Patent Application
20170067267
The present invention relates to pool lane lines and, more particularly, to a pool lane line gate.
Lane lines are currently used to create a plurality of swimming lanes within a pool. Typically lane lines are constructed of a wire and floatable discs disposed about the wire. Lane lines include a first end and a second end, each having hooks that are connectable to mounts at either end of the pool. Lane lines are typically used for swimming competitions or to provide a swimming lane for swimmers that recreationally swim laps in a pool. Currently, to move from one lane to another, a swimmer must either go under or over the lane line, which may be difficult for the elderly, the disabled, young children, novice swimmers and others that require flotation devices to swim.
As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus that allows swimmers to move in between lanes without going over or under the lane lines.
In one aspect of the present invention, a pool lane line gate comprises: a U-shaped frame comprising a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion and a horizontal portion joining bottom ends of the first and second vertical portions; a gate door comprising a line and an at least one floatation device disposed about the line, wherein a first end of the line is releasably secured to a top end of the first vertical portion, and a second end of the line is releasably secured to a top end of the second vertical portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, a pool lane line comprises: a U-shaped frame comprising a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion and a horizontal portion joining bottom ends of the first and second vertical portions; a line comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to an outer portion of a top end of the second vertical portion; a plurality of floatation devices disposed about the line; and a connector secured to an outer portion of a top end of the first vertical portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, a pool lane line comprises: a first line comprising a first end comprising a first connector and a second end comprising a second connector; a plurality of flotation devices disposed about the first line; a gate door comprising a second line substantially smaller in length than the first line, wherein the second line comprises a first end comprising a third connector and a second end comprising a fourth connector, wherein an at least one floatation device is disposed about the second line, wherein the first connector and the fourth connector are releasably secured to one another, and the second connector and the third connector are each operable to connect to a pool hook mount.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
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In certain embodiments, the pool lane gate 10 may be part of a lane line 14. In such embodiments, a connector 22 is secured to an outer portion of a top end of the first vertical portion 24 and the second vertical portion 24. The connector 22 of the first vertical portion 24 is releasably connectable with a pool hook mount 17. The connector 22 of the second vertical portion 24 is connected to the lane line 14. In such embodiments, a first end of gate door 18 is secured to an inner portion of the top end of the first vertical portion 24, and a second end of the gate door 18 is releasably secured to an inner portion of the top end of the second vertical portion 24.
The lane line 14 and the gate door 18 may be made of the same materials and may look substantially the same. For example, each of the lane line 14 and the gate door 18 may include a series of 4-inch or 6-inch polyethylene units or discs and donuts that float within in water assembled on a vinyl coated stainless steel cable. In certain embodiments, the floatation devices of the gate door 18 may be a different color to provide easy recognition of the location of the gate door 18 on the lane line 14.
The U-shape frame 16 may be formed of a rigid tubing and thereby maintains the integrity of the lane line 14 while opening and closing the gate door 18. In certain embodiments, the vertical portions 24 of the U-shaped frame 16 are extendable in length to adjust to different sized swimmers. In such embodiments, each vertical portion 24 may include telescoping tubes, including an inner tube slidably engaged with an outer tube. One of the inner tube and outer tube may include a plurality of apertures 23 and the other of the inner tube and outer tube may include a single aperture 23. Each of the plurality of apertures 23 align with the single aperture 23 at different lengths. A pin of a snap clip 28 may fit within the aligned apertures 23, securing the vertical portion 24 at a desired length.
The connectors 22 of the present invention may include hooks. For example the hooks may include carabineers which releasably attach to other carabineers and different types of hooks. In such embodiments, the gate door 18 may include a carbineer on each end. Therefore, a user may open the gate door 18 from either side.
The present invention may utilize caps 20. A first cap 20 may be secured to the top end of the first vertical potion 24 and a second cap 20 may be secured to the top end of the second vertical portion 24. The caps 20 may be releasably secured to the top ends of the vertical portion 24. In such embodiments, the caps 20 may include apertures 23 that align with apertures 23 formed at the top ends of the vertical portions 24. A pin of a snap clip 28 may fit within the aligned apertures 23, securing the cap 20 to the top end of the vertical portion 24. Each cap 20 may include a first hook 34 and a second hook 34 extending from opposing ends. The carabineers of the lane lines 14 and the gate door 18 releasably secure to the hooks 34.
The horizontal portion 25 of the present invention may be used as a step to help swimmers get through the U-shaped frame 16. In certain embodiments, the horizontal portion 25 may include an anti-skid surface 26 disposed about a top surface. The anti-skid surface 26 may be a high friction surface that provides additional grip to the swimmer. For example, the anti-skid surface may include a rubber pad with protrusions or a gritty material. The anti-skid surface 26 prevents the swimmer from slipping while crossing lanes.
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It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/214,925, filed Sep. 5, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62214925 | Sep 2015 | US |
