Swimming pool bulkhead

Abstract

A swimming pool bulkhead is disclosed. The bulkhead includes a substructure having a metallic frame, a pair of support assemblies mounted to opposite ends of the metallic frame of the substructure, and a superstructure having a non-metallic frame mounted to the substructure. A buoyancy chamber for a swimming pool bulkhead is also disclosed. The buoyancy chamber includes a substantially fluid-tight, cylindrical chamber, an air input conduit operatively connectable to a source of pressurized air, an air discharge conduit having an inlet in the chamber, and means for varying an elevation of a water level in the chamber to vary the buoyancy of the chamber. A method for controlling the buoyancy of a bulkhead is also provided.

1 . A swimming pool bulkhead comprising:
 a substructure having a metallic frame and positionable below a water line of a pool;   a pair of support assemblies mounted to opposite ends of the metallic frame of the substructure, each of the pair of support structures adapted to mount to an opposing side of the pool; and   a superstructure having a non-metallic frame mounted to the substructure and positionable at and above the water line of the pool.   
     
     
         2 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame of the substructure comprises stainless steel members. 
     
     
         3 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic frame of the superstructure comprises fiberglass members. 
     
     
         4 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the substructure further comprises side panels mounted to sides of the metallic frame. 
     
     
         5 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the side panels comprise permeable side panels. 
     
     
         6 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the side panels comprise non-metallic, permeable side panels. 
     
     
         7 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the superstructure further comprises decking mounted to the top of the non-metallic frame. 
     
     
         8 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the superstructure further comprises side panels mounted to sides of the non-metallic frame. 
     
     
         9 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the side panels of the superstructure comprise permeable side panels. 
     
     
         10 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the superstructure further comprises a plurality of vertical members mountable to the frame of the substructure. 
     
     
         11 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of vertical members of the superstructure are adjustably mountable to the frame of the substructure. 
     
     
         12 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of support assemblies comprises at least one vertical member mountable to the frame of the substructure. 
     
     
         13 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 12 , wherein at least one vertical member of each of the pair of support assemblies is adjustably mounted to the frame of the substructure. 
     
     
         14 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each of the pair of support assemblies comprise two vertical members and at least one horizontal member mounted between the two vertical members. 
     
     
         15 . The bulkhead as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a buoyancy chamber positioned in the metallic substructure. 
     
     
         16 . A buoyancy chamber for a swimming pool bulkhead, the buoyancy chamber comprising:
 a substantially fluid-tight, cylindrical chamber adapted to be positioned in a bulkhead;   an air input conduit operatively connectable to a source of pressurized air, the air input conduit having an outlet at a first elevation within the chamber;   an air discharge conduit having an inlet in the chamber at a second elevation lower than the first elevation, and an outlet outside the chamber; and   means for varying an elevation of a water level in the chamber above the inlet of the air discharge conduit to vary the buoyancy of the chamber.   
     
     
         17 . The buoyancy chamber as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the means for varying the elevation of the water level comprises means for introducing pressurized air from the source of pressurized air to the chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The buoyancy chamber as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the means for varying the elevation of the water level comprises means for discharging air from the chamber through the air input conduit. 
     
     
         19 . A method for controlling the buoyancy of a bulkhead comprising:
 positioning a buoyancy chamber within a bulkhead;   immersing the bulkhead with buoyancy chamber in water to provide a first level of water in the buoyancy chamber and a first buoyancy force; and   introducing pressurized air to the buoyancy chamber to displace at least some water from the chamber and provide a second level of water in the chamber, the second level having an elevation lower than the first level to provide a second buoyancy force greater than the first buoyancy force.   
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein introducing air to the buoyancy chamber is practiced by introducing air to an air supply conduit having an outlet in the chamber. 
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises discharging air from the buoyancy chamber.