I 1111111111111111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
`USO 11959512B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Lin et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.: US 11,959,512 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Apr. 16, 2024
`
`(54) JOINT FOR ABOVE GROUND POOL FRAME
`
`(71) Applicant: Intex Marketing Ltd., Tortola (VG)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Hua Hsiang Lin, Fujian (CN); Yaw
`Yuan Hsu, Fujian (CN)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ................................. E04H 4/0056; F16B 7/14
`(Continued)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(73) Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd., Tortola (VG)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 18/197,788
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 16, 2023
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2024/0003368 Al
`
`Jan. 4, 2024
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 17 /962,979, filed on
`Oct. 10, 2022, now Pat. No. 11,692,573, which is a
`(Continued)
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 17, 2016
`Jun. 22, 2016
`Sep. 6, 2016
`
`(CN) ......................... 201620598406.9
`(CN) ......................... 201630270359.0
`(CN) ......................... 201621039473.3
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`F16B 7114
`A63C 19102
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................ F16B 7114 (2013.01); A63C 19102
`(2013.01); E04H 410056 (2013.01); E04H
`4114 (2013.01); F16B 71042 (2013.01); F16B
`710446 (2013.01)
`
`1,786,613 A
`1,884,410 A
`
`l 2/ 1930 Hooper
`10/1932 Vincent
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CL
`CN
`
`8/2015
`201502321
`4/1995
`2195595 Y
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Small Rectangular Metal Frame Pool 177-¼" x 86-5/s" x 33" (450
`cm x 220 cm x 84 cm) Owner's Manual, Intex Marketing Ltd.,
`copyright 2012; 14 pages.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Lauren A Crane
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Faegre Drinker Biddle &
`Reath LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A frame pool is disclosed including a frame assembly and a
`pool liner, the frame assembly including horizontal frame
`members and a vertical frame member coupled together via
`a T-shaped joint. The T-shaped joint may be constructed of
`plastic to facilitate attachment and detachment to the adja(cid:173)
`cent frame members and to resist galling and corrosion. The
`T-shaped joint may also be relatively small to improve the
`appearance and water containment of the frame pool.
`
`24 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`100 /
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 1
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 11,959,512 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`continuation of application No. 16/220,484, filed as
`application No. PCT /US2017 /03 7892 on Jun. 16,
`2017, now Pat. No. 11,692,572.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`E04H 4100
`(2006.01)
`E04H 4114
`(2006.01)
`F16B 7104
`(2006.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ................................................... 4/506, 246.3
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`CN
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`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
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`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`FR
`GB
`RU
`RU
`RU
`RU
`
`2480479 Y
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`200968073 Y
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`101787807 A
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`
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`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 2
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 11,959,512 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`WO
`WO
`
`References Cited
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2014/100855
`2017/218904 Al
`
`7/2014
`12/2017
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Appellant's Brief on Appeal (37 C.F.R. 41.31), filed with the U.S.
`Patent and Trademark Office, dated Apr. 5, 2022, for U.S. Appl. No.
`16/220,484; 14 pages.
`Best Way https://www.amazon.com/Steel-Pro-Frame-Pool-Set/dp/
`BOOHZAM07U/ref=sr_l_24?dchild~l&keywordFabove+ground+
`frame+pool&qid~l605540738&sF8-24 (Year: 2017).
`European Search Report for EP Patent Application No. 19862486.8,
`dated Apr. 26, 2022, 7 pages.
`Examiner's Answer, issued by the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal
`Board, dated Aug. 10, 2022, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484; 9 pages.
`Final Office Action, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
`dated Apr. 3, 2023, for U.S. Appl. No. 17/962,979; 7 pages.
`Final Office Action, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
`dated Nov. 5, 2021, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484; 17 pages.
`Final Office Action, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
`dated Nov. 6, 2020, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484; 15 pages.
`http://hardware-store-online.com/berater/intex-ultra-frame-pool(cid:173)
`horizontal-beam#more-infos Retrieved Jul. 31, 2017.
`International Preliminary Report on Patentability received for PCT
`Patent Application No. PCT/IB2019/057831, dated Mar. 25, 2021,
`7 pages.
`International Preliminary Report on Patentability received for PCT
`Patent Application No. PCT/US2017 /037892, dated Dec. 27, 2018,
`9 pages.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion received for PCT
`Patent Application No. PCT/IB2019/057831, dated Dec. 20, 2019,
`9 pages.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion received for PCT
`Patent Application No.PCT/US2017/037892, dated Aug. 24, 2017,
`9 pages.
`Killife Pool Cart https://www.amazon.com/KITLIFE-Storage(cid:173)
`Resistant-Cracking-Included/dp/B08B46L\.15N/ (Year: 2018).
`Intex, 2013 Above Ground Pools Catalogue, Copyright 2012, 13
`pages.
`Intex, Ultra Frame Pool Owners Manual, May 13, 2015, 17 pages,
`available at https://www.poolcenter.com/images/PDFs/
`IntexUltraFrameRound_manual.pdf.
`
`Non-Final Office Action, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Office, dated Apr. 17, 2020, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484; 12
`pages.
`Non-Final Office Action, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Office, dated Apr. 9, 2021, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484; 14 pages.
`Non-Final Office Action, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Office, dated Aug. 4, 2022, for U.S. Appl. No. 17/276,885; 10 pages.
`Non-Final Office Action, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Office, dated Dec. 20, 2022, for U.S. Appl. No. 17 /962,979; 12
`pages.
`Notice of Panel Decision from Pre-Appeal Brief Review, issued by
`the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, dated Jan. 10, 2022, for U.S.
`Appl. No. 16/220,484; 2 pages.
`Plumbingsupply.com, "Incredible Selection of PVC Fittings, Sch.40
`PVC fittings and Sch.SO PVC Adapters," The Wayback Machine(cid:173)
`https: //web. archive.org/web/20180701150048/https://www,
`plumbingsupply.com, (Copyrights) 1995-2018 PlumbingSupply.
`com, 127 pages.
`Pre-Appeal Brief Request for Review, filed with the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, dated Dec. 16, 2021, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484;
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`Response to Final Office Action, filed with the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, dated Apr. 3, 2023, for U.S. Appl. No. 17 /962,979;
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`Trademark Office, dated Aug. 10, 2022, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484;
`11 pages.
`Response to Final Office Action, filed with the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, dated Mar. 8, 2021, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484;
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`Trademark Office, dated Aug. 17, 2020, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484;
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`Trademark Office, dated Mar. 20, 2023, for U.S. Appl. No. 17 /962,979;
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`Trademark Office, dated Sep. 9, 2021, for U.S. Appl. No. 16/220,484;
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`Trademark Office, dated Nov. 3, 2022, for U.S. Appl. No. l 7 /276,885;
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`Summer https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Waves-Premium(cid:173)
`Swimming-Accessory/dp/B07BXC85HG/ (Year: 2018).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 3
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2024
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 11,959,512 B2
`
`81
`
`\
`
`82
`
`2
`
`1
`
`\
`
`10
`
`/
`
`6
`
`/
`
`/
`r-----\----i_a ,,-L-- - ---L;,_J_-f-"I __ \
`
`100
`
`81
`
`_y___--_J
`
`8
`
`FIG~ 1
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 4
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2024
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 11,959,512 B2
`
`71
`
`7
`
`FIG. 2
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 5
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2024
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 11,959,512 B2
`
`1
`
`3
`
`\
`
`1
`
`3
`
`22
`
`31
`
`33
`
`- ~l
`
`45 -
`
`46
`
`43
`
`2
`
`41
`
`FIG~ 3
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 6
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2024
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 11,959,512 B2
`
`IO
`
`• I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`• I
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`
`·- - --------- -------- --- --- - - --•
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 7
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 11,959,512 B2
`
`1
`JOINT FOR ABOVE GROUND POOL FRAME
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 17/962,979, filed Oct. 10, 2022, which
`is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,
`484, filed Dec. 14, 2018, which is a National Stage Entry of
`International Patent Application No. US2017/037892, filed
`Jun. 16, 2017, which claims priority to the following Chi(cid:173)
`nese patent applications, the disclosures of which are hereby
`expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety:
`
`application Ser. No.
`
`Filing Date
`
`CN 201620598406.9
`CN 201630270359.0
`CN 201621039473.3
`
`Jun. 17, 2016
`Jun. 22, 2016
`Sep. 6, 2016
`
`FIELD OF THE lJlSCLOSURE
`
`The present disclosure relates to an above ground pool.
`More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a joint for
`an above ground pool, and to a method for using the same.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE lJlSCLOSURE
`
`2
`including a second coupling assembly configured to couple
`with the second horizontal frame member; and a vertical
`joint portion fixedly coupled to the first and second hori(cid:173)
`zontal joint portions and configured to couple with the
`5 vertical frame member; wherein a width of the vertical joint
`portion accounts for at least 50% of a width between the first
`and second coupling assemblies of the first and second
`horizontal joint portions.
`According to another embodiment of the present disclo-
`10 sure, a frame joint is disclosed for an above ground pool
`frame having a first horizontal frame member, a second
`horizontal frame member, and a vertical frame member. The
`frame joint includes: a first horizontal joint portion config(cid:173)
`ured to couple with the first horizontal frame member, the
`15 first horizontal joint portion being constructed of plastic; a
`second horizontal joint portion configured to couple with the
`second horizontal frame member, the second horizontal joint
`portion being constructed of plastic; and a vertical joint
`portion fixedly coupled to the first and second horizontal
`20 joint portions and configured to couple with the vertical
`frame member, the vertical joint portion being constructed
`of plastic.
`According to yet another embodiment of the present
`disclosure, a method is disclosed for assembling an above
`25 ground pool. The method includes: coupling a first horizon(cid:173)
`tal joint portion of a frame joint to a first horizontal frame
`member with a first coupling assembly; coupling a second
`horizontal joint portion of the frame joint to a second
`horizontal frame member with a second coupling assembly;
`30 and coupling a vertical joint portion of the frame joint to a
`vertical frame member, wherein a width of the vertical joint
`portion accounts for a majority of a width between the first
`and second coupling assemblies of the first and second
`horizontal joint portions.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A frame pool may include a frame assembly and a pool
`liner supported by the frame assembly to form a water cavity
`of the pool. The frame assembly may include one or more
`horizontal frame members (e.g., horizontal pipes) that form
`an upper rim of the pool and one or more vertical frame 35
`members ( e.g., vertical pipes) that extend downward from
`the horizontal frame members to the ground. To allow the
`frame assembly to be disassembled for storage and
`assembled for use, the horizontal frame members and the
`vertical frame members may be removably coupled together 40
`via a plurality of T-shaped joints. Existing T-shaped joints
`are formed of metal, which may be susceptible to galling and
`corrosion, especially as any protective coating on the metal
`becomes worn or damaged. Also, existing T-shaped joints
`are relatively wide, so existing pool liners may require wide 45
`holes or gaps to accommodate such T-shaped joints, which
`may impact the pool's appearance and ability to contain
`water.
`
`The above-mentioned and other features and advantages
`of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will
`become more apparent and will be better understood by
`reference to the following description of embodiments of the
`invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw(cid:173)
`ings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a frame pool
`including a frame assembly and a pool liner, the frame
`assembly including horizontal frame members and a vertical
`frame member coupled together via an exemplary T-shaped
`joint of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the frame
`50 assembly of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the T-shaped
`joint of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the
`T-shaped joint of FIG. 3.
`Corresponding reference characters indicate correspond-
`ing parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications
`set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the
`invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed
`as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`The present disclosure provides a frame pool including a
`frame assembly and a pool liner, the frame assembly includ(cid:173)
`ing horizontal frame members and a vertical frame member
`coupled together via a T-shaped joint. The T-shaped joint 55
`may be constructed of plastic to facilitate attachment and
`detachment to the adjacent frame members and to resist
`galling and corrosion. The T-shaped joint may also be
`relatively small to improve the appearance and water con(cid:173)
`tainment of the frame pool.
`According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
`frame joint is disclosed for an above ground pool frame
`having a first horizontal frame member, a second horizontal
`frame member, and a vertical frame member. The frame joint
`includes: a first horizontal joint portion including a first 65
`coupling assembly configured to couple with the first hori(cid:173)
`zontal frame member; a second horizontal joint portion
`
`60
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`A portion of an exemplary frame pool 100 is shown in
`FIGS. 1 and 2. The illustrative portion of the frame pool 100
`includes two adjacent horizontal frame members 6 (e.g.,
`horizontal pipes) that cooperate to form an upper rim of the
`frame pool 100 and a vertical frame member 7 (e.g., vertical
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 8
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 11,959,512 B2
`
`3
`pipe) that extends downward from the horizontal frame
`members 6 to support the frame pool 100 on the ground.
`Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, similar frame
`members 6 and 7 may be provided around the remaining
`perimeter of the frame pool 100. The frame pool 100 may 5
`vary in size and shape. For example, the frame pool 100 may
`be rectangular, circular, elliptical, or other suitable shapes.
`Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, a T-shaped joint 10 may
`be used to removably couple the two adjacent horizontal
`frame members 6 to the adjacent vertical frame member 7. 10
`Although a single T-shapedjoint 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and
`2, similar T-shaped joints 10 may be provided around the
`remaining perimeter of the frame pool 100. Each T-shaped
`joint 10 illustratively includes two horizontal joint portions
`1 configured to couple to the horizontal frame members 6 15
`and a vertical joint portion 2 configured to couple to the
`vertical frame member 7. To form the T-shape, the vertical
`joint portion 2 is centered between and perpendicular to the
`two horizontal joint portions 1. The orientation of the
`horizontal joint portions 1 determines the orientation of the 20
`adjacent horizontal frame members 6. In the illustrated
`embodiment of FIG. 1, for example, the horizontal joint
`portions 1 define an obtuse angle a therebetween, so the
`horizontal frame members 6 define the same angle a ther(cid:173)
`ebetween. In another embodiment, the horizontal joint por- 25
`tions 1 may be collinear with each other, so the horizontal
`frame members 6 would also be collinear with each other. In
`another embodiment, the horizontal joint portions 1 may be
`perpendicular to each other, so the horizontal frame mem(cid:173)
`bers 6 would also be perpendicular to each other, such as
`along a corner of a rectangular frame pool 100.
`Some or all components of the frame assembly, including
`the horizontal frame members 6, the vertical frame members
`7, and/or the T-shaped joints 10, may be constructed of a
`polymer, specifically plastic, such as by injection molding. 35
`Compared to metallic components, the plastic components
`may be smooth and elastic to facilitate assembly and disas(cid:173)
`sembly of the frame assembly. Also, the plastic components
`may be more resistant to galling and corrosion to promote
`extended use. With respect to the T-shaped joint 10, in 40
`particular, the horizontal joint portions 1 and the vertical
`joint portion 2 may be integrally formed as a single piece of
`plastic. Alternatively, the horizontal joint portions 1 and the
`vertical joint portion 2 may be formed as multiple pieces of
`plastic and then fixedly coupled (e.g., adhered, welded) 45
`together. The upper end of the T-shaped joint 10 may include
`a raised rim 22 (FTG. 3) to give the appearance that the
`vertical joint portion 2 wraps around the horizontal joint
`portions 1.
`The illustrative frame pool 100 of FIG. 1 also includes a 50
`pool liner 8 supported by the frame members 6 and 7 to form
`an interior water cavity for swimming and/or bathing. The
`pool liner 8 may be wrapped and secured around the
`horizontal frame member 6 to form a loop or fold 81. The
`fold 81 of the pool liner 8 may also define a gap or hole 82 55
`to expose the T-shaped joint 10, as described further below.
`The illustrative T-shaped joint 10 is described in more
`detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
`The horizontal joint portions 1 of the illustrative T-shaped
`joint 10 are configured to couple with the adjacent horizontal
`frame members 6 (FIG. 2). The horizontal joint portions 1
`may be configured to fit within the adjacent horizontal frame
`members 6 in a sleeved manner. Thus, the external cross(cid:173)
`section of the horizontal joint portions 1 may match the
`internal cross-section of the horizontal frame members 6. In 65
`the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the external cross(cid:173)
`section of the horizontal joint portions 1 is generally trian-
`
`4
`gular with rounded edges to resist rotation between the
`horizontal joint portions 1 and the horizontal frame members
`6. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the
`external cross-section to be circular, rectangular, elliptical,
`or another suitable shape to match the internal cross-section
`of the horizontal frame members 6.
`Each horizontal joint portion 1 of the T-shaped joint 10
`includes a coupling assembly 3 for removable attachment to
`the adjacent horizontal frame member 6 (FIG. 2). As shown
`in FIGS. 3 and 4, each coupling assembly 3 includes a base
`31 received in the horizontal joint portion 1, a helical spring
`32 held in place by the base 31, and a pin 33 extending
`radially outward (e.g., downward) through a hole 35 in the
`horizontal joint portion 1. Each horizontal joint portion 1
`may include an internal horizontal reinforcing rib 11 and/or
`an internal horizontal support member 5 to help support base
`31 within the T-shaped joint 10. In an assembled or locked
`state, spring 32 may bias pin 33 radially outward through
`hole 35 to engage a corresponding recess or hole (not
`shown) of the horizontal frame member 6 (FIG. 2). In a
`disassembled or unlocked state, a user may press pin 33
`radially inward to compress spring 32 and disengage the
`horizontal frame member 6 (FIG. 2).
`The vertical joint portion 2 of the illustrative T-shaped
`joint 10 is configured to couple with the adjacent vertical
`frame member 7 (FIG. 2). The vertical joint portion 2 may
`be configured to fit within the adjacent vertical frame
`member 7 in a sleeved manner. Thus, the external cross(cid:173)
`section of the vertical joint portion 2 may match the internal
`30 cross-section of the vertical frame member 7. In the illus-
`trated embodiment of FIG. 3, the external cross-section of
`the vertical joint portion 2 is generally triangular with
`rounded edges to resist rotation between the vertical joint
`portion 2 and the vertical frame member 7. It is also within
`the scope of the present disclosure for the external cross(cid:173)
`section to be circular, rectangular, elliptical, or another
`suitable shape to match the internal cross-section of the
`vertical frame member 7.
`The vertical joint portion 2 of the T-shaped joint 10
`includes a coupling assembly 4 for removable attachment to
`the adjacent vertical frame member 7 (FIG. 2). As shown in
`FIGS. 3 and 4, each coupling assembly 4 includes a base 41
`received in the vertical joint portion 2, a helical spring 42
`held in place by the base 41, and a pin 43 extending radially
`outward (e.g., rearward) through a hole 45 in the vertical
`joint portion 2. The vertical joint portion 2 may include one
`or more internal vertical reinforcing ribs 21 to help support
`base 41 within the T-shaped joint 10, such as by compressing
`fingers 46 of base 41 together within the T-shapedjoint 10.
`In an assembled or locked state, spring 42 may bias pin 43
`radially outward through hole 45 to engage a corresponding
`recess or hole 71 of the vertical frame member 7 (FIG. 2).
`In a disassembled or unlocked state, a user may press pin 43
`radially inward to compress spring 42 and disengage the
`hole 71 of the vertical frame member 7 (FIG. 2).
`According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
`disclosure, and as shown in FIG. 4, the size of the T-shaped
`joint 10 may be minimized such that the size of the corre(cid:173)
`sponding hole 82 in the pool liner 8 (shown in phantom) may
`60 also be minimized. The small hole 82 in the pool liner 8 may
`improve the appearance and water containment of the frame
`pool 100 (FIG. 1) while still leaving the coupling assemblies
`3 and 4, specifically the pins 33 and 43 of the coupling
`assemblies 3 and 4, accessible for subsequent disassembly.
`The width of the T-shaped joint 10 may be minimized
`such that the width of the corresponding hole 82 in the pool
`liner 8 may also be minimized. For example, the total width
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1001; Pg 9
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 11,959,512 B2
`
`5
`W JI of the T-shaped joint 10 may be about 5 inches to about
`7 inches, specifically about 5¾ inches, the width W J2
`between the pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3 may be
`about 3 inches to about 5 inches, specifically about 3 13/26
`inches, and the width W J3 of the vertical joint portion 2 may 5
`be about 1 inches to about 3 inches, specifically about 23/s
`inches. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the width
`W L of the hole 82 in the pool liner 8 is greater than both the
`width W J3 of the vertical joint portion 2 and the width W J2
`between the pins 33 to expose the pins 33 of the coupling 10
`assemblies 3 for subsequent disassembly while being less
`than the total width W JI of the T-shaped joint 10. For
`example, the width W L of the hole 82 in the pool liner 8 is
`about 3 inches to about 7 inches, specifically about 4½
`inches.
`To help minimize the size of the T-shaped joint 10, the
`pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3 may be positioned close
`to the vertical joint portion 2. Due to this close positioning,
`the width W J3 of the vertical joint portion 2 may account for
`a majority of the width W J2 between the pins 33 of the 20
`coupling assemblies 3. For example, the width W J3 of the
`vertical joint portion 2 may account for 50%, 60%, 70%,
`80%, or more of the width W J2 between the pins 33 of the
`coupling assemblies 3. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.
`4, in particular, the width W J3 of the vertical joint portion 2 25
`accounts for about 70% of the width W J2 between the pins
`33 of the coupling assemblies 3. The width W J3 of the
`vertical joint portion 2 may also account for a significant
`portion of the total width W JI of the T-shaped joint 10. For
`example, the width W J3 of the vertical joint portion 2 may 30
`account for 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or more of the total width
`WJ1 of the T-shapedjoint 10. In the illustrated embodiment
`of FIG. 4, in particular, the width W J3 of the vertical joint
`portion 2 accounts for about 50% of the of the total width
`WJ1 of the T-shapedjoint 10.
`Additionally, the height of the T-shaped joint 10 may be
`minimized such that the height of the corresponding hole 82
`in the pool liner 8 may be minimized. For example, the total
`height HJ of the T-shaped joint 10 may be about 3 inches to
`about 5 inches, specifically about 37/s inches. Because the 40
`pin 43 of the coupling assembly 4 may be accessible in front
`of the pool liner 8 and behind the T-shapedjoint 10, the hole
`82 in the pool liner 8 need not extend downward beneath the
`pin 43. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the
`height HL of the hole 82 in the pool liner 8 is less than the 45
`total height HJ of the T-shaped joint 10 while still allowing
`access to the pin 33 of the coupling assembly 3 and the pin
`43 of the coupling assembly 4 for subsequent disassembly.
`While this invention has been described as having exem(cid:173)
`plary designs, the present invention can be further modified 50
`within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This applica(cid:173)
`tion is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or
`adaptations of the invention using its general principles.
`Further, this application is intended to cover such departures
`from the present disclosure as come within known or 55
`customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains
`and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
`
`6
`a second joint portion including a second pin config(cid:173)
`ured to engage the second opening thereby coupling
`the second joint portion to the second frame member;
`and
`a vertical joint portion connected to the first and second
`joint portions and configured to couple to the vertical
`frame member; and
`a liner positioned around the first and second frame
`members;
`wherein a width of the vertical joint portion accounts for
`at least 50% of a width between the first and second
`pins.
`2. The above ground pool of claim 1, wherein the width
`15 of the vertical joint portion accounts for at least 40% of a
`total width of the frame joint.
`3. The above ground pool of claim 2, wherein the width
`of the vertical joint portion accounts for about 50% of the
`total width of the frame joint.
`4. The above ground pool of claim 1, wherein the first
`joint portion includes a first coupling assembly including the
`first pin, a first base, and a first helical spring supported by
`the first base, the first pin being biased outward through a
`first hole in the first joint portion by the first helical spring
`to engage the first opening of the first frame member.
`5. The above ground pool of claim 4, wherein the second
`joint portion includes a second coupling assembly including
`the second pin, a second base, and a second helical spring
`supported by the second base, the second pin being biased
`outward through a second hole in the second joint portion by
`the second helical spring to engage the second opening of
`the second frame member.
`6. The above ground pool of claim 5, wherein the width
`of the vertical joint portion accounts for about 70% of a
`35 width between the first and second pins.
`7. The above ground pool of claim 5, wherein a width of
`the frame joint exceeds a width of a hole defined by the liner
`to expose the first and second coupling assemblies.
`8. The above ground pool of claim 7, wherein a height of
`the frame joint exceeds a height of the hole in the liner.
`9. The above ground pool of claim 1, wherein the vertical
`joint portion is centered between the first and second joint
`portions to form a T-shaped frame joint.
`10. The above ground pool of claim 1, wherein the first
`and second joint portions form an obtuse angle.
`11. The above ground pool