Joint for above ground pool frame
An above ground frame pool ( 10 ) includes a frame assembly ( 20 ) and a liner ( 40 ) supported by the frame assembly ( 20 ). The frame assembly ( 20 ) includes a plurality of horizontal pipes ( 22 ), a plurality of vertical pipes ( 24 ), and a plurality of T-shaped joints ( 30 ). The joints ( 30 ) may lack mechanical fasteners with adjacent pipes or corresponding apertures. The joints ( 30 ) may be one-piece or multi-piece structures. Such joints ( 30 ) may be water-resistant and convenient to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, and store.
1. A joint for an above ground pool having a frame assembly and a liner supported by the frame assembly, the frame assembly including a first horizontal frame, a second horizontal frame, and a vertical frame, the joint comprising:
a first horizontal portion having a first opening that receives a narrowing end of the first horizontal frame;
a second horizontal portion having a second opening that receives a narrowing end of the second horizontal frame; and
a vertical portion positioned between the first and second horizontal portions, the vertical portion having third opening that receives a narrowing end of the vertical frame;
wherein the first, second and third openings narrow inwardly at a radial step to receive the corresponding narrowing ends.
2. The joint of claim 1 , wherein the first and second horizontal portions form an included angle of less than 180 degrees.
3. The joint of claim 1 , wherein:
the first horizontal portion lacks a mechanical fastener configured to mechanically couple with the first horizontal frame;
the second horizontal portion lacks a mechanical fastener configured to mechanically couple with the second horizontal frame; and
the vertical portion lacks a mechanical fastener configured to mechanically couple with the vertical frame.
4. The joint of claim 1 , wherein:
the first horizontal portion has an inner circular cross-section;
the second horizontal portion has an inner circular cross-section; and
the vertical portion has an inner elliptical cross-section.
5. The joint of claim 1 , wherein the joint is made of plastic.
6. The joint of claim 1 , wherein the first horizontal portion, the second horizontal portion, and the vertical portion are integrally molded together to form a one-piece structure.
7. The joint of claim 1 , wherein the first horizontal portion, the second horizontal portion, and the vertical portion are mechanically coupled together to form a multi-piece structure.
8. An above ground pool comprising:
a frame assembly comprising:
a first horizontal frame that narrows at a first end;
a second horizontal frame that narrows at a second end;
a vertical frame that narrows at an upper end; and
a T-shaped joint friction-fit to the first horizontal frame, the second horizontal frame, and the vertical frame; and
a liner supported by the frame assembly;
wherein the T-shaped joint includes a first horizontal portion with a first opening that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the first end, a second horizontal portion with a second opening that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the second end, and a vertical portion with a third opening that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the upper end.
9. The pool of claim 8 , wherein the liner includes:
an upper sleeve configured to receive the first and second horizontal frames, the upper sleeve defining a first horizontal area; and
a side wall that defines a water cavity, the water cavity having a second horizontal area smaller than the first horizontal area.
10. The pool of claim 8 , wherein the liner includes:
an upper sleeve configured to receive the first and second horizontal frames; and
a side wall that defines a water cavity, the side wall being located radially inward of the upper sleeve.
11. The pool of claim 8 , wherein
the first, second, and third openings are the only openings in the joint.
12. The pool of claim 8 , wherein:
the first horizontal frame, the second horizontal frame, and the vertical frame are made of metal; and
the joint is made of plastic.
13. The pool of claim 8 , wherein the joint is a one-piece structure.
14. The pool of claim 8 , wherein the joint is a multi-piece structure.
15. A method of assembling an above ground pool comprising the steps of:
assembling a frame assembly including a plurality of T-shaped joints, the assembling step comprising coupling each joint to a first horizontal frame that narrows at a first end and a second horizontal frame that narrows at a second end and to a vertical frame that narrows at an upper end;
positioning a lower end of the vertical frame on a support surface; and
supporting a liner on the frame assembly;
wherein each joint includes a first horizontal portion with a first opening that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the first end, a second horizontal portion with a second opening that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the second end, and a vertical portion with a third opening that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the upper end.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the supporting step comprises:
inserting the first and second horizontal frames in an upper sleeve of the liner; and
positioning a side wall of the liner radially inward of the upper sleeve.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein
the first horizontal portion of each joint has a continuous outer wall surrounding the first end of the first horizontal frame;
the second horizontal portion of each joint has a continuous outer wall surrounding the second end of the second horizontal frame; and
the vertical portion is positioned between the first and second horizontal portions, the vertical portion having a continuous outer wall surrounding the upper end of the vertical frame.