Swim Training Device and Method

Abstract

The swim training device includes a pole for use in compression between a belt worn on the waist of the swimming user and a floating base.

1 . A swim training device for use by a swimming user, the swim training device comprising a floating base, a pushing member to be worn on a waist of the swimming user, and a pole having a first end opposite a second end, for use between the pushing member and the floating base, the second end being receivable in the pushing member on the waist of the swimming user, and the first end being receivable in the floating base, whereby, during use of the swim training device, the swimming user exerts a pushing force on the pole via the pushing member, the pushing force is transmitted to the floating base via the pole, and the floating base is maintained in position by a longitudinal counteracting force opposite the pushing force. 
   
   
       2 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein the pole has a central section between the first end and the second end, the central section being offset from an imaginary axis extending between the first end and the second end to be out from interference with the swimming user during use. 
   
   
       3 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein the floating base has a pushing force gauge to generate a pushing force signal indicative of a magnitude of the pushing force. 
   
   
       4 . The swim training device of  claim 3  wherein the floating base slidingly receives the first end of the pole. 
   
   
       5 . The swim training device of  claim 4  wherein the pushing force gauge has a pressure gauge positioned to receive the pushing force from the slidingly received first end of the pole. 
   
   
       6 . The swim training device of  claim 3  further comprising a timer to generate a time signal. 
   
   
       7 . The swim training device of  claim 6  further comprising a controller to generate a cumulative distance signal based on the pushing force signal and on the time signal. 
   
   
       8 . The swim training device of  claim 3  further comprising a visual indicator configured and adapted to indicate at least a value based on the pushing force signal. 
   
   
       9 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein a resilient member is provided between the slidingly received first end of the pole and the floating base 
   
   
       10 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein the pole has a density operatively equal to the density of water. 
   
   
       11 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein the pushing member comprises a receiving member configured and oriented for catching the second end of the pole in one direction, and being released therefrom when moved in the opposite direction, 
   
   
       12 . The swim training device of  claim 11  wherein the receiving member is mounted on a garment wearable by the user. 
   
   
       13 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein the floating base has two axially coinciding transversally-oriented bores, one in each opposite side thereof, in combination with at least one rod configured and sized for insertability into the transversally-oriented bores. 
   
   
       14 . The swim training device of  claim 13  in combination with a cord having a V-shaped section having two ends each attachable to an end of a respective one of the rods when inserted in the corresponding bore, and a third end connected between the two ends, securable to an anchorage point behind the swimming user. 
   
   
       15 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein the pole is removable from both the floating base and the belt. 
   
   
       16 . The swim training device of  claim 1  wherein the central section is straight and parallel to the imaginary axis. 
   
   
       17 . A swim training device comprising an elongated pole having a floating base at one end and being receivable at the waist of a user at an other end. 
   
   
       18 . The swim training device of  claim 17  wherein the pole has a central section between the first end and the second end which is offset from an imaginary axis extending between the first end and the second end to be out from interference with the user during use. 
   
   
       19 . The swim training device of  claim 17 , further comprising a pushing member wearable on a waist of the swimming user and adapted for receiving the second end. 
   
   
       20 . A method of training a swimmer, the method comprising:
 providing an elongated pole having a first end and a second end, opposite the first end;   the swimmer exerting a longitudinal pushing force on the second end of the pole during stationary swimming; and   exerting a longitudinal counteracting force on the first end of the pole, equal in magnitude but opposite to the pushing force, thereby maintaining the swimmer stationary.