US20140273672A1

US20140273672A1 - Swimming aid apparatus worn on the body

Info

Publication number: US20140273672A1
Application number: US14/353,268
Authority: US
Inventors: Sung-Jong Lee; Hyen Woo Kim; Seok Sun Kang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-27
Filing date: 2011-12-02
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: KR20130046215A; KR101282088B1; WO2013062172A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a swimming aid apparatus worn on the body. The swimming aid apparatus worn on the body according to the present invention is worn by the user to provide propulsive force so that the user can enjoy swimming. Also, a water jet propeller may be used and stably operated without breaking down or being damaged by underwater living organisms or foreign substances. The swimming aid apparatus worn on the body according to the present invention includes: a body frame worn on the user's body; a water jet propeller fixed to the body frame to spray water, thereby generating propulsive force; a battery connected to the water jet propeller to supply power; and a controller controlling the operation of the water jet propeller.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wearable swimming assistance apparatus, and more particularly, to such a wearable swimming assistance apparatus which can be worn by a user to enable him or her to enjoy swimming while receiving a propulsive force, can be operated stably without a failure or damage caused by underwater organisms or foreign substances through the use of a water jet propeller, and can be easily worn even by infants or children who have a low swimming proficiency to enable them to enjoy swimming.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, many people without distinction of age or sex enjoy swimming as part of exercises or leisure activities. Since such swimming is performed under or on the water, poor swimmers spend much time in learning how to flow on water before swimming and raising the level of swimming proficiency. Thus, people who are unskilled in swimming or have a low swimming proficiency have a limitation in enjoying swimming.
In an effort to solve this problem, an appliance or apparatus capable of assisting the swimming movement has been developed. as examples of such swimming assistance apparatus, there have been invented Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0699013 entitled “The Auxiliary Apparatus for Swimming”, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0883892 entitled “The Auxiliary Apparatus for Swimming”, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0232785 entitled “A Swimming Apparatus, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0367463 entitled “Swimming Board, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0429350 entitled “A Swimming Auxiliary Apparatus”, and Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0440240 entitled “Swimming Assistance Vest”.
However, such a conventional swimming assistance appliance or apparatus entails a problem in that it causes an inconvenience of operation due to complexity of configuration thereof, or has a limitation in that since it has only a simple function of increasing a positive buoyancy, people who are unskilled in swimming or have a low swimming proficiency cannot enjoy swimming comfortably and freely.
In the meantime, the number of people is currently increasing who enjoy scuba diving, water skiing, yacht, and the like owing to quality enhancement of a leisure culture. These water leisure sports also have a limitation in that many people do not enjoy them due to high cost. Therefore, there is a need for the development of a technology that enables users to experience various water leisure sports even at a low cost.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention is to provide a novel wearable swimming assistance apparatus which uses a water jet propeller to simplify a configuration thereof, enables a user to easily enjoy swimming through the ON/OFF manipulation of an operating switch, can be applied to various water leisure sports through the use of the water jet propeller while promoting the reduction of the cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable swimming assistance apparatus in which water sucked in through suction holes arranged on the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical water jet propeller is sprayed to the outside through an injection nozzle at a lower end of the water jet propeller to generate a propulsive force so that a failure, a damage or an erroneous operation of the propeller due to underwater organisms or foreign substances can be prevented, thereby ensuring the stable and smooth operation of the apparatus.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above object, in one aspect, the present invention provides a wearable swimming assistance apparatus including: a body frame configured to be worn on a user's body; a water jet propeller securely fixed to the body frame and configured to spray water to generate a propulsive force; a battery connected to the water jet propeller and configured to supply power; and a controller configured to control the operation of the water jet propeller.
The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention may further include a buoyant member having a buoyant force greater than a neutral buoyancy. In the wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention, the body frame may have the underside that abuts against a user's back or abdomen and a bottom surface so that the water jet propeller and the battery are disposed on the bottom surface. Herein, the body frame may be formed as a block body having an internal space defined above the bottom surface thereof, and the water jet propeller may be formed at both sides of the block body in such a manner as to be partially exposed to the outside.
Alternatively, the body frame may be formed as a combination of two or more horizontal bars disposed in parallel with each other and two or more vertical bars disposed in parallel with each other in such a manner as to intersect the vertical bars.
In the wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention, the body frame may include a fixing band so that the user's body is fixed to the fixing band, wherein the fixing band may include at least one selected from the group consisting of a pair of shoulder fixing bands fixed at the upper and lower ends thereof to the upper both sides of the body frame so as to allow the user's shoulders to be retained in the shoulder fixing bands; a body fixing band securely fixed at the left and right ends thereof to the body frame so as to allow the user's body to be retained in the body fixing band; and a pair of leg fixing bands fixed at the left and right ends thereof to the lower both sides of the body frame so as to allow the user's legs to be retained in the leg fixing bands.
In the wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention, the water jet propeller may include: a housing formed in a cylindrical tubular shape; an underwater motor pump installed in an internal space of the housing; a plurality of suction holes formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing; and a injection nozzle formed at a distal end of the housing.
In the wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention, the controller may include an operating switch configured to control the ON/OFF operation of the water jet propeller.

Advantageous Effects

The wearable swimming assistance apparatus of the present invention has an advantageous effect in that it uses a water jet propeller to simplify a configuration thereof, thereby improving durability of the apparatus and promoting easiness of manipulation of the apparatus. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be reduced so that the user can enjoy various kinds of water leisure sports even at a low cost. In particular, according to the wearable swimming assistance apparatus of the present invention, infants or children who are unskilled in swimming or have a low swimming proficiency can easily wear the swimming assistance apparatus so that they can enjoy swimming safely or variously, thereby promoting of the popularization of water leisure activities based on families.
Further, the wearable swimming assistance apparatus of the present invention has an advantageous effect in that water sucked in through suction holes arranged on the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical water jet propeller is sprayed to the outside through an injection nozzle at a lower end of the water jet propeller so that a failure, a damage or an erroneous operation of the propeller due to underwater organisms or foreign substances can be prevented, thereby ensuring the stable and smooth operation of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above as well as the other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) the basic configuration and operation of a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the inner configuration of a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a water jet propeller used in the wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. In the meantime, in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, illustration and explanation on the construction and operation which a person skilled in the art can easily understand from a general swimming assistance apparatus will be briefly made or will be omitted to avoid redundancy. In particular, in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, illustration and explanation on the detailed technical construction and operation of elements, which have no direct connection with the technical features of the present invention, will be omitted, and only the technical constructions directly related with the present invention will be briefly illustrated and explained.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the inner configuration of a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a water jet propeller used in the wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a body frame of the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed as a block body 10 a having the underside that abuts against a user's back or abdomen. On the bottom surface of the block body 10 a are disposed a water jet propeller 20, a battery 30, a controller 40, and a buoyant member 50. The block body 10 a constituting the body frame 10 defines an internal space above the bottom surface thereof. Herein, the block body 10 a has a waterproof function to prevent water from being introduced into the block body 10 a from the outside so that the battery 30, the controller 40, and the buoyant member 50 disposed within the block body 10 a can be operated normally.
The water jet propeller 20 is provided in pair in such a manner as to be exposedly disposed at both sides of the block body 10 a. A part of each water jet propeller 20 is disposed within the block body 10 a and the remaining part of the water jet propeller 20 is disposed at the outside of the block body 10 a.
Herein, each water jet propeller 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 20 a formed in a cylindrical tubular shape, an underwater motor pump 20 b installed in an internal space of the housing 20 a, a plurality of suction holes 20 c formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 20 a, and a injection nozzle 20 d formed at a distal end of the housing 20 a. Thus, the underwater motor pump 20 b is driven so that water is sucked into the housing 20 a from the outside through the suction holes 20 c and is sprayed to the outside through the injection nozzle 20 d by the drive of the underwater motor pump 20 b to thereby generate a propulsive force. The water jet propeller 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape which is lightweight and is small-sized so that the size and weight of the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 can be reduced in its entirety.
As described above, the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that water sucked into the cylindrical water jet propeller 20 through the suction holes 20 c formed on the circumferential surface of the water jet propeller 20 is sprayed to the outside through the injection nozzle 20 d installed at the lower end of the water jet propeller 20 to generate a propulsive force, so that the introduction of underwater organisms or foreign substances into the propeller can be minimized and the underwater organisms or the foreign substances can be prevented from being entangled with the propeller, thereby preventing a failure, a damage, or an erroneous operation of the propeller.
The controller 40 includes a control box 42 in which various kinds of electric and electronic circuit devices for performing a control function are disposed, and an operating switch 44 that controls the ON/OFF operation of the water jet propeller 20. The control box 42 is securely fixed to the body frame 10 so as to be connected to the water jet propeller 20, and the operating switch 44 is disposed on top surface of the body frame 10 so as to be exposed to the outside of the body frame 10 so that the user can manipulate the operating switch 44 in a simple and easy manner. To this end, the operating switch 44 is disposed at a distal end of a switch band 46 extending to the outside in such a manner as to be connected to the controller 40. Thus, the user can easily manipulate the operating switch 44 in a state of wearing the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100.
In this case, the operating switch 44 may use an ON/OFF switch that performs only an ON/OFF operation, but may use a volume switch that can control the propulsive force of the water jet propeller 20 along with the control of the ON/OFF operation.
The buoyant member 50 is formed of Styrofoam having a buoyant force greater than a neutral buoyancy.
In the meantime, the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixing band 60 formed on the body frame 10 so that the user's body can be fixed to the fixing band 60. The fixing band 60 includes a pair of shoulder fixing bands 61 that are fixed at the upper and lower ends thereof to the upper both sides of the body frame 10 so as to allow the user's shoulders to be retained in the shoulder fixing bands 61, a body fixing band 63 that is securely fixed at the left and right ends thereof to the body frame 10 so as to allow the user's body to be retained in the body fixing band 63, and a pair of leg fixing bands 62 that are fixed at the left and right ends thereof to the lower both sides of the body frame 10 so as to allow the user's legs to be retained in the leg fixing bands 62.
In the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoulder fixing bands 61, the body fixing band 63, and the leg fixing bands 62 are all formed on the body frame 10, but at least one selected from the shoulder fixing bands 61, the body fixing band 63, and the leg fixing band 62 may formed on the body frame 10.
The coupling state between the user's body and the body frame 10 may be firmly maintained by the fixing band 60.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 5, the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the body frame 10 is formed as a panel strip structure implemented as a combination of a horizontal bar 10 b and a vertical bar 10 c.
Herein, the body frame 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured such that two vertical bars 10 c are coupled between two horizontal bars 10 b. In this case, the two horizontal bars 10 b are disposed in parallel with each other in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other, and the two vertical bars 10 c are also disposed in parallel with each other. The two horizontal bars 10 b and the two vertical bars 10 c are respectively provided in pairs at the upper and lower portions of the body frame 10 in such a manner as to be coupled to each other by upper and lower connection bars 10 d.
Meanwhile, the battery 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention may be disposed within a waterproof case having an entrance 32 so that the battery can be waterproof.
The invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made without departing from the technical scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
While the wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been described and illustrated in connection with specific exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and various modifications and changes can be made thereto within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention.
FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrammatic views illustrating the basic configuration and operation of a wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a body frame 10, a water jet propeller 20, a battery 30, a controller 40, and a buoyant member 50.
The body frame 10 allows the water jet propeller 20, the battery 30, and the controller 40 to be fixedly mounted thereon. The body frame 10 can be configured in various manners such as a plate structure, a block structure, a bag structure, a vest structure, and a plurality of panel strips. The body frame 10 is worn on a user's body. For example, the body frame 10 may be worn on the user's back region as shown in FIG. 1( a), and may be worn on the user's chest and abdomen region as shown in FIG. (b). To this end, the body frame 10 includes a fixing band 60 so that the user's body can be securely fixed to the body frame 10 by means of the fixing band 60.
The water jet propeller 20 is securely fixed to the body frame 10. The water jet propeller 20 sprays water to generate a propulsive force. Herein, a pair of water jet propellers 20 may be installed at both sides of the body frame 10, and a single water jet propeller 20 may be installed at the center of the body frame 10. The water jet propeller 20 is formed in a small-sized cylindrical shape which is lightweight so that the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 has a volume and a weight which are less than predetermined values.
The battery 30 is connected to the water jet propeller 20 to supply power. The battery 30 may be securely fixed to the body frame 10 so as to be connected to the water jet propeller 20, or may be securely fixed to the water jet propeller 20. In addition, the battery 30 may use a general battery but preferably use a rechargeable battery for the purpose of economic efficiency. In the meantime, the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to the present invention is configured to have a waterproof battery or a battery 30 built in a waterproof case depending on whether to use under or on the water.
The controller 40 serves to control the operation of the water jet propeller 20. The controller 40 includes an operating switch 44 that performs an ON/OFF operation to control the operation of the water jet propeller 20.
The buoyant member 50 is securely fixed to the body frame 10. The buoyant member 50 provides a buoyant force to the swimming assistance apparatus 100 so that the body of the user who wears the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 can float on the water.
The wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 according to the present invention as constructed above allows the body frame 10 to be securely fixed to the user's body and the operating switch 44 disposed on the controller 40 to be turned on to operate the water jet propeller 20 so as to assist the user's swimming operation under or on the water. In addition, the user receives the propulsive force automatically from the water jet propeller 20 of the wearable swimming assistance apparatus 100 so that he or she can move under or on the water even without a separate swimming operation.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the wearable swimming assistance apparatus of the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be reduced so that the user can enjoy various kinds of water leisure sports even at a low cost.
Further, according to the wearable swimming assistance apparatus of the present invention, infants or children who are unskilled in swimming or have a low swimming proficiency can easily wear the swimming assistance apparatus so that they can enjoy swimming safely or variously, thereby promoting of the popularization of water leisure activities based on families.

Claims

1. A wearable swimming assistance apparatus comprising:

a body frame configured to be worn on a user's body;

a water jet propeller securely fixed to the body frame and configured to spray water to generate a propulsive force;

a battery connected to the water jet propeller and configured to supply power; and

a controller configured to control the operation of the water jet propeller.

2. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a buoyant member having a buoyant force greater than a neutral buoyancy.

3. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the body frame has the underside that abuts against a user's back or abdomen and a bottom surface so that the water jet propeller and the battery are disposed on the bottom surface.

4. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the body frame is formed as a block body having an internal space defined above the bottom surface thereof, and the water jet propeller is formed at both sides of the block body in such a manner as to be partially exposed to the outside.

5. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body frame is formed as a combination of two or more horizontal bars disposed in parallel with each other and two or more vertical bars disposed in parallel with each other in such a manner as to intersect the vertical bars.

6. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body frame comprises a fixing band so that the user's body is fixed to the fixing band,

wherein the fixing band comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a pair of shoulder fixing bands fixed at the upper and lower ends thereof to the upper both sides of the body frame so as to allow the user's shoulders to be retained in the shoulder fixing bands; a body fixing band securely fixed at the left and right ends thereof to the body frame so as to allow the user's body to be retained in the body fixing band; and a pair of leg fixing bands fixed at the left and right ends thereof to the lower both sides of the body frame so as to allow the user's legs to be retained in the leg fixing bands.

7. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water jet propeller comprises:

a housing formed in a cylindrical tubular shape;

an underwater motor pump installed in an internal space of the housing;

a plurality of suction holes formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing; and

a injection nozzle formed at a distal end of the housing.

8. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises an operating switch configured to control the ON/OFF operation of the water jet propeller.

9. The wearable swimming assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body frame has the underside that abuts against a user's back or abdomen and a bottom surface so that the water jet propeller and the battery are disposed on the bottom surface.