Patent Application
20070261316
This invention relates to pool enclosures, commonly referred to as “pool cages”, more particularly, a panel that is removable from pool cages.
Pool cages are popular among homeowners having pools as they not only prevent bugs, animals, leaves and other undesired elements from entering the pool, but they also provide a sense of privacy for the pool-goers. In addition, they prevent children from entering or exiting the pool area without adult supervision. For these reasons and so many more, pool cages have become a common fixture with respect to pools.
Pool cages are typically constructed of vertical and horizontal metallic cage posts that form a cage frame skeleton having a plurality of square or rectangular sections. Normally, a panel made of a screen material is secured within the frame of each section to prevent elements from entering the pool area. Sometimes a panel of solid material, such as cloth or thin aluminum, might be used for privacy purposes, particularly in the lower sections of the pool cage.
However, during severe weather where excessive wind and rain occurs, such as when tropical storms and/or hurricanes pass through, the pool cages are prone to collapsing as the screens themselves act like sails to catch the wind and rain. As the wind grows stronger, the screen concaves inward more and more, either blowing out panels of the screen enclosure or eventually bending and breaking the pool cage posts and the entire cage.
Although insurance companies recommend slitting the screens prior to the arrival of a hurricane or instances in which strong winds and rain may occur, many homeowners do not do so as the winds may not be strong enough to buckle in the cage but the homeowner would still have to replace the screens.
Thus, a need exists for a removable pool cage screen.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a removable pool enclosure panel that permits a person to easily remove and reinstall a pool cage screen.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable pool enclosure panel that permits a person to quickly remove and reinstall a pool enclosure panel.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a removable pool cage screen that aids in the prevention and/or minimizing damage to pool enclosures in inclement weather.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a removable pool enclosure panel that may be retrofitted to existing pool enclosures.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable pool enclosure panel that may be installed in new pool enclosures.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a removable pool enclosure panel that is virtually undetectable when installed in pool enclosures.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a removable pool enclosure panel having a frame which surrounds a predetermined material, such as screen currently used in conjunction with pool enclosures, and has means for removably fastening the frame within a predetermined section of a pool enclosure frame.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
With reference to
In
To install the removable pool cage screen 26 of the present invention into a pool enclosure section 7, at least one hole for a rod 18 is drilled into either the vertical cage post 4 or the horizontal cage post 5 at a predetermined location on the post 4 or 5. The location of the hole for a rod 18 should correspond to the location of the rod 12 located on the frame 10. Then, a person pulls the pull ring 11 such that the rod 12 does not extend past the frame post 8 or 9. Keeping the rod 12 in line with the frame post 8 or 9, the person then positions the frame 10 within the pool enclosure section 7 such that the frame 10 is completely located within the pool enclosure section 7. Once positioned as such, the person releases the pull ring 11, which in turn should allow the rod 12 to extend into the hole for a rod 18. In this manner, the frame 10 is now locked into the pool enclosure section 7 of the pool enclosure 1.
In addition, dowels 24 may be located on the frame 10. If such is the case, then a person positions the dowels 24 in line with the corresponding holes for dowels 23 drilled into the frame posts 8 or 9. The inclusion of dowels 24 may aid in the securement of the frame 1 within the pool enclosure section 7, although it is not necessary to use such dowels 24 for the securement of the frame 10.
Moreover, the frame 10 may include corner inserts 14, which aid in maintaining the frame 10 snugly within the pool enclosure section 7. The corner inserts 14 are preferably formed so as to be slightly larger than 90 degrees. If slightly larger than 90 degrees, the corner inserts 14 provide tension in case the pool enclosure section 7 is slightly bowed. The dowels 24 may be located within the corner inserts 14 as well.
In
Next,
With reference to
Finally,
The use of the present invention will provide an easy to use device that permits an individual to quickly and easily remove one or more pool cage screens prior to the onslaught of severe weather, such as a hurricane, to prevent damage to the pool screen and pool enclosure by allowing wind and rain to blow through the pool enclosure.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
