US3206823A - Means for producing swimming pools - Google Patents

Description

T. WALTER DUCING sw Sept. 21, 1965 IMMING POOLS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1965 Sept. 21, 1965 T. WALTER 3,206,823

MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Filed April 3, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 771D WAL 75R QQWWW AITDKNEY Sept. 21, 1965 T. WALTER 3,206,823

MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Filed April 3, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 774 D W41. TEE

ATZDRNEY Sept. 21, 1965 1-. WALTER 3, 06,8 3

MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Filed April 3, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 llllklll |||rmr| INVENTOR TAD WAL TEE United States Patent 3,206,823 MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Tad Walter, Tucson, Ariz. (15357 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Calif.) Filed Apr. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 270,287 3 (Ilaims. (Cl. 25l31) My invention relates to an improved means for producing swimming pools and the like concrete structures. It relates more in particular to the provision and utilization of a standard form assembly by means of which pools of almost any design can be expeditiously and inexpensively installed.

In the production of swimming pools it is the common practice first to produce an excavation approximately the shape of the finished swimming pool, but somewhat larger to accommodate structural materials used and assure the production of a final pool of the desired size. The swimming pool normally utilizes a reinforced concrete base or body which is plastered, painted or provided with a plastic interlining to produce a relatively smooth surface on the inside of the finished pool.

The concrete portion of the pool is normally produced in one of two ways. One of the popular methods is to lay a network of reinforcing rods directly over the inside surface of the excavation and then to apply a suitable concrete mix under pressure by means of equipment and method commonly referred to as Gunniting. While this method normally produces a satisfactory pool, it has several disadvantages, not the least of which is the fact that the equipment employed is relatively expensive and all of this equipment must be removed to the site of the swimming pool at relatively great expense when the actual period of use is relatively so short as not to warrant the moving expenses involved.

Another method which is more satisfactory in many respects is the provision of forms for the sides and ends of the pool so that the pool can be cast by ordinary concrete casting technics, utilizing conventional pre-mixed concrete which can be delivered to the site at relatively low cost. The bottom of the pool can be poured by hand so as to be joined to the sides. One of the disadvantages of this method is the excessive cost of forms. This cost can be reduced considerably if forms are pre-constmcted for a given size and shape of pool, and this pool is repeatedly installed and built at a number of locations. Circumstances, however, do not favor repetitious building of identical pools so that forms are either produced for each individual job out of wood or if metal forms are provided, they must be stored at relatively great eX- pense, all of which adds to the ultimate pool cost.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of a standard set of forms which may be utilized for the production of substantially any pool of any size or shape.

Still another object is the provision of a standard form assembly which provides for extremely accurate positioning of the forms regardless of the number of forms employed.

Other specific objects and features of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a finished swimming pool of a simple type looking down into the pool as from the ground area;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View with parts broken away showing some of the features of the forming and the setup of the pool prior to application of concrete;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

3,206,823 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view partly broken away looking along the line 4-4- of FIG 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan View similar to FIG. 4 but showing the arrangement of the corner when a rounded corner such as down in FIG. 1 is provided;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the standard forms;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another standard form;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of quick snap lock-dog of a type employed in securing contiguous forms together; FIG. 9 is a wedge employed with the lock-dog of FIG.

FIG. 10 is another form of quick snap lock-dog preferably used, for example, at the bottom of the form;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drop-arm assembly;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are plan views illustrating other forms of pools which may be produced;

FIG. 14 is a perspective View illustrating one form of corner piece which may be employed when the pool has square cornering, and

FIG. 15 shows another corner assembly which may be employed.

Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1. illustrates a conventional form of pool indicated generally by the reference character 21, which has rounded corners but which is otherwise generally rectangular. For convenience, I have shown no steps or other paraphernalia because my present invention is unrelated thereto.

The pool 21 has a bottom 22 shaped to provide the usual shallow end and sloping deep end; with end walls 23 and side walls 24, one each of which appears in FIG. 1. The drawing shows the usual top layer of tile 26 and the usual coping 27.

My invention is concerned with the manner of producing such a pool, and particularly in producing any desired size or shape thereof at considerably less expense to the purchaser than is necessary with prior art pools. The invention is concerned, also, with the provision of a standard type .of form, preferably made of relatively heavy sheets of rolled aluminum and including means for holding the selected sheets together in mutually contacting relation, establishing an exact positioning of such sheets in a vertical plane, and holding the sheets in such vertical plane during all steps of casting and curing the concrete structure. The forms are provided in standard dimensions, normally including both flat sided and curved sheets so that by selecting the proper combination of standard forms predetermined dimensions and curvatures may be exactly reproduced.

FIG. 6 illustrates a standard form section which, for convenience, I have dimensioned at four feet by four feet, it being understood that reference to specific dimensions is illustrative but not limiting. The standard section shown in FIG. 6 and indicated generally by the reference character 28, comprising a rolled, flat, imperforate sheet of aluminum 29 which, in effect, comprises the form proper. It has a plurality of transverse reinforcing flanges 31, each comprising an angle with one side of the angle riveted to the sheet 29 and the other side projecting at right angles to the plane of sheet 29 to provide reinforcement. A pair of angles 32 form combination reinforcing and attaching strips, and they are, also, secured to the square sheet 29 by means of rivets. While other forms of mutual attachment may be employed, I prefer to utilize rivets under the circumstances of the present invention because I believe I obtain a stronger,

more dependable form section. The strips 32 are provided with holes 33 of standard size and position, used for mutual attachment, as will be explained. In a set of forms I prefer that most of the forms be four foot sections, but I, also, provide a number of section having a linear dimension of, for example, five feet, three feet and two feet, so that regardless of the pool dimensions required, there will always be standard forms available to produce it.

FIG. 7 shows another type of section indicated generally by the reference character 36 and comprising a curved sheet 37, preferably arcuate with chordal transverse reinforcing angles 38 and vertical angles 39 forming a combination of reinforcing and attachment members.

The form sections are positioned and, in part, held together by drop-arm assemblies 41 as indicated in FIG. 11, the individual parts of which will be described in connection with the assembly. Suitably, also, I employ quick snap lock- dogs 42 and 43 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.

Assuming that a swimming pool like 21 in FIG. 1 is to be constructed, a hole is first excavated and a grid of longitudinal and transverse reinforcing rods 46 and 47 respectively is laid in the hole immediately adjacent the shaped earth surface. These reinforcing rods are preferably /2 to inch thick, although they may vary depending upon the size of the pool and normally they are tied together by a wire, at least, at a substantially number of cross over points. They are normally, also, bent over at their ends 48 to form a horizontal top portion. The excavation of the opening and production of the reinforcing grid is in general convention.

The sections 28 are then placed one at a time along the top side wall in spaced relation to the finished excavated surface, a distance equivalent to approximately the thickness desired in the finished wall. At each side edge of each section 28 a drop-arm assembly 41 is placed, being first positioned approximately as required by a pair of stakes 49. The drop-arm assembly comprises a right angular channel frame, including a vertical portion 51 and a horizontal portion 52, the former comprising a drop-arm for supporting the form sections, and the latter part of the levelling mechanism as will be explained. The stakes 49 are driven through a pair of holes 53 in the outer end of the levelling section 52 and into the ground.

'The levelling jack 54 is threaded through the horiz-ontal portion 52 and has a base 56 which engages the ground and by screwing the jack 54, the drop-arm as sembly can be f-ulcrummed about the stakes 49 to position the drop-arm section supporting portion 51 in vertical position. When this position has been attained, together with proper spacing from the excavation side wall, the quick snap lock- dogs 42 and 43 are mounted in position.

The upper dog has a body portion 57 (FIG. 8) with a projecting pin 58 on one side which projects through the upper hole 33 in the flange and attaching member 32 and extends into a contiguous hole 59 in the drop arm portion 51 of the drop-arm assembly. The body portion, also, has an offset 61 defining a lock-ing recess 62 between the offset 61 and the body portion 57. The side of the web comprising the channel from which the drop-arm portions 51 is formed contiguous with the member 32 forming part of the form section 28, so that by inserting the pin 58 through the two holes 33 and 59 and rotating the lock-dog about such pin downwardly, the side of the channel and the contiguous portion of the member 32 are forced into the recess 62 to form a firm attachment between them.

The lock-dog 42 has one extending arm 63 pivoted at 64 so that it can be moved out of the way as the lock-dog is attached to the portion 51 and to the form section as described. The arm 63 has a vertical slot 66.

The lock-dog, also, has a fixed projecting arm 67 which, also, has a slot 68 through it. By inserting a suitable member 69, which may be an ordinary wood 2 x 4 between the arms 63 and 67 and inserting a wedge 71 in the slots 66 and 68 a rigid connection of all of the forms and droparm assembly 41 may be provided.

The bottom lock-dog may be the same as that shown in FIG. 8, but suit-ably may be, also, a simple device as shown in FIG. 10. This comprises .a body portion 72 with a projecting pin 73 extending through the bottom holes 33 and 59 and an offset 74 defining a recess or channel 76 within which the side of the channel and flange of the section 28 are engaged.

Assuming again the provision of rounded corners as shown in FIG. 1, a section 36 may be employed as shown in FIG. 5. For the provision of a rounded corner in an otherwise rectangular pool, I normally provide a curvature based on an eight inch radius, but with the very extreme sides defining a straight line as shown in FIG. 5 so that the normal method of attachment shown in connection with FIGS. 2 and 4 may be employed without change.

I have already stated that in accordance with my invention any desire-d shape or size of pool may be produced. For convenience of illustration I have shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 two types of pools, one of which is completely rectangular with absolutely square corners and the second of which has parallel straight sides, but rounded ends defining the arc of a large circle. For convenience of identification, the pools in these two figures are identified generally by the reference characters 77 and 78. They may be considered as having the same general construction as FIG. 1 with substantially the same parts, but in these two figures only the bottom 22 and coping 27 is shown.

Considering first the FIG. 12 type of pool, it is understood, of course, that the straight portions defining the sides and ends will be produced by means of a suitable combination of standard forms such as shown in FIG. 6 or forms having the same vertical dimension and a modified longitudinal dimension. I have already mentioned by way of illustration, the use of straight sections which are five, three and two feet long respectively. While I may produce sections which are as long a eight feet, for example, I prefer for several reasons, including the problem of providing adequate strength and rigidity, to standarize on four foot sections and provide for no more than a five foot section so that I may add a single foot to the length or width without using a single one foot section. At the corners I may provide various constructions within the scope of the present invention, but I have found that good results can be obtained with either the form shown in FIG. 14 or the form shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 14 I show a special form section in which there is a right angular plate 81 similar to the plate 29 in FIG. 1, but bent at right angles. There are, also, three transverse bracing strips 82 and longitudinal bracing and attaching strips 83. A section of this type may be produced by taking a standard form, cutting a right angular slot in the projecting flange portion of the members 82, bending the members 82 at right angles and then welding the flange portion together at 84. This ection which is indicated generally by the reference character 79 can be secured to the standard sections in exactly the same manner that they are secured to each other, so that a special detail of this arrangement appears to be unnecessary for an understanding of this modification of the invention.

In FIG. 15 I show still another way of producing a corner in which standard sections 28 are employed and they are mutually attached at the corners by means of a special drop-arm assembly comprising a right angular portion 86 corresponding generally to the member 51 in the assembly 41, and an integral levelling member 87 having a pair of holes 88 to receive the stakes 49 which are driven into the ground and an adjustable screw jack 89 functioning in the same general manner as the screw jack 54 in the assembly 41.

The production of the pool 78 is a very simple with standard forms. Assuming that it is sixteen by thirty two feet, it is made up by a series of standard forms 28 and standard forms generally like the form 36 but with a curvature on an eight foot radius. Such standard curved forms would be used to define substantially a semicircle at each end, and all forms would be secured together by standard drop-arm assemblies 41.

As already previously noted, the first steps in the construction of a swimming pool common to a Gunniting operation, for example, are followed when a pool is constructed in accordance with my new procedure. The forms are then applied all the way around in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 with the forms spaced a suitable distance as shown partly in FIG. 3. A single outside form member 91 suitably in the form of a wood 2 x 4 is placed in the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. When a rounded corner is used as in FIG. 5 a rounded connecting strip form 92 is applied in the manner shown in FIG. 5. Actually, as a rule, I place these forms before the excavation is made, even though they may require form repair and alinement when the excavation work has been completed.

When everything is in readiness as shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, premixed concrete of suitable specification is dumped into the bottom of the pool and spread around the bottom and up against the exposed sides to suitable thickness using available tools to level the bottom, controlling the thickness of the sides and bottom and producing at least a partially smooth surface by means of a special tool which is in the general form of an ordinary lawn edger, but larger. The sides are finished out smooth up to approximately the bottom of the forms. Pre-mixed concrete is then poured behind the forms while, of course, the side walls are still fresh and unset and the level of this poured concrete will be up to the top of the form 91. There will be some slight traces of leakage around the bottom of the forms in some places, but this is readily handled by means of suitable hand tools and everything is finished smooth. The so introduced concrete is then allowed to take a preliminary set and the forms removed.

The form are preferably made of sheet aluminum covered with an epoxy resin, and each time they are used they are coated with a commercial material to facilitate separation from the concrete. Thus a very smooth surface is provided at the top with more than adequate smoothness and camber established at the bottom through the usual hand work which is commonly necessary at the bottom of all pools regardless of how made.

When the concrete has become sufficiently set it is finished, for example, by means of a plaster coat, the tile 26 is applied at the top, and the coping 27, also, applied. I have not shown drains, piping system, pumps, filters and the like, but it is understood that whatever fittings have to be installed are embodied in the concrete during the course of its laying.

By means of a relatively small number of standard parts, a pool manufacturer is enabled to produce several types and sizes of pools in accordance with my invention. Illustratively a total of 38 sections, including straight sections and curved sections, may be provided with a suitable number of drop-arm assemblies, stakes and lock-dogs at a total weight of under two thousand pounds and at relatively very low total cost. The savings are so great that only three or four installations will pay for all of the equipment. By adding to the amount of equipment and additional sections, the pool installer has a still greater selection, so that he can produce a pool of any size and shape. While the capital tied up in equipment will be greater, he has the advantage that out of this increased amount of equipment he can be producing two or three pools at the same time. He can, moreover, continue to produce a superior pool, in many respects better than the available pools of the prior art, and at substantially reduced costs.

I have shown and described my invention in detail so that those skilled in the art may understand the manner of practicing the same, but the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for producing swimming pools and the like comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of forms having uniform vertical dimensions and at least some of which have the same transverse dimension,

(b) said forms having vertically mounted, reinforcing end attaching strips in the form of angles, said strips spaced from vertical edges of said forms,

(c) a plurality of drop-arm assemblies, each assembly having a substantially right angle channular frame comprising:

(1) a downwardly extending vertical portion disposed between attaching strips on abutting forms and defining apertures in the sides thereof to align with apertures defined by said attaching strips,

(2) a horizontal portion adapted to receive securing means and leveling means,

((1) a plurality of locking dogs, each dog having:

(1) a pin extending through the aligned apertures of one said attaching strip and one side of said drop-arm assembly, and

(2) a locking recess into which said attaching strip and drop-arm assembly engage, thereby to join said drop-arm assembly to said form,

(e) whereby said forms are secured and suspended in mutually abutting relation to provide a continuous form.

2. An apparatus for producing swimming pools and the like comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of forms having uniform vertical dimensions and at least some of which have the same transverse dimension,

(b) said forms having vertically mounted, reinforcing end attaching strips in the form of angles, said strips spaced from vertical edges of said forms,

(c) a plurality of drop-arm assemblies, each assembly having a substantially right angle channular frame comprising:

(1) a downwardly extending vertical portion disposed between attaching strips on abutting forms and defining apertures in the sides thereof to align with apertures defined by said attaching strips,

(2) a horizontal portion adapted to receive stake securing means and jack leveling means,

(d) a plurality of locking dogs, each dog having:

(1) a pin extending through the aligned apertures of one said attaching strip and one side of said drop-arm assembly, and

(2) a locking recess into which said attaching strip and drop-arm assembly engage, thereby to join said drop-arm assembly to said form,

(e) whereby said forms are secured and suspended in mutual abutting relation to provide a continuous form.

3. An apparatus for producing swimming pools and the like comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of forms having uniform vertical dimensions,

(b) said forms having vertically mounted, reinforcing end attaching strips in the form of angles, said strips spaced from vertical edges of said forms,

(0) a plurality of drop-arm assemblies, each assembly .7 having a substantially right angle channular frame comprising:

(1) a downwardly extending vertical portion disposed between attaching strips on abutting forms and defining apertures in the sides thereof to align with apertures defined by said attaching strips,

(2) a horizontal portion adapted to receive stake securing means and jack leveling means,

(d) a plurality of locking dogs, each dog having:

(1) a pin extending through the aligned apertures of one said attaching strip and one side of said drop-arm assembly, and

(2) a locking recess into which said attaching strip and drop-arm assembly engage, thereby to join said drop-arm assembly to said form,

(e) whereby said forms are secured and suspended in mutual abutting relation to provide a continuous form.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 458,915 9/91 McKelVey 25118 945,182 1/10 Magdid 25l28.1 1,034,427 8/ 12 Daw. 1,472,174 10/23 Hughes 25-131 1,922,584 8/33 Heltzel 25-418 2,046,123 6/36 Jennings 25131 2,782,484 2/57 DeCanio 25131 2,873,505 2/59 Sheldon 25-118 2,887,759 5/59 Brownell 25155 2,910,759 11/59 Lifter et al. 25124 3,012,300 12/61 Harris 25-424 J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A PLURALITY OF FORMS HAVING UNIFORM VERTICAL DIMENSIONS AND AT LEAST SOME OF WHICH HAVE THE SAME TRANSVERSE DIMENSION, (B) SAID FORMS HAVING VERTICALLY MOUNTED, REINFORCING END ATTACHING STRIPS IN THE FORM OF ANGLES, SAID STRIPS SPACED FROM VERTICAL EDGES OF SAID FORMS, (C) A PLURALITY OF DROP-ARM ASSEMBLIES, EACH ASSEMBLY HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLE CHANNULAR FRAME COMPRISING; (1) A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING VERTICAL PORTION DISPOSED BETWEEN ATTACHING STRIPS ON ABUTTING FORMS AND DEFINING APERTURES IN THE SIDES THEREOF TO ALIGN WITH APERTURES DEFINED BY SAID ATTACHING STRIPS, (2) A HORIZONTAL PORTION ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SECURING MEANS AND LEVELING MEANS, (D) A PLURALITY OF LOCKING DOGS, EACH DOG HAVING: (1) A PIN EXTENDING THROUGH THE ALIGNED APERTURES OF ONE OF SAID ATTACHING STRIP AND ONE SIDE OF SAID DROP-ARM ASSEMBLY, AND (2) A LOCKING RECESS INTO WHICH SAID ATTACHING STRIP AND DROP-ARM ASSEMBLY ENGAGE, THEREBY TO JOIN SAID DROP-ARM ASSEMBLY TO SAID FORM, (E) WHEREBY SAID FORMS ARE SECURED AND SUSPENDED IN MUTUALLY ABUTTING RELATION TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS FORM.

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