The present invention relates generally to pool components such as, but not limited to, exercise swim pools and spas. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for joining together two or more separate and independent pool components and to a combination of such pool components.
An exercise swim pool, sometimes called an endless pool, is a known type of pool component. Generally, an exercise swim pool comprises a relatively compact device that permits a swimmer to exercise by swimming against a current generated by the device. An exercise swim pool typically includes a molded shell that is supported by a frame and forms a rectangular water containment or enclosure having a floor and an upstanding sidewall. The shells of some exercise swim pools have molded steps to allow access into the pool. The shell is typically constructed of fiberglass, plastic or a similar material, or a composite of such materials, and the frame is usually made of wood, aluminum or steel. An exercise swim pool is typically six or eight feet wide and twelve to twenty feet long. It includes a water distribution system comprising a propulsion pump that generates a flow of water from one end of the pool component to the other in order to provide sufficient resistance that a swimmer can remain stationary while swimming against the current generated. The water is circulated through return channels back to the propulsion pump so that the current flow against the swimmer may be maintained.
A spa, also called a hot tub, is another well-known pool component. A spa typically comprises a molded shell which forms a water containment or fluid enclosure having a floor and an upstanding sidewall. Molded within the enclosure are a plurality of therapy stations which may include seats or platforms for reclining. The spa shell, like that of an exercise swim pool, is typically constructed of fiberglass, plastic or a similar material, or a composite of such materials, and is supported by a wooden, aluminum or steel frame. A spa includes a water distribution system comprising one or more pumps that are usually placed under the shell to draw water from the enclosure and discharge it, usually with air, into the enclosure through a plurality of nozzles or jets of various types. The jets are usually mounted through the shell in either or both of the floor and sidewall. Typically, jets mounted through the sidewall are located below the water line of the spa, and in any event, the jets are designed to provide a comforting or therapeutic effect to a person occupying a therapy station. Water lines are provided between the various jets, pumps and water inlet ports, and are usually comprised of PVC piping and flexible tubing. Various filters, heaters, cleaning units and diverter valves may also be provided in the typical spa.
It is known to provide a combination exercise swim pool and spa as an integral unit. However, these combination pool/spas are generally quite large and difficult and expensive to ship because the pool components cannot be disengaged from each other. In addition, these known combination units are restricted to a limited number of sizes and configurations, even though exercise swim pools and spas are provided individually in many different sizes and configurations.
It would be desirable if a method could be provided for joining together two or more exercise swim pools, spas or other pool components. This would allow custom combinations to be constructed of variously sized exercise swim pools and variously sized spas. It would also allow the combination of two or more spas, or two or more exercise swim pools. It would also be desirable if such a method could be provided that would allow for the simple assembly of the combination by a dealer or salesman. Such a method would allow a dealer to stock variously sized pool components such as exercise swim pools and spas so that it could readily create a custom combination for any customer. Such a method would also permit a manufacturer to ship separate pool components such as exercise swim pools and spas that have been manufactured so as to be readily joined together according to the invention, rather than combination units, to its dealers and customers who want combination units.
Among the advantages of the invention is that it provides a method for combining two or more exercise swim pools, spas or other pool components. The invention thus allows combinations to be constructed of variously sized pool components such as exercise swim pools and spas, and it allows for the simple assembly of the combination by a dealer or salesman. Another advantage of the invention is that it allows a dealer to stock variously sized pool components such as exercise swim pools and spas that are configured so as to be readily joined together according to the invention. This allows a dealer to readily create a custom combination for any customer.
Another advantage of the invention is that it permits a manufacturer to ship separate pool components that have been manufactured so as to be readily joined together according to the invention, rather than combination units, to its dealers and customers who want combination units. Other advantages and features of this invention will become apparent from an examination of the drawings and the ensuing description.
The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and similar terms in the context of describing the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms “substantially”, “generally” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. The use of such terms in describing a physical or functional characteristic of the invention is not intended to limit such characteristic to the absolute value which the term modifies, but rather to provide an approximation of the value of such physical or functional characteristic.
Terms concerning attachments, such as “coupled”, “connected” and “interconnected”, refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable and rigid attachments or relationships, unless specified herein or clearly indicated by context. The terms “operatively attached”, “operatively connected” and similar terms describe such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.
The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as” and “preferably”) herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and the preferred embodiments thereof, and not to place a limitation on the scope of the invention. Nothing in the specification should be construed as indicating any element as essential to the practice of the invention unless so stated with specificity. The following terms are specifically defined, and are to be given their broadest reasonable construction consistent with such definitions, as follows:
The term “pool component” refers to a device comprising a shell that is supported by a frame and forms a water containment or enclosure having a floor and an upstanding sidewall, and includes a water distribution system including at least one pump. Pool components include devices sold as exercise swim pools, endless pools, spas and hot tubs.
The term “separate and independent”, as used herein to refer to pool components that may be joined together according to the invention, means that each of the pool components is capable of independent stand-alone operation according to its intended purpose, without being coupled to another pool component according to the invention.
The term “complementary”, as used herein to refer to the attachment of frame portions of pool components to each other according to the invention, means that the frame portions of the pool components are configured so that they may be placed adjacent to each other and aligned so that the frame portions of the pool components may be joined together according to the invention.
The complementary frame portions do not need to be the same size, although such a configuration is preferred.
The invention comprises a method for combining two or more separate and independent pool components that have complementary frame portions, and a combination of separate and independent pool components. The invention includes a latch assembly that has a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component of the latch assembly can be removably coupled to the second latch component. The first latch component of the latch assembly is attached to a frame portion of a first pool component and the second latch component is attached to a complementary frame portion of a second pool component. The pool components are placed so that their complementary frame portions and the cooperating first and second latch components are aligned, and the first latch component of the latch assembly is coupled to the second latch component with which it is aligned. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of latch assemblies are employed to join together separate and independent pool components. In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch assemblies each comprise latch action toggle clamp assemblies.
In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as well as the best mode known by the inventor for carrying out the invention, are illustrated in the drawings, and a detailed description thereof follows. It is not intended, however, that the invention be limited to the particular embodiments described or to use in connection with the specific apparatus illustrated herein. Therefore, the scope of the invention contemplated by the inventor includes all equivalents of the subject matter described herein, as well as various modifications and alternative embodiments such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as seem to them appropriate, including the practice of the invention otherwise than as specifically described herein. In addition, any combination of the elements and components of the invention described herein in any possible variation is encompassed by the invention, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly excluded by context.
The presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and wherein:
This description of preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Combination 10 also includes a second pool component in the form of spa 24, which comprises molded spa shell 26 that is supported by frame 28. Spa 24 comprises a water containment or fluid enclosure having floor 30 and upstanding sidewall 32. Molded within the enclosure are a plurality of therapy stations which may include seats or platforms for reclining. Spa 24 includes a conventional water distribution system (not shown) comprising one or more pumps that are usually placed under the shell to draw water from the enclosure and discharge it, usually with air, into the enclosure through a plurality of nozzles or jets of various types. Spa 24 may also be provided with various conventional filters, heaters, cleaning units and diverter valves as are known to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.
Exercise swim pool 12 and spa 24 are capable of independent stand-alone operation according to their intended purposes, without being coupled together according to the invention. Nevertheless, the invention comprises a method for joining these separate and independent pool components, and a combination of such pool components as coupled according to the invention.
Frame 16 of exercise swim pool 12 has a frame portion 34 (shown in
As shown in
The preferred embodiment of the invention thus includes a plurality of latch assemblies, each of which includes a first latch component comprising first bracket 82 and a second latch component comprising second bracket 88 that can be removably coupled to the first latch component by means of U-shaped lock portion 92. The first latch component is attached to a frame portion of the first pool component and the second latch component is attached to a complementary frame portion of the second pool component. The pool components are placed so that their complementary frame portions and the cooperating first and second latch components are aligned, and the first latch component of each latch assembly is removably coupled to the second latch component with which it is aligned.
The invention thus provides a method and apparatus for combining two or more pool components, including but not limited to exercise swim pools and spas. These combinations can be constructed of variously sized pool components, and it allows for the simple assembly of the combination by a dealer or salesman using only a drill and a screwdriver. The invention thus allows a dealer to stock variously sized exercise swim pools and variously sized spas, for example, which pool components are provided with complementary frame portions that are configured so as to be readily joined together, thus providing the flexibility to allow a dealer to readily create a custom combination for any customer. The invention also permits a manufacturer to ship separate pool components such as exercise swim pools and spas that have been manufactured so as to be readily joined together, rather than combination units, to its dealers and customers who want combination units.
Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The invention, as described and claimed herein, is susceptible to various modifications and adaptations, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/415,622 which was filed on Nov. 1, 2016.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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6507959 | Sundberg | Jan 2003 | B1 |
7086994 | Turak et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7845653 | Katz | Dec 2010 | B2 |
8607372 | Hall | Dec 2013 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20180119440 A1 | May 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62415622 | Nov 2016 | US |