Variable depth swimming pool/spa

Abstract

A variable depth swimming pool/spa includes deck and a bottom, wherein the deck is movable relative to the bottom of a variable depth swimming pool/spa. The movable deck can be connected to the bottom of the variable depth swimming pool/spa via one or several legs which are rotatingly connected to the movable deck and slidingly connected to the bottom of the swimming pool/spa. The rotational displacement of the legs results in the vertical displacement of the movable deck. The legs may be connected to synchronizing arms that can interact with a synchronizing drive to coordinate the movement of a first leg with a second leg. Further, flow features control the flow of water from above the movable deck to between the movable deck and the bottom of the swimming pool/spa.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swimming pool/spa comprising:
 a bottom;   a moveable deck, wherein the moveable deck is vertically displaceable relative to the bottom of the swimming pool/spa; and   flow features configured to control the flow of water from above the moveable deck to between the moveable deck and the bottom of the swimming pool/spa, wherein the flow features include a flange piece having a plurality of slots/cavities, the flange piece being disposed below the movable deck and above the bottom of the swimming pool/spa, wherein the flange piece and the slots/cavities are above a periphery of the bottom of the swimming pool/spa and positioned to facilitate in the cleaning of the portion of the pool/spa located between the moveable deck and the bottom.   
     
     
         2 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent or gap and a drain located at the bottom of the swimming pool/spa. 
     
     
         3 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 2 , wherein the vent or gap cooperates with the flow features to push water towards the drain. 
     
     
         4 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 1  further comprising first and second angularly displaceable legs, each rotatingly connected at a first end to the moveable deck and slidingly connected at a second end to the bottom of the swimming pool/spa. 
     
     
         5 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 4 , further comprising a first arm connected at a first end to the first angularly displaceable leg and a second arm connected at a second end to the second angularly displaceable leg. 
     
     
         6 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 5 , further comprising a drive configured to apply a force to the first and second angularly displaceable legs. 
     
     
         7 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 6 , wherein the drive comprises a first hydraulic cylinder attached to the first angularly displaceable leg and a second hydraulic cylinder attached to the second angularly displaceable leg. 
     
     
         8 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 7 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are dynamically connected to synchronize movement of the first and second angularly displaceable legs. 
     
     
         9 . The swimming pool/spa of any of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein the swimming pool/spa is a swimming pool, a spa, a hot tub, a swim spa, an ice pool or bath, or other recreational, therapeutic or training water device. 
     
     
         10 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slots/cavities redirects fluid flow through the flange. 
     
     
         11 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of hoses equal in number to the plurality of slots/cavities of the flange piece, wherein each hose is in fluid communication with a single slot/cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The swimming pool/spa of  claim 3 , wherein the vent or gap and/or flow features redirect the flow of water towards the drain when the moveable deck is in close proximity but not touching the flange piece, so as to clean the bottom of the pool/spa.