Method and apparatus for securing a liner in a liquid containment structure

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a liner to a liquid containment structure, comprising a mounting member operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to a surface of the structure, and an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage the mounting member, sandwiching the liner therebetween. A method of securing a liner to a liquid containment structure, comprising the steps of fixedly securing a mounting member to a surface of the structure, positioning the liner atop the mounting member, and securing an attaching member atop the liner in engagement with the mounting member.

1 . An apparatus for securing a liner to a liquid containment structure, comprising: 
 a mounting member operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to a surface of said structure; and,    an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage said mounting member, sandwiching said liner therebetween.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said attaching and mounting members are arranged to matingly engage one another to sandwich said liner therebetween without puncturing said liner.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2  wherein said attaching and mounting members are arranged to matingly engage one another and create a liquid-tight seal between said attaching member and said liner.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting member further comprises a first protuberance, said attaching member further comprises a first groove, and said first protuberance is operatively arranged to interlock with said first groove.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting member further comprises a second groove, said attaching member further comprises a second protuberance, and said second protuberance is operatively arranged to interlock with said second groove.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting member is an integral part of said surface of said structure.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting member further comprises: 
 a gripping surface operatively arranged to matingly engage said attaching member; and,    a mounting surface operatively arranged to interface with said surface of said structure.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7  wherein said mounting member further comprises a hole connecting said gripping surface and said mounting surface.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said attaching member further comprises third and fourth grooves and a third protuberance, all substantially parallel; and, 
 wherein said gripping surface further comprises fourth and fifth protuberances and a fifth groove, substantially parallel to and operatively arranged to interlock with said third and fourth grooves and said third protuberance, respectively, and sandwich said liner between said gripping surface and said attaching member without puncturing said liner; and,    wherein said mounting member further comprises a plurality of holes connecting said gripping and mounting surfaces.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said mounting member is operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to said surface of said liquid containment structure, said liquid containment structure selected from the group consisting of below-ground swimming pools, above-ground swimming pools, steel-walled swimming pools, Jacuzzis, spas, and hot tubs.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for repairing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising: 
 a mounting member operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to a surface of said structure; and,    an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage said mounting member, sandwiching said liner therebetween.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said attaching and mounting members are arranged to matingly engage one another to sandwich said liner therebetween without puncturing said liner.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for securing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising: 
 a flange arranged proximate a surface of said containment structure;    a mounting member operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to said flange; and,    an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage said mounting member, sandwiching said liner therebetween.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13  wherein said attaching and mounting members are arranged to matingly engage one another to sandwich said liner therebetween without puncturing said liner.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein said attaching and mounting members are arranged to matingly engage one another and create a liquid-tight seal between said attaching member and said liner.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13  wherein said mounting member further comprises a first protuberance, and said attaching member further comprises a first groove, and, said first protuberance is operatively arranged to interlock with said first groove.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13  wherein said mounting member further comprises a second groove, and said attaching member further comprises a second protuberance, and, said second protuberance is operatively arranged to interlock with said second groove.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13  wherein said mounting member is an integral part of said flange.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13  wherein said mounting member further comprises: 
 a gripping surface operatively arranged to matingly engage said attaching member; and,    a mounting surface operatively arranged to interface with said flange.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 19  wherein said mounting member further defines a hole passing through said gripping surface and said mounting surface.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 20  wherein said attaching member further comprises third and fourth grooves and a third protuberance, all substantially parallel; and, 
 wherein said gripping surface further comprises fourth and fifth protuberances and a fifth groove, substantially parallel to and operatively arranged to interlock with said third and fourth grooves and said third protuberance, respectively, and sandwich said liner between said gripping surface and said attaching member without puncturing said liner; and,    wherein said mounting member further comprises a plurality of holes connecting said gripping and mounting surfaces.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13  wherein said mounting member is operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to a flange arranged in a liquid containment structure, said liquid containment structure selected from the group consisting of below-ground swimming pools, above-ground swimming pools, steel-walled swimming pools, Jacuzzis, spas, and hot tubs.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for repairing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising: 
 a flange arranged proximate a surface of said containment structure;    a mounting member operatively arranged to be fixedly secured to said flange; and,    an attaching member operatively arranged to matingly engage said mounting member, sandwiching said liner therebetween.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 23  wherein said attaching and mounting members are arranged to matingly engage one another to sandwich said liner therebetween without puncturing said liner.  
   
   
       25 . A method of securing a liner to a liquid containment structure, comprising the steps of: 
 fixedly securing a mounting member to a surface of said structure;    positioning said liner atop said mounting member; and,    securing an attaching member atop said liner in engagement with said mounting member.    
   
   
       26 . The method recited in  claim 25  wherein said securement includes sandwiching said liner between said mounting and attaching members without puncturing said liner.  
   
   
       27 . The method recited in  claim 26  wherein said sandwiching further comprises creating a liquid-tight seal between said attaching member and said liner.  
   
   
       28 . The method recited in  claim 25  wherein said mounting member further comprises a first protuberance, said attaching member further comprises a first groove, and said securement further comprises interlocking said first protuberance with said first groove.  
   
   
       29 . The method recited in  claim 25  wherein said mounting member further comprises a second groove, said attaching member further comprises a second protuberance, and said securement further comprises interlocking said second protuberance with said second groove.  
   
   
       30 . The method recited in  claim 25  wherein said securement further comprises integrally forming said mounting member in said surface of said structure.  
   
   
       31 . The method recited in  claim 25  wherein said mounting member comprises: 
 a mounting surface arranged to interface with said surface of said liquid containment structure; and,    wherein said securement further comprises securing said mounting surface to said surface of said structure.    
   
   
       32 . The method recited in  claim 31  wherein said mounting member further comprises: 
 a gripping surface operatively arranged to matingly engage said attaching member; and,    a hole passing through said gripping and mounting surfaces; and,    wherein said securement further comprises attaching said mounting member using a mechanical fastener inserted through said hole.    
   
   
       33 . The method recited in  claim 31  wherein said securement further comprises adhering said mounting surface to said surface of said structure.  
   
   
       34 . A method of repairing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising the steps of: 
 fixedly securing a mounting member to a surface of said structure;    positioning said liner atop said mounting member; and,    securing an attaching member atop said liner in engagement with said mounting member.    
   
   
       35 . The method recited in  claim 34  wherein said securement includes sandwiching said liner between said mounting and attaching members without puncturing said liner.  
   
   
       36 . A method of securing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising the steps of: 
 arranging a flange proximate a surface of said containment structure;    fixedly securing a mounting member to said flange;    positioning said liner atop said mounting member; and,    securing an attaching member atop said liner in engagement with said mounting member.    
   
   
       37 . The method recited in  claim 36  wherein said securement includes sandwiching said liner between said mounting and attaching members without puncturing said liner.  
   
   
       38 . The method recited in  claim 37  wherein said sandwiching further comprises creating a liquid-tight seal between said attaching member and said liner.  
   
   
       39 . The method recited in  claim 36  wherein said mounting member further comprises a first protuberance, and said attaching member further comprises a first groove, and said securement further comprises interlocking said first protuberance with said first groove.  
   
   
       40 . The method recited in  claim 36  wherein said mounting member further comprises a second groove, said attaching member further comprises a second protuberance, and said securement further comprises interlocking said second protuberance with said second groove.  
   
   
       41 . The method recited in  claim 36  wherein said securement further comprises integrally forming said mounting member in said flange.  
   
   
       42 . The method recited in  claim 36  wherein said mounting member comprises: 
 a mounting surface arranged to interface with said flange; and,    wherein said securement further comprises securing said mounting surface to said flange.    
   
   
       43 . The method recited in  claim 42  wherein said mounting member further comprises: 
 a gripping surface operatively arranged to matingly engage said attaching member; and,    a hole passing through said gripping and mounting surfaces; and,    wherein said securement further comprises mechanically attaching said mounting member using a mechanical fastener inserted through said hole.    
   
   
       44 . The method recited in  claim 42  wherein said securement further comprises adhering said mounting surface to said flange.  
   
   
       45 . A method of repairing a liner in a liquid containment structure, comprising the steps of: 
 arranging a flange proximate a surface of said containment structure;    fixedly securing a mounting member to said flange;    positioning said liner atop said mounting member; and,    securing an attaching member atop said liner in engagement with said mounting member.    
   
   
       46 . The method recited in  claim 45  wherein said securement includes sandwiching said liner between said mounting and attaching members without puncturing said liner.