Abstract: Ladder, in particular for a swimming pool, comprising two uprights (1) and at least one rung (2) fastened to the uprights, the rung (2) comprising, at its ends, a tubular sleeve (3) coaxially surrounding the corresponding upright (1), and a tubular locking insert ring (4) being engaged between the upright (1) and the sleeve (3) in order to lock the rung (2) axially on the upright (1); the insert ring (4) possesses, at each rung end (2), an outer cross section decreasing continuously from the bottom upwards and has a longitudinal slot (5) on at least most of its height; the tubular sleeve (3) has an inner shape complementary to the outer shape of the ring (4), with an inner cross section decreasing continuously from the bottom upwards; a longitudinal groove (15)/key (16) assembly fixes the sleeve and the insert ring together in terms of rotation in order to stabilize the ladder.

Abstract: A swimming pool with a rigid structure, comprises a rigid peripheral wall made of a rot-resistant material supported by posts and a flexible waterproof liner arranged in the space defined by the rigid wall and attached to the upper edge of the said wall, in which, along their full height, the posts comprise an interior portion made of a rot-resistant material to which the rigid wall is secured and an externally projecting portion having at least two grooves, one on either side, and cladding panels having at least externally at least the appearance of wood are slid into the opposing grooves of two consecutive posts the externally projecting portions of the posts being of such dimensions and the grooves being so positioned that there is a gap between the cladding panels and the rigid wall.

Abstract: Coping for the top edge of a curvilinear wall of a swimming pool, the coping consisting of end-to-end sections and being characterized in that each section of coping (1) comprises: an approximately planar deck (2) designed, when the coping is in the installed position, to extend approximately transversely relative to the wall of the swimming pool, the deck (2) being formed by at least one plate (4) of a synthetic material thermoformed by flat pressing, at least one longitudinal edge of the deck comprising at least two outwardly directed longitudinal flanges (7) arranged one above the other with a gap between them, and at least one trim (3) formed by a profiled strip of extruded plastic fixed to the flanges (7) on one edge of the deck (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool with a rigid structure, comprising a rigid peripheral wall made of a rot-resistant material supported by posts and a flexible waterproof liner arranged in the space defined by the rigid wall and attached to the upper edge of the said wall, in which, along their full height, the posts comprise an interior portion made of a rot-resistant material to which the rigid wall is secured and an externally projecting portion having at least two grooves, one on either side, and cladding panels having at least externally at least the appearance of wood are slid into the opposing grooves of two consecutive posts the externally projecting portions of the posts being of such dimensions and the grooves being so positioned that there is a gap between the cladding panels and the rigid wall.

Abstract: A circular above-ground self-supporting pool, comprising a flexible and impervious pocket, the circular upper edge of which is provided with a buoyant inflatable annular hoop, wherein said inflatable hoop consists of several pneumatically independent inflatable annular chambers.

Abstract: A floating weir skimmer (1) with a pivoting flap (2) that can be fixed to a flexible wall (3) of an above-ground pool, comprising: a flexible pouch (4) with an open front face (7) that can be sealed to the exterior face of the flexible wall (3) to correspond with an opening (8) therein, and a removable rigid cassette (9) in the flexible pouch (4), with two side walls (10) frontally defining a water inlet (11) facing the opening (8) and at the bottom a water outlet (12), this cassette containing a pivoting floating flap (2) with its axle (13) fixed to the base of the side walls (10) near the inlet (11).

Abstract: An above-ground pool (1) having a protruding edge (3) and which can be covered with a cover (6): the folded cover, possibly enclosed in a bag (7) is anchored to a first location (P1); next, it is unfolded and drawn over the pool successively on either side thereof and it is successively anchored at two points (P2, P3) such that a line joining these two points is located at arm's length from a fourth point (P4) on the opposite side from the first point (P1); finally, it is drawn from the point (P4) where the lacing means (12) passing peripherally under the edge (3) are tied.

Abstract: An above-ground pool (1) having a protruding edge (3) and which can be covered with a cover (6): the folded cover, possibly enclosed in a bag (7) is anchored to a first location (P1); next, it is unfolded and drawn over the pool successively on either side thereof and it is successively anchored at two points (P2, P3) such that a line joining these two points is located at arm's length from a fourth point (P4) on the opposite side from the first point (P1); finally, it is drawn from the point (P4) where the lacing means (12) passing peripherally under the edge (3) are tied.

Abstract: A floating weir skimmer (1) with a pivoting flap (2) that can be fixed to a flexible wall (3) of an above-ground pool, comprising: a flexible pouch (4) with an open front face (7) that can be sealed to the exterior face of the flexible wall (3) to correspond with an opening (8) therein, and a removable rigid cassette (9) in the flexible pouch (4), with two side walls (10) frontally defining a water inlet (11) facing the opening (8) and at the bottom a water outlet (12), this cassette containing a pivoting floating flap (2) with its axle (13) fixed to the base of the side walls (10) near the inlet (11).

Abstract: A circular above-ground self-supporting pool, comprising a flexible and impervious pocket, the circular upper edge of which is provided with a buoyant inflatable annular hoop, wherein said inflatable hoop consists of several pneumatically independent inflatable annular chambers.

Abstract: Support systems for vessels such as above-ground swimming pools are disclosed. Each system may include one or more buttresses adapted to support substantially the entire vertical height of the side wall or each of a series of side walls of the pool. The buttresses, which flare along their lengths, closely match the support they provide each side wall to the outward water pressure present-along its height for enhanced reliability. The diminished space required for installation of the disclosed buttresses reduces the surface area required for their associated pool.

Abstract: Quick coupling for a hose (4), comprising a tubular end fitting (2) which has an axial tapering surface (3) that can be pushed at least partially into the end of the hose (4); a clamping ring (5) mounted to rotate on the end fitting (3) and having, at its end facing the tapering surface, an axial opening (9) with a diameter that is between the extreme diameters of the tapering surface (3); and guide means (6, 8; 13, 14) provided on the end fitting (3) and on the ring (5), arranged so that rotation of the ring is accompanied by an axial movement thereof; by virtue of which, when the ring is tightened onto the end fitting, its axial movement along the tapering surface tightens it onto the said tapering surface with the end of the hose being tightened and locked against the tapering surface. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A water catchment device floating at the surface (19) of a basin comprising: a floating support (1) having a support base (3); and a skimmer (4) retained on the base (3) and comprising a skimmer body (5) which can be vertically displaced above the base (3), the skimmer body (5) having a base (7) which has at least one auxiliary passage (11) designed to be closed off by the base (3) when the skimmer body (5) is resting thereon, and a floating dish (13) which sits at the top of the skimmer body (5) during abnormal operation due to excessive buoyancy caused by inadequate filling with water, in which case the skimmer body becomes buoyant and rises above the base releasing the auxiliary passage (11) by which the water enters the skimmer body, from where it is pumped.

Abstract: Open pool forming a reservoir for liquid, especially swimming pool, of the out-of-ground type with a flexible wall (2) and an inflatable tubular chamber (3) constituting a floating ring which defines the opening of the pool, characterized in that, in the service position of the pool (1), the upper peripheral region (5) of the flexible wall (2) adjoining the tubular chamber (3) is inclined, relative to the remaining underlying part of the wall, towards the inside of the pool, by virtue of which the upper peripheral region (5) forms a frustoconical reentrant rim underlying the tubular chamber (3) and capable of holding the tubular chamber (3) up when the latter is subjected to a downwards force.

Abstract: Components of swimming pools, such as rims and base plates, are addressed herein. The rims and plates are adapted for positive interlock to prevent movement of one relative to the other, and the rims typically include dual flanges of differing heights. Among base plates contemplated hereby are ones containing a slot formed by their two vertical walls and which provide guidance at their edges for positioning their associated rims.

Abstract: Support systems for vessels such as above-ground swimming pools are disclosed. Each system may include one or more buttresses adapted to support substantially the entire vertical height of the side wall or each of a series of side walls of the pool. The buttresses, which flare along their lengths, closely match the support they provide each side wall to the outward water pressure present along its height for enhanced reliability. The diminished space required for installation of the disclosed buttresses reduces the surface area required for their associated pool.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid, in particular a liquid, said valve comprising a closure member (1) of compact shape which is resiliently deformable, at least superficially, and which is suitable for closing or exposing a fluid flow orifice (2) which opens out at a surface (3) of the valve body (4), the surface (3) of the valve body (4) is generally plane and the closure member (1) is mounted to rotate freely about an axis (5), on support means (6) which are constructed so that, when the valve is closed, the closure member (1) approaches the orifice (2) with zero or a relatively small incidence with respect to the plane surface (3) so that, at least at the end of the approach, the closure member (1) rolls on the plane surface (3) and is resiliently compressed against that surface until it covers the orifice (2) which it then closes sealingly, the support means also being constructed so that, when the valve is open, the closure member (1) is held away from the orifice (2) and is not compressed agai

Abstract: Wheeled vehicle which automatically changes travel direction when it meets an obstacle and which includes two independent front driving wheels; two obstacle-detection units located on the front of the vehicle at each side; a transmission mechanism for each driving wheel from a motor shaft through a mechanism for reversing the direction of rotation; and a connection mechanism placed between each obstacle-detection unit and the transmission mechanism for each driving wheel located on the opposite side; the obstacle-detection units and connection mechanisms being arranged in such a manner that, when the vehicle meets an obstacle, the detection unit or units actuated by the obstacle act through the corresponding connection mechanisms so as to actuate the direction-reversing mechanism, and to have the rotation of the driving wheel pass from the forward direction to the rear direction.

Abstract: A submersible swimming pool cleaner including a wheeled housing into which an intake fitting for the intake of pressurized water is disposed, and an angularly disposed manifold member inside of the housing containing a plurality of apertures through which the pressurized water is directed at an angle against the pool bottom. A pair of wheel members are positioned at a front of the housing to facilitate transport of the apparatus across the pool bottom and to provide a clearance between the leading edge of the housing and the pool bottom through which debris may enter into a cavity of the housing. The housing further includes a wiper blade secured to the housing rearwardly of the manifold and positioned to seal and direct water along the pool bottom when the apparatus is in operation and thereby further loosen debris from the pool bottom. A debris collection bag is fixed over an exhaust aperture in the rear of the housing for collecting debris.

Abstract: This annular inflatable element comprises two ring-shaped elements interconnected by an inner closed belt and an outer closed belt. All these elements are welded together, and all the welds are of the sleeve coupling type without requiring any complementary or additional welding operation. The last sleeve-coupling weld is formed by placing the outer belt against the inner surface of the annular electrode, and the belt lips are folded firstly outwardly and then inwardly between the electrode and registering contra-electrodes. Paper welding barrier are interposed between the first and second folded portions of the belt lips, and the lips of the ring-shaped elements are placed against the contra-electrodes, respectively, so that the last two sleeve-coupling welds can be accomplished simultaneously. This invention is applicable notably to the manufacture of rubber dinghies.