Patent Application
20230193645
Covers may be installed on pools during the off season to reduce maintenance, and even during the swim season to increase safety by reducing or preventing people, and especially small children, from falling into the pool when it is unattended.
When it rains or snows, water accumulates on the surface of the cover. This water can tear the cover, or grow algae and then be dumped into the pool when the cover is removed. As such, a pump is typically used to remove water accumulation on the surface of the cover. Pumps also require someone to set the pump and move it around the cover to ensure the water has been removed. But in cases of heavy rain or snow, the cover may be damaged before the attendant is able to pump the water off. Pumping is also an additional maintenance requirement for pool owners.
A water release valve is disclosed as it may be utilized in an example on a pool safety cover. Pool safety covers are often automated, driven by motors and riding along tracks mounted to the top of the pool edge surface and underneath the decking. The pool cover material is typically made of heavy-duty vinyl fabric. When the cover is closed (when the pool is not in use) the cover has 3 important properties. First, the cover serves as a barrier to human/animal entry. Second, the cover aids with pool water heat retention. Third, the cover is a barrier to debris and rain water and snow melt. But the weight of this water accumulation on top of the pool safety cover can damage the cover material or pull it out of its tracks if the water is not removed.
A valve actuator 16 having a door 18. The door 18 may be attached to the upper valve body 12 or the lower valve body 14, e.g., via one or more hinge 20. In an example, the hinge 20 may be located nearest to the safety cover roll-up mechanism to automatically force the valves 10 shut when the pool safety cover 2 is opened. This enables the valve 10 to roll into the pool safety cover 2 and automatically close the door 18 without obstructing the rolling action of the pool safety cover 2.
The door 18 is configured to automatically open to release at least some water on top of the pool safety cover 2 into the swimming pool 3 to reduce water accumulation on top of the pool safety cover 2. In an example, the valve actuator 16 automatically opens under the weight of the water on top of the pool safety cover 2. The valve actuator 16 automatically closes (e.g., under operation of a spring 21 on the pin of hinge 20 or separate spring or other biasing mechanism) after the water has flowed through the opening and off of the surface of the pool safety cover 2.
By default, the water release valve 10 remains substantially closed, so as to help prevent dirt and debris from entering through the opening in the pool safety cover 2 and into the pool water. The upper and lower valve bodies 12 and 15 also create a seal in the pool safety cover 2 to retain heat in the pool water under the pool safety cover 2.
When water accumulates on the pool safety cover 2, the weight of the water on the valve actuator 16 causes the door 18 to open, thereby releasing water accumulated on the surface of the pool safety cover 2 to flow down into the pool 3. As the water is released into the pool 3 before being allowed to over accumulate on the pool cover (and thus become dirty and/or result in algal growth), the water is relatively clean and does not contaminate the pool water. In addition, the door 18 may be configured so as to let smaller amounts of water through the opening without the debris. A screen may also be provided to prevent debris from being washed into the pool 3.
The water release valve 10 disclosed herein automatically removes water from the cover, without the pool owner having to perform any steps after closing the pool safety cover 2. Water removal from the pool safety cover 2 does not require any external power source or other effort from the pool owner. The water release valve 10 is not an eyesore like a pump.
Although described herein as the water release valve 10 may be provided for a pool safety cover, it is understood that the water release valve 10 is not limited to any particular end-use. Other applications will also be readily apparent to those having skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein, for example on any type of cover on which water or other liquids may accumulate and need to be automatically removed (fish ponds, fountains, retaining ponds, etc.).
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.
It is noted that more than one valve actuator or door 18 may be provided, e.g., on opposite ends of the upper and lower valve body 12, 14. In an example, the valve actuator or door 18 automatically opens. In an example, the valve actuator or door 18 may open via a motor (not shown). However, the valve actuator or door 18 is shown in the drawings as it may open automatically under the weight of accumulating water on top of the pool safety cover 2. For example, the valve actuator may include a hinge 20 or other mechanism to pivotably or rotatably attach the door 18 to the upper or lower valve body 12, 14.
It is noted that the door 18 may be attached to the upper valve body 12 or to the lower valve body 14. In an example, the bias mechanism maintains the valve actuator in a closed state as a default condition. The bias mechanism may be one or more springs (e.g., hinge spring 21). The spring(s) may be part of the hinge 20 and/or attached separately to the door 18 and/or upper and lower valve body 12, 14. Other bias mechanisms (gas filled pistons, an electric motor, etc.) are also contemplated, as will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.
In an example, a screen 22 may be provided to reduce debris entering the swimming pool 3 through the pool safety cover 2 when the valve actuator automatically opens to release the water on top of the pool safety cover 2 into the swimming pool 3. The screen 22 may be provided to cover the opening 7 formed in the pool safety cover 2. For example, the screen 22 may be laid over the opening in the pool safety cover 2 such that the screen 22 overlaps the perimeter of the opening 7, and then the upper and lower valve bodies 12, 14 connected to one another to secure the screen 22 therebetween. Adhesive may also be applied to secure the screen 22 to the pool safety cover 2.
In an example, the upper valve body 12 is mechanically connected to the lower valve body 14. For example, the upper valve body 12 may be connected to the lower valve body 14 with screws 24 or other mechanical fasteners (e.g., peg-and-hole, snaps, etc.) via through-holes 26, 28 formed in the upper and lower valve bodies 12, 14. In another example, the upper and lower valve bodies 12, 14 may be connected with adhesive to the pool safety cover 2 and/or the opposing valve body. Other connection mechanisms (e.g., latches) are also contemplated, as will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.
In an example, the opening 7 may be sized sufficiently large so as to quickly remove water before it accumulates on the pool safety cover 2, even during heavy rain/snow, while still being small enough so as not to detract from the safety features of the pool safety cover 2 (e.g., preventing people or animals from falling into the pool). In an example, more and smaller openings may be provided (e.g., 4×4 inches or less). The specific size, shape, and position of the opening(s) 7 may be based on design considerations and/or regulations for pool safety covers 2.
In an example, a seal may be provided on the hinged valve actuator and/or the mating surface of the valve body to reduce heat loss and/or evaporation from the pool water. The seal may include at least in part a spring mechanism that sufficiently closes the valve actuator, magnetic seals, and gaskets. The seals may be selected so as to provide a sealing function, while also having a sufficiently low breaking force to allow the water weight to open the valve and release water into the pool so that it does not accumulate on the pool cover.
In an example, a screen 22 or other filter material may be provided over the opening 7 in the valve body to help keep large debris (e.g., leaves on the cover) from falling into the pool when the valve opens, but still allow the water 11 to run through into the pool water 9.
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.
This application claims the priority filing benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/265,523 filed Dec. 16, 2021 for “Water Release Valve For Pool Safety Cover” of Tecu, et al., hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63265523 | Dec 2021 | US |
