U.S. patent application number 10/791056 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-02 for modular panels for making a swimming pool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Piscines Desjoyaux S.A.. Invention is credited to Desjoyaux, Jean-Louis, Desjoyaux, Pierre-Louis, Jandros, Catherine.
Application Number | 20040168390 10/791056 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8867405 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040168390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Desjoyaux, Jean-Louis ; et
al. |
September 2, 2004 |
Modular panels for making a swimming pool
Abstract
Panels for making a swimming pool have a globally rectangular
planar prefabricated structure delimited by a peripheral frame
consisting of vertical and horizontal wings, one of the vertical
wings having, suitably distributed over its height, fixing
arrangements adapted to cooperate with matching arrangements of the
other vertical wing of an adjacent panel. The matching arrangements
are selected to enable the panels to be automatically assembled
after said arrangements have been engaged under a pressure force
exerted in a plane parallel to the vertical wings and to ensure
tightness in combination with a profiled shape arranged over the
whole length of the vertical wings at their connecting portion with
the planar surface of the structure.
Inventors: |
Desjoyaux, Jean-Louis;
(L'Etrat, FR) ; Desjoyaux, Pierre-Louis; (La
Fouillouse, FR) ; Jandros, Catherine; (L'Etrat,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Assignee: |
Piscines Desjoyaux S.A.
La Fouillouse
FR
|
Family ID: |
8867405 |
Appl. No.: |
10/791056 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10791056 |
Mar 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
PCT/FR02/03048 |
Sep 9, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/507 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/0081
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/507 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/38; E04C
001/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 14, 2001 |
FR |
0112067 |
Claims
1. Panels for producing swimming pools, having a prefabricated flat
structure (1) of rectangular overall shape and delimited by a
peripheral surround consisting of vertical flanges (1b) and (1c)
and horizontal flanges (1d) and (1e), one of the vertical flanges
(1c) has, suitably distributed over its height, fixing arrangements
(1f) able to collaborate with complementary arrangements (1g) on
the other flange (1b) of an adjacent panel, characterized in that:
the complementary arrangements (1f) and (1g) consist, in the case
of one of the flanges (1c), of tabs (1f) formed in the thickness of
the said flange (1c) and able to be engaged in centring and guiding
shapes (1g) belonging to the other flange (1b), each of the tabs
(1f) has, on its outer face, anchoring roughnesses (1f3) able to
collaborate with complementary roughnesses (1g) after engagement in
the said shapes, to ensure non-dismantleable self-locking, the
centring and guiding shapes (1g) constitute a well or sleeve formed
as an overspill from the bearing face of the flange (1b) and the
cross section of which corresponds approximately to that of the
tabs (1f), the part of the flange from which the said sleeves are
formed have anchoring roughnesses (1g1) so that when the tabs (1f)
have been engaged in the sleeves (1g) a wedging effect is produced
for imbricating the roughnesses, a profiled shape (1k) is
established over the entire height of the vertical flanges (1b) and
(1c) at their part for connection with the flat face (1a) of the
structure (1), to ensure sealing once the tabs (1f) have been
engaged in the sleeve (1g).
2. Panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the anchoring
roughnesses (1f3) and (1g1) consist of a number of straight and
parallel very closely-packed teeth of the gullet tooth type.
3. Panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the anchoring
tabs (1f) result from two parallel cut-outs (1f1) and (1f2) formed
at right angles from the longitudinal edge of the corresponding
flange (1c), the length of the said tabs (1f) being less than the
width of the said flange (1c).
4. Panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the anchoring
tabs (1f) are of flat cross section, the internal cross section
delimited by the edges of the sleeve (1g) being rectangular, the
free end of the anchoring tabs (1f) is chamfered.
5. Panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the profiled
sealing form consists of a bead (1k) resulting from an additional
thickness of material.
6. Panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of
the anchoring tabs (1f) is less than the width of the internal
section of the sleeves (1g) except for the sleeve situated at the
upper part of the structure (1) considered in a vertical position,
of which the width of its internal section corresponds
approximately to that of the tabs (1f) so as to allow heightwise
adjustment of the said panels.
7. Panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the entirety
of the structure (1) is obtained directly by the injection-moulding
of a plastic.
8. Panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal
face of the structure (1) is equipped, directly at the time of its
manufacture, with studs (1j) having a head and a centring part able
to collaborate with a necked aperture (2a) exhibited by an
independent reinforcing element (2) acting as wall tie and hollow
shaft for the pouring of concrete, the said studs (1j) and
apertures (2a) being distributed over the entire height of the
structure (1).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of elements for
building swimming pools.
[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to panels of the
type described in Patent FR 2 765 909 of which the applicant of
this patent is also the proprietor.
[0003] It will be recalled, for a better understanding of the
remainder of the description, that each panel is made from a
prefabricated structure of rectangular overall shape having a
peripheral surround delimiting in particular vertical flanges for
assembly with adjacent modular panels. Each structure has a width
which is small by comparison with its height. Advantageously, the
structure receives an independent reinforcing element shaped in
terms of cross section to receive, over the entirety of its height,
concrete communicating with wall ties.
[0004] For example, the reinforcing element has a cross section
able to define a vertical channel in communication with a
right-angled rim, so that the said channel and the said rim receive
concrete in combination with the wall ties. The vertical channel is
advantageously formed between two bearing and fixing flanges
situated in one and the same plane so that the reinforcing element
can be fixed between the vertical assembly flanges of the
structure.
[0005] The teachings of Patent FR 2 765 909 disclose particular
arrangements for assembling the various structures with one another
instantly without the need to employ attached assembly elements of
the screw or some other type.
[0006] To this end, according to the teachings of this earlier
state of the art, one of the vertical flanges of the structure has,
over its entire height, quick-assembly means of the clip-together
type, collaborating with complementary means exhibited by the other
flange. These assembly means of the clip-together type consist of
tongues which, at their ends, have a catching region collaborating
with open openings formed in the thickness of the other flange, in
correspondence.
[0007] This method of assembly affords significant advantages over
the assembly systems known from the prior art. However, the means
of assembly of the clip-together type are not entirely
satisfactory. For example, in order to engage the clip-together
tongues in the open openings, it is necessary to offer the
structure up obliquely and to fold it through an angle, with the
assembly flanges contiguous. It is also often necessary to use a
member of the pliers type to make sure that the tongues clip
perfectly into the openings.
[0008] This form of assembly also requires the provision of special
arrangements to ensure sealing. The design of the mould for
obtaining this type of panel involves movements resulting from the
presence of inserts or carriages needed for releasing certain parts
of the panel, particularly of the assembly means, from the mould.
This results in problems of fit tolerance which, after assembly,
create problems of flatness on the flat faces of the structure
accommodating the liner.
[0009] Starting out from this state of the art, still with the goal
of being able to assemble the various modular elements instantly
without the need to employ any attached assembly members, the
problem that the invention sets out to solve is that of simplifying
this method of assembly while at the same time having the goal of
obtaining a perfectly sealed assembly and perfect flatness after
assembly with the possibility of achieving assembly entirely
automatically using appropriate machines or entirely manually.
[0010] To solve such a problem, a panel for producing swimming
pools has been designed and developed which has:
[0011] a prefabricated flat structure of rectangular overall shape
and delimited by a peripheral surround consisting of vertical
flanges and horizontal flanges;
[0012] one of the vertical flanges has, suitably distributed over
its height, fixing arrangements able to collaborate with
complementary arrangements on the other flange of an adjacent
panel;
[0013] the complementary arrangements are selected, on the one
hand, to allow the panels to fix together automatically after the
said arrangements have been engaged, under a pressing force exerted
in a plane parallel to the vertical flanges and, on the other hand,
to ensure sealing in combination with a shaped form produced over
the entire height of the vertical flanges at their part for
connection with the flat face of the structure.
[0014] To solve the set problem of assembling the structures with
one another, under a force exerted in a plane parallel to the
vertical flanges, while at the same time centring and ensuring
automatic fixing of the said structures:
[0015] the complementary arrangements and consist, in the case of
one of the flanges, of tabs formed in the thickness of the said
flange and able to be engaged in centring and guiding shapes
belonging to the other flange,
[0016] each of the tabs has, on its outer face, anchoring
roughnesses able to collaborate with complementary roughnesses
after engagement in the said shapes, to ensure non-dismantleable
self-locking,
[0017] the centring and guiding shapes constitute a well or sleeve
formed as an overspill from the bearing face of the flange and the
cross section of which corresponds approximately to that of the
tabs,
[0018] the part of the flange from which the said sleeves are
formed have anchoring roughnesses so that when the tabs have been
engaged in the sleeves a wedging effect is produced for imbricating
the roughnesses,
[0019] a profiled shape is established over the entire height of
the vertical flanges and at their part for connection with the flat
face of the structure, to ensure sealing once the tabs have been
engaged in the sleeve.
[0020] To solve the set problem of locking the structures together
after assembly without the risk of them becoming uncoupled, the
anchoring roughnesses consist of a number of straight and parallel
very closely-packed teeth of the gullet tooth type.
[0021] Advantageously, the anchoring tabs result from two parallel
cut-outs formed at right angles from the longitudinal edge of the
corresponding flange, the length of the said tabs being less than
the width of the said flange.
[0022] The anchoring tabs are of flat cross section, the internal
cross section delimited by the edges of the sleeve being
rectangular, the free end of the anchoring tabs is chamfered.
[0023] To solve the set problem of sealing the panels after the
structures have been assembled, the profiled sealing form consists
of a bead resulting from an additional thickness of material.
[0024] Another problem that the invention sets out to solve is that
of having the upper edge of the structure to which in particular
the liner is attached perfectly aligned. To this end, the width of
the anchoring tabs is less than the width of the internal section
of the sleeves except for the sleeve situated at the upper part of
the structure considered in a vertical position, and of which the
width of its internal section corresponds approximately to that of
the tabs so as to allow heightwise adjustment of the said
panels.
[0025] To solve the set problem of rationalizing manufacture and
reducing costs, the entirety of the structure is obtained directly
by the injection-moulding of a plastic.
[0026] According to another important feature of the invention, the
internal face of the structure is equipped, directly at the time of
its manufacture, with studs having a head and a centring part able
to collaborate with a necked aperture exhibited by an independent
reinforcing element acting as wall tie and hollow shaft for the
pouring of concrete, the said studs and apertures being distributed
over the entire height of the structure.
[0027] The invention is set out hereinbelow in greater detail with
the aid of the figures of the appended drawings in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective prior to assembly of the
basic structure of the panel and of the reinforcing element;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the basic structure of
the panel equipped with the attached reinforcing element;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a view in perspective, of a schematic nature,
prior to assembly of two structural elements;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, after assembly of
the two elements;
[0032] FIG. 5 is--on a larger scale--a view in cross section of the
structural elements prior to assembly;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, after assembly of
the two elements;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a part view of the two elements of the structure
prior to assembly, considered along the longitudinal sides of the
said elements;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 after assembly of
the two structural elements.
[0036] Each panel denoted in its entirety by (P) is intended, after
assembly, to produce a swimming pool, without excluding other
applications. Each panel (P) consists of an independent modular
structure (1) of quadrangular overall shape. Advantageously, and as
is apparent from the teaching of Patent FR 2 765 909, each
structure has a flat surface (1a) and a peripheral assembly and
rigidifying surround consisting of two vertical flanges (1b) and
(1c) and two horizontal flanges (1d) and (1e). By way of
nonlimiting indication, the height of each structural element (1)
is roughly equal to four times its width.
[0037] The structures are assembled with one another at the
vertical flanges (1b) and (1c) which have complementary
arrangements able to allow two structural elements (1) to be
assembled instantly in juxtaposition, at the same time sealing them
along the side of the flat face (1a).
[0038] According to an underlying feature of the invention, the
complementary assembly arrangements are selected, on the one hand,
to allow automatic fixing of the structural elements under a
bearing force exerted in a plane parallel to the vertical flanges
and, at the same time, to provide sealing in combination with a
profiled form produced over the entire height of the structural
elements at the connection between the flanges (1b) and (1c) and
the flat surface (1a).
[0039] These complementary self-fixing arrangements consist, in the
case of the flange (1c), of tabs (1f) formed in the thickness of
the said flange. The anchoring tabs (1f) result from two parallel
cut-outs (1f1) and (1f2) formed at right angles from the free
longitudinal edge of the flange (1c). The length of the tabs (1f)
is less than the width (1c) and also slightly less than the depth
of the cut-outs (1f1) and (1f2). These tabs (1f) are intended to be
engaged in complementary centring and guiding shapes (1g) exhibited
by the other flange (1b).
[0040] These centring and guiding forms (1g) constitute sleeves
delimiting an internal cross section corresponding roughly to that
of the tabs (1f). The sleeves (1g) are formed as an overspill from
the bearing surface of the flange (1b) and starting from its free
longitudinal edge.
[0041] Each of the tabs (1f) has, on its external face, anchoring
roughnesses (1f3) able to collaborate with complementary
roughnesses (1g1) after engagement in the internal section of the
sleeve (1g). For this purpose, the roughnesses (1g1) are formed
directly on the part of the flange (1b) delimited by the lateral
edges of the sleeve (1g).
[0042] The anchoring roughnesses (1f3) and (1g1) consist of a
number of straight and parallel very closely-packed teeth of the
gullet tooth type.
[0043] As shown particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the tabs (1f3)
have been engaged in the internal section of the sleeves (1g), the
sets of teeth (1f3) and (1g1) engage and imbricate in one another
through a wedging effect, it being emphasized that the thickness of
the anchoring tabs (1f) is very substantially equal to the width of
the internal section of the sleeve (1g).
[0044] To assemble the structural elements (1) all that is required
is for them to be placed facing each other, as shown in FIGS. 3 and
5, in a position in which the tabs (1f) and the sleeve (1g)
correspond, and for a bearing force to be exerted in a plane
parallel to the vertical flanges. This results in two opposing
forces following the imbrication of the sets of teeth, and this has
a tendency to cause the flanges (1b) and (1c) of the superposed
adjacent structural elements (1) to be pressed perfectly together
under the effect of the elasticity of the tongues.
[0045] This assembly may be performed manually or mechanically,
automatically, by any known and appropriate means.
[0046] To facilitate assembly, in general, the width of the
anchoring tabs (1f) is less than the width of the internal section
of the sleeve (1g). However, to allow perfect heightwise adjustment
of the structural elements, the sleeve (1g) situated at the upper
part of the structure, considered in a vertical position and from
the side of the upper flange (1d) to which the liner is fixed, has
an internal section the width of which corresponds to the width of
the tabs (1f).
[0047] Quite obviously, the structure (1) of the panel is produced,
in its overall design, in the way known, for example, from the
teaching of the aforementioned Patent FR 2 765 909. Thus, the
vertical flanges (1b) (1c) have, at their upper and lower ends,
cut-outs (1h) for the engagement of a stiffening rod able to be
profiled to order. The vertical flanges may also have holes (1m)
for the fixing of stays and for the passage of assembly members for
connecting together several modules each resulting from the
assembly of several panels (1) under the conditions mentioned.
[0048] Likewise, articulation arrangements, formed, for example, by
a reduction in thickness forming ribs, may be made at the assembly
flanges (1b) and (1c) to allow the structural elements to be
oriented angularly in the case of a swimming pool of special
shape.
[0049] The collection of structural elements (1) as defined, with
the complementary anchoring means, is advantageously obtained by
injection moulding of a plastic.
[0050] Likewise, according to another important feature, the face
(1i) of the panel, opposite the face (1a) receiving the liner, may
have stiffening ribs and have arrangements for fixing, in an
attached manner, an independent reinforcing element (2) which acts
as a hollow shaft.
[0051] If reference is made to the teachings of Patent FR 2 765
909, the face (1i) of the structural element (1) exhibits
vertically two rows of studs (1j) produced parallel and close to
the vertical assembly flanges (1b) and (1c). The studs (1j) are
intended to collaborate with necked apertures (2a) exhibited by
each of the bearing flanges (2b) and (2c) of the reinforcing
element (2).
[0052] It will be recalled in this regard that the elements (2)
have a right-angled top rim (2e) in communication with a vertical
chute (2d). The chute (2d) is intended to receive concrete, as is
the right-angled rim (2e) after the structural elements (1) have
been assembled, to constitute a wall tie. The width of the
reinforcing elements (2) is very substantially equal to the width
considered between the internal faces of the assembly flanges (1b)
and (1c) of the structural element (1). It will also be recalled
that each stud (1j) has a head and a centring part collaborating
with the necked apertures (2a) of the reinforcing element (2).
[0053] According to another feature, in order to ensure the sealing
of the structural elements (1) after assembly under the conditions
indicated above, that is to say after the toothed anchoring tabs
(1f) have been engaged in the complementary toothed sleeves (1g), a
bead (1k) is formed over the entire height of the vertical flanges
(1b) and (1c) at the part where they connect with the flat face
(1a) of the structure (1). This bead (1k) is the result of an
additional thickness of material so as to constitute a sealing
profile once the toothed tabs (1f) have imbricated in the
complementary sleeves (1g).
[0054] The advantages are clearly apparent from the description,
and the following are particularly recalled and emphasized:
[0055] the ease of assembly of the structural elements;
[0056] the quality of the assembly obtained, which makes it
possible to have perfect flatness;
[0057] the sealing of the structural elements with respect to each
other;
[0058] the possibility of assembling several structural elements to
constitute, for example, a panel of predetermined width using any
automatic method, or entirely manually.
* * * * *