US3140549A - Swimming instruction garment - Google Patents

Description

July 14, 1964 D. J- WAYFIELD Filed June 17. 1958 SWIMMING INSTRUCTION GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. DAwa M barf/E40 United States Patent M 3,140,549 SWIMMING INSTRUCTION GARMENT David J. Wayfield, 567 Montauk Highway, West Islip, Long Island, N.Y. Filed June 17, 1958, Ser. No. 742,600 6 Claims. (Cl. 35-29) This invention relates to a garment for use in giving swimming instructions and more particularly to such devices which provide floating support for the swimming student and provide a series of indications at various parts of the body for appropriate coordination in the execution of swimming strokes.

Many devices exist in the prior art directed to the problems of teaching swimming. Most of them are rather cumbersome mechanical contrivances which are used out of the water and consequently deprive the learner of experience with actual swimming conditions during the exact period of time when it is most important that such familiarity should be developing. Furthermore, most of the prior art devices require the strapping of the students limbs to various moving elements of the apparatus which provides asomewhat artificial character to the instruction and forces, rather than guides, the limbs through the proper motions.

The present invention has been carefully contrived to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art devices and to cope with the many different problems which confront various people when they are learning to swim. The garment enables the swimming instructor to take the student through the various stages of instruction and enables the student to learn the various movements of the body and help to coordinate them.

The present invention permits the teaching of swimming in the proper medium, i.e. water. In addition, the garment permits the pupil to make mistakes. Thus the pupils limbs are not forced through predetermined paths but he is given signals which enable him to properly execute and coordinate his limb movements.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garmentfor teaching swimming in the water and providing the student with signals indicative proper limb coordination.

Another object is to manipulate the body of the pupil by the use of jets of water.

Another object is to provide a buoyant garment for swimming instruction which provides unobstructive use of the arms and legs in executing swimming strokes, the de-- vice during use being comfortably attached to the users body.

Another object is to provide a device of the class described having adjustable buoyancy.

A further object is to provide such a device which can be controlled at a remote position out of the water and is adapted for simultaneous use with a plurality of similar devices for class instruction.

The present invention comprises an aquatic device for giving swimming instruction consisting of a buoyant garment adapted to receive the body of a swimming student and being dimensioned to provide unobstructed use of the arms and legs in executing swimming strokes for indicating to the student appropriate coordination of the limbs in executing swimming strokes.

In one of its embodiments the invention is comprised of the aforementioned garment which is designed to com- 3,140,549 Patented July 14, 1964 ice fortably enclose almost the entire body as shown and could be made of closed cell foam neoprene rubber or two-ply gum rubber and neoprene, or some other suitable material such as is used by skin divers and would therefor buoyantly support the swimmer in the water.

A plurality of water pressure nozzles are externally disposed on said garment, one on the right side of the hood section, one at the end of each sleeve opposite the back of the swimmers wrist, two opposite the stomach, two at the end of each leg so that the legs are reciprocally movable up and down in response to expulsion of water from the nozzles on the front and back of each leg.

Nine separate Water-inlet connection means are provided at the back of the garment opposite the swimmers spine and lead to water conduits or channels welded or cemented to the garment and said channels terminate at the' aforementioned nozzles.

These nine water-inlet connection means have nine separate hoses attached thereto and each leading to a water supply with means provided to force the water through the hoses into the channels and then out through the nozzles in a tempo that Will assist the swimmer in performing the movements of a desired swimming stroke. Valve means would also be provided in the hoses to regulate the pressure of the water in each hose, separately or in all the hoses simultaneously, because as the pupil progresses, less water pressure would be needed. These valves would be manually controlled and would permit the pupil to receive instruction in regard to the movements of only his legs, or only his arms, or in any desired combination.

For example, as the swimmer progresses, the flow of water in a hose leading to one of the arms could be turned off, thus challenging the pupil to move this arm oppositely to the arm that is water powered. Similarly, the flow of water to the nozzles in the vicinity of the stomach could be turned oif, forcing the pupil to rely on the remaining cue as to the desired movements, namely the pressure that the swimmer feels in the water conduit on the right side of his head.

It is understood that compressed air could be used to escape from the aforementioned nozzles, instead of water under pressure. This would be particularly desirable for those water conduits on the front of the legs because the air would be very effective in lifting the legs.

As less buoyancy would be needed, the pupil could add weight to an appropriate belt, worn about the waist in the conventional manner of skin divers.

It is intended also to have normally fiat conduits extend into the garment and to be welded to the interior surface of the garment so that when the conduits are inflated with water under pressure, the pupil feels the conduit expand progressively towards various parts of his body. Thus the pupil is provided with tactile signals for which much less water pressure would be needed.

Of course we could also have a cylinder disposed on the back of the garment so that the nine water-inlet connection means are connected to nine ports in the cylinder, and a hollow cylindrical distributing valve member is rotatably di'sposedin the cylinder. For details on this and similar arrangements, I refer to my previous patent application, the patent number to be supplied when issued.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent in the following description and claims and in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention as worn by swimming pupil;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back of the same device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the fluid system.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an aquatic device according to the present invention and is designated generally by the reference numeral 30. It consists of a buoyant garment 31 adapted to receive the body of a swimming student as shown and has a zippered opening 32 from the front of the neck down to the crotch of the swimmer permitting easy donning of the garment.

Along the back of the garment on the pupil are nine water-inlet connection means, 41-49, as seen in FIG. 2. Water-inlet connection means 41 is integral with conduit 51 which terminates at nozzle 61, which is positioned so that when water is released under pressure, the head has a tendency to turn upwardly to the left in order to be in a position to inhale.

As shown in FIG. 3, connection means 42 is integral with conduit 52 which terminates at nozzle 62 at the back of the swimmers right wrist and is positioned to emit intermittent jets of water perpendicular to the extended arm, in a tempo to coincide with the normal movement of the right arm as it moves through the water when the swimmer is performing an overarm swimming stroke such as the Crawl. A sectional view of conduit 52 is shown in FIG. 4.

Connection means 43 is integral with conduit 53 which terminates at nozzle 63 at the back of the swimmers left wrist and is positioned to emit jets of water perpendicular to the extended arm and in a tempo alternating with the desired movement of the right arm.

Connection means 45 is integral with conduit 55 which terminates at the nozzle 65. Adjacent to said nozzle is water pouch 100 which is quickly inflated with water immediately following the jet of water from nozzle 64, so as to press against the stomach as a signal to inhale. This pouch is then permitted to deflate by the escape of the water through a specially constricted nozzle 65 which is positioned to emit a jet of water along the left side of the swimmers stomach, permitting the pupil to more easily roll back to the right.

Connection means 46, 47, 48, and 49 are respectively integral with water conduits 56, 57, 58, 59, said conduits respectively terminating at nozzles 66, 67, 68, and 69. Nozzles 66 and 68 are respectively located at the right and left insteps of the swimmers legs and are positioned to downwardly emit jets of water perpendicular to the legs of the swimmer and in a tempo alternating with each other so as to assist in the normal alternating upward movements of the legs when swimming.

Nozzles 67 and 69 are respectively located at the right and left Achilles tendon of the swimmerss legs and are positioned to upwardly emit jets of water perpendicular to the legs of the swimmer and in a tempo alternating with each other so as to assist in the normal alternating downward movements of the legs when swimming the crawl or backstroke which employ the flutter kick.

The entire fluid system to practice this invention has been disclosed and illustrated in a previous pending patent application, Serial #729,022, filed April 16, 1958. But my preferred control system for this particular invention will include the use of standard solenoid valves and standard timers. One such means of automatic control has been illustrated and discribed in the March 1956 publication, Automatic Control, on page 42, which states: Timer Valve: the flow of liquids, gas or air can be controlled automatically with new timer valves, consisting of a solenoid valve and timer control sealed in a water-tight case. Available in a wide variety of timing cycles, they can be used to turn a flow either on or off, or both, at any desired time and perform this function with repeat cycle operation. Can also be used to obtain continuously intermittent operation. Automatic Controls Corp., Ann Arbor, Mich.

The fluid system shown in FIG. 5 consists of a hollow cylindrical distributing valve, 501, within housing, 500, said valve being rotated by motor 300 and flexible shaft 301. Water under pressure is supplied to the interior of valve 501 by pump 2% and hose Zfil. As the valve is rotated, an opening, 461 in said valve coincides once during each revolution with a corresponding opening or port 41 in housing 599, thus permitting the escape of pressurized water through hose 600 which leads to waterinlet connection means 41 and then through conduit 51, escaping finally through nozzle 61 as a jet of water. Other openings 402409 in said valve coincide respectively with ports 42'-49' and said ports joined by hoses (not shown) to respective water-inlet connection means 42- 49. The fluid system as shown is intended only to illustrate the principles involved.

The hoses (not shown) which would be connected to connecting means 41-49 may or may not serve as a convenient tether, confining the pupil to a certain area of the swimming pool.

Also by making some obvious adjustments, this garment could be used for teaching other swimming strokes beside the crawl and the backstroke.

From the above it can be seen that a new and novel garment is provided for giving swimming instruction, either on an individual basis or in classes whereby rhythmic coordination of the limbs and proper swimming strokes and leg movement can be learned with a minimum of supervision. Furthermore, such instruction is now made possible under actual normal swimming conditions to accelerate the development of confidence in the swimming student. The device further provides unlocalized body support and does not force the swimmers motions, but permits him to gradually yet rapidly develop the proper movements. The device can be easily stored in a minimum of space. No complicated machinery is involved nor, because of its simplicity of structure is maintenance a problem.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that variations and additions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. A garment designed to be worn by a person and having power means attached thereto for transmitting fluid through selected conduits and nozzles located at various parts of said garment, said garment also containing control means for selectively releasing said fluid through said nozzles to effect body movements.

2. A garment as defined in claim 1 including a pouch and means for alternately inflating and deflating same to serve as a signalling device.

3. A garment adapted to be worn by a person, said gar ment containing a plurality of conduits leading to a plurality of nozzles at the extremities of the limbs, said garment having power means attached thereto and programming means therein for transmitting fluid through said conduits and nozzles in a manner to effect reciprocating leg movements.

4. A garment as defined in claim 3 including manuallyoperated control means for regulating the fluid escaping from said nozzles.

5. A garment as defined in claim 3 wherein the limbs of said garment have rigidifying means to discourage improper limb movements.

6. A buoyant garment with a flexible cap attached thereto for teaching coordinated body movements and designed to be worn by a person in a tank. of water, said 5 garment and cap containing conduits with inlet and outlet means for transmitting fluid under pressure, said conduits having individually-controlled valve means for selectively directing fluid away from various parts of the per sons body to move said parts of body in a predetermined manner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Barcroft Sept. 19, 1939 Craig et a1 Dec. 22, 1942 Rosett Oct. 24, 1944 Leguillon et a1. Oct. 15, 1946 Akerman June 27, 1950 Garbellano Jan. 12, 1956 Chatham et a1. Feb. 3, 1959 Cunningham June 21, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 17, 1936,

Claims (1)

1. 3. A GARMENT ADAPTED TO BE WORN BY A PERSON, SAID GARMENT CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF CONDUITS LEADING TO A PLURALITY OF NOZZLES AT THE EXTREMITIES OF THE LIMBS, SAID GARMENT HAVING POWER MEANS ATTACHED THERETO AND PROGRAMMING MEANS THEREIN FOR TRANSMITTING FLUID THROUGH SAID CONDUITS AND NOZZLES IN A MANNER TO EFFECT RECIPROCATING LEG MOVEMENTS.

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