CH718349A2 - Construction module for a swimming pool, associated swimming pool and method of making a swimming pool. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a construction module (1, 3) for a swimming pool comprising a reinforced concrete wall (5) and metal reinforcement rods located in a lower portion (6) of the construction module (1, 3), the module (1, 3) being characterized in that said metal reinforcement rods have free ends (2a) projecting with respect to an external face (4a) of said module (1, 3). The invention also relates to a swimming pool comprising such construction modules (1, 3) and to a method for constructing such a swimming pool.

Description

The present invention relates to a construction module for a swimming pool, an associated swimming pool and a method for producing a swimming pool.

[0002] Whereas a swimming pool at home remained a difficult dream for many home owners 20 years ago, manufacturers have developed a whole range of prefabricated, inflatable, resin or wooden swimming pools that are fairly inexpensive.

[0003] However, these swimming pools can often be qualified as entry-level and often deteriorate rapidly or have leaks requiring the regular intervention of a professional to repair them.

[0004] Thus, the cast concrete swimming pool remains the preferred solution for ensuring long-term operation of a swimming pool.

[0005] In addition, on steep terrain, a concrete swimming pool often remains the only possible technical solution.

However, the realization of such a concrete pool is long and requires very heavy work, including earthworks and formwork. In addition, after each step of pouring concrete, it is necessary to wait for the drying before being able to continue the site, which adds to the cost of such a swimming pool.

[0007] However, the climatic conditions are not always met to respect the laying and drying times.

The document FR2903442 describes a pool made from prefabricated modules made of resin panels. The modules are fixed to each other mechanically and sealing is achieved by applying a bead of glue.

[0009] This swimming pool construction has several drawbacks. In particular, it is necessary to first produce a pool bottom slab (swimming pool raft) and sealing when fixing the modules to the slab is not easy.

[0010] The document US2014017820 also describes a swimming pool made from prefabricated modules. Seals are provided between the modules which are fixed to each other by bolting. The modules are made of resin or fiberglass, but not concrete and the pool has the same drawbacks as those of the previous document.

Finally, we know from FR2812677 a swimming pool made from concrete modules.

According to the manufacturing process described in this document, an excavation is carried out with a dimension substantially greater than the dimensions of the swimming pool to be produced. Then, there are vertically and side by side, but not contiguous, prefabricated concrete modular wall elements intended to be assembled. Finally, a concrete apron is poured at the bottom of the pool.

[0013] It is therefore understood that the installation of these concrete modules remains long and tedious.

The present invention aims to at least partially overcome some of the drawbacks described above.

[0015] To this end, the subject of the invention is a swimming pool construction module characterized in that it comprises a reinforced concrete wall with metal reinforcement rods located in a lower portion of the construction module intended to be close to the bottom of the pool, said metal reinforcing rods having free ends projecting from an outer face of said module.

[0016] The metal reinforcing rods protruding from an outer face of the construction module allow improved retention of the latter during installation as well as reliable stability of the module over time. This solution is particularly suitable in the case where the construction modules are only partially buried in the excavation intended to accommodate the swimming pool.

The module according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics taken alone or in combination: the module has a rectangular parallelepiped shape comprising a height, a width and a thickness; the length of the free end of the metal reinforcing rods protruding from the outer face of said module is at least 1.5 times greater than the thickness of the module; the metal reinforcement rods have a bent portion forming a right angle; said bent portion is included inside the concrete wall of the module so that only the free ends of the metal reinforcing rods are visible; the metal reinforcement rods have a short leg and a long leg; the branches are located on either side of the bent portion so as to give the metal reinforcing rod a general L-shape; the length of the short branch is greater than or equal to a third of the length of the long branch housed inside the construction module; the long branch of a metal reinforcing rod extends over a distance corresponding to at least 30% of the height of the module and more particularly over a distance equal to 60% of the height of the module; the module comprises a waiting box for folded concrete irons located on an internal face of the module; the bent portion of a metal reinforcement rod is located at the same height as said waiting box of folded concrete irons; the concrete used to cast the module includes anti-cracking fibres; the module includes a water-expanding seal that extends over at least 85% of the height of the module.

The present invention also relates to a swimming pool, characterized in that it comprises building modules as defined above.

The invention further relates to a method for constructing a swimming pool with construction modules as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: pouring foundation pads at the junction points between two building modules; arrangement of the building modules so that the free ends of the metal reinforcement rods protruding from the external faces of the building modules are oriented laterally towards the outside of the swimming pool; application of a seal at the contact faces between two modules; assembly of the modules and fastening by screwing; installation of foundation slab reinforcement inside the enclosure defined by the walls of the construction modules and connection with the reinforcements integrated in the construction modules, and pouring of the concrete slab comprising a mass water-repellent sealing additive inside the enclosure formed by the construction modules and outside this same enclosure to cover the free ends of the metal reinforcement rods protruding from relative to the external faces of the building modules.

[0020] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the description of the invention, as well as the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of two building modules of a swimming pool during assembly;

Figure 2 is a schematic view in perspective and in section of a building module; and

[0023] Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the building module of Figure 2.

The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined to provide other realizations.

Figure 1 shows by way of example in a schematic perspective view two building modules 1 and 3 of a swimming pool during assembly. These two modules 1 and 3 are intended in particular for assembly at 90°, that is to say at a right angle.

[0026] With reference to the various figures, each module 1 or 3 for constructing a swimming pool comprises a wall 5 made of reinforced concrete.

The reinforced concrete of the wall 5 is loaded with a water-repellent sealing additive mass. Thus, the module 1, 3 is watertight so that there is no longer any need to make an additional internal sealing of the swimming pool, such as for example with a liner or tiling.

[0028] Furthermore, the concrete may comprise anti-cracking fibres. These fibers are for example synthetic fibers, they make it possible in particular to provide a lattice function during the shrinkage of the concrete after pouring.

As seen in all of Figures 1 to 3 showing the outer faces 4a of the module walls 1, 3; such building modules 1, 3 comprise in a lower portion 6 intended to be located near the bottom of the swimming pool metal reinforcement rods 2 comprising free ends 2a projecting with respect to its external face 4a. The metallic reinforcement rods 2 are for example made of steel, but other metallic materials can be envisaged for this type of construction. The free ends 2a of the metal reinforcement rods 2 protruding from the outer face 4a of the construction module 1, 3 ensure stability during and after the construction of the swimming pool, in particular in the case where these construction modules 1, 3 of the swimming pool are only partially buried in the ground. The swimming pool can thus be built, for example, on uneven ground.

[0030] More generally, the lower portion 6 of a wall 5 of a building module 1, 3 may have a "T"-shaped foundation to further reinforce the stability of said module.

In general, the wall 5 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a height H, a width L and a thickness E. The wall 5 has for example a thickness E of between 10cm and 30cm, in particular 18cm, this which is sufficient to obtain a module 1, 3 having good watertightness without being too heavy. Of course, the width L and the height H of the wall 5 are chosen according to the dimensions of the swimming pool to be installed.

According to the embodiment of the building module 1, 3 illustrated in Figure 3, the length of the free end 2a projecting from the outer face 4a of the building module 1, 3 is at least 1.5 times greater than the thickness E of said module 1, 3. The length of this free end 2a can for example be twice or even three times greater than the thickness E of said module 1, 3.

Referring to the sectional view of the module illustrated in this same figure, the metal reinforcing rods 2 more particularly comprise a bent portion C forming a right angle. This bent portion C is included inside the concrete wall 5 so that only the free ends 2a of the metal reinforcement rods 2 are visible.

The metal reinforcement rods 2 thus bent each comprise a short branch 2b and a long branch 2c, these branches 2b and 2c are located in particular on either side of the bent portion C so as to give the rod metal reinforcement 2 a general L-shape. The length of the short branch 2b is for example greater than or equal to one third of the length of the long branch 2c housed inside the module 1, 3 of construction.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the short branch 2b extends laterally and preferably horizontally relative to the outer face 4a of the building module 1, 3 while the long branch 2c is extends vertically inside the module 1, 3 building. In order to ensure the stability of the module 1, 3 of construction, the long branch 2c of such a metal reinforcement rod 2 extends over a distance D corresponding to a minimum of 30% of the height H of the module 1, 3 and more particularly 60% of the height H of module 1, 3.

According to a non-illustrated embodiment of the building module 1, 3; the metal reinforcement rods 2 can be parts attached to said construction modules 1, 3. In this case, the metal reinforcement rods 2 can for example be secured by screwing or by any other technique of fixing to the wall 5 of so that they protrude from the outer face 4a of the module 1, 3.

The wall 5 of a construction module 1, 3 may comprise on the side of its inner face 4b, that is to say the face intended to be in contact with the water once the swimming pool has been assembled, a integrated reinforcement on standby intended to be connected to a foundation raft.

This reinforcement integrated in the lower part 6 of the wall 5 of the module 1, 3 comprises for example a waiting box for folded concrete irons which is particularly visible in Figures 2 and 3. According to the illustrated embodiment in these figures, the bent portion C of the metal reinforcement rods 2 is located at the same height as said waiting box for folded concrete irons.

[0039] Once the modules 1, 3 are installed, we can deploy the irons in the waiting boxes, carry out the reinforcement of the raft and connect the irons of the latter to those taken out of the waiting boxes before pouring the concrete of base with concrete of the required quality.

According to another aspect of the invention, the modules 1 and 3 are fixed to each other mechanically so that there is no longer any need for special formwork and casting. of concrete to connect two modules together.

[0041] It is also possible to provide a hydro-swelling seal 27 within the wall of the module 1, 3. A part of this hydro-swelling seal 27 can in particular join the inner face 4b of the module 1, 3 at the level of its lower portion 6 intended to be in contact with the base of the swimming pool. This part of the hydro-swelling seal 27 then extends horizontally over at least part of the length of the wall 5 of the building module 1, 3. Another part of the hydro-swelling seal 27 can also extend along a vertical direction over at least 85% of the height H of the module 1, 3 and more particularly over the entire height H of the module 1, 3. This part of the hydro-expandable seal 27 then extends parallel to the branch long 2c of the metal reinforcement rod 2 located inside the wall 5 of the building module 1, 3.

The hydro-swellable seal 27 has for example a thickness of one centimeter and is intended to cooperate with a groove of similar size to seal the junction between two building modules 1, 3 neighbors.

[0043] Furthermore, the construction module 1, 3 can integrate additional accessories, in particular lighting, portholes and water treatment nozzles, so that once the modules 1, 3 have been installed, the swimming pool is ready to use.

The modules 1, 3 are prefabricated in reinforced concrete in the factory according to the dimensions desired by a customer and equipped for example with nozzles, lighting or windows. The swimming pool according to the invention is composed for example of several construction modules 1, 3 arranged one after the other in a straight line or at a right angle, as illustrated more particularly in Figure 1.

Such a swimming pool according to the invention can also be installed semi-buried in an embankment, with, on the buried side, lighting in the form of LEDs and with viewing windows on the non-buried side to give a bird's eye view. for example towards a valley but also above ground or buried.

[0046] The construction of such a swimming pool is simple and quick. Indeed, after earthworks, foundation pads 25 are poured at each junction between two building modules 1, 3, in particular at the four corners of the swimming pool (FIG. 1). These foundation studs 25 notably allow the modules 1, 3 to be upgraded.

Then, with a lifting device, for example a crane, each module 1, 3 is maneuvered to place them in the desired places, taking care to arrange them so that the free ends 2a of the metal reinforcement rods 2 protruding relative to the outer faces 4a are oriented laterally outward from the swimming pool.

Before the final placement and their fixing, the seal 27 is applied, for example a water-swelling seal, at the level of the contact faces between two modules 1, 3, such as for example the edge of the wall 5 of one of the modules (see figure 1).

Then, the modules 1 and 3 are assembled and they are fixed together by screwing, that is to say that the inserts 15 are screwed into sockets provided for this purpose, then the modules 1 are bolted, 3 to each other. The inserts 15 are more particularly located at the level of the ends along the height H of the building modules 1, 3. They are located, for example, about ten centimeters from the upper and lower edges of the building module 1, 3 considered. This maximizes sealing.

According to the next step, it sets up a reinforcement slab (lattice not shown) on the inner side 4b of the modules 1, 3 and it is connected to the frames integrated in the building modules 1.3.

Then the slab is poured into a concrete comprising a mass water-repellent sealing additive, both in the slab reinforcement located inside the enclosure formed by the construction modules 1.3 and at the outside of this same enclosure to cover the free ends 2a of the metal reinforcing rods 2 projecting from the outer faces 4a of the building modules 1, 3.

It is therefore understood that the free ends 2a of the metal reinforcement rods 2 protruding from the outer faces 4a of the building modules 1, 3 make it possible to reinforce the retention of said modules during this step.

[0053] Once the slab has dried, another joint can be applied to the inside corners of the pool for an aesthetic finish.

The surface quality of the building modules 1, 3 can be very smooth due to its manufacture in the factory which is not subject to climatic variations and allows the drying time to be respected.

Claims (10)

1. Construction module (1, 3) of a swimming pool comprising a reinforced concrete wall (5) and metal reinforcement rods (2) located in a lower portion (6) of the construction module (1, 3) intended to be close to the bottom of the pool, the module being characterized in that said metal reinforcement rods (2) have free ends (2a) projecting with respect to an external face (4a) of said module (1, 3) . 2. Module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it has a rectangular parallelepiped shape comprising a height (H), a width (L) and a thickness (E) and in that the length (D) of the end (2a) of a metal reinforcement rod (2) protruding with respect to the outer face (4a) of said module (1, 3) is at least 1.5 times greater than the thickness (E) of the module (1 , 3). 3. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal reinforcing rods (2) comprise a bent portion (C) forming a right angle and in that said bent portion (C) is included at the inside the concrete wall (5) of the module (1, 3) so that only the free ends (2a) of the metal reinforcement rods (2) are visible. 4. Module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the metal reinforcing rods (2) comprise a short branch (2b) and a long branch (2c), the branches (2b, 2c) being located on either side of the bent portion (C) so as to give the metal reinforcing rod (2) a general L-shape and in that the length of the short branch (2a) is greater than or equal to one third of the length of the branch long (2b) housed inside the building module (1, 3). 5. Module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the long branch (2c) of the metal reinforcing rods (2) extends over a distance (D) corresponding to at least 30% of the height (H) of the module (1 , 3) and more particularly over a distance equal to 60% of the height (H) of the module (1, 3). 6. Module according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a waiting box for folded concrete irons located on an internal face (4b) of the module (1, 3) and in that the bent portion (C) of the metal reinforcement rods (2) is located at the same height as said waiting box of folded concrete irons. 7. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concrete used to cast the module (1, 3) comprises anti-cracking fibers. 8. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a water-expanding seal (27) which extends over at least 85% of the height of the module. 9. Swimming pool characterized in that it comprises modules (1, 3) of construction according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A method of building a swimming pool with the construction modules (1, 3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: – pouring of foundation pads (25) at the junction points between two construction modules (1,3), – arrangement of the building modules (1,3) so that the free ends (2a) projecting from the outer faces (4a) of the building modules (1,3) are oriented laterally towards the outside of the swimming pool, – application of a seal (27) at the level of the contact faces between two modules (1,3), – assembly of the modules (1,3) and fastening by screwing, – placement of slab reinforcement inside the enclosure defined by the walls (5) of the construction modules (1, 3) and connection with the integrated reinforcements (7) in the construction modules (1 ,3), – pouring of the concrete slab comprising a mass water-repellent sealing additive inside the enclosure formed by the construction modules (1,3) and outside this same enclosure to cover the free ends forming projecting from the outer faces of the building modules (1, 3).