Abstract: Arrangements for mounting pool fittings and methods for mounting pool fittings, for example, return fittings, to pool walls are provided. The arrangements and methods facilitate the installation and maintenance of pool fittings by preventing the undesirable rotation of the fitting during installation or maintenance. Aspects of the invention are characterized by mounting plates having one or more projections or recesses that engage one or more projections or recesses on the pool fitting to restrict rotation of the fitting. Mounting plates having one or more restricting projections or recesses are also disclosed. Aspects of the invention are not limited to return fittings, but can be adapted for use with any structure mounted to a pool wall, for example, to an insulated pool wall.

Abstract: Coping arrangements and methods for mounting coping arrangements for swimming pools and related structures are provided. The coping arrangements include an elongated base member shaped and adapted to be received by a wall of a swimming pool; and a plurality of elongated top members, each of the plurality of elongated top members are adapted to be replaceably mounted to the elongated base member, and each of the plurality of elongated top members having an exposed contour different from each of the other elongated top members. The different exposed contours of the top members of the coping arrangement may comprise different cross-sectional. Methods for changing a coping arrangement, coping arrangement kits, coping members, and methods for installing a pool are also disclosed.

Abstract: Pools, methods of fabricating pools, and pool panel junctions are provided. The pool includes a first internal surface having a first radius; a second internal surface, for example, of a wading pool, having a second radius; a third internal surface having a third radius, different from the second radius; and a junction where the first internal surface transitions to the second internal surface at a first elevation and the first internal surface transitions to the third internal surface at a second elevation, different from the first elevation. The pool panel junction includes at least one elongated member having a pair of opposing sides defining planes that converge at an apex, such as, a triangular member, and wherein each of the opposing sides is adapted to engage an adjacent connector operatively mounted to a pool panel. An elongated pool panel structural member and a method of fabricating a pool are also provided.

Abstract: Swimming pool recess covers and methods of covering swimming pool recesses, for example, stairwells, are disclosed. The recess covers include a flexible sheet adapted to at least partially cover the recess, and one or more fasteners mounted to an edge of the sheet. The fasteners are adapted to engage a main pool cover. The fastener may be an elongated fastener having a receptacle adapted to receive a projection mounted on the main pool cover. The receptacle may have an opening defined by opposing arms adapted to deflect when contacted by the projection on the main cover. The flexible arms may also include projections that enhance engagement of the receptacle with the projection on the main pool cover. Swimming pool peripheral recess cover fasteners are also provided.

Abstract: Mounting arrangements for pool skimmers, methods for mounting pool skimmers, pool skimmer adapter plates, and pool skimmer installation kits are provided that provide unique opportunities to overcome the limitations of the prior art. Aspects of the invention include an external adapter plate having an internal cavity sized to receive an inlet of a pool skimmer assembly and an internal adapter plate having an internal cavity positioned to at least partially align with an inlet opening of the inlet of the pool skimmer assembly. The use of the adapter plates allows the pool designer and installer broad latitude in selecting a proper skimmer assembly with minimal if any impact upon the design of the pool wall or panel used. Aspects of the invention are uniquely adapted to panel-type pool construction, but may be adaptable for any pool skimmer installation.

Abstract: Coping arrangements and methods for mounting coping arrangements for swimming pools and related structures are provided. The coping arrangements include an elongated base member shaped and adapted to be received by a wall of a swimming pool; and a plurality of elongated top members, each of the plurality of elongated top members are adapted to be replaceably mounted to the elongated base member, and each of the plurality of elongated top members having an exposed contour different from each of the other elongated top members. The different exposed contours of the top members of the coping arrangement may comprise different cross-sectional. Methods for changing a coping arrangement, coping arrangement kits, coping members, and methods for installing a pool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A swimming pool consisting of a plurality of panels that withstands water pressure in both a concave and convex configuration to create any freeform shape or size. Each panel consists of an adhered wall of skinning of metal or plastic over expanded polystyrene or expanded urethane foam. The density of the foam is adjusted as necessary to increase the strength of the wall based on static loading of water when swimming pool is assembled as a whole and fully filled with water.

Abstract: Pool stair assemblies having stair structures fabricated from plastic foam are provided. The stair structures include protective tread sheets and protective riser sheets and a vinyl pool liner mounted over the stair structure, tread sheets, and riser sheets. The stair structure, which may be buoyant, is retained in a pool by the weight of pool water on the liner and stair structure. Aspects of the invention overcome the disadvantages of conventional pool stair assemblies and ladders positioned on top of pool liners. Other related pool structures, methods of installing stair assemblies, stair structures, and methods of fabricating stair structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Coping arrangements and methods for mounting coping arrangements for swimming pools and related structures are provided. The coping arrangements include an elongated base member shaped and adapted to be received by a wall of a swimming pool; and a plurality of elongated top members, each of the plurality of elongated top members are adapted to be replaceably mounted to the elongated base member, and each of the plurality of elongated top members having an exposed contour different from each of the other elongated top members. The different exposed contours of the top members of the coping arrangement may comprise different cross-sectional. Methods for changing a coping arrangement, coping arrangement kits, coping members, and methods for installing a pool are also disclosed.

Abstract: Mounting arrangements for pool skimmers, methods for mounting pool skimmers, and pool skimmer installation kits are disclosed which overcome the limitations of the prior art. Aspects of the invention include a pool skimmer mounting arrangement for mounting a skimmer assembly on an insulated wall of a pool. The pool wall may have an internal side panel, an external side panel, and internal insulation. The mounting arrangements include a penetration in the internal side panel of the pool wall; an adapter plate having an internal cavity and perforations mounted over the penetration in internal side panel; a penetration in the external side panel adapted to receive the inlet of the skimmer assembly; and fasteners adapted to engage the perforations in the adapter plate and the skimmer assembly to mount the skimmer assembly to the insulated pool wall. Methods of practicing the invention and installation kits are also provided.

Abstract: Pool stair assemblies having stair structures fabricated from plastic foam are provided. The stair structures include protective tread sheets and protective riser sheets and a vinyl pool liner mounted over the stair structure, tread sheets, and riser sheets. The stair structure, which may be buoyant, is retained in a pool by the weight of pool water on the liner and stair structure. Aspects of the invention overcome the disadvantages of conventional pool stair assemblies and ladders positioned on top of pool liners. Other related pool structures, methods of installing stair assemblies, stair structures, and methods of fabricating stair structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A swimming pool consisting of a plurality of panels that withstands water pressure in both a concave and convex configuration to create any freeform shape or size. Each panel consists of an adhered wall of skinning of metal or plastic over expanded polystyrene or expanded urethane foam. The density of the foam is adjusted as necessary to increase the strength of the wall based on static loading of water when swimming pool is assembled as a whole and fully filled with water.

Abstract: Swimming pool recess covers and methods of covering swimming pool recesses, for example, stairwells, are disclosed. The recess covers include a flexible sheet adapted to at least partially cover the recess, and one or more fasteners mounted to an edge of the sheet. The fasteners are adapted to engage a main pool cover. The fastener may be an elongated fastener having a receptacle adapted to receive a projection mounted on the main pool cover. The receptacle may have an opening defined by opposing arms adapted to deflect when contacted by the projection on the main cover. The flexible arms may also include projections that enhance engagement of the receptacle with the projection on the main pool cover. Swimming pool peripheral recess cover fasteners are also provided.

Abstract: Pool stair assemblies having stair structures fabricated from plastic foam are provided. The stair structures include protective tread sheets and protective riser sheets and a vinyl pool liner mounted over the stair structure, tread sheets, and riser sheets. The stair structure, which may be buoyant, is retained in a pool by the weight of pool water on the liner and stair structure. Aspects of the invention overcome the disadvantages of conventional pool stair assemblies and ladders positioned on top of pool liners. Other related pool structures, methods of installing stair assemblies, stair structures, and methods of fabricating stair structures are also disclosed.