This invention relates generally to pools and spas, and more specifically, to low gravity fed water system for pools, spas, and the like, for reducing the likelihood of entrapment of a person's hair, body, or bathing suit.
Spas such as hot tubs have enjoyed increased popularity in recent years. Spas typically provide a means for bathers to relax in a controlled environment of warmth and gentle water massage.
There have been numerous cases of serious injuries and deaths caused by high vacuum levels at a pool or spa's drain which holds an individual to the drain. Various attempts have been made for preventing injury to persons due to the high vacuum levels at the pool's drain in pools and spas.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,820,041 issued to Hilton et al. discloses a drain cover designed for swimming pools, spas, whirlpools and the like that is non-flat and clover-shaped containing three or more “leaves” that provides for strengthened rigidity, and increased protection against hair and body entrapment.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,447 issued to Levin et al. discloses a drain safety and pump control device for pools and spas. The device includes a vacuum sensor for sensing a level of vacuum present in the suction conduit leading to the pumps. The vacuum level is monitored by a computer that controls a vent valve that can vent to atmosphere to reduce the vacuum exerted at a drain disposed at the bottom of the pool or spa.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,863 issued to Ruschell et al. discloses an adjustable pool safety valve for swimming pools that senses and then instantly relieves excessively high vacuum levels in the pool's drain line, such as when an individual becomes trapped by the suction at the pool's drain port which is connected to the drain line. The valve includes a spring biased mechanism which is tripped to relieve the high vacuum level in the pool's drain line and the suction at the drain port by bleeding air into the pool's drain line, causing the pump connected to the drain line to lose prime.
Swimming pools typically employ a skimmer in the upper part of the side of the pool that catches floating debris before it gets saturated and sinks to the bottom. A skimmer typically includes a basket, a lid, and a weir or floating door. A pipe attached to the bottom of the skimmer connects to the pool's filter pump. Water is pulled through the skimmer by the pump. The weir floats at the water level, causing the suction to speed up and pull in more of the debris. The debris gets stuck in the basket as the water goes into the filter and is cycled back into the pool. The typical flow rate though a skimmer is about 50 gallons per minute to about 75 gallons per minute. When the pump is shut off, the weir closes off the skimmer and keeps debris from coming out of the basket and back into the pool.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,576 issued to Blake discloses a swimming pool cleaning system having a pump, a first tube coupling a suction port of the pump in fluid communication with a main drain or mobile cleaning device which draws water and settled debris from the bottom of the pool, and a skimming device having a cylindrical body, an entrainment nozzle and a safety tube. The entrainment nozzle is coupled by a second tube to a coupling device which diverts a small portion of pool return water pumped from an outlet port of the pump. The safety tube connects the inside of the body of the skimmer above the waterline and above the debris trap to the inside of the body of the skimmer below the waterline the debris trap. Most of the pool return water is pumped into a rotary distribution valve, various outlets of which are connected to various pool cleaning heads embedded in an inner surface of the pool. A single low-horsepower pump produces simultaneous effective skimming and operation of embedded cleaning heads.
There is a need for further pools and spas, and more specifically, to low gravity fed water system for pools, spas, and the like, for reducing the likelihood of entrapment of a person's hair and body.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a spa or pool comprising a tub having a plurality of jets disposed in the tub for discharging water into a bathing chamber of the tub. The tub has no completely submersed openings in the bathing chamber for receiving water dischargeable from the plurality of jets. A low gravity fed water system receives water from the tub. The low gravity fed water system includes a housing having an inlet opening for receiving water from the tub at a waterline. A portion of the inlet opening is disposed above the waterline and a portion of the inlet opening is disposed below the waterline. The housing has at least one outlet opening disposed in the housing below the waterline operably connectable in fluid communication to the plurality of jets. The housing has at least one vent opening disposed in the housing below the waterline. An upwardly-extending conduct is connectable at a first end to the vent opening, and has a second end disposed above the waterline in ambient air away from an inside surface of the housing and away from an inside surface of the tub. At least one pump is operably connected to the outlet opening of the housing for receiving water from the housing and discharging water from the plurality of jets. In the event of a blockage of the inlet opening air is drawn into the housing via the conduit inhibiting a suction being drawn on the inlet opening.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for circulating water in a pool or spa having no completely submersed openings in the bathing chamber of the pool or spa for receiving water during operation of pumping water to a plurality of jets in the bathing area. The method includes receiving water in a housing having an inlet opening disposed along an inside surface of the tub. A portion of the inlet opening is disposed above the waterline and a portion of the inlet opening is disposed below the waterline. Water, received from at least one outlet opening in the housing disposed below the waterline, is pumped to a plurality of jets for discharge back into the bathing chamber in the tub. Air is received, via a vent opening in the housing below the inlet opening and the waterline, in the event of a blockage of the inlet opening causing air to be drawn into the housing via the conduit inhibiting a suction being drawn on the inlet opening. The vent opening is connected to a conduit at a first end and having a second end disposed away from the inside surface of the tub and away from the inside of the housing above the waterline in ambient air.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a vertical bar grating system for use in a spa or pool, in a low gravity fed water system that reduces the likelihood of entrapment or entanglement. The system includes a plurality of vertically disposed spaced-apart members defining a plurality of openings for receiving water from the spa or pool into the low gravity fed water system and wherein the plurality of openings extend substantially the entire length of the members.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a filter system for use in filtering fluid in a pool or spa. A filter system includes a filter housing, and a filter device disposed in the housing. The filter device has a filter defining a passageway for transporting filtered fluid therethrough. The filter is operably connectable to said filter device and has an opening fluidly connectable to said passageway, and comprises a plurality of openings for receiving unfiltered fluid in said housing. A check valve disposed in said filter mount having a first position operable for allowing filtered water to pass through said filter system to a pump and inhibit passage of unfiltered water through said filter system to the pump, and a second position operable for allowing filtered water to pass through said filter system to the pump and passage of unfiltered water through said filter system to the pump.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of various embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:
Some of the aspects of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for reducing the likelihood of a person being trapped and/or injured by the suction exerted on them by water flowing into a drain, and in particular to fluid circulation systems in pools, spas, and the like, including hot tubs, swim spas, etc.
The present invention, in one aspect, the suction or drains disposed in the bathing area of the spa or hot tub are removed and replaced with a low gravity fed water system, which may be located generally safely outside the bathing area or chamber.
In this illustrated embodiment, instead of drains or suctions disposed in the bathing area or below the surface of the water, water pumping system 114 includes pump 115 pulling water from the spa through a low gravity fed water system 200, and returning the water back to the bathing chamber by way of therapeutic pressure jets 118.
Low gravity fed water system 200 includes a housing 202 having an inlet opening 204 which may include or be covered by, for example, a grill 210 such as a vertical bar grill defining an upper chamber 220 having an upper portion 222 that extends above a waterline WL in the spa, and a lower portion 224 which is disposed below the waterline in the spa. In one aspect, the grill allows clothing or hair to safely and freely slide up and above the water level without restriction, therefore, reducing the likelihood of clothing, body, and/or hair becoming entrapped or entangled below the water level. A vented service cover 230 may also be provided for accessing chamber 220. The features of the vented grill aid in reducing the likelihood for pump 115 to create a vacuum in the bathing area as well as in upper chamber 220.
In addition, water is gravity fed from lower portion 224 of upper chamber 220 to a lower chamber 240 via an intermediate opening or inlet 226 such as an annular opening extending around a cylindrical filter assembly 260. The top of the filter assembly 260 and annular intermediate opening 226 may be covered by a grill or grating 250 (best shown in
Water gravity fed into lower chamber 240 may be carried out one or more outlet openings such as via conduits 242 and 244 to pump 115. Water may also be gravity fed into filter assembly 260 via an opening or inlet 262. Water filtered in filter assembly 260 is carried via a conduit 264 to pump 115. Water pumped by pump 115 is returned to the bathing chamber via conduit 117 to jets 118. In another embodiment a grill may extend over and form a case over inlet 262 of filter 260 and horizontal bars or grill may extend over annular intermediate opening 226.
In one aspect of the present invention, in the event that grill 210 or grill 250 becomes clogged or blocked, the vacuum in lower chamber 240 will be emptied by a vacuum release 270 such as a conduit which vents lower chamber 240 to the atmosphere above waterline WL. For example, a lower end 272 of conduit 270 may operably connect to a vent opening 271 in housing 202. A second end 274 may be disposed above the waterline in ambient air (e.g., atmosphere) away from an inside surface of the housing and away from an inside surface of the tub. A second vacuum release 280 may be provided which vents the lower portion of filter 260 in the event opening or inlet 262 becomes blocked. For example, if only inlet 262 is clogged or blocked, the vacuum in filter 260 will be emptied by vacuum release 280 such as a conduit which vents filter 260 to the atmosphere above a water line WL. Release vent 270 may be effective to vent both lower chamber 240 and filter 260. The vents may be freely open to the atmospheric air at their upper ends and throughout the vent, i.e., not having a valve or other mechanism that moves or otherwise operates to open the vent upon blockage of the low gravity fed water system.
In one aspect, the grill allows clothing or hair to safely and freely slide up and above the waterlevel without restriction, thereby, reducing the likelihood of clothing, a person's body, and/or hair becoming entrapped or entangled below the waterlevel. A vented service cover (not shown may also be provided for accessing chamber 1220. The features of the vented grill aid in reducing the likelihood a pump (not shown) to create vacuum in the bathing area as well as in chamber 1220. Each of the members 1212 of the grill may be 1½ inches wide and spaced about ¾ inch from each other.
With reference to
With reference again to
In one aspect of the present invention, in the event that grill 1210 (
With reference to
A strainer 1266 may be disposed in filter housing 1264 and covered with a cover 1268. The bottom of the filter may sealably engage the bottom of the filter housing. The bottom of filter housing 1264 may having an opening 1265 which is engagable with a fitting 1270 disposed at the bottom of chamber 1240. Such a configuration of the filter systems results in a user being able to lift the filter housing out of chamber 1240, and wherein any debris loosely disposed on the outside of filter 1262 is maintained in filter housing 1264. The user is able to move the filter housing and filter outside the spa, and then remove and replace the filter without allowing any debris entering the lower chamber.
With reference to
In the event that the person's hair is long enough and extend into the annular space in the lower chamber, as shown in
With reference again to
In addition, the front of the grill may be curved to make it harder for objects and people to block the entry of water entering the low gravity fed water system. While the system is shown having a round lower chamber, it will be appreciated that other configurations maybe suitably employed. For example, the lower chamber may be square or rectangular. The fins may have different sizes to extend between the housing of the filter and the inside of the lower housing. In addition, a rectangular chamber may be attached to the cylindrical housing so that the flat ends of the rectangular chamber may be easily connected to the tubes to the pumps and easily covered by a suction or drain cover. From the present description, it will be appreciated that other configuration may be suitably employed.
In testing, it has been found that when a conventional spa is operated with submersed drains in the bathing area and the drains are obstructed, the vacuum in the system goes up thereby increasing the hold between the obstructed object and the drain, e.g., −20 to −25 Hg. In testing a low gravity fed water system of the present invention, which includes a safety tube to allow air into the system when the entry of water is obstructed at the grill or water is obstructed around the annular opening to the lower chamber, the vacuum will be about 0 Hg, making it easier for the obstructed item to be removed. In the event that an object obstructs the filter opening, the low flow rate of the filter allows the obstructed object to be readily removed. In addition, employing the safety tube for the filter as described above also reduces the vacuum on the obstructed opening. If a safety tube is used on the filter, a greater flow rate may be used in the filter.
In addition, as shown in
With reference again to
Filter device 7020 may include a filter 7022 defining a passageway 7024 for transporting filtered water therethrough. Filter mount 7040 may include an opening 7042 fluidly connectable to passageway 7024. Filter mount 7040 may also include a plurality of openings 7044 such as holes for transporting unfiltered fluid, as described below.
A check valve 7060 may be disposed in filter mount 7040 across the lower end of passageway 7024. Check valve 7060 may have a first normally closed position, as shown in
With reference to again to
From the present description, it will be appreciated that after a period of use of the filter system, the filter may slowly become clogged. As the filter becomes clogged, the check valve may open slightly and permit unfiltered water to pass through, for example, when the pump is operated in a low flow rate when the spa is not being used. As noted above, the housing surrounding the filter device, the filter mount, and the check valve may comprises a portion of the spa shell wall of the spa or pool.
In the various embodiments, the first opening in the housing along the waterline may be about 20 inches wide, and have a height of about 16 inches to provide a water head of about 6 to 8 inches. The housing may have a depth of about 14 inches that extends behind the first opening. When bathers enter the spa or pool, the height of the water head may increase about 1 inch to about or 2 inches. These dimensions may vary depending on gallon per minute flow rate requirements for each individual spa and pool. In addition, the sizing of the housing and opening may be selected so that the likelihood of the pumps drawings air is avoided. The rate of flow may be between about 20 gallons per minute and 600 gallons per minute, but may vary depending on the pump size and number of pumps.
For example, the sizing of the opening in the housing (e.g., the width of the opening, and height or head of the water entering the housing) to accommodate the desired flow rate of the pool or spa may be generally calculated using Weir flow calculations.
For example, for rectangular weirs, the flow rate measurement in a rectangular weir may be based on the Bernoulli Equation principles and can be expressed generally as:
q=2/3cdb(2g)1/2h3/2 (1
where q=flow rate (m3/s), h=head on the weir (m), b=width of the weir (m), gravity g=9.81 (m/s2), and cd=discharge constant for the weir determined by analysis and calibration tests. For standard weirs—cd—is well defined or constant for measuring within specified head ranges.
For rectangular weirs, the flow rate measurement in a rectangular weir may also be based of the Francis Formula, and can be expressed generally as follows:
q=3.33(b−0.2h)h3/2 (1b)
where q=flow rate (ft3/s), h=head on the weir (ft), and w=width of the weir (ft).
Graphically, the flow rate verses height of water for different widths of a weir is illustrated in
The opening in the housing may have a width greater than 6 inches, greater than 9 inches, about 12 inches, greater than 1 foot, greater than 18 inches, greater than 20 inches, or greater than 2 feet, for receiving water from the pool or spa.
The height of the head of water entering the opening may be about 6 inches, greater than 6 inches, greater than 9 inches, about 12 inches, or greater than 1 foot, for receiving water from the pool or spa.
While a rectangular configuration is described above, it will be appreciated that the opening in the housing may have any suitable configuration for permitting the desired flow rate.
The low gravity fed water system may be integral with a tub of a pool or spa. In addition, the low gravity fed water system may be a system with allows retrofitting of current pools and spas.
From the present description, the present invention may overcome the danger of entrapment that exists with current pools and spas. For example, by removing submersed suction/drains, entrapment of the bather may be avoided when a bather comes in contact with a suction/drain and cannot escape the vacuum created by the pump such as caused by the bather or bathers' hair or an article of the bathers' clothing being pulled into the suction/drain. Thus, the possible result in injury or even death by drowning may possibly be avoided because of the elimination of suction/drains disposed below the surface of the water in the bathing area.
In addition to the benefit of safety to persons in preventing injury, the present invention may also control and prevent damage to water circulation devices, such as pumps, and may be used to control timed operation of water circulation devices.
Thus, while various embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/491,015, filed May 27, 2011, entitled “Low Gravity Fed Water System Without Submersed Drains Within The Bathing Chamber For Pools And Spas”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/503,165, filed Jun. 30, 2011, entitled “Low Gravity Fed Water System Without Submersed Drains Within The Bathing Chamber For Pools And Spas”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/526,945, filed Aug. 24, 2011, entitled “Low Gravity Fed Water System Without Submersed Drains Within The Bathing Chamber For Pools And Spas”, the subject matter of these applications being incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US2012/039582 | 5/25/2012 | WO | 00 | 2/26/2014 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61491015 | May 2011 | US | |
61503165 | Jun 2011 | US | |
61526945 | Aug 2011 | US |