CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority to and the benefit of Chinese patent application number CN202020587295.8, filed Apr. 20, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to above-ground pools, and in particular to a coupling assembly for a frame pool, and a frame pool having the coupling assembly.

2. Related Art

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

An existing frame pool, as shown inFIG. 1, typically includes a frame assembly and a pool liner14. The frame assembly may include a plurality of horizontal supports11, a plurality of vertical supports12, and a plurality of T-joints13, with each of the T-joints13connecting a vertical support12to two of the horizontal supports11. The pool liner14may include a pool wall141and a pool bottom142, with the pool wall141hung on the frame assembly and arranged inside of the frame assembly. Ends of each of the horizontal supports11and the upper end of each vertical support12may be inserted into a corresponding one of the T-joints13. Outer surfaces of the horizontal supports11and the vertical supports12may be provided with an anti-rust coating, such as epoxy resin, paint, etc. During installation and use, the anti-rust coating can be damaged due to friction between one of the supports11,12and the T-joint13. Such damage can result in corrosion. Furthermore, rainwater and water that is splashed from the pool during use can flow through gaps between the supports11,12and the T-joints13and into the inside of the supports11,12, which may also cause or contribute to corrosion.

In some existing frame pools, the T-joints13are connected to the horizontal supports11and/or the vertical supports12with an insertion pin that passes through a through hole at corresponding positions in the T-joint13and the supports11,12. However, such insertion pins can still allow water to enter through the through hole, causing corrosion and rusting of the supports11,12. In addition, the connection of the supports11,12and the T-joints13using insertion pins makes the assembly and disassembly of the frame pool unnecessarily complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and should not be interpreted as a complete and comprehensive listing of all of the objects, aspects, features and advantages associated with the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a frame assembly for a frame pool is provided. The frame assembly comprises a horizontal support having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a vertical support having an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a T-joint connecting one of the ends of the horizontal support to the upper end of the vertical support. The frame assembly also comprises a coupling assembly releasably connecting a corresponding one of the horizontal support or the vertical support to the T-joint. The coupling assembly includes a collar having a tubular body configured to be disposed around the T-joint and one of the ends of the corresponding one of the horizontal support or the vertical support, with a guide extending outwardly from the tubular body. The coupling assembly also includes a limiting member that is movable through the guide between an unlocked position and a locked position to selectively retain the corresponding one of the horizontal support or the vertical support to the T-joint.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a frame assembly for a frame pool is provided. The frame assembly comprises a horizontal support having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a vertical support having an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a T-joint connecting one of the ends of the horizontal support to the upper end of the vertical support. The frame assembly also comprises a coupling assembly releasably connecting a corresponding one of the horizontal support or the vertical support to the T-joint. The coupling assembly includes a collar having a tubular body configured to be disposed around or within one of the ends of the corresponding one of the horizontal support or the vertical support. The coupling assembly also includes a limiting member integrally formed with the tubular body and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to selectively retain the corresponding one of the horizontal support or the vertical support to the T-joint.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples set forth in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

