WO2004029385A1

WO2004029385A1 - A structure for realizing basins with accessory technological systems

Info

Publication number: WO2004029385A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000479
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Spedini
Original assignee: Agrisilos S.R.L.
Priority date: 2002-09-25
Filing date: 2003-07-31
Publication date: 2004-04-08
Also published as: AU2003253291A1; ITCR20020020A1; ITCR20020020A0; EP1543205A1

Abstract

A structure for realizing basins provided with accessory technological systems, in particular for realizing water massage basins or above-ground swimming pools, comprising lateral walls (2) realized in a hollow body, which contain said accessory technological systems (3), and at least one sealing water-proof membrane (4), connected in a removable manner to said lateral walls (2).

Description

A STRUCTURE FOR REALIZING BASINS WITH ACCESSORY TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

The present invention concerns a structure for obtaining basins provided with accessory technological systems, that may be used in particular for realizing water massage basins or above-ground swimming pools.

The need of realizing basins with accessory technological systems, like pipes, pumps, air blowers, heating means, devices for treating tlie water, control and operating means, is well known. Basins of such kind are used, for example, for portable water massage basins or above-ground swimming pools.

With particular reference to portable water massage basins, tlie most requested features are the lightness and the easiness in transport and installation, the possibility of inserting tlie technological systems into the structure of H e basin, reducing tlie encmnbrance, tlie possibility to reach said systems for inspection or replacement.

Furthermore, it is useful that said structure has a removable and replaceable coating that may be replaced in case of damage as well as for obtaining personalized basing, making use of tlie same structure and therefore reducing tlie costs.

Another advantageous feature consists in that the structure of tlie basin can be disassembled so as to transport the disassembled basin and assemble it on site, or for displacing it easily in case of need. For a comfortable use, the inner walls of the basin must be soft at touch, while, at tlie same time, a certain stiffness of tlie supporting structure is necessary to avoid excessive deformation of tlie basin, caused by tlie water pressure and temperature.

Finally, it is evident that the basin should not be too expensive.

At present, structures of various kinds are used for realizing water massage basins and, more in general, basins with accessory technological systems, but they do not allow to obtain tlie above-listed features in a satisfactory manner.

A first known kind of structure comprises a tubular supporting frame with a filling, usually made of expanded polythene, and a coating layer, usually consisting of a cloth, that makes the basin waterproof. -

The filling forms tlie inner and outer walls as well as the bottom of said basin, while the tubulars of the supporting frame are tlie pipes for the water or for tlie air. Thus, water and air inlets must be provided on the -uprights and on the cross-pieces, and are flanged to tlie waterproof coating.

This structure allows to realize a sufficiently light-weight basin, even if it shows a plurality of disadvantages: tlie basin can not be disassembled, because tlie uprights and tlie cross-pieces are welded or glued one to anotlier and because the filling cannot be removed; the coating water-proof cloth may be torn in correspondence of tlie flanging of the inlets, because the walls of Hie structure are not very stiff and tlie basin has the tendency of losing its shape when it is filled up with water; the inlets flanged to tlie cloth can not be replaced in case of need because they are fixed in an irremovable manner to the structure; tlie realization process requires a considerable amount of direct labor.

A further solution consists in tlie realization of the basin with an annular structure, with solid walls generally made of plastic expanded material. Spaces or recesses are provided in tlie inner and outer walls, for the passage of tlie pipes, and also in this case a coating cloth is provided.

This structure also has a plurality of disadvantages: only small pipes or devices may be inserted in the recesses of the walls, and an external room is necessary for the other technological systems like, e.g., tlie water pump; furthermore, it is not easy to check or replace the pipes inserted in the recesses of the walls; tlie expanded materials of the structure make difficult tlie fixing of Hie inlets or of tlie accessory elements, in a mechanically stiff manner.

Basins are also known having a hollow structure, out of plastic and water-proof material, filled with an insulating material like, e.g., polyuretliane foam. In this kind of basins a material is used, for obtaining the hollow structure, with an acceptable finishing, usually out of polyethylene, and therefore a further coating cloth is not used. Some pipes, like e.g. those carrying tlie water or tlie air to tlie inlets, are usually inserted inside tlie hollow structure before filling it up with insulating material.

But also these basins show some disadvantages: the structure can not be disassembled, because it must be realized out of one piece for being water-proof; tlie walls are rather hard on touch; tlie pipes inserted in tlie space between the walls, which is further filled with foam, are mostly inaccessible. A further problem of said solution consist in the choice of the material, which is deteraiined by tlie obtainable finishing degree: for this reason, only polyethylene is used, which however produces further inconveniences. In particular, polyethylene has an unsatisfactory mechanical resistance, especially when tlie basin's temperature rises above 40°C, because it is left under the sun or because it is filled up with warm water.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate or reduce all the above-mentioned inconveniences and disadvantages. In particular, the main purpose of the present invention is to obtain a structure for realizing a basin provided with accessory technological systems, like a water massage basin or a swimming pool, light-weight and portable; that may contain the accessory technological systems, eliminating the need of a separate room; that however allows to reach said systems for check and replacement of the same, even when the basin is full; that may be personalized with a replaceable coating, in case also differentiated between inside and outside of the basin.

A further aim of tlie present invention is that tlie structure allows to use a basin that may be assembled in loco, so as to facilitate tlie installation and its transportable feature, and that may be easily disassembled.

Another aim of the present invention is that tlie structure allows to realize a basin for a comfortable use, in particular with soft bottom, edges and lateral walls, and with a contained cost in spite of tlie mentioned advantages. The aims set forth are reached by means of tlie present invention, consisting of a structure for realizing basins with accessory technologic systems, characterized in that it comprises lateral walls realized in a hollow body, for containing said accessory technologic systems, and at least one water-proof sealing coating, connected in a removable manner to said lateral walls.

For facilitating transportation and portability of said basin, said structure is obtained with a plurality of hollow modular elements, mechanically connected one to another in a removable manner, e.g. by means of screws or bolts.

For making the basin comfortable in use, a filling of soft expanded material is placed between said lateral walls and said coating membrane, at least in some points of tlie structure, such as tlie edges.^' For improving tlie finisliing and for personalizing the basin, a finishing membrane is provided for covering tlie edge of tl e basin and tlie outer lateral walls, besides said sealing membrane.

The main advantages that may be obtained by means of tl e present invention are the following: tlie hollow structure is particularly light-weight; the pipes, tlie devices and all the accessory teclmological systems requested for functioning and use may be installed in the inner space of the hollow structure; said systems are easily accessible for checking or replacement by means of holes or openings on the external walls of said structure; the impermeability is obtained by means of a coating membrane that may be easily changed or replaced for renewing or personalizing tlie basin. A further advantage consists in that said structure may be of modular kind that may be disassembled, as the impermeability is obtained by tlie coating and therefore it is possible to connect tlie modules by means of screws or bolts and the sealing between one module and the other is not required.

Anotlier advantage consists in that the structure according to tlie present invention may be realized with different materials as the external finishing is given by the coating, and therefore the choice of tlie material is not subdue to the aesthetic and to tlie external finishing degree of the same.

Furthermore, by means of the structure according to tlie present invention a basin may be obtained with a supporting structure which does not suffer considerable deformations when it is filled up with water, but has soft walls and therefore is comfortable in use. Further features and advantages of tlie structure according to the present invention will be described more in detail hereinbelow relating to the enclosed drawings in which a preferred embodiment is shown.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a water massage basin obtained according to tlie present invention, complete with an internal sealing membrane, with an external finishing membrane and with a lower containing cloth.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view the carrying structure of tlie water massage basin according to figure 1, without coating membranes. Figures 3 a, 3b, 4a and 4b show perspective views, from different angles, of the modular elements foπning tlie structure shown in figure 2.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the section of tlie basin's wall, as shown in figure 1.

Figure 6 shows an element used for connecting the membranes to tlie basin's walls.

Relating to tlie details shown in the enclosed figures, tlie present invention concerns a structure for realizing a basin with accessory teclmological systems, generally shown with 1, comprising lateral walls 2 realized in a hollow body, for containing said accessory teclmological systems, generally shown with 3. Said teclmological systems comprise, for example, a pump 30, flexible or rigid pipes 31, air or water inlets 32, or even means for heating up the water, control and check means, etc., not shown.

According to tlie present invention, tlie structure of the basin 1 comprises at feast one sealing membrane 4, connected to the structure of said basin in a removable manner and that covers the inside of the water making tlie same water-proof.

In a preferred embodiment, said structure 1 comprises a plurality of hollow modular element 5, connected one to anotlier in a demountable manner.

Said elements 5 are shown, connected one to anotlier in figure 2, and separately in figures 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b.

For realising said lateral walls 2, said elements are placed side by side along faces 6 provided with openings 7 for allowing tlie passage, along tlie whole perimeter of tlie basin, of said pipes 31, or cables for lights or other electric devices. Said faces 6 also comprise holes 8 for- tlie reciprocal connection of said modular elements with screws or equivalent demountable means.

The internal faces of modular elements 5 comprise holes 9 for fixing said inlets 32, flanged to said sealing membrane 4. On the contrary, tlie external faces are provided with openings 10 of suitable shape and dimensions, which allow to easily reach tlie space between said walls 2 that contains tlie teclmological systems 3.

Advantageously, one or more modular elements 5 comprise an extension 11 that creates an additional housing volume for said technological systems 3, in particular for tlie most encumbering devices like- tlie water pump or the water heater, and for the control.

The latter may be collected in a control panel - not shown - placed on tlie edge of tlie basin in a suitable seat 12. Said modular elements 5 are advantageously realized out of polypropylene or polyethylene and are obtained by means of a rotating pressing process (rotomolding).

As is shown in detail in figure 5, tlie structure according to tlie present^' invention fiirthermore comprises an upper filling 13 and a lateral filling 14, out of soft material. Said fillings may be realized simply by means of sheets of expanded material. The structure of said basin 1 also comprises a finisliing membrane L5 that coats the edge of the basin and, laterally, also tlie outside of said basin, covering also the fillings 13 and 14.

Under tlie bottom of tl e basin a further bottom filling 17 is provided, which may be advantageously realized with a sheet of expanded material, and a containing water-proof clotli 16 to collect water leakages. The finishing membrane 15 and the containing cloth 16 are provided, on their edges, with reversible connecting means, realized - e.g. - with strips of Velcro 18.

Between tlie sealing membrane 4 and tlie finisliing membrane 15, connection means are provided. For this purpose, tlie lateral walls 2 advantageously comprise, on tlie internal side of tlie basin, reversible hooking means of said membranes, e.g. consisting of a frame consisting of modular elements 19. The latter may be used as shown in figure 6 and comprise at least one hole 21 for fixing screws to tlie lateral walls 2 - not shown - that allow to lock said modular elements 19 to said walls; furthermore, they comprise an extension 20, through which they may be joined and form a continuous frame, along tlie whole perimeter of the basin.

The finishing membrane 15, as shown in figure 5, is outwardly turned and covers the upper filling 13 and tlie lateral filling 14. The lower edge of the finisliing membrane 15 is therefore hooked to tlie one of tlie containing clotli 16 by means of tlie Velcro coupling 18.

Thus a continuous cover of the whole structure is obtained, by means of sealing membrane 4 inside, finisliing membrane 15 along tlie outer edges and the containing cloth 16 underneath.

First of all, tlie containing clotli 16 and the bottom filling are placed on tlie ground, then tlie modular elements 5 - complete with all their accessories - are connected between each other so as to form lateral walls 2 and teclmological systems 3. Fillings 13 and 14 are placed and then the sealing membrane 4 is fixed after having been flanged to said inlets 32, and finisliing membrane 15 to said lateral walls 2, locking tlie same between said walls and modular elements 19 positioned as a frame. Now tlie finisliing membrane 15 is outwardly turned for covering the fillings. Finally, tlie lower edge of finisliing membrane 15 is connected to tlie edge of said containing clotli 16 tliat projects from below said lateral walls 2, with said Velcro connections 18.

It is evident that tlie mounting is particularly simple and easy; ftirtheraiore, the basin obtained is very comfortable even having a rigid structure tliat gets not deformed during use; ftirthermore, it may be easily personalized with membranes 4 and 15 of different materials or colours, according to different preferences.

Once the basin is filled with water and in use, technological systems 3 are always accessible for checking or maintenance interventions, just by detaching tlie Velcro connections 18 and lifting tlie finisliing membrane 15, so as to uncover openings 10 that allow to reach the systems.

Claims

1. A structure for realizing basins provided with accessory teclmological systems, characterized in tliat it comprises lateral walls (2) realized in a hollow body, which contain said accessory teclmological systems (3), and at least one sealing water-proof membrane (4), connected in a removable manner to said lateral walls (2).

2. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in tliat it comprises a plurality of hollow modular elements (5), that may mechanically connected one to anotlier in a demountable manner.

3. A structure according to claim 2, characterized in tliat said modular elements (5) comprise openings (10) on the outer faces which facilitate the reaching of said teclmological systems (3) contained in tlie hollow body of said lateral walls (2), to perform check and maintenance operations.

4. A structure according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of said modular elements (5) comprises an extension (11) for realizing additional room for the housing of said technologic systems (3).

5. A structure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said sealing membrane (4) covers tlie bottom of said basin and the inside of said lateral walls (2), and a further finishing membrane (15) is provided for covering of tlie edge of the basin and of tlie outside of said lateral walls (2).

6. A structure according to claim 5, characterized in tliat connection means are provided between said sealing membrane (4) and said finisliing membrane (15).

7. A structure according to claim 6, characterized in that said connection means comprise reversible hooking elements (19) placed side by side for realizing a frame, substantially continuous along tlie inside of said lateral walls (2).

8. A structure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in tliat it comprises a clotli (16) for containing and for positioning on tlie ground.

9. A structure according to claims 5 and 8, characterized in tliat reversible hooking means (18) are provided between said finisliing membrane (15) and said containing cloth (16).

10. A strucjture according to at least one of tlie precedent claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more inserts of soft filling material (13, 14, 17).