SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A POOL FITTING
A drainage system includes a pool fitting, a longitudinal member, and a backing member. The pool fitting is configured to be positioned between an edge of the pool and a first edge of a gutter. The pool fitting includes a support member and an alternating drain structure. The longitudinal member is coupled to the alternating drain structure and has a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall. The first sidewall of the longitudinal member and the support member define a cavity therebetween. The backing member is configured to be positioned proximate an opposing second side of the gutter. At least one of the alternating drain structure, the longitudinal member, and the backing member are configured to align a gutter cover over the gutter at a target slope.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/211,447, filed Aug. 28, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDPool perimeter drainage systems are used to collect water that overflows from a pool to prevent the water from accumulating on a deck surface and to convey the water to the pool's filtration system. Pool drainage systems often provide a slope such that the gutter is slightly vertically offset from the adjacent pool deck to prevent overflow onto the pool deck. This slope is often prescribed by regulations, such as the American with Disabilities Act. While useful, implementation of the slope with a pool perimeter drainage system is often time consuming and difficult. For example, forms must be constructed at the correct angle to allow concrete to cast at the proper angle. Therefore, there are at least three time-consuming and complex processes traditionally used: (i) construction of forms, (ii) pouring of concrete, and (iii) installing the gutter. In practice, it is difficult to construct and pour at the desired slope. What is needed are improved systems, methods, and apparatuses for installing a perimeter drainage system with a pool.
SUMMARYOne embodiment relates to a perimeter drainage system for a pool. The drainage system includes a pool fitting, a longitudinal member, and a backing member. The pool fitting is configured to be positioned between an edge of the pool and a first side of a gutter. The pool fitting includes a support member and an alternating drain structure. The longitudinal member is coupled to the alternating drain structure and has a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall. The first sidewall of the longitudinal member and the support member define a cavity therebetween. The backing member is configured to be positioned proximate an opposing second side of the gutter. According to an exemplary embodiments, at least one of the alternating drain structure, the longitudinal member, and the backing member are configured to align a gutter cover over the gutter at a target slope.
Another embodiment relates to a pool fitting. The pool fitting includes a drain structure configured to direct water that overflows from a pool into a drain. The drain structure includes a first plurality of drainage, and a second plurality of drainage structures that are in fluid communication with the first plurality of drainage structures. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first plurality of drainage structures and the second plurality of drainage structures are oriented at opposite angles to define a funnel for directing fluid.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be recited herein.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a pool perimeter drainage system is configured to drain water that is designed to continuously overflow the pool perimeter. Traditionally, pool drainage systems are angled to further prevent overflow (i.e., the pool surface is sunk in relative to a deck surface). To accommodate the angle, pool shells are often constructed to include angled surfaces to provide the slope for the drainage system, which may be difficult, time consuming, error prone, and costly. The pool drainage system of the present disclosure advantageously eliminates the need to slope the pool shell. The pool drainage system includes a drain structure that facilitates draining water overflown from the pool by providing an angled surface to orient a drain cover at a slope relative to the pool shell (i.e., the pool shell does not need to be sloped)—decreasing costs, time of installation, and installation errors (e.g., damage to the pool drainage system or pool shell, casting the pool shell with an improper slope, etc.).
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According to an exemplary, the finger grip 110 is configured to provide support to a swimmer to aid the swimmer when exiting the pool 10. For example, a swimmer may grasp onto the gripping surface 118 for leverage when exiting the pool 10. The finger grip 110 may be shaped and sized dependent on the application (e.g., type of pool, location of pool, etc.) such that the shape and size of the finger grip 110 depicted is for illustrative purposes only. In other embodiments, a wide variety of shapes and sizes may be used. As shown in
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According to an exemplary embodiment, the channel member 50, the drainage structures 150, and the receiving clip 60 align the gutter cover 42 over the gutter 30 (e.g., at a target angle, etc.). As shown in
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According to an exemplary embodiment, the water drainage system 40 advantageously prevents the need to cast the pool shell 20 with a slope at the target angle 98. Thus, the water drainage system 40 of the present disclosure facilitates as substantially easier, more accurate, and cost effective construction of a pool shell and installation of pool drainage systems.
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In one embodiment, the water 12 that flows through the drainage slots 48 (e.g., that is overflown from the pool 10, etc.) is directed to at least one of the gutter 30, the drainage structures 140, and the drainage structures 150. The cavity 90 is also positioned to receive water 12 that overflows from the pool 10 to allow the water 12 to drain into the gutter 30. In one embodiment, the water 12 that flows through the cavity 90 is directed to at least one of the drainage structures 140 and the drainage structures 150. According to an exemplary embodiment, the alternating drain structure 130 is configured to direct the water 12 received from the cavity 90 and the gutter cover 42 to the gutter 30. The drainage structures 150 are configured to direct the water 12 that may overflow from the pool 10 (e.g., received from the drainage slots 48, received from the cavity 90, etc.) to the drainage structures 140. The drainage structures 140 are configured to direct the water 12 that may overflow from the pool 10 (e.g., received from the drainage slots 48, received from the cavity 90, received from the drainage structures 150, etc.) to the gutter 30 via the water outlets 144 of the drainage wall 106. The gutter 30 may be fluidly coupled to a filtration system of the pool 10. According to an exemplary embodiment, the alternating drain structure 130 is configured to prevent water that overflows from the pool 10 from being trapped within the channel 90 (e.g., which may cause a health hazard, etc.).
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At step 702, a pool shell (e.g., the pool shell 20, etc.) of a pool including a first support (e.g., the fitting support 22, etc.) and a second support (e.g., the deck support 26, etc.) is provided (e.g., cast from concrete, assembled, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the first support and the second support are spaced apart, defining a gutter therebetween (e.g., the gutter 30, etc.). In one embodiment, the second support is taller than the first support. At step 704, a pool fitting (e.g., the pool fitting 100, etc.) is installed proximate an edge of the pool on the first support. Installing the pool fitting may include applying grout to a mounting surface of the first support to the level the mounting surface; setting the pool fitting within the grout proximate the pool edge; and once set, drill in a fastener (e.g., an epoxy anchor, etc.) to affix the pool fitting to the first support proximate the pool.
At step 706, a backing member (e.g., the retaining clip 60, etc.) is installed proximate the gutter on the second support. Installing the backing member may include applying grout to a mounting surface of the second support to the level the mounting surface; setting the backing member within the grout proximate the gutter; and once set, drill in a fastener (e.g., an epoxy anchor, etc.) to affix the backing member to the second support proximate the gutter.
At step 708, a longitudinal member (e.g., the channel member 50, etc.) is coupled to the pool fitting. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pool fitting includes tabs that interlock with a profile of the longitudinal member (e.g., the interfacing walls 58, etc.). At step 710, a gutter cover (e.g., the gutter cover 42, etc.) is disposed between the longitudinal member and the backing member such that the gutter cover extends across the gutter. According to an exemplary embodiment, the drainage system is configured to angularly orient the gutter cover such that it is disposed along a target slope (e.g., up one inch over twelve inches, etc.). Advantageously, the drainage system prevents the need to cast the pool shell with a sloped surface since the drainage system is structured to include an angled configuration to orient the gutter cover along the target slope.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” or “example” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the systems and methods as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the components described herein may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A perimeter drainage system for a pool, comprising:
- a pool fitting configured to be positioned between an edge of the pool and a first side of a gutter, the pool fitting including a support member and an alternating drain structure;
- a longitudinal member coupled to the alternating drain structure having a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the support member define a cavity therebetween; and
- a backing member configured to be positioned proximate an opposing second side of the gutter, wherein at least one of the alternating drain structure, the longitudinal member, and the backing member are configured to align a gutter cover over the gutter at a target slope.
2. The perimeter drainage system of claim 1, wherein the alternating drain structure includes a first plurality of drainage structures and a second plurality of drainage structures, wherein the first plurality of drainage structures have a sloped surface that slopes downward and toward the gutter, and the second plurality of drainage structures have a sloped surface that slopes upward and away from the edge of the pool.
3. The perimeter drainage system of claim 2, wherein the alternating drain structure is configured such that a first end of the gutter cover rests on the sloped surface of the second plurality of drainage structures.
4. The perimeter drainage system of claim 3, wherein the backing member is configured to receive an opposing second end of the gutter cover and the opposing second sidewall of the longitudinal member is configured to engage with the first end of the gutter cover.
5. The perimeter drainage system of claim 4, wherein the sloped surface of the second plurality of drainage structures and the backing member orient the gutter cover such that the gutter cover extends upward and away from the edge of the pool.
6. The perimeter drainage system of claim 5, wherein the gutter cover is oriented at a slope of one inch in a vertical direction and twelve inches in a horizontal direction, wherein the first end of the gutter cover is lower relative to the opposing second end of the gutter cover.
7. The perimeter drainage system of claim 2, wherein the first plurality of drainage structures and the second plurality of drainage structures alternate along the alternating drain structure.
8. The perimeter drainage system of claim 7, wherein the second plurality of drainage structures are configured to direct water that overflows from the pool to the first plurality of drainage structures, and wherein the first plurality of drainage structures are configured to direct the water that overflows from the pool and received from the second plurality of drainage structures to the gutter.
9. The perimeter drainage system of claim 2, wherein the second plurality of drainage structures include a coupling member that extends therefrom and is configured to couple the longitudinal member to the alternating drain structure.
10. The perimeter drainage system of claim 1, wherein the alternating drain structure is configured to direct water received from the cavity and the gutter cover to the gutter.
11. A pool fitting, comprising:
- a drain structure configured to direct water that overflows from a pool into a drain, the drain structure including: a first plurality of drainage structures; and a second plurality of drainage structures in fluid communication with the first plurality of drainage structures; wherein the first plurality of drainage structures and the second plurality of drainage structures are oriented at opposite angles to define a funnel for directing fluid.
12. The pool fitting of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of drainage structures have an angled surface with a negative slope and the second plurality of drainage structures have an angled surface with a positive slope.
13. The pool fitting of claim 12, wherein the angled surface of the second plurality of drainage structures is configured to orient a gutter cover at a positive slope such that the gutter cover extends upward and away from an edge of the pool.
14. The pool fitting of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of drainage structures and the second plurality of drainage structures alternate along a length of the drain structure.
15. The pool fitting of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of drainage structures and the second plurality of drainage structures have a tapered structure.
16. The pool fitting of claim 11, wherein the second plurality of drainage structures are configured to direct the water that overflows from the pool to the first plurality of drainage structures, and wherein the first plurality of drainage structures are configured to direct the water that overflows from the pool and received from the second plurality of drainage structures to a gutter.
17. The pool fitting of claim 16, further comprising an output defined by the drain structure and positioned such that the water directed by the second plurality of drainage structures enters the gutter.
18. The pool fitting of claim 11, further comprising a finger grip coupled to the drain structure and extending therefrom upward from an edge of the pool, wherein the finger grip is configured to aid a swimmer when exiting the pool.
19. The pool fitting of claim 18, further comprising a tail coupled to a bottom end of the finger grip, wherein the tail is positioned to interface with a notch that extends around a periphery of the pool.
20. The pool fitting of claim 18, wherein the finger grip is configured to selectively receive a plurality of lane clips, wherein the plurality of lane clips are able to be selectively repositioned along the edge of the pool to facilitate installing a plurality of lanes lines with a variety of lane widths.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 22, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 2, 2017
Inventor: Matt Freeby (Beaver Dam, WI)
Application Number: 15/243,142