AU2024100002A4 - Swimming pool - Google Patents

Abstract

t-'IOZAUII 12 ABSTRACT A pool shell 1 comprising an upper portion 11 (to sit above ground), a lower portion 13 (to sit below ground) and upright reinforcing portions 17, about an exterior of the upper portion, each comprising at least one feature 19, 21, 23 for 5 tying the upright reinforcing portion to a concrete footing at about ground level. 1/3 7 15 1,3 9 11 131 FIGURE 1 23 FW 19 23 21 19a M B FIGURE 2

Description

1/3

7 15 1,3

9

11

131

FIGURE 1

23

FW

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21 19a

M B

FIGURE 2

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SWIMMING POOL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to swimming pools.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A swimming pool is a vessel for holding a volume of water sufficient for swimming.

Some swimming pools are formed of concrete applied in liquid form (with suitable reinforcement, etc) and allowed to set in situ. Various surface finishes such as tiles are applied to provide the pool with an attractive interior.

Another mode of construction entails a freely pliable impermeable liner supported by a steel frame. This mode of construction is relatively inexpensive, although the end result is less attractive. The pliable liner billows out between the frame members and generally appears to be flimsy and less attractive than conventional pools.

Another approach entails the installation of a pool shell. A pool shell is a semi-rigid liner that when properly installed can be just as attractive as a concrete pool.

Pool shells are typically formed of fiber-reinforced polymer known as fiberglass, often in the vicinity of 5.5 mm thick. The initial applicant's pool shells are often in the range of 6 mm to 10 mm thick. In the context of a pool shell, 10 mm thick fiberglass is relatively flexible. As such, pool shells must be carefully installed to produce a pool that is attractive and robust.

Pool shells are frequently installed 'in-ground'. This entails manipulating bulk material by digging a hole that is larger than the shell, placing the shell and then carefully backfilling thereabouts. As such, the earth and/or any groundwater supports the pool shell against the hydrostatic pressure of the water within the pool.

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Some pool shells can also be installed 'above ground'. To suit above ground installation, pool shells have been created with large vertical tubular ribs formed about their exterior.

Pool shells are typically formed by applying layers of material to a male mold. Typically, the first layer is a gel coating that has an attractive appearance when the shell is pulled from the mold. Forming the tubular ribs to suit above ground installation is time consuming and expensive. Typically, a shell body akin to a typical 'in-ground shell' must be produced and then cardboard rib-defining forms individually cut and placed about the exterior of the shell before the shell is returned for an additional series of fibreglassing operations to form the fiberglass about the exterior of the cardboard forms.

Above ground pools are frequently regarded as inferior to in-ground pools. Indeed, when haphazardly installed without appropriate landscaping (etc) thereabouts, above ground swimming pools can be unattractive. On the other hand, skilled installers can make an above ground pool just as attractive as an in-ground pool with clever landscaping and the addition of features such as decking (or other flooring) at about the same height as the coping (aka rim) of the pool shell.

Some installers have attached a bearer, running along the side of the pool, to the outwardly-directed faces of the reinforcing ribs. The bearer in turn provides a base of support upon which floor joists extending away from the pool shell can be placed.

In Australia and various other Westernised countries, the average size of a back yard is steadily decreasing as larger properties are subdivided, etc. This presents challenges to swimming pool installers. Generally speaking, an in-ground pool cannot be installed immediately adjacent to a building. Rather, the extent of excavation permissible varies in positive relation to the horizontal distance from the building. As such, for a back yard of a given size, above ground installation enables a larger pool to be installed than in-ground installation.

Whilst, in principle, larger above ground pools can be installed in small back yards, very often this results in unacceptable aesthetics. As such, the owners of small back

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yards are frequently faced with a choice between a very small swimming pool (or perhaps no pool at all) on the one hand, or an above ground pool with unacceptable aesthetics on the other hand.

The present inventors have recognised that a partially in-ground pool can be an attractive intermediate option. Furthermore, the inventors have developed various features potentially applicable in the context of other swimming pools.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention aims to provide improvements in and for swimming pools or at least to provide alternatives for those concerned with swimming pools.

It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way before the priority date.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides a pool shell comprising

an upper portion to sit above ground;

a lower portion to sit below ground; and

upright reinforcing portions, about an exterior of the upper portion, each comprising at least one feature for tying the upright reinforcing portion to a concrete footing at about ground level.

The pool shell may comprise a top and a bottom positioned to be about equispaced from the ground level.

Preferably each upright reinforcing portion, of the upright reinforcing portions, comprises hollow section. The hollow section may be a pultruded hollow section.

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Optionally each upright reinforcing portion, of the upright reinforcing portions, comprises a tubular concrete path having

a concrete outlet for opening into the concrete footing; and

a concrete inlet for receiving concrete to set within the concrete path and thereby tie the upright reinforcing portion to the concrete footing.

Preferably each concrete inlet is a lateral inlet. Most preferably each upright reinforcing portion, of the upright reinforcing portions, comprises a tie path, for tying the upright reinforcing portion to the concrete footing, intersecting the tubular concrete path.

Each upright reinforcing portion, of the upright reinforcing portions, may comprise a tie path for tying the upright reinforcing portion to the concrete footing.

Preferably each upright reinforcing portion, of the upright reinforcing portions, comprises an encirclable portion for tying the upright reinforcing portion to the concrete footing at about ground level. Most preferably each of the upright reinforcing portions comprises an end projecting below an inwardly set portion of the pool shell.

In preferred embodiments, at least two of the upright reinforcing portions are mounted along a straight side of the pool shell and define mounting faces, about perpendicular to the straight side, to which joists are mountable.

Another aspect of the invention provides an installed swimming pool comprising

the pool shell; and

the concrete footing;

the upper portion being above ground;

the lower portion being below ground.

Another aspect of the invention provides a pool shell comprising

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a straight side; and

along the straight side, mounting faces about perpendicular to the straight side and to which joists are mountable.

Another aspect of the invention provides an installed swimming pool comprising

the pool shell; and

a floor supported by joists fixed to the mounting faces.

Another aspect of the invention provides a pool shell comprising

a wall; and

along the wall, upright reinforcing ribs each being at least 450 mm long and comprising hollow section

The hollow section is preferably glued to the wall and/or blanketed with set material fixing the hollow section relative to the wall.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method, of installing a pool, comprising

positioning a pool shell such that

an upper portion of the shell sits above ground level; and

a lower portion of the shell sits below ground level;

the pool shell comprising upright reinforcing portions about an exterior of the upper portion; and

the method further comprising forming a concrete footing at about ground level and tied to the upright reinforcing portions.

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Another aspect of the invention provides a method of installing a floor adjacent a pool shell;

the pool shell comprising mounting faces each of which is adjacent and transverse to a respective portion of a wall of the shell;

the method comprising mounting joists on the mounting faces.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a pool shell comprising

forming a shell body; and

attaching, to the shell body, hollow section to define upright reinforcing ribs each being at least 450 mm long.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partially installed pool shell;

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of portions of the shell ready for the footing to be poured;

Figure 4 is a close-up view of a portion of a rib subsequent to the footing being poured;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pool shell subsequent to the footing being poured; and

Figure 6 is a cut-away side view of an installed swimming pool.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The shell 1 is a rectangular shell comprising four side walls 3 and an inclined floor 5. Other variants may have a level floor. A window 7 opens through one of the long walls. A rectangular perimeter frame 9, known as coping, defines the top of the shell, whilst the deepest point of the inclined bottom 5 defines the bottom of the shell.

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For the avoidance of doubt, the wording 'top' and 'bottom' are used herein per their conventional usages in this art. As such, the top of a pool shell is the lowest point over which water might overflow, potentially aside from minor features such as a weir to which a spa might be attached when the shell is installed. The bottom of the shell is the lowest point of the shell, potentially aside from minor features such as projections for plumbing, etc.

The shell 1 comprises an upper portion 11 intended to sit above ground and a lower portion 13 intended to sit below ground.

This particular shell comprises step ledges intended to sit at about ground level, that is, to sit at the boundary between the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 13. The step ledge is an inwardly set formation (i.e. the lower portion is set further inwards towards the centre of the pool than the upper portion). The step ledge is an example of an elongate stiffening formation that helps to hold the straight sides of the pool as true as possible. It also provides a convenient step enabling children to stand at the side of the pool, helping them to feel safe and secure to better enjoy the pool.

The upper portion 11 has upright reinforcing ribs 17 spaced about its exterior. Preferably the ribs 17 are formed of hollow section attached to, or incorporated into, the shell. Preferably the hollow sections are FRP pultrusions, although other materials (e.g. metal) and other modes of construction (e.g. extrusion or roll-forming and-seaming) are possible. Rectangular hollow section (RHS), e.g. square hollow section (SHS), is preferred. In this example, the pultrusion is 76.2 x 76.2 x 6.4 mm SHS.

The shell body may be formed in more or less conventional fashion and the hollow section subsequently attached. In this example, the hollow section is glued in place before further fibreglassing to blanket the hollow section in fiberglass. Alternatively, the rib might be blanketed in some other materials to help hold it in place. Whilst this shell incorporates both gluing and blanketing, either of these options may well be sufficient for some applications, and other modes of construction are possible. By way of example, the hollow section might be placed as part of the initial sequence of fibreglassing steps and as such built into the wall of the shell.

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The coping 9 and step ledges 15 are rigid structural portions of the shell 1. The ribs 17 tie these two portions together to produce a stiff shell.

The attachment of the hollow section to the wall over an extended area, say over at least 450 mm, or more preferably over at least 600 mm or more, leads to the hollow section 17 acting as a reinforcing rib helping to hold the side wall in its true planar shape in a manner that would not be achieved if, for example, the hollow section was attached only to the coping 9 and some form of footing lower down.

The shell 1 is preferably installed with a concrete footing, such as a concrete ring footing. Most preferably, the step ledge 15 (or in this case the highest step ledge 15) is positioned at ground level. The lower reaches of the excavation are then backfilled to support the lower portion 13. Formwork FW is then installed about the exterior of the pool to define a cavity for a ring footing at about ground level and with a cross section in the vicinity of 450 mm wide and preferably not more than 300 mm deep, e.g. in the vicinity of 200 mm deep. The footing-defining cavity is lined with steel reinforcement which, in this example, takes the form of trench mesh M supported by bar chairs B.

The ribs 17 incorporate features by which they are tied to the footing F to form a single rigid structural unit.

The tubular ribs 17 define concrete flow paths 19 opening into the footing F so as to define a finger of concrete locked into the interior of the rib. In this example, the ribs 17 have lateral concrete inlets 19a formed by removing material from the hollow section. In this case, the concrete inlets 19a are circular holes cut into the outwardly directed face of the ribs and into which concrete can be poured so as to fill the lower reaches of the rib, as suggested in Figure 4.

The lower ends 21 are free ends projecting downwardly below the step ledge 15 whereat they are positioned to be fully encircled by the concrete of the footing. Variations on this principle are possible. By way of example, the ends 21 might be connected to the wall of the shell 1 by planar webs that permit the concrete to mostly encircle the end of the reinforcement 17. Likewise, the reinforcing structure 17 might

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be projected much further down, potentially reattaching to a rigid portion of the shell further down.

The ribs 17 further comprise tie paths 23. In this case, the tie paths 23 take the form of aligned holes through opposing walls, of the ribs 17, spaced in a direction to the side of the shell 1. Ties, in this case steel ties, are passed through the tie paths 23. In this particular example, the ties are steel reinforcing bar bent to shape so as to have a central section, to sit within the ribs 17, offset from a pair of end portions, e.g. coaxial end portions. The coaxial end portions are conveniently fastened, e.g. with rebar ties, to the trench mesh M.

In this example, the tie paths 23 advantageously intersect the concrete paths 19 whereby the tie is also tied into the finger of concrete within the rib 17.

In other examples of the shell, the ties may be integrated into the shell, and of course other forms of laterally-extending tie-portions are possible.

In this example, the tie paths run horizontally above the horizontal trench mesh and the ties are bent to shape to suit. In other installations, the tie paths advantageously may be positioned in line with the trench mesh so that straight ties may be used.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a corner-mounted one of the ribs 17 sitting above corner pieces of trench mesh.

Once the ties and trench mesh are in place, the concrete is poured so that the top of the footing F sits at about ground level and the concrete paths 19 are filled.

Decking, cladding and landscaping can then be added to improve the aesthetics of the pool. In particular, the window 7 sits at about ground level and adds visual interest, particularly where the pool is to be installed in close proximity to a floor-to ceiling window of a building. In this way, preferred variants of the pool can provide an attractive option in back yards too small for an in-ground pool and in which an above ground pool would cover up windows.

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Figure 6 shows an 8 m long pool shell 100 installed in a sloping site. The top 109 and step ledge 115 are level. At one end E1 the pool sits 400 mm above ground level whilst at the other end E2 the pool is 800 mm above ground level. Glass reinforced polymer (GRP) pultrusions 117 are equispaced along the long side walls of the shell 100. Each rib 117 extends from the coping 109 downwardly beyond the step ledge 115.

The ring footing F' approximately follows ground level. In this case at the first end E1, the top of the ring footing is at ground level and at the other end E2 the bottom of the footing is at ground level. The pultrusions towards the lower end E2 have free ends opening into the footing F to define concrete outlets. Towards the first end E1 the free ends of the uprights 117 project downwardly below the footing F'. These uprights are equipped with lateral concrete outlets positioned to open into the footing F, preferably to open into the lower portions of the footing F' as illustrate to tie the upright 117 into the footing F'. As such the height of the concrete outlets vary along the wall of the shell 100. The height of the concrete inlets also varies along the length of the wall to consistently sit just above the top of the footing F'. Optionally the outlets maybe cut into the uprights 117 on site, e.g. after the shell 100 has been placed. In this example, the ties 123 are simply straight lengths of rebar approximately coplanar to the trench mesh to facilitate tying off thereto by any convenient means. The ties (regardless of their shape) are preferably at least about 50 mm below a top of the concrete footing.

The shell 100 has a maximum out of ground portion of 800 mm. The inventors have found that the described construction is particularly advantageous in the context of pool shells having a maximum out of ground proportion within the range of 300 mm to 900 mm inclusive.

The term 'comprises' and its grammatical variants has a meaning that is determined by the context in which it appears. Accordingly, the term should not be interpreted exhaustively unless the context dictates so.

Claims (5)

P1626AUI1 11 CLAIMS

1. A pool shell comprising

a straight side; and

along the straight side, mounting faces about perpendicular to the straight side and to which joists are mountable.

2. An installed swimming pool comprising

the pool shell of claim 1; and

a floor supported by joists fixed to the mounting faces.

3. A pool shell comprising

a wall; and

along the wall, upright reinforcing ribs each being at least 450 mm long and comprising hollow section

4. A method of installing a floor adjacent a pool shell;

the pool shell comprising mounting faces each of which is adjacent and transverse to a respective portion of a wall of the shell;

the method comprising mounting joists on the mounting faces.

5. A method of forming a pool shell comprising

forming a shell body; and

attaching, to the shell body, hollow section to define upright reinforcing ribs each being at least 450 mm long.