DE20017839U1 - Profile for the upper edge of a swimming pool and swimming pool designed in this way - Google Patents

Description

WEICKMANN· ^: &*·

Patent attorneys
European Patent Attorneys · European Trade Mark Attorneys

H. WEICKMANN DiPL-iNG. F.A. WEICKMANN

DIPL-CHEM. B. HUBER

DR.-iNc. H. LISKA

/ DIPL-PHYS. DR. J. PRECHTEL

DIPL-CHEM. DR. B. BÖHM DIPL-CHEM. DR. W. WEISS

DiPL-PHYS. dr. J. TIESMEYER DiPL-PHYS. dr. M. HERZOG DiPL-PHYS B. RUTTENSPERGER

DIPL.-PHYS. DR.-ING. V.JORDAN

Our sign:

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Applicant:

Sevylor International
2, rue Maurice Mallet

F 92130 ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX

Profile for the upper edge of a swimming pool and
swimming pool designed in this way

P.O. Box 860 820, 81635 Munich, Germany, Tel. (*089) 45563 0, Fax (089) 45563 999, email@weickmann.de

Profile for the upper edge of a swimming pool and swimming pool designed in this way

Description

The present invention relates to improvements in swimming pools with a rigid structure comprising a substantially vertical rigid wall, generally made of sheet metal, extending along a closed perimeter (generally round or oval), further comprising an upwardly open, tight, flexible bag (called "liner") arranged inside the closed perimeter and provided along its peripheral edge with means for continuous attachment to the wall, and a profile attached by overlapping to the upper edge of the wall and designed to receive the fastening means of the tight bag.

In the following, it should be noted that throughout the description and claims, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "inside" and "outside" are used with reference to the mounting position of the profile on the edge of the pool wall. In particular, the terms "inside" and "outside" are understood as "facing the inside of the pool" and "facing the outside of the pool" respectively.

The fixing of the edge of the flexible pocket could be done by overlapping the upper edge of the wall, either directly or by means of fixing means in the shape of an inverted U with a locking by means of the mentioned profile.

However, when these pools are constructed as in-ground pools, a brick surround is usually provided at the edge of the pool, extending above the rigid wall, which is

the profile holding the flexible bag. If it becomes necessary to remove the flexible bag, for example to replace or repair it, the profile cannot be removed due to the presence of the edging and the edging must be destroyed. Destroying the edging and rebuilding it after the repair is a lengthy and, above all, very troublesome job.

To eliminate this drawback, means have appeared on the market that allow the flexible pocket to be attached to or removed from the rigid wall without having to touch the edging, since these operations can be carried out on the inner side surface of the wall and/or the profile without removing the profile.

To illustrate such a known design, Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows schematically and in perspective a swimming pool 1 (here in an off-ground mounting configuration, but it could be used in an in-ground configuration) comprising a rigid wall 2 formed by a group of juxtaposed sheets 3, assembled and held together by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art. Inside the closed perimeter (in particular round or oval) defined by this wall 2, there is arranged a flexible and sealed bag 4 ("liner", for example formed by a PVC film) which contains the water.

The upper edge of the wall 2 is provided with a profile 6 which fulfils the double function of holding the flexible pocket 4 and the covering at the top of the wall 2, this profile, as shown in cross-section in Fig.2, being designed for a lateral assembly or disassembly of the flexible pocket, as explained above, in order to

swimming pool not to be disturbed by the possible presence of a brick edging.

The known example of a profile 6 shown in Fig.2 is formed by joining two profiles 7 and 8.

The profile 7 is designed with a first groove 9 which runs essentially vertically and is open at the bottom and is placed by overlapping the upper edge of the wall 2.

On the inner wing 10 delimiting the vertical channel 9 on the inside, a second channel 11 is provided, which is approximately horizontal and open towards the inside and is designed to receive and retain continuous fastening means 12 provided on the edge of the flexible pocket 4. In the example explained, the fastening means are of a conventional type (known in the art as the Hung system): the lower wing 13 delimiting the channel 11 at the bottom is provided with an internal shoulder forming a hook, whereas the fastening means 12 provided on the flexible pocket are formed by a rigid or semi-rigid profile applied to the edge of the flexible pocket and also in the form of a hook which can be inserted into the channel 11 and interact with the internal hook thereof.

The profile 7 placed on the edge of the wall 2 is relatively thin and can be fragile. In addition, the appearance provided by this design is not particularly satisfactory. Finally, and this is a significant disadvantage, because of the design of the horizontal gutter, the flexible pocket only comes into contact with the wall 2 very far below the gutter. There is therefore a significant area of the flexible pocket immediately below the gutter which does not come into contact and therefore

is very sensitive to impacts from pool users. This area is therefore particularly prone to cracks.

In general, it is provided to place on top of the described profile 7 a second so-called covering profile 8, which has a vertical recess 14 open downwards and is designed to cover the area of the profile 7 which in turn overlaps the edge of the wall 2. Furthermore, the second profile 8 has a widened upper area 15 which forms a handrail. In addition to improving the finish of the upper area of the swimming pool, the second profile 8 also contributes mechanically to reinforcing the wings of the profile 7 which delimit the channel 9 which overlaps the wall 2 and to reinforcing the clamping effect of these wings on the wall.

However, this known design has several disadvantages.

From an economic point of view, the design of profile 6 in the form of two separate profiles 7 and 8, each performing a separate function, represents a complex solution since two separate parts have to be manufactured, stored and transported.

In order for the cladding profile 8 to be sufficiently supported on the profile 7, it is also necessary that its inner wing in particular extends sufficiently low down the profile 7, which requires a considerable downward displacement of the horizontal channel 11 with respect to the top of the profile 7. As a result, the flexible pocket no longer extends up to the top of the wall 2, which can be disadvantageous both from an aesthetic point of view, since slots become visible between two abutting sections of the profile 7, and from a watertightness point of view, since water can pass through the slots and get between the wall 2 and the flexible pocket 4 (the flexible pocket 4 can then no longer be perfectly sealed against

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the wall 2 is pushed and it is even more likely to be destroyed (torn apart) by users).

It is therefore an object of the invention to propose an improved profile which eliminates the various disadvantages mentioned and meets the various requirements in practice more satisfactorily, in particular by combining alone the function of holding (fixing the edge of the flexible bag) and covering the upper perimeter of the swimming pool (handrail).

The invention proposes, for this purpose, a profile for the upper edge of a substantially vertical rigid support wall extending along a closed external perimeter of a swimming pool, inside which perimeter there is arranged a flexible and tight pocket equipped at its peripheral edge with means for continuous attachment to the wall, the profile comprising (when viewed in the assembly position):

a substantially vertical and downwardly open channel designed to be placed over the peripheral edge of the rigid wall of the swimming pool, and

an approximately horizontal groove located at the top of the profile and extending partially above the vertical groove, which is open downwards and is designed to receive and retain the means for continuously securing the peripheral edge of the flexible pocket,

wherein the profile designed according to the invention is characterized in that the horizontal gutter extends horizontally outwards beyond the vertical gutter, and that the upper wing delimiting the horizontal gutter at the top extends outwards beyond the outer wing delimiting the vertical gutter and is formed as a cladding structure for the upper perimeter of the swimming pool.

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Thanks to the design according to the invention, a single profile combines the functions of holding the edge of the flexible bag and covering the upper part of the bag retaining wall. Such a profile can be made by extruding plastic, aluminum or other materials, which reduces manufacturing, storage and transport costs. Because of its one-piece nature, such a profile offers a stiffness greater than that of two prior art profiles joined together.

Finally, the horizontal groove used to fix the edge of the flexible pocket is set high in the upper part of the profile so that, in the assembly position, the pocket extends over the entire height of the pool, remaining pressed against the sheet over a maximum height and closing the connection slots of successive profile sections, thus ensuring a good seal between the wall and the flexible pocket and ensuring a good abutment of the flexible pocket against the wall.

Preferably, the two wings of the profile defining the horizontal gutter extend outwards beyond the bottom of the horizontal gutter so that this upper wing forms a relatively wide plate which provides a better grip (handrail) for the users.

It is desirable that the two wings of the profile defining the horizontal gutter are connected externally by a connecting area with a rounded cross-section so that the profile does not have any damaging edge areas in this area.

Furthermore, it is interesting if the outer wing delimiting the vertical channel is reinforced externally by a reinforcing wing spaced from it and connected to it by a lower return area in order to improve the stiffness of the profile and in particular to

prevent the wings delimiting the vertical gutter from moving away from each other: the two wings are thus held in place on the top of the wall like a clamp. In order to further prevent the appearance of damaging edge areas, it is advantageous to provide that the lower return area connecting the external wing delimiting the vertical gutter and the reinforcing wing reinforcing it has a rounded cross-section.

In order to obtain a simple profile structure which is easy to manufacture continuously from a nozzle and which has good properties for fixing the edge of the flexible pocket, it is possible to provide that the inner wing delimiting the vertical channel on the inside extends upwards beyond the lower wing delimiting the horizontal channel on the bottom and forms, inside and near the opening of the latter, a strip to which the fixing means occupying the peripheral edge of the flexible pocket can be fixed when the edge is introduced into the horizontal channel.

Finally, it is desirable that the inner wing delimiting the vertical gutter from the inside is reinforced internally by a reinforcing and abutment wing curved vertically with a concavity pointing towards the vertical gutter, this reinforcing and abutment wing being designed to receive the upper part of the flexible pocket located under the fastening means in abutment in order to avoid the pocket being pulled out along the opening of the horizontal gutter; as emphasised above, this design contributes to keeping the two wings delimiting the vertical gutter in a clamping position on top of the wall. Furthermore, this arrangement can be completed by providing that the free edge of the upper wing delimiting the horizontal gutter from the top extends inwards beyond said reinforcing and abutment wing and is curved downwards approximately parallel to the reinforcing and abutment wing. Furthermore, it can be provided that the

The curved portion of the upper wing extends upwards again to join the end of the upper wing, defining an edge-stiffening tube region along the free edge of the upper wing.

According to another aspect, the invention proposes a swimming pool with a rigid structure comprising:

a substantially vertical, rigid load-bearing wall extending along a closed perimeter,

- a tight, flexible bag open at the top, which is inside

of the closed perimeter and is provided at its peripheral edge with means for continuous attachment to the wall, and

a profile for attaching the peripheral edge of the bag to the wall,

which swimming pool is characterized by the fact that the profile with which it is equipped is formed with all or part of the above-mentioned characteristics.

The effectiveness of the fastening of the edge of the flexible pocket in the horizontal channel can be improved by further providing a profiled blocking ring designed to be inserted into the horizontal channel between the fastening means of the flexible pocket inserted in the latter and the upper wing of the channel in order to block the fastening means of the pocket there.

Furthermore, the ring can be made of a transparent material or contain a light guide such as an optical fiber or a bundle of optical fibers: it is then possible to create a light ramp by illuminating at least one of its ends, which contributes to the beautification of the swimming pool.

The invention will be better understood from reading the following description of certain embodiments given purely by way of illustration. In this description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig.3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a profile according to the invention;

Fig.4 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of a swimming pool designed according to the invention with the profile of Fig.3;

Fig.5 is a cross-sectional view of a variant embodiment of a mounting component of Fig.4; and

Fig.6 is a cross-sectional view of a reinforced variant of the profile of Fig.3.

Referring first to Fig.3, the profile 16 comprises a substantially vertically extending groove 17 which is delimited by two wings, an inner one 18 and an outer one 19, the groove 17 being open downwards.

Furthermore, the profile 16 comprises a channel 20 which runs approximately horizontally and is open towards the inside and is delimited by two wings, a lower one 21 and an upper one 22. The horizontal channel 20 is located at the top of the profile and runs partially above the vertical channel 17.

According to the invention, the horizontal channel 20 extends horizontally outwards beyond the vertical channel 17, which in particular leads to the upper wing 22 delimiting the horizontal channel 20 at the top extending outwards beyond the outer wing 19 delimiting the vertical channel 17 on the outside.

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As can be clearly seen in Fig.3, it can also be provided according to the invention that the upper wing 22 and the lower wing 21, which delimit the horizontal channel 20, extend outwards beyond the bottom 23 of the horizontal channel 20, and that these two wings 21 and 22 are connected at their outer ends by a connecting section 24, in particular semicircular, with a rounded cross-section. As can be seen in Fig.3, the section 24, the outer ends of the two wings 21 and 22, and the bottom 23 of the horizontal channel 20 can together define a tube region 25 which, in the example explained, has a circular cross-section, but could have any other circumferential shape.

In this way, a profile is created that is not only perfectly suited to ensuring the holding function (fixing the edge of the flexible bag), but is also suitable for covering the upper edge of the swimming pool equipped with it, in particular by forming a handrail for users.

The outer wing 19 which externally delimits the vertical channel 17 is preferably reinforced externally by a reinforcing wing 26 which is spaced from it and connected to it by a lower return region 27; the latter, like the said region 24, preferably has a rounded cross-section, in particular semicircular, in order to avoid edges.

In a simple embodiment, the inner wing 18 delimiting the channel 17 on the inside can be extended upwards beyond the lower wing 21 which delimits the horizontal channel 20 at the bottom, and thus defines within this channel and near its opening a strip 28 pointing towards the bottom of the horizontal channel 20. This strip 28 is designed to fix the edge of the flexible bag, as will be explained later.

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It may also be advantageous for the inner wing 18 delimiting the groove 17 to be reinforced internally by a wing 29 curved in the vertical direction with a concavity pointing in the direction of the vertical groove. This curved wing 29 is connected to the upper and lower ends of the inner wing 18, which it reinforces and, furthermore, as will become clear later, it serves as a curvilinear support for the upper part of the flexible bag and prevents it from being damaged in contact with an angular area.

The reinforcing wing 26 and the reinforcing and abutment wing 29 stiffen the two wings 19 and 18 respectively and, by preventing them from moving apart accidentally, ensure that they properly clamp the wall 2, as will become clear later.

Finally, it may be desired to stiffen the inner edge (free edge) of the upper wing 22. To do this, the thickness of this edge may be increased locally, giving it the appearance of a bead 35. In order for the upper surface of the wing 22 to remain flat over the entire width of the wing, this means that the increase in thickness is carried out on the lower surface of the wing 22; this lower surface therefore introduces a downward curvature approximately parallel to the curved wing 29.

In Fig.4, the profile 16 is shown in the assembly position, with Fig.4 illustrating in cross section the design of the upper part of a swimming pool. With the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, the profile 16 overlaps at the top elements 3 which form the wall 2, the wings 18, 19 which delimit the vertical channel 17 strongly clamping this wall under the action of the reinforcing wings 29 and 26 respectively.

The fastening means 12, which occupy the peripheral edge of the flexible pocket 4, are pressed into the horizontal groove 20 and are fixed therein by

Cooperation of the beak 30 with which these fastening means are provided (see also Fig.1) with the strip 28 clamped within the groove 20.

Under the pressure exerted laterally by the water 31 filling the pool, the flexible bag 4 is pressed against the wall 2 and, in the area of the profile 16, against the curved wing 29 which accompanies the flexible sheet up to the opening of the gutter 20 and prevents it from being damaged by a sharp edge. Furthermore, the curved wing 29 guides the flexible bag as far as contact with the wall 2, so that there is no defect in the attachment given to the flexible bag: one reason for the flexible bag to break is thus eliminated.

Furthermore, thanks to the design used, the flexible pocket 4 extends almost to the top of the profile: this pocket camouflages the gap between two successive sections of the profile and, in particular, offers better watertightness by preventing water from the pool from entering through those gaps and getting between the pocket and the wall.

In order to guard against the serious consequences of a locally poor pressing of the fastening means 12 against the inside of the horizontal channel 20, the cohesion can be ensured by forcibly inserting a profiled blocking ring 32 having approximately the cross-section of an aircraft wing, with a thickness that increases from its insertion end to its free end. Such a ring 32 acts like a profiled wedge that blocks the fastening means 12 regardless of their correct or locally incorrect assembly situation.

One can benefit from the use of ring 32 by allowing it to play a light-guiding role beyond its classic role as a blocking organ

to embellish the swimming pool at night with a play of lights. For this purpose, the ring 32 is made of a transparent or translucent plastic material suitable for making it play the role of a light guide when it is illuminated at one or both of its ends.

For the same purpose, the ring (ring 32' in Fig.5) can also be made with the same external shape, but with an internal free space 33 reserved in which an optical fiber 34 or a bundle of optical fibers is located.

To increase the strength of the free edge of the upper wing 22 delimiting the horizontal channel 20, the bead 35 can be replaced by a stiffer tubular design 36 as illustrated in Fig. 6. For this purpose, the wing 22 has a curved portion 37 which curves downwards, remaining approximately parallel to the opposite reinforcing wing 29, and then curves upwards again where it joins the wing 22, the upper surface of which remains flat.

Naturally, the embodiments according to the invention can lead to numerous embodiment variants, in particular with regard to the geometric shape of the profile 16 and the number, position and shape of the wings and the reinforcing structures. The embodiments particularly explained and described above have a relatively simple structure and are easy to manufacture by means of a plastics extrusion process, while being effective in terms of the technical effects they provide.

In summary, the invention relates to a profile 16 with which the upper edge of a substantially vertical, rigid support wall 2 is equipped, which extends along a closed perimeter of a swimming pool, wherein within the perimeter a flexible and tight pocket 4

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which is provided at its peripheral edge with means 12 for continuous fastening to the wall; the profile 16 (viewed in the assembly position) comprises: a downwardly open vertical channel 17 which overlaps the peripheral edge of the rigid wall 2; and a horizontal channel 20 which is open downwards and holds the fastening means 1 2 of the flexible pocket 4; the horizontal channel 20 is located at the top of the profile 16 and extends partially above the vertical channel 17 and horizontally outwards beyond it, and the upper wing 22 delimiting the horizontal channel 20 at the top is designed as a cladding structure for the upper peripheral edge of the swimming pool.

Claims (12)

1. Profile ( 16 ) for the upper edge of a substantially vertical rigid support wall ( 2 ) extending along a closed external perimeter of a swimming pool, inside which perimeter there is arranged a flexible and sealed pocket ( 4 ) equipped at its peripheral edge with means ( 12 ) for continuous attachment to the wall, the profile ( 16 ) comprising (when viewed in the assembly position): - a substantially vertical and downwardly open channel ( 17 ) designed to be placed over the peripheral edge of the rigid wall ( 2 ) of the swimming pool, and - an approximately horizontal groove ( 20 ) located at the top of the profile ( 16 ) and extending partially above the vertical groove ( 17 ), which is open downwards and is designed to receive and retain the means ( 12 ) for continuously fixing the peripheral edge of the flexible pocket ( 4 ), characterized in that the horizontal channel ( 20 ) extends horizontally outwards beyond the vertical channel ( 17 ), and that the upper wing ( 22 ) delimiting the horizontal channel ( 20 ) at the top extends outwards beyond the outer wing ( 19) delimiting the vertical channel (17 ) and is formed as a cladding structure for the upper periphery of the swimming pool. 2. Profile according to claim 1, characterized in that the two wings ( 21 , 22 ) of the profile defining the horizontal channel ( 20 ) extend outwards beyond the bottom ( 23 ) of the horizontal channel ( 20 ). 3. Profile according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two wings ( 21 , 22 ) of the profile defining the horizontal channel ( 20 ) are connected externally by a connecting region ( 24 ) with a rounded cross-section. 4. Profile according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer wing ( 19 ) delimiting the vertical channel ( 17 ) is reinforced on the outside by a reinforcing wing ( 26 ) which is spaced from it and connected to it by a lower return region ( 27 ). 5. Profile according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower return region ( 27 ) which connects the outer wing ( 19 ) delimiting the vertical channel ( 17 ) and the reinforcing wing ( 26 ) reinforcing it, has a rounded cross-section. 6. Profile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wing ( 18 ) delimiting the vertical channel ( 17 ) on the inside extends upwards beyond the lower wing ( 21 ) delimiting the horizontal channel ( 20 ) on the bottom and forms, inside and near the opening of the latter, a strip ( 28 ) to which the fastening means ( 12 ) occupying the peripheral edge of the flexible pocket can be fixed when the edge is inserted into the horizontal channel. 7. Profile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wing ( 18 ) delimiting the vertical channel ( 17 ) on the inside is reinforced on the inside by a reinforcement and abutment wing ( 29 ) curved in the vertical direction with a concavity pointing in the direction of the vertical channel, this reinforcement and abutment wing ( 29 ) being designed to receive in abutment the upper part of the flexible pocket ( 4 ) located under the fastening means ( 12 ) in order to prevent the pocket from being pulled out along the opening of the horizontal channel ( 20 ). 8. Profile according to claim 7, characterized in that the free edge of the upper wing ( 22 ) delimiting the horizontal channel ( 20 ) at the top extends inwards beyond the said reinforcing and abutment wing ( 29 ) and is curved downwards approximately parallel to the reinforcing and abutment wing ( 29 ). 9. Profile according to claim 8, characterized in that the downwardly curved region ( 37 ) of the upper wing ( 22 ) extends upwards again to join the end of the upper wing ( 22 ), defining along the free edge of the upper wing a tubular region ( 36 ) stiffening the edge. 10. Swimming pool with rigid structure, comprising: - a substantially vertical, rigid supporting wall ( 2 ) extending along a closed perimeter, - a tight, flexible pocket ( 4 ) open at the top, arranged within the closed perimeter and equipped at its peripheral edge with means ( 12 ) for continuous attachment to the wall, and - a profile ( 16 ) for fixing the peripheral edge ( 12 ) of the pocket ( 4 ) to the wall ( 2 ), characterized in that the profile ( 16 ) is formed according to one of claims 1 to 9. 11. Swimming pool according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a profiled blocking ring ( 32 , 32 ') designed to be inserted into the horizontal channel ( 20 ) between the fastening means ( 12 ) of the flexible bag ( 4 ) inserted into the latter and the upper wing ( 22 ) of the channel ( 20 ) in order to block the fastening means of the bag there. 12. Swimming pool according to claim 11, characterized in that the ring ( 32 , 32 ') is made of a transparent material and is designed to form a light ramp when at least one of its ends is illuminated.