Method of and apparatus for the acoustic signalling of cases of drowning in swimming pools

• US 4,853,691 A
• Filed: 12/21/1987
• Issued: 08/01/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Klaus-Peter Kolbatz
• Original Assignee: Klaus-Peter Kolbatz
• Inventors: Kolbatz, Klaus-Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/136,039
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 340/565, 340/566, 340/573, 340/521, 340/531, 340/541, 340/384 E, 340/521, 340/610, 340/603, 340/693, 340/624, 340/625, 340/689, 367/107, 367/116, 367/141, 367/173, 367/176, 367/178, 367/191, 181/0.5, 181/402, 181/142, 181/122
• US Class Current: 340/566
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/082 by monitoring electrical characteristics of the water
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/084 by monitoring physical movement characteristics of the water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 181/402 Liquid

Abstract

The invention describes a method and apparatus for the acoustic signalling of cases of drowning in swimming pools, to guarantee reliable trigger of the alarm while avoiding any false alarms. This is effected basically by a switching element (1) in a water-tight encapsulation, which is disposed beneath the surface of the water and which, in the event of an alarm, triggers a first alarm device (2) and delivers an acoustic signal via a signal horn (5). A transmitter (6) is also connected to the alarm device (2) and transmits the alarm signal to a receiver at a distance and to another alarm device (10). Instead of the switching element (1), a microphone (12) can advantageously be used for cases in which the swimming pool water is frozen.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a swimming pool having water therein to a selected surface level, the system activating an audible warning device in response to a person jumping or falling into the swimming pool, the system comprising:

a hollow, frusto-conical disturbance collector having a first end opening which is relatively wide and a second end opening which is relatively narrow;

means for supporting the collector beneath the surface level of the water in the pool with the axis of the collector extending horizontally and the collector positioned in spaced relation to a wall of the pool with the first end opening facing away from the wall and the second end opening facing the wall;

a flap pivoted by a horizontal hinge adjacent the second end opening of the collector for pivoting upon impact by a submerged pressure wave generated upon a person jumping or falling into the pool, the flap being isolated by the frusto-conical collector from small surface disturbances created by leaves, stones or the like falling into the pool;

a switching element secured to the flap for emitting a signal upon moving with the flap;

circuit means connected to the switching element for detecting the signal; and

alarm means connected to the circuit means for emitting an audible alarm upon the circuit means detecting the signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the switching element is a mercury tilt switch which opens or closes contacts upon being tilted.

3. A system for monitoring a swimming pool having water therein to a selected surface level, the system activating an audible warning device in response to a person falling into the swimming pool, the system comprising:

a hollow, frusto-conical disturbance collector having a first end opening which is relatively wide and a second end opening which is relatively narrow;

means for supporting the collector beneath the surface level of the water in the pool with the axis of the collector extending horizontally and the collector positioned in spaced relation to a wall of the pool with the first end opening facing away from the wall and the second end opening facing the wall;

a flap pivoted by a horizontal hinge adjacent the second end opening of the collector for pivoting upon impact by a submerged pressure wave generated upon a person jumping or falling into the pool, the flap being isolated by the fursto-conical collector from small surface disturbances created by leaves, stones or the like falling into the pool;

an encapsulated microphone mounted on the flap for detecting noises in the water generated by breaking of ice and for emitting a signal upon detecting the noise;

circuit means connected to the switching element for detecting the signal; and

alarm means connected to the circuit means for emitting an audible alarm upon the circuit means detecting the signal.