US3094709A - Swimming pool - Google Patents

Description

June 25, 1963 A. MlCClO ETAL 3,094,709

' SWIMMING POOL Filed Jan. 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AQTHUR MlCC\O ROBERT E. WEST INVENTORS BY WWI/tun? A TTOENEY SWIMMING POOL Filed Jan. 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ARTHUR MCClO ROBEFZT E. WEST INVENTORS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,094,709 SWIMMING POOL Arthur Miccio, Trenton, NJ., and Robert E. West, Yardley, Pa., assignors to Cascade Industries, Incorporated, Edison, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 169,227 14 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) This invention relates to swimming pools and is directed particularly to swimming pools having prefabricated side walls together with a liner formed of flexible sheet material such as a sheeted plastic composition and to novel means for securing coping elements to a pool having side walls formed of metal, wood or other material.

It has been suggested heretofore that swimming pools be formed with prefabricated sections adapted to be secured together to form or support the side walls of the pool. However, when the wall sections are constructed of wood or concrete, they are generally so bulky and heavy that they are difficult to store and ship. As a result, it is frequently more economical to fabricate the sections at the site where they are to be used than to produce them at a central location for shipment to the place of assembly.

'Wall sections for swimming pools which are formed of metal can be mass produced by stamping or otherwise and can be shipped economically. However, as heretofore constructed, they have not embodied satisfactory means for securing a flexible liner for the pool in place. Difliculties are also encountered in securing a masonry or tile coping to the edges of a pool when metal, wood or other prefabricated wall sections are employed in its construction.

In accordance with the present invention, these objections and limitations of prior swimming pool constructions are overcome and means are provided which include novel elements for securing both a lining sheet and a coping in place about the edges of the pool and which further serve to strengthen the prefabricated wall sections employed in constructing the pool.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide novel prefabricated elements adapted for use in constructing a swimming pool.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved assembly for securing coping members and a flexible sheeted lining in place adjacent the edges of a swimming pool.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new type of wall forming section for use in constructing a swimming pool.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following description thereof wherein reference is made to the figures of the accom- In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating a plurality of wall sections adapted for use in constructing swimming pools embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustrating a typical form of coping and retaining means embodying the present invention with parts shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the cushioning strip shown in the assemblies of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the application of the retaining means to an alternative form of wall con struction.

In that form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 t0 4 of the drawings, the pool is provided with a side wall 2 having a liner 4 which is formed of flexible sheet material such as a sheeted plastic composition composed of a vinyl resin, rubber or other resinous, polymeric or fabric material. The upper edges of the liner 4 are secured in place by a coping 6 which preferably extends about the edges of the pool adjacent the upper edges of the side walls 2.

While the side walls may be formed or constructed in various ways, the construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is preferred. As there illustrated, the side wall embodies a plurality of sections 8 which may be formed of sheet metal and fabricated by stamping or otherwise. Each section embodies a wall portion 10, a base portion 12 and two opposite side flanges 14 and 16. The base portion 12 is designed to rest against the earth or a foundation or sill extending about the bottom of the side Wall of the pool and may be secured in place by anchoring pins 18 driven into the earth or otherwise anchored so as to locate and hold the wall section 8 in fixed position. The base portion 12 preferably extends outwardly or rearwardly from the wall portion 10 a distance sufficient to permit earth to be filled in or tamped in place between the wall portion 10 and the excavation in which the pool is located so that such earth will aid in holding the wall portion 10 of the wall section in an erect or vertical position.

The side flanges 14 and 16 of the wall sections also extend rearwardly from the wall portion 10 at opposite sides thereof and are provided with registering bolt holes 20 or other connecting means so that the sections may be securely connected together with the side flange 14 on one wall section abutting the side flange 16 on an adjacent section. Further, as shown, the bolt holes 20 may be in the general form of key hole slot-s with narrow lower portions. Then when assembling the sections, it will be possible to reach about the side flange of one section into the space between the rear of the section and the excavation to insert the bolts 22 and tighten the nuts thereon without excavat ing back from the side walls of the pool to provide a large working space.

Since the sides of many pools are curved, the side flanges 14 and 16 may be inclined outward somewhat with respect to the plane of the wall portion 10 of the section 8. When so formed, the sections 8 may be nested one within another to provide a compact assembly prior to erection of the pool. In this way, substantial savings in space for storage and reduced bulk in shipment are possible.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the side flanges 14 and 16 of the sections 8 are provided with upper edges 24 extending rearwardly at right angles adjacent but below the upper horizontal edge 26 of the wall portion 10'. These edges are preferably secured together by a retaining clip 28 having a flat supporting surface 30 which extends across the edges 24 of the side flanges 14 and 16 below the horizontal edges 26 of the wall portions of adjacent sections. Clamping arms 32 extend downward from the supporting surface 30 of the clip on the inner sides of the side flanges 14 and 16 and may be bolted to the side flanges to secure the sections together. The supporting surface 30 of the clip also may be formed with downwardly turned tabs 34 which embrace the edges 24 of the side portions 14 and 16. The supporting surface 30 of the clip 28 may rest solidly on the edges 24 of the side flanges or may be spaced a short distance above the edges 24 of the side flanges 24 and 26. In any event, the su-r-' face 39 of the clip 28 presents a rigid support for the retainer strips 36.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the retainers 36 are provided with a base 38 adapted to rest upon and be secured to the supporting surfaces 30 of the clips 28. Rivets or bolts 40 may be passed through registering openings in the base 38 and the supporting. surface 30 for securing the retainer in place whereby the whole assembly is strengthened and held rigidlyv in place. The retainer 36 may extend across the upper edges of the flanges 14 and 16- of two or more sections 8 and may be of any length desired conforming to the shape of the pool. However, as shown, the retainers 36 are conveniently made in lengths substantially equal to the width of each section and have their ends in abutting relation on-the supporting surfaces 30- of the clips 28 which secure the sections together.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the retainer 36 is channel-shaped and provided with an inner edge which extends upwardly from the base 38 to form a flange 42 having its outer edge folded downwardly at 44 in position to engage the inner face of the wall portion of the section 8. The retainer thus fits over and tightly embraces the upper horizontaledge 26 of the wall portion 10. The edge 26 is thus reinforced and held against buckling or distortion so that the inner surface of the wall portion 10 will be provided with marginal strengthening means extending about its edges and consisting of the base portion 12, the side flanges 14 and 16 and the retainer 36.

The sheeted flexible liner 4 of the pool extends upward over the inner surfaces of the wall portions 10 of the sections 8 and is folded outwardly and downwardly about the flange 42 of the retaining strip 36 so that the marginal portion 46 of the liner will extend outwardly above the "base portion 38 of the retaining strip. A cushioning and clamping strip 48 is placed over the folded portion of the liner 4 and the inner flange 42 of the retaining strip and has an inner leg 50 which when first applied to the flange 42 may extend downward below the folded portion 44 of the flange. The upper return bend portion 51 of the cushioning strip is preferably thickened as at 52 whereas the outer leg 53 of the cushioning strip is provided with an outwardly extending lip 66.

The outer edge of the retainer 36 is provided with an upwardly extending flange 54 having an inwardly turned lip 56. Coping elements 6 are carried by the retainers 36 and may be made of masonry, cement, tile, hardened plastic or any other suitable or preferred material. As shown, the coping elements are formed with a groove or slot 58 in the outer face 60 thereof which is adapted to receive and engage the inwardly turned lip 56 on the flange 54 at the outer edge of the retainer 36. The lower surface 62 of the coping element '6 is provided with a clamping groove or recess 64 which is positioned in alignment with the inner flange 42 of the retainer 36 to receive and embrace the cushioning strip 48 and the portion of the liner 4 which is'folded over the inner flange 42 of the retainer. The dimensions of the recess 64. and its distance from the slot 58 in the outer face 60 of the coping element are such that when the coping element is in place as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the marginal portion of the liner 4 and the thickened return bend portion 52 of cushioning strip 48 will be compressed and clamped between the flange 42 of the retainer 36 and the coping element 6.

In applying the coping element to the retainer 36 the inner edge 68 of the coping element is tilted or raised as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 and the groove 58 in the outer face 60 of the coping element is engaged with the lip 56 of the flange 54 at the outer edge of the retainer. The inner edge 68 is then moved downwardly as the coping element pivots about the lip 56. The clamping recess 64 which registers with the flange 42 of the retainer then will be pressed downward about the cushioning strip so that the lower surface 62 of the coping on the outer side of the recess 64 will engage the lip 66 of the cushioning strip 48. Upon forcing the coping further downward the lower face of the coping pulls the inner leg 53 of the cushioning strip downward causing the strip to wipe across the flange 42 and to draw the liner 4 tightly into place. At the same time, the thickened portion 52 of the cushioning strip 48 is brought into position on the inner side of the flange 42 whereas the pivotal movement of the coping serves to cause the side wall 70 of the recess 64 to move toward the adjacent surface of flange 42. In this way, the thickened portion 52 of the cushioning strip 48 above the lip 66 is compressed and wedged between the coping element and flange 42. Moreover, in the event the lip 66 of the strip 48 should flex downward when the coping is applied, the keel 61 of the lip will be forced against the flange 42 and the marginal portion 46 of the liner as the outer wall 701 of the recess 64 moves inward and downward. This wedgi'n-g and compressing action serves to assure positive gripping and retention of the marginal portion of the liner 4 and also serves to secure the coping element fixedly in place.

In erecting as wimrning pool embodying the construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the wall sections 8 are positioned with the bottom portions 12 thereof resting upon a ledge of ground 74 or other support, footing or surface adjacent the edge of the pool and are anchored in place by the pins or bolts 18. The side flanges 14 and 16 of the sections are secured together by the bolts 22 and the clips 28 are applied to the upper edges 24 of the side flanges with the tabs 34 on the clips embracing said edges. The arms 32 of the clips are then bolted in place on the opposite sides of the side flanges. The retaining strips 36 are applied to the supporting surfaces 30 of the clips 28 with the folded portion 44 of the flange 42 of the retainer extending over and embracing the upper edge 26 of the wall portion 19 of each section. The retaining strip is then secured in place on the clip 28 by means of rivets or bolts 40.

In this way, the side walls of the pool are erected in a manner to present a strong rigid assembly. The space at the outer side of the assembled wall sections and between the sections and the surrounding excavation can then be filled with earth which is tamped in place or may be filled with concrete if desired. The bottom portion 12 and the side flanges 14 and 16 are thus embedded in the surrounding earth or material so as to support and hold the side walls of the pool in fixed assembled relation.

The liner 4 for the pool is then placed within the excavation forming the bottom of the pool and the marginal portions of the liner are extended upward over the inner surfaces of the portions 10 of the wall sections 8. The edge 46 of the liner is pulled outwardly and downward over the inner flanges 42 of the retaining strips 36 so as to lie adjacent the base 38 of the retainer. The cushioning strip 48 is then applied to the flange 42 over the folded marginal portion of the liner 4 with the leg 50 of the strip located on the inner side of the flange 42 and the leg 53 with its lip 66 projecting inward above the base 38 of the retainer 36.

Upon forcing the inner edge 68 of the coping element downward, the lower face 62 of the element engages the lip 66 on the cushioning strip and forces the leg 53 downward to wipe the liner into place and force it against the flange 42 of the retaining strip 36. Moreover, the other side 70 of the recess 48 is moved in an arc toward the inner face of the flange 42 so as to compress the cushioning strip 48 further and exert a wedging action thereon.

The assembly thus provided not only serves to clamp the marginal edge of the liner for the pool in place but also serves to clamp and retain the coping elements in place and hold them in accurately aligned and assembled relation.

The coping elements may be of any desired length but generally are equal in length to the width of the wall sections 8 of the pool. If desired, the joints between the ends of adjacent coping lements may be sealed with grouting or other composition but this is not usually necessary. The upper and inner surfaces of the coping elements may have any desired contour or shape and they may be formed to provide a splash guard, drain gutter, grab means or tile facing at the scum line as preferred in any particular installation.

In any case, the pressure of a person standing on the coping elements about the edge of the pool and the weight of a person in the pool clinging to the coping will serve at all times to press the coping elements into place and to assure firm retention of the lining about the edges of the pool. Moreover, if desired, the marginal edge of the lining may be formed with a bead or folded portion 74 which will prevent it from slipping or stripping out from between the flange 42 and the cushioning strip 48.

While the retaining strips 36 are particularly constructed and designed for use in combination with wall forming sections formed of sheet metal as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the retaining strips may be used in combination with other forms and types of swimming pool wall constructions. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the wall of the pool may present an upper edge portion 76 formed of nonmetallic material such as wood or concrete and the side walls may be formed of sections or otherwise if desired. The retaining strip 36 may then be fixed to the upper surface of the wall about the edge of a pool by means of screws 78 or otherwise. The construction thus renders it possible to provide pools with a masonry or tile coping while the wall sections of the pool or the upper edges thereof may be formed of wood, concrete or any other materials desired.

It will thus be apparent that the various elements of the combination can be fabricated readily and economically for shipment with a of bulk and weight whereas they may be assembled readily by unskilled labor to install a swimming pool of improved and attractive appearance. Moreover, pools of any desired shape, size and depth can be produced'whileemploying a limited number of elements of simple constructions.

The sizeQshape and composition of the elements may be varied considerably as required for any particular installation and the form and arrangement thereof are capable of many modifications and changes. In view thereof, it should be understood that the particular embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and described above are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means located adjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facing channel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed of flexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over said inner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overlying said retaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping element having a side portion engaging the outer flange and a second portion extending into the channel between the inner and outer flanges of the retaining means and cooperating with the inner flange to hold the edge portion of the liner in place.

2. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means located adjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facing channel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed of flexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over said inner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overlying said retaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping element having a side portion pivotally engaging the outer flange of the retaining means and another portion positioned adjacent the inner flange of the retaining means, the latter portion of the coping element receiving and embracing the inner flange of the retaining means to clamp the edge portion of the liner in place.

3. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means located adjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facing channel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed of flexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over said inner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overly-ing said retaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping element having a portion thereof wedged between said inner and outer flanges and coopera-ting with said inner flange to hold the edge portion of the liner in place.

.4. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means located adjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facing channel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed of flexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over said inner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overlying said retaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping element having a portion thereof engaging and held in place by said outer flange-of the retaining means, the lower surface of the coping element having a recess therein receiving the inner flange of the retaining means and the edge portion of the liner and pressing the edge portion of the liner against the inner flange to hold the edge portion of the liner in place.

5. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means located adjacent the upper edge thereof, said retaining means presenting an upwardly facing channel with inner and outer flanges, a flexible liner for the pool formed of sheet material arranged with the edge portion thereof folded over the inner flange of the retaining means, a cushioning strip formed of compressible material extending over said inner flange and the folded edge portion of the liner, a coping element overlying the retaining means and having an outer edge pivotally engaging the outer flange of the retaining means and an inner edge projecting beyond the inner flange of the retaining means, the lower surface of the coping element having a recess therein registering with the inner flange of the retaining means upon downward pivotal movement of the outer edge of the coping element about the inner flange of the retaining means, said recess receiving and embracing the cushioning strip, the inner flange, and the edge portion of the liner, said recess presenting a surface which upon downward movement of the inner edge of the coping element will press against said cushioning strip and cooperate with the cushioning strip and inner flange to clamp the edge portion of the liner in place.

6. A swimming pool having a side wall embodying a plurality of wall sections secured together and presenting upper edges lying in a horizontal line, retaining means secured to the wall sections adjacent said horizontal line and presenting an upwardly facing channel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed of flexible sheet material and having an edge portion folded over the inner flange of the retaining means, and a coping element overlying the retaining means and secured in place thereby, said coping element having a portion extending into the channel of the retaining means between the inner and outer flanges which presses the edge portion of the liner against the inner flange to secure the edge portion of the liner in place.

7. In a swimming pool, a side Wall embodying a plurality of wall sections, each of which is formed of sheet metal and provided with an inner wall portion and with side flanges extending rearwardly from said inner wall portion, said sections being secured together with the side flanges thereof in abutting relation, said sections having the upper edges of the wall portions arranged in a horizontal line and 'having the upper edges of the side flanges positioned substantially at right angles to the wall po-rtions and adjacent but below the upper edges of the wall portions, and retaining means supported by the upper edges of the side flanges and presenting an inner flange folded over the horizontal edges of the wall portions of the sections.

8. An assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein clips extend across the upper edges and downward at the opposite sides of the abutting side flanges of adjacent wall sections and said retaining means are secured to said clips.

-9. A wall section for a swimming pool comprising a sheet metal member having an inner wall portion, a base portion and side flanges extending rearwardly from said wall portion, the upper edge of said side flanges extending rearwardlyfrom. said: wall. portion at substantially right angles thereto, and the upper edge of said wall portion projecting above the upper edges of said side flanges.

10. In a swimming pool, retaining means extending along the upper edge of the side walls of the pool and presenting spaced substantially parallel upwardly extend:- ing inner and outer flanges, said outer flange having an inwardly turned lip, and a coping element formed of masonry and having its outer side. engaging said lip on the outer flange of the retaining means, the inner edge of the coping element extending 'beyond. the inner: flange on the retaining means, and the lower surface of the coping element having a recess therein registering with and receiving the inner flange of the retaining means.

11. In combination with a swimming pool, a coping member located adjacent an edge ofthe pool, and retaining means fixedly mounted adjacent said edge of the pool and securing the coping member .in place, said retaining means presenting upwardly extending inner and outer flanges arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to said edge of the swimmingtpool, the outer flange of said retaining means being provided with a laterally turned upper edge, the coping member being of a width exceeding the spacingof said flanges and having a recess extending parallel to one edge of the coping member into which said laterally turned upper edge of the outer flange of the retaining means extends, the lower surface of said coping member having a downwardly facing recess therein extending parallel to the coping member and spaced outwardly from said inner edge of the coping member, the inner flange of the retaining member being positioned in said downwardly facing recess in the lower surface of the coping member and cooperating with the laterally turned edge of the outer flange of the retaining means to secure said coping memher in place adjacent the edge of the swimming pool.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein a compressible element is positioned between the coping member and at least one of said flanges of the retaining means. and is held under compression therebetween so as to: aid in securing the coping member in engagement with said retaining means.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said swimming pool is provided with a plastic liner having an edge thereof extending over the inner flange of said retaining means, and said compressible element being located in the downwardly facing recess in the lower surface of thecoping member and serves to-clamp said edge of the pool liner in place between the inner flange of the fetaining means and the coping member.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein the swimming pool is provided with wall forming sections made of sheet metal and said retaining means consisting of upwardly facing unitary metal channel members-fixedly secured to said wall forming sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,073,735 Duffy Mar. 16, 1937 2,101,612 Dufiy Dec. 7, 1937 2,864,098 Lorimer Dec. 16, 1958 2,914,776 Hot-z Dec. 1, 1959 3,015,193 Amornso Jan. 2,. 1962 3,020,560 Bedick Feb. 13, 1-962

Claims (1)

1. A SWIMMING POOL EMBODYING A WALL HAVING RETAINING MEANS LOCATED ADJACENT THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF AND PRESENTING AN UPWARDLY FACING CHANNEL WITH INNER AND OUTER FLANGES, A LINER FOR THE POOL FORMED OF FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL ARRANGED WITH ITS EDGE PORTION FOLDED OVER SAID INNER FLANGE OF THE RETAINING MEANS, A COPING ELEMENT OVERLYING SAID RETAINING MEANS AND THE EDGE PORTION OF THE LINER, SAID COPING ELEMENT HAVING A SIDE PORTION ENGAGING THE OUTER FLANGE AND A SECOND PORTION EXTENDING INTO THE CHANNEL BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER FLANGES OF THE RETAINING MEANS AND COOPERATING WITH THE INNER FLANGE TO HOLD THE EDGE PORTION OF THE LINER IN PLACE.

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