US3906688A

US3906688A - Swimming pool modular construction

Info

Publication number: US3906688A
Application number: US386393A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald H Witte
Original assignee: Fox Pool Corp
Current assignee: Fox Pool Corp
Priority date: 1973-08-07
Filing date: 1973-08-07
Publication date: 1975-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-23

Abstract

A swimming pool having sidewalls constructed from a series of prefabricated modular panels connected together to enclose the interior of the pool. Each panel comprises a sheet of relatively rigid material. The panel may be provided with flanged ends, top and bottom flanges, and vertical struts spaced horizontally, to impart strength to the sheet. Each panel is provided with at least one brace preferably formed from tubular stock. The brace which preferably has a shape of a figure ''''8'''' may be detachably secured or hingedly attached to the panel wall. The brace may be advantageously nested parallel to and contiguous to the panel wall for shipping and, when secured to the panel, can be rotated 90* when erected in position at the pool site. The figure 8shaped braces formed from a single length of material or formed of two or more segments is advantageously designed to have a straight horizontal top segment upon which a deck is mounted, and a short straight segment on one side of each of the upper and lower loops of the figure 8-shape for attaching hinges or other securing means. The lower loop of the figure 8 is adapted to have a projecting or pointed end, opposite the hinge side, formed by the ends of the tubular stock such that it can be suitably secured to the ground or to a footing. These braces are arranged in spaced relation on the panels so that when several panels are erected they are equally spaced around the pool.

Description

United States Patent 1 Witte Sept. 23, 1975 1 SWIMMING POOL MODULAR CONSTRUCTION Donald H. Witte, York, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Fox Pool Corporation, York, Pa.

[22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 386,393

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 52/152; 52/169; 248/351 [51] Int. Cl. 1. E0411 12/20 [58] Field of Search 52/169, 127, 645, 146,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 802.822 10/1905 Olmstead 248/463 Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Arthur J. Plantamura [57] ABSTRACT A swimming pool having sidewalls constructed from a series of prefabricated modular panels connected to gether to enclose the interior of the pool. Each panel comprises a sheet of relatively rigid material, The panel may be provided with flanged ends, top and bottom flanges, and vertical struts spaced horizontally, to impart strength to the sheet. Each panel is provided with at least one brace preferably formed from tubular stock. The brace which preferably has a shape of a figure 8" may be detachably secured or hingedly attached to the panel wall. The brace may be advantageously nested parallel to and contiguous to the panel wall for shipping and, when secured to the panel, can be rotated 90 when erected in position at the pool site. The figure 8-shaped braces formed from a single lengthof material or formed of two or more segments is advantageously designed to have a straight horizontal top segment upon which a deck is mounted, and a short straight segment on one side of each of the upper and lower loops of thefigure 8-shape for attaching hinges or other securing means. The lower loop of the figure 8 is adapted to have a projecting or pointed end, opposite the hinge side, formed by the ends of the tubular stock such that it can be suitably secured to the ground or to a footing. These braces are arranged in spaced relation on the panels so that when several panels are erected they are equally spaced around the pool.

7 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept Sheet 1 0f 4 US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,906,688

47 F l G. 3 |7A Fl.4 F.5

'JJJAIJ'IIJI n 1115717114 "III.

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,906,682;

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 4 Of4 3,906,688

FIG. 3A 82 FIG. 17B

SWIMMING POOL MODULAR CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The instant invention is directed to a modular panel design for sidewalls of a swimming pool which, excepting the coping and deck, incorporates all the components required to erect a swimming pool having the necessary wall rigidity and strength.

Prior art construction arrangements, while designed to ultimately accomplish the desired result, are cum bcrsome and expensive due to the necessary fittings or accessories required in the installation. These accessories must be assembled at the site, an operation which entails considerable time and cost because the labor involved is relatively costly since semi-skilled mechanics are needed, all of which consequently leads to a relatively higher installation expense.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is directed to a modular design of sidewall panels for swimming pools which can be prefabricated at the factory with substantially all accessories or fittings attached and, upon arrival at the pool site, can be erected with the least amount of supervi sion, with minimal assembly of separate parts, and with little if any reference to installation instructions, etc., thus greatly reducing the amount of time required for installation.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a modular swimming pool sidewall unit with accessories including braces which support the sidewall and may also be conveniently used to support the deck.

Another object is to substantially simplify installation procedures for swimming pools by providing a modular sidewall unit requiring only a simply rearrangement of the braces which are associated, and shipped in place, with the side wall, in order to support the sidewall and deck of the pool.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a swimming pool modular unit which substantially minimizes site installation costs.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the description provided when considered in conjunction with the several views of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical swimming pool partially broken away to show a FIG. 8 brace member.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view from the outside of the pool showing one embodiment of the invention comprising a panel with three braces and fragments of adjacent abutting panels.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is fragmentary sectional view showing a coping arrangement which is an alternate to that shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6.

FIG. 4 is a sectional fragmentary view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3 illustrating the cross-over point of the brace.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing an alternate arrangement at the brace cross-over point.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the coping and part of the deck shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the abutting area of adjoining panels.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing an alternate footing.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing another alternative mounting utilizing a footing plate.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the outside of a panel assembly embodiment of the kind shown in FIG. 2 and 5 equipped with three nested braces, ready for shipping.

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of FIG. I0 taken along line llll of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line I2I2 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line I3l3 of FIG. 10.

FIG. I4 is a sectional view taken along line l4-I4 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a view taken along line l5l5 of FIG. I0.

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of an alternate hinge which elevates the brace when it is pivoted into bracing position.

FIG. I7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the prefabricated deck as illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the method of attaching.

FIG. 17A is a sectional view taken along line I7AI7A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17B is a view similar to FIG. 17A showing an alternate deck structure in which the deck member is secured to the brace by clip members.

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of a brace having a form alternative to that depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 18A is an enlarged view of the intermediate portion of the brace structure of FIG. 18.

FIG. 19A is an elevational view of the upper loop of an alternate design of brace. FIG. 19B is an elevational view of the lower loop of the alternate design of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. I0, of an alternate embodiment wherein each of the adjacent panel modules which form the pool wall is equipped with one brace.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention will be described in conjunction with a below-ground outdoor swimming pool which is the preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that the advantageous features of the invention are not limited to this type. Indeed, the several features of the invention, with such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, may be used with advantage in above ground or in partly submerged swimming pool installations and/or with or without pool wall liners.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pool, generally indicated at 10 is shown. A flexible plastic liner 12 of conventional material and structure is illustrated covering the interior surfaces of the pool; the liner is suitably attached to the top edge of the side walls 14 as will be described in more detail below. It will be understood, howeventhat the liner I2 is optional and other means such as caulking may be used to provide watertight integrity. The side walls I4 are formed by a plurality of prefabricated panels generally indicated I6. Each panel comprises a sheet 18 of substantially rigid material which may be metal, plastic, wood, pressed board etc., and may be treated to provide corrosion or other decomposition resistance, such as by galvanizing or coating, before or after installation, or by employing an inherently resistant material, e.g. stainless steel sheeting. End flanges 20 are formed integral with the sheet 18 and perform a dual function: First, the flanges provide abutting areas for joining adjacent panels 16 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, and II; any suitable fastening means can be used such as bolts 21 which are received in holes 22 in the end flanges 20. Secondly, the flanges impart greater rigidity to the wall sections. The sheet 18 is also preferably formed so as to have a bottom flange 24 (sec FIG. 3) which lends still additional rigidity and lends better support for the panel against sinking into the ground. The top longitudinal edge of the pool 18 is formed as a channel cross section also enhances the rigidity of the panel.

Additional stiffening and strengthening of the panel may be accomplished by attaching or integrally forming in the central area thereof two spaced vertically p sitioned struts 28. It will be noted that although no special support is provided at the ends of each panel when the two end flanges are abutted and fastened together as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, the resultant structure at the junction of two panels is at least as strong as one of the struts 28 so that no additional buttressing is required at the ends of the sheets 18. Preferably, the struts 28 extend substantially the full height of the panel as best shown in FIG. 10.

Each panel 16 is provided with one or more braces 30 which are suitably positioned and spaced on the panel. For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10, a relatively wide panel is illustrated and pro vided with a brace at relatively close intervals, i.e. at distances substantially equal to the width of the nested brace. However, such braces may be spaced at relatively greater intervals, such as by omitting the center brace in FIG. 10 or by making the brace module of FIG. 10 into three separate modules having a single brace per module. When installed to form the pool wall, the braces extend in the vertical plane perpendicular to the place of the panel to which they are attached at one side. At the other side, the brace 30 is secured in a conventional manner such as in poured footings 32 to retain the panel against movement relative to the ground. Each of the braces 30 may be advantageously constructed from tubular metal stock which is formed into a particular shape to accommodate adjacent structures in a supporting manner. The resultant formed brace comprises an upper loop A and a lower loop B substantially resembling a numeral 8 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3, I8 and 19A and 198, when assembled. The brace hereafter will be referred to as having a FIG. 8 shape although this description is a convenient reference rather than connoting a restrictive configuration. The upper loop A of the 8-shaped brace 30 (FIG. 3) is preferably constructed with a straight vertical section 33 to facilitate attachment to the outside wall of the panel 16 and preferably a straight top section 34 to provide a relatively longer support surface for a deck (FIGS. 2 and 3). The tubular stock is preferably en gaged at the center cross-over point such as by crimping the tube at the intermediate crossing point 35, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, from which it spreads out to form the lower loop B which at one side. as in loop A preferably has a straight vertical section 36 which is in-Iine beneath the section 33 of loop A to be used to facilitate attachment to the outside wall of the panel. At the other side of the lower loop B, the brace is formed into a suitable configuration to facilitate an choring of the brace to the background such as by converging the terminal portions 30a and 30b of the tubu lar stock at 37. These ends, 30a and 30b, may be flattened or otherwise contoured and. for example, provided with a hole 38 (FIG. 15) for attaching to a footing which may be poured in situ concrete as at 32 in FIG. 3 or prefabricated anchor blocks 76 as in FIG. 8 or alternate securing means such as the anchor plate 36 as shown in FIG. 9 may be used.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the brace is secured at its outer lower extremity 37 by means of a fastener 66 which passes through the brace and is embedded in the footing 32. In FIG. 8, the brace is secured in the precast block 76 such as by a lag bolt 79 passed through the brace end and threaded into a lead plug inserted in the concrete. A second bolt 78 may optionally be employed to secure the bottom of panel 18. In FIG. 9, the terminal portions 30a and 30b of the brace are attached by a suitable fastener 66 to an earlike extension 67 formed on the anchor plate 68. The plate 68 is secured in position in the ground with stakes 69 passing through holes 68a in the plate which is then further sccured by earth back fill.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 18A the brace 30 may be constructed in two pieces, an upper loop A and a lower loop B. Instead of crossing as in the brace 30 described above, the terminal portions of both loops end at the intermediate point 35' of the FIG. 8 brace. The terminal portions 48a of loop A are flattened and bent to face each other and the terminal portions 49a and 49b are similarly formed and each provided with a hole to receive securing element such as a bolt 44 to form the complete brace 30'.

Still another modification of a two-piece brace 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 19A and B wherein an upper loop A" (FIG. 19A) includes terminal portions 48a and 48b which are flattened and provided with openings SI for fastening it to the lower loop B" (FIG. 198) which similarly includes flattened terminal portions 490' and 49b provided with openings 51a. The distinguishing feature of this modification being that the flattened portions are not bent, i.e. to form an angle at the connecting point (as in FIG. 18A), but are pressed together to align the holes 51 and 51a and securing element such as a bolt (not shown) inserted to fasten the upper loop to the lower loop, forming the complete brace.

The salient features of the brace 30 are retained in both alternate structures of FIGS. 18 and 19 viz; the

hinge attaching sections

33 and 36 and the horizontal deck supporting section 34. Additionally, one side of the lower loops A' and A" is formed with a flattened area and provided with a suitable means for attaching to a footing 81 (FIG. 19A) similar to that shown in FIGS. 3, 8 or 9.

It will be apparent that while the brace of FIG. I8 is shown as two pieces joined at the center, essentially the same configuration may be formed from a single piece. When thus formed, the central or cross-over point at 35' resembles an hour-glass, i.e. the tubular members are bent toward each other at the center but do not cross. If desired, this central point of the two sides of the FIG. 8 configuration may then be fastened together such as by inserting a bolt. Also, when so formed, the anchor point 80 would comprise separate converging ends similar to 30a and 30b as shown in FIGS. 8 or 9. The arrangement of the brace is designed so that the

sections

33 and 36 described above provides a convenient means for securing the brace to the sidewall 18 such as by a hinge-type attachment in a manner preferably such that the braces 30 can be nested against the sidewall 18 as shown in FIG. for shipment and thereafter, upon positioning at the installation site, rotating the brace into the pool wall bracing position as seen in FIG. 3. Any suitable means can be employed to secure the brace to the panel. For purposes of illustration, a simple strap 46 is used which may be secured in any convenient manner to the panel to form a sleeve (FIGS. l2 and 13) to receive the

sections

33 and 36 for rotational movement therein. Various alternate fastening means such as hinges or other securing devices may be employed also. The strap 46 can be similarly attached to the strut 28 and wall 18 as seen in FIG. 13. The strap 46 or other securing device in each instance is preferably designed so as to be shorter than the

straight sections

33 and 36 in order to allow vertical positioning of the brace relative to the panel when the brace 30 is ro tated perpendicular to the wall 18 from its nested position against the wall 18. In the support position the upper horizontal section 34 of the brace 30.is situated below the top edge 26 of the sheet 18, to provide support for a deck 40 on brace segment 34.

It will be understood that in using a sleeve type hinge arrangement of the kind described above, the vertical positioning and locking of the brace 30 in the bracing position is dependent upon manipulation by the mechanic erecting the panel. If desired, an alternate type of hinge can be employed which automatically raises the brace as it is rotated into the brace position. A hinge of this type is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 16. The device shown comprises a sleeve 50 having flanges 52 which is suitably secured such as by rivets 54 to the sidewall 18 and panel flange 20. The sleeve 50 receives section 33 of the brace 30. The sleeve 50 is provided with a cam slot 58 which receives a pin 60 projecting from section 33 of the rotatable brace 30. As the brace rotates, the pin 60 follows the slot 58 to move the brace 30 longitudinally relative to the sleeve 50.

The positioning of the deck 40 above the top edge 26 of the wall panel permits the use of a coping 47 to produce a smooth transition from the sidewall to the deck (FIG. 6).

The coping 47 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 is prefabricated from any suitable material such as metal, e.g. aluminum, or plastic. A slot 41 is designed for mounting the coping on the top edge 64 of the panel 18 for holding it in position while the concrete deck 40' is being poured around the upper horizontal element 34 of the brace and into the coping. The edge 64 may be an integral part of the panel 18 or may be suitably secured to the top of the panel 18 as illustrated in FIG. 14. Suitable means for attaching the liner are provided in the coping such as a groove 45 into which the liner bead 12a is inserted.

It is understood that, while for purposes of illustration. a liner is shown, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the use of a liner. An arrangement having a poured concrete pool bottom without liner may be used. Furthermore, an arrangement in which a partial liner which covers only the floor, or the floor and only part of the vertical wall area, may be used. In cases where a liner is not used or only a partial liner is used, suitable means for sealing the walls such as caulking is employed.

An alternate coping to the structure illustrated in FIG. 6 is shown as 82 in FIG. 3A. Coping 82 is prefabricated from a suitable rigid material as plastic or metal such as aluminum. This coping is preferably designed to overhang the sidewall of the pool at 83 and, as shown, as suitable securing means is provided with two spaced depending ribs 84 which snap into suitable mating tracks 86 formed in a track member 88. The track member 88 can be of any suitable rustproof material such as a substantially rigid plastic and is suitably anchored to the deck 40 by appropriate means such as holddown plate 90 secured with lag bolts 92. A grooved opening 94 integrally formed in the track member 88 is also provided for inserting the bead 12a of a flexible pool liner. The coping is placed over the upper edge of the wall panels and its free end (47 in FIG. 6 and 83 in FIG. 3A) is arranged to overhang the pool wall and, where a liner is employed, to overhang also the securing opening into which the head of the pool liner is inserted.

The pool deck may be preformed or cast in situ. As shown in FIG. 17, the deck 40 is illustrated as formed from pre-cast concrete sections having overlapping ends 40a and 40b and provided with holes to receive a flathead tie bolt 43, which also passes through holes 34a in the brace 30, for securing the deck upon the top section 34 of the brace 30. Alternatively, the deck may be formed by concrete poured in situ and, as shown in FIG. 6, the concrete secures in place, into an integral structure, the brace, wall and coping. An alternative means for securing a preformed deck to the brace 34 is shown in FIG. 178 wherein clips 98 which are formed on or otherwise attached to the prefabricated deck 96 are used to secure the deck in place around a part or all of the pool periphery.

It will be understood that the deck may be constructed in any suitable manner in addition to that illustrated such as by casting in place, or it may be of wooden planking, plastic composition, metal, and the like or a combination of these techniques.

It will be noted that the brace of the invention contemplates a variety of junctures at the center of the brace. Section 35 of the FIG. 8 shaped brace 30 (FIG. 4) allows the tubular stock to be crossed with a minimum offset, i.e. the brace is substantially confined to a vertical plane thereby producing a stronger brace. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tube can also be offset as at 42 and is shown secured by a bolt 44. Here again the bolt 44 may be omitted without substantially detracting from the strength of the brace. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 on the other hand utilize a two piece brace which is secured at the center.

In operation, each panel module 16 is prefabricated at the factory having suitable predetermined sizes such as a longitudinal or width dimension C in the order of 8 feet and a height dimension D of 3 /2 feet for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10. A panel of these dimensions lends itself readily to constructing a 16 foot by 32 foot pool or a 16 foot by 40 foot pool, etc. However. it will be apparent that a wall module of any convenient size, such as a panel one-third the width of C of FIG. 10 (or any intermediate width) and provided with one brace for each panel may be formed. Also, as shown in FIG. 20, a panel 100 of any suitable width may be fabricated in which a single brace 30 is pivotally attached at 46 on the panel wall panel 100.

The required number of prefabricated panels, with braces nested against the panel, for the pool size selected are shipped to a construction site and erected by positioning each panel in place and rotating each brace approximately 90 and the lower outside portion of the brace is suitably anchored. Adjoining panels are similarly erected in place and attached at each side to the adjoining panels to complete the pool walls. The deck 40 is then formed of either poured concrete or by use of prefabricated segments and secured on the upper sections 34 of the braces 30. A flexible water impermeable liner is generally utilized and is placed within the interior surfaces of the pool and secured along its edges beneath the coping 47 as described above. However. a liner of this kind is not a limiting element in the inven tion and various other means to assure water tight integrity of the pool may be used. Earth back filling is then used to complete the pool surroundings.

The invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments utilized to illustrate the invention. it is understood. however, that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the inventive contribution. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted in scope except by the limitations expressed in the claims which follow.

I claim:

I. A swimming pool modular wall member compris ing in combination:

A. a substantially rectangular sidewall panel, said panel being provided at each end with means permitting said panel to be joined with an adjacent sidewall panel in forming a swimming pool wall, said panel being provided with hinge means on one side thereof securing at least one brace element to the outside of said panel, and

B. a brace member on said side of said panel, said brace member, comprising an upper loop and a lower loop in coplanar relationship, the two loops defining in plan a brace of generally figureeight configuration which is pivotally attached. by coaxial linear segments of the loops on the same side thereof to said hinge means on said sidewall panel, said brace member being nested in generally parallel relation contiguous to said panel side for shipping and adapted to be pivotally extended to [in use) substantially perpendicular relationship with the panel when in use to afford external bracing support for said panel against outward pressure exerted against the side of side panel opposite said brace member.

2. The brace of claim 1 wherein said upper loop in cludes an integral flat segment at the top which is adapted to support a pool deck.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes means for elevating said brace relative to said panel member when said brace is pivoted from a nested position to the extended panel member sup porting position.

4. The modular swimming pool sidewall member of claim 1 provided with a plurality of said sidewall brace members.

5. The modular swimming pool sidewall member of claim 1 equipped with three braces. the first of said braces positioned contiguous to one end of said panel member and the second and third being spaced there from at incremental distances of one-third and two thirds respectively of the length of said panel.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said brace member is formed from a single length of tubular stock which is secured at the cross-over point between the upper and lower loops of the figure eight.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said said brace member comprises separate upper and lower loops which are secured at the cross-over point.

Claims

1. A swimming pool modular wall member comprising in combination: A. a substantially rectangular sidewall panel, said panel being provided at each end with means permitting said panel to be joined with an adjacent sidewall panel in forming a swimming pool wall, said panel being provided with hinge means on one side thereof securing at least one brace element to the outside of said panel, and B. a brace member on said side of said panel, said brace member, comprising an upper loop and a lower loop in coplanar relationship, the two loops defining in plan a brace of generally figure-eight configuration which is pivotally attached, by coaxial linear segments of the loops on the same side thereof to said hinge means on said sidewall panel, said brace member being nested in generally parallel relation contiguous to said panel side for shipping and adapted to be pivotally extended to (in use) substantially perpendicular relationship with the panel when in use to afford external bracing support for said panel against outward pressure exerted against the side of side panel opposite said brace member.

2. The brace of claim 1 wherein said upper loop includes an integral flat segment at the top which is adapted to support a pool deck.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes means for elevating said brace relative to said panel member when said brace is pivoted from a nested position to the extended panel member supporting position.

5. The modular swimming pool sidewall member of claim 1 equipped with three braces, the first of said braces positioned contiguous to one end of said panel member and the second and third being spaced therefrom at incremental distances of one-third and two-thirds respectively of the length of said panel.