Swimming aid

Abstract

A swimming aid is provided that includes an expandable element and a securing element for securing the swimming aid to a user. The expandable element moves between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The swimming aid is constructed and arranged such that movement through water in a first direction causes the expandable element to move to the expanded configuration and movement in a second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction, causes the expandable element to move to the collapsed configuration.

1 . A swimming aid comprising an expandable element and a securing element for securing the swimming aid to a user, the expandable element being arranged to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the aid is constructed and arranged such that movement through water in a first direction causes the expandable element to move to the expanded configuration and movement in a second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction, causes the expandable element to move to the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         2 . A swimming aid according to  claim 1 , in which the securing element is adapted to connect to a user's hand. 
     
     
         3 . A swimming aid according to  claim 1 , in which the securing element comprises a handle that is arranged to be gripped by the user. 
     
     
         4 . A swimming aid according to  claim 1 , in which the swimming aid is constructed and arranged such that in the collapsed configuration it provides reduced resistance to movement through water in the second direction than in the expanded configuration with movement in the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . A swimming aid according to  claim 1 , in which the expandable element is umbrella shaped. 
     
     
         6 . A swimming aid according to  claim 1 , in which the expandable element comprises a plurality of ribs that extend from a point, the ribs including webs therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . A swimming aid according to  claim 6 , in which the ribs comprise a localised increase in thickness of the material of the expandable element. 
     
     
         8 . A swimming aid according to  claim 6 , in which the webs include a transition portion located between the ribs and adjacent the point, the transition portion comprising a region of gradually increasing thickness of the expandable element between the webs and the ribs. 
     
     
         9 . A swimming aid according to  claim 1 , in which the expandable element includes a reinforced rim around its perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . A swimming aid according to  claim 6 , in which the ribs comprise the same material as the expandable element, the ribs comprising an elongate region of increased thickness in the material relative to at least part of the expandable member between the ribs. 
     
     
         11 . A swimming aid according to  claim 6 , in which the ribs are substantially triangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . A swimming aid according to  claim 1 , in which the swimming aid includes a head portion comprising a domed portion receiving the securing element on a concave side, the head portion adapted to be less flexible than the expandable element. 
     
     
         13 . A swimming aid according to  claim 12 , in which the expandable element comprises a plurality of ribs that extend from a point, the ribs including webs therebetween, the webs including a transition portion located between the ribs and adjacent the point, the transition portion comprising a region of gradually increasing thickness of the expandable element between the webs and the ribs in which the head portion is defined by the transition portion.