SWIM TRAINING POOL AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A swim training system may include a swimming pool including a pool frame. The pool frame defines a water containment void. A height-adjustable floor is suspended within the water containment void. The swim training system may be used to train student to swim.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/490,264 filed on Apr. 26, 2017 (pending) the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes and made a part of the present disclosure.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a swim training pool, a swim training method, and swim training systems and apparatus.

BACKGROUND

The ability to swim is an important skill. Swimming is a common recreational activity. In addition to recreation, swimming is a sport, and can be a part of one's regular exercise routine. Swimming is an aerobic, cardiovascular exercise that can provide many health benefits, both mental and physical. However, swimming can be dangerous without proper know-how and training. In particular, children that do not know how to swim are at risk of injury or drowning when in the presence of even shallow waters.

Traditional methods of teaching children to swim can take extended periods of time (e.g., months or even years) to instill proper swimming and safety techniques in the children. The progress of some children may be hampered by fear of the water, particular deep water.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides for a swim training system. The system includes a swimming pool having a pool frame. The pool frame defines a water containment void of the swimming pool. A height-adjustable floor is suspended within the water containment void.

The present disclosure also provides for a mobile swim training system that includes a vehicle with a trailer coupled to the vehicle. The swim training system is contained within the trailer.

The present disclosure provides for a swim training method. The swim training method includes providing the swim training system, and teaching at least one swim lesson to a student with the height-adjustable floor suspended at a first depth below a water-level within the water containment void. The swim training method then includes lowering the height-adjustable floor to a second depth below the water-level within the water containment void, where the second depth is greater than the first depth, and teaching at least one swim lesson to the student with the height-adjustable floor suspended at the second depth.

The present disclosure also provides for a method of adjusting the height of a swimming pool floor. The height adjusting method includes suspending a height-adjustable floor at a first height along a first vertical direction within a water containment void of a swimming pool. The swimming pool includes a pool frame defining the water containment void.

The present disclosure provides for a life jacket having a sleeve coupled to a backside of the life jacket. A floatation member is positioned within the sleeve.

The present disclosure provides a method of modifying a life jacket to have a head and neck support. The method includes coupling a sleeve to a backside of a life jacket, and inserting a floatation member within the sleeve.

The present disclosure also provides for a non-floatation life jacket having a jacket body and wings extending from longitudinal edges of the jacket body. Straps are coupled to the jacket body and adapted to strap about a user. Loops are coupled to the wings and adapted to couple to a harness line.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the products, systems, and methods, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the system, products, and/or method so of the present disclosure may be understood in more detail, a more particular description briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings that form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only various exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the disclosed concepts as it may include other effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 depicts a swim training system with a pulley system, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 1A depicts the pulley system, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 1B depicts the swimming pool, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 1C depicts a simplified schematic of the swimming pool, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts the swim training system with an overhead track system, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 2A depicts a hoist and harness, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 2B depicts the hoist and harness with a stop, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 3A depicts the swim training system, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 3B depicts the swim training system having a roof and staircase, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 3C depicts the swim training system having a slide, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 3D depicts the swim training system having a porthole, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIGS. 4 and 4A depict a life jacket having a sleeve and floatation member, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIGS. 4B-4F depict a life jacket having wings coupled thereto, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts a mobile swim training system, in accordance with certain embodiments; and

FIGS. 6A-6D depict the height-adjustable floor at different heights, in accordance with certain embodiments.

Products and methods according to present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate various exemplary embodiments. Concepts according to the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough as well as complete and will fully convey the scope of the various concepts to those skilled in the art and the best and preferred modes of practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the products, systems, and methods, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure relates, generally, to a swim training pool, a swim training method, and swim training systems and apparatus. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized in the training of children and adults to swim. Such embodiments may include certain features, as detailed herein, that help to build the confidence and skills of the students, allowing the students to learn safe swimming and water safety skills in a shorter period of time than at least some traditional swim training techniques.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a swim training system. With reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, swim training system 100 may include swimming pool 200, which may be an above ground swimming pool or an in-ground swimming pool. Swimming pool 200 may be a standard, commercially available swimming pool, a custom swimming pool, or any swimming pool. Swimming pool 200 may include pool frame 210, which defines water containment void 230 of swimming pool 200. System 100 may be suitable for use both indoors and outdoors.

Pool frame 210 includes base 210c coupled to sidewalls 210a, 210b and 210d. As FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of system 100, the front sidewall 210e (shown in FIG. 1C) is not visible. Swimming pool 200 is rectangular. However, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, swimming pool 200 may be any shape and size. In some embodiments, system 100 is configured to be in the shape of a boat. Pool frame 210 may be constructed of any material suitable to withstand the pressure of water 240 contained within water containment void 230 of swimming pool 200, including but not limited to, wood, fiberglass, concrete, or combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, pool frame 210 is constructed of treated posts of wood coupled with plywood.

Swimming pool 200 also includes liner 220, which is coupled to pool frame 210. Liner 220 may be a water-impermeable material positioned between pool frame 210 and water containment void 230. For example, and without limitation, liner 220 may be a vinyl pool liner.

System 100 includes height-adjustable floor 250 suspended within water containment void 230. As used herein a “height-adjustable floor” is a floor adapted to be selectively positioned at multiple, different heights along first vertical direction 101a. As such, height-adjustable floor 250 may be selectively positioned at various different depths below water 240 within water containment void 230. Height-adjustable floor 250 may also be raised from the height shown in FIG. 1 (below water 240) to a height equal with the height of water 240 or above the height of water 240. In some embodiments, height-adjustable floor 250 may be raised to a height sufficient that height-adjustable floor 250 is positioned completely outside of water containment void 230. Height-adjustable floor 250 may also be lowered from the height shown in FIG. 1 (below water 240) to a height equal with the height of pool floor 251 of water containment void 230.

Height-adjustable floor 250 is raised and lowered using pulley system 271. While height-adjustable floor 250 is shown and described as being raised and lowered using pulley system 271, one skilled in the art would understand that other systems may be suitable for raising and lowering height-adjustable floor 250, and that system 100 is not limited to including pulley system 271. Pulley system 271 is operatively coupled to height-adjustable floor 250, with height-adjustable floor 250 suspended within water containment void 230 via pulley system 271. In operation, height-adjustable floor 250 is movably positionable along first vertical direction 101a via pulley system 271. For example, and without limitation, as shown, pulley system 271 includes a plurality of suspension lines 260. Each suspension line 260 is operatively coupled at one end to winch 270 of pulley system 271, and at the opposite end to height-adjustable floor 250. Each suspension line 260 is operatively coupled to pulleys 261 intermediate of winch 270 and height-adjustable floor 250. Suspension lines may be ropes, wires, cables, or chains, for example. Winch 270 may be hand-operable (e.g., via a hand crank), or electrically powered (e.g., via a battery or direct electrical grid connection). In operation, winch 270 rotates a spool (not shown) to either reel-in suspension lines 260 and raise height-adjustable floor 250, or to release suspension lines 260 therefrom to lower height-adjustable floor 250.

System 100 may include upper frame 211, of which sidewalls 211a and 211b and roof 211c are shown. While pulleys 261 are shown coupled to a portion of roof 211c, it is not necessary for pulley system 271 to be couple to roof 211c. As shown in FIG. 1A, suspension lines 260 of pulley system 271 may be coupled with winch 270. Winch 270 may be located inside of a closed and lockable box that houses winch 270 and a battery (not shown) that powers winch 270. The portion of pulley system 271 shown in FIG. 1A may be selectively enclosed. For example, door 225 may be closed about the portion of pulley system 271 shown in FIG. 1A, which may protect suspension lines 260 and any associated pulleys.

In some embodiments, height-adjustable floor 250 is made of a water-permeable material, such as nylon. For example, and without limitation, height-adjustable floor 250 may be made of a mesh and/or porous material that allows water to pass through height-adjustable floor 250. In such embodiments, height-adjustable floor 250 may be lowered into water 240.

Height-adjustable floor 250 may assist students in learning to swim. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, a student may begin a back floating lesson with their back engaged with height-adjustable floor 250. Height-adjustable floor 250 may then be lowered until no longer in contact with the student's back, allowing the student to float on their back in water 240.

System 100 may include at least one porthole 213. Porthole 213 may provide students, in particular young children, with an encouragement to swim underwater, allowing them to look through porthole 213. Porthole 213 may extend through liner 220 and pool frame 210, and may be sealed to prevent leakage of water through porthole 213.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B, system 100 includes overhead track system 301. In operation, overhead track system 301 allows a student swimmer to move along first horizontal direction 101b within swimming pool 200, while being harnessed for safety. Overhead track system 301 includes rail 300 positioned above water containment void 230. Rail 300 may be coupled to a portion of upper frame 211. Rail 300 defines track 303. Overhead track system 301 includes slide member 310 that is slidably coupled within rail 300 on track 303. For example, slide member 310 may include at least one wheel or at least one ball or at least one roller movably coupled with track 303. In some embodiments, slide member 310 may be selectively locked into position along track 303.

Overhead track system 301 includes hoist 316. Hoist 316 is operatively coupled to slide member 310 via upper line 312. Hoist 316 is also operatively coupled to hoisting line 318, which includes first end 318a and second end 318b. As shown in FIG. 2B, first end of hoisting line 318a may be held and/or operated by a user, such as a parent or teacher. Second end of hoisting line 318b is operatively coupled to life jacket harness 321, such as via a hook 319. Life jacket harness 321 is also coupled to life jacket 323, such as via carabiner 331 engaged with loops on life jacket 323. The loops on life jacket 323 may be pre-existing, or may be added (e.g., via sowing) to life jacket 323. Hoist 316 is adjustable, allowing the height of the child relative to the water to be adjusted. In operation, overhead track system 301, in combination with hoist 316 and life jacket harness 321, holds the student wearing the life jacket 323 in a horizontal position, allowing the student to move along first horizontal direction 101b within swimming pool 200 and confidently practice swimming techniques. In such embodiments, the student can practice swimming techniques with a reduced risk of drowning in the water, as the overhead track system 301, in combination with hoist 316 and life jacket harness 321, holds the student relative to the water.

Life jacket harness 321 may include harness pulley 305 coupled with the harness line of life jacket harness 321. As shown in FIG. 2B, some embodiments of life jacket harness 321 include stop 327 coupled to the harness line of life jacket harness. Stop 327 is operatively engaged with harness pulley 305. In operation, stop 327 operatively engages harness pulley 305 to prevent further movement of the harness line of harness 321 through harness pulley 305. As such, stop 327 may prevent further tilting of the student's body. The embodiment of life jacket harness 321, including stop 327, shown in FIG. 2B is particularly suitable for use in safely teaching students how to swim on their backs, as such embodiments may prevent the student's head from tilting into the water. Stop 327, on one side of the harness line may prevent the student from leaning forward in the water, while the absence of a stop on the other side of the harness line allows the student to lean backwards and stand up in the water.

Some embodiments of life jacket 323 include sleeve 340 coupled to a backside of life jacket 323. A floatation member (not shown) may be positioned within sleeve 340. An embodiment of such a life jacket is detailed further below in FIGS. 4 and 4A.

System 100 may include at least one divider 325. Divider 325 may be selectively engageable with swimming pool 200, such as pool frame 210, to define separate swimming zones 326 within swimming pool 200. As shown in FIG. 2A, divider 325 is engaged with swimming pool 200 in a dividing position, such that divider 325 at least partially defines two swim zones, 326a and 326b. Divider 325 allows multiple students to practice swimming within the same swimming pool 200, but within separate swimming zones 326; thereby, reducing wait times for swimming students, and maximizing in-water swim practice time for the students. For example, the embodiment of system 100 shown in FIG. 3A is capable of accommodating six individual student swimmers at the same time by use of dividers 325. Dividers 325 may allow for individualized swim training, such that each swim training student can progress through swim training at their own pace and is not limited to the pace of a swim class that progresses in unison. Dividers 325 may be a frame or other structure or other material that allows water to pass therethrough, but prevents or discourages passage of swimmers from one swim zone 326 to another.

With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, additional features of system 100 are shown. The embodiment of system 100 shown in FIGS. 3A-3D includes observation platform 219 adjacent swimming pool 200. While only one observation platform 219 is visible in FIG. 3A, along one side of swimming pool 200, one skilled in the art would understand that additional observation platforms could be adjacent other sides of swimming pool 200. For example, one observation platform could provide a place for teachers of the students to stand during swim lessons, while another observation platform could provide a place for family or friends of the students to stand during swim lessons. Observation platform 219 may extend about the entire perimeter of swimming pool 200, or may extend only about a portion of the perimeter of swimming pool 200. Observation platform 219 includes rail 221. Observation platforms 219 may be used, not only for observation of the swimmers, but also for participation in the swim training lessons. For example, parents may assist and/or provide encouragement to the swimmers during lessons. Observation platform 219 may be any structure capable of providing a standing or sitting surface for humans, such as a raised deck.

System 100 includes staircase 323 selectively coupled to swimming pool 200, such as to pool frame 210 and/or to observation platform 219. Staircase 323 may provide access to swimming pool 200, such that students can enter and/or exit swimming pool 200. In some embodiments, system 100 includes slide 299. Slide 299 may be selectively engaged with staircase 323. For example, slide 299 may be placed over steps of staircase 323, as shown in FIG. 3C and secured in position. In operation, students may enter swimming pool 200 via staircase 323, and exit swimming pool 200 via slide 299. In some embodiments, system 100 includes a ladder (not shown) for entering and/or exiting swimming pool 200. Staircase 323 may include wheels or rollers, allowing staircase 323 to be positioned adjacent swimming pool 200, such that swimmers can approach and enter swimming pool 200. After the swimmers enter swimming pool 200, staircase 323 may then be positioned away from swimming pool.

System 100 may include an enclosure coupled to swimming pool 200. Upper frame 211a, 211b, and 211c (roof) may form a portion of the enclosure. The enclosure of system 100 includes at least one selectively openable and closable awning 217, which may be coupled to upper frame 211. The enclosure of system 100 includes at least one fixed sidewall, including fixed sidewalls 215a and 215b, coupled to upper frame 211. The enclosure may allow system 100 to be selectively placed into an open configuration, as shown in FIG. 3A, or a closed configuration (not shown) in which awning 217 is closed. In some embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, awning 217, the enclosure of system 100 includes curtains that can be opened to provide access to swimming pool 200, and closed and locked to prevent access to swimming pool 200.

In operation, height-adjustable floor 250 may be adjusted to a pool-cover height in which height-adjustable floor 250 is at a height that is above a water level within water containment void 230. In such a position, as shown in FIG. 3A, height-adjustable floor 250 functions as a pool-cover, providing additional safety by reducing the risk of a child falling into the water. Height-adjustable floor 250 may be adjusted to any desirable height; thereby controlling the depth of water above height-adjustable floor 250. For example, height-adjustable floor 250 may be adjusted such that the depth of water above height-adjustable floor 250 ranges from 0 inches to 12 feet, or anywhere there-between.

With references to FIGS. 4 and 4A, life jacket 323 includes sleeve 340 coupled to backside 323a of life jacket 323. Floatation member 341 is inserted within sleeve 340. In operation, when worn by a user, sleeve 340 with floatation member 341 is positioned behind and/or proximate a user's head and/or neck, providing support thereto. Sleeve 340 is positioned adjacent an upper lateral edge 323b of life jacket 323.

Sleeve 340 with floatation member 341 may reduce the risk of a user's head from entering too deeply into the water, such as when the user is practicing floating the user's back (e.g., keeping the user's face out of the water). In some embodiments, life jacket 323 is a pre-existing life jacket modified to have sleeve 340 and floatation member 341. For example, sleeve 340 may be sowed, fastened (e.g., via hook and loop fasteners), or otherwise attached to backside 323a of the pre-existing life jacket, and floatation member 341 may then be inserted into the hollow of sleeve 340. Sleeve 340 may be made of, for example, any material typically used as an outer material layer of a life jacket, such as nylon. Floatation member 341 may be made of any material capable of floating and increasing buoyancy of the wearer. For example, floatation member 341 may be made of polymer foam, such as polyethylene foam or polyvinyl chloride foam. In some embodiments, floatation member 341 is a pool noodle inserted into sleeve 340.

Certain embodiments relate to a non-floatation life jacket. With reference to FIGS. 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F, non-floatation life jacket 323z is shown. Non-floatation life jacket 323z may be made of any material typically used to form an outer shell of a life jacket, such as nylon. Non-floatation life jacket 323z may be adapted to be worn by a user, and to hold the user in a horizontal position within the swimming pool. In use, non-floatation life 323z jacket may simulate for the user what it feels like to swim in the water in the horizontal position without wearing any life jacket. Non-floatation life jacket 323z may have wings 401 extending from both sides of jacket body 407, which may operate to provide stability to the user in the water. Non-floatation jacket 323z may be used for both front and back position swimming. Non-floatation jacket 323z includes straps 405 adapted to strap about a user, and loops 403 for coupling to harness 321, hoist 316, and overhead track system 301. In some embodiments, each wing 401 couples to the same overhead track system 301, as shown in FIG. 4C. In other embodiments, each wing 401 is coupled to a different harness and hoist, for coupling to two different overhead track systems, as shown in FIG. 4D. In some embodiments, each wing 401 has a dowel sewn into an edge thereof, maintaining wings 401 in a stretched-out configuration and preventing wings 401 from collapsing. In some aspects, the non-floatation jacket does not increase the buoyancy of a wearer.

The embodiment of non-floatation jacket 323z shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F include sleeve 340 and floatation member 341, as described elsewhere herein. Sleeve 340 may be coupled to jacket body 407 via fabric section 411.

With reference to FIG. 5, certain embodiments relate to a mobile swim training system, 1000. Mobile training system 1000 may include vehicle 1002, such as a semi-trailer truck, trailer 1004 coupled to vehicle 1002, and system 100 contained within trailer 1004. System 100 may be fully assembled within trailer 1004, such as the embodiment of system 100 shown in FIG. 3A, or system 100 may be separated into at least two portions. In embodiments in which system 100 is separated into multiple portions within trailer 1004, the portions of system 100 may be assembled on site, after transport, to form system 100. For example, system 100 may be in the form of a kit including fiberglass sections of swimming pool 200 that may be assembled together onsite.

Certain embodiments relate to a swim training method. The swim training method may be implemented using system 100 in accordance with this disclosure, such as the embodiments shown in any of FIGS. 1 through 5.

The swim training method may include providing a swim training system (e.g., system 100). In some embodiments, providing includes transporting the swim training system from a first location to a second location for training of students at the second location (e.g., via system 1000 shown in FIG. 5).

Prior to the student entering the swimming pool, the swim training method may include teaching the student a water-safety lesson and/or requiring the student to pass a water-safety quiz. The water-safety lesson and/or water-safety quiz may be conducted in person or on the Internet, for example.

Prior to the student entering the swimming pool, the swim training method may include requiring the student to practice a swimming technique (e.g., swim stroke) outside of the swimming pool at a ground station (e.g., on a bench).

The swim training method may include coupling a staircase to the pool frame for student entry into the swimming pool.

After the student enters the swimming pool, the swim training method may include coupling a life jacket of the student to a life jacket harness, and coupling the life jacket harness to an overhead track system. During swim lessons, the overhead track system may allow the student to safely move along a first horizontal direction within the swimming pool. In some embodiments of the swim training method, the life jacket provided to the student includes a sleeve on a backside of the life jacket with a floatation member positioned within the sleeve and/or wings. The life jacket provided may be any life jacket, including those shown and described in FIGS. 4 through 4F.

The swim training method may include teaching at least one swim lesson to a student while the student is in swimming pool, and with height-adjustable floor suspended at a first depth below a water level within water containment void. The swim lesson may be any swim lesson well known to those skilled in the art, such as a particular swim stroke.

After the student becomes comfortable with the depth of the water when height-adjustable floor is suspended at the first depth, the swim training method may include lowering height-adjustable floor to a second depth below the water-level within water containment void. The second depth can be greater than the first depth, such that the student can learn to swim in even deeper water. The swim training method may include teaching at least one swim lesson to the student with height-adjustable floor suspended at the second depth. For example, FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show a student within swimming pool 200 with height-adjustable floor 250 at progressively greater depths. In FIG. 6A, height-adjustable floor 250 is in a closed configuration (above the water level), acting as a pool cover. The student can stand or sit on height-adjustable floor 250 to become acclimated to the swimming pool environment. Once acclimated, height-adjustable floor 250 may be lowered to a first depth, such as the depth shown in FIG. 6B. Once acclimated to the first depth, height-adjustable floor 250 may be lowered to a second depth, such as the depth shown in FIG. 6C.

The swim training method may also include teaching a swim lesson to the student regarding how to float and/or swim on their back. The swim lesson may begin with height-adjustable floor 250 positioned to engage the students back, as shown in FIG. 6D. Height-adjustable floor 250 may then be lowered until the student is freely floating within the water, without the height-adjustable floor 250 engaged with their back.

In some embodiments, during the swim training method, height-adjustable floor 250 may be maintained at a height such that the student is always capable of standing with their feet upon height-adjustable floor 250 and head raised out of the water. This can provide the students with confidence by removing the fear of not being able to touch the bottom of the swimming pool, as well as safety for the student.

In some embodiments, the method includes dividing the swimming pool into at least two swim zones for teaching swim lessons to at least two students.

After completion of the swim lessons, the swim training method may include engaging a slide with the staircase for student exit from the swimming pool.

When teaching novice students, particularly young children, how to swim, reducing the complexity of the swim lessons allows the students to concentrate on learning one skill at a time. In some embodiments, reducing the complexity includes use of the overhead track system 301, height-adjustable floor 250, and harness 321.

The swim training method may include establishing a hierarchal ranking system including a plurality of ranks. Each rank may be associated with at least one swimming achievement (e.g., swimming capability). For example, swimming achievements may include the ability to properly execute a particular swim stroke (e.g., backstroke), the ability to submerge one's head under water, the ability to float on one's back, and the ability to follow safety rules while in and around the swimming pool. The swim training method may include issuing ranks, such as in the form of badges or awards, to the student based upon the student's swimming achievements.

The swim training method may include positioning the swim training system into a closed configuration by: (1) raising height-adjustable floor 250 to a pool-cover height that is above the water-level within water containment void 230; and (2) enclosing swimming pool 200 (e.g., with enclosure as described herein).

Certain embodiments relate to a method of adjusting the height of a floor within a swimming pool. The adjustment method may be implemented using the swim training system disclosed herein (e.g., swim training system 100). The adjustment method may include suspending a height-adjustable floor at a first height along a first vertical direction within a water containment void of a swimming pool. The adjustment method may then include adjusting the height of the height-adjustable floor from the first height to a second height along the first vertical direction within the water containment void, the second height different than the first height. The adjusting may include raising the height-adjustable floor, lowering the height-adjustable floor, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the swimming pool is a pre-existing swimming pool, and the adjustment method includes retrofitting the pre-existing swimming pool by suspending the height-adjustable floor within the water containment void of the pre-existing swimming pool. For example, a pulley system (e.g., pulley system 271) coupled with a frame may be positioned over the pre-existing swimming pool and coupled with the height-adjustable floor, such that the height-adjustable floor is suspended above or within the swimming pool. The pre-existing swimming pool may be an above-the-ground swimming pool or an in-ground swimming pool.

In some embodiments, swimming pool 200 includes multiple sanitation systems adapted to sanitize the water within swimming pool 200. For example, and without limitation, swimming pool 200 may include a sand filter that filters the water, a UV light that radiates the water, an additive that forms hydroxyls within the water (e.g., kills cryptosporidium), a chemical (e.g., chlorine) additive, or combinations thereof. Many jurisdictions (e.g., cities, counties, states) require chlorine or other chemical additive to be within the water at a minimum concentration. This allows the jurisdictions to test the water to confirm compliance with sanitation requirements. Use of sanitation systems in addition to a chemical (e.g., chlorine) additive allows for a lower level of contaminates in the water, while using less chemical (e.g., chlorine) additive. As such, the minimum legally required amount of chemical (e.g., chlorine) additive may be used in the water, while attaining a level of sanitation beyond what is typically achieved using the minimum legally required amount of chemical additive. As such, the water contacting the swimmers will have lower chlorine content than is typically encountered in properly sanitized swimming pools. Also, if one of the multiple sanitation systems fails, the water may still be sanitized using the other of the multiple sanitation systems.

Certain embodiments relate to a method of modifying a life jacket to have a head and neck support. The life jacket modifying method may include coupling a sleeve to a backside of a life jacket, and inserting a floatation member within the sleeve. For example, the life jacket modifying method may be used to form the life jacket 323 shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A.

Although the present embodiments and advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. A swim training system, the system comprising:

a swimming pool comprising a pool frame, the pool frame defining a water containment void; and

a height-adjustable floor suspended above or within the water containment void.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising a pulley system operatively coupled to the height-adjustable floor, the height-adjustable floor suspended above or within the water containment void via the pulley system, the height-adjustable floor movably positionable along a first vertical direction via the pulley system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the height-adjustable floor is adjustable to a pool-cover height that is above a water level within the water containment void and is adjustable to at least one height that is below the water-level within the water containment void.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an overhead track system positioned above the swimming pool and coupled to a life jacket harness, the life jacket harness movably positionable via the overhead track system along a first horizontal direction.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a life jacket coupled to the life jacket harness, wherein:

the life jacket includes a sleeve coupled to a backside of the life jacket and a floatation member positioned within the sleeve; or

the life jacket is a non-floatation life jacket, wherein the non-floatation life jacket comprises a jacket body, wings extending from longitudinal edges of the jacket body, straps coupled to the jacket body and adapted to strap about a user, and loops coupled to the wings and adapted to couple to the harness line.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the life jacket harness comprises a harness line coupled to a harness pulley, and a stop coupled to the harness line, the stop operatively engageable with the harness pulley.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a staircase coupled to the pool frame and a slide selectively engageable with the staircase.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure coupled to the swimming pool, wherein the enclosure includes an enclosure frame, and includes:

at least one selectively openable and closable awning coupled to the enclosure frame;

at least one fixed sidewall coupled to the enclosure frame;

a roof coupled to the enclosure frame; or

combinations thereof.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the swimming pool comprises a porthole.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a divider selectively engageable with the swimming pool, wherein, when the divider is engaged with the swimming pool in a dividing position, the divider at least partially defines two swim zones.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a mobile swim training system including a vehicle and a trailer coupled to the vehicle, and wherein the swimming pool and the height-adjustable floor are contained within the trailer.

12. A method comprising:

suspending a height-adjustable floor at a first height along a first vertical direction within a water containment void of a swimming pool, the swimming pool including a pool frame defining the water containment void.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting the height of the height-adjustable floor from the first height to a second height along the first vertical direction within the water containment void, the second height different than the first height.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the adjusting of the height of the height-adjustable floor includes:

adjusting of the height of the height-adjustable floor to a pool-cover height that is above a water level within the water containment void;

adjusting of the height of the height-adjustable floor to at least one height that is below the water-level within the water containment void; or

combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

teaching at least one swim lesson to a student with the height-adjustable floor suspended at the first height, wherein the height-adjustable floor is positioned below a water level within the water containment void;

lowering the height-adjustable floor to a second height below the water-level within the water containment void, wherein the height-adjustable floor is positioned deeper below the water level within the water containment void that at the first height; and

teaching at least one swim lesson to the student with the height-adjustable floor suspended at the second height.

16. The method of claim 15, further raising the height-adjustable floor to a pool-cover height that is above the water-level within the water containment void and enclosing the swimming pool.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising coupling a life jacket of the student to a life jacket harness, the life jacket harness coupled to an overhead track system, the life jacket harness movably positionable via the overhead track system along a first horizontal direction within the swimming pool.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a sleeve on a backside of the life jacket and positioning a floatation member within the sleeve.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

teaching the student a water-safety lesson prior to the student entering the swimming pool;

requiring the student to pass a water-safety quiz prior to entering the swimming pool;

requiring the student to practice a swimming technique outside of the swimming pool at a ground station prior to entering the swimming pool;

or combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising establishing a hierarchal ranking system including a plurality of ranks, wherein each rank is associated with at least one swimming achievement and issuing ranks to the student based upon the student's swimming achievements.