Field of the Invention The present invention relates to flotation aids. In particular but not exclusively the invention relates to flotation aids to be attached to a swimmer to provide additional buoyancy to the swimmer.

Background

It is known to attach inflatable armbands to a swimmer to assist the swimmer to remain afloat in a body of water. Armbands are typically inflated by blowing through a valve to inflate the armbands. A user's hand is then inserted through the armband and the armband slid up the user's forearm to a generally underarm position.

Statement of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention may be understood with reference to the appended claims.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a personal flotation aid arranged to be coupled to a limb of a user, the aid comprising a plurality of float members arranged in successive layers, the float members being arranged to provide buoyancy to the aid, the aid being arranged to allow removal of at least one float member thereby to enable a reduction in buoyancy of the aid, wherein the float members are arranged to be provided substantially concentric of one another, and wherein an aperture is provided through an innermost float member arranged to allow the limb of the user to be passed therethrough whereby the aid may be coupled to the user's limb. Preferably each float member is in the form of a substantially closed loop.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a personal flotation aid arranged to be coupled to a limb of a user, the aid being provided with a plurality of float members arranged in successive layers, the float members being arranged to provide buoyancy to the aid, the aid being arranged to allow removal of at least one float member thereby to enable a reduction in buoyancy of the aid. This has the advantage that an amount of buoyancy of an aid may be readily changed. Furthermore, a size of the aid may be reduced. In some embodiments an outermost float member of an aid may be arranged to provide an indication of an amount of buoyancy of the aid.

The float members may be arranged to be airless float members. In other words, it is not required to inflate the float members in order for the float members to impart buoyancy to the aid. This is in contrast to inflatable flotation aids such as conventional inflatable arm bands.

One float member may be arranged to provide a different amount of buoyancy to another float member. The aid may be arranged to be coupled to the limb of the user by means of an endless band.

Preferably the aid may comprise a pair of strap members arranged to be coupled to one another whereby the aid may be coupled to the user.

Preferably the strap members are respectively provided with complementary inter- engaging formations whereby the strap members may be coupled to one another.

The complementary inter-engaging formations may be provided by at least one selected from amongst a buckle arrangement and a hook and loop arrangement such as Velcro ^® .

Other coupling elements or coupling materials are also useful.

Preferably the strap members are arranged to be coupled to one another by means of at least one selected from amongst a buckle arrangement and a hook and loop arrangement such as Velcro ^® .

Preferably the aid comprises a resiliency extensible material. Preferably the aid comprises at least one selected from a plastics material, a resiliency extensible material such as an elastomer or an elasticated material and a textile material such as webbing or a cloth material. Preferably the at least one removable float member comprises a foam material or other buoyant material such as cork or any other suitable material.

Preferably the float members are arranged in use to wrap around at least a portion of the limb of the user.

The float members may be arranged to wrap substantially entirely around the limb of the user.

Alternatively the at least one float member may be arranged to wrap only partially around the limb of the user.

Preferably the float members are arranged such that when worn around an upper arm of a user at least one float member does not lie between the user's arm and the user's torso when the user's arms are aligned with a side of the user's torso thereby to reduce an interference of the aid with a swimming action of a user's arm.

Other arrangements are also useful in order to prevent interference of one or more float members with a user's swim technique. The at least one float member may be prevented from being removed from the swimband by means of a lock arrangement, the lock arrangement requiring a tool to release the lock arrangement thereby to allow removal of the at least one float member.

Preferably the tool comprises at least one selected from amongst a key, a rod member, a coin and a screwdriver.

Preferably the at least one removable float member is coupled to the swimband by means of a hook and loop coupling arrangement. Preferably the plurality of float members are coupled to one another by means of a hook and loop coupling arrangement. Each of the plurality of float members may be provided with identification means whereby the float members may be arranged in a prescribed configuration on the swimband.

The float members may be of different respective colours to one another.

The sequence of colours of respective layers may correspond to a sequence of colours of a rainbow.

The aid may be provided with a chart arranged to enable a user to gauge an amount of buoyancy of the aid based on the identification means of the one or more float members.

The at least one removable float member may be provided in the form of a plurality of float member elements.

This feature has the advantage that it increases a freedom of movement of a user's arm thereby enhancing a level of enjoyment of the user's swimming experience. The float member elements of a float member may be coupled to one another so as to allow relative movement of the elements with respect to one another.

The float member elements may be separate components not being coupled to one another.

In use the float member elements may be provided at locations spaced apart along a cylinder axis of the aid.

Alternatively the float member elements may be provided substantially in mutual abutment with one another at locations along the cylinder axis of the aid.

The float members may each be provided in the form of a substantially closed loop, the members being arranged to be provided substantially concentric of one another. An aperture may be provided through an innermost float member arranged to allow the limb of the user to be passed therethrough whereby the aid may be coupled to the user's limb. The float members may be of progressively decreasing length in a direction parallel to a common axis of the float members as a function of increasing distance of the members from the limb of the user in normal use.

At least a pair of the float members may be provided with complementary formations arranged to retain the float members in abutment with one another and in a substantially fixed spatial relationship, at least one of the float members being a removable float member.

The complementary formation of one of the float members may comprise a grooved portion.

The grooved portion may be provided around an outer peripheral surface of the float member. The aperture may be displaced with respect to a geometric centre of area of the float member, a boundary of the area being defined by the outer peripheral surface of the float member.

The float members may be arranged to have a substantially curved peripheral shape.

The peripheral shape may be at least one selected from amongst substantially circular, substantially oval, substantially elliptical and substantially distorted circular.

A portion of the peripheral shape may have a reduced radius of curvature relative to another peripheral portion, the aperture being displaced towards said portion having a reduced radius of curvature.

A portion of the innermost float member defining the aperture may be provided with a plurality of grip elements protruding therefrom into the aperture. The grip elements may be arranged to contact the limb of the user passing through the aperture.

At least one satellite aperture may be provided in the float member in addition to the first aperture, the satellite aperture being arranged to reduce a force required to displace a grip element thereby to expand the first aperture when required upon passing a limb through the aperture.

The satellite aperture may be provided through at least a portion of a grip element.

The grip elements may be integrally formed with the innermost float member.

The float members may be provided in a stacked arrangement. Alternatively or in addition the float members may be provided in the form of a roll of material.

The roll may be a substantially continuous roll of material. The float members may be arranged to be detachable from one another by tearing.

A boundary between respective float members may be provided by a weakened portion of the sheet thereby to facilitate separation of float members from one another. The weakened portion may comprise at least one selected from amongst a perforated portion and a heat-treated portion.

The roll of material may be a discontinuous roll, the float members being provided in the form of discrete members.

The aid may be formed by rolling the sheet member and cutting the sheet member before or during a rolling operation. For example, the sheet member may be provided on a carrier medium such as a sheet of a paper material. This has the advantage that the sheet member may be cut (without cutting the carrier medium) to form discrete float members before rolling the sheet member to form the aid. The carrier member thus facilitates handling of the discrete float members following the cutting operation. In an aspect of the invention there is provided a personal flotation aid arranged to be coupled to a body of a user, the aid being provided with a plurality of removable float members arranged in a stack of successive layers, the float members being arranged to provide buoyancy to the aid.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a flotation aid according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of a flotation aid according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a flotation aid according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of a flotation aid according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of a flotation aid according to a further embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 6 (a) and (b) are side elevations of float members according to embodiments of the invention;

FIGURE 7 shows a float member according to an embodiment of the invention in (a) perspective view and (b) unrolled plan view;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevation of a float member according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation of a float member according to the embodiment of FIG. 8; FIGURE 10 shows (a) a perspective view and (b) a cross-sectional view of a float member according to the embodiment of FIG.8 in combination with a corresponding side elevation; and FIGURE 1 1 shows (a) a side elevation and (b) a front elevation of a float member according to a still further embodiment of the invention.

According to some embodiments of the invention a flotation aid 100 (FIG. 1 ) has an armband in the form of a strap member 1 10 having opposed free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12. The free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12 are arranged to be coupled to one another to form an endless loop.

The free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12 may be coupled to one another by a variety of means including a hook and loop material such as Velcro ^® , a latch arrangement, a buckle arrangement or any other suitable means. In some embodiments the strap member 1 10 is formed from a resilient plastics material. In some embodiments the free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12 of the strap member 1 10 are provided with complementary inter-engaging formations whereby the free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12 may be removably coupled to one another.

A plurality of float members 120A-E are coupled to the strap member to form a plurality of layers arranged to overlie one another. In the arrangement of FIG. 1 it can be seen that successive float members 120A-E are in the form of layers of increasing radius . The members 120A-E subtend successively decreasing angles at a centre of curvature of the layers as a radius of the layers increases, as viewed with the free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12 of the strap member 1 10 coupled to one another as shown in FIG. 1 . Thus the float members present a substantially fan-shaped profile as viewed along a cylinder axis C of the armband in this configuration. In this embodiment each of the float members are of substantially the same length in a direction parallel to the cylinder axis C.

In some such embodiments each of the float members 120 are also of substantially the same width W when the strap member 1 10 is uncoiled and made to lie in a substantially flat plane. In some embodiments a toughness of the float members 120 is such that bending of a stack of float members 120 from a substantially flat condition to the curved condition of FIG. 1 is not possible without damaging the float members 120, for example by tearing or plastically deforming the float members 120. Thus, in some embodiments the float members 120 must be coupled to the strap member 1 10 with the strap member 1 10 in a condition in which free ends of the strap member 1 10 are coupled to one another to form a closed loop or the strap member 1 10 provided in at least a partially curved condition.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the aid 100 of FIG. 1 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 . It can be seen that the float members 120A-E are of substantially the same length L along a cylinder axis C of the aid 100. The aid 100 shown is elongate, i.e. a total length L _tota i of the aid 100 is greater than a diameter D of the strap member 1 10 in the looped configuration shown in FIG. 1 .

It is to be understood that other arrangements are also useful. For example, FIG. 3 shows an aid 200 according to an embodiment of the invention with strap member 210 in a substantially flat condition. It can be seen that corresponding lengths of respective float members 220A-E are of decreasing magnitude from the innermost member 220A (which is coupled to the strap member 210) to the outermost member 220E. A width W of each successive float member 220A-E is substantially the same as the other float members 220A-E. Furthermore in some embodiments the aid 100 may be more elongate in length L or less elongate than the embodiment of FIG. 2. In some embodiments a total length of the aid 100 may be less than or substantially equal to the diameter of the strap member 1 10 in the looped configuration. It can be seen that in the embodiment of FIG. 1 the shape of the aid in the looped, in- use configuration shown (in which free ends of the strap member 1 10 are coupled to one another) is such that the portion of the strap member 1 10 in the vicinity of the free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12 (region of arc A) is not overlain by portions of any float members 120A-E. This feature has the advantage that the aid may be worn by a user on his upper arm in such a manner that the user may draw his arms towards his torso in a substantially unencumbered manner. That is, the arm maybe drawn closer to his torso than if the float members 120A-E wrapped substantially entirely around the strap member 1 10.

It is to be understood that in some embodiments the portion of the strap member 1 10 in the vicinity of the free ends 1 1 1 , 1 12 may be overlain by portions of one or more float members 120A-E, a thickness of the one or more float members in this vicinity being less than a total thickness of a stack of float members 120A-E not in this vicinity.

FIG. 4 shows an aid 300 in which the portion of the strap member 310 in the vicinity of the free ends 31 1 , 312 is overlain by a stack of float members 320A-C, the stack being of substantially uniform thickness across a width and along a length of the stack.

FIG. 5 shows an aid 400 according to an embodiment of the invention in which the strap member 410 is in the form of an endless band arranged to be wrapped around a user's arm. It can be seen that the float members 420A, 420B are wrapped substantially entirely around the strap member 410. In some embodiments a cut or perforation 420' is provided through one or more of the float members 420A, 420B to enhance an ease with which the float members 420A, 420B may be removed. In some embodiments the float members 120 are coupled to one another by means of a hook and loop material such as Velcro ^® . This allows relatively easy removal of layers when required, whilst still providing a sufficiently strong coupling to resist delamination of float members 120 with respect to one another in use. In some embodiments a locking mechanism is provided to prevent decoupling of float members 120 by young children. In some embodiments the locking mechanism requires a tool in order to actuate the mechanism. The tool may be a key, a coin, a rod member or any other suitable tool. In some embodiments the float members are provided with identification means for identifying the float members such that a user may determine an amount of buoyancy of an aid based on the identification means of the float members of which a given aid is comprised. In some embodiments the identification means is provided by a colour (e.g. one colour or a combination of colours) of a portion or the whole of a float member. Different float members 120 of an aid 100 may be provided with different respective colours.

With the float members coupled to the strap member (or 'armband') 1 10 in a predetermined sequence (e.g. according to the sequence of colours of a rainbow, according to size, according to one or more indicia provided on a float member of any other suitable means) a radially 'outer' float member may provide an indication of an amount of buoyancy provided by the aid 100.

This feature has the advantage that an incentive may be provided to a learner swimmer to improve their swim skills thereby to enable a reduction in a buoyancy of the aid 100.

In some embodiments a reference chart is provided to enable a learner swimmer or a person responsible for the learner swimmer to determine the number of float members 120 required for the learner swimmer at their particular stage of ability.

In some embodiments the armband 1 10 is in the form a soft, flexible sleeve so as to be comfortable when worn by a user. In some embodiments the float members 120 are formed from substantially non water absorbing materials. In some embodiments the float members 120 are segmented along the cylinder axis C of the aid (FIG. 1 ) thereby to provide enhanced comfort and freedom of movement to the user. Thus, in some embodiments float members are each formed from a plurality of float member elements either coupled to one another such that they are movable with respect to one another, or not coupled to one another.

For example, the float elements may be spaced along a cylinder axis of the strap member either in edge to edge contact or mutually spaced apart.

FIG. 6(a) shows an embodiment 500 in which float members 520A, 520B are each provided in the form of a pair of float member elements 521 A, 522A and 521 B, 522B respectively. The float member elements of a given float member are in substantially edge to edge contact along a length of the strap member 510.

FIG. 6(b) shows an embodiment 600 in which float members 620A, 620B are again provided in the form of a pair of float member elements 621 A, 622A and 621 B, 622B respectively that are coupled to a strap member 610. In the embodiment of FIG. 6(b) the float member elements 621 A, 622A, 621 B, 622B of a given float member 620A, 620B are mutually spaced apart along the length of the strap member 610. In some embodiments the float members are formed from a low density material such as a foam material. In some embodiments the foam material is not provided within a protective covering, but in some embodiments a protective covering is provided for the foam material. This feature has the advantage of protecting the foam material from damage. In some embodiments the float members are shaped to assist a user in propelling himself through water. The embodiment of FIG. 1 is one such example in which the aid 100 may be worn such that when a user's arm is raised to a surface of water the float members project above the surface of the water, whilst when a user's arm is below water the float members become at least partially submerged.

Thus a user may swim in such a manner as to propel himself through water by lowering his arm to submerge a portion of a float member and moving his arm through water with the float member at least partially submerged. It is to be understood that a variety of shapes and forms of flotation aids according to embodiments of the invention are useful. Thus, in some embodiments, a length L of the float members 120 is arranged to be relatively short (e.g. of the order of a diameter D of the strap member 1 10 when in the looped condition). In some embodiments a flotation aid is provided that is arranged to be coupled to a leg of a user or any other suitable location. In some embodiments an aid may be arranged to be looped around a torso of a user.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a flotation aid 700 is fabricated from a continuous sheet of material 750 provided in the form of a roll (FIG. 7(a)). The roll is arranged to receive a limb of a user such as an arm of a user therethrough.

In FIG. 7(b) the sheet 750 is shown unrolled. In the embodiment shown the aid 700 has a plurality of float members 720A-E formed therein. The float members are separable from one another, separation being facilitated by a modified region 721 of the sheet 750 between respective float members 720A-E.

In some embodiments the modified region is a perforated region. In some embodiments the modified region is a creased region, a heat treated region, or any other suitable modified region to allow detachment of a float member 720A-E from the aid 700. It is to be understood that in some embodiments the roll is arranged to self-coil and that no fixings or other means for maintaining the sheet 750 in rolled form is required.

In some embodiments at least a portion of a surface of the roll is treated to retain the sheet 750 in rolled form once the sheet has been rolled up. For example, in some embodiments an adhesive is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the roll 750 prior to rolling the sheet 750.

Alternatively or in addition in some embodiments a heat treatment is applied to the sheet 750, for example to soften a surface of the sheet 750 immediately prior to rolling up the sheet 750.

In some embodiments welds are formed to maintain the sheet 750 in rolled form. The welds may provide the modified regions 721 between respective float members 720A-E.

In some embodiments a hook and loop arrangement such as Velcro® is provided by means of which the sheet 750 is maintained in rolled form. For exam, hooks may be provided on one side of the sheet and loops provided on the other side of the sheet. Other arrangements are also useful.

In some embodiments the float members 720A-E are discrete elements formed for example by cutting of the sheet 750 before or during the course of rolling the sheet 750 to form the aid 700. This has the advantage that the float members 720A-E are readily detachable from the aid without a need to tear the sheet 750.

In some embodiments a portion 751 of the sheet at a core of a roll comprised by the aid 700 effectively provides a strap member by means of which float members 720A-E are coupled to the user. FIGURE 8 shows a front elevation of a flotation aid 800 according to a further embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment the flotation aid 800 has a plurality of float members 820A-D, each float member 820A-D having a curved periphery. In the embodiment shown the aid has a substantially oval shaped periphery. Other shapes are also useful such as elliptical, circular, oblate circular or any other distorted circular shape, rectangular, square or any other suitable shape. By the term 'distorted circular' shape is included any shape having a curved periphery and having major and minor orthogonal axes of different respective lengths. The term 'distorted circular' is intended to include oval, elliptical and oblate circular peripheral shapes.

Each of the float members 820A-D has an aperture provided therethrough. In the embodiment of FIG. 8 the innermost float member 820A has an aperture 870 therethrough that is provided with circumferentially spaced grip elements 871 . The grip elements protrude inwardly from an inner surface of the aperture 870 and are arranged to grip a limb of a wearer passing through the aperture 870.

The remaining float members 820B-D are arranged in successive layers around the innermost float member 820A. The float members may be described as being arranged in concentric layers with the aperture through each float member being centred not on a geometric centre of a float member (with respect to an outer peripheral edge of the float member) but on a point displaced along a major axis of the float member away from the geometric centre.

It is to be understood that each of the float members 820B-D have apertures therethrough to allow the float members to be provided in this configuration.

In other words, in the embodiment of FIG. 8 it can be seen that apertures are formed through the float members, the apertures being displaced along a major axis of each float member towards one 'end' of the oval shape, i.e. towards a portion of an edge of the oval having reduced radius of curvature. This feature allows the aid 800 to be worn with an arm through the aperture such that a user's arm may be brought into closer proximity with the user's torso compared with an aid 800 having concentric float members having apertures therethrough that are not displaced in a common direction towards edges of the respective float members having reduced radius of curvature.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8 the float members are formed by a moulding process. In the case of the innermost float member 820A, the grip elements 871 are integrally moulded with the float member 820A. It can be seen in FIG. 8 that 'inverse grip elements' in the form of recesses 872 are provided in a wall of the aperture 870 around a portion of the circumference of the aperture 870, being a portion that is approximately half the circumference. The purpose of the recesses 872 is to enhance an ability of the innermost float member 820A to increase in size by compression of the material from which the float member 820A is formed. This allows the float member 820A to be fitted to limbs of different respective cross-sectional areas and shapes. This is at least in part because the recesses 872 provide a volume into which deforming material may be displaced.

In some embodiments the recesses 872 are provided in a portion of the circumference of the aperture 871 away from the end of the oval shape towards which the aperture 871 is displaced. In other words, the recesses 872 are provided in a portion of a wall of the aperture 871 in a region where a distance from a wall of the aperture to an outer wall of the float member is greatest. In other words, where the float member is 'thickest'.

In some alternative embodiments the grip elements 871 may be provided in an insert member arranged to be inserted through the aperture 870 formed in the innermost float member 820A rather than being integrally formed therewith.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the aid 800 of FIG. 8. It can be seen from FIG. 9 that a length L of respective float members 820A-D decreases as a function of increasing diameter such that the innermost float member 820A has a greater length L than the outermost float member 820D.

FIG. 10 shows (a) a perspective view and (b) a cross-sectional view of the flotation aid 800. It can be seen from FIG. 10(b) that a radially outer surface of each of the float members 820A-C has a groove 881 A-C provided therearound of a complementary shape to an inner radial surface of the float member 820B-D provided in abutment therewith. The groove is provided in order to retain the float members 820B-D in position and to prevent inadvertent separation of float members. It is to be understood that the resilient nature of the float members 820B-D allows removal of the float members 820B-D from the aid 800 thereby reducing a buoyancy of the aid 800.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.'s 8 to 10 float members 820A-D are substantially oval in outline and have major diameters D2A, D3A, D4A and D5A of 128mm, 164mm, 202mm and 235mm respectively. The aperture 870 provided through the innermost float member 820A has a major internal diameter D1 A of 70mm. The float members 820A-D have minor diameters d2A, d3A, d4A and d5A of 105, 137, 168 and 199mm respectively.

The float members 820A-D have lengths LA, LB, LC, LD of 90, 70, 50 and 30mm respectively.

It is to be understood that other dimensions are also useful.

In some embodiments a narrative is associated with the product to enhance an enjoyment of use of the product by a user. The narrative may be a story to provide entertainment for children.

The aid may be formed from a recyclable material. FIG. 1 1 shows a still further embodiment of the invention in which a flotation aid 900 is provided having a similar arrangement of concentric float members 920A-D. As can be seen from FIG. 1 1 (a) the float members 920A-D of the aid 900 are tapered in a direction parallel to a major axis A-A of the aid (see FIG. 1 1 (b)) such that a length of the aid 900 reduces along this direction. The major axis passes through a geometric centre of each float member and is normal to an axis parallel to an axis running along a length of the aid 900.

In the embodiment shown, the axis running along the length of the aid 900 is substantially normal to a plane in which an aperture 970 is provided through the inner float member 920A.

In some embodiments this feature has the advantage of reducing a volume of the aid 900 that is provided between the arm of the user to which the aid 900 is attached and the torso of the user. This allows the aid 900 to be used in a manner that is less constraining of a user's movement whilst still providing an aid of sufficient buoyancy to support a user in water.

In embodiments arranged to be worn around a leg, the aid 900 may be worn with the aid 900 oriented such that a volume of the aid 900 between legs of the user is reduced relative to other orientations. As described above, in the embodiment shown the innermost float member 920A has an aperture 970 formed therethrough defined by a wall 972. The wall 972 is of a serrated shape having protrusions 973 therearound that protrude radially inwards to contact the limb of the user passing through the aperture 970. Gaps between the protrusions 973 enhance an extent to which the protrusions 973 can deform when a limb is inserted through the aperture 970.

In the embodiment shown satellite apertures 978 defined by satellite aperture walls 979 are arranged at circumferentially spaced locations around the wall of the aperture 970. The presence of the satellite apertures 978 further enhances an ease with which the inner float member 920A can deform. The presence of the satellite apertures 978 reduces a resistance of the float member 920A to expansion of the aperture 970 when required in order to permit a limb of a user to be inserted therethrough. This feature enhances an enjoyment of the aid 900 by the user since in some embodiments the aid 900 is more comfortable to wear.

Embodiments of the invention may be understood with reference to the following numbered paragraphs: 1 . A personal flotation aid arranged to be coupled to a limb of a user, the aid being provided with a plurality of float members arranged in successive layers, the float members being arranged to provide buoyancy to the aid, the aid being arranged to allow removal of at least one float member thereby to enable a reduction in buoyancy of the aid.

2. An aid as described in paragraph 1 wherein one float member is arranged to provide a different amount of buoyancy to another float member.

3. An aid as described in paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 arranged to be coupled to the limb of the user by means of an endless band .

4. An aid as described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 3 comprising a pair of strap members arranged to be coupled to one another whereby the aid may be coupled to the user. 5. An aid as described in paragraph 4 wherein the strap members are respectively provided with complementary inter-engaging formations whereby the strap members may be coupled to one another. 6. An aid as described in paragraph 5 wherein the complementary inter-engaging formations are provided by at least one selected from amongst a buckle arrangement and a hook and loop arrangement.

7. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph comprising a resiliency extensible material.

8. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph comprising at least one selected from a plastics material, a resiliency extensible material such as an elastomer or an elasticated material and a textile material such as webbing or a cloth material.

9. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein the at least one removable float member comprises a foam material.

10. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein the float members are arranged in use to wrap around the limb of the user.

1 1 . An aid as described in paragraph 10 wherein the float members are arranged to wrap substantially entirely around the limb of the user. 12. An aid as described in paragraph 10 wherein the float members are arranged to wrap only partially around the limb of the user.

13. An aid as described in paragraph 12 wherein the float members are arranged such that when worn around an upper arm of a user at least one float member does not lie between the user's arm and the user's torso when the user's arms are aligned with a side of the user's torso thereby to reduce an interference of the aid with a swimming action of a user's arm.

14. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein the at least one removable float member is prevented from being removed from the aid by means of a lock arrangement, the lock arrangement requiring a tool to release the lock arrangement thereby to allow removal.

15. An aid as described in paragraph 14 wherein the tool comprises at least one selected from amongst a key, a rod member, a coin and a screwdriver.

16. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein the at least one removable float member is coupled to the aid by means of a hook and loop coupling arrangement.

17. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein a plurality of float members are coupled to one another by means of a hook and loop coupling

arrangement thereby to allow removal of the float members. 18. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein each of the plurality of float members are provided with identification means whereby the float members may be arranged in a prescribed configuration.

19. An aid as described in paragraph 18 wherein the float members are of different respective colours to one another.

20. An aid as described in paragraph 19 wherein in the prescribed configuration the sequence of colours of respective layers corresponds to a sequence of colours of a rainbow.

21 . An aid as described in any one of paragraphs 18 to 20 provided with a chart arranged to enable a user to gauge an amount of buoyancy of the aid based on the identification means of the one or more float members. 22. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein the at least one removable float member is provided in the form of a plurality of float member elements.

23. An aid as described in paragraph 22 wherein the float member elements are coupled to one another to allow relative movement of the elements with respect to one another. 24. An aid as described in paragraph 22 wherein the float member elements are separate components not being coupled to one another.

25. An aid as described in paragraph 24 wherein in use float member elements are provided at locations along a cylinder axis of the aid.

26. An aid as described in paragraph 25 wherein in use the float member elements are provided at locations spaced apart along the cylinder axis of the aid. 27. An aid as described in paragraph 25 wherein in use the float member elements are provided substantially in mutual abutment with one another at locations along the cylinder axis of the aid.

28. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein the float members are each provided in the form of a substantially closed loop, the members being arranged to be provided substantially concentric of one another.

29. An aid as described in paragraph 28 wherein an aperture is provided through an innermost float member arranged to allow the limb of the user to be passed therethrough whereby the aid may be coupled to the user's limb.

30. An aid as described in paragraph 29 wherein the float members are provided to be of progressively decreasing length in a direction parallel to a common axis of the float members as a function of increasing distance of the members from the limb of the user in normal use.

31 . An aid as described in any one of paragraphs 28 to 30 wherein at least a pair of the float members are provided with complementary formations arranged to retain the float members in abutment with one another and in a substantially fixed spatial relationship, at least one of the float members being a removable float member.

32. An aid as described in paragraph 31 wherein the complementary formation of one of the float members comprises a grooved portion.

33. An aid as described in paragraph 32 wherein the grooved portion is provided around an outer peripheral surface of the float member. 34. An aid as described in paragraph 29 or any one of paragraphs 30 to 33 depending through paragraph 29 wherein the aperture is displaced with respect to a geometric centre of area of the float member, a boundary of the area being defined by the outer peripheral surface of the float member.

35. An aid as described in any one of paragraphs 28 to 34 wherein the float members are arranged to have a substantially curved peripheral shape. 36. An aid as described in paragraph 35 wherein the peripheral shape is at least one selected from amongst substantially circular, substantially oval, substantially elliptical and substantially distorted circular.

37. An aid as described in paragraph 35 or 36 having a portion of the peripheral shape having a reduced radius of curvature relative to another peripheral portion, the aperture being displaced towards said portion having a reduced radius of curvature.

38. An aid as described in paragraph 29 or any one of paragraphs 30 to 37 depending through paragraph 29 wherein a portion of the innermost float member defining the aperture is provided with a plurality of grip elements protruding therefrom into the aperture.

39. An aid as described in paragraph 38 wherein the grip elements are arranged to contact the limb of the user passing through the aperture.

40. An aid as described in paragraph 38 or 39 wherein at least one satellite aperture is provided in the float member in addition to the first aperture, the satellite aperture being arranged to reduce a force required to displace a grip element thereby to expand the first aperture when required upon passing a limb through the aperture.

41 . An aid as described in paragraph 40 wherein the satellite aperture is provided through at least a portion of the grip element.

42. An aid as described any one of paragraphs 38 to 41 wherein the grip elements are integrally formed with the innermost float member. 43. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein float members are provided in a stacked arrangement.

44. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein float members are provided in the form of a roll of a sheet material.

45. An aid as described in paragraph 44 wherein the roll is a substantially continuous roll of material. 46. An aid as described in paragraph 45 or 46 wherein the float members are arranged to be detachable from one another by tearing.

47. An aid as described in any one of paragraphs 44 to 46 wherein a boundary between respective float members is provided by a weakened portion of the sheet thereby to facilitate separation of float members from one another.

48. An aid as described in paragraph 47 wherein the weakened portion comprises at least one selected from amongst a perforated portion and a heat-treated portion. 49. An aid as described in paragraph 44 wherein the roll of material is a

discontinuous roll, the float members being provided in the form of discrete members.

50. An aid as described in any preceding paragraph wherein the float members are non-inflatable.

51 . An aid as described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 44 wherein the float members are arranged to be inflatable.

52. An aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the

accompanying drawings.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.