Apparatus and method for retrofitting a body of water with an area of lower depth

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for retrofitting a body of water with an area of lower depth. A depth reducing support structure, which includes a platform and a platform support, is provided to allow swimmers to sit or stand above the water surface of a body of water after swimming in an area of higher depth. The depth reducing support structure is submerged in a body of water, such as a swimming pool, but is separate from the structure defining the limits of the body of water and, therefore, is moveable relative thereto.

1 . A combination, comprising:
 a swimming pool, comprising:
 a wall; 
 a quantity of water contained in said swimming pool and forming a water surface above said wall, said water having a depth between said wall and said water surface; and 
   a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in said swimming pool, said depth reducing support structure discrete from said swimming pool and moveable relative to said wall, said depth reducing support structure comprising:
 a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers; 
 a platform support supporting said first platform above said wall; and 
 a plurality of seatbacks extending from said first platform, whereby each of said plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with said first platform. 
   
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises a second platform secured to said plurality of seatbacks and spaced from said first platform, whereby said first platform forms a foot rest for a swimmer sitting atop said second platform. 
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each said individual seating location includes a surface area of said first platform approximately equal to 930 square centimeters (one square foot). 
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said second platform is positioned below said water surface. 
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said second platform surface is positioned above said water surface. 
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing said depth reducing support structure in said quantity of water contained in said swimming pool. 
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 6 , wherein said stabilization means comprises a weight selectively attachable to said depth reducing support structure, wherein said weight makes said depth reducing support structure remain substantially in one position relative to said wall. 
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 1 , further comprising a weight, said weight being releaseably connectable to said depth reducing support structure. 
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said depth reducing support structure is hollow. 
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said depth reducing support structure is a monolithic structure discrete from said swimming pool. 
   
   
       11 . A combination, comprising:
 a body of water, comprising:
 a wall; 
 a quantity of water contained in said body of water and forming a water surface above said wall, said water having a depth between said wall and said water surface; and 
   a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in said body of water, said depth reducing support structure discrete from said body of water and moveable relative to said wall, said depth reducing support structure comprising:
 a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers; 
 a platform support supporting said first platform above said wall; and 
 a plurality of seatbacks extending from said first platform, whereby each of said plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with said first platform. 
   
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises a second platform secured to said plurality of seatbacks and spaced from said first platform, whereby said first platform forms a foot rest for a swimmer sitting atop said second platform. 
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein each said individual seating location includes a surface area of said first platform approximately equal to 930 square centimeters (one square foot). 
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein said second platform is positioned below said water surface. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein said second platform surface is positioned above said water surface. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said depth reducing support structure further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing said depth reducing support structure in said quantity of water contained in said swimming pool. 
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein said stabilization means comprises a weight selectively attachable to said depth reducing support structure, wherein said weight makes said depth reducing support structure remain substantially in one position relative to said wall. 
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 11 , further comprising a weight, said weight being releaseably connectable to said depth reducing support structure. 
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said depth reducing support structure is hollow. 
   
   
       20 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said depth reducing support structure is a monolithic structure discrete from said swimming pool. 
   
   
       21 . A method for retrofitting a body of water with an area of lower depth, the body of water formed by a wall, and a quantity of water forming a water surface above the wall, the water having a depth between the wall and the water surface, said method comprising:
 providing a non-buoyant, depth reducing support structure for reducing the depth in the body of water, said depth reducing support structure discrete from the body of water and moveable relative to the wall, said depth reducing support structure comprising:
 a first platform sized to support a plurality of swimmers; 
 a platform support supporting said first platform above the wall; and 
 a plurality of seatbacks extending from said first platform, whereby each of said plurality of seatbacks forms an individual seating location with said first platform; 
   submerging said removable depth reducing support structure into the body of water; and   positioning said removable depth reducing support structure on the wall of the body of water.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein positioning said removable depth reducing support structure includes positioning said second platform below the water surface. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein positioning said removable depth reducing support structure includes positioning said second platform above the water surface.