U.S. patent application number 11/490178 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for water circulating apparatus and method for a swimming pool.
Invention is credited to Chun-Ming Kuo, Tzu-Yang Kuo.
Application Number | 20080016610 11/490178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38970003 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080016610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuo; Chun-Ming ; et
al. |
January 24, 2008 |
Water circulating apparatus and method for a swimming pool
Abstract
A water circulating apparatus and method for using in a built
swimming pool or a swimming pool during building. The apparatus
includes: a container disposed in the swimming pool and the
container has a water outlet and a water inlet respectively on a
front end and a rear end, the water outlet and inlet are under the
water level in the swimming pool, and a water circulation actuating
mechanism provided on the front end of the container for pushing
and lifting water from the front end of the container and
controlling flow rate of water to flow out from the water outlet to
the other end of the swimming pool, and to cause the water in the
rear end of the swimming pool to flow into the container from the
water inlet, and to flow toward the water outlet through the
container, thus effecting water circulation in the swimming
pool.
Inventors: |
Kuo; Chun-Ming; (Taichung
City, TW) ; Kuo; Tzu-Yang; (Taichung City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROXELL LAW OFFICE PLLC
SUITE 1404, 5205 LEESBURG PIKE
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22041
US
|
Family ID: |
38970003 |
Appl. No.: |
11/490178 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/488 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/0006 20130101;
A63B 69/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/488 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/00 20060101
E04H004/00 |
Claims
1. A water circulating apparatus adapted for use in a small
swimming pool, comprising: a container, disposed in said swimming
pool, having a water outlet and a water inlet respectively on its
front end and its rear end, said water outlet and said water inlet
being under the water level of said swimming pool; and a water
circulation actuating mechanism provided on a front end of said
container for pushing and lifting water from the front end of said
container and controlling flow rate of water to flow out from said
water outlet to the other end of said swimming pool, and to cause
the water in the rear end of the swimming pool to flow into said
container from said water inlet of said container, and to flow
toward said water outlet through the container, thus effecting
water circulation in the swimming pool.
2. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said
container includes a bottom case, a front case and a rear case
extended upwards respectively from two ends of said bottom case,
said bottom case, front case and rear case being communicated with
each other, said water outlet being formed on the top of the inner
side of said front case and said water inlet being formed on the
top of the inner side of said rear case.
3. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the
position of said water outlet of said front case is higher than
that of said water inlet of said rear case.
4. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the width
of said water outlet of said front case is narrower than that of
said water inlet of said rear case.
5. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said
water circulation actuating mechanism includes at least one
electric motor, a plurality of gearing members and a plurality of
turbine vane sets for pushing and lifting water from the front end
of the bottom case and discharging said water out of said water
outlet.
6. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said
water circulation actuating mechanism further includes a plurality
of guiding tubes, said guiding tubes enclose said turbine vane sets
respectively.
7. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said
guiding tubes are divided into a front guiding tube group and a
rear guiding tube group, and the top end of said rear guiding tube
group is higher than that of said front guiding tube group.
8. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said
water circulation actuating mechanism further includes a guiding
plate disposed on the top of said guiding tubes.
9. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said
water circulation actuating mechanism is provided inside said front
case.
10. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said
turbine vane sets of said water circulation actuating mechanism are
provided inside said front case, while said electric motor is
disposed outside said front case.
11. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said
container is attached to and circles the inner peripheries of said
swimming pool.
12. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said
water circulation actuating mechanism comprises an air blower and a
plurality of nozzles piped with said air blower.
13. The water circulating apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said
water circulating apparatus is provided with a detector in electric
connection with said water circulation actuating mechanism to
detect the speed of a swimmer for adjusting output power of said
water circulation actuating mechanism to control flow rate of water
in said swimming pool in response to the speed of the swimmer.
14. A water circulating method comprising the following steps: a.
providing a container in a swimming pool, wherein said container
has a water outlet and a water inlet respectively on the front end
and the real end of the swimming pool, and said water outlet and
said water inlet are under water level of said swimming pool; and
b. providing a water circulation actuating mechanism on the front
end of said container for pushing and lifting water from the front
end of said container and controlling flow rate of water to flow
out from said water outlet to the other end of said swimming pool,
and to cause the water in the rear end of the swimming pool to flow
into said container from said water inlet of said container, and to
flow toward said water outlet through the container, thus effecting
water circulation in the swimming pool.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a water circulating system
for a swimming pool, and more particularly to a water circulating
apparatus and method for using in a built swimming pool or a
swimming pool during building, so that a circulating water flow is
actuated in the swimming pool for swimmers to swim in the certain
fixed spot. The apparatus and the method are applicable to a small
swimming pool.
[0003] 2. Description of the prior art
[0004] Continuous type swimming pools have been existed for a long
time. As shown in FIG. 12, a U.S. Pat. No. 1,731,554) provided by
M. I. Wheeler in 1927 has mainly a swimming pool apparatus A that
is existed alone and is suitable for using in a small space,
wherein water is driven by a water circulating system A1 installed
on the bottom of the swimming pool apparatus A to cause water to
circulate around in the swimming pool apparatus A, so that a
swimmer can swim in the swimming pool apparatus A in a certain
fixed spot. Besides, as shown in FIG. 13, a U.S. Pat. No.
2,035,835) provided by H. Raber in 1934 is used for a small space
as the U.S. patent of M. I. Wheeler, but the former structure is a
simplified one so as to lower cost. The above two inventions are
both existed alone so they are unable to be disposed in a built
swimming pool.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 14, a German patent (No. 2,222,594) mainly
utilizes the idea of water circulation in a swimming pool B,
wherein a water circulating system B1 is installed integrally with
the swimming pool B during building the swimming pool. Installation
of the water circulating system B1 must be operated by professional
technicians so as to prohibit the possible leakage of water or
electricity, and it makes the cost of installation exorbitant.
After installation, the water circulating system B1 is unable to be
removed without any damage against the swimming pool. Thereby, the
use of the water circulating system B1 is short of flexibility.
[0006] There are plenty of swimming pools nowadays where the
exercise effect will be decreased if the length of the swimming
pools is insufficient. Furthermore, the swimming pools will need to
be rebuilt if they are installed with the above water circulating
systems and it is not economic.
[0007] In view of the above defects, a water circulating system
shall be improved not only to have an effect of water circulating,
but also to be adapted for installation and use in any of swimming
pools of different lengths. In addition, it can be installed and
detached flexibly and cheaply.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a water circulating apparatus for using in a built swimming pool,
wherein a container and a water circulation actuating mechanism are
provided and a circulating water flow is actuated in the swimming
pool for swimmers to swim.
[0009] The second objective of the present invention is to provide
a water circulating apparatus for using in a built swimming pool,
wherein a container and a water circulation actuating mechanism are
detachably disposed in swimming pools of various forms and sizes
and the water circulating apparatus thus can be installed and
detached flexibly and cheaply.
[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
water circulating apparatus for using in a swimming pool, wherein
the rate of the water circulation is adjustable so that swimmers
can obtain different exercise effects and achieve their goals.
[0011] In order to achieve the above objectives, a water
circulating apparatus according to the present invention includes a
container and a water circulation actuating mechanism. The
container is disposed in the swimming pool and has a water outlet
and a water inlet respectively on a front end and a rear end of the
swimming pool, and the water outlet and the water inlet are under
the water level of the swimming pool. The water circulation
actuating mechanism is provided on the front end of the container
for pushing and lifting water from the front end of the container
and controlling flow rate of water to flow out from the water
outlet to the other end of the swimming pool, and to cause the
water in the rear end of the swimming pool to flow into the
container from the water inlet, and to flow toward the water outlet
through the container, thus effecting water circulation in the
swimming pool.
[0012] The container can include a bottom case, a front case and a
rear case extended upwards respectively from two ends of the bottom
case, wherein the bottom case, front case and rear case are
communicated with each other. The water outlet is formed on the top
of the inner side of the front case, and the water inlet is formed
on the top of the inner side of the rear case. The position of the
water outlet of the front case is higher than that of the water
inlet of the rear case, and the width of the water outlet of the
front case is narrower than that of the water inlet of the rear
case.
[0013] The above stated water circulation actuating mechanism can
include at least one electric motor, a plurality of gearing members
and a plurality of turbine vane sets for pushing and lifting water
from the bottom case and discharging the water out of the water
outlet. The electric motor can be disposed outside or inside the
front case.
[0014] In practicing the present invention, the container can be
attached to and circle the inner peripheries of the swimming pool.
The water circulation actuating mechanism can be composed of an air
blower and a plurality of nozzles piped with the air blower.
[0015] Moreover, the present invention further provides with a
detector in electric connection with the water circulation
actuating mechanism to detect the speed of a swimmer and to
relatively adjust the output power of the water circulation
actuating mechanism so as to control the flow rate of water in the
swimming pool.
[0016] The present invention will be apparent after reading the
detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the method of water circulation of
the present invention for using in a built swimming pool;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first
preferred embodiment for the water circulation apparatus of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the first embodiment of
the present invention installed in a built swimming pool;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the first embodiment of
the present invention installed in a swimming pool during
building;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional schematic view showing the actuation
of water circulation in the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view showing the actuation of
water circulation in the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the use of the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the use of the first
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the water circulation
actuating mechanism is of a jet air power type;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing that a plurality
of guiding tubes in the first embodiment of the present invention
are divided into a front guiding tube group and a rear guiding tube
group;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing that the guiding
tubes of the first embodiment of the present invention are divided
into the front guiding tube group and the rear guiding tube
group;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view showing the actuation of
water circulation of the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a U.S. invention with the
U.S. Pat. No. 1,731,554;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the use of a U.S.
invention with the U.S. Pat. No. 2,035,835; and
[0030] FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the use of a German
invention with the patent No. 2,222,594.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is showing a flow chart
of a preferred embodiment of the method of water circulation of the
present invention. The method can be used in a built swimming pool
or a swimming pool during building. The method includes the
following steps:
[0032] a. providing a container in a swimming pool, wherein the
container has a water outlet and a water inlet respectively on its
front end and rear end, and the water outlet and the inlet are
under the water level of the swimming pool, and
[0033] b. providing a water circulation actuating mechanism on the
front end of the container for pushing and lifting water from the
front end of the container and controlling flow rate of water to
flow out from the water outlet to the other end of the swimming
pool, and to cause the water in the rear end of the swimming pool
to flow into the container from the water inlet of the container,
and to flow toward the water outlet through the container, thus
effecting water circulation in the swimming pool.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2 and 3, the first embodiment of a water
circulation apparatus 1 of the present invention is for using in a
built swimming pool 9 or a swimming pool during building (as shown
in FIG. 4), and it includes a container 2 disposed in the swimming
pool 9 and a water circulation actuating mechanism 3.
[0035] In the first embodiment, the container 2 is in the form of a
U-shaped plate structure and includes a bottom case 22, a front
case 21 and a rear case 23 extended upwards respectively from two
ends of the bottom case 22, wherein the bottom case 22, front case
21 and rear case 23 are communicated with each other. On the top of
the front case 21 is a panel having a plurality of through holes
211 extending vertically. The inner side of the front case 21 has a
plurality of round guiding tubes 212 that are disposed thereon with
a curved guiding plate 213 and the curved guiding plate 213 can be
an inclined plane plate. On the top of the inner side of the front
case 21 is an opening as a water outlet 24 and the opening is
rectangular and faces to the opening of the rear case 23. Two
lateral sides of a top surface 221 of the bottom case 22 incline
and flare downwards to form two mutually opposite bevel surfaces
222 and a bottom surface 223 with a large area, so that the bottom
case 22 can be stably disposed in the swimming pool 9. The rear
case 23 is disposed on its top end and inner side with a notch
facing upwards to the front case 21 as a water inlet 25. The water
outlet 24 and the water inlet 25 can be a plurality of openings
without limitation on their shapes. Furthermore, in a preferred
embodiment, the position of the water outlet 24 of the front case
21 is higher than that of the water inlet 25 of the rear case 23,
and the width of the water outlet 24 of the front case 21 is higher
than that of the water inlet 25 of the rear case 23.
[0036] The water circulation actuating mechanism 3 is provided on
the front end of the container 2 and includes at least one electric
motor 31, a plurality of gearing members 32 and a plurality of
turbine vane sets 33. The electric motor 31 is adjustable to switch
to different rotation rates. The gearing members 32 can include a
rotation rod and the through holes 211 on the top panel of the
front case 21 that are respectively linked up with the turbine vane
sets 33. In this embodiment, the turbine vane sets 33 are disposed
inside the front case 21, and the electric motor 31 is disposed on
the top of the front case 21. When in practicing, the electric
motor 31 can also be an immersed type that has a waterproof
function, and installed together with the gearing members 32 and
the turbine vane sets 33 in the front case 21.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 5 and 6, there are schematic views showing
the state of water circulation of the first embodiment of the
present invention, wherein when the container 2 of the present
invention is provided in the built swimming pool 9, the water
outlet 24 and the water inlet 25 of the container 2 are under the
water level of the swimming pool, and the position of the water
outlet 24 of the front case 21 is higher than that of the water
inlet 25 of the rear case 23. When the electric motor 31 is linked
up with the gearing members 32, it makes the turbine vane sets 33
at one end of the gearing members 32 start to rotate, and the water
below the turbine vane sets 33 is driven and lifted. By the
guidance of the round guiding tubes 212 enclosing the turbine vane
sets 33 and the curved guiding plate 213 disposed inside of the
front case 21, the water flows out from the water outlet 24 to the
water inlet 25 horizontally. The flow rate of the water gradually
reduces along the distance of flowing and water flows out in a
sector shape and then into the water inlet 25 of the rear case 23.
The water circulation is formed by the way of the inside flow
passage 26 in the rear case 23 and the bottom case 22.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 6 and 7, when a swimmer swims in the
swimming pool 9, the rotation rate of the electric motor 31 can be
adjusted in accordance with the physical situation or the actual
requirement of the swimmer to control the flow rate of the water so
that the swimmer can swim nearly at the same spot and the exercise
effect is equivalent to swimming in a large swimming pool by the
way of the relative speed of the swimmer to the rate of the water
circulation.
[0039] As to the adjustment of the flow rate of the water
circulation in the swimming pool, the present invention can provide
a certain water flow rate by setting any of different rotation
rates of the electric motor 31 in advance or by means that, as
shown in FIG. 6, the swimming pool 9 is installed on one of its
lateral sides with a detector 4 and the detector 4 is electrically
connected with the electric motor 31 of the water circulation
actuating mechanism 3 to detect the speed of the swimmer relative
to the water circulating rate. When the swimming speed of the
swimmer is faster or slower than the flow rate of the water, the
output power of the electric motor 31 is correspondingly adjusted
so as to control the flow rate of the water in the swimming pool
9.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 8, there is a schematic view showing
another use mode of the first embodiment of the present invention,
wherein a water circulation actuating mechanism 5 includes an air
blower 51 and a plurality of nozzles 52 piped with the air blower
51. The air blower 51 can be substituted by an air compressor or a
pump able to actuate water flow with high rate. The nozzles 52 are
disposed on an inner side of the front case 21 in the container 2
and the spraying mouths of the nozzles 52 face to the water inlet
25 of the rear case 23, thereby water in the front case 21 flows
from the front case 21 to the rear case 23.
[0041] Referring further to FIG. 9 and 10, the round guiding tubes
212 disposed in the present invention can also be divided into a
front guiding tube group 214 and a rear guiding tube group 215 and
both are disposed thereon with the curved guiding plate 213, and
the top end of the rear guiding tube group 215 is higher than that
of the front guiding tube group 214. Thereby the circulating water
flow forms two flowing paths and water flows into the two parallel
flowing paths. Then water flows horizontally towards the water
inlet 25 of the rear case 23 from the water outlet 24 of the front
case 21.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 11, there shows the second embodiment of
the present invention, wherein a container 6 is attached to and
circle the inner peripheries of the swimming pool 9. The container
6 has a water outlet 61 and a water inlet 62 respectively on the
front end and the rear end, and the water outlet 61 and the water
inlet 62 are under the water level of the swimming pool 9. In this
embodiment, the water circulation actuating mechanism 5 is
preferably composed of an air blower 51 and a plurality of nozzles
52 piped with the air blower 51. The air blower 51 can be
substituted by an air compressor or a pump that can actuate water
flow with high rate so that the nozzles 52 can spray high pressure
liquid to push and lift water from the front end of the container 6
and control flow rate of water to flow out from the water outlet 61
to the other end of the swimming pool 9, and to cause the water in
the rear end of the swimming pool to flow into the container 6 from
the water inlet 62, and to flow towards the water outlet 61 through
the container, thus effecting water circulation in the swimming
pool.
[0043] The present invention thereby has the following advantages:
[0044] 1. The present invention is provided with a water
circulation actuating mechanism with adjustable output power in
accordance with the actual requirement of a swimmer to flexibly
control the flow rate of the water. [0045] 2. The water circulation
actuating mechanism and a container of the present invention can be
directly installed in a built swimming pool and it is very simple
and convenient for use. [0046] 3. The water circulation actuating
mechanism and the container of the present invention can be
detached without destroying the original structure of the swimming
pool and it can largely save the cost of detaching. [0047] 4. The
present invention forms a circulating water flow between the water
flowing channel in the container and the swimming pool. The power
required is much less than that required by conventional large
equipment for a continuous type swimming pool. Thus it is effective
to save energy when swimming in the swimming pool of the present
invention.
[0048] In conclusion, according to the description disclosed above,
the present invention surely can achieve the expected objectives
thereof to provide a water circulating apparatus and a method that
can actuate water circulation and can be used in a built swimming
pool with various lengths. Besides, the water circulating apparatus
can be installed and detached flexibly and cheaply and is of
industrial value.
* * * * *