US5067228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for blind attachment of a liner to a pool support structure
Assignee: Saratoga SPA and Bath Co Inc
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Filing: 1990-05-09
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2010-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A protocol and apparatus for blind securement of an opaque, water-impervious membrane to a flat fixed margin of a water containment system. Specifically, the invention teaches a method for securing a pool lining wrinkle-free to a fixed structure of the pool, such as a molded stair module. An apparatus is provided herewith for effecting the method of the invention and consists basically in a grommet, a tactile index in the form of detent-receptacle paraphernalia and a planar faceplate, having template definition. The faceplate-template is used to securely press the membrane against the grommet while engaging the detent-receptacle apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 John Gardenier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:49
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H4/00; E04H4/14; E04H4/144; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49895; Y10T29/49947
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In a water containment structure including a preformed structural module, a membranous liner and faceplate sealing means for fixed securing of the liner to a protruding flat margin of the module in a water-tight configuration, an improvement for effecting a blind overlay installation of the faceplate sealing means so that it secures integrally the liner in said configuration, said improvement comprising a flat template strip having at least one detent-in-receptacle indexing pair means that is associated with an index compliment pair means disposed on the margin of the module; and fixing means for fixing said indexing pair means to said index compliment pair means with the liner secured therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a water containment structure including a preformed structural module, a membranous liner and faceplate sealing means for fixed securing of the liner to a protruding flat margin of the module in a water-tight configuration, an improvement for effecting a blind overlay installation of the faceplate sealing means so that it secures integrally the liner in said configuration, said improvement comprising a flat template strip having at least one detent-in-receptacle indexing pair means that is associated with an index compliment pair means disposed on the margin of the module; and fixing means for fixing said indexing pair means to said index compliment pair means with the liner secured therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The claim 1 invention wherein a detent of said detent-in-receptacle means comprises a smooth morphology so as to present a non-piercing shape to said liner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 further defining a foraminous template strip that contains facia-engaging flanges for inserting therebetween a cover strip to cover essentially the strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A pool liner attachment apparatus for securely fixing a liner to a protruding, flat margin of a stair module, the system comprising: a margin modification to provide a detent-in-receptacle alignment means to the margin, including detents and receptacles of said alignment means disposed along the margin; a flat template, essentially narrow and elongate, bearing thereon detent-in-receptacle means that compliments detents or receptacles of said alignment means; and fixing means for securing said template to the margin modification with the liner disposed therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A pool liner attachment apparatus for securely fixing a liner to a protruding, flat margin of a stair module, the system comprising: a margin modification to provide a detent-in-receptacle alignment means to the margin, including detents and receptacles of said alignment means disposed along the margin; a flat template, essentially narrow and elongate, bearing thereon detent-in-receptacle means that compliments detents or receptacles of said alignment means; and fixing means for securing said template to the margin modification with the liner disposed therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said detents comprise smooth, short projections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said receptacles are holes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said template bears a hole or projection array and said margin modification bears the projection or hole compliment of said template array.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for producing a pool liner blind attachment apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a narrow, flat and elongate strip which is to serve as a faceplate-template of the apparatus; fixing removably, by suitable means, the strip over and onto a flat margin of a liner-receiving component or module; penetrating the strip to form at least two spaced-apart holes in the strip and the underlying margin, thus modifying the margin and providing complimentary holes in both margin and strip; and permanently fixing shaped, smoothed dowels into the margin of strip holes to provide detents in whichever element, margin or strip, the detents are desired, the corresponding hole remaining, after said fixing, the detent compliment, whereby the strip may be removed, the liner laid over the margin and the strip realigned thereover by tactile reference on the two spaced-apart detent-hole pairs.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for producing a pool liner blind attachment apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a narrow, flat and elongate strip which is to serve as a faceplate-template of the apparatus; fixing removably, by suitable means, the strip over and onto a flat margin of a liner-receiving component or module; penetrating the strip to form at least two spaced-apart holes in the strip and the underlying margin, thus modifying the margin and providing complimentary holes in both margin and strip; and permanently fixing shaped, smoothed dowels into the margin of strip holes to provide detents in whichever element, margin or strip, the detents are desired, the corresponding hole remaining, after said fixing, the detent compliment, whereby the strip may be removed, the liner laid over the margin and the strip realigned thereover by tactile reference on the two spaced-apart detent-hole pairs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 8 including the additional step of securing a gasket to the margin underlying the strip and, further penetrating the gasket simultaneously with the strip during said penetrating step.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-25 | 1995-05-27 | 1995-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-25 | 1999-05-27 | 1999-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-25 | 2003-05-27 | 2003-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |