Abstract:
An exercise and therapy pool has a plurality of structural modules providing a tub bottom, an intermediate section connecting to and extending upwardly from the tub bottom and an upper section connecting to and extending upwardly from the intermediate section. The intermediate section additionally expands laterally from the tub bottom. The assembled modules provide a vertical depth sufficient for total vertical immersion of a user to the user&#39;s neck. The intermediate and upper section expand laterally sufficiently to accommodate the user in a horizontal swimming position. A removable liner for sealing the modules after assembly completes the pool. An equipment module is removably connected to the pool to provide water conditioning.

Description:
REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority of the provisional application having Ser. No. 60/577,038 filed on Jun. 07, 2004 entitled Vertical Pool. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to the field of spas and exercise pools and, more particularly, to a pool having multiple assembly sections for ease of transport and installation while providing sufficient vertical depth for standing exercise/therapy for the user in addition to recliner style spa jet hydrotherapy.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Hydrotherapy and water buoyant exercise have been demonstrated to be highly effective for physically handicapped or elderly individuals as well as those who are healthy and fit. Exercise and therapy in a gentle-resistance medium, allowing for buoyancy, reduces imposed stress on muscles, joints and ligaments. Individuals with limited mobility due to physical handicaps or injury, especially those confined to seated or supine positions, are provided with improved blood flow to extremities, enhancement of healthy organ function and reduced muscle atrophy if such exercise/therapy can be provided in a standing/vertical position. Many individuals suffering from disabilities or afflictions are discouraged from using public facilities or lack access to such facilities.  
         [0006]     It is therefore desirable to provide a pool/spa system that is adaptable to home or alternate location installation on a temporary or permanent basis.  
         [0007]     It is further desirable that the pool/spa system provide sufficient depth for vertical or standing exercise by the user.  
         [0008]     If is also further desirable that the design of the pool/spa system is modular for transport and installation to accommodate both the requirement for ease of installation and the desired vertical depth.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides an exercise and therapy pool having a plurality of structural modules providing a tub bottom, an intermediate section connecting to and extending upwardly from the tub bottom and an upper section connecting to and extending upwardly from said intermediate section. The intermediate section additionally expands laterally from the tub bottom. The assembled modules provide a vertical depth sufficient for total vertical immersion of a user to the user&#39;s neck. The intermediate and upper section expand laterally sufficiently to accommodate the user in a horizontal swimming position. A removable liner for sealing the modules after assembly completes the pool. An equipment module is removably connected to the pool to provide water conditioning. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment of the vertical pool showing geometric arrangement and features of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  showing additional elements and features of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front section view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear partial section view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary installation arrangement for the embodiment of the invention disclosed,  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the edge coping on the sidewall of the pool in the disclosed embodiment;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a detailed section view of the joint connections employed for the pool structural elements;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of the overflow system and equipment module plumbing; and,  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a partial end section view of the pool showing additional features. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     The present invention provides a pool which conforms to the body size, arm span, length and reach of a large adult. The design allows one person to exercise vertically by treading water or do simple leg and arm movements while standing with buoyant support. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a large adult can stand on the bottom of the pool with the water at neck level having adequate clearance for full arm motion to the side, front and rear. Additionally, the user is able to swim in place horizontally using a restricting belt attached tether. Spa features of the pool allow two adults to semi-recline in chaise seating for jet therapy to the shoulders, back and legs using fixed or flexible plug-in jets.  
         [0020]     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a top view of a pool  10 , providing a current embodiment of the invention, having a first deep or vertical portion  12  with an upper profile having a substantially semi-circular end  14  transitioning into a substantially rectangular mid-portion  16  and end portion  18 . For certain embodiments, the walls are shaped with integrated curvature to enhance structural strength of the pool wall in the mid-portion. The end portion incorporates semi-reclining chaises  20  with an intermediate horizontal foot kick and entry area  22 . An equipment module  24  interfaces an end wall of the end portion to encase spa operating systems, as will be described in greater detail subsequently, and provides entry steps  26 . As shown in the top view of  FIG. 1 , the profile of the vertical portion of the pool transitions from the semi-circular horseshoe shape to a rectangular bottom to accommodate additional features to be described. This embodiment provides effective geometrical transition; however, alternative shaping is employed in alternative embodiments. The depth, shape and orientation of the pool elements inherently provides for full range of motion for the arms and legs of an adult in either a vertical or horizontal position in the pool and still allows for use of the pool as a conventional reclining spa with the chaise seating.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  provides additional geometric definition of the elements of the present embodiment while demonstrating the modular component composition of the invention. The vertical pool of the present invention is constructed as a multi-piece unit which incorporates sections that will individually fit through conventional residential doorways to allow access for installation of the pool in difficult locations such as lower levels and small back yards where a large one-piece unit could not be accommodated.  
         [0022]     As shown, a bottom section tub  28  forms the lower portion of the vertical section. A middle section  30  provides geometrical transition from the bottom section tub and provides a substantially flat base  32  for the chaise seating and horizontal foot kick entry area in the end portion. For the embodiment shown, the middle section includes four elements as will be described in greater detail subsequently. A top section  34  is fitted over the middle section and incorporates a coping  36 , described in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 6 , on which an insulated cover  38  is removably mountable.  
         [0023]     Additionally, an adjustable trapeze  40  with supporting posts  42  is mounted into receiving ports  44  in the upper section to be positioned over the bottom section tub for attachment of support apparatus or to be grasped overhead by an occupant standing vertically in the pool. In alternative embodiments, the receiving ports are slotted to allow horizontal adjustment of the position of the trapeze posts for optimum use of the vertical depth and horizontal length of the pool in therapy treatment. The posts  42  are telescoping for height adjustment of the trapeze. The trapeze provides for attachment of lines to a vest or harness to support a user&#39;s weight in addition to the buoyancy provided by the water if desired. Further, anklets or booties with tethered lines engaged through pulleys affixed to the sidewalls of the pool allow the legs to be propelled in a walking style motion stimulating blood flow and reducing muscle atrophy. If accomplished by the user operating the tethers in the pool, simultaneous exercise of the arms and shoulders in a back and forth motion is provided. The trapeze bar allows additional exercise options through suspension in a harness with staggered loops in various locations about the body for multiple postures and positions.  
         [0024]     For the embodiment shown, lift foot sleeves  46  are integrated into the middle section under the chaise seat elements to engage extended feet or support arms of a lifting device such as a Hoyer lift for use with disabled patients. The filled weight of the pool and upper section provide massive inertial support for the lift. An adjustable floor platform  48  is housed within the bottom section tub for adjustment to the user&#39;s height, as desired. In various embodiments, the floor platform is adjustable using an underlying scissor lift arrangement or vertically spaced step supports protruding from the walls of the tub. Alternatively, the floor platform is supported by four telescoping corner posts with a common central screw adjustment.  
         [0025]     An overflow reservoir  50  is covered by or integral with one of the chaises to provide automatic level control for the pool depending on the number of occupants. The flow path and pumping are described subsequently with respect to  FIG. 8 . The space provided under the second chaise allows attachment of the equipment module and a control center for the pool operating systems or, in alternative embodiments, houses the equipment module. The identical sizing of the chambers provided by the chaises allows interchangeability of the chambers for the overflow reservoir and equipment module/control center depending on the particular site location for the pool.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show front and rear views, respectively, of the present embodiment demonstrating the geometrical configuration and transitions between the sections. The modular nature of the structural components of the pool allows sections prior to assembly that will individually fit through conventional residential doorways to access difficult locations such as lower levels and small back yards where a large one-piece unit could not be moved. For the embodiment shown, the modular elements do not exceed 90″ in length, 44″ in width and 30″ in height and can be nested for packaging and shipment within those dimensions. A pool with dimensions of 6′ across the flat base, 9′ from the semi-circular end to end wall with a total vertical depth of 6′ is created by the assembled elements. For the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the upper section modules include two halves  34   a  and  34   b  of the radiused section with two straight sections  34   c  and  34   d  extending to the rear of the pool ( 34   c  shown in the section view of  FIG. 2  and  34   d  opposite). A back plate  34   e  completes the upper section. The middle section incorporates four modules, a front section  30   a,  two side sections  30   b  and  30   c  ( 30   c  shown in the section view of  FIG. 2  and  30   b  opposite) and an end section  30   d.    
         [0027]      FIG. 5  demonstrates one installation embodiment for the present invention. Mounting on the pool is accomplished on a sloping surface such as a hillside or associated with a second floor deck arrangement in a residence or building. The pool  10  is supported under the bottom section tub  28  by a vertical column  52  while the flat base  32  of the middle section rests upon a deck  54  or other horizontal structural feature. Entry to the pool is accomplished from the deck with appropriate safety elements such as a railing  56  extending from the building or residence structure  58 .  
         [0028]     The arrangement of the vertical pool structural elements allows one primary weight bearing support to be provided by the column with a stabilizing support for the non-symmetrical geometric extension of the pool.  FIG. 5  depicts the pool supported on the column with the deck extending only under the flat base. In alternative embodiments, the deck structure extends around the entire pool for access by attendants, if required to support the user. Note that the deck is not required to support the entire filled weight of the pool as with most conventional spa arrangements thereby simplifying the structural requirements of the deck. While depicted as a column in the embodiment in  FIG. 5 , the support of the bottom section tub can be provided by a recessed subfloor or concrete pad.  
         [0029]     The shape of the pool constructed from the modular components described proved for stable in-ground or in-floor installations with minimum displacement of soil to accommodate the tub and part of the middle section. The hole or clearance required is 5′ by 2′ at the top tapering to about 4′ by 2′ at the bottom by 3′ deep. The flat base sits on the ground or floor leaving 3′ above grade. The tapered sides and end of the invention in the embodiment shown allow for the foot room of a therapist/parent/guardian standing against the pool and reaching in to assist the user. The front of the therapist&#39;s upper thighs can then push against the pool for leverage assisting the user, buoyantly supported to his neck in the pool, without requiring the therapist to become wet.  
         [0030]     The modular structural components of the pool are capped by a coping  36  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The top edge  60  of the top section elements is shaped to receive or be inserted into the coping to provide a sealed top surface. For the embodiment shown, the coping also provides the peripheral engagement for a single piece liner  62  for the inside of the pool. The liner precludes leaks from the pool and is removable for cleaning or replacement if punctured. Changeable liners allow patients with special medicinal needs to use additives, such as salt or other remedial medicaments without damaging the surfaces of the modular structural elements of the pool. After treatment, the liner can be replaced or cleaned and reinserted, and the pool restored to conventional use.  
         [0031]     The coping incorporates a scalloped edge  64  which rolls nominal turbulence back into the pool without letting water splash out as in current spa designs. Additionally, the scalloped edge provides a means for retaining the insulated cover by providing a lip over the cover for restraint in normal wind conditions. The shape also allows rope lighting  66  to be mounted out of sight for illumination of the pool.  
         [0032]     Structural interconnection and support of the modular components of the pool is accomplished using joints as disclosed in  FIG. 7 . Each horizontal seam between components incorporates an interlocking moiety  70  which includes a notched tongue  72  depending from the wall of the upper component  74  received by a notched cheek  76  extending from the lower component  78 . A circumferential recess  80  receives a steel belt  82  as a tensioning component around the circumference of the joint for structural support and inward compression of the cheek to engage the tongue. The structure of the modular components for the pool is shown for this embodiment as a composite construction having a foam core  84  with inner wall  86  and outer wall  88  of rotationally molded plastic. Alternative embodiments employ fiberglass or other fiber reinforced structural material.  
         [0033]     Vertical seams in the modular components employ an interlocking channel structure receiving a mating insert, which for the embodiment shown is wedge shaped to expand the elements upon insertion to forcibly urge the tongue portion of the horizontal engagement moieties into the receiving cheek portions allowing tension engagement of the circumference by the steel strap.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the top section incorporates at least one overflow port  90  which directs water exceeding the designated water level, due to additional persons in the pool or wave action due to vigorous activity, to the overflow reservoir  50 . The reservoir is covered by or integrally fabricated into one or both of the chaise seats thereby employing otherwise wasted volume within the pool&#39;s useful form factor. The overflow port is ducted to the reservoir using metal or plastic piping to an inlet port  92 . An outlet port  94  in the reservoir is ducted through a return pump  96  to the pool. In the embodiment shown, a float switch  98  is employed to activate the return pump. A second float switch  100  in the reservoir is employed as a safety shut-off rerouter for the pump upon exhausting the available water from the reservoir to avoid pump damage. Electrically activated solenoid valves  102   a  and  102   b  automatically provide for cross flow control.  
         [0035]     The return pump is housed in the removable equipment module  24 . By employing additional cross flow arrangements with solenoid actuated valves  104   a  for spa jets,  104   b  for upper return and  104   c  for lower return, the pump is employed for circulation of the pool water for filtration. Draining water from the pool for cleaning or disassembly is accomplished using valve  104   d.  Valve  104   e  prevents recirculating flow from entering the overflow tank when upper return circulation is employed. Additional water accessories as will be described with respect to  FIG. 9  may be attached into the water circulation system through valve  104   f.  A filtration and heating system  106  is incorporated in the module for control of the temperature and cleanliness of the pool water. A controller  108  provides manual and automatic control for the various flow and heating functions. For the embodiment shown, the equipment module is removable and replaceable as a combined system to preclude downtime due to component failure thereby avoiding impact to patients/users who have become dependent on the therapeutic value of the pool system. Unclipping the equipment module/steps on either side, using fasteners  110  allows access to flexible plumbing lines for disconnection. The module can then be removed and immediately replaced with an alternate unit and the pool returned to service. The module can then be examined and repaired as a whole unit thereby diagnosing any and all potential failure points in the system simultaneously.  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the present invention incorporates additional features for the comfort and utility of the pool system as well as aesthetic quality of the system. Seating in chaise seating located in the pool flat base portion is limited. By use of novel edge supported seats  112  the deep vertical section of the pool over the tub bottom can be used added for seating. The edge support seats include a seat bottom  114  extending from a seat back structure  116  which depends from a substantially U-shaped hook arrangement  118  received over the coping  36 . For the embodiment shown, the hook arrangement includes a lock element  120  received under the coping to prevent inadvertent lifting of the seat and resulting disengagement of the hook arrangement from the coping. In alternative embodiments, the coping is sculpted to specifically receive the attachment hooks.  
         [0037]     Additionally, a waterfall attachment  122  or other over the surface water recirculation device is received over the coping and attached to the plumbing of the water circulation system in the pool, previously described with respect to  FIG. 8 , to provide a visual enhancement for a pleasing view from the pool seating. The waterfall attachment for the embodiment shown also utilizes a substantially U-shaped attachment bracket  124  to allow placement at any desired location on the coping over the semi-circular end of the pool. Piping  126  allows water inlet into the waterfall. The coping shape allows plumbing for the waterfall to be routed out of view to an attachment point for the accessory valve as previously described. Similarly, a fountain attachment is provided in alternative embodiments for use with the pool occupied or unoccupied to provide aeration of the recirculating pool water. The detachable arrangement of the waterfall allows it to be placed at a desired location on the edge of the pool for reentry of the circulating water at any point to facilitate flow or to provide gentle rippling effects in the water less vigorous than normal spa jets.  
         [0038]     Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.