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  Floating platform which may be pneumatically submerged and emerged for use in swimming poolsUSPTO Application #: 20070006374Title: Floating platform which may be pneumatically submerged and emerged for use in swimming pools Abstract: It is a platform fit to be disposed over the water mass retained in a swimming pool, or the like, and to act as a receiving platform for a person, placed on same, to be able to enter into and submerge in the water as a consequence of the vertical descending movements, and then emerge by means of the ascent produced by the same platform in said water mass. The novelty is that said submergible platform is a hollow, light and rigid vessel that has a top horizontal floor, from which lateral walls are projected are facing downwards (when situated in the water), defining an internal precinct that remains in communication with the exterior by means of, at least, one air entry and exit conduit produced by the said ascending and descending movements of said platform in the water mass; said movements being guided by vertical guides disposed adjacently to the internal face of the swimming pool wall, along which the corresponding sliding carts projecting from the platform are driven. (end of abstract)
Agent: Young & Thompson - Arlington, VA, US Inventor: Carlos Alberto Sors USPTO Applicaton #: 20070006374 - Class: 004496000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Pool Type, Accessory The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070006374. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention has as main object a FLOATING PLATFORM, WHICH MAY BE PNEUMATICALLY SUBMERGED AND EMERGED TO BE USED IN SWIMMING POOLS, by means of which the entry and exit from the swimming pool is facilitated to disabled persons, overcoming a series of problems and inconveniences in relation to the motions to be performed, for which they always need the assistance of third parties assistance. In fact, this patent of invention encompasses a very special floating platform able to be placed over the water level, preferably, coplanar to the edge surface of the swimming pool and to be stable over same providing a plane surface able to receive a person seated on a chair, or directly seated on said platform. [0002] It refers to a platform intended to be used not only for disabled persons, but also by obese persons or older persons in general, at their homes or in institutions, clubs and physical and therapeutic centers. [0003] The particular design of this platform corresponds to a function principle that consists in keeping a sufficient volume of air enclosed in a vessel, with an horizontal basis that acts as a platform, to support the load of a person without sinking. [0004] Once a user person is on the platform, a valving incorporated resource may be opened, whereby the said confined air exits thus producing the progressive sinking of the platform in a way that the user contacts the water without making any effort. [0005] The above mentioned air outflow may be almost total, so that the platform is kept under water and laying on the bottom of the swimming pool allowing the user to use it, comfortably, either performing hydrotherapeutic exercises or enjoying a bath. [0006] To go out, the user just has to place himself on the platform and close the air outflow valving resource, and then activate a pneumatic pump that sends air through a tube which free end faces inwards the said platform. [0007] Said input of air results in the gradual uplift of the platform along with its load, until its surface returns to its initial coplanar position at the edge of the pool. [0008] This patent of invention encompasses, precisely, the resulting combination of means, since there are no antecedents, and an existing current problem is solved. PRIOR ART [0009] Currently, there are several Rehabilitation Centers and Public and Private Institutions specialized in the therapeutic treatment of persons who have lost the ability to move on their own, either temporarily or permanently. These centers function to provide special treatment for physical exercises to stimulate the general functioning of the body of these persons, either to recover them or to avoid any dysfunction due to the lack of exercise. [0010] In this regard, it is well known that hydrotherapeutics is very important to such recovery methods. Due to this, most of these Rehabilitation Centers have swimming pools as part of their equipment. [0011] Even when many of such swimming pools have commonly an adapted construction condition to be used by disabled persons, such as railings adjacent to the entry and exit areas, or else, fixed displacement platforms, the existing problem has not been completely and properly solved. [0012] Mostly, it is pointed that many of these institutions use nurses or even volunteers that, due to their female condition do not have sufficient strength or physical capacity to assist a patient who needs to be lifted, hold or moved. [0013] On the other side, it is also pointed out that, due to safety reasons, it is not recommended the use of electric resources to equip means with motors in sub-aquatic areas due to the risk and danger that these may imply. Therefore, it is intended to restrain the access with electrically driven chairs, as well as the use of lifts including electrical means to their function. [0014] It has been also discarded the use of hydraulic lifts, due to the inconvenience implied by the risk of contaminating the water with the oil used by these devices. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION--MAIN OBJECT [0015] The floating platform referred to by the present invention clearly overcomes the inconveniences mentioned, since it uses air movement, as a resource for movement, so that its presence does not represent any risk to its users. [0016] In facto, the novel platform is a hollow vessel consisting of a horizontal and planar floor, from which vertical walls are projected downwardly when it is placed over water. [0017] Then, it is defined an internal recipient and housing that contains a certain volume of air offering a resistance to the sinking, therefore the platform keeps floating over the water, even if it has a load such as that of a person placed on same. [0018] As long as the air volume retained within said recipient is removed, the weight supported by the platform will gradually overcome the resisting force and, thus, it will sink in the water mass. [0019] For this purpose, in a possible embodiment, the novel device includes, in communication with said internal recipient, an outwardly projecting tube for exiting air including a valving closure, by means of which the communication established is opened or closed. [0020] The same internal housing may be in communication with a tubular conduit, that extends to an air supply source, which is adequately away from the swimming pool, so that the inverse process is carried out by means of same. That is, the entrance of air in said internal precinct creates an internal pneumatic pressure that produces an ascending force that, once it overcomes the weight of the supported load, will result in the lifting of the platform. [0021] In order to avoid deviations or oscillating movements that may affect the adequate balance that must be provided by the novel platform, it is a condition for the platform to be in relation with guidance means that only allow the referred to vertical ascending and descending movements. [0022] It is also observed that, the horizontal surface receiving the user includes a means to fasten wheel chairs and the like. Within the same constructive and functional concept, this patent of invention refers to a version that may be built and installed together with the construction of the swimming pool itself, or else, it requires that the existing swimming pool is empty (without water) to allow its assembly; it refers to a facility that may be referred to as "permanent facility". Continue reading... Full patent description for Floating platform which may be pneumatically submerged and emerged for use in swimming pools Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Floating platform which may be pneumatically submerged and emerged for use in swimming pools patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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