LUCAS, Thomas (833 Route 146A, Clifton Park, NY, 12065, US)
1. A swimming pool comprising:
a plurality of wall sections connected to each other in end to end relatonship and
defining an inwardly facing pool wall surface;
a tile and liner bracket structure including at least one bracket member, said
bracket structure overlying and mounted on said inwardly facing pool wall surface, said bracket
structure including a body having a top edge, a bottom edge, an inwardly facing surface and an
outwardly facing surface having a contour substantially conforming to the contour of said
inwardly facing pool wall surface to which said bracket structure is mounted, said outwardly
facing body surface positioned substantially flush against and in substantial engagement with
said inwardly facing pool wall surface, said bracket structure further including a channel
structure having a first channel extending along a lower region of said inwardly facing body
surface, said first channel being structured and arranged to receive and hold a bead provided at an
edge of a flexible liner, said inwardly facing body surface having a tile-mounting region situated above said bead-receiving first channel to which decorative tiles can be affixed;
a flexible liner having a bead provided at an edge thereof, said liner bead received within and held by said bead-receiving first channel; and
said bead-receiving first channel being situated below the normal waterline of the swimming pool.
2. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said tile-mounting region of said
bracket extends substantially between said top edge of said body and said channel structure. 3. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said top edge of said body is
situated substantially flush with a top edge of said inwardly facing pool wall surface.
4. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 further including an elongate channel cap
fixed to and overlying said bead-receiving channel structure.
5. A swimming pool as recited in claim 4 wherein said channel structure of said
bracket structure further comprises a second channel opening from said inwardly facing body
surface and extending along said lower region of said inwardly facing body surface adjacent and
parallel to said bead-receiving first channel and wherein said channel cap includes a connection
flange, said connection flange being received and held within said second channel to fix said
channel cap to said channel structure to overlie the same.
6. A swimming pool as recited in claim 4 wherein said liner bead received and held
in said bead-receiving first channel defines an elongate slot, and wherein said channel cap
includes an elongate projection received and held within said elongate slot.
7. A swimming pool as recited in claim 5 wherein said liner bead received and held
in said bead-receiving first channel defines an elongate slot, and wherein said channel cap
includes an elongate projection situated below said connection flange which is received and held
within said elongate slot. S. A swimming pool as recited in claim b wherein said channel structure includes an
inwardly projecting lower flange, an inwardly projecting upper flange and an inwardly projecting
intermediate flange situated between said upper and lower flanges, said lower and intermediate
flanges defining said bead-receiving first channel and said upper and intermediate flanges
defining said cap-receiving second channel.
9. A swimming pool as recited in claim 5 further including at least one threaded
fastener passing through said bracket structure and wall section for mounting said tile and liner bracket structure on said one of said wall sections.
10. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said bead is formed on an edge of
said liner.
11. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said bead is formed on a separate strip of flexible material attached to said liner.
12. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said inwardly facing pool wall surface is substantially planar.
13. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said inwardly facing pool wall surface is curved. 14. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said body of said bracket structure
has a height in the range of between about 7 to 9 inches and a thickness of between about .06-.10
inches.
15. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said body of said bracket structure
has a height of about 8 inches and a thickness of about .08 inches.
16. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said bracket member of said
bracket structure comprises an extruded plastic member.
17. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said bracket member of said
bracket structure has a length of between about 10 to 12 feet.
18. A swimming pool as recited in claim 1 wherein said tile and liner bracket
structure comprises at least two bracket members and means for interconnecting said at least two
bracket members with abutting side edges to define continuous top and bottom edges, a
continuous body and a continuous channel structure.
19. A swimming pool as recited in claim 18 wherein said means for interconnecting
said at least two bracket members comprises a thin plastic sheet having opposite side surfaces on
which pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings are provided. 20. A swimming pool comprising:
a plurality of wall sections connected to each other in end to end relationship and
defining an inwardly facing pool wall surface, a top edge and an outwardly facing surface, a
skimmer opening formed through a. wall section opening onto said inwardly and outwardly facing
pool wall surfaces, said skimmer opening being generally rectangular and intersecting said
inwardly facing pool wall surface at upper and lower edges, and at a pair of side edges;
a tile and liner bracket structure overlying and mounted on said inwardly facing
pool wall surface in the region of said skimmer opening, said bracket structure including a body
having a top edge, a bottom edge, an inwardly facing body surface and an outwardly facing body
surface having a contour substantially conforming to the contour of said inwardly facing pool
wall surface to which said bracket structure is mounted, said outwardly facing body surface
positioned substantially flush against and in substantial engagement with said inwardly facing
pool wall surface in the region of said skimmer opening, said body having a reduced height
section forming, with adjacent body sections an open body area overlying said skimmer opening,
said bracket structure further including a channel structure having a first channel extending along
a lower region of said inwardly facing body surface and terminating at said open body area, said
first channel being structured and arranged to receive and hold a bead provided at an edge of a
flexible liner, said inwardly facing body surface having a tile-mounting region situated above
said bead-receiving first channel to which decorative tiles can be affixed;
a flexible liner having a bead provided at an edge thereof, said liner bead received
within and held by said bead-receiving first channel; and said bead-receiving first channel being situated below the normal waterline of the
swimming pool.
21. A swimming pool as recited in claim 20 wherein said upper edge of said skimmer
opening is spaced below said top edge of said inwardly facing pool wall surface, and wherein
said reduced height section of said body overlies a region of said inwardly facing pool wall
surface defined between said upper edge of said skimmer opening and said top edge of said
inwardly facing pool wall surface.
22. A swimming pool as recited in claim. 20 wherein said open body area formed by
said reduced height and adjacent sections of said body is defined by opposed inner side edges and
an upper interconnecting edge of said body and wherein said first channel extending along a
lower region of said body terminates substantially at said opposed inner side edges of said body.
23. A swimming pool as recited in claim. 22 wherein said inwardly facing pool wall
surface includes upper, lower and side edge surface regions bordering said upper, lower and side
edges of said skimmer opening, and wherein said outwardly facing body surface includes upper
and side edge surface regions bordering said upper and inner side edges of said body open area,
said upper and side edge surface regions of said outwardly facing body surface overlying said
upper and side edge surface regions of said inwardly facing pool wall surface. 24. A swimming pool as recited in claim 23 and further including means for forming
a water seal between said upper and side edge surface regions of said inwardly facing pool wall
surface, and said upper and side edge surface regions of said outwardly facing body surface.
25. A swimming pool as recited in claim 24 wherein said sealing means include a first
seal member at least in part overlying at least one of said overlying upper and side edge surface
regions of said outwardly facing body surface and said inwardly facing pool wall surface, to urge
said overlying surfaces into sealing engagement.
26. A swimming pool as recited in claim 25 wherein said sealing means further
include a second seal member overlying at least in part and fastened to at least one of said lower
and side edge surface regions of said inwardly facing pool wall surface.
27. A swimming pool as recited in claim 25 wherein said first seal member comprises
an inverted U-shaped member having a pair of side sealing legs and an interconnecting upper
sealing leg, and wherein said pair of side sealing legs overlie said overlying upper and side edge
surface regions of said outwardly facing body surface and said inwardly facing pool wall surface,
to urge said overlying surfaces into sealing engagement.
28. A swimming pool as recited in claim 27 wherein an edge portion of said flexible
liner overlies said lower edge surface region of said inwardly facing pool wall surface bordering
said skimmer opening, said sealing means further including a second seal member comprising a U-shaped member having a pair of side sealing legs and an interconnecting lower sealing leg, and
wherein said pair of side sealing legs overlie the overlying side edge surface regions of said
outwardly facing body surface and said inwardly facing pool wall surface to sealingly urge them
together, and wherein said interconnecting lower sealing leg overlies said overlying edge portion
of said liner and lower edge surface region of said pool wall surface to sealingly urge them
together.
29. A swimming pool as recited in claim 28 wherein said side sealing legs of said first
seal member extend downwardly and overlie portions of said side edge surface regions of said
inwardly facing body surface terminating in a downward direction prior to said channel structure,
and wherein said side sealing legs of said second seal member extend upwardly and overlie
portions of said side edge surface regions of said inwardly facing body surface incLxiding said
channel structure.
30. A swimming pool as recited in claim 24 wherein an edge portion of " said flexible
liner overlies said lower edge surface region of said inwardly facing pool wall surface bordering
said skimmer opening, and wherein said sealing means include at least one sealing member
overlying said lower edge surface region of said inwardly facing pool wall surface and said edge
portion of said liner.
31. A swimming pool as recited in claim 30 further including an inner gasket member
having portions situated between said upper and side edge surface regions of said outwardly facing body surface, and said upper and side edge surface regions of said inwardly facing pool
wall surface and between said lower edge surface region of said inwardly facing pool wall
surface and said edge portion of said liner.
32. A swimming pool as recited in claim 31 further including an outer gasket member
overlying said at least one sealing member and fastened to and overlying said upper, lower and
side edge surface regions of said inwardly facing pool wall surface.
33. A swimming pool as recited in claim 32 further including a skimmer faceplate
overlying said outer gasket member.
34. A swimming pool comprising:
a plurality of wall sections connected to each other in end to end relationship and
defining an inwardly facing pool wall surface;
a non-wall structure having an inwardly facing surface, a side edge and a side
surface, said non-wall structure situated adjacent to one of said wall sections with side surfaces
of said wall section and adjacent non-wall structure in contiguous relationship, said inwardly
facing pool wall surface and non-wall structure inwardly facing surface together defining an
inwardly facing substantially continuous surface assembly;
a tile and liner bracket structure mounted on said inwardly facing pool wall
surface and said adjacent inwardly facing non-wall structure surface, said bracket structure
including a body having a top edge, a bottom edge, a side edge, an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface having a shape substantially conforming to the shape of said inwardly
facing substantially continuous surface assembly, said outwardly facing body surface positioned
substantially flush against and in substantial engagement with said inwardly facing substantially
continuous surface assembly, said bracket structure further including a channel structure having a
first channel extending along a lower region of said inwardly facing body surface proximate to
said bottom edge of said body, said first channel opening from said inwardly facing body surface
and structured and arranged to receive and hold a bead provided at an edge of a flexible liner,
said inwardly facing body surface having a tile-mounting region situated above said bead-
receiving first channel to which decorative tiles can be affixed;
said outwardly facing surface of said body including a side edge surface region proximate
to said side edge of said body, said inwardly facing surface of said non-wall structure including a
side edge surface region proximate to said side edge of said non-wall structure, said side edge
surface region of said outwardly facing body surface overlying and fastened to said side edge
surface region of said inwardly facing surface of said non-wall structure;
sealing means for forming a water seal in the region between said overlying side
edge surface regions of said inwardly facing surface of said non-wall structure and said
outwardly facing surface of said body;
a flexible liner having a bead provided at an edge thereof, said liner bead received
and held within said bead-receiving first channel; and
said bead-receiving first channel being situated below the normal waterline of the
swimming pool. 35. A swimming pool as recited in claim 30 wherein said sealing means includes an
elongate sealing member overlying and fastened to said side edge region of said inwardly facing
surface of said non-wall structure to sandwich said side edge region of said outwardly facing
surface of said body therebetween.
36. A swimming pool as recited in claim 35 wherein said sealing means further
includes a gasket member situated between said side edge region of said inwardly facing surface
of said non-wall structure and said side edge region of said outwardly facing surface of said
body.
37. A swimming pool as recited in claim 35 wherein said elongate sealing member
extends from above said channel structure of said bracket structure to a position proximate to the
top edge of said body and wherein said sealing means further includes a second sealing member
overlying said bead-holding channel structure and fastened to said side edge region of said
inwardly facing surface of said non-wall structure.
38. A swimming pool as recited in claim 37 wherein said liner bead received in said
first channel defines an elongate slot therein and wherein said second sealing member includes a
projection received in said bead slot.
39. A swimming pool as recited in claim 34 wherein said non-wall structure includes
a stair structure. 40. A swimming pool as recited in claim 34 wherein said non-wall structure includes
a wall ladder.
41. A tile and liner bracket member for a swimming pool comprising: a body having
a top edge, a bottom edge, an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface having a
contour adapted to conform to the contour of an inwardly facing pool wall surface to which said
bracket structure is to be mounted, said outwardly facing body surface adapted to be positioned
substantially flush against and in substantial engagement with said inwardly facing pool wall
surface, said bracket structure further including a channel structure having a first channel
extending along a lower region of said inwardly facing body surface, said first channel being
structured and arranged to receive and hold a bead provided at an edge of a flexible liner, said
inwardly facing body surface having a tile-mounting region situated above said bead-receiving
first channel to which decorative tiles can be affixed. |
TILE AND LINER BRACKET STRUCTURE FOR
SWIMMING POOLS AND SWIMMING
POOLS UTILIZING THE SAME
This application claims the benefit of United States provisional application 60/607132,
filed September 3, 2004 and U.S. patent application Serial No. 11/192,728, filed July 28, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to swimming pools and, more particularly, to liner-type
swimming pools having flexible plastic liners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Residential swimming pools are often constructed of a plurality of separate wall sections
situated and fixed to each other in end to end relationship to define an enclosed container or
vessel which is then lined by a thin, flexible plastic liner which makes the container watertight.
Such "liner" swimming pools are less expensive than swimming pools made of concrete.
On the other hand, concrete swimming pools are considered to be more aesthetically
pleasing than liner pools. Decorative tiles are easily applied to pool walls formed of concrete
while the concrete is in a wet or moldable state. While plastic liners are often provided with
decorative printed designs, the designs printed on the portion of the liner that is situated above
the water line of the pool often becomes discolored due to exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the
sun and the chemicals in the pool water. While it has been proposed to apply a separate plastic
border having a decorative print over discolored portions of a liner when discoloration of the
original liner occurs (e.g., see U.S. patent 6,618,867 to Hodak), the print on the border is still not
as decorative as actual tiles.
Arrangements have been suggested for applying decorative tiles to the side walls of liner-
type pools. U.S. patent 4,205,499 to Lankheet discloses a liner pool in which a peripherally
extending groove is formed in the pool wall which receives and holds a bead provided at the edge
of the liner. The groove is formed a distance below the top edge of the wall section to provide an
area above the channel on the surface of the pool wall on which tiles can be mounted. However,
this arrangement requires a special construction for the pool wall and obviously is not useful in
connection with retrofitting conventional liner type pools. U.S. patent 4,706,308 to Palmere
discloses a peripherally extending receptor apparatus which overhangs the plastic liner and which
includes a liner bead-receiving channel and a tile setting track. However, the open space
between the receptor apparatus and the liner is prone to collect dirt and algae and can be
damaged by ice in the winter months. The receptor apparatus rubs against the liner and causes it
to unduly wear or fail. Moreover, such tile-mounting structures do not form aesthetic junctions
with terminations of the pool wall. Similarly, U.S. patent 5,018,324 to Lankheet discloses a tile
track that hangs over a plastic liner and is therefore subject to the same problems inherent in the
Palmere arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tile and
liner bracket member for liner type swimming pools, and swimming pools which utilize the
same.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tile and liner
bracket member for liner type swimming pools, and swimming pools which utilize the same,
which overcome the problems inherent in prior art arrangements.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tile and
liner bracket member for liner type swimming pools, and swimming pools which utilize the
same, wherein the liner is connected to the bracket structure below the water line of the pool and
a water tight seal is provided between the liner and the pool wall below the water line and at the
junctions between the liner and terminations of the pool wall, including conventional skimmer
openings, wall ladders or other accessories affixed to or integral with the pool wall.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tile and
liner bracket member for liner type swimming pools, and swimming pools which utilize the
same, in which the liner is located entirely below the water line thereby protecting it from
discoloration due to exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and to which decorative tiles can
be mounted to provide the desirable aesthetic characteristics of concrete pools.
Briefly, these and other objects are attained by providing in conjunction with a liner-type
pool, a peripheral tile and liner bracket member having a body whose outwardly facing surface
directly substantially engages, and has a contour that substantially conforms to the contour of the
inwardly facing surface of the pool wall and which is mounted on the pool wall to form a border
adjacent to the top of the pool wall. A channel structure extends along a lower region of the
inwardly facing surface of the bracket body at a level below the normal water line of the pool
which receives and holds a bead provided at the liner edge. An elongate cap is affixed to the
bead-receiving bracket structure. In one embodiment, the bracket structure comprises an
extruded product formed of plastic about eight inches in height, about .08 inches in thickness and
about 8 to 10 feet in length. The bracket member is flexible so that it can closely conform to the
contour of the pool wall, not only along relatively straight lengths, but also along curved lengths.
The tile and bracket structure also provides aesthetic junctions with and secure watertight
seals at the skimmer openings and other pool wall terminations such as stairs and wall ladders.
In the case of a skimmer opening, bracket structure body is provided with a reduced height
section forming, along with adjacent body sections, an open area overlying the skimmer opening.
Sealing members are fastened to the pool wall which are situated over the edge regions of the
body and bead-receiving channel structure bordering the skimmer opening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant
advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description
when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which :
Fig. IA is a front elevation view of a tile and liner bracket member in accordance with the
present invention;
Fig. IB is a side elevation view of the tile and liner bracket member shown in Fig. IA;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the channel structure of the tile and liner bracket
member shown in Figs. IA and IB and designated at "A" in Fig. IB;
Fig. 3 is a perspective broken away view of a pool wall on which a tile and liner bracket
member in accordance with the invention is mounted;
Fig. 4 is a side elevation view in cross section of a pool wall on which a tile and liner
bracket member in accordance with the invention is mounted;
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a pool wall on which a tile and liner bracket
member in accordance with the invention is mounted showing the attachment of a liner bead and
channel cap to the channel structure;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a tile and liner bracket member mounted on a pool
wall and showing a connecting member for interconnecting two adjacent bracket members;
Fig. 7 is a exploded perspective view showing the application of a tile and liner bracket
member in accordance with the invention to a pool wall in the region of a skimmer opening;
Fig. 8 is a side section through a skimmer opening of a swimming pool to which a tile
and liner bracket member in accordance with the invention is mounted;
Figs. 9-14 are perspective views showing sequential steps of mounting a tile and liner bracket member in accordance with the invention to a swimming pool wall in the region of a
skimmer opening; and
Figs. 15-19 are perspective views showing sequential steps of mounting a tile and liner
bracket member in accordance with the invention at a junction with a termination of the pool
wall, namely pool wall ladder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate identical or
corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to Figs. IA and IB, a tile
and liner bracket member 10 in accordance with the invention includes a body 12 having a top
edge 14 comprising an inwardly extending flange 15, a bottom edge 16, a surface 18 which faces
inwardly towards the water in the pool when the bracket member 10 is mounted on a pool wall,
and a surface 20 which faces outwardly away from the water in the pool. A channel structure 22
extends along a lower region of the inwardly facing surface 18 of body 10. The region 23 (Fig.
IA) of inwardly facing body surface 18 between the channel structure 22 and the top edge 14
constitutes a tile-mounting region on which decorative tiles can be fixed. Openings 24 are
formed through the body 12 thorough which fasteners pass for securing the bracket member 10 to
a pool wall as described below. In a preferred embodiment, the tile and liner bracket member 10
is formed of polyvinyl chloride by an extrusion process. The body 12 of bracket member 10 has
a thickness T preferably in the range of between .06 to 1.0 inches, and most preferably about .08
inches, and a height H preferably in the range of between about 7 to 9 inches and most preferably
about 8.0 inches. The length L of the bracket member 10 is preferably in the range of about 10 to
12 feet. With these or equivalent dimensions and materials the tile and liner bracket 10 has
flexibility and can conform to the contour of a pool wall both along straight wall lengths as well
as along curved wall lengths having radii of curvature as short as about 6 inches. The bracket
members may be cut from longer extruded lengths which may be provided to pool installers in
coiled rolls.
The channel structure 22 formed on the lower region of the body 12 of the tile and liner
bracket member 10 includes a lower flange 26 projecting inwardly from the inwardly facing
surface 18, an inwardly projecting upper flange 28 and an inwardly projecting intermediate
flange 30. The lower and intermediate flanges 26, 30 define a first lower channel 32 while the
upper and intermediate flanges 28, 30 define a second upper channel 34. As best seen in Fig. IA,
the channels extend parallel to each other in a generally horizontal direction.
A plurality of aligned bracket members 10 are situated adjacent to the top surface 46 of
pool wall 44 in side by side relationship, with their side edges in contiguous relationships with
each other, to form a substantially continuous peripheral border. The upper tile mounting regions
23 of the bodies 12 of bracket members 10 are aligned with each other to form a substantially
continuous tile-mounting surface around the periphery of the pool. Similarly, the channels 32, 34
of channel structures 22 of the bracket members are aligned with each other to form a
substantially continuous channel structure. As discussed in detail below, the continuity of the tile
mounting regions and/or channel structure typically ceases where the pool wall surface is
interrupted by a non-wall structure, such as a pool wall ladder or steps, or by skimmer openings.
Referring to Fig. 3, a tile and liner bracket member 10 overlies and is mounted directly on
the inwardly facing surface 42 of pool wall 44 with the top edge 14 of body 12 situated
substantially flush with the top edge 46 of pool wall 44. The bracket members are mounted to
the pool wall by means of threaded fasteners 48 (Fig. 4) that pass through openings 24 in body 12
and pool wall 44. The openings 24 may be coiintersunk to receive the heads of fasteners 48.
Upon mounting the bracket member 10 on the pool wall 44, the outwardly facing surface 20 of
bracket body 10 is positioned substantially flush against and in substantial engagement with the
inwardly facing pool wall surface 42. The outλvardly facing body surface 20 assumes a contour
that substantially conforms to the contour of the inwardly facing surface 42 of pool wall 44. As
seen in Fig. 6, a bracket connecting member 36 comprises a thin rectangular plastic sheet, the
inner and outer surfaces of which are coated wdth a pressure sensitive adhesive. The connecting
member 36 has a height which is generally co-extensive with the height of the tile and liner
bracket members 10. A connecting member is adhesively affixed to the surface 42 of pool wall
44 at each junction between adjacent bracket members 10. Trie length of each connecting
member 38 is such that a few inches of the adjacent edge regions of each of the outer body
surfaces 20 overlie and are adhesively affixed to the connecting member. This construction
provides a secure seal against water passing through any space between the adjacent bracket
members.
Decorative tiles 50 are adhesively affixed to the upper tile-mounting region 23 of the
inwardly facing surface 18 of bracket body 10 between the upper flange 28 of channel structure
22 and the inwardly extending flange 15 at top edge 14 of the " body 10. Each tile can be
relatively large and extend the full height of tile mounting region 23, or may be smaller so that a
mosaic pattern can be utilized.
Referring to Figs. 3-5, the edge of the pool liner 52 is provided with a bead 54 which is
received within and held by the first channel 32 to form a water tight seal between the liner and
the bracket member over the substantial periphery of the pool. The bead may either be formed
integrally with the liner at its edge or may be formed on a separate strip 56 of flexible plastic
material, e.g., PVC, which is then fused to the edge of the liner 52 as shown at 58 in the preferred
embodiment. The height of the bracket body 12 and location of the bead-receiving first channel
32 are such that the first channel 32 is located below the normal water line of the pool. In this
manner, the edge of the liner is attached to the bracket members 10 in a water tight manner
around substantially the entire periphery of the pool. At the same time, the tile-mounting region
23 of body 12 extends from below the normal water line of the pool to the top edge of the pool
wall.
An elongate channel cap 60 is fixed to the bead-receiving channel structure in overlying
relationship therewith and serves both to present an aesthetic appearance by covering the channel
structure as well as to reinforce the water tight seal between the liner 52 and bracket member 10.
The channel cap 60 comprises a cover strip 62. The liner bead which is received and held in the
bead-receiving first channel 32 is formed so as to define an elongate slot 68 (Fig. 5). The
channel cap 60 is affixed to the bead-receiving channel structure by means of Lower cap flange 66
being received in bead slot 68 and upper cap flange extending into and being txeld in second
channel 34 of the channel structure 22. The lower cap flange 66 is preferably formed such that
when it is received in the bead slot 68, it causes the bead 54 to expand and more tightly engage
the channel 32 thereby reinforcing the water tight seal. The channel cap 60 extends around the
substantial periphery of the pool except at termination points of the pool wall.
The construction of the tile and liner bracket member according to the invention provides
a liner pool with the appearance of a tiled concrete pool. The pool liner is entirely situated below
the pool water line thereby avoiding discoloration of the liner due to direct impingement of UV
rays from the sun. There is no space formed between the bracket member arid either the liner or
pool wall within which dirt or algae can accumulate or within which water can. freeze and cause
damage. The bracket member does not rub against the liner so that the provision of the tile and
liner bracket does not result in undue wear of the liner.
Referring now to Figs. 7-14, the construction of the tile and liner bracket member 10 is
shown when the bracket member is applied to a pool wall in the vicinity of a skimmer opening
70 formed through the pool wall 44. The skimmer opening 70 opens onto the inwardly facing
surface 42 and outwardly facing surface (not shown) of pool wall 44 and is generally rectangular
intersecting the pool wall surface at upper and lower edges 72, 74 and at side edges 76, 76. Ttie
body 12 of bracket member 10 has a reduced height section 78 which forms, along with adjacent
full height body sections, an open area 80 that overlies the skimmer opening 70. The upper edge
72 of skimmer opening 70 is spaced below the top surface 46 of the pool wall 44 so that the
reduced height section 78 of bracket body 10 overlies the region of the inwardly facing pool wall
surface 42 defined between the upper edge 72 of the skimmer opening and the top surface 46 of
pool wall 44. Thus, tiles can be mounted on the reduced height section 78 between the skimirxer
opening and the top surface 46 of the pool wall 44.
The open area 80 of body 10 is defined by opposed inner edges 82 of body 10 and an
upper interconnecting edge 84 of body 10. As seen in Fig. 10, the channel structure 22 extends
along the lower region of the full height sections of body 10 (only the left full height section is
shown) and terminates at ends 86 substantially at the opposed inner edges 82 of body 10. The
position of liner 52 that spans the distance between the ends 86 of the channel structure 88 is
shaped so as to overlie the region of the pool wall surface 42 bordering the lower edge 74 of
skimmer opening 70.
A watertight seal is formed between the pool wall surface 42 and the areas of the bracket
10 and liner portion 88 bordering skimmer opening 70. The pool wall surface 42 includes
upper, lower and side edge surface regions 90, 92 and 94 respectively bordering the upper, lower
and side edges 72, 74 and 76 respectively of skimmer opening 70. The outwardly facing body
surface 20 includes an upper edge surface region 96 bordering the upper edge 84 of body 1.0
defining open area 80 and side edge surface regions 98, 98 bordering the inner edges 82 of body
10 defining open area 80. The upper and side edge regions 96, 98 of the outwardly facing body
surface 20 overlies the upper and side edge surface regions 90, 94 of pool wall surface 42. The
portion 88 of liner 52 that spans the ends 86 of channel structure 22 overlies the lower edge
surface region 92 of pool wall surface 42. hi order to form a water tight seal, a first inverted U-
shaped seal member 100 having a pair of side sealing legs 102 and an interconnecting sealing leg
104 is situated over the overlying side and upper edge surface regions of body 12 and pool wall
44 and is ultimately fastened by the threaded members 106 to the skimmer apparatus 108 situated
adjacent to the outer surface of pool wall 44 to urge the overlying side and upper edge surface
regions of body 12 and pool wall 44 into sealing engagement. Similarly, a second U-shaped seal
member having a pair of side sealing legs 112 and an interconnecting sealing leg 114 is situated
over the overlying side edge surface regions of body 12 and pool wall 44 and the overlying lower edge surface region of body 12 and liner portion 88 and is likewise ultimately fastened by
threaded members to skimmer apparatus 108 to urge the liner into sealing engagement with the
pool wall.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 in conjunction with Figs. 9-14, the junction between the tile
and liner bracket 10 (and liner 52) and the skimmer opening 70 is formed as follows: a first
gasket 118 is fastened to the pool wall 42 bordering opening 70 (Fig. 9). A bracket member 10
having a reduced height section 78 is fastened to the pool wall surface with the open area 80
overlying the skimmer opening (Fig. 10). A short piece of butyl rope 122 is preferably situated
beneath the channel structure 22. The first sealing member 100 is situated over the overlying
body, gasket and pool wall surface regions (Fig. 11). The side sealing legs 102 terminate in a
downward direction at the upper flange 28 of channel structure 22. The channel cap terminates
just prior to the end region of the channel structure 22. The liner 52 is installed and the channel
cap 60 is affixed to the channel structure 22 (Fig. 12). The second U-shaped seal member 110 is
then installed (Fig. 13). It is noted that the side sealing legs 112 of the seal member 110 conform
to and overlie channel structure 22 as well as the end portions of the side sealing legs 102 of the
seal member 100. Finally, a cover plate 124 is situated over the sealing members 100, 110
whereupon threaded fasteners 116 are passed through aligned openings in the pool wall 44,
gasket 118, seal members 100, 110 and cover plate 124 to compress the assembly to form a
secure and aesthetically pleasing junction with the skimmer opening.
Turning now to Figs. 15-19, the construction of the tile and liner bracket member 10 is
shown when the bracket member is applied to a pool wall in the vicinity of a junction with a non-
wall structure, namely a wall step module 126. The wall step module 126 has an inwardly facing
surface 128, a side edge 130 and a side surface 132, and is situated adjacent to the pool wall with
their side surfaces in contiguous relationship. The inwardly facing surfaces 42 and 128 of the
pool wall step module define an inwardly facing substantially continuous surface assembly. The
outwardly facing body surface 42 substantially conforms to the shape of the inwardly facing
surface assembly 42, 128 and is positioned substantially flush against and in engagement with the
surface assembly. The outwardly facing surface 20 of body 10 include a side edge surface region
134 proximate to the side edge 130 of the wall step module 126 which overlies and is fastened to
the side edge surface region 130 of the wall step module. A gasket 136 is situated between the
overlying side edge regions 128 and 134 of the wall step module and body 10. An elongate first
sealing member 138 extends from the bead-holding channel structure 22 of the bracket member
IU to a position proximate to the top edge of the body 10 and a second sealing member 140
overlies the channel structure 22. The first and second sealing members are affixed by threaded
fasteners to the pool wall and urge the body 10, gasket 136 and inwardly facing surface 128 of
the wall step module together to form a water tight seal. A cover plate 142 is fastened over the
sealing members to provide an aesthetically pleasing junction between the bracket member 10
and the non-wall structure.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in
the light of the above teachings. It therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims
appended hereto the invention may be varied from the specific embodiment disclosed herein.
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