Swim trainer

Abstract

A swim-in-place trainer having flow assist features incorporated into the pool design. The flow assist features may include a contoured bottom having a flow directional hump located in approximately the center of the swim area. The flow directional hump may extend laterally across the entire swim area and separate a deeper front portion of the pool from a shallower rear portion of the pool. Other flow assist features may include a front and rear ridge for directing water to and from the swim area, respectively. Interior side walls disposed on opposing sides of the swim area may each include an inner front portion for creating a flow improving vortex to reduce water friction. An optional propulsion means, such as a pump or impeller, may provide a variable water flow dependent upon the location of a swimmer in the swim area or other factors.

1 - 45 . (canceled)  
   
   
       46 . A pool for allowing a user to swim-in-place, said pool comprising: 
 a swim area having a water entrance, a water exit, a left wall and a right wall with a first lateral width and a second lateral width defined therebetween;    wherein said first lateral width is greater than said second lateral width to thereby improve water flow from the water entrance to the water exit of the swim area.    
   
   
       47 . The pool of  claim 46  wherein the first lateral width is nearer the water entrance of the swim area than the second lateral width.  
   
   
       48 . The pool of  claim 46  wherein the left wall and the right wall taper inward into the swim area.  
   
   
       49 . The pool of  claim 47  wherein the taper is contoured.  
   
   
       50 . The pool of  claim 46  wherein the left wall and the right wall each comprise a front portion located proximate the water entrance, the front portions of the left and right walls having a means for forming a vortex.  
   
   
       51 . The pool of  claim 46  further comprising a contoured bottom, wherein the contoured bottom improves water flow from the water entrance of the swim area to the water exit of the swim area while the user is swimming.  
   
   
       52 . The pool of  claim 46  further comprising a hump extending upwardly from a bottom of the swim area and running laterally across the swim area, wherein the hump improves water flow from the water entrance of the swim area to the water exit of the swim area while the user is swimming.  
   
   
       53 . The pool of  claim 46  further comprising a ridge extending upwardly from a bottom of the swim area and running longitudinally through at least a portion of the swim area.  
   
   
       54 . The pool of  claim 46  further comprising at least one water return path to allow water to flow from the water exit of the swim area to the water entrance of the swim area.  
   
   
       55 . The pool of  claim 46  further comprising a restraint device to maintain the user in the swim area while the user is swimming.  
   
   
       56 . The pool of  claim 55  wherein the restraint device comprises a tether having a first and a second end, the first end of the tether attached to a support and the second end of the tether attachable to the user or, optionally, a harness worn by the user.  
   
   
       57 . The pool of  claim 56  wherein the support is adjustable in a vertical direction with respect to the swim area.  
   
   
       58 . The pool of  claim 56  wherein the support is adjustable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the swim area.  
   
   
       59 . The pool of  claim 56  wherein the support is disposed in a pivotable orientation with respect to the swim area.  
   
   
       60 . The pool of  claim 55  wherein the restraint device comprises a sensor to measure a first parameter of the user's swimming ability, the sensor outputting a signal having information regarding the first parameter to an electrical device.  
   
   
       61 . The pool of  claim 46  further comprising an outer sidewall and wherein the left wall and the outer sidewall delimit a first water return path and the right wall and the outer sidewall delimit a second water return path.  
   
   
       62 - 66 . (canceled)  
   
   
       67 . A pool for allowing a user to swim-in-place, said pool comprising: 
 a swim area having a front portion and a rear portion; and    a left interior wall and a right interior wall disposed on opposing sides of the swim area;    wherein the left interior wall and the right interior wall are adjustably positionable to thereby improve water flow through the swim area.    
   
   
       68 - 77 . (canceled)  
   
   
       78 . A swim-in-place trainer for allowing a user to exercise, said swim-in-place trainer comprising: 
 a pool having a swim area, said swim area having a front portion and a rear portion;    two flow directing walls disposed on opposing sides of the swim area; and    a bottom comprising a flow directing hump separating the front portion and the rear portion of the pool.    
   
   
       79 - 89 . (canceled)  
   
   
       90 . A swim-in-place trainer for allowing a user to exercise, said swim-in-place trainer comprising: 
 a pool having a swim area, said swim area having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having a depth greater than that of the rear portion;    a bottom extending from the front portion of the swim area to the rear portion of the swim area;    a pair of flow directing walls disposed on opposing sides of the swim area and removably attached to the bottom, each of the flow directing walls comprising a front inner portion, said front inner portions each having an arcuate surface;    a pair of water return paths, each of the water return paths in communication with the front portion of the swim area and the rear portion of the swim area and passing between one of the flow directing walls and a sidewall of the pool;    a flow directing hump extending laterally on the bottom across the swim area, the flow directing hump separating the front portion and the rear portion of the pool;    a flow directing ridge extending longitudinally on the bottom in the front portion of the swim area; and    a restraint device for holding the user in place while the user is swimming, the restraint device comprising a support and a tether, a first end of the support being attached to one of the flow directing walls and a second end of the support being attached to the other flow directing wall.    wherein the flow directing walls, the flow directing hump and the flow directing ridge are each configured and dimensioned for improving water circulation inside the pool.    
   
   
       91 . A swim-in-place trainer for allowing a user to exercise, said swim-in-place trainer comprising: 
 a pool having a swim area, said swim area having a front portion and a rear portion;    at least one flow directing wall disposed beside the swim area, wherein said at least one flow directing wall comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and wherein the rear portion is wider than said front portion.    
   
   
       92 - 102 . (canceled)