APPARATUS FOR SWIMMING

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to apparatuses for swimming and, more particularly, to an apparatus for swimming which gives buoyancy to a user during swimming, thus enabling the user to float on water more easily and to perform various actions on water. Background Art

[2] The inventor of the present invention proposed an apparatus for swimming in

Korean Patent Application No. 2003-55270, which will be described herein below.

[3] FIG. 1 is a view showing the usage of the conventional swimming apparatus of No.

2003-55270. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional swimming apparatus is constructed to enable a user to swim on water in which the user lies with his/her face down and holds handles with hands while wearing boots coupled to boot coupling parts.

[4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in

FIG. 2, the swimming apparatus includes a pair of pipes 10, a pair of handles 70, a plurality of side fin parts each having a side fin support bracket 30 and a side fin 20, a pair of boot coupling parts 40, a pair of boot fins 60 and a pair of boots 50.

[5] The pipes 10 serve as a main frame supporting the swimming apparatus. Each pipe

10 has a piston 13 which is provided in the pipe 10 so that the length of the pipe 10 can be repeatedly lengthened and shortened (see, FIGS. 4 and 10). In the case of FIG. 2, the piston 13 is installed in each pipe 10 for the above-mentioned linear reciprocation, but this swimming apparatus may be constructed without the piston 13.

[6] The handle 70 is provided on each pipe 10 at a predetermined position at which the user holds the handle 70 with his/her hand when the user lies down. The position of each handle 70 can be adjusted according to the user. The structure of the handle 70 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 12.

[7] Two side fin parts each having the side fin support bracket 30 and the side fin 20 are provided on each pipe 10, thus the conventional swimming apparatus includes a total of four side fin parts. Of course, it is possible to form more than two side fin parts or only one side fin part on each pipe, but, in the conventional swimming apparatus, two side fin parts are provided on each pipe for the purpose of producing sufficient buoyancy. Each side fin support bracket 30 serves to couple the side fin 20 to the pipe 10 and support the side fin 20 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Furthermore, a pair of side fins 20 is supported by each side fin support bracket 30. The pair of side fins 20 can be spread upwards and downwards (see, FIG. 6). The side fins 20, constructed to be spread, are

used for providing driving force as well as buoyancy.

[8] Each boot 50 is provided with a boot buckle 51 which has a function similar to that of typical boots, so as to prevent the boots 50 from undesirably slipping off of user s feet. Furthermore, each boot 50 has a second boot joint means 52 and a boot coupling latch 53. Therefore, each boot 50 can be reliably coupled to each boot coupling part 40.

[9] The boot fin 60 is provided under the bottom of each of the boots 50. Here, the boot fin 60 is removable from the boot 50. Furthermore, there are two boot fins 60 in a pair in the same manner as that described for the side fins 20 of the side fin part. The boot fins 60 serves to provide additional driving force. The boot fins 60 are aligned in a vertical direction, but they may be aligned in a horizontal direction. In other words, the boot fins 60 may be aligned in any direction.

[10] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the conventional swimming apparatus.

That is, FIG. 3 shows the cross section of the pipe 10 when cut in a transverse direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the side fin part is tilted downwards with respect to the pipe 10. As such, due to the side fin part being tilted downwards, the pipe 10 can be placed on water.

[11] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the operation of the conventional swimming apparatus. FIG. 4 shows the pipe 10 provided with the piston 13 and adjusted in length. Referring to FIG. 4, a water discharge hole 12 is formed in the front end of the pipe 10. Water, drawn into the pipe 10 during the motion of the piston, is discharged through the water discharge hole 12 to the outside. It is desirable to fill the piston 13 with air to increase the buoyancy of the swimming apparatus.

[12] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the side fin part of the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 5, the side fin support bracket 30 is mounted to the pipe 10. The side fin support bracket 30 couples the side fins 20 to the pipe 10. In this swimming apparatus, two side fins 20 act as a pair.

[13] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the side fin part of the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, the side fins 20 are rotatably supported by the side fin support bracket 30 so that the side fins 20 can be folded and unfolded. The repeated motion of folding and unfolding the side fins 20 helps the driving force to be produced. Furthermore, this is useful to increase buoyancy, required as a basic function of the side fin part.

[14] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a boot part of the conventional swimming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 7, the boot 50 has the same shape as typical boots, but it is provided with the second boot joint means 52 and the boot coupling latch 53, thus being coupled to the boot coupling part 40. Moreover, the boot fins 60 are removably provided under the bottom of each boot 50. The boot fins 60 add driving force to the swimming apparatus when they are used to be mounted to the boots 50, and, as well, they serve to

adjust the direction of the swimming apparatus.

[15] FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the boot of the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, it is understood that two boot fins 60 are constructed as a pair. The repeated motion, which folds and unfolds the two boot fins 60, adds driving force to the swimming apparatus.

[16] FIG. 9 shows the boot coupling part of the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 9, the boot 50 is coupled to the pipe 10 by the second boot joint means 52, the boot coupling latch and the boot coupling part 40 coupled to the pipe 10. In the drawing, the reference numeral 50-1 denotes a cross-section of a front part of the boot 50. In other words, it shows the cross-section of the boot 50 when cutting the boot 50 from the second boot joint means 52 to the bottom. The second boot joint means 52, provided on the front part of the boot 50, is coupled to a first boot joint means 41 provided on the boot coupling part 40. The first boot joint means 41 has a bar shape, with a hole formed through the first boot joint means 41 in a transverse direction. The second boot joint means 52 comprises two plates which have holes and are spaced apart from each other by a distance such that the first boot joint means 41 can be inserted between the two plates. Each hole of the first boot joint means 41 has the same size as each hole of the second boot joint means 52. Furthermore, the holes of the first and second joint means 41 and 52 have sufficient size that the boot coupling latch 53 provided on the front part of the boot 50 can be inserted into the holes. Besides the above-mentioned method, the boot 50 may be coupled to the boot coupling part 40 by various other methods.

[17] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the piston 13 of the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 10, the piston 13 is provided in the pipe 10 and reciprocates along the pipe 10. Preferably, a stopper 15 is provided at a predetermined position in the pipe 10 to prevent the piston 13 from being undesirably removed from the pipe 10.

[18] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the piston 13 of the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 11, the outline of the piston 13 is not circular, unlike the outline of the pipe 10. Preferably, the piston 13 is splined into the pipe 10, thus preventing the piston 13 from rotating around the longitudinal axis with respect to the pipe 10 during the piston motion.

[19] FIG. 12 shows the handle 70 of the conventional swimming apparatus. In FIG. 12, an example providing a handle part using the handle 70 and a handle fastener 71 is illustrated, but other types of handle part may be provided.

[20] FIG. 13 shows a bearing 11 of the conventional swimming apparatus. As shown in

FIG. 13, the bearing 11 is provided between the pipe 10 and the piston 13. The piston 13 is extracted from and retracted into the pipe 10. The bearing 11 makes the

movement between the piston 13 and the pipe 10 smoother. Furthermore, if the piston 13 is extracted from the pipe 10 to increase the length of the swimming apparatus, the junction part between the pipe 10 and the piston 13 may be bent in a transverse direction, compared with when the piston 13 is retracted into the pipe 10 and thus supports the pipe 10. To prevent this, the bearing 11 also serves to support the pipe 10.

[21] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the bearing 11 of the conventional swimming apparatus. FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the splined piston 13 and the bearing 13.

[22] FIG. 15 shows a water path forming part of the conventional swimming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 15, the water discharge hole 12 is formed in the front end of the pipe 10 to enable water to go outside to prepare for when the pipe 10 is filled with water by the piston 13.

[23] FIG. 16 is a view showing another conventional apparatus for swimming. As shown in FIG. 16, this swimming apparatus does not have a piston. Therefore, the length of each pipe does not change. Furthermore, a pair of side fin parts is provided at the front part of the pipes, so that the stability of the swimming apparatus is enhanced.

[24] However, the inventor of the present invention found the following problems with the conventional swimming apparatus. To solve the problems, the inventor proposes the present invention.

[25] First, the buoyancy of the conventional swimming apparatus cannot be adjusted according to the user s weight.

[26] Second, it is very difficult to change the driving direction of the swimming apparatus, for example, to stop at a desired position or to move backwards.

[27] Third, the process of manufacturing the boots used as footwear is difficult.

[28] Fourth, the side fin parts are not easily moved on the pipes so that it is difficult to adjust the position of the side fin parts to fit different to users.

[29] Fifth, because each pipe is not separated, it is inconvenient for a user to carry the swimming apparatus. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[30] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for swimming which gives buoyancy to a user during swimming, thus enabling the user to float on water more easily and to conduct various actions on water. Technical Solution

[31] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for swimming, including: a pair of hollow pipes, each of the pipes being separable into

several parts; an air injection unit coupled to an end of each of the pipes for air injection; a plurality of side fin parts mounted in pairs to the pipes; a grip provided on each of the pipes so that a user grasps the grip; a direction changing handle coupled to each of the side fin parts to rotate a fin of each of the side fin parts, thus controlling a moving direction of the apparatus; a movement range adjusting ring fastened to each of the pipes by a locking screw to adjust a range of movement of both the side fin part and the direction changing handle; and a sandal coupling part provided on each of the pipes to removably couple a sandal worn by a user to each of the pipes.

Advantageous Effects

[32] The apparatus for swimming according to the present invention has several advantages. [33] First, the present invention can have its buoyancy adjusted according to a user's weight by loading air into a hollow pipe using an air injection unit. [34] Second, the present invention makes it possible for the swimming apparatus to change direction, for example, to stop at a desired position or to move backwards. [35] Third, the process of manufacturing a sandal used as footwear is simple.

[36] Fourth, a bearing is provided in a side fin support bracket which moves along a hollow pipe, thus reducing friction between the side fin support bracket and the hollow pipe. [37] Fifth, because the hollow pipe is separated into several parts, it is convenient for a user to carry the swimming apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[38] FIG. 1 is a view showing the usage of a conventional apparatus for swimming;

[39] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the conventional swimming apparatus;

[40] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the conventional swimming apparatus;

[41] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the operation of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[42] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a side fin of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[43] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the side fin of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[44] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a boot of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[45] FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the boot of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[46] FIG. 9 shows a boot coupling part of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[47] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a piston of the conventional swimming apparatus; [48] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the piston of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[49] FIG. 12 shows a handle of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[50] FIG. 13 shows a bearing of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[51] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the bearing of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[52] FIG. 15 shows a water path forming part of the conventional swimming apparatus;

[53] FIG. 16 is a view showing another conventional apparatus for swimming;

[54] FIG. 17 is a view showing the usage of an apparatus for swimming, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [55] FIG. 18 is a plan view of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [56] FIG. 19 is a view showing a small air injection unit coupled to a hollow pipe of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [57] FIG. 20 shows a large air injection unit of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [58] FIG. 21 illustrates the state of a direction changing handle of the swimming apparatus when the swimming apparatus is advanced in a predetermined direction according to the present invention; [59] FIG. 22 illustrates the state of the direction changing handle of the swimming apparatus when it is desired to change the driving direction of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [60] FIG. 23 shows a side fin support bracket provided on the hollow pipe of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [61] FIG. 24 shows a ball bearing provided in the side fin support bracket of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [62] FIG. 25 shows a roller bearing as another example of the bearing provided in the side fin support bracket of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [63] FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the side fin part of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [64] FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing the side fin part of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention; [65] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a movement range adjusting ring fitted over and fastened to the hollow pipe by a locking screw according to the present invention; [66] FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing a locking bolt fastened into the hollow pipe to couple two separated parts of the hollow pipe to each other according to the present invention; [67] FIG. 30 shows the separated parts of the hollow pipe coupled to each other by a coupling bolt and two locking bolts according to the present invention; and [68] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view showing both a sandal and a pair of sandal

fins of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[69] Hereinafter, the construction and operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[70] FIG. 17 is a view showing the usage of an apparatus for swimming, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 17, the swimming apparatus according to the present invention is constructed to enable a user to swim on water such that the user lies with his/her face down and holds direction changing handles 160 with hands while putting on sandals 190 coupled to sandal coupling parts 180.

[71] FIG. 18 is a plan view of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, one side of the swimming apparatus includes an air injection unit 100, a ring 110, a hollow pipe 120, a grip 130, a plurality of side fin parts each having a side fin support bracket 140a, 140b and a side fin 150a, 150b, a direction changing handle 160, a movement range adjusting ring 170, a sandal coupling part 180, a sandal 190 and a bottom support 200. The construction of each element of the swimming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 through 31.

[72] FIG. 19 is a view showing a small air injection unit 100 coupled to each hollow pipe 100 of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 19 along with FIG. 18, the air injection unit 100 provides air to the hollow pipe 120 which serves as a main frame sustaining the swimming apparatus. A tube 100a is used to inject air into the air injection unit 100. Furthermore, the ring 110 is provided around the junction between the air injection unit 100 and the hollow pipe 120 and is fastened to the hollow pipe 120 by a locking pin 110a, thus preventing air from leaking.

[73] FIG. 20 shows a large air injection unit of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 20 along with FIG. 18, to inject a greater amount of air into the air injection unit 100, the air injection unit 100 having a large volume is coupled to the hollow pipe 120. That is, in the case of a heavy user, it is preferable to couple the large air injection unit 100, which can provide a greater amount of air to the swimming apparatus, to the hollow pipe 120, rather than to couple the small air injection unit 100 of FIG. 19 to the hollow pipe 120. Furthermore, an air injection unit having a shape different from the above-mentioned air injection units of FIGS. 19 and 20 may be coupled to the hollow pipe 120.

[74] FIG. 21 illustrates the state of a direction changing handle 160 of the swimming apparatus when the swimming apparatus advances in a predetermined direction according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 21 along with FIG. 18, the direction changing handle 160 includes a spring 160a, a handle housing 160b, a

connection unit 160c and a housing end part 16Od.

[75] FIG. 22 illustrates the state of the direction changing handle 160 of the swimming apparatus when it is desired to change the direction of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 22 along with FIG. 18, when it is desired to change the driving direction of the swimming apparatus during swimming, the direction changing handle 160 rotates forwards or backwards so that the direction changing handle 160 is extracted from or retracted into the side fin support bracket 140a. At this time, the side fin 150a also rotates according to the movement of the direction changing handle 160, thus making it possible for the swimming apparatus to change direction. In detail, referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the connection unit 160c moves in the side fin support bracket 140a according to the movement of the direction changing handle 160. When the direction changing handle 160 moves into the side fin support bracket 140a, the connection unit 160c is coupled to the side fin 150a. Therefore, the side fin 150a is rotated by the rotation of the direction changing handle 160, thus making it possible for the swimming apparatus to change direction, for example, to stop at a desired position or to move backwards.

[76] FIG. 23 shows a side fin support bracket 140a, 140b provided on the hollow pipe

120 of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 23 along with FIG. 18, the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b is mounted to the hollow pipe 120. A bearing 140c is provided in the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b. Two side fin support brackets 140a and 140b can move along the hollow pipe 120 to adjust their position according to the user s body after the movement range adjusting ring 170 is fitted over the hollow pipe 120. To achieve the above-mentioned purpose and make the movement of the side fin support brackets 140a and 140b smoother, the bearing 140c is provided in each of opposite ends of the side fin support brackets 140a and 140b. In the present invention, a ball bearing or roller bearing is used as the bearing 140c.

[77] FIG. 24 shows a ball bearing provided in the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 23. Referring to FIG. 24 along with FIG. 18, a plurality of balls 14Od is installed in the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b to serve as the bearing 140c, thus preventing friction from occurring when the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b moves along the hollow pipe 120.

[78] FIG. 25 shows a roller bearing provided in the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 23. Referring to FIG. 25 along with FIG. 18, a plurality of rollers 14Oe is installed in the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b to serve as the bearing 140c, thus preventing friction from occurring when the side fin support

bracket 140a, 140b moves along the hollow pipe 120.

[79] FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the side fin part of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 26 along with FIG. 18, the side fin support brackets 140a and 140b are mounted to each hollow pipe 120. Each side fin support bracket 140a, 140b couples the side fin 150a, 150b to the hollow pipe 120. In the present invention, two side fins 150a, 150b are used as a pair.

[80] FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing the side fin part of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 27 shows the side fins 150a, 150b when spread. Referring to FIG. 27 along with FIG. 18, the side fins 150a, 150b are rotatably supported by the side fin support bracket 140a, 140b so that the side fins 150a, 150b can be folded and unfolded. The repeated motion of folding and unfolding the side fins 150a, 150b helps produce driving force. Furthermore, this is useful to increase buoyancy, required as a basic function of the side fin part.

[81] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the movement range adjusting ring 170 fitted over and fastened to the hollow pipe 120 by a locking screw 170a according to present invention. Referring to FIG. 28 along with FIG. 18, the movement range adjusting ring 170 is fitted over each hollow pipe 120 to adjust the movement range of the side fin support brackets 140a and 140b. The side fin support brackets 140a and 140b move along the hollow pipe 120 above and below the movement range adjusting ring 170. To fasten the movement range adjusting ring 170 to the hollow pipe 120, the locking screw 170a is tightened through the movement range adjusting ring 170 into a locking hole 120a formed in the hollow pipe 120.

[82] FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing a locking bolt fastened into the hollow pipe 120 to couple two separated parts of the hollow pipe 120 to each other according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 29 along with FIG. 18, the locking bolt is tightened into the hollow pipe 120 and completely inserted into a groove 120b.

[83] FIG. 30 shows the separated parts of the hollow pipe 120 coupled to each other by a coupling bolt 120c and two locking bolts according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 30 along with FIG. 18, the separated parts of the hollow pipe 120 are coupled to each other by inserting the coupling bolt 120c into the separated parts. Furthermore, the separated parts of the hollow pipe 120 are fastened to the coupling bolt 120c using the two locking bolts. When the user carries the swimming apparatus, the locking bolts are loosened from the hollow pipe 120, and the long hollow pipe 120 separates into several parts, thereby the user can easily carry the swimming apparatus.

[84] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view showing a sandal 190a and a pair of sandal fins 19Oe of the swimming apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 31 along with FIG. 18, the sandal 190a has a sandal coupling part 180 so that the sandal 190a reliably holds the user s foot without slipping off. Furthermore, the sandal

190a is coupled to a sandal coupling means 19Od, and a sandal coupling latch 190b is inserted into a sandal coupling ring 190c, thus being connected to the sandal coupling means 19Od. Therefore, the sandal 190a is reliably coupled to the sandal coupling part 180.

[85] Meanwhile, the sandal fins 19Oe are provided under the bottom of the sandal 190a.

Here, the sandal fins 60 are removably coupled to the sandal 190a. Furthermore, there are two sandal fins 19Oe in a pair in the same manner as that described for the side fins 150a, 150b of the side fin part. The sandal fins 19Oe are aligned in a vertical direction, but they may be aligned in a horizontal direction. In other words, the sandal fins 19Oe may be aligned in any direction. The sandal fins 19Oe, which are attached to the sandal 190a, serve to provide assistant driving force and control the driving direction of the swimming apparatus.

[86] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described preferred embodiment, but it must be defined by the accompanying claims. Industrial Applicability

[87] The apparatus for swimming according to the present invention has several advantages.

[88] First, the present invention can have its buoyancy adjusted according to a user s weight by loading air into a hollow pipe using an air injection unit.

[89] Second, the present invention makes it possible for the swimming apparatus to change direction, for example, to stop at a desired position or to move backwards.

[90] Third, the process of manufacturing a sandal used as footwear is simple.

[91] Fourth, a bearing is provided in a side fin support bracket which moves along a hollow pipe, thus reducing friction between the side fin support bracket and the hollow pipe.

[92] Fifth, because the hollow pipe is separated into several parts, it is convenient for a user to carry the swimming apparatus.