GB2338185A

GB2338185A - A dive experience and training structure

Info

Publication number: GB2338185A
Application number: GB9913282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Matthew Kirton; Colin Niall Way; Paul William Pearson; John Norman Pearson; Joseph Richard Bates
Original assignee: CLARKE ANTHONY BEVINGTON; GRIGG JOHN MARTIN; JOHNSON TIMOTHY DAVID; WESTWOOD JOHN LEONARD
Current assignee: CLARKE ANTHONY BEVINGTON; GRIGG JOHN MARTIN; JOHNSON TIMOTHY DAVID; WESTWOOD JOHN LEONARD
Priority date: 1998-06-09
Filing date: 1999-06-09
Publication date: 1999-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-09
Also published as: GB9913282D0; GB9812295D0; GB2338185B

Abstract

A dive experience and training structure 10 includes a pool 11, delimited by a concrete casting 12, so as to have a relatively shallow portion 13 and a deep sump 14 adjacent thereto. The sump 14 contains a support 15 which defines a route or pathway for making a controlled ascent or descent for increasing dive experience or dive realism, which in the first embodiment is cast in the form of a helix and projects inwards from a cylindrical wall 16 of the sump towards an open central well 17 in the pool 11. The support helix 15 rises from a bottom 18 of the sump 14 to the brim 19 of the pool 11.

Description

1 1 A DIVE EXPERIENCE AND TRArNING STRUCTURE This invention concerns a

dive training structure.

15, 2338185 It is known to utilise a swimming pool for teaching persons to dive using underwater breathing equipment, and when those persons have absorbed sufficient knowledge, to progress their training in the use of the equipment outdoors, e.g. at a coastal sea site or in an inland site such as lake or flooded quarry. With a few exceptions, such sites involve problems such as, they usually offer poor emergency and medical facilities, are inconveniently situated, and offer limited or poor protection from the elements.

In order to solve these problems the present invention provides a dive training structure which primarily includes a diving pool which includes a relatively shallow portion adjacent to a much deeper sump, which is characterised in that the sump contains a support which defines a route or pathway for making a controlled ascent or descent for increasing dive experience or dive realism which rises from the bottom of the sump to the brim of the sump in turns or flights around an open central well.

The sump is preferably 20 to 40 metres deep, and from 20m to 1 OOM metres wide. A peripheral wall of the sump may be shaped to form caverns, niches and other recesses.

The support may be of spiral stair or ramp form and provide landings or ledges at suitable intervals or depths. The support is preferably cantilevered from the peripheral wall of the sump, so as to provide access thereto from the well at least at several different depths, but may be supported from below, e.g.

on columns or pillars. Preferably, a downwardly sloping part extends at least part way around or along the shallow portion and is joined at its lower end to the upper end of the support.

1 2 At least an upper surface of the support may carry formations and artefacts which are or resemble rocks, corals and wrecks.

The water in the pool is preferably saline. The pool may contain aquatic flora and fauna.

The pool may be provided with windows, for viewing the interior of the pool.

Water from the pool is preferably treated and returned by water treatment plant installed in the structure.

The structure also preferably houses rest areas, medical treatment areas, 10 classrooms, bars, refreshment areas, toilet facilities, shops and spectator areas.

The structure preferably has facilities for collecting rainwater from the roof for replenishment of the pool, and at least part of the roof is preferably sufficiently transparent to sunlight for illuminating and heating the pool.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein:- FIGURE 1 shows a highly simplified plan of an embodiment of the structure with a roof above ground level and walls removed to reveal the pool of the structure; FIGURE 2 shows a central vertical cross-sectional view of the structure; FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of a cast-concrete part of the structure defining the pool, and FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 of a modified form of the structure.

Referring to the drawings, the structure 10 includes a pool 11, delimited by a concrete casting 12, so as to have a relatively shallow portion 13 and a deep sump 14 adjacent thereto. The sump 14 contains a support 15, which in the first embodiment is cast in the form of a helix and projects inwards in 1 3 cantilever fashion from a cylindrical wall 16 of the sump towards an open central well 17 in the pool 11. The support helix 15 rises from a bottom 18 of the sump 14 to the brim 19 of the pool 11. In this example the sump is about 30 metres deep and 25 metres wide with a well diameter of about 10 metres, FIGURE 1 including representations of a lorry and people to illustrate the relative sizes. The shallow portion 13 has a part 20 leading to a junction 21 with the sump. This part 20 is about 15 to 20 metres deep, and it may shoal if required. A raised outer part 22 slopes downwardly from the end 23 of the part 20 remote from the sump, along one side of the part 20 to a location where it 10 joins the upper end of the support 15 at a depth of less than 10 metres deep. The part 22 therefore aids a person descending to or ascending from a submerged depth.

In the portions of the structure which surround the pool, there is a pool surround 24 at or near brim level, and areas or rooms 25 for refreshment, education, medical treatment, changing, resting, equipment, shops, training, children and toilets, which areas and rooms are on several levels or storeys. Further, areas or chambers 26 below brim level, are provided for spectators, stores and machinery installations; and the spectator areas 26 have windows to view the pool 11. A roof 27 of the structures is arranged to collect rainwater, optionally for use in replenishing the pool.

The structure lOA shown in FIGURE 4 is based on the foregoing structure 10, except primarily in that- (a) the support 15 has an irregular surface 15A on which artefacts e.g. vehicle wrecks 30, or boulders 3 1, or formations e.g. resembling a coral reef 32, are disposed; (b) the bottom 18 is uneven; 1 4 (c) the wall 16 is non-cylindrical and is provided with cavities 16A (which resemble fissures and caves 33) and projections 34; (d) the water is saline, and fish and seaweed live in the pool; further spectator areas 35 having windows 36 are provided below brim level and alongside the pool; (f) the roof 27 includes a portion 27A over the pool which is transparent or translucent to much solar radiation to illuminate and warm the pool.

The invention is not confined to details of the foregoing examples, and many variations, variations and additions are possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, a safety barrier or partition may be provided in the pool to restrain users from inadvertently traversing said junction 2 1, or to confine them to an area or zone of the pool for confined underwater training. The machinery installations may include water treatment plant and hydraulics 37 (FIGURE 4) to return water spasmodically or forcefully to a lower region 38 of the sump to simulate a tide or current therein.

Claims

1. A dive experience and training structure which primarily includes a diving pool which includes a relatively shallow portion adjacent to a much deeper sump, which is characterised in that the sump contains a support which defines a route or pathway for making a controlled ascent or descent for increasing dive experience or dive realism which rises from the bottom of the sump to a location at or adjacent the brim of the sump in turns or flights around an open central well.

2. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a peripheral wall of the sump is shaped to form caverns, niches and other recesses.

3. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the support is of spiral stair or ramp form.

4. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the support provides landings or ledges at suitable intervals or depths.

5. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support is cantilevered from the peripheral wall of the sump, so as to provide access thereto from the well at least at several different depths.

6. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the support is supported from below on pillars or columns, so as to provide access thereto from the well at least at several different depths.

7. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a downwardly sloping part extends at least part way around or along the shallow portion and is joined at its lower end to the upper end of the support.

z 1 1 6

8. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least an upper surface of the support carries formations and artefacts which are or resemble rocks, corals and wrecks.

9. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in any preceding 5 claim wherein the water in the pool is saline.

10. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the pool contains aquatic flora and fauna.

11. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the pool is provided with windows, for viewing the interior of the pool.

12. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the structure has facilities for collecting rainwater from the roof for replenishment of the pool.

13. A dive experience and training structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least part of the roof is sufficiently transparent to sunlight for 15 illuminating and heating the pool.

14. A dive experience and training structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings or FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 as modified by FIGURE 4.