Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified terranean relationship – Open top – embedded container – tank – or reservoir
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-29
2001-07-17
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified terranean relationship
Open top, embedded container, tank, or reservoir
C052S169100, C052S189000, C052S741410, C052S742140, C004S488000, C004S496000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260313
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of art to which the invention relates comprises method and apparatus for forming cantilevered coping about the top step of an in-ground liner type swimming pool and the product thereof.
BACK OF THE INVENTION
In-ground swimming pools are typically constructed of either concrete walls or ground walls with a replaceable liner for containment of the water. The liner of the latter is supported by a track secured to a panel above contemplated water level and draped inward of the cavity or bowl in which the water is to be contained. The stair steps of an in-ground liner pool are typically of molded fibreglass and of a design commonly marketed commercially by various manufacturers. Some of the stair walls are typically sloped and include both pre-formed offsets near their upper edges and a radius along their top edge.
Cantilevered poured aggregate coping is commonly provided above a pool interior whether of concrete or the liner type. It has long been an industry desire with the liner type pool to be able to form poured aggregate cantilevered coping about the top of the stair consistent with other sections of the pool. Poured coping is considerably less expensive than precast coping that can be commercially purchased but requires use of a pre-configured form board to receive and shape the concrete when poured. However, wall slopes, offsets, etc. normally contained in prefabricated fibreglass stairs render it difficult, if not impossible, to provide and suitably support a form board in proper orientation. As a result, existing form boards for this purpose have, for example, produced an uneven and distracting reveal where the concrete adjoins the lower edge of the radius.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Cantilevered coping of poured aggregate is commonly provided for in-ground liner type swimming pools everywhere but about the stairs. However, all polystyrene forms currently available for that purpose are required to be side mounted using double face tape to attach them to the surface of the adjacent wall panel. Such wall panels are characterized as having sharp 90 degree corners at their upper edge and are also set plumb. A polystyrene form board for that purpose is disclosed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,424.
Consequently, forming cantilevered coping of poured aggregate over prefabricated fiberglass stairs of a liner type pool has encounted extreme difficultly in its formation of the cantilevered coping because of surface irregularities in the stair configuration. This has rendered use of the conventional polystyrene form board extremely difficult in that the board cannot be properly set and secured at the desired orientation and yet be able to withstand the force of the aggregate when poured.
As a result of the foregoing, it has become common to use an erect vertical profile on the coping face in these circumstances and forego a cantilevered formation over the stairs. This then produces a coping format at the stair area that differs in construction and appearance from other sections of the pool.
Despite recognition of the foregoing, a ready solution therefor had not heretofore been known.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide novel method and apparatus for effecting poured aggregate coping over prefabricated stairs of an in-ground liner type swimming pool.
It is further object of the invention to effect the previous object in a reliable and economical manner.
It is still further object of the invention to construct poured aggregate coping over the stairs as in the previous objects aesthetically similar to the poured coping contained elsewhere about the pool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to forming poured aggregate coping over prefabricated stair steps of an in-ground liner type swimming pool. More specifically, the invention relates to method and apparatus able to accommodate the poured aggregate in forming the cantilevered coping over the stair steps and the coping formed thereby.
For achieving the foregoing, there is provided a polystyrene form board configured in a first profile to receive and shape the received aggregate and in a second profile below the first profile to complement the stair configuration thereat. The form board is secured in place by a plurality of spaced apart L-shaped saddle brackets extending through grooves in the underside of the form board and attached thereto via double faced tape or cement. The bracket in the vicinity of its distal end is slotted to receive a self tapping screw that secures the bracket to the top of the step. In addition, a frangible wire extends through the form board from a free end at the back to an anchor at the front edge of the step. The bracket, in combination with the wire, afford board retention in response to an applied thrust force of the aggregate when poured.
For release of the bracket and wire after the aggregate has cured, nylon string is supported on each bracket to enable the bracket to be saw cut from the board and the bracket stripped from under the self tapping screw. With the rear of the connecting wire broken away, and the bracket removed, the form board is released and can be readily removed without disturbing the finished concrete.
As a result of the foregoing, cantilevered coping can be readily formed over the stair steps having an appearance corresponding to the cantilevered coping located elsewhere about the pool.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3526070 (1970-09-01), Deason
patent: 3708930 (1973-01-01), Stegmeier
patent: 3967422 (1976-07-01), Stegmeier
patent: 3968191 (1976-07-01), Stegmeier
patent: 4589237 (1986-05-01), Dahowski
patent: 4706308 (1987-11-01), Palmere
patent: 4967424 (1990-11-01), Stegmeier
patent: 5916099 (1999-07-01), Hall
Homecrest Casual and Outdoor Furniture “Pool & Spa News” Oct. 20, 1999.
Photo—Unnamed & Undated.
Friedman Carl D.
Glessner Brian E.
Rubin Daniel
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