Swimming pool
A swimming pool has means for directing a jet of water (J) across the water surface towards a side of the pool to form a counter current (C) against a swimmer, and means for relieving back-pressure at the downstream end of the counter current. The means for relieving back-pressure may comprises a weir (3) over which the jet of water flows. A conduit defines a return flow path (4), and extends towards the upstream end of the jet (J) to facilitate flow of water back towards a pump (1) at the upstream end of the jet. A discrete water level below the water lever in the main body of the pool may be defined by water on the far side of the weir (3). In a variant, a downward transition in water level from the water in the main body of the pool may be provided by water flowing smoothly over the weir (3).
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The present invention relates to a swimming pool comprising means for providing a counter current against which a user can swim.
A conventional swimming pool with the above function includes means for forming a jet of water in the pool. However in such a swimming pool, the downstream end of the jet normally bounces back towards the upstream end of the jet (as described below in connection with
An object of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool which alleviates or overcomes the above disadvantage.
The present invention provides a swimming pool having means for directing a flow of water across the water surface towards a side of the pool to form a counter current against a swimmer, and means for relieving back-pressure at the downstream end of the counter current.
Preferably the flow directing means is arranged in use to form at least one jet.
In one embodiment, the means for relieving back-pressure comprises a weir over which the counter current flows, said weir being spaced apart from the upstream end of the counter current. Preferably in use water on the far side of the weir defines a discrete water level below the water lever in the main body of the pool.
Preferably in use at least some water flows smoothly over the weir which provides a downward transition in water level from the water in the main body of the pool.
Further preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2B of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
Preferably the speed of the pump 1 is controllable to provide variable resistance against the swimmer. The flow rate is suitably from 7.5 litres/second (100 gallons/minute) to 260 litres/second (3500 gallons/minute), typically resulting in the counter current C having a speed of 13 kilometres/hour (8 miles per hour). In a variant, more than one nozzle can be provided.
As described thus far, the swimming pool of
However as best seen in
As best seen in
Referring to
The different modes of operation of
In one variant (not shown) one suction port of a further pump could be provided in place of the weir 3 to relieve back-pressure.
Claims
1. A swimming pool having means for directing a flow of water across the water surface towards a side of the pool to form a counter current against a swimmer, and means for relieving back-pressure at the downstream end of the counter current.
2. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein the flow directing means is arranged in use to form at least one jet.
3. A swimming pool according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for relieving back-pressure comprises a weir over which the counter current flows, said weir being spaced apart from the upstream end of the counter current.
4. A swimming pool according to claim 3, wherein in use water on the far side of the weir defines a discrete water level below the water lever in the main body of the pool.
5. A swimming pool according to claim 3, wherein in use at least some water flows smoothly over the weir which provides a downward transition in water level from the water in the main body of the pool.
6. A swimming pool according to any preceding claim, wherein a conduit defining a return flow path is provided, and said conduit extends towards the upstream end of the counter current to facilitate flow of water back towards the upstream end of the counter current.
7. A swimming pool according to claim 6, wherein floor or an internal wall of the swimming pool constitutes a wall of the conduit.
8. A swimming pool according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the flow directing means comprises a pump and the pump is arranged to apply suction to the return flow path.
9. A swimming pool substantially as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2A of the accompanying drawings, optionally as modified in accordance with FIG. 2B.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 10, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 20, 2007
Applicants: ,
Inventors: Huw Chivers (Roxwell), Lonnie Moreland (Brownsville, TX)
Application Number: 11/652,373
International Classification: E04H 4/00 (20060101);