US3585656A - Swimming pool coping construction - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A SWIMMING POOL INCLUDING A WATER RETAINING INNER WALL, AN OUTER WALL SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM THE INNER WALL AND COMBINING WITH THE LATTER TO DEFINE A TRENCH, AND A COPING IN BRIDGING RELATION WITH THE TRENCH, THE COPING HAVING THROUGH OVERFLOW OPENINGS FOR PASSING OVERFLOW WATER THROUGH THE COPING TO THE TRENCH AND SAID COPING COMPRISING COPING SECTIONS OF INTEGRAL CONSTRUCTION WHICH EXTEND BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER WALLS.

Description

June 1971 M. COSTELLO SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION 1O Sheets-Shoot 1 Filed March 2'7, 1969 INVENTOR. MILTON QOSTELLO ATTORNEY June 22, 1971 COSTELLO 3,585,656

SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27, 1969 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 6 Y1 Q 0 L u "f 0 w 4, w

. INVENTOR. MILTON COSTELLO BY 0 )0 m ATTORNEY June 1971 M. COSTELLO SWIMMING POOL corms CONSTRUCTION 1O Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2'7. 1969 INVENTOR. MILTON COSTELLO Mffl fi v ATTORNEY June 22, 1971 M. COSTELLO SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION 10 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR. MILTON COSTELLO ATTORNEY llllll'llll Filed March 27, 1969 June 22,- 1971 COSTELLO v 3,585,655

SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27, 1969 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 MILTON COSTELLO ATTORNEY June 22, 1971 M. COSTELLO SWIMMING POOL comm CONSTRUCTION 1O Sheets-Shoot 6 Filed March 27, 1969 MILTON COSTELLC ATTORNEY SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27, 1969 1o Sheets-Sheet '2 INVEN'I'OR. MILTON COSTELLO ATTORNEY June 22, 1971 M. COSTELLO 3,585,656

SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27, 1969 10 Shets-$heet 8 INVEN'I'OR.

MILTON COSTELLO ATTORNEY June 22, 1971 M. COSTELLO SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION l0 Shoots-Shoot 9 Filed March 27, 1969 IN VEN'I'OR. MILTON COSTELLO AT TORNEY M. COSTELLO SWIMMING POOL COPING CONSTRUCTION June 22, 1971 Filed March 27, 1969 10 Sheets-Shc0t 1O l l EN! '0. MILTON COSTELLO ATTORNEY United States Patent 01' US. Cl. 4172.21 30 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a swimming pool including a water retaining inner wall, an outer wall spaced outwardly from the inner wall and combining with the latter to define a trench, and a coping in bridging relation with the trench, the coping having through overflow openings for passing overflow water through the coping to the trench and said coping comprising coping sections of integral construction which extend between the inner and outer walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In prior swimming pool constructions, particularly the in-the-ground type pools, the hydraulic structure for handling pool overflow water and surface drainage involved considerable, relatively expensive labor, as well as equipment and parts. Further, in many instances, it was still impossible to maintain reasonably dry the deck levels surrounding a pool. Also, wave action in prior pools; i.e., waves rebounding from side walls and formed gutter restraints presented serious difficulties to swimming, particularly in lanes adjacent the side walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a swimming pool construction which greatly simplifies procedures in the building of hydraulic overflow handling structures, and further which affords a wave energy absorption device for effective damping of wave action or wave quelling.

The instant invention also provides unique means for effectively draining pool overflow water, as well as deck surface water to maintain the pool environs substantially free of puddles, and the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a unique pool construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, wherein a coping structure may be quickly and easily assembled in place over a trench, the coping structure having openings for draining away water, and providing a nonslip pool side surface, while the coping and trench afford substantial damping of wave action in the pool.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a swimming pool construction of the type described, which is extremely simple and economical to construct and maintain, including sanitary maintenance procedures, and which substantially eliminates the previous requirements of gutter fittings, collection pipe headers, and the like, and the tedious labor involved in their installation and maintenance.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indi- F cated by the appended claims.

3,585,656 Patented June 22., 1971 lice BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing a swimming pool constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the instant swimming pool construction;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial internal elevational view showing a slightly modified swimming pool construction of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the swimming pool construction of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view illustrating conjoint usage of the modifications of FIGS. 1-5 and of FIGS. 68.

FIG. 10 is a sectional elevational view depicting other embodiments of the invention similar to that depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a sectional elevational view depicting another embodiment of the invention, and more particularly a removable coping section;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another form of a coping section constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 1313 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 1414 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another form of a coping section construction in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15

FIG. 17 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 1717 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a radial coping section constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 1919 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 2020 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of another form of a coping section construction in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a swimming pool constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of another form of coping section to be employed in the swimming pool construction depicted in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is an end elevational view taken on the line 252 5 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 2626 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 2727 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a coping section used in the construction of a swimimng pool depicted in FIG. 23;

FIG. 29 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 2929 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of another form of coping section to be employed in the swimming pool construction depicted in FIG. 23;

FIG. 31 is a front elevational view taken on the line 31-31 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an end elevational view taken on the line 3232 of FIG. 30; and

FIG. 33 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 3333 of FIG. 30.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1-5, a pool is generally designated in FIG. 1, and includes an inner, upstanding wall 11 extending peripherally about and containing a quantity of water 12 for swimming. The inner wall 11 may be fabricated of concrete or other suitable material, and upstands from the interior bottom wall of the pool (not shown). Also seen in FIG. 1 is a coping, generally designated 13, which extends along the upper region of inner wall 11, generally horizontally outwardly therefrom, and may extend completely about the inner wall, if desired. Generally level with the coping 13, extending outwardly therefrom and completely thereabout, may be a deck surface 14.

As best seen in FIG. 3, an upstanding outer wall 18 may extend along and in outwardly spaced relation with respect to the inner wall 11, combining to define in the space therebetween a trench 19. In practice, the inner and outer walls 11 and 18 may both rest upon the pool bottom slab at the shallow end thereof, and at the deep end the outer wall 18 may be supported through suitable structure by the inner wall 11. Similar arrangements may be employed along the sides of a pool, so that the outer wall 18 may extend entirely circumferentially about and in outwardly spaced relation with respect to the inner wall 11, whereby the trench 19 extends circumferentially about the pool.

The coping 13 may extend in bridging relation across the trench 19, completely thereabout, resting on the upper ends of inner and outer walls 11 and 18. For example, the inner wall 11 may be provided with setting grout on its inner side, as at 20, for retaining a tile inner face 21, and additional setting grout 22 on its upper end for retaining the adjacent upper region of coping 13. The upper end of outer wall 18 is similarly provided with setting grout, as at 23 for retaining the adjacent upper region of coping 13. Extending outwardly from the upper region of outer wall 18, generally level with the upper surface of coping 13, is the deck surface 14. The deck surface 14 may be tiled, or otherwise, as desired, and is advantageously graded to decline inwardly toward the coping 13 so that deck water will flow into the trench 19.

The coping 13 may be formed by a plurality of coping sections 25, each of generally rectangular configuration, and arranged in generally horizontal, side-by-side adjacent relation extending along and across the trench 19. The coping sections 25 may all be substantially identical, except at the corners, the corner sections 9 being of similar construction and slightly different configuration.

A coping section 25 is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, as including a plurality of generally parallel, spaced substantially coplanar elongate members 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 reading outwardly from the inner wall 11 to the outer wall 18. The elongate members 26-32 may be substantially coextensive with each other, and joined together at their adjacent ends by connecting portions 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 3-8. That is, the adjacent ends of adjacent elongate members 26 and 27 are connected by respective connecting portions 33. Similarly, the adjacent ends of elongate members 27 and 28 are connected by connecting portions 34; the adjacent ends of elongate members 28 and 29 being connected together by connecting portions 35; the adjacent ends of elongate members 29 and 30 being connected together by connecting portions 36; the adjacent ends of elongate members 30 and 31 being connected together by connecting portions 37; and, the adjacent ends of elongate members 31 and 32 are connected together by connecting portions 38. The coping sections 25 are each advantageously of a unitary construction, say being cast of concrete or otherwise integrally molded of suitable material. As concrete is preferred, it has been found advantageous to reinforce the material of the coping sections 25, say using steel rods or wires. For example, reinforcement elements may extend through respective elongate members 26-32, as at 42, 43, 44, 45', 46, 47 and 48, and additional reinforcement elements may extend through aligned connection portions, as at 49. The reinforcement elements may be welded or otherwise secured together, and suitably tied to an electrical ground connection, as at 50.

The coping sections 25 are thus each a rigid unit, having its innermost elongate member 26 resting on the inner pool wall 11 and its outermost elongate unit 32 resting on the outer wall 18, so as to be in bridging relation with respect to the trench 19. As best seen in FIG. 3, the upper surfaces of the several elongate members 26-32 are configured to decline toward each other, so as to conduct surface water generally to a midregion over the trench 19. For example, the upper surfaces of elongate members 26, 27 and '28 may be substantially flush and decline outwardly, while the upper surfaces of elongate members 32, 31, 30 and 29 may be substantially flush and decline inwardly.

As best seen in FIG. 2, adjacent coping sections 25 are disposed in side-by-side aligned relation and slightly spaced apart, as at 52. The inter-coping section spaces 52 may be provided with grout, as at 51 between the adjacent ends of elongate members 26, the upper surface of grout 51 declining outwardly, as best seen in FIG. 3, for gravitationally directing Water into the inter-coping section spaces to the trench 19. Also, the connecting portions 33-38 between the adjacent ends of adjacent pairs of elongate members 2632 have their upper surfaces declining toward the adjacent inter-coping section spaces 52, as best seen in FIG. 5, for directing waterflow through the lntercoping section spaces 52.

Also, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3:"each coping sectron 25 is spaced, as at 61, from the adjacent outer region of deck surface 14. This space 61 communicates with a cutout 54 beneath the outermost elongate member 32 to define a water passage-way for draining desk surface wa ter to the trench 19. If desired, the innermost elongate member 26 may have the inner edge provided with a raised lip or bullnose rim, as at 55. It will, therefore, be apparent that the grid like structure of each coping sectron 25, together with the raised inner lip 55, affords relatrvely secure footing to persons standing thereon. Add1t1onal drainage may be achieved from the innermost elongate member 26, as by providing in the upper surface thereof an upwardly facing groove 56 extending longitudinally of the elongate member and opening at its opposite ends into the adjacent inter-coping section spaces 52. The bottom surface of the groove 56, best seen in FIG. 4 at 57, declines outwardly toward the opposite open ends of the groove to facilitate gravitational drainage of water.

While the entire coping 13 may be composed of sections identical or similar to the coping sections 25 and 26, having their upper surfaces generally level with the surrounding deck surface 14, it may be desired, say for competitive racing, or otherwise, to provide a raised or elevated coping. Such a coping is generally designated 13a in FIG. 8, and may be employed, say at the ends of the pool in FIG. 1 to afford the regulation end wall height. The coping 13a may be composed of a plurality of coping sections 25a, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, arranged in side-by-side aligned relation extending along and in bridging relation over a trench 19a. The trench 19a in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 may be defined between an upstanding inner wall 11a, and an upstanding outer wall 18a.

Each coping section 25a may include an upper or top wall 26a disposed in spaced relation over the trench 19a, and an inner coping wall 24 depending from the inner region of top wall 26a to the upper edge of inner pool wall 11a. An outer coping wall 39 may depend from the outer region of top coping section wall 26a to the up per edge of outer wall 18a. In practice, the top coping wall 26a, inner coping wall 24 and outer coping wall 39 may be integrally fabricated, say of concrete or other suitable material, and may be reinforced, as desired. The depending inner coping Wall 24 may be formed at its lower region with an inward extension 15 defining on its upper surface a gutter 16 beneath an overhanging inner edge region of the top wall 26. A plurality of vertically extending slots or through openings 17 are formed in the inner coping wall 24, extending horizontally therethrough for passing pool overflow water from the gutter 16 through the inner coping wall 24 to the trench 19. Advantageously, the openings 17 have their lower edges 41 sloping downwardly and outwardly to facilitate drainage from the gutter. The top edges 42 of the openings 17 are opened upwardly and outwardly and limit the size of particles which may pass through the openings.

In addition to the top wall 26a being elevated over the level of the deck surface 14a, the outer wall 39 is spaced inwardly from the inner extremity of the desk surfaces, as at 53a. The space 53a communicates through a cutout 54a in the upper region of outer wall 18a beneath the outer coping wall 39. Thus, deck surface water drains readily through space 53a and cutout 54a to trench 19a.

While the coping section 25a has been illustrated and described apart from the coping section 25, it is appreciated that the coping sections may be employed conjointly in a single pool. For this purpose, a coping section 25a, as in FIG. 9, may be provided with a side closure or wall 51 contiguous to the adjacent coping section 25.

Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 10, wherein similar parts are denoted by similar reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the coping 13b includes an outermost elongate member 32b which is raised with respect to the other elongate members of the coping section 2517. The member 32b has an inner surface 62 at the base portion thereof which has a slight inward curve, as viewed from the water, and whose purpose and function will be described hereinafter. The height of the member 32b is made equal with that of the deck 14b which is also raised with respect to the level of the other elongate members and thus with respect to the coping 13b.

Disposed between the member 32b and the deck 14b is a space 6111 which is in fluid flow communication with the cutout 54b and thus with the trench 19b, in the general embodiment herein described. Thus, the water passing over the coping 13b is prevented from splashing upon the deck 14b by the member 32b. The surface 62 of member 32b aids in damping the wave energy of the water to further prevent flow back into the pool itself; the water passing over the coping 13b flowing into the trench 19b by means of the openings between the adjacent elongate members of the coping sections 25b.

The water on the deck passes through the space 61b and into the trench 19b. Although this construction will, to a great extent, prevent the pool water from mixing with the deck water, it will, in some instances, be desirable to further prevent the deck water from mixing with the pool water. In this event, the height of deck 14b can be made somewhat lower than that of the member 32b, whereby the deck water will all pass downwardly into the trench 19b due to member 32b acting as a barricade between the deck 14b and the coping 13b.

In some instances, it may be desirable to completely separate the pool and deck waters. A system for accomplishing this result is also depicted in FIG. 10.

The system contemplates providing an internal gutter 66 disposed within the trench 19b but separate and apart therefrom. The gutter 66 is disposed beneath the coping 13b and in fluid flow communication with the space 61b between the deck and the coping and, in the particular embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, also with selected ones of the spaces between adjacent elongate members. Thus, the deck water will drain downwardly through the space 61b into the internal gutter 66 and any deck water transcending downwardly upon the coping 13b will also pass into the gutter.

The water in gutter 66 is led off by means of a pipe 67, or plurality thereof, spaced at selected intervals at the bottom of the gutter, to an independent drainage whereby the deck water will not be permitted to become mixed with the pool water and recirculated to the pool.

It will be apparent that if the deck is made somewhat lower than the elongate member 32b, as discussed hereinbefore, it would not be necessary to make the gutter 66 the same width as that shown in the drawing. Since, in this case, substantially all of the deck water would pass downwardly through the space 61b and the gutter could be made having a width large enough to collect only the water passing through the space 6111.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that access must be provided to the water trench for occasional repairs, cleaning and inspection. This is accomplished by employing special coping sections which are selectively spaced apart from one another. A coping of this type is depicted in FIG. 11 where, again, similar reference numerals are used to denote similar parts.

With reference to FIG. 11, there is shown a coping section 250 which is removably disposed between the inner pool wall 110 and the outer wall 180. The inner wall has an elongate member 68 fixedly secured thereto which member has a raised lip or bullnose 70. The coping section 25c has the inner elongate member 72 thereof positioned in abutting engagement with the member 68 and is removably secured to the wall 110 by grout 220.

It is herein to be noted that the removable coping section 250 is positioned about the pool approximately every twentieth coping section. It is also to be noted that the members 68 and 72 may be fabricated by cutting an elongate member 26 (as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3) at the rear surface of the groove 56, whereby the members 68 and 72 have a groove 56c therebetween.

The penultimate outermost elongate member 310 has a clip 74 secured to the underside thereof. And the electrical ground includes a loop portion 76 connected to the clip 74.

In order to remove the coping section 250, all that need be done is to remove the elongate member 72 and pivot the entire section 250 and place the same atop the deck 140. This is, of course, possible due to the long length of the electrical ground connection provided by the loop 76.

When it is desired to replace coping section 250, the section is replaced between the walls 110 and 18c and the member 72 is regrouted to the inner wall 110.

Another form of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 12 through 14, wherein similar parts are denoted by similar reference numerals and wherein an inside corner coping section 25d is shown which section subtends an arc of The section 25d of the coping 13d comprising the elongate members of the type previously described hereinbefore, except that the resultant configuration is an arcuate or corner coping section. It will be appreciated that the section 25d is designated an inside corner coping section since the bullnose 55d which is positioned immediately adjacent the water in the pool is formed on the smaller circumferential arc of the coping section.

Another form of the present invention is shown by FIGS. 15 through 17 wherein similar parts are denoted by similar reference numerals and wherein there is shown an outside corner coping section 25c similar to the corner section depicted in FIGS. 12 through 14, except that in the present embodiment the bullnose 55a is formed on the larger circumferential arc of the coping section 25e.

With reference now to FIGS. 18 through 20, there is shown a radial coping section 25 which may be employed in the fabrication of round pools or of any type of pool having an arcuate configuration; e.g., kidney shaped. The radial coping section 25 is provided with a bullnose 55 on the larger or outer circumferential surface thereof, whereby the larger surface faces inwardly toward the pool.

It is to be noted that the radial coping sections 25f are employed in integral quadrature systems; i.e., for every 90 angle subtended, thereby forming a quadrant, there are an integral number of full radial coping sections ZSfrequired. Thus, for every type of pool configuration desired, the number of radial coping sections required is an integral number, thereby obviating any requirement of cutting down radial sections to form a desired geometrical pattern.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, there is shown an interior corner coping section 25g having a bullnose 55g which is adapted to be positioned adjacent the pool water.

Referring now to FIG. 23, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention known as a double overflow construction.

In this embodiment a coping 1371 is disposed between two pools generally designated by the reference numerals 80 and 82, wherein the pool 80 may be a regular adult pool and the pool 82 may be a child or wading pool.

The coping 13h serves as a divider between the two pools and also provides a common trench for draining pool overflow water from both the pools 80 and 82.

A coping section 25h, forming part of the coping 1311 is depicted clearly in FIGS. 28 and 29.

The coping section 2511 includes parallel elongate members 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 which members are substantially coplanar and are disposed between the inner pool wall 11h and outer wall 18h. The coping sections 25h are formed as integral, single piece coping sections whose individual elongate members are interconnected in the manner described hereinbefore in conjunction with the section 25 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawmgs.

The elongate members 84 and 94 are formed with bullnoses 96 and 98, respectively, whereby overflow water from pool 80 traverses the bullnose 98 and passes through the spaces between the elongate members and thence into the common trench 1911. Similarly, overflow water from pool 82 traverses the bullnose 96 and passes downwardly to the trench 19h.

In the double overflow construction of FIG. 23, it is preferable in the particular construction depicted therein to provide a special form of exterior corner coping section 100 which corner coping section is similar to the corner coping section 9 depicted in FIG. 1.

The corner coping section 100 is provided with a short diagonal member 102 having a bullnose 104. The bullnose 104 is positioned adjacent the water in the pools 80 and 82.

In the double overflow construction described herein it is preferable, and in fact necessary, to provide a specialized form of an interior corner coping section generally indicated by the reference numeral 110 and depicted in detail in FIGS. 30 through 33.

Referring now to FIG. 30, there is shown an interior corner coping section 110 which is that section depicted as the uppermost one in FIG. 23.

The section 110 is provided with a first member 112 having a bullnose 114, and a second member 116 having a bullnose 118. The bullnose 114 is positioned adjacent 8 the water in pool 82 while the bullnose 118 is positioned adjacent the water in pool 80, as described herein.

It will be appreciated that the bullnose rims provided on the coping sections are continuous and thus provide for the continuous horizontal skimming action of the overflow pool water, thereby uniformly removing the debris along the entire overflow perimeter of the pool.

It is also to be noted that the continuous bullnose rim in conjunction with the trench disposed immediately adjacent the pool provides a system for instantaneously and adequately accommodating bather volume. Additionally, the surge hydraulics of the construction results in a very satisfactory wave quelling system wherein the wave energy is dissipated and there is no reversal thereof whereby the debris is not reintroduced into the pool water.

It is thus seen that I have provided a new and novel swimming pool construction which is highly effective to control the pool water level to adequately and instancously accommodate bather displacement and to provide for the continuous and effective removal of debris from the pool and recirculation of water therefrom.

Thus, while I have shown the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there are many modifications, changes and improvements which may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a swimming pool, the combination comprising an inner wall for containing water on its inner side, an outer wall extending along and spaced outwardly from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls combining to define therebetween a trench, a deck surface extending outwardly from the upper region of said outer wall, and a coping extending along the upper regions of said inner and outer walls in bridging relation with said trench, said coping having overflow openings communicating through said coping with said trench for passing pool overflow water to the trench and comprising a plurality of coping sections disposed in generally horizontal sideby-side relation and extending longitudinally of said inner and outer walls, each coping section comprising a plurality of parallel spaced generally coplanar elongate members extending substantially longitudinally of said trench, and a plurality of connecting portions extending between adjacent ones of said elongate members, the spaces between said elongate members defining said overflow openings, whereby said connected elongate members form a coping section of unitary construction.

2. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portions extend between adjacent ends of adjacent ones of said elongate members.

3. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein said coping is substantially level with said deck surface.

4. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein said deck surface is elevated with respect to said coping.

5. A swimming pool according to claim 1, said coping sections being located in adjacent spaced relation, and said elongate members having their upper surfaces declining toward the inter-coping section spaces for guiding overflow water between said adjacent coping sections into said trench.

6. A swimming pool according to claim 5, said coping sections being spaced from the adjacent regions of said deck surface and said deck surface being cut away heneath said coping sections, to thereby define deck-water drainage openings.

7. A swimming pool according to claim 6, said elongate coping members having their upper surfaces de- CllIllI'lg from the outermost member inwardly, to facilitate the rapid drainage through said inter-elongate member spaces.

8. A swimming pool according to claim 7, wherein said deck surface is pitched inwardly toward said coping.

9. A swimming pool according to claim 1, said elon- 9 gate members and connecting portions being fabricated of concrete, and reinforcing means embedded in said elongate members and connecting portions.

10. A swimming pool according to claim 6, at least one of said elongate members having its upper surface formed with an upwardly facing open ended longitudinally extending groove, the bottom wall of said groove declining toward opposite groove ends for draining water to said inter-coping section spaces.

11. A swimming pool according to claim 10, wherein said grooves are formed with narrow limiting throat areas to prevent passage of foreign particles into said trench.

12. In a swimming pool, the combination comprising an inner wall for containing water on its inner side, an outer wall extending along and spaced outwardly from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls combining to define therebetween a trench, a deck surface extending outwardly from the upper region of said outer wall, and a coping extending along the upper regions of said inner and outer walls in bridging relation with said trench, said coping having overflow openings communicating through said coping with said trench for passing pool overflow water to the trench and comprising a top wall located at an elevation spaced above that of said deck surface, an inner coping wall depending from the inner region of said top wall to said inner wall, said inner coping wall having through apertures defining said overflow openings, and an outer coping wall depending from the outer region of said top wall to said outer wall.

13. A swimming pool according to claim 12, said outer coping wall being spaced from the adjacent region of said deck surface, and said deck surface being cut away beneath said outer coping wall to define deck-water drainage openings communicating with said trench.

14. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein preselected coping sections selectively spaced from one another are removably Secured between said inner and outer walls, thereby permitting easy access to said trench disposed between said inner and outer walls.

15. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein the innermost elongate member of each coping section is disposed upon said inner wall and is provided with a bullnose rim formed on the inner surface thereof, said bullnose rim being positioned immediately adjacent the poolwater, whereby the skimming action of the pool-water is over said bullnose rim into said trench and the backward flow of water thereover is prevented by said rim to thereby provide wave quelling action.

16. A swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein at least said elongate member positioned outermost from said pool-water is elevated with respect to the other of said elongate members.

17. A swimming pool according to claim 16, wherein said deck surface is elevated with respect to said other of said elongate members and is substantially level with said elevated outermost elongate member.

18. A swimming pool according to claim 17, wherein said elevated outermost elongate member is spaced from the adjacent regions of said deck surface and said deck surface is cut away beneath said elevated outermost elongate member, to thereby define deck-water drainage openings.

19. A swimming pool according to claim 18, including an internal gutter disposed within said trench beneath said coping sections and said deck surface and in fluid flow communication with at least said deck-water drainage Openings,

20. A swimming pool according to claim 6, including an internal gutter disposed within said trench beneath said coping sections and said deck surface and in fluid flow communication with at least said deck-water drainage openings.

21. In a swimming pool, the combination comprising an inner wall for containing water on its inner side, an outer wall extending along and spaced outwardly from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls combining to define therebetween a trench, a deck surface extending outwardly from the upper region of said outer wall, and a coping extending along the upper regions of said inner and outer walls in bridging relation with said trench, said coping having overflow openings communicating through said coping with said trench for passing pool overflow water to the trench and comprising a plurality of coping sections disposed in generally horizontal side-by-side relation and extending longitudinally of said inner and outer walls, each of said coping sections being of a predetermined geometric configuration and defining the inner horizontal peripheral surface of said swimming pool, said swimming pool having a predetermined geometric configuration congruent to that defined by said horizontally disposed coping section and said coping sections comprising a plurality of spaced generally coplanar elongate members extending substantially longitudinally of said trench, a plurality of connecting portions extending between adjacent ones of said elongate members, and the spaces between said elongate members defining said overflow openings, whereby said connected elongate members form a coping section of unitary construction.

22. A swimming pool according to claim 21, wherein said innermost elongate member of each of said coping sections has a bullnose rim disposed immediately ad jacent said pool-water.

23. A swimming pool according to claim 21, wherein the inner surfaces of selected ones of said coping sections are of an arcuate configuration.

24. A swimming pool according to claim 21, wherein the inner and outer surfaces of selected ones of said coping sections are of an arcuate configuration.

25. A swimming pool according to claim 21, wherein each of said coping sections have inner and outer corresponding arcuate surfaces, and said coping sections being constructed so as to form an integral quadrature system.

26. A swimming pool according to claim 25, wherein said coping sections define the inner peripheral surface of a swimming pool fabricated with a completely arcuate configuration.

27. In a swimming pool, the combination comprising an inner wall for containing water on its inner side, an outer wall extending along and spaced outwardly from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls combining to define therebetween a trench, a deck surface extending outwardly from the upper region of said outer wall, a coping extending along the upper regions of said inner and outer walls in bridging relation with said trench, said coping having overflow openings communicating through said coping with said trench for passing pool overflow water to the trench and a partition dividing said swimming pool into first and second pool sections, said partition comprising first and second walls in spaced apart relationship combining to form a surge trench there between, said surge trench being in fluid flow communication with said first mentioned trench, a coping extending along the upper regions of said first and second walls in bridging relation with said surge trench, said last mentioned coping having overflow openings communicating through said coping with said surge trench for passing overflow water from said first and second pool sections to said surge trench.

28. A swimming pool according to claim 27, wherein said last mentioned coping comprises a plurality of coping sections disposed in generally horizontal side-by-side relation and extending longitudinally of said first and second walls, each of said coping sections comprising a plurality of spaced generally coplanar elongate members extending substantially longitudinally of said surge trench, and a plurality of connecting portions extending between adjacent ones of said elongate members, the spaces between said elongate members defining said overflow open- 11 ings, whereby said connected elongate members for a coping section of unitary construction.

29. A swimming pool according to claim 28, wherein said outer elongate members of each of said coping sections is formed with a bullnose rim on the outermost surfaces thereof, said bullnose rims of said respective elongate members being immediately adjacent the poolwater of said first and second pool sections, whereby the skimming action of the pool-water is over said respective bullnose rims into said surge trench and the backward flow of water thereover is prevented by said rims to thereby provide wave quelling action.

30. In a swimming pool, the combination comprising an inner wall for containing water on its inner side, an outer wall extending along and spaced outwardly from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls combining to define therebetween a trench, a deck surface extending outwardly from the upper region of said outer wall, a coping extending along the upper regions of said inner and outer walls in bridging relation with said trench, said coping having overflow openings communicating through said coping with said trench for passing pool overflow water to the trench and comprisnig a top wall located at an elevation spaced above that of said deck surface, an inner coping wall depending from the inner region of said top wall to said inner wall, said inner coping wall having through apertures defining said overflow openings, and an outer coping Wall depending from the outer region of said top wall to said outer wall, deck-water drainage openings intermediate said coping and deck surface communicating with said trench for passing deck drainage water to said trench.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,461,026 7/1923 Booraem 4172.18 1,797,397 3/1931 Booraem 4-l72.18 2,932,397 4/1960 Ogden 4172.l7X 2,982,970 5/1961 Kennedy 4l72.18 3,386,107 6/1968 Whitten, Jr. 4172 3,490,081 1/1970 Ogden 4172.17

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner

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