with other structural components, provides for the desired placement restriction of the swimmer within the body of water. The lifting action provides the swimmer with the sensation of free swimming while being retained in a generally fixed location within the body of water. During performance of the swimming action the swimmer will be making the strokes associated with a specific swimming style in a repetitive manner. It being understood that many swimming styles may be utilized with the present invention. During performance of each stroke for any respective swimming style, as is true for conventional free swimming, various degrees of forward force will be applied by the swimmer within the water during a specific point within each of the strokes. During conventional free swimming these variations in propulsion force within each repetitive cycle of strokes would have no noticeable effect upon the swimmer. When the strokes are performed in a tethered manner it is desirable to provide for a certain degree of resilient motion at some location within the tether assembly to maintain a generally uniform pressure between the swimmer and the components of the assembly contacting the swimmer. While this resilient motion may be accommodated within various of the components, or even a combination of components, it has been discovered that the best component to provide this feature is the multiple part pole. Additionally, it has been discovered that it is best to restrict this flex of the multiple part pole to the uppermost portion of the multiple part pole. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by providing a taper to the multiple part pole, as is conventionally known in fishing poles, where a diminishing of diametric measurement along the length of the multiple part pole restricts the flex to the outermost extent of the multiple part pole. Of course, if desired, it is possible to provide certain portions of the multiple part pole to have a uniform diametric measurement rather than having a taper along the entire length of the multiple part pole. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a swimming exercise device  20  having a multiple part pole  22 , means to retain multiple part pole  22 , in the form of a pole mount  24 , an engagement member  26  and a connection member  28 . Swimming exercise device  20  functions to allow a generally free movement of legs  30  and arms  32  of a swimmer  34  during performance of a swimming action  36  by swimmer  34  within a body of water  38  while swimmer  34  is being restricted to a generally stationary position  40  in body of water  38 . 
     Multiple part pole  22 , engagement member  26  and connection member  28  cooperate to provide for restriction of placement of swimmer  34  in body of water  38  during performance of swimming action  36  while further providing for a lifting action  42  to swimmer  34  while in body of water  38  during performance of swimming action  36 . The combination of location placement with the lifting action provides for an excellent exercise session which is extremely beneficial to overall health yet is both fun to perform and safe to perform. 
     The present invention provides for swimmer  34  to be retained in stationary position  40  within body of water  38 , such as a swimming pool  44 , while also providing a certain amount of lift within swimming pool  44  during performance of swimming action  36 . To this end of providing for the retention in stationary position  40  multiple part pole  22  provides for securement to a fixed position relative to body of water  38 . Multiple part pole  22  also provides for a certain amount of resilient motion, or flex, which is providing the resistance to swimmer  34  during performance of swimming action  36 . To the end of providing the lift during performance of the swimming action it is necessary to provide for elevation of a connection point  46  of multiple part pole  22  for connection member  28  above a surface  48  of swimming pool  44 . 
     A multiple part pole will be provided which will perform several important functions. The multiple part pole will provide for an attachment location for the connection member elevated well above the surface of the body of water. This elevated attachment location in combination with an angle of the connection member will provide the desired lifting action to the swimmer during performance of the swimming action. Additionally, a resilient flexibility of the multiple part pole will provide for resilient motion of swimmer  34  within swimming pool  44 . Multiple part pole  22  has a securing end  50 , an outer end  52  and a resilient flexibility along a portion of multiple part pole  22  at least near outer end  52 . Preferably, multiple part pole  22  has a gradual and consistent taper, as depicted, from securing end  50  to outer end  52 . Multiple part pole  22  may be constructed from many suitable materials. 
     Multiple part pole  22  has at least two (2) portions which may be easily separated, see  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 4   b , and easily attached, see  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 4   a .  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  depict a third pole section, in the form of an intermediate portion  190 , for use within multiple part pole  22 . Referring again to  FIG. 3   a  through  FIG. 4   b , multiple part pole  22  has a first portion  56  and a second portion  58 . First portion  56  of multiple part pole  22  has a length measurement  60 , see  FIG. 3   b , while second portion  58  of multiple part pole  22  has a length measurement  62 , also see  FIG. 3   b . In the most preferred embodiment length measurement  60  of first portion  56  is generally equal to length measurement  62  of second portion  58 . In a preferred embodiment first portion  56  is formed of a solid shaft material  64 , see  FIG. 5 , and second portion  58  is formed of solid shaft material  64 , see  FIG. 6 . Preferably, intermediate portion  190  is also formed of solid shaft material  64 . Any number of sections desired may be utilized to form the multiple part pole and these may be of any desired respective lengths and diametric measurements and shapes. It is possible to provide for multiple part pole to remain together while in a storage or transport mode. This is easily provided for by utilizing a telescoping arrangement, as conventionally known in the art, or in a folding arrangements, also as conventionally known in the art. Intermediate portion  190  has a has a length measurement  192 , see  FIG. 7 , which in the most preferred embodiment, is generally equal to length measurement  60  of first portion  56  and to length measurement  62  of second portion  58 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 4   a  which depict a preferred embodiment, first portion  56  of multiple part pole  22  has a first end  66  and a second end  68 . First end  66  of first portion  56  has a diametric measurement  70 . Second end  68  of first portion  56  has a diametric measurement  72 . Diametric measurement  70  of first end  66  of first portion  56  is greater than diametric measurement  72  of second end  68  of first portion  56 . Second portion  58  of multiple part pole  22  has a first end  74  and a second end  76 . First end  74  of second portion  58  has a diametric measurement  78 . Second end  76  of second portion  58  has a diametric measurement  80 . Diametric measurement  78  of first end  74  of second portion  58  is greater than diametric measurement  80  of second end  76  of second portion  58 . Diametric measurement  70  of first end  66  of first portion  56  is generally equal to diametric measurement  80  of second end  76  of second portion  58 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , intermediate portion  190  has a first end  194  and a second end  196 . First end  194  of intermediate portion  190  has a diametric measurement  198 . Second end  196  of intermediate portion  190  has a diametric measurement  200 . Diametric measurement  198  of first end  194  of intermediate portion  190  is greater than diametric measurement  200  of second end  196  of intermediate portion  190 . This tapering provides for intermediate portion  190  to have more flex near second end  196 . 
     It is necessary to assemble and secure the various parts of the multiple part pole when the various sections are configured to be separated. Many coupling and securing methods are known in the art to provide this required function and many of these methods and structures may be utilized with the present invention. When the parts are detachable it is possible to provide for mere contact to retain the parts together, such as a simple penetration coupling. Alternatively, it is possible to provide for structures to securely retain the parts together. This retention can be as simple as a bayonet type coupling where a male part penetrates a female part and a rotational displacement locks the parts together. Alternatively, the retention can be more complicated such as the opposing threaded couplings depicted in various of the views. 
       FIG. 3   a  through  FIG. 6  depict a preferred embodiment for this coupling and securing where first portion  56  of multiple part pole  22  has a pole coupling end  82  and second portion  58  of multiple part pole  22  has a pole coupling end  84 . Multiple part pole  22  has a penetrate and securement coupling  86  having a male member  88 , a female member  90 , a first threaded member  92  and a second threaded member  94 . Pole coupling end  82  of first portion  56  and pole coupling end  84  of second portion  58  slidably join utilizing male member  88  of penetrate and securement coupling  86  and female member  90  of penetrate and securement coupling  86  and are securely retained utilizing first threaded member  92  of penetrate and securement coupling  86  and second threaded member  94  of penetrate and securement coupling  86 . Pole coupling end  82  of first portion  56  and pole coupling end  84  of second portion  58  are retained in an extremely close orientation  96  when penetrate and securement coupling  86  is in a secured orientation  98 . 
       FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  depict intermediate portion  190  of multiple part pole  22  having opposing portions of penetrate and securement coupling  202  having a male member  204 , a female member  206 , a first threaded member  208  and a second threaded member  210 . This arrangement provides for installation of intermediate portion  190  between first portion  56  and second portion  58 . 
     In certain situations it is desirable to provide for an angular change between portions of the multiple part pole. Various structures may be deployed to provide for the angular change.  FIG. 9   a  and  FIG. 9   b  depict an offset coupling  212  having a first coupling portion  214  and a second coupling portion  216  which are penetration type couplings. First coupling portion  214  slidingly receives a second coupling portion  218  of a lower pole portion  220 . Second coupling portion  216  slidingly receives a first coupling portion  222  of an upper pole portion  224 . In the absence of use of offset coupling  212  second coupling portion  218  of lower pole portion  220  may mate with first coupling portion  222  of upper pole portion  224 . 
     It is a requirement that some arrangement be provided to retain the securing end of the multiple part pole relative to the body of water. This may be provided by merely utilizing existing structures about the body of water or, more preferably, will involve providing dedicated structural components which will be fixedly secured, at least temporarily, about the body of water. 
     It is possible to provide for at least the multiple part pole of the present invention to remain generally permanently positioned relative to the body of water even when not being utilized for performance of the swimming action. More preferably, the multiple part pole will be removed when not being utilized for performance of the swimming action. To this end it is desirable that the multiple part pole be slidably insertable and removeable relative to a pole mount. Many variations of pole mounts are possible with various embodiments depicted in the various views. 
     An engagement member will be provided to contact the swimmer while leaving the swimmer free to manipulate their legs and arms during performance of the swimming action. This may involve mere surrounding contact of the torso of the swimmer, as depicted in  FIG. 1  by engagement member  26 , or may involve a more elaborate harness type system. In the preferred embodiment depicted engagement member  26  is of a sufficient width and is padded for comfort during performance of the swimming action. 
     A connection member will be provided to connect the engagement member contacting and retaining the swimmer to the multiple part pole. Various structural components may be utilized to perform this function.  FIG. 1  depict connection member  28  having a first end  184  and a second end  186  with first end  184  secured relative to outer end  52  of multiple part pole  22  and second end  186  secured relative to engagement member  26 . It is possible to provide for the connection member to be of a construction to have an elastic property to provide the resilient motion function of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment depicted connection member  28  is merely a conventional nylon strand braided cord. 
     An engagement member hanging hook member  188 , see  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b , is positioned on multiple part pole  22  for hanging placement thereon of engagement member  26  of swimming exercise device  20  when not being utilized during performance of the swimming action. This arrangement provides for an orderly placement of the various components which prevents damage from being inflicted to any of the components while permitting full drying of the components, including engagement member  26  and connection member  28 , following use. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.