Lightweight self-supporting pools for installation in attics and solariums

Abstract

The invention relates to lightweight self-supporting pools for installation in attics and solariums, based on a metal structure. EPS plates reinforced with mortar and glass fibre are put in place, waterproofed with a flexible plastic sheet of synthetic polyester fibres and subsequently coated with a chosen indoor finishing and outdoor finishing material. The walls are equipped with galvanised iron bar ribs to ensure the stability of the assembly.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] LIGHTWEIGHT SELF-SUPPORTING POOLS FOR INSTALLATION IN ATTICES AND SOLARIUMS

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a new construction system for lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums that presents important technical advantages over other similar systems, optimizing the placement of swimming pools on the floor slabs of structures in attics and homes without the need for structural reinforcements, due to the low weight of the self-supporting pool.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to simplify, improve, and reduce the cost of constructing and assembling swimming pools, as well as to create lightweight, self-supporting pools suitable for installation on rooftops, solariums, etc. This invention takes into account that the construction method and the finished product are energy-efficient and virtually 100% recyclable.

[0006] It solves the problem of conventional swimming pool construction systems which, due to their weight and foundation, cannot be easily installed without construction work, both in single-family homes and in apartment blocks, and at a low cost as the present invention does.

[0007] The industrial application of this invention is found within swimming pool construction systems, and more specifically, lightweight, self-supporting swimming pool construction systems.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Although no invention identical to the one described has been found, we present below the documents found that reflect the state of the art related to it.

[0010] The document published online refers to a fiberglass pool construction system as the fastest and most watertight. The construction itself takes approximately four days. First, the pool's location is marked by driving stakes into the ground and using string lines, which will later be used to determine the water levels. The ground must be relatively clear of weeds, grass, or other objects, and access for the excavator and the truck transporting the pool shell must be verified. Once the layout is marked, construction begins, respecting the excavation depths specified by the manufacturer and according to the model being installed. The excavation must be carried out carefully, and no more than necessary, as any excess material will only add to the fill, increasing the cost.If there are fill materials where the pool will be placed, they must be completely removed down to the natural ground level. Even if the fill has been in place for a long time, there is always a risk that it could compact under the weight of the pool, causing damage or deformation. Once the excavation is complete, the gravel that will be used as fill between the ground and the pool basin will be placed around the excavation. It is also possible that the excavation for the compacted filtration system will have already been completed, along with the trenches for the skimmer, bottom, jet, and drain pipes, as well as the electrical and water supply lines. Next, the gravel bed on which the pool basin will rest is prepared. The pools of this invention do not require concrete beds or fill, as they are basins with high structural strength.

[0011] US3523308A describes a protective cover for a swimming pool extending a length above the ground, comprising a sheet of flexible material whose dimensions are substantially larger than the dimensions of said pool, such that said sheet extends substantially beyond the walls of said pool, a tube secured to the outer edges of said sheet, means for introducing liquid into said tube to provide sufficient weight thereon to maintain said sheet positively in position in a pool, said tube being a substantial distance below the top of said pool when in the operative position, the edges of said sheet extending over the top of said pool and downward in a direction substantially vertical to said tube and forming a skirt, said distance being less than said length so that said tube is not supported from below.Therefore, the material is substantially under tension.

[0012] US5924144A claims an unreliable swimming pool, comprising: an inner side wall formed by an inner ring of flexible material, the inner side wall having an upper edge and a lower edge; an outer side wall formed by an outer ring of flexible material arranged outwards and concentric with the inner ring, the outer side wall having an upper edge and a lower edge, the respective upper and lower edges of the inner and outer rings being secured to each other to form a closed annular cavity and an open central area; a plurality of radially directed vertical support nets arranged within the annular cavity and joined and interconnected with the inner side wall and the outer side wall;a floor attached near the lower edges of the inner and outer side walls, the floor being arranged to extend over a lower end of the central open area to form an open upper container for receiving water; and a support housing formed by a ring of flexible material having an upper and lower rim, an upper reinforcing section attached to the upper rim of the ring and arranged to extend radially inwards, and a lower reinforcing section attached to the lower rim of the ring and arranged to extend radially inwards, the housing being arranged to receive and coupledly support the closed annular cavity when the cavity is fully inflated by a pressurized fluid.

[0013] Conclusions: As can be seen from the research carried out, none of the documents found solve the problems raised as the proposed invention does.

[0014] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The invention described herein consists of the manufacture of lightweight, self-supporting prefabricated swimming pools made with EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) boards of different densities, which, due to its lightness and insulation capacity, is the most suitable, on a metal structure and reinforced with mortar and fiberglass and waterproofed with a flexible plastic sheet with synthetic polyester fibers, of different thicknesses, shapes and sizes, whose characteristics of simplicity and functionality constitute a real novelty above all that is currently known in this field.

[0016] EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) panels on a metal structure reinforced with mortar and waterproofed allow for the construction of a strong wall that is unaffected by corrosion.

[0017] The floor and walls are supported by a metal frame and fiberglass mesh reinforcement with mortar and a waterproof membrane. All of this is placed on a concrete foundation, which provides great strength. The interior finish comes prefabricated directly from the factory, seamless, with attractive designs to suit all tastes.

[0018] This invention takes into account that the construction method and the fully finished product are energy efficient and virtually 100% recyclable.

[0019] The first stage of the construction process is surveying and mechanically excavating the hole where the pool will be installed. Depending on the size, a decision can be made at this stage whether to manufacture it on-site or in a factory and transport it to the installation location once completed.

[0020] The second stage, once the site has been chosen and the relevant excavation carried out, is to form the bed or support base, based on reinforced concrete with its corresponding placement of iron and mesh throughout the floor of the pool to reinforce the concrete.

[0021] The pool is placed on this bed, consisting of a metal structure that can be of different thicknesses depending on the compression needs, and on top of this EPS panels reinforced with flexible adhesive mortar and fiberglass.

[0022] Next, the installation of pipes, filters, skimmer... begins, and it starts to be filled with water while at the same time the side walls are filled with 20 mm gravel, so that the internal and external pressures are equalized.

[0023] In the final stage, the interior finishes are applied using glass mosaic tiles or decorative finishing mortars. This system provides greater resistance and substantially eliminates the risk of breakage or leaks. It is applied according to the desired shape or design.

[0024] Finally, optionally, edge slabs, capping stones or other suitable borders are placed to finish the work.

[0025] As can be seen from the above, the application of the procedure explained greatly simplifies the construction of swimming pools, while at the same time resulting in a pool with a uniform surface free from the risks of erosion, cracking and other inconveniences that usually occur in conventional swimming pools mainly due to atmospheric agents.

[0026] This means that the maintenance of the pool obtained through this procedure is practically nil, in addition to these other advantages:

[0027] - Greater thermal resistance and UVA rays, withstanding high temperatures.

[0028] - Greater structural durability. - Ease of transport and assembly

[0029] - High resistance to chemicals used in swimming pools.

[0030] - Manufacturing of any shape or size without the need for expensive pre-made molds.

[0031] - The material used in its manufacture is environmentally friendly, as it is 100% recyclable.

[0032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] For a better understanding of the present description, a drawing is included that represents a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention:

[0034] Figure 1: Cross-sectional view of a load-bearing pool wall

[0035] The numerical references shown in the figure correspond to the following constituent elements of the invention:

[0036] 1. Supporting metal structure, 40x20 mm profiles.

[0037] 2. Supporting structure - EPS of variable thickness and density according to needs

[0038] 3. Mortar with fiberglass mesh

[0039] 4. Flexible waterproof plastic sheet with synthetic polyester fiber bonded with mortar.

[0040] 5. Interior finish - Ceramic or mortar cladding

[0041] 6. Exterior finish - only on high models - Cladding with finishing mortar, ceramic cladding or panels of different materials.

[0042] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0043] In order to facilitate a more accurate interpretation of the object of the present invention, a preferred embodiment thereof is described below by way of example, with reference to the numerical references in the figures.

[0044] Starting from a metal structure (1), EPS boards (2) of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 cm thick and different densities are placed, reinforced with mortar (3) and fiberglass applied with a trowel, waterproofed with a flexible plastic sheet (4) of synthetic polyester fibers, and then proceed to the coating (5) with the chosen interior finishing material and for elevated models the exterior finishing material (6) can also be chosen.

[0045] The side walls are equipped with galvanized iron bar ribs sufficiently sized to guarantee the stability of the assembly.

[0046] The specific number of ribs is determined individually according to the shape and size of the pool. Once the pool shell is finished, the ladder is manufactured and installed, and the seats are made from the same material, overlapping the shell.

[0047] After all this process the manufacturing process is finished and then the skimmer, inlet nozzles, vacuum inlet, bottom drain and lighting are installed.

[0048] Once the most suitable location and terrain have been chosen, the excavation is carried out using mechanical means where the lightweight self-supporting pool, the object of the present invention, is subsequently housed.

[0049] At the bottom of the excavation, a base bed for the pool is laid, made of mass concrete, and even reinforced if the characteristics of the terrain require it; on this base, the lightweight self-supporting pool is placed and the installation of all the pipes and filtration equipment begins, with self-priming pump and sand filter, valve, fittings, links, as well as other components such as integrated cleaning system, chlorination equipment, dosing equipment, and climate control equipment.

[0050] Before starting the exterior filling, the pool is filled with water to a height of about 20cm, and the space around the pool is filled with gravel in layers of 30cm maximum, so that the water level is always 10-20cm higher than the concrete layer until the filling is completed.

[0051] To complete the process, the edge slabs or other suitable crowning and finishing plates are placed, leaving the pool perfectly installed, since before the concreting of the sides, the network of supply pipes, overflow and even drain has been laid on the support bottom.

[0052] Everything that is accessory in the described procedure may be subject to modifications and the issues of form, devices and machines used in the execution of the invention should be considered as of secondary order, and those that best suit may be used as long as they do not fundamentally alter the particularities of the characteristics.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, characterized by the fact that, starting from a metal structure (1), EPS boards (2) of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 cm in thickness and different densities are placed, which are reinforced with mortar (3) and fiberglass applied with a trowel, waterproofed with a flexible plastic sheet (4) of synthetic polyester fibers, and then proceed to the coating (5) with the chosen interior finishing material and for elevated models the exterior finishing material (6) can also be chosen.

2. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, according to claim 1, characterized by walls equipped with galvanized iron bar ribs sufficiently dimensioned to guarantee the stability of the assembly, the specific number of ribs being established individually according to the shape and size of the pool.

3. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that once the pool shell is finished, the ladder and seats are manufactured and placed, which are made of the same material overlapping the pool shell.

4. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, after the manufacturing process is completed, the skimmer, jet nozzles, vacuum port, bottom drain and lighting are then installed.

5. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that once the most suitable location and terrain have been chosen, the excavation is carried out by mechanical means where the lightweight self-supporting swimming pool of the present invention is subsequently housed.

6. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a pool bedding bed is laid at the bottom of the excavation, made of mass concrete, and even reinforced if the characteristics of the terrain so require. They require and on such a base the lightweight self-supporting pool is placed and the pipes and filtration equipment with self-priming pump and sand filter, valve, fittings, links, as well as the integrated cleaning system, chlorination equipment, dosing equipment and climate control equipment are installed.

7. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that before starting the external filling, the pool is filled with water to a height of about 20cm, and the space around the pool is gradually filled with gravel in layers of 30cm maximum, so that the water level is always 10-20cm higher than the concrete layer until the filling is completed.

8. Lightweight self-supporting swimming pools for installation in attics and solariums, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, to give their total completion, the edge slabs or other suitable crowning and finishing plates are placed, leaving the pool perfectly installed.

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