APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RETROFITTING A BODY OF WATER WITH AN AREA OF LOWER DEPTH
An apparatus and method are provided for retrofitting a body of water with an area of lower depth. A depth reducing support structure, which includes a platform and a platform support, is provided to allow swimmers to sit or stand above the water surface of a body of water after swimming in an area of higher depth. The depth reducing support structure is submerged in a body of water, such as a swimming pool, but is separate from the structure defining the limits of the body of water and, therefore, is moveable relative thereto.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to accessories to be used in bodies of water. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for retrofitting a body of water, such as a swimming pool, with an area of lower depth.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Swimming pools and other bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, streams, rivers or oceans, usually contain an area of deeper water that makes it difficult for a swimmer to stand on the bottom surface while simultaneously keeping their heads above the water surface. This can be problematic if the swimmer needs to rest after a period of strenuous swimming, especially if the swimmer is a child.
One method that exists to attempt to solve this problem is the attachment of a platform onto a side wall of a swimming pool that extends outwardly so that a swimmer can sit on it and rest. This can be inconvenient in larger pools or bodies of water because not all bodies of water have side walls. For those bodies of water that do have side walls, the area of water may be too large and may require the swimmer to exert extra energy just to get to the attached platform. There are size and expense issues with a large apparatus like this as well. The platforms may simply be too large for the swimming pool or body of water.
Another existing method is a floating platform or a blow up raft. These are platforms or blow up devices that float along the top of the water surface. While these methods are effective in that they provide a place for a swimmer to rest, there is also the inconvenience of the floating platform or raft floating away so that it is too far from the swimmer. This problem occurs because these platforms and rafts are freestanding and do not have a stabilization system set in place.
In certain instances, portable structures such as outdoor chairs and barrels may be introduced into a body of water to provide a temporary support for a single swimmer.
SUMMARYAn apparatus and method are provided for retrofitting a body of water with an area of lower depth. A depth reducing support structure, which includes a platform and a platform support, is provided to allow swimmers to sit or stand above the water surface of a body of water after swimming in an area of higher depth. The depth reducing support structure is submerged in a body of water, such as a swimming pool, but is separate from the structure defining the limits of the body of water and, therefore, is moveable relative thereto.
One or more of the embodiments of the present invention includes a combination, comprising a swimming pool, comprising a wall, a quantity of water contained in the swimming pool and forming a water surface above the wall, the water having a depth between the wall and the water surface; and a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in the swimming pool, the depth reducing support structure discrete from the swimming pool and moveable relative to the wall, the depth reducing support structure comprising a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers, a platform support supporting the first platform above the wall, and a plurality of seatbacks extending from the first platform, whereby each of the plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with the first platform.
In one form thereof, the present invention includes a combination, comprising a body of water, comprising a wall, a quantity of water contained in the body of water and forming a water surface above the wall, the water having a depth between the wall and the water surface; and a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in the body of water, the depth reducing support structure discrete from the body of water and moveable relative to the wall, the depth reducing support structure comprising a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers, a platform support supporting the first platform above the wall, and a plurality of seatbacks extending from the first platform, whereby each of the plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with the first platform.
In another form thereof, the present invention includes a method for retrofitting a body of water with an area of lower depth, the body of water formed by a wall, and a quantity of water forming a water surface above the wall, the water having a depth between the wall and the water surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in the body of water, the depth reducing support structure discrete from the body of water and moveable relative to the wall, the depth reducing support structure comprising a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers, a platform support supporting the first platform above the wall, and a plurality of seatbacks extending from the first platform, whereby each of the plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with the first platform; submerging the removable depth reducing support structure into the body of water; and positioning the removable depth reducing support structure on the wall of the body of water.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn an exemplary embodiment, depth reducing support structure 10 is a hollow, monolithic structure that is separate from wall 64 of swimming pool 60, as seen in
Depth reducing support structure 10, in one exemplary embodiment thereof, is made up of two tiers and is in the shape of a hexagon, as seen in
Depth reducing support structure 10 is structured so that it will not tip over onto its side while submerged in water 62. However, to prevent depth reducing support structure 10 from sliding relative to wall 64 of swimming pool 60, while positioned perpendicular to wall 64, a stabilization means is instituted. The stabilization means includes the use of weights 55 in conjunction with depth reducing support structure 10. A weight is anything that, when added to or secured to depth reducing support structure 10, makes depth reducing support structure 10 remain substantially in one position relative to wall 64 or to sink in water 62. One method of using and attaching weights 55 to depth reducing support structure 10 is by the use of a latching system, as seen in
In another embodiment, weights 55 are inserted and enclosed inside a material (not shown), made of plastic, fiberglass or any other suitable non-buoyant material., which is then placed into openings 50 of depth reducing support structure 10. This enclosure of weights 55 connects to openings 50 of depth reducing support structure 10 by the use of a detent mechanism. This enclosure snaps into place within openings 50 and prevents depth reducing support structure 10 from sliding relative to wall 64 of swimming pool 60, while positioned perpendicular to wall 64.
In a further embodiment, weights 55 are formed as a flexible strip of weights (not shown) which can be inserted through openings 50 to prevent depth reducing support structure 10 from sliding relative to wall 64 of swimming pool 60, while positioned perpendicular to wall 64. The flexible strip of weights is inserted into openings 50 with equal amounts of weight positioned on the outside of lower side portions 22, or upper side portions 32, of depth reducing support structure 10 and on the inside of lower side portions 22, or upper side portions 32, of depth reducing support structure 10. The flexible strip of weights rests on, or can be secured to, lower side portions 22, or upper side portions 32, of depth reducing support structure 10 through openings 50, which will stabilize depth reducing support structure 10 and prevent depth reducing support structure 10 from sliding relative to wall 64 of swimming pool 60, while positioned perpendicular to wall 64.
In an alternative embodiment, depth reducing support structure 10 is comprised of first platform surface 20, lower side portions 22, lower seats 24, accessory port 40, and openings 50. This embodiment forms a single tier of depth reducing support structure 10 resulting in a single platform for a plurality of swimmers to sit or stand. The surface area of first platform surface 20 may be as little as about 930 cm2, 1400 cm2, or 1850 cm2 (about 1 ft, 1.5 ft, or 2 ft2).
In another embodiment, depth reducing support structure 10 accepts interchangeable accessories in accessory port 40, such as an umbrella 90, as seen in
In the method for retrofitting swimming pool 60 with an area of lower depth, depth reducing support structure 10 is provided. Depth reducing support structure 10 is a non-buoyant structure for reducing the depth in the body of water. Depth reducing support structure 10 is discrete from the body of water and is moveable relative to wall 64. Depth reducing support structure 10 includes a first platform surface 20 sized to support a plurality of swimmers, lower side portions 22 that support first platform surface 20 above wall 64, and a plurality of seatbacks, formed by upper side portions 32, that extend from first platform surface 20. The plurality of seatbacks formed by upper side portions 32 combined with lower seats 24 form an individual seating location with first platform surface 20. Next, depth reducing support structure 10 is submerged into swimming pool 60. Finally, depth reducing support structure 10 is placed on wall 64 of swimming pool 60. With this method, depth reducing support structure 10 changes the contour of wall 64 of swimming pool 60. During the positioning step, second platform surface 30a of depth reducing support structure 10 is positioned at a distance of h1, below water surface 68, as seen in
In an alternative embodiment, during the positioning step, second platform surface 30a of depth reducing support structure 10 emerges beyond water surface 68 to a distance of h2, as seen in
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A combination, comprising:
- a swimming pool, comprising: a wall; a quantity of water contained in said swimming pool and forming a water surface above said wall, said water having a depth between said wall and said water surface; and
- a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in said swimming pool, said depth reducing support structure discrete from said swimming pool and moveable relative to said wall, said depth reducing support structure comprising: a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers; a platform support supporting said first platform above said wall; and a plurality of seatbacks extending from said first platform, whereby each of said plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with said first platform.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises a second platform secured to said plurality of seatbacks and spaced from said first platform, whereby said first platform forms a foot rest for a swimmer sitting atop said second platform.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein each said individual seating location includes a surface area of said first platform approximately equal to 930 square centimeters (one square foot).
4. The combination of claim 2, wherein said second platform is positioned below said water surface.
5. The combination of claim 2, wherein said second platform surface is positioned above said water surface.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing said depth reducing support structure in said quantity of water contained in said swimming pool.
7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said stabilization means comprises a weight selectively attachable to said depth reducing support structure, wherein said weight makes said depth reducing support structure remain substantially in one position relative to said wall.
8. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a weight, said weight being releaseably connectable to said depth reducing support structure.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said depth reducing support structure is hollow.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein said depth reducing support structure is a monolithic structure discrete from said swimming pool.
11. A combination, comprising:
- a body of water, comprising: a wall; a quantity of water contained in said body of water and forming a water surface above said wall, said water having a depth between said wall and said water surface; and
- a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in said body of water, said depth reducing support structure discrete from said body of water and moveable relative to said wall, said depth reducing support structure comprising: a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers; a platform support supporting said first platform above said wall; and a plurality of seatbacks extending from said first platform, whereby each of said plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with said first platform.
12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises a second platform secured to said plurality of seatbacks and spaced from said first platform, whereby said first platform forms a foot rest for a swimmer sitting atop said second platform.
13. The combination of claim 11, wherein each said individual seating location includes a surface area of said first platform approximately equal to 930 square centimeters (one square foot).
14. The combination of claim 12, wherein said second platform is positioned below said water surface.
15. The combination of claim 12, wherein said second platform surface is positioned above said water surface.
16. The combination of claim 11, wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing said depth reducing support structure in said quantity of water contained in said swimming pool.
17. The combination of claim 16, wherein said stabilization means comprises a weight selectively attachable to said depth reducing support structure, wherein said weight makes said depth reducing support structure remain substantially in one position relative to said wall.
18. The combination of claim 11, further comprising a weight, said weight being releaseably connectable to said depth reducing support structure.
19. The combination of claim 11, wherein said depth reducing support structure is hollow.
20. The combination of claim 11, wherein said depth reducing support structure is a monolithic structure discrete from said swimming pool.
21. A method for retrofitting a body of water with an area of lower depth, the body of water formed by a wall, and a quantity of water forming a water surface above the wall, the water having a depth between the wall and the water surface, said method comprising:
- providing a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in the body of water, said depth reducing support structure discrete from the body of water and moveable relative to the wall, said depth reducing support structure comprising: a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers; a platform support supporting said first platform above the wall; and a plurality of seatbacks extending from said first platform, whereby each of said plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with said first platform;
- submerging said removable depth reducing support structure into the body of water; and
- positioning said removable depth reducing support structure on the wall of the body of water.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein positioning said removable depth reducing support structure includes positioning said second platform below the water surface.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein positioning said removable depth reducing support structure includes positioning said second platform above the water surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 12, 2008
Publication Date: May 14, 2009
Applicant: FIRST DEVELOPMENTAL CONCEPTS, LLC (Bourbonnais, IL)
Inventors: Timothy J. Swanson (Bourbonnais, IL), Kurt C. Kaiser (Monee, IL)
Application Number: 12/269,638
International Classification: E04H 4/14 (20060101);