Valve system for a fiberglass swimming pool body

A kit for modifying a preformed swimming pool, including a fluidic access port for positioning through a preformed swimming pool body, a first conduit for fluidically connecting to the fluidic access port and extending away from the preformed swimming pool body, a first hydrostatic valve defining a hydrostatic fluid inlet and a hydrostatic fluid outlet and connectable in fluidic communication with the first conduit for passing water from the hydrostatic fluid outlet into the first conduit and through the fluidic access port, a second conduit connectable in fluidic communication with the first conduit and with the hydrostatic valve outlet, and a third conduit connectable in fluidic communication with the hydrostatic fluid inlet, wherein the third conduit is water permeable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present novel technology relates generally to the field of excavation, and, more particularly, to an in-ground fiberglass pool bodies stabilized with extended geotextile sheets.

BACKGROUND

Preformed fiberglass swimming pools offer many advantages over in-situ formed shotcrete or concrete walled swimming pools. Fiberglass pool bodies may be quickly and inexpensively formed and require considerably less effort to put into the ground. The main drawback associated with fiberglass swimming pools has been the tendency for the sides to bulge inward if the backfill around the pool is not properly done. The backfill around the pool perimeter is typically sand, gravel, or a combination of the two. In the case of sand, a poor backfilling job may result in settling of the sand, which may lead to an inward bulging of the pool sidewalls. Gravel backfill is less prone to flowing and settling, but is harder to evenly distribute around the outer surface of a pool, especially if that surface is irregular. Further, some pool owners insist upon emptying the pool of water, such as for thorough cleaning, and fiberglass pool designs rely on the water to provide positive pressure to resist inward bulging of the sides.

Thus, there remains a need for a method and apparatus that would allow easy installation of a preformed fiberglass pool body while providing additional support to resist the inward bulging of the pool sidewalls over time. The present novel technology addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present novel technology relates to a method and apparatus for providing a sidewall support and reinforcement system around a fiberglass swimming pool. One object of the present novel technology is to provide an improved fiberglass swimming pool system. Related objects and advantages of the present novel technology will be apparent from the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

Geotextiles are stable fabrics designed to not degrade when embedded in soil for extended periods of time. Geotextiles are also permeable so as to allow the passage of fluids therethrough, such that they may be used to provide reinforcement without also creating a drainage problem. Geotextile materials are typically made from polymers such as polypropylenes, polyesters, or the like, and may be formed by such processes as weaving, spin melting, heat bonding, or the like.

The present novel technology relates to a system10for mounting or installing a fiberglass or like preformed swimming pool body15into a freshly dug excavation, and includes a at least one, and more typically a plurality, of flexible, tough sheet segments20securely bonded to one or more exterior sidewalls25of the pool body15for extension therefrom. Typically, a plurality of geotextile, fiberglass, or like material anchoring sheets20are bonded to the pool body15at one or more exterior sidewalls25at one or more different elevations30(distances from the top lip35of the pool body15when oriented for positioning in the ground) and are spaced around the pool body perimeter. Prior to putting the pool body15into the ground, each geotextile sheet20is typically rolled up and secured to the pool sidewall20for transport and convenience of storing, such as with a zip tie or the like. After the pool body15is positioned into the excavation, the excavation around the pool body15is backfilled (typically with gravel) to the level of the lowermost sheet(s)20. The lowermost sheets20are unrolled and extended over the backfill surface and are placed thereupon, and additional backfill material (typically soil and/or sand and/or gravel and/or combinations thereof) is backfilled into the excavation onto the extended sheets20. When the level of backfill material reaches the level of the next set of sheets20, the sheets20at that elevation30are likewise extended and the filling process is continued. The weight of the soil pressing on the extended sheets30, as securely bonded to the fiberglass outer walls25, is sufficient to generate an outward force on the walls25to at least partially counter the inward force produced by the soil around the pool body15. Optionally, the backfill may be compacted manually or with a mechanical compactor at one or more points during the backfilling process.

The geotextile sheets20are typically about a meter wide or long, and typically extend up to about meter from the pool sidewall, more typically about 0.5 meters, and still more typically about 0.25 meters, although the width and length of the sheets20may vary from pool body15to pool body15. Likewise, the total number of sheets20required will vary with the total surface area of the pool sidewalls25. In other words, bigger pool bodies15may require more sheets20.

Typically, the sheets20are attached at elevations (depths or distances)30of about two feet from the lip35of the pool body15, about four feet from the lip35of the pool body15, and about six feet from the lip35of the pool body15. These distances may vary with pool body15depth, and some pool bodies15may require sheets20positioned at only one or two elevations30. Alternately, the sheets20may each be attached at their own individual elevations30or distances from the pool body lip35.

The sheets20are typically securely bonded to a pool exterior sidewall25, such as by an additional application of a fiberglass fusion bonds or volumes40, by an adhesive material bond40, or the like.

In operation, the sheets20extend from the pool body15to which they are secured into the excavation into which the pool body15has been placed. Backfill is poured to partially fill the excavation. Respective portions of at least some of the respective sheets20(typically those positioned at the lowermost elevations30or levels from the lip35) extend onto the relatively flat, horizontal backfill portion that has partially filled the excavation around the pool body15, where they are anchored such as by extending anchoring members therethrough, by positioning weighted masses (i.e., more backfill) thereupon, or the like. This process is repeated until all of the sheets20have been extended onto backfill and then covered with more backfill and buried and anchored in place. The weight of the backfill material on the sheets20generates a frictional anchoring force thereupon that resists movement of the sheets20, thus creating a pulling force on the pool exterior sidewalls15opposing any pushing force generated by the backfill thereagainst.

This process may define a method of stabilizing the sidewalls of a preformed swimming pool body15, including bonding a first anchor sheet20to an exterior surface25of a preformed swimming pool body15and then extending the first anchor sheet20over a first volume of backfill material45, followed by laying the extended first anchor sheet20on a first volume of backfill surface50and then burying the extended first anchor sheet20under a second volume of backfill material45. The method is continued by next bonding a second anchor sheet20to an exterior surface25of a preformed swimming pool body15, extending the second anchor sheet20over the second volume of backfill material45, laying the extended second anchor sheet20on a second volume of backfill surface50and finally burying the extended second anchor sheet20under a third volume of backfill material45. Additional elevations30of sheets20may be added accordingly. The anchor sheet20is typically a porous geotextile material. Typically, the first and subsequent anchor sheets20each define a plurality of geotextile segments arrayed in a row around the preformed swimming pool body15and positioned substantially equidistantly from a top edge40. The backfill material45is typically selected from the group comprising soil, sand, gravel and combinations thereof.

The pool body15may be of any convenient shape, including rectangular, generally rectangular, kidney shaped, round, oval, or the like. The sheets20may extend from opposing sidewalls25, adjacent sidewalls25, from random positions, or the like.

In one alternate embodiment, geotextile sheets20are affixed to fiberglass pool bodies15already put into the ground. The soil and/or backfill material around the emplaced pool bodies15is partially excavated, and one or more geothermal sheets20are attached at one end to the pool body sidewall25, such as with a fiberglass application, adhesive, or the like. The sheets20are then extended and the excavated soil and/or backfill is replaced to weight down and bury the one or more sheets20to hold them in place and generate the pulling forces on the fiberglass pool sidewall25.

In another embodiment, as seem inFIGS. 5-9, a hydro valve system100is disclosed for equalizing water pressure without and within the pool body15. The system100includes a fluidic access port110positioned on or through the pool sidewall and extending therethrough. The port110is typically positioned within twenty-four inches of the bottom of the pool body15, more typically within twelve inches from the bottom of the pool body, and still more typically within 6 inches from the bottom of the pool body. A fluidic conduit115extends generally horizontally from the port110to a T-junction or like intersection120with an elongated fluidic conduit portion125. The T-junction120connects to the fluidic conduit125, which extends generally vertically away from the T-junction120toward the top edge35, and is typically positioned generally perpendicularly to conduit115. Fluidic conduit130typically extends generally vertically away from the T-junction120opposite conduit125, i.e., away from the top edge35. Conduit125typically includes a (typically threaded) terminal end135near the top edge35and more typically includes a (typically threaded) cap140removably engageable to the terminal end135.

Conduit130typically connects to an L-shaped or like connector or joint143, which connects at one end to conduit130and at the other end to conduit150through check valve155operationally connected thereoto. Conduit150extends perpendicularly to conduit130, and is typically positioned below the bottom of the pool body, and may be directed away from, parallel to, or under the pool body15. Conduit150is typically perforated or otherwise water permeable, and is more typically covered by a silt sock160for allowing passage of water therethrough while blocking particulate matter. The check valve155allows for flow from conduit150to conduit130, but not from conduit130to conduit150.

Hydrostatic valve165is removably positioned in conduit130. Typically, conduit130defines an inner diameter sized to snugly receive hydrostatic valve assembly165in an interference fit. Hydrostatic valve165is opened by pressure from and directs water flowing from conduit150through check valve155and into conduit130and on through conduit115into the pool body15, in the event of an excess of build-up of water under the pool body15. Hydrostatic valve165is closed by the flow of water from the pool body15through conduits115toward conduit130. The water pressure associated with excess water building up under the pool body15is thus relieved by directing the excess water into the pool body15, reducing the likelihood of the water pressure upwardly urging and displacing the pool body15.

Hydrostatic valve165is held in place in conduits120and/or130by one or more O-rings170or like members snugly encircling valve165and participating in an interference fit with conduits120and/or130, resting in preformed grooves or the like, and may be inserted and/or removed through conduit125, such as by use of an elongated removal tool175extending through terminal end135to conduit130. Removal tool175is typically an elongated structural member, such as a plastic rod or the like, extending from cap140through conduit125and terminating in a valve gripping member180. Valve gripping member180is typically a hollow cage housing the valve165, such that an upward force applied to the cage180via the elongated rod175urges the hydrostatic valve165up and through the conduit125where it may be serviced or replaced if necessary. This allows the hydrostatic valve165to be pulled, changed, and/or cleaned from the pool deck without the need of personal submersion. The hydrostatic valve165is inserted and/or removed without the need of threading. Leakage or removal of the hydrostatic valve165does not result in water emptying from the pool body15.

The hydrostatic valve165typically includes a first valve portion190connectable to a base portion195, with the base portion195supporting the O-rings170for connecting within the conduits120,130. Conduits120and130are typically separate, but in some embodiments may be unitary.

A liner205, typically a closed-cell foam cylinder (such as a commercial pool noodle) is emplaced in cylinder125and positioned to extend from adjacent the cap145a sufficient distance downward below the freezing depth to displace groundwater that might otherwise fill cylinder125during operation. This liner205eliminates the need to ‘winterize’ conduit125by preventing water to rise far enough therein such that it might freeze during cold weather and expand sufficiently to rupture conduit125.

In operation, the valve assembly100is operationally connected to the fluid access port110prior to or during placement of the pool body15into the ground. The elongated portion extends upwardly generally parallel to the pool body sidewall25, while conduit150typically extends generally perpendicular to the sidewall25. Conduit150is typically positioned below the level of, and more typically generally adjacent to, the pool body15. The assembly100is buried when the pool excavation is backfilled, typically with only the end of elongated conduit125and cap145protruding above ground.

If the pool, once filled with water, is drained below the level of the ground water surrounding the pool body15, ground water will flow through conduit150, through check valve155and hydrostatic valve165and into the pool body15through access port110. In other words, when the level of the ground water without the pool body15is higher than the level of the water within the pool body15, water will flow thorough the assembly100and into the pool body15through the access port110. This prevents damage to the pool body15from excessive ground water pressure thereupon, such as bulging of the pool body to the point of cracking or rupture, and/or raising of the entire pool body15.