Abstract: The spa disposed outside the wall of the swimming pool is attached to the swimming pool, i.e., uses a part of the wall system of the swimming pool, by means of a special panel formed with an undercut or recessed portion that accepts a integrally formed at the top of the molded plastic spa. The result is a continuous flow of the wall system footing sad surrounding deck. The perimeter of the molded plastic modular spa shell is supported by panels that also incorporate the deck support system preferably an X-type brace support system used around the swimming pool. A continuous, homogenous concrete bond beam is poured around the entire perimeter of the pool and integrated spa. Operation of the pool and the spa (in either the spa spillway waterfall mode or spa mode) may be controlled by manually manipulating the valving system or by electronically activated motorized valves.

Abstract: A modular seat unit devised to be lowered into and secured to the perimeter wall at the shallow end of a swimming pool is provided. The modular seat unit affords a swimming pool owner with an in-pool seating accessory which is conveniently attached to a swimming pool wall and used by an occupant while still in the swimming pool. The pre-formed seating module is devised to include hydrotherapy water/air jets to produce pressurized, therapeutic water turbulence and includes conveniently accessible means for controlling the water flow to the seat cavity. An adapter to hold the pole of an umbrella to shelter the seat's occupant from the sun's rays is integrated into the module.

Abstract: A modular seat unit to be incorporated into the perimeter wall of a swimming pool is provided. The modular seat is devised to afford a purchaser the option of incorporating the unit into a swimming pool by removing one or more modular wall panels which forming the perimeter of the swimming pool and substituting therefor and securing the seat unit into position in place of the omitted vertical wall panel or panels thereby integrating the seat into the perimeter of the swimming pool. The seat unit is provided with a console accessible to the seat occupant to locate controls such as for water flow from the swimming pool supply into the seat recess. The seating area is devised to include hydrotherapy air jets to produce therapeutic water turbulence. An adapter to hold the pole of an umbrella to shelter the seat occupant from the sun's rays and to function as a safety guard is also provided in the horizontal surface of the seat module. The construction provides a seat for an occupant to rest in the pool.

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: An arrangement to close an unwanted opening in wall is provided wherein the area of the opening when it has been plugged presents a surface which is flush with the face of the wall.The opening closure system provided permits the use of otherwise surplus unusable modular wall panels to be converted to plain panels that are readily integrated into a swimming pool wall structure. The closure plugs are formed so as to have a dual wall thickness; a central portion having an area co-extensive with the area of the opening to be plugged and a peripheral "frame" portion of a lesser thickness which abuts against the back of the panel portion which frames the opening in the panel. Teeth or mounting screw hole filling protuberance may be integrally formed on the peripheral portion of the closure plug to fill screw or fastener holes present in the wall contiguous to the opening which is to be closed.

Abstract: An arrangement comprising a plurality of wall panels connected end-to-end to form the swimming pool is strengthened and is afforded with means to retain alignment, and prevents the wall panels from buckling. Horizontal stiffening members are positioned in cut-outs formed in vertical support posts secured to the panels and in the vertical flanges at the ends of the panel modules to which brace members are also attached. The stiffening members are contained within the cut-outs and abut against the back of the wall panel at the top. Vertical Z-shaped post or rib members secured to the modular panels are provided with a bottom tab which may be staked in position facilitates alignment of the panels. A longitudinal stiffening member positioned at the bottom of the wall panels is optionally used and adds substantial additional strength and alignment means to the pool structure.

Abstract: A distinct element employed in a preferred embodiment of the invention resides in a two-compartment filter unit that extends operating life by permitting the function of the first compartment filtration to be transferred to the other compartment when the first compartment is clogged.

Abstract: A modular prefabricated filter/circulating system for in-ground swimming pools is provided. The swimming pool circulation system which serves to filter and circulate pool water is designed to be prefabricated at the factory and carried to the swimming pool site as a package and installed on the swimming pool wall so that one side wall of the prefabricated package becomes an integral part of the swimming pool wall. The system is provided with a skimmer with streamlined faceplate, main drain, skimmer filter, main drain filter, skimmer throttle valve, quick connect from filter to pump and return, pump, automatic safety pump shutoff, high efficiency pool returns and automatic pool sweep pressure increase mechanism. The system is designed to avoid conventional piping and trenches therefor normally associated with conventional swimming pool filtration systems. The system affords substantial energy saving and is more reliable and safer.

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 swimming pool having sidewalls constructed from a series of prefabricated modular panels connected at the ends to enclose the interior of the pool. The panels are preferably formed of foamed synthetic resinous composition and of a limited number of configurations or modules which are interchangeably adapted for use in forming pools having a plurality of shapes, e.g. a straight panel, a concave curved panel and a convex curved panel. Each panel is adapted to mate and lock with the adjoining panel, and with an upper and with flanges and rib arrangements which are functional as well as serve to strengthen the panel. In a specific embodiment, a tongue is formed on the flange on one side and a mating groove on the flange on the other side of each panel for instant connecting and interlocking of adjacent panels when they are assembled in forming the pool wall. A sealing strip may be placed within the groove and abuts on the tongue of the adjoining panel thereby precluding leakage between the panels.

Abstract: A swimming pool having sidewalls constructed from a series of prefabricated modular panels connected at the ends to enclose the interior of the pool. The panels are preferably formed of foamed synthetic resinous composition and of a limited number of configurations or modules which are interchangeably adapted for use in forming pools having a plurality of shapes, e.g. a straight panel, a concave curved panel and a convex curved panel. Each panel is adapted to mate and lock with the adjoining panel, and with an upper end with flanges and rib arrangements which are functional as well as serve to strengthen the panel. In a specific embodiment, a tongue is formed on the flange on one side and a mating groove on the flange on the other side of each panel for instant connecting and interlocking of adjacent panels when they are assembled in forming the pool wall. A sealing strip may be placed within the groove and abuts on the tongue of the adjoining panel thereby precluding leakage between the panels.