NL2025897B1 - Pool with height-adjustable floor and said floor - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure presents a pool comprising a basin configured to be filled With water to a water level and a height-adjustable floor comprising at least one fountain nozzle configured to produce a fountain having a component normal to a top surface of the floor, Wherein the floor is arranged in the basin and is height-adj ustable between a lower position and an elevated position. The disclosure also relates to said height-adjustable floor.

Description

Pool with height-adjustable floor and said floor fi] The invention relates to a pool with a height-adjustable floor. In particular, the invention provides a pool with a height-adjustable floor and a height-adjustable floor of or for a pool.

[2] A variety of pools are known, such as swimming pools, diving pools and therapeutic pools, both indoors and outdoors. Pools generally comprise a basin of a particular depth chosen for the particular purpose of the pool when in use as such. However, when not in use as such, pools present a large use of space. Furthermore, pools designed for a particular purpose can not easily be used for another purpose. Known pools thus have the disadvantage of limited versatility.

[3] It is an objective of the invention to solve at least of the above problems. This is achieved through the invention by providing a pool according to claim 1 and a height-adjustable floor of or for a pool according to claim 21.

[4] The invention relates to a pool comprising a basin configured to be filled with water to a water level and a height-adjustable floor comprising at least one fountain nozzle configured to produce a fountain having a component normal to a top surface of the floor. The floor is arranged in the basin and is height-adjustable between a lower position and an elevated position.

[5] Because the height-adjustable floor of the pool comprises at least one fountain nozzle configured to produce a fountain having a component normal to a top surface of the pool, the pool has the advantages of being convertible from a pool to a fountain installation. Such pool has an increased versatility.

[6] In the context of the present invention, the top surface of the floor refers to the surface of the floor that is exposed to the top of the basin of the pool when the floor is arranged in the basin. The top of the basin is related to the direction of gravity and is generally open. The basin typically comprises a fixed bottom. The floor may fully or partly overlap the fixed bottom. Water may flow around or through the floor when it is adjusted in height. Thus, any water in the basis may flow below and above the floor, depending on the water level of the basin and the height of the floor.

[7] Preferably, the floor comprising the at least one fountain nozzle is configured to produce a fountain above the water level. The floor comprising the at least one fountain nozzle may be configured to produce a fountain above the water level in the elevated position of the floor.

[8] Preferably, the at least one fountain nozzle is embedded in the floor. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one fountain nozzle of the floor may be directed upwards relative to the top surface of the floor,

[9] The elevated position may be at or near the water level.

[10] The pool may further comprise tubing configured to guide pressurised water to the at least one fountain nozzle. [lij The tubing may be at least partly comprised in the floor. Preferably, the tubing comprises flexible regions configured to allow height-adjusting of the floor.

[12] The pool may further comprise a pump configured to supply the at least one fountain nozzle with pressurised water. Preferably, the pump has an inlet suspended in the basin. The inlet of the pump may be arranged under the floor.

[13] The pool may further comprise one or more than one light source. The one or some of these light sources may be arranged in the floor. In other words, the floor may further comprise at least one of the one or more than one light source.

[14] The pool may further comprise power cables configured to power the at least one fountain nozzle. Additionally or alternatively, the power cables may be configured to power the one or more than one light source. The power cables may be configured as separate sets of cables for the at least one fountain nozzle and the one or more than one light source. Preferably, the power cables are at least partly comprised in the floor, irrespective of whether these power the at least one fountain nozzle, the one or more than one light source, or both. Preferably, the power cables comprise flexible regions configured to allow height-adjusting of the floor. The power cables supplying power to the at least one fountain nozzle may for example power switches of the at least one fountain nozzle to control the at least one fountain produced by the at least one fountain nozzle.

[15] The pool may further comprise an actuator configured to adjust the floor in height between the lower position and the elevated position.

[16] The pool may further comprise a controller configured to control at least one of: the pool, the floor, the at least one fountain nozzle, the pump, the one or more than one light source, the actuator of the floor. The controller may thus be configured to control all or some of the pool components.

[17] The floor may further comprise a non-slip top surface.

[18] The invention also relates to a height-adjustable floor of or for a pool according to the invention. The floor may thus comprise any combination of features described in this disclosure in connection with the floor or any of the floor components, including fountain nozzle(s), tubing and its flexible region, light source(s), power cables and its flexible region, non-slip top surface.

[19] The invention is further clarified through the following figures, wherein: FIG.1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a pool according to an embodiment of the invention with its basin filled with water, the floor in the elevated position and its fountains operational, the pool being operational as a spray park; FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cross-sectional side view of the pool of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 schematically depicts the same view as FIG. 2 with the floor in the lower position and the pool being operational as a swimming pool; FIG. 4 schematically depicts a perspective and partial view of the height-adjustable floor with the arrangement of fountain nozzles and tubing; FIG. 5 schematically depicts a fountain nozzle of a height-adjustable floor; and FIG. 6 schematically depicts another fountain nozzle of a height-adjustable floor.

[20] The following reference signs are used. i pool 2 basin 3 water level 4 floor 5 fountain nozzle 6 fountain 7 top surface of floor 8 tabing 9 flexible region of tubing 10 pump 11 inlet of pump 12 light source 13 power cables 14 flexible region of power cables 15 actuator 16 buoyant chamber 17 cable 18 pulley 19 securing device 20 controller 21 dry chamber

22 lane marking 23 opening 24 connector 25 fountain controller 26 cover element 27 switch of fountain nozzle

[21] FIG. 1 shows a pool 1, comprising a basin 2 configured to be filled with water to a water level 3. The pool 1 further comprises a height-adjustable floor 4 which comprises at least one fountain nozzle 5. The fountain nozzles 5 are configured to produce at least one fountain 6 having a component normal to a top surface 7 of the floor 4. The floor 4 is arranged in the basin 2 and is height-adjustable between a lower position and an elevated position. In FIG. 1, the floor 4 is in the elevated position, the fountain nozzles 5 are operational and a so-called spray park is produced with the fountains 6.

[22] An advantageous effect of this pool 1 is that the pool 1 can be transformed from a swimming pool into a spray park and vice versa. The spray park comprises at least one fountain 6 formed by pressurised water coming out of the at least one fountain nozzle 5. The at least one fountain 6 may propagate above the water level 3 of the basin 2 of the pool 1.

[23] The spray park is thus presented at the top surface 7 of the floor 1. When the pool 1 forms the spray park, the floor 4 is preferably at the elevated position (illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). When the pool 1 is a pool as such, the floor 4 is preferably in the lower position (illustrated in FIG. 3). In FIG. 1, the at least one fountain nozzle 5 are operational and produce the fountains 6. Here, sixteen fountains 6 are illustrated, though any number of fountains or other water features may be implemented with the floor 4.

[24] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the pool 1 of FIG. 1

[25] in which the basin 2 is illustrated as filled to the water level 3, which is merely an example. Higher as well as lower water levels may be employed, including not filling the basin at all, Note that both the water level 3 and the elevation of the floor 4 may be adjusted so that the pool 1 can also form the spray park at the lower position of the floor 4 when the water level 3 is correspondingly lowered. However, the at least one fountain nozzle 5 may equally be operated in the lower position of the floor 4 and not propagate beyond the water level 3. In such a case, underwater flows are generated by the at least one fountain nozzle 5 rather than fountains 6. In stead of or in addition to the at least one fountain 6, the at least one fountain nozzle 5 may be configured to produce one or more than one of: a water jet, a water pressure pulse, a wave, a water feature, a stream. The direction of the water flow out of each fountain nozzle 5 has a component normal to the top surface 7 of the floor 4 at the location of each fountain nozzle 5.As illustrated in FIG. 2, the floor 4 comprising the at least one fountain nozzle 5 is here configured to produce the fountains 6 above the water level 3 and in particular in the elevated position of the floor 4. Further, 5 the fountain nozzles 5 of the floor 4 are here directed upwards relative to the top surface 7 of the floor 4. The elevated position is here illustrated as just below the water level 3, but may equally be at or just above the water level 3. In other words, the elevated position may be at or near the water level 3, which comprises both below and above the surface of the water in the basin 2.

[26] FIG. 3 shows the same view as FIG. 2 but with the floor 4 in the lower position. The at least one fountain nozzles 5 are not operational and do not produce the fountains 6. Here, three fountains 6 are illustrated, though any number or other water features may be implemented with the floor 4.

[27] The pool 1 as illustrated in the configuration of FIG. 3 may serve as swimming pool, while it may serve as a spray park in the configuration of FIG. 2. The pool 1 of FIG. 1-3 is thus convertible from swimming pool to spray park and vice versa.

[28] FIG.2 and FIG. 3 further show tubing 8 configured to guide pressurised water to the at least one fountain nozzle 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the tubing 8 is at least partly comprised in the floor 4. Further, the tubing 8 comprises flexible regions 9 configured to allow height- adjusting of the floor 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible regions 9 of the tubing 8 are implemented with extendible flex tubing.

[29] A pump 10 is also illustrated. The pump 10 is configured to supply the at least one fountain nozzle 5 with pressurised water. The pump 10 may supply the at least one fountain nozzle 5 with pressurised water via the tubing 8, which is configured to withstand pressures generated by the pump 10. The pump 10 may supply the at least fountain nozzle 5 with water from the basin 2.

Preferably, the pump 10 has an inlet 11 suspended in the basin 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 11 is arranged in a side of the basin 2 at an intermediate height to ensure relatively clean water is taken in. Advantageously, the pool 1 may further be equipped with a water filtering system {not illustrated) which may further ensure that the water used by the pump 10 is clean. Preferably, the inlet 11 of the pump 10 is arranged under the floor 4, that is to say, between the bottom of the basin 2 and the floor 4 in at least the elevated position. When the inlet 11 is movable in height, for example by means of a flexible inlet, it can be ensured that the inlet 11 is below the floor 4 in all positions. Though one pump 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, multiple pumps may be employed, preferably with additional tubing to supply the fountain nozzles 5 with pressurised water. When using multiple pumps, greater variation in pressure may be obtained in time and/or between the at least one fountain nozzle 5.

[30] The pool 1 may further comprise one or more than one light source 12. In FIG. 1 and 2, several light sources 12 are illustrated on the floor 4. The light sources 12 are preferably configured to illuminate the fountains 6 produced by the fountain nozzles 5. The at least one fountain nozzle 5 and the one or more than one light source 12 may thus be configured to produce a spray park in mutual cooperation. The one or more than one light source 12 may be arranged in the basin 2, the floor 4 or another part of the pool 1, such as an external lighting element. Multiple light sources 12 may be arranged in each of the various parts of the pool 1. The one or more than one light source 12 may be operational at any elevation of the floor 4 and independent from the operation of the at least one fountain nozzle 5.

[31] The one or more than one light source 12 may be configured to produce visible, infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet radiation may be advantageous for disinfection the water in the basin 2 of the pool 1.

[32} In any embodiment of the invention, the pool 1 may further comprise power cables 13 configured to power the at least one fountain nozzle 5, for example in case of electrically-actuated fountain nozzles, such as movable fountain nozzles. Alternatively or additionally, the power cables 13 may be configured to power the one or more than one light source 12. The power cables 13 may thus power both the at least one fountain nozzle 5 and the one or more than one light source 12, though any of these may also be battery-powered. In any case, all electrical circuitry is to be insulated from the water. In the illustrated embodiment of the pool 1, the power cables 13 are partly comprised in the floor 4 and comprise flexible regions 14 configured to allow height- adjusting of the floor 4. In particular, the power cables 13 and their flexible regions 14 are illustrated as running parallel with the tubing § and its flexible regions 9. Both the tubing 8 and the power cables 13 may thus comprise respective flexible regions 9, 14 configured to allow adjusting the floor 4 in height. The flexible regions 9, 14 may be at least partly comprised in the floor 4, for example when the floor 4 is in the lower position. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the flexible regions 14 of the power cables 13 are implemented with a twist in the power cables 13 so that these form a coil on the bottom of the basin 2 when the floor 4 is lowered. Alternatively or additionally, the flexible regions 14 of the power cables 13 may comprise a flexible cable gutter that accommodates the power cables 13. The power cables 13 may be sorted next to each other and/or move along with a scissoring mechanism. Note that in any embodiment, the power cables 13 may carry power as well as control signals to the at least one fountain nozzle 5 and/or to the one or more than one light source 12.

[33] The height-adjustability of the floor 4 can be realised in various ways. For example, the floor 4 may be configured as buoyant with a system for pulling the floor 4 down the basin or releasing the floor 4 to float higher in the basin. As another example, the floor 4 may be supported in the basin by adjustable stands, levers or pillars. The pool 1 may further comprises an actuator 15 configured to adjust the floor 4 in height between the lower position and the elevated position. The actuator 15 may move the floor 4 from the lower position to the elevated position and vice versa as well as to any intermediate position in between the lower position and the elevated position.

[34] In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the actuator 15 is illustrated as comprising a hydraulic cylinder, preferably implemented as described by the applicant in GB 2507496 A. In the illustrated example, the floor 4 is made buoyant by means of four buoyant chambers 16. The volume of the buoyant chamber 16 can be configured to satisfy an intended weight-bearing capacity of the floor 4. This is particularly advantageous in the elevated position of the floor 4, when the floor 4 may carry more weight, due to people being present on the floor 4, compared to the lower position. For example, in the lower position, people float in the water of the pool 1 while in the elevated position, people may walk upon the floor 4. When the hydraulic cylinder retracts its piston, a cable 17 is pulled in. This action pulls the floor 4 down by a series of pulleys 18, The buoyancy of the floor 4, by virtue of its buoyant chambers 16, balances the pulling force exerted on the floor 4 via the cables 17.

[35] As alternative or in addition to the buoyant chambers 16, the floor 4 may comprise foam and/or ballast tanks configured to be filled and emptied to adjust buoyancy of the floor 4. As alternative to the illustrated hydraulic cylinder, the actuator 15 may comprise a rack and pinion system, for example a circular gear comprised in the floor combined with a linear gear comprised in the basin of the pool, or other lifting mechanism.

[36] The pool 1 may further comprise a securing device 19 configured to mechanically couple the floor 4 to the basin. Preferably, the securing device 19 engages the floor 4 with the basin 2 in at least the elevated position of the floor 4. This stabilises the at least one fountain 6 and enhances the load bearing capacity of the floor 4 in the elevated position when, for example, people may stand or walk on the floor 4 when the pool 1 form the spray park. The securing device 19 may be implemented as bars sliding into corresponding openings in sides of the basin 2, as support pillars below the floor 4 and/or as gas chambers to increase buoyancy of the floor 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing device 19 comprises rollers configured to slide along sidewalls of the basin 2.

[37] The pool 1 of FIG. 1 and 2 further comprises a controller 20 configured to control the pool 1, in particular the floor 4, the at least one fountain nozzle 5 of the floor 4, the pump 10, the one or more than one light source 12 and/or the actuator 15. To this end, the controller 20 may control an electrical supply to pump 10 and, via the power cables 13, also to the fountain nozzles 5 and/or the light sources 12.

[38] The pool 1 of FIG. 1 and 2 further comprises a dry chamber 21 in which the pump 10 and the controller 20 are placed. The tubing 8 and/or power cables 13 pass through sealed openings which separate the basin and any water contained therein from the dry chamber 21. Alternatively, the pump 10 may be mounted below the floor 4, preferably attached to the floor 4. Alternatively, the controller 20 may be mounted external to the basin 2 so that an operator can adjust settings of the controller 20, for example via a user interface such as a touch screen. These settings may comprise activation of a program for the pump 10, the at least one fountain nozzle 5 and/or the one or more than one light source 12. The pool 1 in its configuration as the spray park may be operated via a physical user interface and/or by remote control of the controller 20.

[39] Additional details of a height-adjustable floor of the invention are illustrated in FIG. 4.

[40] FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of a height-adjustable floor 4, which comprises at least one fountain nozzle 5. Each fountain nozzle 5 is configured to produce a fountain 6 having a component normal to a top surface 7 of the floor 4.

[41] In this case, sixteen fountain nozzles 5 are shown. Each fountain nozzle 5 is embedded in the floor 4. The fountain nozzles 5 of the illustrated floor 4 are further arranged in rows that correspond to lane markings 22 of the floor 4. With this arrangement, the fountain nozzles 5 may be less conspicuous, especially when not in use. Openings 23, allowing water to flow through the floor 4 when it is adjusted in height, are also preferably arranged in these lane markers [42} The floor 4 of FIG. 4 further comprises light sources 12. The light sources 12 are configured to cooperate with the fountains 6 produced by the fountain nozzles 5 to jointly produce a spray park with both water and light effects. The light sources 12 are arranged near the fountain nozzles 5 of the floor 4.

[43] Itis contemplated that the floor 4 may comprise the one or more than one light source 12 without the at least one fountain nozzle 5. Such floor 4 may still be used in a pool 1 to form a spray park, for example by arranging the at least one fountain nozzle 5 in or on the basin 2. Even without any fountain nozzle 5, a height-adjustable floor 4 comprising one or more than one light source 12 may be advantageous, for example by improving illumination, safety and/or hygiene (for example by disinfection with ultraviolet light) below the water level 3 of the pool 1.

[44] FIG. 4 shows the tubing 8 as being rigid and comprised in the floor 4. This rigid part of the tubing 8 is configured to connect to flexible regions 9 of the tubing 8, preferably by means of a connector 24 at an end of the tubing 8 opposite to the fountain nozzles 5. The floor 4 may thus be configured to allow height-adjusting of the floor 4 once installed in a pool 1. The power cables 13 may be arranged in a similar way, especially when the fountain nozzles 5 are electrically actuated nozzles. The power cables 13 may, for example, run along the tubing 8.

[45] The top surface 7 of the floor preferably comprises a non-slip top surface, for example by structuring or roughening of the top surface 7 or by application of non-slip material for the top surface 7 in fabricating the floor 4. An advantage of a non-slip top surface is that a spray park can be formed with the floor 4 in the elevated position so that people can walk or play on the floor 4 without slipping or falling even though the at least one fountain 6 may wet the top surface of the floor 4.

[46] FIG. 5 shows an example of a fountain nozzle 5 of the floor 4. The illustrated fountain nozzle 5 is supplied with water via tubing 8. A cover element 26 is arranged over the fountain nozzle 5 and comprises a light source 12. Power is supplied to the light source 12 via power cable

13. The fountain nozzle 5 in this example also has a switch 27. The switch 27 is configured to control the direction of pressurised water flow either upward or downward in the fountain nozzle 5. When the switch 27 is set upward, pressurised water may flow through the fountain nozzle 5 in an upward direction, which may result in the fountain 6. When the switch is set downward, pressurised water may flow through the fountain nozzle 5 in a downward direction and not produce the fountain 6. The switch 27 may also be supplied with power by power cables 13, which may be at least partly the same power cables 13 as for the light source 12 or separate cables. Alternatively, the fountain nozzle 5 may not comprise the switch 27, so that the fountain nozzle 5 is directly controlled by the pump 10. That is, the fountain 6 emitted by the fountain nozzle 5 depends primarily on the pressurised water supplied by the pump 10.

[47] The fountain nozzles 5 of the floor 4 allow improved adjusting of the floor 4 in height. For example, when the floor 4 is lowered, the fountain nozzles 5 displace water from below the floor 4 to above the floor 4. Furthermore, displacement of water in the basin 2 is facilitated in both directions by the switch 27. This can even remove the necessity of openings in the floor 4, thus overcoming disadvantages presented by having openings 23 in the floor 4 which may, for example, lead to contamination or soiling of the water in the basin 2. This may be especially relevant when the floor 4 is in the elevated position.

[48] The cover element 26 has the advantage of allowing access to the fountain nozzle 5 and/or to the light source 12 for maintenance and other purposes.

[49] FIG. 6 shows another example of a fountain nozzle 5 as mounted in the floor 4. This fountain nozzle 5 is electrically actuated by means of fountain controller 25 configured to control the fountain nozzle 5 and/or the water flow to the fountain nozzle 5. The fountain controller 25 may comprise a valve, a further pump and/or actuator. A dynamic control in time, flow and direction of the fountain 6 may thus be achieved, especially when a constant water pressure is supplied by the pump 10 via the tubing 8.

[50] The fountain nozzle 5 of FIG. 6 is embedded in a lane marking 22 of a floor 4. The lane marking 22 further comprises openings 23 which allow water to flow through the floor 4. A light source 12 is comprised with the fountain nozzle 5. The fountain nozzle 5 and light source 12 are powered via the power cable 13.

[51} The fountain nozzle 5 of FIG. 6 also has a cover element 26. In this example, the cover element 26 comprises the light source 12 and is detachable from the fountain nozzle 5. The cover element 26 may be taken out of the floor 4 from the top surface 22 of the floor, allowing access to the light source 12 comprised in the cover element 25 and to other components of the fountain nozzle 5 arranged beneath the cover element 26. Advantageously, the fountain nozzle 5, the light source 12 and the cover element 26 may be integrated in a unitary component detachable from the floor 4 via the top surface 22.

[52] The floor 4 of FIG. 4, 5 and/or 6 may be applied to the pool 1 of FIG. 1-3 and may equally be manufactured as a retrofit or replacement for existing pools, including any kind of pool mentioned herein. The top surface 7 of the floor 4 need not be flat, but may be a curved surface or designed with steps and/or slopes. Furthermore, the floor 4 may cover the whole or only a part of the bottom of the pool in which it is arranged.

[53] Inthe above detailed description of the figures, the example of a swimming pool was followed to illustrate the invention in a coherent manner. However, the invention should not be understood to be limited to this particular application, as the limits of the present invention are solely set by the appended claims.

Claims (21)

Conclusions I. Swimming pool comprising: a basin configured to be filled with water to a water level; - a height-adjustable floor comprising at least one fountain nozzle configured to produce a fountain with a component perpendicular to an upper surface of the floor; and - wherein the floor is arranged in the basin and is height adjustable between a lower position and an elevated position. The swimming pool of claim 1, wherein the floor including the at least one fountain nozzle is configured to produce a fountain above the water level. The swimming pool of claim 1 or 2, wherein the floor including the at least one fountain nozzle is configured to produce a fountain above the water level in the raised position of the floor. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one fountain nozzle is embedded in the floor. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one fountain nozzle of the floor is directed upwards with respect to the top surface of the floor. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, wherein the elevated position is at or near the water level. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, further comprising tubing configured to direct pressurized water to the at least one fountain nozzle, The swimming pool of claim 7, wherein the tubing is at least partially arranged in the floor. The swimming pool of claim 7 or 8, wherein the tubing includes flexible areas configured to facilitate height adjustment of the floor. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, further comprising a pump configured to supply pressurized water to the at least one fountain nozzle. The swimming pool of claim 10, wherein the pump includes an inlet disposed in the basin. The swimming pool of claim 11, wherein the inlet of the pump is located below the floor. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more light source. The swimming pool of claim 13, wherein the floor further comprises at least one of the one or more light source. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, further comprising power cables configured to supply power to the at least one fountain nozzle and/or, when dependent on at least claim 14, to the one or more light source. The swimming pool of claim 15, wherein the power cables are at least partially arranged in the floor 10. The swimming pool of claim 15 or 16, wherein the power cables include flexible areas configured to facilitate height adjustment of the floor. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, further comprising an actuator configured to adjust the floor in height between the lowered position and the raised position. The swimming pool of any preceding claim, further comprising a controller configured to operate at least one of: the swimming pool, the floor, the at least one fountain nozzle, the pump, the one or more light source, the actuator of the floor, The swimming pool of any preceding claim, wherein the floor further comprises a non-slip top surface. 21. Height-adjustable floor of or for a swimming pool according to any one of the preceding claims,