Patent Publication Number: US-7218235-B1

Title: Motion responsive swimming pool safety device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a motion responsible swimming pool safety device for use in connection with swimming pool safety devices. The motion responsive swimming pool safety device has particular utility in connection with automatic rescue devices for swimming pools utilizing safety grids. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Motion responsive swimming pool safety devices are desirable for protecting young children from accidentally drowning in swimming pools. Many individuals do not own swimming pools for fear that their children will wander into the pool unnoticed. A need has been felt for a warning and rescue system that sounds an alarm when a pool is approached while the alarm is in place, sounding progressively more acute alarms as the water&#39;s edge is approached. Also, a safety grid rises when the water&#39;s surface is breached, thus preventing a drowning. 
   The use of swimming pool safety devices is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,547 to Burroughs discloses a swimming pool automatic rescue device that is comprised of a safety net coextensive with the perimeter of the pool. The device is submerged in the water when inactive having metal arms fastened to corners thereof, hollow cylinders running from the pool bottom to just above the top of water surface standing at corners of the pool that house collapsible rods. In certain modes, minimal action by a human, namely operation of a remote activator, is necessary. When the swimming pool is not in use, an infra red signaling system is activated causing an electrical signal to travel through wires to activate motors at the bottom of each cylinder. However, the Burroughs &#39;547 patent does not disclose a series of alarm perimeters that are set by laser beam, and does not have a laser beam sweep the water&#39;s surface to insure that there are no unsecured dead spots in the security grid, and does not have the capability of placing an emergency services phone call. 
   Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,930 to Steffanus discloses a motion responsive swimming pool safety mat that is an automatically inflatable mattress adapted to rest on a bottom of a swimming pool in its deflated position. The device inflates using compressed air pumped through air inflation lines that are coiled around spring loaded hose reels. A microprocessor actuates a compressed air pump as a person interrupts a signal pattern produced by microwave sensors disposed around the perimeter of the swimming pool. The mattress uniformly rises up to the surface of the swimming pool to catch a distressed individual whose motion is detected after falling into the water. However, the Steffanus &#39;930 patent does not disclose a series of alarm perimeters that are set by laser beam, does not have a laser beam sweep the water&#39;s surface and does not have the capability of placing an emergency services phone call. 
   Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,905 to Niemirow discloses a swimming pool rescue net that can immediately rise to water&#39;s surface by means of inflatable bladder associated therewith to prevent drowning of endangered victims. However, the Niemirow &#39;905 patent does not disclose a series of alarm perimeters that are set by laser beam, does not have a laser beam sweep the water&#39;s and does not have the capability of placing an emergency services phone call. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a motion responsive swimming pool safety device that allows automatic rescue devices for swimming pools utilizing safety grids. The Burroughs &#39;547, Steffanus &#39;930 and Niemirow &#39;905 patents make no provision for a series of alarm perimeters that are set by laser beam, do not have a laser beam sweep the water&#39;s surface and does not have the capability of placing an emergency services phone call. 
   Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved motion responsive swimming pool safety device that can be used for automatic rescue devices for swimming pools utilizing safety grids. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the motion responsive swimming pool safety device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of automatic rescue devices for swimming pools utilizing safety grids. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of swimming pool safety devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved motion responsive swimming pool safety device, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved motion responsive swimming pool safety device and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a motion responsive swimming pool safety device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a perimeter laser electrically connected to a control panel. The perimeter laser is located peripheral to the swimming pool and generates a perimeter laser beam. A perimeter sensor is electrically connected to the control panel. The perimeter sensor is located peripherally to the swimming pool and is capable of sensing the perimeter laser beam. A perimeter alert is electrically connected to the control panel. The perimeter alert is capable of alarming upon interruption of the perimeter laser beam to the perimeter sensor. A sweeping laser is electrically connected to the control panel. The sweeping laser is located at the perimeter of the pool above the pool water line, the sweeping laser generating a sweeping laser beam. A sweeping laser sensor is electrically connected to the control panel, the sweeping laser sensor is located at the perimeter of the pool above the pool water line, the sweeping laser sensor capable of sensing the sweeping laser beam. A water entry alarm is electrically connected to the control panel, the water entry alarm is capable of alarming upon interruption of the sweeping laser beam to the sweeping laser sensor. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   The invention may also include a safety grid, a safety cable, an electrical motor, a housing transparent dome, a housing dome ring, a housing base, a pool side wall transparent cover, a pool side wall gasket, an on-site alarm housing, an on-site alarm beacon, and an on-site alarm siren. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
   Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved motion responsive swimming pool safety device that has all of the advantages of the prior art swimming pool safety devices and none of the disadvantages. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved motion responsive swimming pool safety device that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved motion responsive swimming pool safety device that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such motion responsive swimming pool safety device economically available to the buying public. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new motion responsive swimming pool safety device that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
   Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a motion responsive swimming pool safety device for automatic rescue devices for swimming pools utilizing safety grids. 
   Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a motion responsive swimming pool safety device that includes a durable plastic floor mounted to a mechanical pulley system for raising victims out of the water. 
   Lastly, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a motion responsive swimming pool safety device that offers progressive alarms and deploys a safety net when the water surface is breached. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of item  2  of  FIG. 1  of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of item  3  of  FIG. 1  of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of item  4  of  FIG. 1  of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the safety grid of motion responsive swimming pool safety device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of item  6  of  FIG. 1  of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram view of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device of the present invention. 
   

   The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1–7 , a preferred embodiment of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , a new and improved motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  of the present invention for automatic rescue devices for swimming pools utilizing safety grids is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  has a perimeter laser  20  electrically connected to a control panel  12  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). The perimeter laser  20  is located peripherally to the swimming pool. The perimeter laser  20  generates a perimeter laser beam  22 . A perimeter sensor  24  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The perimeter sensor  24  is located peripherally to the swimming pool. The perimeter sensor  24  is capable of sensing the perimeter laser beam  22 . A perimeter alert  14  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The perimeter alert  14  is capable of alarming upon interruption of the perimeter laser beam  22  to the perimeter sensor  24 . A perimeter reflector  26  is located peripherally to the swimming pool. The perimeter reflector  26  is used for reflecting the perimeter laser beam  22 . A sweeping laser  28  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The sweeping laser  28  is located at the perimeter of the pool above the pool water line. The sweeping laser  28  generates a sweeping laser beam  30 . A sweeping laser sensor  32  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The sweeping laser sensor  32  is located at the perimeter of the pool above the pool water line. The sweeping laser sensor  32  is capable of sensing the sweeping laser beam  30 . A water entry alarm  16  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The water entry alarm  16  is capable of alarming upon interruption of the sweeping laser beam  30  to the sweeping laser sensor  32 . 
   In  FIG. 2 , the motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  is illustrated and will be described. The motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  has the perimeter laser  20  electrically connected to the control panel  12  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). The perimeter laser  20  is located peripherally to the swimming pool. The perimeter laser  20  generates the perimeter laser beam  22 . The perimeter sensor  24  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The perimeter sensor  24  is located peripherally to the swimming pool. The perimeter sensor  24  is capable of sensing the perimeter laser beam  22 . The perimeter alert  14  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The perimeter alert  14  is capable of alarming upon interruption of the perimeter laser beam  22  to the perimeter sensor  24 . A housing dome ring  48  is connected to a housing transparent dome  46 . The housing dome ring  48  has an adjustment slot  50  therein. A housing base  52  is connected to the housing dome ring  48 . The housing base  52  is capable of attachment to the perimeter laser  20 . The housing base  52  is capable of attachment to the perimeter sensor  24 . 
   In  FIG. 3 , the motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  is illustrated and will be described. The perimeter reflector  26  is located peripherally to the swimming pool. The perimeter reflector  26  is used for reflecting the perimeter laser beam  22 . The sweeping laser  28  is electrically connected to the control panel  12  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). The housing dome ring  48  is connected to the housing transparent dome  46 . The housing dome ring  48  has the adjustment slot  50  therein. The housing base  52  is connected to the housing dome ring  48 . The housing base  52  is capable of attachment to the perimeter reflector  26 . 
   In  FIG. 4 , the motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  is illustrated and will be described. The sweeping laser  28  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The sweeping laser  28  is located at the perimeter of the pool above the pool water line. The sweeping laser  28  generates the sweeping laser beam  30 . The sweeping laser sensor  32  is electrically connected to the control panel  12  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). The sweeping laser sensor  32  is located at the perimeter of the pool above the pool water line. The sweeping laser sensor  32  is capable of sensing the sweeping laser beam  30 . The water entry alarm  16  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The water entry alarm  16  is capable of alarming upon interruption of the sweeping laser beam  30  to the sweeping laser sensor  32 . A pool side wall transparent cover  54  has a plurality of mounting holes  56 . The pool side wall transparent cover  54  is capable of mounting to the pool perimeter wall. The pool side wall transparent cover  54  is located directly in front of the sweeping laser  28 . The pool side wall transparent cover  54  is located directly in front of the sweeping laser sensor  32 . A pool side wall gasket  58  has a scan slot  60  therein. The pool side wall gasket  58  is connected to the pool side wall transparent cover  54 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , the motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  is illustrated and will be described. A safety grid  40  is coextensive with the perimeter of the pool. The safety grid  40  is rigid and has substantially the form of grating. 
   In  FIG. 6 , the motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  is illustrated and will be described. The safety grid  40  is coextensive with the perimeter of the pool. The safety grid  40  is rigid and has substantially the form of grating. A safety cable  42  is attached to the safety grid  40 . An electrical motor  44  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The electrical motor  44  is rotatively connected to the safety cable. The control panel  12  is capable of selective actuation of the electrical motor  44  upon actuation of the perimeter alert  14  or the water entry alarm  16  (both  14  and  16  shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
   In  FIG. 7 , the motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  is illustrated and will be described. The motion responsive swimming pool safety device  10  has the perimeter laser  20  electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The perimeter sensor  24  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The perimeter alert  14  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The perimeter alert  14  is capable of alarming upon interruption of the perimeter laser beam  22  to the perimeter sensor  24 . The sweeping laser  28  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The sweeping laser sensor  32  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The water entry alarm  16  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The water entry alarm  16  is capable of alarming upon interruption of the sweeping laser beam  30  to the sweeping laser sensor  32 . An on-site alarm tower housing  34  is located adjacent to the pool. An on-site alarm beacon  36  is attached to the on-site alarm tower housing  34 . The on-site alarm beacon  36  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The on-site alarm beacon  36  alarms concurrent with the water entry alarm  16 . An on-site alarm siren  38  is attached to the on-site alarm tower housing  34 . The on-site alarm siren  38  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The on-site alarm siren  38  alarms concurrent with the water entry alarm  16 . The control panel  12  is capable of placing the emergency services phone call upon actuation of the water entry alarm  16 . The control panel  12  is capable of placing the cell phone call upon actuation of the water entry alarm  16 . A battery backup  18  is electrically connected to the control panel  12  for powering the alarm in the case of the power interruption. The control panel  12  is capable of selective actuation of the electrical motor  44  to pull up the safety grid  40  upon actuation of the perimeter alert  14  or the water entry alarm  16 . A wireless panic bracelet receiver  62  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The panic bracelet receiver  62  is capable of receiving a panic bracelet alarm signal. A wireless panic bracelet transmitter  68  is capable of transmitting the panic bracelet alarm signal. A wireless kid charm chip receiver  64  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The kid charm chip receiver  64  is capable of receiving a kid charm chip proximity signal. A wireless kid charm chip transmitter  70  is capable of transmitting the kid charm chip proximity signal. A wireless pet jamming chip receiver  66  is electrically connected to the control panel  12 . The pet jamming chip receiver  66  is capable of receiving a pet jamming chip proximity signal. A wireless pet jamming chip transmitter  72  is capable of transmitting the pet jamming chip proximity signal. 
   In use, it can now be understood that the motion responsive swimming pool safety grid  10  has the safety grid  40  that is activated by the perimeter alert or by water entry alarm. The safety grid  40  is raised from the floor of the pool, and the control panel  12  places emergency service calls and calls the owner&#39;s cell phone. 
   While a preferred embodiment of the motion responsive swimming pool safety device has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable plastic or composite may be used instead of the metal described. Also, the laser may be in a visible or invisible color range. And although automatic rescue devices for swimming pools utilizing safety grids have been described, it should be appreciated that the motion responsive swimming pool safety device herein described is also suitable for progressively alarming based on proximity to any stationary danger. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.