Integrated poolscape comprised of pre-fabricated elements and related methods

Abstract

A poolscape is disclosed that comprises at least two of a plurality of pre-fabricated shell elements, each of said shell elements having a wall that conforms to a wall of one or more other shell elements comprising said plurality, wherein said at least two shell elements are conformably combined, and where the shell elements may be one of a swimming pool, a tanning ledge, a hot tub or spa, a fountain, a sun shelf, and a thermal ledge or variants thereof. The poolscape may include in-pool features, such as a pre-fabricated bench or pre-fabricated stairs.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field[0002]The present invention relates generally to a poolscape formed by combining two or more pre-fabricated pool shell elements, and, in particular, it relates to a poolscape formed from shell elements that are a member of a set of shell elements such that a shell element in the set has a wall configured to be conformable with a wall of another shell element in the set.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]The desire to create artificial bodies of recreational water for swimming or landscape aesthetics has existed for centuries. The general concept of building a vessel in or above ground that can be used for swimming and other water sports has been a part of nearly every recorded society. Today, there are three basic categories of swimming pool construction methods. The oldest and largest method involves forming a concrete shell in an excavated hole. The concrete may be poured as a monolithic slab, sprayed onto a reinforcing steel cage using a “shotcre...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particula

Problems solved by technology

With this ease of construction, comes some design limitations.

First, there is a practical maximum limit on the width of the pool shell due to federal and state highway regulations.

Because of these design limitations placed by transportation, the FRP industry niche has received undue negative attention due to limited size and shapes and thus the market has not grown significantly in the past 40 years; composite pools represented only about 5.4% of the total inground market in 2004.

Further, because the inherent cost of a mold for a composite pool is so high, only a limited number of designs and shapes can be offered at any one time.

This is also compounded by th

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