CA1217606A - Swimming pool platform and components - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

For use in a swimming pool, a vertically adjustable pool platform, hydraulic cylinders to vertically raise and lower said platform, fasteners connecting the pool platform to the hydraulic cylinders for vertically raising and lowering the platform and a vertical barrier extending from adjacent the pool platform adjacent the open deep end of the pool to the bottom of the pool, the barrier permitting water to pass there through.

Description

F- ED OF INVENTION I
This is a divisional application of Canadian Application Serial No.
1 319,285 filed January 8, 1979, Section Ml, Class 4, Sub-Class 48.

This invention relates tug swim King pools and particularly to, swimming pool platforms capable of vertical adjustment, in the pool and, components therefore BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cities holding for example international swimming meets require facilities housing Olympic size swimming pools of a minimum depth to exceed 6'6". In preparing for the meet, the City Councils are each faced with a dilemma. Once the competition is over then what? The pool would in effect be restricted to swimmers children, non-swimmers and those who enjoy mixing swimming with small talk, while wading, would effectively be barred the pool's use. The addition of a wading pool lulled only add to the cost, and complicate tile construction of the facilities.
A suggested response to the dilemma has been the variable pool platform, variable from a position adjacent the bottom of the pool to a position permitting wading.However, none of the structures proposed to date have provided the safety and retie-ability desired.
For example, U.S. Patent 3,052,893 proposes a pool platform secured for adjustment on threaded rods on either side of the pool for changing the depth of the pool.
however, such propose) is impractical and unsafe. Leveling the platform would be difficult and in time with the wearing of the coupling of the platform to the threaded rods, the platform becomes less reliable. At that time, the safety would be question-able and a person cleaning under the platform could be killed if the platform should slime down the rods. For similar reasons, the structure shown in U.S. Patent 3,435,465 is both impractical and unsafe. While leveling the structure shown in U.S. Patent 3,935,600 would not be an insurmountable problem, it suffers the other deficiencies I discussed above.
It is therefore on object of this invention to provide a pool platform and components therefore which overcome the aforementioned difficulties with the prior art.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a pool platform (and gem-pennants therefore that is safe, easy to use, and permits easy access for cleaning and 30 maintenance with complete safety.

~lZ3l7 1 Further and other objects of the invention will be realized by those skilled in the art from the following summary of the invention and detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof.
SEYMOUR OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a pool platform is provided which floats in the water so that when submerged under water at a predetermined level, it is constantly urged to the surface, and also permits water passage vertically there through In this regard, and according to another aspect of the invention, spaced buoyantmembers nay be secured on the top of the platform. Preferably, each member in cross-section is pultruded into an inverted U-shape channel preferably with inwardly directed lips at the end of each U-Arm, for providing a space for holding buoyant materials therein, for example, air bags, air chambers, foam material having noncommunicating gas cells, etc. and, for securing etch member which may lye a thin slat to the plats form;
I According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of members or slats Forming the upper surface of the platform may be scoured to two sets of spaced parallel beams, the sets of beams being joined by cross mer,lbers including apertures therethroug According to another aspect of the invention, the pool platform may be supportedfor vertical movement on four hydraulic cylinders the cylinders being secured to the a platform by piston rods having piston rod end assemblies secure to the platform through the apertures in the cross members, the piston rod assemblies having swivel bars each bar rotatable from a vertical position to a horizontal position and being o a length between its center of rotation and its free end greater than half of the maximum cross-wise dimension of the aperture. In use the swivel bars are each insert I through the aperture in each cross member and rotated from its vertical disposition to a horizontal disposition, to secure the cross meters an thus the platform to thehydraulic cylinders. Preferably, the bar is rotated through an angle greater than 90 Access to the cross member from the top of the platform may be provided by cutting an opening in the members or slats overlying the aperture and providing a cover to lie 30 flush with the surface of the platform to close the opening. A ring washer my be :~LZ~7~6~P6 ; inserted over each rod assembly after the bar is inserted through the aperture but prior to rotating the bar is its horizontal looking disposlt;on~ the rung washer being of greater cross-wise dimension than top aperture to assist in the locking of the plats form to the cylinder.
Also, preferably a handle it secured to the washer for easy retrieval and insertion.
According to another aspect of the invention, the pool platform may be supportedfor vertical movement on four hydraulic cylinders having matching pumps which when operated simultaneously, will provide substantially level eleYatinn of the pool plats form. Preferably, the cylinders etch have a piston of sufficient length to permit the platform to be elevated above the water surface of the pool. Preferably, the platform is buoyant. However, when the pumps are operated to raise the platform, the platform has a tendency to drift upwardly making level elevation less precise. To overcome this problem, according to another aspect of the invention, a restriction in the cross-wise dimensions of the circuit lines returning fluid from the cylinders is provided Jo ensure the pump works effectively, and efficiently, when the platform is raised.In one embodiment the restriction is provided in the circuitry between the hydraulic cylinders and pumps in parallel to a one way check valve, so that fluid pumped in the direction away from the pump to the cylinder to cause the cylinder to 20 lower the platfunm passes through the check valve and fluid returned from the cylinder when raising the platform, passes through the restriction.
inch the platform in Rosetta cases will not extend the full length of the pool avertical barrier, according to another aspect of the invention, is provided at the outer end of the platform to preclude any persons stepping from the pool platform into 23 the deep end of the pool, or to preclude any person swimming in the deep end go swim under the platform, the barrier permitting the flow of water there through and extending upwardly from the bottom of the pool whereat it is secured, to preferably float on the water's surface. In some instances where swimming directly from the platform into the deep end us desired, the barrier extends from the platform to the bottom of the pool.
Preferably when the barrier extends from the water's 5urfac@ to the pool bottom the barrier is maintained adjacent the outer edge of the platform in a thin slowprovided between an outrigger member Bohemia scoured to extend across the pool platform and the platform.
According to another aspect of the invention, the barrier when not in use, my bestored by the use of a take-up mechanism for drawing the barrier under the pool plats form. In one embodiment,, the take-up mechanism includes a take-up body, on top side o the barrier remote from the platform, and having both its ends secured to a cable, the cable passing over pulleys for drawing the cable under the platform and thus the take-up body to a position under the platform As a result, in combination, a safe, easily maintained and reliably operated pool platform and components therefore are provided. When cleaning under the platform, is required, the operator has two options, the first being the raising of the platform above the water surface to allow use of common hand operated pool vacuum equipment. To second option is to raise the platform to the water surface, disengage the platform, lower the elevating mechanism and floating the free platform to another location in to pailful exposing the pool area normally covered by the platform. In either event, the operator need not fear the collapse of a cement, or heavier than water, poolplatform on him, or even enter the water. Additionally, where the pool platform does not extend the length of the pool the barrier protects any child playing on the I platform from stepping into the deep end, or allowing deep end swimmers to swim under the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be illustrated having regard to the drawings illustratingpreferred embodiments of the invention.
I Figure 1 is a perspective view looking downwardly on the swimming pool incorp-orating a pool platform and components thereof, according to the preferred embodir~nts of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the pool platform of Figure 1 in various positions relative to the bottom of the pool floor.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the platform looking upwardly from underneath AL 2~l7 } the pool platform shown in Figures 1 and 2;
Figures 4 and 5 art close up, partly cut away views of part of the pool pl~tfo mshown in Figure 3 and particularly, the preferred method of securing the platform to the hydraulic system.;
Figure 6 is a close-up perspective view looking angularly downwardly on a cornerof the pool platform shown in Figure I
Figure 7 (found with Figure 33 illustrates the construction of various slats forming part of the pool platform according to the preferred embodiments of the invention;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a close-up view of part ox the barrier according to the preferred embodiments of the invention;
Figure 10 is a schematic of hydraulic circuitry used to elevate and lower the platform according to the preferred embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the drawings, and initially Figure 1, there is shown rectangular swimming pool 10, having poured concrete side walls 12, and 121, end concrete walls 14 and 141 and bottom 15, sloped downwardly from end 141 to end 14, and having recess 151 adjacent end 141 of a length to house variable platform 16 adjustable from a position 20 adjacent recess lSl to a position raised above pool 10 and any positron there between see Figure 2) by hydraulic lifting equipment 17~ partially shown in Figures 2, 4, 5 and schematically in circuit diagram shown in Figure 10. Platform 16 is separated from the rest of the pool by barrier 13 disposed between outrigger guard slat 20 as will be described in more detail hereafter secured to the end of the platform remote end wall 25 14 , barrier 18 extending from the bottom of the pool whereat it us secured at 22 by reverse hooks 2~1 and 2271 extending across the width of pool 10, (See Figure I to the top of the water where it is floated by floats 24.
With reference to Figures 2, and 8, pool platform 16 us shown to consist of put-trued in~erteJ Shape slats 26, having a flat top 261 and inwardly directed lips 28 I in cross-sect~on see also Figure 8) and briny secured to two sets 30 of parallel ' I

Lo 7 I laterally opening U-channel beams 32~ seen best in Figure 3, beams 32 being Joined, by cross-beams 34 (see Figures 4 and 5) by bolts 35 (seen best in Figure 8) and nuts 35t extending through apertures (not Sheehan on the upper surface of beams 32, and swivel bars 36 (shown in Figures 2 and 8)9 which swivel from position in alignment with the space between lips 28 to extend across lips 28 to secure the slats 26 to beams 32.
Platform 16 is elevated using hydraulically lifting equipment 17~ having four identical hydraulic cylinders 38~ each of cylinders 38 being buried in the concrete of bottom 15 of the pool floor and having piston rods 40 extending upwardly therefrom and secured to the platform 16 my piston rod end assemblies 42, on the manner show in lo Figures 4, S and 6. As can be seen, each piston rod end assembly 42~ extends through an aperture (not shown) in cross-beam 34 in alignment with piston rod 40 and cross-beam 34 is locked thereto by swivel bar 46, swiveled on pin 48 in slot 50 cut in the top of piston rod assembly 42 to a horizontal locking disposition (shown in Figures 4 and 5 overlying washer 52 and that part of cross-beam 34 adjacent the aperture. For removal IS washer 52 us lifted by handle 54, swivel bar 46 oriented vertically (see Figure 5) and piston 40 retracted. To facilitate removal or attachment of piston rod end assembly 42 from cross-beams 34, (seen best in Figure 6) cover plats 56 is provided to closeopening 57 cut in slat 26, directly over piston rod end assembly 42 by seating on ledges 58 formed by angle irons 59 (see Figure 6) secured to slats 26 on either side to I extend unto opening 57 to support cover plate 56 flush with the upper surface of slats 26~
Platform 16 has at its periphery adjacent walls 12, 12l and 14l, protective edgeguard leg portion 60 (see Figures 6 and 8) to prevent toes and fingers being lodged in or example, space 62 between wall 14l and platform 16.
With reference to Figure 7, slats 26 having various buoyancy aids are provided-for example, plastic air bags 54, rectangular buoyant tubular member 669 Styrofoam block 58, and hollow float block 70, artier 18 comprising a netting us provided to extend from the bottom ox pool 15 to which it us secured by hooks 22l and 2211 upwardly through slot 71 formed between platform 16 and outrigger stat 20 secured at either end by elbow 72 to platform 16~ to -S--1 floats 24 on the water. Secured to each of portions 73 of elbows 72 is pulley 74 for the purposes hereinafter described With reference to Figure 3, pulley 76 and 77 en provided under platform 16~ spaced from outrigger slat 20~ each pulley 76 and 77 having cable runner channels 78 at the top and bottom thereof. Cable 80 it secured over pulley 76, into lower channel 78 of pulley 76 then to upper channel 78 of pulley 77 then over a pulley on the other side of the platform (not shown back to lower channel 78 of pulley 77 then to upper channel 78 of pulley 76~ then back to pulley 74. Keyed turning wheel 82 us provided to key unto an aperture (not shown ) in assembly 76 for turning pulley 76. Take-up body 84 extending across barrier 18 on the side of barrier 18 remote platfonn 16 is secured to cable 80 ( See Figure 9). When the pool platfonn 16 is to be taken to the bottom, the barrier can be left as is (see Figure 2) be unhooked and detached from float buoys 24 and removed completely or be drawn inwardly along cable 80 by turning pulley 76 with keyed turning wheel 82, thus turning the other pulleys drawing take-up body 84, inwardly pushing barrier 18 under the platform.Pool platform 16 is lowered and raised at level attitude by hydraulic equipment 17, shown in part in Figure 2 and through circuits 102 and the accompanying equipment shown schematically in Figure 10.
With reference thereto, two Dwight One Horsepower, 1800 RUM 230/440 V. 3PH, 60Hz. Drip-proof Electric Motors 104, having double extended shafts 105 are coupled by couplings 106 to four matching OX 3003 gear pumps 108, matched to supply equal flows of fluid from common reservoir 110 to circuitry 102. Pressure in circuitry 102 is, monitored by pressure gauges 112 and relieved by modular relief valve 114 set to 1000 psi for return to reservoir 110 along return line 116 through return line filter 118.
Fluid pumped by pumps lD8 is fed through self centering, three position, four way I solenoid operated directional control valves 120 then modular pilot operated check valves 122 (which prevent slippage of the piston, not shown) of hydraulic cylinders 38 through check valve 124 secured in parallel with restricted orifice 126 (operational only on the direction of fluid flow from the hydraulic cylinder 38 to modular valves 122).
I

Lo 76~6 For the lowering of each piston rod pa of each of cylinders 38, for the loweringof the platform at level attitude purrs lû8 are engaged and operated simultaneously by lotteries 104 for equal supply of fluid on circuits Tao directional control valves 120 to provide fluid through control valve lines 1201 aliened by activation of the solenoid in circlljtry 102 to direct fluid to modular check valves 122 to permit fluid to be passed through check valves 124 to cylinders 38 and returned to reservoir 110 along return line 116.
When the platform is maintained stationary, lone portion issue positioned in thecircuitry 102. Because of the buoyance of platform 16, the piston ray tend to leak, therefore, special Miller cylinders with Teflon seals for lower pressure are employed.
When raising cylinders 38~ lines 120711 and o'er k e 126 come into play. Because ox the light loads on the pistons and piston rods ox cylinders 38 because of the buoyancy of platform 16 in the whetter the tendency for the pump to slip, at a greatly reduced pressure, upsets the desired fixed flow rate of fluid through the circuitry.
Consequently, this tendency is counteracted by passing fluid through orifice 126 in a direction away from cylinders I which causes the pumps 108 to work at normal pressure, lye. the same as that pressure when lowering the platform.
As many changes could be made to the scope Do the invention without departing iron the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained herein be interpreted as I ~llustratlve thereon, and not in a limiting sense.

I

Claims (2)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. For use in a swimming pool containing water, a vertically adjustable rigid platform being capable of supporting people standing thereon when secured for use, hydraulic cylinders having piston rods extending therefrom connected to the pool platform, hydraulic circuitry having matched pumps for operating the hydraulic cylinders, one hydraulic cylinder being connected to each matched pump for the simultaneous operation of the matched pumps to ensure a uniform equal flow rate of hydraulic fluid to and from each cylinder by its connected pump during the raising and lowering of the piston rods for the level elevation and lowering of the pool platform, and means on the piston rods for connecting the pool platform to the hydraulic cylinders.

2. The combination of Claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinders are double acting hydraulic cylinders.