Swim paddle training aid apparatus

Abstract

A swim training aid apparatus including a relatively thin plate member having a first and second surface separated by a leading edge on one end of the plate member, and a trailing edge on an opposite end. The leading edge is such that when the training aid apparatus is operationally mounted to the swimmer's hand, the swimmer is capable of articulating at least their intermediary phalanges of the hand over the leading edge, to a gripping position. The trailing edge is configured to extend proximally past the wrist joint of the swimmer The plate member includes wrist recess formed and dimensioned for articulating receipt of the swimmer's wrist joint therein. A retaining device cooperates with the plate member and the swimmer's hand to releasably retain the same to the training aid apparatus in the operating position.

1 . A swim training aid apparatus for use on a hand of a swimmer, during a swimming motion, said training aid apparatus comprising:
 a relatively thin plate member having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the opposed first surface and second surface being separated by a leading edge on one end of the plate member, and by a trailing edge on an opposite end thereof, said plate member being formed and dimensioned to orient said leading edge such that when said training aid apparatus is operationally mounted to the swimmer's hand, in an operating position atop said first surface, said swimmer can articulate at least their intermediary phalanges of said hand over said leading edge, to a gripping position, during said swimming motion, said trailing edge being configured to extend proximally past the wrist joint of the swimmer when in said operating position, said trailing edge further defining a wrist recess formed and dimensioned for articulating receipt of the swimmer's wrist therein; and   a retaining device cooperating with the plate member and the swimmer's hand to releasably retain the same to the training aid apparatus in said operating position.   
     
     
         2 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate member is relatively rigid. 
     
     
         3 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said plate member is composed of plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate member includes a pair of winglets each extending outwardly from opposed sides of the swimmer's hand, when mounted in the operating position. 
     
     
         5 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each winglet is of generally equal surface area, when mounted in the operating position. 
     
     
         6 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein each winglet includes a curvilinear outside edge extending between respective sides of said leading edge to respective sides of the trailing edge. 
     
     
         7 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the leading edge is slightly bowed downwardly to generally conform to swimmer's hand when in the gripping position.   
     
     
         8 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said retaining device includes at least one band member configured to cooperate with the plate member to releasably retain the same to the swimmer's hand.   
     
     
         9 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said retaining device includes a first and a spaced second band member, each of which is configured to cooperate with the plate member to releasably retain the same to the swimmer's hand.   
     
     
         10 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said first band member cooperating with the plate member proximate to said leading edge thereof to retain a knuckle portion of the swimmer's hand in abutting engagement with the plate member, in said operating position, and said second band member cooperating with the plate member proximate to said trailing edge thereof to retain a lower palm portion of the swimmer's hand in abutting engagement with the plate member.   
     
     
         11 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein
 said first and second band members are comprised of resilient, flexible tubing material configured to extend circumferentially around respective portions of the swimmer's hand for retainment thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein
 each respective end of each first and second tubing material member is sized for snug sliding receipt of a transverse cross-sectional dimension thereof through respective receiving channels in said plate member, in a longitudinally tensioned condition, and for frictional retainment thereof, in a non-longitudinally tensioned condition.   
     
     
         13 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including:
 a weight pad removably mounted to the plate member thereof.   
     
     
         14 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 said weight pad is water absorbent.   
     
     
         15 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein
 said weight pad is comprised of a wool felt.   
     
     
         16 . The swim training aid apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 said weight pad is removably mounted to said first surface of the plate member.