Vertical pool
An exercise and therapy pool has a plurality of structural modules providing a tub bottom, an intermediate section connecting to and extending upwardly from the tub bottom and an upper section connecting to and extending upwardly from the intermediate section. The intermediate section additionally expands laterally from the tub bottom. The assembled modules provide a vertical depth sufficient for total vertical immersion of a user to the user's neck. The intermediate and upper section expand laterally sufficiently to accommodate the user in a horizontal swimming position. A removable liner for sealing the modules after assembly completes the pool. An equipment module is removably connected to the pool to provide water conditioning.
The present application claims priority of the provisional application having Ser. No. 60/577,038 filed on Jun. 07, 2004 entitled Vertical Pool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of spas and exercise pools and, more particularly, to a pool having multiple assembly sections for ease of transport and installation while providing sufficient vertical depth for standing exercise/therapy for the user in addition to recliner style spa jet hydrotherapy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydrotherapy and water buoyant exercise have been demonstrated to be highly effective for physically handicapped or elderly individuals as well as those who are healthy and fit. Exercise and therapy in a gentle-resistance medium, allowing for buoyancy, reduces imposed stress on muscles, joints and ligaments. Individuals with limited mobility due to physical handicaps or injury, especially those confined to seated or supine positions, are provided with improved blood flow to extremities, enhancement of healthy organ function and reduced muscle atrophy if such exercise/therapy can be provided in a standing/vertical position. Many individuals suffering from disabilities or afflictions are discouraged from using public facilities or lack access to such facilities.
It is therefore desirable to provide a pool/spa system that is adaptable to home or alternate location installation on a temporary or permanent basis.
It is further desirable that the pool/spa system provide sufficient depth for vertical or standing exercise by the user.
If is also further desirable that the design of the pool/spa system is modular for transport and installation to accommodate both the requirement for ease of installation and the desired vertical depth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides an exercise and therapy pool having a plurality of structural modules providing a tub bottom, an intermediate section connecting to and extending upwardly from the tub bottom and an upper section connecting to and extending upwardly from said intermediate section. The intermediate section additionally expands laterally from the tub bottom. The assembled modules provide a vertical depth sufficient for total vertical immersion of a user to the user's neck. The intermediate and upper section expand laterally sufficiently to accommodate the user in a horizontal swimming position. A removable liner for sealing the modules after assembly completes the pool. An equipment module is removably connected to the pool to provide water conditioning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention provides a pool which conforms to the body size, arm span, length and reach of a large adult. The design allows one person to exercise vertically by treading water or do simple leg and arm movements while standing with buoyant support. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a large adult can stand on the bottom of the pool with the water at neck level having adequate clearance for full arm motion to the side, front and rear. Additionally, the user is able to swim in place horizontally using a restricting belt attached tether. Spa features of the pool allow two adults to semi-recline in chaise seating for jet therapy to the shoulders, back and legs using fixed or flexible plug-in jets.
Referring to the drawings,
As shown, a bottom section tub 28 forms the lower portion of the vertical section. A middle section 30 provides geometrical transition from the bottom section tub and provides a substantially flat base 32 for the chaise seating and horizontal foot kick entry area in the end portion. For the embodiment shown, the middle section includes four elements as will be described in greater detail subsequently. A top section 34 is fitted over the middle section and incorporates a coping 36, described in greater detail with respect to
Additionally, an adjustable trapeze 40 with supporting posts 42 is mounted into receiving ports 44 in the upper section to be positioned over the bottom section tub for attachment of support apparatus or to be grasped overhead by an occupant standing vertically in the pool. In alternative embodiments, the receiving ports are slotted to allow horizontal adjustment of the position of the trapeze posts for optimum use of the vertical depth and horizontal length of the pool in therapy treatment. The posts 42 are telescoping for height adjustment of the trapeze. The trapeze provides for attachment of lines to a vest or harness to support a user's weight in addition to the buoyancy provided by the water if desired. Further, anklets or booties with tethered lines engaged through pulleys affixed to the sidewalls of the pool allow the legs to be propelled in a walking style motion stimulating blood flow and reducing muscle atrophy. If accomplished by the user operating the tethers in the pool, simultaneous exercise of the arms and shoulders in a back and forth motion is provided. The trapeze bar allows additional exercise options through suspension in a harness with staggered loops in various locations about the body for multiple postures and positions.
For the embodiment shown, lift foot sleeves 46 are integrated into the middle section under the chaise seat elements to engage extended feet or support arms of a lifting device such as a Hoyer lift for use with disabled patients. The filled weight of the pool and upper section provide massive inertial support for the lift. An adjustable floor platform 48 is housed within the bottom section tub for adjustment to the user's height, as desired. In various embodiments, the floor platform is adjustable using an underlying scissor lift arrangement or vertically spaced step supports protruding from the walls of the tub. Alternatively, the floor platform is supported by four telescoping corner posts with a common central screw adjustment.
An overflow reservoir 50 is covered by or integral with one of the chaises to provide automatic level control for the pool depending on the number of occupants. The flow path and pumping are described subsequently with respect to
The arrangement of the vertical pool structural elements allows one primary weight bearing support to be provided by the column with a stabilizing support for the non-symmetrical geometric extension of the pool.
The shape of the pool constructed from the modular components described proved for stable in-ground or in-floor installations with minimum displacement of soil to accommodate the tub and part of the middle section. The hole or clearance required is 5′ by 2′ at the top tapering to about 4′ by 2′ at the bottom by 3′ deep. The flat base sits on the ground or floor leaving 3′ above grade. The tapered sides and end of the invention in the embodiment shown allow for the foot room of a therapist/parent/guardian standing against the pool and reaching in to assist the user. The front of the therapist's upper thighs can then push against the pool for leverage assisting the user, buoyantly supported to his neck in the pool, without requiring the therapist to become wet.
The modular structural components of the pool are capped by a coping 36 as shown in
The coping incorporates a scalloped edge 64 which rolls nominal turbulence back into the pool without letting water splash out as in current spa designs. Additionally, the scalloped edge provides a means for retaining the insulated cover by providing a lip over the cover for restraint in normal wind conditions. The shape also allows rope lighting 66 to be mounted out of sight for illumination of the pool.
Structural interconnection and support of the modular components of the pool is accomplished using joints as disclosed in
Vertical seams in the modular components employ an interlocking channel structure receiving a mating insert, which for the embodiment shown is wedge shaped to expand the elements upon insertion to forcibly urge the tongue portion of the horizontal engagement moieties into the receiving cheek portions allowing tension engagement of the circumference by the steel strap.
Referring to
The return pump is housed in the removable equipment module 24. By employing additional cross flow arrangements with solenoid actuated valves 104a for spa jets, 104b for upper return and 104c for lower return, the pump is employed for circulation of the pool water for filtration. Draining water from the pool for cleaning or disassembly is accomplished using valve 104d. Valve 104e prevents recirculating flow from entering the overflow tank when upper return circulation is employed. Additional water accessories as will be described with respect to
As shown in
Additionally, a waterfall attachment 122 or other over the surface water recirculation device is received over the coping and attached to the plumbing of the water circulation system in the pool, previously described with respect to
Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. An exercise and therapy pool comprising:
- a plurality of structural modules providing a tub bottom, an intermediate section connecting to and extending upwardly from the tub bottom, said intermediate section additionally expanding laterally from said tub bottom, an upper section connecting to and extending upwardly from said intermediate section, said assembled modules providing a vertical depth sufficient for total vertical immersion of a user to the user's neck and said intermediate and upper section expanding laterally sufficiently to accommodate the user in a horizontal swimming position; and, means for sealing the modules after assembly.
2. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 wherein the sealing means comprises a liner.
3. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the lateral expansion of the intermediate section provides a substantially flat base.
4. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 further comprising an equipment module removably connected to provide water conditioning for the pool.
5. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one chaise seat extending from the flat base.
6. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 5 further comprising an overflow reservoir within the chaise seat and connected to an overflow port in the upper section.
7. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 further comprising a coping connected to and extending from the upper section, said coping having a profile curved inwardly from the periphery of the upper section to direct water displaced by nominal wave action back into the pool.
8. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 7 wherein the coping further incorporates rope lighting within the curved profile.
9. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 5 further comprising a second chaise seat positioned in space relation from the at least one chaise seat to provide a horizontal kick area the depth of the intermediate and upper sections above the flat base.
10. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 6 further comprising means for pumping water received in the overflow reservoir back into the pool.
11. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 3 wherein the flat base incorporates means for receiving supports for a Hoyer lift.
12. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 further comprising a trapeze bar extending from the upper section substantially vertically over the tub bottom.
13. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 further comprising a movable floor in the tub bottom for adjusting the vertical depth of the pool.
14. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 1 wherein the intermediate section comprises a second plurality of separate modules for assembly and further comprising engagement moieties integrated with at least a portion of the second plurality of separate modules for interengagement of mating moieties on the tub bottom.
15. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 14 wherein the upper section comprises a third plurality of separate modules for assembly and further comprising engagement moieties integrated with the third plurality of separate modules for engagement of mating moieties on the second plurality of separate modules.
16. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 15 wherein the second and third plurality of separate modules each incorporate exterior recesses proximate the engagement moieties and further comprising tension bands circumferentially received within the recesses.
17. An exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 4 wherein the equipment module incorporates integrated entry steps.
18. An exercise therapy pool as defined in claim 7 further comprising an over the surface flow recirculating device positionable at a desired point on the coping, a feed line for the flow recirculating device positionable within the curved profile of the coping.
19. A method for installing a modular exercise and therapy pool comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of structural modules including a tub bottom, an intermediate section, said intermediate section additionally expanding laterally from said tub bottom, and an upper section,
- connecting the intermediate section to and extending upwardly from the tub bottom,
- connecting the upper section to and extending upwardly from said intermediate section, said assembled modules providing a vertical depth sufficient for total vertical immersion of a user to the user's neck,
- inserting a liner in the assembled sections, and,
- attaching a removable equipment module to the assembled sections for water conditioning.
20. A method for installing a modular exercise and therapy pool as defined in claim 19 further comprising the steps of:
- mounting the tub bottom on a support column, and
- mounting the flat base on a horizontal deck.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 6, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2005
Inventor: Peter Hold (Sedona, AZ)
Application Number: 11/146,618