Patent Application
20140007338
Embodiments of the current invention are related to swimming and other pool maintenance and safety, using pool covers. More specifically, embodiments of the current invention relate to a pool cover automatic locking and unlocking system and method.
Among benefits of covering pools, the aspect of safety—by preventing drowning and keeping family and friends safe—is foremost. A pool cover additionally acts to prevent access by pets and uninvited visitors from entering a filled or substantially-filled pool. Additionally, a pool cover keeps dirt, leaves, and debris out of the pool when it is not in use. Another significant advantage in covering a pool is savings on operating costs, such as heating; chemicals; cleaning; water evaporation; and extended pool equipment life.
Among the manufacturers of pool covers in the world are:
Most manufacturers produce pool covers employing flexible sheets of vinyl/Dacron material and/or cloth-like pool covers; whereas some offer semi-rigid covers constructed of interlocking profile pieces, as known in the art. Reference is currently made to
Pool cover 5 has a leading edge 6, as seen in the detail view of
In the specification and claims, which follow hereinbelow, the terms “secure”, “lock”, “fasten”, and “attach” are used interchangeably with regard to maintaining a pool cover, once deployed and substantially covering a pool, in a configuration where the cover cannot be readily retracted (i.e. uncovering the pool). Following complete deployment (not shown in the figures) pool cover 5 is typically secured at a pool edge 8, where usually leading edge 6 is attached to the pool edge to enable the cover to fulfill a primary objective of safety, inter alia. Traditionally, straps or other fastening mechanisms (not shown in the figure) are used to manually secure leading edge 6 of deployed pool cover 5 to pool edge 8.
In many locales and countries, there are standards which define how the pool cover is secured. An exemplary standard for pool coverings and securing/locking provisions is French Standard NFP 90 308, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
An example of prior art dealing with pool covers and specifically to securing a pool cover, once deployed, is U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,282 to Shehan et al., whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Shehan et al. describe an improved swimming pool construction and cover, which include a swimming pool cover laid on the water of the pool and having a marginal edge provided with one component of the two-component elongated locking member. The second component of the locking member is disposed in the pool coping or deck edge accessible at the pool interior for engagement by the locking member component on the pool cover. The locking component associated with the pool is provided in a retrofit configuration by securing a locking component to a vinyl liner bead lock secured in the vinyl liner bead channel in a pool coping. In a new vinyl-lined pool construction, a coping is provided with a secondary channel with one component of the cover locking member secured therein. In a gunnite pool, a channel is formed in the deck edge and a component of the releasable cover locking member is secured in the channel for securement of the pool cover thereto.
Champion et al., in French Patent no. FR2936829, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describe a floating cover, locking device for swimming pool basin, having an elastic tongue with free end to close inlet orifice in rest position, and operated to release passage across orifice, where device is in form of monoblock assembly. The device has a hollow shell fixed on a vertical wall of a basin of a swimming pool, where the device is in form of a monoblock assembly. The shell comprises an inlet orifice sized for permitting passage of shafts and a housing delimited by a partition having an opening and receiving the shafts. An elastic tongue has a free end for closing, in rest position, the inlet orifice, and is operated to release the passage across the inlet orifice.
Among various shortcomings of prior art cover systems and fastening/securing mechanisms and locking systems are:
As a result of the shortcomings listed, in many cases, pools covers may not be deployed completely or a cover may not be completely/correctly secured once deployed—a situation that not only defeats the advantages listed hereinabove, but which may be illegal with regard to local/governmental standards, as noted hereinabove.
There is therefore a need for a pool cover locking system that is: reliable; easy to use; preferably automatic; and which may be integrated with an existing or newly installed pool cover system in a cost-effective and a straightforward manner.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided an automatic system for locking and unlocking a pool cover having a leading edge at an edge of a pool, the pool having a water surface, the pool cover deployable by a pool cover deployment system, the automatic system comprising: at least one leading edge slot piece having a rectangular slot therein, the leading edge slot piece integratable into the leading edge; at least one float locker subassembly configurable floatably on the water surface and constrained at the edge of the pool, the float locker subassembly having a space defined therein in which the at least one leading edge slot piece is adapted to be received, locked, and unlocked; and an autolock control unit adapted to communicate with the at least one float locker subassembly and the pool cover deployment system, wherein the control unit is further adapted to command and verify locking and unlocking of the at least one leading edge clip with the at least one float locker subassembly. Preferably, leading edge is displaceable floatingly on the water surface and communication by the autolock control unit with the at least one float locker subassembly and the pool cover deployment system is by at least one means chosen from list including: wireless and wired means. Most preferably, the at least one float locker subassembly further comprises: an autolock unit, maintainable above the water surface and having a locking pin adapted to lock and unlock the leading edge slot piece with the float locker subassembly; and an autolock floater unit mechanically attached beneath the autolock unit and separated by the space, the autolock floater unit adapted to be floatingly maintained with regard to the water surface and to present the space to the leading edge slot piece.
Typically, the autolock unit comprises a pin driver motor adapted to retract the locking pin to an unlocked status; a sensor adapted to sense a locked and unlocked status of the locking pin; command and telemetry electronics adapted to receive commands from the autolock control unit to command the pin drive motor and to provide telemetry to the autolock control unit related to the locking pin status; and a power source adapted to provide on board power for the pin drive motor, the sensor, and the command and telemetry electronics. Most typically, the locking pin is adapted to be biased by a spring to have a locked status when the leading edge slot piece is inserted into the space and the rectangular slot is positionable in the space beneath the locking pin. Preferably, the at least one float locker subassembly is slidingly attachable to a vertical guide piece, the vertical guide piece being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the water surface and extending partially below and above the water surface. Most preferably, the vertical guide piece is adapted to be mechanically attached to an edge mounting bracket, the edge mounting bracket adapted to be mechanically attached to the pool edge. Typically, the vertical guide piece has a plurality of protruding ribs, the plurality of protruding ribs oriented substantially perpendicular to the water surface and having a rib spacing dimension substantially equal to that of the space beneath the locking pin and wherein the float locker subassembly is formable to move slidingly with regard to the protruding ribs. Most typically, the at least one leading edge slot piece is substantially constrained in directions parallel and perpendicular to the water surface when the at least one leading edge slot piece is locked in the at least one float locker subassembly.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is further provided a method of using an automatic system for locking and unlocking a pool cover having a leading edge at an edge of a pool, the pool having a water surface, the pool cover deployable by a pool cover deployment system, the method comprising the steps of: configuring at least one leading edge slot piece having a rectangular slot therein and integrating the leading edge slot piece into the leading edge; constraining at least one float locker subassembly at the edge of the pool and configuring the at least one float locker assembly to float on the water surface, with the float locker subassembly having a space defined therein in which the at least one leading edge slot piece is received, locked, and unlocked; and taking an autolock control unit to communicate with the at least one float locker subassembly and the pool cover deployment system, whereby the control unit further commands and verifies locking and unlocking of the at least one leading edge clip with the at least one float locker subassembly. Preferably, the leading edge is displaced floatingly on the water surface and whereby communication by the autolock control unit with the at least one float locker subassembly and the pool cover deployment system is by at least one means chosen from list including: wireless and wired means. Most preferably, locking a deployed pool cover further comprises the steps of: commanding the pool cover deployment system to advance the leading edge towards the edge of the pool substantially at the water surface; configuring an autolock unit of the at least one float locker subassembly to receive the leading edge and to lock and sense the locking of the leading edge; configuring an autolock control unit receive telemetry from each of the at least one autolock unit indicative of the locking of the leading edge and communicating with the pool cover deployment system to command the pool cover deployment system to stop advancing the leading edge; and determining that each of the at least one autolock unit has locked the leading edge and taking corrective action if at least one autoock unit has not locked the leading edge. Typically, unlocking a locked pool cover further comprises the steps of: commanding the pool cover deployment system to unlock the locked pool cover and commanding an autolock unit of the at least one float locker subassembly to unlock the leading edge and to sense the unlocking of the leading edge; configuring an autolock control system to receive telemetry from each of the at least one autolock unit related to the unlocking of the leading edge; determining that each of the at least one autolock unit has unlocked the leading edge and taking corrective action if at least one autoock unit has not unlocked the leading edge; and communicating with the pool cover deployment system and commanding the pool cover deployment system to start retracting the leading edge once a positive determination is made that each of the at least one autolock unit has unlocked the leading edge.
The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Embodiments of the current invention are related to swimming and other pool maintenance and safety, using pool covers. More specifically, embodiments of the current invention relate to a pool cover automatic locking and unlocking system and method.
Reference is currently made to
Float locker subassembly 12 further includes: an autolock unit 20; an autolock floater unit 24; and a vertical guide piece 28—the latter being oriented substantially vertically (and substantially perpendicularly to the water surface) and partially below the water surface and being mechanically connected to the vertical part of edge mounting bracket 15 as shown in the figure. Autolock unit 20 and autolock floater unit 24 are mechanically connected, as described further hereinbelow, and have a space defined between them (as shown, but not indicated in the figure) to receive leading edge slot piece 14. Autolock unit 20 and autolock floater unit 24 are slidingly connected to vertical guide piece 28, as described further hereinbelow.
Autolock unit 20 and autolock floater unit 24 function together, as further described hereinbelow, to automatically lock the pool cover to the pool edge—once the pool cover is commanded to close—and to automatically unlock a locked pool cover—once a command is given to unlock and open the pool cover. In the specification and claims which follow, the terms “automatic” and “autolock” are intended to mean locking a pool cover into position without the need for manual intervention, once the pool cover has been commanded to close and to unlocking a locked pool cover—once a command is given to unlock and open the pool cover, likewise without the need for manual intervention.
Reference is currently made to
In
The configuration of leading edge slot piece 14 shown in
In
Typically, rectangular slot 16 measures approximately from 5 to 15 cm by 0.5 to 2 cm, so that the x-range of motion is approximately 11 cm and the y-range of motion is approximately 2 cm, depending, inter alia, on the slot size. The z-range of motion is variable and dependent on the pool level but is generally less than approximately 50 cm. Spacing of respective float locker assemblies in the y-direction typically ranges from 1-1.5 meters.
Locking pin 26 is biased by a spring within the autolock unit (not shown in the figure) so that the locking pin is normally maintained in an extended position (i.e. locked position). The spring configuration of the locking pin is similar to that of a tongue in a typical lock, as known in the art, so that when leading edge slot piece 14 is urged against the locking pin (when the pool cover is commanded to move to a closed position) locking pin 26 initially opens. However locking pin 26 is urged back into an extended position by the spring as the leading edge slot piece further advances and the slot is presented to the locking pin.
Reference is currently made to
Autolock unit 20 comprises an upper autolock unit cover 30 and an autolock unit housing 32. Housed within the autolock unit housing are: pin drive motor 34 (which controls locking pin 26 movement in and out of the autolock unit); power source 36; and autolock unit electronics 38—all of which are sealed in a waterproof configuration by seal 40. Part of autolock unit electronics is a limit switch (not shown in the figures) which provides an indication of the configuration of the locking pin (extended or retracted) and thereby an indication of “locked” and “open” (or “unlocked”) status, respectively. Autolock unit electronics 38 control pin drive motor 34 (to retract the locking pin to an “open” or “unlocked” status) as well as providing telemetry and receiving commands from an autolock control unit (not shown in the figure and described further hereinbelow). In one embodiment of the current invention power source 36 is a standard 3V battery having a charge capacity to allow successive daily lock/unlock movement by the drive motor for at least one year.
Unit cover 30 is secured in place over seal 40 and onto unit housing 32 by means of screws inserted into holes 42 in cover 30, and the screws mate with blind screw sockets 44, formed into unit housing 32—thereby contributing to a watertight configuration for the mechanical and electronic parts described hereinabove.
Autolock floater unit 24 includes an upper autolock floater unit cover 50 and an autolock unit base 52. Flotation element 54 is positioned within/between unit cover 50 and base 52. Barbed legs 56, extending from base 52, are configured to mate with receiving slots 58, the receiving slots located in cover 50. Floatation element 54 is constrained into position when cover 50 and base 52 are closed upon the flotation element and the barbed legs click into place into respective receiving slots, as known in the art. Because of the buoyancy of floatation element 54, autolock floater unit 24 provides buoyancy to autolock unit 20, due to a mechanical connection between the autolock floater unit and the autolock unit, as described further hereinbelow.
Autolock unit cover 30, autolock unit housing 32, autolock floater unit cover 50 and autolock floater unit base 52 are all formed of lightweight, corrosion-free, waterproof materials, such as but not limited to composite and UV protected plastic materials.
Float locker subassembly 12 further includes a retention bracket 60, having a cross-sectional profile shape similar to a flattened letter “U” (with serifs), as seen in
Retention bracket 60, with autolock unit 20 and autolock floater unit 24 connected, is slidingly guided over vertical guide piece 28, thereby constraining motion of float locker subassembly 12 in the x direction (toward and way from the pool edge, ref
Reference is currently made to
Autolock control unit 70 includes a power on/off button 72; a display 74; one or more function buttons 76; and a selecting button 78. Autolock control unit. Autolock control unit 70 has internal electronics and a power source (not shown in the figure) allowing it to operate, give commands, and receive telemetry from one or more autolock units 20 (ref
Reference is currently made to
In
In
If the result is “no”, control is transferred to step 320, determine which autolock unit(s) not reporting correctly (i.e. locked, instead of unlocked). Determining which autolock unit may be done, for example, by knowing which autolock unit(s) sent telemetry indicating no unlocking In step 325, take corrective action, one option would be to command all autolock units to lock and then command all autolock units to unlock and then recheck. Optionally or alternatively, the autolock unit(s) which is(are) not unlocked may be manually inspected and manually unlocked.
Major advantages and features of embodiments of the current invention, as described hereinabove, include:
It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
