Swimming pool frame with rotation-resistant support members
A swimming pool frame includes a plurality of side members connected together to form a frame bounding an interior area, a plurality of leg members, and a plurality of joints. Each joint is connected between two adjacent side members, and a leg member is connected to each joint. Each of the side members and leg members have a non-circular cross-sectional profile that include shapes such as polygonal or elliptical shapes, and each joint includes similarly-shaped side member insertion channels and a leg member insertion channel. Each end of each side member is adapted to be inserted into a side member insertion channel of the joint, and an upper end of each leg member is adapted to be inserted into the leg member insertion channel. A retention pin is connected between each side member insertion channel and a corresponding side member.
1 . A swimming pool frame, comprising:
a plurality of horizontal members, each of the plurality of horizontal members including respective ends having respective horizontal member insertion sections with respective non-circular cross-sectional shapes, the horizontal members being configured to be connected together to form a frame bounding an interior area;
a plurality of support members, each of the plurality of support members including a support member insertion section at an end thereof, the support member insertion section having a non-circular cross-sectional shape;
a plurality of joints, each configured to be connected between two adjacent horizontal members and one of the support members, each of the plurality of joints comprising:
two horizontal member insertion channels having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape, wherein the horizontal member insertion channels are configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of horizontal members in one of the two horizontal member insertion channels and an end of another one of the plurality of horizontal members in the other of the two horizontal member insertion channels;
a support member insertion channel having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of support members in the support member insertion channel; and
a retention pin configured to be inserted through and retained between each horizontal member insertion channel and an end of a corresponding one of the plurality of horizontal members;
wherein each end of each of the plurality of horizontal members comprises a horizontal member insertion section formed by swaging the end of the horizontal member to a reduced diameter thereof, the horizontal member insertion section configured to be inserted into a corresponding horizontal member insertion channel of one of the plurality of joints, and
each end of each of the plurality of horizontal members further comprises a bevel formed between the horizontal member insertion section and a middle portion of the horizontal member.
2 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 1 , wherein the horizontal member insertion sections of each of the plurality of horizontal members have a cross-sectional shape comprising one of a regular polygonal shape, an irregular polygonal shape, or an elliptical shape.
3 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 2 , wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a regular octagonal polygon shape.
4 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 1 , wherein:
an upper end of each of the plurality of support members comprises a support member insertion section formed by swaging the upper end of the support member to a reduced diameter thereof, the support member insertion section configured to be inserted into a corresponding support member insertion channel of one of the plurality of joints, and
the upper end of each of the plurality of support members further comprises a bevel formed between the support member insertion section and a middle portion of the support member.
5 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 4 , wherein:
a clamping section of each of the plurality of support members is formed by swaging a top end of each of the support member insertion sections proximate an upper edge of each of the plurality of support members to a second reduced diameter thereof, each clamping section configured to be inserted into a corresponding clamping groove of one of the plurality of joints; and
a distal bevel is formed between each of the clamping sections of each of the plurality of support members and the respective support member insertion sections of each of the plurality of support members.
6 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 4 , wherein the support member insertion section of each of the plurality of support members has a cross-sectional shape comprising one of a regular polygonal shape, an irregular polygonal shape, or an elliptical shape.
7 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 6 , wherein the cross sectional shape comprises a regular octagonal polygon shape.
8 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of locking seats, each configured to mount inside an internal end of a horizontal member insertion channel of one of the plurality of joints,
wherein each of the plurality of retention pins is mounted on one of the plurality of locking seats.
9 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of locking seats comprises:
a flange ring disposed at an end of the locking seat and configured to be supported on an end face of an opening of one of the plurality of horizontal members when one of the horizontal member insertion sections of the one of the plurality of horizontal members is inserted within the horizontal member insertion channel.
10 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of locking seats further comprises:
a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward from the flange ring,
wherein each horizontal member insertion channel of each of the plurality of joints includes a plurality of clamping grooves disposed at positions corresponding to positions of the plurality of protrusions, such that the protrusions are disposed within the clamping grooves when one of the plurality of locking seats is mounted inside of the horizontal member insertion channel.
11 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of support members, the plurality of joints, and the plurality of locking seats are physically shaped such that, upon insertion of the support member insertion section of one of the plurality of support members into the support member insertion channel of one of the plurality of joints where of one of the plurality of locking seats has been mounted into the horizontal member insertion channel of the one of the plurality of joints, a clamping section formed in the support member insertion section proximate an upper edge of the support member extends to the lower horizontal of the horizontal member insertion channel, and one of the plurality of protrusions clamps onto on an inner wall of the support member within the clamping section.
12 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of joints further comprises:
a pair of reinforcing rib plates disposed on an outer wall of the joint and extending between each of the horizontal member insertion channels and the support member insertion channel, and
a locking hole formed through the outer wall of the joint between each pair of reinforcing rib plates, wherein the retention pin is insertable into the locking hole.
13 . The swimming pool frame according to claim 8 , wherein a portion of each of the locking seats has a cross-sectional shape comprising one of a regular polygonal shape, an irregular polygonal shape, or an elliptical shape.
14 . A swimming pool joint unit comprising:
a frame joint comprising:
a pair of horizontal member insertion channels, each having a first polygonal cross-sectional shape and each configured to receive therein an end of a horizontal member, each of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels comprising a locking hole formed through an outer wall thereof;
a support member insertion channel having a second polygonal cross-sectional shape and configured to receive therein an end of a support member;
a first pair of reinforcing rib plates disposed on an outer wall of the joint and extending between the support member insertion channel and a first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels; and
a second pair of reinforcing rib plates disposed on the outer wall of the joint and extending between the support member insertion channel and a second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels,
wherein a first locking hole is formed through the outer wall of the first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels between the first pair of reinforcing rib plates, and a second locking hole is formed through the outer wall of the second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels between the second pair of reinforcing rib plates.
15 . The swimming pool joint unit according to claim 14 , wherein each of the first polygonal cross-sectional shape and the second polygonal cross-sectional shape is a regular polygonal shape.
16 . The swimming pool joint unit according to claim 14 , wherein each of the first polygonal cross-sectional shape and the second polygonal cross-sectional shape is an irregular polygonal shape.
17 . The swimming pool joint unit according to claim 14 , further comprising:
a first locking seat configured to fit within a first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels and comprising a first flange ring and a first retention pin configured to extend through the locking hole of the first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels; and
a second locking seat configured to fit within a second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels and comprising a second flange ring and a second retention pin configured to extend through the locking hole of the second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels.
18 . The swimming pool joint according to claim 17 , wherein:
the first locking seat further comprises a plurality of first protrusions extending radially outward from the first flange ring;
the second locking seat further comprises a plurality of second protrusions extending radially outward from the second flange ring; and
the frame joint further comprises:
a first plurality of clamping grooves formed within the first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels and configured to accept the plurality of first protrusions when the first retention pin is extended through and retained within the locking hole of the first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels; and
a second plurality of clamping grooves formed within the second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels and configured to accept the plurality of second protrusions when the second retention pin is extended through and retained within the locking hole of the second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels.
19 . A swimming pool frame, comprising:
a plurality of horizontal members, each of the plurality of horizontal members including respective ends having respective horizontal member insertion sections with respective non-circular cross-sectional shapes, the horizontal members being configured to be connected together to form a frame bounding an interior area;
a plurality of support members, each of the plurality of support members including a support member insertion section at an end thereof, the support member insertion section having a non-circular cross-sectional shape;
a plurality of joints, each configured to be connected between two adjacent horizontal members and one of the support members, each of the plurality of joints comprising:
two horizontal member insertion channels having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape, wherein the horizontal member insertion channels are configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of horizontal members in one of the two horizontal member insertion channels and an end of another one of the plurality of horizontal members in the other of the two horizontal member insertion channels;
a support member insertion channel having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of support members in the support member insertion channel; and
a retention pin configured to be inserted through and retained between each horizontal member insertion channel and an end of a corresponding one of the plurality of horizontal members;
wherein an upper end of each of the plurality of support members comprises a support member insertion section formed by swaging the upper end of the support member to a reduced diameter thereof, the support member insertion section configured to be inserted into a corresponding support member insertion channel of one of the plurality of joints, and
the upper end of each of the plurality of support members further comprises a bevel formed between the support member insertion section and a middle portion of the support member.
20 . A swimming pool frame, comprising:
a plurality of horizontal members, each of the plurality of horizontal members including respective ends having respective horizontal member insertion sections with respective non-circular cross-sectional shapes, the horizontal members being configured to be connected together to form a frame bounding an interior area;
a plurality of support members, each of the plurality of support members including a support member insertion section at an end thereof, the support member insertion section having a non-circular cross-sectional shape;
a plurality of joints, each configured to be connected between two adjacent horizontal members and one of the support members, each of the plurality of joints comprising:
two horizontal member insertion channels having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape, wherein the horizontal member insertion channels are configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of horizontal members in one of the two horizontal member insertion channels and an end of another one of the plurality of horizontal members in the other of the two horizontal member insertion channels;
a support member insertion channel having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of support members in the support member insertion channel; and
a retention pin configured to be inserted through and retained between each horizontal member insertion channel and an end of a corresponding one of the plurality of horizontal members; and
a plurality of locking seats, each configured to mount inside an internal end of a horizontal member insertion channel of one of the plurality of joints,
wherein each of the plurality of retention pins is mounted on one of the plurality of locking seats.
21 . A swimming pool frame, comprising:
a plurality of horizontal members, each of the plurality of horizontal members including respective ends having respective horizontal member insertion sections with respective non-circular cross-sectional shapes, the horizontal members being configured to be connected together to form a frame bounding an interior area;
a plurality of support members, each of the plurality of support members including a support member insertion section at an end thereof, the support member insertion section having a non-circular cross-sectional shape;
a plurality of joints, each configured to be connected between two adjacent horizontal members and one of the support members, each of the plurality of joints comprising:
two horizontal member insertion channels having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape, wherein the horizontal member insertion channels are configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of horizontal members in one of the two horizontal member insertion channels and an end of another one of the plurality of horizontal members in the other of the two horizontal member insertion channels;
a support member insertion channel having a non-circular internal cross-sectional shape configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of support members in the support member insertion channel; and
a retention pin configured to be inserted through and retained between each horizontal member insertion channel and an end of a corresponding one of the plurality of horizontal members;
a pair of reinforcing rib plates disposed on an outer wall of the joint and extending between each of the horizontal member insertion channels and the support member insertion channel; and
a locking hole formed through the outer wall of the joint between each pair of reinforcing rib plates, wherein the retention pin is insertable into the locking hole.
22 . A swimming pool joint unit comprising:
a frame joint comprising:
a pair of horizontal member insertion channels, each having a first polygonal cross-sectional shape and each configured to receive therein an end of a horizontal member, each of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels comprising a locking hole formed through an outer wall thereof; and
a support member insertion channel having a second polygonal cross-sectional shape and configured to receive therein an end of a support member;
a first locking seat configured to fit within a first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels and comprising a first flange ring and a first retention pin configured to extend through the locking hole of the first one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels; and
a second locking seat configured to fit within a second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels and comprising a second flange ring and a second retention pin configured to extend through the locking hole of the second one of the pair of horizontal member insertion channels.