Abstract:
Disclosed is a composite diving board supported by nonlinear leaf springs, in which the spring cross section transitions from wide and thin at the ends to narrower and thicker at the center, while always maintaining approximately the same cross section at all points. Additional embodiments of the invention include a water feature and an illumination feature integrated into the board design.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority of prior application Ser. No. 11/292,237 filed on Nov. 30, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The field of this invention is diving boards for swimming pools. Diving boards for swimming pools are available in a variety of designs, including passive base boards, in which spring is generated by bending and recovery of only the board, and active base boards, also called jump boards, in which a spring system under the board enhances the springing action of the board. The most common spring system for active base boards is an arrangement of coil springs near the base or leaf springs at the base.  
         [0003]     Divers come in different shapes and sizes and, more importantly, in different weights. Conventional boards may be optimized for spring action within certain weight ranges but not all weight ranges.  
         [0004]     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a diving board that allows the board&#39;s energy upon deflection to provide a similar response regardless of the diver&#39;s weight. It is a further objective, in certain embodiments, to provide visually engaging features, such as a water feature and lighting.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The current invention includes a composite board supported by nonlinear leaf springs, in which the spring cross section transitions from wide and thin at the ends to narrower and thicker at the center, while always maintaining approximately the same cross section at all points. Additional embodiments of the invention include a water feature and an illumination feature integrated into the board design. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a drawing of one embodiment of the current invention, showing the major components.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  shows the underside of the board of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  shows the step, the base and the supported end of the board of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  shows the configuration of the nonlinear leaf spring, with cross sections at various points.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  shows the underside of the board with the leaf springs attached.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view showing the base and step assembly and the mounting of the leaf springs to the base.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  shows the laminar flow water feature off the end of the board.  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  shows the underside of the board with the water and electric sources in place.  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a cross section of an embodiment of the water and light feature.  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  shows an alternate water feature embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  shows the configuration of laminar flow heads used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  shows another water feature embodiment.  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  shows the configuration of nozzles used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  shows the mounting plate for the nozzles in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 15  shows another water feature embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 16  shows the configuration of nozzles used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 17  shows a laminar flow water system attached to the underside of a standard fiberglass diving board.  
         [0023]      FIG. 18  shows the heel end of the board of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 19  shows the suspended end of the board of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 20  shows the components of the board of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the diving board assembly of the present invention consists of six main components: diving board ( 1 ), base ( 2 ), step ( 3 ), nonlinear leaf springs ( 4 ), spring retaining plate ( 5 ), and lighted water feature ( 6 ).  
         [0027]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , in one possible configuration, the seven foot diving board, approx 19″ inches wide at its widest point, tapers to 15″ on the forward edge of the board, inversely tapering to 17″ on the rear (heel) edge of the board, creating a somewhat diamond shape. The heel end of the board incorporates a crescent shaped notch ( 7 ), providing an entrance to the top surface of the board from the step. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the top of the diving board ( 1 ) and step ( 3 ) integrate a molded, textured, non-slip surface ( 8 ), providing sure-footedness.  
         [0028]     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the underside of the diving board has two outside ( 9 ) and one central ( 10 ) integral rigid ribs, each having a slightly contoured surface that run the length of the board, providing structural support by resisting bending stresses. The central rib incorporates a molded 1¼ inch diameter channel ( 11 ) that extends from the forward edge of the rib 45 inches rearward, aligning to the approximate center of the base and providing a cosmetically appealing and concealed conduit for water tubing and wiring.  
         [0029]     As shown in part in  FIG. 20 , the diving board is constructed of an upper and lower half joined together. The halves of the diving board are manufactured utilizing two part male and female fiberglass vacuum molds through a vacuum infusion process in which a semi permanent mold release agent is applied onto the interior mold surfaces, after which a pre-catalyzed gel coat (pigmented resin) is sprayed onto the interior surfaces of the female molds and allowed to dry to an appropriate degree of tackiness, after which the inside of the gel coated mold is layered with several layers of pre-cut bi-directional 1710-10 fiberglass matting laid in several layers into the mold over the gel coated surface. The male molds are placed inside the female molds, then closed and sealed by vacuum, after which a lower-viscosity pre-catalyzed polyester RTM resin is infused into the mold through a pump/vacuum infusion process integrating the gel coat shell and fiberglass matting into a solid material.  
         [0030]     As seen in  FIG. 20 , two metal plates ( 58 ) containing the spring retention bolts ( 14 ) are then inserted within indentations ( 59 ) formed into the lower half ( 60 ) of the diving board, traversing the approximate width of the board, and are secured with an epoxy adhesive. An epoxy adhesive comprised of 5-15 percent methacrylic acid and 50-60 percent methyl methacrylate monomer, such as MA 300 Adhesive, available from ITW Plexus of Danvers, Mass., is applied to the opposing surface ( 61 ) of the lower half ( 60 ) which is then pressed into the upper half ( 62 ) by means of a press applying even and consistent pressure against the two halves until the epoxy cures forming a rigid, lightweight, extremely strong one-piece diving board.  
         [0031]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the diving board attaches to the base by means of flexible, glass-fiber reinforced, composite, nonlinear leaf springs ( 4 ) of an uncommon design, approximately 45½ inches long with a 5 inch free height. As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , four apertures ( 13 ) on each leaf spring align with stainless steel bolts ( 14 ) embedded within the diving board and secure with a flat washer, lock washer and nut ( 15 ).  
         [0032]     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the nonlinear leaf springs ( 4 ) taper from the ends ( 16 ), which are wider, thinner and less rigid to narrower, thicker and more rigid in the center ( 17 ) and are configured so that any cross section of the spring will provide an area approximately equal to any other cross section taken from the spring. Thus, the cross section area at the extremities of the spring ( FIGS. 4A, 4F ) is approximately the same as the cross section area where the spring rests on the base ( FIG. 4D ).  
         [0033]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , the base has two molded spring retention channels ( 19 ), incorporating sloped ramps ( 20 ). The slope of the forward ramps ( 20 ) approximates the upward slope of the forward arm of the leaf spring; the pressing together of these spring and ramp surfaces under load provides a controlled and gentle decrease of spring deflection, enhancing the response of the springs.  
         [0034]     The combination of nonlinear leaf springs and ramps allows the board energy upon deflection to provide a similar response regardless of the diver&#39;s weight. A lighter diver utilizes the thinner, less rigid portion of the springs while the heavier diver brings into action the thicker more rigid portion of the spring.  
         [0035]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , the nonlinear leaf springs ( 4 ) attach to the base by means of spring retention channels ( 19 ) and a spring retention plate ( 5 ). The leaf springs ( 4 ) insert within the retaining channels and are secured by the spring retention plate ( 5 ), which rests over the springs and secures by means of four bolts ( 21 ) embedded into the deck that align and pass through four apertures in the base ( 22 ) and four apertures in the spring retention plate ( 23 ) and secures with nuts ( 15 ). The spring retention plate is additionally secured to the base by means of four additional apertures ( 24 ) aligning with four apertures in the base ( 25 ) and secure with bolts ( 41 ) and nuts ( 15 ).  
         [0036]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , the step ( 3 ) attaches to the base by means of bolts ( 26 ) embedded in the deck, which pass through aligned apertures in the base ( 27 ) and two aligned apertures in the step ( 28 ). The forward edge of the step ( 29 ) aligns and rests on a recessed lip ( 30 ) molded into the base and is secured with a flat washer, lock washer and nut ( 15 ).  
         [0037]     As seen in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, a lighted water feature adds the sight and sound of running water to the diving board as a sheer waterfall. The sheer waterfall propagator ( 6 ) firmly secures to the front underside of the board ( 1 ) by means of two waterfall retaining slots ( 31 ) molded into the diving board ( 1 ) and four screws ( 32 ). The retaining slots ( 31 ) are also seen in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0038]     As seen in  FIG. 9 , in the preferred embodiment, the molded plastic sheer waterfall propagator ( 6 ), constrains incoming turbulent water through a series of internal baffles ( 33 ), forcing the water to exit as a flat, approximate board width, smooth, laminar flow of water spilling, in a waterfall-like fashion, into the pool. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , water is supplied to the water feature ( 6 ) by means of 12 inch flexible PVC tubing ( 34 ), which passes under the base then up and thru a 2 inch diameter hole ( 35 ) located on the top of the base ( 2 ), thru a 2 inch diameter hole in the spring retention plate ( 36 ) and thru the 1¼ inch channel ( 11 ) molded into the central rib ( 10 ) on the underside of the diving board ( 1 ) inserting into a molded ½ inch female fitting ( 37 ) on the waterfall attachment.  
         [0039]     As seen in  FIG. 9 , inserted into the waterfall and secured behind a clear acrylic panel ( 38 ) are fiber-optic or LED lighting components ( 39 ), which transform the sheer waterfall attachment ( 6 ) into a lighted water feature by illuminating the water in a single or multitude of colors as it passes thru the waterfall feature. Low-voltage, direct electrical current or fiber-optic light is supplied to the lighting components by means of wiring ( 40 ) which passes under the base and along the board adjacent to the flexible PVC tubing for the water feature as described above.  
         [0040]     Providing for additional embodiments, the lighted water feature can be manufactured to provide any number of, or combination of, possible water flow types, i.e., stream, jet, spray or mist, emitted from one or multiple apertures attached to any location or combination of locations on the diving board. As well, fiber-optic or LED lighting systems can be made to illuminate the water at any point water exits a lighted water feature.  
         [0041]     As seen in  FIG. 10 , in another embodiment, laminar flows of water ( 42 ) stream from both sides and the front end of the diving board ( 1 ) from three separate sheer waterfall attachments ( 6 ). As seen in  FIG. 11 , the three sheer waterfall attachments ( 6 ) are firmly attached to the front underside of the diving board ( 1 ) by means of six screws ( 32 ) and are plumbed by means of a cross fitting ( 43 ) and a central pipe ( 44 ).  
         [0042]     As seen in  FIG. 12 , in another embodiment, three streams of water ( 45 ) jet from the front of the diving board ( 1 ) through three fixed stream brass nozzles ( 46 ) located on the jet water feature ( 47 ). As seen in  FIG. 13 , the jet water feature is comprised of six basic components: base plate ( 48 ), vertical mounting plate ( 49 ), water diverter ( 50 ), tubing ( 51 ), fixed stream brass jet nozzles ( 46 ), and barbed male adapter fittings ( 52 ).  
         [0043]     As seen in  FIG. 14 , the vertical mounting plate ( 49 ) with three apertures ( 53 ) traverses the width of the base plate ( 48 ) and secures with acrylic adhesive. As seen in  FIG. 13  the barbed male adapters ( 52 ) are inserted thru the apertures ( 53 ) in the vertical mounting plate ( 49 ), with the barbed male end facing the rear of the base plate. Three fixed stream brass jet nozzles ( 46 ) are threaded onto the barbed male adapter fittings ( 52 ). The barbed end of the male adapter fittings ( 52 ) are inserted into the tubing ( 51 ) stemming from the water diverter ( 50 ).  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , in another embodiment of the jet water feature, three streams of water flow from the front of the diving board ( 1 ) through three brass nozzles, consisting of one fixed stream brass jet nozzle ( 46 ) and two adjustable &amp; selective stream brass jet nozzles ( 54 ) adjustable by twisting the outer housing either up or down the inner housing, calibrating from a fine mist ( 55 ) to a full jet of water ( 45 ); each nozzle being independently adjustable provides for a large variety of possible water flows.  
         [0045]     As seen in  FIG. 17  in another embodiment, the lighted waterfall attachment ( 6 ) can be made to retro-fit any conventional diving board ( 56 ) by means of adding a conduit ( 57 ) and the lighted water feature ( 6 ), the conduit ( 57 ) in the shape of a semi-circle with an extending flange ( 58 ) being firmly attached to the underside of the diving board ( 56 ) by means of eight screws ( 32 ). As seen in  FIG. 18 , a water tube ( 51 ) and electrical wiring ( 40 ) are passed from the rear of the diving board thru the conduit ( 57 ) to front of the diving board and, as seen in  FIG. 19 , attaching to the waterfall feature ( 6 ), which is secured firmly with screws ( 32 ).  
         [0046]     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the inventive concepts may be applied to a variety of configurations including, without limitation, variations in the shape of the board or configuration of the water or light features.