Support system for vessels such as swimming pools

Abstract

Support systems for vessels such as above-ground swimming pools are disclosed. Each system may include one or more buttresses adapted to support substantially the entire vertical height of the side wall or each of a series of side walls of the pool. The buttresses, which flare along their lengths, closely match the support they provide each side wall to the outward water pressure present-along its height for enhanced reliability. The diminished space required for installation of the disclosed buttresses reduces the surface area required for their associated pool.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for maintaining in position a wall of an above-ground swimming pool designed to contain water, comprising means, adapted to contact the wall substantially continuously along its height, for supporting the wall against the pressure of water contained within the pool.  
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the supporting means comprises a buttress having a top, a bottom, and a depth which increases substantially continuously from top to bottom.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2  in which the buttress (i) is of height at least approximately equal to the height of the wall and which, (ii) in use, protrudes only minimally from the wall.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3  in which the buttress comprises: 
 a. a face;  
 b. a plurality of sides, each connected to the face; and  
 c. at least one surface connected to one of the sides and for contacting the wall.  
 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4  in which the face, plurality of sides and surface of the buttress are integrally formed in a unitary structure.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5  in which the pool comprises a rim into which the wall is fitted in use and the surface of the buttress includes means, adapted to receive the rim, for maintaining the position of the rim in use.  
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6  in which the maintaining means comprises a notch in the buttress into which the rim is fitted in use.  
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7  in which the rim contains at least one slot, further comprising a cross-member having an upper surface from which a tab protrudes, the tab in use being received by the slot.  
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8  in which, in use, the cross-member is at least partially buried in the ground and connected to the buttress.  
     
     
         10 . A system for maintaining in position a wall of an above-ground swimming pool designed to contain comprising a buttress having a vertical cross-section generally in the form of a solid triangle and a surface that, in use, contacts the wall so as to support the wall against the outward pressure of water contained within the pool.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 10  in which the buttress (i) is of height at least approximately equal to the height of the wall and which, (ii) in use, protrudes only minimally from the wall.  
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11  in which the buttress further comprises: 
 a. a face; and  
 b. a plurality of sides, each connected to the face; and 
 in which the surface that contacts the wall in use is connected to one of the sides.  
 
 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12  in which the face, plurality of sides and surface of the buttress are integrally formed in a unitary structure.  
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 13  in which the pool comprises a rim into which the wall is fitted in use and the surface of the buttress includes means, adapted to receive the rim, for maintaining the position of the rim in use.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14  in which the maintaining means comprises a notch in the buttress into which the rim is fitted in use.  
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15  in which the rim contains at least one slot, further comprising a cross-member having an upper surface from which a tab protrudes, the tab in use being received by the slot.  
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16  in which, in use, the cross-member is at least partially buried in the ground and connected to the buttress.  
     
     
         18 . An above-ground swimming pool designed to contain water and comprising: 
 a. a plurality of cross-members, each at least partially buried in the ground and having an upper surface from which at least one tab protrudes above ground;    b. a rim formed at least in part by a plurality of segments, each segment having a slot adapted to receive a tab of a cross-member;    c. at least one side wall having a height and fitted into the rim so as to extend substantially vertically above the ground; and    d. a plurality of buttresses, each having a top, a bottom, and a height approximating the height of the at least one side wall and comprising: 
 i. a surface spanning the height of the buttress and contacting at least one side wall to support the side wall against the outward pressure of water contained within the pool;  
 ii. at least one side connected to the surface and increasing in size from the top of the buttress to the bottom of the buttress; and  
 iii. means for receiving at least one segment of the rim.  
   
     
     
         19 . A swimming pool according to  claim 18  in which the receiving means comprises a notch adjacent the bottom of the buttress.  
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the supporting means contains a first aperture, further comprising: 
 a. a cross-member having a generally horizontal surface containing a second aperture; and  
 b. means, received by the first and second apertures, for connecting the supporting means to the cross-member underground in use.  
 
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 2  in which the supporting means comprises a buttress having a top, a bottom, and a depth which increases substantially continuously from top to bottom.  
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the supporting means comprises at least one tab, further comprising a cross-member having means for receiving the tab underground to secure the position of the supporting means relative to the cross-member in use.  
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 2  in which the supporting means comprises a buttress having a top, a bottom, and a depth which increases substantially continuously from top to bottom.