FR2771436A1 - Protective device for preventing accidental falls into swimming pools - Google Patents

Abstract

The protective device is constituted by a cold water pipe (2) supplying edge jets (1) controlled by push buttons (3) placed under a corridor of slabs (5). These slabs move slightly by means of a flexible joint (6) parallel to the pool. The user (7), on stepping on the slab, inadvertently exerts a pressure on one of the slabs which presses the button and puts the jet into action. This jet startles toddlers and makes them run away from the pool edge.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for protecting accidental falls in private swimming pools, inadvertently or unconsciously from the dangers that an empty or full pool can pose to all potential victims and, moreover, those requiring quasi-permanent monitoring.

 The protection of these falls and their often disastrous consequences are traditionally carried out using fences, tarpaulins and other sliding curtains, alarms, bra celets, probes and various buoys which cannot really prevent falls and drownings, when at their cost, their aesthetic, their practicality and their irreversible absence on the day of an accident, cannot be effectively suited to all cases of potential victims.

 The device according to the invention overcomes these various drawbacks. According to a first characteristic, it comprises a natural barrier of cold water coming out of jets having a large angle of action, placed at the same edge of the basin.

 Each jet being connected in parallel to a push button and to a cold water sanitary pipe, controlled by a valve and therefore supplied by a bypass placed after the general water meter using a T, the unit sporting discreetly the pool under a slightly moving corridor of slabs, tiles or rigid coverings, integrating with the rest of the beach.

 These jets, by their pressure (adjustable), their surprise and spontaneity coupled with a lively freshness to make react any potential victim, of a danger, warning of a ban, which will have the effect, an instinctive retreat of babies or others people surprised.

 Thus, when a weight comes to exert a pressure on one of the moving parts of the corridor around the basin, pressing themselves a push button connected to the jets, it immediately releases cold water.

 According to particular embodiments: -The movement corridor, according to the contours of the basin, may be made up of slabs, tiles or other rigid and compartmentable coverings, in square or other shapes which can be joined, by a flexible but very resistant joint to the tensions of the slight play emitted with each use and to the weather.

-The crushed slab rests at the end of the game, on a concrete support receiving all the weight, and not on the push button which is not completely at the end of its travel and which is touched when the slab which protects it is in the high position. What is more, it can have in its center, a housing for the push button. Each slab laid side by side and held to the rest of the covering by a flexible joint is independent.

-The unalterable joint is effected on the two sides which firmly hold the slab and is flexible enough to ensure its proper functioning. The other two sides of the slab are when provided with a coating ensuring a clear sliding between each of them and sealed to the eye but possibly allowing water to flow through these sides in order to recycle it. in a swimming pool, the jet does not stop until the weight has been removed from the slab.

-The solicity push button is sensitive enough to react to a lesser pressure and open its valve to release the jet. The elements used are stainless.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
FIG. 1 represents a general view after the integrated implantation of the system and its operation.

Figure 2 and 2a shows in section, the operating device and its use.

Figure 3 shows by transparency, the operating device.

Figure 4 is a mixture of these figures.

 With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a line of jets leaving only to guess their action face (water outlet), matching and merging with the edge of the basin (l). They are supplied by a parallel and perpendicular pipe, diverted using a T placed after the general water meter and controlled by a valve and also provided with a drain (2). The pipeline can be made of copper, galvanized or plastic if it is sufficiently resistant to the desired pressure.

 Combining jets (l) and push buttons (3), the pipe (2) is fixed in the working channel (4), under the moving slabs (5).

 The sensitivity of the buttons (3) and the flexibility of the joint (6) is such that a slight pressure exerted by the user (7) on one of these slabs (5) is sufficient to open the valve and thus of the cold shower surprising the subject brought to react by instinctively retreating, but who can of course take consiament this same shower in all quietness to rinse or to avoid a hydrocution even by a brief passage, before diving for example, wherever you are, around the pool.

 The clearance (8) expressed by the movement of the slab between the normal position (9) and the action position (9bis) is reduced to a minimum (approx: 5mm) .This clearance therefore does not interfere too much with the joints (6) which undergo a very slight tension affecting neither their resistance nor their flexibility, having a second spring effect, the slab is replaced perfectly and automatically when the pressure is withdrawn.

 The flexible joint (6) may in some cases be slightly wider than the rest of the beach joints (mozaiques) but we will keep the same color (10) as much as possible.

 In the embodiment according to Figure 2-2bis and 3 the push buttons are fixed (3) in the working channel (4) on which are placed the slabs provided with a rubberized protective housing to reduce the impact (ll ).

The crushed slab (5) comes into abutment, rest on its support (l2) while the button is not pressed to the maximum, there is therefore no impact on the seat of the button (3)
According to variants not illustrated, the moving slabs can be provided on the 20u4 sides, small retractable latches with small housings opposite their corresponding, allowing a descent and ascent of the perfectly rectilinear slab ensuring it an equally perfect set up .

-The triggering of the jets can just as well be done using manual or automatic systems such as electric photo beams or cells, remote controls etc ...; the principle always remaining the stupor of the cold jet to roll back and not go beyond this natural barrier, inconsiamentary.

 The effective angle of the jets will be for the straight edges of the pools of about 1400 for the width and 700 in height, consequently for the angles and rounded of the different pools.

 The moving lane being about 1 beech from the jets, the pipeline being open and adjusted using the valve.

 The device according to the invention is particularly intended for protection in private pools. The assembly being essential for the proper functioning of the invention.

Claims (4)

 1) Device for protecting accidental falls in private pools or the like, characterized in that it comprises a line of jets (l) placed at the edge of the pool operated by push buttons (3) or automatic triggers such as beams or photo cells electric, connected by a cold water pipe (2) which passes under a moving corridor (5), this corridor exerting pressure on the buttons (9bis), when one of the moving parts (5) is actuated by 1 ' user (7) 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that each jet (1) in operation respects for the straight parts of the basin, an efficiency angle of about 140 in width, 70 "in height and therefore for the different angular parts or rounded. 3) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the pipe (2) around the basin, is controlled by a valve which opens, fenne or regulates the pressure of the jets (1). 4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint, or suitable means, flexible and resistant to each stress (6) (9 - 9 bis) is fixed parallel to the basin between each slab of the moving corridor ( 5) and the rest of the range on these two corresponding sides ensuring perfect work and maintains the corridor (5), the other two sides of the moving parts (5) being provided with a coating ensuring a smooth sliding and watertight .