Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INFLATABLE POOL COVER
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-walled swimming pool cover for
use in the
winterization of a swimming pool, and more particularly a swimming pool cover
which is
adapted to be at least partially inflated over the swimming pool so as to
minimize the
accumulation of snow-melt water, leaves and other debris therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of swimming pool covers in the winterization of inground and
above-ground
swimming pools is well known. Conventional swimming pool covers typically
consist of either
a water impermeable or water permeable tarp or mesh screen which is positioned
over the
swimming pool during the winter months, to minimize the accumulation of
leaves, debris and
fouled snow-melt water therein. Figure 1 shows best a conventional pool cover
10 which has
been installed in position over an inground swimming pool 20 during
winterization.
[0003] The pool cover 10 has a shape and size which is selected sufficiently
large as to cover
the entire water surface 16 of the swimming pool 20, with the edge portions 18
of the cover 10
extending approximately two to three feet over the adjacent concrete pool deck
22, about the
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entire periphery of the pool 20. A series of water filled bags 24 are then
laid over the cover edge
portions 18 which overlie the deck 22, to maintain the cover 10 in the desired
position during the
winter months.
[0004] As shown best in Figure l, conventional pool covers 10 which comprise a
water
impermeable tarp suffer a disadvantage in that the central portion of the
cover 10 typically
extends downwardly into the pool 20, and rests on the water surface 16. In
this configuration,
the cover 10 acts to trap accumulated leaves, debris (shown generally as
reference numeral 28)
and other rainwater thereon. In addition to forming a water layer 26 above
water surface 16
which presents a potential danger for small children or pets, removal of the
cover 10 in the spring
requires that the surface water 26 and/or any debris 28 which has accumulated
thereon be first
pumped out of the pool 20. This often requires customized pumping equipment
and the services
of professional pool maintenance staff. As a practical problem, it is
typically difficult to remove
all of the debris 28 and melt-water 29 from the cover 10 surface. As a result,
when the cover 10
is removed, a portion of the melt-water and debris is released into the pool
20, effectively
defeating the entire purpose of providing the winter cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of prior art
devices by
providing a pool cover which when installed, has a shape which is selected to
at least partially
deflect rainwater, leaves or other debris away from the pool, and onto the
surrounding pool deck.
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[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a pool cover for use in
the winterization
of an inground or above-ground pool, and which may be easily and quickly
deployed or removed
by the homeowner, without requiring specialized or customized equipment.
[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a temporary pool cover
which may be
easily and readily deployed over a pool, hot tub and/or spa during cooler
winter months, and
which in warmer months may be readily removed and folded and/or rolled for
compact storage.
[0008] Accordingly, to at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages
associated with
prior art pool covers and achieve the aforementioned objects, the present
invention provides for a
swimming pool cover which has a multiple, and more preferably a dual wall
construction in
which top and bottom cover wall panel are sealed to each other along edge
portions as one or
more inflatable bladders. The cover top and bottom wall panels have an overall
size selected to
substantially, and more preferably, completely overlie the water surface of a
swimming pool.
[0009] The cover wall panels are each provided with one or more layers are
substantially
impermeable to fluids such as air and/or water. In a simplified construction,
the fluid
impermeable layers of each wall panel are sealingly connected or joined along
their peripheral
portions so as to define a single inflatable chamber, however, covers having
multiple
independent or baffled chambers are also envisioned. One or more air valves
are furthermore
provided through the cover walls to allow for the selected inflation or
deflation of the chamber to
allow the cover to be inflated in a deployed state and deflated and flattened
for storage.
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[0010] Most preferably, the cover is formed with an inflatable chamber to
allow it to be inflated
with a fluid, such as air, so that the uppermost cover surface or top wall
panel extends at least
partially convexly upwardly. In a most preferred construction, the top wall
panel has an overall
size selected so that when the chamber is fully inflated, the entire portion
of the top wall panel
which extends across the pool curves convexly upwardly a distance above the
surrounding pool
deck. In this position the upwardly convex shape of the tope wall panel
assists in the deflection
of any leaves, debris, rainwater and/or snow-melt water which may land thereon
away from the
pool and onto the surrounding pool deck.
[0011] Optionally, an AC or DC powered air pump may be provided in fluid
communication
with the air valve and/or the chamber itself. The air pump may be manually or
automatically
operable, for activation to maintain the cover in inflated state at a desired
preselected minimum
pressure, when the cover is deployed in use.
[0012] Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in an
inflatable pool cover
including:
a top substantially fluid impermeable wall,
a bottom substantially fluid impermeable wall, a peripheral edge portion of
said bottom
wall being substantially sealingly connected to a peripheral edge portion of
said top wall to
define a fluid inflatable bladder therebetween,
a valve selectively operable to permit fluid flow into or from said bladder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0013] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional pool cover in
place, in the
winterization of an inground swimming pool;
[0014] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section view of a pool cover installed in a fully
inflated position
deployed over an inground pool, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0015] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the pool cover shown in Figure 2;
[0016] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the coupling used in
the securment of
the pool cover shown in Figure 2 to the adjacent swimming pool deck coping;
[0017] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the coupling and
swimming pool deck
coping section shown as "A" in Figure 4;
[0018] Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the pool cover in isolation, in
a fully inflated
configuration;
[0019] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a pool cover in accordance with
a further
embodiment of the invention in an initial, undeployed configuration, flattened
for storage;
[00013] Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the swimming pool cover of
Figure 7 in an
inflated position, deployed in the winterization of the swimming pool shown in
Figure 1; and
[00014] Fig. 9 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the swimming
pool, deck
coping and pool cover of Section "B" as shown in Figure 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00015] Reference is made to Figures 2 to 6 which illustrate a swimming pool
cover 30 for
use in the winterization of a conventional swimming pool 20 (Figure 2) in
accordance with a first
embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows best the cover 30 in isolation in
an inflated state as
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including a flexible top and bottom wall, 32, 34 which as will be described,
are each joined about
their periphery by a radially extending sidewall 36. The top and bottom wall
32 and 34 and the
sidewall 36 are each formed from a substantially impermeable material, such as
vinyl, natural or
synthetic rubber polyurethane, or the like. Other mufti-layer constructs are,
however, possible.
The top and bottom sidewalk 32, 34 are provided with identical shape and
which, as shown best
in Figure 3, is selected to directly follow the peripheral edge of swimming
pool coping 46.
[00016] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the coping 46 is preferably formed as a
longitudinally
elongate aluminium or plastic extrusion which is adapted for embedded
placement within the
surrounding concrete pool deck 22, to form the uppermost edge feature of the
pool 20. Most
preferably, the coping 46 is provided with a longitudinally extending, U-
shaped locking channel
41, which extends along its entire length. Although not essential, the locking
channel 41 is
preferably positioned in an upper-most surface of the coping 46. The channel
41 may, however,
be equally provided at other positions spaced above the upper edge of the pool
liner 74 and liner
channel 72 (Figure 5).
[00017] Figures 5 and 6 show best the construction of the sidewall 36 as being
of a two-part
construction, including upper and lower panels 38a, 38b. The upper panel 38a
and a lower panel
38b are sealingly joined to each other along a peripherally extending lap-weld
seam 39. Figure 5
shows best a vinyl, rubber or other polyurethane or plastic tab or boss 40 as
being either adhered
or welded to the peripheral seam 39 along its outermost edge. The tab 40 is
formed having a size
selected for fitted placement within the locking channel 41 (Figure 5) of the
coping 46, to secure
periphery of the cover 30 thereto. Although not essential, most preferably the
upper panel 38a is
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provided with a vertical height of between about 3 and 12 inches, and more
preferably about 6
inches. The lower sidewall panel 38b most preferably is formed having a
vertical height selected
at between about 16 and 24 inches, and more preferably, about 12 inches. The
applicant has
appreciated that the formation of the lower panel 38b with a vertical height
greater than that of
the uppermost panel 38a advantageously assists in maintaining the inflated
cover 30 in position
over the swimming pool 20, preventing it from being blown out of position by
high winds or the
like.
[00018] The top wall 32 is sealingly joined along its periphery to an
uppermost edge of the
panel 38a in a butt seam 42a. In a similar manner, the bottom wall 34 is
sealingly joined to a
bottom edge of the sidewall panel 38b by butt seam 42b. Each of the butt seams
42a, 42b are
most preferably formed by sonic or heat welding, so as to provide a
substantially fluid
impermeable barrier thereby. It is to be appreciated that the joining of the
upper and lower walls
32, 34 to the peripherally extending sidewall 36 is such as to form inflatable
substantially air
tight bladder or cavity 48 therebetween.
[00019] A hose coupling 49 is mounted through the cover top wall 32 and
provides fluid
communication with interior of the cavity 48. As shown best in Figures 2 and
6, an air
compressor 50 is provided in fluid communication with the coupling 49.
Although not essential,
most preferably the air compressor 50 is of an AC design, and includes an
internal pressure
sensor. The internal pressure sensor is selected to automatically activate the
compressor 50 in
the event the positive pressure in the bladder 48 falls below a predetermined
minimum threshold.
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[00020] In use, the cover 30 is initially unrolled from an inflated state and
positioned so that
the bottom wall 34 is stretched over the water surface 16 of the swimming pool
20, with the top
wall 32 and hose coupling 49 oriented upwardly. With the cover 30 so
positioned, the sidewall
tabs 40 is fitted into the coping locking channel 41 in the manner shown in
Figure 5, to secure
the cover sidewall 36 to the coping 46 along the entire periphery of the pool
20. The AC air
pump 50 is then connected to the hose coupling 49 and the pump 50 is activated
to inflate the
bladder 48 to the desired positive pressure. Preferably, the bladder 48 is
inflated to a positive
pressure which is selected so that the top wall 32 extends in an upwardly
convex configuration.
Most preferably, the bladder 48 is inflated to a positive pressure which is
chosen so that both the
seam 42a and top wall 32 assume an orientation spaced at or above the upper
edge of the pool
coping 46 and surrounding pool deck 22. It is to be appreciated that in this
configuration any
debris which falls on the cover 30 is deflected by the convex shape of the top
wall 32 onto the
pool deck 22 and away from the pool 20. Furthermore, insofar as the cover 30
is coupled to the
pool coping 46 around the entire periphery of the pool 20, debris is
effectively prevented from
entering into the pool 20 itself.
[00021] In the spring the cover 30 is removed by first spray washing or
rinsing the top wall 32
to wash any debris thereon onto the surrounding pool deck 22. The air pump 50
is then reversed
to evacuate air from the bladder 48 and deflate the cover 30. Once deflated,
the boss 40 is
removed from the locking channel 41, and the cover 30 is rolled or folded for
storage.
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[00022] Figure 7 shows a more economical swimming pool cover 130 for use in
the
winterization of a conventional swimming pool 20 (shown in Figure 8) in
accordance with a
further embodiment of the invention, in which like reference numerals are used
to identify like
components. The cover 130 is provided with a dual wall construction and
includes flexible top
and bottom wall panels 132, 134. In the embodiment of Figure 7, wall panels
132, 134 have
substantially the identical size and shape, and which is chosen so as to
permit the top wall panel
132 to directly overlie the bottom wall panel 134. It is to be appreciated
that the wall panels 132,
134 have an overall size selected marginally larger than the surface area of
the swimming pool
20 (Figure 8) to be winterized. The wall panels 132, 134 are joined to each
other about their
entire peripheral edge 36 by heat or sonic welding, forming an inflatable air
tight cavity 138
therebetween. In a most simplified construction, each of the wall panels 132,
134 are made of a
single layer substantially air impermeable material such as vinyl, natural or
synthetic rubber or
polyurethane. The panels 132, 134 have a thickness selected so as to enable
the bladder 138 to
maintain a partially inflated state for an extended period of upto seven and
more preferably at
least thirty days. In an alternate possible construction, however, the wall
panels 132, 134 may
each be formed as a multiple-ply layer construct and include a puncture
resistant outermost layer
such as Kevlar TM or the like, and an air impermeable inner layer of vinyl or
the like.
[00023] Figure 7 furthermore shows the cover 130 as including an air valve 142
mounted
through the top wall panels 132 spaced towards one peripheral edge 136 of the
cover 130. The
air valve 142 is selectively operable to permit or prevent fluid communication
with the interior of
the cavity 138. Although not essential, the air valve 142 is preferably
configured for mating
fluid engagement with a conventional shop vac hose 150 (Figure 8) to allow for
the selective
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inflation or deflation of the cavity 138 to a desired pressure in the
deployment of the cover 130
over the pool 20.
[00024] Figures 8 and 9 show best the use of the pool cover 130 in the
winterization of an
inground swimming pool 20, to assist in maintaining the pool 20 substantially
free of leaves,
debris and snow-melt water. To deploy the cover 130, initially the water
surface 16 is lowered a
desired distance "d" (Figure 9) approximately 1 to 3 feet below the edge
coping 46 of the
surround pool deck 22. Once the water surface 16 is lowered to the desired
level, the pool cover
130 is unrolled and stretched across the water surface 16. The cover 130 is
positioned with the
top wall panel 132 and air valve 142 in an upward orientation and with the
valve 142 adjacent
one side of the pool deck 22.
[00025] The shop vac hose 150 is next connected to the outlet side of a shop
vac 152 (or leaf
blower), and fluidically coupled to the air valve 142. With the air valve 142
opened, the shop
vac 152 is operated to at least partially inflate the cover 130 to the
configuration shown in Figime
9, by blowing exhaust air into the cavity 138. Preferably the swimming pool
cover 130 is
inflated to a positive pressure selected so that the top wall panel 132
assumes an upwardly
convex shape. More preferably, when fully inflated the top wall panel 132
curves convexly
upward over the middle of the pool 20 to a maximum height of between about 2
and 4 feet above
the surface of the surrounding pool deck 22.
[00026] As shown best in Figure 9, as the swimming pool cover 130 inflates,
the bottom wall
panel 134 and peripheral edge 136 are pushed radially outwardly, pressing
against the vertical
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sides of the pool 20 and extending under the lower edge of the pool coping 46.
Following the
inflation of the chamber 138, to the selected positive pressure, the air valve
142 is closed, sealing
the chamber 138 and maintaining the cover 130 in its inflated deployed
configuration during the
winter months. The positioning of the lower portion of the pool cover 130
under the edge coping
46 advantageously acts to maintain the cover 130 in position on the water
surface 16. In
particular, engagement of the cover 130 with the coping 46 prevents the cover
130 from lifting or
being blown out of position off of the pool 20 in high winds.
[00027] Although not essential, more preferably the inflation of the cover 130
is continued so
that an edge portion of the top wall panel 132 extends outwardly at least
partially over the top of
the coping 46 and/or the adjacent surface of the pool deck 22. It is to be
appreciated that when
so inflated, rainwater, leaves and/or other debris 28 falling on the pool
cover 130 are deflected in
the direction of arrows 100 by the convex shape of the top wall panel 132,
away from the pool 20
and onto the surrounding pool deck 22. Because the pool cover 130 extends both
above and
below the edge coping 46, when so deployed the cover 130 acts as a safety
barrier which
otherwise may prevent children and/or pets from falling in the pool 20.
[00028] If the air pressure within the inflated bladder 138 decreases below a
desired threshold
minimum level, the shop vac hose 150 may be reattached to the air valve 142 to
re-inflate the
cover 130 to the desired pressure. It is to be appreciated, however, that in
an alternate
construction, the cover 130 could be provided with an AC or DC air pump, in
the similar manner
as the cover 30 shown in Figure 2, and which is automatically operable to
maintain inflation of
the cover 130 with the desired positive pressure.
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[00029] In the spring, the cover 130 is removed for storage and ultimately
reuse. To remove
the pool cover 130, initially a garden hose or pressure sprayer may be used to
wash any leaves or
debris from the top wall panel 132 and onto the surrounding pool deck 22. The
shop vac hose
150 is then connected to the vacuum side of the shop vac 152, and thereafter
fluidically
reconnected to the air valve 142. The valve 142 is opened, and shop vac 152
operated to
evacuate air from the bladder 138, deflating the cover 130 and returning it to
the flattened
position shown in Figure 7. Once so flattened, the cover 130 may be rolled or
spooled for
storage, for redeployment the following fall.
[00030] It is to be appreciated that because the cover 130 may be deployed and
removed with
a household shop vac 152, the need for specialized water pumps and/or cleaning
equipment used
to fill water bags 24 (Figure 1) and/or remove standing water 26 (Figure 1)
from the pool surface
is avoided. In addition, because accumulated leaves or debris 28 are deflected
onto the deck 22,
the removal of the cover 130 by rolling or spooling may be done substantially
without any
fouling of the pool water.
[00031] Although the detailed description describes the top wall panel 132 as
having
substantially the identical size and shape as the bottom wall panel 134, the
invention is not so
limited. It is to be appreciated that depending upon the site of deployment
and the overall shape
of the pool, hot tub or spa to be covered, the wall panels 132, 134 may be
formed of a different
size and/or shape which is selected to provide an optimum upwardly convex
structure when the
pool cover 30 is deployed and the bladder 138 inflated.
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[00032] Although the detailed description describes the installation of the
swimming pool
covers in position over an inground swimming pool 20, the invention is not so
limited. It is to be
appreciated that the pool covers of the present invention is equally suited
for use with above-
ground pools, as well as with outdoor hot tub and/or spa installations.
[00033] Although the detailed description describes and illustrates various
preferred
embodiments, the invention is not so limited. Many modifications and
variations will now occur
to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference
may be had to the
appended claim.
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