Swimming aid with swim tunnel

Abstract

Apparatuses are described for a flotation device that is designed to safely support users in a body of water, or assist in their training or recreation, including users who are infants or young children. The flotation device may include one or more buoyant structures that form a passageway, such as a tunnel or arch, with which the user may engage. The flotation device may further comprise an item, such as a toy or a mirror, that assists with mitigating fear of or diverting attention from stress to help the user alleviate anxiety associated with water or the particular activity.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A flotation device comprising:
 one or more anchors, wherein the anchors limit a level for which the flotation device may float in a body of water;   one or more tubes, wherein each end of the one or more tubes are secured via one or more braces to one of the one or more anchors; and   an item attached to at least one of the one or more tubes, wherein the item is selected to mitigate a fear associated with use of the floatation device.   
     
     
         2 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more anchors and the one or more tubes form an arch. 
     
     
         3 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more anchors and the one or more tubes form a tunnel shape. 
     
     
         4 . The flotation device of  claim 2 , wherein the arch comprises at least two openings. 
     
     
         5 . The flotation device of  claim 3 , wherein the tunnel-shape comprises at least two openings. 
     
     
         6 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the floatation device comprises hollow tubes. 
     
     
         7 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the floatation device comprises solid tubes. 
     
     
         8 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more anchors and the one or more tubes are surrounded by soft padding. 
     
     
         9 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more braces connect the one or more tubes to provide support and stability. 
     
     
         10 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more braces are coupled to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more braces are configured to provide stability to the flotation device. 
     
     
         12 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the flotation device is made up of buoyant materials. 
     
     
         13 . The flotation device of  claim 1 , wherein the item comprises a mirror, a toy, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 attaching one or more tubes together, via one or more braces;   attaching one or more anchors to a first end and a second end associated with the one or more tubes, via the one or more braces to create a device;   attaching an item to the device at a position relative to a user's sight.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the item is attached to the one or more tubes, wherein the position of the item is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more anchors and the one or more tubes are surrounded by soft padding comprised of a material that resists warping due to exposure to water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more tubes are selected from the group of hollow piping, hollow tubing, solid piping, and solid tubing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more tubes and the one or more anchors are made up of buoyant materials. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the item comprises a mirror, a toy, or an item which is configured to attract the attention of a user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more anchors limit the movement of the device or limit a level at which the device may float in a body of water.