Swimming Pool Cover

This invention relates to a removable enclosure cover for a swimming pool, although the cover may be used for covering any type of an area such as a patio where it desirable to isolate and insulate the area from inclement weather. Structures of this type are desirable to extend the swimming season at least several months if not all year in those climates in which the temperature would ordinarily be too cold for swimming during a good portion of the year. Such structures are useful also in warmer climates where it is desirable to prevent excessive water evaporation from the pool and to provide some shade from the sun.

In-ground swimming pool enclosures available in the market today are prefabricated, onsite, permanent structures. They are built to remain as an integral component of the swimming pool area and they can only be removed by dismantling the structure. They are not adjustable in terms of location and basically they perform only one function, namely, to enclose the pool even during the season when it would be most desirable to have the pool uncovered. With such enclosures, it is not possible to uncover the pool without dismantling the structure.

Various attempts have been made at making slidable swimming pool covers. Examples of such patented structures are Hall U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,260, Minot U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,179, Folkes U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,587, and Folkes U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,144. The structures of these patents, however, have not been successful. Many of these have incorporated folding longitudinal struts which tend to pinch the flexible cover, and are not only difficult to fold, but they are difficult to individually lock in place. In most of the structures, the frame members are single transverse struts and depend upon the foldable longitudinal struts for strength. These single transverse struts lack the strength and stability required for a high quality, long lasting pool cover. The utilization of single transverse struts for the frame members also makes it difficult to both cover the pool and uncover it because of the tendency of the struts to skew as they are pushed either to their open or closed positions. Moreover, none of the prior art devices have provisions for locking the transverse struts in the opened or closed positions either wholly or partially relative to the track in which they are mounted. These devices also contemplate sliding movement rather than free rolling movement between the struts and the tracks in the opening and closing movements.

It is an object of this invention to provide a pool cover which will eliminate the longitudinal struts which have to be locked open in order to cover the pool or folded in order to uncover it. The structure incorporates transverse frame members of rigid rectangular panels preventing skewing of the frame members and giving greater rigidity and stability to the structure.

In accordance with this invention, a removable enclosure cover for a swimming pool or other area is provided. The enclosure cover includes a plurality of frame members with a flexible material extending between the frame members. A pair of spaced parallel channel-shaped track members are preferably imbeded in the walkway surface along the sides of the pool, and a guide means is attached to the lower ends of the frame members and extends into the interior of the channel-shaped track members for rollably engaging the interior of the track members. Thus, the frame members may be guided along the track members toward anda away from one another to selectively cover and uncover the area between the track members.

It is preferred that locking means be provided for locking the guide means in the desired position of adjustment relative to the track members. The guide means preferably includes one roller mounted on a carriage and rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis for rolling along the substantially horizontal surface within the interior of the track members. The locking means preferably includes means for retracting the roller carriage so that portions of the track may be clamped between the carriage and the bottom portion of the frame members.

The frame members in the preferred embodiment comprise a plurality of rectangular sections carrying transparent or translucent panels and connected in end-to-end relationship. The connections may be bolted or they may be in the form of hinged connections so that the structure may be folded.

The guide means also preferably includes a second roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis for rolling along a vertical surface within the interior of the track member, and preferably each guide means includes at least two pair of rollers at each of its ends providing stability for the movement and positioning of the frame members relative to the track members.

In the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pool cover constructed in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevational view taken substantially along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing the rigid transverse panel frame members and the manner of attachment of the flexible covering material therebetween.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevational view taken substantially along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and showing a portion of the channel track and guide means for rollably moving the frame members along the track and for locking the frame members in place relative to the track.

FIG. 4 is a sectional end elevational view taken substantially along the line of 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional end elevational view taken substantially along line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional side elevational view of a modification of the structure for attaching the rigid panals and the flexible covering material to the frame members.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional end elevational view of the interconnection between adjacent sections of one of the frame members.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side elevational view corresponding to FIG. 3 but showing a modification of the guide means and locking means.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a removable enclosure cover 10 constructed in accordance with this invention. The enclosure cover may be used for covering a swimming pool 12 or other area beneath the cover. The swimming pool 12 has a walkway or deck 14 having side portions 14a and 14b, and end portions 14c and 14d. It is preferred but not essential that the deck end portion 14d be of sufficient depth to pemit the storage of the pool cover when it collapsed, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

In FIG. 1 the enclosure cover is shown in its fully extended position, completely covering the swimming pool 12 or other area beneath the cover. The cover has several rigid frame members 16. In the illustrated embodiment there are four such frame members, although the number will depend upon the length of the area being covered. Each frame member comprises a plurality of rectangular sections which are connected together in end-to-end relationship. The connection between frame member sectios is preferably by means of bolts although the connections could be by means of hinges so that the structure can be folded if it is desired to remove the cover completely from the pool area. Each of the four rigid frame members 16 illustrated comprises a pair of oppositely disposed substantially vertical wall sections 20 and 22 and four ceiling sections 24, 26, 28 and 30 jointed together in an arch. Between the rigid frame members 16 are panels of flexible material which may be a canvas or other easily foldable material. These intermediate foldable panels are identified as panels 32, 34 and 36. End panels 38 and 40 may also be formed of a foldable material which is preferably transparent or translucent.

The construction of ceiling section 28 of one of the frame members is illustrated in detail in FIG. 2 and it will be appreciated that the other panels of the frame members are similarly constructed. Section 28 comprises a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending, channel-shaped side elements 42 and 44 and a pair of channel-shaped end elements 46 and 48 (shown in FIG. 1 only). In the illustrated construction, the side flanges of each of the four elements 42-48 forming the section 28 extend inwardly. The side and end elements may be welded together or they may be held together by means of suitable fasteners to form a rectangular frame section. Attached to the outer (upper) side flanges of the elements 42, 44, 46 and 48 are spacers 50 which extend around the periphery of the structure formed by the elements 42-48. Outwardly of the spacers 50 and coextensive with the side elements 42 and 44 are a pair of upwardly extending smaller channel elements 52 and 54 which are of greater width than the spacer 50 and thus protrude inwardly over and are spaced from the top web of the larger side elements 42 and 44. This spacing will accomodate a rigid panel 56 of transparent or translucent material such as plexiglass. Around the panel 56 is a resilient bead 58 of flexible material which serves as a weather seal for the panel 56. Bolts 60 may be used to connect the end element 46 of frame section 28 to the opposite end element 48 of the next adjacent frame section 26. If desired, braces 61 may be bolted to the sides of the frame member sections for added rigidity and strength at the joint.

In order to connect the flexible canvas panels 32 and 34 to the rigid frame members 16, the flexible panels are provided with bites or hems 32a and 34a respectively into which are threaded ropes or flexible cables 62 and 64 respectively. The ropes or cables 62 and 64 and the bite portions 32a and 34a extend into the upwardly disposed channel elements 52 and 54 and the ends of these ropes or cables may be affixed to formations 66 and 68 such as eye bolts provided at the bottoms of the wall panels 20 and 22. The bite or hem of each flexible canvas panel is thus held in place by the rope or cable within the upwardly disposed channel element 52 or 54 of the rigid panel. If desired, there may be a clamping means substituted for the rope and formations 66 and 68.

The flexible end panels 38 and 40 of the transparent or translucent foldable material extend downwardly from the ends of the rigid frame members which are at the ends of the structure as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2. These may be tied to the pool deck by suitable tie down hardware. A suitable door 69 is provided at least at one end of the cover, as shown in FIG. 1.

Extending along the sides of the pool and preferably embedded in the concrete slab, deck or walkway, is a pair of spaced, parallel, channel-shaped track members 70 and 72. The track members are identical in construction and in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 track member 70 is shown in detail. This track member has a base 74, sides 76 and 78, and top flanges 80a and 80b. Top flanges 80a and 80b close a part of the channel-shaped track member leaving only the longitudinal slot-like opening 82 visible from the top of the track. As shown in FIG. 1, the tracks extend preferably well beyond one end of the pool so that the cover 10 may be stored at that end. For drainage as well as assembly purposes, it is preferred that at least one end of the track be open. The track may be suitably anchored to the cement deck by conventional screw anchors or the like (not shown). In the case of existing pool structures the track members may be mounted on the top surface of the pool deck rather than imbedded in the deck surface.

Attached to the lower ends of each of the frame member wall portions 20 and 22 are guide means which extend into the interior of a respective one of the channel-shaped track members 70 and 72 for engaging the interior of the track members, so that the frame members may be guided along the track members toward and away from one another to selectively cover and uncover the pool area between the track members.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3-5, the bottom end element 48 of the frame member side section 20 has a base platae 84 affixed in its open end, preferably by bolts 49 between the depending side flanges 48a and 48b. Threaded through the base plate 84 and the central flange 48c of the wall section end element 48 are threaded members 86 and 88. Threaded member 86 has a shank portion 90 with an enlarged top 90a and an enlarged botton 90b. Threaded member 88 has a shank portion 91 with an enlarged top 91a and an enlarged bottom 91b. At the upper ends of the threaded members 86 and 88 are knobs 92 and 94 respectively which are locked in place on the threaded element by means of pins 92a and 94a, respectively. The shank portions 90 and 91 on the lower ends of the threaded elements 86 and 88, respectively extend into the track 70, and carried on the shank portions 90 and 91 of these two threaded members is a roller carriage 96. The roller carriage has a top plate 96a and a pair of depending side plates 96b and 96c. Extending between the side plates 96b and 96c is a horizontal axle 98 affixed in position by pins 98a and 98b. Journaled for rotation on the axle 98 is a roller 100 which may be constructed of nylon or other plastic or elastomeric material. The top plate 96a of the carriage 96 has end slots 102a and 102b which are adapted to accommodate the shanks 90 and 91 of the threaded elements 86 and 88. These slots 102a and 102b are sufficiently large to accommodate the shank portions but are too small to permit passage of the enlarged portions 90a and 90b of shanka 90 and enlarged portions 91a and 91b of shank 91.

Thus the threaded elements 86 and 88 may rotate relative to the roller carriage 96. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the threaded elements will move upwardly or downwardly with respect to the base plate 84 and the central flange 48c of the wall section end element and will also cause the roller carriage 96 to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the base plate 48. The threaded members 86 and 88 are in longitudinal alignment and retain the horizontal carriage axle 98 and the carriage 96 and the roller 100 mounted thereon also in longitudinal alignment. When the knobs 92 and 94 are maniplulated in one direction, they will raise the carriage 96 and the roller 100 permitting the base plate 84 of the side panel 48 to move downwardly into engagement with the top surface of the top flanges 80a and 80b of the channel-shaped track member while causing the roller 100 to disengage from the base 74 of the track 70. This is shown in FIG. 4. In this position the frame member cannot be rollably moved along the track. Further rotation of the knobs 92 and 94 will cause the carriage 96 to raise until the top plate 96a thereof engages the bottom surface of the top flanges 80a and 80b of the track thus clamping these top flanges of the track between the roller carriage 96 and the bottom plate 84 of the wall panel. Thus the wall panel and the entire rigid frame structure 16 will be clamped in the desired position of adjustment with respect to the track 70. When it is desired to again permit rolling motion of the frame member, the knobs 92 and 94 are rotated in the opposite direction lowering the roller carriage 96 to engage the roller 100 and raise the base plaate 84 of the wall panel 48 out of engagement with the top flanges 80a and 80b of track 70. This is the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

It is also preferred that there be a laterally stabilizing roller for engaging the side walls 76 and 78 of the channel track. For this purpose there is provided a vertical axle 104 having an upper threaded portion 104a which extends through the base plate 84 of the wall panel 48 and is locked in place with a nut 105. The lower enlarged shank portion 104b extends through the slotted opening 82 in the channel-shaped track 70, and a roller 106 which is also preferably a nylon roller, is jounaled thereon. This roller also serves as part of the guide means to guide the frame member along the track keeping it in longitudinal alignment.

It is preferred that for stability and smooth rolling action there be provided a horizontal roller 100 and a vertical roller 106 at each end of the wall panels 20 and 22. Thus each of the wall panels 20 and 22 will have a pair of vertical rollers 106 and a pair of horizontal rollers 100.

It will be appreciated that a number of modifications may be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. For example, there may be other and more conventional means for attaching the flexible canvas to the rigid frame members than by means of the hem portions and rope tie downs 62 and 64. Also the precise construction of the rigid panels 20-30 of the frame members may be varied. Each of the frame members though should have a pair of spaced, parallel, transverse portions which in the illustrated embodiment are the channel-shaped side elements 42 and 44. The end elements 46 and 48 and the panel 56 maintain the spacing of the side elements and the rigidity of the frame members. Also the bottom element 48 of the wall sections 20 and 22 preferably flatly engage the top of the track over a substantial longitudinal distance. This provides a solid locked-in-place stability for the frame member 16 and there is no tendency for the frame members to skew or otherwise become misaligned. Also the provision of the rollers 100 and 106 at either end of the wall panel provide stability during movement of the frame member 16.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown an alternative manner of attaching the rigid panels 56 and the panels of flexible covering material, such as canvas paneal 32, to the frame members 16. In place of the smaller channel elements 52 and 54 and the spacers 50 there is a panel attachment extrusion 108 which is attached (preferably by threaded fasteners 110) to the outer (upper) side flanges of the channel-shaped side elements 42 and 44 and end elements 46 and 48.

Each panel attachment extrusion 108 has a thick body portion 108a and a thin flange portion 108b which extends inwardly from the body portion from the upper side of the body portion. This flange portion 108b extends over and is tightened down (by the fasteners 110) on the resilient bead 58 of flexible material which extends around the edges and ends of the rigid panels 56. Adjacent the outer edge of the extrusion body 108b is a longitudinaly extending inwardly enlarged channel or aperture 112 which has a narrow, slot-like mouth or opening 112a to the outside of the extrusion (See FIG. 7). The aperture 112 and its mouth 112a are of a size and configuration to accept and permit longitudinal movement therein of the rope or cable 62 within the bight 32a of the canvas panel 32. The mouth 112a is sufficiently narrow, however, to prevent the rope 62 in the bight 32a from being pulled laterally through the mouth. Thus the canvas panels 32, 34 and 36 and the rigid panels 56 are securely attached to the frame members 16.

Also shown in FIG. 7 is the manner of interconnecting the end elements 46 and 48 of the adjacent sections of the frame members. In FIG. 1 the sections 20-30 of the frame members meet at obtuse angles. It is preferred that a wedge-like spacer 114 be placed between the end elements of the adjacent sections. The spacer 114 is tapered in accordance with the angle at which the two sections are to be joined, and the spacer is apertured or slotted to accommodate the bolts 60 which are used to connect the end elements together.

In FIG. 8 there is shown a modification of the guide means and locking means. Instead of the two threaded elements 86 and 88 there is a single threaded member 86'. A pair of parallel guide pins 87a and 87b extend downwardly from the base plate 84 through slotted opening in the track 70 and into coresponding holes in the top plate 96a of the carriage 96. The guide pins 87a and 87b are used to guide the roller carriage 96 as it is raised and lowered relative to the track 70 and base plate 84 by the manipulation of the single knob 92'. The pins may be force fitted as shown on pin 87a or threaded into the base plate 84 as shown on pin 87b.

While in the preferred embodiment the roller carriage also acts as the clamp for clamping the frame members in position, it is not essential that this carriage double as a clamp. The roller carriage could be fixed in place and it could carry not only the horizontal roller but also the vertical roller. Other locking means could be provided for clamping the base plate 84 and the end element 48 of the wall sectio in flat position against the top of the channel track 70.

The frame members 16 may be pushed together and moved to one end of the swimming pool to provide in essence a cabana structure at that end of the pool and opening the pool itself. This is particularly desirable when the outside temperature is warm and comfortable.

It may be seen that this invention provides a strong, sturdy cover for a pool, which cover may be easily pushed between pool covering and pool uncovering positions and may be locked in the desired position.