The disclosure relates to the field of pools. More particularly, the disclosure relates to freestanding sun shelves for pools.
Swimming pools have long been a popular amenity for both recreational and fitness purposes. Over time, various innovations have been introduced to enhance the poolside experience, providing comfort, convenience, and aesthetic appeal for pool users. One area that has garnered attention is the design and functionality of poolside sun shelves—platforms situated at the water's edge where pool-goers can relax, socialize, or sunbathe.
Conventional sun shelves, however, have limited functionality and features. For example, conventional sun shelves require a separate support structure to support the shelf or require the shelf to be buried in the ground, which increases installation and maintenance costs and reduces the number of locations at which a shelf can be installed.
A need exists, therefore, for new and useful sun shelves.
Various example freestanding sun shelves are described.
An example sun shelf has a main body and a tubular member. The main body has a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a base, and defines a first intake, an outlet, and a recess. The first wall has a first height from the base. The second wall has a second height from the base. The third wall has a third height from the base. The fourth wall has a fourth height from the base. The fourth height is less than the first height, the second height, and the third height. The tubular member is attached to the main body and extends from the first intake to the outlet.
Additional understanding of these examples can be obtained by reviewing the detailed description, below, and the referenced drawings.
The following detailed description and the appended drawings describe and illustrate various example sun shelves. The description and illustration of these examples are provided to enable one skilled in the art to make and use a sun shelf. They do not limit the scope of the claims in any manner.
The first wall 106 has a first sidewall 132, a first ledge 134, and a first exterior surface 136. The first wall 106 has a first height 138 from the base 114 to first ledge 134. The second wall 108 has a second sidewall 140, a second ledge 142, and a second exterior surface 144. The second wall 108 has a second height 146 from the base 114 to the second ledge 142. The third wall 110 has a third sidewall 148, a third ledge 150, and a third exterior surface 152. The third wall 110 has a third height 154 from the base 114 to the third ledge 150. The fourth wall 112 has a fourth sidewall 156, a fourth ledge 158, and a fourth exterior surface 160. The fourth wall 112 has a fourth height 162 from the base 114 to the fourth ledge 158. The fourth height 162 is less than the first height 138, the second height 146, and the third height 154. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first wall 106, the second wall 108, the third wall 110, and the fourth wall 112 are substantially perpendicular to the base 114, creating a recess 128 that is a right rectangular prism. More specifically, the each of the first sidewall 132, the second sidewall 140, the third sidewall 148, and the fourth sidewall 156 are substantially perpendicular to the base 114. During use, and when water is disposed within the recess 128 to a height that is equal to, or greater than, the fourth height 162, water can travel over the fourth ledge 158 creating a waterfall that flows into an environment exterior to the recess 128 (e.g., a main pool of which the sun shelf is disposed adjacent). Although the illustrated embodiment shows a fourth ledge 158, a fourth ledge can be omitted, as seen in
While the sun shelf 100 has been illustrated as having a recess 128 that is a right rectangular prism, a recess can be any suitable shape including, but not limited to, cylindrical, sei-cylindrical, triangular prism, and any other shape considered suitable for a particular embodiment. While the first ledge 134, the second ledge 142, the third ledge 150, and the fourth ledge 158 have been illustrated as being a portion of their respective walls, a first ledge 134, a second ledge 142, a third ledge 158, and a fourth ledge 158 included in a sun shelf 100 can be a separate component that is attached to their respective walls. Furthermore, any of a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and/or a fourth sidewall can be disposed at any suitable angle relative to a base, such as angles equal to, greater than, or less than 90 degrees.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 118 extends from the first wall 106 to the first exterior surface 136, from the second wall 108 to the second exterior surface 144, and from the third wall 110 to the third exterior surface 152. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the cavity 118 extending from the first wall 106, second wall 108, and third wall 110, it need not extend in this manner. For example, a cavity 118 can extend from a first wall 106 to a first exterior surface 136, from a second wall 108 to a second exterior surface 144, and/or from a third wall 110 to a third exterior surface 152. In alternative embodiments, a cavity 118 can be omitted.
In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of supports 116 is disposed within the cavity 118. Each support of the plurality of supports 116 extends from the base 114 to a ledge (e.g., first ledge 134, second ledge 142, third ledge 150) and away from the recess 128. While a plurality of supports 116 has been illustrated, a sun shelf 100 can include any suitable number of supports 116, such as one, at least one, two, a plurality, three, four, five, more than five, and any other number considered suitable for a particular embodiment. While each support 116 has been illustrated as including a particular structural arrangement, any suitable type of support 116 can be used to provide support to a main body 102. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of supports 116 can be omitted and a sun shelf 100 can be surrounded by an object or multiple objects that support the entirety of the main body 102. The accessory output 130 extends through the third sidewall 148 and is configured to receive an accessory device (e.g., a light source that illuminates the water within the recess 128). In alternative embodiments, an accessory output 130 may be omitted or multiple accessory outputs 130 can be included. When more than one accessory output 130 is included, each accessory output 130 can be positioned on or through any of the walls (e.g., sidewall, ledge), and used for a variety of reasons including speakers, lighting, and the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first intake 120 and the second intake 122 are disposed through the fourth wall 112. Although the first intake 120 and the second intake 122 have been illustrated as being disposed at particular locations on the main body 102, a first intake and a second intake can be positioned in any desirable location. For example, a first intake and/or a second intake can be disposed through a base, a first wall, a second wall, and/or a third wall. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a sun shelf can include only one intake that can be positioned at any suitable location, such as those described herein. Despite the illustrated example sun shelf 100 showing two intakes, any number of desired intakes can be used including, but not limited to, one, two, a plurality, three, four, five, or any other number considered suitable for a particular embodiment. The outlet 124 is disposed through the third wall 110. However, in alternative embodiments, an outlet 124 may be disposed through a base 114 or any other desired location such as, but not limited to, a first wall 106, a second wall 108, and/or a fourth wall 112.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular member 104 is disposed within the cavity 118, is attached to the main body 102, and extends from the first intake 120 to the outlet 124, from the second intake 122 to the outlet 124, and through the plurality of supports 116. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the tubular member 104 extending from the first intake 120, from the second intake 122 to the outlet 124, and through the plurality of supports 116, in alternative embodiments a tubular member 104 may extend only from a first intake 120 to an outlet 124, from a second intake 122 to an outlet 124, and/or through none, or more than one, support. In addition, the illustrated embodiment illustrates a third intake 164 disposed on the tubular member 104 and within the cavity 118, which can be used to directly attach the tubular member to a plumbing system (e.g., of an existing pool).
In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 102 defines slots 166 within which a first panel 168, a second panel 170, and a third panel 172 are disposed to cover the cavity 118 from an external environment 171 surrounding the sun shelf 100. The tubular member 104 is disposed between the main body 102 and the panels 168, 170, 182. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the first panel 168, the second panel 170, and the third panel 172 being disposed in the slots 166, any means of securing a first panel 168, a second panel 170, and a third panel 172 to a main body 102 may be used. Alternatively, one or more, or all, of the panels 168, 170, 172 can be omitted.
The sun shelf 100 can have any desired size and shape and selection of a size and shape for a sun shelf 100 can be based on various considerations, such as the intended use of the sun shelf 100. Examples of dimensions considered suitable for a sun shelf 100 include sun shelves that are 92 inches long measured from the first exterior surface 136 to the second exterior surface 144, 82 inches wide measured from the fourth exterior surface 160 to the third exterior surface 152, and/or 13 ½ inches tall measured from the bottom of the base to a ledge 134, 142, 150. A recess 128 of a sun shelf 100 can have any suitable dimensions such as 78 inches long measured from the first sidewall 132 to the second sidewall 140, and 67 ½ inches wide measured from the fourth sidewall 156 to the third sidewall 148.
In operation, a tubular member can be used to connect the outlet of a filtration system of a main pool (e.g., return jet), the outlet of a freestanding pump, and/or the outlet of a pump attached to, or integrated with, the sun shelf 100, to the first intake 120, the second intake 122, or both. Alternatively, the third intake 164 can be directly attached to a filter system of a main pool, a freestanding pump, and/or a pump attached to, or integrated with, the sun shelf 100, thus bypassing the first intake 120 and the second intake 122, which can be covered using a cap to avoid water loss, or omitted from the sun shelf. Water is then pushed through the tubular member 104 and expelled from the outlet 124 within the main body 102. As the water accumulates within the recess 128 of the main body 102, the water will flow over the fourth ledge 158 into the environment exterior to the recess 128 (e.g., main pool). The sun shelf 100 may further have backflow valves 176 (e.g., between the first intake 120 and the outlet 124 and/or between the second intake 122 and the outlet 124) designed to keep water that flows through the tubular member 104 from flowing in an undesired direction, such as the water flowing out of the first intake 120 or the second intake 122. In the illustrated embodiment, backflow valves 176 are disposed within the cavity defined by the first wall 106 and the second wall 108.
The first wall 206 has a first sidewall 232, a first ledge 234, and a first exterior surface 236. The first wall 206 has a first height 238 from the base 214 to first ledge 234. The second wall 208 has a second sidewall 240, a second ledge 242, and a second exterior surface 244. The second wall 208 has a second height 246 from the base 214 to the second ledge 242. The third wall 210 has a third sidewall 248, a third ledge 250, and a third exterior surface 252. The third wall 210 has a third height 254 from the base 214 to the third ledge 250. The fourth wall 212 has a fourth sidewall 256, a fourth ledge 258, and a fourth exterior surface 260. The fourth wall 212 has a fourth height 262 from the base 214 to the fourth ledge 258. The fourth wall 212 has a portion 273 that extends from the base 214 and away from the fourth ledge 258 creating a shoulder 275. The fourth height 262 is less than the first height 238, the second height 246, and the third height 254. During use, and when water is disposed within the recess 228 to a height that is equal to, or greater than, the fourth height 262, water can travel over the fourth ledge 258 creating a waterfall that flows into an environment exterior to the recess 228 (e.g., a main pool of which the sun shelf is disposed adjacent).
In the illustrated embodiment, the sun shelf 200 omits the inclusion of supports. However, in alternative embodiments, a sun shelf can include supports similar to those included in the first embodiment of the sun shelf 100, or can include any other type of desired support. The accessory output 230 extends through the third sidewall 248 and is configured to receive a light source that illuminates the water within the recess 228. In alternative embodiments, an accessory output 230 may be omitted or multiple accessory outputs 230 can be included.
In the illustrated embodiment, an intake 220 is disposed through the base 214. Although the intake 220 has been illustrated as being disposed at this particular location on the main body 202, an intake 220 can be positioned in any desirable location. For example, an intake 220 could be disposed through a first wall 206, a second wall 208, a third wall 210, and/or a fourth wall 212. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a sun shelf 200 can include multiple intakes that can be positioned at any suitable location, such as those described herein. Despite the illustrated example sun shelf 200 showing only one intake, any number of desired intakes can be used including, but not limited to, two, a plurality, three, four, five, or any other number considered suitable for a particular embodiment. The outlet 224 is disposed through the third wall 210. However, in alternative embodiments, an outlet 224 may also be disposed through a base 214 or any other desired location such as, but not limited to, a first wall 206, a second wall 208, and/or a fourth wall 212.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular member 204 is disposed within the cavity 218, is attached to the main body 202, and extends from the intake 220 to the outlet 224. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the tubular member 204 extending from the intake 220 to the outlet 224, in alternative embodiments a tubular member 204 may extend from a first intake and a second intake to an outlet 224.
In operation, a tubular body 274 can be used to connect the outlet of the main pool (e.g., filtration system) to the intake 220. Water is then pushed through the tubular member 204 and expelled from the outlet 224 within the main body 202. As the water accumulates within the recess 228 of the main body 202, the water will flow over the fourth ledge 258 into the environment exterior to the recess 228 (e.g., main pool).
In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 318 extends from the first wall 306 to the second wall 308, from the third wall 310 to the fourth wall, and from the base 314 and away from the recess. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the cavity 318 extending in this manner, it need not extend in this manner. For example, a cavity 318 can extend from a first wall 306 to a first exterior surface, from a second wall 308 to a second exterior surface 344, and/or from a third wall 310 to a third exterior surface 352. In alternative embodiments, a cavity 318 can be omitted.
In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of intakes 320 are disposed through the first wall 306, the second wall 308, and the third wall 310. Although the plurality of intakes 320 have been illustrated as being disposed at these particular locations on the main body 302, an intake 320 can be positioned in any desirable location. For example, an intake 320 could be disposed through a first wall 306, a second wall 308, a third wall 310, and/or a fourth wall 312. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a sun shelf 300 can include multiple intakes that can be positioned at any suitable location, such as those described herein. The outlet 324 is disposed through the base 314. However, in alternative embodiments, an outlet 324 may also be disposed through a third wall 310 or any other desired location such as, but not limited to, a first wall 306, a second wall 308, and/or a fourth wall 312.
In the illustrated embodiment, a tubular member 304 is disposed within the cavity 318, is attached to the main body 302, and extends from the plurality of intakes 320 to the outlet 324. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the tubular member 304 extending from the plurality of intakes 320 to the outlet 324, in alternative embodiments a tubular member 304 may extend from only one intake or a plurality of intakes to an outlet 324. The sun shelf 300 may further have a backflow valve 376 designed to keep water that flows through the tubular member 304 from flowing in an undesired direction, such as the water flowing out of the plurality of intakes 320. In the illustrated embodiment, a backflow valve 376 is disposed between two portions of the tubular member 304 within the cavity.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 418 extends from the first wall 406 to the second wall, from the third wall 410 to the fourth wall, and from the base 414 in a direction away from the recess. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the cavity 418 extending in this manner, it need not extend in this manner. For example, a cavity 418 can extend from a first wall 406 to a first exterior surface, from a second wall to a second exterior surface, and/or from a third wall 410 to a third exterior surface 452. In alternative embodiments, a cavity 418 can be omitted.
In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of supports 416 is disposed within the cavity 418. While a plurality of supports 416 has been illustrated, a sun shelf can include any suitable number of supports 416, such as one, at least one, two, a plurality, three, four, five, more than five, and any other number considered suitable for a particular embodiment. While each support 416 has been illustrated as including a particular structural arrangement, any suitable type of support 416 may be used to provide support to a main body 402. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of supports 416 can be omitted and a sun shelf 400 can be surrounded by an object or multiple objects that support the entirety of the main body 402.
In the sun shelf 400, the plurality of intakes 420 are disposed through the first wall 406, the second wall, and the third wall 410. The outlet 424 is disposed through the base 414. However, in alternative embodiments, an outlet 424 may also be disposed through a third wall 410 or any other desired location such as, but not limited to, a first wall 406, a second wall, and/or a fourth wall.
In the illustrated embodiment, a tubular member 404 is disposed within the cavity 418, is attached to the main body 402, and extends from the plurality of intakes 420 to the outlet 424. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the tubular member 404 extending from the plurality of intakes 420 to the outlet 424, in alternative embodiments a tubular member 404 may extend from only one intake or a plurality of intakes to an outlet 424. The sun shelf 400 may further have a backflow valve 476 designed to keep water that flows through the tubular member 404 from flowing in an undesired direction, such as the water flowing out of the plurality of intakes 420. In the illustrated embodiment, a backflow valve 476 is disposed between two portions of the tubular member 404 within the cavity.
Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alternatives for the described and illustrated examples can be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure, and that the various elements and features of one example described and illustrated herein can be combined with various elements and features of another example without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the particular examples disclosed herein have been selected by the inventors simply to describe and illustrate examples of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its protection, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63538519 | Sep 2023 | US |