EP3553257B1 - Element for locking a sealing membrane for a pool - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The technical field of the invention is equipment intended to be used in a swimming pool, to cover a junction between a waterproofing membrane of a swimming pool and a fixing rail of the waterproofing membrane.

PRIOR ART

In swimming pools equipped with a waterproof membrane, or liner, it is common to use a hanging support, usually referred to as a "rail". The hanging support is fixed to the vertical walls of the swimming pool. An edge of the liner is inserted into a groove in the hanging support. Generally, the edge of the liner has an extra thickness, and the shape of the groove has an anti-return geometry, to hook the edge once it has been inserted.

In order to keep the edge of the liner inserted in the groove, a blocking element is also inserted in the groove. The blocking element is usually designated by the term "blocking ring". The support force exerted by the blocking element on the liner helps to block the latter in the groove. Such a blocking element is generally in the form of a tongue, intended to be inserted into the groove, having a rounded end, the latter remaining outside the groove.

The inventors noted that such an arrangement presented disadvantages, in particular from the point of view of aesthetics and comfort of use. In fact, impurities can accumulate on the rail, which can pose a hygiene and aesthetic problem. It is in fact difficult to clean the liner at the level of the rail, especially since the latter is generally placed below a coping, and set back from the latter. Cleaning therefore poses an accessibility problem. In addition, the presence of a rail is not aesthetic.

The patent application FR2785007 addresses this problem, and describes a profile making it possible to hide the attachment of a liner.

The inventors have designed an improved blocking element, making it possible to address the disadvantages mentioned above.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention is a blocking element of a waterproofing membrane of a basin, the basin comprising a vertical wall, extending between a bottom of the basin and a coping, the vertical wall being provided with a support comprising a groove, the groove being intended to receive an edge of the sealing membrane, the blocking element being intended to block the edge of the sealing membrane in the groove, the blocking element being according to the claim 1.

The width of the strip can be greater than 2cm, or even 5cm or 10cm.

The strip can extend, parallel to the direction of extension, with a thickness less than the width, and preferably at least twice less than the width, or even at least ten times less than the width. The thickness can be between 1mm and 5mm.

The strip can extend, perpendicular to the direction of extension, to a length greater than the width. The length can be greater than 50 cm, or greater than 1m. The strip length can be between 50 cm and 4 or 5 m. The tongue preferably extends along the entire band.

Preferably, the strip is formed by an opaque or translucent material.

According to one embodiment, the tongue comprises harpoons, the harpoons being configured to oppose a translation of the blocking element, in a direction opposite to a direction of introduction of the tongue into the groove.

According to one embodiment, the strip delimits a rear space, comprising the distal end of the tongue and a front space, not including the distal end of the tongue. The band has an upper portion, extending between the proximal end of the tongue and the upper border, the upper portion being curved toward the front space. Thus, depending on the direction of extension, the distance between the upper edge of the strip and the distal end is greater than the distance between the proximal end of the tongue and the distal end of the tongue.

The strip is deformable. It is then formed of a flexible material, for example a plastic material, or a polymer.

• ▪ la bande délimite un espace arrière, comportant l'extrémité distale de la languette et un espace avant, ne comportant pas l'extrémité distale de la languette ;
• ▪ la bande présente une partie inférieure, s'étendant entre l'extrémité proximale de la languette et la bordure inférieure de la bande, la distance entre l'extrémité proximale de la languette et la bordure inférieure étant supérieure ou égale à 10 cm ;
• ▪ la partie inférieure est incurvée, vers l'espace avant, de façon à former un angle, dont le sommet est l'extrémité proximale de la languette, l'angle s'étendant entre l'extrémité distale de la languette et la bordure inférieure de la bande, l'angle étant supérieur ou égal à 120°.

According to one embodiment,

• ▪ the strip delimits a rear space, comprising the distal end of the tongue and a front space, not including the distal end of the tongue;
• ▪ the strip has a lower part, extending between the proximal end of the tongue and the lower edge of the strip, the distance between the proximal end of the tongue and the lower edge being greater than or equal to 10 cm;
• ▪ the lower part is curved, towards the front space, so as to form an angle, the apex of which is the proximal end of the tongue, the angle extending between the distal end of the tongue and the lower border of the strip, the angle being greater than or equal to 120°.

Thus, depending on the direction of extension, the distance between the lower edge of the strip and the distal end is greater than the distance between the proximal end of the tongue and the distal end of the tongue. According to this embodiment, the lower part of the strip is said to be elongated. According to this embodiment, the lower part may include a removable portion, capable of being reversibly connected or removed from the blocking element.

The material forming the tongue and the strip may be a plastic and/or a polymer.

A second object of the invention is a method for blocking part of a waterproofing membrane of a basin in a groove of a support, the support being fixed on a vertical wall of the basin, the method being according to claim 11.

According to one embodiment, the basin comprises a coping, arranged on the vertical wall, the blocking element being configured such that after insertion of the tongue in the groove, the strip extends up to the coping.

The blocking element inserted in the groove may be a blocking element whose lower part of the strip is elongated, such that after insertion, the lower part of the strip of the blocking element extends up to to a cover placed above water contained in the basin, the blocking element ensuring, together with the cover, confinement of the water in the basin.

Whatever the object of the invention, the pool can be a swimming pool.

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, and represented in the figures listed below.

FIGURES

• There Figure 1A corresponds to an arrangement of a blocking element according to the prior art.
• There Figure 1B corresponds to an arrangement of a blocking element according to the invention.
• There Figure 2A is a section of an example of a blocking element according to the invention.
• There Figure 2B is a three-dimensional representation of the blocking element illustrated in the Figure 2A .
• There Figure 3 shows an insertion of the blocking element shown on the Figures 2A and 2B in a groove.
• There Figure 4 schematizes another embodiment of the invention.

PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL MODES OF REALIZATION

We represented, on the Figure 1A , an example of arrangement of a blocking element 10 _AA according to the prior art. A pool 1, for example a swimming pool, has a vertical wall 2. The wall vertical extends between a coping 4 and a pool floor. In the example shown, the vertical axis, parallel to gravity, is the Z axis.

The basin 1 is equipped with a waterproofing membrane 3, usually designated by the term "liner". As explained in connection with the prior art, an edge of the waterproofing membrane is attached to a support 5, forming a groove 6 extending horizontally, near the edge. The groove 6 generally extends at a distance between 0 cm and 10 cm or 20 cm from the coping. The support 5 is usually designated by the term "rail", or by the Anglo-Saxon term "hung".

In order to help maintain the sealing membrane 3 in the groove 6, a blocking element 10 _AA , or locking rod, is inserted in the groove 6, so as to form a support on the sealing membrane 3. This helps to block the insertion of the sealing membrane in the groove 6. The blocking element 10 _AA comprises a tongue, inserting into the groove, the tongue being extended by a head of generally hemispherical shape, this the latter remaining partially or completely outside the groove 6. The dimension of the head, along the vertical axis Z, is generally of the order of 5 mm to 10 mm. Parallel to the groove, that is to say along a horizontal axis, the blocking element of the prior art 10 _AA forms a cord. The coping 4 is generally applied to the vertical wall 2 by gluing, and a thickness of glue 7 extends between the coping and the vertical wall.

Such a configuration is not aesthetic, because the thickness of glue extending between the support 5 and the edge 4 is apparent. In addition, as previously mentioned, during use of the swimming pool, impurities can accumulate at the level of the support, or between the support and the coping, which poses a hygiene and aesthetic problem.

• une fonction de blocage d'une bordure d'une membrane d'étanchéité 3 dans une rainure 6 d'un support 5 ;
• une fonction de protection, voire de masquage, du voisinage du support 5, en dessus et en dessous de ce dernier.

The inventors, having noted these problems, designed a blocking element 10, described below, having several functions:

• a function of blocking an edge of a sealing membrane 3 in a groove 6 of a support 5;
• a function of protection, or even masking, of the vicinity of the support 5, above and below the latter.

There Figure 1B represents a blocking element 10 according to the invention. The blocking element 10, details of which are shown on the Figures 2A and 2B , comprises a tongue 12, intended to extend in a groove 6 of a support 5, so as to block an edge of a sealing membrane 3 also inserted in the groove 6.

The blocking element 10 also comprises a strip 11, secured to the tongue 12, such that the tongue 12 extends, in a direction of extension X, from the strip 11, between a proximal end 12 _p and a distal end 12 _d· The proximal end 12 _p of the tongue 12 is connected to the strip 11. The distance between the proximal end 12 _p and the distal end 12 _d , corresponding to a length of the tongue, is typically between 0.5 cm and 2 cm.

The strip extends, perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension The width L corresponds to a distance between an upper edge 11 _upper of the strip and a lower edge 11 _lower of the strip 11. The width L is greater than 10 mm, or even 15 or 20 mm.

Perpendicular to the lateral axis Z, and to the direction of extension X, the strip 11 extends along a longitudinal axis Y, defining a length ℓ. The width L is less than the length ℓ. The length ℓ of the strip 11, along the longitudinal axis Y, is preferably greater than 50 cm, or even 1 m. It can reach 3 m or 5 m, or even more.

The thickness ε of the strip 11, in the direction of extension X, is less than the width L of the strip. For example, the thickness of the strip 11 is between 1 mm and 5 mm, or even 10 mm. Thus, unlike the prior art, the blocking element 10 comprises a strip 11, narrow in the direction of extension X, and elongated along the lateral axis Z.

The fact that the strip 11 is wide allows it to extend on either side of the tongue 12. Thus, the strip extends opposite the support 5, and on either side of the latter. It can in particular extend from the support 5 to the edge 4, as shown in the Figure 1B . Thus, it makes it possible to mask the thickness of glue 7 placed between the edge 4 and the upper wall 2. Preferably, the strip 11 is opaque or translucent. The strip 11 has an upper part 11 ₁ , extending between the proximal end 12 _p of the tongue and the upper edge 11 _sup of the strip. It is advantageous for the upper part 11 ₁ to be wide enough to extend to the edge 4. The distance between the proximal end 12 _p of the tongue and the upper edge 11 _sup of the strip can then be greater than 10 mm.

• un espace arrière 11_AR, s'étendant à partir de la bande 11 vers l'extrémité distale 12_d de la languette 12, et comportant cette dernière ;
• un espace avant 11_AV, s'étendant à partir de la bande 11 et ne comportant pas l'extrémité distale 12_d de la languette 12.

The upper part 11 ₁ can be curved, as shown in the figures 1B , 2A and 2B . We consider that band 11 delimits two half-spaces:

• a rear space 11 _AR , extending from the strip 11 towards the distal end 12 _d of the tongue 12, and comprising the latter;
• a front space 11 _AV , extending from the strip 11 and not including the distal end 12 _d of the tongue 12.

The upper part 11 ₁ can in particular curve towards the front space 11 _AV . This allows the upper edge 11 _sup to contact the coping 4 tangentially, as shown in the Figure 2A .

The strip 11 is made from a flexible material. Thus, the strip 11 is deformable. Before use, it can be folded or rolled up. During its use, its flexibility allows it to conform to the geometry of the vertical wall 2 and the coping 4.

As shown on the Figure 2A , the tongue 12 comprises one or more harpoons 13, configured to allow a translation of the tongue 12 in a direction of insertion +X, and to oppose a translation of the tongue in a direction -X opposite to the direction of insert +X.

On the examples shown on the figures 1B , 2A and 2B , the distance between the proximal end 12 _p and the lower border 11 _lower is less than the distance between the proximal end 12 _p and the upper border 11 _upper . The strip 11 comprises a lower part 11 ₂ , extending between the proximal end 12 _p and the lower edge 11 _inf· The lower part 11 ₂ makes it possible to mask part of the vicinity of the support 5.

Thus, the strip makes it possible to protect the support 5 and its surroundings from the accumulation of dust or other undesirable elements. This is particularly useful because it is a place generally placed below the coping 4, set back from the latter. Its accessibility is therefore limited, which makes cleaning difficult. The strip therefore makes it possible to improve the aesthetics of the swimming pool, and to improve its hygiene.

When the strip is opaque or translucent, it also makes it possible to mask the support 5 and its vicinity, or even the thickness of glue 7 placed between the vertical wall 2 and the coping 4. The strip can then extend in continuity with the wall vertical. Its color can then be similar to that of the vertical wall, such that strip 11 merges with vertical wall 2.

The strip 11 and the tongue 12 form a monolithic blocking element 10, in the sense that the blocking element is obtained in one piece.

The material constituting the strip or tab may be a plastic or a polymer.

There Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional representation showing a use of the blocking element 11. An edge of a membrane 3 is inserted into the groove 6 of a support 5. Simultaneously with this insertion, or after this insertion, the blocking element 10 is inserted, via the tongue 12, into the groove 6 of the support. During this use, the lateral axis Z corresponds to the vertical axis, the extension direction X and the longitudinal axis Y being horizontal.

There figure 4 represents an embodiment suitable for wintering pool 1, or more generally for a long period of non-use. During such a period, the pool is covered by a cover 9. The cover 9 can be a shutter or a tarpaulin, and has the function of confining the water so as to protect it from leaves or other elements. unwanted particles that can reach the water. According to this embodiment, the lower part 11 ₂ of the strip 11 is such that the distance between the proximal end 12 _p of the tongue 12 and the lower edge 11 _inf is greater than 10 cm. The lower part 11 ₂ can curve towards the front space 11 _AV , previously defined, so that the lower edge 11 _inf comes into contact with the cover 9, preferably tangentially. The blocking element 10 defines an angle a, the apex of which corresponds to the proximal end 12 _p of the tongue, the angle α extending between the distal end 12 _d of the tongue on the one hand and the edge lower 11 _lower of the band 11 on the other hand. The angle α is preferably greater than 120°. The angle α can be between 120° and 160°. According to such an embodiment, the strip 11 has the function of completing the confinement of the basin 1, between the cover 9 and the vertical wall 2. According to such an embodiment, the strip 11 is advantageously flexible.

In the embodiment shown on the figure 4 , a portion of the lower part 11 ₂ can be removable, and able to be connected or removed reversibly to the blocking element. In the absence of the removable portion, the distance between the proximal end 12 _p of the tongue and the lower edge 11 _inf is between 0.5 cm and a few cm, for example 2 cm or 5 cm. The blocking element then appears as previously described, in connection with the figures 1B , 2A , 2B And 3 . When the removable portion is connected to the blocking element 10, and more precisely to the strip 11, the lower part 11 ₂ of the latter is such that the distance between the proximal end 12 _p of the tongue 12 and the lower edge 11 _inf is greater than 10 cm, as shown in the figure 4 . For this purpose, the strip 11 may include lugs or openings, on which or into which the lower portion is inserted. The removable portion is inserted before wintering. The lower portion is then removed when using the basin.

The invention described above could in particular be applied to a swimming pool. It constitutes a simple and inexpensive way to improve the hygiene and/or aesthetics of the swimming pool.

Claims (13)

1. Locking element (10) for locking a sealing membrane (3) for a pool (1), the pool comprising a vertical wall (2), extending between a bottom of the pool and a coping (4), the vertical wall being provided with a support (5) comprising a groove (6), the groove being intended to receive an edge of the sealing membrane, the locking element (10) being intended to lock the edge of the sealing membrane in the groove, the locking element comprising:

   • a tongue (12), extending between a distal end (12_d) and a proximal end (12_p), in an extension direction (X), the distal end being intended to be introduced into the groove (6) so as to block the membrane edge engaged in the groove by exerting a pressure;

   • a strip (11), connected to the proximal end (12_p) of the tongue (12), and extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the extension direction (X), so as to extend against the vertical wall (2) of the pool when the tongue is introduced into the groove;

   • the strip (11) extending on either side of the proximal end (12_p) of the tongue (12), between an upper edge (11_sup) and a lower edge (11_inf), the distance between the upper edge and the lower edge forming a width (L) of the strip, which is greater than 1 cm, so as to mask the support;

   the locking element being such that:

   • the strip (11) delimits a rear space (11_AR), comprising the distal end (12_d) of the tongue, and a front space (11_AV), not comprising the distal end of the tongue;

   • the strip has an upper part (11₁), extending between the proximal end of the tongue (12_p) and the upper edge (11 _SuP);

   • the upper part (11₁) of the strip is curved towards the front space (11_AV);

   the locking element being characterized in that:

   • the distance between the proximal end (12_p) and the upper edge (11_sup) is greater than 1 cm;

   • the locking element is monolithic, the strip and the tongue being formed from the same flexible material.
2. Locking element (10) according to Claim 1, the locking element (10) being formed from an opaque or translucent material.
3. Locking element (10) according to either one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (11) extends, parallel to the extension direction, across a thickness (ε), the thickness being less than the width (L) of the strip.
4. Locking element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip extends, perpendicularly to the extension direction (X), along a length (ℓ), which is greater than the width (L), the length being greater than 50 cm.
5. Locking element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue (12) comprises barbs (13), configured to oppose a translational movement of the tongue in a direction (-X) opposite to a direction of introduction (+X) of the tongue into the groove (6).
6. Locking element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

   • the strip (11) delimits a rear space (11_AR), comprising the distal end (12_d) of the tongue, and a front space (11_AV), not comprising the distal end of the tongue;

   • the strip has a lower part (11₂), extending between the proximal end (12_p) of the tongue and the lower edge (11_inf) of the strip, the distance between the proximal end of the tongue and the lower edge of the strip being greater than or equal to 10 cm;

   • the lower part (11₂) is curved, towards the front space, so as to form an angle (α) whose vertex is the proximal end (12_p) of the tongue, the angle extending between the distal end (12_d) of the tongue and the lower edge (11_inf) of the strip, the angle being greater than or equal to 120°.
7. Locking element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

   • the strip has a lower part (11₂), extending between the proximal end (12_p) of the tongue and the lower edge (11_inf) of the strip, the distance between the proximal end of the tongue and the lower edge of the strip being greater than or equal to 10 cm;

   • the lower part (11₂) comprises a removable portion, which is able to be reversibly connected to or removed from the locking element (10).
8. Locking element (10) according to Claim 7, wherein the strip comprises lugs or openings, allowing insertion of the removable portion.
9. Locking element (10) according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein, in the absence of the removable portion, the distance between the proximal end (12_p) of the tongue and the lower edge (11_inf) is between 0.5 cm and 5 cm.
10. Locking element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material forming the strip (11) and the tongue (12) is a plastic and/or polymer material.
11. Method for locking part of a sealing membrane (3) for a pool (1) in a groove (6) of a support (5), the support being fastened to a vertical wall (2) of the pool, the method comprising the following steps:

    • insertion of an edge of the sealing membrane (3) into the groove (6);

    • insertion, into the groove, of the tongue (12) of a locking element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, such that the tongue presses against the edge of the sealing membrane introduced into the groove so as to lock the edge of the membrane in the groove, the strip (11) of the locking element (10) extending on either side of the groove, outside the latter.
12. Method according to Claim 11, wherein the pool comprises a coping (4) arranged on the vertical wall (2), the locking element (10) being configured such that, after the insertion of the tongue (12) into the groove, the strip (11) extends up to the coping.
13. Method according to either one of Claims 11 and 12, wherein the locking element (10) inserted into the groove is a locking element according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, such that, after insertion, the lower part (11_inf) of the strip (11) of the locking element extends up to a cover (9) arranged above the water contained in the pool, the locking element (10) ensuring, together with the cover (9), that the water in the pool is confined.

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