Swim instruction, training, and assessment apparatus

An apparatus for applying forces to a swimmer as the swimmer swims in a body of water, the apparatus comprising:

• a cable;
• means for coupling the cable to a swimmer in a body of water;
• means coupled to the cable for applying a force to the swimmer through the cable as the swimmer swims in a body of water;
• sensing means for generating an output signal responsive to a parameter as measured by the sensing means;
• means for selecting a value of a control parameter from a range of values;
• and
• a programmable controller coupled to the output signal from the sensing means, the parameter selection means, and the force applying means, the controller being responsive to the output signal from the sensing means and to the parameter selecting means for controlling the force applied to the swimmer by the force applying means as the swimmer swims in the water.

A swim assessment apparatus comprising:

• a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the cable including an electrically conductive component;
• means for coupling the distal end of the cable to a swimmer in a body of water;
• means coupled to the proximal end of the cable for applying a tension force to the cable as the swimmer swims at varying distances from the proximal end of the cable;
• a sensor located adjacent the swimmer at the distal end of the cable for generating an output signal responsive to a parameter measured by the sensor;
• a transmitter, located adjacent the swimmer, coupled to the sensor and to the distal end of the cable for transmitting an electrical signal proportional to the output signal from the sensor through the cable to the proximal end;
• and
• a receiver coupled to and located near the proximal end of the cable for receiving the electrical signal transmitted through the cable.

A swim instruction apparatus comprising:

• a cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
• means for coupling the distal end of the cable to a swimmer in a body of water;
• means coupled to the proximal end of the cable for applying a positive force to the swimmer as the swimmer swims in a body of water;
• speed sensing means for generating an output signal proportional to the speed of the swimmer;
• force sensing means coupled to the cable for generating an output signal responsive to the force exerted by the swimmer on the cable;
• means for generating a perceptible warning signal coupled to the output signal from the force sensing means, the warning signal generating means being responsive to the output signal from the force sensing means to generate a perceptible warning signal when the output signal from the force sensing means is within a predetermined range of values;
• and
• a controller coupled to the output signal from the speed sensing means and to the positive force applying means, the controller being responsive to the output signal from the speed sensing means for controlling the speed of the swimmer by varying the force applied to the swimmer by the positive force applying means.

A swim instruction apparatus comprising:

• a cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
• means for coupling the distal end of the cable to a swimmer;
• means coupled to the proximal end of the cable for winding and unwinding the cable for applying positive and negative forces to the cable;
• speed sensing means for generating an output signal proportional to the speed of the swimmer;
• force sensing means coupled to the cable for generating an output signal responsive to the force exerted by the swimmer on the cable;
• means for generating a perceptible warning signal coupled to the output signal from the force sensing means, the warning signal means being responsive to the output signal to generate a perceptible warning signal when the output signal is within a predetermined range of values;
• and
• a controller coupled to the output signal from the speed sensing means and to the winding and unwinding means, the controller being responsive to the output signal from the speed sensing means for controlling the speed of the swimmer by varying the force applied to the swimmer by the winding and unwinding means.

A swim training apparatus comprising:

• a cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
• means for coupling the distal end of the cable to a swimmer;
• an accelerometer for coupling to the swimmer for generating an output signal responsive to a parameter measured by the accelerometer;
• a transmitter coupled to the accelerometer for transmitting electrical signals proportional to the output signal from the accelerometer;
• and
• a receiver located near the proximal end of the cable for receiving the electrical signals from the transmitter.