U.S. patent application number 11/033080 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for swim trainer.
Invention is credited to Quinn, Joel.
Application Number | 20050164842 11/033080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34798092 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050164842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quinn, Joel |
July 28, 2005 |
Swim trainer
Abstract
A swim-in-place trainer having flow assist features incorporated
into the pool design. The flow assist features may include a
contoured bottom having a flow directional hump located in
approximately the center of the swim area. The flow directional
hump may extend laterally across the entire swim area and separate
a deeper front portion of the pool from a shallower rear portion of
the pool. Other flow assist features may include a front and rear
ridge for directing water to and from the swim area, respectively.
Interior side walls disposed on opposing sides of the swim area may
each include an inner front portion for creating a flow improving
vortex to reduce water friction. An optional propulsion means, such
as a pump or impeller, may provide a variable water flow dependent
upon the location of a swimmer in the swim area or other
factors.
Inventors: |
Quinn, Joel; (South Jordan,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mr. Joel Quinn
1108 Chavez Drive
South Jordan
UT
84095
US
|
Family ID: |
34798092 |
Appl. No.: |
11/033080 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60535417 |
Jan 9, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/055 |
International
Class: |
A63B 031/00 |
Claims
1. A pool for allowing a user to swim-in-place, said pool
comprising: a swim area having a front portion and a rear portion;
and a bottom extending from the front portion of the swim area to
the rear portion of the swim area, the bottom comprising a
contoured portion; wherein the contoured portion is configured and
dimensioned to improve water flow from the front portion of the
swim area to the rear portion of the swim area while the user is
swimming.
2. The pool of claim 1 further comprising at least one water return
path to allow water to flow from the rear portion of the swim area
to the front portion of the swim area.
3. The pool of claim 1 further comprising a restraint device to
maintain the user in the swim area while the user is swimming.
4. The pool of claim 3 wherein the restraint device comprises a
tether attached to a support.
5. The pool of claim 4 wherein the support is adjustable in a
vertical direction with respect to the swim area.
6. The pool of claim 4 wherein the support is adjustable in a
longitudinal direction with respect to the swim area.
7. The pool of claim 4 wherein the support is disposed in a
pivotable orientation with respect to the swim area.
8. The pool of claim 3 wherein the restraint device comprises a
sensor to measure a first parameter of the user's swimming ability,
the sensor outputting a signal having information regarding the
first parameter to an electrical device.
9. The pool of claim 1 further comprising a left interior wall and
a right interior wall.
10. The pool of claim 9 further comprising an outer sidewall and
wherein the left interior wall and the outer sidewall delimit a
first water return path and the right interior wall and the outer
sidewall delimit a second water return path.
11. The pool of claim 9 wherein the left interior wall and the
right interior wall are removably attached to the bottom.
12. The pool of claim 1 further comprising a water propulsion
device for circulating water from the rear portion of the swim area
to the front portion of the swim area.
13. The pool of claim 12 wherein the water propulsion device has a
variable output.
14. The pool of claim 13 wherein the variable output of the water
propulsion device is determined by the user's location in the swim
area.
15. The pool of claim 1 wherein the pool is comprised of at least
two modular sections.
16. A pool for allowing a user to swim-in-place, said pool
comprising: a swim area having a front portion and a rear portion;
a bottom extending from the front portion of the swim area to the
rear portion of the swim area, the bottom comprising a flow
directing hump separating the front portion and the rear portion of
the swim area; and wherein the flow directing hump is configured
and dimensioned for improving water flow from the front portion of
the swim area to the rear portion of the swim area while the user
is swimming.
17. The pool of claim 16 wherein the flow directing hump extends
laterally across the swim area.
18. The pool of claim 16 wherein the flow directing hump is
shallower than both the front portion and the rear portion of the
swim area.
19-30. (canceled)
31. A pool for allowing a user to swim-in-place, said pool
comprising: a swim area having a front portion and a rear portion;
a bottom extending from the front portion of the swim area to the
rear portion of the swim area, the bottom comprising a flow
directing ridge extending upwardly from the bottom and running
longitudinally through at least a portion of the swim area; and
wherein the flow directing ridge is dimensioned and configured to
improve water flow from the front portion of the swim area to the
rear portion of the swim area while the user is swimming.
32-102. (canceled)
103. A swim-in-place trainer for allowing a user to exercise, said
swim-in-place trainer comprising: a pool having a swim area, said
swim area having a front portion and a rear portion, the front
portion having a depth greater than that of the rear portion; a
bottom extending from the front portion of the swim area to the
rear portion of the swim area; a pair of flow directing walls
disposed on opposing sides of the swim area and removably attached
in a fixed orientation with respect to the pool; a pair of water
return paths, each of the water return paths in communication with
the front portion of the swim area and the rear portion of the swim
area and passing between one of the flow directing walls and a
sidewall of the pool; a flow directing hump extending laterally on
the bottom across the swim area, the flow directing hump separating
the front portion and the rear portion of the pool; a flow
directing ridge extending longitudinally on the bottom in the front
portion of the swim area; and a restraint device for holding the
user in place while the user is swimming, the restraint device
comprising a support and a tether, a first end of the support being
attached to one of the flow directing walls and a second end of the
support being attached to the other flow directing wall, wherein
the flow directing walls, the flow directing hump and the flow
directing ridge are each configured and dimensioned for improving
water circulation inside the pool.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/535,417, filed on Jan. 9, 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including but not
limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the
incorporation by reference being made with the following exception:
In the event that any portion of the above-referenced provisional
application is inconsistent with this application, this application
supercedes said above-referenced provisional application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] NONE.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. The Field of the Invention.
[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to swimming pools,
and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to
swim-in-place training pools.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Swim-in-place pools allow a swimmer to engage in swimming,
particularly aerobic swimming, without the need for a full-sized
pool. Swim-in-place pools are advantageous over full-sized pools
due to their reduced footprint, reduced water requirement, and
lower installation and operating costs. Swim-in-place pools can be
used for, among other things, exercise, training, and therapy. In
the past, a swim-in-place pool typically comprised a small pool
where one or more circulating means is used to circulate the water
to simulate the swimmer moving forward in the water as the swimmer
swims. Using a tether to simply hold a swimmer in place without a
means to circulate the water has proven to be inadequately
effective.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,035,835 (granted Mar. 31, 1936 to Raber)
discloses a swim-in-place pool comprising a false bottom forming a
chamber between a swimming area and the actual bottom of the pool.
Housed in the chamber are one or more propellers used to circulate
the water around the false bottom. The '835 patent also discloses a
pool having a quadrangular shape and rounded corners. Two partition
walls running parallel to the sides of the pool define a swim area
and two circulating loops. Driving propellers are disposed between
the partition walls and the pool sides in order to circulate the
water through the swim area.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,875,528 (granted Mar. 3, 1959 to Garate)
discloses a swim-in-place pool comprising a generally rectangular
tank having a post with a U-shaped saddle for supporting the
swimmer in the proper swimming position. Strategically placed
mirrors are also located on the bottom of the tank to thereby allow
a swimmer to observe and make corrections to the swimmer's stroke.
No water circulation means is provided.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,534,413 (granted Nov. 6, 1967 to Plasseraud)
discloses a swim-in-place pool having one or more water jets to
circulate the water. Each of the water jets has an adjustable
nozzle whereby the swimmer can move against the repelling action of
the jets while performing swimming motions. The water jets are
driven by electric pumps.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,899 (granted Jan. 11, 1977 to Mathis)
discloses a combined swim-in-place pool and spa. A vertical divider
is removably mounted between the spa area and the swim-in-place
area to thereby allow separate heating of each area. Water jets are
directed such that a user can swim in a substantially stationary
position against the force of the water jets.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,859 (granted Mar. 25, 1986 to Gossett)
discloses a swim-in-place pool with a restraining assembly to
maintain a swimmer in place in the pool while swimming. The
restraining assembly is configured to allow the swimmer to roll
back and forth relatively freely while swimming.
[0012] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,027,449 and 5,058,219 (granted Jul. 2, 1991
and Oct. 22, 1991, respectively, to Teratsuji et al.) disclose a
swim-in-place pool having a curved front leading to a lower water
return passage. The pool includes guide vanes to channel the water
into and out of the lower water return passage. An impeller located
in the lower passage circulates the water through the swim
area.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,021(granted Sep. 3, 1991 to Murdock)
discloses a swim-in-place pool that comprises a swim area having
two opposing side walls and a plurality of turning vanes in the
return water paths. The turning vanes at the rear of the swim area
direct the water into the return channels while the turning vanes
at the front of the swim area direct the water into the main swim
area. Dual impellers, one in each return channel, operate to
circulate the water around the pool.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,720 (granted May 31, 1994 to Lior)
discloses a swim-in-place pool that comprises an inner horizontal
waterway and an outer circulating waterway. A plurality of impeller
blades are advanced in unison through the outer waterway to thereby
provide a constant flow of water through the swim area.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,519 (granted Aug. 4, 1998 to Smith)
discloses a free-standing swim-in-place pool that includes a gutter
for catching and retaining water that spills over the lip of the
pool. The water from the gutter is emptied into drain pipes leading
to a pump which recirculates the water back into the pool. Baffles
located deep within the pool absorb waves caused by the swimming
motion of a user.
[0016] In the previously available devices, there is also known a
device as the Endless Pool.RTM.. This device includes a propulsion
assembly that propels water against a swimmer. The propulsion
assembly may be adjusted as needed to increase or decrease the
strength of the flow current. Water return channels are located
underneath benches aligned along the sidewalls of the pool. This
device may also be used as a trainer and a hot-tub spa.
[0017] Another previously available device is known as the Swim
Spa.TM.. This device may also double as both a swim-in-place pool
and a spa. This device includes swim jets to provide a water flow
against a swimmer.
[0018] Each of the previously available apparatuses disclosed above
has a distinct disadvantage due to either a lack of flow inducing
features, or an inefficiency of flow inducing features incorporated
into the design of the pools. First, in the above described
devices, the circulating water does not correctly simulate real
water flow as would be experienced by a swimmer swimming in a large
body of water. The water flow is often turbulent or unnatural,
which is discomforting to a swimmer. Next, the mechanical devices
require a significant amount of energy in order to circulate the
water. Finally, if users desire to use the swim-in-place pool as
both a trainer and a hot-tub spa, they must repeatedly heat and
cool the water to enable the cooler temperature for a workout, and
the warmer temperature for hot-tub spa use.
[0019] The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages
that are addressed by the present disclosure. The present
disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the
above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the
methods and structural features described herein.
[0020] The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set
forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of
the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and
advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means
of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The features and advantages of the disclosure will become
apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed
description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment shown in
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 2, taken along section B-B;
[0025] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 2, taken along section A-A;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a view of an exemplary adjustable tether
support;
[0028] FIG. 5A is a view of another embodiment of a tether
support;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a
swim-in-place trainer with removable and adjustable flow directing
walls;
[0030] FIG. 6A is a view of another embodiment of a swim-in-place
trainer;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of one exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a view of one exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure with modular construction;
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a
swim-in-place trainer module placed in a larger pool; and
[0034] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a feature of the present
invention.
[0035] It is to be understood that any proportions, shapes or
dimensions depicted in any of the drawings are options and not
requirements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be
made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific
language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be
understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is
thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the
inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional
applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated
herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant
art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered
within the scope of the disclosure claimed.
[0037] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In
describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following
terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out
below.
[0038] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including,"
"containing," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents
thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude
additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
[0039] Applicant has discovered, inter alia, a swim-in-place
trainer that utilizes a pool having flow directing features
incorporated into its design to thereby improve water circulation
and reduce water turbulence. The flow directing features reduce and
in some cases eliminate the need for mechanical water propulsion
devices. The flow directing features channel water displaced by a
swimmer to circulate more evenly to create a swimming environment
that feels more natural to the swimmer. Another aspect of the
present disclosure includes a swim-in-place trainer that
incorporates adjustable flow directing features to thereby control
the water flow for any particular swimmer or condition. These and
other features of the present disclosure will be further addressed
below.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a swim-in-place
trainer 20 pursuant to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
The swim trainer 20 comprises a pool 22 of sufficient size to
accommodate a user 50 to swim-in-place. The pool 22 may be free
standing as shown if FIG. 1 for above ground installation or the
pool 22 may also be installed in ground (not shown) as is well
known in the art to thereby allow installation in almost any
setting. When free standing, the pool 22 may be housed in a support
structure 24 such as those structures utilized for free standing
hot tubs and spas and the like. The support structure 24 for the
pool 22 may comprise an access door 26 to allow access to any
internal workings, such as pumps, motors, filters and heating
systems.
[0041] The swim trainer 20 may be optionally disposed next to a
detachable spa section 28. It will be appreciated that the
separation of the swim trainer 20 from the spa section 28 is
advantageous due to the fact that the water in the spa section 28
and the swim trainer 20 may be maintained at different
temperatures.
[0042] The pool 22 itself may optionally be constructed in several
modular pieces, as shown in FIG. 8, or as a single unit as shown in
FIG. 1. Ideally, the pool 22 is formed using molds for fiberglass
or vacuum forming. The pool 22 may also be formed using more
traditional pool construction materials, such as cement. The pool
22 may also be formed of metal. Thus, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the pool 22 may be constructed of
various materials, and is not limited to any one particular
composition.
[0043] The pool 22 may have a filtration system (not shown) as is
standard in most pools and spas. The filtration system may serve to
remove debris from the pool. The pool 22 may also have a heating
system (not shown) to heat the water as desired. The heating and
filtration systems may be shared in common with the adjacent spa
28. As mentioned above, it should be noted that it may be
preferable to maintain the water temperature in the pool 22 at a
temperature lower than that in the spa 28. This is due to the fact
that some people may prefer a cooler water temperature in the pool
22 while exercising as opposed to that in the spa 28. As will be
explained in further detail below, the pool 22 may also include a
water circulation system such as an electric motor coupled to a
water pump or an impeller (not shown). A control panel 108 may be
used to control any attached systems, such as the heating system or
the water circulation system, if present.
[0044] The pool 22 may comprise a swim area through which water may
flow from a front portion 34 of the swim area to a rear portion 36
of the swim area. The swim area may be further defined by a pair of
flow directing walls 38 disposed on either side of the swim area.
The flow directing walls 38 may extend in an upward direction from
the bottom of the pool 22 to a height sufficient to be near to or
exceed the expected water level in the pool 22. The flow directing
walls 38 may also extend in a longitudinal direction from about the
front portion 34 of the pool 22 to about the rear portion 36 of the
pool 22.
[0045] The flow directing walls 38 may be permanently affixed as
shown in FIG. 1 or, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the flow directing
walls 38A may be removably attached to the bottom of a
swim-in-place trainer 20A or to a cross member across the top of
the pool. In FIG. 6, the flow directing walls 38A may each comprise
a pair of downwardly extending posts 40. The posts 40 may be
received into one of a set of front holes 42 and one of a set of
rear holes 44. The front set of holes 42 and the rear set holes 44
are arranged such that the width between the flow directing walls
38A may be varied. In addition, the front holes 42 and the rear
holes 44 may allow the flow directing walls 38A to be adjusted
forward or rearwards in relation to the swim area.
[0046] The front set of holes 42 and the rear set of holes 44 may
also allow the flow directing walls 38A to be positioned in a
non-parallel orientation with respect to each other. The flow
directing walls 38A may also be interchangeable with other flow
directing walls of different sizes and shapes. The removable flow
directing walls 38A may also allow the swim trainer 20A to be used
as both a swim trainer and a spa. When configured as a swim
trainer, the flow directing walls 38A may be installed, and when in
the spa configuration, the walls 38A may be removed.
[0047] Referring now back to FIG. 1, a tether 46 and tether support
48 may be used to maintain the user 50 in the swim area while the
user 50 is swimming. It will be appreciated that the tether 46 and
the tether support 48 constitute one type of restraint device. One
end of the tether 46 may be attached to the user 50 or to a harness
52 worn by the user 50. The other end of the tether 46 may be
attached to the tether support 48. The length of the tether 46 may
be adjustable. Also, the tether 46 may optionally comprise a load
sensor 54, the function of which will be described in detail
further below.
[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates the tether support 48 in more detail. The
tether support 48 includes a pair of vertical members 58 spanned by
a cross bar 60. A lower portion of each of the vertical members 58
may be pivotally mounted on a shaft 66 extending through both a
vertical plate 64 and the vertical member 58. The pivotal mount of
each of the vertical members 58 allows the tether support 48 to be
angularly adjusted. Pins 68 may be inserted into holes 70 on each
of the vertical plates 64 and through a hole 72 in each of the
vertical members 58 to thereby lock the tether support 48 at
discrete angles. The overall height of the cross bar 60 may also be
increased or decreased by adjusting the individual height of each
of the vertical members 58. The width of the cross bar 60 may also
be varied. One method of accomplishing the above is to construct
the vertical members 58 and the cross bar 60 such that they are
telescopically adjustable as is known by those skilled in the
art.
[0049] The tether support 48 may also be adjusted forward or
rearward with respect to the swim area by the use of holes 56
located in the top of each of the flow directing walls 38 (see
FIGS. 1 and 2). This may be accomplished by installing a post 62
into corresponding holes 56 located in the top of the flow
directing walls 38.
[0050] Adjusting the tether 46 and the tether support 48 either
individually or in combination may produce advantageous feature
over the prior art. In particular, the pivotal attachment of the
tether support 48 allows the angle between tether support 48 and
the surface of the water in the pool 22 to be varied. A height
adjustment of the tether support 48 may accomplish the same result.
For beginning swimmers, the angle of the tether support 48 can be
adjusted to provide more upward support for the swimmer. For more
advanced swimmers, the angle can be adjusted and the tether 46
lengthened to provide less upward support for the swimmer. One
embodiment of the present disclosure provides for the use of a flow
meter to evaluate and display the estimated distance swam by the
user 50.
[0051] Another embodiment of a tether support bar 48A is shown in
FIGS. 5A and 6A. The tether support bar 48A includes a cross member
150 having a top piece 152. The tether support bar 48A has two
pieces as shown, but could be comprised of a single piece. The
cross member 150 further comprises a first set of holes 158 for
mounting the cross member 150 to a swim-in-place trainer 20B using
holes 160. The holes 160 may allow the cross member 150 to be
adjustably positioned forward or rearward with respect to the swim
area of trainer 20B. The cross member may comprise a second set of
holes 156 for attaching flow directing walls 38B. The second set of
holes 156 may allow the flow directing walls 38B to be laterally
adjustable with respect to the swim area of trainer 20B. The top
piece 152 may also comprises a third set of holes 154 for providing
variable anchor points for a tether 46. It should also be noted
that the tether support bar 48A may be attached to the
swim-in-place trainer 20B using any suitable means for attaching as
is known to one skilled in the art.
[0052] One of the primary benefits of the present disclosure
includes the flow directional features incorporated into the design
of the swim trainer 20. These flow directional features improve
water flow and allow for a more natural feeling to the user 50.
These flow directional features further greatly reduce and in some
cases eliminate the need for a mechanical propulsion device, such
as a pump or propeller. In the event that a mechanical propulsion
device is employed, it will require less power because the flow
directional features produce a smoother and less turbulent water
flow. The flow directional features described in further detail
below may be used separately or in combination with each other.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a flow directional hump
80 may be disposed in approximately the middle of the swim area.
The flow directional hump 80 may extend laterally across the swim
area from one of the flow directing walls 38 to the other flow
directing walls 38. The flow directing hump 80 may separate the
front portion 34 of the swim area from the rear portion 36 of the
swim area as best seen in FIG. 3.
[0054] An apex 82 of the flow directional hump 80 is shallower than
either the front portion 34 or the rear portion 36 of the pool 22.
The hump 80 should not interfere with the swimming motions of the
user 50 due to the fact that it should be located at about the
waist of the user 50. It will also be appreciated that the front
portion 34 of the pool 22 is deeper that the rear portion 36 of the
pool 22. The deeper front portion 34 allows the user 50 to utilize
the full range of motion of his or her arms while swimming, even
when utilizing what is commonly referred to as a "front crawl"
stroke and also the "butterfly" stroke. The rear portion 36, while
shallower that the front portion 34, may be of sufficient depth to
allow the user 50 the full range of movement of his or her legs
while kicking. The motion of the user's 50 arms and legs is
typically sufficient to create a current through which the user 50
may swim without the use of a mechanical propulsion device.
[0055] A front ridge 84 may bisect the front portion 34 of the pool
22 as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The front ridge 84 may separate the
front portion 34 into a left side and a right side. The depth of
the front ridge 84 may be shallower than the depth of the left and
right sides of the front portion 34, but deeper than the depth of
the apex 82 of the hump 80. The front ridge 84 may extend from a
front merge point 90 to about the rising slope of the hump 80. A
rear ridge 92 may extend from a rear merge point 94 towards the
hump 80.
[0056] FIG. 3A illustrates another embodiment of the present
disclosure. In FIG. 3A, there is no flow directional hump
separating the front and rear portions. Instead, there is a smooth
transition between the front and rear portions. It should also be
noted that any size or shape of a flow directional hump may be used
with the present disclosure, including humps having any radius or
vertical rise.
[0057] A pair of water return channels 96 are each formed between
an outer pool sidewall 98 and one of the flow directing walls 38.
Each of the water return channels 96 forms a path to allow water to
be returned from the rear portion 36 to the front portion 34 of the
pool to thereby create a circulating current through which a user
50 may swim.
[0058] It should be noted that the outer pool sidewall 98 is also
smoothly contoured to optimize the circulation of water. In
particular, the outer pool wall 98 is rounded at the ends to direct
the water appropriately into or out of one of the water return
channels 96. The front ridge 84 and the rear ridge 92 may
facilitate the merging or separation of the water flow,
respectively.
[0059] The flow directing walls 38 may each comprises an inner
front portion 104 and an inner rear portion 106. Referring now more
particularly to FIG. 2, each inner front portion 104 may comprise
an arcuate surface and taper inward to thereby narrow a water
entrance 73. The inner rear portions 106 of the flow directing
walls 38 extend relatively parallel to the swim area to a water
exit 74.
[0060] Disposed within each of the water return channels may be
jets 100 and inlets 101. The inlets 101 may supply a pump or
impeller driven by a motor, neither explicitly shown, to create a
water stream exiting through jets 100. The positioning of the
inlets 101 and the jets 100 may be such to aid water circulation in
the pool 22.
[0061] Jets 100 may comprise variable nozzles 102 and the output of
the pump and motor may also be variable as will now be explained.
The output of the jets 100 may be controlled by varying the nozzles
102 or the output from the motor running the pump or impeller (not
shown). The swim trainer may comprise a control panel 108 and
position sensors 110 as shown in FIG. 1. The position sensors 110
may include infrared, optical, laser or any other device known to
those skilled in the art capable of determining the position of the
user 50 in the pool 22.
[0062] The block diagram in FIG. 10 illustrates how the control
panel 108, load sensor 54, and position sensor 110 may each control
the water flow in the trainer 20. The control panel 108, load
sensor 54 and position sensor 110 are all in communication with
controller 112 which may control a variable speed motor 114 driving
a pump or impeller 116. The controller may also control servos 118
which vary the output of nozzles 120.
[0063] In the case of the manual control panel 108, the user may
select a flow rate or a preprogrammed routine. In the case of the
load sensor 54, the water flow is determined by the load on the
sensor 54. In the case of the position sensor 110, the position of
the user 50 in the pool 22 determines the water flow generated by
the pump 116 and/or nozzles 120. For example, in the event that the
user 50 is moving rearwards in the swim area, the water flow may
decrease in order to allow the user to return to an optimum
position. In the event that the user 50 is moving forward in the
swim area, the water flow may increase. In addition, information
from the load sensor 54 may be fed to an electrical device such as
a computer to record the workout. The load sensor 54, may for
example, be able to measure and determine the swimmer's power.
[0064] As may be seen in FIG. 7, the flow lines show the flow of
the water in the pool 22. As the user 50 begins swimming, the water
is moved over the hump 80 and into the rear portion 36 of the pool
22. The rear ridge 92 directs the water into one of the water
return channels 96. If present, the inlets 101 and jets 100 assist
the flow of water through the water return channels 96 and into the
front portion 34 of the pool.
[0065] The water enters the front portion 34 of the swim area from
the water return channels 96. Some of the water from each of the
water return channels 96 converges at the front merge point 90 and
at the front ridge 84. These features direct the flow of water
towards the swim area.
[0066] Small vortexes represented by the flow lines marked with the
reference numeral 114 may form next to each of the inner front
portions of the flow directing walls 38. These vortexes create an
additional current to overcome friction losses and thereby
contribute to the overall water flow. Once past the vortexes, the
water then flows through the swim area and is recirculated. As best
seen in FIG. 2, a rear portion 38A of each of the flow directing
walls 38 may be wider than a front portion 38B of the flow
directing walls 38. In one embodiment, the rear portion 38A is 50%
wider than the front portion 38B.
[0067] The flow of the water through the swim area and around the
water return channels 96 is further facilitated by a contoured
bottom of the pool 22. Each water return channel 96 may be less
than or equal to 50% of the width of the swim area. As shown in
FIGS. 1-4, the front portion 34 of the swim area is deeper than the
rear portion 36 of the swim area. The contoured bottom in the front
portion 34 is further divided into two sides by the ridge 84
protruding from the bottom. These features, in conjunction with the
flow directing hump 80, improve the natural flow of water in the
pool 22. It will be appreciated that the contoured bottom pursuant
to the present disclosure may be of any shape that improves the
flow of water through the swim area.
[0068] In one exemplary embodiment, the pool 20 may have dimensions
of 13'.times.10'.times.3'6" (3.96 meters by 3.05 meters by 1.07
meters). The depth of the apex of the flow directional hump 80 may
be about 2' (0.60 meters) while the maximum depth of the front
portion 34 and the rear portion 36 may be about 3'6" (1.07 meters)
and 2'6" (0.76 meters), respectfully.
[0069] As previously mentioned, a swim trainer 20C pursuant to the
present disclosure may be of modular design as shown in FIG. 8.
Each of the modular pieces may include a flanged portion 130. When
assembled, each of the flanged portions 130 be held together with a
bolt and nut assembly. A gasket material (not shown) may be
interposed between each of the flanged portions 130 to create a
water tight seal.
[0070] In a separate embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a swim trainer 20D
may comprise a removable insert module 120 that can be placed in a
larger swimming pool as shown in FIG. 9. The removable insert
module 120 may include weights or underwater tubes for holding the
swim trainer 20D in place. Ports may allow water from the pool to
enter the swim trainer 20D. The insert module 120 may also include
leveling pads to level the swim trainer 20D in the pool.
[0071] It should also be noted that a swim-in-place trainer
pursuant to the present disclosure may also comprise a flow meter
for determining a distance swam by a swimmer. The flow meter may be
disposed in the swim area or optionally in the water return
channels. The present disclosure may also comprise a method to a
method for exercising, comprising the steps of (a) determining a
number of average strokes required by a particular swimmer to swim
a given distance; (b) counting the strokes made by the swimmer
while said swimmer is swimming in place; and (c) determining an
equivalent workout, defined by a swim distance, simulated by the
work performed by the swimmer while swimming in place, based on the
number of strokes made by the swimmer while swimming in place.
[0072] It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements
are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the
present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative
arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and
the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and
arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in
the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,
assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles
and concepts set forth herein.
* * * * *