US3777318A

US3777318A - Swimming pool coping

Info

Publication number: US3777318A
Application number: US00312695A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Stillman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-06
Filing date: 1972-12-06
Publication date: 1973-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-11

Abstract

A coping for a swimming pool comprising a body member having a top wall portion including means for removably receiving an insert whereby the coping, by selective choice of color, chemical composition, texture and/or character of the insert material, may be enhanced in appearance and made highly functional. The coping further includes means for removably receiving a member of selected material, e.g., tile so as to conceal the bead receiving portion of the pool and so as to give the pool the appearance of having a side wall made from the selected material.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Stillman, Jr.

1 Dec. 11, 1973 SWIMMING POOL COPING 3,335,429 8/1967 Arp 4/172.21 3,347,006 10 1967 F 52 300 [76] Inventor Albert s'lllman 38 Southern 3,464,067 91969 112E611 4 17 2.21 -l Nesconset, NY. 3,628,198 12 1971 Katzman 4/172.21

[22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1972 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis PP 3121695 Attorney-Arthur Groeninger Related U.S. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 184,295, Sept, 27, 1971, which is [57] ABS TRACT a continuation of Ser. NO. 793,862, Jan. 24, 1969, A COPmg for a swlmmmg P9 comprfsmg a y abandoned. member having a top wall portion includmg means for removably receiving an insert whereby the coping, by [52] U.S. Cl. 47172.21 selective choice f color, chemical composition, [51] Int. Cl E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 tur and/0r ha a t f th insert ma ay be [58] Field of Search 4/172, 172.21, 172.18; nhanc in appe ance nd made highly functional.

52/300 The coping further includes means for removably re- 1 ceiving a member of selected material, e.g., tile so as [56] References Cited to conceal the bead receiving portion of the pool and UNITED STATES PATENTS so as to give the pool the appearance of having a side 3 298 039 1,1967 schmerler M172 21 wall made from the selected material. 31310314 3/1967 Lipman 4/172.21 19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 27 30 I0 I 3/ 4 ll 1 24 24 2O 1 7 1e Q 7 pcj'u'fl a", I "a 9? wff/ 1 e 8 ii if 2 i 0 I g;

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Swimming pools have been provided with copings so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing, neatly finished appearance to the edge thereof. Heretofore, these copings have suffered many disadvantages.

Outdoor exposure, wear and pool chemicals tend to degrade the appearance of these copings thereby necessitating replacement of the entire coping or costly repair. In addition, changing the texture, character and appearance of a coping to suit the changing whim of a pool owner is not possible as reconditioning is generally limited to applying a new coat of paint.

Heretofore, copings have been used for aesthetic purposes and not functional purposes. This is because no one has been able to impart functional structure to conventional coping structure. For example, attempts have been made to impart a non-slip surface to a coping by forming ribs in the upper surface thereof. Such modification is of little help as it does not change the coefficient of friction of the coping. Moreover, while ribs tend to prevent slip, they frequently are inclined to be rough thereby causing skin abrasions when engaged by the hands and limbs of the pool user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION A coping for a swimming pool adapted to have an insert comprised of natural or synthetic carpeting, artificial grass, coco matting, decorative plastic sheeting or the like, releasably secured thereto. The coping includes a top wall portion having a recess for releasably receiving the insert.

By judicious selection of the color and texture of the insert material, the insert may be made to greatly enhance the aesthetic appearance of the coping. Further,

the appearanceand texture of the coping may be readily changed, if desired, by inserting a new insert thereby providing selectionand minimizing the cost of repair.

The texture of the insert may be selected so as to impart a non-slip character, of any-desired degreejto the coping. As contrasted with an embossed rib structure of the prior art, the non-slip insert material may be made spongy so as to avoid skin abrasion.

The coping can be made highly functional. For example, the insert-may be made of coco matting or similar material so as to provide a surface suitable for wiping feet prior to entry'into the pool. 1 e

The coping of the present invention includes further means for receiving additional inserts which are directed to changing the appearance of said side wall of a pool. In this embodiment of the invention, the forward edge of the coping includes means for removably securing thereto a member of selected material, e.g., tile, so as to conceal the bead receiving portion of the pool and so as to give the appearance of a pool having a sidewall of the selected material. T

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of recess means in the top surface of the coping for receiving the insert. In addition to removably re-' ceiving the insert, this recess may be shaped to provide a banking surface for diving off the coping and still further, may be used for gripping the coping when the swimmer is getting out of the pool.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a swimming pool having a coping constructed in accordance with the present invention. I

FIG. 2 is a cross section of a coping, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fragment of a pool side wall together with coping constructed in accordance with a modified version of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the coping shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a swimming pool is shown including a decking 1 formed of concrete sections or tiles, and coping 2 constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The pool of FIG. 1 is constructed by digging a suitable hole in ground 3, shaping the floor to have the desired contour and then installing a series of vertically disposed steel walls 4 as shown in FIG. 2. It is to be understood that walls 4 may be of any desired material of suitable strength such as heavy timber and the like.

Wall 4 has an integrally connected header flange 5 extending outwardly from the upper end thereof. A threaded coping connecting bolt 6 is adapted to be examined through aperture 7 in flange 5 when the coping is installed. I

In order to render the sidewalls as well as the bottom of the pool waterproof, a lining 8 of sheet plastic material, such as a suitable vinyl compound, polyethylene or the like, is provided and, as shown, extends upward along wall 4. The lining 8 is secured at its upper end to coping 2 of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the novel coping 2 of the present invention will now be describedfCoping 2 includes a rear wall 9,- a top wall 10 and a forward wall 11, preferablyformed by extrusion of suitable aluminum alloys or other corrosion resistant material.

The rear endwall9 of the coping '2 extends downwardly in'abu tting engagement with decking 1. Rear end wall 9 has an inwardly extending support flange 12 resting on ground 3 and bearing against corner portion 5A of header flange 5. A flange l3, downwardly depending from top wall 10, provides additional support for the rear portion of coping 2. H

The forward end wall 1 1 of coping 2 isshaped to provide a convex outer surface which conceals and protects the upper edge of thepool, provides an attractive curvature to the coping, and deflects back waves of water. that splash up from lining 8.

A U-shaped member 14 is provided at the bottom of forward end wall 11 and comprises

leg portions

15 and 16 connected by a bight portion 17. Leg 15 is integrally connected to a flange l8 downwardly depending from the bottom of forward end wall 11. Leg l6 rests on flange 5 and provides support for forward end 11. A flange 19 downwardly depends from leg 16 and bears against side wall 4 so as to prevent inadvertent shifting of coping 2.

A flange 20 extends upwardly from leg '16 thereby defining a restricted opening into U-shaped member 14. The restricted opening is adapted to receive therein a rectangular resilient bead 21 which protrudes from the upper edge of liner 8. The bead 21 is adapted to be snapped into the restricted opening under hard pressure.

The hollow interior of the coping 2 provided a downwardly extending flange 22 having a U-shaped member 23 extending downwardly therefrom. Member 23 is adapted to connect the coping 2 to flange 5. Member 23 is comprised of two leg portions 24 extending downwardly from central bight portion 25 integrally connected to flange 22. Leg portions 24 are spaced from each other predetermined distances and their inside surfaces 26 are provided with serrations so as to lockably snap onto the threaded end of bolt 6. This provides a relatively simple method for permanently attaching the coping 2 in place. U-shaped member 23 also engages flange providing further support for coping 2.

The top wall of coping 2 is provided with a recess 27 which is adapted to receive an insert 28. Recess 27 is formed with a bottom wall 29 extending between and connected to flanges 13 and 22. The top wall includes

extensions

30 and 31 which overlap the bottom wall 29 and together with the bottom wall define grooves for snugly and removably securing opposite edges of insert 28. Extension 30 may also be used as a gripping edge so as to assist the swimmer in pulling himself out of the pool.

The insert 29 is easily removable and thus can be replaced and changed at a minimum cost. If removability is not a particularly desirable feature, adhesive may be coated on the bottom wall 29 to more permanently hold the insert 28 in place. Water insoluble adhesive is preferably employed so as to avoid delamination on water splashing out of the pool.

If convenience is desired, the insert 28 may be provided (not shown) with a pressure sensitive adhesive coating, or a double faced adhesive may be laid down on bottom wall 29.

If desired, insert 28 may be made substantially flush with surface of the top wall by making bottom wall 29 parallel with top wall 10. If desired, the insert 28 may extend above the coping, the only requirement being that the opposite edges of the insert be of a dimension to fit into the opposed grooves in the recess While recess 27 is the preferred means for securing the insert 28, it is to be understood that any conventional securing means could be employed. Moreover, it is to be understood that recess 27 may be provided in a separate member which is adapted to be rested or secured to coping 2.

Insert 28 may be selected from any number of materials depending on the qualities desired to be imparted to the coping 2. Materials such as natural and synthetic carpeting, artificial grass, coco matting, decorative plastic sheeting, decorative fabrics, polyurethane foam, natural sponge, etc. may be used.

Particularly suitable synthetic carpeting is marine carpeting sold under the trademark Naugehyde and exterior carpeting sold under the trademark Ozite. Ozite is made from polypropylene filaments while Naugahyde is made from polyvinyl choloride.

The color of the insert is made to contrast with the I color of the coping 2 so as to enhance the overall appearance of the coping 2. In addition, the color of insert 28 may be varied or indicia may be placed on insert 28 so as to provide an indication of pool depth.

The texture of the insert may be selected so as to enhance the appearance of the coping 28 while imparting other desired qualities to the coping. If coco matting is used as the insert material 28, the surface may be used by a swimmer to wipe his feet free of grass clippings and the like prior to pool use. Spongy material may be used such as natural sponge, so as to make the coping resilient thereby minimizing injury on slipping or fallmg.

One of the most important advantages of the insert 28 is that it may be selected so as to enhance the nonslip character of the coping. Insert material, having a coefficient of friction greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of top wall 10, may be used to accomplish this result.

In order to further enhance the non-slip character of the coping, it is to be noted that top wall 10 is concave as it moves rearwardly from forward end to extension 30. Bottom wall 29 of the recess 27 is made convex so as to provide a banking surface for swimmers feet thereby enhancing the non-slip character of the coping 2.

While the coping 2 in FIG. 2 is shown with one recess for receiving one insert 28, it is to be understood that a plurality of insert receiving recesses may be provided on the coping. In FIG. 1, it is to be noted that one edge of the pool is provided with a coping having several inserts. In addition to enhancing the aesthetic effect, the number of inserts may be used as an indicator for indi cating such things as pool depth Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a modification of the present invention is illustrated wherein the coping member 2 is modified so as to accommodate a tile receiving member 32 which is adapted to conceal the U- shaped bead receiving member 14 while giving the appearance that the pool is constructed with a tile side wall. Member 32 also protects liner 8 from damage particularly if the pool is left up in winter and skated upon. In this embodiment, the bottom of forward end wall 11 of the coping is provided with a second U-shaped member 33 which is adapted to receive an inwardly extend ing flange 34 of the tile receiving member 32. Flange 34 has rib 35 integrally formed therein which is of sufficient resiliency so as to be capable of being pressed into member 33 and snapped into a recess '36 formed therein.

The tile receiving member 32 is provided with tile receiving surfaces 37 and 38 (FIG. 4) which are adapted to slidably and removably receive tile members 39 (FIG. 3).

Surfaces

37 and 38 have inclined end walls 40 and 41, the outer extremities of which overlap the tile members 39 so as to hold them in place.

It is thought that the invention and may of its intended advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it is believed that various changes will be made in the form, construction and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the embodiments hereinbefore described be merely for purposes of illustration.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination comprising a swimming pool and a swimming pool coping structure, said coping structure surrounding said swimming pool comprising a body member including a top wall, means for securing said body member to a surface adjacent the edge of said swimming pool, a-member having a color contrasting with a color of at least a portion of the remainder of said coping structure, a channel through said top wall in said body member for receiving said member to secure said member to said body member, the coefficient of friction of said member being different from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of said body member.

2. The combination comprising a swimming pool and a swimming pool coping structure comprisinga body member including a top wall portion, means for securing said body member to a surface adjacent the edge of a pool, a channel through the top wall portion in said body member for securing a member to said body member, said last mentioned means including means extending from said wall portion and overlapping at least a portion of said member, the coefficient of friction on said member being differential from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of said body member.

3. A swimming pool structure comprising a pool a coping surrounding a major portion of the pool including: means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent the edge of said pool said coping member including a top wall portion a forward wall adjacent the edge of said pool and adjacent the means for securing the coping to said pool, means related to the top wall portion of said coping comprising a channel, said channel substantially surrounding the pool, and a member of a contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said member substantially surrounds said pool and substantially defines the location of the pool. I 4. A swimming pool coping positioned adjacent an edge of a swimming pool comprising:

a top wall portion a forward wall proximate the pool including a rounded outer end downwardly extending means projecting from said section to strengthen said coping means difining a channel proximate the downwardly extending means through said top wall position a member having a contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said means defining a channel an end section distal from the pool, said end section including a supporting wall positioned to strengthen said coping. 5. A swimming pool coping adapted to surround a portion of a pool including means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent a pool said coping including a top wall portion a forward wall adapted to be positioned adjacent a pool means in said coping comprising a channel,

through said top wall portion, said channel substantially surrounding a pool, and

a member of contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said member substantially surrounds a pool and substantially defines the location of a pool.

6. A swimming pool coping adapted to surround a portion of a pool including means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent a pool said coping including a top wall portion a curved wall adapted to be positioned 99 adjacent a pool means in said coping comprising a channel through said top wall portion, said channel substantially surrounding a pool, and

a member having a coefficient of friction different from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said member substantially surrounds a pool.

7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said member comprises a decorative member of a contrasting color with respect to a major portion of the rest of said coping.

8. The swimming pool of claim 3, said member having a coefficient of friction which is different than the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping.

9. The swimming pool coping of claim 5, said member having a coefficient of friction which is different than the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping.

10. The swimming pool coping of claim 5, said member having a coefficient of friction which is different than the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping.

11. The swimming pool coping of claim 3 wherein said member comprises a plurality of strips of material.

12. The swimming pool coping of claim 4 wherein means is provided to connect the liner of a swimming pool to said coping.

13. The swimming pool coping of claim 6 wherein said member comprises a plurality of strips of material.

14. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member comprises a decorative member. I

15. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said member is a thin flexible sheet of material.

16. The combination of claim 1 wherein the coefficient of friction of the human foot on said member is different from the coefficient of friction of a human foot on said body member.

17. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member is removably inserted.

18. The combination of claim 2 wherein said member is a thin flexible sheet of material.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said means extending includes a lip extending over said flexible sheet of material.

I UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIGE" CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION' Patent Nb. 3,777,318 Dated 12111/73' Inventor (s) Albert H Stillman, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 28, after "insert" "29'" should read -2s-, Column 4, line 53, "may" should read -m any- Column 5, linel17, "differential" should read --c1 :i.fferent-.

7 Column 6, claim '6', line 14, canoel r.

Colgmn 5, line" 45., first worcl, "section" shoulfl read I portion line 45, in the last word, "po-sition" should read portion Page 1, the following references sho'fild be added:

303,356 Beck 2,835,937 a V I 4 Hobbs 3,064,273 1 "Kwake 3,239,975 Stier 3,349,519 i v Nehlig 3,416,165 Pereira Foreign patents Denmark 7 86,275 1958 l Italy 603,876 1960 (inventor Hartmann) Signed and sealed this 10th day of "December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY GIBSON 3 c. MARSH-LL mm! Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 5 ORM PO-1050 (10-69) v UscoMM-oc 60376-P69 Q U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE l", O-Ili-SSI.

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3r777r3l8 D d 12/11/73 Inventor-(s) Albert H. Stillman, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in theab oveidentified patent and that said Letters Patentare hereby corrected as shown below:

In the certificate of correction dated December 10, 1974: the statement !.'line 45, in the last word, position should read --portion" should read;

-line 47, the last word 'position' should read -portion-.

Signed and, sealed this 11th day of March 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks FORM po'wso (w'ss) USCOMM-DC 60876-P69 LLS, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 2 I959 O356-334,

Claims

1. The combination comprising a swimming pool and a swimming pool coping structure, said coping structure surrounding said swimming pool comprising a body member including a top wall, means for securing said body member to a surface adjacent the edge of said swimming pool, a member having a color contrasting with a color of at least a portion of the remainder of said coping structure, a channel through said top wall in said body member for receiving said member to secure said member to said body member, the coefficient of friction of said member being different from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of said body member.

2. The combination comprising a swimming pool and a swimming pool coping structure comprising a body member including a top wall portion, means for securing said body member to a surface adjacent the edge of a pool, a channel through the top wall portion in said body member for securing a member to said body member, said last mentioned means including means extending from said wall portion and overlapping at least a portion of said member, the coefficient of friction on said member being differential from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of said body member.

3. A swimming pool structure comprising a pool a coping surrounding a major portion of the pool including: means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent the edge of said pool said coping member including a top wall portion a forward wall adjacent the edge of said pool and adjacent the means for securing the coping to said pool, means related to the top wall portion of said coping comprising a channel, said channel substantially surrounding the pool, and a member of a contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said member substantially surrounds said pool and substantially defines the location of the pool.

4. A swimming pool coping positioned adjacent an edge of a swimming pool comprising: a top wall portion a forward wall proximate the pool including a rounded outer end downwardly extending means projecting from said section to strengthen said coping means difining a channel proximate the downwardly extending means through said top wall position a member having a contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said means defining a channel an end section distal from the pool, said end section including a supporting wall positioned to strengthen said coping.

5. A swimming pool coping adapted to surround a portion of a pool including means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent a pool said coping including a top wall portion a forward wall adapted to be positioned adjacent a pool means in said coping comprising a channel, through said top wall portion, said channel substantially surrounding a pool, and a member of contrasting color with respect to a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said member substantially surrounds a pool and substantially defines the location of a pool.

6. A swimming pool coping adapted to surround a portion of a pool including means for securing the coping to a surface adjacent a pool said coping including a top wall portion a curved wall adapted to be positioned 99 adjacent a pool means in said coping comprising a channel through said top wall portion, said channel substantially surrounding a pool, and a member having a coefficient of friction different from the coefficient of friction of a substantial part of the remainder of the coping, positioned in said channel so that said member substantially surrounds a pool.

14. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member comprises a decorative member.

15. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member is a thin flexible sheet of material.

17. The combination of claim 1 wherein said member is removably inserted.