EP0891462B1 - Filtering stairway for swimming pool - Google Patents

Description

We know to date, many technical solutions for filtration of water in a swimming pool. Filtration is obtained by means one or more filters, mounted in combination with a suction circuit and water delivery.

It has been proposed, for example, to integrate the pumping or filtration means in a compact block mounted in combination with the panels constituting the swimming pool basin. One of the parts of the block is immersed in water and receives the filtration means, while another part is located outside the basin and presents the means of suction and discharge of water, mounted in combination with said filtration means.
This solution emerges for example from the teaching of patent EP-A-0145619. The part immersed in water may have arrangements acting as a staircase.

However, for convenience, the consumer very often requires fitting the pool basin with a classic staircase and more generally, a staircase of rounded shape, very often arranged in end of the pool. These stairs, given their shape, are known as ROMAN stairs.

It has also been proposed to produce filter ROMAN stairs based on the same principle as that defined in the aforementioned patent EP-A-0145619. The part immersed in water, has a generally rounded shape, integrating the stair treads and receiving the filtration system. This part immersed in water is connected to the above-ground part, which receives the suction and discharge means. The part immersed in water is not integrated into the pool panels, but is arranged superimposed on the latter, which must be shaped to define a rounded surface corresponding to that of the staircase.
After fixing the two parts of the staircase, in relation to the panels of the swimming pool basin, there remains, between the rear face of the staircase and the front face of the profiled panels, a free space which, consequently, will be filled with water . As a result, leaves or other impurities can accumulate in this space, which can pose significant problems for the maintenance of the entire pool.

We can also cite the teaching of patent EP-A-0279140 which relates to a module formed by a prefabricated assembly made of resin reinforced polyester type, and which includes a staircase of several steps which adjoin a technical tank and a filtration tank. The technique of however, manufacturing this module is not rational. Problems sealing may appear.

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks, simple, safe, efficient and rational way.

The problem that the invention proposes to solve is to achieve a filtering staircase shaped to be mounted directly with panels adjacent constituting the pool basin, bypassing the problem waterproofing, while having the objective of producing a staircase whose cost is particularly reduced, and which can easily and quickly be installed, while keeping a very high filtration efficiency, with the possibility of add additional functions.

• le réservoir présentant des agencements internes aptes à permettre le montage d'un système de filtration en communication avec l'eau contenue dans le réservoir,
• la face du corps, opposée à celle présentant les marches, présentant des agencements pour le montage et la fixation d'un caisson obtenu par rotomoulage et dans lequel sont montés les moyens d'aspiration et de refoulement en combinaison avec le système de filtration,
• le corps présentant latéralement des agencements pour la fixation des panneaux adjacents constituant le bassin de la piscine, remarquable en ce que :
• le corps de l'escalier délimite un volume fermé creux obtenu par rotomoulage pour constituer ledit réservoir.

To solve such a problem, a filtering staircase for a swimming pool basin has been designed and developed comprising a body one of the faces of which has steps and a reservoir in communication with the water in the basin,

• the tank having internal arrangements capable of allowing the mounting of a filtration system in communication with the water contained in the tank,
• the face of the body, opposite to that showing the steps, having arrangements for mounting and fixing a box obtained by rotational molding and in which the suction and discharge means are mounted in combination with the filtration system,
• the body having laterally arrangements for fixing the adjacent panels constituting the swimming pool basin, remarkable in that:
• the body of the staircase defines a closed hollow volume obtained by rotational molding to form said tank.

It therefore appears that the entire filtering staircase is made by rotational molding, a technique perfectly known by a person skilled in the art, but which was never used for the realization of a filtering staircase. This rotational molding technique is particularly interesting for the intended application, since we obtain directly, during the manufacturing, a perfectly sealed tank, in which can be mounted the filtration means, in combination with specific arrangements.

To solve the problem of being able to easily equip the tank of a filtration system, the internal arrangements, are made up by ribs formed in the bottom of the tank, directly during rotational molding, said ribs allowing, in combination, the support of a support plate with connecting members, with the filtration as such.

In another embodiment, the bottom of the tank has a indentation formed from the rear side, to define a background raised relative to a generally U-shaped ground support base and hollow internal section, said raised bottom is located in alignment with through slots formed in the thickness of a riser, said internal section is filled with a light material arranged to create a continuity with the raised bottom. The hollow imprint delimiting the background raised is closed by a technical support box formed of a plurality of stiffness ribs.

To resolve the problem posed of securing in relation to tank, the arrangements for mounting and fixing the box receiving the suction and discharge pump, consist, on the one hand, of props formed during rotational molding of the tank and on which said support is supported box and, on the other hand, by a centering preform cooperating in a opening formed in the box, said preform, which constitutes a body hollow, receiving the suction and discharge pipes.

Another problem which the invention proposes to solve is to be able to integrate other functions into the filtering staircase.
For this purpose, one of the steps has, at its horizontal face, directly during rotational molding, ribs delimiting hollow spaces, to be in communication with an air intake connected by a pipe to a member arranged in the technical box, said step receiving a microperforated plate.

To resolve the problem posed of securing the assembly of the staircase, in the continuity of the panels constituting the swimming pool basin, the arrangements for fixing the adjacent panels, are constituted by side wings in the thickness of which are embedded inserts of metal suitable for receiving fasteners.

To solve the problem posed of ensuring the assembly of the staircase, combination with the liner which generally equips the interior of the pelvis of the pool, the front of the tank, at the steps, has a flange U-shaped, receiving a screw support, covered with a seal, for the fixing of a liner cut to the U shape, and fixed in the support by means of screws covered with a protective strip.

According to another characteristic, one of the risers incorporates, during rotational molding, arrangements for positioning at least minus a projector.

La figure 1 est une vue en perspective de l'escalier filtrant avant montage du caisson technique et considérée selon la face avant de l'escalier.

La figure 2 est une vue correspondant à la figure 1, considérée selon la face arrière de l'escalier.

La figure 3 est une vue de dessus de l'escalier.

La figure 4 est une vue de face correspondant à la figure 3.

La figure 5 est une vue en coupe considérée selon la ligne 5.5 de la figure 3.

La figure 6 est une vue en coupe considérée selon la ligne 6.6 de la figure 5.

La figure 7 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de l'ensemble de l'escalier, montrant le montage du système d'aspiration et de refoulement combinés avec les moyens de filtration.

La figure 8 est à une échelle plus importante, une vue en coupe considérée selon la ligne 8.8 de la figure 3, montrant les agencements pour la fixation du liner.

La figure 8A est une vue en coupe montrant une forme d'exécution préférée des agencements pour la fixation du liner.

La figure 9 est une vue montrant l'assemblage de l'escalier filtrant en combinaison avec des panneaux adjacents du bassin de la piscine.

La figure 10 est une vue en coupe considérée selon la ligne 10.10 de la figure 3.

La figure 11 est une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle du bloc au niveau notamment de son fond.

La figure 12 est une vue en coupe transversale considérée selon la ligne 12.12 de la figure 11.

La figure 13 est une vue en coupe considérée selon la ligne 13.13 de la figure 11.

The invention is set out below in more detail using the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the filtering staircase before mounting the technical box and considered along the front face of the staircase.

Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1, seen along the rear face of the staircase.

Figure 3 is a top view of the stairs.

FIG. 4 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5.5 of FIG. 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6.6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the entire staircase, showing the assembly of the suction and discharge system combined with the filtration means.

Figure 8 is a larger scale, a sectional view taken along line 8.8 of Figure 3, showing the arrangements for fixing the liner.

Figure 8A is a sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the arrangements for fixing the liner.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the assembly of the filtering staircase in combination with adjacent panels of the swimming pool basin.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10.10 of FIG. 3.

Figure 11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the block in particular at its bottom.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12.12 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13.13 of Figure 11.

As shown in the figures of the drawings, the body (1) of the filtering staircase defines a closed hollow volume obtained by rotational molding to form a reservoir (1a). The front of the tank has steps (1b). More particularly, the body (1) has, in plan view, a generally semi-circular shape (FIG. 3) and transversely, a squared profile (FIG. 5). In addition, the body (1) of the staircase has, directly during rotational molding, a housing (1c) for the integration of a filtration system, as will be indicated in the following description.
To increase the rigidity of the body (1), the latter has, directly during rotational molding, a plurality of horizontal (1d) and vertical (1e) ribs.

The face (1f) of the body (1), opposite to that presenting the steps (1b), has arrangements for mounting and fixing a technical box (2) obtained by rotational molding. This box (2) has a general shape cuboid. The arrangements of the face (1f) are constituted by props (1g) formed during the rotational molding of the body (1) overflowing from said face (1f). These props (1g) constitute two support brackets on which rests the box (2). In addition, the face (1f) of the body (1) has, at its upper end, a centering preform (1h), very substantially rectangular, intended to cooperate with a complementary opening formed in the box (2). This centering preform (1h) is hollow and allows the mounting and passage of the suction (TA) and discharge (TR) pipes mounted, as shown below, in combination with the filtration system and the pumping system.

With regard to the filtration system, the latter is constituted by at least one filter bag (3) housed in a support (4) of general shape cylindrical. This filtration system is not described in detail and is advantageously of the type described in patent FR 8913638, the Applicant of this is the holder. This filtration assembly (3) (4) is connected to a support plate (5) arranged in abutment, on two ribs (1d1) (1d2) formed in the bottom of the tank. This support plate (5) is connected to the pipe suction (TA) via an elbow pipe (6), disposed between the two ribs (1d1) (1d2).

One end (6a) of the pipe opens into the plate (5) to be connected to the base of the support (4) receiving the filter bag (3), in particular by means of a strainer.
The other end (6b) of the pipe (6) opens at the level of the centering preform (1h). The end (6b) of the pipe (6) projects beyond the centering preform (1h) to be connected in a sealed manner by any known and appropriate means, to the pumping system, housed in the technical box.

More particularly, the suction pipe (TA) is connected to a suction socket which has a pump (7) housed in the box (2). This pump is advantageously a two-speed pump.
The delivery pipe (TR), connected to a corresponding outlet on the pump (7), is tightly coupled to a pipe (8) pre-installed inside the tank (1a) and opening out through the through a nozzle (8a) in particular at one of the risers of the staircase.

The upper part of the support (4) receiving the filter bag (3) is tightly connected to a sole (9), itself made integral sealingly housing (1c) which very substantially constitutes a fireplace.

The entire filtration system (3) (4) is therefore housed inside the tank (1a) while being in communication with the water from the basin which arrives in said tank via an opening (1i ) equipped for example with a skimmer. This opening (1i) is formed for example at the level of the upper riser of the staircase.
As a result, in a known manner, that the water from the basin, fills the reservoir (1a) through the opening (1i), passes through the filter (3), to be sucked in by the pump (7), via pipes (6) and (TA) to be discharged by said pump (7), via pipes (TR) and (8).

Obviously, the tank (1a) and the box (2) can have several filtration and pumping systems, under the conditions indicated above. The housing (1c), in the form of a chimney, is in communication with an access hatch (1d) closed by a removable cover (10).

Given the production by rotational molding, of the body (1) of the staircase and the technical box (2) and in particular the construction of the body the staircase (1) in the form of a hollow body, said box (2) is perfectly insulated in a sealed manner with respect to the body (1).

As indicated, the body (1) acts as a reservoir (1a) and is therefore constantly filled with water from the swimming pool basin. In order to avoid any problem of proliferation of microbes or the like, it appeared important to be able to recycle this water and consequently to prevent it from stagnating. For this purpose, the bottom of the tank has specific arrangements.
As shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13 the bottom of the tank has a recessed recess (1a1) formed from the rear face (1f) of the body (1) in order to delimit a raised bottom (1a2) relative to a ground support base (1a3) generally U-shaped and hollow internal section. The raised bottom (1a2) is perfectly smooth and located in a horizontal plane at the level of the first step of the staircase considered from the bottom and in order to be located in alignment with through slots (1m) formed in the thickness of the corresponding counter step. The internal section of the support base (1a3) is lined with a light material such as a foam (M), itself covered for example with a perfectly smooth mortar (m) so as to create continuity with the raised bottom (1a2).
Above the raised bottom is a ramp (R) connected to the discharge pipe. This ramp has a plurality of water jets in order to repel dirt or the like which may appear on the raised bottom in order to evacuate it through slots (1m) in the swimming pool basin to recycle it by subjecting it to the system of filtration.
These provisions therefore make it possible to avoid any stagnation of bacteria or the like at the bottom of the tank.

As indicated, the raised bottom (1a2) results from an imprint in hollow (1a1). Under these conditions, in order not to reduce the rigidity of the tank, the imprint receives a technical support box (18) formed of a plurality of stiffness ribs (18a). This technical support box (18) is fixed at the level of the body (1) by any known and appropriate means.

According to another characteristic, one of the steps (1b) has, at level of its horizontal face, directly during rotational molding, of the ribs (1b1) delimiting hollow spaces, to be in communication with a air intake, connected by a pipe (12), to a member arranged in the box technical (2). The step (1b), equipped with ribs (1b1), receives a plate micro-perforated (13).

It is also planned to train, at at least one of the risers, arrangements for positioning at least one projector (PR).

The front face of the body (1) at the steps (1b) has a U-shaped flange (1k). In the thickness of this flange (1k) is formed a groove (1k1) in which is fixed, in particular by gluing, a support for screw (14) covered with a seal (15). These provisions allow the fixing liner (L) cut to U shape, using screws which can be screwed in the support (14). A rod (16) covers the entire support of screwing.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 8A, the support of screw (14) is located not inside the groove, but outside, that is to say inside the tank (1a), in order to overcome the problem sealing at the connection angles of the various elements of the screwing support.

Finally, the front face of the body (1) has lateral wings (11) in the thickness of which are embedded metal inserts, for fixing in a sealed manner, the entire staircase with the other panels ( P) constituting the pool basin. Provision is also made to equip part of the external periphery of the body (1) with metal inserts for fixing vertical troughs shaped in section to receive concrete.
Obviously, the technical box (2) receiving the pumping system is closed in a sealed manner by a removable cover (17).

• la fabrication par rotomoulage permettant d'obtenir un escalier sous forme d'un corps volumétrique creux parfaitement étanche,
• la diminution du coût de fabrication,
• la possibilité d'intégrer d'autres fonctions,
• la possibilité d'assembler de manière étanche, l'ensemble de l'escalier filtrant en continuité avec les autres panneaux constitutifs du bassin de la piscine.

The advantages emerge clearly from the description, in particular it is emphasized and recalled:

• manufacturing by rotational molding to obtain a staircase in the form of a perfectly sealed hollow volumetric body,
• lower manufacturing costs,
• the possibility of integrating other functions,
• the possibility of sealingly assembling the entire staircase filtering in continuity with the other constituent panels of the swimming pool basin.

Claims (14)

1. Filtering steps for swimming pool, comprising a body (1), one of the faces of which has treads (1b), and a the reservoir (1a) in communication with the water in the pool,

   the reservoir (1a) having internal arrangements to allow the fitting of a filtration system (3, 4) in communication with the water contained in the reservoir (1a),

   the face (1f) of the body (1), which is the opposite face to the one which has the treads (1b), having arrangements (1g) (1h) for fitting and attaching a box (2) obtained by rotational moulding, and in which are fitted the intake and delivery means (7) in combination with the filtration system (3, 4), and

   the body laterally having arrangements for the attaching of the adjacent panels which make up the pool part of the swimming pool, characterized in that:

   the body (1) of the steps delimits a hollow closed volume obtained by rotational moulding in order to constitute the said reservoir (1a).
2. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that the internal arrangements for fitting the filtration system consist of ribs (1d1) (1d2) formed in the bottom of the reservoir (1a) directly from rotational moulding, the said ribs, in combination, allowing a support plate (5) with members for connection to the filtration system (3) (4) proper to rest on them.
3. Steps according to Claim 2, characterized in that the connecting members consist of a bent pipe (6) placed between the two ribs (1d1, 1d2), one of the ends (6a) of the pipe (6) opening into the plate (5) to be connected to the base of at least one support (4) carrying a filter bag (3), the other end (6b) of the said pipe (6) opening in the region of the arrangements for connecting the reservoir (1a) to the box (2) containing the pumping means (7).
4. Steps according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upper part of the support carrying the filter bag or bags is connected in a watertight manner into a mounting plate (9) itself secured in a watertight fashion to a chimney (1c) formed near the top of the reservoir (1a) in communication with an access hatch (1j) closed by a removable cover (10).
5. Steps according to Claim 3, characterized in that the pipe (6) mounted in the plate (5) and connected to the filtration system (3) (4), is connected to the intake connection of the pump (7), the delivery connection of which is connected to a pipe (8) opening into one of the treads of the steps of the reservoir.
6. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of the reservoir (1a) has a hollow indentation (1a1) formed from the rear face (1f), so as to delimit a bottom (1a2) which is raised with respect to a base (1a3) resting on the ground, in the general shape of a U and of hollow internal cross-section, the said raised bottom is in alignment with open slots (1m) formed in the thickness of a riser, the said internal cross-section is filled with a lightweight material intended to create continuity with the raised bottom (1a2).
7. Steps according to Claim 6, characterized in that the hollow indentation (1a1) delimiting the raised bottom (1a2) is closed by a technical support box (18) formed of a number of stiffening ribs (18a).
8. Steps according to Claim 6, characterized in that above the raised bottom (1a2) there is a boom (R) connected to the delivery pipework, the boom being designed to repel any dirtiness which may appear on the raised bottom, so as to discharge it through slots (11) in the pool part of the swimming pool.
9. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangements for fitting and attaching the box (2) containing the intake and delivery pump (7) consist, on the one hand, of braces (1g) formed during the rotational moulding of the reservoir and on which the said box rests and, on the other hand, of a centring preform (1h) interacting with an opening formed in the box (2), the said preform (1h), which constitutes a hollow body, containing the intake and delivery pipes.
10. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that one of the treads (1b) has, at its horizontal face, directly from rotational moulding, ribs (1b1) delimiting hollow spaces so that they communicate with an air intake connected by a pipe to a component located in the technical box (2), the said tread having a microperforated plate (13).
11. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangements for attaching the adjacent panels consist of lateral flanges (1k) within the thickness of which metal inserts capable of accommodating fasteners are embedded.
12. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that part of the external periphery of the body (1) has metal inserts for attaching vertical chutes, the cross-section of which is shaped to take concrete.
13. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that the front face of the reservoir (1a), in the region of the treads (1b), has a U-shaped clamp containing a screwing support (1h) covered by a gasket (15) for attaching a liner cut to a U-shape, and attached to the support by means of screws covered with a protective strip (16).
14. Steps according to Claim 1, characterized in that one of the risers incorporates, from the rotational moulding operation, arrangements for positioning at least one lamp (PR).

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