Modular pool construction

Abstract

A modular pool construction kit comprising a plurality of interlocking segments ( 24, 60 ) that may assembled to form a pool of any desired shape, with each segment being formed from a laminate material having a fibreglass backing layer ( 20 ) to which a composite mixture ( 21 ) of resin and stone fragments is bonded. The segments may have base portions ( 25 ) forming the bottom of a pool and wall portions ( 26, 27, 28 ) forming a side wall ( 29 ) of the pool. The segments may be moulded sheets with interconnecting edges. The present invention also provides a method of constructing a pool from multiple segments comprising arranging the segments adjacent each other and interlocking them in the desired shape to form a watertight pool.

1 . A modular pool construction kit comprising a plurality of interlocking segments that can be assembled to form a pool of a desired shape, each segment being formed from a laminate material having a fibreglass backing layer to which a composite mixture of resin and stone fragments is bonded.  
   
   
       2 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 1  in which at least some of the segments comprise a base portion and a wall portion, the base portion forming when assembled a part of a bottom of the pool, and the wall portion when assembled forming a part of a side wall of the pool.  
   
   
       3 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 1 , in which segments are formed from moulded sheets of the laminate material.  
   
   
       4 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the segments have an edge or edges that abut with adjacent segments, these edges being provided with interconnecting means that permit the segments to be interlocked.  
   
   
       5 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the interconnecting means between adjacent segments form a water resistant seal.  
   
   
       6 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the interconnecting means include tongue and groove connectors on the abutting edges.  
   
   
       7 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the wall section has an inner wall part forming part of the side wall of the pool, an outer wall part that defines an external face of the pool and imparts a decorative profile to the pool, and a sill joining upper edges of the inner and outer wall parts.  
   
   
       8 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 1  in which a central hub segment is provided, which hub segment is adapted to interlock inner parts of the segments.  
   
   
       9 . A modular pool construction kit as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the hub segment has a down-turned lip that engages in channel formed by channel portions on the segments.  
   
   
       10 . A method of constructing a pool from a plurality of segments, each segment being formed from a composite material having a fibreglass backing layer with a mixture of resin and stone fragments bonded thereto, the method comprising arranging the segments adjacent each other and interlocking them in the desired shape to form a watertight pool that may be filed with water.  
   
   
       11 . A method of constructing a pool as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a separate sealant material is provided in the joins between segments to improve water resistance.  
   
   
       12 . A method of constructing a pool as claim in  claim 10 , wherein a selection of segments of different shapes may be used to create pools of varying profile.