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`US 20020042948Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Lee
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0042948 Al
`Apr. 18, 2002
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) PREFABRICATED SWIMMING POOL
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Jae Hyong Lee, Jaechun (KR)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
`P.O. BOX 19928
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22320 (US)
`
`POOLS
`(73) Assignee: PORTABLE
`RATED, JAECHUN (KR)
`
`INCORPO-
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`09/983,640
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 25, 2001
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(62)
`
`Division of application No. 09/567,230, filed on May
`9,2000.
`
`May 10, 1999
`Feb. 23, 2000
`
`(KR) ....................................... 16629/1999
`(KR) ......................................... 8698/2000
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... E04H 4/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................................................................. 4/506
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A prefabricated swimming pool including a pool frame
`having a plurality of vertical frames and horizontal frames
`connected between the vertical frames, and pool body fab(cid:173)
`ricated from a synthetic resin sheet having a base unit and a
`circumferential side wall and supported by the pool frame.
`Storing and carrying of the swimming pool is simple and
`handy, and there is no possibility that the circumferential
`side wall is inclined or collapses, ensuring a safe and stable
`use.
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`
`643
`
`642
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`BESTWAY EX. 1009; Pg 29
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 18, 2002 Sheet 29 of 29
`
`US 2002/0042948 Al
`
`FIG. 31
`
`645
`
`635b
`
`635a
`
`642
`
`634b
`
`FIG. 32
`
`612
`642
`
`616c 615
`644c 643
`
`614 614 616b
`644b
`632 632
`
`611
`631
`
`616a
`616
`644 644a
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1009; Pg 30
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 2002/0042948 Al
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`1
`
`PREFABRICATED SWIMMING POOL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to prefabricated
`swimming pools, and more particularly, to a prefabricated
`swimming pool that enables a simple and easy assembling
`and storing as well as ensuring a safe use.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
`
`[0004] Conventionally, various kinds of prefabricated por(cid:173)
`table swimming pools have been introduced, including a
`large box-shaped single body type swimming pool and an
`inflatable swimming pool made in a rubber tube that is
`inflated to a predetermined form by injecting air.
`
`[0005] However, the prefabricated swimming pool made
`in a single body is disadvantageous in that due to its fixed
`volume, it requires a large space and is inconvenient to carry
`and handle. Meanwhile, in case of the inflatable swimming
`pool, in spite of its advantages that it can be kept in a small
`space and handy in carrying, it has drawbacks that its
`circumferential side wall may be inclined or collapse, result(cid:173)
`ing in that water filled therein readily flows out to dampen
`the surroundings, and especially, may damage stuffs weak to
`water.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to
`provide a prefabricated swimming pool that can be stored in
`a small space, handy in carrying as well as being used stably
`without being inclined or collapsing of the circumferential
`side wall.
`
`[0007] To achieve these and other advantages and in
`accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as
`embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a
`prefabricated swimming pool comprising: a pool frame
`having a plurality of vertical frames, a plurality of horizontal
`frames of which both ends are positioned at the upper ends
`of the plurality of vertical frames; connectors having a
`vertical portion inserted at the upper end portion of the
`vertical frame and a horizontal portion inserted at the end
`portion of the horizontal frame, and support caps combined
`at the lower end portion of the vertical frame; and a pool
`body having a base unit, a circumferential side wall
`upwardly extended from the marginal portion of the base
`unit, a pocket unit formed at the upper end of the circum(cid:173)
`ferential side wall, into which the horizontal frame is
`inserted, and a plurality of support pieces extendedly formed
`between the marginal portion of the base unit and the lower
`end of the circumferential side wall and having an insert hole
`into which the support cap is inserted.
`
`[0008]
`In order to achieve the above object, there is also
`provided a prefabricated swimming pool comprising: a pool
`frame having a plurality of vertical frames, a plurality of
`upper and lower horizontal frames of which both ends are
`positioned at the upper and lower ends of the plurality of
`vertical frames; connectors having a vertical portion inserted
`at the upper end portion of the vertical frame and a hori(cid:173)
`zontal portion inserted at the end portion of the horizontal
`frame and a pool body having a base unit, a circumferential
`side wall upwardly extended from the marginal portion of
`
`the base unit, a pocket unit formed at the upper end of the
`circumferential side wall, into which the horizontal frame is
`inserted.
`
`[0009]
`In order to achieve the above object, there is also
`provided a prefabricated swimming pool comprising: a pool
`frame having a plurality of vertical frames, a plurality of
`horizontal frames of which both ends are positioned at the
`upper end of the vertical frame, and connectors consisting of
`a bolt bar protrusively formed at the upper end of the vertical
`frame, a connection piece protrusively formed at both ends
`of the horizontal frame and having a through hole into which
`the bolt bar is penetrated, and a nut engaged with the
`protruded end of the bolt bar penetrated through the through
`hole; and a pool body having a base unit, a circumferential
`side wall upwardly extended from the marginal portion of
`the base unit, a pocket unit formed at the upper and lower
`ends of the circumferential side wall, into which the hori(cid:173)
`zontal frame is inserted.
`
`[0010]
`In order to achieve the above object, there is also
`provided a prefabricated swimming pool comprising: a pool
`frame having a plurality of vertical frames, a plurality of
`horizontal frames of which both ends are positioned at the
`upper and lower ends of the vertical frames, and connectors
`consisting of a bolt bar protrusively formed at the upper end
`of the vertical frame, a connection piece protrusively formed
`at both ends of the horizontal frame and having a through
`hole into which the bolt bar is penetrated, and a nut engaged
`with the protruded end of the bolt bar penetrated though the
`through hole; and a pool body having a base unit, a circum(cid:173)
`ferential side wall upwardly extended from the marginal
`portion of the base unit, a pocket unit formed at the upper
`and lower ends of the circumferential side wall, into which
`the horizontal frame is inserted.
`
`[0011]
`In order to achieve the above object, there is also
`provided a prefabricated swimming pool comprising: a pool
`body having a base unit, a circumferential side wall
`upwardly extended from the marginal portion of the base
`unit, and a plurality of pockets formed at the upper end of
`the circumferential side wall, the pockets being divided by
`a plurality of opening portions; and a pool frame having an
`upper horizontal frame consisting of a plurality of upper
`horizontal bars inserted to the pocket of the pool body and
`upper horizontal connectors connecting the adjacent upper
`horizontal bars, a lower horizontal frame, corresponding to
`the upper horizontal frame, consisting of a plurality of lower
`horizontal bars placed on the ground and lower horizontal
`connectors connecting the adjacent lower horizontal bars,
`and a plurality of vertical frames being disposed at the
`exterior of the circumferential side wall and connecting the
`upper horizontal bars and the lower horizontal bars.
`
`[0012]
`In order to achieve the above object, there is also
`provided a prefabricated swimming pool comprising: a pool
`body having a base unit, a circumferential side wall
`upwardly extended from the marginal portion of the base
`unit, and a plurality of pockets formed at the upper end of
`the circumferential side wall, the pockets being divided by
`opening portions formed at the corner portion, and a pool
`frame having a horizontal frame consisting of a horizontal
`bar and a linear connection bar respectively inserted and
`mutually connected in the pocket and a corner connection
`bar connecting the horizontal bars at the corner portion, and
`a vertical frame consisting of a support unit placed on the
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1009; Pg 31
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 2002/0042948 Al
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`2
`
`ground at the exterior of the circumferential side wall and a
`vertical unit upwardly extended from both the inner sides of
`the support unit so that the upper end thereof is combined
`with the horizontal bar.
`
`[0013]
`In order to achieve the above object, there is also
`provided a prefabricated swimming pool comprising: a pool
`body having a base unit, a circumferential side wall
`upwardly extended from the marginal portion of the base
`unit, and a plurality of pockets formed at the upper end of
`the circumferential side wall, the pockets are being divided
`by opening portions formed at the corner portions; and a
`pool frame having a horizontal frame consisting of a plu(cid:173)
`rality of horizontal bars inserted and mutually connected in
`the pocket and a corner connection bar connecting the
`horizontal bars at the corner portion, and a vertical frame
`consisting of a support unit placed on the ground at the
`exterior of the circumferential side wall and a vertical bar
`upwardly extended from the outer end of the support unit so
`that its upper end is combined with the horizontal bar.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included
`to provide a further understanding of the invention and are
`incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,
`illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with
`the description serve to explain the principles of the inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`[0015]
`
`In the drawings:
`
`[0016] FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a prefabricated swim(cid:173)
`ming pool in accordance with a first embodiment of the
`present invention, of which
`[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prefabricated
`swimming pool;
`[0018] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of a pool frame
`and a pool body;
`[0019] FIG. 3 is an enlarged disassembled perspective
`view of the pool frame;
`[0020] FIG. 4 is a disassembled front view of a vertical
`frame and a divided horizontal frame; and
`[0021] FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views illustrating assem(cid:173)
`bling of the divided horizontal frame;
`[0022] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a structure of a
`fixing protrusion installed at a T-shaped connector and at a
`straight line-shaped connector in accordance with the first
`embodiment of the present invention;
`[0023] FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a prefabricated
`swimming pool in accordance with a second embodiment of
`the present invention, of which
`[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the prefabricated
`swimming pool;
`[0025] FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of a pool frame
`and a pool body; and
`
`[0026] FIG. 10 is an enlarged disassembled perspective
`view of the pool frame;
`
`[0027] FIGS. 11 through 13 illustrate a prefabricated
`swimming pool in accordance with a third embodiment of
`
`the present invention, of which FIG.11 is a perspective view
`of the prefabricated swimming pool;
`[0028] FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view of a pool frame
`and a pool body; and
`[0029] FIG. 13 is an enlarged disassembled perspective
`view of the pool frame;
`[0030] FIGS. 14 through 16 illustrate a prefabricated
`swimming pool in accordance with a fourth embodiment of
`the present invention, of which
`[0031] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the prefabricated
`swimming pool;
`[0032] FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view of a pool frame
`and a pool body; and
`[0033] FIG. 16 is an enlarged disassembled perspective
`view of the pool frame;
`[0034] FIGS. 17 through 21 illustrate a prefabricated
`swimming pool in accordance with a fifth embodiment of
`the present invention, of which
`[0035] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an overall assem(cid:173)
`bly;
`[0036] FIG. 18 is a partial enlarged perspective view of
`FIG. 17;
`[0037] FIG. 19 is a partial disassembled perspective view
`of a pool frame;
`[0038] FIG. 20 is a partial disassembled exploded view of
`the pool frame; and
`[0039] FIG. 21 is a partial enlarged sectional view show(cid:173)
`ing a coupling structure of an upper horizontal frame and a
`vertical frame;
`[0040] FIGS. 22 through 26 illustrate a prefabricated
`swimming pool in accordance with a sixth embodiment of
`the present invention, of which
`[0041] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an overall assem(cid:173)
`bly;
`[0042] FIG. 23 is a partial enlarged perspective view of
`FIG. 22;
`[0043] FIG. 24 is a partial disassembled perspective view
`of a pool frame,
`[0044] FIG. 25 is a disassembled perspective view of a
`vertical frame; and
`[0045] FIG. 26 is a partial enlarged sectional view show(cid:173)
`ing an assembled state of a support unit of the vertical frame;
`[0046] FIGS. 27 through 32 illustrate a prefabricated
`swimming pool in accordance with a seventh embodiment of
`the present invention, of which
`[0047] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an overall assem(cid:173)
`bly;
`[0048] FIG. 28 is a partial enlarged perspective view of
`FIG. 27;
`[0049] FIG. 29 is a partial disassembled perspective view
`of a pool frame;
`[0050] FIG. 30 is a partial disassembled front view of the
`pool frame;
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1009; Pg 32
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
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`

`

`US 2002/0042948 Al
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`3
`
`[0051] FIG. 31 is a partial disassembled perspective view
`of a vertical frame; and
`
`[0052] FIG. 32 is a partial enlarged sectional view show(cid:173)
`ing an assembled state of a horizontal frame, the vertical
`frame and the support unit
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0053] Reference will now be made in detail to the pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of
`which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. FIGS.
`1 through 6 illustrate a prefabricated swimming pool in
`accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,
`of which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prefabricated
`swimming pool; FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of a pool
`frame and a pool body; FIG. 3 is an enlarged disassembled
`perspective view of the pool frame; FIG. 4 is a disassembled
`front view of a vertical frame and a divided horizontal
`frame; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views illustrating
`assembling of the divided horizontal frame.
`
`In the drawings, reference numeral 100 denotes a
`[0054]
`pool frame, and 200 denotes a pool body supported by the
`pool frame 100.
`
`[0055] The pool frame 100 includes a plurality of vertical
`frames 110 and a horizontal frame 120 connecting the upper
`end of the vertical frames 110.
`
`[0056] The vertical frame 110 and the horizontal frame
`120 are formed of a hollow pipe, for which a circular pipe
`is preferably used but not limited thereto.
`
`[0057] The upper end of the vertical frame 110 and the
`both-sided horizontal frame 120 to be connected to the upper
`ends of the vertical frame 310 are connected by a T-shaped
`connector 130.
`
`[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the T-shaped connector 130
`includes a vertical portion 131 inserted into the upper end
`portion of the vertical frame 110 and a both-sided horizontal
`unit 132 to be inserted into the both end portions of the
`horizontal frame 120.
`
`[0059] The plane form made by the pool frame 110 is
`determined depending on the number of the vertical frames
`110 and the horizontal frames 120. On the assumption that
`the number is n, the plane form of the pool frame 100 is
`made by 180-360/n°, of which the angle of the both-sided
`horizontal unit 132 of the T-shaped connector 130 is the
`same as the angle made between adjacent horizontal frames
`120.
`
`[0060] For example, in case that there are 16 vertical
`frames 110 and 16 horizontal frames 120 in number, the
`angle of the both-sided horizontal unit 132 of the T-shaped
`connector 130 is 157.5°, respectively. Meanwhile, in case
`that there are 12 vertical frames 110 and 12 horizontal
`frames 120 in number, the angle therebetween would be
`150°.
`
`[0061] The number of the vertical frames 110 and the
`horizontal frames 120 is determined by the size of the pool,
`without being limited to 12 ones or 16 ones.
`
`[0062] The vertical portion 131 and the both-sided hori(cid:173)
`zontal unit 132 of the T-shaped connector 130 are formed to
`
`have an outer diameter for a convenience of insertion of
`slide fitting into the vertical frame 110 and into the hori(cid:173)
`zontal frame 120.
`[0063] The vertical portion 131 and the both-sided hori(cid:173)
`zontal unit 132 of the T-shaped connector 130 may be
`combined by direct-welding, but it is preferred that a con(cid:173)
`nection unit 133 having the same outer diameter as that of
`the horizontal frame 120 covers the both-sided horizontal
`unit 132 so that when the both-sided horizontal unit 132 is
`inserted into the horizontal frame 120, the outer circumfer(cid:173)
`ential surface of the horizontal frame 120 and that of the
`connection unit 133 make a uniformly connected circum(cid:173)
`ferential surface.
`[0064] Serving to help a fine view by making the outer
`circumferential surface of the horizontal frame 120 and that
`of the connection unit 133 to be a uniformly connected
`circumferential surface, the connection unit 133 also serves
`to define the connection position of the horizontal frame
`120.
`[0065] A fixing hole 121 is formed at both ends of the
`horizontal frame 120, penetrating the circumferential wall,
`and a fixing protrusion 134 is elastically protruded at the
`both end portions of the both-sided horizontal unit 132 of the
`T-shaped connector 130, corresponding to the fixing hole
`121.
`[0066] Normally, in order to render the fixing protrusion
`134 to be protrusive elastically, an elastic member 135 is
`installed inside the both-sided horizontal unit 132 to elasti(cid:173)
`cally support the fixing protrusion 134.
`[0067] As the elastic member 135, a compressive coil
`spring may be used. Yet, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to
`facilitate assembling, it is preferred to use a torsion spring
`consisting of a fixing support portion 135a supported by the
`inner circumferential surface of the horizontal frame 120
`and an elastic support portion 135b supporting the fixing
`protrusion 134.
`[0068]
`In order to prevent an arbitrary separation between
`the fixing protrusion 134 and the elastic support portion
`135b, preferably, a fixing groove 134a is formed at the
`bottom of the fixing protrusion 134 and an insertion-fixing
`portion 135c is formed bent at the elastic support portion
`135b so as to be insertedly fixed at the fixing groove 134a.
`[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, a support cap 140 supported
`by the bottom surface is combined at the lower end portion
`of the vertical frame 110.
`[0070] The support cap 140 includes an insertion part 141
`inserted to the lower end portion of the vertical frame 110,
`and a disk-type support part 142 having the insertion part
`141 attached at its upper central portion.
`[0071] The insertion part 141 may be insertedly fixed to
`the lower end portion of the vertical frame 110 by force, or
`may be inserted in a manner of slide fitting and fixedly
`combined thereto by inserting a fixing pin penetrating the
`lower end portion of the circumferential wall side of the
`vertical frame 110 and the circumferential wall side of the
`insertion part 141.
`[0072] Meanwhile, one of the horizontal frames 120 is
`divided to two divided horizontal frames 120a and 120b,
`which are to be connected by the straight line-shaped
`connector 150.
`
`BESTWAY EX. 1009; Pg 33
`Bestway v. Intex PGR2024-00036
`
`

`

`US 2002/0042948 Al
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`4
`
`[0073] The divided horizontal frames 120a and 120b are
`formed shorter than the half the length of the horizontal
`frame 120. The reason for this is to smoothly connect the last
`nth horizontal frame 120 after the n-lth number of hori(cid:173)
`zontal frames 120 are connected by the T-shaped connectors
`130 with n number of horizontal frames 120.
`[0074] As to the straight line-shaped connector 150, its left
`half portion and right half portion are respectively inserted
`into the divided horizontal frames 120a and 120b.
`[0075]
`In this respect, the outer diameters of the left and
`right half portions are set to be slide-fitted into the divided
`horizontal frames 120a and 120b.
`[0076] At the left and right half portions of the straight
`line-shaped connector 150, a fixing protrusion 151 is elas(cid:173)
`tically formed protrusively, respectively.
`[0077] At one end of the divided horizontal frames 120a
`and 120b, a fixing hole 121 is formed corresponding to the
`fixing protrusion 134 of the T-shaped connector 130, and at
`the other end of the horizontal frames 120a and 120b, fixing
`holes 121a and 121b are formed into which the protrusion
`151 of the straight line-shaped connector 150 is inserted.
`[0078]
`In order for the fixing protrusion 151 of the straight
`line-shaped connector 150 to be elastically protrusive, an
`elastic member 152 is installed inside the left and right half
`portions to thereby elastically support the fixing protrusion
`151.
`[0079] A compressive coil spring may be used as the
`elastic member 152, but, in terms of easy assembling, it is
`preferred to use a torsion spring consisting of a fixing
`support unit 152a supported by the inner circumferential
`surface of the left and right half portions and an elastic
`support unit 152b supporting the fixing protrusion 151.
`[0080]
`In order to prevent an arbitrary separation between
`the fixing protrusion 151 and the elastic support portion
`152b, preferably, a fixing groove 151a is formed at the
`bottom of the fixing protrusion 151 and an insertion-fixing
`portion 152c is formed bent at the elastic support portion
`151b so as to be insertedly fixed at the fixing groove 151a.
`[0081] The assembly structure of the fixing protrusion 151
`and the elastic member 152 are the same as that of the
`above-mentioned fixing protrusion 134 and the elastic mem(cid:173)
`ber 135 as shown in FIG. 7.
`[0082] The pool body 200 is formed by junctioning a sheet
`fabricated from a synthetic resin. The pool body 200 is
`formed in a polygonal box shape when it is unfolded,
`including a base unit 210 and a circumferential side wall 220
`upwardly extended from the marginal portion of the base
`unit 210.
`[0083] The base unit 210, making the bottom side of the
`set-up space of the pool, is formed in a polygonal figure
`corresponding to the plane figure formed by the vertical
`frames 110 and the horizontal frames 120.
`[0084] A plurality of pocket units 221 are formed at the
`upper portion of the circumferential side wall 220, into
`which the plurality of horizontal frames 120 are respectively
`inserted.
`[0085]