EP0438007B1 - Swimming pool with stabilising ribs - Google Patents

Abstract

Stiffening ribs for giving stability to the side walls of a swimming pool, having a bearing surface (26) at the floor level, an internal surface (25) of complementary shape to that of the wall (11,12,13) of the swimming pool (10) to which the stiffening rib (20) is attached and an external surface (24) oriented in such a way that the stiffening rib counter balances the local thrust (F) of the water on the wall of the swimming pool at the location where the stiffening rib is attached, comprising four branches: two lower branches (21,21') arranged as an upside down "V" and two upper branches (22,22') arranged as a "V". <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a swimming pool of the type comprising the characteristics mentioned in the preamble to claims 1 and 2, as known from document FR-A-2595743.

The hulls of such swimming pools must as far as possible have a rigidified structure. Such hulls thus have the advantage of allowing a significant reduction in the cost price of the installed swimming pool, because if the hull has a relatively stable and rigid structure, the operations of placing the hull to constitute the swimming pool are particularly simplified. In addition, if it is adequately ridified, such a shell does not deform during backfill operations along the sides. Furthermore, a hull stabilized by an adequate structure naturally compensates for at least part of the water pressure, so that some external reinforcement structures, installed during construction of the swimming pool.

Document FR-A-2,595,743 discloses a prefabricated swimming pool shell reinforced laterally. The reinforcements are constituted by horizontal beams, completed by metallic longitudinal reinforcements, and vertical ribs laminated on the hull.

To be rigidified effectively freestanding, such a shell must have many ribs and metal frames, which involves at least as many operation of placing these elements during the manufacture of the shell.

The present invention relates, in a first of its aspects, to a swimming pool comprising a reinforced shell making it possible to obtain stiffening and stabilization of the sides as good if not better than in the prior art, while reducing handling operations during of the manufacture and the cost price of the hull.

The present invention, in a second of its aspects, also aims to propose swimming pool shells, the structure of which must be sufficient to counterbalance alone the thrust that water exerts on the sides of the swimming pool, in particular those having a certain length. Such pools, often prefabricated, are most often intended to be simply placed on the ground and not buried, so that the ground cannot exert back pressure on the sides of the pool. These pools can also be partially buried, a purely decorative earth embankment being arranged along certain sides, this earth embankment therefore not being sufficient to counterbalance the thrust of the water.

In this second aspect, the present invention relates to a swimming pool comprising a structure for reinforcing and stabilizing its lateral sides, giving the sides of the swimming pool to which this structure is attached, sufficient resistance to the thrust of the water so that that conventional reinforcement and stabilization devices such as substantial earth fill or concrete chaining are no longer necessary.

This problem has already been addressed in the state of the art.

Thus, it is known to use brackets arranged as a buttress on the lateral sides of a swimming pool to counterbalance the thrust of the water. However, these brackets are connected together by horizontal peripheral beams encircling the pool to stiffen the whole of this structure (see for example US-A-3,466,676).

Document FR-A-2,621,061 teaches the use of such brackets in conjunction with the water supply and drainage pipes and reinforcement ribs to produce such a stiffening and stabilization structure.

This prior art therefore teaches that it is necessary to associate with the reinforcement brackets arranged in a vertical plane, longitudinal members or ribs of horizontal orientation so that between the brackets, the side of the pool is also ridified and stabilized. .

Like the structure of document FR-A-2,595,743, these provisions, described in FR-A-2,621,061 and US-A-3,466,676, are not always practical to implement and, moreover, the structures described are relatively complicated to manufacture and therefore expensive.

The present invention provides a much simpler reinforcement structure to implement and having better performance in terms of longitudinal ridification of the lateral sides of a swimming pool.

In general, the present invention relates to a swimming pool as defined in claims 1 and 2.

When the shell is intended to be more self-supporting, the present invention relates to a swimming pool as defined in claims 3 and 4.

In a preferred embodiment of this second aspect of the invention, the swimming pool having in cross section a generally trapezoidal shape, the reinforcement has an external surface of vertical extension, so that the lateral space requirement of the swimming pool is not not find increased by the presence of reinforcements.

Thanks to these provisions, the invention achieves all of the above-mentioned objectives.

In fact, the reinforcement used in the present invention has a significant extension both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction due to its shape approaching that of an "X" or a "Y". In this way, it exercises on the side of the pool on which it is reported on a relatively large area, which is not the case of the vertical orientation reinforcements of the prior art described above.

By arranging said reinforcements side by side along most of the sidewall, this stiffens and strengthens it in a particularly simple manner. It will be noted that there is no need to use peripheral beams or metal reinforcements as in the prior art set out above or to use the supply and evacuation pipes as a stiffening structure. 'water.

Due to their large horizontal extension, a limited number of reinforcements can be used on each of the sides, which is favorable from the manufacturing point of view.

The advantages set out above are valid as well when the reinforcement is simply intended to stiffen and stabilize the sides of a swimming pool shell, as in the case where the reinforcement is intended in addition to make the shell self-supporting.

In the latter case, it should be observed that due to their significant extension both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction, the reinforcement according to the second aspect of the invention, can exert a counter-thrust on the side of the pool on which is reported, over a relatively large area, which is not the case of the angled reinforcements of the prior art described above (FR-A-2621061), in which the reinforcements are essentially characterized by their extension vertical.

The variants, in which the reinforcement has an overall "Y" shape, have the advantage of simplifying the structure of the reinforcement at the level of its lower part, which reduces the cost price of it both in manufacturing and in pose. However, thanks to the upper branches in a "V" shape, the inherent advantages of the present invention, namely that the peripheral reinforcement structure is eliminated, or at the very least greatly diminished.

When this variant of the reinforcement is used to make the shell of a swimming pool self-supporting, the presence of the upper branches makes it possible to counterbalance on a fraction of the periphery the water pressure, which increases with height, while, in certain hypotheses , that those skilled in the art can determine by calculation, the presence of a single low branch of vertical extension is sufficient to support the fraction of the total mass carried by the reinforcement considered.

On a practical level, in the event that the swimming pool is prefabricated in polyester, the reinforcement of the sides of the latter can be done during construction by bringing said reinforcements to the sides and restratifying the whole. This technique is particularly simple and inexpensive in terms of labor.

The present invention thus relates to a swimming pool comprising stiffening and stabilization reinforcements in accordance with those which have just been succinctly described above.

• la figure 1 est une vue du dessus d'une piscine conforme a la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en élévation de cette piscine suivant la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue latérale suivant la flèche III de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en élévation d'un renfort mis en oeuvre dans la présente invention ;
• les figures 5 et 5a sont des vues latérales du renfort selon la flèche V de la figure 4 illustrent deux aspects de la présente invention;
• la figure 6 est une vue correspondant à celle de la figure 2 et illustre une variante de la présente invention ;
• les figures 7 et 7a sont des vues latérales des renforts de la figure 6 illustrent deux aspects de la présente invention ; et
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues en perspectives de deux modes de réalisation de coques de piscines conformes à la présente invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will also emerge from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a top view of a swimming pool according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is an elevational view of this pool along arrow II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a side view along arrow III of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is an elevational view of a reinforcement used in the present invention;
• Figures 5 and 5a are side views of the reinforcement according to arrow V in Figure 4 illustrate two aspects of the present invention;
• Figure 6 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 2 and illustrates a variant of the present invention;
• Figures 7 and 7a are side views of the reinforcements of Figure 6 illustrate two aspects of the present invention; and
• Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of two embodiments of pool shells according to the present invention.

It is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, 6 several embodiments of the invention for a prefabricated polyester pool with a length of 11 meters and a width of 4.20 meters for a volume of 54 m³ of water .

The swimming pool 10 comprises a first lateral flank 11, and a second lateral flank divided into two parts 12 and 13. The lateral flanks are parallel. The swimming pool has a transverse end flank 14. Facing the transverse flank 14 are arranged stairs 15, the swimming pool having, in top view, a semi-circular configuration, FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, the bottom 16 of the pool 10 is flat so that the pool can be placed on a horizontal floor.

Under the reference 20, in Figures 1 and 3, reinforcements for stiffening and stabilizing the sidewalls used in the present invention have been illustrated; the reinforcements 20 are intended here not only to stiffen and stabilize the structure of the pool, but also to make it self-supporting.

We will now describe them in support of Figures 4 and 5.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, each stabilization reinforcement 20 has a support surface on the ground 26, 26 ′, an internal surface or an internal profile 25 of shape complementary to that of the side of the swimming pool where the reinforcement must be added and a external surface 24 which, in general in this aspect of the invention, is oriented so that the reinforcement counterbalances the local pressure of the water (arrow F) on the bottom of the pool at the place where the reinforcement is reported.

In the embodiment chosen and shown, the section of the swimming pool being, generally, trapezoidal, FIG. 3, the external surface 24 is of vertical orientation. The support surface on the ground is here horizontal and arranged in the extension of the external surface of the wall 16 constituting the bottom of the pool.

In FIG. 5, which is seen from the side of the reinforcement, the cross section of the swimming pool (parallel to arrow II) has been illustrated in fine lines. It is observed that the shape of the internal surface 25 is exactly complementary to that of the external surface of the side of the swimming pool at the place where the reinforcement (20) is attached.

In accordance with another characteristic of the invention, visible in FIG. 4, the reinforcement comprises four branches: two lower branches 21, 21 'arranged in inverted "V" and two upper branches 22, 22' arranged in "V".

In the embodiment chosen and shown, the lower branches 21, 21 'and upper 22, 22' are connected to each other by means of a central portion 23, having, in elevation, a generally rectangular shape, so that the reinforcement 20 here has the form of two "Y" arranged head to tail.

This reinforcement has, in this embodiment, a height of 1.58 meters; the maximum width at the upper branches is 1.32 meters, while the maximum width at the lower branches is 1.20 meters.

The lateral sides of the branches 21, 21, 22, 22 'are bevelled (references 28), the external bevels of the branches being connected to a bevel (29 or 29') arranged on along the lateral sides, of vertical orientation, of the central portion 23.

At their upper end, the branches 22, 22 'are bevelled transversely (references 30).

The reinforcements 20 are attached along the sides 11, 12, 13 and 14 and fixed on the latter by polyester restratification. In this respect, the bevels 28 and 29 allow easier restratification than in the event that the lateral flanks of the reinforcements would have been perpendicular to the external face 24.

The width of the reinforcements 20, which is smaller at the level of the lower legs 21, 21 ′, makes it possible to leave between the neighboring lower legs of two neighboring reinforcements a free space to be able to laminate the bottom of the reinforcements on the longitudinal sides of the swimming pool.

This small relative width gives the reinforcements greater rigidity at the level of their lower parts 21, 21 'which support a large body of water.

On the first longitudinal flank 11, six reinforcements are thus added by restratification. It will be observed that the upper edges (32) of the two adjacent upper legs of two neighboring reinforcements touch each other while the lower edges 33 of the adjacent lower legs of two reinforcement do not touch, a space of about ten centimeters being here left free , figure 2.

The long part 12 of the lateral flank, five reinforcements are also added in the same way.

It will be appreciated that the reinforcements 20 have a fairly large lateral extension (1.32 meters at the level of the upper branches, 1.20 meters at the level of the lower branches), which allows each reinforcement to stiffen a corresponding width of the sidewall on which it is reported. The fact of generally placing the reinforcements side by side and fairly close to each other (in this embodiment, they touch at the level of the upper edges) thus makes it possible to reinforce the entire length of the flank considered, on which, as is known, a large thrust of water is exerted.

We can also, depending on the estimated water pressure, space these reinforcements if necessary.

It is observed that the short part of the lateral flank 13 and the transverse flank 14 have only one reinforcement. This is due both to the relatively small size of the surfaces considered and to the significant lateral extension of the reinforcements. In this regard, it should be noted that the end flank 14 has a much greater lateral extension than that of the reinforcement, but that the latter is sufficient to stiffen and stabilize it.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in elevation, a variant of the present invention. In this figure, elements similar to those of Figure 2 keep the same references.

The pool 43 is identical in shape and dimensions to that illustrated in FIG. 2.

According to this aspect of the invention, the reinforcements 40 have three branches, namely a lower branch of vertical extension 41 and two upper branches 42, 42 'arranged in a "V" shape.

The upper branches 42, 42 ′ have a structure similar to that described in support of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The lower branch 41 is constituted by a downward extension of the central portion 23 described above with the support of FIGS. 4 and 5.

In side view (FIG. 7), the reinforcement 40 has a shape similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5. This reinforcement also includes a support surface on the ground 46, an internal surface 45 of shape complementary to that of the side of the swimming pool. and an outer surface 44 which, in general, is oriented so that the reinforcement counterbalances the local thrust of the water (arrow F) on the bottom of the pool where the reinforcement is attached.

In the embodiment chosen and shown, the section of the swimming pool being, generally, trapezoidal, FIG. 7, the external surface 44 is of vertical orientation. The support surface on the ground 46 is here also horizontal and arranged in the extension of the external surface of the wall 16 constituting the bottom of the pool.

The reinforcements and the reinforcement structure which have just been described are intended, on the one hand to stiffen the sides of the shell constituting the swimming pool and on the other hand, to make this shell self-supporting, that is to say to counterbalance the thrust exerted by the water on the sides of the pool. The reinforcements used in the present invention can be used for the sole purpose of stiffening, stabilizing and solidifying the sides of the shell constituting the swimming pool, the thrust of the water then being counterbalanced by an embankment of earth and / or gravel. In such a case, these reinforcements make it possible in particular to avoid any deformation of the sides of the pool during the embankment.

Figures 5a, 7a, 8 and 9 illustrate various embodiments of this second aspect of the invention. In these figures, the elements common to the figures already described bear the same reference numbers with an "a" in suffix. These elements will not be described again here.

In Figure 8 there is illustrated in perspective a swimming pool shell 69 reinforced in accordance with this aspect of the present invention.

The reinforcements 40a which are illustrated therein have a "Y" structure, similar to that described above in support of FIGS. 6 and 7, the difference being that they no longer have a bearing surface on the ground and that the external surface 44a of the reinforcements 40a, is no longer oriented so that the reinforcement counterbalances the local pressure of the water on the side of the pool, where it is attached. It is observed that the external surface 44a generally follows the profile of the shell of the swimming pool (see in FIG. 7a the side elevation view of the reinforcement 40a). On the other hand, the internal surface or the 45a (where the internal profile 45a of the reinforcement 40a) has a shape complementary to that of the side of the shell of the swimming pool, at the place where the reinforcement must be added.

It can be seen, in FIG. 8, that the reinforcements are attached side by side on the lateral and end flanks of the swimming pool hull.

In this embodiment, the swimming pool has a sloping bottom, so the height of the reinforcements 40a added along the lateral flanks is variable, taking into account the position of the reinforcement on the flank considered.

It is observed in this embodiment that additional horizontal reinforcements 70 are interposed between the upper branches of the "Y". These reinforcements are intended to ensure an even better holding of the side of the pool, given the significant length of the latter. These upper intermediate reinforcements are not always necessary and those skilled in the art may, on a case-by-case basis, decide whether or not to incorporate them.

In FIG. 9, a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 8 is illustrated, in which other median intermediate reinforcements 71 are illustrated. Such reinforcements may be necessary in the event that the pool has a long length.

In FIG. 5a there is illustrated a side view of a reinforcement in "X" similar moreover to those described in support of FIGS. 1 to 4. This reinforcement 20a also comprises an external surface 24a which is no longer oriented so to counterbalance the local thrust of the water, but which generally follows the profile of the pool hull. It has an internal surface, or a profile 25a internal shape complementary to that of the sidewall (11, 12, 13 or 14) at the place where the reinforcement must be attached. This reinforcement does not have a bearing surface on the ground.

The reinforcements 20a and 40a can be made of different materials. They can for example be molded in polyester and attached directly to the shell of the pool by restratification.

Advantageously, to avoid a molding operation followed by a restratification operation, the reinforcements can be formed by a shape made of another material (wood, even cardboard), this shape being attached directly to the polyester shell and directly laminated on this: it is only during stratification that the reinforcement as such is formed.

The reinforcements illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 are moreover produced with this method: the reinforcements 40a are produced from cardboard shapes. The same applies to the intermediate reinforcements 70 and 71. After positioning the shapes, the latter are laminated directly on the shell. It is also possible to replace the shapes of the intermediate reinforcements 70 and 71 with side members having the same length as the side of the pool. These beams are temporarily attached to the hull, while the "Y" shapes have various notches allowing them to be pressed against the side of the hull, while overlapping the beams. The whole is laminated on site, so as to constitute the reinforcements.

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and shown but encompasses all variants within the scope of the appended claims.

In particular, in the two aspects of the present invention which have been described and shown, the reinforcement comprises respectively four or three branches. To these branches, those skilled in the art can add others which might prove necessary, for example, due to the large water level foreseen in the swimming pool.

Claims (7)

1. Swimming pool comprising a shell made from a synthetic material such as resin, having external reinforcements for stabilizing its sides (11, 12, 13, 14) attached to and stratified on the latter and having a surface or internal profile (25, 25a) with a shape complementary to that of the side of the swimming pool at the point at which the reinforcement in question is attached, characterised in that each reinforcement (20, 20a) has at least four legs intended to be applied to the said side: two bottom legs (21, 21') arranged in an inverted "V" and two top legs (22, 22') arranged in a "V".
2. Swimming pool comprising a shell made from a synthetic material such as resin, having external reinforcements for stabilizing its sides (11, 12, 13, 14) attached to and stratified on the latter and having a surface or internal profile (45, 45a) with a shape complementary to that of the side of the swimming pool at the point at which the reinforcement in question is attached, characterised in that each reinforcement (40, 40a) has at least three legs intended to be applied to the said side: a bottom vertical-extension leg (41) and two top legs (42, 42') arranged in a "V".
3. Swimming pool according to Claim 1, characterised in that each reinforcement (20) has a surface (26, 26') for bearing on the ground and an external surface (24) oriented so that the swimming pool reinforcement counterbalances the local thrust (F) of the water on the side of the swimming pool at the point where the reinforcement is attached.
4. Swimming pool according to Claim 2, characterised in that each reinforcement (40) has a surface (46) for bearing on the ground and an external surface (44) oriented so that the swimming pool reinforcement counterbalances the local thrust (F) of the water on the side of the swimming pool at the point where the reinforcement is attached.
5. Swimming pool according to either one of Claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the said external surface (24, 44) has a vertical orientation.
6. Swimming pool according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it has supplementary horizontal reinforcements (70) associated with each of the said external stabilizing reinforcements and interposed between the top legs of the external reinforcements.
7. Swimming pool according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that median interposed reinforcements (71) are arranged between the said external reinforcements.

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