Abstract: Provided is a lane rope float that is less likely to cause injuries even when a hand, a foot, or the like of a swimmer collides with the lane rope float. A lane rope float that is attached to a rope via a cylindrical portion to define lanes of a pool and is made of a synthetic resin material, the lane rope float including: a plurality of blades protruding in parallel with the rope around the cylindrical portion; and an outer peripheral wall connected to side end portions of the blades and covering the blades, wherein a groove portion is formed between the side end portion of each of the blades and the outer peripheral wall, wherein a connection end portion of the side end portion of the blade and the outer peripheral wall are connected, and wherein the outer peripheral wall is elastically deformable toward the blades so as to crush the groove portion.

Abstract: Described is a swimming pool divider that can be used to create a separated, shallow pool within a larger in-ground pool that is constructed for use by children. The swimming pool divider includes a first panel disposed vertically within a pool and secured about the pool's entryway, such as the pool's stairs. The first panel is substantially rectangular and is secured to the pool walls on opposing sides of the entryway by means of suction cups. A second panel is hingedly attached to a middle portion of the first panel. The second panel can be unfolded so that it is horizontal and perpendicular to the first panel, wherein the second panel acts as the floor for the separated pool area. Alternatively, the second panel can be folded for storage such that it rests flush against the first panel.

Abstract: A marker is provided for a swimming lane extending a length of a pool. The pool includes sidewalls connecting end walls for defining a swimming area holding water. The marker comprises a line and means for suspending the line over the water in the swimming area. The line provides a visual indication of the position of the swimming lane in the swimming area.

Abstract: A spa heats or cools air in the air space surrounding the water containment vessel to heat or cool the water in the water containment vessel. The air is heated and cooled and is circulated within the spa cabinet in contact with the underside of the tub and the plumbing for transferring or absorbing heat from the water through the tub and the plumbing. The air is heated by a solid state thermoelectric device or a conventional space heater and is cooled using a solid state thermoelectric device. Preferably a single thermoelectric device is mounted through a wall in the spa cabinet and is used for both heating and cooling the air in the air space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a movable support for the ends of the movable partition walls of swimming pools, which is intended for dividing swimming pools into separate spaces having different sizes in order to carry out different activities and make better use of the space and which basically includes four wheels (1) driven by a mechanism (2) made up of a set of pulleys with idler devices (10) and connected to one another by belts (3), which includes a driving pulley (4) at the top which is connected to a reducing set of pulleys (5, 6) at the bottom, which in turn is connected with corresponding pulleys (8) secured to the shafts (9) of the wheels (1), wherein the set of wheels (1), pulleys (8) and idler devices (10) is installed in a base frame (12) and the driving pulley (4), the reducing set of pulleys (5, 6) and the corresponding idler device (10) are installed in a fairing (14) coupled to the base frame (12).

Abstract: A swimming pool bulkhead is disclosed. The bulkhead includes a substructure having a metallic frame, a pair of support assemblies mounted to opposite ends of the metallic frame of the substructure, and a superstructure having a non-metallic frame mounted to the substructure. A buoyancy chamber for a swimming pool bulkhead is also disclosed. The buoyancy chamber includes a substantially fluid-tight, cylindrical chamber, an air input conduit operatively connectable to a source of pressurized air, an air discharge conduit having an inlet in the chamber, and means for varying an elevation of a water level in the chamber to vary the buoyancy of the chamber. A method for controlling the buoyancy of a bulkhead is also provided.

Abstract: A seat assembly for sliding along opposing rims of a bathtub is disclosed. The seat assembly includes a seat member, a friction element affixed to the seat member so as to extend under the seat member, and a flexible slider affixed to the seat member so as to also extend under the seat member. The slider and friction element are positioned and configured so that in a first state, if the seat member is positioned on the opposing rims without additional weight on the seat member, the slider holds the friction element up off a rim while facilitating sliding of the seat member along a rim. In a second state, if the seat member is positioned on the opposing rims with a human weighing over 50 pounds sitting on the seat member, the friction element can contact the rim and thereby impede sliding of the seat member along a rim.

Abstract: The invention relates to sports and entertaining facilities and in particular to aqua shooting ranges. The inventive aqua shooting range comprises a pool (1), an above-water fence, shooting positions (9) with weapons and underwater targets (5). The pool is provided with a transversal partition (6) separating the shooting positions (9) from the underwater targets (5). Each partition (6) is provided with a firing port (8). An additional shooting position (20) for shooting from an above-water position to water is embodied on the partition (6). The above-water part of the pool wall placed above the underwater target (5) and the above-water fence is provided with bullet stoppers (11). The shooting position is located in such a way that the weapon vertical guidance angle is limited to a value equal to or greater than 10 degrees with respect to the horizon. The invention makes it possible to increase the safety, learning, and training efficiency of shooting at underwater targets.

Abstract: A temperature difference swimming pool comprises a plurality of spaced apart water curtain controlling devices arranged at a bottom of the pool, and a temperature regulating system. Each of the water curtain controlling devices includes two juxtaposed pipes, a series of intermittent holes is formed in a top surface of the pipes, the pipes each has a closed end, and another end of the pipes is connected to a pump. Water is suctioned by the pump into one pipe and is then spurted out of the other pipe, thus making the water circulate and forming a water curtain. Since the water curtain stops the convection of the water, and the temperature regulating system is used to heat the water in one end of the swimming pool while cooling the water in the other end, thus forming a cold water region and a warm water region in one swimming pool.

Abstract: A swimming environment is disclosed that enables a swimmer to select water of a desired temperature by moving between swimming regions that are separate swimming pools and/or sub-regions of a swimming pool. Pools can be divided into sub-regions by thermally isolating barriers that are sheets or strips hanging from floats, sheets attached to pool boundaries, or solid barriers. Strips can be flexible or rigid, and can be linked by magnets. Barriers can be designed to avoid swimmer injury and absorb wave energy. Swimmers can move past barriers without fully leaving the water by submerging floats, separating strips, moving through a barrier gap, traversing a slide, and/or moving through a door. Doors can be single or double, swinging, sliding, revolving, or pocket. A water temperature control system ensures that none of the regions exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and can include a heater, cooler, and/or heat pump.

Abstract: A pool barrier apparatus for providing a barrier between a deep end and a shallow end of a pool includes a netting having an upper edge, a lower edge and a pair of lateral edges. The netting has a length between said lateral edges being substantially equal to a length between side edges of the pool. A plurality of clamps being coupled to the netting adjacent to the upper edge. The clamps are configured to releasably engage a buoy line and suspend the netting from the buoy line.

Abstract: Mobile wall traction system (1) for swimming pools (4) equipped with at least one mobile wall (2) and two parallel rail elements (3), located on at least two opposite sides of the swimming pool (4), the wall (2) being able to travel along said rail elements (3), characterised in that it comprises magnetic coupling travel means (5) of said wall

Abstract: A wave inhibiting device (10) for a pool lane divider, the device having an inner region, a plurality of fins (16, 17) extending from the inner region and for blocking at least a portion of any wave incident on a major surface thereof, and an outer region having at least one peripheral wall (19) which extends at least part way between adjacent fins and has at least one wall portion with an inner face which is adapted to block at least a portion of any wave incident on an inner surface thereof.

Abstract: A translation device for a mobile wall of a swimming pool, where the pool (10) is four-sided and is equipped, near to its two opposite sides, with two parallel rails (14, 114), being foreseen a mobile wall or bridge (12, 112) which moves along such rails (14, 114) through at least two wheels (16, 116), aligned and positioned on each side end of the mobile wall (12, 112), where, for each side end of the mobile wall (12, 112), at least one of such wheels (16, 116) is moved through a gear.

Abstract: A translation device for a mobile wall of a swimming pool, where the pool (10) is four-sided and is equipped, near to its two opposite sides, with two parallel rails (14, 114), being foreseen a mobile wall or bridge (12, 112) which moves along such rails (14, 114) through at least two wheels (16, 116), aligned and positioned on each side end of the mobile wall (12, 112), where, for each side end of the mobile wall (12, 112), at least one of such wheels (16, 116) is moved through a gear.

Abstract: A warm/cold double-circulation water filter system and swimming pool arrangement includes a swimming pool separated into two pools, each pool having a water outlet and a plurality of water inlets, a double-circulation water filter system adapted to treat water circulated through the pools of the swimming pool, the double-circulation water filter system including a first filter unit, a second filter unit, and a heater, and a water pipe system adapted to deliver water from the water outlet of each of the pools of the swimming pool to the water inlets of each of the pools of the swimming pool through the double-circulation water filter system, the water pipe system having valve means selectively controlled to let water pass from the first filter unit and second filter unit of the double-circulation water filter system to the water inlets of the pools of the swimming pool via the heater.

Abstract: A swimming pool lane marker for the visually impaired generally includes a perforated tube that extends the length of a swimming pool. The perforated tube is in fluid communication with a source of compressed gas, such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers pressurized air to the tube. The pressurized air escapes through the perforations forming a line of bubbles along the swimming lane. The blind swimmer can feel these bubbles and determine his position in the swimming lane. The perforated tube is held under the water by a wire that extends between a pair of frame assemblies that connect the wire to the sidewall of the pool. Pads may be carried on the frame assemblies to protect the swimmer from the sidewall.

Abstract: A swimming pool is provided that is filled with water containing salt to give buoyancy to a swimmer and to enable the swimmer to effortlessly float. The pool is formed of two or more sections with each section filled with the swimming pool water having differing densities of salt to provide for different buoyancy levels therein. Further, the water in the swimming pool also contains magnesium chloride, calcium sulfate, potassium sulfate and magnesium bromide.

Abstract: An auxiliary children's pool apparatus 10 for providing an adjustable height support enclosure above the bottom 101 of a conventional above ground swimming pool construction 100. The apparatus 10 includes a framework unit 11, a floor unit 12, an enclosure unit 13, and a netting unit 14. The framework unit 11 is adjustable to vary the height of the floor unit 12 relative to the bottom 101 of the pool 100.

Abstract: An antiwave bulkhead for use in swimming pools is disclosed which comprises a plurality of separate bulkhead units, each bulkhead unit having a pair of buoyancy tanks secured within them each of which are provided with air supply conduits enabling air to be independently supplied to or independently evacuated from each of the buoyancy tanks. The bulkhead units include an elongated slot in their front walls at pool water level to admit water into the bulkhead units caused by the bow wave of an approaching swimmer and grating at the lower ends of the bulkhead units to displace the excess admitted water.

Abstract: Swimming pool basin provided with a partition wall, which can be moved essentially vertically up and down, for the division of the swimming pool basin into part-basins, the partition wall comprising an oblong, essentially beam-shaped body, which extends between two mutually opposing, vertical walls of the swimming pool basin, and which partition wall can be brought into a first, operative state so as to lie with its upper limit essentially level with the water level or project above it, in which first state the swimming pool basin is sub-divided into two swimming sections, and into a second or retracted state, in which the upper limit of the partition wall is located at a good distance below the water level, enabling swimmers to swim unhindered past the partition wall along the top, the oblong body of the partition wall being directly attached by means of at least two movable guide arms to the swimming pool bottom or to a wall part of a recess made in the swimming pool bottom.

Abstract: A modular assembly for use in a swimming pool is described. This assembly integrates the technical components and accessories for swimming pools, including at least one stair, a horizontal submerged bathing portion capable of supporting a user while sitting or lying, a filtration vat enclosing a water filtration system for filtering water to and from the swimming pool into and out of the modular assembly, and a technical vat enclosing a system for pumping and water recycling for pumping and recycling water between the swimming pool and the modular assembly. The assembly of the present invention can also include additional accessories such as a foot bath, a bathing therapy system, a countercurrent swimming system, a submerged lighting system, and a shower. The entire module includes connections for water intake and water discharge for passage of water to and from the swimming pool, and electrical power connections for accessing electrical power.

Abstract: A bulkhead is illustrated with sockets through the top deck and an intermediate platform to provide a box-frame structural strength to the bulkhead and to receive pool attachments for swimming activities, such as diving platforms or water polo goals. Another invention is the provision of tongue members for joining separate sections of a bulkhead which is assembled together at the swimming pool site. These tongue members can be longitudinal tongue members protruding from one or the other of the sections or they can be transverse tongue members which are on each section and are secured together. There is also an invention of access ports through both the top deck and the intermediate platform of a hollow swimming pool bulkhead for providing access to the interior of the bulkhead.

Abstract: A rope anchor device for a swimming pool having a vinyl liner wherein a flat base plate has at least two integral stems projecting rearwardly from the plate and extending through the swimming pool wall. A nut is threaded on each stem at the back or outside of the swimming pool wall to mount the plate securely against the inside of the swimming pool wall. A rope anchor eyelet plate is in turn mounted on the base plate, with the linear clamped therebetween, by at least two threaded fasteners which engage the anchor plate and are threadably engaged in bores extending coaxially through the stems. The base plate can be made of cast and machined metal or injection molded plastic. Where the base plate is made of metal, the bores are internally threaded. Where the base plate is made of injection molded plastic, self-tapping screws can be used and hence the bores need not be internally threaded.

Abstract: A bulkhead for use in a swimming pool that is moveable to selected positions along the length of the pool to divide the pool into various activity areas. The bulkhead includes supporting wheels mounted on tracks and is further characterized by jacking means for unloading the supporting wheels when the bulkhead is stationary.

Abstract: A swimming pool bulkhead is provided with sets of transversely spaced buoyancy chambers for providing stability against rotation about the lengthwise axis of the bulkhead when the chambers are inflated. The bulkhead is made of two separate short sections which are transported separately and bolted together at the pool.

Abstract: A swimming pool with a convertible hot tub that may be easily installed or removed by a user. A barrier system, having a removable partition formed from a flexible sheet of material, is placed in the pool tank near an area that includes a hot water inlet nozzle. The partition has fasteners formed as peripheral ribs that slide into slotted channels secured to opposite sides of the tank. A water drain is located in the pool area. A water processing system, having a pump and a water heater, is connected between the drain and the inlet nozzle to remove warm water from the pool area, heat the water and supply hot water to the inlet nozzle to increase the temperature of the water in the hot tub. At equilibrium, the partition permits water to flow from the hot tub into the pool area at a rate substantially equal to the rate at which water is supplied to the hot tub via the inlet nozzle.

Abstract: A wave suppression device, for use suppressing waves and for use in the demarcation of swimming pool lanes, comprised of a cylindrical core having a plurality of fins radially extending from its outer surface. The fins are positioned substantially coextensively along the length of the core. At least one spacer is circumferentially positioned about and connected to the core member and fins. A flotation assembly is axially positioned within the core member and compression fit against the inner surface thereof. The flotation assembly includes a central axial opening for receiving a cable or like device for stringing a plurality of wave suppression devices together to form a lane demarcation.

Abstract: A swim through safety division line for pools at the slope break between shallow and deep water is disclosed. The division line includes a floating frame held vertically by ballast and having top and bottom bars sufficiently above and below the water surface of the pool to allow swimmers to pass through the frame of the division line without being obstructed as when swimming laps in a pool.

Abstract: A movable, submersible, transversely extending bulkhead for use in a swimming pool. The bulkhead has an elongated hollow body with top, bottom, end and side walls and a pair of spaced air chambers positioned toward each of its ends. Positioned between and substantially equidistant from each of the air chambers is at least one core of buoyant material. The bulkhead also utilizes means for selectively controlling the quantity of air and water within the chambers for regulating the buoyancy of the bulkhead. The bulkhead may be moved along the length of a swimming pool through increasing the buoyancy of the bulkhead by displacing the water contained in the chambers, shifting the bulkhead to a new longitudinally spaced position within the pool, and decreasing the buoyancy of the bulkhead by allowing water to reenter the chambers.

Abstract: A swimmer arrival signal panel is provided for locating at an end of a swimming lane. The panel may be mounted at the end of a pool or on a bulkhead and forms a permanent installation in the pool. The panel comprises a panel of non-conductive material, the bottom of the panel adapted for mounting at one end of a swimming lane below water level in the swimming pool, the panel being free to move forward when contacted by a swimmer. A first adjustment provides a distance of travel within a predetermined range for the panel, a second adjustment establishes the position of the panel within the distance of travel where a contact is activated to signal a swimmer's arrival, and an adjustable spring to determine force required to move the panel.

Abstract: A partitioning device is provided for swimming pools to efficiently treat the water in swimming pools and to conveniently store the water therein during periods of nonuse. The device comprises a water tight bag constructed from a flexible fabric material such as plastic and appropriately sized and shaped to occupy at least the entire volume of the swimming pool. The partitioning device has at least one open end that can be attached to a conduit extending from a pumping and filtering device .Treated water is pumped into the partitioning device thereby providing an efficient separation between treated and untreated water. The treated water may be stored in the partitioning device for any convenient period of time. The device may easily be removed from the pool thereby leaving the pool filled with treated water.

Abstract: A sink is designed which can be converted into one, two or more separate basins. The sink has at least one rib protruding up along its inner surface. A removable dividing wall is provided with a plate portion and an elastic flange extending around the bottom and sides of the plate. Two detents extend from opposite sides of the sink at the ends of the rib. The detents engage the flange and deform it against the rib tightly enough to create a waterproof seal and separate basins. Drains are provided on either side of the dividing wall.

Abstract: A swimming pool bulkhead is disclosed having a vertical surface on one or both sides which may be used as swimmer arrival signal devices. The bulkhead has swimmer arrival signal panels in all swimming lanes on at least one vertical side face and comprises a rigid structure having top members and bottom members extending lengthwise along the bulkhead, a walkway supported on the top members, the bulkhead vertical side face divided into substantially equal portions establishing individual swimming lanes. Roller support means are provided at each end of the bulkhead and removable locating and anchoring means at each end of the bulkhead. At least one swimmer arrival signal panel is provided within each of the portions representing individual swimming lanes, the panel extending between the top member and the bottom member on at least one side of the bulkhead, the panel having a switch means adapted to be activated when the panel is contacted by a swimmer.

Abstract: A construction which permits existing swimming pools to be provided with a spa at low cost includes a removable partition which is mounted in the pool to define the space to be used as a spa. A special gasket forms a seal between the partition and the pool. Valves are installed in the existing pool suction pipe and pool return pipe to permit the flow to be diverted to the spa. No excavation is required to install the spa. An adjustable template is used to determine the proper size and shape of the removable partition. The pipe through which water enters the spa is provided at its end with a jet nozzle which includes a venturi for introducting air into the incoming stream of water.

Abstract: A bulkhead for a swimming pool has a simple, lightweight frame, improved movability within the pool and means for suppressing the ill effects of waves produced by a swimmer nearing the bulkhead.