Swim Exercise or Training Apparatus

This invention concerns an exercise of work-out apparatus for swimmers, which also can serve as a training device for beginners, and particularly concerns such apparatus which utilizes a tether mechanism of extremely simple construction and operation, and having multi-user capacity.

The prior art relating to swim exercise or training apparatus using tether devices is quite highly developed and features a number of sophisticated harness mechanisms as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,247,096; 3,988,020; 3,512,416; 4,095,657; 4,519,783; 4,527,795; 4,530,497; 4,551,108; and 2,434,543, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For all of these prior art contrivances their structural complexity, cost of manufacture, inconvenient pool side mounting structures, and involved methods of use dictate against significant actual utility, not to mention their fixed, single user application. This latter aspect is highly significant in that where such prior devices require complex mounting or supporting structure and where generally they require permanent mounting means located in the pool-side structure itself, the utility limitation of one user at a time renders these devices at least somewhat impractical.

Objects therefore, of the present invention are: to provide a simple, easy to manufacture and maintain, low cost and easy to use swim exercise of work-out apparatus which can be used singly or to simultaneously accommodate a number of users in a safe and convenient manner and which allows a user to connect to or disconnect from the apparatus in a rapid manner; and to provide such apparatus with mounting means which requires no modification of conventional pool-side structure.

These and other objects thereinafter becoming evident have been attained in accordance with the present invention which is defined in its broad sense as an exercise apparatus for swimmers comprising a tether line having spaced fastener means thereon adapted to conveniently fasten the line across a swimming pool to cooperating anchor means in or adjacent to the pool, one or more coupling means mounted on said line, and harness means integral with or adapted for attachment to said coupling means and adapted for mounting on a swimmers body, said coupling means providing for selective positioning of one or more swimmers along said line. In certain preferred embodiments:

(a) the coupling means comprises a ring through which the line passes and which is slidable along at least a portion of the line;

(b) the harness means is provided with quick-release buckle means;

(c) the fastener means comprises snap-hook means;

(d) the harness means comprises waist belt means having quick-release buckle means;

(e) the coupling means comprises quick-release snap-hook means; and

(f) one or more stop means is provided on the line and adapted to abut the coupling means to limit the travel thereof along the line.

The invention will be understood further from the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, elevational view of the present apparatus substantially in operating position stretched across a pool;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pool as in FIG. 1 depicting the present apparatus substantially in operating position affixed to pool ladders;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a loop formed in the tether line and serving as the coupling means; and

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view of a snap-fastener useful in the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of typical Velcro fastener segments of the harness belt, useful in the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the present apparatus comprises a tether line 10 such as a rope of any material, e.g., Nylon, polyolefin or natural fiber, fastener means 12 on the line such as loops, snap-hooks, or any such connection device, preferably quick attachment and release types, at least one coupling means 14 affixed to or slidably mounted on the line, and harness means 16 either integral with the coupling means 14 or releasably affixed thereto and preferably provided with quick release buckle means 18.

The tether line is adapted to be stretched across or loosely draped across a pool 19 or other body of water including small lakes, rivers, streams or the like such that its height above the water 21 can be regulated by the tension on the line. The line is adapted for attachment to any anchor means 20 such as a hook, eye, fence board, tree, shrub or the like located exteriorly to the pool, or to any shoulder means on the pool such as the rungs or handle bars 22 of ladders 24 located on the sides of the pool. Where the use of mechanical fastener means such as snap-fasteners or the like is inconvenient, the line may simply be tied, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 to the fence boards 20 or pool ladders thus providing the fastener-anchor means combination.

The particular construction of the harness means employed can be widely varied and includes, quick release mechanisms of the auto seat belt type as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,483,599 and 3,533,141, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The harness belt is mounted through the coupling means as shown in the drawings, and may be of such structure as shown in the aforementioned U.S. patents, especially in U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,096. Velcro connecting segments 25 may be used on the adjacent-overlapping-sections of the harness as shown in FIG. 5 to provide the quick-release feature.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling means 14 comprises a loop 26 formed in the line 10 and maintained by a crimped metal or plastic sleeve 28. Several of such loops may be provided on the line to allow positioning of several users along the line, such as beginner swimmers during a lesson period. This positioning of the user along the line may also be accomplished by providing shoulder means such as knots (not shown) or their equivalent in the line between the coupling means for rings 14 to limit the slide travel of the rings on the line. A typical snap-fastener 30 is shown in FIG. 4 for connecting the harness 16 to line 10 by inserting the open belt through the eye 32 of the fastener and snapping the spring 36 urged fastener bolt 34 over the line. This type of fastener can also be used to affix the line to the anchor means.

This invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications will be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.