Swimming pool animation system

Abstract

Swimming Pool Animation Device The invention relates to a swimming pool animation device (7) comprising a watertight housing (10) containing a video projector (11) capable of projecting at least one image onto the bottom of the swimming pool. The watertight housing (10) is equipped with a cooling circuit (50) for the video projector (11) and / or electrical and / or electronic components (60) housed inside the watertight housing (10). The cooling circuit (50) extends between a water inlet (51) and a water outlet (52) in the watertight housing (10), the cooling circuit (50) being equipped with a water pump (53) and a heat exchanger (54). Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: Device for animating a swimming pool

[0001] The invention relates to a device for animating a swimming pool. Its subject is such a device. It also relates to an animation system comprising a plurality of devices equipping the same swimming pool. It also relates to an animation installation comprising a plurality of animation systems equipping a plurality of swimming pools.

[0002] Swimming in a pool is a sport or leisure activity practiced by many users. Such a practice often consists of chaining together pool crossings over a length of the latter. It is common for this multiplicity of sequences to be considered tedious or boring by the swimming user, who may then be tempted to abandon this activity for another sport. In addition, such a practice remains fundamentally solitary, which often makes it frustrating.

[0003] Furthermore, the operating and maintenance costs inherent in the operation of swimming pools are increasingly expensive for an operator of such pools. It is therefore desirable for the operator to offer new activities and / or entertainment that are likely to retain existing customers or attract new customers, including for one-off events, such attractiveness making the operation more profitable. It is also desirable for the operator to offer new activities involving the lowest possible investment in equipment and supervisory staff. This desire is all the more crucial since the practice of swimming has ultimately changed little over the past few decades, compared to other sporting or recreational activities.

[0004] Document WO2013 / 121229 describes an underwater image projection system which is immersed in a pool and which projects these images onto one of the surfaces delimiting the pool. The projection system comprises an enclosure equipped with a lens. The projection system also comprises a projection element comprising a light source which projects and directs the image. A controller, coupled to the light source, controls the light source as well as a device for directing the projected light source. An animator user provides image data to the controller via an input device. The controller interprets the provided image data into a set of image control variables and controls the light source, such that the projection element projects a static or animated image onto one of the surfaces of the pool.

[0005] Such a system has the disadvantage of being unattractive and offering no interactivity between swimming users and / or between spectators of the pool and offers entertainment of poor quality and diversity.

[0006] Another disadvantage inherent in such a system lies in the fact that its durability is low.

[0007] Another disadvantage of such a system comes from the fact that its installation procedures on a swimming pool are long and tedious.

[0008] An aim of the present invention is to propose a durable and robust entertainment device which allows better attendance at the swimming pool from a simple, effective and inexpensive entertainment device, the entertainment device being motivating and recreational for a swimming user.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an animation device whose installation or uninstallation on the pool is easy, quick and without damage to the structure of the pool, so that temporary animations are possible inside the pool.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an animation device which makes it possible to project images onto a water line without any length limit. Another object of the present invention is to provide an animation device which provides a sound ambiance. Another object of the present invention is to provide an animation device comprising a simple control device.

[0011] Finally, another aim of the present invention is to make the practice of swimming in a pool as attractive as possible, in particular by democratizing learning to swim, for all collective or individual pools, all audiences, whatever the age and / or sporting level of the users.

[0012] These aims are achieved by proposing a device for animating a swimming pool comprising a waterproof housing housing a video projector capable of broadcasting at least one image on a bottom of the swimming pool.

[0013] According to the present invention, the waterproof housing is equipped with a cooling circuit for the video projector and / or electrical and / or electronic components housed inside the waterproof housing.

[0014] The animation device advantageously comprises at least one of the following technical characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

[0015] - the cooling circuit extends between a water inlet and a water outlet equipping the waterproof housing, the cooling circuit being equipped with a water pump and a heat exchanger,

[0016] - the waterproof housing houses a fan,

[0017] - the animation device comprises a fixing device comprising at least two fixing links,

[0018] - the fixing device comprises a fixing member connected to the fixing links and intended to be housed inside a channel, the fixing member comprising a body comprising a telescopic intermediate body equipped with two suction cups,

[0019] - the intermediate body comprises an external body housing a first internal body fixed to the external body and a second internal body capable of circulating in translation inside the first internal body,

[0020] - the first internal body is arranged in a U shape, one of the branches of which is provided with a first finger which cooperates with a second finger of a ratchet mounted mobile in rotation on the external body, a return member being interposed between the first finger and the second finger,

[0021] - the ratchet is provided with a first tooth which is capable of engaging between second teeth formed on the second internal body,

[0022] - the electrical and / or electronic components comprise means of communication remote communication for exchanging data with an external receiver / transmitter in connection with equipment provided to a swimming user and / or the swimming pool and / or float lines equipping the swimming pool,

[0023] The present invention also relates to an animation system comprising a plurality of such animation devices equipping the same swimming pool.

[0024] The present invention also relates to an animation installation comprising a plurality of such animation systems which equip a plurality of swimming pools.

[0025] The present invention and the advantages resulting therefrom will be better understood upon reading the description and the non-limiting embodiments which follow, with regard to the appended figures in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a top view of a swimming pool equipped with a An animation system of the present invention comprising a plurality of animation devices according to the present invention.

[0027] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a schematic side view of one of the devices animation shown in [Fig.l].

[0028] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates front views of three modes of attachment of the device animation illustrated in [Fig.2] on a swimming pool.

[0029] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates front views of two other methods of fixing the animation device illustrated in [Fig.2] on a swimming pool.

[0030] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates side views of two other methods of attaching the animation device illustrated in [Fig.2] on a swimming pool.

[0031] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a fixing member participating in the animation device illustrated in the previous figures.

[0032] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates a cooling circuit equipping the device animation illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

[0033] In [Fig.l], a swimming pool 1 is shown seen from above. The swimming pool 1 is either a pool forming part of a nautical center forming an establishment intended to receive the public or a private pool. The swimming pool 1 is of a parallelepiped conformation, preferably rectangular, and is delimited by two longitudinal edges 2 of a length L1 and two lateral edges 3 of a width L2. The swimming pool 1 comprises a plurality of water lines 4 which extend parallel to each other and along the length L1 of the swimming pool 1. Two contiguous water lines 4 are separated from each other by a line of floats 5. Each water line 4 forms a training and / or competition lane for a swimming user.

[0034] According to the present invention, the swimming pool 1 is equipped with an animation system 6 comprising a plurality of animation devices 7 which are distributed along the length L1 of the pool. More particularly, the animation devices 7 are equally distributed along one of the longitudinal edges 2 or along both longitudinal edges 2. Each animation device 7 is capable of projecting an image 8 onto a bottom 9 of the swimming pool 1, for example on a strip 5 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, to within plus or minus 10%, and over the entire length L1 of the swimming pool 1. In other words, the animation system 6 is capable of projecting an image 8 onto the bottom 9 of the swimming pool 1 of each lane 4 and over the entire length L1 of the latter, the images 8 being contiguous two by two to give the impression of a continuous image over the entire length L1 of the swimming pool 1.It is noted at this stage of the description that the images 8 are either static or animated images. Thus, when the swimming user swims in his lane 4, he has the possibility of watching these images 8, which are capable of entertaining him. These images 8 assigned to a lane 4 are likely to be personalized for the user of this lane 4.

[0035] In Figure 2, each animation device 7 comprises a waterproof housing 10 which houses at least one video projector 11, such as a short-throw laser video projector or the like, commonly called an UST laser video projector, from the English acronym “Ultra Short Throw”. The video projector 11 generates a projection cone 12 which passes through a window 13 fitted to the waterproof housing 10 to form the image 8 on the bottom 9 of the swimming pool 1.

[0036] The animation devices 7 of the animation system 6 are connected to a control unit 14 via a wired connection 15. The wired connection 15 comprises a power cable 15a which electrically supplies the animation device 7 with a direct current of 24 V. The wired connection 15 also comprises a communication cable 15b, such as a USB cable connection or the like, which is capable of transmitting data from the control unit 14 to the animation device 7 or from the animation device 7 to the control unit 14. In the latter case, the data are for example data relating to a temperature of the video projector 11 or of the air contained inside the sealed housing 10. It is understood that the waterproof housing 10 houses at least one temperature sensor 16 capable of measuring the temperature of the video projector 11 or of the air contained inside the waterproof housing 10. The wired connection 15 finally comprises a video cable 15c which is capable of transmitting a stream of images from the control unit 14 to the animation device 7, and more particularly the video projector 11, this video cable being indifferently an HDMI cable, an Ethernet cable, an optical fiber, a DisplayPort cable, a Thunderbolt cable, an SDI cable, a USB cable or the like.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the animation devices 7 are connected to the control unit 14 by being mounted in series one after the other. According to another embodiment, the animation devices 7 are connected in parallel to the control unit 14.

[0038] Each animation device 7 is furthermore fixed to a wall 17 of the swimming pool, in particular a wall 17 constituting one of the longitudinal edges 2, by means of a fixing device 18.

[0039] In Figures 3 to 5, different embodiments of the fixing device 18 are illustrated.

[0040] According to a first embodiment 101 illustrated in [Fig. 3], the fixing device 18 comprises two fixing links 19. Each fixing link 19 connects an attachment point 20 provided on the animation device 7 to an anchoring point 21 provided on one of the longitudinal edges 2 of the swimming pool 1.

[0041] According to a second embodiment 102 illustrated in [Fig. 3], the fixing device 18 comprises four fixing links 19. Each fixing link 19 connects an attachment point 20 provided on the animation device 7 to a respective anchoring point 21 provided on one of the longitudinal edges 2 of the swimming pool 1. The fixing links 19 are arranged substantially parallel in pairs.

[0042] According to a third embodiment 103 illustrated in [Fig. 3], the fixing device 18 also comprises four fixing links 19. A pair of fixing links 19 are connected on the one hand to the same anchoring point 21 provided on one of the longitudinal edges 2 of the swimming pool 1 and on the other hand to two attachment points 20 provided on the animation device 7, the fixing links 19 not crossing.

[0043] According to a fourth embodiment 104 illustrated in [Fig. 4], the fixing device 18 further comprises four fixing links 19. The fixing links 19 are connected on the one hand to a respective anchoring point 21 provided on one of the longitudinal edges 2 of the swimming pool 1 and on the other hand to a respective attachment point 20 provided on the animation device 7, the fixing links 19 crossing in pairs.

[0044] According to a fifth embodiment 105 illustrated in [Fig. 4], the fixing device 18 still comprises four fixing links 19. A pair of fixing links 19 are connected on the one hand to the same anchoring point 21 provided on one of the longitudinal edges 2 of the swimming pool 1 and on the other hand to a respective attachment point 20 provided on the animation device 7, the fixing links 19 crossing two by two.

[0045] According to a sixth embodiment 106 illustrated in [Fig. 5], the fixing device 18 comprises at least two fixing links 19 such as those described previously which connect two attachment points 20 provided on the animation device 7 to an anchoring point 21 which is provided on a fixing member 22 housed inside an overflow channel 23 of the swimming pool 1 which is provided inside the wall 19.

[0046] According to a seventh embodiment 106 illustrated in [Fig. 5], the fixing device 18 comprises at least two fixing links 19 such as those described previously which connect two attachment points 20 arranged on a wall base 24, to which the animation device 7 is fixed, to an anchoring point 21 which is arranged on the fixing member 22 housed inside the overflow channel 23 of the swimming pool 1 which is arranged inside the wall 19.

[0047] It is understood that it is possible when technically feasible to combine or cumulate the embodiments described above.

[0048] In [Fig. 6], the fixing member 22 is shown in side perspective. The fixing member 22 comprises a body 23 which extends between a first end 23a of the body 23 and a second end 23b of the body 23. Each end 23a, 23b of the body 23 is equipped with a suction cup 24 which is for example made of a flexible and deformable material, such as rubber or the like. Each end 23a, 23b of the body 23 is formed of a body element 25a, 25b which is mounted to rotate on an intermediate body 26 also constituting the body 23. In other words, a first body element 25a is mounted to rotate on the intermediate body 26 around a first axis of rotation A1 and a second body element 25b is mounted to rotate on the intermediate body 26 around a second axis of rotation A2. The first axis of rotation A1 and the second axis of rotation A2 are preferably parallel to each other.

[0049] The intermediate body 26 comprises an outer body 27 on which the second body element 25b is mounted. According to one embodiment, the outer body 27 is formed of two plates 27a shown in transparency in the figure. The intermediate body 26 also comprises a first inner body 28 which is housed inside the outer body 27. The first inner body 28 is fixedly mounted inside the outer body 27. According to one embodiment, the first inner body 28 is arranged in a U-shape and comprises a base 28a provided with two parallel branches 28b. The intermediate body 26 also comprises a second inner body 29 on which the first body element 25a is mounted. The second inner body 29 is capable of circulating in translation inside the branches 28b of the first internal body 28 along an elongation axis A3, preferably orthogonal to the axes of rotation A1, A2, such that the intermediate body 26 forms a telescopic member capable of stretching along the elongation axis A3.

[0050] One of the branches 28b of the first internal body 28 is provided with a first finger 41 which overhangs the external body 27. A pawl 40 is mounted to rotate on the external body 27 around a pawl axis A4. The pawl 40 is provided with a second finger 42 which is arranged opposite the first finger 41 and between which a return member 43 is interposed. Thus the first finger 41 and the second finger 42 extend jointly along a return axis A5 which forms the extension axis of the return member 43. The return member 43 is mounted in compression between the two fingers 41, 42. The pawl 40 is provided with a first tooth 44 which is capable of engaging between second teeth 45 arranged on the second internal body 29 so as to adjust a telescopic extension of the intermediate body 26.Thus, the return member 43 pushes the pawl 40 back so that the first tooth 44 engages between two consecutive second teeth 45 to keep the extension of the intermediate body 26 constant.

[0051] These provisions aim to adapt the fixing member 22 to the dimensions of the overflow channel 23 of the swimming pool 1. It is noted that such an installation of the fixing member 22 inside the channel 23 and that uninstallation of the fixing member 22 from the channel 23 is simple and rapid.

[0052] The fixing member 22 also comprises a fixing plate 46 which is provided with at least one fixing eyelet 47 capable of receiving the fixing links interposed between the fixing member 22 and the animation device 7.

[0053] This allows for ease and speed of fixing, whether permanent or temporary, of the animation device 7 to a swimming pool 1.

[0054] In [Fig.7], the waterproof housing 10 is provided with a cooling circuit 50 for the video projector 11 as well as all the electrical and / or electronic components 60 housed inside the waterproof housing 10.

[0055] According to this embodiment illustrated in [Fig.7], the cooling circuit 50 extends between a water inlet 51 in fluid communication with the swimming pool 1 and a water outlet 52 also in fluid communication with the swimming pool 1. The cooling circuit 50 is equipped with a water pump 53 which is capable of circulating the water of the swimming pool 1 from the water inlet 51 to the water outlet 52. The cooling circuit 50 also comprises a heat exchanger 54 which is shaped to allow heat transfer between the water circulating inside the cooling circuit 50 and the air contained inside the sealed housing 10. To facilitate such heat transfer, the sealed housing 10 houses a vent tilator 55 which is capable of sending an air flow 56 towards the heat exchanger 54. When the air flow 56 passes through the heat exchanger 54, the air flow 56 transfers calories to the water circulating inside the cooling circuit prior to an evacuation of this hot water towards the swimming pool 1 via the water outlet 52.

[0056] These provisions perpetuate the animation device 7 by avoiding heating of the electrical and electronic components 60 housed inside the waterproof housing 10. Such heating is also avoided by making the waterproof housing 10 from stainless steel so that the waterproof housing 10 is able to transfer heat by conduction to the water of the swimming pool 1.

[0057] It is noted at this stage of the description that when the waterproof housing 10 is formed of two shells 61 assembled together, a waterproof seal 62, for example made of an elastomer material, EPDM in particular, is interposed between the two shells 61.

[0058] It is also noted that the waterproof housing 10 is provided with a valve 63 by means of which it is possible to create a certain vacuum inside the waterproof housing 10 to check the watertightness of the animation device 7 prior to its installation in the swimming pool 1.

[0059] The electrical and / or electronic components 60 housed inside the waterproof housing 10 are likely to comprise remote communication means of the Wifi, Bluetooth or similar type for exchanging data with an external receiver / transmitter 64, such as a digital tablet, a computer or similar.

[0060] Thus, it is possible to exchange data between equipment 65 with which the swimming user is equipped, such as waterproof resonance earphones in remote connection with the external receiver / transmitter 64, for example to synchronize a sound ambiance and the projected images 8.

[0061] Thus, it is also possible to exchange data between equipment 65 with which the swimming user and / or the float lines 5 are provided, such as position and / or speed sensors in remote connection with the external receiver / transmitter 64, for example to synchronize the projected images 8 and the performances of the swimming user. It is thus possible to inform the swimming user of his performances live by embedding these performances in the images 8.

[0062] Thus, it is also possible to exchange data between equipment 65 with which the swimming pool 1 is provided, such as cameras in remote connection with the external receiver / transmitter 64, for example to project images 8 comprising images of the swimming user himself, thus providing the latter with a mirror effect.

[0063] It is understood that this data is also likely to be broadcast live by television transmission means and that this data is also exportable and storable in a personal space dedicated to each of the swimming users.

[0064] It is also remarkable that an animation installation comprising a plurality of animation systems equipping a plurality of swimming pools allows, for example, the holding of competitions between swimming users present in swimming pools distributed variously around the world.

Claims

Claims

1. Animation device (7) for a swimming pool (1) comprising a waterproof housing (10) housing a video projector (11) capable of broadcasting at least one image (8) on a bottom (9) of the swimming pool (1), the waterproof housing (10) being equipped with a cooling circuit (50) for the video projector (11) and / or electrical and / or electronic components (60) housed inside the waterproof housing (10), characterized in that the animation device (7) comprises a fixing device (18) comprising at least two fixing links (19).

2. Animation device (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling circuit (50) extends between a water inlet (51) and a water outlet (52) equipping the sealed housing (10), the cooling circuit (50) being equipped with a water pump (53) and a heat exchanger (54).

3. Animation device (7) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealed housing (10) houses a fan (55).

4. Animation device (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (18) comprises a fixing member (22) connected to the fixing links (19) and intended to be housed inside a channel (23), the fixing member (22) comprising a body (23) comprising a telescopic intermediate body (26) equipped with two suction cups (24).

5. Animation device (7) according to claim 4, characterized in that the telescopic intermediate body (26) comprises an external body (27) housing a first internal body (28) fixed to the external body (27) and a second internal body (29) capable of circulating in translation inside the first internal body (28).

6. Animation device (7) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first internal body (28) is arranged in a U shape, one of the branches (28b) of which is provided with a first finger (41) which cooperates with a second finger (42) of a ratchet (40) mounted to move in rotation on the external body (27), a return member (43) being interposed between the first finger (41) and the second finger (42).

7. Animation device (7) according to claim 6, characterized in that the pawl (40) is provided with a first tooth (44) which is capable of engaging between second teeth (45) provided on the second internal body (29).

8. Animation device (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical and / or electronic components (60) comprise remote communication means for exchanging data with an external receiver / transmitter (64) in connection with equipment (65) with which a swimming user and / or the swimming pool (1) and / or float lines (5) equipping the swimming pool (1) are provided.

9. Animation system (6) comprising a plurality of animation devices (7) according to any one of the preceding claims which equip the same swimming pool (1).

10. Animation installation comprising a plurality of animation systems (6) according to claim 9 which equip a plurality of swimming pools (1).

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