US2939153A

US2939153A - Bathing pools

Info

Publication number: US2939153A
Application number: US656360A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles R Arnold; Alan J Hirsch; Francis W Plourde
Original assignee: Doughboy Industries Inc
Current assignee: Doughboy Industries Inc
Priority date: 1957-05-01
Filing date: 1957-05-01
Publication date: 1960-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1977-06-07

Description

June 7, 1960 c. R. ARNOLD ETAL 2,939,153

BATHING POOLS Filed May 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [Fl/(7' 4 INVENTOR Chan/es I? Arno/a /i/an J. Hirsch Franc/'5 VL P/aurae QQW ATTORNEY June 7, 1960 c. R. ARNOLD ETAL 2,939,153

' BATHING POOLS Filed May 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Char/es A. Arno/a Alan J. Hirsch Francis W P/ourae 0% m ATTORNEY United Statesv Patent BATmG POOLS Charles R. Arnold and Alan J. Hirsch, New Richmond, and Francis W. Plourde, Somerset, Wis., assignors to Doughhoy Industries, Inc., New Richmond, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May 1, 1957, Ser. No. 656,360

6 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) This invention relates to an improvement in bathing pools and deals particularly with a portable pool and deals particularly with a swimming pool which may be assembled on the surface of the ground and which may be dissassembled when desired for storage or transportation.

During recent years the use of portable swimming pools has been increasingly popular. Many such pools are formed with hollow side walls which may be filled with air to hold the side walls in an erect position and filled with water. The present device comprises a portable pool which is of substantially greater size than most pools having inflated sides and which provides'a considerably larger and deeper pool particularly useful for larger children and adults.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a swimming pool including a water proof liner of flexible material such as nylon impregnated with a vinyl plastic to increase the water proof properties of the material. The liner includes a bottom panel preferably of circular shape and a continuous side wall sealed to the bottom panel and extendable into upright position encircling the bottom panel. The side wall of the pool is supported by a suitable supporting framework which encircles the side wall and to which the side wall is attached. The framework is such as to enable the pool to be assembled or disassembled in a relatively short period of time and the framework is so constructed as to be readily stored when the pool is not in use.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a framework which is made of similar tubular sections which may be assembled together to form a ring like reinforcing wall. The frame usually includes spaced upright members having laterally enlarged upper and lower extremities. The upper end of each upright frame member is designed to accommodate the downturned ends of a pair of top rail forming members which fit side by side into the upper end of the upright and to connect the upright to the next adjacent upright. The frame also includes bottom frame members having upturned ends and the upturned ends of two adjoining bottom frame members are designed to extend into the lower end of each upright in side by side relation. Each top and bottom forming frame member acts to connect one spaced upright with the next and these frame members are arcuate so that when assembled a circular frame is produced.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a pool liner having an upper edge which is reinforced throughout its periphery to strengthen the connection between the liner and the frame. The upper edge of the liner is doubled back upon itself and sealed along two spaced lines of connection. Cooperable snap portions are applied to the double thickness portion of the pool, one cooperable snap portion being positioned closely adjacent to the upper extremity of the liner the other cooperable snap portion being spaced downwardly therefrom. When the upper portion of the side wall of the liner is folded over the supporting frame, the two cooperable snap portions of each snap may be connected together to form a firm support for the side wall of the pool.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the upper portion of the side wall of the liner is folded in such a manner as to provide maximum protection for the material forming the liner. The portion of the coated nylon which is folded over the tubular support is exposed to the action of the suns rays to a greater extent than the enclosed outer wall surface of the liner or the submerged inner wall surface. In the present construction, the upper marginal edge of the side wall is folded back upon itself and secured in doubled; position. Thus, one layer of fabric is folded inwardly of the other when exposed to the sun and the inner layer is prevented from the deleterious effect of the sunshine.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a portable pool which is formed of a; series of generally rectangular frames which are connected in end to end relation to form a circular reinforc ing frame and to provide inwardly of this supporting frame a protective wall of light sheet material such as aluminum sheeting, plastic sheet material or other suitable material may be used. Ihe length of this wall is preferably slightly greater than the circumference of the pool so that the ends can be overlapped and secured together to form a continuous reinforcing wall inwardly of the reinforcing frame and against which the fabric liner may engage. While such a protective wall is desirable, it may be omitted if the support provided is not required.

These and other objects and novel features of the pres? ent invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in; the following specification and claims.

In the dram'ngs forming a part of the specification: Figure l is a perspective View of a pool in its assembled form. I

Figure 2 is a sectional view through one of the upright supports showing the manner in which the top and bottom frame forming members are engaged therein.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a section through the intermediate portions of the supporting frame.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the side wall and showing the juncture between the side wall and the bottom panel.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the end connectionbetween the ends of the reinforcing side wall.

Figure 6 is a sectional view, the position of the section being indicated by the lines 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the reinforcing wall, the position of the section being indicated by the line 77 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through the joint connecting the ends of the reinforcing wall, the position of the section being indicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 5.v

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view through one of the uprights shovw'ng the manner in which the top frame connecting members are attached thereto.

Figure 10 is a sectional view, the position of the section being indicated by the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a modified form of frame connecting member.

The portable pool is best illustrated in Figure l of the drawings. This figure illustrates a series of generally rectangular frame sections which are indicated in general by the numeral 10 having a light metal reinforcing wall 11 enclosed therein. A lining which is indicated in gen era] by the numeral 12 is enclosed within the side wall 11 and 112116 upper edge of the lining 12 folds over the supporting frame and is anchored thereto.

Each of the frame sections 10 includes a top fram member 13, a bottom frame member 14, and a pair of spacedinpright frame members 15. The top frame members and bottom :frame member may be similarlyiformed but'inverted in position. The top frame member 13 in.- chides an arcuate tubular body portion 16 which is bent to the radius of curvature of the completed pool. The ends of the body portionifi are bent downwardly as indicated at 17 and 19 to form short vertically extending end portions, 7

The bottom frame members 14 include a central body portion 20 which is arc-uate so as to fit the curvature of the circumference of the pool. Each body portion 20 includes 'a pair of upwardly bent ends 21 and 22 which are aligned with the

downturned ends

17 and 19, of the top frame members 13.

The upright frame members 15 preferably include hollow cylindrical central portions 23, the upper and lower ends of which are offset as indicated at 24 to provide an elongated or generally oval shaped extremity. The flat tened upper extremity of each upright member 15 is indicated at 25 while the lower flattened portion is indicated at 26 although both ends may be identical in form. As

i is indicated in Figure 10 of the drawings, the flattened or oval shaped ends provide an enclosure which is approximately equal in diameter to the diameter of the

tubular ends

17 and 19 of the top frame members 16 or the tubular upwardly extending ends21 and 22 of the bottom frame members 14. The length of the elongated portion issufiicient to snugly accommodate the ends of two adjoiningframe members as indicated in Figures 9 and 10,

the elongated socket 25 at thetop of each upright accomiuodating the downturned end 17 of one top frame membin and the downturned end 19 of the next adjacent top frame member. The bottom socket 26 similarlyencloses the upturned ends 21 and '22 of adjoining bottom frame members 14..

The'metal reinforcing wall is constructed as is best illustrated in Figures through 8 of the drawings. In general, the wall 11 comprises an elongated strip of sheet metal which islongitudinally bent as indicated at 27 to form a downturned flange 29 and a downturned flange 29 is bent at 30 to form an upturned flange 31 which is sandwiched between the body of the sheet and the flange 29. This arrangement forms a thickened portion along the upper edge of the sheet which acts as a reinforcement for the sheet.

A similar reinforcing structure is provided along the lower edge of the reinforcing wall 11. The sheet is longitudinally bent as indicated at 32 to provide an upwardly turned flange 33. This flange is bent at 34 to provide a flange 35 which is sandwiched between the flange 33 and the body of the wall 11. Thus, both the upper and lower edges of the reinforcing wall are in themselves reinforced throughout the periphery of the sheet. a

Figures 7 and 8 show the structure of the seam by means of which the ends of the sheet are connected. As is indicated in Figure 8 of the drawings, one end 36 of the wall 11 is'bent at 37 to provide a rearwardly folded flange 39. The other end of the sheet 46 is folded as indicated at 41 to provide a reversely turned flange 42 which is sandwiched between the flange 39 and the end 36 of the sheet. Thus, in effect the two ends of the sheet are crimped together. Reinforcing

strips

43 and 44 are provided extending vertically over the seam and fastening means such as rivets 45 extend through the rein? forcing

strips

43 and 44 and through the inter-connected sheet ends to form a firm connection between the ends of the sheet. 7

The liner 12 is formed as is best indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings. A bottom panel'46 is provided which is preferably circular in shape and this disc 46 is marginsealed as indicated at 47 to an inturned flange 49 forming a part of the loweredge of theside wall 50.

The material of which the-liner is formed may be more adversely affected by the drying action of the sun and wind than the other surface thereof. The impregnated surface of the fabric is usually placed uppermost on the bottom disc 46 and on the inner surface of the wall 50. As the inner surface of the wall is usually in contact with water and is kept moist, the material is not affected to any great degree by theelements.

The upper edge of the wall 50 is peripherally folded as indicated at 51 so that the upper portion of the fabric is doubled. The two layers of material are sealed together as indicated at 52 at a point slightly spaced from the folded edge 51 so that this edge 51 preferably remains uncreased and rounded in form. The sheet is folded in such a manner that the more sensitive inner surface of the wall is folded inwardly and the surface which is more resistant to the elements is on the outer side. The marginal edge 53 of the folded portion of the sheet is sealed to the body of the sheet at the edge as indicated at 54.

One portion of a snap fastener 55 extends through the sealed area 52 of the sheet near the folded edge 51.

Cooperable portions 56 of the snap fastener extend through the sealed area 54 near the edge 53 of the sheet. The two layers of sheet material are preferably unsecured between the sealed areas.

In forming the tank, the outer frame may be formed by assembling the various sections 10 in sequence until the complete frame is produced. Two of the frame bottom members 14 are placed in end to end relation and the upwardly directed ends 21 and 22 which are in abutting relation are inserted into the lower end of the vertical frame member 15. A next lower frame member 14 may "then be attached at the opposite end of one of the sections by a second vertical frame member 15. The top frame member '13 may then be applied between the until the entire outer frame is formed.

a The wall 11 is next inserted into the outer frame. In doing this, it is only necessary to insert this wall in place as it is already of the proper length to fit snugly within the outer frame.

The liner 12 is next inserted and the upper portion of the side wall is wrapped over the top frame members 13 as indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings, and the two

cooperable portions

55 and 56 of the snap fastener are then engaged. The snap fasteners are located at intervals of perhaps six inches apart so that the wall is secured to the frame about the entire circumference thereof.

a The liner may then be filled with water, the liner expanding against the reinforcing wall 11 which in turn is held in shape by the outer frame A pool may be formed which is sufficient size to accommodate several persons. For example, pools are constructed which are approximately 72 feet in circumference and 42 inches in height. Thus, the pool may actually be used for swimming and may accommodate adults as well as children.

Figure 9 of the drawings shows the top frame members constructed with arcuate bends connecting the central portions of these members to the vertical portions. Where a more continuous'top rail is desired, the top and bottom frame members can be formed as shown in Figure 11. This figure discloses a top or bottom frame member 57 shaped similarly to the

frame members

13 or 14 previously described and having right angularly extending ends 59. To make a sharper bend, the tube is kinked inwardly as shown at 60.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principles of construction and operation of our improvement in bathing pools, and While we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof,

within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. A swimming pool comprising a series of generally rectangular tubular sections connected to form a frame substantially circular in plan, a liner comprising a disk shaped bottom and a substantially cylindrical side wall of heat scalable fabric sealed marginally to said bottom, said fabric having one surface more susceptible to deterioration by action of the sun than is the other surface, said one surface comprising the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the side wall, said side wall folding over the upper edge of said tubular sections with the more susceptible surface uppermost, the marginal edge of said side wall being folded back upon itself and extending back over the upper edge of said tubular section with the more susceptible surface lowermost, said marginal edge forming a hem terminating inwardly of the inner surface of said side wall, and means connecting the portion of said hem adjoining the fold to the portion of the hem lying inwardly of said side wall beneath the upper edge of the tubular frame.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the edge of the hem terminated within the side wall is heat sealed to the side wall.

3. A swimming pool comprising a series of generally rectangular tubular sections connected to form a frame substantially circular in plan, a liner comprising a disc shaped bottom and a substantially cylindrical side wall of heat scalable fabric sealed marginally to said bottom, said fabric having one surface more susceptible to deterioration by action of the sun than is the other surface, said one surface comprising the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the side wall, a hem at the upper edge of said side wall formed by doubling back the fabric along a line of fold spaced from the marginal edge of the fabric with the more susceptible fabric surfaces in surface contact, the marginal edge of the fabric being heat sealed to the side wall, said hem extending over the upper edge of said tubular sections with the less susceptible surface of the fabric uppermost, and

4 means connecting the portion of the frame adjacent the line of fold to the marginal edge of the fabric through said side wall.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said hem is heat sealed together adjoining the line of fold and in which said connecting means extends through said heat sealed portions of said hem.

5. The structure of claim 3 in which said fabric comprises nylon fabric impregnated with vinyl plastic.

6. A swimming pool comprising an outer frame substantially circular in plan and having a substantially ring shaped top frame portion, a liner comprising a disc shaped bottom and a cylindrical side wall of heat scalable fabric marginally sealed to said bottom, said fabric having one surface more susceptible to deterioration by action of the sun than is the other surface, said one surface comprising the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the side wall, said side wall folding over the upper edge of said top frame member with the more susceptible surface uppermost, the marginal edge of said side wall being folded back upon itself and extending back over the upper edge of said top frame member with the more susceptible surface lowermost, said marginal edge forming a hem terminating inwardly of the inner surface of said side wall, and means connecting the portion of the hem adjoining the fold to the portion of the hem lying inwardly of the side wall beneath the upper edge of said top frame member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,613 Hooper Dec. 30, 1930 2,021,074 Maynes Nov. 12, 1935 2,378,159 Royer June 12, 1945 2,544,075 Ernst et a1. Mar. 6, 1951 2,815,512 Meekin et a1. Dec. 10, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 935,393 Germany Nov. 15, 1955 965,289 France Feb. 15, 1950