Structural foam pool systems

Abstract

A structural foam pool system includes multiple sidewall sections and multiple bottom sections. Abutting sidewall sections are joined together. A sidewall section, from the multiple sidewall sections, is joined to a bottom section. A fluid-tight bond is formed between the abutting sidewall sections and between the sidewall and bottom sections with an adhesive. A sealant is disposed around and closely adjacent to the adhesive layer to prevent fluid leakage from the pool system. The system is then coated in multiple layers of reinforcing mesh with plaster and waterproofing, and finished using a variety of pool finish products, such as tile, plaster, paint, and vinyl liner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural foam pool system ( 10 ) comprising:
 sidewall panels ( 14 A), wherein a first one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) is adhered to a second one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A); and   floor panels ( 24 ), wherein an nth one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) is adhered to a first one of the floor panels ( 24 ), and a second one of the floor panels ( 24 ) is adhered to the first one of the floor panels ( 24 ).   
     
     
         2 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein a sealant ( 18 ) is disposed along a seam selected from the group consisting of: a juncture formed by the first one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) and the second one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A); a juncture formed by the nth one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) and the first one of the floor panels ( 24 ); a juncture formed by the second one of the floor panels ( 24 ) and the first one of the floor panels ( 24 ); and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the sealant is an elastomeric joint sealant. 
     
     
         4 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the seam is formed by a mitered joint or a tongue-and-groove joint. 
     
     
         5 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing layer ( 18 ) overlaying the first one and the second one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A). 
     
     
         6 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing layer ( 18 ) comprises a fiberglass mesh embedded in a plaster material. 
     
     
         7 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , further comprising a second reinforcing layer ( 18 ) overlaying the nth one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) and the first one of the floor panels ( 24 ). 
     
     
         8 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , further comprising a waterproof layer ( 28 ) overlaying the reinforcing layer ( 18 ). 
     
     
         9 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first one of the floor panels or at least the second one of the floor panels is adhered to a structural slab. 
     
     
         10 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) or at least the second one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) accommodates a conduit normal to a surface of the sidewall panels ( 14 A). 
     
     
         11 . The structural foam pool system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein a keyway is formed within a longitudinal surface of at least the first one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A) or at least the second one of the sidewall panels ( 14 A).