Abstract:
A swim pacing device for providing a real time visual reference to a swimmer of a given pace. The swim pacing device comprises a waterproof strand of signal lights, a programmable control, a cord reel, and a low voltage battery power source. The strand of signal lights is placed in the water along the bottom of a pool and the signal lights are independently illuminated by the controller according to a pre-defined pace. It is not necessary to orient the strand of lights upward since the signal lights are viewable from all directions. The control is preferably permanently integrated into the cord reel and the means for wiring and control is simplified creating a single piece low cost reliable device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of PPA application Ser. No. 61/708,701, filed Oct. 2, 2012 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
     Historically in sports such as biking, swimming, and running the athlete has desired feedback about their actual physical location versus some desired pace. In the past decade devices utilizing global positioning (GPS) technology have become common place for filling that need for both biking and running. These devices are able to display visual feedback to the athlete about where they are currently located as compared to a preset pace. However, challenges with reliability and accuracy of GPS technology have prevented similar devices from being widely utilized for swimming. 
     A few devices have utilized a light strand with individually illuminating signal lights strung across a pool and connected to a programmable control unit to allow a swimmer to see and follow a preset pace as displayed by the sequence and position of the illuminating lights. An example of one portable device utilizing this technology can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,379A published Jul. 11, 2000. Furthermore, two similar devices are currently offered for sale; the Myrtha Pools Virtual Trainer by Aqvatech and Pacer by Kulzertec. These devices can be permanently installed or preferably used portably so they can be installed for a single use during a swim session. 
     Although these devices offer the feedback that a swimmer desires they have some disadvantages, which when overcome by the present invention offer the swimmer a preferred experience. One of the major drawbacks to the swimmer of these prior art devices is the need to orient the signal lights toward the swimmer. The signal lights in these devices are located on only one side of the signal wire strand and inherently make it difficult or impossible for the swimmer to see that a light is illuminated if it is facing away from the swimmer, where the signal wire strand is physically blocking view of the signal light. Therefore, in order to work properly the swimmer must carefully place the signal wire strand so that it does not twist and faces the correct direction during installation. 
     A second disadvantage to these prior art devices is the need for expensive and complex circuit boards and controls in order to independently illuminate the signal lights. In the case of all devices and especially underwater devices reliability decreases and cost increases as additional components and connections are required. All of the prior art devices require the signal lights to be mounted on a circuit board which utilizes a signal from a programmable controller to illuminate the signal light as desired. 
     A third disadvantage of the prior art devices is that the programmable control units are separate from the signal wire strand assembly. This inevitably leads to a loss in reliability and increase in cost. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment a swim pacing device comprises a signal wire strand, a reel for winding and containing the signal wire strand, controls integrated into the reel, and a plurality of signal lights which can be viewed from any angle. 
     Advantages 
     Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects are to improve user friendliness by eliminating the need during installation to orient the signal wire strand so that all signal lights can be seen from a given direction, improved reliability and user friendliness by integrating the controls into the reel, and improved reliability and reduced cost by eliminating the need for a plurality of complex circuit boards. These and other advantages of one or more aspects will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a swimming pool 25 meters in length including a swimmer and the swim pacing device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cropped view of  FIG. 1A  including a portion of the swimming pool, swimmer, and components of the swim pacing device including a portion of the signal wire strand, and multiple signal lights according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 1C  is a cropped view of  FIG. 1A  including the right hand portion of the swimming pool and components of two swim pacing devices including the reels, controls, portion of the signal wire strands, signal wire weights, and multiple signal lights according to the present invention. One swim pacing device is shown in use and the second is shown with the signal wire strand wound round the reel and ready for installation in the pool or for transport. 
         FIG. 1D  is an alternative perspective view of the left hand portion of the swimming pool shown in  FIG. 1A  and includes the end portion of the signal wire strand, the signal wire handle, a signal wire weight, and multiple signal lights according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention swim pacing device as shown with the signal wire strand and by extension signal lights and signal wire weights wound around the reel and the controls in the upright position. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of a signal light with the signal wire strand cropped on each end. 
         FIG. 3B  is an end view of a signal light and a cross sectional view of the signal wire strand. 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of a signal light with the signal wire strand cropped on each end. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of the present invention swim pacing device as shown with signal wire strand, signal wire weights, and signal lights wound around the reel. 
         FIG. 4B  is a right side view of the present invention swim pacing device as shown with signal wire strand, signal wire weights, and signal lights wound around the reel and the controls in the upright position. 
         FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the present invention swim pacing device as shown with signal wire strand, signal wire weights, and signal lights wound around the reel. 
         FIG. 5  is an example electrical wire diagram representing how the plurality of signal lights are connected and energized by the signal wire strand. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the controls and primary inputs and outputs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention swim pacing device  12  is shown in perspective view  FIG. 1A , and in further detail in cropped perspective views  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1C , and  FIG. 1D . Said present invention is shown in a state of use by the swimmer  6  in said views, with the exception of  FIG. 1C  which also shows an additional swim pacing device in a compact portable state ready for installation or transport. For illustration purposes said views have been shown with water removed, however, the water line  8  is shown for reference. Shown In  FIG. 1C  are two swim pacing devices  12 , one in a state of use and a second in a position ready to be unwound and installed or alternatively transported. As shown in  FIG. 2  said swim pacing devices  12  are comprised of controls  24 , reels  14 , signal wire strands  16 , a series of signal lights  18 , and multiple signal wire weights  20 . The present invention when in a state of use by a swimmer  6  is configured with the controls  24  and reel  14  as shown in  FIG. 1C  resting atop the pool ledge  10 , the controls  24  are in the upright position facing the water and swimmer  6 , the signal wire strand  16  is electrically connected to the controls  24 , runs across the pool ledge  10  down into the water and is held against the bottom corner of the swimming pool  2  by a signal wire weight  20  as shown in  FIG. 1C , the signal wire strand  16  then runs coincident with the bottom surface of the swimming pool  2  and parallel to the pool lane lines  4  as shown in  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1C , and  FIG. 1D , a series of signal lights  18  are incrementally spaced along the length of the signal wire strand  16  and electrically connected to the signal wire strand  16  and further more connected to and individually energized by the controls  24 , the signal wire strand  16  is such a length that its endpoint is approximately coincident with the opposing bottom corner of the swimming pool  2  as shown in  FIG. 1D , lastly the signal wire strand  16  is held in position at the bottom corner of the swimming pool  2  by a signal wire weight  20  as shown in  FIG. 1D . Signal wire weights  20  are preferably 1½ inch diameter and 1½ inches long and made of molded non-corrosive metal such as lead and are incrementally spaced and permanently attached to the signal wire strand  16  as needed to keep the signal wire strand  16  in place. In  FIG. 1C  the second swim pacing device is shown ready for installation with the controls  24  facing perpendicular to the water and the signal wire handle  22  facing the water. To install the swim pacing device  12  in the swimming pool  2  the user simply grabs the signal wire handle  22  and pulls it down the length of the swimming pool  2  as indicated by the directional arrow until it reaches the full length of the swimming pool  2 , thereby unwinding the signal wire strand  16  and letting the incrementally spaced signal wire weights  20  sink and secure the signal wire strand  16  along the bottom of the swimming pool  2 . During the unwinding process the reel  14  and the integrated controls  24  will repeatedly rotate 360 degrees about the central axis of the reel  14 . The user will complete the installation by turning the reel stand  36  until the controls  24  face the water and manually rotating the reel  14  until the controls  24  are in the upright position. To uninstall the swim pacing device  12  and prepare for transport the user would rotate the reel stand  36  until the controls  24  face perpendicular to the water, rotate the reel  14  by gripping the reel winding handle  38  and rotating repeatedly until the signal wire strand  16  is fully wound around the reel  14 . 
     One advantage of the present invention is the ability to provide a visual signal to a swimmer  6 , while swimming, for the purpose of pacing the swimmer  6 . In  FIG. 1B  a swimmer  6  is shown swimming between two pool lane lines  4 . Swimmer  6  is shown swimming in the direction indicated by the reference arrow. The reference arrow is not a component of said invention, but merely appears for illustration purposes. According to the present invention the series of signal lights  18  illuminate one at a time in sequence in the direction of the reference arrow at a specified pace. Each signal light  18  when illuminated visually indicates what position in the swimming pool  2  the swimmer  6  should currently be located directly vertical thereof. The signal lights  18  are of such color and brightness that the swimmer  6  can easily see each signal light  18  as it illuminates and while swimming. While illumination one at a time in sequence is the simplest contemplated form of visually pacing the swimmer  6  using the signal lights  18 , the signal lights  18  may illuminate in various patterns, sequences, directions, and colors to provide further information to the swimmer  6  and is not limited to pacing information alone. Additionally, it is the purpose of the present invention swim pacing device  12  to provide visual pacing when swimming in both directions parallel to the signal wire strand  16 . The signal lights  18  illuminate in sequence both moving away from and towards the reel  14 , thereby further indicating what the current location the swimmer  6  should be and the direction they should be swimming. In the preferred embodiment of the swim pacing device  12  green signal lights  18  would primarily pace the swimmer  6 , while red signal lights  18  would be located at the ends adjacent each vertical swimming pool  2  wall signaling the swimmer  6  of the upcoming wall and giving instructional cues such as a stop or rest cue. In addition, the most central signal light  18  along the length of the swimming pool  2  would be of a different color than the primary signal lights  18 , thereby indicating to the swimmer  6  when the half-way point of the swimming pool  2  has been reached. 
     A perspective view of the far end of the swim pacing device  12  can be seen in a state of use in  FIG. 1D . The signal wire handle  22  shown is for ease of use by the swimmer  6  when installing the device into the swimming pool  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2  the present invention can be removed from the pool and configured in a much smaller format for easy transport. The signal wire handle  22  allows the swimmer  6  or other person installing the device in the swimming pool  2  a firm grip on the end of the signal wire strand  16  in order to guide and stretch the signal wire strand  16  out straight as desired. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the signal wire handle  22  would be made of rubber, plastic, or a length of the signal wire strand itself, be approximately four inches triangular, and would be permanently attached to the end of the signal wire strand  16 . 
     A perspective view of the present invention can be seen in  FIG. 2 . The signal wire strand  16  and by extension the signal lights  18  are shown wrapped around the reel  14  in a compact portable format. The signal wire handle  22 , end section of signal wire strand  16 , one signal light  18 , and one signal wire weight  20  remains unwrapped for illustration purposes, but would also be wrapped around the reel  14  under normal circumstances in the compact portable format. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  of the present invention the controls  24  are comprised of a screen  26  used to display information and allow the swimmer  6  or other user to change parameters related to the performance of the swim pacing device  12 , a communications port  34  used to transfer data, a plurality of controls buttons  32  which allow for input by the user into the controls  24 , a controls signal light  28 , preferably visible from a minimum of 100 meters distance, used to give a visual start signal to a swimmer  6  located at either end of the signal wire strand  16 , battery compartment  44  to hold the batteries powering the controls  24 , and a buzzer  30 , visible in  FIG. 4B , used to give an audible start signal to a swimmer  6  located at either end of the signal wire strand  16 . The aforementioned controls  24  components as described are not intended to be complete or limiting. i.e. additional ports may exist which transfer data, provide remote control, or provide means for charging. The controls signal light  28 , buzzer  30 , controls buttons  32 , battery compartment  44 , and screen  26  may be relocated, resized, removed, or increased in occurrence to provide varying functionality for the controls  24 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the signal wire strand  16  is approximately 3 meters longer than the length of the swimming pool  2  that it is intended to be used in. For illustration purposes a 25 meter swimming pool  2  was chosen, making the preferred length 28 meters. The signal wire strand  16  is preferably comprised of a plurality of electrical wires, more preferably 7, which are connected to and allow control of 42 signal lights  18 . Using the controls  24  each signal light  18  can be individually illuminated. A signal light  18  is shown in detail in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B , and  FIG. 3C .  FIG. 3A  is a side view of one signal light  18  with the signal wire strand  16  cropped on both sides of the signal light  18 . The signal light  18  consists of a single light source  46 , which in this preferred embodiment is one super bright LED, and an optional light reflector  52  utilized to further enhance the light source visibility to the swimmer  6  from all directions, all completely enclosed in a sealed water and air tight light enclosure  54  preferably made of molded plastic. As shown in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B , and  FIG. 3C  the single light source  46  and light reflector  52  are permanently positioned between electrical wires of the signal light strand  16  in such a way that the single light source  46  can be seen from any direction by the swimmer  6 . In the preferred embodiment it is critical that the single light source  46  can be seen from all directions in order to reduce power consumption and manufacturing costs while also allowing the user to completely disregard the random axial direction each signal light  18  is positioned on the floor of the swimming pool  6  when in use, thereby making installation quick and easy. As seen in  FIG. 3C  the light source  46  is electrically connected to the signal wire strand  16  by contact with the light negative pin  50  and the light positive pin  48 . Position of the light source  46  and subsequently the light reflector  52  also changes depending on which individual electrical wires of the signal wire strand  16  it is electrically connected to, but the light source  46  is always visible from any direction by the swimmer  6 . The signal lights  18  are preferably approximately 1½ inch in length and ½ inch diameter, made of primarily plastic and are not buoyant. The reel  14  is preferably made of plastic and is approximately 12 inches in diameter and 5 inches in thickness. In the preferred embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 4B  the controls  24 , associated components, and battery compartment  44  are integrated directly into the core of the reel  14  thereby reducing the swim pacing device  12  complexity, size, and cost, while also increasing its reliability because the signal wire strand  16  is directly connected to the controls  24  and does not have to be repeatedly connected and disconnected with use. In this preferred embodiment the controls  24 , all accompanying controls buttons  32 , the buzzer  30 , controls signal light  28 , communications port  34 , and battery compartment  44  are contained within the core of the reel  14  waterproof plastic shell approximately 6 inches in diameter and 5 inches in width. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B , and  FIG. 4C  the reel stand  36  acts as a frame for the swim pacing device  12 , suspending the reel  14  on its rotating axis, providing structure for the carry handle  40 , and the reel stand feet  42  made of rubber which grip the pool ledge  10  surface to prevent movement of the reel  40 . The carry handle  40  is a ¾ inch diameter, 4 inch long common rubber tube grip used to carry the swim pacing device  12  when transporting. The reel stand  36  is preferably made of light tube steel ¾ inch in diameter, bent as shown to overall dimensions approximately 15″ tall, 14 inches long, and 8 inches in width. 
     A bottom view of the swim pacing device  12  is shown in  FIG. 4C . Three reel stand feet  42 , preferably made of rubber, are attached to the bottom of the reel  14  as shown. The purpose of the reel stand feet  42  is to provide slip resistance when the swim pacing device  12  is placed onto any surface including a pool ledge  10 . 
     The electrical wiring method used to connect and energize the signal lights  18  using the signal wire strand  16  is illustrated in the sample electrical diagram in  FIG. 5 . Most commonly traditional light sources and by historical extrapolation LED light sources have been individually energized using a common negative electrical wire and individual positive electrical wires each energized separately by a controller. Using this common method the 42 individual signal lights  18  of the preferred embodiment would require a signal wire strand consisting of 43 electrical wires. The present embodiment illustrates an innovative electrical wiring method not normally used or considered in order to drastically reduce the number of electrical wires required in the signal wire strand  16  and by extension reduce manufacturing cost. Unlike traditional light sources when using the preferred LED light source  46  or similar technology it is important to note that the light source  46  will only energize when the electrical current is flowing in a given direction, negative to positive. When connected as shown in  FIG. 5  only LED A  62  will energize when electrical wire A  56  is negatively charged and electrical wire B  58  is positively charged, no other light sources  46  will energize. By using the controls  24  to change the current of each electrical wire from negative to positive in the signal wire strand  16  and by connecting each LED light source  46  in a series of electrical wires as shown in  FIG. 5  the number of electrical wires required in the signal light strand  16  is reduced from 43 to 7. Under the proposed wiring method the maximum number of individually controlled light sources  46  is equal to the number of electrical wires multiplied by the number of electrical wires minus 1. In the proposed preferred embodiment that would be 7 times 6, or 42 LED&#39;s. 
     In the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 6  the controls  13  would be powered via battery input, transfer data via the communications port  34 , and energize signal lights  18  via direct connection to the signal wire strand  16 . 
     To further illustrate the intent and use of the present invention the following scenario would be considered typical. The swimmer  6  utilize the controls  24  and use the screen  26  and controls buttons  32  to create a programmed sequence of illumination events or use an external computing device to create the program and use the communications port  34  to transfer the program data into the controls  24 . The swimmer  6  would then install the swim pacing device  12  into the desired swimming pool  2  by transporting it to the swimming pool  2 . The swimmer  6  would use the controls buttons  32  to start the program when desired, the controls  24  would illuminate the controls signal light  28  and sound the buzzer  30  to signal the swimmer  6  to begin swimming, the signal lights  18  would begin illuminating in sequence up and down the length of the swimming pool  2  at the programmed pace for the programmed number of pool length cycles ending with a stop illumination sequence signaling the swimmer  6  to either stop for a rest period or stop indefinitely. i.e. the stop sequence might be a steady red signal light  18  located at the desired stop point whereas the typical pacing signal lights  18  being used are green. The controls  24  would complete the desired program which could include many varying paces, rest periods, pool length cycles, etc. When finished the swimmer  6  would uninstall the swim pacing device  12  and lift it by the carry handle  40  for transport. 
     Advantages 
     From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of our Swim Pacing Device become evident; 
     The signal lights are configured in such a way that they are visible to the swimmer regardless of axial orientation. The portability and user friendliness of the present invention is improved over the prior art because the swimmer is not required to tediously place the signal wire strand in a single axial direction so that all of the signal light output is visible during use. This requirement was especially difficult when placed at the bottom of a pool requiring the swimmer to repeatedly dive and orient the signal wire strand. 
     Secondly, the reel with a permanently integrated control reduces the number of user components to one making portability much more convenient over the prior art. The integration of the control also inherently reduces the number of parts and connections required thereby reducing cost and improving reliability. 
     In addition, the means presented for connection of the controller and the signal lights utilizing direct current control without the need for additional circuit boards and electrical components inherently reduces cost and increases reliability for the user. 
     CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the swim pacing device improves portability and user friendliness of the swim pacing device while also reducing cost and increasing reliability. 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of various embodiments thereof. Many variations and ramifications are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. For example, a plurality of signal strands may be connected to a single control. 
     Thus the scope should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.