Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for tensioning a safety net on a swimming pool. In one aspect, a tension apparatus for use with a pool net is provided. The apparatus includes a housing and a selectively engagable gear arrangement disposed in the housing. The apparatus further includes a rotatable member for supplying rotational energy to the gear arrangement and a spool member operatively attached to the gear arrangement. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cable at least partially wrapped around the spool member, wherein the cable includes a connector configured to connect to the pool net. In another aspect, a method for tensioning a pool net is provided. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for use in tensioning a net is provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/915,969, filed on Aug. 11, 2004, which application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a swimming pool. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for tensioning a safety net on a swimming pool.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     A swimming pool typically has some form of a cover when the pool is not in use. There are several different types of covers. One type of cover is a summer cover. The summer cover is generally used to maintain the temperature of the water in the pool. The summer cover may be constructed from plastic film comprising air bubbles or foam. Typically, the summer cover floats on top of the water. Another type of cover is called a winter cover. The winter cover is used to protect the pool from leaves and other items that may fall into the pool during winter months. The winter cover is made from a cloth or a plastic. The edge of the winter cover is attached to the perimeter of the pool by a plurality of fasteners. The winter cover typically does not contact the water in the pool.  
         [0006]     Another type of a cover is a pool net. Typically, the net is sized for a particular pool. The net is installed on the pool by anchoring the net around the perimeter of the pool by utilizing a fastener arrangement. The net is generally made of a mesh arrangement that includes a plurality of openings that are small enough to keep the head of an infant or a small child from fitting through the net, but large enough to discourage the infant child from trying to walk across the net. After the net is anchored around the perimeter of the pool, a portion of the net is tightened to create a tension in the net. Generally, the net is tightened to a point where a child or another object of similar weight will be suspended on the surface of the net above the water. However, sometimes it is difficult to tension the net effectively. Therefore, there is a need for a method and an apparatus that is capable of tensioning the net effectively.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for tensioning a safety net on a swimming pool. In one aspect, a tension apparatus for use with a pool net is provided. The apparatus includes a housing and a selectively engagable gear arrangement disposed in the housing. The apparatus further includes a rotatable member for supplying rotational energy to the gear arrangement and a spool member operatively attached to the gear arrangement. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cable at least partially wrapped around the spool member, wherein the cable includes a connector configured to connect to the pool net.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, a method for tensioning a pool net is provided. The method includes attaching the pool net to a perimeter of a pool. The method further includes positioning a tension apparatus proximate the pool net and attaching a cable in the tension apparatus to a portion of the pool net. The method also includes tensioning the pool net by supplying rotational energy to the tension apparatus and causing the cable and the pool net to move toward the tension apparatus. Additionally, the method includes securing the portion of the pool net to an anchor member.  
         [0009]     In yet another aspect, an apparatus for use in tensioning a net is provided. The apparatus includes a housing and a selectively engagable spool arrangement disposed in the housing. The apparatus further includes a lever member for supplying rotational energy to the spool arrangement. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cable at least partially wrapped around the spool member, wherein the cable includes a connector configured to connect to the pool net.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pool net system and a tension apparatus in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the tension apparatus in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the tension apparatus in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the tension apparatus in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged bottom perspective view of the tension apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for tensioning a safety net on a swimming pool. It should be noted that the apparatus and the method of the present invention is not limited to swimming pools. Rather, the invention is equally applicable to water reservoirs, ponds, or any other liquid containers that use a safety net. It should be further noted that the invention may be used in conjunction with a surrounding pool fence. To better understand the novelty of the apparatus of the present invention and the methods of use thereof, reference is hereafter made to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pool net system  100  and a tension apparatus  200  in accordance with the present invention. The system  100  includes a net  105  constructed from a high density polyethylene braid or a similar material capable of being held in tension. Proximate the middle of the net  105  is a central tensioning system  110  that includes a plurality of pulleys  115  arranged in a substantially circular fashion. The circular shape formed between the pulleys  115  can be enlarged or reduced in size to control the tensioning of the net  105 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the central tensioning system  110  further includes a tension cable  125  and a support cable  180 .  
         [0018]     The system  100  further includes a plurality of anchor members  130  disposed around the perimeter of a pool  120 . The anchor members  130  are used to attach the net  105  to the edge of the pool  120 . The system  100  also includes a support anchor  185  to secure an end of the support cable  180  and a tension anchor  190  to secure an end of the tension cable  125 . The system  100  may further include a lock anchor  135  for locking the tension cable  125  in place after the central tensioning system  110  has been employed.  
         [0019]     During a net tensioning operation, the net  105  is secured to the perimeter of the pool  120  by attaching the edge of the net  105  to the anchor members  130 . Next, the end of the support cable  180  is secured to the support anchor  185 . Thereafter, the tension apparatus  200  is positioned at the pool and attached to an anchor support  170 . A cable  230  of the tension apparatus  200  is attached to the tension cable  125 . Subsequently, the tension apparatus  200  is actuated to pull the end of the tension cable  125  to a point proximate the tension anchor  190  to allow the tension cable  125  to be manually attached to the tension anchor  190 . At the same time, the circular shape formed between the pulleys  115  of the central tensioning system  110  is reduced, thereby causing the central tensioning system  110  to systematically tension the net  105 . After the tension cable  125  is secured to the tension anchor  190 , a lock member  140  on the tension cable may be attached to the lock anchor  135 . The lock member  140  may be configured as a key and lock arrangement. It should be understood, however, that the lock member  140  may be any type of lock, without departing from principles of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the tension apparatus  200 . As shown, the tension apparatus  200  includes a housing  205  with a handle  210  formed therein. The tension apparatus  200  further includes a rotatable top arm  215  with a knob  220  at an end thereof. The top arm  215  or a lever arrangement is configured to be rotated relative to the housing  205  in a clockwise or a counter clockwise manner depending on the operation of the tension apparatus  200 . Although the tension apparatus  200  shows a top arm for supplying rotational energy to the tension apparatus, it should be noted that any type of mechanical means or electrical means, such as a motor, may be used to supply rotational energy to the tension apparatus without departing from principles of the present invention.  
         [0021]     The tension apparatus  200  also includes a cable  230  with a connection member  235  at an end thereof. The connection member  235  is used to attach the tension apparatus  200  to the tension cable (not shown). The tension apparatus  200  also includes a connector  285  for securing the tension apparatus  200  to the anchor support (not shown).  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the tension apparatus  200 . As shown, the tension apparatus  200  further includes a movable side arm  240  that is configured to selectively control the direction of movement of the cable  230 . The side arm  240  is movable between a first position and a second position. When the arm  240  is in the first position, the rotation of the top arm  215  causes the cable  230  and the connection member  235  to move toward the housing  205 . The first position is typically used when the tension apparatus  200  is employed to pull the tension cable toward the tension anchor as discussed in  FIG. 1 . When the arm  240  is in the second position, the cable  230  and the connection member  235  are free to move away from the housing  205 . The second position is used when the cable  230  is being extended in order to allow the connector  235  to be attached to the tension cable.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the tension apparatus  200  and  FIG. 5  is an enlarged bottom prospective view of the tension apparatus  200 . As shown, the tension apparatus  200  includes a spool  260  for holding the cable  230 . The spool  260  is supported in the housing  205  via plate  290 . As illustrated, the spool  260  is mounted in a horizontal plane relative to the top of the housing  205 . Disposed around the spool  260  is a containment member  275  that is configured to contain the cable  230  on the spool  260  and ensure that the cable  230  does not tangle as the cable  230  is wrapped on the spool  260 . Generally, the containment member  275  is made from a plastic material. Attached to an end of the spool  260  is a gear  270 .  
         [0024]     The arm  240  includes an engagement member  245  proximate an end thereof. The engagement member  245  is configured to selectively engage a gear  265  with the gear  270  on the spool  260 . For instance, when the arm  240  is in the first position the engagement member  245  causes the gears  265 ,  270  to engage, thereby allowing the cable  230  to wrap around the spool  260  as the arm  215  is rotated. When the arm  240  is in the second position, the engagement member  245  allows the gears  265 ,  270  to disengage, thereby permitting the gear  270  and the spool  260  to rotate freely to allow the cable  230  to unwrap from the spool  260 .  
         [0025]     After the net  105  is tensioned by utilizing the tension apparatus  200  and the central tensioning system  110 , the tension cable  125  may be secured in place by connecting the lock member  140  to the lock anchor  135 . Thereafter, a sensor  155  may be employed as a pool safety device for detecting and alerting a user that an object, such as a child, has come in contact with the net  105 . The sensor  155  includes circuitry for detecting movement in the net  105  that is generated by the object contacting the net  105 . In other words, when the object contacts any part of the net  105 , the object causes a vibration in the net and the vibration is translated through the tensioned braids of the net  105  to the sensor  155 . The sensor  155  receives the vibrational signal and then operates to transmit a signal through a transmitter (not shown) to a receiver  150 .  
         [0026]     The sensor  155  can be any type of water resistant sensor capable of detecting movement, like vibration, such as a sensor having a mercury switch. Generally, mercury switches consist of a mercury filled tube with electrodes at each end. When the tube is tilted, the mercury flows to either end cutting off the circuit on one end while opening it on the other side. For instance, the mercury switch could be an open circuit when it is at rest, but becomes a short circuit when it is moved.  
         [0027]     The sensor  155  may also be a vibration sensor. Generally, vibration sensors are sensors for measuring, displaying, and analyzing linear velocity, displacement, and proximity, or acceleration. They can be used on a stand-alone basis, or in conjunction with a data acquisition system. Vibration sensors are available in many forms. For instance, the vibration sensor may be raw sensing elements, packaged transducers, or as a sensor system or instrument incorporating features such as totalizing, local or remote display, and data recording. These devices work on many operating principles. The most common types of vibration sensors are piezoelectric, capacitance, null-balance, strain gage, resonance beam, piezoresistive, and magnetic induction. An alternative to traditional vibration sensors is one manufactured using MEMS technology, a micro-machining technology that allows for a much smaller device and thus package design.  
         [0028]     The sensor  155  is operatively connected to the net  105  proximate the central tensioning system  110  so that its sensitivity to movement at any place on the net is maximized. It should be understood, however, that any number of sensors may be employed at various places on the pool net, without departing from principles of the invention. The sensor  155  may be connected to the net  105  by various connection means, such as a clip member. Typically, the sensor  155  is powered by an internal power supply, such as a battery. Alternatively, the sensor may be powered by an external power source connected to the sensor  155  via a cable (not shown).  
         [0029]     The sensor  155  is constructed with an internal transmitter (not shown) to transmit a signal to the remote receiver  150 . The signal may be transmitted in a wireless manner, whereby the sensor  155  broadcasts the signal through the air to the receiver  150 . In another embodiment, an external transmitter (not shown) may be employed between the sensor  155  and the receiver  150 . Generally, the transmitter is a device that sends a signal to the receiver  150  after the sensor  155  has been actuated. Typically, the transmitter is connected to the sensor  155  via a wire (not shown), such as marine wire. The wire may be embedded in the braids of the net  105  or as a separate wire operatively attached to the net  105 . In either case, the sensor  155  sends the signal through the wire to the transmitter and then the transmitter sends the signal to the receiver  150  in a wireless format or through another wire (not shown). Typically, the transmitter houses the power supply for the sensor  155 .  
         [0030]     Upon signal reception from either the sensor  155  or the transmitter, the receiver  150  broadcasts an audible signal, such as a voice message, to indicate the object has contacted the net  105 . The receiver  150  may be configured to broadcast different audible signals based upon the signal reception from either the sensor  155  or the transmitter. Although the sensor  155  has been described in relation to a pool, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to a mesh pool cover or a solid pool cover. For example, a cover having a pool safety system could be attached to the perimeter of a pool and the cover could be tensioned by a means well known in the art. Thereafter, any foreign object that contacts the cover could cause the cover to vibrate and the vibration could be translated through the cover to a sensor. Upon reception of the vibration, the sensor could transmit a signal to a transmitter or directly to a receiver in a similar manner as described above. In turn, the receiver could broadcast an audible warning, such as a voice message, to indicate the object has contacted the cover.  
         [0031]     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.