CA1132028A - Debris trap for pool cover - Google Patents
Debris trap for pool coverInfo
- Publication number
- CA1132028A CA1132028A CA373,755A CA373755A CA1132028A CA 1132028 A CA1132028 A CA 1132028A CA 373755 A CA373755 A CA 373755A CA 1132028 A CA1132028 A CA 1132028A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- inner edge
- pool
- mesh material
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
- E04H4/10—Coverings of flexible material
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
- E04H4/16—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cover for a swimming pool or like body of water having a trap in the form of a pocket to retain accumulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool. An inwardly open pocket is provided along at least one peripheral edge of the cover and upper and/or lower sides of the pocket are per-forate permitting the passage of water while retaining debris.
Description
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- DEBRI S TRAP FOR POOL COVER
.,'' The present invention relates to a cover for a swimming pool or other outdoor body of water and which is sub-ject to the accumulation of dirt and other debris during use.
; More specifically, the present invention relates to a swimm-ing pool cover having means associated therewith to retain .~ accumulated debris during removalof the cover from the.pool.
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The debris trap according to the invention can be incorporated during the manufacture of the pool cover or can be suitably secured either permanently or temporarily to exist-.` ing pool covers to obtain the same advantageous results.
In its broad aspects, the invention relates to acover for a swimming pool or like body of water having at least :. one pocket on the upper side thereof with the material forming `
~: the upper and/or lower sides of the pocket being perforate enabling passage of water therethrough while retaining accum~
~, ulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
.: In a further embodiment, the present invention re-lates to a debris trap adapted for removable securement to a ` cover for a swimming pool and which comprises an inwardly (with respect to the cover) open pocket or scoop formed of buoyant support members partially covered with perforate material permitting the passage of water therethrough, and means to secure the trap to the cover.
The present invention is applicable to and useful with both winter and summer types of pool covers. Winter poolcovers are usually of a size larger than the surface area of the body of water to be covered and these covers are positioned over the water and around the swimm~ng pool structure and suitably held .
in position through the winter months by sand bags, blocks, tying or other suitable means. Pool covers for summer use are usually of a size which just cover the water in the pool and these are of lightweight flexible material which are easily positioned and removed at fre~uent intervals during the summer months. The advantage of a swimming pool cover for summer use is that excess evaporation is prevented and the cover functions as a solar or thermal blanket to increase water temperature in the pool during sunlight use while retaining the heat in the pool through the cooler night hours.
During use, both the winter and summer type covers are subject to the accumulation of dirt and assorted debris and in the present specification, the word "debris" is meant to in-clude dirt, leaves, twigs, srass and grass clippings as well as other materials which accumulate on pool covers during extended or short term use.
Examples of existing pool covers which are flexible and buoyant and which are manually positioned and removed are the SEALED AIR cover manufactured and sold by Sealed Air Corporation, and the POLY BUOY (trade mark) cover manufactured and sold by Hinspergers Poly Industries Inc.
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
The difficulties with these existing pool covers which are positioned and removed manually is that it is ex-tremely difficult if not impossible to prevent accumulated de-bris from falling back into the water of the pool upon removal of the covers. Pool covers particularly of the solar or thermal blanket variety are made of water impermeable sheeting resulting 32~
in the formation of pools of water on the surface of the cover as a result of rainfall and dew condensation, and during removal of the cover, this accumulated water flows back into the pool ~; carrying accumulated debris. The accumulation of such water pools may on some occasions not appear to be great, but when ~- one considers the large size of pool covers the total weight of accumulated water can be substantial and it is usually not pos-sible to remove a pool cover without permitting this water to spill into the pool carrying accumulated debris therewith.
U.S. Patent 3,982,286 granted September 28, 1976 to E. G. Foster and Canadian Patent 1,002,420 issued December 28, 1976 to N. J. Maher both disclose pool covers having areas of mesh material provided therein permitting the passage of water while retaining accumulated surface debris. In use, however, -these covers have to be lifted vertically either manually (re- ' quiring a number of able individuals) or mechanically as in the case of the U.S. Patent if debris is to be obtained and neither of these covers is capable of retaining debris if simply dragged up over the pool edge which is the easiest way of removal and the method which is followed by most pool owners.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention, then, is to provide a trap for a pool cover to retain accumulated surface debris during removal of the cover from the pool while at the same time permitting surface accumulated water to spill back into the pool. In its primary embodiment the present inven-tion provides an inwardly open pocket formed at least partially of perforate material provided adjacent one peripheral edge of the pool cover and which will catch and hold accumulated debris .. _ . .. . . . . .. ... . .
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during removal of the cover while permitting the passage of ac-cumulated surface water back into the pool. This pocket or trap can be incorporated into the pool cover at the time of its ori-qinal manufacture or alternatively can be secured either permanent-ly or removablysecured to existing pool covers to obtain the bene-fits of the inventive concept.
A further object is to provide a pocket or scoop formed of pocket forming buoyant support mernbers partially covered with perforate material and including means for removably securing the scoop along one peripheral edge of a pool cover whereby accu-mulated debris is retained in the pocket during removal of the cover from a pool.
A still further object is to provide a debris trap for securement to a swimming pool cover to trap and hold debris dur-ing removal of the cover from a swimming pool and comprising a strip of flexible mesh adapted for peripheral securement to a portion of the cover, the mesh extending a distance inwardly over the cover to a free inner edge, the mesh and adjacent cover por-tion providing therebetween a trap in the form of a pocket for the retention of debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
A further object is to provide a cover of flexible mat-erial for swimming pools and the like having means to catch and hold debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the de-bris catching means having a strip or strips of flexible mesh material provided over and along at least one peripheral edge of the cover, the mesh material being secured to the peripheral edge portion and extending inwardly a distance therefrom to a free inner edge, the mesh material and the adjacent cover portion '' ~ ' ~;3Z~2~
providing therebetween a trap in the form of a pocket for the retention of debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
` In its broad sense the invention relates to a flexible . cover for a swimming pool or like body of water having at least .. one pocket on the upper side thereof, material forming at least a portion of the at least one pocket permitting the passage of water therethrough while retaining accumulated debris during ; removal of the cover from the pool.
More specifically, the invention relates to a cover of flexible material for swimming pools and the like having a pocket to retain accumulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the pocket comprising a layer of flexible mesh material over-: lying a portion of the cover and being secured to peripheral edges thereof, and having a free inner edge a distance inwardly from one peripheral edge of the cover, the mesh material and the under-lying portion of the cover retaining debris therebetween during removal of the cover from the pool.
In addition the invention relates to the combination of a flexible cover Eor a swimming pool or like body of water and a trap portion for the retention of debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the trap portion comprising mesh material removably secured along edges of the cover and extending a dis-tance inwardly over the cover to a free inner edge, the mesh material and underlying portion of the cover forming therebetween a debris retaining pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates in perspective view one embodi-:
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ment of the present invention used in association with a cover .:~ of rectangular configuration;
: Figure 2 illus~rates an embodiment used in association : with a cover of a curving configuration;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure l;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a debris pocket of the present invention having pocket forming support means to hold the pocket in open position;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one end of a pool cover showing the pocket in open position as the result of the use of an insert;
Figure 6 is a side partially sectioned view showing the pocket retaining accumulated debris during manual removal of the cover from a swimming pool;
Figure 7 is perspective view of a further embodiment illustrating a pocket or scoop adapted for removable securement to a peripheral edge of a swimming pool cover; and Figure 8 illustrates in side view a further embodiment ; 20 including a layer of imperforate material positioned in the debris pocket, and appears on the sheet with Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Reference will now be had to the accompanying drawings , ~.~3;Z~2~3 , .
~ wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
:~ Throughout the drawings, numeral 2 is used to desig-nate a swimming pool cover for either winter or summer use made of flexible sheeting material suitable for use in such application.
The cover may be of any desired size and configuration and suit-ably may be of canvas, vinyl, woven and coated polyethylene, or .~
other sheet plastic material preferably suitably protected against ` ultraviolet deterioration. Other materials may be plastic sheet-ing having solid foam backing or laminated plastic materials.
: 10 With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a pocket gener-ally indicated by numeral 4 is formed along one or more peripher-al edges of the cover by layer 6 of perforate material secured peripherally to the cover and providing a free inner edge 8 spaced inwardly from the periphery. An edging 9 of flexible mat-erial may suitably be provided along the edge 8 for reinforcement.
- Such a pocket 4 need usually be provided only along one end or side edge of the cover 2 but two or more pockets could be provided if desired. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the pre-sent arrangement in its simplest form and when covering a pool the perforate material 6 simply overlies the pool cover as shown in Figure 1. When the cover is to be removed, the pocket may simply be opened by the insertion of buoyant inserts such as plas-tic bottles 10 as shown in Figure 3 to hold the inner free edge 8 a spaced distance above the pool cover 2. The pool cover is then dragged~from the pool in the direction of arrow 12 and up and over the side of the pool facing 14 in a manner as shown in Figure 6 with the result that accumulated surface water and .~ debris shown generally at 16 will flow downwardly into the pocket with the surface water passing through the layer 6 which retains : .
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: ~l132~
- the accumulated debris. After the cover 2 has been completely removed from the pool, the debris can then simply be removed from the pocket.
The simple positioning of means such as bottles 10 before removal of the cover has proved most satisfactory. How-ever, and as shown in Figure 2, means can be provided to hold the bottles (or other buoyant inserts) in position in the pocket 4, and these such holding means can conveniently consist of ties 20 or pockets 22 provided in either the pool cover or perforate layer 6.
In preferred construction, the layer 6 will be of flex-ible mesh or screen material made suitably of plastic such as vinyl coted polyester mesh, fiberglass screening, or other light-weight flexible mesh screening having suitably sized mesh openings permitting passage of water therethrough while retaining substan-tially all of the accumulated debris.
The mesh layer can suitably be incorporated in the pool cover at the time of manufacture by suitable means such as by sewing. Attachment could alternatively be by rivets, heat-sealing, adhesives, tie strips, fastening strips of hook-and-eye type commonly sold under the registered trade mark VELCRO, and the like; and similar fastening means can be used to either permanently or temporarily secure a debris trap on existing pool covers.
Preferably, the width of rnesh layer 6 will be somewhat greater than the width of the underlying pool cover enabling the formation of a conveniently sized pocket opening, the screen mat-erial being suitably pleated at the time of its securement peri-pherally to the pool cover.
.. _ , ... .
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Figure 3 illustrates mesh material overlaying a por-tion of a poolcover which usually is of water impermeable sheet-ing. It will be appreciated, however, that the portion of the pool cover 2 underlaying the mesh layer 6 could also be of per-forate material; and that the layer 6 could itself be of imper-forate material with the underlying portion of the cover providing the perforations for the passage of water therethrough.
It is preferred that the pocket be provided peripher-ally along oneedge of the pool cover for maximum debris retention.
However, in the case of pool covers of irregular curved configur-ation, the pocket could be provided centrally of the cover as shown in broken lines at 24 in Figure 2, but with somewhat less advantageous results.
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment similar to that illustrated in Figure 3, but including buoyant support members 26 to hold the pocket 4 in open position and which members can either be permanently or temporarily secured in position. The support members could be received within suitably shaped pockets provided in the layer 6 and/or cover 2 or held in position by tie cords 28 as illustrated.
Figure 5 illustrates a further embodiment wherein the pocket is held open by the provision of an insert 30 consisting of a length of resilient material. The insert 30 is of a length somewhat greater than the width of the pool cover and upon in-sertion and with the width of the layer 6 being somewhat greater than the width of the pool cover, the free inner edge 8 of the layer 6 will become bowed in the manner as shown.
A further variation is shown in Figure 7 which illus-`
trates a pocket or scoop 32 adapted for removable securement _ . .
.
3~2B
across one peripheral edge of a pool cover. The arrangement shown in Figure 7 consists of a number of buoyant pocket or trap forming support members 34 partially covered with mesh material 36 providing an inwardly open pocket for holding debris. The material 36 may be provided with pockets (not shown) to receive the support members and the bottom, rear and top of the support members as well as the sides of the outer support members will be covered with the mesh providing the inwardly open pocket ar-rangement as shown. Lower arms 38 of the supports can suitably be provided with hooks 40 for reception within openings 42 pro-vided in the pool cover for removable securement to the pocket to the cover. Other securement means such as tie cords (not shown) could also conveniently be used.
A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 8, and includes the provision of a flap 44 which ex-tends completely across the pocket and between the mesh layer 6 and the pool cover 2 itself. The flap 44 is secured, suitably by sewing, to the free edge 8 of the mesh layer 6 but its edge 46 which is within the pocket is free. Much debris accumulation is in the form of fine dirt and dust and the flap 44 tends to hold in the pocket the fine dust and dirt particles which would other-wise be carried through the mesh layer 6. With the arrangement shown in Figure 8, the passage of water around the loose end 46 of the flap is still possible, but much dust and dirt carried by the water flow becomes held within the pocket and from which the dust can be vacuumed after removal of the cover. The flap can either be of impermeable material or be of screening of very small mesh size to catch very small particles.
- DEBRI S TRAP FOR POOL COVER
.,'' The present invention relates to a cover for a swimming pool or other outdoor body of water and which is sub-ject to the accumulation of dirt and other debris during use.
; More specifically, the present invention relates to a swimm-ing pool cover having means associated therewith to retain .~ accumulated debris during removalof the cover from the.pool.
~: .
The debris trap according to the invention can be incorporated during the manufacture of the pool cover or can be suitably secured either permanently or temporarily to exist-.` ing pool covers to obtain the same advantageous results.
In its broad aspects, the invention relates to acover for a swimming pool or like body of water having at least :. one pocket on the upper side thereof with the material forming `
~: the upper and/or lower sides of the pocket being perforate enabling passage of water therethrough while retaining accum~
~, ulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
.: In a further embodiment, the present invention re-lates to a debris trap adapted for removable securement to a ` cover for a swimming pool and which comprises an inwardly (with respect to the cover) open pocket or scoop formed of buoyant support members partially covered with perforate material permitting the passage of water therethrough, and means to secure the trap to the cover.
The present invention is applicable to and useful with both winter and summer types of pool covers. Winter poolcovers are usually of a size larger than the surface area of the body of water to be covered and these covers are positioned over the water and around the swimm~ng pool structure and suitably held .
in position through the winter months by sand bags, blocks, tying or other suitable means. Pool covers for summer use are usually of a size which just cover the water in the pool and these are of lightweight flexible material which are easily positioned and removed at fre~uent intervals during the summer months. The advantage of a swimming pool cover for summer use is that excess evaporation is prevented and the cover functions as a solar or thermal blanket to increase water temperature in the pool during sunlight use while retaining the heat in the pool through the cooler night hours.
During use, both the winter and summer type covers are subject to the accumulation of dirt and assorted debris and in the present specification, the word "debris" is meant to in-clude dirt, leaves, twigs, srass and grass clippings as well as other materials which accumulate on pool covers during extended or short term use.
Examples of existing pool covers which are flexible and buoyant and which are manually positioned and removed are the SEALED AIR cover manufactured and sold by Sealed Air Corporation, and the POLY BUOY (trade mark) cover manufactured and sold by Hinspergers Poly Industries Inc.
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
The difficulties with these existing pool covers which are positioned and removed manually is that it is ex-tremely difficult if not impossible to prevent accumulated de-bris from falling back into the water of the pool upon removal of the covers. Pool covers particularly of the solar or thermal blanket variety are made of water impermeable sheeting resulting 32~
in the formation of pools of water on the surface of the cover as a result of rainfall and dew condensation, and during removal of the cover, this accumulated water flows back into the pool ~; carrying accumulated debris. The accumulation of such water pools may on some occasions not appear to be great, but when ~- one considers the large size of pool covers the total weight of accumulated water can be substantial and it is usually not pos-sible to remove a pool cover without permitting this water to spill into the pool carrying accumulated debris therewith.
U.S. Patent 3,982,286 granted September 28, 1976 to E. G. Foster and Canadian Patent 1,002,420 issued December 28, 1976 to N. J. Maher both disclose pool covers having areas of mesh material provided therein permitting the passage of water while retaining accumulated surface debris. In use, however, -these covers have to be lifted vertically either manually (re- ' quiring a number of able individuals) or mechanically as in the case of the U.S. Patent if debris is to be obtained and neither of these covers is capable of retaining debris if simply dragged up over the pool edge which is the easiest way of removal and the method which is followed by most pool owners.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention, then, is to provide a trap for a pool cover to retain accumulated surface debris during removal of the cover from the pool while at the same time permitting surface accumulated water to spill back into the pool. In its primary embodiment the present inven-tion provides an inwardly open pocket formed at least partially of perforate material provided adjacent one peripheral edge of the pool cover and which will catch and hold accumulated debris .. _ . .. . . . . .. ... . .
- : .
. ~ :
, ~2~
during removal of the cover while permitting the passage of ac-cumulated surface water back into the pool. This pocket or trap can be incorporated into the pool cover at the time of its ori-qinal manufacture or alternatively can be secured either permanent-ly or removablysecured to existing pool covers to obtain the bene-fits of the inventive concept.
A further object is to provide a pocket or scoop formed of pocket forming buoyant support mernbers partially covered with perforate material and including means for removably securing the scoop along one peripheral edge of a pool cover whereby accu-mulated debris is retained in the pocket during removal of the cover from a pool.
A still further object is to provide a debris trap for securement to a swimming pool cover to trap and hold debris dur-ing removal of the cover from a swimming pool and comprising a strip of flexible mesh adapted for peripheral securement to a portion of the cover, the mesh extending a distance inwardly over the cover to a free inner edge, the mesh and adjacent cover por-tion providing therebetween a trap in the form of a pocket for the retention of debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
A further object is to provide a cover of flexible mat-erial for swimming pools and the like having means to catch and hold debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the de-bris catching means having a strip or strips of flexible mesh material provided over and along at least one peripheral edge of the cover, the mesh material being secured to the peripheral edge portion and extending inwardly a distance therefrom to a free inner edge, the mesh material and the adjacent cover portion '' ~ ' ~;3Z~2~
providing therebetween a trap in the form of a pocket for the retention of debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
` In its broad sense the invention relates to a flexible . cover for a swimming pool or like body of water having at least .. one pocket on the upper side thereof, material forming at least a portion of the at least one pocket permitting the passage of water therethrough while retaining accumulated debris during ; removal of the cover from the pool.
More specifically, the invention relates to a cover of flexible material for swimming pools and the like having a pocket to retain accumulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the pocket comprising a layer of flexible mesh material over-: lying a portion of the cover and being secured to peripheral edges thereof, and having a free inner edge a distance inwardly from one peripheral edge of the cover, the mesh material and the under-lying portion of the cover retaining debris therebetween during removal of the cover from the pool.
In addition the invention relates to the combination of a flexible cover Eor a swimming pool or like body of water and a trap portion for the retention of debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the trap portion comprising mesh material removably secured along edges of the cover and extending a dis-tance inwardly over the cover to a free inner edge, the mesh material and underlying portion of the cover forming therebetween a debris retaining pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates in perspective view one embodi-:
; ~ :
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~ ~3~
ment of the present invention used in association with a cover .:~ of rectangular configuration;
: Figure 2 illus~rates an embodiment used in association : with a cover of a curving configuration;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure l;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a debris pocket of the present invention having pocket forming support means to hold the pocket in open position;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one end of a pool cover showing the pocket in open position as the result of the use of an insert;
Figure 6 is a side partially sectioned view showing the pocket retaining accumulated debris during manual removal of the cover from a swimming pool;
Figure 7 is perspective view of a further embodiment illustrating a pocket or scoop adapted for removable securement to a peripheral edge of a swimming pool cover; and Figure 8 illustrates in side view a further embodiment ; 20 including a layer of imperforate material positioned in the debris pocket, and appears on the sheet with Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Reference will now be had to the accompanying drawings , ~.~3;Z~2~3 , .
~ wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
:~ Throughout the drawings, numeral 2 is used to desig-nate a swimming pool cover for either winter or summer use made of flexible sheeting material suitable for use in such application.
The cover may be of any desired size and configuration and suit-ably may be of canvas, vinyl, woven and coated polyethylene, or .~
other sheet plastic material preferably suitably protected against ` ultraviolet deterioration. Other materials may be plastic sheet-ing having solid foam backing or laminated plastic materials.
: 10 With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a pocket gener-ally indicated by numeral 4 is formed along one or more peripher-al edges of the cover by layer 6 of perforate material secured peripherally to the cover and providing a free inner edge 8 spaced inwardly from the periphery. An edging 9 of flexible mat-erial may suitably be provided along the edge 8 for reinforcement.
- Such a pocket 4 need usually be provided only along one end or side edge of the cover 2 but two or more pockets could be provided if desired. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the pre-sent arrangement in its simplest form and when covering a pool the perforate material 6 simply overlies the pool cover as shown in Figure 1. When the cover is to be removed, the pocket may simply be opened by the insertion of buoyant inserts such as plas-tic bottles 10 as shown in Figure 3 to hold the inner free edge 8 a spaced distance above the pool cover 2. The pool cover is then dragged~from the pool in the direction of arrow 12 and up and over the side of the pool facing 14 in a manner as shown in Figure 6 with the result that accumulated surface water and .~ debris shown generally at 16 will flow downwardly into the pocket with the surface water passing through the layer 6 which retains : .
. ~ .
.
: ~l132~
- the accumulated debris. After the cover 2 has been completely removed from the pool, the debris can then simply be removed from the pocket.
The simple positioning of means such as bottles 10 before removal of the cover has proved most satisfactory. How-ever, and as shown in Figure 2, means can be provided to hold the bottles (or other buoyant inserts) in position in the pocket 4, and these such holding means can conveniently consist of ties 20 or pockets 22 provided in either the pool cover or perforate layer 6.
In preferred construction, the layer 6 will be of flex-ible mesh or screen material made suitably of plastic such as vinyl coted polyester mesh, fiberglass screening, or other light-weight flexible mesh screening having suitably sized mesh openings permitting passage of water therethrough while retaining substan-tially all of the accumulated debris.
The mesh layer can suitably be incorporated in the pool cover at the time of manufacture by suitable means such as by sewing. Attachment could alternatively be by rivets, heat-sealing, adhesives, tie strips, fastening strips of hook-and-eye type commonly sold under the registered trade mark VELCRO, and the like; and similar fastening means can be used to either permanently or temporarily secure a debris trap on existing pool covers.
Preferably, the width of rnesh layer 6 will be somewhat greater than the width of the underlying pool cover enabling the formation of a conveniently sized pocket opening, the screen mat-erial being suitably pleated at the time of its securement peri-pherally to the pool cover.
.. _ , ... .
`; `:
:``
Figure 3 illustrates mesh material overlaying a por-tion of a poolcover which usually is of water impermeable sheet-ing. It will be appreciated, however, that the portion of the pool cover 2 underlaying the mesh layer 6 could also be of per-forate material; and that the layer 6 could itself be of imper-forate material with the underlying portion of the cover providing the perforations for the passage of water therethrough.
It is preferred that the pocket be provided peripher-ally along oneedge of the pool cover for maximum debris retention.
However, in the case of pool covers of irregular curved configur-ation, the pocket could be provided centrally of the cover as shown in broken lines at 24 in Figure 2, but with somewhat less advantageous results.
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment similar to that illustrated in Figure 3, but including buoyant support members 26 to hold the pocket 4 in open position and which members can either be permanently or temporarily secured in position. The support members could be received within suitably shaped pockets provided in the layer 6 and/or cover 2 or held in position by tie cords 28 as illustrated.
Figure 5 illustrates a further embodiment wherein the pocket is held open by the provision of an insert 30 consisting of a length of resilient material. The insert 30 is of a length somewhat greater than the width of the pool cover and upon in-sertion and with the width of the layer 6 being somewhat greater than the width of the pool cover, the free inner edge 8 of the layer 6 will become bowed in the manner as shown.
A further variation is shown in Figure 7 which illus-`
trates a pocket or scoop 32 adapted for removable securement _ . .
.
3~2B
across one peripheral edge of a pool cover. The arrangement shown in Figure 7 consists of a number of buoyant pocket or trap forming support members 34 partially covered with mesh material 36 providing an inwardly open pocket for holding debris. The material 36 may be provided with pockets (not shown) to receive the support members and the bottom, rear and top of the support members as well as the sides of the outer support members will be covered with the mesh providing the inwardly open pocket ar-rangement as shown. Lower arms 38 of the supports can suitably be provided with hooks 40 for reception within openings 42 pro-vided in the pool cover for removable securement to the pocket to the cover. Other securement means such as tie cords (not shown) could also conveniently be used.
A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 8, and includes the provision of a flap 44 which ex-tends completely across the pocket and between the mesh layer 6 and the pool cover 2 itself. The flap 44 is secured, suitably by sewing, to the free edge 8 of the mesh layer 6 but its edge 46 which is within the pocket is free. Much debris accumulation is in the form of fine dirt and dust and the flap 44 tends to hold in the pocket the fine dust and dirt particles which would other-wise be carried through the mesh layer 6. With the arrangement shown in Figure 8, the passage of water around the loose end 46 of the flap is still possible, but much dust and dirt carried by the water flow becomes held within the pocket and from which the dust can be vacuumed after removal of the cover. The flap can either be of impermeable material or be of screening of very small mesh size to catch very small particles.
Claims (39)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A flexible cover for a swimming pool or like body of water having at least one pocket on the upper side thereof, material forming at least a portion of the at least one pocket permitting the passage of water therethrough while retaining ac-cumulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
2. A flexible cover for a swimming pool or like body of water having at least one pocket on the upper side thereof, the at least one pocket being formed of upper and lower layers of material with at least a portion of one of the layers permitting the passage of water therethrough while retaining accumulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool.
3. A cover according to claim 1, having one pocket, the pocket being formed of upper and lower layers, the lower layer being a portion of the cover and the upper layer being formed of material permitting the passage of water therethrough and being secured along peripheral portions of the cover and having a free inner edge spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge of the cover.
4. A cover according to claim 2, having one pocket, the lower layer of the pocket being a portion of the cover and the upper layer being formed of material permitting the passage of water therethrough and being secured along peripheral portions of the cover and having a free inner edge spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge of the cover.
5. A cover according to claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the upper layer is of flexible mesh material.
6. A cover according to claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the upper layer is secured along peripheral portions of the cover by sewing.
7. A cover according to claims 1 or 2 having one pocket and wherein the cover is rectangular, the pocket being provided across one side of the cover and secured periph-erally thereto.
8. A cover according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the cover is rectangular, the upper layer being positioned across one side of the cover and secured peripherally thereto.
9. A cover according to claims 3 or 4 wherein the cover is of curved shape, outer edges of the upper layer being secured peripherally around one curving edge of the cover providing an inwardly spaced free inner edge.
10. A cover according to claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the cover is made of plastic sheet material.
11. A cover according to claims 3 or 4 including spacing means to hold the free inner edge of the upper layer a spaced distance from the cover.
12. A cover according to claims 3 or 4, including means to secure spacing means between the free inner edge of the upper layer and the cover.
13. A cover according to claims 3 or 4 the upper layer having tie cords to secure means to space the free inner edge a distance from the cover.
14. A cover according to claims 3 or 4 the upper layer having small pockets to receive means to space the free inner edge a distance from the cover.
15. A cover of flexible material for swimming pools and the like having a pocket to retain accumulated debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the pocket comprising a layer of flex-ible mesh material overlying a portion of the cover and being se-cured to peripheral edges thereof and having a free inner edge a distance inwardly from a peripheral edge of the cover, the mesh material and the underlying portion of the cover retaining debris therebetween during removal of the cover from the pool.
16. A cover according to claim 15, comprising inwardly open pockets provided along opposite sides thereof.
17. A cover according to claim 15 of circular, oval or curved shape, the layer of mesh material being secured periph-erally along a portion of a curving edge of the cover.
18. A cover according to claim 15, the layer of mesh material having tie cords to secure means to space the free inner edge from the cover.
19. A cover according to claim 15, the layer of mesh material having means in the form of at least one pocket to receive means to space the free inner edge from the cover.
20. A cover according to claim 15, including spacer means positioned between the mesh layer and the cover to hold the free inner edge a distance from the cover.
21. A cover according to claim 15, wherein the length of the free inner edge is greater than the corresponding distance across the cover.
22. A cover according to claim 21, including a length of resilient strip approximating the length of the free inner edge of the mesh layer positioned adjacent the free inner edge to hold the free inner edge spaced from the cover.
23. A cover according to claim 15, including a flap of resilient sheet material positioned between the layer of mesh material and the cover, the flap being secured to the layer of mesh material along its free inner edge.
24. A cover according to claims 3, 4 wherein the cover is of imperforate flexible plastic sheet material and the upper layer is of flexible mesh material.
25. In combination a flexible cover for a swimming pool or like body of water and a trap portion for the retention of debris during removal of the cover from the pool, the trap portion comprising mesh material removably secured along edges of the cover and extending a distance inwardly over the cover to a free inner edge, the mesh material and underlying portion of the cover forming therebetween a debris retaining pocket.
26. The combination according to claim 25 including spacing means to hold the free inner edge of the mesh material in spaced relation to the cover.
27. The combination according to claim 26 wherein the spacing means comprise buoyant support members removably secured to the cover and carrying the mesh material.
28. The combination according to claim 25 including buoyant framing carrying the mesh material removably secured to the cover.
29. The combination according to claim 25 wherein the mesh material is removably secured to the cover by tie cords.
30. The combination of claim 27 wherein the spacing means is removably secured to the cover by tie cords.
31. The combination according to claim 27 wherein the buoyant support members have forwardly extending lower arms and upwardly and forwardly looped rearward portions carrying the mesh material and providing a forwardly open portion.
32. The combination of claim 31 wherein the lower arms of the support members are provided with hooks engaging in open-ings in the cover.
33. The combination of claim 28 wherein the buoyant framing is provided with hooks engaging in openings in the cover.
34. The combination of claim 29 wherein the mesh material is removably secured to the cover by clips.
35. The combination of claim 29 wherein the mesh material is removably secured to the cover by hook-and-eye fastener strips.
36. A debris trap for removable securement to a cover for a swimming pool comprising an open pocket formed of buoyant support members partially covered with perforate material permitt-ing the passage of water therethrough, and means to secure the trap along a peripheral portion of the cover.
37. A debris trap according to claim 36, wherein the support members have forwardly extending lower arms and upwardly and forwardly looped rearward portions with a covering of flex-ible mesh material providing a forwardly open portion.
38. A debris trap according to claim 37, wherein the lower arms of the support members are provided with hooks to engage in openings in the cover.
39. A debris trap according to claim 37, wherein the lower arms of the support members are provided with tie cords for securement to the cover.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA373,755A CA1132028A (en) | 1981-03-24 | 1981-03-24 | Debris trap for pool cover |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA373,755A CA1132028A (en) | 1981-03-24 | 1981-03-24 | Debris trap for pool cover |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1132028A true CA1132028A (en) | 1982-09-21 |
Family
ID=4119527
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA373,755A Expired CA1132028A (en) | 1981-03-24 | 1981-03-24 | Debris trap for pool cover |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1132028A (en) |
-
1981
- 1981-03-24 CA CA373,755A patent/CA1132028A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 19990921 |