Abstract: A modular drain for receiving drainage liquid with a polygonal upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a substantially lateral surface, a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface that define an upper cavity, the substantially lateral surface having a plurality of openings thereon. The lower portion is joined to the upper portion, the lower portion including a substantially semi-circular surface sized to receive a tube section of a connector therein. In one embodiment, at least one of the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface includes a retention mechanism that is sized and positioned to retain the tube section in the lower portion. In another embodiment, the vertical surfaces are provided with interlocking interfaces.

Abstract: A modular drain for receiving drainage liquid with a polygonal upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a substantially lateral surface, a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface that define an upper cavity, the substantially lateral surface having a plurality of openings thereon. The lower portion is joined to the upper portion, the lower portion including a substantially semi-circular surface sized to receive a tube section of a connector therein. In one embodiment, at least one of the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface includes a retention mechanism that is sized and positioned to retain the tube section in the lower portion. In another embodiment, the vertical surfaces are provided with interlocking interfaces.

Abstract: An improvement to a stair module support system includes a flexible engagement between a post and a channel attached to the underside of a stair module. The flexible engagement enables the stair module support system to be assembled and placed into a stored configuration with each post received by a corresponding channel. The system may then be shipped to an installation site where the posts may be rotated to a deployed position without requiring further assembly or tools.

Abstract: A modular trench drainage system for placement in a trench of a natural surface or pavement. The system includes a base conduit, a grate cover pivotably secured to the base conduit for covering the base member, a coupling mechanism for pivotably securing the grate cover to the base conduit, an alignment mechanism for aligning the grate cover with respect to the base conduit when the grate cover is placed in a closed position over the base conduit, and a locking mechanism for locking the grate cover to the base conduit.

Abstract: An improvement to a stair module support system includes a flexible engagement between a post and a channel attached to the underside of a stair module. The flexible engagement enables the stair module support system to be assembled and placed into a stored configuration with each post received by a corresponding channel. The system may then be shipped to an installation site where the posts may be rotated to a deployed position without requiring further assembly or tools.

Abstract: A modular trench drainage system for placement in a trench of a natural surface or pavement. The system includes a base conduit, a grate cover pivotably secured to the base conduit for covering the base member, a coupling mechanism for pivotably securing the grate cover to the base conduit, an alignment mechanism for aligning the grate cover with respect to the base conduit when the grate cover is placed in a closed position over the base conduit, and a locking mechanism for locking the grate cover to the base conduit.

Abstract: A cover devised to be positioned over and to overlay an opening contiguous to a swimming pool such as a stairwell opening. The cover is a preformed modular plastic unit. The cover may comprise a single molded piece or a plurality of pre-molded sections that are secured side-by-side to form a rigid unit. The cover is preferably slightly domed and provided with integrally formed strengthening ribs or channels. The dome shape facilitates flowing of water which may accumulate on the cover surface, to the rear and to the sides of the cover. Suitable means, such as pliable plastic water filled tubes, or other hold down means, function to retain the cover in place when in position, against undesirable dislocation from its covering position. The cover also facilitates the installation of a flexible vinyl liner in a swimming pool by providing means to hold the liner over, and to seal, the opening during the installation of the liner.

Abstract: A face plate or framing member is thermoformed from a continuous length of longitudinal member which has a substantially flat cross section. The member is notched at predetermined locations along its length where the corners of the thermoformed face plate are situated. An enlarged opening at the apex of the notches facilitates and enhances the bending and corner forming of the longitudinal member as the member is bent along its longitudinal axis and along the the substantially flat of the member while maintaining the continuity of the longitudinal member. The thermoformed article prepared is of particular utility as a face plate or frame and may be used to cover and seal the connection such as that between a wall opening and a pre-formed stair module positioned in the wall opening of an inground swimming pool.

Abstract: A cover devised to be positioned over and to overlay an opening contiguous to a swimming pool such as a stairwell opening. The cover is a preformed modular plastic unit. The cover may comprise a single molded piece or a plurality of pre-molded sections that are secured side-by-side to form a rigid unit. The cover is preferably slightly domed and provided with integrally formed strengthening ribs or channels. The dome shape facilitates flowing of water which may accumulate on the cover surface, to the rear and to the sides of the cover. Suitable means, such as pliable plastic water filled tubes, or other hold down means, function to retain the cover in place when in position, against undesirable dislocation from its covering position. The cover also facilitates the installation of a flexible vinyl liner in a swimming pool by providing means to hold the liner over, and to seal, the opening during the installation of the liner.

Abstract: A versatile swimming pool coping having at least three horizontal securing channels which open inward to the pool when the coping is positioned at the top of a swimming pool wall for accommodating a plurality of accessories for the swimming pool. The coping is contoured to provide a smooth transition at the corner formed at the juncture of the top of the vertical wall and the horizontal deck around the swimming pool. In a particular embodiment the coping accommodates the bead, of a one-piece vinyl liner which covers the floor and vertical walls, in the bottom channel, a decorative element such as a decorative or light providing strip in a middle channel, and the bead of an accessory which is relatively frequently installed and removed in an upper channel. Also integrally formed as a part of the coping are means to secure the coping at the top of a swimming pool wall. The successive channels above the liner bead holding channel are set back step-wise.

Abstract: A longitudinal receptor construction for insertion into a channel or opening and for holding a desired element is provided. The receptor has an inverted L-shape cross section in which a horizontal leg is advantageously suited for retrofit usage in an existing groove or channel opening and has locking features which afford substantially improved capability for holding the receptor and the element inserted into the receptor.The groove into which the receptor is positioned may be the groove contiguous to a swimming pool coping and may be the same groove devised for and used to hold another element such as the peripheral bead of a swimming pool liner. Sufficient gripping force by the horizontal receptor leg in the locking groove or channel is provided by the receptor leg configuration which prevents dislodging of the receptor leg by forces pulling on the receptor or other member which may be present in the opening.

Abstract: A system to impart controlled rigidity to the flexure of a molded plastic structural module is provided. In the system a means for effectively bonding two plastic members and which maintains the integrity of the bond under severely ambient conditions resulting from differences in coefficients of expansion, moisture, flexing and the like, is disclosed. Delamination of the bond, particularly under the flexing condition is minimized by an intermittent bonding surface such as by bonding at the peaks or top points solely of a serrated surface. The system is particularly useful in the provision of a rigidizing member for treads of a plastic stair module for swimming pools. In use as a support for prefabricated plastic swimming pool stair modules, the preformed stair module is equipped with a suitable structural shaped metal rigidizing element that has been encapsulated in a plastic composition.

Abstract: An improved anchor socket and jig assembly for holding implements in concrete is provided which facilitates assembly of the socket element on the base member of the jig assembly and which affords substantially expanded adaptability of the jig for varied size implements and avoids the need for bolts or other extraneous means to secure the socket member to the rail member.The improved jig assembly comprises a longitudinal base member preferably of substantially rigid plastic composition which is provided with locator openings which fit one of the feet of the socket member and, cooperating therewith, a mating turn slot. Both the openings and the turn slots are formed to accommodate the feet of the socket member. The assembly of the socket in the base member in a secure position is readily effected by positioning the socket member between the rails of the base member and locking the two by a manual quarter turn rotation of the socket member in the base member.

Abstract: An improved system is provided for separation of contiguous concrete portions of a structure. This separation is advantageous in reducing structural failure caused by earth settlement, frost upheaval or excessive underground water pressure by allowing each section of an in-ground concrete structure affected to freely float independent of each other, thereby eliminating the effects of stress on the structure. The system has particular utility in forming a deck surrounding a swimming pool and may be used in conjunction with a form which is temporarily secured near the top on the vertical pool wall to receive the concrete forming the pool. The separator system is used at the interface at the top (on the bond beam) of the pool wall and under the deck and comprises an adapter and clip fastener.

Abstract: A support system for supporting and securing on a substrate and in the desired position a stair module is described. The stair support arrangement advantageously used with swimming pools includes a vertical post which, at the top, supports the stair bottom through a pad member formed or secured underneath the stair module. The post is secured to the pad through vertical depending extensions formed on the pad member. The arrangement facilitates construction by allowing the support to be installed from the top, i.e. the underside of the stair module, down to the ground or supporting level as distinguished from a conventional block support construction which is built from the ground up. A bolt passes through holes formed in the depending legs and through a hole formed near the top of the post such that the top of the post is spaced from contact with the base of the pad member.

Abstract: A concrete expansion and contraction joint is provided comprising a hollow single piece longitudinal extruded member having a cross sectional configuration which resembles an arrow head with a relatively narrow upper stem portion.When the expansion joint is inserted into the fluid concrete aggregate, the V-shaped bottom of the arrow head structure moves aside any stones encountered in the concrete by the top of the arrow thereby facilitating installation. The top edges of the sides of the V-shape upon immersion in the concrete form locking anchors. Horizontal portions extending laterally on each side from the upper central stem portion of the joint to a point near the top of the V sides form flanges that provide channels which block downward water seepage at the joint.

Abstract: A below ground drain and conduit member to receive surface water which also functions as a expansion and contraction joint is provided. The member comprises a hollow longitudinal member having an integrally joined upper polygonal portion (14) of a relatively narrower transverse dimension and a cylindrical lower portion (12) which may be anchored to the subsoil or a substrate and accommodates within said lower portion a cylindrical pipe to carry away accumulated water. The structural components are particularly adapted to be soldered or welded to form a water tight drainage system.The drain of the invention is adapted to be aligned and secured by attaching clips (80) which may be secured, such as by stakes driven into the subsoil, to prevent dislocation as concrete is poured around the drain.Water to be drained enters openings (23) in the top side, i.e.

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: An improved bead for swimming pool covers or swimming pool domes is provided with locking features which afford substantially improved capability for holding the swimming pool cover or dome secured in a holding groove positioned peripherally around the swimming pool.The groove into which the bead is positioned may be part of the swimming pool coping that is provided with upper and lower horizontal channels and is secured at the top of the pool wall. Where a coping structure with two bead receiving grooves or channels is used, a pool liner bead is retained in the lower channel and the bead of the cover or dome is retained in the upper channel. Sufficient gripping force by the bead in the coping channel is provided by the bead configuration to prevent dislodging of the bead by forces pulling on the member attached to the bead.

Abstract: A radius member adapted to be connected to the corners of a swimming pool at the intersections of adjacent sidewalls, and having a flexible radius strip extending in a concave arc in said corners, the opposite edges of the radius strip engaging said sidewalls substantially tangentially so that a thin waterproof lining for the swimming pool may be disposed against said sidewalls and the arcuate inner surface provided by the radius strip and thereby minimize the possibility of damage to said lining at the corners of the pool. Several embodiments of means to connect the radius strip to the corners of the pool are included herein, one of these being of a relatively permanent nature and another being readily detachable from the pool.