US2846694A

US2846694A - Supporting framework for swimming pools

Info

Publication number: US2846694A
Application number: US652451A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earl C Wallace
Original assignee: Hettrick Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Hettrick Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1957-04-12
Filing date: 1957-04-12
Publication date: 1958-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1975-08-12

Description

Aug. 12, 1958 E. c. WALLACE 2,346,694

- SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK FOR swnmmc POOLS I Filed April 12, 1951 INVENTOR. v EARL c. WALLACE mum ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 2,846,694 Patented Aug. 12, 1958 SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK FOR SWIIVIMING POOLS Earl C. Wallace, Andrews, Ind., assignor to The Hettrick Manufacturing Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 12, 1957, ,Serial No. 652,451

3 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) This invention relates to tanks and pools and, more particularly, to a portable swimming pool of the type wherein the water is contained in a flexible fabric body, and wherein the side walls of the body are supported by an encompassing framework.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, for the side walls of a flexible fabric swimming pool, a supporting framework of the knock-down type which can be readily assembled and disassembled. Another object is the provision of a sturdy fiamework to maintain a flexible pool body in the desired overall shape, although yielding slightly to hydraulic local surge and wavemotions, or to outward thrusts exerted against the pool side wall by the swimmers. While the framework consists essentially of an encompassing band of open-net wire fencing and separable stiffening and supporting members, it is intended particularly that the parts shall interlock in such manner that they may yield or work to a limited extent with respect to one another without coming apart. It is further intended that the encompassing composite framework of fence wire and stiffening members be formed of the knock-down units capable of being shipped in flat cartons, and of being stacked and stored in flat piles.

In keeping with the above objects, it is proposed now to provide a plurality of rectangular panels of wire fencing, each having horizontal strands at each end bent around to form half-loops, and with a vertical strand interconnecting the half-loops adjacent the free end of the loops, so that the half loops at the ends of adjacent fence panels overlap one another and define a vertically extending pocket. It is further proposed that there be vertical posts common to each two adjacent fence panels, the posts engaging in the pockets defined by the overlapping half loops so as to interlock the adjacent fence panels. A further object is that the posts be provided with sockets at their upper and lower ends to receive angularly bent ends of upper and lower horiozntal rail sections. The end result intended by these objects is to provide a framework so that the upper edges of a fabric pool body may be secured over the upper horizontal rails and suspended therefrom and so that the other side of the pool body is supported against outwardly exerted thrusts by the framework.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following specification and drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a complete pool;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the framework of the pool, showing one complete panel and its juncture with adjacent panels;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of the curved ends of adjacent panels prior to being joined together; and,

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 but showing the relationship of the same elements when joined.

Referring now to the drawing in which like reference numerals denote similar elements, the swimming pool 2 has a flexible fabric body of water proof material con* sisting of a bottom (not shown) and a side wall 4 of closed configuration. It will be understood that pool 2 is of considerable size and volume, capable of accommodating a number of adults and children without overcrowding, and of sufficient depth to permit shallow diving. In general form and arrangement, pool 2 is similar to the one described in the application of James J. Meekin et al., Serial No. 551,945, filed December 18, 1955, for Swimming Pool Structure, of common ownership herewith. The invention is concerned primarily with the improvements in supporting framework 6 which supports and reinforces theside wall 4 of the flexible pool body.

Supporting framework 6 consists of a circuitous series of substantially identical panels, three of which are designated 8a, 8b, 8c respectively, the panels consisting esesntially of open-mesh stifi metallic fence wire having vertical strands 10 crossing and joined to horizontal strands 12. The panels are connected to one another by joints 14, and are of such size and shape that they may be easily handled and joined together by one or two persons.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be observed that the horizontal strands 12 are formed at their opposite ends with J-shape bent portions 16, providing open loops 18. Vertical strands designated 10a and 10b for convenience of exposition are secured to the horizontal strands 12 adjacent the free ends of the bent portions 16 in order to tie the free ends of the horizontal stands together and also for purposes which will be apparent from Fig. 4.

Joints 14 are formed by placing two panels end-to-end and moving them endwise towards one another until the bent portions 16 interdigitate as detailed in Fig. 4. The overlapping loops 18 thus define a vertical channel 20. Initially, channel 20 is enlarged by moving the panels further towards one another than as shown in Fig. 4, thereby making channel 20 large enough to accommodate a vertical post 22. Thereafter, the panels are returned to the Fig. 4 position so that post 22 is firmly engaged within channel 20, whereupon

vertical strands

10a and 10b will lie outwardly of the post. Vertical channel 20 must be enlarged to receive post 22 because the latter is enlarged at its upper and lower ends to provide

double sockets

24 and 26 respectively, for accommodating the bent end portions 28 of top rails 30 and bottom rails 32. When the pool is filled, the outward thrust of the water against side wall 4 is exerted against the supporting framework, thereby locking the panels and vertical posts in the condition shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

Horizontal top and

bottom rails

30, 32 and vertical posts 22 provide loose frames of still? members surrounding the wire panels and joints 14 between the panels provide a composite framework capable of a certain amount of working at the joints, but providing support and reinforcement for the side wall 4 of the flexible pool body when the top edge portion of the latter is folded over and suitably secured to top rails 30, as indicated at 34. However, the outward thrust of the water within the pool stabilizes the supporting framework so that the latter retains its original configuration, and withstands the strains from being climbed upon and pushed against which normally occur in the exuberant play of the occupants.

When it comes time to dismantle the pool, the water is drained, the sidewall 4 of the flexible fabric body is disconnected from the top rails 30 of supporting framework 6, and the latter is knocked down by removing top and

bottom rails

30, 32, pushing together adjacent panels so as to enlarge chaimels 20, and withdrawing vertical posts 22. The invention is not limited to the details illustrated and described herein, but is intended to cover all sub stitutions, modifications and equivalenls wi h li the scope of the following claims. i v i I claim:

1. A supporting framework of closed configuration for swimming pools," comprising a plurality of openmesh wire"panelshavifigsp iiced horizontal str'an'ds'and vertical strands jqined"'the'reto, said horizontal strands having opposite end portions with substantially J-shape bends providing open loops, said panels being disposed end t'o-end the loops at the "ends of adjacentp'anels interdigitating withoneanothe'r and cooperating to define substantially vertical channels, subst ia lly vertical posts engaged in said channels, 'said po sts 'h'avin'g sockets at the ends thereof, and substantially horizontal rails extending from post-to-pos't, said rails having angular end portions engaged in said sockets.

2; The 'cornbination"la1ms in claim 1, each of said panels having a vertical strand respectively joined to the horizontal strands thereof adjacent the free ends of the bends.

3, A portable swimmingpool comprising a pool body of flexible sheet material having a bottom wall and a side wall of closed configuration, a supporting framework for the outer side of said side wall, comprising a plurality of open-mesh stiff wire panels having spaced horizontal strands and vertical strands joined thereto; said horizontal strands having opposite end portions with substantially J-shaped bends providing open loops, said panels being disposed end-to-end with the loops at the ends of adjacent panels interdigitating with one another and cooperating to define substantially vertical channels, l y-v i a pos en a ed in sa d.- han e said posts having sockets at the upper and lower ends thereof, and substantially horizontal top and bottom rails extending from 'pos t to -pt'rst, said rails liavingfangular end'portions' engaged in said sockets," the sidewall of the pool body having its top edge secured ov'efthe' top rails of said'framework.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Fram s ]Feb; 15, 1950