GB1594430A - Collapsible basin - Google Patents

Description

(54) COLLAPSIBLE BASIN (71) We, INDUSTRIE PIRELLI SpA, an Italian Company of Centro Pirelli, Piazza Duca d'Aosta No. 3, 20100 Milan, Milan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to collapsible basins for holding liquids and in particular to a collapsible basin, having a modular structure, for holding liquids.

Basins for holding liquids are already known, for example small swimming pools which can readily be assembled and disassembled. Such pools generally comprise a liquid-impermeable and flexible receptacle, formed into a basin, of which the depth is small with respect to the width and of which the edges are provided with an inflatable annular chamber. When the receptacle is filled with water the annular chamber floats on the surface of the water, thereby raising the walls of the receptacle into a substantially vertical position relative to the base of the receptacle.

For larger swimming pools the inflatable annular chamber is maintained at a fixed distance above the base by means of rigid supports, generally comprising a system of rods and located externally of the receptacle.

In all the known types of collapsible basins and swimming pools, the flexible and liquidimpermeable receptacle comprises a unitary element.

The present invention aims to provide a collapsible basin for holding liquids, the basin having a modular structure, so that, by appropriate connection of a plurality of modular elements of different shapes, collapsible basins of any desired shape and size can be obtained. Such basins can be constructed so as to optimise the use of whatever ground space is available.

The present invention also aims to provide a simple and reliable device for obtaining a liquid-tight connection between the various modular elements constituting a basin.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a collapsible basin for containing liquids, the basin comprising a receptacle made from a flexible, liquid-impermeable material, the receptacle having a base and sides and being provided with means arranged externally of the receptacle to maintain the sides at a predetermined distance from the base, the peripheral edge of each of said sides remote from the base being adapted to engage one or more rigid bars and the or each rigid bar being supported on two or more rigid members in contact with the ground, in which the receptacle comprises a plurality of modular elements, each said element being made from a flexible and inextensible material and being provided with means to removably connect adjacent modular elements in a liquid-tight manner.

The present invention will be illustrated, merely by way of example, in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible basin according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a section on line II--II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the "circled' region III of Figure l; Figure 4 is a perspective view, with parts cut away of a support means for use with a collapsible basin according to the present invention.

Referring now to Figure, 1, a collapsible basin 1 comprises a receptacle 2 of a liquidimpermeable material, formed by joining together a plurality of modular elements of a flexible and inextensible material which is impermeable to liquids. The modular elements are of three distinct types, namely a corner element 3, a lateral element 4 and a base element 5.

The corner element 3 is preferably made of a flexible and inextensible rubberised fabric impermeable to liquids and comprises a portion of a dihedral to which is attached a plane surface perpendicular to the sides of the dihedral.

The lateral element 4 is also preferably made of a flexible and inextensible rubberised fabric impermeable to liquids and has a rectangular configuration, which is bent into an L-shape during installation. The base element 5 is preferably made of a plane sheet of a flexible and inextensible elastomeric material impermeable to liquids, and has a rectangular (e.g. square) shape. The lateral elements 4 and the corner elements 3 which will form the sides of the collapsible basin 1, are supported at a predetermined distance from the base in such a way as to leave the base in contact with the ground. The sides of the basin are maintained at a distance from the base by means of a support structure comprising one or more rigid supports 6 and one or more horizontal rigid bars 7.

The horizontal bars 7 are inserted in sleeve portions 8 provided on the upper edge 9 of each corner element 3 and of each lateral element 4.

The sleeve portion 8 may be obtained by folding back on itself an upper edge 9 of each element and subsequently stitching and/ or bonding said upper edge to the element itself. Once the assembling operation is finished, the sleeve portion 8 becomes the upper edge of the side of the collapsible basin 1.

The sleeve portions 8 are interrupted at intervals by openings 10. The openings correspond to the positions of the rigid supports 6 so that the horizontal rigid bars 7 may freely rest on a rigid support 6 at each opening 10.

(This feature is described hereinbelow with reference to Figure 4).

Reference numeral 11, in Figure 1, indicates means for connecting adjacent modular elements in a liquid-tight manner. On the outer sides of the basin 1, the zones of connection between adjacent modular elements are covered with strips of fabric 12.

Alternatively, the sides of the modular elements can be shaped in such a way as to provide a cover for said connection zones.

Referring now to Figure 2, connection means 11 consist of two dovetailed structures 13 and 131, made, for instance, of an elastomeric material and attached to a lateral edge 14 of a base element 5 and to a lower edge 141 of a lateral element 4.

The elements whose edges are shown in Figure 2 can be the edges of any two adjacent elements forming the collapsible basin.

The two dovetailed structures 13 and 131 are secured to those faces of edges 14 and 141 which face each other when the two elements are joined in a liquid-tight manner. In this way the tongues 15 of the dovetailed structures 13 engage the grooves 161 of the dovetailed structure 131, whilst the tongues 151 of the dovetailed structures 131 engage the grooves 16 of the dovetailed structures 13, thereby achieving a liquid-tight connection between the elements 4 and 5.

A removable connection for joining two adjacent modular elements, is shown in perspective view in Figure 3, in which a strip of fabric 12 covers the zone of connection between adjacent corner element 3 and lateral element 4.

The strip of fabric covers respectively the lateral edges 17 and 171, of the corner element 3 and of the lateral element 4. Said edges are overlapped to superimpose and connect the dovetailed structures 13 and 131, thereby achieving a liquid-tight connection between the elements.

The portion 18 of the strip 12 is superimposed on the lateral element 4, and is attached thereto by bonding or curing. The portion 19 of the strip 12 is left free and is provided with a plurality of holes 20 which, when the basin is assembled, lie on a line extending along the shorter side of the basin. Corresponding to the holes 20, there are an equal number of loops 21 of a flexible and inextensible material (e.g. rope). The loops 21 are attached to the corner element 3 by superimposing, on their ends 22, two strips of fabric 23 which are bonded or cured both to ends 22 of the loops and to the rubberised fabric of the corner element 3. The holes 20 and loops 21 provide a means of connecting removably two adjacent modular elements to each other at least along a line extending along the shorter side of the basin.Figure 3 also shows a horizontal rigid bar 7 forming part of the support structure. The horizontal bar 7 is inserted in the sleeve portion 8 on the upper end 9 of the corner element 3, and in the sleeve portion 8 on the upper end 91 of the lateral element 4.

The support structure is shown in detail in Figure 1, whilst Figure 4 is on an enlarged scale, a perspective view with parts cut away of the elements which constitute the support structure of the collapsible basin. The supporting structure comprises a horizontal rigid bar 7 resting on a rigid support 6. Each rigid support 6 is formed by two metallic members, jointed together (preferably by welding) and a horizontal member 24 in the shape of an inver- ted U, which is in contact with the ground, and by a strut member 25, inclined from the vertical towards the basin. The member 24, at is end 26 situated beneath the envelope 2 carries a tubular piece 27 (preferably connected to it by welding). The tubular piece 27 is to be inserted into an opening 28 provided in a pocket 29, the pocket comprising a strip 30 of a flexible material appropriately shaped and attached to the outer surface of the element 2.

In order to keep the tubular piece 27 (and consequently the rigid support 6) fixedly connected to the pocket 29 a rod 31 is threaded through the tubular piece 27 after having placed the latter into the opening 28. The tubular piece 27, together with the rod 31 and the pocket 29, provides means for maintaining the lateral elements and the corner ele ments, at a predetermined distance from the support structure.

The end 32 of the member 24 carries, on its side directed towards the aground, a plate 33 fastened to it by means of a bolt 34 and a peg 35 which, extending beyond the member 24 and the plate 33, penetrates the ground. A member 25 is connected by welding to the side of end 32 of member 24 opposite the ground.

In order to reinforce the connection between the two members, a metal triangle 36 is fixed in the angle defined between the members 24 and 25.

A V-shaped profile 37 is welded to the upper end of the vertical member 25 so that the vertex of the V provides a seat which receives without permanent connection a horizontal bar 7. The horizontal bars are connected together only at points corresponding to openings 10 in the folded portion 8.

The connection between two adjacent horizontal bars 7 and 71 is effected by inserting, in cantilever fashion, a rod 38 (shown in Figure 4 by means of dotted lines) into the hollow end of horizontal bar 7. The rod 38 and the bar 7 are secured together by means of a bolt 39. Subseqently the portion of rod 38 protruding from the horizontal bar 7 is inserted into the hollow portion of the adjacent horizontal bar 71.

The support structure of the collapsible basin 1 is completed by a frame (not shown) formed, for example, by two metallic members which connect two adjacent supports 6.

At least one frame is provided on each side of the collapsible basin 1 and its function is to prevent the support structure of the basin from overturning when the structure is subjected to any stress acting along a side of the basin itself, especially when the basin is empty.

A collapsible basin according to the present invention is assembled as follows. The ground on which the basin is to be erected is first levelled. (Levelling can be approximate). The ground area on which the basin is to be erected can be other than rectangular or square because, by inserting corner elements forming an angle of 270 with respect to the basin (instead of 90" as shown in Figure 1) a ground of any shape can be used provided that it is substantially horizontal.

After the ground has been levelled, the rigid supports 6 are erected, and are then connected together by means of the abovementioned frame. The assembling of said rigid supports 6 is carried out by connecting at first the plate 33 to the horizontal member 24 by means of the bolt 34, and then by connecting said plate to said member, and both elements to the ground, by means of the peg 35.

After having erected the two rigid supports 6 and the frame connecting them, the tubular pieces 27, situated at the end 26 of the members 24, are inserted into the openings 28 of the pockets 29 and are secured therein by means of the rods 31.

In this way, two points on an element of the envelope 2 begin to be connected to the corresponding rigid supports 6.

After having mounted and connected the two rigid supports to the element, a horizontal rigid bar 7 is inserted into the sleeve 8 of the modular element, the bar and the element connected to it are raised and the bar is rested on the seats formed by the V-shaped profiles 37.

To connect together two adjacent horizontal bars, e.g. bars 7 and 71, a rod 38 is inserted in the hollow end of one of the bars 7, leaving a portion of said rod protruding therefrom the rod 38 is secured to the bar 7 by means of the bolt 39.

Subsequently, the protruding portion of said rod 38 is inserted into the adjacent horizontal bar 71.

The elements are connected together in a liquid-tight manner by overlapping their edges in such a way as to bring the dovetailed structures 13, associated with said edges, into mutual contact.

The structures 13 are then connected together in a liquid-tight manner by inserting the tongues 15 into the grooves 16.

Where the elements to be connected are two corner elements or one corner element and one lateral element, then after the liquid-tight connection of the two structures 13, the loops 21 on one element are inserted into the corresponding holes 20 on the strip of fabric 12 connected to the other element. Then, by inserting the loop nearest the ground into the one immediately above it, and continuing in this way to reach the loop furthest from the ground, all the loops are mutually connected and placed under tension.

Finally, the two loops furthest from the ground are mutually connected by means of a piece of rope or the like.

Basins according to the present invention are completely collapsible. The envelope, being formed by elements of only three types and the supporting structure, being formed by horizontal bars and rigid supports of equal sizes allows full exploitation of the available ground area. Moreover, basins according to the present invention can easily be dismantled and re-erected on other spaces either using the same elements or (if the "new" space is larger) adding further elements.

Such basin can be advantageously used in agricultural applications. For example, they can be erected wherever there are products needing water for irrigation, and then dismantled and re-erected where other products needs irrigation water. Thus, basins according to the invention permit a maximum exploitation of arable land. Moreover, they can be erected anywhere, provided that the ground is horizontal, and further, after dismantling, they leave the ground free for other uses, since no fixed structure remains.

The particular means adopted to connect together in a liquid-tight manner the various modular elements constituting the basin not only ensure that the structure is easy to assemble and disassemble but also provide perfect liquid-tightness, since it is practically impossible for liquid contained in the basin to leak between the dovetailed structures.

Leakage is precluded by the particular form of the structures and pressure of the liquid itself on the dovetailed members. Moreover the arrangement of loops and holes on the sides of the basin ensures a firm and liquid-tight connection of two adjacent elements of the basin and avoids subjecting the dovetailed structures to undue stress.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A collapsible basin for containing liquids, the basin comprising a receptacle made from a flexible, liquid-impermeable material, the receptacle having a base and sides and being provided with means arranged externally of the receptacle to maintain the sides at a predetermined distance from the base, the peripheral edge of each of said sides remote from the base being adapted to engage one or more rigid bars and the or each rigid bar being supported on two or more rigid members in contact with the ground, in which the receptacle comprises a plurality of modular elements, each said element being made from a flexible and inextensible material and being provided with means to removably connect adjacent modular elements in a liquid-tight manner.

2. A basin according to Claim 1, in which the means to removably connect the modular elements to one another comprises one or more dovetailed structures.

3. A basin according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the means to maintain the sides of the receptacle at a predetermined distance from the base consist of a pocket provided on the outer surface of a modular element of the receptacle, a tubular member connected to the end of the rigid member which is in contact with the ground and means, known per se, to secure said tubular member inside said pocket.

4. A basin according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the means to removably connect adjacent modular elements to each other extend along the shorter side of the basin.

5. A basin according to Claim 4, in which the means to removably connect adjacent modular elements to each other consist of a plurality of loops aligned along said shorter side of the basin, the loops being and secured on the outer side-relative to the basin-of one of the modular elements to be joined and a plurality of holes, aligned along said shorter side of the other modular element, the loops and the holes being superimposed when said modular elements have been joined.

6. A basin according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the modular elements comprise at least a base element and a corner element.

7. A basin according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the modular elements comprise at least a base element, a corner element and a lateral element.

8. A basin according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, in which the base modular elements comprise flat sheets of rectangular or square shape and are made of a flexible, inextensible and liquid-impermeable material, the elements having one or more pairs of dovetailed structures attached thereto.

9. A collapsible basin, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. horizontal, and further, after dismantling, they leave the ground free for other uses, since no fixed structure remains. The particular means adopted to connect together in a liquid-tight manner the various modular elements constituting the basin not only ensure that the structure is easy to assemble and disassemble but also provide perfect liquid-tightness, since it is practically impossible for liquid contained in the basin to leak between the dovetailed structures. Leakage is precluded by the particular form of the structures and pressure of the liquid itself on the dovetailed members. Moreover the arrangement of loops and holes on the sides of the basin ensures a firm and liquid-tight connection of two adjacent elements of the basin and avoids subjecting the dovetailed structures to undue stress. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A collapsible basin for containing liquids, the basin comprising a receptacle made from a flexible, liquid-impermeable material, the receptacle having a base and sides and being provided with means arranged externally of the receptacle to maintain the sides at a predetermined distance from the base, the peripheral edge of each of said sides remote from the base being adapted to engage one or more rigid bars and the or each rigid bar being supported on two or more rigid members in contact with the ground, in which the receptacle comprises a plurality of modular elements, each said element being made from a flexible and inextensible material and being provided with means to removably connect adjacent modular elements in a liquid-tight manner.

2. A basin according to Claim 1, in which the means to removably connect the modular elements to one another comprises one or more dovetailed structures.

3. A basin according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the means to maintain the sides of the receptacle at a predetermined distance from the base consist of a pocket provided on the outer surface of a modular element of the receptacle, a tubular member connected to the end of the rigid member which is in contact with the ground and means, known per se, to secure said tubular member inside said pocket.

4. A basin according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the means to removably connect adjacent modular elements to each other extend along the shorter side of the basin.

5. A basin according to Claim 4, in which the means to removably connect adjacent modular elements to each other consist of a plurality of loops aligned along said shorter side of the basin, the loops being and secured on the outer side-relative to the basin-of one of the modular elements to be joined and a plurality of holes, aligned along said shorter side of the other modular element, the loops and the holes being superimposed when said modular elements have been joined.

6. A basin according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the modular elements comprise at least a base element and a corner element.

7. A basin according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the modular elements comprise at least a base element, a corner element and a lateral element.

8. A basin according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, in which the base modular elements comprise flat sheets of rectangular or square shape and are made of a flexible, inextensible and liquid-impermeable material, the elements having one or more pairs of dovetailed structures attached thereto.

9. A collapsible basin, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.