AU2010202661A1 - A Pool Assembly - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT A POOL ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: A POOL ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present invention generally relates to pools including, for example, swimming pools and spas. BACKGROUND 10 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. Many backyards have swimming pools which can occupy relatively large 15 spaces. Invariably, when the novelty of the backyard pool has worn off or children have grown older, many pool owners resent the fact that pools occupy so much space whilst remaining dormant. Indeed, some owners of in ground pools even take the drastic step of filling in the pool to reclaim backyard space which has been lost; a step which is not readily undone. 20 It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative for reclaiming backyard space occupied by a pool. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pool cover assembly including: a rigid pool cover for covering a pool; and lift means for lifting the pool cover. 30 The rigid pool cover can be used to support people and thereby reclaim backyard space occupied by the pool when it is in its lowermost position. Advantageously, the lowered pool cover also denies young children access to the pool in which they may otherwise drown.

2 The pool cover may retain a horizontal configuration during lifting. The pool cover may include a plurality of serially arranged panels. The pool cover may be convertible from a platform for supporting people over the pool when in a 5 lowermost position to a roof over the pool when in an uppermost position. The pool cover assembly may further include an electrical display within the pool cover. The pool cover may be solid and provide shade from the sun, or transparent 10 to provide a view of the pool water when the pool cover is in its lowermost position. The pool cover may define a recess on its underside in which a human head can be located so that there is sufficient breathing clearance between the pool cover and water surface of the pool. The pool cover assembly may include a safety alarm which can be triggered when the pool 15 cover is in its lowermost position and a person is in the pool. The lift means may include a plurality of lifts spaced apart around the pool and about the periphery of the pool cover. Each lift may be a hydraulic lift or otherwise include a winch and ratchet arrangement. Each lift may include a 20 telescopic lifting pole or rigid external pole. In use, each lifting pole may be substantially sunken in the ground around the pool (or within a deck of the pool) when the pool cover is in its lowermost position. The pool cover assembly may further include one or more removable curtains 25 for attaching to the pool cover to provide a temporary rain/wind shield around the pool to facilitate swimming all year round (i.e. and effectively form an outdoor - indoor pool). The pool cover assembly may further include fastening means for releasably 30 fastening the pool cover to the lift means. The fastening means may include a plurality of fasteners located at respective lifts. The pool cover assembly may further include a controller for controlling the lift means. The controller may include a user interface which enables a user to 3 input lifting and lowering commands responsive to which the controller causes the lift means to lift and lower the pool cover respectively. The pool cover assembly may further include a range of electronically 5 controlled lighting and/or display communications arrangements arranged between the controller and an electrical display which is visible from at least the underside of the pool cover, the controller being configured to provide display signals to the display. In one embodiment, messages displayed on the electrical display can be viewed from both above and below the pool 10 cover. The pool may be a swimming pool, lap pool, spa or hot tub. The pool cover assembly may further include a solar panel assembly to power 15 the controller, display and/or lifts. Any excess power can be used to power a household or provided to the power grid. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pool assembly including: 20 a pool; a rigid pool cover for covering the pool; and lift means for lifting the pool cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding 30 Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure 1 is a plan view of a swimming pool assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 4 Figure 2 is an end view of the swimming pool assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the swimming pool assembly of Figure 1; and 5 Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a pool cover assembly of the swimming pool assembly of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 10 According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pool assembly 2 as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The pool assembly 2 includes an in ground swimming pool 4 and a pool cover assembly 6 covering the pool 4. The pool cover assembly 6 includes a rigid pool cover 8 for wholly covering 15 the pool 4. Six hydraulic or other lifts 10 are spaced apart around the pool 4 and about the periphery of the pool cover 8. Each lift 10 may include a telescopic lifting pole which can be extended and retracted. Turning to Figure 1, the pool cover assembly 6 further includes a controller 12 20 for controlling the lifts 10. The controller 12 includes a user interface (not shown) which enables a user to input lifting and lowering commands responsive to which, the controller 12 simultaneously causes the lifts 10 to lift and lower the pool cover 8 respectively. The user interface may include a remote control unit. The pool cover 8 is readily convertible between a platform 25 for supporting people over the pool 4 when in a lowermost position, and a roof over the pool 4 when in an uppermost position. The pool cover 8 remains horizontal and superposed with respect to the pool 4 when being moved into a desired position by the lifts 10. 30 The rigid pool cover 8 can be used to reclaim backyard space occupied by the pool 4 when it is in its lowermost position. This is particularly advantageous in a party situation where an outdoor dining setting can be placed on the cover 8 which, in turn, further supports the weight of a number of people. The lowered pool cover 8 could also form a dance floor for supporting a number of 5 dancers. Advantageously, the lowered pool cover 8 also denies young children access to the pool 4 in which they may otherwise drown. As can be best appreciated when viewing Figures 2 and 3, a clearance space 14 is defined between the lowered pool cover 8 and the pool water surface 16 in 5 which a human head can be located. There is also sufficient breathing clearance between the lowered pool cover 8 and the pool water surface 16 in the unlikely event that a child is in the pool 4 with the cover 8 lowered. The lifted pool cover 8 can provide swimmers with shade from the sun. The 10 pool cover assembly 6 further includes removable curtains (not shown) for hanging from the pool cover 8 to provide a temporary wind (and/or sun) shield around the pool 4, thereby accommodating for wintry conditions and facilitating swimming all year round. The curtains can form a wall surrounding the pool 4 so that the pool 4 is located indoors, which is particularly 15 advantageous in the winter months. Turning to Figure 4, the pool cover 8 includes framework 18 supporting a plurality of serially arranged panels 20. The panels 20 are releasably engaged with the framework 18 and can be individually removed if required. The pool 20 cover assembly 6 further includes fastening means for releasably fastening the framework 18 of the pool cover 8 to the lifts 10. The fastening means includes a plurality of fasteners located at the tips of respective lifts 10. As can best be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the pool deck 22 defines six holes 24 in which respective hydraulic lifts 10 are located. When the pool cover 8 is in its 25 lowermost position, each telescopic lifting pole is in its hole 24 so as to be substantially sunken within the pool deck 22. In this manner, the cover 8 sits above or flush with deck 22 with the tips of the lifting poles protruding from the holes 24 and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 30 The pool cover assembly 6 further includes an electrical display (not shown) mounted within or on the underside of the pool cover 8. The display can be used to display images, slides, movies, and television programs. The pool cover assembly 6 further includes an optic fiber communications arrangement, including LED lighting for displaying computer images, Powerpoint

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6 presentations, television etc, and which is arranged between the controller 12 and the electrical display. The controller 12 is configured to provide required display signals to the display. The pool cover assembly 6 further includes a solar panel assembly to power the controller 12, display and/or lifts 10. 5 The lowered pool cover 8 advantageously reduces the amount of cleaning chemicals used, impedes evaporation of water from the pool 4, facilitates heat retention within the pool water and impedes leaves from entering the pool 4. 10 The installation of the pool cover 8 typically occurs at the pool site. The cover 8 is constructed by connecting four peripheral beams and then affixing parallel joists there-between to form the framework 18. The framework 18 may be connected piecemeal to the lifts 10 or, alternatively, may be fully constructed before attachment to the lifts 10. The panels 20 are then affixed to the 15 framework 18 between respective pairs of joists, and joined at the joists. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention. 20 For example, the rigid pool cover may include glass, Perspex, mesh, fibreglass, polycarbonate, timber or other like rigid materials. In one embodiment, the pool cover may include a panel made of transparent material so that images and messages can be viewed from both above and beneath 25 the pool cover. In one embodiment, the pool cover may define a recess on its underside in which a human head can be located so that there is further breathing clearance between the pool cover and water surface of the pool. 30 The preferred embodiment was described in relation to a swimming pool, but is equally applicable to spas, hot tubs, fish ponds or other like pools of water.

7 In one embodiment, the pool cover can be transparent to provide a view of the pool water when the pool cover is in its lowermost position. The pool cover assembly can include a safety alarm which can be triggered 5 when the pool cover is in its lowermost position and a person is in the pool. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or 10 described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. A pool cover assembly including: a rigid pool cover for covering a pool; and lift means for lifting the pool cover.

2. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pool cover retains a horizontal configuration during lifting.

3. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pool cover includes a plurality of serially arranged panels.

4. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pool cover is convertible from a platform for supporting people over the pool when in a lowermost position to a roof over the pool when in an uppermost position.

5. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including an electrical display within the pool cover.

6. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein messages displayed on the electrical display can be viewed from both above and below the pool cover.

7. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pool cover is at least in part transparent to provide a view of the pool water when the pool cover is in its lowermost position.

8. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pool cover defines a recess on its underside in which a human head can be located so that there is sufficient breathing clearance between the pool cover and water surface of the pool. 9

9. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a safety alarm which can be triggered when the pool cover is in a lowermost position and a person is in the pool.

10. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lift means includes a plurality of lifts spaced apart around the pool and about the periphery of the pool cover.

11. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein each lift is a hydraulic lift and includes a telescopic lifting pole.

12. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein each lifting pole is substantially sunken in the ground around the pool or within a deck of the pool when the pool cover is in a lowermost position.

13. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including one or more removable curtains for attaching to the pool cover to provide a temporary rain and/or wind shield around the pool to facilitate swimming all year round.

14. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including fastening means for releasably fastening the pool cover to the lift means.

15. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a controller for controlling the lift means, the controller including a user interface which enables a user to input lifting and lowering commands responsive to which the controller causes the lift means to lift and lower the pool cover respectively.

16. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 15, further including electronically controlled lighting and/or display communications arrangements coupled to the controller and which are visible from at least the underside of the pool cover. 10

17. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, further including a solar panel assembly to power the controller and/or lift means.

18. A pool cover assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein any excess power can be used to power a household or is provided to the power grid.

19. A pool cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pool is a swimming pool, lap pool, spa or hot tub.

20. A pool assembly including: a pool; a rigid pool cover for covering the pool; and lift means for lifting the pool cover. Dated this 25th day of June 2010 KARIN BRYER by my attorneys Cullens Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys