Abstract:
An above ground vinyl liner pool with a viewing window is disclosed. A window piece on one side of the pool wall mates to a retainer bracket on the other side, enclosing and sealing an opening in the wall.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the field of above-ground pools, and most preferably to vinyl or other soft-sided above-ground recreational swimming pools. It also has applicability to soft-sided above-ground pools used for other purposes, such as holding tanks for fish, amphibians, water-habitat mammals and the like.  
         [0002]     Above-ground pools are constructed in two major ways. The first, generally referred to as soft-walled pools, or frame pools, comprise an external frame, often made of steel tubing or high-strength resins, with vertical and horizontal members defining the periphery of the pool, which may be circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. Various materials are known in the art, but commonly a 30 to 40 mil vinyl liner with a woven polyester support layer attaches to the top rail and contains the water.  
         [0003]     The second type, called a hard-walled pool, has a similar frame structure but also includes a ⅛″ to ¼″ steel or aluminum wall around the periphery just inside the frame. Plastic or composite walls are also known to the industry. The vinyl liner attaches to the top rail of the frame as in the soft-sided design, but the peripheral wall supplies lateral support and stability to the liner. A thinner gauge of liner, commonly 15 to 30 mil, may be used when a supporting wall is present.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is a view window for above-ground pools of all types. A window piece on one side of the pool wall mates to a retainer bracket on the other side, enclosing and sealing an opening in the wall. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section of a different embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention applied to a soft-sided pool.  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention applied to a hard-sided pool.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]     The components of one embodiment of the invention are shown in  FIG. 1 . Window piece ( 1 ) is a sheet or plate of transparent material of sufficient strength and thickness to withstand the water pressure in a pool of approximately 500 to 20,000 gallons in a typical configuration having a depth of four to six feet. A ⅜″ thickness of a clear polycarbonate resin such as the product sold as Lexan® by GE Plastics, a unit of General Electric Company, has been used with success.  
         [0010]     Window piece ( 1 ) may be a flat plate as shown in  FIG. 1 , or may have a lens-like curve in cross section, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, the entire plate might curve slightly to match the curvature of the pool wall. While a round window is preferred, the shape may be rectangular, oval, or a custom shape. Dimensions of the view window may vary, but a 12″ to 18″ circular configuration works well in backyard pools.  
         [0011]     The window piece ( 1 ) includes a plurality of apertures ( 2 ) around its peripheral rim ( 3 ) through which connecting screws ( 4 ) may be inserted. A retainer bracket ( 5 ), made of appropriate material, preferably ABS composite or another plastic, has the same shape as the periphery of window piece ( 1 ). In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the retainer bracket ( 5 ) is a ring matching the outer ring of the window piece ( 1 ).  
         [0012]     Bolt receivers ( 6 ), threaded protrusions from the retainer bracket ( 5 ), are spaced around the bracket to align with apertures ( 2 ) around window piece ( 1 ). In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connecting screws ( 4 ) are 1¼ #12 tapping screws that fit into the bolt receivers ( 6 ) and the apertures ( 2 ) include a countersink indentation ( 7 ).  
         [0013]     Instead of bolt receivers, the holding bracket may just have apertures ( 8 ) through which connecting bolts ( 9 ) may pass and be engaged by some type of nut for attachment. Cap nuts ( 10 ) with a suitable plastic cover would be a preferred embodiment. In another embodiment, threaded connectors could be integral parts of the window piece ( 1 ).  
         [0014]     In application of various embodiments of the invention, one or more gaskets ( 11 ) will be used to seal the window piece and the holding bracket against the pool liner to prevent water leakage. Gaskets may be made of materials known in the art, including rubber, neoprene or other materials.  
         [0015]     In a preferred embodiment for a soft-walled pool, shown in  FIG. 3 , there is a gasket ( 11 ) between the holding bracket ( 5 ) and the pool wall ( 12 ), and another gasket between the pool wall ( 12 ) and the window piece ( 1 ).  
         [0016]     A standard pool liner may be adapted to the present invention by cutting a hole the approximate size of the inside diameter of the holding bracket, which will also correspond to the viewing area of the window piece ( 1 ). Pre-fabricated windowed liners could include the viewing area opening, surrounded by an integral gasket formed to mate to the window piece or the retaining bracket. If the pool is of the hard-walled type, a corresponding hole is cut in the support wall adjacent the hold in the liner. The liner and support wall are then sandwiched together between the window piece and the holding bracket, with gaskets inserted if desired. See  FIG. 4 .  
         [0017]     An alternative embodiment of the invention is a kit version, comprising a window piece, holding bracket, attachment hardware and possibly one or more gaskets. The kit could be used to retrofit an existing above-ground pool with a viewing window.