Floater paddle

Abstract

An apparatus has a body configured to accept a portion of a forearm therein and configured to restrict movement of the forearm, a handle connected to the body, the handle configured for being gripped by a hand, and a first side extension connected to the body and extending generally radially from the body.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a body configured to accept a portion of a forearm therein and configured to restrict movement of the forearm;   a handle connected to the body, the handle configured for being gripped by a hand;   a first side extension connected to the body and extending generally radially from the body;   a second side extension connected to the body and extending generally radially from the body in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first side extension extends from the body;   wherein no portion of the body extends forward of the handle;   wherein the second side extension is substantially identical to the first side extension; and   wherein the portion of the body configured to accept the portion of the forearm is substantially symmetrical about an axis of the forearm.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends along a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the first side extension extends relative to the body. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the body, the handle, and the first side extension are buoyant. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second side extension connected to the body.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second side extension extends generally radially from the body in a direction opposite relative to the direction in which the first side extension extends away from the body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body, the handle, the first side extension, and the second side extension are formed integrally. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the body, the handle, the first side extension, and the second side extension comprise a foam material having a substantially constant density. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first side extension is selectively attachable and removable from the body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second side extension is substantially a mirror image of the first side extension. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second side extension extends a maximum radial distance from the body less than a maximum radial distance that the first side extension extends from the body. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the body, the handle, and the first side extension is inflatable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the second side extension is inflatable.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an inflation port.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the body, the handle, the first side extension, and the second side extension are constructed to form an interconnected bladder space that is inflatable via the inflation port. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the body, the handle, and the first side extension comprise an embedded stiffener. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the embedded stiffener comprises a rod. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 providing a body configured to accept a user's forearm and configured to restrict movement of the forearm;   providing a handle attached to the body, wherein no portion of the body extends forward of the handle;   inserting a user's hand through the interior space of the body so that the body at least partially restricts movement of the user's forearm; and   gripping the handle using the user's hand that is associated with the portion of the user's forearm that restricts movement of the forearm.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 utilizing a buoyancy of at least one of the body and the handle to assist the user in floating in a body of water.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing at least one side extension attached to the body and extending radially away from the body; and   utilizing the side extension as a paddle to provide locomotion within a body of water.   
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising:
 providing a body configured to receive a portion of a user's forearm and configured to restrict movement of the forearm;   providing a handle attached to the body, wherein no portion of the body extends forward of the handle;   providing a first side extension extending radially from the body;   providing a second side extension extending radially from the body, wherein the second side extension is substantially identical to the first side extension;   gripping the first side extension with a first hand of a user;   gripping the second side extension with a second hand of the user;   floating prone in a body of water with the user's arms extended so that the body is located forward relative to the user's head.