Multi-functional therapy pool

Abstract

A multi-functional therapy pool for use in physical rehabilitation, strengthening exercises and recreational purposes. The multi-functional therapy pool preferably has a generally rectangular shape wherein one side of the pool is provided with patient entry means and a seating area adjacent thereto. The remaining three sides of the pool are preferably provided with a continuous overflow gutter formed upon the upper periphery that is operative to catch splashes and minimize waves during physical activity within the pool. A number of therapeutic modalities will further be integrated within the pool, including spa jets, integrated underwater treadmill, and specialized hand rails to facilitate access in and out of the pool.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSStatement Re: Federally Sponsored Research / Development[0001]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND[0002]The present invention is directed to a multi-functional therapy pool that is specifically designed and configured for use in physical rehabilitation, strengthening exercises and general recreation purposes that is significantly more advanced than conventional swimming pool design.[0003]Swimming pools are well-known in the art. Generally, swimming pools can take a variety of shapes and sizes, and may be designed for a wide range of purposes. In this regard, pools can range from small spas and current pools that are operative to fit no more than one to two swimmers at a time to architecturally-designed pools having complex depths, designs, and water features that sprawl across the most luxurious of resorts. With respect to standardized pools, the same can likewise vary greatly from small wading pools to Olympic-sized swimming pools, the latter being regarded...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a multi-functional therapy pool that is designed to be easily accessible to patients, swimmers, physical therapists and the like. It is specifically sized and configured to provide a variety of exercise and strengthening procedures while minimizing disruption caused by waves and splashing. The pool has a shallow depth and is designed to allow individuals to stand with their heads above water. It also has ingress / egress access means, as well as one or more structures for individuals to sit within the pool for breaks or relaxation. The pool is further provided with an overflow gutter to absorb water movement and minimize disruptive movements. The pool may also include jets and hydro-massage chairs for patient waiting and treatment purposes. It is believed that a molded fiberglass pool is optimal and that prefabricated surge tank and plumbing simplifies pool installation and operation. Overall, the present invention offers an efficient and effective therapy pool that can perform a wide range of procedures while providing safety and comfort to users.

Problems solved by technology

Despite the well-known advantages of hydrotherapy, the use of most conventional pools is ill-suited to that end.

In this regard, conventional swimming pool design, and in particular conventional in-ground recreational pools, only provides a limited shallow area that is actually usable for hydrotherapy and rehabilitation purposes.

The “deep end” of such pools in not only impractical to perform a majority of rehabilitation exercises and activities, but also poses a risk of drowning as most recreational pools have a gradual transition from shallow to deeper portions that pose a risk that frail or non-ambulatory individuals may drown.

Likewise, most conventional pools do not provide easily accessible steps or structures that readily allow hydrotherapy patients to get in and out of the hydrotherapy pool, and much less seating accommodations specifically designed for use with hydrotherapy patients.

Still further, most conventional pool design does not provide for any mechanism to provide for systematic hydrotherapy training or rehabilitation regimens, and in particular specific types of activities such as jogging or aerobic exercises that enable the rebuilding and strengthening of muscle and increase in range of motion and flexibility to take place in the low-impact, underwater environment.

Specifically, most conventional pool designs suffer from two distinct disadvantages in this regard, namely: 1) the therapy pool is not provided with any type of specialized equipment, such as treadmills and the like, that can enable such aerobic activity to be conducted in the underwater environment; and 2) there is no mechanism by which the inevitable splashing and waves produced as a result of doing such aerobic exercise activity is suppressed or otherwise minimized to thus minimize disruption and enable any such physical activity, whether it be rehabilitation procedures or strength training, to be conducted in a continuous and uniform pool environment.

In this regard, excessive splashing, waves or “choppiness” within the pool can detract from and even thwart use of the therapy pool.

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