Patent Publication Number: US-6216629-B1

Title: Marker for warning of recreational pool depth

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is related to a system for preventing accidents caused by people diving into shallow water. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a system of swimming pool depth markers. The depth markers stand upright and indicate the depth of the adjacent pool with a standard insignia and by the height of the markers themselves. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     One of the most common swimming accidents in pools occurs when people dive into shallow water and hit their head on the bottom of the pool. Almost all diving accidents occur when a person dives from the deck of the pool into the shallow end. These accidents often result in severe injury to the head and/or neck. It is common to mark the depth of the water at a particular point on the deck surrounding the pool. This is done adjacent to the depth indicated. The problem with this practice is that the numbers or words are not easily visible to a person running up to dive in the pool. The depth and warning signs are typically written flat on the surface of the deck. Warnings thus written, because of the angle, are not clearly visible to an observer depending upon the approach. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,167 to Whitten shows an example of a depth marking system for a swimming pool. In the Written Patent the depth marking, which is in the gutter of the pool, would be invisible to a person running up to dive in the pool until too late. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,779 to Jewett shows a system of baffles designed in part to safeguard divers by cushioning the bottom of the pool. This patent addresses the same problem as applicant but uses a very different method. Jewett stresses reducing the impact of the diving accident rather than preventing the accident altogether. The system of Jewett would be difficult to install and is not in widespread use if it is used at all. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,584 to Peebles discloses another method of preventing pool accidents. In this patent a perimeter barrier totally prevents access to the pool. This is intended to prevent drowning accidents where a small child might fall into an unattended pool. 
     None of these prior art patents discloses a device that will prevent diving accidents by providing a prominent warning about depth. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly it is the object of the present invention to provide a swimming pool depth marking system that will reduce diving related injuries by providing a more clearly visible warning to persons approaching the swimming pool. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system of pool depth marking that will warn would be divers of the depth hazard irregardless of their angle of approach to the pool edge. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sign the height of which is indicative of the pool depth adjacent to the sign. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a depth sign that will easily flex out of the way if bumped against but that will return automatically to its original position. 
     The invention comprises a series of signs that will be located around the shallow end of the pool. The upright standing signs will be easily visible to someone approaching the pool. The signs will have three faces so that the warning is visible from any angle of approach including someone who swims up to the edge and climbs out. 
     The semi-rigid signs will be mounted on a base so that they will deflect if bumped into, but then they will return back to their original position. 
     The signs are intended for use in the pool industry, typical applications would occur around public and hotel and motel swimming pools although they can be used around virtually any swimming pool. These signs could also be used along docks or anywhere where diving accidents are known to occur. The signs will carry standard size lettering and graphics to indicate depth and warn of no diving. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of example, the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the best mode currently known to the inventor for carrying out the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the swimming pool with the sign system in place. 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed drawing of a single sign. 
     FIG. 3 shows a top view of the sign. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed drawing of a second embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a swimming pool with the sign system installed. The pool  10  has a deck  12  that surrounds it. One end  14  of the pool is shallow and is therefore surrounded by pool depth marking stanchions  16 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  (hereinafter “stanchion”). The stanchions  16 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  are spaced apart by a distance that is driven by the industry and is currently 25 feet or each change of 1 foot of depth whichever gives the lesser distance between stanchions. Along the edge  18  where the pool depth is changing it can be seen that the stanchion height also changes. Stanchion  16  is the shortest and indicates the shallowest pool depth, in this case two feet. Stanchion  20  is three feet. Stanchion  22  is one foot taller and stanchion  24  is one foot taller at 5 feet. The result is a stanchion system that provides a visual as well as a written indication of depth. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the detail of a typical stanchion  20  is shown. The base of the stanchion is mounted directly into the deck of the swimming pool. The stanchion  20  can be made of a plastic material that is elastomeric enough to allow the stanchion, when stepped on, to flex to a horizontal position and then to return. The stanchions can also be made of rigid material. The shape of the preferred embodiment is triangular in cross section with each face  28  carrying a depth and/or warning message  30 . The warning message  30  will include a universal diving hazard symbol  31 . 
     The base  32  is of a low profile with rounded edges so as to be unobstructive. The base  32  mounts to the pool deck using suitable fasteners  34  such as anchor bolts shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 3 clearly shows the triangular shape of section  28  which in the preferred embodiment will be an extruded section of flexible U.V. resistant plastic. The triangular shape allows the faces ( 30 ) to be visible from any angle or approach to the swimming pool. Also as shown in FIG. 3 a cap ( 38 ) that also carries an indication of depth can be included. 
     FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment with no base. In this case the main body ( 40 ) of a cylindrical stanchion would be cast directly into the concrete of the deck  12 . The cross section of stanchion ( 40 ) is circular. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, in operation a person approaching the pool ( 10 ) will see a visual depth warning spaced out around the pool. The height of the stanchions  16 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  will provide a non-written indication of depth. This visual que is important, as it will be easier and more quickly perceived than a written warning. This visual que will be effective in reducing diving accidents which are often caused by an impulsive act. 
     Because the stanchions are multi sided they can be seen and read from any place in the pool area whether an occupant is in the pool ( 10 ) or on the deck  12 . 
     Although shown around a swimming pool the depth warning concept could be used in a similar manner adjacent to other depth hazards such as a dock or pier.