GB2368787A - Circulating water pool - Google Patents

Abstract

A circulating water pool comprises a tank (1) containing water, a weir (4) which extends substantially across the width of the tank towards one end thereof, and means (e.g. a pump 2) for circulating the water which passes over the weir back to the opposite end of the tank via inlets (3). Optionally, a portion of the recirculating water may be passed through a filter (10) and/or heater (9).

Description

SWIMMING POOL FOR CONTINUOUS SWIMMING IN A SMALL AREA This invention relates to a swimming pool with an adjustable flow of water that enables a person to swim continuously in a small area and without having to turn.

A wide variety of swimming pools exist, some of which have water jets or streams to assist swimming. However these are usually large pools, which are expensive to build and maintain. Some small pools have jets or streams but these can create turbulence or require expensive equipment to minimize this problem. Some pools use gravity, for example via weirs, to assist with circulation for water treatment purposes but not to assist in increasing water flow speed or reducing turbulence to permit continuous swimming in a small area.

An object of this invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive swimming pool which allows continuous swimming, without turning, in a small area of water with relatively little turbulence. A further object is to heighten aesthetic appeal via sight and sound. An additional object of this invention is to provide a water play area for children and a water leisure area for adults. A further object is to be able to regulate the speed of the water flow by a person inside or outside the pool. Another object of the invention is to enable the pool to be installed relatively simply indoors or outdoors. A further object is to be able to use the pool as a Jacuzzi.

Accordingly, this invention provides a swimming pool with a body of water which flows along the pool and then falls under gravity to a lower level, enabling a person to swim continuously in a small area of water without turning; water is then circulated back to the pool by powerful mechanical means. The speed of the water can be regulated to suit the desired swim speed.

Turbulence is limited by allowing a large volume of the water to fall under gravity as part of the circulatory process. This occurs downstream, usually across the width, or most of the width, of the pool. A swimmer is thus able to swim comfortably in a small area, which is therefore relatively inexpensive to heat and treat.

The fall of the water under gravity produces a pleasant visual effect and a pleasant sound effect.

The relatively smooth flow of water also provides an area for nonswimming. The pool area can be used as a water play area for children or as a leisure area for adults, with the rate of flow of the water being adjusted by the regulator to suit the preferred conditions. A range of devices can be placed within the pool, close to the water inlet (s), to create different pool surface and sub-surface conditions for the enjoyment of the pool user (s). The built-in benches provide seating areas as well as reducing the amount of water needed to make the pool functional.

Preferably the pool body is made of fiberglass or plastic but it can be made from steel or other rigid materials, sometimes with a liner to create a softer and warmer touch and to minimize leaks. The pool can be of any shape, but is normally rectangular. It can be of any size and can be installed inside a property, in a room as small as 8 square metres, or outside in the open or in a structure such as a timber buiding. The flow of water can be produced by a variety of methods including pumps, propellers or paddles. The inlets can be of varying number, shape or size. The pool water can be filtered, sterilized and heated by a wide range of equipment and methods readily available. The rate of flow can be adjusted by a range of available systems which can be linked to a control which can be adjusted by a person using the pool, or outside of the pool.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows in perspective the pool with a weir but without water.

FIGURE 2 shows a section from one of the longest sides showing the circulating flows of water, the pumps and water treatment and heating equipment.

FIGURE 3 shows a section from the front showing equipment location.

FIGURE 4 shows in perspective the swimming pool with water and a swimmer. Referring to the drawing, the pool comprises a rectangular structure 1 with water flow provided by pumps 2 to inlets 3. The structure of the pool is made of four quarters.

The water flows from front to back where it falls over a weir 4 into the weir collector 5 and is then pumped back by pump (s) 2 to the inlets 3 through piping 6 laid through one of the benches 7 ; a proportion of the water is diverted for treatment via multi-port valve 11, filter 10 and water heater 9 and then returning to the inlets 3. All components are of such size that they can pass through a doorway opening of 2.5 wide by 6.5 high imperial feet, or larger.

When the pool is not in use water rests in the main swimming chamber level with the top of the weir 4 ; the remaining water rests in the lower region of the weir collector 5 and in the pipes and other equipment. When the pool is in operation a relatively smooth flow of water is produced, moving from front to back at a speed adjustable by the regulator 8 linked to the pumps 2.

The invention may take different forms in how gravity is used to limit turbulence and assist with the flow of water. An alternative to the vertical weir is to allow water to fall over an angled weir. Alternatively the flowing water could be allowed to fall through an opening or openings of various shapes and sizes including grids, louvres, perforated sheets and chutes. The function of the pool can be made to operate as a Jacuzzi by the installation of inlets around the walls of the pool through which water can be pumped using standard equipment available for this purpose.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS SWIMMING POOL FOR CONTINUOUS SWIMMING IN A SMALL AREA 1. A swimming pool with a body of water which flows along the pool and then falls under gravity to a lower level, enabling a person to swim continuously in a small area of water without turning ; water is then mechanically circulated back to the pool.
2. 2. A swimming pool as claimed in Claim 1 comprising a weir.
3. 3. A swimming pool with a flow of water as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the weir is placed at the downstream end of the pool.
4. 4. A swimming pool with a flow of water as claimed in Claims 1,2, and 3 wherein the weir is across the whole width of the pool.
5. 5. A swimming pool with a flow of water as claimed in Claims 1,2, and 3 wherein the weir is across most of the whole width of the pool.
6. 6. A swimming pool with a flow of water as claimed in Claim I wherein the speed of the flow of water is regulated by a person in the pool.
7. 7. A swimming pool as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there are seats provided in the pool in the form of benches.
8. 8. A swimming pool as claimed in Claim 1 which can be adapted for use as a Jacuzzi by the provision of a number of inlets in the pool walls through which flows water generated by standard equipment for such use.
9. 9. A swimming pool as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the structure of the pool can be constructed in modular components which can pass through a standard size house doorway.
10. 10. A swimming pool with a flow of water as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the running costs are relatively low.
11. 11. A swimming pool with a flow of water substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.