GB2254453A - Swimming pool lap timer. - Google Patents

Abstract

A swimming pool timer (10) is disclosed having a control unit (16), a start block (15) with a touch pad (20), a near end touch pad (14), afar end touch pad (17) and a transmitter (18) for sending signals from pad (17) to unit (16). A display (19) linked to the unit (16) is located on the floor (13) of the pool. <IMAGE>

Description

THIS INVENTION relates to a swimming pool lap timer.

During swimming trials, races and training there is a need for keeping accurate times of race times, lap times, split lap times and other events. It is currently the practice to keep time of races, laps and split låps by utilising electronic timers which are initialised at the start of a race or swim and the timing function is controlled by pressure pads on pool walls or the like which the swimmer contacts as he reaches the end of each lap or split lap.

Contact on the pressure pad, typically situated below the water line either enables an indication of split lap times, accumulative race time or total race time to be obtained.

United States patent specification 3363243 relates to a timing apparatus for races and particularly concerns an electronic race timing apparatus. This specification discloses an automatic timing apparatus which includes an oscillator, a timer for each competitor in the race, means for connecting each of the timers to the oscillator when a start signal is given and means for disconnecting each timer from the oscillator upon the corresponding competitor reaching the finishing position of the race. The apparatus has a display 34 which displays the various times. This display is not readily visible by the competitor and can only be effectively viewed after the race has terminated.

United States patent specification 4518266 discloses a swimmer's lap timer which is able to keep track of the swimmer's time and distance and includes a split timer, elapsed timer and lap counter in a case with a kickpad activated by the swimmer by contact at each lap. The case which houses the various components may be mounted to a vertical wall of a swimming pool. Three displays are present and are intended to be above the water level of the pool. Two reset buttons are present - one for resetting the elapsed timer, the other for resetting the lap counter. This apparatus does not automatically commence to time at the start of a race and is unsuitable for race conditions. In addition, the displays, although closer to the swimmer than the displays of United States Patent 3363243, are still not readily visible by the swimmer during the actual swim.

United States Patent specification 4006364 relates to an electrical contact arrangement which may be used in association with a touch pad used to detect the arrivals during swimming competitions and in particular concerns a circuit for the development of an arrival signal to be used in relationship with a chronometric installation. In this proposal there is no disclosure of a timing device.

United States Patent specification 4780085 discloses a lap timing device for swimmers. The device uses a proximity sensor to detect the completion of each lap a swimmer swims and includes a starting block of the usual dimensions adjacent an edge of a pool. The number of laps of a training session can be entered and the clock commences when the swimmer dives off the block. The proximity sensor such as an ultrasound sensor detects the completion of each lap. After a predetermined number of laps is counted an alarm sounds. The total elapsed time, average lap time, fastest and slowest lap times are displayed. The display is not readily visible to the swimmer since it forms part of the edge of the block and is set back from and above the edge of the pool.The use of a proximity sensor makes it possible to record the end of a lap or split lap without the wall actually being touched by the swimmer and thus this device is not suited for use for actual race situations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lap timer which at least minimises the disadvantages referred to above.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a lap timer for a swimming pool including at least one touch pad, said pad in use being arranged at an end wall of the pool, a switch associated with the pad for providing a signal indicative of a completed lap, at least one display housing arranged on the floor of the pool and adjacent the end wall, the housing having a lap counter display and an elapsed time display, a starting block adjacent an edge of the pool, a switch associated with the starting block for producing a signal for commencing timing when a swimmer leaves the block, and, a control unit responsive to the switches for controlling the displays in the housing.

The starting block may extend above the edge of the pool to a predetermined height. The upper surface of the block on which the swimmer stands may be provided with a nonslip surface finish. A non-slip mat may be used. Preferably a non-slip rubber mat is employed.

The switch associated with the starting block may be a pressure sensitive switch. A mechanical, electrical or other switch may be employed. This switch provides a pneumatic signal to a master control unit for commencing timing when the swimmer leaves the block.

The touch pad may be responsive simply to touch or to pressure to enable the associated switch to operate. It is preferred that the pad be responsive to pressure to operate the switch. The pad may comprise a pressure responsive mat.

More preferably a non-slip rubber mat is employed. The touch pad provides for electrical, pneumatic or mechanical operation of the switch and may be linked to the master control unit by a lead, airline or cable.

A single touch pad may be present in one embodiment of the invention. In which case, the timer of the invention may provide elapsed time, lap count and lap times only. If desired two touch pads may be used. Where two touch pads or present one of the pads may be a near touch pad arranged adjacent the start block and mounted relative to one side wall of the pool while the other touch pad may be mounted on the opposed side wall of the pool. In this way signals which enable the determination of split lap times may also be obtained. These pads are termed the near and far touch pads respectively.

The master control unit may receive signals from the start block, near touch pad and far touch pad to provide the information of lap count, total elapsed time and split lap time to the display unit instantaneously. Time taken for each lap and total elapsed time for the last training session are stored in a non-volatile memory for a print out hard copy through a printer port. There is a programming facility for the user to set the number of lap for the training session on the panel provided on the master control unit. An audible alarm ( preferably an under water alarm ) is used to indicate to the swimmer that the final lap has been reached in the race. The master control unit may house a main electronic circuit board with a micro computer and a radio receiver subassembly tuned in to receive a far end touch pad switching signal.The unit may be powered by a rechargeable battery with a suitable connector for connecting to an external charger between field operation.

The display unit may be either a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode display for lap count, total elapsed time and split lap time. The display is arranged in a water proof housing arranged on the floor of the pool. The display unit may derive its power from the master control unit.

The control unit is responsive to the signals provided by the starting block switch and the or each touch pad t9 provide outputs to the displays in the display housing.

The control unit may be coupled to a supply of power or have its own power source. Where the control unit has its own source of power a battery is used. Preferably a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery. is used. The switches associated with the starting block and the or each touch pad are preferably located within the control unit.

The control unit may provide a visual and/or audible indication of aspects of its function. Preferably both visual and audible indications are provided. Where visual indications are provided they may be representative of ON/OFF conditions, reset, split lap or lap setting positions and others. The audible indication or alarm may provide an indication to the swimmer that there is only one lap to swim in the race or training session.

The control unit may have a memory to provide for presetting of race or training distance to provide an indication when the final lap is reached. The alarm may be underwater or above water.

Where two touch pads are present a pool end unit may be present at one end of the pool with the control unit being associated with the other end of the pool. Preferably the control unit is associated with the end of the pool where the starting block is located. The pool end unit is associated with a touch pad and its switch and enables a split lap timing signal to be conveyed to the control unit. This may be achieved by hard wiring where the timer is installed in a new pool during construction of the pool or by transmission by radio, frequency, ultra sound or other non-wired transmission method in the case of installation in an existing pool.

Transmission may be through the water or air.

A particular preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a swimming pool lap timer according to an embodiment of the invention shown installed relative to a pool; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of one end of a pool showing the components of the timer present at that end of the pool; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a master control unit; Figure 4 is block diagram of a swimming pool lap timer in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a detailed circuit diagram of a start block and associated circuitry; Figure 6 is a detailed circuit diagram of a near end touch pad and associated circuitry; Figure 7 is a detailed circuit diagram of a user interface associated with the master control unit of figure 3;; Figure 8 is a detailed circuit diagram of a central processing unit of the timer of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a detailed circuit diagram of a display unit; Figure 10 is a detailed circuit diagram of a far end touch pad and associated circuitry; and, Figure 11 is a detailed circuit of a receiver and associated circuitry.

Figure 1 shows a pool 10 having opposed end walls 11, 12 and a floor 13. The pool timer 10 of the invention includes a near end touch pad 14, a start block 15, a master control unit 16, a far end touch pad 17, a display 19 and a transmitter 18.

Figure 2 shows greater detail of that portion of the timer located adjacent the near end pad 14. Start block 15 has positioned on it a start pad 20. The pad 20 operates an associated switch which forms part of the timer of the invention and is coupled to unit 16 via line 20a. The master control unit 16 is shown positioned adjacent the block 15 and line 21 provides for the signal from the switch to be coupled to the unit. Alternatively, the line may be a pneumatic one for operation of a switch which may be located in the unit 16 but operable pneumatically by pressure on the pad 14.

Touch pad 14 is secured to wall 11 by stays 22 and can easily be removed.

A display 19 is located on the floor 13 of the pool.

Unit 16 is linked to the display 19 via cable 19a. The housing in which the display is located is slightly triangular in shape to ensure that the upper surface of the display is substantially horizontal in use. The display 19 gives split lap times, total elapsed time and the number of laps a swimmer has swum in any given swimming session.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a swimming pool lap timer according to an embodiment of the invention. The block diagram shows start block 30 which includes a contact pad and switch for initiating the timing of laps. The block 30 is coupled to a debounce circuit 31. The output from the debounce circuit is coupled to an exclusive OR circuit 32.

The exclusive OR circuit 32 also has coupled to it the output from the debounce circuit 33 which is associated with a near end touch pad 34 located adjacent the start block 30. The output from the exclusive OR circuit 32 is coupled to micro computer 35. A main battery power supply 36 for supplying power to that circuitry associated with the start block 30 and near end pad 34 is shown diagrammatically.

A radio frequency receiver 37 is coupled to a subcarrier decoder 38 which in turn is coupled to a channel decoder. Detector 40 receives the signal from decoder 38 and applies the decoded output to the computer 35. The computer 35 has a control bus 41 and a data bus 42 associated with it.

Clock 43, memory 44, printer data interface 45, panel lap indicators 46 and display latch 47 are coupled to the buses 41, 42. Display bus 48 extends from latch 47 to display 49.

The far pad 50 has circuitry including a far end touch pad which is coupled to a debounce circuit 51. The debounce circuit 51 is connected to a channel coder 52 which in turn is connected to a subcarrier coder 53. The coder 53 provides its output to RF transmitter 54.

In the circuit of figure 4 an operator interface 55 is shown coupled to the computer 35. This interface enables various user functions to be selected. Ar. auxiliary battery supply 56 is shown for supplying power to the pad 50, the denounce circuit 51, the channel coder 52, the subcarrier coder 53 and the transmitter 54.

Figure 3 shows a master control unit 60. The unit 60 has the receive aerial positioned at 61 and includes set up mode for switching the unit into standby sode for activities other than timing. After selecting the set-up mode, initialising is achieved with the reset key 62. In the set-up mode, each depression of the lap key 66 advances the number of laps selected as indicated by the LED's 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 (also indicative of the number of laps). The print key 63, in the set-up mode, enables the last record in memory to be printed out as a hard copy when the print key is depressed (provided a suitable printer is connected). After the selection of the set-up mode by pressing the reset or timing keys 62, 66a, the reset key is depressed to initialise the command.The timing key switches the unit into a lap timer, to be initialised by the reset key. The unit has a trigger LED 64 and a clock LED 65.

Figure 5 shows a circuit diagram of a start block circuit. Circuit 70 has two pull up resistors R1 and R2 each coupled to 5VDC. Switch 71, a two way push button switch, is operative to couple a reference potential to end of the pull up resistors as shown. This part of the circuit is connected to a latch consisting of two cross connected NAND gates N1 and N2. The output from the latch is applied to flip flop F1.

The inverted output of F1 is applied to two series connected invertors I1 and I2. The gate I2 provides a start block signal to the master control unit. A CLEAR pulse is supplied to the clear input of F1 via timing circuit R3 and C1 and series connected invertors I3 and I4.

The near end touch pad circuit shown in figure 6 is identical to the circuit of figure 5 except that it provides an output signal to the master control unit indicative of activity at the near end touch pad. Like numerals and marking have been used in figure 6 to that used in figure 5.

Figure 7 provides detail of the user interface facility on the master control unit 60. The MODE line is connected to a pull up resistor R4. Switch 72, a single pole double throw switch, functions to connect one end of the pull up resistor to a reference potential. Switch 72 is the mode switch in figure 3. The lap switch 66 in figure 3 is effective in connecting pull up resistors R5 and R6 to the latch circuit which consists of two cross connected NAND gates N3 and N4.

The output from the latch is connected the flip flop F2. F2 provides a LAP signal. The lower part of figure 7 shows the circuit associated with the print switch. Like components have been given like numerals. The print switch circuit provides a PRINT output.

There are two modes of operation namely PROGRAM In this mode, the user selects the number of laps for a particular training session by pressing the LAP key repeatedly until the desired setting is indicated by panel LED. If Timing mode is entered without pre-selecting the number of laps setting, the last stored number of laps is retrieved from memory.

Also, in this mode, a print out of last training record can be obtained if the PRINT key is pressed (assuming a suitable printer is. attached).

TIMING In Timing mode, the timer commences timing as soon as the Start Block or Near End Touch Pad is activated. When the training session is completed, the unit stores training result in non-volatile memory for later analysis.

The MODE switch allows the user to first configure the unit into either a Program operation or a Timing operation, then qualified by pressing the RESET key.

Figure 8 provides detail of a central processing circuit. This circuit has a micro computer 73, an Intel 8 bit 8751 chip as its main component. Reset circuit including resistors R7, R8 are connected in series with reset button B1.

The reset signal is obtained from two series connected invertors I5, I6. The trigger LED 64 is coupled to resistor R9, invertor I7 and NAND N5 gate. Invertor I8 provides a INTO signal and receives its input from exclusive OR OR1. The near touch pad trigger signals and the start block trigger signals are applied to the invertors I9, I10. Address bus 74 and data bus 75 are connected to the computer 70. These buses are connected to memory 76, real time clock 77, shift register 78 and buffers 79 and 80 as shown. Register also drives alarm AL2 via invertor I13 Buffer 81 provides the various signals shown to the computer 73. Cable 82 provides the connection between the buffers 80 and 81 and the display unit. The buffers 79 and 81 are coupled to the connector 83.Register 78 provides a visual output representative of the data inputs.

The eight LED's achieve this. Memory 76 is a 16K bit nonvolatile static RAM arranged as a 2K x 8 memory. This device is manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor, has a self contained lithium energy source to retain data storage between training sessions and battery charging. For Lap Timer applications, data to be stored in the memory includes - Elapsed time between laps (to 32 laps) - Total elapsed time - User number of lap settings for training.

Clock 77 is microprocessor compatible manufactured by Intersil. It can be programmed to provide 1/60 or 1/100 of a second timing. Each time a pad is activated the microprocessor reads the 1/100 second timing information from the clock.

The eight LED's coupled to register 78 function as follows As the user selects the number of laps for a particular training session, the corresponding LED on the front panel will light up to confirm the setting.

The 8 LED indicators are allocated as follows LED 1 - 1 LAP session ( 50 meters timing) LED 2 - 2 LAP session ( 100 meters timing) LED 3 - 4 LAP session ( 200 meters timing) LED 4 - 8 LAP session ( 400 meters timing) LED 5 - 16 LAP session ( 800 meters timing) LED 6 - 32 LAP session (1600 meters timing) LED 7 - Timing in progress indicator LED 8 - Alarm indicator.

Figure 9 shows detail of the display unit. This unit has a 5VDC regulator chip 7805 as shown. Latch 84 and latch 85 receive signals from latches or buffers 80 and 81.

The latch controls OR gates 87 via invertor I11. Device 86 is 4 to 16 line multiplexer and provides inputs for OR gates 87.

The OR gates 87 provide signals for each of the flip flops F3, F4, F5. These flip flops are coupled to display drivers D1, D2, D3 and D4. The drivers are connected to respective seven segment displays 88, 89, 90. These displays provide an indication of the lap count, total elapsed time, and split lap time respectively. The unit shown having an alarm AL1 driven by latch 85.

Figure 10 shows detail of the far end touch pad and transmitter. A switch 91 is connected between two pull up resistors R10, R11 which are in turn connected to a latch consisting of two cross connected NAND gates N6, N7. The latch is coupled to flip flop F3. The output of the flip flop F3 is connected to a tone encoder M which may be programmed by eight single pole single throw switches. Encoder M is Tone Encoder used in dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) telephone dialling.This encoding method generates two voice frequency signals, one signal from a "Low-group consists of four low frequencies 697, 770, 852 and 941 Hz, and another signal from a "High-group" consists of four higher frequencies 1209, 1336, 1477 and 1633 Hz to represent digit 0 to 9, * and # which ideally to be used in Lap Timer radio relay channel separation to eliminate co-channel interference. The DII switch associated with the Tone Encoder is used to select one out of the twelve possible channels for operation before unit shipment. The output from the modulator M is applied to buffer amplifier A. The output from the amplifier is made available to transmitter module Tx which provides a 40 Hz FM signal. A clear pulse for the flip flop F3 is provided by resistor capacitor network R12, C2 which are connected to two series connected invertors I12, I14.

Figure 11 shows detail of a receiver and recovery circuit. Receiver Rx is coupled to a buffer amplifier A which in turn is connected to two tuned circuits 92, 93 adapted to receive signal of a frequency of 647 Hz and 1209 Hz respectively. The signals obtained from the tuned circuits are applied to NAND gate N6. Gate N6 is connected to a mono stable 94 and provides at its output a signal representative of contact with the far touch rad.

Claims (19)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A lap timer for a swimming pool including at least one touch pad, said pad in use being arranged at an end wall of the pool, a switch associated with the pad for providing a signal indicative of a completed lap, at least one display housing arranged on the floor of the pool and adjacent the end wall, the housing having a lap counter display and an elapsed time display, a starting block adjacent an edge of the pool, a switch associated with the starting block for producing a signal for commencing timing when a swimmer leaves the block, and, a control unit responsive to the switches for controlling the displays in the housing.

2. The timer of Claim 1 wherein said one touch pad is a near touch pad and the timer includes a far touch pad arranged at an opposed end wall of the pool, each said touch pad having an associated said switch providing timing functions for enabling a determination of lap time, split lap times and elapsed time.

3. The timer of Claim 1 or 2 including a touch pad associated with the start block for operating the switch associated with the start block.

4. The timer of Claim 3 including a latch coupled to the switch associated with the start block, a flip flop receiving the output from the latch ard providing a start block trigger signal to the control unit.

5. The timer of Claim 2 or 4 including a latch coupled to the switch of the near end touch pad and a flip flop receiving the output from the latch for providing a near end trigger signal to the control unit.

6. The timer of Claim 2 wherein the switch of the far touch pad is coupled to a latch and a circuit including an encoder and transmitter for transmitting a far touch pad signal to the control unit.

7. The timer of Claim 6 wherein the encoder is a tone encoder.

8. The timer of Claim 6 or 7 wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter.

9. The timer of Claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein said control unit includes a receiver and decoder for receiving and recovering signals transmitted by the far end touch pad.

10. The timer of Claim 9 wherein the receiver includes a tuned frequency receiver having two tuned circuits for receiving signals of two separate frequencies.

11. The timer of Claim 9 or 10 wherein said control unit includes a user interface providing for mode selection, resetting and lap setting.

12. The timer of Claim 11 wherein said interface includes a print key for initiating printing of a hard copy of data.

13. The timer of Claim 12 wherein said interface includes visual indicators for displaying lap setting information.

14. The timer of any one of Claims 11 to 13 wherein said control unit includes a computer, a clock, memory and display drivers.

15. The timer of Claim 12 wherein said indicators are LED's coupled to the computer via a shift register.

16. The timer of Claim 14 or 15 wherein said display includes displays of elapsed time, lap time and split lap time and are LED displays.

17. The timer of any one of Claims 2 to 16 wherein said control unit includes an audible alarm.

18. The timer of any one of Claims 2 to 17 wherein an audible alarm is associated with the display.

19. A swimming pool timer substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.