Track support for a liner type in-ground swimming pool

A track structure for retaining the liner of a liner type in-ground swimming pool is comprised of two component parts including an elongated length of a channel-like body section adapted to be secured about the perimeter of a liner-type pool and a channel-like insert adapted to be removably disposed within the body section. Both components are formed of polymeric plastic composition and both are configured at least partially complementary, so as to enable the insert to effect a snap-in interfit for securing the insert within the body. The insert when disposed within the body cooperates with an internal body surface wall to define a narrow clearance through which the liner can extend while securing the beaded edge of the liner against withdrawal. When the body and insert are assembled, a single exposed channel is provided, enabling a form board to be positioned thereat for the pouring and setting of aggregate deciking about the pool. Also disclosed is the use of an adhesive tape having a detergent-soluble gum for mounting the form board directly onto the surface of an in-place linear. On retrieving the form board, any gum residue on the liner can be removed with a detergent solution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The field of art to which the invention relates comprises improvements for 
constructing a liner-type in-ground swimming pool about which an aggregate 
decking is to be formed. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
When constructing an in-ground-type swimming pool, the bowl is first 
excavated to a desired shape and depth. Where the bowl is to be comprised 
of a plastered wall, the wall and base of reinforced concrete is first 
poured and set in place before the plaster is applied. Utilizing a 
polystyrene concrete form board positioned upright, against and above the 
wall, an aggregate decking is poured and permitted to set about the pool 
perimeter. 
Where the bowl excavation is to be lined with a sheet of beaded edge 
plastic liner material, it is common to provide a track secured to a panel 
about the pool perimeter. The track defines a continuous channel in which 
the beaded upper edge of the plastic liner can be retained. With a 
concrete form board secured upright of the track as above, aggregate 
decking can be formed about the pool perimeter similarily as with the 
concreted pool. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
Following placement of a liner track for a liner-type in-ground swimming 
pool, the ensuing construction procedure can be subject to variation, 
depending on whether the water fill is to occur before or after the 
aggregate decking is poured and set. Where a single channel track is 
utilized and the water fill is to occur after formation of the poured 
decking, the liner typically is initially omitted from the track and the 
decking form can be supported within the track channel normally utilized 
for the liner bead. Such utilization is disclosed, for example, in my U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,574,017. Once the aggregate decking has set, the decking form 
is removed from the track and the liner bead is installed, positioned in 
its place. To assist in securing the liner within the track channel, a 
series of wedge-like locks of a type commercially available are inserted 
within the track in a force fit against the liner bead. For servicing or 
replacing the liner, the wedge-like locks can be removed, permitting the 
liner bead to be withdrawn. 
Where it is preferred to insert the liner in place and fill or partially 
fill the pool with water prior to pouring the decking, the single channel 
track already containing the liner bead is rendered unsuitable for 
securing the aggregate form board. Under those circumstances, it has been 
common to utilize a liner track consisting of two superimposed parallel 
channels as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,119. The double 
channels permit the liner bead to be inserted and secured as described by 
wedging into the lower channel. The aggregate decking form board can then 
be secured into the upper channel, either before or after filling the pool 
with water. After the aggregate decking is poured and set, the form board 
is removed and the upper channel becomes available for other uses such as 
securing a pool cover during the winter months when the pool is not 
normally in use. Moreover, when the form board is positioned with the 
liner already in place, it has been the practice for the lower portion of 
the form board to be adhered directly to the liner surface with a known 
form of double sided adhesive tape. Unfortunately, removal of the form 
board tends to leave a residual quantity of tape gum on the liner. The 
unsightly gum can either be left in place or optionally removed by 
chemical solvents. The solvents, however, when applied also tend to remove 
the original coloring from the plastic liner. Either option detracts from 
the liner appearance and neither, therefore, is considered aesthetically 
satisfactory. 
ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is an aspect of the invention to provide an improved track for a 
liner-type in-ground swimming pool. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide an improved track as in 
the previous aspect, providing separate support for both the liner and 
decking form board so as to enable pouring the deck after the pool has 
been filled with water. 
It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide the improved track of 
the previous aspects that affords a novel manner of liner retention and 
liner removal that is substantially enhanced as compared to similar 
purpose prior art track structures available for that purpose. 
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a method of adhering 
the form board directly onto the surface of the inplace liner in a manner 
permitting form board removal without adversely affecting the surface 
appearance of the liner. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to an improved and novel track apparatus for use 
with liner-type in-ground swimming pools enabling liner placement before 
the associated decking is poured. More specifically, the invention relates 
to such a track apparatus affording an enhanced retention of the liner 
bead without the necessity of wedge locking the bead in the manner of the 
prior art. At the same time, the liner can be more readily removed for 
maintenance when required while the aggregate decking form can be placed 
in the track without regard to the presence of the liner therein. 
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the track of the invention 
extends secured about the pool perimeter and is formed of a separable 
two-component construction comprised of an elongated channeled body 
secured about the pool and an elongated channeled insert removably secured 
within the body. Both the body and insert are of plastic composition, 
preferrably PVC. The body defines a relatively large channel opening and 
is secured to a panel supported about the pool periphery. The insert is 
adapted to be received in a snap-in interfit within the body channel and 
when inserted in place, cooperates with the body to secure the liner bead 
against withdrawal. At the same time, the outwardly open channel of the 
insert positioned within the body can be utilized to secure the form board 
in place for pouring of the decking aggregate. Moreover, by adhesively 
mounting the form board directly against the liner utilizing a selected 
tape having a detergent soluble gum, any gum residue on the liner after 
the form board is removed can easily be removed from the liner without 
adverse affects on the liner appearance. 
By virtue of the relative sectional configurations and interfit effected 
between the insert and body, the liner bead is positively secured without 
the necessity of a wedge lock in the manner of the prior art. Yet, the 
insert can be readily removed when removal of the liner becomes necessary 
for maintenance or replacement. At the same time, the channel defined by 
the emplaced insert provides for a secure, but removable retention of a 
received aggregate decking form mounted thereon. 
The above-noted features and advantages of the invention as well as other 
superior aspects thereof, will be further appreciated by those skilled in 
the art upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction 
with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the description which follows like parts are marked throughout the 
specification and drawings with the same reference numerals respectively. 
The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and in certain views 
proportions may have been exaggerated for purposes of clarity. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a prior art construction of a 
liner-type swimming pool designated 10. Comprising the pool is a perimeter 
extending ground ledge 12 supporting contiguous sections of an upright 
panel 14 typically constructed of metal, wood or fiberglass secured at 
their ends by a bolt-up end plate 15. Secured to the top face of panel 14 
is a single channel track 16, usually of plastic composition, and having a 
channel 17 (FIG. 2) in which the bead 18 of a pool liner 20 is wedge 
locked for securing the liner in position. From the track, the liner 
descends about the bowl 22 containing water fill 24. Formed above track 16 
in a direction extending laterally away from bowl 22 is an aggregate 
decking 26, typically comprised of epoxy stone or concrete. 
For having formed the decking structure 26 of FIG. 1, there is illustrated 
in FIG. 2, an upright form board 28 having lower longitudinal feet 30 and 
32, engaging a double sided adhesive tape 33 on the front face of panel 
14. The integral laterally outward ledge 34 of form board 28 extends into 
channel 17 of track 16 to an extent defined by the position of track edge 
36. As noted supra, form board 28 is typically comprised of a molded 
lightweight polystyrene composition and for these purposes includes a 
plurality of longitudinally spaced clips 37 embedded within the form at 
spacings of about every 6 inches. The distal end of the clip 37 includes a 
hook 38 which, when in place, effects a hook mounting over track edge 36. 
The form board remains positioned as illustrated in FIG. 2 until such time 
as the aggregate decking 26 has been poured and completely set, after 
which it can be easily removed from the relation shown. On removing the 
form board, any residual gum on panel 14 from tape 33 can, if desired, be 
removed by a chemical solvent. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the prior art track 40 is comprised of an 
integrally molded plastic construction having a lower channel 42 and an 
upper channel 44. Liner bead 18 of liner 20 is folded over and inserted 
into the lower channel 42 where it is secured by a wedge lock 45 of a type 
commercially available. The upper channel 44 is available and can be 
utilized to receive form board ledge 34 inserted therein and supported as 
above. Clips 37, contained within the molded form 28 employ a hook 38 to 
hook or latch onto upright lip 46 of the upper channel 44. As before, the 
form board 28 remains positioned thereat throughout the pouring and 
setting stage of aggregate decking 26. 
Whether utilizing the single channel track of FIGS. 1 and 2 or the double 
track of FIG. 3, bead 18 of liner 20 is secured within its recipient 
channel by means of an elongated wedge lock 45 that typically is forced to 
within the channel securely onto the bead. The prior art tracks 16 and 40 
such as those described are typically of a polymer plastic composition. As 
explained, supra, the track of FIGS. 1 and 2 is only suitable when the 
water 24 is supplied to fill pool after the decking aggregate 26 has been 
poured and set. For the embodiment of FIG. 3, the specific sequence in 
which to fill pool 10 with water is immaterial. That is, filling the pool 
can be performed anytime after liner 20 is in place whether or not 
aggregate 26 has been poured since in this embodiment, upper channel 44 is 
always available for mounting the form board 28. 
Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the track construction of the instant invention 
designated 47 is comprised of two components including a channel-like 
walled body section 48 and a relatively smaller channel-like walled body 
insert section 50 removably positioned within the body section. Both 
components are each integrally molded of rigid PVC and body section 48 is 
secured to panel 14 as above. Comprising the channel-like body section 48 
is a bottom wall 52 extending between a front upright ledge 60 and a rear 
upright ledge 66. At an intermediate location, the bottom wall 52 
intersects with a vertical rear wall 54. The rear wall, in turn, merges at 
its upper end with an upwardly sloping top wall 56, which at its front 
face, terminates in a downwardly depending front-lip 58. Partial upright 
wall 60 in the plane of lip 58 defines an edge 62 such that between the 
opposed faces of lip 58 and edge 62, there is defined an opening 64 
through which insert 50 can be inserted and withdrawn. 
Behind rear wall 54, the space intervening with lip 66 affords a pocket 
through which body 48 can be secured to panel 14 by bolts (not shown) and 
anchored by received aggregate decking 26. Extending integrally inward 
from the inner face of rear wall 54 is a relatively short lateral shelf 
68. The shelf extends spaced from and generally parallel with the interior 
under face of top wall 56 to define a sloping pocket 70 therebetween for 
reasons as will be explained. 
Insert 50 is adapted for insertion in and withdrawal from body 48 through 
body channel opening 64. Comprising insert 50 is a sloping top wall 72 of 
like angle as body wall 56 so as to effect a snug complementary fit 
therewith. Rearwardly, the top wall 72 intersects a vertical depending 
rear wall 74 and terminates beyond wall 74 in a tail section 76 receivable 
within body slot 70. At its forward face, top wall 72 includes a topside 
recess 78 in which to receive body lip 58 and terminates forward of a 
shoulder 79 in a downwardly sloping ledge 80. Integrally joined to the 
under edge of rear wall 74 is a bottom wall 82 integrally merging forward 
thereof with an upright ledge 84. Ledge 84 defines an upper edge face 86 
which with the opposite spaced undersurface of top wall 72 defines a 
longitudinal channel opening 88 therebetween. It will be appreciated that 
the top wall 72 and bottom wall 82 about the opening 88 have a degree of 
resilient flexibility enabling them to be manually squeezed to a limited 
extent toward each other in the direction 90 for reasons as will be 
explained. 
As specifically illustrated in FIG. 4, insert 50 is secured interfitted 
within body section 48 enabled by a front squeezing in the direction 90 
and inserting the insert in the lateral direction 91 until tail 76 extends 
into slot 70 and recess 78 is positioned to receive lip 58. When released, 
the squeezed insert will snap into the interfit relation shown, rendering 
the insert tightly secured. When the interfit is effected in this manner, 
there is defined a narrow clearance 92 existing between the underside of 
insert bottom wall 82 and the topside edge 62 of body wall 60. Clearance 
92 is typically on the order of about 1/32 inches and is sufficient for 
the thickness of liner 20 to extend without pinching or tearing so as to 
enable the liner bead 18 to be securely retained beyond the clearance in a 
body pocket 94 thereat captured against removal. 
With liner 20 so secured, aggregate form board 28 can be positioned against 
a tape 61 previously positioned directly on liner 20 in the manner 
illustrated in FIG. 5. For this purpose, in order to avoid use of chemical 
solvents for subsequently removing any tape gum residue from the surface 
of liner 20, it is preferred to use a tape 61 having a gum removable with 
a detergent solution. Such a tape of a polypropylene composition is 
marketed as "tesapack 4287" by Tesa Corp. of West Germany. Lateral board 
ledge 96, in this relation, penetrates channel opening 88 sufficient for 
hook 38 of embodied clip 37 to hook onto the backside of upright wall 
ledge 84. After the aggregate 26 is poured and set, the form board 28 is 
easily removed as before leaving a completed decking 26 as illustrated in 
FIG. 6. 
When necessary to replace or otherwise service liner 20, insert 50 can be 
removed from the interlocked interfit with body 48 by utilizing a 
screwdriver 98 and a hook 100. (FIG. 6). With the pool emptied and while 
the screwdriver imposes a downward force on ledge lip 80 in the direction 
90 in order to displace recess 78 sufficiently clear of lip 58, the hook 
100 grasping ledge 84 is withdrawn outwardly in the direction 102. After 
insert 50 is removed thereby, bead 18 is released, enabling the entire 
liner to be retrieved. At such time as reinsertment of the same or a 
replacement liner 20 is to be effected, the liner wall preceding bead 18 
is placed overlying edge 62 sufficient for bead 18 to extend within the 
body pocket 94 thereat. Thereafter, by squeezing ledge 80 and bottom wall 
82 toward each other in the direction 90, the insert 50 can be inserted in 
the direction 91 until tail section 76 is received in body slot 70 and 
recess 78 is positioned to receive lip 58. Releasing the squeeze effects a 
spring-like reversion and interlock to the relation illustrated causing 
insert 50 to remain seated and interlocked within the body 48. For a new 
installation or where decking 26 is to be refurbished, the form board 28 
can be mounted or re-mounted in channel opening 88 so as to secure the 
form board as before. 
By the above description, there is disclosed a novel construction of a two 
component track apparatus useful for both retaining the beaded edge of a 
swimming pool liner while enabling an aggregate form board to be inserted 
and supported during the pouring and setting of the pool decking. When the 
components are assembled, only a single channel track is provided by the 
insert and which channel is available for subsequent use. Unlike previous 
tracks employed for this purpose, a wedge lock to secure the liner bead is 
unnecessary and is in fact eliminated. At the same time the track 
apparatus is comprised of a relatively simple structure inexpensive to 
fabricate while enabling a most positive securement of the liner bead to 
be achieved. The virtues thereof are many, not least of which is the 
flexibility and simplicity by which the track construction hereof can be 
utilized on site for those instances where it is preferred to at least 
position the liner in place before the decking is poured. By utilizing a 
tape 61 having a detergent removable gum for supporting the form board, 
any residual gum remaining on the liner after removing the form board can 
be readily removed without deleteriously affecting the liner. 
Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many 
apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made 
without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter 
contained in the drawings and specification shall be interpreted as 
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.