Modular swimming pool

Abstract

A swimming pool suitable for either in-ground or above-ground installations utilizes a multi-tiered modular sidewall configuration, a peninsular console and eductor jets to achieve greater recreational utility within a compact footprint.

1 . A swimming pool comprising:
 (a) a pool enclosure having an entry side and surrounded by a series of modular sidewalls consisting of multiple tiers, which tiers comprise a plurality of flat and/or curved panels, each panel having a square and/or rectangular shape, such that each panel has four corners and each panel has two vertical sides and two horizontal sides, and such that the panels are serially interconnected along their vertical sides to form the tiers, and the tiers are laterally interconnected with adjoining tiers above and/or below along the panels' horizontal sides;   (b) a pool floor comprising a layer of compacted granular material or a concrete slab, around the perimeter of which pool floor the sidewalls are anchored; and   (c) a pool liner comprising an impervious membrane, which is supported by the sidewalls, or an impervious sealant, which is applied to the sidewalls and the pool floor, such that the pool liner covers the sidewalls and the pool floor so as to contain a volume of pool water at a waterline level within the pool enclosure.   
   
   
       2 . The swimming pool according to  claim 1 , wherein the panels comprising adjoining tiers are assembled in a staggered configuration, such that the vertical side of each panel is not aligned with the vertical side of the panel(s) above and/or below it. 
   
   
       3 . The swimming pool according to either of  claims 1  or  2 , wherein each panel consists of a sheet of durable, corrosion-resistant material and comprises:
 (i) a front face oriented inward toward the pool enclosure;   (ii) a rear face oriented outward away from the pool enclosure;   (iii) two lateral flanges extending from the two horizontal sides, which lateral flanges are oriented outward in the direction of the rear face in a plane perpendicular to the rear face;   (iv) two serial flanges extending from the two vertical sides, which serial flanges are oriented outward in the direction of the rear face in a plane perpendicular to the rear face;   (v) four corner flanges extending perpendicularly from either side of the two lateral flanges, such that the corner flanges are oriented in the same plane as the serial flanges, and such that conforming diagonal sides of the lateral flanges and the corner flanges conjoin to enclose the four corners of the panel, thereby forming a rectangular box-like structure having an open side oriented in the direction of the rear face of the panel; and   (vi) two flaps extending from the entire length of the distal sides of the two lateral flanges, each of which flaps has two right-angle bends, which both bend inward toward the rear face, such that the first bend extends into a plane perpendicular to that of the lateral flange, and the second bend extends into a plane parallel to that of the lateral flange.   
   
   
       4 . A swimming pool comprising:
 (a) a pool enclosure having an entry side, the perimeter of which pool enclosure is surrounded by a series of interconnected sidewalls, and the bottom of which is underlain by a pool floor;   (b) a pool liner or sealant which covers the sidewalls and the pool floor and contains a volume of pool water at a waterline level within the pool enclosure; and   (c) one or more peninsular consoles each having two long sides and a front side, each of which peninsular consoles extends vertically from the pool floor to a level above the waterline level, and each of which peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from one of the sidewalls, and each of which peninsular consoles has a flat upper surface that lies above the waterline level and forms a platform, such that the platform accommodates bathers seeking to dry off, as well as their towels, beverages, and other bathing/swimming appurtenances.   
   
   
       5 . The swimming pool according to  claim 4 , wherein one or more of the peninsular consoles is/are hollow, such that the peninsular console contains an interior space which accommodates one or more items of mechanical equipment appurtenant to the swimming pool, such as one or more pumps, filters, skimmers, waterfalls, jets, lights and/or heaters. 
   
   
       6 . The swimming pool according to either of  claims 4  or  5 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       7 . A swimming pool comprising:
 (a) a pool enclosure, the perimeter of which is surrounded by an interconnected series of sidewalls and the bottom of which is underlain by a pool floor;   (b) a pool liner or sealant which covers sidewalls and the pool floor and contains a volume of pool water at a waterline level within the pool enclosure;   (c) one or more items of mechanical equipment, including one or more pumps; and   (d) one or more eductor jets, which are enclosed in one or more eductor boxes, into which eductor boxes the pump(s) pump an inflow of pressurized pool water drawn from the pool enclosure through one or more intakes, and each of which eductor jets accelerates the inflow through a nozzle into a venturi opening, so as to entrain the pool water in the eductor box, and so that the eductor jets expel through one or more outlets an outflow of pool water into the pool enclosure, which outflow is several times the volume of the inflow, thereby generating a vigorous current of flowing water within the pool enclosure, which current provides either passive massage or resistance for swimming in place.   
   
   
       8 . The swimming pool according to  claim 7 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       9 . The swimming pool according to  claim 7 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       10 . The swimming pool according to  claim 8 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       11 . The swimming pool according to any of  claims 7  through  10 , wherein the eductor jets are located within a hollow interior space within a peninsular console, which peninsular console extends vertically from the pool floor to a level above the waterline level, and which peninsular console projects into the pool enclosure from one of the sidewalls, and which peninsular console has a flat upper surface that lies above the waterline level and forms a platform. 
   
   
       12 . The swimming pool according to either of  claims 1  or  2 , further comprising:
 (d) one or more peninsular consoles each having two long sides and a front side, each of which peninsular consoles extends vertically from the pool floor to a level above the waterline level, and each of which peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from one of the sidewalls, and each of which peninsular consoles has a flat upper surface that lies above the waterline level and forms a platform, such that the platform accommodates bathers seeking to dry off, as well as their towels, beverages, and other bathing/swimming appurtenances.   
   
   
       13 . The swimming pool according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 (d) one or more peninsular consoles each having two long sides and a front side, each of which peninsular consoles extends vertically from the pool floor to a level above the waterline level, and each of which peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from one of the sidewalls, and each of which peninsular consoles has a flat upper surface that lies above the waterline level and forms a platform, such that the platform accommodates bathers seeking to dry off, as well as their towels, beverages, and other bathing/swimming appurtenances.   
   
   
       14 . The swimming pool according to  claim 12 , wherein one or more of the peninsular consoles is/are hollow, such that the peninsular console contains an interior space which accommodates one or more items of mechanical equipment appurtenant to the swimming pool, such as one or more pumps, filters, skimmers, waterfalls, jets, lights and/or heaters. 
   
   
       15 . The swimming pool according to  claim 13 , wherein one or more of the peninsular consoles is/are hollow, such that the peninsular console contains an interior space which accommodates one or more items of mechanical equipment appurtenant to the swimming pool, such as one or more pumps, filters, skimmers, waterfalls, jets, lights and/or heaters. 
   
   
       16 . The swimming pool according to  claim 12 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       17 . The swimming pool according to  claim 13 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       18 . The swimming pool according to  claim 14 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       19 . The swimming pool according to  claim 15 , wherein one of the peninsular console projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       20 . The swimming pool according to either of  claims 1  or  2 , further comprising:
 (d) one or more items of mechanical equipment, including one or more pumps; and   (e) one or more eductor jets, which are enclosed in one or more eductor boxes, into which eductor boxes the pump(s) pump an inflow of pressurized pool water drawn from the pool enclosure through one or more intakes, and each of which eductor jets accelerates the inflow through a nozzle into a venturi opening, so as to entrain the pool water in the eductor box, and so that the eductor jets expel through one or more outlets an outflow of pool water into the pool enclosure, which outflow is several times the volume of the inflow, thereby generating a vigorous current of flowing water within the pool enclosure, which current provides either passive massage or resistance for swimming in place.   
   
   
       21 . The swimming pool according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 (d) one or more items of mechanical equipment, including one or more pumps; and   (e) one or more eductor jets, which are enclosed in one or more eductor boxes, into which eductor boxes the pump(s) pump an inflow of pressurized pool water drawn from the pool enclosure through one or more intakes, and each of which eductor jets accelerates the inflow through a nozzle into a venturi opening, so as to entrain the pool water in the eductor box, and so that the eductor jets expel through one or more outlets an outflow of pool water into the pool enclosure, which outflow is several times the volume of the inflow, thereby generating a vigorous current of flowing water within the pool enclosure, which current provides either passive massage or resistance for swimming in place.   
   
   
       22 . The swimming pool according to  claim 20 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       23 . The swimming pool according to  claim 21 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       24 . The swimming pool according to  claim 20 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       25 . The swimming pool according to  claim 21 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       26 . The swimming pool according to  claim 22 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       27 . The swimming pool according to  claim 23 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       28 . The swimming pool according to either of  claims 1  or  2 , further comprising:
 (d) one or more peninsular consoles each having two long sides and a front side, each of which peninsular consoles extends vertically from the pool floor to a level above the waterline level, and each of which peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from one of the sidewalls, and each of which peninsular consoles has a flat upper surface that lies above the waterline level and forms a platform, such that the platform accommodates bathers seeking to dry off, as well as their towels, beverages, and other bathing/swimming appurtenances.   (e) one or more items of mechanical equipment, including one or more pumps; and   (f) one or more eductor jets, which are enclosed in one or more eductor boxes, into which eductor boxes the pump(s) pump an inflow of pressurized pool water drawn from the pool enclosure through one or more intakes, and each of which eductor jets accelerates the inflow through a nozzle into a venturi opening, so as to entrain the pool water in the eductor box, and so that the eductor jets expel through one or more outlets an outflow of pool water into the pool enclosure, which outflow is several times the volume of the inflow, thereby generating a vigorous current of flowing water within the pool enclosure, which current provides either passive massage or resistance for swimming in place.   
   
   
       29 . The swimming pool according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 (d) one or more peninsular consoles each having two long sides and a front side, each of which peninsular consoles extends vertically from the pool floor to a level above the waterline level, and each of which peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from one of the sidewalls, and each of which peninsular consoles has a flat upper surface that lies above the waterline level and forms a platform, such that the platform accommodates bathers seeking to dry off, as well as their towels, beverages, and other bathing/swimming appurtenances.   (e) one or more items of mechanical equipment, including one or more pumps; and   (f) one or more eductor jets, which are enclosed in one or more eductor boxes, into which eductor boxes the pump(s) pump an inflow of pressurized pool water drawn from the pool enclosure through one or more intakes, and each of which eductor jets accelerates the inflow through a nozzle into a venturi opening, so as to entrain the pool water in the eductor box, and so that the eductor jets expel through one or more outlets an outflow of pool water into the pool enclosure, which outflow is several times the volume of the inflow, thereby generating a vigorous current of flowing water within the pool enclosure, which current provides either passive massage or resistance for swimming in place.   
   
   
       30 . The swimming pool according to  claim 28 , wherein one or more of the peninsular consoles is/are hollow, such that the peninsular console contains an interior space which accommodates one or more items of mechanical equipment appurtenant to the swimming pool, such as one or more pumps, filters, skimmers, waterfalls, jets, lights and/or heaters, and such that the interior space within the peninsular console contains the eductor jets and the eductor boxes, and such that the intakes and outlets access the interior space from the front side and/or the long sides of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       31 . The swimming pool according to  claim 29 , wherein one or more of the peninsular consoles is/are hollow, such that the peninsular console contains an interior space which accommodates one or more items of mechanical equipment appurtenant to the swimming pool, such as one or more pumps, filters, skimmers, waterfalls, jets, lights and/or heaters, and such that the interior space within the peninsular console contains the eductor jets and the eductor boxes, and such that the intakes and outlets access the interior space from the front side and/or the long sides of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       32 . The swimming pool according to  claim 28 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       33 . The swimming pool according to  claim 29 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       34 . The swimming pool according  claim 30 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       35 . The swimming pool according to  claim 31 , wherein one of the peninsular consoles projects into the pool enclosure from the entry side, and wherein the peninsular console either has adjoining it, on one of the long sides, one or more entry steps, or alternately wherein the peninsular console is surrounded by one or more entry steps on both of the long sides, and wherein in either alternative the steps are oriented either parallel to the front side of the peninsular console or perpendicular to the front side of the peninsular console. 
   
   
       36 . The swimming pool according to  claim 28 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       37 . The swimming pool according to  claim 29 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       38 . The swimming pool according to  claim 30 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       39 . The swimming pool according to  claim 31 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       40 . The swimming pool according to  claim 32 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       41 . The swimming pool according to  claim 33 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       42 . The swimming pool according to  claim 34 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       43 . The swimming pool according to  claim 35 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump and/or is equipped with a by-pass valve or a variable flow control valve, such that the outflow from the eductor jets is adjustable so as to generate currents of varying strengths within the pool enclosure. 
   
   
       44 . The swimming pool according to  claim 30 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       45 . The swimming pool according to  claim 31 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       46 . The swimming pool according to  claim 34 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       47 . The swimming pool according to  claim 35 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       48 . The swimming pool according to  claim 38 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       49 . The swimming pool according to  claim 39 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       50 . The swimming pool according to  claim 42 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake. 
   
   
       51 . The swimming pool according to  claim 43 , wherein the eductor jets are equipped with a safety cut-off box, which interrupts the inflow when one or more of the intakes is obstructed, thereby eliminating suction-force at the intake to prevent underwater entrapment of a person standing or swimming near the intake.