Pool having curvable wall

Abstract

A curvable panel for swimming pools and the like includes a panel that is flexible to form concave or convex surfaces. At least one elongated reinforcing member is secured to the panel to retain the panel in the desired shape. Locating features such as notches or the like in the elongated reinforcing member and the panel ensure that the panel retains the desired shape. The panel can be readily formed into a variety of shapes, thereby reducing the tooling, inventory, and other such costs that would otherwise by incurred if a plurality of rigid curved panels were utilized.

1 . A panel for swimming pools, comprising: 
 a panel having generally vertical first and second side faces, the first side face being suitable for forming a sidewall of a swimming pool of the type having a liner, the panel defining upper and lower peripheral edges, and side edges extending between the upper and lower peripheral edges, the panel including a plurality of structural ribs projecting transversely from the side face and extending generally vertically along the first side face and defining an outer edge surface, the panel comprising a flexible material such that the first side face can be formed into a plurality of non-planar curved shapes;    at least two of the outer edge surfaces of the structural ribs having a rib notch therein with opposed inner side surfaces; and    at least one support member extending horizontally along the second side face of the panel, at least a portion of the support member being positioned in the rib notches in the outer edge surfaces of the ribs between the opposed inner side surfaces to vertically position the support member relative to the panel, wherein the support member is connected to the panel in at least two locations and holds the panel in a curved configuration with the first side face having a non-planar curved shape.    
   
   
       2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the support member comprises an elongated strap-like member having opposite side edges, at least one side edge having first and second strap notches therein, and wherein the opposed inner side surfaces of the rib notches are received in the strap notches to horizontally position the strap-like member relative to the panel.    
   
   
       3 . The panel of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the strap-like member is made of a flexible material.    
   
   
       4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the rib notches include base surfaces extending between the opposed inner surfaces; and including:    threaded fasteners extending through the support member into the base surfaces of the rib notches.    
   
   
       5 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least a first one of the ribs includes a main rib section extending along a side edge of the panel, the first one of the ribs including an offset portion forming a rib notch, the offset portion being spaced horizontally from the side edge of the panel and from the main rib section.    
   
   
       6 . The panel of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the first one of the ribs includes angled portions extending between the main rib portion and the offset portion.    
   
   
       7 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the panel comprises a vertically enlarged web, and the structural ribs are integrally formed with the web.    
   
   
       8 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the web and the structural ribs are made of a polymer material.    
   
   
       9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the support member is made of a polymer material.    
   
   
       10 . A swimming pool, comprising: 
 a plurality of upright wall panels that are interconnected to form a pool sidewall;    at least one of the wall panels comprising generally vertical inner and outer opposite side faces, and including a plurality of horizontally spaced apart retaining structures extending outwardly form the outer side frame and defining first engagement surfaces, wherein the inner side face has a gently curved shape in plan view;    at least one horizontally extending elongated support member connected to the retaining structures and retaining the one wall panel in the curved shape; and wherein:    the elongated support member defines second engagement surfaces in contact with the first engagement surfaces and restricting vertical movement of the elongated support member relative to the one wall panel.    
   
   
       11 . The swimming pool of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the retaining structures comprise flange-like structures.    
   
   
       12 . The swimming pool of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 the flange-like structures define outer edges, and the first engagement surfaces comprise notches in the outer edges, and wherein:    portions of the elongated support member are received in the notches.    
   
   
       13 . The swimming pool of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the elongated support member defines opposite edges; and    the second engagement surfaces comprise notches in the opposite edges that receive portions of the flange-like structures.    
   
   
       14 . The swimming pool of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 the one wall panel defines upper and lower edge portions, and the flange-like structures extend from the upper edge portions to the lower edge portions.    
   
   
       15 . The swimming pool of  claim 10 , including: 
 mechanical fasteners connecting the elongated support member to the one wall panel.    
   
   
       16 . The swimming pool of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 the one wall panel includes a vertically and horizontally enlarged web having an inner surface forming the inner side face, and an outer surface, and wherein:    the flange-like structures are integrally formed with the web and extend transversely outwardly from the outer surface.    
   
   
       17 . The swimming pool of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the web is substantially uniform in thickness.    
   
   
       18 . The swimming pool of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the inner side face is concave.    
   
   
       19 . The swimming pool of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the inner side face is convex.    
   
   
       20 . The swimming pool of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the inner side face is curved solely about a vertical axis.