Patent ID: 12195995

In the accompanying drawings, identical parts or components are indicated by the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, a swimming pool structure1, for domestic or public use, has been illustrated, having at least one edge zone2with a first surface3which delimits and surrounds a main tub MB for water containment and at least a first top wall4designed to allow the passage of users from the outside towards the tank MB and from the latter towards the outside so as to allow them to enter and exit the tank MB.

The first surface3can be, in use, vertical or substantially vertical or even curved.

Of course, the edge zone2comprises a main block or structure made of suitable material, such as concrete, metal or other, and the first surface3is a free internal surface of this block, covered or not with tiles.

The top wall4, on the other hand, can be rested or constrained at the top of this block, for example as will be better explained below, or it can be the top of this block.

Therefore, the top wall4surrounds all or, if desired, also part of the perimeter of the upper level of the main tank M B.

Moreover, the top wall4can be in contact with the first surface3or be slightly at a distance from it, for example between 1 cm and 10 cm, if desired between 1 cm and 5 cm.

The swimming pool structure1also includes at least one water collection, filtering and recirculating circuit5from/in the main tank MB. This circuit5is provided in the edge zone2, for example it is formed in the possible main block of the edge zone2. Basically, the circuit5extends entirely in the edge zone2under a portion of the top wall immediately above to it, that is to say entirely under a portion of the top wall4which constitutes the vertical translation of the same horizontal area where the circuit5is located.

The top wall4is defined by a series of adjacent and consecutive segments, which segments can each be formed by a respective component separate from the others or all in one piece or, alternatively, two, three or more units of segments, each in one piece only separate from the other units.

Advantageously, each segment of the top wall has a first front edge4a, a second rear edge4band two respective side edges4c,4dwhich together with the first front edge4aand the second rear edge4bdefine the actual (if each segment corresponds to a respective tile) or ideal (if each segment corresponds to a part of the top wall4, without the latter being made up of different elements or tiles placed side by side) perimeter of a segment of the top wall.

If desired, the first front edge4aand the second rear edge4bare parallel and/or the two side edges4c,4dare parallel. According to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, the side edges4c,4dare orthogonal to the front4aand rear4bedges.

Clearly, the first front edge4ais proximal to the tank MB, the second rear edge4bis distal from the tank MB or at a distance from the latter greater than the first front edge4aand the two side edges4c,4deach develop from a respective end of the first front edge4ato a respective end of the second rear edge4b.

It will be understood that each segment has a respective side edge4cfacing and substantially parallel or coinciding with a side edge4dof a segment adjacent to it, while the first front edge4aof a segment will be substantially aligned with or in any case will constitute the continuation of the first front edge4aof a segment adjacent to it and the second rear edge4bof a segment will be substantially aligned with or in any case will constitute the continuation of the second rear edge4bof a segment adjacent to it.

Preferably, the top wall4has at least one respective segment inclined with respect to the horizontal and having at least one opening or groove6or in any case a structure such as to allow the passage of water through it in the direction from top to bottom so as to be conveyed towards the circuit5, which extends starting from an area below this segment of the top wall4or in any case starting from a level lower than it, and is in fluid communication with the/and opening(s) or groove(s)6or with the porous surface of the segment so as to receive water, leaving the main tank M13, which should pass through it.

If grooves6are provided, they could have a width, for example between 1 and 100 mm, if desired between 5 mm and 25 mm or between 8 and 15 mm.

The top wall4can be made of a suitable material, such as ceramic, marble, agglomerate, etc.

In the event that the top wall4must allow the passage of water, but it does not delimit through grooves, then it or the respective segment(s) can be made of porous material, if desired draining agglomerates with porosity for example between 10 and 500 m2 g−1.

Preferably, the top wall4or better each segment thereof has the first front edge4ain contact with or resting on a first part2aof the edge zone2proximal to the first surface3and the second rear edge4bin contact with or resting on a second part2bof the edge zone2distal from the tank MB with respect to the first surface3.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the top wall4or better the respective segments are kept in position only by gravity or according to their own weight and are not bound, for example by means of a special mixture, such as cement, to the other components of the swimming pool structure1or better to the main block.

With reference to at least one segment of the top wall4, it has the respective first edge4aat a level, in use, that is lower i.e. vertically lower than the second edge4b, so that the angle A defined between the portion of a first plane FP connecting the first edge4aand the second edge4bof the respective segment and the portion of a second horizontal plane SP underlying this portion of the first plane FP is greater than 0°. Advantageously, this angle ranges between 5° and 60° or between 50 and 250 and even more advantageously between 5° and 10°.

Basically, at least one segment7of the top wall4is substantially inclined with respect to the horizontal so that the respective level or vertical position decreases as it approaches the main tank M B.

The length of this segment of the top wall4, i.e. the distance between the first4aand the second4bedge, can be for example between 5 cm and 100 cm, if desired, about 20-25 cm.

Advantageously, the first edge4aand the second edge4bare preferably parallel to each other and with a main extension dimension which is horizontal and lying in a vertical plane parallel to the plane where the first surface3lies, or better the portion of first surface3closest to this first and second edge4b. This condition must therefore be evaluated as a function of the part of the edge zone2considered from time to time, since the first surface3has a different arrangement according to the respective part of the edge zone2and the same applies, clearly for the edges4aand4bfrom time to time concerned.

The angles and dimensions of the components now indicated must in any case be such as to allow users to enter and exit the tank MB, without them slipping. In this regard, the top wall4or one or more segments thereof can be made or covered with a suitable anti-slip material.

Moreover, the dimensions and inclination of the top wall4or of one or more segments7of the same also serve to improve the hydraulic containment system of the pool.

Each segment can be constituted in particular by a respective tile7, so that there would be a plurality of tiles7side by side and, if desired, bound together to define the top of the edge zone2. The tiles7would in this case be arranged side by side to the other until the top wall4is formed. Clearly one or more tiles7could be fixed with a suitable mixture, for example cement, and others could instead only be placed on respective supporting parts. The latter could be easily disassembled to access the circuit5or the inlet opening5aof the same.

In this case, one or more or clearly all the tiles7could be inclined as indicated above.

The tiles7, if provided, have any suitable configuration, for example square or rectangular, with sides parallel two by two, two4c,4dinclined according to the angle A with respect to the horizontal as indicated above and two4a,4bwith horizontal main extension and lying in a vertical plane parallel to the plane where the first surface3lies or, better, the portion of the first surface3closest to such first and second edges4b.

As indicated above for the segments, the tiles7are preferably placed side by side with the same inclination and respective sides in contact or in any case adjacent along straight portions20aof the edge zone2, while the curved parts or the corners20bof the edge zones could be obtained by appropriate shaping of the tiles7.

Advantageously, the top wall4delimits at least a through groove6, which can have a trim or attitude inclined with respect to the horizontal.

In this regard, a plurality (two, three, four or any number greater than ten, twenty, etc.) of through grooves6suitably spaced can be provided. These grooves6can be delimited one or more in each tile7and/or defined between adjacent tiles7.

If the top wall4is composed of tiles7, then, as already partially indicated above, the through grooves6can (although this is clearly not a necessary condition) be aligned on two sides4c,4dof a respective tile7and they can be formed in the middle of the latter or between pairs of adjacent tiles7.

The length of the grooves6can be any suitable length, for example between 1 mm and 1000 mm, for example between 100 mm and 800 mm or between 500 mm and 800 mm.

Advantageously, the first part2aof the edge zone2is at a lower level than the second part2b.

Moreover, the intermediate portion4eof at least one segment (or all the segments) of the top wall4, which extends between the first edge4aand the second edge4b, is not supported from below by the main block of the edge zone2, i.e. the latter has a recessed area RA which subtends the intermediate portion4eof the aforementioned segment7of the top wall4.

Therefore, the recessed area RA constitutes a sort of channel, if desired perimeter, for conveying water.

In accordance with the present invention, a first higher level HL1of the water in the tank MB can be obtained, while in the recessed area RA a second upper level HL2is obtained which is lower, for example by two, three, four, five or more cm with respect to the first upper level HL1, so that the water is actually dragged towards the recessed area, through the groove/s6or the porous structure of the inclined segments of the top wall4, and thus an acceleration of the flow of water through the top wall4or one or more segments thereof.

Basically, at least one segment7, but preferably some or all of the segments of the top wall4is/are supported only at the respective edges4a,4band not at the respective intermediate portion4e. In such case, of course, the edges4c,4dwould not be supported either. Alternatively, intermediate support bridges could be provided for the segments or tiles7.

The above can be obtained by suitably shaping the main block of the edge zone2or also the tiles7.

Clearly a segment or tile7always has the same position or attitude moving in the direction from one side to the other of the segment or in any case along the perimeter development direction of the respective part of the edge zone2.

Thus, for example, considering a swimming pool structure1with a rectangular edge zone2, with two major sides and two minor sides as illustrated in the non-limiting embodiment ofFIG.1, then the segments or tiles7may or may not always have the same position along a direction parallel to the respective side (greater or lesser) to which the segment under examination belongs. In this regard, depending on the type of laying of the flooring around the main tank MB, the arrangement of the tiles in the edge zone may vary.

If a segment belonged to a curved part of the edge zone2then the position of this segment would remain the same parallel to the development of this curved part.

With regard to the collection, filtering and recirculation circuit5, as indicated above, it develops from an area below the top wall4and is in fluid communication with the opening(s) and/or groove(s)6or with the porous surface of the top wall4so as to receive water which should pass through it.

More particularly, the circuit5has at least one inlet mouth or opening5aopening under the top wall4or a segment7thereof and in particular under the intermediate portion4eor an intermediate portion4e.

The inlet mouth or opening5acan, for example, have a circular, square, rectangular or other type section.

The inlet mouth or opening5acan subtend and have a diameter or a size corresponding to at least half or at least two thirds of the distance between the first edge4aand the second edge4bof an overlying segment7.

If desired, the inlet mouth or opening5ais delimited or formed in the first part2a. Thus, for example, the inlet mouth opening5acan be delimited in an intermediate or substantially central portion of the third section2a, so that the first part2ahas a portion close to or proximal to the first surface3and a portion distal from the first surface3from which a fourth section2e, if provided can extend upwards.

Naturally, two or more inlet mouths openings5acould be provided, for example four or more suitably distributed along the perimeter of the edge zone2.

In this case, a plurality of grooves6or porous tiles7could be provided, all opening below on the first part2a, so as to convey the pool water to be filtered towards the inlet openings5a.

In accordance with this variant, in order to ensure that the water passed through the grooves6or through the porous body of the tiles7is conveyed towards the inflow openings5a, then the first part2acould be made of segments with different inclination so as to have a level or vertical position which decreases as it approaches the inlet openings5a, so as to obtain a sort of funnel effect. This condition is of course not necessary, also considering the suction effect determined by the pumps or similar means provided in circuit5.

As regards in detail the water collection, filtering and recirculating circuit5in the main tank MB, it comprises at least one well zone WZ for falling water arranged under the top wall4, at least a filter9, for example a bag filter, mounted in the well zone WZ and designed to intercept the water falling into it starting from the top wall4. The circuit5then includes recirculation or movement means, such as a recirculation pump or fan or propeller10, if desired placed in a portion WZ1of the well zone WZ downstream of the filter9or in any case arranged or mounted on the bottom WZ1of the well zone WZ or in a position lower with respect to the filter9. According to this, the recirculation or movement means10are crossed by water already filtered by the filter9. Actually, the recirculation or movement means10are immersed in water, which is in the well zone WZ.

As it will be possible to ascertain, according to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the figures, the water crosses the filter by gravity, according to the sieve principle.

Each well zone WZ is accessible from the top passing through a respective mouth or inflow opening5a. In this case, each well zone WZ will be under a respective segment of the top wall4.

Therefore, several well zones WZ can be provided, if desired, two, three, four or more, each served by a respective inlet mouth or opening5a.

If several well zones WZ are provided, they are distributed along the perimeter of the edge zone2, so as to be suitably spaced from each other.

One or more well zones WZ can have a cross section, taken along a horizontal plane, which is circular or square or rectangular or L-shaped of other suitable shape which polygonal or not polygonal. The cross section of a well zone is preferably substantially constant along a vertical direction.

Advantageously, the cross section of a well zone WZ could be between 5 and 150 cm.

Preferably, a well zone WZ could then extend starting from a few cm, for example between 1 and 20 cm below the top wall4and up to a level lower among 1 and 50 cm with respect to the top wall4.

With reference to the minimum distance from a well zone WZ of a main tank MB or more particularly with respect to a first surface3, it can be between 5 and 50 cm. This distance must clearly be considered between a well zone WZ and the part of the first surface3closest to it.

An operator can therefore easily reach the bottom of the well zone WZ starting from the edge zone2by optionally removing a segment or tile or grid of the top wall4above the well zone WZ, this being done by inserting an arm within the well zone WZ starting from the inlet mouth or opening5a, which is exposed once an overlying segment or tile or grid has been removed.

As it will be possible to ascertain, a swimming pool structure1with collection, filtering and recirculation circuit5according to the present invention could also not include an edge zone2structured as indicated above, and thus with a top wall with one or more segments inclined as described above.

In this regard, such a filtering circuit5could also be mounted in a traditional infinity pool or even a skimmer pool.

Therefore, one or more well zones WZ could also be mounted under the grids, so that it is possible that the top wall includes one or more grids arranged above one or more well zones WZ. In this case, the opening or openings in the top wall could be delimited by the grids.

Advantageously, the top wall4or better a respective segment or a respective grid above or immediately above a well zone WZ is kept in position only by gravity or according to its own weight and is not bound by cement to the other components of the swimming pool structure1or better to the main block. Clearly, removable constraining means may be provided, such as hooks, screws, bolts or the like designed to detachably hold such a segment or grid to adjacent components of the top wall, without however preventing its disassembly or removal.

Basically, the grid or the segment above or immediately above a well zone WZ can be dismountable or removable or extractable manually or by means of a special tool (such as a screwdriver) without it being required to break it or to break the components around it, so as to allow easy access to the well zone WZ or to a respective inlet mouth or opening5a.

With the expression immediately above, it is intended the vertical translation of the same horizontal area.

Of course, a well zone WZ could also be entered from a segment of the top wall slightly to the side with respect to the vertical continuation of the well zone WZ.

The components of the collection, filtering and recirculation circuit5are compatible with all water sanitation substances and systems.

As regards the filter9, a respective bag filter9can be mounted in each well zone WZ, which filter is sock-shaped with a first end9aopen (which therefore allows water to enter the filter9, without that, however the end9adetermines a preventive filtering action) and a second closed opposite or filtering end9b; clearly the term “closed” does not mean that the second end9bdoes not allow the passage of water, but only that the water cannot pass through it without being filtered, precisely because it must pass through the meshes or in any case the material of the bag filter9.

The filtering area, i.e. the surface of the filter designed to intercept and filter the water that passes into each well zone WZ, could be for example between 0.30 and 2 m2.

In this case, the first end9ais advantageously mounted or constrained at the inlet mouth or opening5aby means of one or more suitable blocks or connection means or the like12, in particular so that the seal is maintained between the end9aand the wall delimiting or defining the inlet mouth or opening5a, so that all the water entering the well zone WZ necessarily passes through the filter9.

According to a non-limiting variant, the filter is connected by means of a double guide system, i.e. a first guide which is structured in such a way as not to allow the filter to exit during the normal floating phases with the pumps off and an upper, in use, second guide that houses a roughing basket that can contain slow-dissolving chemicals, such as chlorine tablets.

The filter9could be made of a low resistance filtering material, for example it could include a bag or a net, in particular resistant to salt and chlorine and, if desired, machine washable.

The porosity of the filter9can be any suitable one, for example between 10 and 200 microns, if desired between 50 and 120 microns, for example about 60-70 or 90-100 microns.

Clearly, by reducing the number of microns of porosity, the meshes or passage areas are reduced and a better filtering of the water is obtained, but, on the other hand, by reducing the meshes or passage areas too tightly, the filter is more easily clogged.

Of course, instead of a bag, one could use another type of filter, such as a filter mass or a cartridge.

The filter9is preferably anti-bacterial, algaecidal and washable.

At least one recirculation duct11of the water conveyed by the pump or fan10opening into the tank MB is also provided in circuit5. Such recirculation duct11can extend between the outlet of the pump or fan10and a discharge opening or through hole extending in a side wall or portion of side wall1a, if desired of the main block, between a respective well zone WZ and the tank MB. The recirculation duct11can then be provided with a special nozzle for dispensing water in the tank MB.

Basically, the recirculation duct11opens into the first surface3or better into the side wall1abelow the top wall4.

Quick or interchangeable coupling or attachment means13of the duct11in the discharge opening or through hole as well as even with the exit of the means10or the pump10.

The swimming pool structure1can also include an overflow opening which is in fluid communication with the sewer, so that if too many people or in any case when a certain number of people enter the tank MB, the water in the latter is discharged into such opening.

With regard now to the recirculation or movement means, the same could include a low voltage pump, for example pumps from 12 to 24 volts to move 10 cubic meters/h, if desired of 90 W. This is possible thanks to the structure of the circuit5which extends immediately under the top wall4in a shallow well zone WZ, unlike the solutions proposed so far which instead have very extensive filtering and recirculation circuits, which require the use of much more powerful pumps.

The use of one or even more (three-four) of these pumps would clearly allow for significant energy savings compared to traditional solutions, which usually use 580 W high voltage pumps to move 10 cubic meters/h.

The pump10can be arranged on the bottom WZ1of the well zone WZ and can be constrained on this bottom WZ1, by means of suitable removable constraining means, such as screws or the like, or also free or in any case kept in position by the respective weight. In any case, advantageously, the pump10can be easily dismountable or extractable from the well zone WZ by manual intervention by an operator, if decided, with a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver.

For the power supply of the recirculation or movement means10, a cable can be provided that is suitably guided out of the well zone WZ towards a junction box or a long cable. Of course, a power supply of the recirculation or movement means by battery or solar energy can also be provided.

The recirculation or movement means10may be such as to stop when there is no more water, therefore essentially when the voltage is too low and could also be of the variable speed type.

With reference now in particular toFIG.4, a variant of the present invention has been illustrated, in which the collection, filtering and recirculation circuit5can also comprise a tubular element16, if desired L-shaped or also with other geometry, a first end16thereof is fastened, for example by means of screws, bolts, welding, fitting to a side wall1aof the swimming pool structure defining the first surface3. More particularly, the end16ais mounted in a discharge opening or through hole defined in the side wall1a.

The other or second end16bof the tubular element16is instead fixed, for example by means of screws, bolts, welding, fitting under a top wall1bof the swimming pool structure1. Naturally, the top wall1bdefines the parts2a,2bon which a top wall4can then be laid.

The tubular element16can be made of any suitable material, for example plastic or a composite material.

Clearly, the top wall1bcan be fixed either in one piece with the side wall1aand can extend, if desired, also cantilever extend, from the latter.

In this case, the recirculation duct11, which opens into the tank MB, could constitute an end portion, if desired horizontal or slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, of the tubular element16, which could also include a supply duct17, in use, substantially vertical or inclined with respect to the vertical, which extends between the inlet mouth or opening5aand the recirculation duct11.

With reference therefore to the non-limiting embodiment ofFIG.4, the collection, filtering and recirculation circuit5includes only the ducts11and17.

The recirculation or movement means, such as a pump or fan or propeller10, could be mounted in any point of the tubular element16, for example at the first end16a, i.e. in the same or at 1-10 cm from it.

If desired, a containment component18, such as a grid, can also be provided, which is removably mounted (by means of screws, bolts or other) on the first end16aand designed to contain the recirculation or movement means10inside the tubular element16.

Clearly, also in this case, for supplying the recirculation or movement means10, a cable10acan be provided which is suitably guided within the tubular element16and from this out of the well zone WZ towards a junction box or a long cable. Of course, a power supply of the means of recirculation or movement by battery or solar energy can also be provided.

According to this variant, the filter9would extend preferably from the inlet mouth5ainside the supply duct17and would extend less than the latter.

The pump10can be equipped with electronics designed to read the voltage variations in order to detect the possible no-load operation, i.e. the lack of water which can be caused by clogging of the filter or too low level in the pool or by obstruction of the duct11, also established by the operator. In the latter case, if the pump is clogged for a certain period, for example more than 5 seconds, the voltage variation is detected, so the pump switches off and then restarts, but it switches off again if the problem or the clogging persists, as long as the pump could be blocked permanently and emit a pump stopped signal.

In accordance with the present invention, a maintenance method for a swimming pool structure is also provided which first comprises disassemble or remove, without the need to break, for example manually or by means of a suitable tool, a segment or tile or grid of the top wall above the well zone WZ so as to be able to access the latter and thus to disassemble or extract, manually or by means of a special tool, the filter9and optionally disassemble and extract, manually or by means of a special tool, the recirculation or movement means, for example a pump10.

These phases can be carried out by an operator remaining in fact, for example on his knees, at the edge zone2and inserting one or both arms, starting from this edge zone2, in the well zone, thereby easily reaching the filter9and, if necessary the pump10

With reference then to the variant ofFIG.4, the pump10could be extracted starting from the main tank MB, by first disassembling the containment component18and thus arriving at the pump10.

As it will be possible to ascertain, thanks to the present invention, it is possible to completely disassemble the filter9and the recirculation or movement means, such as a pump or fan or propeller10, even without lowering the water in the pool. In order to do this, it would be sufficient to lift or move, manually or by means of a suitable tool, one or more tiles7or grids of the top wall4and then extract, even manually the respective the filter9and, if necessary, the pump or the recirculation or movement means10, for example by disengaging the quick fitting or coupling means.

It is also possible to notice how all the components of the system which can undergo wear are in an easily accessible area and can be changed without any problems.

In the solutions proposed so far, instead should maintenance be made, it is necessary to access technical rooms where there is water, humidity and high voltage, as well as often dirt, a condition that obviously does not occur in accordance with the present invention.

There is also no need for underground pipes, which, like the technical rooms, are difficult to maintain.

Moreover, the arrangement of the recirculation or movement means10downstream of the filter9ensures that the recirculation or movement means10are crossed by water already filtered by the filter9, unlike traditional systems in which the pump moves water before the filter.

In view of this, the pump does not need maintenance or in any case need of maintenance less than the systems proposed up to now. With regard to this aspect, usually the management of traditional swimming pools is carried out automatically, but this does not apply to the cleaning of the pump, which, being usually upstream of the filter, is crossed by water to be filtered and must be cleaned thoroughly manually.

Moreover, again in accordance with the advantageous embodiment described, the pump or the means10must not push water through a filter, so that the pump, which runs almost free, works at maximum efficiency and can also be at low power.

The position of the recirculation or movement means10according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, also guarantees the silence of the system, because the means10are at the bottom of the well zone WZ, considering what is indicated above in relation to the power of the means10or usable pumps.

It will then be understood how the possibility (thanks to the structure of the circuit5which extends immediately under the top wall4in a shallow well zone WZ) of using low voltage pumps or pumps with a power of 0.09 kW, makes it possible to obtain significant energy savings compared to traditional solutions, which usually use 1.00 kW pumps.

Changes and variants of the invention are possible within the scope defined by the claims.