US3584319A - Portable swimming pool structure - Google Patents

Abstract

AN ABOVE-GROUND PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE, WHICH CAN BE READILY ASSEMBLED AND DISASSEMBLED, IS DISCLOSED. THIS STRUCTURE, PREFERABLY OF ALL METAL COINSTRUCTION, FEATURES A SYSTEM OF CONTINUOUS TRUSSING WHICH MAKES THE STRUCTURE RIGID AND RESISTS THE BOWING EFFECT OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURES. ELEMENTS OF THE TRUSS INCLUDE INTERLOCKED VERTICAL SECTIONS, WHICH DEFINE WALLS OF A CAVITY IN WHICH A WATER-IMPERMEABLE LINER IS RECEIVED, INTERLOCKED HORIZONTAL SECTIONS, WHICH CONSTITURE A PERIMETRICAL DECKING ABOUT THE TOP OF THE CAVITY, AND VARIOUS BRACES AND CONNECTING BEAMS. THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE STRUCTURE IS CARRIED ON A GROUND BEARING BEAM WHICH ANCHORS THE TRUSS AND GENERALLY DEFINES THE PERIMETER OF THE CAVITY. THE VERTICAL WALL SECTIONS AND HORIZONTAL DECKING SECTIONS ARE PREFERABLY IDENTICAL IN CROSS-SECTION AND THE PARTICULAR CROSS-SECTIONS UTILIZED FOR THESE AND OTHERS OF THE MEMBERS RESULT IN ECONOMIES. A FENCE MAY BE PROVIDED ABOUT THE PERIMETER OF THE DECK. A SPECIAL CLIP WHICH COOPERATES WITH THE PANELS OF DECKING AND WALL SECTIONS IS ALSO DISCLOSED.

Description

June 15, 1971 w. A. vAN DEN BROEK 3,584,319

PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE Filed May l23, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lW3 3 L, /NVE/vrof? W/LL/M A. Van-cien EROE/f June 15, 1971 w. A. VAN DEN BROEK 3,584,319

PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE Filed May 23, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 #L /V 01 i L n M mhw M 1 /'5 65 92 /02 3/ A I f/.Q Q\\ /\\YA\\\ 35 /NVE/vro/f W/LL/AM A. Van den EHOE( June 15, 1971 w. A. VAN DEN BROEK 3,584,319

PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1968 Von den EROE/f June 15, 197i w. A. VAN DEN BROEK 3,534,39

PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE I Filed May 23, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

llVVl/VO/` W/LL/AM A. Van den EROEK .9,43% N om.

A TOR/VEV United States Patent O 3,584,319 PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE William A. van den Broek, Doylestown, Pa., assignor to Sylvan Iools, Inc., Doylestown, Pa. Filed May 23, 1968, Ser. No. 731,573 Int. Cl. E04h 3/16 U.S. Cl. 4172.19 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE| DISCLOSURE An above-ground portable swimming pool structure, which can be readily assembled and disassembled, is disclosed. This structure, preferably of all metal construction, features a system of continuous trussing which makes the structure rigid and resists the bowing effect of hydraulic pressures. Elements of the truss include interlocked vertical sections, which define the walls of a cavity in which a water-impermeable liner is received, interlocked horizontal sections, which constitute a perimetrical decking about the top of the cavity, and various braces and connecting beams. The total weight of the structure is carried on a ground bearing beam which anchors the truss and generally defines the perimeter of the cavity. The vertical Wall sections and horizontal decking sections are preferably identical in cross-section and the particular cross-sections utilized for these and others of the members result in economies. A fence may be provided about the perimeter of the deck. A special clip which cooperates with the panels of decking and wall sections is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (l) Field of the invention This invention relates to portable above-ground prefabricated swimming pool structures. More particularly, it relates to a type of pool structure which provides a cavity for receiving a water-impermeable liner and resists the outwardly directed hydrostatic forces created when such a liner is filled with water.

(2) Description of the prior art Most of the prior art in the area of swimming pool construction concerns permanently installed structures. While new construction techniques relating to the use of reinforced concrete and the incorporation of vinyl liners have lowered the cost of such pools, they are still beyond the reach of many consumers. Further, their essential characteristics, regardless of cost or size, are their need for excavation and/or backfilling and their permanence. While attempts have been made to prefabrieate all or portions of such pools, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,016,546, such attempts have not changed their fundamental character of permanent, immovable structures.

Portable swimming pools, until the recent past, have been small in size including those built on the principle of the inflatable wading pool sold in toy stores. More ambitious structures such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,274,621 have also been proposed.

There has been a need, however, for low cost portable pools (or, more accurately, disassembleable and reassembleable pools) of large size such as, `for example, 20 x 40 which are aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound, which make provision for bather relaxation proximate the surface of the water and which afford security against trespassers. Further, use of materials of construction which need little maintenance and which afford opportunities for design economies by use of repetitive modules is most desirable.

Portable pools are advantageous, in the hands of a private home owner, since they are part of his personal property and do not become part of the real estate. Thus, on sale of the home, they can be moved and their full value substantially salvaged. Municipalities having urban areas of high population density and low income find such pools can provide a cheap form of recreation, particularly suitable for erection on sites which may be available for but a short time during the planning stages of urban renewal.

Past attempts at large size pools of this type have resulted in expensive structures due to the failure to take full advantage of modern `materials of construction. Further, the need for elaborate buttressing to resist the large lforces of water in pools of this size has resulted in the use of posts, poured reinforcement and the like which negated the fundamental premise of a readily moved structure. Bowed sides were a hallmark of such pools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A plurality of interlocked vertical wall sections are utilized to define the walls of a cavity in which a waterimpermeable liner is fitted. These walls are connected at their top, by a corner coping beam, to a plurality of interlocking deck sections. Preferably, the wall sections and deck sections are identical in cross-section. The corner coping beam also provides integral means whereby the liner maybe secured to it and means for securing anciliary wall reinforcing stanchions.

A perimetrical end cap beam receives the outer ends of the horizontal decking sections and may also be used as a point of attachment for upwardly directed fence posts and downwardly directed braces. These braces extend at an angle toward the bottom of the wall sections.

On grade there is provided a ground bearing beam which supports the weight of the structure previously described. This beam receives and retains the bottom of the vertical wall secitons and the braces referred to above. In a preferred form, the beam is made of two identical halves which are placed in longitudinal lmirror image relationship. `In this embodiment, provision is made for receiving the wall reinforcing stanchions and spacers within the assembly of the two halves. Further, each half may be spaced apart lfrom the other to increase, in effect, the width of the ground beam. A portion of the beam extends into the interior of the cavity beneath the liner and the weight of the water exerts a normal (i.e. downward) force which prevents movement of the ground beam and increases structural rigidity. While not essential, it may be desirable, depending on the size of the pool, to incerase the side wall rigidity by the use of tie rods beneath the decking. Especially effective are those which utilize the properties of the catenary.

The sides of the pool, beneath the level of the deck, can be provided with decorative exterior siding which may slope downwardly and inwardly in conformity to the slope of the braces. Access steps and fencing are also provided so that the pool is a complete unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an above-ground, preferably all metal, swimming pool structure of a type adapted to receive a water-impermeable liner which may be readily assembled and disassembled `for movement from site to site.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a pool structure of the type described which features an integral horizontal decking about the top perimeter of the liner cavity, defined by the vertical Walls, the decking and walls having identical cross-sections.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable pool wherein the structural elements, while performing their designated functions (eg. Walls,` deck, etc.) also impart integral buttressing of walls constitutmg members of a continuous truss system.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a clip especially useful for fastening elements of the instant structure when one of the elements being fastened has T-shaped reinforcing ribs.

A further object of the invention is to provide an above ground pool which is low in fabrication and erection cost, easy to maintain, rugged in construction, pleasing in appearance and suitable for installation on any level site. These and other objects of the invention will Ibe apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the description which follows, ywhich is to be read in conjunction with the drawing.

The abstract of the disclosure and the summary of the invention presented above are intended merely as aids in information retrieval. They are not to be construed so as to limit or define the extent of the invention. This is to be done only on the basis of a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims consistent with the instant disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the dra-wings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective View of a portable pool structure embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a plan View of the pool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 represents a fragmentary section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing details of construction of the ground bearing beam and elements cooperating with it.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View showing details of the corner coping beam which links the vertical Wall sections and the horizontal deck sections.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end cap beam showing the manner in which the horizontal decking is attached thereto` FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a typical interlocking panel of a type which may be used either as a vertical ywall section or as a horizontal decking section.

FIG. 8 represents a fragmentary view, primarily in section, showing an end cap beam assembly with both downwardly directed braces and vertically extending fence posts attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A pool embodying the invention is shown in FIGS. l and 2. The raison detre of the structure is to support a liner, generally 10, which is filled with water 11. The liner is generally rectangular in cross-section. Plastic materials such as vinyl polymers are used for its construction. While the bottom of the liner may be tat throughout, it may also include an inverted pyramidical frustum at one end, which serves as a deep portion for diving. Such linings, per se, constitute no part of the invention although, obviously, the structure must conform to and cooperate with the liner.

The pool also includes a horizontal perimetrical deck, generally 12, and a perimetncal fence comprising a plurality of vertical fence posts 13, which support intermediate fencing sections 14 and at least one gate section 15.

The sides of the pool may include decorative siding panels 16 which hide the structural detail and which provide an enclosed space which, with suitable access; provision, can be used for storage and for housing mechanical pool operating equipment. Access to the deck 12 may be had with steps 17 located proximate gate 15. The entire pool is erected on and above ground 19.

The general principles of construction will best be understood with reference to FIGS. 3 and 7. FIG. 7 shows an interlocking panel, generally A. This panel is metal, preferably an aluminum or magnesium alloy extrusion and includes a at surface 20, a plurality of integral longitudinally extending parallel reinforcing ribs generally 21 which are evenly spaced. Also included are a tongue 22 and a mating female groove 23. Ribs 21 are preferably T-shaped in cross-section and each includes a web 24 and flanges 25.

As shown, for example in FIG. 5, a plurality of these panels can be interlocked to form a horizontal deck 12. These same panels can be used, as shown in FIG. 4, to form the vertical walls, generally 18, which dene the sides of the cavity in which the liner 10 is received.

These panels are uniform in width and cross-section. However, they are cut to desired length depending on whether they are to be used for deck 12 or walls 18. Further, the deck as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 need not be uniform in width about the pool. Despite these differences, the uniformity of cross-section of panels A and their cooperation with other elements of the over-all structure, permits a great degree of flexibility while effecting great cost savings in material and labor.

FIG. 3 should now be considered. It represents a typical cross-section through the pool structure and, as such, conveys a good idea of the principles utilized in its construction. The main structural elements include the horizontal deck 12, vertical wall 18 and a corner coping beam, generally 30, located at their intersection. Prime elements also include an end cap beam, generally 31, a brace 32 and a ground bearing beam, generally 33. The assembly of these items forms a continuous truss, the legs of which comprise wall 18 and deck 12 (connected by beam 30), brace 32 (connected to deck 12 by end cap beam 31) and ground bearing beam 33 which receives both wall 18 and brace 32.

Detailed consideration will now be given to ground beam 33 and, in this connection, FIG. 4 will be helpful.

Beam 33 is preferably formed of two identical halves, 33a and 33-b. These halves, as shown, are placed in mir-ror image juxtaposition `by may also be widely spaced apart. Half 33-a includes a lead edge 35a, a ground bearing portion 36-a, a shoulder 37-11, a tapered wall 38-11, a groove 39-a having the same depth as panels A, and an end Wall 40-a. Half 33-b, being identical, has the same portions designated respectively .3S-b, 36-b, 37-b, 38-b, 39-b and 40-b. It should be noted that Wall 40-a and 40-b are not in the same vertical planes as edges 35-a and 35-b so that, even when edges 35-a and 35-b are touching, the Walls 40-a and 40-b are spaced apart. Each length of beam 33 is provided with end caps, such as 41 and 42, which may be welded in place and which serve both as spacers for halves 33-a and 33-b and as means for joining sections of beam 33 to each other, utilizing fasteners such as bolts 43 and nuts 44.

The space between walls 40-a and 40-b may be left vacant or lled with concrete for permanent installations or 1n the case of eXtra large pools, where eXtra strength 1s desired, may receive a plurality of stanchions 45 and spacer stubs 46, having slots 47, both shown as hollow members having generally U-shaped cross-section. These members are predrilled to receive a bolt 49 which passes through them and through registered holes provide-d in walls 40-a and itl-b, being secured to a bearing plate 47 (see FIG. 3) located in groove 39-a in any location not occupies by a rib 21.

Braces 32 are also received and retained by beam 33. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower end of brace 32 is received by shoulder 73-b and retained upon the shoulder by a tie rod 50. The rod passes through slot 47 and is provided with a hooked end 51 which catches within stub 46. The other end of the tie rod is threaded and passes through a hole in the web of generally U- shaped brace 42 so that it may be secured with a nut 52.

The angle of shoulder 37-b with respect to the horizontal and the height of wall 18 generally, by triangulation, are determinative of the width of decking 12. However, if it is desired that the decking be wider at one end of the pool, as in FIG. 2, then sections 33-a and 33-b may be widely separated, as indicated by the dotted lines, and caps 41 and 42 elongated. Also, additional spacing elements may be provided, if desired, between stanchions 45 and stubs 46.

The corner coping beam 30 will now be discussed in detail. This beam is best seen in FIG. 5. It too is especially suited for manufacture as a metal extrusion having the cross-section shown. It includes a nosing 60 which may be decorative as well as functional; a detent lip 61; a downwardly open channel 62 having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section; and a cantilevered rearwardly extending deck shelf 63, including an integral lip 64. The lip 64 is parallel to the facing wall of channel 62 and the stanchion receiving channel 65. The nosing 60| has a return section 66 which parallels shelf 63 and is spacedapart from the shelf so that decking 12 can be received and retained therebetween. Finally, the beam includes a groove 67 in the offset between shelf 63 and return 66, the purpose of which will be subsequently explained.

It will be observed in FIG. how the decking 12 extends under the fiat return 66 and is supported by shelf 63. Wall sections 18 fit into channel 62 and, in a similar manner, stanchion 45 fits into channel 65 and is retained thereby.

The purpose of lip `61 can best be understood by referring to FIG. 3. The liner shown there has a bottom 70, an angled corner portion 71 and a vertical wall 72, the top of which terminates with a hooked top portion 73. It is seen that hooked portion 73 is, in a sense, hung on lip 61 and is retained thereby at the desired position to provide a rounded terminus. This is not to imply that the lip carries the Weight of water 11 but, on filling, there is a downward force developed on the lip which transmits compressive vertical forces to walls 18. The weight of the water causes bottom 70` to rest firmly on a previously tamped and leveled bed of sand or other fine aggregate 75, with corner 71 in compressive juxtaposition with tapered Wall 38-a and wall 72 in compressive contact with vertical wall 18. Further, since much of ground beam 33-a extends into the cavity which receives the liner, the force of the water on these portions acts to further secure the ground beam 3-3 to ground 19.

The final main structural member of the pool structure is the end cap beam 31. Its general function, as has been previously discussed, is to serve as a retentive junction for horizontal decking 12 and braces 43. Optionally it may serve as a point of attachment for fence posts 13. Such is the beam illustrated in FIG. 3.

Since certain variations of construction are possible utilizing the same beam 31, it is essential to consider the nature of the bea-m itself as shown in FIG. 6, a fragmentary perspective view. The beam 31 includes a vertical wall portion 80 and a plurality of integral inwardly directed elements including a horizontal top ledge 38 and a decking support shelf 82, terminating at one end in a downward lip 83 and being connected at its other end to wall 80 by an angled section 84. The space between wall 80 and angled section 84 forms a retention groove 85, having an acute cross-section. The lower end of wall -80 has an angled return 86 and an internal shoulder 87 terminating in a lip 88. In the embodiments shown, no provision is made for fencing. Consequently, no means are indicated for the mounting of fence posts 0n the beam. However, decking 12 is shown supported by shelf 82 and retained between it and the underside of ledge 81. Receptor means for braces 32 will be discussed in connection `with FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8 it may be seen how beam 31 acts as a receptor for brace 32. The end of the brace to be utilized in this manner is cut with a right angled end 90, normal to its vertical sides, and a blasted end portion 91. The entire end of the brace is` received into the underside of the beam with the vertical wall of the brace resting on lip 88, end 90 abutting angled section 84 and end portion 91 abutting the underside of shelf 82. The beam 31 can thus perform the function of a connector for braces 32 and decking 12.

At this point another aspect of the invention should be discussed. It has been noted previously that the structure provides a continuous generally triangular truss comprising vertical walls 18, coping beam 30, horizontal decking 12, end cap beam 31, braces 32 and ground beam 33. This inherently rigid triangular construction is locked up when the connections are made to the ground beam using means such as bolt 49 and tie rod 50. However, it is nonetheless Often expedient to use additional means for removably securing various elements of the truss to each other. This may be done in a variety of ways, some of which are illustrated.

For example, a conventional expedient like tie rods rnay be used. In FIGS. 3 and 5 such a construction is shown with a tie rod 92, having a hook 93 at one end and a threaded section 94 at the other end being utilized. When secured and tensioned with nut 95, this assembly keeps end cap beam 31, corner coping beam 30 and decking 12 together. Hook 93 engages in groove 67 which is provided for this purpose. Groove 85 may serve a similar function if the assembly is reversed.

However, the invention includes a clip especially suitable for securing a panel A to any of the beam elements. This clip is shown in FIGS. 6- and 8 merely for illustrative purposes. It will be recalled that panels A include integral uniformly spaced apart parallel reinforcing ribs 21. These ribs are generally T-shaped and include a web 24 and anges 25. The clip for specific use with these panels comprises a plate 100, drilled to receive a bolt 105. The plate has a width generally greater than the open space between the flanges 25 of adjoining ribs and preferably about the distance between the faces of the webs 24. It can thus be inserted against the underside of panel A and ride behind the flanges. The second portion of the clip is a generally U-shaped member having a long leg 102, a short leg 104 and an intermediate bight 101 which is in a plane parallel to that of the mounted plate 100.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, leg 104 lockingly engages behind lip `83 of beam 31. Tightening of bolt 105 in the drilled and tapped hole in plate clamps the assembly as shown to the ribs flanges. The same clip can be used to secure the other end of decking 12 to coping beam 30, in which case leg 104 engages lip 64. Again, it can be used to secure walls 18 to ground beam 33. Briefly then, it is useful wherever there are ribs between which plate 100 can be mounted and a member adjoins which can be engaged by leg 104. Instead of bolt 105, other conventional means can be utilized for applying compressive force so that the flanges are clamped between the plate and the bent portion.

Working within the fundamental concepts disclosed herein, many variations are possible. Consider, for example, the variants possible with respect to fencing posts 13 and siding 16. FIG. 6 illustrates the construction without either fencing or sliding. In FIG. 8, both fencing and external siding are provided. However, the fence post 13 is mounted on end cap beam 31 with tie rods 92. Angled return 86 retains the top of siding panels 16 and conceals brace 32 for a totally sleek appearance. The brace, in this version, actually is received into the end-Cap beam as has been pointed out above.

In FIG. 3, a difference is noted. There fence posts 13 and braces 32 are welded and mitered, being atiixed together as a single piece to the end cap, again with tie rod 92. The siding, still retained by return 86 is recessed with respect to the braces 32 and has the appearance of framed panels. The fencing may include hollow cross pieces 110 and hollow pieces 111 which are inserted through them and retained in fixed position by removable detents. A type of fencing found particularly suitable is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,943 entitled Modular Metal Picket Fence Construction.

Many other modications can be made, depending on the size of the unit. For extremely large pools additional resistance to bowing can be achieved by using, in addition to stanchions 45, reinforcing rod as indicated in FIG. 2. On the long sides a catenary 112, made of reinforcing rod, is provided which is fastened at its extremes to beam `with adjustments made as necessary with turnbuckles 113. A plurality of connectors 114, also made of rod, tie the catenary to end cap beam 31. Rigidity may be added at the corners by using straight tie rods 115 to connect adjoining cap beams 31. y,

Simple grading of ground 19 prepares the site for erection. The ground beam 33 is then laid to describe the generally rectangular perimeter of the liner-receiving cavity. Corners may be butted or mitred. Fine aggregate 75 is then placed within the cavity and leveled and tamped to the final grade indicated in FIG. 3. Walls 38-a are convenient as guides for a screed spanning from side to side and thus enable the sand base to be quickly leveled at the proper height. Walls 18 may then be erected as Well as the stanchions if used. Where clips are used, they are inserted as erection proceeds and the same is true of tie rods. Coping beam, decking and braces follow, preferably in that order. Finally, the ground beam connections are made to complete the continuous truss. Other orders of construction may be followed but it will ybe found that the logic of the structure dictates the logic of the optimum erection techniques.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, such description is not exhaustive of the variants possible. Since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications may be made, it is not intended that the invention be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. Rather, its scope is to be limited only by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An above-ground portable swimming pool structure, of a type having a water-impermeable liner, which is capable of disassembly for removal to a new site comprising:

(a) a plurality of metal interlocked vertical wall sections, each extending continuously for the full depth of the pool, to deiine the walls of a generally rectangular cavity adapted to receive a water-impermeable liner;

(b) a plurality of metal interlocked horizontal deck sections, each projecting outwardly from the top of said interlocked vertical sections to form an elevated perimetrical horizontal deck about the cavity, each deck section spanning the full width of the deck;

(c) a continuously extending corner coping beam located at the intersection of said vertical and horizontal sections including means for receiving and retaining both the tops of said wall sections and the inner ends of said horizontal sections;

(d) a longitudinal extending end cap beam including retaining means in which the outer ends of said horizontal deck sections are releasably positioned so that, in assembled position, each deck section spans from coping beam to end cap beam;

(e) a plurality of braces, one end of which is removably aiixed to said end cap beam and the other end of which extends angularly toward the bottom of said vertical wall section;

(f) a continuous ground bearing beam supporting the entire weight of the structure and generally defining the internal perimeter of said cavity, including means for receiving and retaining the bottoms of said vertical wall sections and means for receiving the other ends of said braces;

whereby a cavity is provided for a liner and the wails of the cavity are integrally buttressed against hydraulic forces by a continuous repetitive triangular truss, the legs of which comprise a vertical wall section, a horizontal deck section and a brace; and the vertices of which are the ground bearing beam, the coping beam and the end cap beam.

2` The pool structure of claim 1 wherein said vertical wall sections and said horizontal deck sections are identical in cross-section.

3. The pool structure of claim 1 wherein said ground bearing beam also includes a portion extending into said cavity, upon which the liner applies normal force components.

4. The pool structure of claim 3 wherein said vertical Wall sections and said horizontal deck sections are identical in cross-section.

5. The pool structure of claim 4 wherein, further, said ground bearing beam consists of two longitudinally divided portions, each of which is the mirror image of the other.

6. The pool structure of claim 5 which further includes a perimetrical fence mounted on said end cap beam and extending upward therefrom.

7. The pool structure of claim 4 wherein, further, said wall and deck sections have a plurality of T-shaped reinforcing ribs, each including a web and anges, said sections being connected to the beam with which they are operatively associated by a clip comprising a plate adapted to -fit behind the iianges of adjoining ribs, said plate having a width sufhcient to span them; a bent member adapted to span across the front of said adjoining ribs, having a generally U-shaped cross-section including a long leg, adapted to about the fronts of the flanges behind which said plate is positioned, an intermediate bight lying in a plane parallel to said plate, and a short leg adapted to lockingly engage the lip portion of said beam; and means for applying a compressive force to said plate and said bent member so as to clamp said flanges between them.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,256,532- 6/ 1966 Lindsey et al 4-l72.19 3,335,430 8/1967 Schwarz et al 4-172.2l 3,409,916 11/1968 Billig et al. 4-l72.19 3,416,165 12/1968 Pereira 4 172.19 3,440,780 4/1969 Adam et al. 4-172.l9X 3,443,263 5/ 1969 Minasy 4--172 FOREIGN PATENTS 807,351 3/1969 Canada 4-172.19

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner o H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 52--169

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