U.S. patent application number 13/183785 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for multi-functional therapy pool.
The applicant listed for this patent is KIRK SULLIVAN. Invention is credited to KIRK SULLIVAN.
Application Number | 20130014321 13/183785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47518045 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130014321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SULLIVAN; KIRK |
January 17, 2013 |
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL THERAPY POOL
Abstract
A multi-functional therapy pool for use in physical
rehabilitation, strengthening exercises and recreational purposes.
The multi-functional therapy pool preferably has a generally
rectangular shape wherein one side of the pool is provided with
patient entry means and a seating area adjacent thereto. The
remaining three sides of the pool are preferably provided with a
continuous overflow gutter formed upon the upper periphery that is
operative to catch splashes and minimize waves during physical
activity within the pool. A number of therapeutic modalities will
further be integrated within the pool, including spa jets,
integrated underwater treadmill, and specialized hand rails to
facilitate access in and out of the pool.
Inventors: |
SULLIVAN; KIRK; (Lakeland,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SULLIVAN; KIRK |
Lakeland |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47518045 |
Appl. No.: |
13/183785 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/506 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/03 20130101;
A63B 21/06 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A61H 33/0087 20130101;
E04H 4/144 20130101; E04H 4/0018 20130101; E04H 4/0075 20130101;
A61H 33/6005 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/506 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/00 20060101
E04H004/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-functional therapy pool comprising: a pool body defining
a pool interior, said pool interior comprising a pool floor having
a uniform depth; access means to enable individuals to access and
exit the interior of said pool body; and a peripheral edge
extending about a portion of the perimeter of the pool body, said
peripheral edge having an overflow gutter formed thereupon, said
overflow gutter being operative to receive waves and splashes
thereupon.
2. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 1 wherein said
interior of said pool body includes at least one seating
portion.
3. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 2 wherein said pool
is provided with at least one hydro-jet formed upon said seating
area.
4. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 1 wherein said access
means comprises a series of steps or a ramp.
5. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 4 wherein said access
means is provided with at least one set of handrails.
6. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 1 wherein said pool
body is formed as a unitary fiberglass pool structure.
7. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 1 further comprising
an underwater treadmill disposed upon said pool floor of said pool
body.
8. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 7 wherein said
treadmill is provided with at least one handrail.
9. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 5 wherein said
handrails comprise dual width handrails defining dissimilar
widths.
10. The multi-functional therapy pool of claim 6 wherein said pool
body is formed to have a generally rectangular shape wherein one
side of said generally rectangular pool body provides said access
means and said overflow gutter is formed on the upper peripheral
edge of the three remaining sidewall portions of said generally
rectangular pool body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Statement Re: Federally Sponsored Research/Development
[0001] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention is directed to a multi-functional
therapy pool that is specifically designed and configured for use
in physical rehabilitation, strengthening exercises and general
recreation purposes that is significantly more advanced than
conventional swimming pool design.
[0003] Swimming pools are well-known in the art. Generally,
swimming pools can take a variety of shapes and sizes, and may be
designed for a wide range of purposes. In this regard, pools can
range from small spas and current pools that are operative to fit
no more than one to two swimmers at a time to
architecturally-designed pools having complex depths, designs, and
water features that sprawl across the most luxurious of resorts.
With respect to standardized pools, the same can likewise vary
greatly from small wading pools to Olympic-sized swimming pools,
the latter being regarded as the largest and deepest of standard
pool sizes.
[0004] Swimming pool construction is also well-known in the art and
may likewise take a variety of forms. In this regard, pools can
either be built above or in the ground, and from materials such as
concrete, and more particularly gunite, metal, plastic or
fiberglass. With respect to in-ground pools, it is common to
typically incorporate structures such as ledges, seats, steps and
the like to provide support structures to enable people to access
and exit the pool, as well as to remain in seated or reclined
positions. There is likewise typically provide a change in depth
across the length of the pool, and more particularly, at least one
shallow portion or "end" to enable individuals to stand such that
the head and shoulders extend above the water's surface, and a deep
portion or end that is provided to accommodate diving, jumping and
the like so as to provide enough depth of water to thus avoid
impact between the swimmer and the bottom of the pool surface.
[0005] Notwithstanding the tremendous variation in sizes and shapes
of conventional pools, it is well-accepted in the fields of
strength training and rehabilitation medicine that hydrotherapy is
an exceptionally effective tool in injury recovery, as well as
strength and endurance training. In this regard, trained physical
therapists and rehabilitation specialists often prescribe
underwater pool exercises as a low-impact method of developing or
rebuilding muscle strength. In this regard, the buoyancy experience
during pool immersion helps ease pain and a variety of conditions,
such as arthritis and accident/combat injuries.
[0006] Despite the well-known advantages of hydrotherapy, the use
of most conventional pools is ill-suited to that end. In this
regard, conventional swimming pool design, and in particular
conventional in-ground recreational pools, only provides a limited
shallow area that is actually usable for hydrotherapy and
rehabilitation purposes. The "deep end" of such pools in not only
impractical to perform a majority of rehabilitation exercises and
activities, but also poses a risk of drowning as most recreational
pools have a gradual transition from shallow to deeper portions
that pose a risk that frail or non-ambulatory individuals may
drown. Likewise, most conventional pools do not provide easily
accessible steps or structures that readily allow hydrotherapy
patients to get in and out of the hydrotherapy pool, and much less
seating accommodations specifically designed for use with
hydrotherapy patients.
[0007] Still further, most conventional pool design does not
provide for any mechanism to provide for systematic hydrotherapy
training or rehabilitation regimens, and in particular specific
types of activities such as jogging or aerobic exercises that
enable the rebuilding and strengthening of muscle and increase in
range of motion and flexibility to take place in the low-impact,
underwater environment. Specifically, most conventional pool
designs suffer from two distinct disadvantages in this regard,
namely: 1) the therapy pool is not provided with any type of
specialized equipment, such as treadmills and the like, that can
enable such aerobic activity to be conducted in the underwater
environment; and 2) there is no mechanism by which the inevitable
splashing and waves produced as a result of doing such aerobic
exercise activity is suppressed or otherwise minimized to thus
minimize disruption and enable any such physical activity, whether
it be rehabilitation procedures or strength training, to be
conducted in a continuous and uniform pool environment. In this
regard, excessive splashing, waves or "choppiness" within the pool
can detract from and even thwart use of the therapy pool.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for a
therapy pool, and in particular a multi-functional therapy pool
that is specifically designed and configured to provide an optimum
hydrotherapy environment whereby patients and pool users have
exceptionally easy ingress and egress in and out of the pool, and
further can be utilized to conduct a wide variety of exercise
activities that has not been heretofore available. There is
likewise a substantial need in the art for a multi-functional
therapy pool that can accommodate specific types of training
equipment, such as a treadmill and the like, to thus enable the
pool to be utilized for a wide variety of exercises and is likewise
provided with safeguard means to minimize splashing or
wave-inducing activity so that any such activity conducted in the
pool has a minimally disruptive effect. There is likewise a need
for such a multi-functional therapy pool that can be readily
fabricated from existing building materials, is space efficient,
may be adapted for a wide variety of hydrotherapy applications, and
substantially minimizes risk of injury or drowning compared to
conventional swimming pool designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates
the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the
present invention is directed to a multi-functional therapy pool
that is specifically sized and configured to provide easy
accessibility to patients, swimmers, physical therapists and the
like that further enables a multiplicity of exercises and
strengthening/rehabilitation procedures to be easily and readily
performed. The multi-functional therapy pool is likewise designed
to minimize disruption by waves, splashing and the like while also
providing substantial comfort and reducing risk or injury and/or
drowning.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the multi-functional
therapy pool is designed to have a uniform, shallow depth to thus
enable most individuals to stand with their heads above water.
Ideally, the depth of the pool should be approximately four feet
although greater or lesser depths may be utilized as may be
desired. The pool is further defined by an upper periphery having a
portion thereof that is provided with ingress/egress access means,
which may take the form of conventional stairs or ramps. The
multi-functional therapy pool is likewise preferably provided with
one or more structures, such as ledges and the like, to enable one
or more individuals to sit within the pool, as may be necessary to
take breaks between exercises and procedures or for just general
relaxation. The remainder of the periphery formed about the pool is
preferably provided with a overflow gutter that essentially
provides two purposes: namely 1) to provide general filtering and
recirculation of the pool water; and 2) catch splashes, waves and
the like so as to minimize disruptive water movements while
exercises and procedures are being performed within the pool. The
latter aspect is particularly advantageous insofar as the overflow
gutter is operative to absorb wave energy that would otherwise be
disruptive, annoying or even threatening to other individuals in
the pool engaged in hydrotherapy activity, and especially
geriatrics and/or non-ambulatory individuals.
[0011] The multi-functional therapy pool is further provided with
one or more devices, structures or machines operative to perform
one or more exercises, procedures or the like. In this regard, the
therapy pool will be designed and configured for use with any of a
wide variety of exercise and physical rehabilitation equipment,
such as weights, elastic bands, bars, hand rails and the like.
Along those lines, it is expressly contemplated that the
multi-functional therapy pool may be designed for circuit training
to thus enable a multiplicity of individuals to perform a variety
of exercises simultaneously. It is further expressly contemplated
that one or more dual direct drive underwater treadmills will be
provided with hand rails to thus enable treadmill-exercises to be
performed within the pool in a low impact manner.
[0012] As is further contemplated, and per conventional spa design,
the multi-functional therapy pool may be provided with jets and/or
hydro-massage chairs and the like that may be adapted to serve as a
patient waiting area. In a preferred embodiment, the
multi-functional therapy pool will be formed to have a generally
rectangular shape whereby one side of the pool will be provided
with steps, ramp and the like with hand rails to enable individuals
to easily enter and exit the pool with the remaining three sides
having a periphery defining the aforementioned overflow gutter. To
that end, it is contemplated that dual width handrails may be
provided to accommodate the needs of certain individuals. It is
likewise contemplated that the multi-functional therapy pool may be
constructed per conventional swimming pools, whether above ground
or in ground, as well as may be fabricated from conventional
building materials. Along those lines, it is believed that forming
the multi-functional therapy pool as a molded piece of fiberglass
is optimal. It is further expressly contemplated that the
multi-functional therapy pool will have a prefabricated surge tank
and plumbing that may be readily manufactured as part of the
unitary fiberglass pool shell structure to thus dramatically
simplify and expedite pool installation and operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an elevated, perspective view of a
multi-functional therapy pool constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-functional
therapy pool of FIG. 1 showing an individual, partially submerged,
running upon a treadmill disposed within the multi-functional
therapy pool.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of the multi-functional therapy pool of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain
embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to
represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The
description sets forth the various functions in connection with the
illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that
the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different
embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the
scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the
use of relational terms such as first and second and the like are
used solely to distinguish one entity from another without
necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or
order between such entities.
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1,
there is perspectively illustrated a multi-functional therapy pool
10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. As illustrated, the pool 10 comprises a pool
body 12 having a generally rectangular configuration defined by
side wall portions and a pool floor 14. With respect to the latter,
pool floor 14 will preferably be configured to have a uniform depth
as shown in FIG. 2, and generally formed to be shallow in nature to
thus enable individuals to freely stand thereupon so, at a minimum,
their heads and shoulders extend above the water's surface. An
exemplary depth would be approximately four feet, although greater
or lesser depths, such as three feet to five feet, may be selected
depending on the specific applications and any unique
characteristics of the population for which the multi-functional
therapy pool 10 will target.
[0019] Formed upon the periphery of pool body 12 is an entry area
16 that is provided with structures, such as a ramp or steps 18 as
shown, to enable the interior of the pool body 12 to be readily and
easily accessed. To further achieve that end, it is contemplated
that hand rails, such as those shown in FIG. 1, will be integrated
with ramp or steps 18 to thus provide means for individuals to
grasp as they enter and exit the pool body 12. In a more highly
refined embodiment, as further illustrated in each of FIGS. 1-3
such hand rail portions will be formed such that two sets of hand
rails are provided, namely, a narrow set of rails and a wider set
of rails to thus accommodate individuals with narrow or wider
grasps. Such rail portions may take any of a variety of forms
well-known in the art, and may include plastic rails, aluminum
rails or the like.
[0020] Further preferably formed upon pool body 12 is a seating
portion, such as 20, that enables individuals to sit and rest
within the pool, whether it be for recreational purposes or between
exercises, physical rehabilitation procedures and the like. Also,
although not shown, it is further expressly contemplated that pool
body 12 may be provided with one or more therapeutic spa jets per
conventional spa design and readily known and understood by those
skilled in the art. In this regard, it will be readily appreciated
and acknowledged that seating area 20 may be specifically
configured as one or more hydro-massage chairs and operative to
define a patient waiting area within the pool during hydrotherapy
sessions.
[0021] Formed around the remainder of the periphery of pool body 12
and abutting opposed ends of entry area 16 is a continuous overflow
gutter 22 that is preferably integrally formed as part of the pool
body 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Advantageously, overflow gutter
22 is operative to act as a catch or spill over basin for any type
of waves or splashing that occurs within the pool body 12.
Preferably, and as shown, the overflow gutter 22 will extend about
the three remaining sides of the generally rectangular pool body 12
which, in use, will be operative to catch and disperse any waves or
wave energy transferred across the pool during physical activity
within the pool for which the therapy pool 10 is designed. As a
consequence, the therapy pool 10 of the present invention is
exceptionally effective in mitigating, if not eliminating, unwanted
splashes and waves which may be annoying, distracting or even
threatening to certain individuals using the therapy pool 10, such
as geriatrics and non-ambulatory individuals, that has not
heretofore been available per conventional swimming pool
design.
[0022] The therapy pool 10 will further preferably incorporate or
be used in conjunction with any of a variety of conventional
exercise and/or physical therapy equipment, such as weights,
pulleys, elastic bands or any of a wide variety of resistance
training apparatus known and utilized in the art. Along those
lines, it is expressly contemplated that the therapy pool 10 may be
designed for use with any of a variety or combinations of exercise
equipment positionable about and/or within the pool 10 to thus
enable the therapy pool 10 to be utilized for circuit training
whereby various exercise stations are provided that selectively
target a particular exercise and enable multiple individuals to
complete a workout regimen in a systematic and orderly fashion.
Advantageously, however, the circuit training can be conducted
within a pool environment that has typically not heretofore been
available due in part to the continuous overflow gutter 22 that is
operative to minimize waves, splashes and the like to thus enable
circuit training to be conducted in a hydrotherapy environment in a
much more systematic and effective way than prior art pool
design.
[0023] As an example of the types of therapeutic modalities that
may be incorporated within pool body 12 include an underwater
treadmill, such as 26. Preferably, the hydrotherapy pool 10 will be
provided with at least one, if not two or more dual direct drive
underwater treadmills 26, which are commercially available and
well-known in the art. Exemplary of such underwater treadmills,
also known as aquatic treadmills, include those produced by
Hydroworx of Middletown, Pa. and Swimex of Fall River, Mass.
Numerous other manufacturers of underwater treadmills and
underwater treadmill design would be readily understood and easily
ascertainable by one skilled in the art.
[0024] Per conventional treadmill design, the treadmill 26 is
provided with a treadmill belt that is operative to rotate in a
manner that enables an individual, such as 30 depicted in FIG. 2
standing thereon to simulate a jogging or walking motion while
staying in place. To facilitate the ability of the individual 30 to
engage in such activity, one or more handrails, such as 28, may be
provided for support. Advantageously, the incorporation of an
underwater treadmill 26 by virtue of being positioned within the
general center of pool bottom 14 as shown in FIG. 3, enables an
exceptionally low-impact aerobic exercise activity to be performed
while at the same time enabling the remainder of the pool body 12
to be utilized for other physical training, exercise and/or
rehabilitation activities. Although disposed generally within the
center of pool floor 14, it is understood that one or more
treadmills 26 can be positioned in any of a variety of
configurations well-known to those skilled in the art.
[0025] With respect to the construction of the multi-functional
therapy pool 10 of the present invention, it will be readily
understood and appreciated that the same may be fabricated from any
of a wide variety of conventional materials. Exemplary of such
materials include concrete (i.e., gunite), metal, plastic and the
like, and further may be designed as either an above-ground or
in-ground pool. Preferably, the multi-functional therapy pool 10
will be fabricated from fiberglass as a unitary fiberglass pool
body structure. Fiberglass pools and their construction are
well-known and readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art, and essentially involve the creation of a mold within which
the pool body 12 is cast and formed. Exemplary of such fiberglass
pools and the manner in which they are constructed are offered by
San Juan Products, Inc. of Lakeland, Fla. Among the various
advantages associated with fiberglass pools include the
exceptionally greater strength and more durable nature of the
fiberglass material, the reduced use of chemicals to maintain ideal
pool water conditions, and the ability of fiberglass pools to flex
and withstand ground movement, unlike gunite pools and the
like.
[0026] Along those lines, although not shown, it is expressly
contemplated that the multi-functional therapy pool 10 will
preferably be provided with a prefabricated surge tank and plumbing
as part of the fiberglass body design, which in turn will greatly
enhance the ease of installation, as well as expedite usage of the
therapy pool 10. Also, fabricating the pool body 12 from fiberglass
enables any of a variety of ports, outlets and the like to be
formed anywhere upon the pool body 12, as may be desired for any of
a variety of applications, whether it be spa jets, to run
connections, serve as attachment points or the like.
[0027] Additional modifications and improvements of the present
invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described
and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain
embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve
as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit
and scope of the invention. Along those lines, although depicted in
FIG. 1 as having a generally rectangular shape whereby entry
section 16 is provided with both pool access means and a seating
area with the periphery of the three remaining side portions
defined by overflow gutter 22, it will be understood that a wide
variety of pool configurations may be provided, such as circular,
oval, kidney, hourglass and the like. It is contemplated that in
all such embodiments, however, that but for the pool access means
and/or pool seating area, the periphery will preferably be provided
with the overflow gutter, such as 22, to the greatest extent
possible to thus mitigate, if not eliminate, splashing or wave
generating activity that would otherwise be operative to disrupt
the physical activity within the pool for which the
multi-functional therapy pool 10 is designed.
* * * * *