This application claims priority to Chinese Application Serial Number CN201920537027.2 filed on Apr. 19, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a bracket pool. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a pin-less bracket pool including a bracket and a flexible film pool liner.
Detachable household above-ground pools are very popular among consumers due to their convenient installation and storage. Common above-ground pools can be categorized into bracket pools with metal (or plastic) brackets and non-bracket pools without metal (or plastic) brackets. Tubes and connectors of existing bracket pool are generally fixed to each other by pins such that it is complex to install the bracket pool. And for a bracket pool with pins, when the pool is shaken, water can easily flow into the tubes through the pin joints, thereby corroding the pins, the connectors, and/or the tubes and negatively affect the service life of the bracket. Prior art references offer a solution of disposing a small waterproof cap to limit water flow. However, this solution results in the pool having a more complicated structure and a higher production cost. In addition, this solution creates more inconvenience for the installation process of the pool.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies mentioned above and solves the water seepage problem for the framed pools. The present invention provides a bracket for the framed pool which can be assembly without using any pins thereby reducing the number of fittings/components and the manufacturing costs of the framed pool. In addition, the present invention provides a bracket for the framed pool having reduced the installation steps which allow the bracket to be conveniently assembled and disassembled.
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a bracket for supporting a pool liner to form a framed pool. The bracket comprises an upper frame including a plurality of first supporting tubes. A plurality of second supporting tubes couple to the upper frame for vertically supporting the upper frame. A plurality of connectors couple the plurality of first supporting tubes to one another to form the upper frame and also couple the plurality of second supporting tubes to the upper frame wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors is coupled to the first supporting tubes via a press-fit connection without using pins or other retention members.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a framed pool assembly comprising a bracket and a pool liner supported by the bracket. The bracket includes an upper frame including a plurality of first supporting tubes. A plurality of second supporting tubes couple to the upper frame for vertically supporting the upper frame. A plurality of connectors, each connector of the plurality of connectors having a T-shape, couple adjacent pairs of first supporting tubes to one another to form the upper frame and also couple the plurality of second supporting tubes to the upper frame wherein the plurality of first supporting tubes and the plurality of second supporting tubes are in sealing engagement with the plurality of connectors. The pool liner includes a pool wall having a lower edge and an upper edge and a pool bottom having a periphery. The lower edge of the pool wall and the periphery of the pool bottom connect to one another. A plurality of sleeves are located at the upper edge of the pool wall, spaced apart from one another, with each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves receiving a supporting tube of the plurality of first supporting tubes and having a connector of the plurality of connectors being exposed between adjacent sleeves of the plurality of sleeves. The pool wall has a perimeter less than or equal to a perimeter of the upper frame whereby, in response to filling the pool liner with water, weight of the water applies a force on the plurality of first supporting tubes via the plurality of sleeves, allowing each connector of the plurality of connectors to secure adjacent supporting tubes of the plurality of first supporting tubes to one another.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a framed pool assembly. The framed pool assembly comprises a bracket and a pool liner supported by the bracket. The bracket includes an upper frame including a plurality of first supporting tubes. A plurality of second supporting tubes couple to said upper frame for vertically supporting the upper frame. A plurality of connectors couple the plurality of first supporting tubes to one another to form the upper frame and also couple the plurality of second supporting tubes to the upper frame. Each connector of the plurality of connectors is coupled to the first supporting tubes via a press-fit connection without using pins or other retention members. The pool liner includes a pool wall having a lower edge and an upper edge and a pool bottom having a periphery. The lower edge of the pool wall and the periphery of the pool bottom connect to one another. A plurality of sleeves are located at the upper edge of the pool wall, spaced apart from one another, with each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves receiving a supporting tube of the plurality of first supporting tubes and having a connector of the plurality of connectors being exposed between adjacent sleeves of the plurality of sleeves.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a framed pool 1 constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is generally shown in
The pool liner 3 is disposed inside the bracket 2 and includes a pool wall 3a and a pool bottom 3b. The pool wall 3a has a lower edge and an upper edge. The pool bottom 3b has a periphery extending about the pool bottom 3b. The lower edge of the pool wall 3a and the periphery of the pool bottom 3b are connected to each other to form a container for receiving water. A plurality of sleeves 10 are located at the upper edge of the pool wall 3a with each sleeve 10 of the plurality of sleeves 10 receiving on a supporting tube of the plurality of first supporting tubes 7 and having a connector 4 of the plurality of connectors 4 being exposed between adjacent sleeves thereby attaching the upper portion of the pool liner 3 is to the upper frame 5. After water is injected into the pool liner 3, the pool wall 3a abuts against the plurality of second supporting tubes 8 and the bracket 2 supports the pool liner 3, defining a predetermined shape and position of the pool liner 3.
In the first embodiment, a reinforcing band 11 is provided and extending, annularly and continuously, about an outer surface of the pool wall 3a and the second supporting tubes 8. The reinforcing band 11 can surround the entire perimeter of the pool wall 3a or part of the perimeter of the pool wall 3a. A plurality of fixing patches 12, located about the outer surface of the pool wall 3a and circumferentially spaced from one another, are disposed over the reinforcing band 11 and attached to the outer surface of the pool wall 3a. It should be appreciated that various methods can be used to attach the fixing patches 12 to the outer surface of the pool wall 3a, such as but not limited to, high-frequency welding. In other words, the reinforcing band 11 passes through the fixing patches 12 and is fixed to and abuts against the outer surface of the pool wall 3a of the pool liner 3. This arrangement increases the strength of the pool liner 3, greatly reduces outward expansion deformation of the pool liner 3, and reduces or eliminates the force applied on the second supporting tubes 8 by the pool liner 3. In addition, the reinforcing band 11 is located outside the second supporting tubes 8, such that the reinforcing band 11 secures the second supporting tubes 8 in a predetermined position thereby preventing the second supporting tubes 8 from moving and defining a predetermined shape for the pool liner 3.
Each first supporting tube 7 connects to T-shaped connectors 4 in a manner that two ends 7a, 7b of the first supporting tube 7 are respectively inserted into the first tubular parts 4a, 4b of a T-shaped connectors 4. Each second supporting tube 8 connects to a T-shaped connector 4 in a manner that the upper end 8a of the second supporting tube 8 is inserted into the second tubular part 4c of the T-shaped connector 4. A protruding part 4d is located in at least one of the first tubular parts 4a, 4b and the second tubular part 4c. The protruding parts 4d are coaxial with the tubular parts 4a, 4b, 4c and protrudes outward in the horizontal direction with respect to tubular parts 4a, 4b and protrude outward in the vertical direction with respect to tubular part 4c. A protruding part 4d is spaced apart from an inner wall 4e of at least one of the first tubular parts 4a, 4b, whereby the protruding parts 4d and the inner wall 4e defines an annular space 4f extending therebetween. Another protruding part 4d is spaced apart from an inner wall 4e of the tubular part 4c, whereby the protruding part 4d and the inner wall 4e define an annular space 4f extending therebetween. During installation, the ends of each first supporting tube 7 are inserted into the annular space 4f within the first tubular parts 4a, 4b, and the upper end 8a of each second supporting tube 8 is inserted into the annular space 4f within the second tubular part 4c. The annular spaces 4f are designed such that the ends of each of the supporting tubes 7, 8 are press-fitted with a corresponding tubular part 4a, 4b, 4c to form a press-fit connection.
As best illustrated in
In addition, the inner walls of the first tubular parts 4a, 4b each include at least one projection 14 extending from the inner wall 4e for engaging with a supporting tube 7 of the plurality of first supporting tubes 7 and forming the press-fit connection. The projection(s) 14 is spaced from and located outside the annular space 4f. When the first supporting tube 7 is inserted into the first tubular parts 4a, 4b of the T-shaped connectors 4, the outer wall of the first supporting tube 7 is interference-fitted or press-fitted with the projection(s) 14. Since the first supporting tubes 7 are close to the framed pool 1, when the framed pool 1 is shaken or agitated, the quality of connection between the first supporting tubes 7 and the connectors 4 are affected. Accordingly, water may easily flow into the first supporting tubes 7 through the joints of the first supporting tubes 7 and the connectors 4 thereby causing corrosion to the first supporting tubes 7. The projection(s) 14 can effectively prevent water from entering the first supporting tubes 7 through the joints and solve the problem of water seepage.
In the first embodiment, the pool liner 3 abuts against the second supporting tubes 8 and is fixed to the second supporting tubes 8 by the reinforcing band 11. The pool liner 3 has a perimeter that is substantially equal to that of the upper frame 5. In the second embodiment, the pool liner 3 has a perimeter smaller than that of the upper frame 5. Because the perimeter of the pool liner 3 is smaller than that of the upper frame 5, after water is introduced into the framed pool 1, the weight of the water would apply a downward pulling force along the direction of the pool wall on the first supporting tubes 7 via the sleeves 10. Accordingly, the ends of the first supporting tubes 7 apply a pulling force in the same direction on the first tubular parts 4a, 4b of the T-shaped connectors 4. The first tubular parts 4a, 4b of the T-shaped connectors 4 provide reaction force in the opposite direction, so that the first tubular parts 4a, 4b of the T-shaped connectors 4 are press-fitted with the first supporting tubes 7 and it is difficult for the first supporting tubes 7 to be disengaged from the first tubular parts 4a, 4b of the T-shaped connectors 4. Thus, the arrangement forms a pinless connection between the connectors 4 and the first supporting tubes 7. In other words, by providing the annular spaces 4f in the T-shaped connectors 4, the first supporting tubes 7 can be press-fitted with the connectors 4. In addition, by making the perimeter of the pool liner 3a slightly smaller than that of the upper frame 5, the first supporting tubes 7 can be press-fitted with the connectors 4 due to the weight of the water after the water is introduced into the framed pool 1. Thus, the bracket 2 can be assembled without using any pins or other retention members, which reduces the number of fittings and installation steps, making it convenient to install and disassemble the bracket 2 and reduce the manufacturing cost.
Preferably, the perimeter of the pool liner 3 ranges from 7,000 mm to 24,000 mm. The perimeter of the upper frame 5 ranges from 7500 mm to 25000 mm. The height of each sleeve 10 ranges from 120 mm to 320 mm. The height of the pool wall 3a (including the sleeves 10) ranges from 500 mm to 1500 mm. The difference between the perimeters of the upper frame 5 and the pool liner 3 ranges from 500 mm to 1500 mm. A distance between axes of two adjacent second supporting tubes 8 ranges from 930 mm to 950 mm. The length of the sleeve 10 between two adjacent second supporting tubes 8 ranges from 900 mm to 930 mm. The height of the entire framed pool 1 ranges from 500 mm and 1500 mm.
The ratio of the perimeter of the pool wall 3a to the perimeter of the upper frame 5 ranges from 0.5 to 1, preferably from 0.8 to 1, and more preferably from 0.9 to 1. The height of the pool wall 3a (including the sleeves 10) is substantially equal to that of the bracket 2. The ratio of the length of each of the sleeves 10 to the distance between the central axes of two adjacent second supporting tubes 8 ranges from 0.5 to 1, preferably from 0.8 to 1, and more preferably from 0.9 to 1.
As shown in
It should be understood that, although the perimeter of the pool liner 3 is substantially equal to the upper frame 5 in the first embodiment, it is apparent that the perimeter of the pool liner 3 may also be smaller than that of the upper frame 5. Also, although no engaging structure such as protruding part is provided inside the tubular parts 4a, 4b, 4c of the T-shaped connectors 4 in the second embodiment, it is apparent that the engaging structure, e.g. the protruding parts 4d, may be provided. The features of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined as desired without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the claimed invention. It is understood that all features descried and of all embodiments can be combined with each other, so long as such combination would not contradict one another.
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201920537027.2 | Apr 2019 | CN | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200332544 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |