Fiberglass pool edge coping system

Abstract

A pool edge coping system for completing the water-side edge of a concrete pool surround installed around the top of pre-fabricated, fiberglass in-ground pools. The coping system is a combination concrete placement form and edge finishing system for cast-in-place surrounds. An embodiment of the invention comprises long, thin decorative edging bands secured to the top corner of the pool liner. Multiple band are fastened end-to-end around the perimeter of the pool using fasteners. Anchors are installed at various points along the length of the band to secure its front face in the vertical direction. Joint clips are installed over the ends of the bands at each butt-joint. Concrete is placed against the back of the band, leveled to the top of the band and allowed to cure. The band is left in place as a decorative edging to the completed concrete surround.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of in-ground pool finishing systems. More specifically, the present invention is coping system for finishing the edge of an in-ground fiberglass pool. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Finishing the edges of fiberglass in-ground pools with a concrete pad surround has traditionally presented suppliers with challenges. Because of the size and relative flexibility of the pre-fabricated fiberglass containment liner, an in-ground pool is difficult to install with precision. Fashioning the bottom and sides of the excavation to fit the bulky, non-rigid shell structure generally involves a degree of trial and error as the installation progresses due to the flex and sag inherent in the liner. As a result, the top edge of the pool liner tends to be out of level and out of true relative to typical construction tolerances. This presents difficulties in placing concrete around the perimeter of the pool because using conven...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Because of this horizontal flexibility, the band is especially suited for use on a horizontally curvaceous edge of a pool liner. The band may be curved, even to a very tight radius, and it will hold its shape. Once shaped, the band is placed on the top edge of the liner with its visually appealing side facing the interior of the pool area and with the mounting flange resting on the top surface of the edge of the liner. The bottom of the band projects down past the top edge of the liner and is pressed against the vertical surface of the liner. This completes the horizontal fit-up of the band to the pool. The band is now ready for any vertical adjustment.

[0010] The band is quite stiff in the vertical direction. However, it has enough flexibility to fit the often vertically irregular shape of the as-installed top edge of the pool. Also, since the lower lip of the band projects down past the top edge of the liner, slight out-of-level imperfections existing around the top edge of the liner after installation are easily hidden by the inventive system.

[0011] The horizontally positioned liner is now adjusted vertically, principally to smoothly navigate pool edge peaks and valleys, as required to suit the installed condition of the liner. This is performed with an eye toward aesthetics. The top of the liner should be as level as possible, bridging areas of imperfections in a smooth, continuous manner.

[0014] Next, fasteners are installed along the mounting flange, penetrating the flange and the top of the edge of the liner. These help keep the base of the band in place along the perimeter of the liner and the number of fasteners installed is determined by the installers, again depending on the conditions of the liner.

[0019] This invention greatly improves the edging system of the prior art, providing installers with an easy-to-use system for forming an area to receive a concrete surround, eliminating the need for timely and hurried concrete edge finishing after placing of concrete, and permitting the lengthening of the pool installation season up to the limits imposed by frozen ground in the spring or freezing temperatures in the fall when excavation and concrete work would be prohibited.

Problems solved by technology

Finishing the edges of fiberglass in-ground pools with a concrete pad surround has traditionally presented suppliers with challenges.

Because of the size and relative flexibility of the pre-fabricated fiberglass containment liner, an in-ground pool is difficult to install with precision.

Fashioning the bottom and sides of the excavation to fit the bulky, non-rigid shell structure generally involves a degree of trial and error as the installation progresses due to the flex and sag inherent in the liner.

As a result, the top edge of the pool liner tends to be out of level and out of true relative to typical construction tolerances.

This presents difficulties in placing concrete around the perimeter of the pool because using conventional forming methods for concrete work on a hard, non-level edge-surface is impractical.

In addition, many pool designs call for curved rather than straight edges, further complicating the issue of form work for placing concrete.

This is a crude, yet complicated system to install and one that can be difficult to maintain during concrete placement.

Because the Styrofoam panels are not perfectly rigid, they easily conform to the uneven edge of the pool.

However, also because they are not rigid, they are easily pushed out of line between the securing anchors by the act of the concrete placement.

This makes for a visible defect once the panel is removed, reflecting poorly on the installers and creating dissatisfaction on the part of the purchaser.

Because of this, installing pools in the early spring and late fall is not always feasible, even though the weather is generally otherwise acceptable for installing pools and placing concrete.

This cuts down on the effective work season for fiberglass pool installers, again proving unsatisfactory to both suppliers and would-be owners of pools.

In aggregate, these disadvantageous features of the prior art concrete finishing system leave much to be desired.

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