Swimming pool water level alarm system

Abstract

This invention provides a pool water level notification device that can be installed in existing pools without requiring large-scale construction work. [Solution] The pool water level notification device 1 according to the present invention comprises a water level detector 10 for detecting the water level of the pool L, a notification device 20 for notifying when the water level detected by the water level detector 10 exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a holder 30 for integrally holding the water level detector 10 and the notification device 20, wherein the holder 30 is detachably connected to the pool L. The pool water level notification device 1 may further include a gripping part 40 for gripping structures such as handrails R provided in the pool L.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pool water level notification device that notifies when the water level of a pool reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Background Art

[0002] When storing water in a swimming pool installed in a school, the water injection line to the pool is opened to start water injection, and when sufficient water has been stored, the valve is closed to end the water injection. In many cases, the opening and closing of the water injection line to the pool are the responsibility of school faculty and staff. It may take about 24 hours for the pool to fill from an empty state, and in such cases, it is necessary to inject water even at night. That is, after starting to inject water into the pool, the faculty and staff will once return home and close the valve after checking the state of the pool the next day. However, due to forgetfulness or communication mistakes among the responsible persons, there may be cases where the valve is forgotten to be closed and water overflows. The water bill at that time may be as high as over 1 million yen, and there has been an increasing number of cases where the faculty and staff responsible are pursued for liability for damages.

[0003] As a technology for stopping water injection before the water in the pool overflows, there is known a pool maintenance management system configured to install a water level sensor in the pool and an automatic valve in the water injection line and control the automatic valve based on the detection amount of the water level sensor (see Patent Document 1). However, there is a problem that introducing the system described in Patent Document 1 into an existing pool requires large-scale construction work and incurs a large cost.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a pool water level notification device that can be installed in an existing pool without requiring large-scale construction work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pool water level notification device according to the present invention comprises a water level detector for detecting the water level of the pool, a notification device for issuing a notification when the water level detected by the water level detector exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a holder for integrally holding the water level detector and the notification device, wherein the holder is detachably connected to the pool.

[0007] This invention provides a pool water level notification device that can be installed in existing pools without requiring large-scale construction work.

[0008] Another pool water level notification device according to the present invention is characterized in that the retaining device is connected to the handrail, ladder, or starting platform of the pool.

[0009] This invention provides a pool water level notification device that can be attached to existing pool handrails, ladders, or starting platforms.

[0010] Another pool water level notification device according to the present invention is characterized in that the retainer is coupled to a projection provided in the pool.

[0011] This invention provides a pool water level notification device that can be attached to protrusions provided on existing pools.

[0012] Another pool water level notification device according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising a gripping part for gripping a structure provided in the pool.

[0013] This invention provides a pool water level notification device that can be installed in a pool by gripping a structure provided in the pool. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pool water level notification device that can be installed in an existing pool without large-scale construction work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This figure shows a pool water level notification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a view taken along the arrow AA in (a). [Figure 2] This is a side view showing a water level notification device for a swimming pool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a water level notification device for a swimming pool according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view showing an enlarged portion connected to a protrusion. [Figure 4] This figure shows a pool water level notification device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a view taken in the same direction as in Figure 1(b), (b) is a side view showing the device attached to a handrail, and (c) is a side view showing the device attached to a ladder rung. [Figure 5] This figure shows a pool water level notification device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a view taken in the same direction as in Figure 1(b). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Next, embodiments of a pool water level notification device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention and therefore have various technically preferable limitations. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise stated in the following description.

[0017] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of a pool water level notification device according to the present invention will be described based on FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the pool water level notification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of (a).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the pool water level notification device 1 according to the present embodiment is used by being coupled to a handrail R installed in a pool L. The pool water level notification device 1 includes a water level detector 10 for detecting the water level of the pool, a notification device 20 for notifying when the water level detected by the water level detector 10 becomes a predetermined threshold or more, and a holder 30 for integrally holding the water level detector 10 and the notification device 20. The water level detector 10 and the notification device 20 are electrically connected by a cable 12.

[0019] The water level detector 10 detects the position of the water surface W of the pool L. The water level detector 10 according to the present embodiment has an electrode rod 11 and an electric circuit (not shown) connected to the electrode rod 11. The water level detector 10 is configured to detect the water level by the current flowing through the electric circuit when water touches the tip of the electrode rod 11. That is, when the water level becomes a predetermined threshold or more, water touches the tip of a predetermined electrode rod 11, so that the water level can be detected. When a plurality of electrode rods 11 having different lengths are provided, the water level of the pool L can be detected step by step according to which tip of the electrode rod 11 the water surface W touches. The water level detector 10 according to the present embodiment includes three electrode rods 11 having different lengths, but the number of electrode rods 11 can be determined appropriately.

[0020] The notification device 20 is configured to notify that the water level has reached or exceeded a predetermined threshold value in response to a signal transmitted from the water level detector 10 through the cable 12. The notification device 20 incorporates a speaker, and when the notification device 20 receives a signal indicating that the water level has reached or exceeded a predetermined threshold value, the speaker is configured to emit sound. By the speaker emitting sound, it is notified that the water level in the pool L has reached or exceeded a predetermined threshold value. Note that the notification device 20 incorporates a battery and can operate the speaker without using an external power source. Also, the battery of the notification device 20 supplies power to the water level detector 10.

[0021] The holder 30 is formed in a plate shape, and the water level detector 10 and the notification device 20 are coupled. The water level detector 10 is held by the holder 30 such that the electrode rod 11 extends downward. Also, the notification device 20 is placed and held on the upper surface of the holder 30. The water level detector 10 and the notification device 20 are integrally held by the holder 30.

[0022] The holder 30 is coupled to the handrail R installed in the pool L by the gripping portion 40. The handrail R shown in FIG. 1 is a structure provided in the pool L and has a round pipe with a constant cross-section. The gripping portion 40 according to the present embodiment has a clamping member 41 and a bolt 42. The clamping member 41 and the holder 30 are formed so as to be able to sandwich and accommodate the handrail R as shown in FIG. 1(b). By sandwiching the handrail R with the clamping member 41 and the holder 30 and tightening the bolt 42, the pool water level notification device 1 is coupled to the handrail R. The pool water level notification device 1 is detachable from the handrail R. The position where the pool water level notification device 1 is coupled to the handrail R can be set at an arbitrary height. By changing the height at which the pool water level notification device 1 is fixed, the height of the electrode rod 11 of the water level detector 10 can be changed. By changing the height of the electrode rod 11, the predetermined threshold water level detected by the water level detector 10 can be changed.

[0023] Next, the method of use and operation of the pool water level notification device 1 will be explained. First, as described above, the gripping part 40 is attached to the handrail R of the pool L, and the pool water level notification device 1 is connected to the pool L. At this time, the position of the pool water level notification device 1 is adjusted so that the position of the tip of the electrode rod 11 of the water level detector 10 is at a predetermined threshold water level. The predetermined threshold can be set appropriately, taking into consideration circumstances such as the risk of water overflowing from the pool L if the water level exceeds this level.

[0024] Next, water is poured into pool L. When the water level in pool L rises and reaches a predetermined threshold, that is, when water touches the tip of a predetermined electrode rod 11, the water level detector 10 sends a signal to the alarm 20, and the alarm 20 emits a sound from its speaker to notify the user. The sound from the speaker means that the water level in pool L has reached a predetermined threshold. If the predetermined threshold is set just before full capacity, the sound from the speaker is an alarm indicating that the pool will soon be full. Therefore, by stopping the water pouring when this sound is heard, it is possible to prevent pool L from overflowing.

[0025] When pool L is filled with water and ready to use, the pool water level indicator device 1 is removed from pool L. Specifically, the pool water level indicator device 1 can be removed from pool L by loosening the bolt 42 of the gripping part 40 and removing the clamping member 41. Alternatively, one of the two bolts 42 can be replaced with a hinge to connect the clamping member 41 and the holder 30.

[0026] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the pool water level notification device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a side view showing the pool water level notification device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The pool water level notification device 2 according to this embodiment, like the first embodiment, is equipped with a water level detector 10, a notification device 20, and a holder 30, and is connected to the handrail R, which is a structure of the pool L, by a gripping part 40. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration of the water level detector 10. That is, the water level detector 10 of the pool water level notification device 2 according to this embodiment has a suspension cable 13 suspended from the holder 30 and a float switch 14 connected to the suspension cable 13. The float switch 14 is configured to have a specific gravity lower than that of water, and therefore its posture changes according to the water level of the pool L. The float switch 14 is configured to switch ON / OFF according to the change in its posture. The water level detector 10 can detect the water level depending on whether the float switch 14 is ON or OFF. The predetermined threshold value detected by the water level detector 10 can be appropriately adjusted by changing the position of the connection between the suspension cable 13 and the float switch 14, the length of the arm of the float switch 14, etc. The float switch 14 is electrically connected to the suspension cable 13, and the suspension cable 13 is electrically connected to the alarm device 20 via the cable 12.

[0028] The method of use and operation of the pool water level notification device 2 according to this embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment. The height at which the pool water level notification device 2 is connected to the handrail R is appropriately set so that the water level at which the ON / OFF switch of the float switch 14 is switched to a predetermined threshold. When the water level of the pool L rises to the predetermined threshold, that is, when the ON / OFF switch of the float switch 14 is switched, the water level detector 10 transmits a signal to the notification device 20, and the notification device 20 notifies by emitting a sound from its speaker. Although the water level detector 10 shown in Figure 2 has one float switch 14, it is also possible to configure it to have multiple float switches 14.

[0029] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the pool water level notification device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the pool water level notification device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view showing an enlarged portion connected to a protrusion.

[0030] The pool water level notification device 3 according to this embodiment also includes a water level detector 10, a notification device 20, and a holder 30, similar to the first embodiment. The difference between this embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that the gripping part 40 grips a projection P, which is a structure provided in the pool L. That is, the pool water level notification device 3 has a clamp 45 as the gripping part 40, and the clamp 45 is connected to the holder 30. The clamp 45 is configured such that the distance between the jaws 45b and 45c changes by turning the handle 45a, and the pool water level notification device 3 is coupled to the projection P provided in the pool L by clamping it with the jaws 45b and 45c. The pool water level notification device 3 is detachable from the projection P. The pool water level notification device 3 can be installed in pools where handrails are not installed.

[0031] [Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the pool water level notification device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the pool water level notification device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a view taken with the same arrow as in Figure 1(b), (b) is a side view showing the device attached to a handrail, and (c) is a side view showing the device attached to a ladder rung.

[0032] The pool water level notification device 4 according to this embodiment also includes a water level detector 10, a notification device 20, a holder 30, and a gripping part 40, similar to the first embodiment. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that a rotating part 50 is provided between the holder 30 and the gripping part 40. The rotating part 50 allows the gripping part 40 to rotate relative to the holder 30 around an axis parallel to the surface of the holder 30.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the rotating part 50 has a first member 51, a second member 52, a bolt 53, and a nut 54. The first member 51 is a member that supports the holder 30, and the holder 30 is fixed to the first member 51 by a fixing device 51a. The second member 52 is a member that supports the gripping part 40, and the clamping member 41 is connected to the second member 52 by a fastener 40a. A bolt 53 protrudes from the first member 51 along an axis parallel to the surface of the holder 30 and passes through a hole 52a provided in the second member 52. As a result, the second member 52 is rotatable around the axis from which the bolt 53 extends. By tightening the nut 54, the second member 52 can be fixed to the first member 51 at any angle.

[0034] Because the second member 52 is configured to rotate relative to the first member 51, as shown in Figure 4(b), the gripping portion 40 can grip and fix a vertically extending handrail R, and as shown in Figure 4(c), the gripping portion 40 can grip and fix a horizontally extending step S. By tightening the fastener 40a, the structure is sandwiched between the clamping member 41 and the second member 52, and the structure is gripped by the gripping portion 40. Furthermore, the rotating portion 50 may have the bolt 53 oriented in any direction, and other arbitrary configurations can be adopted. In addition, the method of connecting the first member 51 and the holder 30, and the method of connecting the second member 52 and the gripping portion 40 can be any arbitrary configuration.

[0035] [Fifth Embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the pool water level notification device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the pool water level notification device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a view taken with the same arrows as in Figure 1(b).

[0036] The pool water level notification device 5 according to this embodiment includes a water level detector 10, a notification device 20, a holder 30, a gripping part 40, and a rotating part 50, similar to the fourth embodiment. The difference between this embodiment and the fourth embodiment lies in the specific configuration and shape of the gripping part 40 and the rotating part 50.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the rotating part 50 has a first member 51, a second member 52, a bolt 53, and a nut 54. The first member 51 is a member that supports the holder 30, and the holder 30 is fixed to the first member 51 by a fixing device 51a. The second member 52 is a member that supports the gripping part 40. A bolt 53 protrudes from the first member 51 along an axis parallel to the surface of the holder 30 and passes through a hole 52a provided in the second member 52. As a result, the second member 52 is rotatable around the axis from which the bolt 53 extends. By tightening the nut 54, the second member 52 can be fixed to the first member 51 at any angle.

[0038] The base end of the clamping member 41 of the gripping portion 40 is rotatably connected to the second member 52 via a hinge 46. A bolt 48 is also rotatably connected to the second member 52 via a hinge 47. The bolt 48 is positioned to pass through a groove provided at the tip of the clamping member 41. A nut 49 is attached near the tip of the bolt 48, and the nut 49 is positioned to press against the tip of the clamping member 41. By tightening the nut 49, the clamping member 41 rotates around the hinge 46, and the structure is clamped between the clamping member 41 and the second member 52, and the structure is gripped by the gripping portion 40. In the configuration of this embodiment, since the clamping member 41 and the bolt 48 are rotatable via hinges, it is easy to grip the structure.

[0039] [Other variations] In the first and second embodiments of the pool water level notification devices 1 and 2, the gripping portion 40 was configured to grip the handrail R, but it is also possible to configure the gripping portion 40 to grip ladders or starting blocks installed in the pool. Ladders and starting blocks often have round pipes, similar to handrails, and can be configured to grip them in a detachable manner. Furthermore, the structure gripped by the gripping portion 40 is not limited to handrails, ladders, or starting blocks, but can be any structure installed in the pool.

[0040] In the swimming pool water level notification devices according to the embodiments described above, the gripping portion was detachably attached to the pool by gripping a structure provided in the pool. However, it is also possible to detachably attach the device to the pool by means other than gripping. For example, the swimming pool water level notification device can be equipped with a suction cup and configured to be attached to the wall of the pool by the suction cup. Alternatively, for example, the swimming pool water level notification device can be equipped with a magnet and configured to be attached to the surface of a magnetic material provided in the pool by magnetic force.

[0041] The water level detector 10 of the pool water level notification device according to the embodiments described above used electrode rods or float switches, but is not limited to these, and any water level detector can be used. Also, the notification device of the pool water level notification device according to the embodiments described above was configured to emit sound using a speaker, but it is also possible to configure it so that the speaker is installed in a separate location. That is, it is possible to configure it so that a speaker installed away from the pool water level notification device emits sound to notify based on a signal wirelessly transmitted from the notification device of the pool water level notification device. It is also possible to configure it so that a portable terminal or the like emits sound instead of a speaker. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1,2,3,4,5 Swimming pool water level alarm system 10 Water level detector 11 Electrode rod 12 Cables 13 Hanging rope 14. Float switch 20 Alarms 30 Holder 40 Gripping part 40a Fasteners 41 Clamping member 42 volts 45 Clamp 45a Handle 45b, 45c jaw 46 Hinge 47 Hinge 48 volts 49 Nuts 50 Rotating part 51 First component 51a Fixture 52 Second component 53 volts 54 nuts L Pool P protrusion R Handrail S Footrail W water surface

Claims

1. A water level detector that detects the water level of the pool, An alarm device that issues an alert when the water level detected by the water level detector exceeds a predetermined threshold, The system includes a holder that integrally holds the water level detector and the alarm, The retainer is detachably connected to the pool. A water level notification device for swimming pools, characterized by the following features.

2. The retainer is connected to the handrail, ladder, or starting platform of the pool. The pool water level notification device according to feature 1.

3. The retainer is coupled to a projection provided in the pool. The pool water level notification device according to feature 1.

4. The pool further comprises a gripping portion for gripping structures provided in the pool. The pool water level notification device according to feature 1.

Images