Abstract:
A pool measuring tool comprises a template tool and instructions for use for ensuring compliance with depth and position standards for diving board safety in placement of pool diving boards. The template comprises web members to extend across the pool along the centerline of the diving board placement and across the pool perpendicular to the centerline. Markers are provided to indicate positions where measurements are to be taken of the pool parameters, including pool depth and noting existence of obstructions in the pool. Measurements at the maker locations can be recorded on a worksheet for record keeping and to confirm and document compliance with various standards for diving board/pool diving safety can thereby be accomplished.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to swimming pools and more particularly to a tool, system and method for measuring swimming pools for compliance with diving board installation requirements. 
     Swimming pool owners often wish to have diving boards installed for use with the pool. For safe use, the swimming pool should have certain dimensions in order to enable use of the diving board. The American National Standards Institute has published standards (ANSI-NSPI-5 (2003)) that provides recommended minimum guidelines for residential inground swimming pool design, equipment, installation, and use. The standards are also used by local governments and regulatory bodies in preparing inground swimming pool guidelines and requirements. 
     These standards include depth profiles that a pool should conform to in order to comply with the standards. 
     For installers of diving boards, it is important to ensure that a pool complies with the standards, but it can be difficult to make the required measurements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a tool is provided that enables measurement of the required depth profiles to ensure conformance with standards for pool depth profiles for diving board use. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tool for assisting in measuring pool profiles. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for measuring swimming pool depth profiles. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved pool measuring tool. 
     The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a measuring tool in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a first type pool envelope measurement profile; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of a second type pool envelope measurement profile; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary chart and placement diagram illustrating the dimensions of exemplary diving boards that would be acceptable under the standards, and positioning directions for placement of a board mounting jig for marking location of installation of the board support for a particular configuration of diving board. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a tool and method of use of the tool and system for measuring pool profiles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a view of an exemplary pool measurement tool  10 , the tool suitably comprises a centerline web portion  12  with plural cross section web portions  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  at spaced positions along the length of the portion  12 , preferably at right angles to the centerline portion. Portions  14 - 22  are labeled A, B, C, D and E, respectively. Portion  12  carries a marker line  24  with the letter “W” thereon at one end thereof, the end adjacent which cross section web portion  14  (“A”) is positioned. 
     Centerline portion  12  is suitably 60 feet long while each of the cross section web portions are suitably 30 feet long, in the preferred embodiment. 
     Positioned along the length of centerline portion are pool slope measurement marker lines  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44 , which are represented as points S 1  through S 10 . 
     The various cross section web members have marker lines thereon, cross section member  14  having lines and  48  spaced equidistant from the centerline, and markers  50 ,  52  further out on the lengths of the cross section member, again spaced equidistant from the centerline. Markers  51 ,  53  are positioned inwardly toward the centerline somewhat from markers  51 ,  52 . Member  16  has 3 such markers on each side of the centerline, markers  56 ,  60  and  64  on the lower side as viewed in  FIG. 1 , representing measurement label items K 1 , J 1  and H 1 , and markers  54 ,  58  and  62  on the upper side as viewed in  FIG. 1 , representing measurement label items K 2 , J 2  and H 2 . Markers  63 ,  65  are positioned inwardly toward the centerline somewhat from markers  62 ,  64 . Cross section member  18  has markers  66  and  68  spaced equidistant from the centerline, with markers  67 ,  69  spaced inwardly closer to the centerline from markers  66 ,  68 . Member  20  has markers  70  and  72  spaced equidistant from the centerline, while member  22  carries only the centerline marker  44  thereon. Markers  50 ,  52 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  may suitably be provided in different texture or color than markers  51 ,  53 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67  and  69 . 
     In use, the various markers provide measurement points for taking measurements to record the measurement profile of a pool, as measured from the waterline. To use the tool, the pool length width and depth at deepest point are measured, and the type and length of diving board desired may also be determined at this point. Next the position of cross section A (member  14 ) is determined at a 6 foot water depth a minimum of 1 foot 6 inches from the pool wall. This position may be marked on the pool deck for proper positioning of the tool. The pool centerline is then determined by stretching the tool across the pool and lining up the centerline and cross section A line  14  with the marks on the pool deck. Both ends of the centerline member are then secured. The cross section member positions are measured and secured along the pool deck, with the distance between cross section member A  14  and B  16  being 7 feet, between B  16  and C  18  being 7 feet 6 inches, between C  18  and D  20  being 6 feet 9 inches, between D  20  and E  22  being 6 feet. Next it is determined whether an obstruction exists inside the envelope  74  (defined by position markers  51 ,  53 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 ,  70 ,  72  and  44  for a type I pool or between position markers  50 ,  52 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72  and  44  for a type II pool). If an obstruction exists, adjustment of the centerline position may be made (if possible) to provide an obstruction free area inside the envelope. The centerline member  12  is then pulled taut from the opposite end, and each of the cross section members  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  are also suitably pulled taut with respect to the pool sides. 
     Measurements of pool depth relative to the waterline are then taken at the various marker points, and may suitably be recorded on a form as shown in FIG.  2  or  FIG. 3 , which represent exemplary forms for recording the measurements and comparing to the required minimums for meeting pool type I and pool type II standards under the ANSI-NSPI-5 (2003) pool standards. 
     Under the pool type I standards, minimum depths are: 
     At the position where centerline  12  and the following cross section members cross: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 member 14, position 15 
                 6 feet 
               
               
                   
                 member 16, position 17 
                 7 feet 6 inch 
               
               
                   
                 member 18, position 19 
                 5 feet 
               
               
                   
                 member 20, position 21 
                 2 feet 9 inch 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     At positions on the various cross section members: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Positions 46, 48 
                 2 feet 9 inch 
               
               
                   
                 Positions 62, 64 
                 4 feet 
               
               
                   
                 Positions 58, 60 
                 7 feet, 2.5 inch 
               
               
                   
                 Positions 54, 56 
                 7 feet, 6 inch 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The distance from the centerline member to positions  46 ,  48  is suitably 5 feet, to positions  62 ,  64  is suitably 6 feet, to positions  66 ,  68  is suitably 6 feet, and to positions  70 ,  72  is suitably 4 feet. 
     Measurements are further taken to determine whether the pool slope meets the standards, beginning where member  16  crosses centerline member (at position  17 ), a pool depth measurement is made, and subsequent measurements are made at each of positions  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44 . Each of these positions is suitably 2 feet from the adjacent position, and, to conform to the standard, there can be no more than maximum difference between each pair of adjacent points of 8 inches. 
     The distance to the pool wall and position  15 , where cross member  14  crosses the centerline member, is suitably at least 1 foot 6 inches minimum under the standard, cross member  14  being positioned under the furthest tip of the diving board, so line W must be at least at the edge of the pool wall or in the water. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary diagram and chart for recording the measurements, in conjunction with type I pool standards, and  FIG. 3 , an exemplary diagram and chart for recording the measurements in conjunction with type II pool standards, in use, the various values may be recorded on the chart to memorialize the measurements and confirmation of the compliance with the standards. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary chart and placement diagram illustrating the dimensions of exemplary diving boards that would be acceptable under the standards, and positioning directions for placement of a board mounting jig for marking location of installation of the board support for a particular configuration of diving board, to ensure proper positioning and placement of the board to meet the standards. Each board model and type might have different values for the measurements and the table may be longer or shorter than illustrated, depending on individual diving board model details. 
     Accordingly, in the particular illustrated embodiment, the tool is suitably adapted for use with either type I or type II pool standards, by use of the different texture or color markers to meet the different envelope requirements under the 2 different standards. 
     The tool  10  is in a preferred embodiment constructed of nylon webbing. The centerline is 60 ft long and the 5 cross-sections are all 30 ft long (15 feet on each side of the centerline). The template has several markings on it showing the user where they need to take depth measurements. The marks match the minimum dimensions for a type I &amp; II pool as described in the ANSI/NSPI-5 2003 American National standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools. Once set-up, the installer can easily measure each data point to determine if the pool meets the minimum requirements for a type I or II pool. If the pool meets the requirements, a diving board can be installed. The tool may suitably be provided with step by step instructions on how to properly set-up and use it. It also includes data collection forms that are used to:
         Record the measurements taken   Determine if the pool meets the minimum requirements   Determine diving board type   Determine diving board location       

     The system may suitably be provided as a set including the web members pre-assembled and configured with markers and cross web placement pre-attached, together with instructions and forms such as those in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , for recording measurements at the noted measurement positions. 
     In a particular embodiment, the colors of the markers are chosen as follows: 
     black: markers  46 ,  48 ,  54 ,  56   
     red: markers  51 ,  53 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 , 
     blue:  50 ,  52 ,  62 ,  64 ,  67 ,  68   
     both red and blue:  44 ,  70 ,  72   
     green:  58 ,  60   
     purple:  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42   
     While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.