Buoyant support apparatus and system for use in exercising
First Claim
1. A buoyant support system for use by an individual for exercising in a tank with water, said system comprising a jacket to be worn closely about the trunk of the individual entirely below said individual'"'"'s armpits, a harness, a means for connecting said jacket and said harness to said tank, means for attaching said harness to said jacket, said jacket comprising a plurality of segments of buoyant material, covering means for encasing said segments of buoyant material in said jacket, and for forming flexible joints interposed between said segments with the space in between said segments being adjustable, and holding means for wrapping said jacket about the trunk of said individual so that said segments completely encircle said trunk, said holding means comprising at least one adjustable belt encircling said segments and interposed joints to adjust the spacing of said segments with respect to one another when said jacket is in place, whereupon said jacket is held in place by the frictional engagement of said covering means with said trunk.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise device comprising a flotation jacket worn by an exerciser in water which enables the exerciser to float in an upright position while exercising and without contact with the bottom or sides of the enclosure holding the water. The jacket is fabricated from a fabric with pockets sewn in the fabric for insertion of segments of flotation material. The size and location of the segments result in equal buoyant forces at the front and back and at the sides of the exerciser to assure that the exerciser remains upright while floating in water. The fabric is such that the friction between the flotation jacket and the exerciser is increased when the fabric is emersed in water thereby preventing the jacket from riding up under the armpits of the exerciser. The flotation jacket can be fabricated easily and at low cost by using standard materials and production techniques without the need for expensive molding equipment. A buoyant support system for use in exercising is also disclosed which enables the exerciser wearing the flotation device and a harness to be supported by cables in a tank attached to the exercising device while the exerciser is floating and exercising in water placed in the tank.
12 Citations
7 Claims
- 1. A buoyant support system for use by an individual for exercising in a tank with water, said system comprising a jacket to be worn closely about the trunk of the individual entirely below said individual'"'"'s armpits, a harness, a means for connecting said jacket and said harness to said tank, means for attaching said harness to said jacket, said jacket comprising a plurality of segments of buoyant material, covering means for encasing said segments of buoyant material in said jacket, and for forming flexible joints interposed between said segments with the space in between said segments being adjustable, and holding means for wrapping said jacket about the trunk of said individual so that said segments completely encircle said trunk, said holding means comprising at least one adjustable belt encircling said segments and interposed joints to adjust the spacing of said segments with respect to one another when said jacket is in place, whereupon said jacket is held in place by the frictional engagement of said covering means with said trunk.
Specification