Modular pool systems for partial inground installation

Abstract

A modular partial inground pool system includes a plurality of wall panels configured to extend vertically above and below a ground level position and abut together horizontally. Each wall panel has a plurality of wall stiffeners disposed thereon. The wall stiffeners each extend vertically along the wall panels and outwards therefrom to a first width. A plurality of backer brackets are positioned on opposing ends of each wall panel. Each backer bracket extends vertically downward from a top of the wall panels to the ground level position and outwards therefrom to the first width. A horizontally extending L-shaped edge cap is disposed against the wall stiffeners and backer brackets at the ground level position. A support board material is positioned against the wall stiffeners and backer brackets and supported by the edge cap. A finish material is positioned against the support board material and supported by the edge cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular partial inground pool system comprising:
 a plurality of wall panels configured to extend vertically above and below a ground level position and abut together horizontally, each wall panel having a plurality of wall stiffeners disposed thereon, the wall stiffeners each extend vertically along the wall panels and outwards therefrom to a first width; and   a plurality of backer brackets positioned on opposing ends of each wall panel, each backer bracket extending vertically downward from a top of the wall panels to the ground level position and outwards therefrom to the first width.   
     
     
         2 . The pool system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a horizontally extending L-shaped edge cap disposed against the wall stiffeners and backer brackets at the ground level position;   a support board material positioned against the wall stiffeners and backer brackets and supported by the edge cap; and   a finish material positioned against the support board material and supported by the edge cap.   
     
     
         3 . The pool system of  claim 2 , wherein the wall stiffeners are equally spaced. 
     
     
         4 . The pool system of  claim 2 , wherein the backer brackets terminate in a first mounting flange and the wall stiffeners terminate in a second mounting flange, the first and second mounting flanges being configured to provide a flat surface for the edge cap to abut against and affix to. 
     
     
         5 . The pool system of  claim 2 , wherein the support board material comprises a cement board. 
     
     
         6 . The pool system of  claim 2 , wherein the finish material comprises at least one of stone or cement. 
     
     
         7 . The pool system of  claim 2 , comprising:
 first and second edge flanges disposed on opposing ends of each wall panel of the plurality of wall panels, wherein the backer brackets are configured to affix to the first and second edge flanges.   
     
     
         8 . The pool system of  claim 7 , wherein the first edge flange of a first wall panel of the plurality of wall panels is configured to affix to the second edge flange of a second wall panel of the plurality of wall panels to enable the first and second wall panels to abut together horizontally. 
     
     
         9 . The pool system of  claim 7 , comprising:
 a top plate extending at substantially right angles from the top of each wall panel;   a base plate extending at substantially right angles from a bottom of each wall panel, the base plate configured to be anchored in a footer positioned at the bottom of the wall panels; and   an adjustable A-frame brace extending diagonally from the base plate to the first or second edge flange of each wall panel.   
     
     
         10 . The pool system of  claim 9 , comprising:
 a cement board disposed on the top plate; and   a wall cap disposed on the cement board.   
     
     
         11 . The pool system of  claim 2 , wherein the wall panels comprise a liner track disposed at the top of each wall panel, the liner track configured to receive a pool liner that lines the pool. 
     
     
         12 . The pool system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a plurality of spacer brackets affixed to the plurality of wall stiffeners, the spacer brackets extending outwards therefrom to a second width and terminated with a spacer bracket flange;   a plurality of back panels affixed to the spacer bracket flanges, each back panel extending vertically downward from the top of the wall panels;   a first J-channel rail extending horizontally along the top of the wall panels and affixed to the backer brackets and wall stiffeners;   a second J-channel rail affixed to and extending horizontally along a top of the back panels; and   an auto-pool cover trough suspended from the first and second J-channel rails, the auto-pool cover trough configured to house an automatic pool cover mechanism for closing a pool cover over the pool system.   
     
     
         13 . The pool system of  claim 12 , comprising:
 the plurality of wall panels abutting together to form an entire pool wall;   a first and a second back panel of the plurality of back panels, wherein the first and second back panels are positioned at opposing distal ends of the pool wall, the first and second back panels having a vertical length equal to a vertical length of the wall panels;   a first side panel extending between, and affixed to, the first back panel and a first distal end of the opposing distal ends of the pool wall; and   a second side panel extending between, and affixed to, the second back panel and a second distal end of the opposing distal ends of the pool wall.   
     
     
         14 . The pool system of  claim 1 , comprising
 the plurality of wall panels abutting together to form an entire pool wall, the pool wall having an inner side facing contained water of the pool system and an outer side facing away from the contained water; and   a swim jet housing assembly affixed to the outer side of the pool wall, the swim jet housing assembly configured to house a swim jet, the swim jet housing assembly comprising:
 opposing first and second swim jet side panels affixed to a pair of wall stiffeners of the plurality of wall stiffeners, the first and second swim jet side panels having a full vertical length equal to the full vertical length of the wall panels; and 
 a swim jet floor panel affixed horizontally between the first and second swim jet side panels, the swim jet floor panel configured to support the swim jet. 
   
     
     
         15 . The pool system of  claim 14 , comprising:
 a swim jet top panel affixed to a top of the swim jet housing assembly, the swim jet top panel having a removeable access panel configured to provide access to the swim jet for service.   
     
     
         16 . A modular partial inground pool system comprising:
 a plurality of wall panels configured to extend vertically above and below a ground level position and abut together horizontally, each wall panel having a plurality of wall stiffeners disposed thereon, the wall stiffeners each extending vertically along the wall panels and outwards therefrom to a first width;   a plurality of backer brackets positioned on opposing ends of each wall panel, each backer bracket extending vertically downward from a top of the wall panels to the ground level position and outwards therefrom to the first width;   a plurality of spacer brackets affixed to the plurality of wall stiffeners, the spacer brackets extending outwards therefrom to a second width and terminated with a spacer bracket flange;   a plurality of back panels affixed to the spacer bracket flanges each back panel extending vertically downward from the top of the wall panels;   a first J-channel rail extending horizontally along the top of the wall panels and affixed to the backer brackets and wall stiffeners;   a second J-channel rail affixed to and extending horizontally along a top of the back panels; and   an auto-pool cover trough suspended from the first and second J-channel rails, the auto-pool cover trough configured to house an automatic pool cover mechanism for closing a cover over the pool system.   
     
     
         17 . The pool system of  claim 16 , comprising:
 the plurality of wall panels abutting together to form an entire pool wall;   a first and a second back panel of the plurality of back panels, wherein the first and second back panels are positioned at opposing distal ends of the pool wall, the first and second back panels having a vertical length equal to a vertical length of the wall panels;   a first side panel extending between, and affixed to, the first back panel and a first distal end of the opposing distal ends of the pool wall; and   a second side panel extending between, and affixed to, the second back panel and a second distal end of the opposing distal ends of the pool wall.   
     
     
         18 . The pool system of  claim 16 , comprising:
 first and second edge flanges disposed on the opposing ends of each wall panel of the plurality of wall panels, wherein the backer brackets are configured to affix to the first and second edge flanges.   
     
     
         19 . The pool system of  claim 18 , wherein the first edge flange of a first wall panel of the plurality of wall panels is configured to affix to the second edge flange of a second wall panel of the plurality of wall panels to enable the first and second wall panels to abut together horizontally. 
     
     
         20 . A modular partial inground pool system comprising:
 a plurality of wall panels configured to extend vertically above and below a ground level position and abut together horizontally, each wall panel having a plurality of wall stiffeners disposed thereon, the wall stiffeners each extend vertically along the wall panels and outwards therefrom, wherein the plurality of wall panels abut together to form an entire pool wall, the pool wall having an inner side facing contained water of the pool system and an outer side facing away from the contained water;   a plurality of backer brackets positioned on opposing ends of each wall panel, each backer bracket extending vertically downward from a top of the wall panels to the ground level position and outwards therefrom; and   a swim jet housing assembly affixed to the outer side of the pool wall, the swim jet housing assembly configured to house a swim jet, the swim jet housing assembly comprising:
 opposing first and second swim jet side panels affixed to a pair of wall stiffeners of the plurality of wall stiffeners, the first and second swim jet side panels having a full vertical length equal to the full vertical length of the wall panels, 
 a swim jet floor panel affixed horizontally between the first and second swim jet side panels, the swim jet floor panel configured to support the swim jet, and 
 a swim jet top panel affixed to a top of the swim jet housing assembly, the swim jet top panel having a removeable access panel configured to provide access to the swim jet for service.