Abstract
An apparatus, method and system for water shaping, including for zero edge pools and related systems, comprising either: (a) a unique dam intended and designed to dimensionally occupy the front of a ledge formed in a shell, where it can serve as a mounting location for waterline finish material as well as serving as the foundation and support for a distinctive mounting plate and related parts that serve, in conjunction with the dam element, as a means of support for coping surface materials and otherwise help to define the enclosed trough of the invention; or (b) a spout-shaped water scupper, such as that shown in FIG. 12 is combined with a planar water-baffle, such as is shown in e.g U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,744, 4,881,280, and 6,382,520, to produce a spout-shaped scupper with a pleasing sheetfall appearance analogous to that produced by the linear scupper shown in FIG. 11 when combined with such a baffle; or (c) both (a) and (b).
Claims
1. An apparatus for water shaping, including for zero edge pools and related systems, comprising either: (a) a unique dam intended and designed to dimensionally occupy the front of a ledge formed in a shell, where it can serve as a mounting location for waterline finish material as well as serving as the foundation and support for a distinctive mounting plate and related parts that serve, in conjunction with the dam element, as a means of support for coping surface materials and otherwise help to define the enclosed trough of the invention; or (b) a spout-shaped water scupper, such as that shown in FIG. 12 is combined with a planar water-baffle, such as is shown in e.g U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,744, 4,881,280, and 6,382,520, to produce a spout-shaped scupper with a pleasing sheetfall appearance analogous to that produced by the linear scupper shown in FIG. 11 when combined with such a baffle; or (c) both (a) and (b).
2. The apparatus for water shaping according to claim 1 comprising the inclusion of 6″ deep and 8″ wide cut-out 4B1, and the placement of suitably spaced rebar pins 4B2 to be used for anchoring the distinctive dam element 7 of the invention, a baffled water scupper, or both.
3. The water feature according to claim 2 wherein dam element 7 comprises an elongate element with a cross-section forming a right-triangle and having suitable sockets for mounting to spaced rebar pins 4B2 with its flat upright side 7A positioned towards the pool edge 5.
4. The water feature according to claim 3 wherein waterproofing membrane/material is installed over the dam 7, back down through trough 5A, and then up onto a rear high-point 4B3 of the ledge of shell 4B.
5. The water feature according to claim 4 wherein a waterline finish material such as the illustrated planar granite member 9 is installed on a leading side of the dam 7 to create a static water level with the top of said member forming the weir over which water spills into trough 5A via slot 3.
6. The water feature according to claim 5 wherein dam 7 has routed grooves on all three outward surfaces that will, on installation, be adjacent pool/finish material 9, trough 5A and shell 4B, so as to form strong mechanical bonds when appropriate sealants or other appropriate bonding/finishing materials are used to connect these elements of the invention.
7. The water feature according to claim 6 wherein mounting plate 10 of the invention and associated elements are installed between high-point of ledge 4B3 and dam 7 so as to span trough 5A created thereby.
8. The water feature according to claim 7 wherein coping/finish material 2B for shell 4B is installed on top of the mounting plate 10 so as to be even with its upper surface at the same elevation as the top of the waterline finish material 9.
9. The water feature according to claim 1 comprising dam 7 and mounting plate 10.
10. The water feature according to claim 1 comprising a spout-shaped water scupper in combination with planar water baffle such as that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,744, 4,881,280, and 6,382,520.
11. A method of producing, from a spout-shaped water scupper, a laminar water flow with pleasing water feature contouring analogous to that produced by a linear water scupper such as that shown in FIG. 11, by introducing a planar baffle into the water stream before the water stream is guided from the planar baffle into the spout-shaped scupper.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The novel features characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of prior art overflow collection trough construction (prior art collection trough assembly type 1) wherein an upward opening overflow slot is significantly inset from a side edge of a pool or other body of water;
[0027] FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of prior art overflow collection trough construction (prior art collection trough assembly type 2) wherein an upward opening overflow slot is minimally inset from a side edge of a pool or other body of water;
[0028] FIG. 3A provides a cross-sectional schematic view of pool/spa shell constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention, as prepared for, but prior to inclusion of, other apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;
[0029] FIG. 3B provides a cross-sectional schematic view of overflow collection trough construction and apparatus of the invention, which also features an upward opening overflow slot minimally inset from a side edge of a pool or other body of water;
[0030] FIG. 4A provides a first perspective view of the top of the zero edge plate along with certain other associated parts used in the construction of the instant invention;
[0031] FIG. 4B provides a first perspective view of the bottom of the zero edge plate along with certain associated parts used in the construction of the instant invention;
[0032] FIG. 5A provides a side edge view of the zero edge plate of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 5B provides a top plan view of the zero edge plate of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 5C provides a bottom plan view of the zero edge plate of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 5D provides a front (water-side) view of the zero edge plate of the invention, and includes a corbel end detail and a connection end detail for said plate;
[0036] FIG. 6A provides a front (water-side) view of the zero edge plate in combination with certain other elements of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 6B provides a top plan view of the zero edge plate in combination with certain other elements of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 6C provides a bottom plan view of the zero edge plate in combination with other elements of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 7A provides a perspective view of the corbel primary of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 7B provides an end view of the corbel primary of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 8A provides a perspective view of the corbel secondary of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 8B provides an end view of the corbel secondary of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 9A provides a perspective view of the bridge of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 9B provides an end view of the bridge of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 10A provides a perspective view of the pool facing side of the zero edge dam of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 10B provides a perspective view of the trough facing side of the zero edge dam of the invention.
[0047] FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of two sheetfall producing water scuppers, one 12 inches wide, (A), and one 24 inches wide, (B), when combined with a baffle, as shown in e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,744, 4,881,280, and 6,382,520.
[0048] FIG. 12 provides a spout-shaped water scupper (A) with a ragged water flow; (B) a diagram of a planar baffle for use in combination with the spout-shaped water scupper; (C) a photograph of a planar baffle; and (D) water flow from a spout-shaped scupper combined with a planar baffle, such that water flow is first guided through the baffle such as that shown in (B) or (C) before emerging through the spout, to produce a more pleasing effect from such a scupper, analogous to the sheetfall appearance of the linear water scupper shown in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION; WRITTEN AND ENABLING DESCRIPTION
[0049] The overall features of the zero edge pool aspect of the instant invention can best be understood by review of FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A provides an initial cross-sectional schematic view of pool/spa shell 4B, which is initially constructed in accordance with known prior-art methods, but with the following modifications: the inclusion of 6″ deep and 8″ wide cut-out 4B1, and the placement of suitably spaced rebar pins 4B2 to be used for anchoring the distinctive dam element 7 of the invention. As will be noted from FIG. 3B as well as FIGS. 10A and 10B, dam element 7 comprises an elongate element with a cross-section forming a right-triangle and having suitable sockets for mounting to spaced rebar pins 4B2 with its flat upright side 7A positioned towards the pool edge 5. After this, a waterproofing membrane/material 8 may be advantageously installed over the dam 7, back down through trough 5A, and then up onto a rear high-point 4B3 of the ledge of shell 4B. Following this, a waterline finish material such as the illustrated planar granite member 9 is installed on a leading side of the dam 7 to create a static water level with the top of said member forming the weir over which water spills into trough 5A via slot 3. (As will be noted, dam 7 has routed grooves on all three outward surfaces that will, on installation, be adjacent pool/finish material 9, trough 5A and shell 4B, so as to form strong mechanical bonds when appropriate sealants or other appropriate bonding/finishing materials are used to connect these elements of the invention). Next, mounting plate 10 of the invention and associated elements are installed between the high-point of the ledge 4B3 and the dam 7 so as to span the trough 5A created. Then to complete construction, the coping/finish material 2B for the shell 4B is installed on top of the mounting plate 10 so as to be even with its upper surface at the same elevation as the top of the waterline finish material 9.
[0050] With the foregoing overview in mind, a more detailed review of dam 7 as well mounting plate 10 and its associated elements will provide further insights into the construction, operation and advantages of the invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B provide perspective views of, respectively, the top and bottom surfaces of the zero edge mounting plate 10 along with certain other associated parts used in the construction of the instant invention, while FIGS. 5A through 9B provide numerous additional details related to both plate 10 and associated parts. As will first be noted, plate 10 and its associated parts—bridge 11, primary corbel 12, and secondary corbel 13—are provided with routed dovetail grooves and/or interfacing dovetail tabs in appropriate locations for use in joining parts (and/or in regard to plate 10, so as to be used in forming strong mechanical bonds between plate 10 and adjacent elements such as surface coping material 2B when appropriate sealants or other appropriate bonding/finishing materials are used to connect these elements of the invention).
[0051] More specific details in regard to the structure and use of bridge 11, primary corbel 12, and secondary corbel 13 in conjunction with plate 10 are provided in FIGS. 5A through 9B. As will be clear from FIGS. 5A through 9B, the aforesaid elements provide a system of interlocking and linked parts, with bridge 11 forming an extended linear member that joins to plate 10 proximate the edge of plate 10 overhanging trough 5A, and runs parallel to said overhanging edge of plate 10 so as to strengthen and stiffen this member for load bearing purposes. Likewise, primary corbel 12 and secondary corbel 13 extend across bridge 10 and beyond and over trough 5A so as to abut and rest on dam 7, thereby also providing support for the portion of plate 10 overhanging trough 5A. In addition, as best illustrated in FIG. 6A, corbels 12, 13 provide means for linking successive plates 10 together end-to-end as needed to provide underlying plate 10 structure for extended zero edge construction in accordance with the teachings of the invention.
[0052] With respect to the spout-shaped water scupper, such as that shown in FIG. 12 when combined with a planar water-baffle, such as is shown in e.g U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,744, 4,881,280, and 6,382,520, to produce a spout-shaped scupper with a pleasing sheetfall appearance analogous to that produced by the linear scupper shown in FIG. 11 when combined with such a baffle.
[0053] Accordingly, in this aspect of the present invention a spout-shaped water scupper in combination with planar water baffle, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,744, 4,881,280, and 6,382,520 is provided. The invention also provides a method of producing, from a spout-shaped water scupper, a laminar water flow with pleasing water feature contouring analogous to that produced by a linear water scupper, such as that shown in FIG. 11, by introducing a planar baffle into the water stream before the water stream is guided from the planar baffle into the spout-shaped scupper.
[0054] In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that numerous changes and variations can be made without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept outlined. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) of the invention herein described is/are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to be filed with the non-provisional patent application, which will recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
PARTS AND FEATURES ILLUSTRATED IN DRAWING FIGURES
[0055] 1 Body of Water [0056] 1 A Static Water Level [0057] 2 Coping Material/Layer Adjacent Body of Water [0058] 2A Coping Material/Layer Over Secondary Structure [0059] 2B Coping Material/Layer of the Invention [0060] 3 Overflow Slot [0061] 4 Concrete Shell Adjacent Body of Water [0062] 4A Secondary Concrete Structure for Trough [0063] 4B Concrete Shell of the Invention [0064] 4B1 Cut-out [0065] 4B2 Rebar pin [0066] 4B3 High point of shell ledge [0067] 5 Side Edge of Pool [0068] 5A Collection Trough [0069] 6 “Lautner's Plate” [0070] 7 Dam [0071] 7A Flat upright Dam side [0072] 7B Inclined Dam side [0073] 8 Waterproof membrane [0074] 9 Water line finish material [0075] 10 Mounting plate [0076] 11 Bridge [0077] 12 Primary corbel [0078] 13 Secondary corbel
