Fence system for an above-the-ground swimming pool

A fence system is provided for use in conjunction with an above-the-ground flexible wall swimming pool having a liner with an upper rim defining a closed area and a plurality of spaced supports each having a lower end in engagement with the ground and an upper end connected to and supporting the liner upper rim. The fence system includes at least two spaced apart and elongated struts wherein each strut has a first end and a second end. A hanger is secured to each strut adjacent its first end and this hanger is dimensioned to fit over and be supported by the upper rim of the liner. A fastener assembly secures the second end of the strut to one support while a fence section is secured to the first ends of the struts so that the fence section extends upwardly from the upper rim of the liner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fencing and, more particularly, to a fence system for use with an above-the-ground swimming pool.

II. Description of Related Art

Above-the-ground flexible wall swimming pools have enjoyed increased popularity in recent years. Such above-the-ground swimming pools typically comprise a liner having an upper rim which defines the area of the swimming pool. A plurality of spaced supports extend around the liner and each support includes a lower end which engages the ground while the upper end of each support is connected to and supports the liner upper rim in an elevated position. Access to the swimming pool is provided by a ladder and oftentimes decking is constructed around the upper rim of the swimming pool.

Many municipalities and other governmental bodies have enacted ordinances which require that a fence be provided around the swimming pool for safety reasons. While there have been previously known fencing systems for rigid wall, sheet metal above-the-ground swimming pools, these previously known systems do not work with above-the-ground flexible wall swimming pools.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a fence system for an above-the-ground flexible wall swimming pool which overcomes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known devices.

The fence system of the present invention is provided for use in conjunction with an above-the-ground swimming pool of the type having an upper rim which defines a closed area. A plurality of spaced-apart supports extend around the liner. Each support includes a lower end in engagement with the ground while the upper end of each support is connected to and supports the upper rim of the liner in an elevated position.

The fence system of the present invention comprises at least two elongated struts wherein each strut has a first end and a second end. These struts are spaced apart from each other and extend around the swimming pool.

A hanger is secured to each strut adjacent its first end. Furthermore, the hanger is complementary in shape to the shape of the liner upper rim and is dimensioned to fit over and be supported by the upper rim of the liner.

A mounting bracket is secured to each strut adjacent its lower end. A fastener assembly then detachably connects the hanger, and thus the strut, to the support for the swimming pool.

A fence section is then secured to the first or upper ends of the struts so that the fence section extends upwardly from the upper rim of the liner. Preferably, the fence section includes at least two spaced-apart and parallel tubular rails while parallel stiles extend between and secure the rails together. Additionally, each strut includes a tubular portion which extends upwardly from its associated hanger. This tubular portion of the strut is dimensioned to fit into the lower end of the rail thus supporting the fence section to the struts.

With reference first toFIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the fence system10is there shown for use with an above-the-ground flexible wall swimming pool12. In the conventional fashion, the above-the-ground swimming pool12includes a liner14made of a flexible material and having an upper rim16which defines a closed area in the shape of the pool. A rim tube17is positioned within the liner14and extends around the upper rim16. The rim tube17provides the necessary strength to support the upper rim16of the swimming pool12in an above-the-ground position.

A plurality of spaced-apart supports18are provided at spaced positions around the swimming pool12. Each support18includes a lower end20in engagement with a footrest21supported on a ground surface22. An upper end24of each support18is connected to and supports the rim tube17. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the support18extends through an opening26in the liner12and is attached to the rim tube17.

With reference now toFIGS. 1 and 2, the fence system10includes a plurality of spaced-apart elongated struts40. Each strut40includes an upper end42and a lower end44. Preferably, the struts40are made of square metal tubing.

A hanger46is secured to each strut40adjacent its upper end42. This hanger46includes a portion48that is complementary to the shape of the upper rim16of the swimming pool12. As shown in the drawing, the rim tube17, and thus the upper rim16of the swimming pool12, is generally circular in cross-sectional shape so that the hanger portion48is semicircular in cross-sectional shape. The hanger46, furthermore, is secured to the strut40in any conventional fashion, such as by welding, brazing, an adhesive, fasteners or the like.

With reference now toFIGS. 2–4, a mounting bracket50having an opening52is secured to each strut40adjacent its lower end44. Preferably, the bracket50extends laterally outwardly from the strut40such that the brackets50associated with each leg18face each other.

A fastener assembly54detachably secures the mounting bracket, and thus the strut40, to one leg19of the support18. Preferably, the fastener assembly54includes a hook56having a threaded shank58. The hook56is dimensioned to fit around and engage the outer periphery of one leg19of the support20. At the same time, the threaded shank58of the hook56extends through the bracket opening52and is secured in position by a washer60and nut62.

Referring now particularly toFIG. 2, each strut40includes a tubular portion64at its upper end42. The tubular portion64extends upwardly from the hanger46.

With reference now toFIGS. 1 and 2, the fence system10further includes at least one, and more typically several, fence sections70. Each fence section70includes at least two spaced-apart and vertically extending rails72. Additionally, a pair of spaced-apart and parallel stiles74extend between and secure the rails72together. A plurality of slats76or other obstruction members extend across the area defined between the two spaced-apart rails72and the stiles74to prevent access through the fence section70.

Each rail72includes a tubular portion78which extends downwardly from the lower stile74. This tubular portion78, furthermore, is complementary in shape to the tubular portion64of the struts40and is dimensioned so that the tubular portion78of the rail72is slidably received over the tubular portion64of the strut40.

With reference now toFIG. 5, in order to secure adjacent fence sections together, and thus reinforce and rigidify the overall fence system, a connector80is inserted within the ends of the stiles74of adjacent fence sections70. The connectors80are secured to their associated stiles74by conventional fasteners82thus securing the adjacent fence sections together.

The assembly of the fence system10of the present invention to the above-the-ground swimming pool12is simple and straightforward. First, the struts40are positioned around the swimming pool12so that the hanger46rests upon the upper rim16of the swimming pool12and so that the mounting bracket50is positioned adjacent one leg19of the supports. When thus positioned, the fastener assembly54then secures the struts40to the legs19of the supports18so that the tubular portion64of each strut40extends vertically upwardly from the rim16. Furthermore, the slot52in the mounting bracket50provides adjustability to ensure that the tubular portions64of the struts40are vertically oriented.

After the struts40have been secured to the supports18, the fence sections70are then mounted onto the struts40by slidably positioning the tubular portion78of the rail72over the tubular portion64of the struts40. As the fence sections70are positioned onto the struts40, the connectors80are installed between the adjacent fence sections in order to rigidify the fence sections70.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple and yet effective fence system for use with an above-the-ground flexible wall swimming pool that can be rapidly and easily installed. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.