Patents by Inventor Tom Epple

Tom Epple has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8505247
    Abstract: A swimming pool has a plurality of wall panels secured together in an edge-to-edge relation to define the perimeter of the pool. At least one of the panels includes: a generally rectangular main body having a generally planar face forming a portion of a pool side wall; a pair of opposed edge flanges for juxtaposition with edge flanges of adjacent wall panels, the flanges extending from the plane of the body face at an angle differing from orthogonal by a small draft angle; and a plurality of elongated ribs extending along each flange of the at least one panel in a direction generally orthogonal to the plane of the body face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Separation LLC
    Inventor: Tom Epple
  • Publication number: 20120186185
    Abstract: A swimming pool has a plurality of wall panels secured together in an edge-to-edge relation to define the perimeter of the pool. At least one of the panels includes: a generally rectangular main body having a generally planar face forming a portion of a pool side wall; a pair of opposed edge flanges for juxtaposition with edge flanges of adjacent wall panels, the flanges extending from the plane of the body face at an angle differing from orthogonal by a small draft angle; and a plurality of elongated ribs extending along each flange of the at least one panel in a direction generally orthogonal to the plane of the body face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Tom Epple
  • Patent number: 8215069
    Abstract: A swimming pool assembly having a plurality of side wall panels certain adjacent ones of which have juxtaposed apertured edge flanges joined together by compression plates each having planar blade and a first plurality of pre-alignment fasteners extending away from the plane of the blade through aligned apertures in each juxtaposed flange and engaging a flange plate surface opposite the blade to temporarily align the side wall panels. Each compression plate further includes a second plurality of alignment towers passing through additional aligned apertures in each juxtaposed flange terminating in wedge receiving slots. Wedges, upon being forced into respective slots, clamp the flanges tightly together. Adjacent panel flanges may further include FML flat surfaces oriented to compensate for panel flange draft angle whereby adjacent panels when clamped together present generally coplanar pool surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Separation LLC
    Inventor: Tom Epple
  • Patent number: 8151523
    Abstract: A swimming pool includes a plurality of non-metal panels arranged in an end-to-end manner around a periphery of the swimming pool. Each panel includes a non-metal base material, an electrically conductive ground plane, and at least one bonding feature. The bonding features of the plurality of panels are electrically coupled together and bonded to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Tom Epple
  • Publication number: 20090077905
    Abstract: A swimming pool includes a plurality of non-metal panels arranged in an end-to-end manner around a periphery of the swimming pool. Each panel includes a non-metal base material, an electrically conductive ground plane, and at least one bonding feature. The bonding features of the plurality of panels are electrically coupled together and bonded to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Tom Epple
  • Publication number: 20080302048
    Abstract: A swimming pool assembly having a plurality of side wall panels certain adjacent ones of which have juxtaposed apertured edge flanges joined together by compression plates each having planar blade and a first plurality of pre-alignment fasteners extending away from the plane of the blade through aligned apertures in each juxtaposed flange and engaging a flange plate surface opposite the blade to temporarily align the side wall panels. Each compression plate further includes a second plurality of alignment towers passing through additional aligned apertures in each juxtaposed flange terminating in wedge receiving slots. Wedges, upon being forced into respective slots, clamp the flanges tightly together. Adjacent panel flanges may further include FML flat surfaces oriented to compensate for panel flange draft angle whereby adjacent panels when clamped together present generally coplanar pool surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Tom Epple
  • Publication number: 20060090254
    Abstract: A swimming pool installation, including a swimming pool having an end, a deck surrounding at least a portion of the swimming pool and an auto cover box. The auto cover box is recessed in the deck proximate to the end of the swimming pool. The auto cover box having a formed section with a U-shaped cross-section, including a low portion and a drain in the low portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Tom Epple, Larry Yeager