Enhanced exercise float

• US 5,149,314 A
• Filed: 05/30/1990
• Issued: 09/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter A. Ciolino
• Original Assignee: Peter A. Ciolino
• Inventors: Ciolino, Peter N., Ciolino, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US07/530,620
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 272/71, 272/72, 272/93-96, 272/116, 272/126-128, 272/131, 272/135, 272/137-139, 272/144, 272/142, 272/143, 272/1 B, 441/88, 441/106, 441/108, 441/113, 441/125, 441/127-129, 5/417, 5/419, 5/420, 5/431, 5/470, 5/481, 434/254, D21/237, D21/238
• US Class Current: 482/111
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1261 combined with active exercising of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 37/005 Body floating supports for relaxation in water

Abstract

An exercise float platform is formed of specifically dimensioned buoyant sections connected by flexing hinges to permit a user to perform an exercise routine in an aquatic environment. The buoyancy of the individual sections can be selectively adjusted depending on the weight distribution of the individual, or the exercise routine intensity. The exercise float permits the user to perform exercise routines in the water focused on the back, hips and stomach muscle groups along with allowing flexible upper and lower body workouts while either sitting below the water level or reclined above the water level. Separate elastic straps are applied to increase the level of resistance during exercise.

Claims

1. An apparatus to provide support and buoyancy to a user during an exercise routine performed in an aquatic environment comprising:

a first flotation section configured to correspond to the shape of the user'"'"'s back as extending from the upper shoulders to the waist of said user, having a width that is sufficiently narrow thereby permitting the free movement of the arms and shoulders, and having sufficient buoyancy to support the user'"'"'s back at a submerged surface position in the aquatic environment to perform the exercise routine,

a second flotation section having a greater width than said first flotation section and configured to correspond to the shape of the user'"'"'s seat as made up of the buttocks to the upper thigh region of said user and having sufficient buoyancy to support said seat at said submerged surface position in said aquatic environment,

a first hinge means located between and operatively connecting said first flotation section with said second flotation section in a manner permitting pivoting of said sections through an angle of at least 90°

between said first and second flotation sections,

a third flotation section configured to correspond to the user'"'"'s legs and feet, having sufficient buoyancy to support said user'"'"'s lower legs and feet at said submerged surface position in said aquatic environment,

a second hinge means located between and operatively connecting said third flotation section to said second flotation section in a position so that said first, second and third flotation sections form a substantially elongated float conforming to the total length of the user,

a plurality of mating attachment points located on the perimeter of at least one of said first, second and third flotation sections, and

a pair of elastic strap means, each one of said elastic strap means having attachment means located at one end of said elastic strap means for attaching to one of said plurality of mating attachment points and handgrip means located on said elastic strap means distal from said attachment means, wherein said elastic strap means for providing increased resistance to water borne movement by said person during said exercise routine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flotation sections are formed of a water resistant material and have at least one inner pocket in each flotation section for holding buoyant producing means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said buoyant producing means comprises an air filled closed cell foam cushion.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inner pocket is airtight and capable of inflation with a buoyant producing gas.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the buoyancy of said flotation sections can be adjusted in accordance with a user selected degree of intensity for said exercise routine.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second hinge means is removably attached to said second flotation section.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is collapsible to a form that is easily transported by said user, and further comprises handle means positioned to enhance said transport.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of stirrup means, each one of said stirrup means configured to grip a user'"'"'s foot is attached to said elastic strap means at the other end of said elastic strap means opposite to said attachment means.

9. A method of aquatic exercise performed by a user concentrated on developing and conditioning the muscle groups associated with a user'"'"'s stomach, back and hip area comprising the steps of:

placing into an aquatic environment a flotation platform of the type characterized by a first float section and a second float section joined together by a first hinge means, and said second float section and an attachable attachment means for attaching a third float section including a second hinge means, and a pair of elastic strap means, each of said elastic strap means having attachment means for connecting to one of a plurality mating attachment points located on the sides of said flotation platform, a stirrup means located on said elastic strap means opposite of said attachment means, wherein said first float section is shaped to correspond to the shape of said user'"'"'s back without interfering with the free movement of said user'"'"'s arms and shoulders, said second float section is shaped to correspond to a user'"'"'s seat, and said hinge permits pivoting of at least 90°

; and

mounting onto said flotation platform whereby said user is supported at a submerged surface position in the aquatic environment facing upward and said user'"'"'s back is located proximate to said first hinge means permitting movement from both an inclined and upright user position in said aquatic environment during the performance of an aquatic exercise by using said stirrup means for performing an knee to chest exercise.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said first, second and third float sections of said flotation platform can be individually adjusted in terms of buoyancy thereby providing the ability to change type and degree of difficulty of exercise.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said flotation platform has mounting straps on said second float section to ease the positioning of said user prior to said aquatic exercise.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said flotation platform comprises buoyant producing means, said buoyant producing means is an air filled closed cell foam cushion.

13. The method of claim 9;

wherein said flotation platform further including a handgrip means located on said elastic strap means distal from said attachment means, and said method further including the step of positioning said attachment means to said second float section and said user'"'"'s feet on said stirrup means and the user'"'"'s hand on said handgrip means for performing a biceps curl exercise and a rowing exercise.