CA2125748A1 - Swimming pool construction - Google Patents
Swimming pool constructionInfo
- Publication number
- CA2125748A1 CA2125748A1 CA 2125748 CA2125748A CA2125748A1 CA 2125748 A1 CA2125748 A1 CA 2125748A1 CA 2125748 CA2125748 CA 2125748 CA 2125748 A CA2125748 A CA 2125748A CA 2125748 A1 CA2125748 A1 CA 2125748A1
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- pool
- panels
- wall
- base
- construction according
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Abstract
SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A swimming pool construction is of the type using metal fabricated walls and a plastics liner covering the walls and a rigid excavated pool base. The metal fabricated walls include spaced inner and outer panels defining therebetween a crawl space. The inner panels define the inner surface of the pool. The outer panels engage the surrounding soil. The panels are mounted on a cast concrete base member supported on pairs of piles at spaced positions around the periphery of the pool. The inner panels are supported from the outer panels by transverse braces at the top and bottom and by inclined braces extending from the bottom of the inner panel upwardly and outwardly to the top of the outer panel.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A swimming pool construction is of the type using metal fabricated walls and a plastics liner covering the walls and a rigid excavated pool base. The metal fabricated walls include spaced inner and outer panels defining therebetween a crawl space. The inner panels define the inner surface of the pool. The outer panels engage the surrounding soil. The panels are mounted on a cast concrete base member supported on pairs of piles at spaced positions around the periphery of the pool. The inner panels are supported from the outer panels by transverse braces at the top and bottom and by inclined braces extending from the bottom of the inner panel upwardly and outwardly to the top of the outer panel.
Description
Y 2125748 ~ ~
SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a swimming pool construction particularly but not exclusively designed for an excavated or inground pool construction of a type used as a commercial pool.
Various different designs and construction techniques have been used for manufacture of excavated or inground pool constructions. One technique uses cast concrete reinforced by reinforcing steel for constructing the base and walls of the pool. The inside surface of the concrete is then suitably coated or lined with tiles. This form of construction has been widely usad in commercial pools which tend to be significantly larger and require much stronger construction to accommodate relatively large amounts of people and water involved in such largèr pools. However the concrete construction is relatively expensive and in some soil conditions has significant problems of cracking due to soil movement. Relatively large costs can therefore be expected in renovation work after the initial cost of installation.
A common technique for constructing pools for backyard or home use involves the installation of walls formed from metal panels which are then reinforced by inclined braces. After installation, the space between the excavated soil and the outside surface of the metal panel is then filled with suitable filling material so ~hat tho forces from the watcr on one side of the metal panel are to ' . ' ~ ~ :
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some extent balanced by inward forces from ~he soil and filling material on the outside of the metal panel. A covering layer is then applied to the excavated pool base and a liner of a suitable plastics material is applied over the covering layer and over the metal walls to contain the water.
Pools of this type are generally satisfactory for Iightweight home use in which the dimensions of the pool are relatively small but it is generally accepted that pools of this construction are not acceptable for large scale commercial size pools due to the instability of the structure. In addition pools of this type generally cannot be emptied due to the necessity to maintain a balance between the outward pressure of the water and the inward pressure from the soil. If the water is removed therefore there is a significant danger of collapse.
However it is also well known that the metal fabricated structure is significantly cheaper than the concrete formation and does not suffer from the very heavy costs of renovation or repair which can become necessary with the concrete structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved swimming pool construction which enables the advantages of the metal fabricated structure to be used in the large scale commercial size swimming pool.
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According to the invention, therefore, there is providedan excavated swimming pool construc~ion comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, and a liner applied over the pool base and inner wall surface for containing the water, the pool wall construction comprising a plurality of first sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the first panels being connected together vertical edge to vertical edge to define said vertical inner wall surface, a plurality of second sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the second panels being connected vertical edge to vertical edge to define a second vertical wall surface spaced horizontally outwardly of the inner wall surface so as to define therebetween an empty space, the second surface being in engagement with fill material for providing a support for surrounding excavated walls, a plurality of interconnecting braces extending from the first panels to the second panels, a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending between top edges of the first panels and top edges of the second panels and a base member defining a substantially horizontal base supporting bottom edges of the first panels and bottom edges of the second panels.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ~ i Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view longitudinally of a swimming pool construction according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the same plane as Figure 1 showing one end only of the pool construction and in particular showing the wall construction on an enlarged scale.
Figure 3 is a similar vertical cross section on the same plane as Figure 1 showing the opposed end of the pool again on an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 4- -4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of one panel.
Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view through one brace.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through a modified arrangement of the pool construction including a drainage gutter -system.
Figure 8 is a similar cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale showing the detail of the gutter.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the inner and outer walls of the pool construction in which there is shown a modified arrangement - -for supporting the walls.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. : -~ ~ ' 212~7~8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The swimming pool is generally indicated at 10 in Figure and is formed by excavation of a suitable shape in surrounding ground 11, the excavation including an excavation base 12 and an excavation wall 13 (Figure 2).
The pool construction further includes a wall construction 15 which is constructed to surround the base 12 within the excavated wall 13. The wall construction defines an inner wall surface 16 on which is provided a liner 17 which extends over the inner surface of the wall and over a covering layer 18 on the pool base 12. The covering layer 18 is of a conventional material which provides a stiff or rigid surface supporting the liner as a smooth flat surface.
The wall construction of the pool of the present invention is of a unique structure and comprises a plurality of first panels 20 and a piurality of second panels 21. The panels 20 are connected together at vertical edges 22 to define the inner wall of the pool on which the liner 17 sits. The second panel 21 lie parallel to the panels 20 and again interconnected at vertical side edges to form a second wall structure surrounding the inner wall and defining a space 23 therebetween.
Each of the panels is formed from sheet metal which is folded at side edges to define inturned flanges 24 and 25 at the interconnecting edges 22. In vertical cross section as shown in 2 1 2 ~ 7 4 8 Figure 5, each of the panels includes the panel wall 26 together with a top flange 27 and a bottom flange 28 each of which has a downturned inner edge 29 to provide structural strength. The main bodies of the panels thus connect together to form the continuous wall structure. Welded to the surface of each panel facing inwardly towards the space 23 is provided a plurality of vertical braces 30 which are of channel shaped cross section. At the vertical edges 27, 28 are provided L shaped flange members 31 which connect between the adjacent flanges of the edges of the panel and include a vertical edge flange parallel to the main body of the panel. The edge flange 31 and the edges of the panels are bolted together.
The height of the panels varies depending upon the desired height of the wall at the particular location on the periphery of the pool. Thus at the right hand end illustrated at Figure 3 the panels are of reiatively shallow height for example of the order of three feet to provide a shallow end at the pool. At the left hand end of the pool the panels are increased height, for example of the order of six feet to provide an increased depth of the pool at the deep end. In addition to the height of the wall panels, the pool is also excavated at the base to provide an increase depth including an inclined wall 32 as illustrated in Figure 2. The panels are of substantially constant width around the pool and in one example the width may be 3.5 feet.
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: ' The first and second panels are parallel and aligned so that the side edge 22 between two adjacent first panels lies in the vertical plane as the side edge between two of the second panels. ~ -The wall panels are mounted on and embedded in a cast concrete base member 33. The cast concrete base member is formed at the top of two substantially vertical piles 34 and 35 extending downwardly into the ground surface at spaced positions around the periphery. Thus there are a plurality of such piles 34 and 35 with the piles being shown in Figure 1 only at two such peripheral locations.
The piles are arranged in pairs so that each peripheral position there are two such piles spaced transversely of the wall structure. As shown, the piles are inclined so that they extend downwardly and slightly outwardly so they diverge toward the base of the pile, the angle being relatively shallow of the order of 1/4 inch per foot. At the top of each pile, the conventional reinforcing bar is bent at right angles such to lie substantiaily horizontal and to be formed into the structure of the cast base member 33.
In addition to the reinforcing bar from the pile, the base member 33 is formed with additional reinforcing bars. These include longitudinal reinforcing bars 36 and transverse reinforcing bars 37, 38 and 39. The transverse reinforcing bars are formed into loops with a horizontal section, to downturned ends and a horizontal return section underneath the lowermost longitudinal reinforcing bar 36. ~ Thus the transverse bar 37 forms a lowermost bar which engages underneath .
the lowermost longitudinal bar and over intermediate longitudinal bars. The second transverse bar 38 loops over the intermediate longitudinal bars. The third transverse bar 39 is of narrower width and the bars 37 and 38 and thus extends upwardly into the space between the panels so that a portion of the cast base member 33 lies between the panels and a portion lies underneath the lower end of the panels. Thus the panels are to some extent embedded within the base member the side of the base member being substantially located coextensive with the outside surfaces of the wall structure.
Underneath the cast concrete base member 33 is provided a void form 40 which is positioned between the piles and underneath the base member. This allows the soil between the piles to lift or heave without causing heaving of the base member while the void form coltapses. ~
In order to maintain the bottom edges of the first and second panel at the required spacing, a transverse spacer element 41 is connected across the bottom edges before the cast concrete base member is formed. The spacer member 41 is of L shaped cross section. Across the top of the panels is provided a plurality of Iongitudinally spaced transverse braces 42 connected to the flanges 31 and 30 so that there are for each panel 3 transverse top braces 42. Each transverse top brace 42 is of the cross section shown in Figure 6 including a top web 43, two depending sides 44 and 45 together with an inturned flange portion 46. The top braces 42 are bolted to the flanges 31, 30, 30. The top surface 43 is spaced slightly downwardly from the top edge of the adjacent panel and also the top surface 42 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is inclined slightly outwardly so that it is slightly lower at the second panel and at the first panel. On top of the braces 42 is applied a cover panel 47 preferably of plywood and on top of the plywood cover panel is cast a top cover member 48 again of cast concrete with reinforcing bars 49. The thickness of the cover member is substantially constant so that its top surface is inclined slightly outwardly away from the inner wall of the pool to shed water away from the pool wall toward a floor surface 50 surrounding the pool construction.
In addition to the braces 41 and 42 there are also included inclined braces 52 and 53. The inclined braces 52 extend from the bottom of the panels 20 at a position just above the base member to the top of the panels 21 that is at a position just underneath the top braces 42. The inclined braces 52 are arranged only at the panel joints that is at the side edges 22. In addition to the inclined braces 52, the inclined braces 53 form a second set and these are located at the intermediate flanges 30 of the panels. The inclined braces 53 are employed only in connection with the wall panels of greater height since they are not required with a relatively shallow panels as shown in Figure 3.
In addition in the greater height panels there are also provided interconnecting braces which extend between the panels at ~ ~ -lo : ~
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21257~8 the joints and these are again horizontal-as indicated at 54. These are positioned part way down each of the panels. Yet further the panels are interconnected by a cast concrete pad 55 beneath the transverse brace 54 and above a sand filler material 56 which extends from the top of the base pad 33 to the underside of the transverse pad 55.
The space between the excavated wall 13 and the outside surface of the panels 21 is filled with a suitable fill material so as to communicate forces between the wall 13 and the outside surface of the panel.
However the space 23 inside the wall construction that is between the panels is left open above the base member 33 or above the transverse pad 55 to provide a rectangular crawl space area underneath the cover member. Access to this crawl space is provided by one or more access openings formed in the cast cover member which allow a repair person ~o enter into the crawl space to access water supply ducts 60 and water return ducts 61 which form part of the recirculation system. The duct~ connect with skimmers 63 and with return nozzles 64 provided at spaced positions around the wall. Thus the skimmers and the duct work can be readily I~ .
accessed for repair or modification.
In the construction shown in Figure 1, the water supply and circulation system includes a plurality of jets and a plurality of separate skimmers. Alternative types of water recirculation system '~.,-' ' ''. ' .' .' :., .
212~748 are known including gutter type collection systems. This system can be incorporated into the present invention by forming the gutter inside the space 23 and providing a number of openings through the series of panels 20.
The pool construction utilizes the relatively inexpensive and stable structure formed by metal fabrication and a plastics liner but provides using the wall construction defined by the inner and outer panels, the base member and the piles a stable structure suitable for large swimming pools.
In Figure 1 it will be noted that, at the deeper end of the pool, the concrete pad which is located part way down the side walls indicated at 200 extends from the deepest part gradualiy upwardly along a inclined surface indicated at 201. When the depth of the pool is sufficiently decreased so that there is no longer any necessity for the center pad 200 above the footing 40, the footing 40 joins smoothly with the pad 200 to define a base of the crawl space indicated at 203 through which the operator can pass and within which the water lines are located.
As the base on which the water lines are supported, that is the footing 40 at the shallow end and then the pad 200 extending from the commencement thereof toward the shallow end through to the deeper end, is inclined from the shallow end to the deeper end, the water lines resting against this surface are themselves gradually inclined down to a lowermost end at the deqpest end of the pool 212~748 ~`
The pool lines can therefore be drained by plugging the lines at the upper end and by simply allowing the water to run out of the lines toward the lower end. The lines are therefore self-draining and are easier to maintain when the pool is allowed to freeze during cold weather.
Turning now to Figure 9, there is shown a plan view of the inner and outer walls in a modified arrangement which uses concrete posts to support the walls as opposed to the previous arrangement in which there are transverse braces. Thus the inner wall is indicated at 205 and comprises a wall panel with an inwardly turned flange 206 at each end of the panel. In this embodiment there is provided a single vertical stiffener 207 between the ends of the panel. Each panel abuts with a next adjacent panel so that the ends 206, 206A lie with the end surfaces of those flanges in contact and bolted together.
The outer wall 208 is of similar construction including ends 209, 209A which are again in contact and bolted together. The outer wall includes stiffeners 210 in between the ends. The outer wall is offset relative to the inner wall such that the stiffener 210 is aligned with the junction between the ends 206 and 206A. Similarly the stiffener 207 is aligned with the ends 209, 209A.
The inner and outer walls are supported in vertical position by a plurality of concrete posts 211. Each post includes an outer metal frame 212 having a first portion 213, 214 extending at .. - ., ~ ,.
212~748 right angles from the panel on either side of the joint 206, 206A.
From the outer ends of the inner portions, the metal wall 212 extends outwardly away from the panel as indicated at 215, 216 and also converges towards an apex 217. At the inner end of the inner portions 213, 214 there is provided a flange 218 which lies along the inside surface of the panel and is attached thereto by fasteners. Thus the metal wall 212 surrounds the joint 206, 206A and the adjacent portions of the panels. Concrete is then poured into the metal wall to form a vertical post encasing the joint 206, 206A. The concrete includes vertical reinforcing bar elements 219 which are connected with the footing so as to hold the post 211 in the vertical position and thus to maintain the joint in the vertical position.
This construction of the wall using vertical concrete posts cast within the metal sleeves supports the inner and outer walls without the necessity for transverse braces so that the space between the posts is essentially clear for the passage of an operator and the necessary plumping lines.
In the construction of the pool, the concrete top cover is cast onto a plurality of horizontal panels 220. The panels 220 each arq generally rectangular with a small triangular portion cut out from one corner to accommodate the metal sleeve 212. Thus each of the panels 220 constitutes 1/4 of the area between one concrete post and the next adjacent concrete post that is between the two stiffeners 210 on the outer wall. Each of the panels 220 includes downturned l4 .:
flanges for attachment of the panels to the walis and to each other at a junction line bridging the space between the stiffener 210 and the apex 217. With the panels bolted into place, the concrete cover can ~ ~
simply be cast over the panels and across the concrete posts to ~ ;
communicate horizontal forces between the posts in the finished structure.
Turning now to Figures 7 and 8, a modified arrangement is shown which incorporates a gutter system for the water return in place of the conventional skimmer system used in the previous embodiment and not shown as this is of conventional type.
It is well known that the gutter system is used in pools for competition in order to reduce wave action in the pool caused by the aggressive swimming of competitors. The system set forth in Figures 7 and 8 is therefore a modified construction of that shown in the previous embodiment in which the inner wall panels are modified to carry a gutter system into which the water from the pool can flow -for recycling. ~ -The system therefore shown in Figures 7 and 8 comprises an inner wall construction 60 including a plurality of interconnected panels as previously described and an outer wall construction 61 again including a plurality of interconnected panels as previously described. The panels are mounted on the footing 33 as previously shown again mounted on piles 34 and 35. In this arrangement, the front wall 16 is reduced in height relative to the rear .:
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wall 61 and on top of the front wall 60 is mounted a gutter system generally indicated at 62. The gutter system provides a return gutter 63 into which water from the pool can pass with a depth of the pool being arranged so that the water just passes over a top edge 64 of the gutter system into the gutter track. The water is then collected in a pipe 65 by a plurality of drain pipes 66 from the gutter. The water ;
from the pipe 65 is connected to the inlet of a pump 66 which has an outlet communicating with a return pipe 67. The return side pipe 67 is connected to a plurality of outlet return pipes 68 which extend under a base 69 of the pool. Each pipe 68 has a plurality of return outlets 70 some of which are shown, for convenience of illustration, only schematically. The return outlets are provided in the base of the pool and are arranged to direct water from the return outlet pipe 68 in an upward direction as indicated àt 71.
- The construction of the gutter system is shown in more detail in Figure B. One panel 60A forming the front wall 60. The front panel 60A includes a front wall 60B and a side flange 60C
defining a top face 60D. At the rear end of the side flange 60C is formed an inturned flange 60E.
The gutter system includes an elongate formed metal element manufactured from stainless steel and generally indicated at 72. The elongate metal element includes a front box section 73 having a rear wall 74 and a front wall 75. On top of the box section includes an upper wall 76 and the box is closed by a bottom wall 77.
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21257~8 Behind the rear wall 74 is provided a base wall 78 of the gutter 63 and a vertical rear wall 79 of the gutter which extends upwardly parallel to the rear wall of the box to a height above the top edge 76 of the box. At a top edge of the vertical rear wall 79 is provided a horizontal top wall 80 with a downturned rear flange 81. Within the gutter 63 defined by the outside of the rear wall 74 of the box and the inside of the vertical rear wall 79 is provided a pair of support flanges 82 and 83 running along the gutter just below the top surface 76. On top of these flanges is supported a grid element 84 formed by side rails 85 and a plurality of parallel spaced cross ribs between which the water can flow into the gutter 63. The stainless steel element forming the gutter is completed by an inclined brace wall 86 and a vertical support wall 87 defining with the bottom 78 of the gutter a triangular section for transferring forces from the gutter to the top of the front wall 60. The support wall 87 includes a top portion 88 extending over the top of the panel 60A. In addition an angle piece 89 is attached to the underside of the bottom wall 77 of the box at the front edge thereof for engaging over and downwardly of the front of the panel 60A.
The gutter section 72 therefore is attached into the pool structure by mounting of the support wall 87 and bracket 89 over the top of the front panel. The flange 80is supported relative to the rear wall 61 by ~he concrete top cover panel 48A which is applied across the top of the rear wall 61 and is supported by a plurality of spaced 212~7~8 posts 90 extending upwardly from the footing 33 at a position outside of the gutter section 72.
As previously described, the front surface of the front wall 60 and the base 69 of the pool is covered by a liner 91 formed of a suitable plastics material. The liner is attached to the box section 73 at the front wall 75 thereof by a recess 92 formed in the front wall, the recess extending continuously along the front wall and being generally rectangular in cross section. Into the recess is inserted an elongate bar 93 so as to pinch an upper edge portion of the liner 91 into the recess. The bar 93 has chamfered rear corners 94 and is fastened by a plurality of screws 95 which pass through a bore in the elongate bar with the screws threadably engaging a threaded hole 95 in the base wall of the recess 92.
In order to hold the liner in place prior to insertion of the bar 93 into the recess 92, there is provided an attachment plate 97 screw fastened onto the front of the box section just below the recess 92. The plate 97 carries on its outer surface a layer 98 of a plastics material compatible with the plastics material of the liner so that the liner can be heat welded to the layer 98. In assembly, therefore, the liner is pulled up the wall to the required height and is then tacked or welded to the strip 97 by a heat actuating tool so as to hold the liner in place temporarily around the box section 73. The upper most edge of the liner is then cut so that it extends upwardly -from the strip 97 to a distance such that the uppermost edge 99 of ','~' :'~ "
2~2~7 48 the liner can be received within the recess after the bar 93 is inserted in place in the recess. It is a simple matter, therefore, to push the bar into the recess and to squeeze the upper part of the liner therebetween and then to insert the screws 95 into the holes 96 to hold the bar in place. At this time the strip 97 is no longer of structural relevance but of course it remains in place behind the liner.
The liner is thus effectively sealed to the front face of the box so that water level can be raised above the top of the liner while remaining contained by the stainless steel walls of the box 73.
The water level is then brought up to or approximately to the level of the top wall 76 of the box as previously described to act in the conventional system of the gutter return. Any water which passes around the bar and through the screw holes 96 into the interior of the box is retained within the closed box but can be released by a plug 100 should it become necessary to drain the system.
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The front face of the bar 93 is exposed above the liner and accordingly it is highly desirable to cover the bar and the upper part of the box with a cover strip 101 preferably formed of plastics material. The cover strip 101 may have a domed or convex outer surface 102 to provide an attractive appearance. The height of the cover strip 101 is such that its top edge 103 is substantially coextensive with the top edge of the box. The bottom edge 104 of the cover strip extends downwardly. beyond the recess 92 and preferably beyond the strip 97 to cover all of the attachment system . ~ .., - .. ,. .. - ,.. . ..
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212~7~8 to provide one clean line underneath the attachment system at the bottom edge 104 which forms a junction with the liner on the front face of the box. The cover strip is attached to the bar 93 by screws 105 which can be relatively infrequent in comparison with the screws 95 since the cover strip is merely decorative rather than structural.
As shown in Figure 7, the return line 65 is received within the triangular area above the brace wall 86 where it is conveniently housed. The line 67 from the pump is placed at the bottom of the front wall and the lines 68 extend outwardly therefrom through the footing 33.
Each return 70 positioned in the base 69 of the pool includes a housing 106 within which is mounted a receptacle 107 connected to the line 68 by a line portion 108. On top of the receptacle 107 is a cover plate 109 with a plurality of holes 1 10 through which the water can escape relatively slowly in view of the large area of the plate 110 relative to the diameter of the pipe 108.
The return of water through the base 69 and through the relatively large cover plate 109 ensures that the water is effectively circulated since the water which is furthest from the gutter return is pushed upwardly toward the gutter return by the injected water 71. At the same the injected water does not generate currents in the body of water which could interfere with the competitive swimming.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different 21257~8 embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims .
without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
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SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a swimming pool construction particularly but not exclusively designed for an excavated or inground pool construction of a type used as a commercial pool.
Various different designs and construction techniques have been used for manufacture of excavated or inground pool constructions. One technique uses cast concrete reinforced by reinforcing steel for constructing the base and walls of the pool. The inside surface of the concrete is then suitably coated or lined with tiles. This form of construction has been widely usad in commercial pools which tend to be significantly larger and require much stronger construction to accommodate relatively large amounts of people and water involved in such largèr pools. However the concrete construction is relatively expensive and in some soil conditions has significant problems of cracking due to soil movement. Relatively large costs can therefore be expected in renovation work after the initial cost of installation.
A common technique for constructing pools for backyard or home use involves the installation of walls formed from metal panels which are then reinforced by inclined braces. After installation, the space between the excavated soil and the outside surface of the metal panel is then filled with suitable filling material so ~hat tho forces from the watcr on one side of the metal panel are to ' . ' ~ ~ :
.: :
212~7~8 :
some extent balanced by inward forces from ~he soil and filling material on the outside of the metal panel. A covering layer is then applied to the excavated pool base and a liner of a suitable plastics material is applied over the covering layer and over the metal walls to contain the water.
Pools of this type are generally satisfactory for Iightweight home use in which the dimensions of the pool are relatively small but it is generally accepted that pools of this construction are not acceptable for large scale commercial size pools due to the instability of the structure. In addition pools of this type generally cannot be emptied due to the necessity to maintain a balance between the outward pressure of the water and the inward pressure from the soil. If the water is removed therefore there is a significant danger of collapse.
However it is also well known that the metal fabricated structure is significantly cheaper than the concrete formation and does not suffer from the very heavy costs of renovation or repair which can become necessary with the concrete structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved swimming pool construction which enables the advantages of the metal fabricated structure to be used in the large scale commercial size swimming pool.
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According to the invention, therefore, there is providedan excavated swimming pool construc~ion comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, and a liner applied over the pool base and inner wall surface for containing the water, the pool wall construction comprising a plurality of first sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the first panels being connected together vertical edge to vertical edge to define said vertical inner wall surface, a plurality of second sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the second panels being connected vertical edge to vertical edge to define a second vertical wall surface spaced horizontally outwardly of the inner wall surface so as to define therebetween an empty space, the second surface being in engagement with fill material for providing a support for surrounding excavated walls, a plurality of interconnecting braces extending from the first panels to the second panels, a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending between top edges of the first panels and top edges of the second panels and a base member defining a substantially horizontal base supporting bottom edges of the first panels and bottom edges of the second panels.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ~ i Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view longitudinally of a swimming pool construction according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the same plane as Figure 1 showing one end only of the pool construction and in particular showing the wall construction on an enlarged scale.
Figure 3 is a similar vertical cross section on the same plane as Figure 1 showing the opposed end of the pool again on an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 4- -4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of one panel.
Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view through one brace.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through a modified arrangement of the pool construction including a drainage gutter -system.
Figure 8 is a similar cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale showing the detail of the gutter.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the inner and outer walls of the pool construction in which there is shown a modified arrangement - -for supporting the walls.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. : -~ ~ ' 212~7~8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The swimming pool is generally indicated at 10 in Figure and is formed by excavation of a suitable shape in surrounding ground 11, the excavation including an excavation base 12 and an excavation wall 13 (Figure 2).
The pool construction further includes a wall construction 15 which is constructed to surround the base 12 within the excavated wall 13. The wall construction defines an inner wall surface 16 on which is provided a liner 17 which extends over the inner surface of the wall and over a covering layer 18 on the pool base 12. The covering layer 18 is of a conventional material which provides a stiff or rigid surface supporting the liner as a smooth flat surface.
The wall construction of the pool of the present invention is of a unique structure and comprises a plurality of first panels 20 and a piurality of second panels 21. The panels 20 are connected together at vertical edges 22 to define the inner wall of the pool on which the liner 17 sits. The second panel 21 lie parallel to the panels 20 and again interconnected at vertical side edges to form a second wall structure surrounding the inner wall and defining a space 23 therebetween.
Each of the panels is formed from sheet metal which is folded at side edges to define inturned flanges 24 and 25 at the interconnecting edges 22. In vertical cross section as shown in 2 1 2 ~ 7 4 8 Figure 5, each of the panels includes the panel wall 26 together with a top flange 27 and a bottom flange 28 each of which has a downturned inner edge 29 to provide structural strength. The main bodies of the panels thus connect together to form the continuous wall structure. Welded to the surface of each panel facing inwardly towards the space 23 is provided a plurality of vertical braces 30 which are of channel shaped cross section. At the vertical edges 27, 28 are provided L shaped flange members 31 which connect between the adjacent flanges of the edges of the panel and include a vertical edge flange parallel to the main body of the panel. The edge flange 31 and the edges of the panels are bolted together.
The height of the panels varies depending upon the desired height of the wall at the particular location on the periphery of the pool. Thus at the right hand end illustrated at Figure 3 the panels are of reiatively shallow height for example of the order of three feet to provide a shallow end at the pool. At the left hand end of the pool the panels are increased height, for example of the order of six feet to provide an increased depth of the pool at the deep end. In addition to the height of the wall panels, the pool is also excavated at the base to provide an increase depth including an inclined wall 32 as illustrated in Figure 2. The panels are of substantially constant width around the pool and in one example the width may be 3.5 feet.
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: ' The first and second panels are parallel and aligned so that the side edge 22 between two adjacent first panels lies in the vertical plane as the side edge between two of the second panels. ~ -The wall panels are mounted on and embedded in a cast concrete base member 33. The cast concrete base member is formed at the top of two substantially vertical piles 34 and 35 extending downwardly into the ground surface at spaced positions around the periphery. Thus there are a plurality of such piles 34 and 35 with the piles being shown in Figure 1 only at two such peripheral locations.
The piles are arranged in pairs so that each peripheral position there are two such piles spaced transversely of the wall structure. As shown, the piles are inclined so that they extend downwardly and slightly outwardly so they diverge toward the base of the pile, the angle being relatively shallow of the order of 1/4 inch per foot. At the top of each pile, the conventional reinforcing bar is bent at right angles such to lie substantiaily horizontal and to be formed into the structure of the cast base member 33.
In addition to the reinforcing bar from the pile, the base member 33 is formed with additional reinforcing bars. These include longitudinal reinforcing bars 36 and transverse reinforcing bars 37, 38 and 39. The transverse reinforcing bars are formed into loops with a horizontal section, to downturned ends and a horizontal return section underneath the lowermost longitudinal reinforcing bar 36. ~ Thus the transverse bar 37 forms a lowermost bar which engages underneath .
the lowermost longitudinal bar and over intermediate longitudinal bars. The second transverse bar 38 loops over the intermediate longitudinal bars. The third transverse bar 39 is of narrower width and the bars 37 and 38 and thus extends upwardly into the space between the panels so that a portion of the cast base member 33 lies between the panels and a portion lies underneath the lower end of the panels. Thus the panels are to some extent embedded within the base member the side of the base member being substantially located coextensive with the outside surfaces of the wall structure.
Underneath the cast concrete base member 33 is provided a void form 40 which is positioned between the piles and underneath the base member. This allows the soil between the piles to lift or heave without causing heaving of the base member while the void form coltapses. ~
In order to maintain the bottom edges of the first and second panel at the required spacing, a transverse spacer element 41 is connected across the bottom edges before the cast concrete base member is formed. The spacer member 41 is of L shaped cross section. Across the top of the panels is provided a plurality of Iongitudinally spaced transverse braces 42 connected to the flanges 31 and 30 so that there are for each panel 3 transverse top braces 42. Each transverse top brace 42 is of the cross section shown in Figure 6 including a top web 43, two depending sides 44 and 45 together with an inturned flange portion 46. The top braces 42 are bolted to the flanges 31, 30, 30. The top surface 43 is spaced slightly downwardly from the top edge of the adjacent panel and also the top surface 42 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is inclined slightly outwardly so that it is slightly lower at the second panel and at the first panel. On top of the braces 42 is applied a cover panel 47 preferably of plywood and on top of the plywood cover panel is cast a top cover member 48 again of cast concrete with reinforcing bars 49. The thickness of the cover member is substantially constant so that its top surface is inclined slightly outwardly away from the inner wall of the pool to shed water away from the pool wall toward a floor surface 50 surrounding the pool construction.
In addition to the braces 41 and 42 there are also included inclined braces 52 and 53. The inclined braces 52 extend from the bottom of the panels 20 at a position just above the base member to the top of the panels 21 that is at a position just underneath the top braces 42. The inclined braces 52 are arranged only at the panel joints that is at the side edges 22. In addition to the inclined braces 52, the inclined braces 53 form a second set and these are located at the intermediate flanges 30 of the panels. The inclined braces 53 are employed only in connection with the wall panels of greater height since they are not required with a relatively shallow panels as shown in Figure 3.
In addition in the greater height panels there are also provided interconnecting braces which extend between the panels at ~ ~ -lo : ~
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21257~8 the joints and these are again horizontal-as indicated at 54. These are positioned part way down each of the panels. Yet further the panels are interconnected by a cast concrete pad 55 beneath the transverse brace 54 and above a sand filler material 56 which extends from the top of the base pad 33 to the underside of the transverse pad 55.
The space between the excavated wall 13 and the outside surface of the panels 21 is filled with a suitable fill material so as to communicate forces between the wall 13 and the outside surface of the panel.
However the space 23 inside the wall construction that is between the panels is left open above the base member 33 or above the transverse pad 55 to provide a rectangular crawl space area underneath the cover member. Access to this crawl space is provided by one or more access openings formed in the cast cover member which allow a repair person ~o enter into the crawl space to access water supply ducts 60 and water return ducts 61 which form part of the recirculation system. The duct~ connect with skimmers 63 and with return nozzles 64 provided at spaced positions around the wall. Thus the skimmers and the duct work can be readily I~ .
accessed for repair or modification.
In the construction shown in Figure 1, the water supply and circulation system includes a plurality of jets and a plurality of separate skimmers. Alternative types of water recirculation system '~.,-' ' ''. ' .' .' :., .
212~748 are known including gutter type collection systems. This system can be incorporated into the present invention by forming the gutter inside the space 23 and providing a number of openings through the series of panels 20.
The pool construction utilizes the relatively inexpensive and stable structure formed by metal fabrication and a plastics liner but provides using the wall construction defined by the inner and outer panels, the base member and the piles a stable structure suitable for large swimming pools.
In Figure 1 it will be noted that, at the deeper end of the pool, the concrete pad which is located part way down the side walls indicated at 200 extends from the deepest part gradualiy upwardly along a inclined surface indicated at 201. When the depth of the pool is sufficiently decreased so that there is no longer any necessity for the center pad 200 above the footing 40, the footing 40 joins smoothly with the pad 200 to define a base of the crawl space indicated at 203 through which the operator can pass and within which the water lines are located.
As the base on which the water lines are supported, that is the footing 40 at the shallow end and then the pad 200 extending from the commencement thereof toward the shallow end through to the deeper end, is inclined from the shallow end to the deeper end, the water lines resting against this surface are themselves gradually inclined down to a lowermost end at the deqpest end of the pool 212~748 ~`
The pool lines can therefore be drained by plugging the lines at the upper end and by simply allowing the water to run out of the lines toward the lower end. The lines are therefore self-draining and are easier to maintain when the pool is allowed to freeze during cold weather.
Turning now to Figure 9, there is shown a plan view of the inner and outer walls in a modified arrangement which uses concrete posts to support the walls as opposed to the previous arrangement in which there are transverse braces. Thus the inner wall is indicated at 205 and comprises a wall panel with an inwardly turned flange 206 at each end of the panel. In this embodiment there is provided a single vertical stiffener 207 between the ends of the panel. Each panel abuts with a next adjacent panel so that the ends 206, 206A lie with the end surfaces of those flanges in contact and bolted together.
The outer wall 208 is of similar construction including ends 209, 209A which are again in contact and bolted together. The outer wall includes stiffeners 210 in between the ends. The outer wall is offset relative to the inner wall such that the stiffener 210 is aligned with the junction between the ends 206 and 206A. Similarly the stiffener 207 is aligned with the ends 209, 209A.
The inner and outer walls are supported in vertical position by a plurality of concrete posts 211. Each post includes an outer metal frame 212 having a first portion 213, 214 extending at .. - ., ~ ,.
212~748 right angles from the panel on either side of the joint 206, 206A.
From the outer ends of the inner portions, the metal wall 212 extends outwardly away from the panel as indicated at 215, 216 and also converges towards an apex 217. At the inner end of the inner portions 213, 214 there is provided a flange 218 which lies along the inside surface of the panel and is attached thereto by fasteners. Thus the metal wall 212 surrounds the joint 206, 206A and the adjacent portions of the panels. Concrete is then poured into the metal wall to form a vertical post encasing the joint 206, 206A. The concrete includes vertical reinforcing bar elements 219 which are connected with the footing so as to hold the post 211 in the vertical position and thus to maintain the joint in the vertical position.
This construction of the wall using vertical concrete posts cast within the metal sleeves supports the inner and outer walls without the necessity for transverse braces so that the space between the posts is essentially clear for the passage of an operator and the necessary plumping lines.
In the construction of the pool, the concrete top cover is cast onto a plurality of horizontal panels 220. The panels 220 each arq generally rectangular with a small triangular portion cut out from one corner to accommodate the metal sleeve 212. Thus each of the panels 220 constitutes 1/4 of the area between one concrete post and the next adjacent concrete post that is between the two stiffeners 210 on the outer wall. Each of the panels 220 includes downturned l4 .:
flanges for attachment of the panels to the walis and to each other at a junction line bridging the space between the stiffener 210 and the apex 217. With the panels bolted into place, the concrete cover can ~ ~
simply be cast over the panels and across the concrete posts to ~ ;
communicate horizontal forces between the posts in the finished structure.
Turning now to Figures 7 and 8, a modified arrangement is shown which incorporates a gutter system for the water return in place of the conventional skimmer system used in the previous embodiment and not shown as this is of conventional type.
It is well known that the gutter system is used in pools for competition in order to reduce wave action in the pool caused by the aggressive swimming of competitors. The system set forth in Figures 7 and 8 is therefore a modified construction of that shown in the previous embodiment in which the inner wall panels are modified to carry a gutter system into which the water from the pool can flow -for recycling. ~ -The system therefore shown in Figures 7 and 8 comprises an inner wall construction 60 including a plurality of interconnected panels as previously described and an outer wall construction 61 again including a plurality of interconnected panels as previously described. The panels are mounted on the footing 33 as previously shown again mounted on piles 34 and 35. In this arrangement, the front wall 16 is reduced in height relative to the rear .:
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wall 61 and on top of the front wall 60 is mounted a gutter system generally indicated at 62. The gutter system provides a return gutter 63 into which water from the pool can pass with a depth of the pool being arranged so that the water just passes over a top edge 64 of the gutter system into the gutter track. The water is then collected in a pipe 65 by a plurality of drain pipes 66 from the gutter. The water ;
from the pipe 65 is connected to the inlet of a pump 66 which has an outlet communicating with a return pipe 67. The return side pipe 67 is connected to a plurality of outlet return pipes 68 which extend under a base 69 of the pool. Each pipe 68 has a plurality of return outlets 70 some of which are shown, for convenience of illustration, only schematically. The return outlets are provided in the base of the pool and are arranged to direct water from the return outlet pipe 68 in an upward direction as indicated àt 71.
- The construction of the gutter system is shown in more detail in Figure B. One panel 60A forming the front wall 60. The front panel 60A includes a front wall 60B and a side flange 60C
defining a top face 60D. At the rear end of the side flange 60C is formed an inturned flange 60E.
The gutter system includes an elongate formed metal element manufactured from stainless steel and generally indicated at 72. The elongate metal element includes a front box section 73 having a rear wall 74 and a front wall 75. On top of the box section includes an upper wall 76 and the box is closed by a bottom wall 77.
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21257~8 Behind the rear wall 74 is provided a base wall 78 of the gutter 63 and a vertical rear wall 79 of the gutter which extends upwardly parallel to the rear wall of the box to a height above the top edge 76 of the box. At a top edge of the vertical rear wall 79 is provided a horizontal top wall 80 with a downturned rear flange 81. Within the gutter 63 defined by the outside of the rear wall 74 of the box and the inside of the vertical rear wall 79 is provided a pair of support flanges 82 and 83 running along the gutter just below the top surface 76. On top of these flanges is supported a grid element 84 formed by side rails 85 and a plurality of parallel spaced cross ribs between which the water can flow into the gutter 63. The stainless steel element forming the gutter is completed by an inclined brace wall 86 and a vertical support wall 87 defining with the bottom 78 of the gutter a triangular section for transferring forces from the gutter to the top of the front wall 60. The support wall 87 includes a top portion 88 extending over the top of the panel 60A. In addition an angle piece 89 is attached to the underside of the bottom wall 77 of the box at the front edge thereof for engaging over and downwardly of the front of the panel 60A.
The gutter section 72 therefore is attached into the pool structure by mounting of the support wall 87 and bracket 89 over the top of the front panel. The flange 80is supported relative to the rear wall 61 by ~he concrete top cover panel 48A which is applied across the top of the rear wall 61 and is supported by a plurality of spaced 212~7~8 posts 90 extending upwardly from the footing 33 at a position outside of the gutter section 72.
As previously described, the front surface of the front wall 60 and the base 69 of the pool is covered by a liner 91 formed of a suitable plastics material. The liner is attached to the box section 73 at the front wall 75 thereof by a recess 92 formed in the front wall, the recess extending continuously along the front wall and being generally rectangular in cross section. Into the recess is inserted an elongate bar 93 so as to pinch an upper edge portion of the liner 91 into the recess. The bar 93 has chamfered rear corners 94 and is fastened by a plurality of screws 95 which pass through a bore in the elongate bar with the screws threadably engaging a threaded hole 95 in the base wall of the recess 92.
In order to hold the liner in place prior to insertion of the bar 93 into the recess 92, there is provided an attachment plate 97 screw fastened onto the front of the box section just below the recess 92. The plate 97 carries on its outer surface a layer 98 of a plastics material compatible with the plastics material of the liner so that the liner can be heat welded to the layer 98. In assembly, therefore, the liner is pulled up the wall to the required height and is then tacked or welded to the strip 97 by a heat actuating tool so as to hold the liner in place temporarily around the box section 73. The upper most edge of the liner is then cut so that it extends upwardly -from the strip 97 to a distance such that the uppermost edge 99 of ','~' :'~ "
2~2~7 48 the liner can be received within the recess after the bar 93 is inserted in place in the recess. It is a simple matter, therefore, to push the bar into the recess and to squeeze the upper part of the liner therebetween and then to insert the screws 95 into the holes 96 to hold the bar in place. At this time the strip 97 is no longer of structural relevance but of course it remains in place behind the liner.
The liner is thus effectively sealed to the front face of the box so that water level can be raised above the top of the liner while remaining contained by the stainless steel walls of the box 73.
The water level is then brought up to or approximately to the level of the top wall 76 of the box as previously described to act in the conventional system of the gutter return. Any water which passes around the bar and through the screw holes 96 into the interior of the box is retained within the closed box but can be released by a plug 100 should it become necessary to drain the system.
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The front face of the bar 93 is exposed above the liner and accordingly it is highly desirable to cover the bar and the upper part of the box with a cover strip 101 preferably formed of plastics material. The cover strip 101 may have a domed or convex outer surface 102 to provide an attractive appearance. The height of the cover strip 101 is such that its top edge 103 is substantially coextensive with the top edge of the box. The bottom edge 104 of the cover strip extends downwardly. beyond the recess 92 and preferably beyond the strip 97 to cover all of the attachment system . ~ .., - .. ,. .. - ,.. . ..
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212~7~8 to provide one clean line underneath the attachment system at the bottom edge 104 which forms a junction with the liner on the front face of the box. The cover strip is attached to the bar 93 by screws 105 which can be relatively infrequent in comparison with the screws 95 since the cover strip is merely decorative rather than structural.
As shown in Figure 7, the return line 65 is received within the triangular area above the brace wall 86 where it is conveniently housed. The line 67 from the pump is placed at the bottom of the front wall and the lines 68 extend outwardly therefrom through the footing 33.
Each return 70 positioned in the base 69 of the pool includes a housing 106 within which is mounted a receptacle 107 connected to the line 68 by a line portion 108. On top of the receptacle 107 is a cover plate 109 with a plurality of holes 1 10 through which the water can escape relatively slowly in view of the large area of the plate 110 relative to the diameter of the pipe 108.
The return of water through the base 69 and through the relatively large cover plate 109 ensures that the water is effectively circulated since the water which is furthest from the gutter return is pushed upwardly toward the gutter return by the injected water 71. At the same the injected water does not generate currents in the body of water which could interfere with the competitive swimming.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different 21257~8 embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims .
without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
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Claims
CLAIMS:
(1) An excavated swimming pool construction comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, and a liner applied over the pool base and inner wall surface for containing the water, the pool wall construction comprising a plurality of first sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the first panels being connected together vertical edge to vertical edge to define said vertical inner wall surface, a plurality of second sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the second panels being connected vertical edge to vertical edge to define a second vertical wall surface spaced horizontally outwardly of the inner wall surface so as to define therebetween an empty space of dimensions sufficient to form a crawl space therebetween, the second surface being in engagement with fill material for providing a support for surrounding excavated walls, a plurality of support members for maintaining the first and second panels in vertical, spaced position, a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending between top edges of the first panels and top edges of the second panels and a base member defining a substantially horizontal base supporting bottom edges of the first panels and bottom edges of the second panels.
(2) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the base member comprises a cast concrete footing having width sufficient to receive first and second panels thereon adjacent side edges thereof.
(3) The pool construction according to Claim 2 including a plurality of substantially vertical piles extending from the base member downwardly and attached to the base member.
(4) The pool construction according to Claim 3 wherein at each of a plurality of spaced positions along the base member there are provided two piles extending substantially vertically downwardly from the position, the piles being spaced transversely of the length of the wall construction each at a respective side edge of the base member.
(5) The pool construction according to Claim 4 wherein each of the two piles is inclined downwardly and outwardly away from a center line of the base member.
(6) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the interconnecting braces comprise for each pair of associated first and second panels at least one horizontal brace interconnecting bottom edges of the first and second panels, at least one second brace interconnecting top edges of the first and second panels and at least one inclined brace extending from a lower end connected to the first panel to an upper end connected to the second panel.
(7) The pool construction according to Claim 6 wherein the inclined braces includes a first inclined brace extending from a bottom edge of the first panel to a top edge of the second pane! and at least one second inclined brace extending from a position part way up the first panel to a top edge of the second panel.
(8) The pool construction according to Claim 7 wherein some of the inclined braces are connected to the first and second panels at side edges thereof and some of the inclined braces are connected with the first and second panels at positions spaced longitudinally from the side edges.
(9) The pool construction according to Claim 6 wherein each of the top and bottom braces are shaped in cross section to define a channel member defining a front face, two sides and inturned flanges at right angles to the sides.
(10) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the wall construction includes a cast concrete pad member extending between inner surfaces of the first and second panels at a position spaced between the cover member and the base member.
(11 ) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein each panel has inturned flanges at right angles to the panel body at side edges of the panel body and has at top and bottom edges of the panel body inturned flange members including a horizontal flange portion and a vertical portion at an inner edge of the horizontal flange portion.
(12) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the cover member is formed from cast concrete.
(13) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the spacing between the first panel and the second panel is sufficient to define a crawl space therebetween for receiving water recirculation ducts and for allowing access thereto.
(14) The pool construction according to claim 1 wherein the inner and outer walls are supported by vertical concrete posts each cast within a sleeve bolted to the respective wall at a joint between two panels thereof.
(15) The pool construction according to claim 1 wherein the inner and outer walls are arranged such that the base member is inclined from the shallow end of the pool continuously toward the deep end of the pool such that water pipes supported on the base member incline downwardly to the deep end for self draining of the pipes.
(16) An excavated swimming pool construction comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, and a liner applied over the pool base and inner wall surface for containing the water, the pool wall construction comprising a plurality of first sheet metal panels, the first panels being connected together vertical edge to vertical edge to define said vertical inner wall surface, a plurality of second sheet metal panels, the second panels being connected vertical edge to vertical edge to define a second vertical wall surface spaced horizontally outwardly of the inner wall surface so as to define therebetween an empty space of dimensions sufficient to form a crawl space therebetween, the second surface being in engagement with fill material for providing a support for surrounding excavated walls, a plurality of support members for maintaining the first and second panels in vertical, spaced position, the first panels including gutter means thereon defining a return gutter extending longitudinally along a top edge of the first panels, and a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending between top edges of the second panels and the gutter means.
(17) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 16 wherein the gutter means comprises a hollow metal box structure extending longitudinally of the top edge of the first panels.
(18) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 17 including a metal trough mounted on a rear surface of the box structure and forming the gutter rearwardly of the box structure.
(19) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 17 wherein the box structure includes on a front surface thereof means for fastening the liner thereto.
(20) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 19 wherein the fastening means comprises means defining a recess extending longitudinally of the box structure on the front surface and insert bar means for engagement into the recess and extending longitudinally thereof with an edge of the liner pinched between the bar and an inside surface of the recess.
(21) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 20 including a cover strip extending over the bar and having a height greater than that of the bar so as to engage portions of the front surface of the box structure above and below the recess.
(22) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 20 wherein the cover strip includes an upper edge substantially coincident with a top surface of the box structure.
(23) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 19 including a strip fastened to the front surface of the box structure at a position beneath the recess, the strip carrying thereon a cover layer of a plastics material with the plastics material welded to the liner.
(24) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 18 wherein the metal gutter includes a rear wall parallel to a rear surface of the box structure and extending upwardly to a height above a top edge of the box structure, the rear wall including a horizontal flange at a top edge thereof extending rearwardly, the horizontal flange being engaged with the cover.
(25) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 24 wherein the cover is formed from concrete.
(26) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 25 wherein the concrete cover is supported on the rear wall panels and on a plurality of concrete posts spaced around the periphery of the pool and located outwardly of the gutter means.
(27) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 17 wherein the box structure includes at a bottom wall thereof flange means for engaging a top edge of the first wall panels so as to locate the box structure on a top surface of the first wall panels.
(28) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 27 wherein the gutter means further includes a metal trough structure having a substantially horizontal base wall extending rearwardly from a bottom surface of the box structure and a vertical rear wall extending upwardly from the base wall at a position spaced rearwardly from a rear wall of the box structure to a height above a top edge of the box structure.
(29) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 16 including duct means for transporting water collected in the gutter means to a pump and return duct means for returning water from the pump to the pool, the return duct means including a pipe extending underneath the base of the pool and a plurality of outlet members mounted in the base of the pool for injecting water from the return pipe upwardly into the pool at spaced positions across the base of the pool.
(30) An excavated swimming pool construction comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, gutter means on the pool wall construction defining a return gutter extending longitudinally along the pool wall construction, a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending outwardly of the gutter means, duct means for transporting water collected in the gutter means to a pump and return duct means for returning water from the pump to the pool, the return duct means including a pipe extending underneath the base of the pool and a plurality of outlet members mounted in the base of the pool for injecting water from the return pipe upwardly into the pool at spaced positions across the base of the pool.
(1) An excavated swimming pool construction comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, and a liner applied over the pool base and inner wall surface for containing the water, the pool wall construction comprising a plurality of first sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the first panels being connected together vertical edge to vertical edge to define said vertical inner wall surface, a plurality of second sheet metal panels each having a height defining a height of the pool wall construction, the second panels being connected vertical edge to vertical edge to define a second vertical wall surface spaced horizontally outwardly of the inner wall surface so as to define therebetween an empty space of dimensions sufficient to form a crawl space therebetween, the second surface being in engagement with fill material for providing a support for surrounding excavated walls, a plurality of support members for maintaining the first and second panels in vertical, spaced position, a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending between top edges of the first panels and top edges of the second panels and a base member defining a substantially horizontal base supporting bottom edges of the first panels and bottom edges of the second panels.
(2) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the base member comprises a cast concrete footing having width sufficient to receive first and second panels thereon adjacent side edges thereof.
(3) The pool construction according to Claim 2 including a plurality of substantially vertical piles extending from the base member downwardly and attached to the base member.
(4) The pool construction according to Claim 3 wherein at each of a plurality of spaced positions along the base member there are provided two piles extending substantially vertically downwardly from the position, the piles being spaced transversely of the length of the wall construction each at a respective side edge of the base member.
(5) The pool construction according to Claim 4 wherein each of the two piles is inclined downwardly and outwardly away from a center line of the base member.
(6) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the interconnecting braces comprise for each pair of associated first and second panels at least one horizontal brace interconnecting bottom edges of the first and second panels, at least one second brace interconnecting top edges of the first and second panels and at least one inclined brace extending from a lower end connected to the first panel to an upper end connected to the second panel.
(7) The pool construction according to Claim 6 wherein the inclined braces includes a first inclined brace extending from a bottom edge of the first panel to a top edge of the second pane! and at least one second inclined brace extending from a position part way up the first panel to a top edge of the second panel.
(8) The pool construction according to Claim 7 wherein some of the inclined braces are connected to the first and second panels at side edges thereof and some of the inclined braces are connected with the first and second panels at positions spaced longitudinally from the side edges.
(9) The pool construction according to Claim 6 wherein each of the top and bottom braces are shaped in cross section to define a channel member defining a front face, two sides and inturned flanges at right angles to the sides.
(10) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the wall construction includes a cast concrete pad member extending between inner surfaces of the first and second panels at a position spaced between the cover member and the base member.
(11 ) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein each panel has inturned flanges at right angles to the panel body at side edges of the panel body and has at top and bottom edges of the panel body inturned flange members including a horizontal flange portion and a vertical portion at an inner edge of the horizontal flange portion.
(12) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the cover member is formed from cast concrete.
(13) The pool construction according to Claim 1 wherein the spacing between the first panel and the second panel is sufficient to define a crawl space therebetween for receiving water recirculation ducts and for allowing access thereto.
(14) The pool construction according to claim 1 wherein the inner and outer walls are supported by vertical concrete posts each cast within a sleeve bolted to the respective wall at a joint between two panels thereof.
(15) The pool construction according to claim 1 wherein the inner and outer walls are arranged such that the base member is inclined from the shallow end of the pool continuously toward the deep end of the pool such that water pipes supported on the base member incline downwardly to the deep end for self draining of the pipes.
(16) An excavated swimming pool construction comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, and a liner applied over the pool base and inner wall surface for containing the water, the pool wall construction comprising a plurality of first sheet metal panels, the first panels being connected together vertical edge to vertical edge to define said vertical inner wall surface, a plurality of second sheet metal panels, the second panels being connected vertical edge to vertical edge to define a second vertical wall surface spaced horizontally outwardly of the inner wall surface so as to define therebetween an empty space of dimensions sufficient to form a crawl space therebetween, the second surface being in engagement with fill material for providing a support for surrounding excavated walls, a plurality of support members for maintaining the first and second panels in vertical, spaced position, the first panels including gutter means thereon defining a return gutter extending longitudinally along a top edge of the first panels, and a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending between top edges of the second panels and the gutter means.
(17) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 16 wherein the gutter means comprises a hollow metal box structure extending longitudinally of the top edge of the first panels.
(18) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 17 including a metal trough mounted on a rear surface of the box structure and forming the gutter rearwardly of the box structure.
(19) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 17 wherein the box structure includes on a front surface thereof means for fastening the liner thereto.
(20) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 19 wherein the fastening means comprises means defining a recess extending longitudinally of the box structure on the front surface and insert bar means for engagement into the recess and extending longitudinally thereof with an edge of the liner pinched between the bar and an inside surface of the recess.
(21) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 20 including a cover strip extending over the bar and having a height greater than that of the bar so as to engage portions of the front surface of the box structure above and below the recess.
(22) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 20 wherein the cover strip includes an upper edge substantially coincident with a top surface of the box structure.
(23) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 19 including a strip fastened to the front surface of the box structure at a position beneath the recess, the strip carrying thereon a cover layer of a plastics material with the plastics material welded to the liner.
(24) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 18 wherein the metal gutter includes a rear wall parallel to a rear surface of the box structure and extending upwardly to a height above a top edge of the box structure, the rear wall including a horizontal flange at a top edge thereof extending rearwardly, the horizontal flange being engaged with the cover.
(25) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 24 wherein the cover is formed from concrete.
(26) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 25 wherein the concrete cover is supported on the rear wall panels and on a plurality of concrete posts spaced around the periphery of the pool and located outwardly of the gutter means.
(27) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 17 wherein the box structure includes at a bottom wall thereof flange means for engaging a top edge of the first wall panels so as to locate the box structure on a top surface of the first wall panels.
(28) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 27 wherein the gutter means further includes a metal trough structure having a substantially horizontal base wall extending rearwardly from a bottom surface of the box structure and a vertical rear wall extending upwardly from the base wall at a position spaced rearwardly from a rear wall of the box structure to a height above a top edge of the box structure.
(29) The swimming pool construction according to Claim 16 including duct means for transporting water collected in the gutter means to a pump and return duct means for returning water from the pump to the pool, the return duct means including a pipe extending underneath the base of the pool and a plurality of outlet members mounted in the base of the pool for injecting water from the return pipe upwardly into the pool at spaced positions across the base of the pool.
(30) An excavated swimming pool construction comprising an excavated pool base having a covering layer thereon, a pool wall construction surrounding the pool base having a vertical inner wall surface defining with the pool base a volume to be filled with water, gutter means on the pool wall construction defining a return gutter extending longitudinally along the pool wall construction, a cover member defining a substantially horizontal surface extending outwardly of the gutter means, duct means for transporting water collected in the gutter means to a pump and return duct means for returning water from the pump to the pool, the return duct means including a pipe extending underneath the base of the pool and a plurality of outlet members mounted in the base of the pool for injecting water from the return pipe upwardly into the pool at spaced positions across the base of the pool.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US7489093A | 1993-06-11 | 1993-06-11 | |
| US074,890 | 1993-06-11 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2125748A1 true CA2125748A1 (en) | 1994-12-12 |
Family
ID=22122270
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2125748 Abandoned CA2125748A1 (en) | 1993-06-11 | 1994-06-13 | Swimming pool construction |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2125748A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6758025B2 (en) | 2001-09-19 | 2004-07-06 | Gerhard Haberler | Method of forming a swimming pool construction |
-
1994
- 1994-06-13 CA CA 2125748 patent/CA2125748A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6758025B2 (en) | 2001-09-19 | 2004-07-06 | Gerhard Haberler | Method of forming a swimming pool construction |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |