Abstract:
A marker is provided for a swimming lane extending a length of a pool. The pool includes sidewalls connecting end walls for defining a swimming area holding water. The marker comprises a line and means for suspending the line over the water in the swimming area. The line provides a visual indication of the position of the swimming lane in the swimming area.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. provisional application No. 61/874,701, filed Sep. 6, 2013, entitled “Swimming Lane Marker”, naming Gary Dilley as the inventor. The contents of the provisional application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and the benefit of the filing date of the provisional application is hereby claimed for all purposes that are legally served by such claim for the benefit of the filing date. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A marker is shown and described for marking a lane of a swimming pool and, more particularly, for marking the swimming lane for a swimmer using a backstroke for allowing the swimmer to identify his position in the pool. 
         [0003]    Floating swimming lane markers segregate a swimming pool into discreet swimming lanes defined by a pair of floating lane markers or one floating lane marker and a sidewall of the pool. Swimmers typically swim between the lane markers to prevent the swimmers from running into each other. Conventional lane markers float on the water and are disposed on either side of a line painted on the bottom of the pool. The swimmers use the line and the lane markers to align themselves within the swimming lane while swimming. 
         [0004]    Swimmers using a backstroke cannot rely on visual input from the lane markers to align themselves within a swimming lane. Backstroke swimmers thus find it difficult to swim laps without constantly adjusting their position in the swimming lane by physically touching the lane markers on either side of the swimming lane. 
         [0005]    For the foregoing reason, there is a need for a swimming lane marker or marker system that allows a swimmer using the backstroke to be visually aware of his position in a swimming lane. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A marker is provided for a swimming lane extending a length of a pool. The pool includes sidewalls connecting end walls for defining a swimming area holding water. The marker comprises a line and means for suspending the line over the water in the swimming area. The line provides a visual indication of the position of the swimming lane in the swimming area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a pool with the end walls of the pool broken away and showing an embodiment of a swimming lane marker. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of the pool and the swimming lane marker as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic top view of the pool and the swimming lane marker as shown in  FIG. 1  suspended from a line spanning between sidewalls of the pool. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the FIGs. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. 
         [0011]    Referring now to the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, a typical swimming pool  12  includes a continuous sidewall  14  and a bottom wall  16 . The sidewall  14  and the bottom wall  16  cooperate to define a cavity that is substantially filled with water  18  to define a swimming area. A pair of conventional floating lane markers (not shown) are conventionally disposed across a longitudinal expanse of the swimming pool  12 . 
         [0012]    An embodiment of a lane marker is shown for use by a swimmer using the backstroke and generally designated at  10 . The lane marker  10  comprises a longitudinal strap  20 , or cable, positioned above the water surface and a plurality of indicia  22 ,  24  attached to the strap  20 . The strap  20  may be fabricated from a generally lightweight textile material, plastic or rubber, but also may be fabricated from other suitable materials that are known in the art. 
         [0013]    The strap  20  extends over the pool  12  between two end walls  28  adjacent to the swimming pool  12 . The ends of the strap  20  are connected to a pole  30  at one end and to a wall  32  at the other end. An attachment member or frame assembly (not shown) may be provided on the pole  30  or the wall  32  for securing the ends of the strap  20 . It is understood that the strap  20  may be connected to two poles  30  or the end walls  28  at each end of the strap  20 . 
         [0014]    The strap  20  is suspended a sufficient distance above the water surface so as to not interfere with a swimmer. For example, the strap  20  may be suspended ten feet above the water surface to accommodate swimmers jumping off of starting blocks. Alternatively, the lane marker  10  may be suspended from the ceiling by connecting elements (not shown) between the ceiling and the strap  20 . It is understood that the lane marker  10  may be disposed in other configurations with respect to the pool  12  and that the swimming area of the pool does not have to be substantially rectangular as shown in the drawings. 
         [0015]    The lane marker  10  may be selectively disconnected from the pole  30 , walls  32  or ceiling and removed and stored, for example, by winding on a spool (not shown). The spool may be operatively connected to a winch which, in one embodiment, is powered and in turn connected to a winch controller. Removal and storage of the strap  20  allows the pool  12  to be selectively configured for lap swimming. 
         [0016]    The indicia on the lane marker  10  comprise a 2.5 meter marker  22  and a 12.5 yard marker  24  as measured from each end wall of the pool  12 . The 2.5 meter marker  22  functions as an end-of-lane marker and indicates for a swimmer using the backstroke when the swimmer is approaching each end wall  28  of the pool  12 . The swimmer can then anticipate contact with the pad or execute a flip turn. The 12.5 yard marker indicates for a swimmer using the backstroke when the swimmer must be on the surface of the water  18 . It is understood that there would only be one 12.5 yard marker at the center of the lane marker  10  when used for a 25 yard pool. 
         [0017]    Another embodiment of means for suspending the strap is shown in  FIG. 3 . A second strap  34  or line is suspended between an eye hook  36  in the sidewalls at each end of the pool. The ends of the strap  20  are secured to the second strap  34  over the swimming lane. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment of the lane marker, laser lamps (not shown), or other light lamps, are arranged on, or adjacent to the perimeter walls, of the swimming pool  12 . The laser lamps may comprise a main unit with a transmitter for transmitting laser light and a receiver. 
         [0019]    Subsidiary units are selectively placed around the pool  12  for reflecting the laser light. The subsidiary units include mirrors for reflecting the laser light back to the receiver in the main unit for defining a beam of light. The main unit and the subsidiary units are positioned such that the path of the laser beam defines a swimming lane marker over the pool. An electronic control unit is provided for controlling the light system for the lane marker. 
         [0020]    In use, the strap  20  or the beam of light extends over the swimming pool  12  providing a lane marker  10  for the swimmer using the backstroke. The indicia  22 ,  24  provide location information to the swimmer, particularly as to the location of the end walls  28  for the swimming lane. In both embodiments, the lane marker  10  can be easily installed and selectively removed from a swimming pool when not in use. 
         [0021]    It is understood that the embodiments of the lane marker as described herein comply with all known rules and regulations of competitive swimming. 
         [0022]    Although the swimming lane marker has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that I do not intend to limit the lane marker to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, I intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.