Corner molding for sealing vinyl liners to pool fixtures

a technology for sealing and pool fixtures, applied in the field of pool equipment and installation, can solve the problems of time-consuming and laborious installation of new liner, and difficulty in installing new liner

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-11-29
ASSOCD LEISURE PRODS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention is a device used to seal a pool fixture and a vinyl pool liner together and a method of using the same. The sealing member includes an inner frame member which is mounted on the pool fixture or is integrally molded as part of the fixture. The outer frame is designed to interlockingly engage the inner frame member retaining the pool liner between the inner and outer frames. One of the inner and outer frame members includes a ch

Problems solved by technology

Installing a new liner is a time-consuming task that must be undertaken with care in order not to puncture the liner.
This, of course, results in perforation of the liner at each and every location that a fastener is used.
This method of installation is problematic for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it is a very time consuming and labor intensive because the installer has to physically install each and every fastener.
This can be quite difficult as it may require the installer to lie on their stomach and reach downwardly into the pool to screw in each and every fastener from an awkward angle.
This time consuming and labor intensive activity forms part of the cost of installation of the liner.
Consequently, the longer it takes to accomplish this task, the more it bites into the profit for the job.
Secondly, since this installation method involves repeated puncturing of the liner, this type of installation may lead to leaking problems if the installer is less skilled.
One of the regions of vinyl pool covers that is particularly problematic to install is the region surrounding stairs.
The

Method used

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  • Corner molding for sealing vinyl liners to pool fixtures
  • Corner molding for sealing vinyl liners to pool fixtures
  • Corner molding for sealing vinyl liners to pool fixtures

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0045]Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown a sealing member for securing vinyl pool liners to pool fixtures in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 10. In particular, this embodiment of the sealing member 10 is designed for use with larger pool fixtures such as stair systems 12 (FIG. 3).

[0046]Sealing member 10 comprises an inner frame member 14 and an outer frame member 16 that are matingly engageable with each other as illustrated in FIG. 2. Inner frame member 14 and outer frame member 16 are both substantially straight, elongated members that have a length “L” and a width “W”. Preferably, inner and outer frame members 14, 16 are manufactured from a substantially rigid plastic or fiberglass and are substantially non-flexing.

[0047]Inner member 14 is generally U-shaped in cross-section and includes a bottom wall 18 with two side walls 20, 22 extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom and defining a channel 24 thereinbetween. Side wall 20 has a first surface...

third embodiment

[0068]Referring to FIGS. 16-21 there is shown a sealing member in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 310. The fixtures that are typically installed in pools using vinyl liners are made from plastic or fiberglass. As such, they are molded or cast from the plastic or fiberglass. In accordance with the present invention, sealing member 310 is molded or cast into smaller fixtures such as the drain 380 illustrated in these figures. In these instances, instead of utilizing an inner frame member and outer frame member that are designed to snap fit together, an outer portion of the frame of the fixture itself is designed to snap-fit with an inner portion of the frame. The liner is trapped therebetween in much the same way as was described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-15.

[0069]Drain 380 is therefore provided with a housing 382 molded to include an inner frame member 314. Inner frame member 314 is molded to include an annular channel 324 the...

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Abstract

A sealing member for securing a vinyl pool liner to a stair system and including a first sealing component which is secured along a side wall defining the stairs; a bottom sealing component secured to the wall beneath the stairs and a corner assembly disposed between the two. All of the first and bottom sealing components and the corner assembly include an inner frame member and an outer frame member which are configured to snap-fittingly engage each other and clamp a portion of the liner between them. The corner assembly is curved and a cover is engaged over the outer frame member of the corner assembly to prevent accidental disengagement thereof. The cover extends for a distance along each of the first and bottom sealing components. The outer frame member defines a plurality of apertures in its upper surface which are configured to receive studs extending outwardly from the cover.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 572,749, filed Oct. 2, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]This invention generally relates to pool equipment and installation of the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for securing a pool fixture and pool liner together. Specifically, the invention relates to a sealing member that retains the pool liner between an inner and outer frame member in such a manner that the liner is not pierced.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]There are many in-ground swimming pools sold and used in North American that use a vinyl liner type of construction approach versus a traditional concrete molded system. The vinyl liners in these pools are typically in the range of 0.017″ to 0.03″ thick and generally have to be changed after around ten years of use. Additionally, a variety of plastic or fiberglass fixtures such as stairs, skimmers, ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E04H4/14
CPCE04H4/142E04H2004/146E04H4/144
Inventor GIBSON, MICHAELDICKIE, ROBERT G.
Owner ASSOCD LEISURE PRODS
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