Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/477,023, filed on Sep. 4, 2014, which claimed priority to then co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/873,468, filed on Sep. 4, 2013. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    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 
       [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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 
       [0005]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a first embodiment fiberglass pool assembly of the present novel technology. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the pool assembly of  FIG. 1   
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the curtain of  FIG. 1  having anchor sheets deployed therearound. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the curtain of  FIG. 1  having attached anchor sheets rolled up against the pool body. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a hydro valve system for equalizing hydrostatic pressure without and within a pool body, according to another embodiment of the present novel technology. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a first perspective view of the valve system of  FIG. 5  engaged with a pool body. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a second perspective view of the valve system of  FIG. 5  engaged with a pool body. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial perspective cutaway view of the valve system of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged partial perspective cutaway view of the valve system of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    The present novel technology relates to a system  10  for mounting or installing a fiberglass or like preformed swimming pool body  15  into a freshly dug excavation, and includes a at least one, and more typically a plurality, of flexible, tough sheet segments  20  securely bonded to one or more exterior sidewalls  25  of the pool body  15  for extension therefrom. Typically, a plurality of geotextile, fiberglass, or like material anchoring sheets  20  are bonded to the pool body  15  at one or more exterior sidewalls  25  at one or more different elevations  30  (distances from the top lip  35  of the pool body  15  when oriented for positioning in the ground) and are spaced around the pool body perimeter. Prior to putting the pool body  15  into the ground, each geotextile sheet  20  is typically rolled up and secured to the pool sidewall  20  for transport and convenience of storing, such as with a zip tie or the like. After the pool body  15  is positioned into the excavation, the excavation around the pool body  15  is backfilled (typically with gravel) to the level of the lowermost sheet(s)  20 . The lowermost sheets  20  are 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 sheets  20 . When the level of backfill material reaches the level of the next set of sheets  20 , the sheets  20  at that elevation  30  are likewise extended and the filling process is continued. The weight of the soil pressing on the extended sheets  30 , as securely bonded to the fiberglass outer walls  25 , is sufficient to generate an outward force on the walls  25  to at least partially counter the inward force produced by the soil around the pool body  15 . Optionally, the backfill may be compacted manually or with a mechanical compactor at one or more points during the backfilling process. 
         [0018]    The geotextile sheets  20  are 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 sheets  20  may vary from pool body  15  to pool body  15 . Likewise, the total number of sheets  20  required will vary with the total surface area of the pool sidewalls  25 . In other words, bigger pool bodies  15  may require more sheets  20 . 
         [0019]    Typically, the sheets  20  are attached at elevations (depths or distances)  30  of about two feet from the lip  35  of the pool body  15 , about four feet from the lip  35  of the pool body  15 , and about six feet from the lip  35  of the pool body  15 . These distances may vary with pool body  15  depth, and some pool bodies  15  may require sheets  20  positioned at only one or two elevations  30 . Alternately, the sheets  20  may each be attached at their own individual elevations  30  or distances from the pool body lip  35 . 
         [0020]    The sheets  20  are typically securely bonded to a pool exterior sidewall  25 , such as by an additional application of a fiberglass fusion bonds or volumes  40 , by an adhesive material bond  40 , or the like. 
         [0021]    In operation, the sheets  20  extend from the pool body  15  to which they are secured into the excavation into which the pool body  15  has been placed. Backfill is poured to partially fill the excavation. Respective portions of at least some of the respective sheets  20  (typically those positioned at the lowermost elevations  30  or levels from the lip  35 ) extend onto the relatively flat, horizontal backfill portion that has partially filled the excavation around the pool body  15 , 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 sheets  20  have been extended onto backfill and then covered with more backfill and buried and anchored in place. The weight of the backfill material on the sheets  20  generates a frictional anchoring force thereupon that resists movement of the sheets  20 , thus creating a pulling force on the pool exterior sidewalls  15  opposing any pushing force generated by the backfill thereagainst. 
         [0022]    This process may define a method of stabilizing the sidewalls of a preformed swimming pool body  15 , including bonding a first anchor sheet  20  to an exterior surface  25  of a preformed swimming pool body  15  and then extending the first anchor sheet  20  over a first volume of backfill material  45 , followed by laying the extended first anchor sheet  20  on a first volume of backfill surface  50  and then burying the extended first anchor sheet  20  under a second volume of backfill material  45 . The method is continued by next bonding a second anchor sheet  20  to an exterior surface  25  of a preformed swimming pool body  15 , extending the second anchor sheet  20  over the second volume of backfill material  45 , laying the extended second anchor sheet  20  on a second volume of backfill surface  50  and finally burying the extended second anchor sheet  20  under a third volume of backfill material  45 . Additional elevations  30  of sheets  20  may be added accordingly. The anchor sheet  20  is typically a porous geotextile material. Typically, the first and subsequent anchor sheets  20  each define a plurality of geotextile segments arrayed in a row around the preformed swimming pool body  15  and positioned substantially equidistantly from a top edge  40 . The backfill material  45  is typically selected from the group comprising soil, sand, gravel and combinations thereof. 
         [0023]    The pool body  15  may be of any convenient shape, including rectangular, generally rectangular, kidney shaped, round, oval, or the like. The sheets  20  may extend from opposing sidewalls  25 , adjacent sidewalls  25 , from random positions, or the like. 
         [0024]    In one alternate embodiment, geotextile sheets  20  are affixed to fiberglass pool bodies  15  already put into the ground. The soil and/or backfill material around the emplaced pool bodies  15  is partially excavated, and one or more geothermal sheets  20  are attached at one end to the pool body sidewall  25 , such as with a fiberglass application, adhesive, or the like. The sheets  20  are then extended and the excavated soil and/or backfill is replaced to weight down and bury the one or more sheets  20  to hold them in place and generate the pulling forces on the fiberglass pool sidewall  25 . 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, as seem in  FIGS. 5-9 , a hydro valve system  100  is disclosed for equalizing water pressure without and within the pool body  15 . The system  100  includes a fluidic access port  110  positioned on or through the pool sidewall and extending therethrough. The port  110  is typically positioned within twenty-four inches of the bottom of the pool body  15 , 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 conduit  115  extends generally horizontally from the port  110  to a T-junction or like intersection  120  with an elongated fluidic conduit portion  125 . The T-junction  120  connects to the fluidic conduit  125 , which extends generally vertically away from the T-junction  120  toward the top edge  35 , and is typically positioned generally perpendicularly to conduit  115 . Fluidic conduit  130  typically extends generally vertically away from the T-junction  120  opposite conduit  125 , i.e., away from the top edge  35 . Conduit  125  typically includes a (typically threaded) terminal end  135  near the top edge  35  and more typically includes a (typically threaded) cap  140  removably engageable to the terminal end  135 . 
         [0026]    Conduit  130  typically connects to an L-shaped or like connector or joint  145 , which connects at one end to conduit  130  and at the other end to conduit  150  through check valve  155  operationally connected thereto. Conduit  150  extends perpendicularly to conduit  130 , and is typically positioned below the bottom of the pool body, and may be directed away from, parallel to, or under the pool body  15 . Conduit  150  is typically perforated or otherwise water permeable, and is more typically covered by a silt sock  160  for allowing passage of water therethrough while blocking particulate matter. The check valve  155  allows for flow from conduit  150  to conduit  130 , but not from conduit  130  to conduit  150 . 
         [0027]    Hydrostatic valve  165  is removably positioned in conduit  130 . Typically, conduit  130  defines an inner diameter sized to snugly receive hydrostatic valve assembly  165  in an interference fit. Hydrostatic valve  165  is opened by pressure from and directs water flowing from conduit  150  through check valve  155  and into conduit  130  and on through conduit  115  into the pool body  15 , in the event of an excess of build-up of water under the pool body  15 . Hydrostatic valve  165  is closed by the flow of water from the pool body  15  through conduits  115  toward conduit  130 . The water pressure associated with excess water building up under the pool body  15  is thus relieved by directing the excess water into the pool body  15 , reducing the likelihood of the water pressure upwardly urging and displacing the pool body  15 . 
         [0028]    Hydrostatic valve  165  is held in place in conduits  120  and/or  130  by one or more O-rings  170  or like members snugly encircling valve  165  and participating in an interference fit with conduits  120  and/or  130 , resting in preformed grooves or the like, and may be inserted and/or removed through conduit  125 , such as by use of an elongated removal tool  175  extending through terminal end  135  to conduit  130 . Removal tool  175  is typically an elongated structural member, such as a plastic rod or the like, extending from cap  140  through conduit  125  and terminating in a valve gripping member  180 . Valve gripping member  180  is typically a hollow cage housing the valve  165 , such that an upward force applied to the cage  180  via the elongated rod  175  urges the hydrostatic valve  165  up and through the conduit  125  where it may be serviced or replaced if necessary. This allows the hydrostatic valve  165  to be pulled, changed, and/or cleaned from the pool deck without the need of personal submersion. The hydrostatic valve  165  is inserted and/or removed without the need of threading. Leakage or removal of the hydrostatic valve  165  does not result in water emptying from the pool body  15 . 
         [0029]    The hydrostatic valve  165  typically includes a first valve portion  190  connectible to a base portion  195 , with the base portion  195  supporting the O-rings  170  for connecting within the conduits  120 ,  130 . Conduits  120  and  130  are typically separate, but in some embodiments may be unitary. 
         [0030]    A liner  205 , typically a closed-cell foam cylinder (such as a commercial pool noodle) is emplaced in cylinder  125  and positioned to extend from adjacent the cap  145  a sufficient distance downward below the freezing depth to displace groundwater that might otherwise fill cylinder  125  during operation. This liner  205  eliminates the need to ‘winterize’ conduit  125  by preventing water to rise far enough therein such that it might freeze during cold weather and expand sufficiently to rupture conduit  125 . 
         [0031]    In operation, the valve assembly  100  is operationally connected to the fluid access port  110  prior to or during placement of the pool body  15  into the ground. The elongated portion extends upwardly generally parallel to the pool body sidewall  25 , while conduit  150  typically extends generally perpendicular to the sidewall  25 . Conduit  150  is typically positioned below the level of, and more typically generally adjacent to, the pool body  15 . The assembly  100  is buried when the pool excavation is backfilled, typically with only the end of elongated conduit  125  and cap  145  protruding above ground. 
         [0032]    If the pool, once filled with water, is drained below the level of the ground water surrounding the pool body  15 , ground water will flow through conduit  150 , through check valve  155  and hydrostatic valve  165  and into the pool body  15  through access port  110 . In other words, when the level of the ground water without the pool body  15  is higher than the level of the water within the pool body  15 , water will flow thorough the assembly  100  and into the pool body  15  through the access port  110 . This prevents damage to the pool body  15  from 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 body  15 . 
         [0033]    While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.