Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified terranean relationship – Open top – embedded container – tank – or reservoir
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-19
2001-05-08
Hansen, James O. (Department: 3636)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified terranean relationship
Open top, embedded container, tank, or reservoir
C052S250000, C004S506000, C249S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226938
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to swimming pool construction and, more particularly, to a swimming pool deck and pool wall support apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known in the prior art to support swimming pool walls and decks utilizing a combined pool wall and pool deck support apparatus. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,109,324 and 5,325,644, both to Cornelius, each disclose a combined pool wall and pool deck support apparatus made of concrete. The Cornelius '324 patent discloses a concrete support having an X-shape. The Cornelius '644 patent discloses a concrete support that includes two trapezoidal-shaped panels which cooperate with one another in a tongue and groove arrangement.
It is also known in the prior art to provide a support for swimming pool walls and decks which consist of a hollow outer member, or shell, that is filled with a column of settleable material such as concrete. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,601 to Hand discloses a pool wall and pool deck support that includes an upright, hollow outer member that is filled with concrete. The hollow member includes a web that extends outward from the hollow member and supports the swimming pool wall.
The prior art support apparatus discussed hereinabove have certain limitations. First, these known supports are not proximally adjustable relative to the swimming pool wall and, in practice, are bulky and difficult to handle. Additionally, these prior art supports cannot be used easily with conventional, low-cost deck bracing that is typically utilized in aboveground and in-ground swimming pools.
Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide an easily transportable support apparatus that is simple to install and cooperates easily with conventional deck bracing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above object is accomplished with a support for a swimming pool deck and pool wall made in accordance with the present invention. The support generally includes a unitary shell member defining two vertically extending chambers each filled with concrete. At a first end of the shell member the chambers are connected by a web. The shell member further defines a gap extending from the web to a second end of the shell member and separating the chambers. The shell member of the support may be formed by a preformed blank configured to be foldable into the shape of the shell member. The support may further include a substantially U-shaped bracket having two ends and a connecting cross piece portion, with the ends embedded, respectively, in the concrete in the chambers defined by the shell member and with the cross piece portion extending across the web connecting the chambers. The cross piece portion is configured to attach to a brace member extending from a swimming pool wall with at least one fastener. The preformed blank may be made of cardboard. The shell member may be made of plastic or provided as a preformed concrete structure. The shell member may taper inward toward the second end. The chambers may have an open end located at the second end of the shell member.
The present invention is also a swimming pool deck and pool wall support system. The system generally includes a pool wall footer defining a perimeter of a swimming pool, a plurality of pool wall panels each secured at one end to the pool wall footer, at least one brace member attached to each of the pool wall panels, a plurality of supports cooperating with the brace members, and a swimming pool deck supported by the pool wall panels and the supports. The pool wall panels are positioned in end-to-end relationship and secured together at terminal end edges. The at least one brace member is attached to each of the pool wall panels to extend outward therefrom. The supports each include a unitary shell member defining two vertically extending chambers each filled with concrete. At a first end of the shell member the chambers are connected by a web. The shell member further defines a gap extending from the web to a second end of the shell member and separating the chambers. The brace members cooperate with the supports such that for each of the brace members, the brace member extends through the gap defined by the shell member of each of the supports. A swimming pool deck is supported by the pool wall panels and the supports.
The shell member of each of the supports may be formed by a preformed blank configured to be foldable into the shape of the shell member. The system may further include a substantially U-shaped bracket cooperating with the shell member of each of the supports. The bracket includes two ends and a connecting cross piece portion, with the ends embedded, respectively, in the concrete in the chambers defined by the shell member and with the cross piece portion extending across the web connecting the chambers of the shell member. The cross piece portion may be configured to attach to the respective brace members with at least one fastener. The preformed blank may be made of cardboard. The system may further include reinforcement bars positioned in the concrete in the chambers defined by the shell member of each of the supports. The shell member of each of the supports may be made of plastic or provided as a preformed concrete structure. The shell member of each of the supports may taper inward toward the second end. The shell member of each of the supports may be secured to the respective brace members with fasteners that extend through the web connecting the chambers of the respective shell members. The chambers defined by the shell member of each of the supports may each have an open end located at the second end of the shell member. The second end may be in contact with the pool wall footer such that when the chambers of the shell member of each of the supports are filled with concrete, the concrete forms a monolithic structure with the pool wall footer.
In addition, the present invention is a method of supporting a swimming pool deck and pool wall. Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1990001 (1935-02-01), Rutten
patent: 3468088 (1969-09-01), Miller
patent: 3511002 (1970-05-01), Fox
patent: 4109324 (1978-08-01), Cornelius
patent: 4124907 (1978-11-01), Laven
patent: 4413453 (1983-11-01), Witte
patent: 4464802 (1984-08-01), Glonek et al.
patent: 4781000 (1988-11-01), Bertsch et al.
patent: 4797957 (1989-01-01), Weir et al.
patent: 5025601 (1991-06-01), Hand
patent: 5277004 (1994-01-01), Frei
patent: 5325644 (1994-07-01), Cornelius
patent: 5330151 (1994-07-01), Boyack
patent: 5419656 (1995-05-01), McKinnon
patent: 5647571 (1997-07-01), Hupp
Hansen James O.
Hodak Linda M.
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