POOL DOUBLE SAFETY COVER

Abstract

An example pool double safety cover has an upper cover substantially impermeable to water, and a lower cover substantially permeable to water. An example pool double safety cover has a first pulley system for the upper cover and a second pulley system for the lower cover. Each pulley system has first and second pulley wheels at one end of the pool and third and fourth pulley wheels at the opposite end of the pool. Rotating at least one of the pulley wheels causes all of the pulley wheels of the corresponding pulley system to move either a first line connected to the upper cover or a second line connected to the lower cover. An upper track guides the upper cover to open and close over a pool opening, and a lower track guides the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening.

Description

BACKGROUND

For many modern residential pools, safety covers are installed to prevent unintentional pool entry. Other benefits include, but are not limited to, water heat retention and providing a barrier to debris. Because these covers are typically only installed during periods of non-use, the covers are typically anchored all along the perimeter. While this provides protection against someone falling in the pool, it can be a hassle to install and remove. Therefore, most safety covers are not installed until the end of the season and then removed again at the beginning of the season.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example pool double safety cover including both a permeable bottom cover and a non-permeable top cover.

FIG. 2 shows the example pool double safety cover as it may be installed on a swimming pool.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example pool double safety cover.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an example pulley system for the pool double safety cover.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the example pulley system shown in FIG. 4 for the pool double safety cover.

FIG. 6 shows the example pool double safety cover with the top cover closed.

FIG. 7 shows the example pool double safety cover with the top cover retracted and the permeable bottom cover closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A pool double safety cover is disclosed having an upper cover that is substantially impermeable to water, and a lower cover that is substantially permeable to water. The pool double safety cover may be implemented as an automatic safety cover system that gives the pool owner flexibility to have all the benefits of a safety cover, while also addressing deficiencies.

An example pool double safety cover includes a first pulley system for the upper cover. The first pulley system has first and second pulley wheels at opposite sides of a first end of the pool, and third and fourth pulley wheels at opposite sides of a second end of the pool. During operation, rotating at least one of the pulley wheels causes all of the pulley wheels of the first pulley system to move a first line connected to the upper cover to move the upper cover.

The example pool double safety cover also includes a second pulley system for the lower cover. The second pulley system also has first and second pulley wheels at opposite sides of a first end of the pool and third and fourth pulley wheels at opposite sides of a second end of the pool. During operation, rotating at least one of the pulley wheels causes all of the pulley wheels of the second pulley system to move a second line connected to the lower cover to move the lower cover.

The example pool double safety cover also includes an upper track configured to guide the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening when installed along the opposite sides of the pool. A lower track is configured to guide the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening when installed along the opposite sides of the pool.

The example pool double safety cover also includes a first motor to open and close the upper cover over the pool, and a second motor to open and close the lower cover over the pool.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

It is also noted that the examples described herein are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented.

FIG. 1 shows an example pool double safety cover 10 including both a permeable bottom or lower cover 12, and a non-permeable top or upper cover 14. FIG. 2 shows the example pool double safety cover 10 as it may be installed on a swimming pool 1. In FIG. 2, the front and side edges 3 of the pool 1 and enclosure for the motors is shown removed so that the drive motors and upper and lower covers 12, 14 are more clearly visible.

The water permeable lower cover 12 may be manufactured of a water permeable material, such as a mesh. The water permeable lower cover 12 may include a leading edge 16, and the non-permeable upper cover 14 may include a leading edge 18. The leading edges 16 and 18 are configured to slide in a track system having tracks installed along a length of the sides of the pool. The track system enables the covers 12 and 14 to be moved across the pool, e.g., to open and close the covers 12 and 14 on the pool.

The water permeable lower cover 12 of the example pool double safety cover may be utilized to prevent freezing of external pool components when temperatures are lower than a predetermined temperature. External components may include by way of illustration, but are not limited to, water lines, deck jets, laminars, raised spa waterfall, waterfalls, slides. That is, while the non-permeable upper cover 14 is open, and the water permeable lower cover 12 is closed, the external components may still be operated so that water still runs through these to prevent water from freezing in the lines. The discharged water may still empty into the pool 1 through the water permeable lower cover 12. In an example, the lower cover 12 also provides the benefits of a safety cover, such as a barrier to entry and/or a barrier to debris from entering the pool 1.

In FIG. 2 two independent motors 20a, 20b are shown to separately operate the covers 12 and/or 14. For example, independent motor 20a operates cover 12, and motor 20b operates cover 14. It is noted, however, that the example pool double safety cover 10 may be operated by a single motor, dual independent motors, and/or additional motors as deemed necessary for the particular installation. Likewise, one or both of the covers 12, 14 may be operated manually (e.g., without a motor), or automatically (e.g., via a home automation controller, not shown).

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example pool double safety cover 10 corresponding to FIG. 2. In an example, the pool double safety cover 10 includes a track system 22 having independent parallel tracks. The track system 22 may include an upper track 24 configured to guide the upper cover 14 to open and close over an opening of the pool 1. The track system 22 may also include a lower track 26 configured to guide the lower cover 12 to open and close over the pool 1 opening. The tracks 24, 26 may be configured in any suitable manner, such as but not limited to C-channels mounted to otherwise installed along the pool 1 sides that the leading edges 16, 18 ride in and move under power of a pulley system (e.g., pulley system 32 described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5).

In an example, the upper cover 14 is configured to be open when the lower cover 12 is closed. The upper cover 14 is also configured to be closed when the lower cover 12 is open. Both the lower and upper covers 12, 14 are further configured to be open and closed at the same time.

In an example, the upper cover 14 is partially closed over the lower cover 12 to partially expose the lower cover 12. The upper cover 14 is fully closed over the lower cover 12 to fully cover the lower cover 12.

In an example, the upper cover 14 is configured as a barrier to entry as a safety cover. The upper cover 14 may also be configured as a barrier to keep debris out of the pool. The upper cover 14 may also be configured to retain heat in the pool water.

In an example, the lower 12 cover is manufactured of a mesh. The lower cover 12 is configured as a barrier to entry as a safety cover. The lower cover 12 is configured as a barrier to debris. The lower cover 12 enables continued operation of water features even when the lower cover 12 is closed, for example, for aesthetics and/or to prevent freezing of the water features.

In an example, the lower cover 12 is configured to release heat from the pool 1 water 2 into the atmosphere. The lower cover 12 may also be at least partially transparent so that lights in the pool 1 are still visible through the lower cover 12 even when the lower cover 12 is fully closed over the pool 1.

In an example, the pool double safety cover 10 includes a first bar on the upper cover 14. This bar is configured to form a rigid leading edge 18 of the upper cover 14. The pool double safety 10 cover may also include a second bar on the lower cover 12. This bar is configured to form a rigid leading edge 16 of the lower cover 12. The leading edge 16 and 18 enables the covers 12, 14 to be operated without bunching up during opening and closing over the pool 1.

In an example, the pool double safety cover 10 includes a drive system 30. The drive system 30 may include at least one motor 20a, 20b and the pulley system 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5) configured to open and close the upper cover 14 and the lower 12 cover over the pool 1.

In an example, the pool double safety cover 10 includes independent motors 20a, 20b. The first motor 20a is provided to open and close the upper cover 14 over the pool 1. The second motor 20b is provided to open and close the lower cover 12 over the pool 1.

In an example, the pool double safety cover includes two independent pulley systems 32. A first pulley system may be provided for the upper cover 14, and a second pulley system may be provided for the lower cover 32. FIG. 4 is a top view of an example pulley system 32 for the pool double safety cover 10. FIG. 5 is a side view of the example pulley system 32 shown in FIG. 4 for the pool double safety cover 10. Both of the independent pulley systems 32 (e.g., for the upper cover 14 and separately for the lower cover 12) are configured similarly, and therefore only one of the pulley systems 32 is shown in the drawings.

An example installation of the double pool safety cover 10 includes a track system (e.g., C-channels) bonded to at least two sides of the pool 1 edges. The track system allows the cover to be pulled open/closed manually and/or by the drive motor(s) 20a, 20b.

An example of the pool double safety cover 10 includes two separate parallel tracks (e.g., C-channels stacked on top of each other). These separate tracks may be provided for a separate safety cover 14 (in a first track) and a water permeable cover 12 (in the second track). For example, the upper track may include the automatic safety cover 14 and the lower track may include the water permeable cover 12. In another example, the covers may be reversed.

In an example, the water permeable cover 12 and the safety cover 14 are opened and closed via the pulley system 32 manually or by operating the drive motor(s) 20a, 20b. The drive motor(s) 20a, 20b may be controlled by a user via a remote cover/uncover switch. This allows a pool user to open the cover(s) 12, 14 fully for use, and then close the cover(s) 12, 14 when not attended.

Each pulley system 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5) may have first and second pulley wheels or drive wheels 34a, 34b at opposite sides of the first end of the pool 1 (e.g., the side closest to the motors 20a, 20b). Each pulley system 32 may also have third and fourth pulley wheels 34c, 34d at opposite sides of the second end of the pool 1 (e.g., the side furthest from the motors 20a, 20b). During operation, rotating at least one of the drive wheels 34a, 34b (e.g., manually or via motors 20a, 20b turning shaft 21) causes all of the pulley wheels 34a-d of the independent pulley system 32 to move a first pulley line 36a, 36b connected to one of the covers 12, 14 and thereby independently operate either the upper cover 14 or the lower cover 12. It is noted that shaft 21 may be a driveshaft and/or a spool for rolling the cover 12, 14, onto.

It is noted that the pulley system 32 is not limited to any particular configuration except to the extent limited by the claims. For example, drive wheel 34a and pulley wheel 34b (which may or may not be a drive wheel) may be oriented perpendicular to ground (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5). The other pulley wheels 34b-d may be slave wheels, with pulley wheels 34c, 34d oriented parallel to ground. In this configuration, all four pulley wheels 34a-d may be connected by a single pulley line operated by the drive wheel(s).

In still other examples, the drive wheels may be provided on each side, on one side, or in two or more corners of the pool 1. More than the four pulley wheels shown in the drawings may also be provided. The pulley line may also be connected via straps 38 to the covers 12, 14 and/or may be attached directly to the covers 12, 14. It is also noted that other systems to operate the covers 12, 14 may also be provided, as will be well understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

FIG. 6 shows the example pool double safety cover 10 with the top cover 14 closed. Each cover 12, 14 may have its own spool and independent motors for fully independent operation, as discussed further above. This enables the pool owner to select which properties they want for the pool 1. For example, the user can close the safety cover 14 to provide a barrier to entry, pool water heat retention, and serve as a barrier to debris and water (e.g., rain/snow) entry.

FIG. 7 shows the example pool double safety cover 10 with the top cover 14 retracted and the permeable bottom cover closed 12. The water permeable lower cover 12 may be closed to provide a barrier to entry (e.g., as a safety cover), while allowing heat 40 to escape to the atmosphere and reduce temperature build-up, and still provide a barrier for debris. Lights 42 can still be seen through the mesh of the lower cover 12, and external fountains 44 can still be operated and allowed to empty into the pool 1 through the mesh cover.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A pool double safety cover, comprising: an upper cover that is substantially impermeable to water;a lower cover that is substantially permeable to water; anda track system having two independent parallel tracks, an upper track configured to guide the upper cover to open and close over a pool opening, and a lower track configured to guide the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening.

2. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the upper cover is configured to be open when the lower cover is closed, the upper cover is configured to be closed when the lower cover is open, and both the upper and lower covers are configured to be open and closed at the same time.

3. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the upper cover is partially closed over the lower cover to partially expose the lower cover.

4. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the upper cover is fully closed over the lower cover to fully cover the lower cover.

5. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, further comprising an upper bar on the upper cover, the upper bar configured to form a rigid edge along a leading edge of the upper cover.

6. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, further comprising an upper bar on the lower cover, the upper bar configured to form a rigid edge along a leading edge of the lower cover.

7. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, further comprising at least one motor and a pulley system configured to automatically open and close the upper cover and the lower cover over the pool.

8. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, further comprising independent motors, a first motor to open and close the upper cover over the pool, and a second motor to open and close the lower cover over the pool.

9. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the upper cover is configured as a barrier to entry as a safety cover.

10. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the upper cover is configured as a barrier to keep debris out of the pool.

11. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the upper cover is configured to retain heat in the pool water.

12. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the lower cover is manufactured of a mesh.

13. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein lower cover is configured as a barrier to entry as a safety cover.

14. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the lower cover is configured as a barrier to debris.

15. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the lower cover enables continued operation of water features even when the lower cover is closed, for aesthetics and/or to prevent freezing of the water features.

16. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the lower cover is configured to release heat from the pool water into the atmosphere.

17. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, wherein the lower cover is at least partially transparent so that lights in the pool are still visible through the lower cover even when the lower cover is fully closed over the pool.

18. A pool double safety cover, comprising: an upper cover that is substantially impermeable to water;a lower cover that is substantially permeable to water;two independent pulley systems, a first pulley system for the upper cover and a second pulley system for the lower cover, each pulley system having first and second pulley wheels at opposite sides of a first end of the pool and third and fourth pulley wheels at opposite sides of a second end of the pool, wherein rotating at least one of the pulley wheels causes all of the pulley wheels of the independent pulley system to move a first line connected to the upper cover or a second line connected to the lower cover and thereby independently operate either the upper cover or the lower cover; anda track system having two independent parallel tracks, an upper track configured to guide the upper cover to open and close over a pool opening, and a lower track configured to guide the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening, when operated by the corresponding pulley system.

19. The pool double safety cover of claim 1, further comprising independent motors, a first motor to open and close the upper cover over the pool, and a second motor to open and close the lower cover over the pool.

20. A pool double safety cover, comprising: an upper cover that is substantially impermeable to water;a first pulley system for the upper cover having first and second pulley wheels at opposite sides of a first end of the pool and third and fourth pulley wheels at opposite sides of a second end of the pool, wherein rotating at least one of the pulley wheels causes all of the pulley wheels of the first pulley system to move a first line connected to the upper cover to move the upper cover;an upper track configured to guide the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening when installed along the opposite sides of the pool;a first motor to open and close the upper cover over the pool;a lower cover that is substantially permeable to water;a second pulley system for the lower cover having first and second pulley wheels at opposite sides of a first end of the pool and third and fourth pulley wheels at opposite sides of a second end of the pool, wherein rotating at least one of the pulley wheels causes all of the pulley wheels of the second pulley system to move a second line connected to the lower cover to move the lower cover;a lower track configured to guide the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening when installed along the opposite sides of the pool; anda second motor to open and close the lower cover over the pool.