Abstract:
A swimming pool ladder. An exemplary swimming pool ladder configured to hinder occupants of the swimming pool from passing between an interior ladder section and a pool frame, and also to hinder occupants of the swimming pool from passing through the spaces between the steps of the interior ladder section.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/576,207 filed Dec. 15, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety into the present disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    As is known in the art, aboveground pools generally comprise a circumferential frame that defines the boundary of the pool and serves as a support structure for containing the water in the pool. Various designs for the circumferential frame, constructed from various materials, are well known in the art and are not critical to the present disclosure. For example, some pools are designed such that the frame wall is substantially vertical, while other pools are designed such that the frame wall slopes, with the bottom edge of the frame disposed farther from the center of the pool than the top edge of the frame. Often, a pool liner constructed from vinyl, plastic or other suitable material is attached to the frame at or near the top edge of the frame and extends throughout the interior space defined by the frame. The waterproof nature of the liner acts to contain any water in the pool within this interior space. In other prior art designs, the circumferential frame and liner are formed as a single integral structure. 
         [0003]    As the name implies, aboveground pools are situated entirely or primarily above the ground level of the surrounding terrain. In order to facilitate ingress to and egress from the interior space of an aboveground pool, a ladder is provided. Such ladders are typically configured in an A-frame shape, with each of the legs of the A-frame comprising a ladder section having multiple steps. When installed for use, one of the ladder sections is positioned exterior to the pool frame, while the other ladder section is positioned within the interior space of the pool, in the water. The tops of the two ladder sections are joined together at their upper extremities. There are known variations to this arrangement, such as providing a horizontal platform at the top of the ladder joining the two ladder sections, but the general arrangement remains much the same and such variations fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0004]    Because of the shape of ladders for aboveground pools, a space exists between the ladder section positioned in the pool interior space and the pool frame. In many instances, this space is wide enough that it will encourage some persons, especially children, to attempt to swim through this space. Access to this space may be from either side of the interior ladder section or through the spaces between the steps of the interior ladder section. ANSI/APSP-4 entitled “Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming Pools” requires that aboveground pool ladders be configured to prevent occupants of the pool from swimming between the interior ladder section and the pool frame, and also to prevent occupants of the pool from swimming through the spaces between the steps of the interior ladder section. The presently disclosed embodiments are directed toward meeting these requirements. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In an exemplary embodiment of a swimming pool ladder of the present disclosure, such a swimming pool ladder comprises a first upright in a roughly A-frame configuration, a second upright in a roughly A-frame configuration, a plurality of steps, spaced apart from one another, extending between the first and second uprights to form a first ladder section and a second ladder section, and at least one barrier coupled to at least one of the plurality of steps, the barrier extending away from said at least one step into a space between the first and second ladder sections. 
         [0006]    In an exemplary embodiment of a swimming pool ladder of the present disclosure, such a swimming pool ladder comprises a first upright in a roughly A-frame configuration, a second upright in a roughly A-frame configuration, a plurality of steps, spaced apart from one another, extending between the first and second uprights to form a first ladder section and a second ladder section, at least one barrier coupled to at least one of the plurality of steps, the barrier extending away from said at least one step into a space between the first and second ladder sections, and at least one brace extending between said at least one step and said barrier. 
         [0007]    In an exemplary embodiment of a swimming pool ladder of the present disclosure, such a swimming pool ladder comprises a first upright in a roughly A-frame configuration, a second upright in a roughly A-frame configuration, a plurality of steps, spaced apart from one another, extending between the first and second uprights to form a first ladder section and a second ladder section, and at least one barrier coupled to at least one of the plurality of steps, the barrier extending away from said at least one step into a space between the first and second ladder sections, wherein said at least one step includes a slot and said at least one barrier includes a tab, said tab being engaged with said slot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The embodiments described herein and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a swimming pool ladder; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a swimming pool ladder; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the first embodiment swimming pool ladder with braces; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the second embodiment swimming pool ladder with braces; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a swimming pool ladder; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a swimming pool ladder; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the third embodiment swimming pool ladder with braces; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment swimming pool ladder with braces; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a step with a barrier connection slot; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment step; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows a top perspective view of a barrier being inserted into the first embodiment step; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  shows a close-up view of the barrier being inserted into the first embodiment step; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  shows a top perspective view of the barrier inserted into the first embodiment step; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  shows a bottom perspective view of the barrier inserted into the first embodiment step; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  shows a close-up bottom perspective view of the barrier inserted into the first embodiment step; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  shows a top perspective view of a barrier and braces being inserted into a second embodiment step with a barrier connection slot and brace connection slots; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  shows a bottom perspective view of a barrier and braces being inserted into the second embodiment step; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of braces being attached to a barrier; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of braces attached to a barrier; 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  shows a close-up top perspective view of a brace being inserted into the second embodiment step; 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  shows a close-up top perspective view of a brace inserted into the second embodiment step; 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  shows a close-up bottom perspective view of a brace inserted into the second embodiment step; 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  shows a top perspective view of a barrier and braces inserted into the second embodiment step; 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  shows a bottom perspective view of a barrier and braces inserted into the second embodiment step; 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  shows a perspective view of a bolt and nut mounted to a ladder upright using washers having contoured surfaces; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  shows a molded unit having nuts and washers connected thereon. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawing, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figure are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussed features, as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment swimming pool ladder according to the present disclosure, indicated generally at  10 . Ladder  10  comprises two curved uprights  12 ,  14  joined together by a plurality of steps  16  spaced apart from each other. When so assembled, the ladder  10  is in the general form of an A-frame and may be positioned over an aboveground pool frame such that inner ladder section  18  is disposed on the inside of the pool in the water, and outer ladder section  20  is disposed on the outside of the pool. Uprights  12 ,  14  may be formed from any desired material, such as stainless steel or powder coated steel to name just two non-limiting examples. Steps  16  may also be formed from any desired material, such as glass reinforced polypropylene to name just one non-limiting example. Support bars  22  may optionally provide additional rigidity to the structure 
         [0037]    The presently disclosed embodiments provide barrier structures that are effective to both prohibit swimming between the inner ladder section  18  and the frame of the pool, and to also prohibit swimming through the spaces between adjacent steps  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , barriers  24  are provided for this purpose. As explained in greater detail hereinbelow, in some embodiments the barriers  24  clip to the steps  16 , enhancing ease of assembly. Barriers  24  may be formed from any desired material, such as polypropylene or glass reinforced polypropylene to name just two non-limiting examples. In the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of each of the steps  16 , the barriers  24  extend away from the inner ladder section  18 , thereby physically blocking a substantial portion of the space between the inner ladder section  18  and the pool frame and thus presenting a physical barrier to a person who may try to swim in this space. In this same plane, the barriers  24  extend both above and below each of the steps  16 , thereby physically blocking a substantial portion of the space between the steps  16  and thus presenting a physical barrier to a person who may try to swim in this space. 
         [0038]    It will be appreciated from  FIG. 1  that two similarly sized barriers  24  are coupled to adjacent steps  16  of the ladder  10 . The ladder  10  is designed for use with a pool whose frame is substantially vertical. Because the ladder  10  only has three steps  16  in each ladder section, the barriers  24  are sufficient to fill the space between the inner ladder section  18  and the frame. 
         [0039]    The barriers  24  illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprise a circumferential ring  26  and a crossbar  28 . In this configuration, the barriers  24  have substantial openings therein that serve to minimize the amount of material used in their construction and to minimize the resistance presented to the flow of water within the pool; however, after being presented with the disclosure herein those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other configurations and shapes of the barrier  24  are possible while still affording the physical blocking functions described hereinabove. 
         [0040]    For a pool with a taller vertical frame side, a ladder is illustrated in  FIG. 2  and indicated generally at  20 . Ladder  20  is very similar to ladder  10 ; however, it incorporates longer uprights  30 ,  32  in order to provide an extra step  16  on each of the ladder sections  18 ,  20 . Because the space between the inner ladder section  18  and the pool frame is taller, the ladder  20  utilizes two barriers  24  plus an additional barrier  34 . The barrier  34  is similar in design and construction to the barrier  24 , but the barrier  34  extends farther away from the step  16  to which it is coupled in order to account for the fact that the bottom of the inner ladder section  18  is farther away from the pool frame than the shorter ladder  10 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment of the ladder  10 , in which braces  40  extend between the step  16  and the distal portion of the barrier  24 . Two such braces are illustrated in  FIG. 3  for each barrier  24 ; however, after being presented with the disclosure herein those skilled in the art will recognize that a greater or fewer number of braces  40  may be employed with each barrier  24 . In some embodiments, the braces  40  are made from the same material as the barrier  24 , while in other embodiments the braces  40  are made from a different material than the barrier  24 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the ladder  20  with braces  40  extending between the steps  16  and the barriers  24  and  34 . The same brace  40  design may be used for both of the barriers  24  and  34  by simply coupling the brace  40  to the barrier  34  at a point proximal of the distal end of the barrier  34 . In other embodiments, a longer brace (not shown) is provided and it is attached at or near the distal end of the barrier  34 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a ladder  50  that is similar to the ladder  10  of  FIG. 1 ; however, the ladder  50  is designed for use with a pool having a sloping frame. The ladder  50  incorporates a barrier  24  attached to the middle step  16 . Because of the sloping configuration of the pool frame (not shown), use of a barrier  24  on the bottom step  16  would not extend far enough toward the pool frame to provide the required physical blocking function. Therefore, the ladder  50  incorporates a barrier  54 . The barrier  54  is similar in design and construction to the barrier  24 , but the barrier  54  extends farther away from the step  16  to which it is coupled in order to account for the fact that the bottom of the inner ladder section  18  is farther away from the pool frame because of the sloping configuration of the pool frame. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment of the ladder  50 , in which braces  40  extend between the step  16  and the distal portion of the barriers  24 ,  54 . Two such braces are illustrated in  FIG. 6  for each of the barriers  24 ,  54 ; however, after being presented with the disclosure herein those skilled in the art will recognize that a greater or fewer number of braces  40  may be employed with each of the barriers  24 ,  54 . In some embodiments, the braces  40  are made from the same material as the barriers  24 ,  54 , while in other embodiments the braces  40  are made from a different material than the barriers  24 ,  54 . The same brace  40  design may be used for both of the barriers  24  and  54  by simply coupling the brace  40  to the barrier  54  at a point proximal of the distal end of the barrier  54 . In other embodiments, a longer brace (not shown) is provided and it is attached at or near the distal end of the barrier  54 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows a ladder  60  that is similar to the ladder  20  of  FIG. 4 ; however, the ladder  60  is designed for use with a pool having a sloping frame. The ladder  60  incorporates a barrier  24  attached to the second step  16  from the top of the inner ladder section  18 . Because of the sloping configuration of the pool frame (not shown), use of a barrier  24  on the third step  16  from the top would not extend far enough toward the pool frame to provide the required physical blocking function. Therefore, the ladder  60  incorporates a barrier  54  at this location. Similarly, use of a barrier  24  or  54  on the bottom step  16  would not extend far enough toward the pool frame to provide the required physical blocking function. Therefore, the ladder  60  incorporates a barrier  64  at this location. The barrier  64  is similar in design and construction to the barriers  24 ,  54 , but the barrier  64  extends farther away from the step  16  to which it is coupled in order to account for the fact that the bottom of the inner ladder section  18  is farther away from the pool frame because of the sloping configuration of the pool frame. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of the ladder  60 , in which braces  40  extend between the step  16  and the distal portion of the barriers  24 ,  54 ,  64 . Two such braces are illustrated in  FIG. 8  for each of the barriers  24 ,  54 ,  64 ; however, after being presented with the disclosure herein those skilled in the art will recognize that a greater or fewer number of braces  40  may be employed with each of the barriers  24 ,  54 ,  64 . In some embodiments, the braces  40  are made from the same material as the barriers  24 ,  54 ,  64 , while in other embodiments the braces  40  are made from a different material than the barriers  24 ,  54 ,  64 . The same brace  40  design may be used for each of the barriers  24 ,  54 ,  64  by simply coupling the brace  40  to the barriers  54 ,  64  at a point proximal of the distal end of the barriers  54 ,  64 . In other embodiments, longer braces (not shown) are provided and they are attached at or near the distal end of the barriers  54 ,  64 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show one embodiment of the step  16  which provides for convenient attachment of any of the barriers  24 ,  34 ,  54 ,  64  thereto. The inner face  70  of the step  16  that faces the pool frame is provided with a slot  72  that extends away from the face  70  in order to preserve the surface area of the tread surface  74  of the step  16 . In other embodiments, the structure of the slot  72  extends into the tread surface  74 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show a barrier  24  being inserted into the slot  72 . The barrier  24  includes a tab  76  extending therefrom. Engagement of the tab  76  with the slot  72  holds the barrier  24  in place on the step  16 . Barriers having other configurations, such as the barriers  54  and  64 , may be provided with the same tab  76  arrangement. This allows all of the steps  16  to be manufactured to the same design so that different steps do not have to be inventoried in order to accommodate the different barrier designs. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the tab  76  includes a tang  78  at or near the distal end thereof. The tang  78  serves to lock the barrier in place once the tab  76  has been fully inserted into the slot  72 .  FIGS. 13 and 14  show the barrier  24  fully engaged with the step  16 .  FIGS. 14 and 15  show the tang  78  engaged with the step  16  by extending over the bottom lip  80  of the step  16 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 16 and 17  show one embodiment of the attachment of the braces  40  to the step  16 . The step  16  may be provided with a slot  82  for each brace  40  to be attached to the step  16 . The slot  82  receives a tab  84  on the proximal end of the brace  40  in order to secure the brace  40  to the step  16 . In some embodiments, the tab  84  includes a tang  86  that extends over the bottom lip  80  of the step  16  as shown in  FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  24 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 16-19  show one embodiment of the attachment of the braces  40  to the barrier  24 ,  34 ,  54 ,  64  (barrier  24  is illustrated by way of example). One of the braces  40 A is provided with a deformable protrusion  88  at the distal end thereof, which mates with an aperture  90  at the distal end of the second brace  40 B. A second aperture  92  is provided in the barrier  24  to allow the protrusion  88  to pass therethrough. The protrusion  88  includes a frustoconical shape that defines a ridge  94 . The braces  40 A and  40 B are mated by guiding the protrusion through the aperture  92  in the barrier  24  and then through the aperture  90  in the brace  40 B. The aperture  90  is sized such that the frustoconical portion  88  is compressed, such as by squeezing shut the gap  96 . Once the ridge  94  exits the far side of the aperture  90 , pressure is released on the protrusion  88  and it returns to its original size and configuration. This makes the ridge  94  greater in diameter than the aperture  90 , thereby retaining the protrusion  88  on the far side of the aperture  90 , locking the braces  40 A and  40 B together, as shown in  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 23  shows the braces  40 A and  40 B fully mounted to the step  16  and the barrier  24 . 
         [0051]    In one embodiment, items coupled to the uprights  12 ,  14  (or uprights  30 ,  32 ) may be secured by the use of contoured plastic washers that mate with the curved surface of the uprights  12 ,  14 . As shown in  FIG. 25 , one side of washers  100  is contoured to match the curvature of the upright&#39;s curved surface. The washers  100  may be formed from any appropriate material, and a form of plastic material may be used, for example. A washer  100  is placed on either side of the upright  12 ,  14  and a bolt  102  is passed therethrough. The distal end of the bolt is secured by a nut  104 . The nut  104  may be formed from any appropriate material, and a form of plastic material may be used, for example. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 26 , the washers  100  and nuts  104  may be formed from the same plastic material and molded together in any appropriate process, such as by injection molding to name just one non-limiting example. As is known in the art, the paths in the mold will leave plastic connector tabs  106  coupling each of the washers  100  and nuts  104  to their nearest neighbors. In order to conveniently provide the needed quantity of washers  100  and nuts  104  for eventual final assembly of the ladder, the tabs  106  may be left in place so that the entire molded unit, indicated generally at  108 , may be packaged with the other parts of the ladder to be assembled at a later time. 
         [0053]    While this disclosure has been described as having a preferred design, the systems and methods according to the present disclosure can be further modified within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. For example, the methods disclosed herein and in the appended claims represent one possible sequence of performing the steps thereof. A practitioner may determine in a particular implementation that a plurality of steps of one or more of the disclosed methods may be combinable, or that a different sequence of steps may be employed to accomplish the same results. Each such implementation falls within the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed herein and in the appended claims. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.