Abstract: An inflatable reservoir for containing a liquid, more especially an inflatable swimming pool, formed from a single sheet of a flexible and fluid tight material defining a bottom supporting thereover the liquid filling the reservoir and a peripheral space formed by the remainder of the sheet folded back on itself inwardly over the whole of its periphery so as to form approximately a tube filled partially with liquid and partially with gas, discontinuous mechanical connection means being provided for connecting the free edge of the folded down remainder of the sheet to the bottom.

Abstract: An air control valve is provided for use in a spa to regulate the flow of air to a hydrotherapy jet in which a recessed control knob is accessible at a rim of the spa to actuate a movable valve member to selectively constrict or dilate an air flow passage through the valve body which has an air intake opening underneath the spa rim to isolate the noise associated with the intake opening from the user.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for enabling in-place swimming. This apparatus includes a tank or pool assembly that is of just sufficient dimensions so as to allow a swimmer to execute normal swimming strokes and a restraining assembly to maintain the swimmer in place within the tank during swimming. The tank assembly is preferably largely enclosed and may have included therewith one or more comfort and/or utility features to enhance swimming. The restraining assembly is preferably configured to allow the swimmer relatively free rolling movement while precluding appreciable forward movement due to swimming strokes executed by the swimmer. The apparatus is useful for diverse purposes including exercise, rehabilitation, teaching, training and relaxing.

Abstract: A pool has a pool wall support structure incorporating an outer tensioned cable which is spaced outwardly from the pool wall and thrust bearing struts between the cable and the pool wall. A walkway deck or other load may be mounted over and supported by such struts. Adjustment of the tension in the cable may be monitored by reference to corner plates mounted on the pool walls and having slotted holes.

Abstract: A spa or bath is disclosed having a molded shell with a filter cavity molded therein, the cavity being proportioned and arranged to receive a filter, and the cavity further being open inwardly and upwardly of the shell, thereby simplifying removal and insertion of the filter.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pool wall assembly including first and second pool wall panels and a brace supporting the panels. Structure is included for securing the brace to only the first panel so that the first panel and brace may be aligned together prior to the securement of the second panel. Structure is also included for securing the second panel to at least one of the first panel and the brace. An anchor assembly secures the brace in position. The anchor assembly includes a stake which extends through and slidingly engages the brace and a wedge, telescopically received in the stake, which can be moved with respect to the stake into forcible engagement with the brace to maintain the brace in position. Each panel includes an integral bead extending from the lower portion of its face to define the line to which the pool side wall overlap extends. Also disclosed is a method of erecting a pool wall using the structure disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable hot tub is provided with one or more stacked endless loops of inflatable tubes and sidewalls and a floor or bottom wall. An insulating cover, preferably secured around its entire periphery with an elastic band to the topmost tube, is manually removable and provides insulation by preferably either rigid closed cell synthetic foam or one or more inflation chambers. The tubes may be connected together and to the bottom wall. Pressurized gas may be provided in air jet bubbles to the bottom of the tub through a motor driven pump and heater, with a supply hose extending over the top periphery of the tubes or through the bottommost tube and side wall if present. The air jets may lead from a rigid or flexible pipe or combinations thereof, extending around the lower periphery of the floor, which pipe may be circular in cross section or of quarter-round cross section having its right angle portion fitting in the corresponding right angled joint between the side and bottom walls of the tub.

Abstract: A wading pool in which children are provided with various games. In plan view the pool is shaped like a Greek cross to provide four similar compartments each sized to accommodate one child. Each of the four compartments is made of a different colored plastic and includes an open topped storage bin on one side of the compartment. Each bin houses a toy water pistol permanently attached to the pool by a hose which permits the water pistol to be removed from the bin and freely operated by the child located within the compartment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spa which may be used in an in-ground or above ground swimming pool or other liquid containing structure.The spa includes a frame capable of supporting a person or persons and comprising one or more frame members having a plurality of apertures or perforations. There is also included conveying means connectable to a liquid source such as the outlet pipe of a swimming pool for conveying liquid to the apertures or perforations included in the spa frame whereby liquid may be expelled under pressure of a person or persons supported by the frame.Suitably there is also included aerating means associated with the conveying means for aerating liquid before being expelled from the apertures or perforations in the spa frame.

Abstract: A hydrothermal treatment facility is in the form of a vessel for containing heated water, the vessel sidewalls being contoured to receive and support arthritic users in a plurality of positions, at least one portion being configured to receive a user in a seated position with the user's feet on the vessel floor, at least one portion of the vessel being configured to support a user in a semi-reclined position with the user's head being supported and at least one foot on the vessel floor and at least one portion of the vessel being configured to support a user in a reclined position with the user's legs and feet being supported above the vessel floor, and a plurality of jets by which water is injected into the interior of the vessel, the jets being positioned so that water flowing therethrough impinges on the joints of the users.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pool wall assembly including first and second pool wall panels and a brace supporting the panels. Structure is included for securing the brace to only the first panel so that the first panel and brace may be aligned together prior to the securement of the second panel. Structure is also included for securing the second panel to at least one of the first panel and the brace. An anchor assembly secures the brace in position. The anchor assembly includes a stake which extends through and slidingly engages the brace and a wedge, telescopically received in the stake, which can be moved with respect to the stake into forcible engagement with the brace to maintain the brace in position. Each panel includes an integral bead extending from the lower portion of its face to define the line to which the pool side wall overlap extends. Also disclosed is a method of erecting a pool wall using the structure disclosed.

Abstract: A positive buoyancy programmed motion pool cleaning device is adapted for operation under a floating pool cover. The pool cleaning device is given positive buoyancy with floats fore and aft, both floats being adapted to provide positive buoyancy towards the pool cover while riding on an upper water bearing against the under surface of the pool cover. In this adaptation each float defines a concavity having a circumscribing annulus. At the interior of the concavity there is an outlet of a high volume, low pressure jet pump. Typically the high volume, low pressure jet pump includes a low volume, high pressure jet entraining and expanding water flow from beneath the floats through and elongate tube up, to, and discharging within the concavity. Preferably, the concavity and pump outlet are arranged with the pump outlet somewhat off center of the annulus walls so that pool cover plugging of the pump outlet does not occur. In operation, the concavity forms a water bearing pressure pocket.

Abstract: A flexible easily installed and low maintenance swimming pool coping providing the transitional element between horizontal pool deck and the vertical pool wall. The coping is provided with upper and lower horizontal channels and has a depending bifurcated lower end and is secured at the pool by slipping the bifurcated part over the top of the pool wall. A pool liner bead is accommodated in the lower channel and a decorative protective or functional insert is retained in the upper channel. The coping cross section is formed to permit it to be readily flexed around small radii in either direction for various pool profiles. A yoke with an interlock is provided for insertion at any desired location into the interior of the coping crown to prevent buckling or distortion of the crown. An interlocking leveling element to retain contiguous sections of the coping in alignment is also provided for insertion within the coping.

Abstract: A hydrotherapeutic massage structure comprising a large volume, upwardly opening water-filled container with at least one substantially vertical side, a small volume, elongate, vertically extending upwardly opening water-filled tank with substantially vertical sides and positioned adjacent said one side of the container, an elongate, vertical gate opening between the container and gate, a plurality of water jet and air aspirator nozzles carried by the side wall of the tank in circumferential and vertical spaced relationship about and disposed radially inwardly toward the central vertical axis of the tank, air supply means connected with the nozzles and water recirculating means drawing water from the container and delivering it at high pressure to the nozzles. The tank is slightly greater in diametric extent than the major diametric extent of a person standing substantially upright at the center of the tank and is substantially equal in vertical extent with the shoulder height of the person.

Abstract: A drafting instrument is disclosed providing for a large number of independently viewable scales in a single self-contained instrument. A flexible graphics sheet having a large number of scales thereon is attached to two rotatable shafts mounted within a housing. The housing has a viewing slot which allows the display of individual scales on the graphics sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to the combination of an outdoor swimming pool and adjustable roof structure mounted so as to extend over the pool and a patio adjacent to the pool. When the roof structure is in a raised position, the pool may be used by bathers, positionally adjustable curtaining extending between the roof structure and a ground area surrounding the pool and patio providing protection against adverse weather conditions. When the roof structure is in a lowered position, it prevents access to the pool, providing a safeguard against small children falling into the pool when it is not being used by adults. Additionally, when the roof structure is in its lowered position, insulating members carried thereby lie directly over the pool, minimizing heat loss therefrom. Desirably, the roof structure or part thereof may be moved to open the pool to the sunshine, while providing shade and protection against wind to non-bathers sojourning on the adjacent patio.

Abstract: A deck structure and fence for above ground swimming pools, with the deck being supported at its inner peripheral end on the seat rest mounted on top of the swimming pool side wall. The deck is comprised of a plurality of platform sections of predetermined size and shape, and by adjusting the distance by which the deck section inner ends overhang the seat rest, the same group of deck sections may be used with round or oval swimming pools having arcuate side walls within a predetermined range of diameters. The outer end of the deck is supported on upstanding posts having lock tabs at both ends. Openings formed through the lock tabs define hinge lines at predetermined locations which cause the lock tabs to be tensioned and prestressed as they are bent into locking engagement with deck frame members and ground support plates through mating apertures therein. A deck fence is held together by a double lock tab arrangement through which the fence top rails are securely interlocked with upright fence posts.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water-and/or sandbox construction comprising an integrally moulded body having side walls and inclined upper edges, the bottom of which is formed with shaped protrusions or recesses for releasable engagement with complementarily shaped mounting portions of stackable levelling members having slots formed in their sides, which function as support members of selective height for supporting, depositing or storing members adjacent the top surface of the product contained within the box at a distance from the periphery of the box.

Abstract: Water reservoir comprising a flexible bottom and side walls formed by at least one inflatable tubular element extending along a closed contour, said bottom and said tubular element resting on a support.The bottom is connected to the tubular element by a peripheral connection zone extending between a line of the bottom parallel to the tubular element and spaced therefrom and a generatrix of the tubular element situated between the lower horizontal tangency generatrix and the inner vertical tangency generatrix of the tubular element. A brace is provided between the bottom line and said generatrix.

Abstract: An air supply system for spas provides protection against motor short circuits caused by water backflowing through the air supply line to the housing containing the motor and blower. A moisture-proof partition isolates the motor from direct exposure to the air supply line. The partition and the blower air intake tube are arranged to prevent water from reaching the motor, unless such water first flows through the outlet ports of the blower and then through the blower air intake tube. The blower ports dissipate the water backflow pressure, thereby preventing backflow surges of short duration from reaching the motor. In addition, the inlet end of the air intake tube extends vertically well above the bottom of the motor to provide a static head to offset the backflow pressure of water in the air intake tube.In an alternative embodiment, a drain is provided by ducting the air intake tube to the exterior of the housing to positively prevent water from reaching the motor.

Abstract: An automatic cover for a liquid storage container and a method of control corresponding thereto including a cover disposed within the container, a membrane connected to a portion of the storage container and connected along a peripheral portion of the membrane to the cover, the membrane and the cover separating the storage container into a liquid storage compartment and a liquid balancing compartment, a pressurized mechanism connected to the peripheral portion of the membrane for controlling the shape and dimension of the cover and a member for feeding balancing liquid to and for withdrawing balancing liquid from the liquid balancing compartment in such a manner that hydrostatic pressure of the storage container is maintained within any predetermined range.

Abstract: Tile construction for a swimming pool comprising an elongated tubular extruded member having a longitudinal channel therein, and provided with a plurality of orifices extending into the channel and opening externally of the member. The orifices provide communication between the channel and the exterior of the tubular member. The tubular member has a flat outer surface and the orifices open in the vicinity of the flat outer surface. The tubular member can extend lengthwise along the pool so as to form a lane. A plurality of adjacent parallel lanes can be provided for racing purposes. A pump is connected to the channel for circulating overflow water back into the pool via the channel and the orifices in the tubular member. A plurality of tubular members can be used to form the wall or bottom of the pool or a deck for the pool for receiving overflow water to recirculate the water back to the pool.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pool wall assembly including first and second pool wall panels and a brace supporting the panels. Structure is included for securing the brace to only the first panel so that the first panel and brace may be aligned together prior to the securement of the second panel. Structure is also included for securing the second panel to at least one of the first panel and the brace. An anchor assembly secures the brace in position. The anchor assembly includes a stake which extends through and slidingly engages the brace and a wedge, telescopically received in the stake, which can be moved with respect to the stake into forcible engagement with the brace to maintain the brace in position. Each panel includes an integral bead extending from the lower portion of its face to define the line to which the pool side wall overlap extends. Also disclosed is a method of erecting a pool wall using the structure disclosed.