Swimming Pool Overflow Grating

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a grating for an overflow drainage channel of a swimming pool including a plurality of bars having a passage extending in a transverse direction therethrough, a plurality of spacer elements having an aperture substantially aligned with the passage and positioned between the plurality of bars, and a connecting member extending through the passage of the plurality of bars and the aperture of the plurality of spacer elements securing the plurality of bars and the plurality of spacer elements together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to grating for the overflow edge of swimming pools.

2. Description of Related Art

Overflow grating is used to cover pool drainage channels that extend around the perimeter of the pool. The grating generally has slats or openings to allow water to flow through the grating and into the drainage channels. Overflow grating is typically formed of T-shaped or I-shaped plastic bars having a connecting element made from plastic to connect each plastic bar together. The overflow grating is generally subjected to harsh conditions, such as pool cleaning chemicals and sunlight. After a period of use, the plastic of the overflow grating may become brittle and eventually break creating a sharp edge that is dangerous to the swimming pool users. Furthermore, the color of the plastic may become faded, which reduces the aesthetic value of the overflow grating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a grating for an overflow drainage channel of a swimming pool is provided. The grating includes a plurality of bars having a passage extending in a transverse direction therethrough, a plurality of spacer elements having an aperture substantially aligned with the passage and positioned between the plurality of bars, and a connecting member extending through the passage of the plurality of bars and the aperture of the plurality of spacer elements to secure the plurality of bars and the plurality of spacer elements together.

In another aspect, a method of forming a grating for an overflow drainage channel of a swimming pool is provided. The method may comprise the step of providing a plurality of bars having a passage extending in a transverse direction therethrough, a plurality of spacer elements having an aperture substantially aligned with the passage and positioned between the plurality of bars, and a connecting member. The method may further include the step of threading the connecting member through the passage of the plurality of bars and the aperture of the plurality of spacer elements to secure the plurality of bars and the plurality of spacer elements together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a grating for an overflow drainage channel according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the grating shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the grating taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the grating taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the grating shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the grating shown in FIG. 1, showing the grating in a flat position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the grating shown in FIG. 1, showing the grating in a partially rolled position;

FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of a grating for an overflow drainage channel according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the grating shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial top view of the grating shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of a corner piece for an overflow drawing channel according one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial orientation terms, if used, shall relate to the referenced embodiment as it is oriented in the accompanying drawing figures or otherwise described in the following detailed description. However, it is to be understood that the embodiments described hereinafter may assume many alternative variations and embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific grating illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures and described herein are simply exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-7, a grating 1 for an overflow drainage channel of a swimming pool is disclosed. The grating includes a plurality of bars 10, a plurality of spacer elements 20, and a pair of connecting members 30. The bars 10 have two passages 12 extending in a transverse direction through each of the bars 10. The spacer elements 20 are positioned between each of the bars 10 and have an aperture 22 aligned with the passage 12 in the bars 10. The connecting member 30 extends through the passage 12 of the bars 10 and the aperture 22 to secure the bars 10 and the spacer elements 20 together. Accordingly, the bars 10, the spacer elements 20, and the connecting members 30 form a grating 1 having a plurality of openings 40 allowing fluids to flow therethrough and supporting a load of a swimming pool user. The connecting members 30 allow the grating 1 to be arranged in a curve along the edge of a pool drainage channel (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting members 30 allow the grating 1 to be rolled up for ease of storage. In certain embodiments, two or more spacer elements 20 may be positioned between the bars 10 at one end with only one spacer element 20 positioned at the other end of the bars to aid in forming the grating 1 along a curve along the edge of a pool drainage channel (not shown). Also, as shown in FIG. 11, a corner area for an overflow drainage channel 80 of a swimming pool may be provided with a corner piece 90 laid down at the corner area 80 in order to connect the gratings 1. The corner piece 90 may have punched holes in profiles, such as star, fan blade, channel, circle or square shapes.

The connecting member 30 may be a rope, sling, elastic material, or any other suitable material for securing the bars 10 and spacer elements. The bars 10 may be made from stainless steel, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), wood, or any other suitable material that is resistant to UV-sunlight and chemical erosion. Further, the materials for the bars 10 may be waste or residue materials from other processes that are recycled and used to form the bars 10. The use of waste or residue materials prevents the formation of sharp angles or edges if the bars 10 become broken after extended use. The spacer elements 20 may be made from aluminum, stainless steel, polyethylene (PE), or any other suitable material that is corrosion-resistant.

In certain embodiments, a bar 50 positioned at an end of a grating 60 includes a passage 52 as discussed hereinabove as well as a securing hole 54 extending through at least a portion of the bar 50. The securing hole 54 is dimensioned to receive an end of the connecting member 30 and fixedly attaches the end of the connecting member 30 to the bar 50. Further, the bar 50 may include a trench 56 formed between the passage 52 and the securing hole 54 for receiving at least a portion of the connecting member 30. In particular, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 5, the end of the connecting member 30 may be threaded through the passages 12 of the bars 10 and the passage 52 of the bar 50, extend through the trench 56 and into the securing hole 54. The passage 52, the securing hole 54, and the trench 56 may be closed with a finishing material (not shown) to create a smooth exterior surface 58 of the bar 50. The finishing material may be made of wood waste material and glue. Other finishing materials, however, may be used to correspond to the particular material used for the bars 10.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 8-10, the bar 50 is provided with a counter bore 55 for receiving a press band 70. The press band 70 may be substantially cylindrical and have an aperture 72 extending through the press band 70. The end of the connecting member 30 may be threaded through the passages 12 of the bars 10, the passage 52 of the bar 50 and through the aperture 72 of the press band 70. The end of the connecting member 30 may then extend through the trench 56 and into the securing hole 54. In order to secure the connecting member 30 within the passage 52, the press band 70 may be compressed or secured to the connecting member 30 using pressure, heat, or epoxy. The press band 70 may be used with the bar 10 opposite from the end of the grating 60 to compress the bars 10 and spacer elements 20 together. The counter bore 55, the passage 52, the securing hole 54, and the trench 56 may be closed with the finishing material as described hereinabove.

In yet a further embodiment, a plurality of gratings 1 is provided for an overflow drainage channel of a swimming pool. An attaching member (not shown) may be provided between each of the gratings 1 to prevent the gratings from moving relative to one another. The attaching member (not shown) may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, PE, or any other suitable material which can endure chemical erosion and UV-sunlight.

Although the grating 1 was discussed hereinabove in connection with swimming pool drainage channels, the grating may also be utilized for other purposes, such as for use as a walkway on a grass yard. Furthermore, the grating 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-7 and described hereinabove may include a number of bars 10 and spacer elements 20 to produce a grating having any desirable length.

While certain embodiments of the grating were described in the foregoing detailed description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A grating for an overflow drainage channel of a swimming pool comprising: a plurality of bars having a passage extending in a transverse direction therethrough;a plurality of spacer elements having an aperture substantially aligned with the passage and positioned between the plurality of bars; anda connecting member extending through the passage of the plurality of bars and the aperture of the plurality of spacer elements to secure the plurality of bars and the plurality of spacer elements together.

2. The grating of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is rope or an elastic material.

3. The grating of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bars is resistant to UV-sunlight and chemical erosion.

4. The grating of claim 3, wherein the plurality of bars is made of wood, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, or stainless steel.

5. The grating of claim 1, wherein the spacer elements are made of a corrosion-resistant material.

6. The grating of claim 5, wherein the spacer elements are made of aluminum, stainless steel, or polyethylene.

7. The grating of claim 1, wherein a bar positioned at the end of the grating has a securing hole extending through at least a portion of the bar for receiving an end of the connecting member and fixedly attaching the end of the connecting member to the bar positioned at the end of the grating.

8. The grating of claim 7, wherein the bar positioned at the end of the grating has a trench formed between the passage and the securing hole for receiving at least a portion of the connecting member.

9. The grating of claim 8, wherein the trench, the passage, and the securing hole of the bar positioned at the end of the grating are closed with a finishing material to create a smooth exterior surface of the bar positioned at the end of the grating.

10. The grating of claim 9, wherein the finishing material is made of wood waste material and glue.

11. A method of forming a grating for an overflow drainage channel of a swimming pool comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of bars having a passage extending in a transverse direction therethrough, a plurality of spacer elements having an aperture substantially aligned with the passage and positioned between the plurality of bars, and a connecting member; andthreading the connecting member through the passage of the plurality of bars and the aperture of the plurality of spacer elements to secure the plurality of bars and the plurality of spacer elements together.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: providing a bar positioned at the end of the grating with a securing hole extending through at least a portion of the bar, and a trench formed between the passage and the securing hole; andthreading an end of the connecting member through the trench and into the securing hole for fixedly attaching the end of the connecting member to the bar positioned at the end of the grating.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: closing the trench, the passage, and the securing hole of the bar positioned at the end of the grating with a finishing material to create a substantially smooth exterior surface of the bar positioned at the end of the grating.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the finishing material is made of wood waste material and glue.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting member is rope or an elastic material.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of bars is resistant to UV-sunlight and chemical erosion.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of bars is made of wood, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, or stainless steel.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the spacer elements are made of a corrosion-resistant material.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the spacer elements are made of aluminum, stainless steel, or polyethylene.