EP0562902B1 - Modular structure for the limitation of a volume, especially for a swimming pool - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a modular structure delimiting a volume, in particular of a swimming pool, produced from prefabricated elements assembled on site to form panels and against which a waterproof interior coating is later reported, as for example described by the document DE- A-2 934 074.

Many pools of this type are known, but one of the main problems encountered is that of the rigidity of its lateral sides which must withstand relatively large thrusts. To remedy this, it is known to stiffen the structure by stabilization reinforcements which can be attached around the structure or even to reinforce the panels themselves by giving them special corrugated profiles, for example.

Although effectively reinforcing the walls, such a technique has the major drawback of not offering a smooth internal surface of the pelvis.

This causes a significant difficulty relating to its cleaning because the fouling will be favored by deposition on non-vertical parts of the corrugated profile.

For the production of other types of swimming pools, to be assembled on site, smooth walls are also proposed, the reinforcement of which is obtained by upper chaining of the panels, obtained for example by the installation of a peripheral upper rail.

All these devices aiming at solving the problems of rigidity of the structure are in fact penalizing their cost price and harm the simplicity of implementation for a person of average competence.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these various drawbacks and for this purpose relates to a modular structure delimiting a volume, in particular of a swimming pool, produced from elements prefabricated assembled on site to form panels and against which a waterproof interior covering is subsequently attached, characterized in that each panel consists of two end sections arranged vertically with respect to the ground and comprising interlocking parts arranged in opposite directions. opposite, and defining vertical grooves capable of receiving the free ends of horizontal profiled elements stackable vertically on each other, so as to make them self-supporting.

Preferably, the horizontal sections have a U-shaped section obtained by folding a sheet metal side and in that they are stacked vertically on their lateral wings by directing their bottom part, connecting said wings, towards the interior of the volume to to constitute, to constitute a smooth wall with the added waterproof coating.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale arrachée en perspective, d'une structure de piscine selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une coupe transversale droite d'une structure selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe à échelle agrandie d'une partie supérieure de la structure montrant des moyens de soutien d'une margelle, selon les figures 1 et 2;
• les figures 4, 5 et 6 représentent respectivement des vues de droite, de gauche et de dessus des moyens de soutien de la margelle selon la figure 3.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, illustrating by way of nonlimiting example, how the invention can be performed and in which:

• Figure 1 is a cutaway cross-sectional perspective view of a swimming pool structure according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a right cross section of a structure along the line II-II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of an upper part of the structure showing means for supporting a coping, according to Figures 1 and 2;
• Figures 4, 5 and 6 show views from the right, left and from above, respectively. means for supporting the coping according to FIG. 3.

The modular structure 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates a swimming pool produced using prefabricated panels 2 formed on site and against which a waterproof interior coating 3 is added later.

According to the invention, each panel 2 consists of two end sections 4, 4A, arranged vertically relative to the ground 26 and comprising interlocking parts 5, 5A arranged opposite, and defining vertical grooves able to receive the free ends 6, 6A of horizontal profiled elements 7, 7A, 7B, stackable vertically on each other, so as to make them self-supporting.

More specifically, the horizontal sections 7, 7A, 7B have a U-shaped section obtained by folding a sheet metal side and in that they are stacked vertically on their lateral wings 8 by directing their bottom part 9 connecting said wings 8 , towards the inside of the volume to be formed, to form a smooth wall with the attached waterproof coating 3.

Each horizontal section 7, 7B of U-shaped section includes interlocking means obtained by folding square, in the same direction, of the free ends of the lateral wings 8 of the U, a lower flap 10 of one thus obtained coming in support for mounting against an upper flap 11 of the other, already in place, between the vertical end sections 4, 4A.

In this case, the flaps 10 and 11 are directed downwards but of course, they could as well be directed upwards.

It can also be noted that the first lower horizontal sections 7A have a lower flap 10A directed in the opposite direction from the upper flap 11, to face each other.

Indeed, in this case, the sections 7A are just placed on the ground, without having to fit onto another previous horizontal section.

As regards the interlocking parts 5, 5A of the vertical end sections 4, 4A, these have a U-shaped section.

Of course, in order to obtain a structure that is longer than it is wide, at least two panels 2 are made end to end by means of a common vertical section of I-section, which in fact corresponds to two U back to back.

To obtain a structure 1 of quadrangular shape, the back 12 of an end profile 4 of a panel 2 forms with the back 12A of an end profile 4A of another successive panel, a 90 ° angle (not shown).

On the other hand, to obtain a structure 1 of regular polygonal shape, the back 12 of an end profile 4 of a panel 2 forms with the back 12A of an end profile 4A of another successive panel, an angle equal to: $$\text{180 ° - (180 ° -}\frac{{\text{360}}^{\text{o}}}{\text{n sides}}\text{)}$$

For example, for an octagonal structure, the angle formed between the back 12, 12A of two successive sections 4, 4A, will be: $$\text{180 - (180 ° -}\frac{{\text{360}}^{\text{o}}}{\text{8}}\text{) = 45 °}$$

According to the cases, two vertical end sections, 4, 4A of two successive panels 2 are independent of one another, or else they are mechanically connected to each other.

As shown particularly in Figure 2, the vertical end sections 4, 4A are supported on their rear parts by struts 13 sealed in the ground 5, by means of their horizontal lower parts 13A provided for example with sealing lugs 14.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the structure 1 is capped at its upper part by a peripheral coping 15 supported by brackets 16 attached to the upper horizontal sections 7B and of which a vertical part 16A is supported both on a flap upper 11 and on a lower flap 10 of said profile 7B, by means of fixing means.

The means for fixing the brackets 16 of the coping 15 are constituted by a counter-plate 18 forming a flange, of which a vertical part 18A comes to bear behind the upper flap 11 of the horizontal upper profiled elements 7B and of which a part folded in horizontal bracket 18B comes to bear on a lower wing 8 of the U forming said profile 7B.

The tightening is carried out by any known means along the axes A and B via the holes 19.

Furthermore, the coping 15 is fixed to the support brackets 16 by screws passing through oblong holes 21 in the horizontal part 16B of said brackets 16.

• excavation du terrain selon une profondeur égale à la hauteur H de la structure et selon une surface égale à sa propre surface externe en tenant compte des jambes de force 13;
• dressage du sol constituant le fond;
• coulage d'une longrine périphérique 22, au moins au droit des jambes de force 13 et des éléments préfabriqués verticaux 4, 4A et horizontaux 7, 7A, 7B;
• mise en place de tous les profilés d'extrémité verticaux 4, 4A en forme de U ou de I, suivant un tracé correspondant à la forme de la structure à obtenir, par l'intermédiaire des jambes de force 13;
• liaison mécanique facultative desdits profilés verticaux 4, 4A entre eux, deux à deux;
• introduction des profilés horizontaux 7A inférieurs entre les parties d'emboîtement 5, 5A des profilés verticaux 4, 4A, puis empilage successif des autres profilés horizontaux 7, par emboîtement les uns sur les autres, par l'intermédiaire des rabats 10, 11;
• mise en place d'un feutre de protection 23 dans le volume intérieur de la structure 1 ainsi délimitée, contre le dos plat 9 des éléments 7, 7A, 7B;
• mise en place du revêtement étanche 3;
• mise en place des équerres supérieures 16 par l'intermédiaire de la bride 18;
• mise en place de la margelle 15 sur les équerres 16;
• remblaiement de terre 24 autour de la structure 1;
• mise en eau 25 de la piscine.

The assembly of a swimming pool structure as described above is carried out as follows, for the production of an inground swimming pool for example:

• excavation of the ground at a depth equal to the height H of the structure and according to an area equal to its own external surface taking account of the struts 13;
• dressing of the soil constituting the bottom;
• pouring a peripheral sill 22, at least in line with the struts 13 and the vertical prefabricated elements 4, 4A and horizontal 7, 7A, 7B;
• placement of all vertical end sections 4, 4A in the shape of a U or I, along a path corresponding to the shape of the structure to be obtained, by means of the struts 13;
• optional mechanical connection of said vertical sections 4, 4A to each other, two by two;
• introduction of the lower horizontal sections 7A between the interlocking parts 5, 5A of the vertical sections 4, 4A, then successive stacking of the other horizontal sections 7, by interlocking on each other, via the flaps 10, 11;
• placement of a protective felt 23 in the interior volume of the structure 1 thus delimited, against the flat back 9 of the elements 7, 7A, 7B;
• fitting of the waterproof coating 3;
• establishment of upper brackets 16 via the flange 18;
• placing the coping 15 on the brackets 16;
• earth backfill 24 around the structure 1;
• watering 25 of the swimming pool.

The connection between them of all the constituent elements of the structure, namely essentially; the vertical sections 4, 4A; the horizontal sections 7, 7A, 7B; as well as the struts 13, is reinforced by an addition of backfill 24 around said structure 1, infiltrating by compaction behind the flaps 10, 11 of the horizontal sections 7, 7A, 7B, as well as behind the lateral wings vertical end profiles in U or I (4, 4A) and struts 13, these constituting as many anchoring points in the ground 24 to join.

Claims (12)

1. Modular structure (1) delimiting a volume notably of a swimming pool, produced from prefabricated elements assembled on site to form panels (2) and against which is subsequently added an impervious interior lining (3), characterised in that each panel (2) consists of two end profiled elements (4, 4A) disposed vertically in relation to the ground and having interlocking parts (5, 5A) disposed facing one another and defining vertical grooves capable of receiving the free ends (6, 6A) of horizontal profiled elements (7, 7A, 7B) vertically stackable one on top of the other, so as to render them self-supporting, which horizontal profiled elements (7, 7A, 7B) have a U-shaped structure obtained by folding a metal sheet and are stacked vertically on their lateral wings (8), directing their base part (9) connecting the said wings (8) towards the inside of the volume to be formed, in order to form a smooth wall with the added impervious lining (3).
2. Structure according to Claim 1, characterised in that each horizontal profiled element (7, 7A, 7B) with U-shaped cross-section has interlocking means obtained by folding at a right angle, in the same direction, the free ends of the lateral wings (8) of the U, a bottom fold (10) of one thus obtained coming to bear, during assembly, against a top fold (11) of the other, already in place, between the vertical end profiled elements (4, 4A).
3. Structure according to Claim 1, characterised in that the interlocking parts (5, 5A) of the vertical end profiled elements (4, 4A) of each panel (2) have a U-shaped cross-section, and in that in order to obtain a structure (1) of regular polygonal shape the back (12) of an end profiled element (4) of a panel (2) forms, with the back (12A) of an end profiled element (4A) of another successive panel, an angle equal to 180° - (180° $\frac{\text{- 360°}}{\text{n sides}}$

   

   ).
4. Structure according to Claim 1, characterised in that the interlocking parts (5, 5A) of the vertical end profiled elements (4, 4A) of each panel (2) have a U-shaped cross-section and in that, in order to obtain a structure (1) of quadrangular shape, the back (12) of an end profiled element (4) of a panel (2) forms, with the back (12A) of an end profiled element (4A) of another successive panel, an angle of 90°.
5. Structure according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterised in that, in order to obtain a structure (1) longer than it is wide, at least two panels (2) are produced end to end by means of a common vertical profiled element (4, 4A) of I-shaped cross-section.
6. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two vertical end profiled elements (4, 4A) of two successive panels (2) are independent of one another.
7. Structure according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that two vertical end profiled elements (4, 4A) of two successive panels are mechanically connected to one another.
8. Structure according to one of Claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the vertical end profiled elements (4, 4A) are braced at their rear parts by two struts (13) embedded in the ground.
9. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has on its upper part a peripheral coping (15) supported by angle brackets (16), attached to the top horizontal profiled elements (7B) and a vertical part (16A) of which bears simultaneously against a top fold (11) and a bottom fold (10) of the said profiled element (7B) through fixing means.
10. Structure according to Claim 9, characterised in that the means of fixing the angle brackets (16) of the coping (15) consist of a backplate (18) forming a flange, a vertical part of which (18A) comes to bear behind the top fold of the horizontal top profiled elements (7B) and a folded horizontal part (18B) of which comes to bear against a bottom wing (8) of the U forming the said profiled element (7B).
11. Structure according to Claim 9, characterised in that the coping (15) is fixed to the supporting angle brackets (16) by screws passing through oblong holes (21) in the horizontal part (16B) of the said angle brackets (16).
12. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection between all the constituent elements, that is to say essentially the vertical profiled elements (4, 4A); the profiled elements (7, 7A, 7B); and the struts (13), is reinforced by the addition of embankment earth (24) around the said structure (1) which, through settling, filters down behind the folds (10, 11) of the horizontal profiled elements (7, 7A, 7B) and behind the lateral wings of the U-shaped vertical end profiled elements (4, 4A) and the struts (13), the latter forming as many anchorage points in the earth (24) in order to become fixed therein.

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