WO2025191620A1

WO2025191620A1 - Method for assembling a prefabricated modular swimming pool

Info

Publication number: WO2025191620A1
Application number: PCT/IT2025/050049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Carobbio
Original assignee: CAROBBIO Srl
Current assignee: CAROBBIO Srl
Priority date: 2024-03-12
Filing date: 2025-03-10
Publication date: 2025-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-12

Abstract

A method is described for assembling a modular prefabricated swimming pool (1), of the type constructed by operationally coupling: a support base or slab (3); a plurality of horizontal panels or slabs (2) suitable for constituting the support base or slab (3), i.e. the bottom of the swimming pool (1); a plurality of vertical panels (4) suitable for constituting, once joined together, the lateral edges of the swimming pool (1); a plurality of buttresses (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) suitable for constituting, once operationally coupled to the support base (3) and to the vertical panels (4), the connection of the vertical panels (4) adjacent to each other and the support of the vertical panels (4) against the lateral thrust of the liquid contained in the swimming pool (1) and of any surrounding ground; in which said buttresses (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) are connected to said vertical panels (4) only for a limited section of the edges of said vertical panels (4).

Description

METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A PREFABRICATED MODULAR

SWIMMING POOL

The present invention refers to a method for assembling a prefabricated modular swimming pool .

Various types of swimming pools are known in the art , both consisting of a single body built on site , and consi sting of a series of individual components , assembled at the time of construction of the pools themselves .

However, current modular swimming pools , such as the one covered by patent US4932085 , are not suf ficiently flexible , in the sense that they do not provide suf ficiently small parts into which such pools can be broken down, to obtain optimal construction flexibility .

Patent IT0001414134 , in the name of the same applicant , solves said flexibil ity problems , but some limitations remain with regard to the system components . In particular, the vertical panels require to be supported by very robust and massive buttresses and this fact has a negative impact on the practicality of assembly .

Obj ect of the present invention is therefore overcoming the aforementioned prior art drawbacks , by providing a method for assembling a prefabricated modular swimming pool , preferably made of concrete and/or reconstructed stone , responding to design, functional , environmental and planning needs which, in addition to being made in a simple , rapid and inexpensive way, provides for a substantial reduction in the complexity of the system components . The obj ect is achieved by making the walls sel f-supporting so that the buttresses can be simpler in shape , lighter and installable according to a quicker procedure , thus reducing ass emb 1 y t ime s .

The above and other obj ects and advantages of the present invention are obtained with a method for assembling a prefabricated modular swimming pool as claimed in claim 1 . Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subj ect matter of the dependent claims .

The prefabricated swimming pool to be assembled according to the invention, is designed to be built by operationally coupling the following separate components : - a plurality of modular and mutually coupling hori zontal panels designed to form a support base , i . e . the bottom of the swimming pool ;

- a plurality of modular and mutually coupling vertical panels , designed to form, once j oined together, the lateral edges of the swimming pool ;

- a plurality of buttresses designed to form, once operationally coupled to the support base and the vertical panels , the connection of the adj acent vertical panels and the support of the vertical panels against the lateral thrust of the liquid contained in the swimming pool and of any surrounding ground; wherein the buttresses are connected to said vertical panels only for a limited stretch of the edges of said vertical panels .

The swimming pool , as cited above , also has the following characteristics :

- it can be dismantled and rebuilt at a later t ime ;

- it is provided with vertical elements made of prefabricated panels that can be assembled in various ways , curved and/or straight , to create floor plans of any shape .

It is understood that all attached claims form an integral part of this description.

It will be immediately obvious that countless variations and modifications can be made to what is described (for example, relating to shape, dimensions, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the attached claims.

The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments, provided by way of example and not by limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a prefabricated modular swimming pool assembled according to the present invention;

- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the swimming pool, illustrating the couplings between vertical panels and buttresses;

- FIG. 3 (a, b) show a vertical panel and a variation thereof;

- FIG. 4 shows one of the possible buttresses supporting the vertical panels;

- FIG. 5 shows the structure of a perimeter shaft of the pool, suitable for housing technological service equipment for the pool;

FIG. 6 and 7 show two other possible buttresses ;

- FIG. 8 shows a ladder, to be mounted next to the pool, to easily reach the upper edge of the pool itself, when it is not buried;

- FIG. 9 shows the assembly procedure of the elements that constitute the base of the swimming pool assembled according to the invention;

- FIG. 10 and 11 show the assembly procedure of the vertical elements that constitute the sides of the swimming pool assembled according to the invention .

With reference to FIG. 1, (1) indicates a preferred embodiment of the modular prefabricated swimming pool assembled according to the present invention. According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the modular prefabricated swimming pool (1) is suitable for being built by operationally coupling the following separate components:

- a plurality of horizontal slabs (2) that are modular and mutually coupled, suitable for constituting a base or slab (3) , i.e. the bottom of the swimming pool (1) ;

- a plurality of vertical panels (4) , modular and mutually coupled, suitable for constituting, once joined together, the lateral edges of the swimming pool (1) ;

- a plurality of buttresses (5) designed to constitute, once operationally coupled to the horizontal plates (2) and the vertical panels (4) , the connection of the adjacent vertical panels (4) and the support of the vertical panels (4) against the lateral thrust of the liquid contained in the pool (1) and of any surrounding ground.

FIG. 2 shows some adjacent vertical panels (4) supported by buttresses (5) to resist the hydrostatic thrust due to the liquid present in the pool ( 1 ) .

In FIG. 3a, a vertical panel (4) is shown in three orthogonal views. In FIG. 3b, a top view of the curved version of said vertical panel (4) is shown .

On the lateral edges of the vertical panels (4) , a plurality of holes (10) are made, suitable for connecting the vertical panels (4) to each other by inserting threaded bolts (not shown) . In particular, the connection with the buttresses (5) is made by means of bolts inserted in the holes (10a) .

The vertical panel (4) is preferably made of concrete, has different shapes and dimensions to provide high flexibility in the creation of particular shapes of the swimming pool (1) .

Finally, each of the vertical panels (4) is provided with a robust reinforcement (11) , for example in the shape of a cross, suitable for making the vertical panel (4) self-supporting. This feature means that a simple support at one point by the buttress (5) is sufficient to sustain the hydrostatic thrust of the liquid contained in the pool ( 1 ) .

In FIG. 4, the buttress (5) is shown in two orthogonal views, according to a first preferred embodiment, which provides:

- at least one hole (10b) in the upper part, which couples with said hole (10a) of the vertical panel (4) , to fix the buttress (5) to the vertical panel ( 4 ) ;

- at least one hole (10c) in the lower part, to fix the buttress (5) to the base (3) .

According to a first preferred embodiment, the swimming pool (1) comprises a perimeter walkway (6) connected to the vertical panels (4) and to the buttresses (5) .

According to the exemplary solution illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown in detail in FIG. 5, this perimeter walkway (6) comprises a plurality of horizontal panels (2a) and a plurality of vertical panels (4a) , is suitable for being placed flush with the upper edge of the swimming pool (1) and is fixed to the base (3) by means of said buttresses (5) .

The perimeter walkway (6) identifies, below the horizontal planes (2a) , a series of technical compartments (6a) suitable for housing the machinery necessary for the operation of the swimming pool (1) .

In case of a swimming pool (1) embedded in the ground, the external panels (4a) of the walkway (6) , counteract the thrust of the surrounding ground, the external panels (4a) being in turn supported by buttresses (5) .

According to a second preferred embodiment, the horizontal slabs (2) that constitute the support base (3) are prefabricated in concrete or wood or plastic or steel and are connected to each other with particular elements designed to constitute a single and solid foundation capable of supporting the entire mass of the swimming pool (1) and the relative buttresses (5) . In FIG. 6 a second preferred embodiment of the buttress (5a) is shown which includes:

- two holes (10b) in the upper part, which couple with corresponding holes (10a) of the vertical panel (4) , to fix the buttress (5a) to the vertical panel (4) ;

- at least one hole (10c) in the lower part, to fix the buttress (5a) to the base (3) ;

- an upper horizontal plane (lOd) to support the walking surfaces (2a) of the walkway (6) . According to a first preferred embodiment, the swimming pool (1) comprises a perimeter walkway (6) connected to the vertical panels (4) and to the buttresses (5) .

According to the exemplary solution illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown in detail in FIG. 5, such perimeter walkway (6) comprises a plurality of horizontal panels (2a) and a plurality of vertical panels (4a) , is suitable for being placed flush with the upper edge of the swimming pool (1) and is fixed to the base (3) by means of said buttresses (5) .

In case of a swimming pool (1) embedded in the ground, the external panels (4a) of the walkway (6) counteract the thrust of the surrounding ground, the external panels (4a) being in turn supported by buttresses (5) .

According to a second preferred embodiment, the horizontal slabs (2) that constitute the support base (3) are prefabricated in concrete or wood or plastic or steel and are connected to each other with particular elements designed to form a single and solid foundation capable of supporting the entire mass of the pool (1) and the related buttresses (5) .

In FIG. 6 a second preferred embodiment (5a) of the buttress is shown which includes:

- an upper horizontal plane (lOd) to support the walking surfaces (2a) of the walkway (6) . FIG. 7 shows a third preferred embodiment of the buttress (5b) which includes:

- a sectional shape suitable for embracing the lateral edges of two adjacent vertical panels (4, 4a) ;

- at least one hole (10b) to connect it with the respective vertical panels (4, 4a) ;

- an upper horizontal plane (lOd) to support the walking surfaces (2a) of the walkway (6) .

The preparation of the buttress (5b) involves the preparation of four irons, chemically fixed, inside the base (3) that will act as structural reinforcement. Once anchored, everything must be filled with concrete, therefore said third type of buttress (5b) cannot be dismantled.

Obviously, the various components of the prefabricated modular swimming pool (1) are produced and supplied individually and dismantled, so as to allow easy transport to the installation site and to order and prepare them to measure according to the final shape and size of the swimming pool (1) that has to be obtained. Once ordered, produced and transported to the site, these components can be easily and quickly assembled, using known techniques and components. In FIG. 8 a ladder (20) is shown, to be mounted next to the swimming pool (1) , to easily reach the upper walkway (6) of the swimming pool itself, when it is not buried. The space located underneath the ladder (20) , which is accessed via one or more doors (21) , can be advantageously used as a storage room.

The entire construction of the pool (1) can be made of concrete or reconstructed stone, however other materials can also be used to obtain particular effects.

To create the internal panelling of the pool (1) , co-extruded expanded PVC can be advantageously used for the following reasons:

- it is suitable for insulating the pool due to its very low thermal conductivity (0.7 W/mK) ;

- it has high rigidity and impact resistance;

- it is antistatic;

- it is particularly resistant to humidity and atmospheric agents;

- it is not subject to oxidation;

- it is fireproof in class Bl.

For the internal waterproof ing/lining, a rubberized and reinforced PVC membrane can be used on the inside, protected on the surface in contact with the water by a special lacquer to reduce discoloration over time. The lining performs two fundamental tasks:

- a first task of a functional nature, since it provides for the waterproofing of the pool;

- a second task of an aesthetic nature since, depending on the model chosen, the reflections of the water will change when illuminated by the sun.

The external covering can be advantageously made with ceramic material (for example porcelain stoneware) or WPG (Wood Plastic Composite composed of wood flours, which is similar to wood but without its contraindications) . Assembly procedure

The assembly of the base or slab (3) , shown in FIG. 9, is carried out through the following steps : step 1. creating a subfloor with 10 cm stabilized material and a 5 cm layer of sand; step 2. tracing the position of the slab (3) and then continuing towards the opposite side of the pool (1) placing one slab (2) side by side; step 3. once the first slab (LI) has been positioned (FIG. 9a) , positioning 3-mm spacers (not shown) between said first slab (LI) and a second adjacent slab (L2) , followed by the removal of said spacers after the two slabs (LI, L2) have been connected via a 2-hole anchor plate (2b) ; step 4. continuing until the first row of slabs (2) has been completely assembled; step 5. assembling the second row of slabs (2) starting with slab (L2.1) , proceeding as described in step 3. (FIG. 9b) ; step 6. assembling the slabs (L2.2, L2. . . ) until the second row of slabs (2) is completed, using the appropriate two-hole (2b) and four-hole (2c) plates to fix said slabs (2) ; step 7. assembling the other rows of slabs (2) until the foundation (3) is complete, using the appropriate two-hole (2b) and four-hole (2c) plates to fix said slabs (2) .

The assembly of the vertical panels (4) , shown in FIG. 10 and 11 is carried out through the following steps: step 1. tracing the internal profile of the pool (1) , including the space of the technical compartment (6a) ; step 2. fixing wooden linings (not shown) to the foundation (3) using nails to act as an internal stop for the vertical panels (4) ; step 3. positioning the vertical panels (4) starting from the highest corner of the pool (1) , checking the verticality and squareness of the vertical panels (4) ; step 4. applying a structural sealant on the lateral shoulder towards the outside of the vertical panels (4) at the two points (Pl, P2) , in a dimension not exceeding 2 cm in diameter for easier future possible dismantling of the vertical panel ( 4 ) ; step 5. fixing the two vertical panels (4) to each other with an angle bracket and screws, then locking the panels to the base with dowels; step 6. fixing the buttress (5c) on the panel shoulder (4) with screws, fixing the F-profile (15) on the buttress head (5c) , fixing the corner plates with the relative support pillar and fixing the L- profile (16) on the slab (3) in projection of the internal stop of the F-profile (15) for the correct vertical fixing of a cladding sheet (17) ; step 7. installing the filtration systems (not shown) by passing the pipes in the free space inside the buttress (5c) , bringing the pipes to the final position in the technical compartment (6a) ; step 8. fixing the buttresses (5c) to the foundation (3) with dowels (18) ; step 9. assembly the lateral covering (17) by inserting it inside the F-profile (15) and in a lower stop on said L-profile (16) ; step 10. inserting the corners of a stainless steel closing angular profile (not shown) ; step 11. fixing an aluminium profile for anchoring the internal covering of the pool (not shown) ; step 12. fixing an internal covering of the pool (not shown) ; step 13. positioning, gluing and filling the edge (19) of the pool (1) and the covering of the technical compartment (6a) .

Claims

1. Method for assembling a modular prefabricated swimming pool (1) , of the type constructed by operationally coupling the following separate components :

- a support base or slab (3) ;

- a plurality of horizontal panels or slabs (2) modular and mutually coupled, suitable for constituting the support base or slab (3) , i.e. the bottom of the swimming pool (1) ;

- a plurality of buttresses (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) suitable for constituting, once operationally coupled to the support base (3) and to the vertical panels (4) , the connection of the vertical panels (4) adjacent to each other and the support of the vertical panels (4) against the lateral thrust of the liquid contained in the swimming pool (1) and of any surrounding ground; wherein said buttresses (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) are connected to said vertical panels (4) only for a limited section of the edges of said vertical panels ( 4 ) ; characterized in that the assembly of said vertical panels (4) is carried out through the following steps: step 1. tracing an internal profile of the pool (1) , including the space of a technical compartment (6a) ; step 2. fixing by means of nails wooden linings to the base (3) with the function of internal stop to the vertical panels (4) ; step 3. positioning the vertical panels (4) starting from the highest corner of the pool (1) , checking the verticality and squareness of said vertical panels (4) ; step 4. applying a structural sealant on a lateral shoulder towards the outside of the vertical panels (4) in two points (Pl, P2) , in a dimension not exceeding 2 cm in diameter for easier future possible dismantling of the vertical panel (4) ; step 5. fixing the two vertical panels (4) to each other with an angle bracket and screws, then locking the panels to the base with dowels; step 6. fixing the buttress (5c) to the panel shoulder (4) by means of screws, fixing an F- profile (15) to the head of the buttresses (5c) , fixing the corner plates with their relative support pillar and fixing an L-profile (16) to the slab (3) in projection of the internal stop of the F-profile (15) for the correct vertical fixing of a cladding sheet (17) ; step 7. installing filtration systems by passing pipes in a free space inside the buttress (5c) , bringing the pipes to the final position in the technical compartment (6a) ; step 8. fixing the buttresses (5c) to the slab (3) with dowels (18) ; step 9. assembling the slab (17) by inserting it inside the F-profile (15) and in lower stop on said L-profile (16) ; step 10. inserting a stainless steel closing corner profile in the corners; step 11. fixing an aluminium profile for anchoring the internal lining of a pool; step 12. fixing an internal lining of the pool ; step 13. positioning, gluing and filling the edge (19) of the swimming pool (1) and a lining of the technical compartment (6a) .

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that each of said vertical panels (4) is provided with a robust reinforcement (11) , suitable for giving self-supporting capacity to said vertical panels ( 4 ) .

3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that said robust reinforcement (11) are shaped as a cross .

4. Method according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that it has a perimeter walkway (6) connected to the vertical panels (4, 4a) and to the buttresses (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) .

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said perimeter walkway (6) comprises a plurality of horizontal panels (2a) and a plurality of vertical panels (4, 4a) and is fixed to the base (3) by means of said buttresses (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) .

6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said perimeter walkway (6) is suitable to be placed flush with the upper edge of the swimming pool ( 1 ) .

7. Method according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said perimeter walkway (6) identifies, below the horizontal planes (2a) , a series of service compartments (6a) to house the machinery necessary for the operation of the swimming pool (1) .

8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said buttress (5) comprises:

- at least one hole (10b) in the upper part, which couples with a hole (10a) of the vertical panel (4) , to fix the buttress (5) to the vertical panel ( 4 ) ;

9. Method according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said buttress (5a) comprises:

- two holes (10b) in the upper part, which mate with corresponding holes (10a) of the vertical panel (4) , to fix the buttress (5a) to the vertical panel ( 4 ) ;

- an upper horizontal plane (lOd) to support walking surfaces (2a) of the walkway (6) .

10. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said buttress (5b) comprises:

- a sectional shape suitable for embracing the lateral edges of two adjacent vertical panels (4) ;

- at least one hole (10b) to connect it with the respective vertical panels (4) ;

11. Method according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is made of concrete and/or reconstructed stone.

12. Method according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the internal panels are made of co-extruded expanded PVC .

13. Method according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is coated on the inside with a rubberized PVC membrane reinforced on the inside, said membrane being protected on the surface in contact with water by a special lacquer suitable for reducing discoloration over time.

14. Method according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is coated on the outside with ceramic material or Wood Plastic Composite, WPC.

15. Method according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the assembly of said support base or slab (3) is carried out through the following steps: step 1. creation of a sub-base with 10 cm stabilized material and a 5 cm layer of sand; step 2. tracing the position of the slab (3) and then continuing towards the opposite side of the pool (1) placing one slab (2) side by side; step 3. once a first slab (LI) has been positioned, positioning of 3 mm spacers between said first slab (LI) and a second adjacent slab (L2) , followed by the removal of said spacers after said two slabs (LI, L2) have been connected via a 2-hole anchor plate (2b) ; step 4. continuation until the first row of slabs (2) has been completely assembled; step 5. assembly of the second row of slabs (2) starting with slab (L2.1) , proceeding as described in step 3; step 6. assembly of the slabs (L2.2, L2. . . ) until the second row of slabs (2) is completed, using the appropriate two-hole (2b) and four-hole (2c) plates to fix said slabs (2) ; step 7. assembly of the other rows of slabs (2) until the foundation (3) is complete, using the appropriate two-hole (2b) and four-hole (2c) plates to fix said slabs (2) .