WO2010008260A1

WO2010008260A1 - Pool, in particular swimming pool, formed from a plurality of modules

Info

Publication number: WO2010008260A1
Application number: PCT/MA2009/000016
Authority: WO
Original assignee: I.T.P Services Maroc
Priority date: 2008-07-14
Filing date: 2009-07-13
Publication date: 2010-01-21
Also published as: MA31210B1; WO2010008260A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pool (1) comprising a shell (2). The pool is characterized in that said shell is formed from a plurality of modules (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) arranged next to one another with a seal (4) interposed between two modules at their assembly rims, said modules (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) being kept assembled together by connecting means (8).

Description

TITLE: BASIN, ESPECIALLY SWIMMING POOL; FORM OF A PLURALITY OF MODULES

The present invention relates to a pool, in particular pool, formed of a plurality of modules.

Conventional pools, called monocoque pools, have a single shell, usually polyester. This hull is

5 molded in one piece of the desired size and must then be brought to the chosen site. For this, trucks of the exceptional convoy type are required to transport the hull. The entrance to the site must also be cleared in advance in order to let the truck pass (deplantations ...). Finally, for this type of pool, it is

It is necessary to carry out a lifting either by bridge at the place of manufacture of the monocoque pool, or by a lifting truck and crane at the place of implantation.

Consequently, the installation of monocoque pools poses problems of transport, accessibility and assembly on the site. In addition, the cost of the installation is therefore increased.

The present invention aims to provide a new pool, especially pool, which avoids all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a basin, such as a swimming pool, of the type comprising a shell, characterized in that said shell is

20 formed of a plurality of modules disposed adjacent with at least partial interposition of a seal between two modules at their connecting edges, said modules being held together by means of connecting means.

The fact that the basin consists of several, namely at least

Two modules, each made as a molded prefabricated piece based on a polymeric material, such as polyester or a thermoformed plastic material, has the advantage of allowing quick and easy installation. In addition, the transport is facilitated compared to a basin comprising only a monolithic shell. Finally, this feature makes it easy to adapt

The size of the swimming pool at the desired size and has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing costs of a swimming pool for example.

In addition, the selected design makes it possible to obtain a good seal. Indeed, the connecting means that each couple two adjacent modules are connecting means that tend to bring said

35 adjacent modules coupled for compression of the seal interposed between said modules. Thus, parallel to the assembly of the modules together, it provides a compression of the seal. Advantageously, each module comprises, at its assembly edge to an adjacent module, an assembly wing formed by a fold of said bank, so that each seal is at least partially sandwiched between said wings assembly of two adjacent modules.

Preferably, the assembly wings of two adjacent modules form in cooperation with the seal a groove open towards the outside of the shell, said groove being filled with an additional seal. Preferably, the additional seal is formed of a malleable material hardening on contact with air.

According to one characteristic of the invention, each seal interposed at least partially between two adjacent products has a substantially T-shaped shape delimiting a vertical wing called the core of the T inserted between the wings of assemblies and a horizontal wing, said horizontal wing being formed of two branches, each branch of said module being pressed against the inner surface of a module in the area adjacent the assembly area of the module to an adjacent module.

Advantageously, the seal has on the one hand, formed at the level of the horizontal branches, a central groove extending to the right of the core of the T, on the other hand lips extending in the area of connection between the core of the T and the horizontal branches of the T, so as to allow the deformation of said liner. The presence of the throat and lips facilitates the storage and placement of the seal. Advantageously, the basin, in which each gasket, interposed at least partially between the connecting flanges of two adjacent modules is in the form of an elongated body, pierced with orifices axially offset along said body, each orifice the sealing gasket being adapted to cooperate through the connecting means with a through orifice formed on the connecting flanges.

Preferably, the distance between two successive orifices axially offset from the seal is less than the distance between two successive orifices offset axially from each assembly wing so as to allow tensioning of the seal when the assembling the modules using the connecting means.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the connecting means are a crimping, a riveting or a screw / nut system. Preferably, the basin further comprises reinforcing elements arranged at the assembly wings and reinforcing elements disposed on the outer wall of the shell, so as to enhance the mechanical strength of the basin. The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative purposes and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings: FIG. 1 represents a perspective top view of a modular basin according to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a perspective and exploded view of the basin of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view taken from below of the basin of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view taken from below and exploded of the basin of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 represents an enlarged and perspective view of the basin of FIG. 1 at the junction between two adjacent modules,

FIG. 6 represents a sectional and enlarged view of the basin of FIG. 1 also at the junction between two adjacent modules, FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of the seal of the basin of FIG. 1,

- and Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the seal and connecting means of two adjacent modules of the basin of Figure 1.

As represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the basin 1 according to the present invention intended for the realization of swimming pool, pond or other, comprises several, namely at least two, modules 2 and more precisely four: 2a, 2b,

2c and 2d, each module forming both at least a portion of the bottom and walls of the basin 1. This basin 1 can affect a large number of forms.

Regardless of its shape, this basin 1 is formed each time with a bottom and side walls adjacent to the bottom. Generally, this basin is formed of at least two end modules which each comprise a bottom portion and three side walls to form the ends of the basin. Between the end modules, it can be provided from zero to n so-called intermediate modules which each comprise a bottom wall and two side walls. In the example shown in the figures, the basin is of generally rectangular shape. L, U or other shapes are also feasible.

These modules, arranged side by side and contiguously, are interconnected at their side (s) or adjacent edge (s), said (s) bank (s) assembly. Thus, the module 2a which forms an end module comprises an assembly edge in order to be connected to the module 2b, the module 2b has two assembling banks in order to be connected to the modules 2a and 2c, and so the module 2c has two assembly edges to be connected to the module 2b and 2d and the module 2d, which forms an end module, has an assembly edge to be connected to its adjacent module, that is to say say module 2c. The modules 2a to 2c form intermediate modules.

Each assembly edge of the modules comprises an assembly wing 14 which corresponds to a fold or a fold at the level or the banks of the modules. These assembly wings 14 are further pierced with orifices 15 through (FIG. 5) in order to receive connecting means 8 making it possible to assemble the modules positioned side by side. These orifices 15 are separated from each other by a distance "D" (not shown in the figures).

The modules are prefabricated parts based on a polymeric material, such as polyester or thermoformed plastic, preferably by molding. When the basin is polyester, it can be repaired in case of cracks.

As shown in Figure 2, between two adjacent modules 2 is interposed a seal 4. This gasket 4 seal type is, in the assembled state of said moduleSi compressed between the two modules 2 adjacent by the means link 8 mentioned above. These connecting means correspond, as shown in the figures, to a screw system 9 / nut 11 / washers 10, preferably of rubber or stainless steel, and form screw connection means, but may also correspond to crimping or riveting .

For this, the seal 4 is also pierced with holes. These holes are spaced apart by a distance "d" as shown in FIG. 7. This distance "d" is smaller than the distance "D", that is to say the distance between two successive orifices offset axially. and arranged on each assembly wing 14, this offset is of the order of 2 to 3 mm, so as to allow a pre-tension or a tension of the seal interposed between two adjacent modules. In addition, the seal 4 has a profiled shape (FIG. 7) inherent to the section of the modules, so as to allow an adequate seal of the basin 1. In order to ensure the folds 5, 6 of the lining 4, such that shown in Figure 7, notches can be made at the corners too pronounced. When the angle at the fold is retracting (fold 6), the seal is welded at the notch and to marry the assembly wings at the folds of the hull. When the angle is salient (folds 5), a piece of trim is reported to fill the free space left by the cut. More particularly, and as shown in FIGS.

8, the seal has a general T shape, that is to say it comprises two horizontal branches 4a and a core 4c corresponding to the vertical branch or wing of the T. The core 4c of the T is sandwiched between two connecting wings 14 of two adjacent modules, such as 2a and 2b as shown in FIG. 8. It is this core 4c of the T which is pierced with holes which serve to receive the means 8 of link. The horizontal branches 2a of the T comprise a branch which extends to the right and which is pressed against the inner surface of the module 2a and a branch which extends to the left and which is pressed against the inner surface of the module 2b, and this in the assembly area of these two modules 2a and 2b. Thus, the horizontal branches 2a of the lining 4 can seal the junction area between the modules. In addition, in order to facilitate the deployment in horizontal position of the branches 2a of the T, a central groove 6 is (FIG. 8) arranged in line with the core 4c of T. Finally, the seal 4 comprises lips 2b. extending in the connection zone between the core 4c of the T and the horizontal branches 2a of the T, so as to allow the deformation of said lining during bending of the T when it is put in place.

The seal is preferably elastomeric and has a hardness of preferably between 50 and 70 shores, preferably close to 60 shores.

In addition, to further secure the tightness of the basin 1, an additional seal 7 (Figure 8) is disposed during installation at the free space extending beyond the base of the T between the assembly wings 14 of two adjacent modules. This additional liner 7 may be formed of a paste, such as putty, or a silicone seal or a mixture of a binder and fillers, such as a resin / glass fiber mixture. This additional lining 7 can be applied for example to brush on the small parts, with a cloth coated on the larger pieces, as for the reinforcing elements that will be described below.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, first reinforcing elements 13 are disposed at the wings of assemblies 14 and second reinforcing elements 12, are arranged on the outer wall of the shell, and to strengthen the strength The first reinforcing elements 13 are for example triangular-shaped gussets connected by one of the sides of the triangle to the assembly wings 14 and by another side of the triangle to the outer surface of the modules. The second reinforcing elements 12 are in the form of sections or vertical beams reported along the outer walls of the modules 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. These reinforcing elements are made of cardboard and then covered with lamination, that is to say a mixture of resin and glass fibers. These elements are generally attached to the outer walls of the modules by gluing. The installation of such a basin in a field of implantation will now be described.

First of all, in known manner, an earthwork of a suitable surface and depth is performed.

In this earthmoving, a first bed of gravel is dumped and leveled.

Laminated cardboard shims, preferably of a height of about 60 cm, are positioned on the gravel bed with leveling. These wedges allow access to the lower part of the modules 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d and screwing the bottom of the basin 1. The modules 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are then positioned on the wedges with a level control.

Then, each seal 4 is positioned between two adjacent modules.

Then, the assembly wings of the adjacent modules are assembled by the connection means 8 here of the screw type. The connecting means 8, such as screws, are thus introduced into the orifices 15 of the assembly wing 14 of a first module and then into the orifices of the seal 4 and then into the orifices of the wing assembly of a second module adjacent to the first. The nut is then fixed to the screw and ensures by tightening a bringing together adjacent modules together causing in parallel compression of the liner. The additional lining 7, for example a silicone seal, is put in place at the junction of two assembly wings in the space free opening outward. The lining 4 is at this stage in the compressed state.

Finally, if necessary, an additional seal is made on the wall of the shell by an application of a fiberglass / resin mixture. Finally, just pour a second bed of gravel to the required level. Basin 1 can be fully or semi-buried.

The basin 1 has the advantage of not requiring for its implementation a pouring of a concrete slab scraped.

In addition, the basin 1 according to the present invention can be used for the realization of swimming pool, but more generally for any container of liquid.

In addition, the basin 1, due to its modular structure, has the advantage of being easy to implement, the size of the modules, their number and their shape may vary depending on the type of basin desired. The modules can also be stored on the site, even in narrow areas, unlike monohull pools. The modules may have for example a width of 2 to 3 meters and a length of 4 to 6 meters for a height of 2 to 3 meters.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Basin (1) as basin (1) pool formed of a bottom and sidewalls, said tank comprising a shell (2), said shell (2) being formed of a plurality of modules (2a ₅ 2b, 2c, 2d) arranged adjacently with at least partial interposition of a seal (4) between two adjacent modules at their connecting edges, said modules (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) being held together by means of connecting means (8), characterized in that each of the modules (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) forms both at least a portion of the bottom and side walls of the basin.

2. Basin (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the basin is formed of at least two end modules which each comprise a bottom portion and three side walls to form the ends of the basin and between the modules end of 0 to n modules, said intermediate, which each comprise a bottom wall and two side walls.

3. Basin (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each module (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprises, at its assembly edge to an adjacent module, a wing of assembly (14) formed by a folding of said bank, so that said seal (4) is at least partially sandwiched between said connecting flanges (14), the wings of assemblies (14) of two adjacent modules forming in cooperation with the seal a groove open towards the outside of the shell, said groove being filled with an additional seal (7).

4. Pond (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the additional seal (7) is formed of a malleable material hardening in contact with air.

5. Basin (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each seal (4) interposed at least partially between two adjacent products has a substantially T shape defining a vertical wing called core (4c ) of the T inserted between the wings (14) of assemblies and a horizontal wing, said horizontal wing being formed of two branches (4a), each leg (4a) of said module being pressed against the inner surface of a module in the area adjacent to the assembly area of the module to an adjacent module.

6. Pond (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the seal (4) has on the one hand, formed at the level of the branches horizontal, a central groove (6) extending to the right of the core (4c) of the T, on the other hand of the lips (4b) extending in the connection zone between the core (4c) of the T and horizontal branches (4a) of the T, so as to allow the deformation of said lining (4).

7. Basin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each seal (4), interposed at least partially between the connecting flanges of two modules (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) adjacent is presented in the form of an elongated body pierced with orifices offset axially along said body, each orifice (3) of the seal (4) being adapted to cooperate via the connecting means (8) with an orifice (15) crossing formed on the assembly wings.

8. Pond (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the distance between two orifices (3) axially offset axially of the seal (4) is less than the distance between two orifices (15) sequentially offset axially from each wing assembly so as to allow a tension of the seal (4) during assembly of the modules using the connecting means (8).

9. Pool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connecting means (8) are a crimping, riveting or screw / nut system.

10. Pool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises reinforcing elements (12) arranged at the assembly flanges (14) and reinforcement elements arranged on the outer wall of the hull, so as to strengthen the mechanical strength of the basin.