BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The popularity of above ground pools is growing as more and more people own their own pool. The first evidence of a pool is over 3000 years old. In the United States alone, there are almost a half-million pools and even more hot tubs and spas. Historically, pool ownership was a status symbol since only the wealthiest individuals could afford a pool.
Maintenance of a modern pool, although simplified due to advances in pool chemistry, is still a constant task requiring monitoring of pool chemistry. Also, it is often necessary to physically clean the pool daily since foreign objects like leaves often collect in the open pool. Additionally, most people prefer pool waters in a temperature range which requires heating to keep them in the comfort range.
There is a need for an inexpensive, easy to maintain pool covering that also helps heat and maintain a pool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pool protector with solar properties has a plurality of vertical legs that support a plurality of roof supports and horizontal supports. Each leg is connected to a roof support and two horizontal supports using a connector. A top connector is made to join all the upper ends of the roof supports at a selected angle and declination to provide stability. A sprinkler system is provided to allow water to be directed downward to provide a cooling spray. A generally transparent covering portion is provided to trap solar radiation within the structure helping to provide a comfortable environment within the interior portion. Additionally, netting is provided to keep foreign objects from entering the enclosed space. Horizontal support arms are provided to allow the netting to be attached.
Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 3 with a screen panel installed.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the portion shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 6 with screen panel installed.
FIG. 10 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pool protector with solar properties 100 is shown having a plurality of vertical legs 110 that are connected to a plurality of roof supports 125 using angle connectors 130 which in turn connects and terminates in top connectors 140. A plurality of T-connectors 135 connect a plurality of horizontal support arms 115 to vertical legs 110 and angle connectors 130. A horizontal sprinkler arm 120 is supported by roof supports 125 and may be connected to an external water supply such as a garden hose (not shown in FIG. 1 or 2).
Pool protector with solar properties 100 is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe which is lightweight, strong and chemically resistant to derogation. Of course other materials may be used such as but not limited to aluminum, copper or other suitable metal or plastic or composite material.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, pool protector with solar properties 100 is shown having a plurality of support arm connectors 155 connecting horizontal support arms 115 in addition to t-connectors 135. A plurality of sprinkler connectors 150 join sprinkler arms 120 together and hang from sprinkler supports 145. Top connector 140 is constructed to join roof supports together at the selected angle.
Now referring to FIG. 5, pool protector with solar properties 100 is shown having a solar covering 160 that is tied down to using tie downs 175. Screen panel 165 is attached to the frames using tie downs 175. A flap 170 is provided to allow a user to enter and exit. Solar covering 160 is made of a mostly transparent material which allows solar radiation to penetrate, but traps the heat therein. Plastic materials work very well but other materials may be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, a pool protector with solar properties 600 is shown having a plurality of vertical legs 610 which are stabilized using base plates 697 attached to the bottom of legs 610. Although base plates 697 are shown, it is not necessary to use base plates. Connectors 630 are used to connect roof supports 625 with legs 610. A plurality of T-connectors 635 connect a plurality of horizontal support arms 615 to vertical legs 610 and angle connectors 630. In this embodiment, sprinkler heads 690 are disposed along a lower surface of roof support 625 to provide a spray of water 627 directed towards a pool 632. A hose 642 supplies water to vertical leg 610 using a valve 680 and hose connector 685. A pressure reducer (not shown) may be used to reduce the water pressure if necessary to enhance safety. Vertical leg 610 is sealed using connector 635 which uses water seals 695 which prevents water from flowing through horizontal support arms 615. Additionally, a water seal is used to seal water inside vertical leg 610 at base plate 697 (not shown). It is necessary to drain the water out of the system anytime the temperature may cause freezing. The water is drained using valve 680.
A top connector 640 is used to join all roof supports 625 as discussed above. The number of sprinkler heads depends on how much water the user would like. Sprinkler heads may be placed along a portion of a single roof support or may be placed on multiple roof supports. If it is desirable to have more sprinkler heads on multiple roof supports, then water seals 695 may not be used. Water may be maintained in all legs and roof supports and only sealed at the base. Additionally, an interior hose may be disposed within a vertical leg and run up to the sprinkler head (not shown). In an embodiment using an interior hose, it is not necessary to make the connections between the vertical leg and the sprinkler head water tight.
In reference to FIG. 9, a solar top 660 is used to trap solar radiation and to keep foreign materials out of pool 632. Screen panels 665 are used to keep foreign materials and insects out of the pool area. Tie downs 175 attach solar top 660 to the frame.
Now referring to FIG. 10, screen panel 165 is attached a panel support 190 that is disposed horizontally and interior to vertical legs 110. Panel supports 190 are similar in structure to horizontal sprinkler arms discussed in relation to FIG. 1 but in this embodiment panel supports 190 have no connection to the water supply and are only used to support screen panel 165. A plurality of panel holders 180 are attached to a plurality of grommets 185 disposed along an upper portion of screen panel 165. Although sprinkler heads 690 are not shown in FIG. 10, it is understood that they may be used with any of the embodiments shown to provide a cooling spray of water as discussed above.
Of course, the present invention would also be useful in other applications such as covering, for example a picnic table. The water spray or mist would provide a cooling affect and the screens and solar top would keep the enclosed space more enjoyable.
Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Patent Application
20140196205
