Abstract: An automatic rim flow water level control system for gutters is provided, for use in swimming pools, which includes a peripheral gutter having at least one weir chamber on its pool side wall, the wall having a plurality of vertically extending elongated water entrance slots communicating with the pool weir chamber, a plurality of vertical elongated water exit slots through the top rim of the gutter wall opposite to the pool side water entrance slots, a plurality of elongated water exit slots through the weir chamber wall below the top rim slots, an elongated float carried in the weir chamber, which float is responsive to the water level in the pool, to permit water to flow through the slots into the gutter for skimming, and into the weir chamber for float positioning and water skimming control, the weir chamber bottom wall having orifices to provide for controlled leakage of water out of the chamber into the gutter, from which it is removed, filtered and returned to the pool.

Abstract: A vacuum filter system for swimming pools, which includes a filter tank carrying a plurality of replaceable filter cartridges, the filter tank being in the suction line from the pool, which tank has an outlet connected to a pump which has a return line to the pool, with air being purged from the filter tank by the vacuum created in the filter tank when in operation.

Abstract: A gutter system is described for use around the perimeter of a swimming pool for skimming the surface water of the pool, and for returning clean water to the pool, which includes an open box like gutter body, made in two vertical halves with a cover plate detachably connecting the vertical halves at the top and a vertical lip extending from each gutter half at the bottom abutting and connected together by bolts. The gutter halves are formed in sections of uniform length which each have an overlapping portion at one end for telescoping engagement with the adjacent gutter length, and with brackets adjacent the ends of the gutter sections with bolts therethrough to hold the sections together.The gutter halves are bolted at the bottom to adjustable anchoring and support brackets fastened to the pool wall. The meeting points of the front and rear gutter sections may be staggered so that the front and back seams are not at the same location.

Abstract: A modular swimming pool structure, for pools of the type having a water impermeable liner received in a cavity, utilizes a minimum of repeated components which permit the structure to be installed in-ground or above-ground in a wide variety of shapes and configurations. The cavity walls are defined by a plurality of positively interlocked metal boards which are articulatable with respect to each other and can thus be used for linear or arcuate pool configurations. The tops of the boards are received in a coping beam and the bottoms in a ground beam, variants of each being disclosed. The same boards may be used for a perimetrical decking, of particular benefit in the case of above-ground pools. An erection method for an in-ground pool is also disclosed which minimizes the excavation required. Above-ground versions with decks provide integral buttressing and all versions avoid conventional bracing structures.

Abstract: An in-ground swimming pool of completely plastic construction is comprised of a wall portion having the upper edge thereof substantially at ground level and a flexible plastic liner which is secured to the top of the wall portion and completely covers the interior sides of said wall portion and the bottom portion of the pool. The wall portion is comprised of a plurality of extruded plastic panels interconnected with each other by means of integral tongue and groove members on the panels which are rigidly secured together by solvent bonding of each respective tongue and groove connection. An extruded plastic coping member is provided with an upwardly extending channel in the bottom surface thereof adapted to be force-fitted over the top of the wall portion to secure the vinyl liner therebetween.

Abstract: A combined liquid filtering and heating apparatus comprises a cylindrical filter section coaxially mounted on top of a water-jacketed combustion chamber section. Cold unfiltered water is fed through the filter section and a portion of the feed is directed through and is heated in the jacket. The feed water passing through the filter is heated to a lesser extent than the water passing through the jacket by heat transfer from the combustion chamber and a plurality of flues extending from the combustion chamber through the filter section. The filter medium may be sand, cartridges, bags or the like.