AU660393B2 - Pools or baths - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 =w&B Regulation 3.2 Patents Act 1990 6 ORI1GINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT IvninTte el.- g.q. The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the best of performing it known to me:- S TITLE: 'WATER CONTAINMENT MEANS' FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to water containment means such as pools or baths and in particular to a water containment means which is adapted so as to be able to be entered by a person in a wheel chair, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to provide for entry of a person in a wheel chair into a swimming pool through provision of a ramp whereby the person is able to wheel the chair into the pool and float therefrom when it becomes submerged. Exiting the pool involves simply reversing the process. Whilst this is effective in large pools, the ramp is necessarily a large feature of the pool. It 15 is larger when the ramp is shallow and easier to use.

Its size makes it inappropriate for small pools such as common spa-type pools when the ramp might take up as much floor space as the pool itself. It is known to provide various hoists, elevators and the like whereby a 20 person can be lowered into a pool and lifted therefrom.

This involves adding structures to the pool.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a water containment means which is modified in a manner enabling a person in a -heel chair to wheel themselves into the water containment means without the problem of too much floor space being taken up at the point of entry, as is the case with a ramp.

NATURE OF THE INVENTION The invention achieves its object in providing a water containment means such as a pool, bath or the like comprising: a walled enclosure for the retention of water therein; an entry lock adjacent to the walled enclosure; a first door from the entry lock to the walled enclosure; and a second door from outside into the entry lock; the first and second doors being sealed against flow of water therepast when closed; the first anr second doors permitting wheel chair passage therethrough; and the entry lock being fitted with a means by which water can be passed thereto and therefrom.

The water containment means of the invention is intended to encompass pools, spa baths, baths, and the like. For convenience the description of the 15 invention refers to a pool. It is intended that the term pool be read to encompass a range of water containment means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with 20 reference to various preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional view in a longitudinal vertical plane through a pool in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a further sectional view in a longitudinal vertical plane through the pool of FIG. i; FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pool of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 shows a section through an alternate embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 shows an arrangement for securing a door used in the invention; FIG. 6 shows schematically the plumbing of the pool of FIG. 3; and FIG. 7 is an isometric showing details of a further alternate embodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In the FIGS. 1 to 3 the pool 10 has walls 11 thereabout with a coping 12 at the upper edge. The pool 10 can be moulded in fibreglass using standard techniques. It should be clear that other materials and methods of construction are possible. The pool 10 can be associated with a holding tank 13 with a lock thereabove. The holding tank 13 top provides a ramp 14 into the pool 10. Two doors, 16 and 17, are provided at opposite ends of lock 15. In use, a person in a wheel chair accesses the lock 15 through door 16 and then the pool via door 17. The function of the lock 15 is described in greater detail below. The holding tank is an optional feature. It can be omitted. In this situation, the lock is flooded via a one-way valve through door 17. The lock is drained directly to the main pool via a pump.

As seen in the plan view of FIG. 3, the pool 10 may be provided with a skimmer box 18 of the usual kind with a main pool pump 19 recirculating pool water via piping 20 under coping 12 to return to the pool at 21. A pump can be provided to pump water from the holding tank 13 to the pool 10. The pumps, piping, etc, can be any of the standard types used in like type pools, spas, baths, etc. A push pull handle 23 which is seen in FIG 2, operates a push pull valve 24 in the floor of the lock 15, dumping water therein on its beirg activated, into the holding tank 13. The pump 22 can be controlled by a float switch in holding tank 13. The skimmer can be fitted with a 50 sq ft cartridge type skim filter and the main pool pump can be a to 3/4 hp pump. The pump 22 can be another 1 to 3/4 hp pump. The filter might be operated by pushing an air operated switch, on or off, which can be situated on the pool coping adjacent the lock 15. The pool can be formed with the usual splayed sides suited to removal of a finished pool from its mould. Various of the geometric structures built into pool walls, such as seats, etc, can be moulded into the pool walls.

In use of the pool of the drawings, the pool pump is preferable turned off when the lock 15 is filling, or when it is being emptied as the pool water level may drop below the pool skimmer box opening and this can result in the main pool pump running dry.

To enter the pool, a user switches off the pool filtration pump with an air switch. The outer door 16 is opened. The lock 15 is entered by wheeling the wheel chair therein and door 16 is then closed. A one- 15 way valve 28 which might be mounted in the inner door 17 is then opened and water is permitted to flow into the lock 15. When the respective levels in the main pool and in the lock are the same, the inner door 17 can be opened, the main pool can be entered and the door 17 is 20 then closed. Then the push pull valve 24 is activated to drain lock 15 into holding tank 13. The float valve will activate pump 22 to pump holding tank water back to pool 10. When the pool 10 water level is back to normal, pump 19 can be activated again by actioning a suitable switch.

S1To exit the pool 10, the one-way valve in door 17 is opened to flood lock 15 when door 17 can be opened and lock 15 entered. On closing door 17, the lock can be drained again into holding tank 13. When drained, door 16 can be opened and the user can exit the apparatus. In construction of a pool in accordance with the present invention, the ramp 14 need not be required when the holding tank is omitted or sunk into the floor or foundation supporting the pool.

The inner and outer doors may be sealed thereabout by any suitable means permitting opening, such as rubber seals on the two vertical and lower sides. The doors may be locked by any suitable means and a stainless steel locking mechanism may be fitted thereto. As seen in FIG. 2, both doors, 16 and 17, can be closed into recesses at 26 and 27, these may be rebates about 25 mm deep into the bottom and side walls which form the frames for the doors. To gain greater volume for the holding tank it can be extended side ways and along and around the pool underneath the coping, if requirEd. The holding tank is optional. It can be deleted, with a suitable form of manifold with valves or a multiple outlet valve, the one pump can be S. used to pump out the lock 15 and operate the 15 skimmer/filter apparatus.

FIG. 4 ir a section through a pool which does not have a holding tank. The pool 29 has a free space 30 where the holding tank of FIG. 1 is placed. The free space 30 exists beneath a floor 31 which supports 20 ancillary equipment with the space 30 being a convenient •place to provide plumbing to the lock as will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 is a transverse elevation of a door 32 on hinges such as 33 (these may be in stainless steel and three might be used). A d6-r securing means 34 comprises a vertical rod with side members such as "The means 34 may be formed from stainless steel rod. It may have five horizontal members, each the same as member 35. In use the means 34 is swung into place with the ends of members such as 35 received in complementary holes or recesses such as 36 in the walls of the pool with means 34 stepped, at its bottom, in a hole or recess 37 in the floor of the pool shell. The means 34 is located in place by guides 38 and 39 which permit its movement from the secured position shown to the released position 40 shown in dotted form.

In FIG. 6 is seen the plumbing of the pool of FIG. 4. The pool is operated from a single pump 41 connected to a skimmer/filter 42 via a three-way valve 43 which selects the skimmer/filter 42 or the suction holes 44, 45 in the bottom of the lock.

The pool of FIG. 4 can be used a number of ways. Firstly, to enter the pool, the pump is turned off (with an air switch, for example), the lock is entered and the outer door is closed. The inner door valve is opened to flood the lock. The pool is entered and the inner door is locked. To exit the pool, the lock is entered and with the inner door secured, the **.three-way valve is turned to drain the lock and the pump is switched on. When the lock is empty, the three-way valve can be turned to operate the skimmer/filter without stopping the pump. The lock is then exited. In this operation, the pump remains off whilst the pool is used.

In the pool of FIG. 7, the pool section 46 is entered via a lock section 47 whereat both of doors 48 and 49 open inwardly and seal outwardly against shoulders which support the door and seal thereto against the weight of water therein. The lock section 47 is lengthenedi to enable a wheel chair to enter and locate up against the door 48 whilst door 49 is closed and the lock section can then be filled as before via a valve in door 48. The lock section in this embodiment is emptied by a pump through a small sump beneath a false floor at 50 which is perforated to permit water to flow therethrough into the sump. The pool can be in fibreglass and it can be strengthened by buttresses such as 51 and framing such as at 52 around the lock section.

In this embodiment, the oool base can be close to the ground which supports it so that only a small ramp need be provided into the pool.

If the pump is to be operated during use of the pool, then when the pool is entered the three-way valve can be switched to drain the lock, raising the pool level and switching to skimmer/filter operation when the lock is empty. To exit, the pump is switched off, the lock is flooded and exiting can be as before with the pump operated when the lock is entered and the inner door is secure.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that any of the usual pool and spa technologies can be applied to the construction and operation of a pool in accordance with the present invention, such as any of the chlorine/saline treatments, water/air jets, and 15 heating as required.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated herein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Claims (8)

1. A water containment means such as a pool, bath or the like comprising: a walled enclosure for the retention of water therein; an entry lock adjacent to the walled enclosure; a first door from the entry lock to the walled enclosure; and a second door from outside into the entry lock; the first and second doors being sealed against flow of water therepast when closed; S.the first and second doors permitting wheel 15 chair passage therethrough; and the entry lock being fitted with a means by which water can be passed thereto and therefrom.

2. A water containment means as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means by which water is passed to the 20 entry lock includes a valve.

3. A water containment means as claimed in either one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the means by which water is passed from the entry lock back to the water containment means includes a pump.

4. A water containment means as claimed in Claim 3 wherein a sump is provided to which water is drained and then pumped by the pump back to the water containment means.

A water containment means as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the sump is provided beneath the entry lock and a ramp extends from the entry lock down into the water containment means.

6. A water containment means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the door between the entry lock and the water containment means opens into the water containment means, closing against a shoulder with a seal thereat.

7. A water containment means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the door from outside into the entry lock opens inwardly and closes against a shoulder with a seal thereabout.

8. A water containment means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED y 's f DAVID NESBITT and KAY NARELLE NESBITT *g ABSTRACT A pool (10, 46) has wheel chair access via a lock (15, 47) with a door (17, 48) from the lock 47) into the pool (10, 46) with a valve (28) therein by which to flood the lock (15, 47) and a door (16, 49) from the lock to the outside. A sump (13, 50) can be provided under the lock (15, 47) from which to pass water from the lock (15, 47) back to the pool (10, 46). The doors (48, 49) can close against a sealed shoulder to be held thereto by the weight of water thereagainst.