U.S. patent application number 11/113563 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for swimming pool steps having integrated spa.
Invention is credited to Normand St-Hilaire.
Application Number | 20060236447 11/113563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37185284 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060236447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
St-Hilaire; Normand |
October 26, 2006 |
Swimming pool steps having integrated spa
Abstract
A drop in step unit for either an above ground or inground pool,
the drop in step unit comprising a lower tread, a middle tread, and
an upper tread, and a lower riser, a middle riser and an upper
riser, the upper riser having a plurality of jets which are
connected to the outlet line of the pool pump, and a pulsating
member located on the outlet line to thereby give a massaging
effect.
Inventors: |
St-Hilaire; Normand;
(St-Hippolyte, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eric Fincham
316 Knowlton Road
Lac Brome
QC
J0E 1V0
CA
|
Family ID: |
37185284 |
Appl. No.: |
11/113563 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/506 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/144 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/506 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/00 20060101
E04H004/00 |
Claims
1. In a pool having a water circulation system including a pump, a
pump inlet line and a pump outlet line, the improvement comprising
a drop in pool step unit, said drop in pool step unit comprising:
first and second sidewalls, at least three steps including a lower
tread, a middle tread, and an upper tread, and a lower riser, a
middle riser and an upper riser; a plurality of jets located in
said upper riser, said jets being connected to said pump outlet
line; and a pulsating unit mounted on said pump outlet line.
2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said drop in pool step unit
is formed of a molded plastic material.
3. The improvement of claim 1 further including first and second
positioning members located below said middle tread.
4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said first and second
positioning members extend upwardly from said lower tread.
5. The improvement of claim 1 further including an air inlet line
extending to said jets to provide compressed air thereto.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to swimming pools, and more
particularly, relates to an improvement in swimming pool steps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of swimming pool steps in the form of a molded
modular unit which may be placed in either an above ground or below
ground swimming pool is well known in the art. These steps may be
held in place by means of suitable weights or, in the case of below
ground swimming pools they may be attached permanently by use of
conventional mechanical fasteners.
[0003] Similarly, the use of hydrotherapy in conjunction with spa
like apparatuses is well known and widely practiced. Thus, there
are available on the market many hot tubs or spas which have a
number of jets into which water is pumped under pressure to create
a massage effect on a person seated in the spa or hot tub.
Generally, such devices are expensive and require a separate
plumbing hook up as well as electrical supply for heating the water
and operating the pump.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a unit
which can function both as a stair unit and also as a hydro massage
unit.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a pool
having a water circulation system including a pump inlet line and a
pump outlet line, there is provided the improvement of a drop in
pool step unit comprising first and second sidewalls, at least
three steps including a lower tread, a middle tread, and an upper
tread, and a lower riser, a middle riser and an upper riser, a
plurality of jets located in the upper riser, the jets being
connected to the pump outlet line, and a pulsating unit mounted on
the pump outlet line.
[0006] Preferably, the drop in step unit of the present invention
is formed of a molded plastic material such as is well known in the
art.
[0007] As mentioned above, the drop in step unit of the present
invention may be used in either an above ground pool or an inground
pool. Generally, such step units for inground pools are placed at
the shallow end. Accordingly, the number of steps may vary
depending upon the pool depth.
[0008] The pulsating means employed on the inlet line may be any
conventional as such pulsating units are well known in the art.
Similarly, the use of an air line is also known in the field of
spas and the air may either be fed to the jet or to other another
areas in the riser.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Having thus generally described the invention, reference
will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an
embodiment thereof, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swimming pool step unit
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof.
[0013] Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference
characters thereto, there is illustrated a pool step unit which is
generally designated by reference numeral 10.
[0014] Pool step unit 10 is designed to be placed in either an
above ground or inground swimming pool to provide access thereto.
The unit may have different configurations adapted to either a
straight sidewall or a curved sidewall or alternatively, as a
corner unit.
[0015] Step unit 10 has a first sidewall 12 and a second sidewall
14 between which there are formed a plurality of steps. In the
illustrated embodiment, there is provided a lower tread 16, a
middle tread 18, and a top tread 20. In conjunction with the above,
there is provided a lower riser 22, a middle riser 24, and a top
riser 26.
[0016] Mounted in top riser 26 are a plurality of jets 28, 30 and
32. As may be seen from the rear view of FIG. 2, there is provided
a pump outlet line 34 which connects to a three way diverter valve
36.
[0017] As may be seen in FIG. 1, the drop in pool step unit is
utilized in conjunction with a pump 40 operatively associated with
a filter 38. A pump inlet line 42 is normally connected to the
skimmer inlet. On the pump outlet line 34, there is provided a
pulsating unit 44 which is designed to generate pulses of water in
a known manner.
[0018] In conjunction with the above, there may be provided a
central air inlet line 50 which supplies air lines 52, 54 and
56.
[0019] On the lower tread 16 there are provided first and second
positioning members 46 and 48 where a person desiring to enjoy the
hydrotherapy will position themselves.
[0020] It is understood that the above described embodiments are
for purposes of illustration only and that changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
and the scope of the invention.
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