AU652768B2

AU652768B2 - Pool and method of making a pool

Info

Publication number: AU652768B2
Application number: AU82453/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gary Wayne McDonald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-08-15
Filing date: 1991-08-15
Publication date: 1994-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-15
Also published as: AU8245391A

Description

AUSTRALIA

652768 Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION for a Standard Patent

ORIGINAL

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Name of Applicar Actual Inventors Address for Serv Invention Title: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT a Qr-0 NI -Torlow it: I PTY LTD GARY WAYNE McDONALD rice: KELVIN LORD AND COMPANY, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, 4 Douro Place, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, AUSTRALIA "POOL AND METHOD OF MAKING A

POOL"

The following statement is a full desription of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-

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4 4 0 -2- The present invention relates to a container and a method of making a contair.er.

In particular, the present invention relates to containers for bulk holding of liquids.

Accordingly, the container in accordance with the present invention may be, for example, a recreational pool, such as a swimming pool, or a tank for storing water.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a container comprising a floor, panel members each having a first face and a second face, render means and reinforcement means, wherein said panel members are positioned adjacent one another and said first and second faces of said panel members are provided with said render means and said reinforcement means including at the region where adjacent panel members adjoin such that a wall of said container is formed.

i" In accordance with a second aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a method of making a container comprising providing panel members each having a first face and .a second face, arranging said panel members adjacent one another, providing render means and reinforcement means over said first and second faces of said panel members including at the region where adjacent panels adjoin to form a wall of said container, and forming a floor for said container.

The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 20 Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a container in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; F 2 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the side wall -3region of the container of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional detail of the panel member shown in Figure 2; Figure 4(a) is a first cross-sectional plan view of a pair of adjacent panel members in the side wall of a container in accordance with the first embodiment and showing the joint thereof; Figure 4(b) is a second cross-sectional plan view of a 10 panel member in a side wall of a container in accordance em..

se: with the first embodiment showing an upright member S. S therein; Figures to 5(d) are plan views of examples of containers of different shapes in accordance with the first embodiment, prior to the header beam (if O o e used) being fitted thereto; 0059 Figure 6 is an exploded, cut-away perspective view of a portion of a container in accordance Yith a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the side wall region of a container in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 8 is a detail of the panel member shown in Figure 7.

Figures 1 to 5(d) show different views of a first embodiment of a container 10 in accordance with the present invention.

The container 10 comprises a floor 12, panel members 14 render material 16 and reinforcement material 18. The render material 16 and reinforcement material 18 are best -4seen in Figures 3, 4(a) and 4(b).

The floor 12 forms the bottom of the container The floor 12 may be of any suitable form.

Preferably, the floor 12 is made of concrete.

However, as examples of two alternatives, the floor 12 may be a sand floor or a stabilised earth floor.

The panel members 14 are preferably made of expanded polystyrene foam which can be of any required thickness.

r .The polystyrene foam provides desirable insulating 1!0 properties to the contents of the container 6'6 90 The panel members 14 extend below the level of the floor 12 a for strength.

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The panel members 14 comprise a pair of opposed faces One of these faces 20 is visible in the panel members 14 shown in Figure 1; the other opposed face 20 being obscured from view in Figure 1.

Render material 16 is provided the faces 20 of the S"panel members 14.

Each of the faces 20 of the panel members 14 is also 20 provided with reinforcement material 18. A different type Sof reintorcement material 18 may be used on the respective faces 20 of the panel.members 14, if required.

The reinforcement material 18 extends beyond the side edges of the faces 20 of the panel members 14 to form flaps 24.

The reinforcement material 18 also extends beyond the upper edges of the faces 20 of the panel members 14 to form flaps 26.

The reinforcement material 18, including the flaps 24 and c 26 are shown in broken lines in the drawings.

-4a- The flaps 24 of respective adjacent panel members 14 are ove.iapped one over the other at the region where adjacent panel members 14 adjoin. The overlapped flaps 24 at the region where adjacent panel members 14 adjoin are rendered over. This may be done using a similar render material to that used on the faces 20 of the panel members 14. This can be seen in Figure 4(a).

The overlapping of the flaps 24 and rendering over with render material 16 at the region where adjacent panel members 14 adjoin acts to bond the adjacent panel members 14 together and forms a single wall structure out of the adjacently disposed panel members 14.

*o oo9 o •o 5 The flaps 24 of respective adjacent panel members 14 are overlapped one over the other in the region of th, joi between the adjacent panel members 14. The over aped flaps 24 at the joints of adjacent panel me. ers 14 may be rendered over. This may be done usin similar render material to that used on the fac 20 of the panel members 14. This can be seen in F'g re 4(a).

The overlapping of th /flaps 24 and rendering over with render materiall at the joints of adjacent panel members S. 0 14 acts to ond the adjacent panel members 14 together and ":form /a single wall structure out of the adjacently ""isposed panel members 14.

The render material 16 and reinforcement material 18 may be applied to the faces 20 of the panel members 14 off site, and the flaps 24 of adjacent panel members 14 may be overlapped and rendered over with render material 16 on site. Alternatively, the render material 16 and r* reinforcement material 18 may be applied to the faces 20 of the panel members 14 on site.

20 The render material 16 adheres to the faces 20 of the panel members 14 to provide strength to the panel members 14.

The reinforcement material 18 provides reinforcement to the render material 16 on the panel members 14 and is held in place in the render material 16.

Preferably, the render material 16 comprises a cementitious mixture and may also contain acrylic resin which fuses into the polystyrene foam of the panel members 14 to provide strong adhesion thereto.

,r Preferably, the reinforcement material 18 is a net-like 6 material.

Preferably, the net-like material of the reinforcement material 18 is an alkali resistant fibreglass net material.

Preferably, the reinforcement material 18 is in layer or mat form.

As an alternative to the use of a separate reinforcement material 18 and application of a render material 16, as hereinbefore described, the render material 16 and a reinforcement material (not shown) may be applied in unison 10 or simultaneously. This can be done using a gun roving technique in which render material 16 incorporating reinforcement material in the form of fibres, elements or 6e the like, e.g. pieces of fibreglass, is ejected from a nozzle as a spray.

Alternatively, the render material 16 and the reinforcement

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material (in the form of fibres, elements or the like) may *S be applied in unison or simultaneously as a manual operation. These alternative forms of the reinforcement material also provide the render material 16 with 20 reir ,rcement.

"t"oi Further, the simultaneous application of render materia 6 and reinforcement material is effected to the re of the joints of adjacent panel members 14 as wel s the faces Due to the fibrous or elemental rature of the reinforcement material that is sed in this way, and overlapping occurs at t joints of adjacent panel members 14. This overla ng of reinforcement material and render material 1 at the joints of adjacent panel members 14 acts toJad the adjacent panel members 14 together and forms a II -6a- Further, the simultaneous application of render material 16 and reinforcement material is effected to the region where adjacent panel members 14 adjoin as well as the faces Due to the fibrous or elemental nature of the reinforcement material that is used in this way, overlapping occurs at the region where adjacent panel members 14 adjoin.

This overlapping of reinforcement material and render material 16 at the region where adjacent panel members 14 adjoin acts to bond the adjacent panel members 14 together and forms a *o *0 0 els*

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O 0 7 single wall structure out of the adjacently disposed panel members 14 in a manner analogous to the separate render material 16 and reinforcement material 18 hereinabove described.

When the render material 16 and reinforcement material are applied in unison or simultaneously to the panel members 14, such application may be to the faces 20 of the panel members 14 off site, -an th join4s f\adjacent panel members 14\may have the render material 16 and 10 reinforcement material 18 simultaneously applied thereto on *site. Alternatively, the entire simultaneous application process of the render material 16 and reinforcement material to the faces 20 of the panel members 14 and the V-ee\Lrvs Lo: rVe. Q -Ak(rn j~eit oadjacent panel members 14Xmay be effected on site.

When the container 10 is formed for use as a storage tank, a double layer of render material 16 and reinforcement material 18 or reinforcement material in fibrous or elemental form may be used. In this situation the double 20 layer is applied to one or both faces 20 of the panel members 14.

The panel members 14 may be provided with longitudinally extending recesses 28 in the opposed sides thereof. The longitudinally extending recesses 28 are of substantially V-shape.

The panel members 14 are arranged in a side by side manner p ^'epQ.c-or^ to FOrr9\'-r\o o the side wall 30 of the container 10. This is best seen in Figures 5(a) to The panel members 14 are arranged with their respective sides adjacent one another 8 such that the longitudinally extending recesses 28 of adjacent panel members 14 are opposed. This is best seen in Figures 1 and The opposed longitudinally extending recesses 28 of adjacent panel members 14 form ducts between adjacent panel members 14. These ducts may contain an upright member in the form of an upright joint alignment and support member 32, along with grout filling 34. The grout filling 34 retains the upright joint alignment and support members 32 in position in the ducts OM \nS 'oA--rf- aX ai 10 and also further assists to\joinadjacent panel members 14 together at tkhi'- j'QJ t-r ef re_- oc r.

The upright joint alignment and support members 32 are generally provided in the ducts formed between adjacent panel members 14. However, where the panel members 14 are curved the upright joint alignment and support members 32 may be omitted.

Further, upright members 32' may be provided at locations other than the joints of adjacent panel members 14.

Accordingly, as shown in Figure 4(b) a duct may be formed 20 in a panel member 14 (at any desired location) and a tube 36 inserted therein. An upright member 32' is then inserted into the tube 36 which is filled with grout filling 34.

The upright members 32' may be used in combination with the upright joint alignment and support members 32 or without them, i.e. upright members 32' only.

The upright joint alignment and support members 32 are driven into the soil 42 at the centre line 38 of the joints of adjacent panel members 14. The upright members 32' are -9 driven into the soil 42 at the appropriate places.

Preferably, the upright joint alignment and support members 32 and upright members 32' are star pickets, as shown in Figures 1, 4(a) and 4(b).

When the container 10 is formed below ground level, selected upright joint alignment and support members 32 and/or upright members 32' may be, if required, connected with a tie-back member 39 which is itself connected to a stake 40 anchored in the soil 42.

0 However, when the container 10 is formed above ground level we..

the tie-back member 39 and stake 40 may be omitted.

The tie-back member 39 is substantially rigid.

S" Tie-back members 39 and stakes 40 are provided to give added strength to the side wall 30 of the container 10 at 15 selected locations.

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6 The container 10 may comprise a header beam 44.

5*Q The header beam 44 is located above the upper surface 45 of e. the side wall 30 formed by the panel members 14.

Preferably, the header beam 44 is a continuous reinforced S 20 concrete beam that is formed upon the upper surface 45 of the side wall 30 of the container 10. This is shown in Figures 1 and 2 where the header beam 44 is shown as made of concrete 46 with longitudinally extending reinforcement members 48. The reinforcement members 48 may be steel rods.

When the reinforcement material 18 is used, the flaps 2t that extend beyond the upper edges of the faces 20 of the panel members 14 are contained within the concrete 46 of d "A Ulv the header beam 44.

10 A header beam 44 is normally provided when the container is a swimming pool and may be provided when it is a water storage tank. However, when the container is a water storage tank and is circular a header beam 44 is not required.

An alternative to providing a header beam 44 when the container 10 is a water storage tank is to provide a capping or cover (not shown/ over the upper surface 45 of the side wall

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10 A coving 50 may be provided along the inner lower corner of vo*e the container 10 between the side wall 30 and the floor 12.

,The coving 50 enables unimpeded traversal of the floor 12 and side wall 30 of the container 10 by a cleaning machine, e.g. a swimming pool cleaning machine.

A.water tight liner (not shown) is provided over the floor -*#ads 12 and side wall 30 of the pool 10 in conventional manner.

This liner may be the conventional type of vinyl liner employed in conventional swimming pools for this purpose.

Alternatively, the liner may comprise a fibreglass laminate 20 which is applied and then allowed to dry. A vinyl ester resin, incorporating a chemical resistant tissue, may be applied over the fibreglass.

A sealant is then applied as the last. This sealant may be a waxed gel.

Paving 52 or the like is provided around the surrounding edge region of the container 10 when it is formed below ground level, particularly when the container 10 is a swimming pool.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show views of the arrangement of a 11 second embodiment of a container 60 in accordance with the present invention.

The container 60 of the second embodiment is essentially similar to the container 10 of the first embodiment and similar reference numerals have been used for corresponding features in the Figures of the first and second embodiments. It will be understood that the description of such features is the same as in the description of the container 10 of the first embodiment.

10 The difference between the container 60 and the container fe 10 is that the container 60 employs panel members 14' that

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are metal sheets.

Preferably, these metal sheets are corrugated. In such cases, the corrugations may be arranged either horizontally or vertically.

However, these metal sheets may be flat, i.e. uncorrugated metal sheets. In such cases, the sheets would generally be thicker than in the case of corrugated sheets.

At last the inid. f-ae of each panel member 14' s+ e- 20 provided with the render material 16 and reinforcement material 18.a.

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ier n r +r in h Fk-'t.- The flaps 24 and 26 of the reinforcement material 16 are not employed in the container The panel members 14' are also arranged in a side by side manner to f:rmr:the side wa-1 of the container Upright members 62 are driven into the soil 42 at spaced intervals and the panel members 14' are affixed thereto near their side edges, eg. by nailing.

12 The upright members 62 are a counterpart to the upright joint alignment and support members and upright members 32/32' of the container Preferably, the upright members 62 are wooden poles.

Tie-backs 38 and stakes 40 are also provided in a similar manner as described with reference to the container 10. In the case of the container 60, the tie-back members 39 are then connected to selected upright members 62.

,The remainder of the container 60 is the same as the 10 container 10, previously described.

The method of making the container 10 of the present invention will now be described. This will be with e* "reference to a below- ground level container Initiall, bulk ex:avation of the site at which the container 10 is to be made is carried out, including formation of a trench that is to accommodate the bottom portions of the panel members 14.

e Next, the pool 10 is "set out" on the ground regarding dimensions, etc. Special "set-out" systems using pegs or a track may be used.

meet*: The soil at the bottom of the excavation is then made approximately level.

The (pre-rendered) panel members 14 are placed into position and then the upright joint alignment and support members 32 and upright members 32' are driven into the soil 42. The upright joint alignment ind support members 32 and the upright members 32' are subsequently tied into the header beam 44, e.g. with wire. Alternatively, the panel members 14 may be rendered after they have been placed into 13 position relative to the upright joint alignment and support members 32 and the upright members 32'.

Next, the ducts at the panel joints and/or the tubes 36 are filled with grout.

The soil 42 at the bottom of the excavation is compacted and final levels are established.

The concrete floor 12 of the pool 10 is then poured.

Alternatively, the soil is stabilised for a stabilised earth floor or simply left is a sand floor i--\required.

10 The tie-back members 39 and stakes 40 are then fitted when erequired.

Back-filling and light compaction of the soil 42 is then carried out. (The panel members 14 may need to be propped during backfilling and compaction.) When the bulk excavation is carried out, the side wall of the excavation is shown by the line 54. Back filling is to fill in soil 0 42 between the side wall 54 of the excavation and the side wall 30 of the container 10 formed by the panel members 14.

20 When the container 10 is formed as a swimming pool, the skimmer box and plumbing pipes for the pool are also placed into position.

Next, the header beam 44 is formed the reinforcement members 48 being placed into position and the concrete 46 poured.

Following this the concrete of the coving 50 is poured.

The back filling of the soil 42 to the level of the underside of the paving 52 is then carried out including .j>i compaction of the soil 42.

14 The water tight liner is then placed into position on the floor 12 and side wall 30 inside the container 10 and the light fittings and connections 56 for the container 10 are installed in the side wall 30. These would normally be provided when the container 10 is to form a swimming pool.

The paving 52 may then be laid to complete the installation of the pool.

When the container 10 is to be above ground level, bulk Sexcavations would not be required.

f .0 10 The method of making the container 60 of the present fee: invention is similar to that described for the container ol, The difference is that in making the container 60, the upright members 62 are driven into the soil 42 and the panel members 14' connected thereto. The panel members 14' r may be, once again, pre-rendered or rendered on site.

06e The remainder of the method is substantially the same as *i°n that described with reference to the container Whilst the method of making the containers 10 and 60 has been described in a particular sequence, it is to be understood that any variations or modifications of this sequence that would be readily apparent to a skilled addressee are within the scope of the present invention.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to.be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A container comprising a floor, panel members each having a first face and a second face, render means and reinforcement means, wherein said panel members are positioned adjacent one another and said first and second faces of said panel members are provided with said render means and said reinforcement means including at the region where adjacent panel members adjoin such that a wall of said container is formed.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein joining means is provided to join together adjacent said panel members.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein upright members are provided to support said panel members.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein said upright members are provided in said panel members.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein said upright members are located in :I 15 ducts provided in said panel members and said ducts are provided with grouting means.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein said ducts contain respective tubes and said upright members and grouting means are provided in said tubes.

7. A container according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said upright members *o are provided between adjacent said panel members. 20

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein said upright members are located in 6ducts provided between said panel members and said ducts are provided with grouting means. S

9. A container according to any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein tie-back means and stake means are provided, said tie-back means connected between respective said stake means and selected u.right members and said stake means anchored in the soil.

A container according to any on of claims 1 to 9, wherein said render means comprises a cementitious mixture.

11. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said reinforcement means is of layer or mat form. -16-

12. A container according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcement means is a net-like material.

13. A container according to claim 11 or 12 wherein said reinforcement means is provided with flap means which overlap at said region where adjacent said panel members adjoin.

14. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said reinforcement means is of fibrous or elemental form.

A container according to claim 14, wherein fibres or elements of said reinforcement means overlap at said region where adjacent panel members adjoin.

16. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said panel members comprise expanded polystyrene foam. i

;17. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said panel members comprise sheet metal which may be flat or corrugated. 15

18. A container according to claim 17, wherein said panel members are affixed to said upright members in a side by side manner.

19. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein header means is provided above an upper surface of said wall of said container. sea:

20. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein cover or capping 20 means is provided above an upper surface of said wall of said container.

21. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein liner means is *0 provided over said floor and the inside of said wall of said container.

22. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 19, or 21, wherein said container is a swimming pool,.

23. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 18, 20 or 21, wherein said container is a water storage tank.

24. A method of making a container comprising providing panel members each having a first face and a second face, arranging said panel members adjacent one another, providing render means and reinforcement means over said first and second faces of said #4 ob -17- panel members including at the region where adjacent panels adjoin to form a wall of said container, and forming a floor for said container.

A method of making a container according to claim 24, further comprising joining together adjacent said panel members.

26. A method of making a container according to claim 24 or 25, further comprising providing upright members to support said panel members.

27. A method of making a container according to claim 26, further comprising anchoring stake means in the soil and connecting said stake means with selected upright members using tie-back means.

28. A method of making a container according to claim 26 or 27, wherein said container is as defined in any one of claims 4 to 8.

29. A method of making a container according to any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein said container is as defined in any one of claims 10 to 18, 22 or 23. 15

30. A method of making a container according to any one of claims 24 to 29, further comprising providing header means above an upper surface of said wall of said container.

31. A method of making a container according to any one of claims 24 to 29, further G OO: comprising providing cover or capping means above an upper surface of said wall of said container. 20

32. A method of making a container according to any one of claims 24 to 31, further comprising providing liner means over said floor and the inside of said wall of said container.

33. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to or Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

34. A method of making a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to or Figures 6-8 of the accompanying drawings. -18- DATED MAY 31 1994 VAN DER MEER RESEARCH PTY LTD (ACN 009 389 655) and TERRENCE MICHAEL McDONALD By their Patent Attorneys KELVIN LORD AND COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA *o *oo s es oO 0 .55 S C ABSTRACT A container (10;60) comprising a floor panel members render means (16) and reinforcement means (18) provided on the panel members The panel members (14;141) are arranged to be positioned adjacent one another to form a side wall (30) of the container (10;60). The container may, for example, be used as a swimming pool or water storage tank. 6 9 as 4