Anchor system for use in an aquatic environment

Abstract

An anchorage system for use in an aquatic environment, which has a stationary base, a cylinder, and a piston useful for practicing stationary swimming and/or rehabilitation.

1 . An anchorage system for use in an aquatic environment comprising: 
 a removable piston and cylinder assembly comprising a piston located inside a hollow cylinder and biased by a spring, said piston having a narrowing region, and said cylinder having at least one opening;    at least one ball at least partially positioned within said at least one opening;    a stationary base having a recess for receiving said removable piston and cylinder assembly, and said stationary base having a groove for receiving a portion of said ball when said piston and cylinder assembly is placed in said recess.    
   
   
       2 . The anchorage system for use in an aquatic environment in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said cylinder has two openings and two balls at least partially positioned in each opening.  
   
   
       3 . The anchorage system for use in an aquatic environment in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said stationary base has an upper slot and is said stationary base is threaded.  
   
   
       4 . The anchorage system for use in an aquatic environment in accordance with  claim 1  where said piston has a ring or eyelet adapted to receive a tether.  
   
   
       5 . The anchorage system for use in an aquatic environment in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a string is attached to said cylinder.  
   
   
       6 . The anchorage system for use in an aquatic environment in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said narrowing region of said piston comprises tapering a diameter of said piston from a larger first diameter to a smaller second diameter.  
   
   
       7 . A method for tethering a swimmer to a pool wall comprising: 
 anchoring a stationary base having a recess in said pool wall;    removably securing a piston and cylinder assembly in said recess, said piston and cylinder assembly having a ring or hook at one end;    fastening a tether to said ring or hook; and    fasting said tether to said swimmer.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said cylinder has at least one opening, said piston has a narrowing region, and said anchoring base has a groove on an inner wall of said recess; and wherein a ball engages said groove in said anchoring base and opening in said cylinder to removably secure said piston and cylinder assembly in said recess.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said piston and cylinder assembly comprises a spring biased between a flange on said piston and a protuberance on an inner wall of said cylinder.