Swimming pool descending structure with overmolded anti-slip coating

Abstract

The present invention relates to a swimming pool structure with steps and handrails, installed inside a swimming pool to permit entering and exiting a pool. An anti-slip surface is incorporated into the steps and handrails, which improves friction between the structure and a user's feet and hands to promote safety when entering and exiting a swimming pool. The anti-slip surface is an overmolded coating that covers all parts of the structure that come into contact with the user's body. The overmolded coating is an elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic or natural elastomer with rubber-like features.

1 . A swimming pool descending structure provided with a number of steps and adapted to be installed adjacent to the swimming pool, said structure comprising:
 anti-slip surfaces incorporated into said structure, said anti-slip surfaces being provided to improve friction between said structure and a user's feet and hands to facilitate safety during entering into and exiting out of said swimming pool, said anti-slip surfaces comprise an overmolded coating, said overmolded coating is provided to cover all parts of said structure that come into contact with the user's body.   
     
     
         2 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said overmolded coating comprises an elastomer, said elastomer having a high friction coefficient to facilitate friction between said structure and said user's feet and hands, and to ensure a proper grip to avoid unwanted accidents. 
     
     
         3 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said structure is a pool ladder, said pool ladder comprises step portions and hand railing portions, wherein said overmolded coating is localized on top surfaces of all said step portions and on upper surfaces of said hand railing portions. 
     
     
         4 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said structure is an A-frame pool ladder, said A-frame pool ladder comprises step portions and hand rail portions, wherein said overmolded coating is localized on top surfaces of all of said step portions and on upper surfaces of said hand rail portions. 
     
     
         5 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 4 , wherein said A-frame pool ladder further includes a platform, said platform is formed on an upper end of said pool ladder, wherein overmolded coating is covering an upper surface of said platform. 
     
     
         6 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said structure comprises a pool step structure, said overmolded coating is localized on all upper surfaces of said pool step structure. 
     
     
         7 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said elastomer is a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer has a rubber-like structure, wherein said rubber-like structure is provided to ensure said proper grip and to ensure anti-slip properties in both conditions: above and below water of said swimming pool. 
     
     
         8 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said elastomer is a natural elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . A swimming pool descending structure provided with a number of steps and adapted to be installed adjacent to the swimming pool, said structure comprises:
 anti-slip surfaces incorporated into said structure, said anti-slip surfaces being provided to improve friction between said structure and a user's feet and hands to facilitate safety during entering into and exiting out of said swimming pool, said anti-slip surfaces comprising an overmolded coating, said overmolded coating being provided to cover all parts of said structure that come into contact with the user's body, and   wherein said overmolded coating is an elastomer, said elastomer having a high friction coefficient to facilitate friction between said user's feet and hands and to ensure proper grip to avoid unwanted accidents.   
     
     
         10 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said structure is a pool ladder, said pool ladder comprises step portions and hand railing portions, wherein said overmolded coating is localized on top surfaces of all step portions and on upper surfaces of said hand railing portions. 
     
     
         11 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said structure is an A-frame pool ladder, said A-frame pool ladder comprises step portions and a hand rail portions, wherein said overmolded coating is localized on top surfaces of all step portions and upper surfaces of said hand rail portions. 
     
     
         12 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 11 , wherein said A-frame pool ladder further includes a platform, said platform is formed on an upper end of said pool ladder, wherein overmolded coating is covering an upper surface of said platform. 
     
     
         13 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said structure comprises a pool step structure, said overmolded coating being localized on all upper surfaces of said pool step structure. 
     
     
         14 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said elastomer is a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer has a rubber-like structure provided to ensure said proper grip and to ensure anti-slip properties in both conditions: above and below water inside said swimming pool. 
     
     
         15 . A swimming pool descending structure provided with a number of steps and adapted to be installed adjacent to the swimming pool, said structure comprises:
 anti-slip surfaces incorporated into said structure, said anti-slip surfaces being provided to improve friction between said structure and a user's feet and hands to facilitate safety of entering into and exiting out of said swimming pool, said anti-slip surfaces comprising an overmolded coating, said overmolded coating being provided to cover all parts of said structure that come into contact with the user's body,   wherein said overmolded coating is an elastomer, said elastomer having a high friction coefficient adapted to facilitate friction between said user's feet and hands and to ensure a proper grip to avoid unwanted accidents, and   wherein said elastomer has a rubber-like structure provided to ensure the proper grip and to ensure anti-slip properties in both conditions: above and below water inside said swimming pool.   
     
     
         16 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 15 , wherein said structure is a pool ladder, said pool ladder comprises step portions and hand railing portions, wherein said overmolded coating is localized on top surfaces of all step portions and on upper surfaces of said hand railing portions. 
     
     
         17 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 15 , wherein said structure is an A-frame pool ladder, said A-frame pool ladder comprising step portions and hand rail portions, wherein said overmolded coating is localized on top surfaces of all step portions and on upper surfaces of said hand railing portions. 
     
     
         18 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 17 , wherein said A-frame pool ladder further includes a platform, said platform is formed on an upper end of said pool ladder, wherein overmolded coating is covering an upper surface of said platform. 
     
     
         19 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 15 , wherein said structure comprises a pool step structure, wherein said overmolded coating is localized on all upper surfaces of said pool step structure. 
     
     
         20 . A swimming pool descending structure according to  claim 15 , wherein said elastomer is a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer has a rubber-like structure.