Abstract:
A lift is provided to facilitate access to swimming pools and spas. The lift includes a base and a mast extending therefrom. An arm pivotally connects to the mast. A seat assembly connects to the arm. An overhead support is positioned above the seat assembly. A first actuator moves the arm about the mast, thereby moving the seat assembly between raised and lowered positions, to bring the seat assembly out of and into a pool. A second actuator rotates the seat assembly relative to the base to position the seat assembly over the pool or deck. In use, the lift attaches to a pool deck, adjacent the pool, and a user accesses the seat assembly from the deck. The second actuator rotates about the base to position the user over the water. The first actuator lowers the seat assembly, and the user exits the seat assembly into the water.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/584,737, filed Jun. 30, 2004, entitled “Swimming Pool Lift and Transfer Bar,” which is hereby incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to swimming pool accessories. More particularly, it relates to a lift for use by a person to access a swimming pool from a pool deck.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In the field of swimming pool accessories, various types of stationary and portable chairs and lifts are used to provide access to the pool. In particular, such chairs may be used by disabled or elderly people for whom pool access is difficult. Such individuals may access the pool alone or with the assistance of one or more other individuals who are located either in the pool or on the pool deck, or both. Conventional pool lifts have various shortcomings, namely that they are difficult for an individual to access and are difficult to control by both the user and any assistants.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a lift is provided. The lift includes a base and a mast extending from the base. An arm is pivotally connected to the mast. A seat assembly is connected to the arm. An overhead support positioned above the seat assembly. First and second actuators control movement of the lift. The first actuator moves the arm about the pivotal connection between the arm and the mast, thereby moving the seat assembly between a raised position and a lowered position. A second actuator rotates the seat assembly relative to the base.  
         [0005]     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a lift is provided. The lift includes a seat support having first and second ends. A seat is attached to the seat support proximate the first end. An overhead support attached to the seat support proximate the second end. An actuator moves the seat relative to a pool deck on which the lift is positioned.  
         [0006]     In still another exemplary embodiment, an overhead support assembly for attachment to a swimming pool lift is provided. The assembly includes a rigid, elongated member having first and second ends. The first end detachably connects to an upper portion of a seat support of a swimming pool lift. The assembly further includes an overhead bar and means for connecting the overhead bar to the elongated member to allow the overhead bar to be positioned above a seat of the lift, within reach of a user positioned in the seat. As the lift moves between raised and lowered positions, the overhead bar remains in substantially equal distance from the seat in both the raised and lowered positions.  
         [0007]     In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transfer system for a swimming pool lift is provided. The transfer system includes a base cart assembly and a seat cart assembly. The base cart assembly includes an axel that defines a stem-receiving portion. A first pair of wheels is connected to opposing ends of the axel. A handle extends from the axel. First and second spaced-apart rigid members connect to the axel and extend outward from the axel. Each of said members defines a recessed portion adapted, respectively, to engage pins on opposing sides of a stem. The seat cart assembly includes a second pair of wheels connected by a raised intermediate member and means for supporting a seat of a lift, said means being connected to the second pair of wheels.  
         [0008]     The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The detailed description will refer to the following drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view one exemplary embodiment of a lift in a raised position;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the lift shown in  FIG. 1 , in a raised position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the lift in a lowered position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  shows an elevation view of the lift shown in  FIG. 3 , in the lowered position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows an assembly view of the embodiment of the lift shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  shows another assembly view of the embodiment of the lift shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the lift shown in  FIGS. 1-6  mounted in a pool deck;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the lift shown in  FIG. 7 , in a lowered position in which the seat assembly is positioned over and lowered into the pool;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the embodiment of the lift shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  shows a two-part transfer system for transporting the lift; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  shows a more detailed view of the embodiment of the transfer system shown in  FIG. 10 , without the lift present. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view one exemplary embodiment of a lift  10  in a raised position. In the raised position, the lift  10  may be accessed by a user on the pool deck (not shown). The lift  10  is in a raised position, for example, when a user gets into or out of the lift  10  on the pool deck. The lift  10  includes a base  20  with a mast  30  pivotally connected thereto. The base  20  includes a stem  22  extending from the base  20 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the lift  10  is a semi-stationary lift that can be removeably positioned in a pool deck by positioning the stem  22  in a suitable anchor (not shown) built into the pool deck, such as those anchors manufactured by Spectrum Products, LLC of Missoula, Mont. In other embodiments, the lift  10  may be stationary in that it may be permanently connected to a pool deck, or may be portable in that it does not attach to the pool deck even in a detachable manner.  
         [0022]     First and second arms  60 ,  62  are pivotally connected at first ends to the mast  30 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , each of the arms  60 ,  62  is formed from a pair of rigid metal bars connected to opposing sides of the mast  30 . A first actuator  70  moves the arms  60 ,  62  relative to the mast  30 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the first actuator  70  is connected between the first arm  60  and the mast  30 , and includes a motor (not shown) that extends and retracts a cylinder  72  to cause the arm  60  to pivot relative to the mast  30 , to thereby raise or lower the lift  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the mast  30  also rotates relative to the base  20 , for example, to position a user over the pool or over the deck. Movement of the mast  30  about the base  20  is caused by a second actuator (not shown), such as a motor. A power supply  90 , such as a battery, provides power to the first  70  and second actuators and is connected to the mast  30  near the upper end.  
         [0023]     A seat support  40  is connected to second ends of the first and second arms  60 ,  62 . As the arms  60 ,  62  move up and down, the seat support  40  likewise moves up and down. The seat support  40  in one embodiment is a hollow, elongated, rigid metal tube. A chair assembly  80  attaches to a lower portion (not shown) of the seat support  40 . An upper portion  50  of the seat support  40  is a rigid bar positioned above a person seated in the lift  10 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the upper portion  50  of the seat support  40  may be grasped by a user of the lift  10  to facilitate access into and out of the lift  10 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , an overhead bar  52  is suspended from the upper portion by chains  54  that adjust in length to accommodate users of different heights. Other means may be used to connect the overhead bar  52  to the upper portion  50  of the seat support  40 , such as rope, cable, rigid bars with preset, adjustable stops, etc. In one embodiment (not shown), the upper portion  50  is a rigid elongated member that detachably connects to the seat support  40  to allow the overhead bar to be selectively used by the user. In another embodiment (not shown), the upper portion  50  detachably connects to the seat support  40  at a plurality of different positions along the seat support  40  such that the upper portion  50  may be used alone, without any additional overhead bar (e.g.,  52  in  FIG. 1 ) supported therefrom, and may be adjusted along the length of the seat support  40  to accommodate users of different heights.  
         [0024]     A seat assembly  80  connects to the lower portion  42  of the seat support  40 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the seat assembly  80  includes a seat  82 , a seatbelt  86 , a footrest  84  connected to the lower portion  42  of the seat support  40 , and a control holder  85 . The control holder  85  holds a first corded remote control  100  used by a user seated in the lift  10  to raise or lower the lift  10  and to rotate the mast  30  about the base  20  to position the seat assembly  80  over the pool deck or over the pool. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the seat assembly  80  further includes an adjustable footrest  84 . In one embodiment, the footrest  84  is self-adjusting, in that it pivotally connects to the lower portion ( 42  in  FIG. 2 ) of the seat support  40  and is permitted to move upward. The footrest  84  moves upward upon contact with a hard surface, such as a pool deck or the bottom of a shallow spa or pool. In one embodiment, the footrest  84  floats in water and pivots upward to meet the user&#39;s feet in the water.  
         [0025]     The embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes a second remote control  110  connected to the base  20  of the lift  10  by a holder  24 . Both the first and second remote controls  100 ,  110  control all functions of the lift  10  in this embodiment. The second remote control  110  allows an assistant on the pool deck or in the water near the lift  10  to control the lift  10  without having to be seated in the seat  82 . For example, if the user is in the pool, the user or an assistant can move the lift  10  out of the water and over the pool deck without having to be near the first remote control  100 . The remote controls  100 ,  110  are preferably water-resistant in one embodiment.  
         [0026]     In one embodiment, a third control  92  is attached to the mast  30  proximate the power supply  90 . In this position, the third control  92  is positioned at approximately waist height of a person, such as the user of the lift  10  or an assistant to the user, standing on the pool deck. The third controller may be permanently affixed to the mast  30  or may be a remote control that is removable from the mast  30  and attached to the lift  10  by a cord, like the first and second remote controls  100 ,  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, one or more of the remote controls  100 ,  110 ,  92  may be wireless controls.  
         [0027]     In use, a user raises the lift  10  to a raised position over the pool deck, and the user is positioned in the seat  82 . Using the first remote control  100  attached to the seat assembly  80  (or another control, e.g.,  92 ,  110 ), the user or an assistant rotates the seat assembly  80  over the pool. With the seat assembly  80  over the pool, the first control  100  (or another control) is used to lower the seat assembly  80  into the pool. Once in the pool, the user may exit the seat assembly  80 . Using the second remote control  110  (or another control) the user or an assistant can raise the lift  10  back to a raised position and rotate the seat assembly  80  away from the pool, if desired. To exit the pool, the user or an assistant again uses a control  100 ,  110 ,  92  to position the seat assembly  80  over the pool and to lower the lift  10  into a lowered position. With the lift  10  in the lowered position, the user can access the seat  82  and then the lift  10  can be raised to a raised position and rotated away from the pool to allow the user to exit the seat  82  onto the pool deck.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the lift  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , in a raised position. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower portion  42  of the seat support  40  passes below the seat assembly  80 . Also shown in  FIG. 2 , the stem  22  includes an upper portion  21  that is positioned above the pool deck (not shown) in use. A pin  26  extends outward from the stem  22  and is used to lift and transport the lift  10 . In one embodiment, a second pin (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) is positioned on the opposing side of the pin  26 , and both pins  26  are engaged by a lifting system (e.g.,  300  in  FIG. 10 ) to lift and move the lift  10 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the lift  10  in a lowered position. The arms  60 ,  62  extend somewhat downward from the mast  30  in this embodiment of the lift  10 , in the lowered position.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows an elevation view of the lift  10  shown in  FIG. 3 , in the lowered position. In use, the stem  22  mounts in an anchor (not shown) positioned in the pool deck. In one embodiment, the stem  22  is an elongated, cylindrical stem having a diameter in the range of 1.3-3.0 inches, and is adapted to be received in a conventional deck anchor. The deck anchor may be a multipurpose anchor, for example, that may also be used to hold starting platforms, ladders, chairs, or other types of pool accessories, and may have an outside diameter of 1.5 or 1.9 inches in one particular embodiment. In the lowered position, the seat assembly  80  is below the base  20  and below the pool deck (not shown) so that the user can exit the lift  10  into the pool.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows an assembly view of the embodiment of the lift  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . In one embodiment, the lift  10  is held together by multiple conventional fasteners, such as the unnumbered bolts, pins, screws, nuts, washers, etc. shown in  FIG. 5 . A bracket  32  holds the power supply  90  and the control  92  to the mast  30 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows another assembly view of the embodiment of the lift  10  shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the lift  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-6  mounted in a pool deck  200 . The lift  10  is shown in a raised position in  FIG. 7 , with the seat assembly  80  positioned over the deck  200 . The pool  220  is shown to the left of the pool wall  210  that meets the deck  200  in the example of  FIG. 7 . The stem ( 22  in  FIG. 1 ) of the lift  10  is received in an anchor  202  positioned in the deck  200 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the lift  10  shown in  FIG. 7 , in a lowered position in which the seat assembly  80  is positioned over and lowered into the pool  220 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the embodiment of the lift  10  shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 10  shows a two-part transfer system  300  for transporting the lift  10 . The system  300  includes a seat cart  310  includes wheels  312  and attaches to the lower portion  42  of the seat support  40 . The base cart  320  includes wheels  322  and attaches to the base  20  of the lift  10 . The base cart  320  includes a handle  324  to move the lift  10  about the wheels  312 ,  322  of the transfer system  300 . The base cart  320  includes a rigid axel  326  that connects between the wheels  322  and one or more rigid members  328  extending outward from the axel  326 . The rigid members include recessed portions  329  that receive pins  26  of the base  20  of the lift  10 . The axel  326  further defines a stem-receiving portion (not shown) that wraps around the stem  22  of the lift  10 .  
         [0037]     In use, the base cart  320  is positioned proximate the base  20  of the lift  10  with the lift  10  still positioned in the anchor (e.g.,  202  in  FIG. 7 ) of the deck. The recessed portions  329  are aligned with the pins  26  and the handle  324  is in a generally vertical or upright position. The recessed portions  329  engage the pins  202 , and the handle  324  is lowered to thereby raise the base  20  of the lift  10  out of the anchor  20 . The axel  326  contacts the stem  22  at the stem receiving portion ( 327  in  FIG. 11 ). In this position, the handle  324  may then be used to wheel the lift  10  around the pool deck.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  shows a more detailed view of the embodiment of the transfer system  300  shown in  FIG. 10 , without the lift  10  present. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the base cart  320  is in the disengaged position, as the handle  324  is generally upright and the rigid portions  328  are generally parallel to a ground surface. In this position, the recessed portions  329  are positioned to receive pins ( 26  in  FIG. 10 ) of the lift  10  positioned on either side of the stem  22  of the base  20 . The stem-receiving portion  327  of the axel  326  allows the axel  326  to be positioned generally underneath the base  20 , around the stem  22 . The seat cart  310  includes first and second rigid members  316  rising from the wheels that connect to a stem  314  at an apex. The stem  314  may be received in the lower portion  42  of the seat support  40  during use.  
         [0039]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.