Abstract:
A heated seating system for integration within an in-ground pool is provided that selectively channels heated water from a source of heated water directly through one or more seating structures disposed within the pool. Heated water is selectively channeled to thus distribute the heated water through the seating about where individuals are designed to sit and/or recline. The seating areas receiving the heated water may be integrally formed with the pool or otherwise may be detachable therefrom. The seating may also be utilized with both fiberglass and concrete pools.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Technical Field 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to swimming pools and more particularly, relates to swimming pools having seating therein operative to deliver heated water to a swimmer seated thereon for the swimmer&#39;s comfort. 
         [0005]    2. Related Art 
         [0006]    In-ground swimming pools are common place and their construction is well-known in the art. Typically, such pools can comprise pre-fabricated fiberglass swimming pools that generally consist of molded, one-piece structures that rest within an excavated portion of ground. 
         [0007]    Alternatively, in-ground pools can be fabricated from concrete according to a variety of different methods. Among such pools include gunite pools, which are made by spraying a mixture of sand and cement about a matrix of rebar, the latter typically set within a “box” or “timber pool,” formed to have the desired pool shape and size within an excavated site. 
         [0008]    Similar to gunite pools are “shotcrete” pools that, instead of utilizing a slurry of cement, pool gravel mix and water, are fabricated from a pre-mixed batch of shotcrete that possesses a predetermined strength, which in turn typically can be utilized in lesser qualities compared to gunite. 
         [0009]    Still further, concrete pools may consist of either concrete block or poured concrete. With respect to the former, the floor foundation is typically poured and a concrete wall structure is constructed to a desired shape of the pool. Filtration attachments and the like are inserted into the walls. Once completed the pool may be rendered internally, such as by spraying with a fiberglass resin coating, vinyl liner, painted or a variety of other finishes. With respect to poured concrete pools, the same are typically formed via a mold that is created using wood or plywood. The pool floor is typically poured first, followed by wall molds constructed on top of the floor and are connected by a reinforcing network of rebar. Once completed, the pool interior may be treated as discussed above with a fiberglass coating, vinyl liner, and the like. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, in-ground pools typically allow for the selection and placement of structures, such as ledges, seats, steps, and the like, to provide support structures to enable people to remain in seated or reclined positions. Indeed, pools can further be designed to have integrated bar stools and countertops to enable pool goers to eat, drink, and/or socialize in the pool itself. A novel approach that enables consumers to selectively choose such structures to be selectively attached to or detached from a pre-fabricated fiberglass pool is disclosed in Applicant&#39;s pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,367, entitled FIBERGLASS SWIMMING POOL SHELL HAVING PRE-FORMED SOCKETS TO ATTACH MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, filed Jan. 4, 2006, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Generally, such reference discloses a pool shell molding system that enables accessories such as tables, chairs, parasols, basketball rims, volleyball nets, and the like to be selectively and easily attached and removed from the fiberglass shell, as desired. 
         [0011]    Despite the well-known and widely utilized aforementioned pool construction techniques, however, virtually all pool types are constructed in a manner that makes the pool inefficient to heat, which in turn may limit the ability of the pool to be utilized and require swimmers to swim in uncomfortably cold temperatures. In this respect, pool heating typically requires that warm water be continuously circulated about the entire pool so that the entire pool reaches an ideal threshold temperature, typically at or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The cost to heat a pool to such desired temperatures can be exceptionally costly. As is well-known, recent increases in energy costs have a profound effect on the expense necessary to heat a pool to a desired temperature, despite advances in pool heating technology. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for an in-ground pool, regardless of its construction type (i.e., whether fabricated from concrete or fiberglass), that can be selectively heated in a manner that enables the pool to be at least partially enjoyed without requiring the entire body of water contained within the pool to reach uniform temperature. There is likewise a need in the art for such a pool to selectively allow a discrete area within the pool to be heated, especially about an area that accommodates reclining or seated positions. There is still a further need in the art for such a pool that is of simple construction; easy, efficient and cost effective to operate; and can substantially prolong the season for in-ground pool use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0013]    The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a heated heating system for pools that enables heated water to be directly distributed to a seating apparatus or other structure disposed within the pool. In this regard, there is provided a plumbing outlet that directly delivers a source of heated water to a seating apparatus, which may comprise one or more stools, benches, ledges, steps or any other similar type of structure. With respect to such seating structures, the same may be integrally formed as part of the pool structure, whether it be a structure formed as part of the formation of a concrete pool or integrally formed as part of a fiberglass shell pool. Alternatively, such seating structures may take the form of selectively attachable structures operatively interconnectable with a fiberglass shell pool such as those disclosed in Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,367, entitled FIBERGLASS SWIMMING POOL SHELL HAVING PREFORMED SOCKETS TO ATTACH MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, filed Jan. 4, 2006, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. In this regard, seating structures may be selectively interconnected to fiberglass shell pool in such a manner that a source of hot water can be delivered to the seating area. 
         [0014]    In all embodiments, it is envisioned that the seating area to which the hot water is delivered will be provided with one or more apertures to selectively distribute heated water about the seating area, and in particular about an individual seated or reclining thereupon. 
         [0015]    By virtue of the localized distribution of the heated water, the individual seated or reclining upon the seating area will be able to immediately enjoy the benefits of the heated water without having to wait or otherwise incur the expense associated with heating the entire pool to a requisite desired temperature. Advantageously, the system of the present invention can be utilized with new or existing pools, whether formed as a concrete pool or fiberglass pool. The system of the present invention can further readily be deployed utilizing conventional pool heating plumbing connections and the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a swimming pool having a plurality of seats formed thereon, the latter being operative to receive and selectively distribute heated water therethrough. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a heated seating structure interconnectable with a source of heated water found within a concrete-type pool. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a seating structure interconnectable with a fiberglass-type swimming pool, the seating structure further being operatively interconnectable with a source of heated water distributed to the fiberglass pool to distribute the heated water through apertures formed on the seating apparatus 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. 
         [0022]    Referring now to the Figures, and initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an in-ground pool  10  having a pool interior  12 , the latter having a variety of structures formed therein, such as steps  14  and bench  16  operative to offer ingress into and egress out of pool interior  12 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the arts, the in ground pool  10  may comprise any of a variety of pools known in the art, including concrete pools or fiberglass pools. With respect to the latter,  FIG. 10  is exemplary of a specific type of preformed fiberglass pool manufactured and marketed by San Juan Products, Inc. of Lakeland, Fla. 
         [0023]    The present invention comprises a seating system whereby one or more seat members or structures  18  are provided with at least one and preferably a plurality of apertures  20  that is operative to deliver hot water therethrough, and preferably to an individual seated thereupon. In this respect, it is contemplated that the present invention will enable select and discrete areas of seating, such as  18 , to be selectively heated in a localized fashion but that the heated water may be delivered through other structures such as steps, shelves, benches and the like which may serve as a portal through which hot water can be selectively delivered to an individual positioned on or near by. In this respect, it is contemplated that providing seating structures through which a source of hot water may be selectively distributed, certain local points within the interior  12  of pool  10  can be heated in a localized manner to thus enable individuals seated within such areas to enjoy the warmer water without having to wait or the pool owner having to incur the expense of the entire pool being heated. As a consequence, it is contemplated that the pool can be utilized for a much longer season than conventional pools and further, may be heated in a far more economical manner that has heretofore been available. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment by which heating member or structure  18  is operative to receive and distribute heated water  24  from a hot water source  26 . As illustrated, the interior of pool shell  12  contains pool water  22 . Seating member  18  preferably is formed to be interconnectable with the pool shell interior  12  such that the same may be securely fastened into position, thus providing a rigid and secure seating apparatus. The seating member  18  is preferably configured to be received over or about a source of hot water, such as hot water source  26 . With respect to the latter, it is contemplated that the source of heated water  26  may take any of a variety of forms well-known in the art or may be later developed. In this respect, it is contemplated that the source of hot water  26  will have an outlet through which hot water  24  will be distributed, which will in turn fill within an internal cavity within seating member or structure  18  and ultimately emerge through apertures  20  formed atop seating structure  18 , as shown. In this respect, it is contemplated that the seating structure  18  may take those structures disclosed in Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,367, entitled FIBERGLASS SWIMMING POOL SHELL HAVING PREFORMED SOCKETS TO ATTACH MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, filed Jan. 4, 2006, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0025]    In this respect, seating member  18  may be constructed of any rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic or fiberglass to match the material of the pool shell. In this respect, it is contemplated that the pool shell will have the surface designed and adapted to receive and interconnect with seating member  18 , as shown. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, varying structures that strike various balances between size, holding strength, holding surface area and molding simplicity will be understood to be encompassed within the teachings of the present invention, and such embodiment as depicted is provided by way of example rather than limitation. To that end, there is optionally provided one or more return fittings  28  that can optionally be removed from seating member  18  to thus provide a further outlet through which heated water  24  may be dispersed. In this respect, it is contemplated that return fitting  28 , is removed from seating member  18 , will provide an aperture through which hot water can flow about the legs and feet of an individual seated upon seating member  18 . 
         [0026]    The mechanism by which seating  18  may interconnect with the pool exterior  12  may be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art and may take any of a variety of forms of attachment as per Applicant&#39;s pending earlier-filed application. Advantageously, when incorporated as part of a pre-fabricated fiberglass shell, the heated water outlet through which heated water  24  is provided will be pre-configured such that the consumer can selectively choose the whereabouts within the pool the localized distribution of heated water will be directed. In this regard, although depicted in  FIG. 1  as being emitted from a plurality of seating member  18 , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the heated water  26  may be directed through any of a variety of structures, such as  14  and  16 , as may be desired to produce a localized delivery of heated water. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a seating member  18  as affixed to the interior surface of a concrete pool  30 . Per the discussion above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , seating member  18  will be interconnectable to the exterior pool surface  30  such that the same is aligned with an outlet of heated water  26 , through which heated water  24  is delivered and ultimately expelled through apertures  20  formed upon the seating member  18 . Alternatively, return fittings  28  may be provided and optionally removed to allow for a further outlet through which heated water  24  may flow to thus distribute heated water over the legs and feet or an individual seated upon seating member  18 . 
         [0028]    The mechanism by which the seating  18  may be fastened to the interior of a concrete pool  30  may take any of a variety of forms well-known in the art. As illustrated, it is contemplated that an annular fitting  34  will be secured to the interior of the concrete pool  30  and will serve as an attachment mechanism by which seating member  18  may be affixed. It is contemplated that any of a variety of other mechanisms well-known in the art by which seating member  18  may be secured to the interior of concrete pool surface  30  may be accomplished are well within the scope of the present invention. Along these lines, it is contemplated that the seating member  18  may be readily attachable to existing concrete pools, or may otherwise be integrated with such concrete pools during their initial construction. With respect to the latter, it is contemplated that the seating  18  may be rigidly and permanently affixed into position during manufacture of such pool, and may even be formed as an integral structure of the pool and formed from concrete-based materials itself, whether it be gunite, shotcrete or any other similar material used in the fabrication of concrete-type pools. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown yet a further embodiment of a seating structure  34  that may be readily interconnected with the interior surface of a pool  12  and further operative to receive hot water  24  from a hot water source  26 . As illustrated, the seating structure  34  is further provided with a plurality of apertures  20  through which the hot water may flow through and thus heat an individual seated thereupon. The heating structure may further be provided with a threaded engagement to thus enable the seat structure  34  to be more easily and readily detached or attached into position. Such structure advantageously allows for easier handling and manipulation, as well as provides the consumer with the ability to more rapidly change seating structures as may be desired for certain types of pool use. 
         [0030]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention. Along these lines, it should be understood that hot water source  26  may take any of a variety of heated water sources known or later developed in the art, and further contemplates that existing or newly formed plumbing connections operative to deliver hot water should fall within the scope of the present invention.