AU2012202995A1

AU2012202995A1 - A swimming pool

Info

Publication number: AU2012202995A1
Application number: AU2012202995A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Simon Parker; Michael Potenza; Wayne George Scott; Nicholas Wright
Original assignee: GLASS POOLS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: GLASS POOLS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2012-05-22
Publication date: 2012-12-13

Abstract

There is disclosed a swimming pool that has a floor structure that has a plurality of floor panels; and a plurality of structural members, which are connected to form a frame, at least some of the structural members being connected in modules that each support one of the floor panels, with each module being connected to one or more other modules within the frame. The pool further has one or more walls that each have a plurality of wall supports that are connected to peripheral portions of the frame; and a plurality of wall panels that are each supported by at least one of the wall supports and the floor structure. The floor panels and wall panels define a cavity for holding water.

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title ""A swimming pool"" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: C:\NRPonbl\DCC\SIBl\4343056 1 DOC - 21/5/12 C:NRPortbIDCC\SBl41424( _1.DOC.21/03/21)12 A SWIMMING POOL Field of the invention The present invention relates to a swimming pool. 5 Background Domestic swimming pools commonly have a container made from concrete, a fibreglass composite, or a plastic liner that is supported by an external structure. All these 10 materials have advantages and disadvantages, including for the final pool design and its installation. For example, fibreglass composites are relatively inexpensive, but the need to have a plug from which to mould the container heavily constrains the pool design and is unsuitable for bespoke pool construction. In contrast, concrete offers a great deal of flexibility in design, including in the pool "footprint", but requires the pool to be 15 individually engineered and constructed on-site, which increases the overall cost of the pool. There is a need for a swimming pool that has inherent flexibility of design in its structure, and is inexpensive. 20 Accordingly, it is desired to address the above or at least provide a useful alternative. 25 Summary of the invention The present invention provides a swimming pool comprising: a floor structure that has a plurality of floor panels; and a plurality of structural members, which are connected to form a frame, at least some of the structural members being connected in modules that each support one of the floor panels, with each module 30 being connected to one or more other modules within the frame, and one or more walls that each have a plurality of wall supports that are connected to C:\NRPonbtADCC\SBT\41424X- I DOC.2A)5/21112 -2 peripheral portions of the frame; and a plurality of wall panels that are each supported by at least one of the wall supports and the floor structure, wherein the floor panels and wall panels define a cavity for holding water. 5 The plurality of structural members can include a plurality of internal structural members that each have an upper surface to vertically support the peripheral edge of at least one of the floor panels. Each internal structural member can comprise a sealing strip disposed on the upper 10 surface, wherein the sealing strip provides a seal between one or more of the floor panels, and the respective internal structural member. In some embodiments, each internal structural member has an I-shaped cross section, and the upper surface is a top flange of the section. In at least some of these 15 embodiments, the internal structural member may be a pair of channel members that are secured together with the direction of concavity of the channel members facing in opposing directions, such that the member has a general I-shaped cross section. The sealing strip can have a lip on each side that co-operates with the edges of the 20 flange to locate the strip on the respective internal structural member. In some embodiments, the sealing strip further has a central rib that is disposed between edges of adjacent floor panels. 25 In some embodiments, at least some of the modules have a square shape, and the floor panels supported by the respective internal structural members of the modules are square. The floor structure can further comprise a plurality of joiners that join intersecting 30 internal structural members. In some such embodiments, each joiner can be a right angle section, and is provided to an internal corner of intersecting internal structural members.

C:\RebIhDCCASB\342409- DOC-2 [5/2012 -3 The plurality of structural members can further include a plurality of peripheral structural members that are connected to the peripherally outer internal structural members within the frame. Each of the peripheral structural members provides lateral support to the 5 bottom edge of at least one of the wall panels. In some embodiments, each of the peripheral structural members has an elongate portion to support the bottom edge of the wall panels. The elongate portion can include a sealing strip that provides a seal between the peripheral structural member and the wall 10 panels. Each of the peripheral structural members is connected to one of the internal structural members such that the peripheral structural members extends parallel to a respective internal structural member, and the respective internal structural member 15 provides vertical support to the bottom edge of at least one of the wall panels. In some embodiments, the floor structure further comprises one or more ties that are connected between pairs of internal structural members that are adjacent and/or parallel to one another, and provide additional support to a floor panel that is supported by the 20 internal structural members. In some embodiments, the floor structure further comprises one or more stays that are connected to internal structural members within the frame, such that the stay extends between opposing internal corners. One of the opposing internal corners may be adjacent 25 an external corner of the pool. In some embodiments, each wall support is connected at its lower end to the frame. Each wall support may have a planar portion that provides lateral support to the 30 external edge of at least one of the wall panels.

C:\NRPonbhDCC\SBT\43424o9-DOC-21M5/2l2 -4 In some embodiments, at least some of the wall supports are inclined such that an upper edge of at least one of the walls overhangs the frame. In such embodiments, the wall supports also at least partially provide vertical support to the wall panels. 5 Preferably, each wall support further comprises a sealing strip disposed on the planar portion, wherein the sealing strip provides a seal between one or more of the floor panels, and the planar portion. In some embodiments, each wall support further comprises a retaining member at 10 an upper end region of the wall support that provides support to one or more wall panels on an internal side of the wall. In some embodiments, at least some of the plurality of floor panels are made of a material that is transparent and/or translucent material. Alternatively or additionally, at 15 least some of the plurality of wall panels are made of a material that is transparent and/or translucent material. The present invention also provides a kit for a swimming pool, the kit comprising: a plurality of structural members; a plurality of floor panels; a plurality of wall supports; 20 and a plurality of wall panels, together with directions to: * prepare a ground surface on the site at which the pool is to be installed; * connect the plurality of structural members to form a frame on the ground surface; 25 e connect the wall supports to the frame; * install floor panels in the frame, such that the floor panels are supported on the structural members; and * install wall panels in the wall supports, such that the wall panels are supported by the wall supports and the frame. 30 The ground surface can be any material or installation including, but not limited to, C \NRPorblDCC\SBT\43424)_ IDOC-2 I5/2012 -5 earth, a sub-base, a pad of settable material (such as concrete, which may be reinforced), a floor or roof surface in a building, or a series of piles. 5 Brief description of the drawings In order that the invention may be more easily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: is a perspective view of a swimming pool in accordance with a first 10 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2: is a side elevation view of the swimming pool of Figure 1; Figure 3: is an end view of the swimming pool of Figure 1; Figure 4: is a plan view of the swimming pool of Figure 1; Figure 5: is a perspective view of a frame of the swimming pool of Figure 1; 15 Figure 6: is a plan view of the frame of Figure 5; Figure 7: is a first partial perspective view of the swimming pool of Figure 1, showing external detail of the pool wall; Figure 8: is a partial perspective view of the swimming pool of Figure 1, showing internal detail of the pool wall; 20 Figure 9: is an enlarged view of region A of Figure 8; Figure 10: is a second partial perspective view of the swimming pool of Figure 1, showing internal detail of the pool wall; Figure 11: is an enlarged view of region B of Figure 10; Figure 12: is an enlarged view of region C of Figure 10; 25 Figure 13: is a perspective view of a wall support of the swimming pool of Figure 1; Figure 14a: is a plan view of an alternative layout of a swimming pool in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14b: is a plan view of another alternative layout of a swimming pool in 30 accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15: is a first perspective view of a swimming pool in accordance with a C \NRPonbl\DCC\SBT\4!424H_ I DOC-2 IA15/212 -6 fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 16: is a second perspective view of the swimming pool of Figure 15. 5 Detailed description Figures 1 to 13 show a swimming pool 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The pool 10 has a floor structure 12, and four walls 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. The floor structure 12 has floor panels 16 that are supported by structural members. The structural members are described in further detail in connection with Figures 5 and 6. 10 The four walls (hereinafter referred to collectively as "walls 14") have wall supports 18 that are connected to the floor structure 12, and wall panels 20 that are supported by the wall supports 18 and the floor structure 12. The floor panels 16 and wall panels 20 define a cavity for holding water. 15 As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the floor structure 12 has a plurality of structural members, which are connected to form a frame. Some of the structural members are connected in modules that each support one of the floor panels 16. Each module is connected to one or more other modules within the frame. 20 In this embodiment, the structural members include internal structural members 22, and peripheral structural members 24. The internal and peripheral structural members 22, 24 are interconnected to form the frame of the floor structure 12. 25 The internal structural members 22 are arranged such that, in plan view, the frame has a square, lattice-like configuration. Joiners 26 are provided to facilitate joining intersecting the internal structural members 22. To this end, threaded fasteners are used to fasten the joiners and internal structural members 22. 30 In this embodiment, each joiner 26 is in the form of right angle section, and is provided to an internal corner of intersecting internal structural members 22.

C:\NRPonbl\DCC\SB1\4342408_ IDOC-21M5012 -7 Furthermore, in this particular embodiment, each internal structural member 22 extends between two adjacent intersections of the frame. Thus, at each internal intersection 28 of the frame (which is spaced from the peripheral edge of the frame), four 5 internal structural members 22 are joined by four joiners 26 and associated fasteners. The internal structural members 22 are connected to form a square module, and each floor panel 16 has a square shape. As can be seen in Figure 4, the pool 10 has forty (40) floor panels 16, and the floor structure 12 has forty (40) modules (as can be seen from Figures 5 and 6). Thus, each module shares at least two internal structural members with adjoining 10 modules. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 13, the frame includes ninety three (93) internal structural members 22 that are connected together such that the frame has a rectangular footprint. The frame thus has fifty four (54) intersections, of which twenty 15 eight (28) are internal intersections 28. The structure of the frame assembly 12 has the significant advantage that variations in the footprint defined by the frame can readily be accommodated. Examples of the footprints of some alternative embodiments are shown in Figures 14a and 14b. As will be 20 appreciated, in embodiments in which the frame has rectangular modules the walls of the pool are arranged orthogonally to one another, and each wall has a length that is a multiple of the length of a single internal structural member 22. Consequently, the width of each wall panel 20 is equal to the width and/or length of each floor panel 16. 25 For aesthetic appeal of the pool 10 at least some of the wall panels 20 and/or the floor panels 16 can be made of a transparent and/or translucent material, such as glass, glass laminate, or plastics. Furthermore, the pool 10 can be at least partially "above ground". 30 As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the internal structural members 22 each have an upper surface that supports a peripheral edge of at least one of the floor panels. Each internal C:\NRPorbl\DCC\SB414 240X- 1DOC-21915/2012 -8 structural member 22 further has a sealing strip 34 disposed on the upper surface. The sealing strip provides a seal between one or more of the floor panels, and the respective internal structural member 22. The floor panels 16 are only supported from below by the internal structural members 22. Thus, the seal between the floor panels and the internal 5 structural members is established by the self-weight of the floor panel, as well as hydrostatic forces of water within the cavity of the pool 10. As is also shown in Figures 9 to 11, each internal structural member 22 has an I shaped cross section, with a top flange, a bottom flange and a web extending therebetween. 10 The upper surface of the internal structural member 22 is the top flange. In this particular embodiment, each internal structural member consists of a pair of generally C-shaped channel members 22a, 22b that are fastened together with the direction of concavity of the channel members facing in opposing directions. The pair of channel members 22a, 22b when secured together provide the general I-shaped cross section and the flange, which 15 forms the upper surface. The sealing strip 34 has a lip on each side that extends around the flange to locate the strip on the respective internal structural member. The sealing strip 34 also has a central rib that is disposed between edges of adjacent floor panels 16. The central rib 20 assists in locating and spacing the floor panels 16, as well as minimizing relative movement of the panels 16. The peripheral structural members 24 are each attached to one of the internal structural members 22 such that the peripheral structural members 24 extend parallel to the 25 respective internal structural member 22. As is evident from Figures 8 and 9, the lower region of each wall panel 20 is supported by one of the internal structural members 22 and one of the peripheral structural members 24. Specifically, the internal structural members 22 provide vertical support to the bottom edge of at least one of the wall panels 20, while the peripheral structural members 24 provide lateral support to the wall panels 20. To this 30 end, the peripheral structural members 24 have an elongate portion 30 that, in this embodiment, extends generally perpendicularly to the floor panels 16. The peripheral CAVNRPonblDCCSBT\342408_ I DOC-2)A)512012 -9 structural members 24 also have an outer surface 32 that is shaped to provide an architectural finish. The peripheral structural members 24 each have a sealing strip 36 that provides a 5 seal between the respective peripheral structural member 24 and the wall panels 20. The sealing strip 36 extends along the elongate portion 30 of the peripheral structural member 24. The seal between the wall panels 20 and the peripheral structural members 24 is established by hydrostatic forces of water within the cavity of the pool 10. 10 One of the wall supports 18 is illustrated in Figure 13. The lower ends of the wall supports 18 have bolt holes for connection to the frame using fasteners. In particular, each wall support 18 is connected to one or more of the outermost internal structural members 22. As shown most clearly in Figure 12, each wall support 18 has a planar portion 38 that laterally supports external edges of two adjacent wall panels 20. 15 Each wall support further comprises a sealing strip 40 that is disposed on the planar portion 38. Each sealing strip 40 provides a seal between the two wall panels 22 and the planar portion 38 of the respective wall support 18. The upper ends of the wall supports 18 have a retaining member 42 that provides lateral support to the wall panels 20 internally of 20 the pool cavity. Thus, when the pool is empty of water, the retaining member 42 prevents the wall panels 20 from falling inwardly. However, when the pool is filled with water, hydrostatic forces press the wall panels 20 against the wall supports 18. As will be appreciated, the hydrostatic force against the wall panels 20 increases 25 with depth. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the wall supports 18 tapers towards the upper end. The width of the wall supports is oriented in a direction that such that the angles between the respective wall support and the wall panels 20 supported by that wall support is approximately equal, as can be seen in Figure 4. 30 The wall supports 18a at the corners of pool 10 have two planar portions to support two wall panels 20 at 900 to one another. Thus, the sealing strip for these wall supports C \NRPonbKlDCC\SB"R4424..X- DOC-2 M5/2012 - 10 1 8a have a different cross section to those of the other wall supports. As is shown most clearly in Figure 4, some of the floor panels 16 have apertures within which in drainage outlets, water inlets, and/or lights etc. can be installed. The floor 5 structure further includes ties 44 (as shown in Figures 5 and 6) that are connected to adjacent and parallel internal structural members 22. The ties 44 provide added support to the floor panels 16 with the apertures. The floor structure also includes four stays 46 that are connected to internal 10 structural members within the frame at external corners of the pool 10. Each stay 46 extends between opposing internal corners of the frame. The stays 46 provide increased rigidity to the external corners of the frame, and thus to the pool 10. The internal structural members 22 have apertures extending through the web. The 15 apertures facilitate connecting the internal structural members 22 as previously described. The apertures also enable plumbing and/or electrical wiring to be passed through the frame of the floor structure. Figures 15 and 16 show a swimming pool 110 in accordance with a fourth 20 embodiment of the present invention. In these Figures, features of the swimming pool 110 that correspond with features of the pool 10 have the same reference numerals with the prefix "I". The main difference between the swimming pool 110 and the swimming pool 10 is 25 that the swimming pool 110 has two walls I 14a, I 14c that overhang the floor structure 112. To this end, the internal angle between the walls panels 118 of each of these walls 1 14a, I 14c, and the floor panels 116 is approximately 1200. To accommodate the inclined walls 114a, l14c, the wall supports 118 for the walls l14a, l14c are also arranged to extend at an angle of approximately 120' to the floor structure 112. Similarly, the 30 peripheral structural members 124 of the floor structure have an elongate portion, which supports the bottom edge of a wall panel 118, that extends at an angle of approximately C\NRPonbl\DCOSBT\4342408_1 DOC-2 IM5120i2 - 11 120" to the floor panels 16. Thus, in this embodiment, the peripheral structural members 124 also support vertical loads, as well as lateral loads. The walls I 14b, I 14d are approximately perpendicular to the floor panels 116, and 5 are significantly shorter than the walls I I4a, 114c. The pool 110 has a waterline that is particularly suitable for use as a lap pool. Accordingly, the pool 110 has a cross section (that is perpendicular to its longest dimension) with the general shape of a trapezoid that is oriented such that the shorter of the parallel sides aligned with the floor panels 116. 10 The pool 110 is shown in Figures 15 and 16 with the floor structure 112 mounted on a footing F. The shape of the pool 110 has a number of advantages. The cross-section described above enables a reduced water volume, while providing a water profile 15 immediately below the water surface that is suitable for the four official swimming styles in competitive swimming: (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly). As a consequence of the reduced water volume, less water needs to be purchased to fill the pool, and lower volumes are to pumped, heated and cleaned in use. As will be appreciated, the reduced water volume results in less load on the surface or structure supporting the pool 20 110. For example, a conventional lap pool that is 25m in length may weigh in excess of 75 tonne when filled with water. The pool 110 of the same length and water surface area would weigh approximately 35 tonne. Furthermore, the narrow footprint of the floor structure 112 enables in the pool 110 25 to be supported by a line load. This is beneficial in locating the pool 110 between floors of a multi-storey building or on a rooftop because the pool 110 load can be supported on structural beams within the building. Alternatively, the pool 1 10 can readily be located on sloping sites, or cantilevered over banks, cliff tops, or out from buildings. 30 The internal structural members can be connected to form any desired shape of module, including square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, rhombic, etc, and/or C:\NRPonbl\CC\SBI424rX_1 DOC-21IA5/2012 - 12 combinations thereof. The chosen lattice configuration of internal structural members can provide pool footprints with oblique adjacent edges, and thus oblique adjacent walls. Broadly, a pool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can be 5 assembled on a site by: " preparing the ground surface on the site at which the pool is to be installed; e connecting structural members to form the frame on the ground surface; e connecting the wall supports to the frame; e installing floor panels in the frame, such that the floor panels are supported 10 on structural members; and e installing wall panels in the wall supports, such that the wall panels are supported by the wall supports and the frame. A swimming pool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can be 15 provided as components in an unassembled form, together with directions to assemble the pool as described above. In this regard, the components include at least: a plurality of structural members; a plurality of floor panels; a plurality of wall supports; and a plurality of wall panels. 20 Providing the pool in an unassembled form for on-site assembly has the benefits of enabling a large volume swimming pool to be constructed, whilst transporting the components of the swimming pool in a compact form. This is of particular advantage for constructing a swimming pool at an awkward site, such as on the rooftop of an apartment. 25 Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A swimming pool comprising: a floor structure that has a plurality of floor panels; and a plurality of structural 5 members, which are connected to form a frame, at least some of the structural members being connected in modules that each support one of the floor panels, with each module being connected to one or more other modules within the frame, and one or more walls that each have a plurality of wall supports that are connected to peripheral portions of the frame; and a plurality of wall panels that are each supported by 10 at least one of the wall supports and the floor structure, wherein the floor panels and wall panels define a cavity for holding water.

2. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of structural members include a plurality of internal structural members that each have an upper surface to 15 vertically support the peripheral edge of at least one of the floor panels.

3. A swimming pool according to claim 2, wherein each internal structural member comprises a sealing strip disposed on the upper surface, wherein the sealing strip provides a seal between one or more of the floor panels, and the respective internal structural 20 member.

4. A swimming pool according to either claim 2 or 3, wherein each internal structural member has an I-shaped cross section, and the upper surface is a top flange of the section. 25

5. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the internal structural member are a pair of channel members that are secured together with the direction of concavity of the channel members facing in opposing directions, such that the .member has a general I-shaped cross section. 30

6. A swimming pool according to either claim 4 or 5 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the sealing strip has a lip on each side that co-operates with the edges of the flange C\NRPorbN)CC\SBT\434240_1 DOC-21AP5/2012 - 14 to locate the strip on the respective internal structural member.

7. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 4 to 6 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the sealing strip further has a central rib that is disposed between edges of 5 adjacent floor panels.

8. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least some of the modules have a square shape, and the floor panels supported by the respective internal structural members of the modules are square. 10

9. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the floor structure further comprises a plurality of joiners that join intersecting internal structural members.

10. A swimming pool according to claim 9, wherein each joiner can be a right angle 15 section, and is provided to an internal corner of intersecting internal structural members.

11. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the plurality of structural members further includes a plurality of peripheral structural members that are connected to the peripherally outer internal structural members within the frame. 20

12. A swimming pool according to claim 11, wherein each of the peripheral structural members provides lateral support to the bottom edge of at least one of the wall panels.

13. A swimming pool according to either claim 11 or 12, wherein each of the 25 peripheral structural members has an elongate portion to support the bottom edge of the wall panels.

14. A swimming pool according to claim 13, wherein the elongate portion includes a sealing strip that provides a seal between the peripheral structural member and the wall 30 panels. C\NRPonbl)CC\SBT\41424 _ I DOC.21/05/2012 - 15

15. A swimming pool according to either claim 13 or 14, wherein each of the peripheral structural members is connected to one of the internal structural members such that the peripheral structural members extends parallel to a respective internal structural member, and the respective internal structural member provides vertical support to the 5 bottom edge of at least one of the wall panels.

16. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the floor structure further comprises one or more ties that are interconnected connected between pairs of internal structural members, and provide additional support to a floor panel that is 10 supported by the internal structural members.

17. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 2 to 16, wherein the floor structure further comprises one or more stays that are connected to internal structural members within the frame, such that the stay extends between opposing internal corners. 15

18. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein each wall support is connected at its lower end to the frame.

19. A swimming pool according to any one of claims I to 18, wherein each wall 20 support has a planar portion that provides lateral support to the external edge of at least one of the wall panels.

20. A swimming pool according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least some of the wall supports are inclined such that an upper edge of at least one of the walls overhangs 25 the frame.

21. A swimming pool according to any one of claims I to 20, wherein each wall support further comprises a sealing strip disposed on the planar portion, wherein the sealing strip provides a seal between one or more of the floor panels, and the planar 30 portion. CANRPorbl\DCCuIBT\414240XIDOC-21A5/2012 - 16

22. A swimming pool according to any one of claims I to 21, wherein each wall support further comprises a retaining member at an upper end region of the wall support that provides support to one or more wall panels on an internal side of the wall. 5

23. A swimming pool according to any one of claims I to 22, wherein at least some of the plurality of floor panels are made of a material that is transparent and/or translucent material.

24. A swimming pool according to any one of claims I to 23, wherein at least some of 10 the plurality of wall panels are made of a material that is transparent and/or translucent material.

25. A kit for a swimming pool, the kit comprising: a plurality of structural members; a plurality of floor panels; a plurality of wall supports; and a plurality of wall panels, 15 together with directions to: " prepare a ground surface on the site at which the pool is to be installed; e connect the plurality of structural members to form a frame on the ground surface; * connect the wall supports to the frame; 20 e install floor panels in the frame, such that the floor panels are supported on the structural members; and * install wall panels in the wall supports, such that the wall panels are supported by the wall supports and the frame.