WO2004015224A1

WO2004015224A1 - An overflowing above-ground swimming pool

Info

Publication number: WO2004015224A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000480
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Spedini
Original assignee: Agrisilos S.R.L.
Priority date: 2002-08-09
Filing date: 2003-07-31
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Also published as: US20050284042A1; DE60331349D1; AU2003253292A1; ATE458104T1; ITCR20020014A1; EP1573151A1; ITCR20020014A0; EP1573151B1

Abstract

Above-ground swimming pool, comprising at least one basin (1), consisting of a waterproof sheet (9) and of a supporting structure (2), further comprising an overflowing channel (3) contained in a space (V) of said supporting structure (2) defined between first support means, adjacent to said basin (1), and second support means, external to said first support means. The overflowing channel (3) may consists of an impermeable sheet (10) hooked to the supporting structure (2).

Description

AN OVERFLOWING ABOVE-GROUND SWIMMING POOL

The present invention relates to an overflowing above-ground swήnming pool. Known above-ground swimming pools essentially comprise a basin, consisting of a waterproof sheet, and a supporting structure.

Said supporting structure is usually realized by means of a wall of tubular or beam elements, connected by joints or hinges, and/or by means of metal plates or similar. Such swimming pools are particularly appreciated for their low cost and easy installation, compared to underground swimming pools of tlie same dimensions.

Known above-ground swimming pools have a raised edge, that is to say, they are filled up to a level a few centimetres below tlie upper edge of the sheet, so as to avoid overflow of the water during tlie use of tlie swimming pool.

A wa rter purification circuit is provided, that usually comprises at least a skimmer, through which the water of tlie swiinming pool flows, a filter, one or more inlet openings into tlie basin and a pump. The technique of realizing overflowing swiinming pools is also known, in tlie field of underground swimming pools.

Such swimming pools comprise an overflowing channel along their perimetral edge, connected to a water purification and recirculation circuit, and are filled up to said edge, so as to obtain a continuos skiinining of tl e water, which falls from tlie basin into tlie overflowing channel and, tlrough said channel, is led to the purification and recirculation circuit.

Said circuit usually comprises an external accumulation and compensation reservoir, a pump, a physical-mechanical filter - for example a cartridge filter or a sand filter - pipes and inlet openings leading purified water into the basin.

Overflowing swiimning pools are more hygienic than swiimning pools with raised edge, because dirt and floating impurities are continuously removed by the overflowing water; they are particularly suited for swiimning competitions because tlie waves do not reflect at the edges; furthermore, they are better looking because they create an optical effect that seems to broaden the dimensions of tlie swiimning pool itself.

However, underground swiimning pools are very expensive, require long realization times, and are not always realizable, depending on the features of the ground.

It must also be considered that overflowing swimming pools must be perfectly leveled so as to avoid that overflowing occurs only along a limited portion of tlie perimetrical edge, and this fiirther increase the realization costs. The known technique used in the field of tlie above-ground swnmning pools does not allow the realization of overflowing swiimning pools, essentially because the supporting structures of tl e known above-ground swiimning pools are not suitable and do not allow to realize the overflowing channel around the basin of the swiimning pool.

On tlie other hand, tlie structures and tlie techniques for the realization of underground overflowing swimming pools can not be used to realize above-ground overflowing swiimning pools, because of their ^' high cost and because these structures are designed to be undergrounded and surrounded with filling means such as sand or gravel, and therefore would not witlistand the pressure of the water in above-ground installations.

The aim of the present invention to solve said inconveniences.

The first aim of tlie invention is to realize an overflowing above-ground swήmning having both tlie advantages of an overflowing swimming pool and of an above-ground swiimning pool.

A further aim of tlie invention is to realize an overflowing above-ground swimming pool that does not require the presence of an external compensation reservoir, further reducing the installation costs. Another aim of tl e invention is to realize an overflowing above- ground swiimning pool with a particularly efficient water purification system, that does not require high energy consumption for pumping tlie recirculated water.

Still another aim of the invention is to realize an overflowing above-ground swm_ming pool that may be installed ahnost everywhere and on any ground, in an easy and quick manner, and in particular that may be easily levelled to the ground.

Therefore, an aim of tlie present invention is to realize an economical overflowing above-ground swnmning pool, having a light structure for easy transportation, easy to install, easy to disassemble for removing or displacing or for periods in which tlie swήmning pool is not used.

These aims and others that will be more evident hereinafter, are achieved by the invention, consisting of an above-ground swiimning pool, comprising at least one basin, consisting of an impermeable sheet, and a supporting structure, characterized in that it comprises an overflowing channel contained in a space of said supporting structure defined between first internal supporting means, adjacent to said basin, and second supporting means, external to the first ones.

The main advantage consists in that by means of tlie present invention it is possible to realize an overflowing above-ground swiimning pool, still having tlie easy installation, the light structure, tlie possibility of disassembling and tlie low cost of the known above- ground swiimning pools.

In order to reduce installation costs and spaces, the overflowing channel is also realized with a waterproof sheet, and it may contain enough water to act as an accumulation and compensation reservoir.

The presence of a large overflowing channel furthermore allows to realize a gravity filter by means of a filtering sheet, placed in said overflowing channel, obtaining efficient water purification without using a filtering circuit that would require high pumping power.

For making tlie supporting structure of the swiimning pool light, low-cost and easy to assemble, said struscture comprises two parallel lines of vertical rods, realized with tubular or beam elements connected by cross members, with fixed joints or hinges. For making easier the installation and in particular tlie levelling to tlie ground, said structure further comprises adjustable ground supports.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, referring to some preferred embodiments showed in the enclosed figures, by way of non-limitative example.

Figure 1 shows a portion of an overflowing above-ground swimming pool according to tl e present invention, in a perspective schematical view.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the supporting structure of the swimming pool of figure 1 , according to plane II-II of said figure.

Figure 3 shows a portion of tlie inner wall of the supporting structure of the swiimning pool according to figure 1, in a front view.

Figure 4 shows a section of the structure of the swiimning pool according to figure 1, according to a plane parallel to tlie horizontal plane.

Figure 5 shows, in a scheme, tlie structure of tlie swiimning pool according to figure 1, in a section according to a vertical plane.

Figures 6 and 7 show more in detail some realization detail relative to some preferred embodiments of the present invention. With reference to the above figures, the present invention relates to an overflowing above-ground swiimning pool, mainly comprising a basin 1 consisting of a waterproof sheet 9, and a supporting structure 2.

Said basin 1 is realized, for example by means of a fabric sheet, made of polyester fibre coated with PVC or polyurethane.

The swiimning pool, according to tlie invention, comprises an overflowing channel 3 contained in a space V of tlie supporting structure 2, defined by first internal support means, adjacent to said basin 1, and by second support means external to said first ones.

In a preferred embodiment, said support means are obtained by means of two rows of vertical rods 2' and 2", following tlie perimeter of tlie basin itself.

Said overflowing channel 3 is advantageously realized with an impermeable sheet 10, similar to tlie one used for said basin 1, and it can contain enough water to act also as a water accumulation and compensation basin for said swimimng pool.

The use of two different sheets for the basin 1 and the overflowing channel 3 is preferred, tlie transport and installation of the swiimning pool being easier; however, in another embodiment (not shown), it is possible to realize tlie basin 1 and tl e overflowing channel 3 with tlie same sheet hooked to said supporting structure 2, i.e. sheets 9 and 10 may be regarded as two portions of a single sheet.

The overflowing channel 3 is connected to a recirculation circuit 13 for reintroducing into said basin 1 the water continuously overflowing into said channel, said recirculation circuit comprising at least one puinp P, flexible pipes 14 and inlet openings 15.

An automatic system for tlie control of tlie water level in tl e overflowing_, channel 3, comprising a level sensor that controls a topping-up valve, of known kind, may also be provided.

The recirculation circuit 13 may comprise some known purification means, like sand filters or cartridge filters; however, in a preferred embodiment, the overflowing swiimning pool comprises a gravity filter according to tlie Italian patent application No. CR2002A000013 of the same applicant.

Said gravity filter is realized by means of a filtering sheet 12, placed in tlie overflowing channel 3, between the water level of the basin 1 and tlie water level of said channel, so as to be crossed by tlie water that flows from said basin 1 into said channel.

This filter is very efficient, because the water flows through it at a very low speed; furthermore, it is separated from the recirculation circuit 13 and does not cause any head loss, allowing tlie use of an economical, low-head water pmnp that reduces costs and energy consmnption.

The filtering sheet 12 is hooked to tlie sides of the overflowing channel 3 so as to be easily removed for periodical cleaning and replacing. These and other advantages deriving from the use of this filter are described more in detail in the cited patent application.

The portion of the space V below the overflowing channel 3 may contain accessory elements, like the flexible pipes 14 and the pmnp P of tlie recirculation circuit 13, or other accessories. The supporting structure 2 comprises ground supports 6 which, advantageously, allow height adjustement when tlie structure is already assembled, to level the basin 1 horizontally.

Said structure advantageously comprises also a continuous, essentially plain and rigid surface SI, that gives lateral support to tlie sheet 9 and realizes an inner rigid wall around said basin 1.

The presence of a rigid wall around said basin 1 is useful, for example, to turn during swύmning competitions.

Similarly, said structure 2 may comprise an outer surface S2 giving a continuous support for tlie junction of the sheet 10, or for closing tlie space V towards tlie outside. A grated gangway 16, or other pedestrian covering, is provided along the perimeter of the basin 1, closing the top of the overflowing channel 3. Further elements suitable for a comfortable use or for safety, like a handrail or a ladder, are not shown.

Relating in particular to the preferred embodiment shown in tlie enclosed figures, tlie structure 2 comprises vertical rods 2' and 2" connected by cross elements 4 and struts 5, placed at a suitable distance one from the other according to tlie loads.

Said vertical rods 2' and 2" are supported by a threaded bar 8 by means of regulation nuts 7. Said threaded bar is fixed to a plate 31 resting on the ground.

The structure 2 also comprises panels 11, fixed to tlie vertical rods 2' and 2" on the longitudinal plane, that form said surfaces SI and S2.

As it can be seen better from figure 4, vertical rods 2' and 2" are omega-(Ω) shaped, with a central, C-shaped part and lateral edges 30, onto which 'said panels 11 are resting.

These latter are fixed to tlie vertical rods, on tlie sides of the central C-shaped part, by means of screws or bolts, not shown.

The vertical rods and 2" are specular, and the cross elements 4 are realized with C-shaped beams or similar, fixed to said vertical rods for example with screws. Further reinforcing bars, placed on tlie longitudinal plane, may be fixed or screwed to the edges 30 of tlie vertical rods 2' or 2", in order to strengthen the structure.

Vertical rods 2' and 2" are preferably made of galvanized steel, for obtaining a light and low-cost structure, resistant to corrosion and atmospheric agents.

Panels 11 may also be realized with folded galvanized steel plate, according to fig. 4.

Figures 6 and 7 show two solutions for obtaining the hooking of sheets 9 and 10 and of tlie filtering sheet 12.

According to figure 6, stop ropes 17 are fixed to tlie edges of tlie sheets 9 and 10 by means of a cuff of tlie sheets welded or sewed on itself.

The edges of tlie sheets are then hooked to tlie supporting structure 2 with a metal beam 18, adapted to retain said ropes 17, fixed to the supporting structure 2 by means of screws 19.

Said metal beam 18 has also a flange 20, adapted to support Hie gangway 16.

An edge 21 of impermeable sheet, welded to said sheet 9, covers the beam 18 for making the passage between the basin 1 and the overflowing channel 3 impermeable to water.

The filtering sheet 12 comprises, at its edges, stop ropes 22, and reversible hooking means for said sheet are provided, realized with rotating hooks 23 connected to said beam 18. Said rotating hooks 23 may be transversally rotated referring to said overflowing channel 3, to block the edges of said filtering sheet 12, or they may be longitudinally rotated referring to said channel, leaving tlie edges of said filtering sheet 12 free for installation or removal thereof.

According to figure 7, on the other hand, the sheet 9 is hooked by means of a longitudinal blocking element 24, fixed to tl e supporting structure 2 by means of screws or bolts 25, and also in this case it comprises a retaining rope 17 for preventing tlie sheet from slipping.

In this case, tlie sheet 10 is directly welded to the sheet 9, while tlie sheet 12 is reversibly hooked by means of a joint 26 comprising a beam 27, into which the edges of said sheet 12 and an edge 28 of said sheet are hooked, welded to said sheet 10.

Said beam 27 is advantageously made of aluminimn, in sections about one meter long. A fiirther sheet 29 forms a deflector for tlie overflowing water and leads it on the filtering sheet 12.

It is evident that other hooking means for the sheets may be used, according to the technique known in the field of above-ground swiimmng pools. When tlie basin 1 is filled up with water, the hydrostatic pressure generates a horizontal force which, according to tlie dimensions of the swiimning pool, may be considerable and may induce an overturning of the structure.

In these cases, inner vertical rods 2' should be fixed to the ground to withstand traction forces, or linked each other by means of rigid beam elements at the base of tl e supporting structure 2. A solution for preventing the overturning force on the supporting structure 2 consists in realizing sheet 9 of suitable dimension so that, once filled with water, said sheet behaves like a tensostructure, assmning a shape similar to the one shown in figure 1 and schematically shown also in figure 5.

Thanks to this behaviour of tlie sheet 9, tlie tension of tlie sheet balances, at least partially, the hydrostatic pressure in the horizontal direction, and a vertical load, equal to the tension of the sheet 9, is discharged to the supporting structure 2. Thus tlie danger of overturning of tlie structure is avoided, as well as the need of linking the vertical rods to tlie ground so as to resist to traction forces.

The invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of tlie inventive concept; all tlie details may also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, tlie materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

f>-

Claims

1. An above-ground swήmning pool, comprising at least one basin (1), consisting of a waterproof sheet (9) and of a supporting structure (2), characterized in tliat it comprises an overflowing channel (3) contained in a space (V) of said supporting structure

(2) defined between first inner support means, adjacent to said basin (1), and second support means, external to said first ones.

2. A swήmning pool according to claήn 1, characterized in tliat said overflowing channel (3) is adapted to contain enough water to work as an accumulation and compensation basin for said swήmning pool.

3. A swήmning pool according to claim 1, characterized in that said overflowing channel (3) consists of an ήnpenneable sheet (10) hooked to said supporting structure (2).

4. A swήmning pool according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a filtering sheet (12), placed in said overflowing channel (3) between the water level of said basin (1) and the water level of said channel (3), so as to realize a gravity filter for tlie water flowing from said basin (1) ήito said channel (3).

5. A swήmmng pool according to claήn 1, characterized in tliat said supporting structure (2) comprises ground supports (6) tliat may be adjusted in height.

6. A swήnming pool according to claήn 1, characterized in that accessory elements (13, 14, P) of said swήmning pool are housed in tliat portion of said space (V), placed below said overflowing channel (3).

7. A swήmning pool according to claήn 1, characterized in that said supporting structure (2) comprises lateral surfaces (SI, S2) essentially plane and rigid, realized by means of panels (11).

8. A swήmning pool according to claήn 1, characterized in that said first inner and second external support means of said supporting structure (2) comprise two parallel lines of vertical rods (2', 2").

9. A swήmning pool according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in tliat said vertical rods (2', 2") have an omega-shaped section, with a central C-shaped portion to which said panels (11) are fixed, and lateral edges (22) forming support planes of said panels (11).

10. A swiimnήig pool according to claήns 1 and 3, characterized in tliat said sheets (9, 10) comprise retaining ropes (17) for tlie fixing by means of hooking means (18, 24) comiected to said supporting structure (2).

11. A swiimning pool according to at least one of tlie preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (9) has such dήnensions as to get placed, when it is filled up with water, accordήig to a curved shape, such that the tension of said sheet (9) may balance, at least partially^* the hydrostatic pressure of the water contained in said basin (1) and determines a vertical load on said supporting structure (2).

12. A swimming pool according to the preceding claήns, characterized in that said supporting structure (2) is made of galvanized steel.