CA2517515C

CA2517515C - Access ladder for an above-ground swimming pool

Info

Publication number: CA2517515C
Application number: CA 2517515
Authority: CA
Inventors: Andre Beckers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-14
Filing date: 2005-08-30
Publication date: 2009-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-30
Also published as: CA2517515A1

Abstract

A light, retractable ladder for an above-ground swimming pool, which is steady when in the unfolded position thereof and secured to the edge of the above-ground swimming pool while is densely packable for storage when in a retracted position thereof. Moreover, the present ladder may be adapted to fit any above-ground swimming pool.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

ACCESS LADDER FOR AN ABOVE-GROUND SWIMMING
POOL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to above-ground swimming pools. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an access ladder for an above-ground swimming pool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fixed safety ladders for above-ground swimming pools are known in the art, as described for example in US patents 3,586,124.
Freestanding ladders are also known, as described in US patents 4,023, 647;
4,997,061 and 6,367,584 for example.

[0003] However, above-ground swimming pool owners are still facing a time wasting and hazardfull time when they need to access the edge of their above-ground swimming pool all around a perimeter thereof so as to be able to reach an inside of the swimming pool, for cleaning purpose for example.
On the one hand, stepping on the very edge of the above-ground swimming pool is not a safe solution, since this edge is not intended to support the weight of a person, and on the other hand providing a deck portion all around the perimeter of the above-ground swimming pool results in high expenses.
However, moving the ladders for above-ground swimming pool presently available around the perimeter thereof proves to be complicated.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an access ladder for an above-ground swimming pool, which may be easily moved around the perimeter thereof and may support the weight of a person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] More specifically, there is provided an access ladder for an above-ground swimming pool, comprising a number of stair elements having an upper surface allowing a user to steadily step and remain thereon; and a hooking part fastened to a top one of stair elements; wherein the stair elements are connected together by foldable links, the access ladder being foldable into a folded position where the stair elements and hooking part are densely packed together for storage, and unfoldable into an extended rigid position where the hooking part is securable to an edge of a wall of the above-ground swimming pool at a desired point of a perimeter thereof, and the stair elements support a user in a steady standing position.

[0006] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In the appended drawings:

[0008] Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a ladder according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is a side view of the ladder of Figure 1; and [0010] Figure 3 is a side view of the ladder of Figure 1 in a folded position thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] As illustrated in Figure 1 of the appended drawings, a ladder for an above-ground swimming pool according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a number of stair elements 14 and a hooking part 16.

[0012] The stair elements 14a-14d are connected together by links 18a-18c allowing the series of stair elements to be folded like an accordion for storage purpose for example (see Figure 3).

[0013] The links 18a-18c may be chain rings or lengths of rope of any resilient plastic material for example. They may also be hinged segments, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0014] The number of stairs elements 14 is selected according to a height of a wall 20 of the above-ground swimming pool and to a desired distance between two successive stair elements 14 as determined by a length of the links 18a-18c when in an unfolded position.

[0015] Obviously, an upper surface of the stair elements 14a-14d may be provided with an anti-skating coating or be made in an anti-skating material. A lower surface of the lower stair may be provided with steadying elements 36 (see Figure 2).

[0016] The hooking part 16 is fastened to the top stair element 14d.

[0017] As best seen in Figure 2 of the appended drawings, the hooking part 16 may be an inverted U-type hook with a base width thereof corresponding to a width of an edge 30 of the wall 20 of the above-ground swimming pool and a securing arm 32 securing the ladder 10 to the wall 20.
Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 1, the hooking part 16 may be a round-type hook coming in a fitting engagement with the width of the edge 30 of the wall 20 and thereby securing the ladder 10 to the wall 20.

[0018] The stair elements 14a-14d and the hooking part 16 are made in light and resistant materials, such as aluminum or plastic for example.

[0019] For storage purpose, a tie mean 34 fitted with adhesive means such as VelcroT"" or snapping means for example, may be further provided on the base step element 14a, allowing tying the folded stair elements together as illustrated in Figure 3 and storing the ladder 10 in a housing or a bag (not shown) for example.

[0020] For accessing the edge of the above-ground swimming pool, a user simply needs to unfold the ladder if in the folded position of Figure 3, secure it to the wall of the swimming pool at a desired point of the perimeter thereof, and step on the step elements. Moving the ladder from a next desired point of the perimeter of the swimming pool is straightforward, which results in the user not taking risks in unsteady far-reaching positions.

[0021] From the foregoing, people in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides a light, foldable ladder for an above-ground swimming pool, which is steady when in the unfolded position thereof and secured to the edge of the above-ground swimming pool while and is densely packable for storage when in a folded position thereof. Moreover, the present ladder may be adapted to fit any above-ground swimming pool.

[0022] Swimming pool owners will appreciate that the ladder according to the present invention is very convenient, for example for cleaning purposes, or for annual opening and closing of the swimming pool.

[0023] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified, without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An access ladder for an above-ground swimming pool, comprising:
a number of stair elements having an upper surface allowing a user to steadily step and stand thereon; and a hooking part fastened to a top one of said stair elements;
wherein said stair elements are connected together by foldable links, the access ladder being foldable into a folded position where said stair elements and said hooking part are densely packed together for storage, and unfoldable into an extended rigid position where said hooking part is securable to an edge of a wall of the above-ground swimming pool at a desired point of a perimeter thereof, and said stair elements support a user in a steady standing position.

2. The access ladder of claim 1, said foldable links being one of chain rings, lengths of resilient material and hinged segments.

3. The access ladder of claim of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the number of stair elements is selected according to a height of the wall of the above-ground swimming pool and to a desired distance between two successive stair elements as determined by a length of the foldable links when in an unfolded position.

4. The access ladder of claim of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an upper surface of the stair elements is one of: provided with an anti-skating coating and made in an anti-skating material.

5. The access ladder of claim of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a lower surface of a lower one of the stair elements is provided with steadying elements.

6. The access ladder of claim 1, wherein the hooking part is an inverted U-type hook with a base width thereof corresponding to a width of the edge of the wall of the above-ground swimming pool.

7 7. The access ladder of claim 6, wherein the hooking part further comprises a securing arm securing the ladder to the wall of the above-ground swimming pool.

8. The access ladder of claim 1, wherein the hooking part is a round-type hook coming in a fitting engagement with a width of the edge of the wall of the above-ground swimming pool.

9. The access ladder of anyone of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stair elements and the hooking part are made in one of aluminum and plastic material.

10. The access ladder of anyone of claims 1 to 9, comprising a tie means provided on a base step element, for tying the stair elements together once folded.