US4475016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swimmer arrival signal panel
Assignee: ANNESBERG ASSOCIATES NV
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Filing: 1982-09-21
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Granted: 1984-10-02
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Expires: 2002-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A swimmer arrival signal panel is provided for locating at an end of a swimming lane. The panel may be mounted at the end of a pool or on a bulkhead and forms a permanent installation in the pool. The panel comprises a panel of non-conductive material, the bottom of the panel adapted for mounting at one end of a swimming lane below water level in the swimming pool, the panel being free to move forward when contacted by a swimmer. A first adjustment provides a distance of travel within a predetermined range for the panel, a second adjustment establishes the position of the panel within the distance of travel where a contact is activated to signal a swimmer's arrival, and an adjustable spring to determine force required to move the panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon Berger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:45
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/14; H01H3/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A swimmer arrival signal panel for a swimming lane in a swimming pool, comprising, a panel of non-conductive material, the bottom of the panel adapted for mounting at one end of the swimming lane below water level in the swimming pool, the panel being free to move forward when contacted by a swimmer; first adjustment means to provide a distance of travel within a predetermined range for the panel; contact means adapted to be activated when the panel is moved within the distance of travel; second adjustment means to establish the position of the panel within the distance of travel where the contact means is activated, and adjustable spring means to determine the force required to move the panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A swimmer arrival signal panel for a swimming lane in a swimming pool, comprising, a panel of non-conductive material, the bottom of the panel adapted for mounting at one end of the swimming lane below water level in the swimming pool, the panel being free to move forward when contacted by a swimmer; first adjustment means to provide a distance of travel within a predetermined range for the panel; contact means adapted to be activated when the panel is moved within the distance of travel; second adjustment means to establish the position of the panel within the distance of travel where the contact means is activated, and adjustable spring means to determine the force required to move the panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The signal panel according to claim 1 wherein the panel comprises a plurality of vertical strips evenly spaced apart and attached at back faces to a plurality of horizontal reinforcing back-up bars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The signal panel according to claim 2 wherein the thickness of the vertical strips and the distance between the strips is substantially the same, and the contact surface area of the strips is approximately half the surface area of the panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The signal panel according to claim 1 when utilized to be at least one side of a bulkhead or divider in a swimming pool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The signal panel according to claim 1 when utilized as a permanent fixture on an end wall of a swimming pool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The signal panel according to claim 1 wherein the panel has no permanent fixed connection to the end of the swimming lane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The signal panel according to claim 1 wherein the contact means includes at least one non-corrosive depressible conductive tab, being connected to a first conductor and being spaced from a contact forming part of a second conductor such that depression of the depressible tab touches the contact to complete an electrical circuit between the first and second conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The signal panel according to claim 7 wherein the depressible tab is removable and replaceable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The signal panel according to claim 7 wherein at least two depressible tabs and contacts, both connected to the first and second conductors are provided for each panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The signal panel according to claim 9 wherein at least three signal panels are provided at least at one end of each swimming lane and for each lane of the pool, the panels being rectangular in shape and separated vertically so that each panel may move independently, and any panel within a single lane activates a single electrical circuit for that lane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The signal panel according to claim 1 including a first contact means and a second contact means to provide a first signal and a back-up signal when the panel is moved, and the second adjustment means allows for separate adjustment for the first contact means and the second contact means to establish the position of the panel within the distance of travel where the first and second contact means are activated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
The signal panel according to claim 11 wherein the first and second contact means each include at least one non-corrosive depressible conductive tab, being connected to a first conductor and being spaced from a contact forming part of a second conductor such that depression of the depressible tab touches the contact to complete a separate electrical circuit between the first and second conductors for the first contact means and for the second contact means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The signal panel according to claim 1 wherein the first adjustment means includes at least one flexible strip with a retainer attached to the top of the panel, the retainer to engage the end of the swimming lane, and means to depress the flexible strip to release the retainer and disengage the top of the panel from the end of the swimming lane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The signal panel according to claim 5 including a channel section supported on a shoulder of the end wall; the channel section providing a support for a starting platform, and a raceway for cables connected to the contact means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
The signal panel according to claim 4 including a channel section of the same cross section at the top and bottom of the bulkhead or divider, the bottom of the panel fitting into a slot in the channel section at the bottom of the bulkhead and a releasable retainer attached to the top of the panel to engage the channel section at the top of the bulkhead.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |