US6250776B1 — Niche assembly for a pool and method therefor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 94 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall; and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and an external surface having, at least one handle projecting from the external surface to provide leverage sufficient to enable the back up ring to be screwed on by application of force to the handle.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 94 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall; and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and an external surface having, at least one handle projecting from the external surface to provide leverage sufficient to enable the back up ring to be screwed on by application of force to the handle.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 124 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool includes a pool wall with a large hole formed therethrough for insertion of the niche and with a small hole formed therein, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall, and a boss formed on the flange, wherein the boss is configured to be inset in the small hole when the niche assembly is fully inserted into the large hole and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the internal threads, and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 124 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool includes a pool wall with a large hole formed therethrough for insertion of the niche and with a small hole formed therein, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall, and a boss formed on the flange, wherein the boss is configured to be inset in the small hole when the niche assembly is fully inserted into the large hole and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the internal threads, and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The niche assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one handle includes two diametrically opposed handles.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The niche assembly of claim 1 , wherein one end of the outer wall defines an opening into the niche, and the flange is formed on the periphery of the opening.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The niche assembly of claim 1 , wherein the external threads are adjacent the flange.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 109 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the niche assembly comprising a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall, and a plurality of ribs formed on the outer wall; and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and a tab projecting towards the plurality of ribs, wherein the tab and the plurality of ribs cooperate to impede the rotation of the backup ring in one direction; and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 109 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the niche assembly comprising a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall, and a plurality of ribs formed on the outer wall; and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and a tab projecting towards the plurality of ribs, wherein the tab and the plurality of ribs cooperate to impede the rotation of the backup ring in one direction; and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 126 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool includes a pool wall and a vinyl liner for covering the pool wall, the niche assembly further comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall with a beveled outer edge, and, external threads formed on the outer wall; a seal ring with a sloping outer edge; a gasket; the seal ring and the gasket sealing the vinyl liner to the flange, wherein the sloping edge conforms the vinyl liner to the beveled outer edge; a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 126 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool includes a pool wall and a vinyl liner for covering the pool wall, the niche assembly further comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall with a beveled outer edge, and, external threads formed on the outer wall; a seal ring with a sloping outer edge; a gasket; the seal ring and the gasket sealing the vinyl liner to the flange, wherein the sloping edge conforms the vinyl liner to the beveled outer edge; a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 166 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool including a pool wall with a large hole formed therethrough and with a small hole formed therein, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with a bowl-shaped outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall for limiting the insertion of the niche through the large hole, a boss formed on the flange, wherein the boss is configured to inset in the small hole when the niche is fully inserted into the large hole, and external threads formed on the outer wall adjacent the flange; and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon, wherein the at least one handle for providing leverage to screw the backup ring onto the niche, wherein the inset boss would prevent rotation of the niche when the backup ring rotates onto the niche.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 166 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool including a pool wall with a large hole formed therethrough and with a small hole formed therein, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with a bowl-shaped outer wall, the niche includes, a flange formed on the outer wall for limiting the insertion of the niche through the large hole, a boss formed on the flange, wherein the boss is configured to inset in the small hole when the niche is fully inserted into the large hole, and external threads formed on the outer wall adjacent the flange; and a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the external threads, and an external surface with at least one handle formed thereon, wherein the at least one handle for providing leverage to screw the backup ring onto the niche, wherein the inset boss would prevent rotation of the niche when the backup ring rotates onto the niche.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 135 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool includes a pool wall and a vinyl liner for covering the pool wall and an opening in the wall, the niche assembly further comprising: a niche with an outer wall extending through the opening, the niche includes a flange formed on the outer wall in abutment therewith, the flange with a beveled outer edge sloped inwardly towards the niche wall with the liner overlapping the flange; a seal ring overlapping the liner with a sloping outer edge generally parallel to the beveled outer edge of the flange; a gasket between the liner and seal ring inwardly of the outer beveled edge; the seal ring and the gasket sealing the vinyl liner to the flange, wherein the sloping edge conforms the vinyl liner to the beveled outer edge.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 135 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the pool includes a pool wall and a vinyl liner for covering the pool wall and an opening in the wall, the niche assembly further comprising: a niche with an outer wall extending through the opening, the niche includes a flange formed on the outer wall in abutment therewith, the flange with a beveled outer edge sloped inwardly towards the niche wall with the liner overlapping the flange; a seal ring overlapping the liner with a sloping outer edge generally parallel to the beveled outer edge of the flange; a gasket between the liner and seal ring inwardly of the outer beveled edge; the seal ring and the gasket sealing the vinyl liner to the flange, wherein the sloping edge conforms the vinyl liner to the beveled outer edge.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 112 words

A method of mounting a niche assembly to a pool wall with a hole sized to accommodate the niche formed therethrough, using a backup ring which can screw onto the niche to clamp it to the wall, the backup ring having at least one handle projecting therefrom to provide leverage sufficient to enable the backup ring to be screwed on by application of force to the handle, the method comprising: inserting the niche through the hole until a flange of the niche abuts the wall and thereby limits the insertion; and screwing the backup ring onto the niche by applying force to the at least one handle formed on the backup ring.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 112 words

A method of mounting a niche assembly to a pool wall with a hole sized to accommodate the niche formed therethrough, using a backup ring which can screw onto the niche to clamp it to the wall, the backup ring having at least one handle projecting therefrom to provide leverage sufficient to enable the backup ring to be screwed on by application of force to the handle, the method comprising: inserting the niche through the hole until a flange of the niche abuts the wall and thereby limits the insertion; and screwing the backup ring onto the niche by applying force to the at least one handle formed on the backup ring.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 71 words

A method of mounting a niche assembly to a pool wall, with a large and a small hole formed therein, the method comprising; inserting a boss formed on the flange into the small holes when inserting the niche through the large hole, until a flange of the niche limits the insertion; and screwing a backup ring onto the niche by use of at least one handle formed on the backup ring.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 71 words

A method of mounting a niche assembly to a pool wall, with a large and a small hole formed therein, the method comprising; inserting a boss formed on the flange into the small holes when inserting the niche through the large hole, until a flange of the niche limits the insertion; and screwing a backup ring onto the niche by use of at least one handle formed on the backup ring.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 78 words

A method of mounting a niche assembly to a pool wall with a large hole formed therethrough, the method comprising: inserting a niche through the large hole until a flange of the niche limits the insertion; screwing a backup ring onto the niche by use of at least one handle formed on the backup ring; and tapping the handle to set a tab of the backup ring against one of a plurality of ribs formed on the niche.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 78 words

A method of mounting a niche assembly to a pool wall with a large hole formed therethrough, the method comprising: inserting a niche through the large hole until a flange of the niche limits the insertion; screwing a backup ring onto the niche by use of at least one handle formed on the backup ring; and tapping the handle to set a tab of the backup ring against one of a plurality of ribs formed on the niche.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 96 words

A method of manufacturing a niche assembly, the method comprising: forming a niche having an outer wall; forming a flange on the outer wall; forming external threads on the outer wall; forming a backup ring having an internal surface and an external surface; forming internal threads on the internal surface that are configured to mesh with the external threads; and forming at least one handle on the external surface projecting therefrom to enable leverage to be applied to the backup ring sufficient to enable it to be screwed on by application of force to the handle.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 96 words

A method of manufacturing a niche assembly, the method comprising: forming a niche having an outer wall; forming a flange on the outer wall; forming external threads on the outer wall; forming a backup ring having an internal surface and an external surface; forming internal threads on the internal surface that are configured to mesh with the external threads; and forming at least one handle on the external surface projecting therefrom to enable leverage to be applied to the backup ring sufficient to enable it to be screwed on by application of force to the handle.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of manufacturing a niche assembly, the method comprising: forming a niche having an outer wall; forming a flange on the outer wall; forming a boss on the flange; configuring the boss to be inset into a small hole of a pool wall when the niche is fully inserted into a large hole of the pool wall; forming external threads on the outer wall; forming a backup ring having an internal surface and external surface; forming internal threads on the internal surface that are configured to mesh with the external threads; and forming at least one handle on the external surface.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of manufacturing a niche assembly, the method comprising: forming a niche having an outer wall; forming a flange on the outer wall; forming a boss on the flange; configuring the boss to be inset into a small hole of a pool wall when the niche is fully inserted into a large hole of the pool wall; forming external threads on the outer wall; forming a backup ring having an internal surface and external surface; forming internal threads on the internal surface that are configured to mesh with the external threads; and forming at least one handle on the external surface.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein forming at least one handle on the external surface includes forming at least two diametrically opposed handles on the external surface.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of manufacturing a niche assembly, the method comprising: forming a niche having an outer wall; forming a flange on the outer wall; forming external threads on the outer wall; forming a plurality of ribs on the outer wall; forming a backup ring having an internal surface and external surface; forming internal threads on the internal surface that are configured to mesh with the external threads; forming a tab on the backup ring that is cooperative with the plurality of ribs to prevent rotation of the backup ring in one direction; and forming at least one handle on the external surface.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of manufacturing a niche assembly, the method comprising: forming a niche having an outer wall; forming a flange on the outer wall; forming external threads on the outer wall; forming a plurality of ribs on the outer wall; forming a backup ring having an internal surface and external surface; forming internal threads on the internal surface that are configured to mesh with the external threads; forming a tab on the backup ring that is cooperative with the plurality of ribs to prevent rotation of the backup ring in one direction; and forming at least one handle on the external surface.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 93 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche including, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall; a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the internal threads; and a one way motion restraint which impedes rotation of the backup ring in one direction to unscrew the backup ring but permits rotation of the backup ring in an opposite direction to screw on.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 93 words

A niche assembly for a pool, the niche assembly comprising: a niche with an outer wall, the niche including, a flange formed on the outer wall, and external threads formed on the outer wall; a backup ring including, an internal surface with internal threads formed thereon, wherein the internal threads are configured to mesh with the internal threads; and a one way motion restraint which impedes rotation of the backup ring in one direction to unscrew the backup ring but permits rotation of the backup ring in an opposite direction to screw on.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 107 words

A niche assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein the one way motion restraint comprises: a plurality of rotationally spaced ribs formed on one of the outer wall and the backup ring; and a tab attached to the other of the outer wall and the backup ring positioned to successively engage the ribs during rotation of the backup ring during rotation in the other direction during screwing on of the backup ring, the tab being shaped to resiliently deflect and pass over the ribs during motion in the other direction and to resist deflection during motion in the one direction to thereby impede rotation and resist unscrewing.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 39 words

A niche assembly as defined in claim 17 further including, at least one handle projecting from the backup ring to provide leverage sufficient to enable the backup ring to be screwed on by application of force to the handle.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-06-25	2004-12-25	2005-06-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-06-25	2008-12-25	2009-06-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-06-25	2012-12-25	2013-06-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Niche assembly for a pool and method therefor

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