Signals and indicators – Indicators – By location
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2001-04-17
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
By location
C116S200000, C040S608000, C004S496000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216629
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a system for preventing accidents caused by people diving into shallow water. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a system of swimming pool depth markers. The depth markers stand upright and indicate the depth of the adjacent pool with a standard insignia and by the height of the markers themselves.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the most common swimming accidents in pools occurs when people dive into shallow water and hit their head on the bottom of the pool. Almost all diving accidents occur when a person dives from the deck of the pool into the shallow end. These accidents often result in severe injury to the head and/or neck. It is common to mark the depth of the water at a particular point on the deck surrounding the pool. This is done adjacent to the depth indicated. The problem with this practice is that the numbers or words are not easily visible to a person running up to dive in the pool. The depth and warning signs are typically written flat on the surface of the deck. Warnings thus written, because of the angle, are not clearly visible to an observer depending upon the approach.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,167 to Whitten shows an example of a depth marking system for a swimming pool. In the Written Patent the depth marking, which is in the gutter of the pool, would be invisible to a person running up to dive in the pool until too late.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,779 to Jewett shows a system of baffles designed in part to safeguard divers by cushioning the bottom of the pool. This patent addresses the same problem as applicant but uses a very different method. Jewett stresses reducing the impact of the diving accident rather than preventing the accident altogether. The system of Jewett would be difficult to install and is not in widespread use if it is used at all.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,584 to Peebles discloses another method of preventing pool accidents. In this patent a perimeter barrier totally prevents access to the pool. This is intended to prevent drowning accidents where a small child might fall into an unattended pool.
None of these prior art patents discloses a device that will prevent diving accidents by providing a prominent warning about depth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly it is the object of the present invention to provide a swimming pool depth marking system that will reduce diving related injuries by providing a more clearly visible warning to persons approaching the swimming pool.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system of pool depth marking that will warn would be divers of the depth hazard irregardless of their angle of approach to the pool edge.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sign the height of which is indicative of the pool depth adjacent to the sign.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a depth sign that will easily flex out of the way if bumped against but that will return automatically to its original position.
The invention comprises a series of signs that will be located around the shallow end of the pool. The upright standing signs will be easily visible to someone approaching the pool. The signs will have three faces so that the warning is visible from any angle of approach including someone who swims up to the edge and climbs out.
The semi-rigid signs will be mounted on a base so that they will deflect if bumped into, but then they will return back to their original position.
The signs are intended for use in the pool industry, typical applications would occur around public and hotel and motel swimming pools although they can be used around virtually any swimming pool. These signs could also be used along docks or anywhere where diving accidents are known to occur. The signs will carry standard size lettering and graphics to indicate depth and warn of no diving.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of example, the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the best mode currently known to the inventor for carrying out the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 345702 (1994-04-01), Hilpmann
patent: 3517905 (1970-06-01), Nestegard
patent: 4123183 (1978-10-01), Ryan
patent: 4249357 (1981-02-01), Cornou
patent: 4608773 (1986-09-01), White
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Manley Mark
LandOfFree
Marker for warning of recreational pool depth does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Marker for warning of recreational pool depth, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Marker for warning of recreational pool depth will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2467904