Lap counting system

• US 10,102,686 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2015
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis Kent Oberhelman, Donna Gwen Oberhelman
• Original Assignee: Dennis Kent Oberhelman, Donna Gwen Oberhelman
• Inventors: Oberhelman, Dennis Kent, Oberhelman, Donna Gwen
• Primary Examiner(s): Galka, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US14/750,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20160375342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/03 the user being in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/83 characterised by the position of the sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/60 Apparatus used in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/12 Arrangements in swimming pools for teaching swimming or for training
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games

Abstract

A lap counting system includes a pool that has an outer wall. The outer wall has an inside surface and the pool may contain a liquid. A tracking unit is coupled to the pool. The tracking unit is positioned on the inside surface such that the tracking unit may be submerged in the liquid. Thus, the tracking unit is accessible to a swimmer. The tracking unit is sensitive to touch such that the tracking unit may be engaged by the swimmer each time the swimmer completes a lap in the pool. Thus, the tracking unit records and times each lap swam by the swimmer.

Claims

1. A lap counting system for use in a pool having an outer wall, said outer wall having an inside surface, said pool being configured to contain a liquid comprising:

a tracking unit being coupled to said pool, said tracking unit comprising a housing having a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral edge extending between said front wall and said back wall, said tracking unit being positioned on said inside surface of said outer wall of said pool such that said housing is downwardly spaced from an open top of said pool, an attachment being coupled to said back wall, said attachment engaging said inside surface such that said housing is removably retained on said outer wall, wherein said housing is configured to be fully submerged under a top surface of the liquid thereby facilitating said tracking unit to be accessible to a swimmer, said tracking unit being sensitive to touch wherein said tracking unit is configured to be engaged by the swimmer each time the swimmer completes a lap in said pool thereby facilitating said tracking unit to record and time each lap swam by the swimmer.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tracking unit comprises

a control circuit being positioned within said housing, said control circuit including a timer.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising

a display being coupled to said front wall wherein said display is configured to be positioned under a top surface of the liquid, said display being electrically coupled to said control circuit wherein said display is configured to display indicia, said display comprising a touch screen display wherein said display is configured to be manipulated by the swimmer each time the swimmer swims past said housing thereby facilitating said control circuit to record a number of laps and a duration of each lap.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising an electronic memory being removably coupled to said housing, said electronic memory being electrically coupled to said control circuit wherein said electronic memory is configured to store the number of laps and the duration of each lap.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a switch being coupled to said housing wherein said switch is configured to be manipulated, said switch being electrically coupled to said control circuit such that said switch turns said control circuit on and off.

6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising a power supply being coupled to said housing, said power supply being electrically coupled to said control circuit, said power supply comprising at least one battery.

7. A lap counting system for use in a pool having an outer wall, said outer wall having an inside surface, said pool being configured to contain a liquid comprising:

a tracking unit being coupled to said pool, said tracking unit being positioned on said inside surface, said tracking unit being sensitive to touch wherein said tracking unit is configured to be engaged by the swimmer each time the swimmer completes a lap in said pool thereby facilitating said tracking unit to record and time each lap swam by the swimmer, said tracking unit comprising;

a housing having a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral edge extending between said front wall and said back wall, said housing being coupled to said inside surface of said outer wall downwardly spaced from an open top of said pool, an attachment being coupled to said back wall, said attachment engaging said inside surface such that said housing is removably retained on said outer wall, a control circuit being positioned within said housing, said control circuit including a timer, a display being coupled to said front wall wherein said display is configured to be positioned under a top surface of the liquid wherein said housing is configured to be fully submerged under a top surface of the liquid thereby facilitating said tracking unit to be accessible to a swimmer, said display being electrically coupled to said control circuit wherein said display is configured to display indicia, said display comprising a touch screen display wherein said display is configured to be manipulated by the swimmer each time the swimmer swims past said housing thereby facilitating said control circuit to record a number of laps and a duration of each lap, an electronic memory being removably coupled to said housing, said electronic memory being electrically coupled to said control circuit wherein said electronic memory is configured to store the number of laps and the duration of each lap, a switch being coupled to said housing wherein said switch is configured to be manipulated, said switch being electrically coupled to said control circuit such that said switch turns said control circuit on and off, and a power supply being coupled to said housing, said power supply being electrically coupled to said control circuit, said power supply comprising at least one battery.