Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Buoyancy providing attachment for pipe – log – or line
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-16
2001-12-18
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Buoyancy providing attachment for pipe, log, or line
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331129
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to swimming pool accessories. More specifically, the present invention pertains to floating lane dividers. The present invention is particularly, though not exclusively, useful for marking distances on swimming pool floating lane dividers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior to 1994, during competitive swimming events, the swimmers were allowed to swim underwater as long as they could before surfacing and performing the required stroke. In 1994, the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA), the world-wide governing body for competitive swimming, issued a new rule stating that during backstroke races, the swimmers' heads must break the surface of the water within fifteen meters (15 m) of the pool end walls when either starting the race or making turns. In 1998, FINA extended this fifteen meter (15 m) rule to freestyle races and butterfly races, as well.
In response to these rule changes issued by FINA, USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming adopted the following rule: “Distinctive colored floats, or markers extending around the full circumference of the floats, shall be placed at 15 meters (49 feet, 2½ inches) from each end wall in both short course and long course pools.” Marking the fifteen meter (15 m) distance not only allows the swimmers to know when to surface, but it also allows the race officials to determine who is, or who is not, following this rule.
Various lane line marking devices, such as fabric covers, notched inserts, and colored segments, have been used to mark the fifteen meter (15 m) distance. Unfortunately, each of these devices present problems to the users. The fabric covers do not readily withstand the harsh chemicals used to keep the pool clean, and in outdoor pools, they quickly fade in the sunlight.
The notched inserts are difficult to see from underwater and can be dislodged by the wave action of the swimmers. Additionally, they may be dislodged when the lane markers are removed from the pool and placed on storage reels. The colored segments may provide a solution to the problem, but they cannot be easily retrofitted on existing floating lane dividers. It is also difficult to move or change the colored segments, if necessary.
In response to the above problems, there is a need for a device that can be used to mark swimming pool lane dividers which can withstand harsh pool chemicals and continuous sunlight. There is also a need for a marking device that cannot be easily dislodged from the swimming pool lane dividers by wave action, and/or removal and storage of the lane dividers. Finally, there is also a need for a device that can be easily retrofitted onto to existing swimming pool lane dividers.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for marking swimming pool lane dividers that will withstand chlorine and other chemicals used to maintain swimming pools. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for marking swimming pool lane dividers that will not fade or otherwise degrade under intense continuous sunlight. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for marking swimming pool lane dividers which can be easily retrofitted onto existing floating lane lines.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for marking swimming pool lane dividers that can be easily installed, removed and changed, if necessary. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device for marking swimming pool lane dividers which is simple to manufacture and relatively inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The device for marking swimming pool lane dividers of the present invention includes a thin, flat rectangular sheet of brightly colored polyethylene with a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge. The device for marking swimming pool lane dividers may be formed with two (2) or more holes along the top edge and the bottom edge.
The device for marking swimming pool lane dividers may be wrapped around a typical swimming pool lane divider with the top and bottom edges overlapping each other. When properly installed, the holes formed along the top and bottom edges will line up to allow a fastener to be inserted through them to hold the device for marking swimming pool lane dividers in place around the swimming pool lane divider. The fasteners will also prevent the device for marking swimming pool lane dividers from sliding along the swimming pool lane divider. Moreover, the fasteners may be easily removed to allow the device for marking swimming pool lane dividers to be removed, changed, or moved to another distance from the end walls of the pool.
This device for marking swimming pool lane dividers overcomes many of the disadvantages of the markers discussed above because it provides a lane line marker which is resistant to the degradation caused by harsh pool chemicals and continuous sunlight. Moreover, this device for marking swimming pool lane dividers provides a lane line marker which can be easily retrofitted onto existing floating lane dividers. Finally, this device for marking swimming pool lane dividers provides a lane line marker which can be easily removed, easily changed, and easily moved along a swimming pool lane divider.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3597779 (1971-08-01), Morgan
patent: 3757370 (1973-09-01), Seno et al.
patent: 5564358 (1996-10-01), Newton
Defender Industries, Jan.-1992, pp. 30 and 35, New Rochelle, N.Y.
Avila Stephen
Eastman Gary L.
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