Abstract
A formation aid, for use in the forming of receptacles in a swimming pool, includes a three-dimensional body having an essentially conical shape. The three-dimensional body of the formation aid includes a narrow end, for placement near an interior edge of the swimming pool during formation of the swimming pool; and a wide end, for placement remote from the interior edge of the swimming pool, in order to form a receptacle.
Claims
1. A formation aid, for use in the forming of a receptacle in a swimming pool, the formation aid comprising: a three-dimensional body having an essentially trapezoidal shape, the three-dimensional body comprising: (a) a narrow end, for placement near an interior edge of the swimming pool during formation of the swimming pool; (b) a wide end, for placement remote from the interior edge of the swimming pool, in order to form a receptacle opening; a cylindrical plug having a longitudinal axis, with the exterior of the plug being transversely sized to fit closely within the receptacle, wherein the narrow end of the three-dimensional body forms an interface with the cylindrical plug.
2. The formation aid of claim 1, wherein the formation aid is removable without disturbing the structure of the swimming pool.
3. The formation aid of claim 1, wherein the formation aid is composed of cardboard.
4. The formation aid of claim 1, wherein the formation aid is coated with wax.
5. The formation aid of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a swimming pool skimmer.
6. The formation aid of claim 1, wherein the formation aid is composed of foam.
7. The formation aid of claim 1, wherein the narrow end of the three-dimensional body is concavely shaped.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of the bottom of a swimming pool;
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the side of a swimming pool;
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a weep hole formation aid;
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a receptacle formation aid; and
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a swimming pool.
[0026] FIGS. 6 and 6A show perspective views of a pipe protection aid.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a light fixture protection aid.
[0028] FIG. 7A shows a cross-section view of a light fixture protection aid.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a skimmer throat formation and protection aid.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a receptacle formation aid.
[0031] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a receptacle formation aid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] During the formation of a swimming pool holes are created in the swimming pool structure as various receptacles for swimming pool plumbing/circulation equipment as well as lighting or other pool features. Previously, as explained in the background, receptacles were formed by not applying concrete or other formation material to the area of the receptacle or by chipping away the formation material from the receptacle area. The use of the various embodiments of a formation aid, as well as systems and methods utilizing a formation aid enhance the pool building process by allowing for more regular (in terms of shape) and structural sound receptacles, by obviating the need to remove portions of the formed swimming pool, and prevent debris from entering receptacles.
1. Formation Aid
[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, a formation aid is a three-dimensional shape placed in a section of a swimming pool that is being made in order to prevent concrete or other construction material from filling that section. FIGS. 1 and 3 show a formation aid for use in the formation of a weep hole. FIGS. 2, 4, 9 and 10 show a formation aid for use with in the formation of a receptacle. Formation aids for use with a lighting receptacle or a skimmer are also contemplated. In alternative embodiments, formation aids for other types of swimming pool receptacles may be used.
[0034] The formation aids are placed in the desired sections for the formation of the receptacles and rebar is placed to support the pool. When Gunite or other construction material is applied, the formation aids prevent the construction material from filling the three-dimensional space. Furthermore, the formation aids prevent debris from entering the void occupied by the formation aid.
2. Characteristics of the Various Formation and Protection Aids
[0035] A. Shape
[0036] As is clear in FIGS. 1-10, formation and/or protection aids are shaped according to the receptacle to be formed, installed or protected in the swimming pool. In some embodiments, the formation aid is used to form a receptacle that will not be filled later. In this case, the formation aid is designed to have the shape of the desired receptacle. In other embodiments, the formation aid is used to form a receptacle that will be partially or completely filled with construction material or a preformed element. In these cases, some alternative formation aids have special enhancements that allow for better fitting, bonding, or placement of the construction material or a preformed element that will fill the receptacle. For instance, in one alternative, the formation aid may be wider in certain areas to resist slipping or popping. In another alternative, the formation aid may be threaded, like a screw, or have other features that enhance bonding and placement. In another formation, the formation aid may be hourglass shaped, in order to resist force from in and out of a swimming pool. These shapes may be used in any fashion desired to form receptacles in a swimming pool.
[0037] Weep hole formation aid 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 has an essentially trapezoidal shape. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the narrow end of formation aid 110 is placed interior in relation to the swimming pool 130 and the wide end is placed remotely from the interior of the swimming pool 130. In this way, after the receptacle formed by formation aid 110 is filled with concrete, the resulting plug has enhanced resistance from being pushed into the interior of the swimming pool 130. The perspective view of FIG. 3 depicts the overall shape of the formation aid 110. The narrow end 350 faces towards the interior of the pool and the wide end 360 towards the ground. Formation aid 110 also has a rebar hole 370. Another rebar hole positioned in the bottom of the formation aid 110 is not shown. Rebar hole 370 and the hidden rebar hole are aligned in order to allow a piece of rebar 120 to project through the formation aid 110 as shown in FIG. 1. By virtue of the weep hole formed, water may be released from ground 140 to the interior of pool 130 in order to relieve pressure. Rebar 120 holds the formation aid 110 in place during the formation process. FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a swimming pool 510. Swimming pool 510 is constructed in the ground 140, and has an interior surface 130. The interior 130 of swimming pool 510 is created by spraying or applying material such as Gunite to the rebar supporting pool 130. Swimming pool 510 shown in FIG. 5 includes weep hole formation aid 110 and receptacle formation aid 210. Weep hole formation aid 110 may be secured in place with rebar 120. Receptacle formation aid 210 is used in conjunction with pipe 220 to form and prepare the area for a swimming pool receptacle, such as a water return head.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, inlet formation aid 210 is essentially conical; however, other shapes may be utilized according to the inlet shape to be utilized. Inlet formation aid 210 has an octagonal horizontal cross-section resulting in angular ridges during the formation of pool 230. After the inlet hole is fitted, the resulting ridges formed by angular ridges of inlet formation aid 210 prevent the plug from rotating, further enhancing the structural integrity. As shown in FIG. 4, inlet formation aid 210 has a narrow end 240 and a wide end 250. Further, hole 260 allows for pipe 220 to extend into inlet formation aid 210. Another hole corresponding to hole 260 is located in the wide end 250 of formation aid 210 allowing pipe 220 to extend through. FIGS. 9 and 10 provide a more detailed view of wide end 250 of formation aid 210. As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the wide end 250 of formation aid 210 includes wings 920 that are pre-cut to allow passage of a pipe through the hole 910 in the wide end 250 of formation aid 210. These wings expand and extend around the circumference of pipe 930 once formation aid 210 is situated on pipe 930. Adhesive tape, for example, may be applied to these wings to better secure formation aid 210 to pipe 930. In alternatives, a lighting receptacle formation aid is essentially cylindrical for the formation of a space for installation of a lighting receptacle. In this alternative, a formation aid is shaped to adapt to the contours of the lighting receptacle and form a necessary space for adequate access for light installers and for reducing the risk of pockets forming once the area is filled in with construction material at the completion of light installation.
[0039] FIGS. 6 and 6A show perspective views of the present pipe protection aid. Pipe protection aid 600 has a substantially cylindrical shape to facilitate insertion into a pipe 602 situated within swimming pool 130. The pipe 602 may be a pipe leading to a water feature receptacle, such as the pipe 220 in FIG. 2, or any other pipe installed as part of a water feature or the swimming pool water circulation and filtration system. The pipe 602 forms part of the water circulation and filtration system of swimming pool 510. Pipe 602 is commonly associated with water return features. During the construction process, pipe 602 may be adapted with a fitting to receive a water return feature that will be put in place upon completion of construction. Before final installation of the water return feature, however, pipe 602 will be left exposed and susceptible to entry of debris, including concrete or marcite, or other materials found at the construction site. This introduction of unwanted materials within pipe 602 will cause severe plumbing problems. Such problems may not be discovered until after the construction process, possibly resulting in expensive and time-consuming post-construction corrective measures and almost certainly resulting in an unhappy customer.
[0040] Pipe protection aid 600 is made in substantially a cylindrical shape that when inserted into pipe 602 creates a tight fit that prevents debris from entering the pipe 602. Pipe protection aid 600 also is constructed in separable sections that allow it to fit pipes having different diameters. In one embodiment, pipe protection aid 600 is formed of two cylindrical sections that will accommodate a pipe 602 that has a one and one-half inch or two and one-half inch diameter. In this embodiment, an inner cylindrical section 604 has a first diameter that runs the longitudinal length of pipe protection aid 600 having an overall second diameter. The exact sizes of the first and second diameter may be of any convenient dimension to accommodate pipe sizes most commonly used in a particular application. For example, pipes having a diameter of one and one-half inches and two and one-half inches may be common to a particular project. For such a project, the construction of pipe protection aid 600 provides dual accommodation of pipes of these different diameters. If a pipe 602 in need of protection has a diameter of two and one-half inches, the entire pipe protection aid 600 is inserted, including the inner cylindrical section 604 and an outer portion 606. On the other hand, if a pipe with a smaller diameter of one and one-half inch, the inner section 604 of pipe protection aid 600 is removed and inserted into pipe 600. The remaining outer portion 606 of pipe protection aid may be discarded. Pipe protection aid 600 may be customized to accommodate pipes of virtually any diameter.
[0041] In addition to pipe protection aid 600 being able to provide protection of pipes of different sizes, pipe protection aid 600 advantageously includes an orifice 610 for easy removal of pipe protection aid 600 at the completion of the project. In one embodiment, orifice 610 is a cylindrical opening having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pipe protection aid 600. In this embodiment, the diameter of orifice 610 is large enough to permit removal with the user's finger. By traversing the entire diameter of pipe protection aid 600, orifice 610 makes this removal feature available for both the inner section 604 of pipe protection aid 600 and the entire pipe protection aid 600. By providing this structure for the removal of aid 600, the risk of aid 600 tearing upon removal or being left in pipe 602 and later getting stuffed down into pipe 602, is significantly reduced. The pipe protection aid 600 described herein may be constructed of the materials described below, or in the alternative, may be constructed of a foam material.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the present light protection aid. Lights are commonly installed in residential and commercial swimming pools. Light fixture 700 of FIG. 7 is susceptible to damage during the construction process. While the formation aids discussed above will facilitate the first stage of light fixture 700 installation, i.e., placement of the socket or light can 720 and associated wiring for ultimate light fixture 700 installation, the light fixture 700 must be installed itself prior to marcite application. Accordingly, light 700 is exposed to application of marcite on the surface of light fixture 700 itself and light fixture 700 itself is exposed to breakage. Light fixture 700 is made of and associated with various parts. A bulb (not shown) is housed within light fixture 700 in the body portion 701. Body portion 701 is coupled to light ring 702 and light cover 703 to enclose light fixture 700. The light protector 710 depicted in FIG. 7 provides the necessary protection. Light protector 710, in one embodiment, is round in shape to conform to the shape of light 700 and to fit snuggl y over the light ring 702 and light cover 703, providing the necessary protection. Light fixture 700 is installed within light can 720. Light fixture 700 and light can 720 are installed in the shell structure of swimming pool 130. A cross-sectional FIG. 7A depicts a cross-section of light fixture 700 and installed light protector 710. Light protector 710 is sized to accommodate standard pool light fixtures used in the industry. Light protector 710 includes a front portion 712 that provides coverage protection for the portion of light ring 702 and light cover 703 that is exposed to the inside of the swimming pool during construction. Light protector 710 also includes lip section 714 that extends the circumference of light protector 710. Light protector 710 is made of flexible material such as foam or plastic or may be constructed of cardboard material. Light protector 710 may also be rubber coated to permit stretching light protector 710 over light ring 702 and light cover 703. In a relaxed or un-stretched state, the diameter of the circle formed by lip section 714 is smaller than the diameter of the light ring 702 for which light protector 710 is designed. This sizing of lip section 714 in this manner allows the light protector 710 to be snuggl y installed onto light ring 702 and light cover 703. This snug fits eliminates the need to apply adhesives or a fastener to keep light protector 710 in place throughout construction.
[0043] While the described embodiment of light protector 710 pertains to a circular light fixture 700, light protector 710 may be molded in any shape to accommodate square, rectangular, oval or any shaped lights.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a formation aid for the construction of the skimmer throat of a swimming pool. A pool skimmer, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,978 assigned to the inventor of the present application, facilitates passage of water from the swimming pool, through water circulation and filtration equipment. An automatic surface skimmer receptacle of a type well known in the art may be equipped with a safety or equalizing valve for diverting flow from the skimmer throat or opening to the pool's main drain or equalizing line so as to provide uninterrupted flow to pump connecting line. The skimmer receptacle comprises an upper chamber and basket chamber.
[0045] The present formation and protection aid facilitates the construction process in the area surrounding the skimmer throat or opening. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows a skimmer opening formation/protection aid 800 that is advantageously shaped in a substantially trapezoidal configuration. The narrow or tapered end 802 of aid 800 is inserted first into the skimmer opening. The broad end 804 of aid 800 is situated in close proximity to the interior of pool wall 130. The shape of skimmer opening formation/protection aid 800 is such that it fits tightly into the swimming pool skimmer openings. During the construction process, this fi t prevents construction material from entering the skimmer opening and associated pipes and receptacles within the skimmer. The preventative and formation advantages of aid 800 are increased by the substantially concave configuration 806 of the narrow or tapered end 802. The substantially concave configuration 806 allows aid 800, when inserted, to form a tight-fitting interface with cylindrical plug devices, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,978, that are inserted within the main body portion of a skimmer to prevent introduction of debris or building materials to the innards of the skimmer and associated plumbing. The union of concave end 806 with the cylindrical plug provides enhanced protection within the entire skimmer location. The skimmer formation aid 800 described herein may be constructed of the materials described below, or in the alternative, may be constructed of a foam material.
[0046] B. Material
[0047] One feature of the formation aids and protection aids described herein is that they are easily removable after the construction material is applied, while at the same time sufficiently rigid to provide a precise formation structure, and durable enough to prevent the penetration of and/or catch debris that might fall in the receptacle formed during construction. Numerous materials are acceptable for this purpose including, plastics, fiber glass, wood, and cardboard. In addition, the material of which the formation and/or protection aids are formed may be rubber coated. In some alternatives, a coating is applied to prevent the construction material from bonding to the formation aid. An example of a coating is wax. In one embodiment, cardboard coated with wax is used to form the formation aid. Cardboard is easily crushed and removed after formation, however, is sufficiently rigid for formation. In one alternative, a cardboard formation aid has tabs and folds that may be release and unfolded for easier removal. Thin plastic, fiberglass, or wood may be coated and used in a similar fashion. Cardboard allows for the easy passage of water through the weep hole due to its porousness. In one alternative, the material used may be perforated with small holes allowing for the passage of water but not debris.
[0048] C. Other Enhancements
[0049] In one embodiment the formation aid may have a hole for catching debris. Such a hole makes cleanup after formation easier. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, weep hole formation aid 110 has a hole 370 in the narrow end of the formation aid that faces the interior of the pool. The hole 370 also allows for water to easily pass into the pool during formation. Hole 370 also supports the insertion of rebar 120 as explained above.
[0050] In one embodiment, the formation aid includes an integrated attachment mechanism, for attaching the formation aid to nearby rebar. An example of an integrated attachment mechanism is a plurality of thin wires that have been taped, glued or otherwise attached the formation aid. These wires may be tied or wrapped around nearby rebar to hold the formation aid in place during the application of construction material. After the construction material has set, these aids are detachable from the formation aid and are left embedded in the construction material.
[0051] D. System and Method
[0052] One embodiment of a system for forming a swimming pool includes the above discussed formation aid. The system includes a plurality of rebar supports that form the basic shape of the pool. The system includes a water circulation system that is properly placed according to the positioning of the pool. The system includes at least one formation aid, such as a weep hole formation aid (FIG. 1), positioned according to the structure of the pool and the water circulation system. After the rebar and formation aids are positioned, along with the appropriate portions of the water circulation system, construction material such as Gunite is applied to form the solid structure of the pool. Some embodiments may not include the usage of rebar.
[0053] An embodiment of a method for forming a swimming pool includes the above discussed formation aid. The formation aid is placed as is the rebar. Then the construction material is applied. After formation, the formation aid is removed without allowing debris into the resulting receptacle. The resulting receptacle is then filled or left empty depending on the type of receptacle formed. In one embodiment, the receptacle is a weep hole. The formation aid is essentially conical in order to form a weep hole that has a narrower portion near the interior of the pool and a wider portion remote from the interior. After the weep hole is filled, due to the angular nature of the plug, it resists popping.
[0054] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the present invention.
