CA2509313A1

CA2509313A1 - Inflatable pool cover

Info

Publication number: CA2509313A1
Application number: CA 2509313
Authority: CA
Inventors: Italo Bertoni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2005-06-08
Publication date: 2006-12-08

Abstract

A swimming pool cover which has a multiple wall construction in which top and bottom wall panels are sealed to each other along edge portions as one or more inflatable bladders. The cover top and bottom wall panels have an overall size selected to substantially overlie the water surface of a swimming pool. The wall panels are each provided with one or more layers which are impermeable to fluids. The fluid impermeable layers of each wall panel may be sealingly joined along their peripheral portions so as to define a single or alternately multiple independent inflatable chambers. Air valves are provided through the cover walls to allow for the selected inflation or deflation of the chambers allowing the cover to be inflated in a deployed state and deflated and flattened for storage. Preferably, the cover is formed with an inflatable chamber to allow it to be inflated with air, so that the top wall panel extends convexly upwardly a distance above the surrounding pool deck.

Description

INFLATABLE POOL COVER
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-walled swimming pool cover for use in the winterization of a swimming pool, and more particularly a swimming pool cover which is adapted to be at least partially inflated over the swimming pool so as to minimize the accumulation of snow-melt water, leaves and other debris therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of swimming pool covers in the winterization of inground and above-ground swimming pools is well known. Conventional swimming pool covers typically consist of either a water impermeable or water permeable tarp or mesh screen which is positioned over the swimming pool during the winter months, to minimize the accumulation of leaves, debris and fouled snow-melt water therein. Figure 1 shows best a conventional pool cover 10 which has been installed in position over an inground swimming pool 20 during winterization.

[0003] The pool cover 10 has a shape and size which is selected sufficiently large as to cover the entire water surface 16 of the swimming pool 20, with the edge portions 18 of the cover 10 extending approximately two to three feet over the adjacent concrete pool deck 22, about the entire periphery of the pool 20. A series of water filled bags 24 are then laid over the cover edge portions 18 which overlie the deck 22, to maintain the cover 10 in the desired position during the winter months.

[0004] As shown best in Figure l, conventional pool covers 10 which comprise a water impermeable tarp suffer a disadvantage in that the central portion of the cover 10 typically extends downwardly into the pool 20, and rests on the water surface 16. In this configuration, the cover 10 acts to trap accumulated leaves, debris (shown generally as reference numeral 28) and other rainwater thereon. In addition to forming a water layer 26 above water surface 16 which presents a potential danger for small children or pets, removal of the cover 10 in the spring requires that the surface water 26 and/or any debris 28 which has accumulated thereon be first pumped out of the pool 20. This often requires customized pumping equipment and the services of professional pool maintenance staff. As a practical problem, it is typically difficult to remove all of the debris 28 and melt-water 29 from the cover 10 surface. As a result, when the cover 10 is removed, a portion of the melt-water and debris is released into the pool 20, effectively defeating the entire purpose of providing the winter cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of prior art devices by providing a pool cover which when installed, has a shape which is selected to at least partially deflect rainwater, leaves or other debris away from the pool, and onto the surrounding pool deck.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a pool cover for use in the winterization of an inground or above-ground pool, and which may be easily and quickly deployed or removed by the homeowner, without requiring specialized or customized equipment.

[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a temporary pool cover which may be easily and readily deployed over a pool, hot tub and/or spa during cooler winter months, and which in warmer months may be readily removed and folded and/or rolled for compact storage.

[0008] Accordingly, to at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages associated with prior art pool covers and achieve the aforementioned objects, the present invention provides for a swimming pool cover which has a multiple, and more preferably a dual wall construction in which top and bottom cover wall panel are sealed to each other along edge portions as one or more inflatable bladders. The cover top and bottom wall panels have an overall size selected to substantially, and more preferably, completely overlie the water surface of a swimming pool.

[0009] The cover wall panels are each provided with one or more layers are substantially impermeable to fluids such as air and/or water. In a simplified construction, the fluid impermeable layers of each wall panel are sealingly connected or joined along their peripheral portions so as to define a single inflatable chamber, however, covers having multiple independent or baffled chambers are also envisioned. One or more air valves are furthermore provided through the cover walls to allow for the selected inflation or deflation of the chamber to allow the cover to be inflated in a deployed state and deflated and flattened for storage.

[0010] Most preferably, the cover is formed with an inflatable chamber to allow it to be inflated with a fluid, such as air, so that the uppermost cover surface or top wall panel extends at least partially convexly upwardly. In a most preferred construction, the top wall panel has an overall size selected so that when the chamber is fully inflated, the entire portion of the top wall panel which extends across the pool curves convexly upwardly a distance above the surrounding pool deck. In this position the upwardly convex shape of the tope wall panel assists in the deflection of any leaves, debris, rainwater and/or snow-melt water which may land thereon away from the pool and onto the surrounding pool deck.

[0011] Optionally, an AC or DC powered air pump may be provided in fluid communication with the air valve and/or the chamber itself. The air pump may be manually or automatically operable, for activation to maintain the cover in inflated state at a desired preselected minimum pressure, when the cover is deployed in use.

[0012] Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in an inflatable pool cover including:
a top substantially fluid impermeable wall, a bottom substantially fluid impermeable wall, a peripheral edge portion of said bottom wall being substantially sealingly connected to a peripheral edge portion of said top wall to define a fluid inflatable bladder therebetween, a valve selectively operable to permit fluid flow into or from said bladder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional pool cover in place, in the winterization of an inground swimming pool;

[0014] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section view of a pool cover installed in a fully inflated position deployed over an inground pool, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0015] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the pool cover shown in Figure 2;

[0016] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the coupling used in the securment of the pool cover shown in Figure 2 to the adjacent swimming pool deck coping;

[0017] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the coupling and swimming pool deck coping section shown as "A" in Figure 4;

[0018] Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the pool cover in isolation, in a fully inflated configuration;

[0019] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a pool cover in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention in an initial, undeployed configuration, flattened for storage;
[00013] Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the swimming pool cover of Figure 7 in an inflated position, deployed in the winterization of the swimming pool shown in Figure 1; and [00014] Fig. 9 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the swimming pool, deck coping and pool cover of Section "B" as shown in Figure 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00015] Reference is made to Figures 2 to 6 which illustrate a swimming pool cover 30 for use in the winterization of a conventional swimming pool 20 (Figure 2) in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows best the cover 30 in isolation in an inflated state as including a flexible top and bottom wall, 32, 34 which as will be described, are each joined about their periphery by a radially extending sidewall 36. The top and bottom wall 32 and 34 and the sidewall 36 are each formed from a substantially impermeable material, such as vinyl, natural or synthetic rubber polyurethane, or the like. Other mufti-layer constructs are, however, possible.
The top and bottom sidewalk 32, 34 are provided with identical shape and which, as shown best in Figure 3, is selected to directly follow the peripheral edge of swimming pool coping 46.
[00016] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the coping 46 is preferably formed as a longitudinally elongate aluminium or plastic extrusion which is adapted for embedded placement within the surrounding concrete pool deck 22, to form the uppermost edge feature of the pool 20. Most preferably, the coping 46 is provided with a longitudinally extending, U-shaped locking channel 41, which extends along its entire length. Although not essential, the locking channel 41 is preferably positioned in an upper-most surface of the coping 46. The channel 41 may, however, be equally provided at other positions spaced above the upper edge of the pool liner 74 and liner channel 72 (Figure 5).
[00017] Figures 5 and 6 show best the construction of the sidewall 36 as being of a two-part construction, including upper and lower panels 38a, 38b. The upper panel 38a and a lower panel 38b are sealingly joined to each other along a peripherally extending lap-weld seam 39. Figure 5 shows best a vinyl, rubber or other polyurethane or plastic tab or boss 40 as being either adhered or welded to the peripheral seam 39 along its outermost edge. The tab 40 is formed having a size selected for fitted placement within the locking channel 41 (Figure 5) of the coping 46, to secure periphery of the cover 30 thereto. Although not essential, most preferably the upper panel 38a is provided with a vertical height of between about 3 and 12 inches, and more preferably about 6 inches. The lower sidewall panel 38b most preferably is formed having a vertical height selected at between about 16 and 24 inches, and more preferably, about 12 inches. The applicant has appreciated that the formation of the lower panel 38b with a vertical height greater than that of the uppermost panel 38a advantageously assists in maintaining the inflated cover 30 in position over the swimming pool 20, preventing it from being blown out of position by high winds or the like.
[00018] The top wall 32 is sealingly joined along its periphery to an uppermost edge of the panel 38a in a butt seam 42a. In a similar manner, the bottom wall 34 is sealingly joined to a bottom edge of the sidewall panel 38b by butt seam 42b. Each of the butt seams 42a, 42b are most preferably formed by sonic or heat welding, so as to provide a substantially fluid impermeable barrier thereby. It is to be appreciated that the joining of the upper and lower walls 32, 34 to the peripherally extending sidewall 36 is such as to form inflatable substantially air tight bladder or cavity 48 therebetween.
[00019] A hose coupling 49 is mounted through the cover top wall 32 and provides fluid communication with interior of the cavity 48. As shown best in Figures 2 and 6, an air compressor 50 is provided in fluid communication with the coupling 49.
Although not essential, most preferably the air compressor 50 is of an AC design, and includes an internal pressure sensor. The internal pressure sensor is selected to automatically activate the compressor 50 in the event the positive pressure in the bladder 48 falls below a predetermined minimum threshold.

[00020] In use, the cover 30 is initially unrolled from an inflated state and positioned so that the bottom wall 34 is stretched over the water surface 16 of the swimming pool 20, with the top wall 32 and hose coupling 49 oriented upwardly. With the cover 30 so positioned, the sidewall tabs 40 is fitted into the coping locking channel 41 in the manner shown in Figure 5, to secure the cover sidewall 36 to the coping 46 along the entire periphery of the pool 20. The AC air pump 50 is then connected to the hose coupling 49 and the pump 50 is activated to inflate the bladder 48 to the desired positive pressure. Preferably, the bladder 48 is inflated to a positive pressure which is selected so that the top wall 32 extends in an upwardly convex configuration.
Most preferably, the bladder 48 is inflated to a positive pressure which is chosen so that both the seam 42a and top wall 32 assume an orientation spaced at or above the upper edge of the pool coping 46 and surrounding pool deck 22. It is to be appreciated that in this configuration any debris which falls on the cover 30 is deflected by the convex shape of the top wall 32 onto the pool deck 22 and away from the pool 20. Furthermore, insofar as the cover 30 is coupled to the pool coping 46 around the entire periphery of the pool 20, debris is effectively prevented from entering into the pool 20 itself.

[00021] In the spring the cover 30 is removed by first spray washing or rinsing the top wall 32 to wash any debris thereon onto the surrounding pool deck 22. The air pump 50 is then reversed to evacuate air from the bladder 48 and deflate the cover 30. Once deflated, the boss 40 is removed from the locking channel 41, and the cover 30 is rolled or folded for storage.

[00022] Figure 7 shows a more economical swimming pool cover 130 for use in the winterization of a conventional swimming pool 20 (shown in Figure 8) in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, in which like reference numerals are used to identify like components. The cover 130 is provided with a dual wall construction and includes flexible top and bottom wall panels 132, 134. In the embodiment of Figure 7, wall panels 132, 134 have substantially the identical size and shape, and which is chosen so as to permit the top wall panel 132 to directly overlie the bottom wall panel 134. It is to be appreciated that the wall panels 132, 134 have an overall size selected marginally larger than the surface area of the swimming pool 20 (Figure 8) to be winterized. The wall panels 132, 134 are joined to each other about their entire peripheral edge 36 by heat or sonic welding, forming an inflatable air tight cavity 138 therebetween. In a most simplified construction, each of the wall panels 132, 134 are made of a single layer substantially air impermeable material such as vinyl, natural or synthetic rubber or polyurethane. The panels 132, 134 have a thickness selected so as to enable the bladder 138 to maintain a partially inflated state for an extended period of upto seven and more preferably at least thirty days. In an alternate possible construction, however, the wall panels 132, 134 may each be formed as a multiple-ply layer construct and include a puncture resistant outermost layer such as Kevlar TM or the like, and an air impermeable inner layer of vinyl or the like.

[00023] Figure 7 furthermore shows the cover 130 as including an air valve 142 mounted through the top wall panels 132 spaced towards one peripheral edge 136 of the cover 130. The air valve 142 is selectively operable to permit or prevent fluid communication with the interior of the cavity 138. Although not essential, the air valve 142 is preferably configured for mating fluid engagement with a conventional shop vac hose 150 (Figure 8) to allow for the selective inflation or deflation of the cavity 138 to a desired pressure in the deployment of the cover 130 over the pool 20.

[00024] Figures 8 and 9 show best the use of the pool cover 130 in the winterization of an inground swimming pool 20, to assist in maintaining the pool 20 substantially free of leaves, debris and snow-melt water. To deploy the cover 130, initially the water surface 16 is lowered a desired distance "d" (Figure 9) approximately 1 to 3 feet below the edge coping 46 of the surround pool deck 22. Once the water surface 16 is lowered to the desired level, the pool cover 130 is unrolled and stretched across the water surface 16. The cover 130 is positioned with the top wall panel 132 and air valve 142 in an upward orientation and with the valve 142 adjacent one side of the pool deck 22.

[00025] The shop vac hose 150 is next connected to the outlet side of a shop vac 152 (or leaf blower), and fluidically coupled to the air valve 142. With the air valve 142 opened, the shop vac 152 is operated to at least partially inflate the cover 130 to the configuration shown in Figime 9, by blowing exhaust air into the cavity 138. Preferably the swimming pool cover 130 is inflated to a positive pressure selected so that the top wall panel 132 assumes an upwardly convex shape. More preferably, when fully inflated the top wall panel 132 curves convexly upward over the middle of the pool 20 to a maximum height of between about 2 and 4 feet above the surface of the surrounding pool deck 22.

[00026] As shown best in Figure 9, as the swimming pool cover 130 inflates, the bottom wall panel 134 and peripheral edge 136 are pushed radially outwardly, pressing against the vertical sides of the pool 20 and extending under the lower edge of the pool coping 46.
Following the inflation of the chamber 138, to the selected positive pressure, the air valve 142 is closed, sealing the chamber 138 and maintaining the cover 130 in its inflated deployed configuration during the winter months. The positioning of the lower portion of the pool cover 130 under the edge coping 46 advantageously acts to maintain the cover 130 in position on the water surface 16. In particular, engagement of the cover 130 with the coping 46 prevents the cover 130 from lifting or being blown out of position off of the pool 20 in high winds.

[00027] Although not essential, more preferably the inflation of the cover 130 is continued so that an edge portion of the top wall panel 132 extends outwardly at least partially over the top of the coping 46 and/or the adjacent surface of the pool deck 22. It is to be appreciated that when so inflated, rainwater, leaves and/or other debris 28 falling on the pool cover 130 are deflected in the direction of arrows 100 by the convex shape of the top wall panel 132, away from the pool 20 and onto the surrounding pool deck 22. Because the pool cover 130 extends both above and below the edge coping 46, when so deployed the cover 130 acts as a safety barrier which otherwise may prevent children and/or pets from falling in the pool 20.

[00028] If the air pressure within the inflated bladder 138 decreases below a desired threshold minimum level, the shop vac hose 150 may be reattached to the air valve 142 to re-inflate the cover 130 to the desired pressure. It is to be appreciated, however, that in an alternate construction, the cover 130 could be provided with an AC or DC air pump, in the similar manner as the cover 30 shown in Figure 2, and which is automatically operable to maintain inflation of the cover 130 with the desired positive pressure.

[00029] In the spring, the cover 130 is removed for storage and ultimately reuse. To remove the pool cover 130, initially a garden hose or pressure sprayer may be used to wash any leaves or debris from the top wall panel 132 and onto the surrounding pool deck 22. The shop vac hose 150 is then connected to the vacuum side of the shop vac 152, and thereafter fluidically reconnected to the air valve 142. The valve 142 is opened, and shop vac 152 operated to evacuate air from the bladder 138, deflating the cover 130 and returning it to the flattened position shown in Figure 7. Once so flattened, the cover 130 may be rolled or spooled for storage, for redeployment the following fall.

[00030] It is to be appreciated that because the cover 130 may be deployed and removed with a household shop vac 152, the need for specialized water pumps and/or cleaning equipment used to fill water bags 24 (Figure 1) and/or remove standing water 26 (Figure 1) from the pool surface is avoided. In addition, because accumulated leaves or debris 28 are deflected onto the deck 22, the removal of the cover 130 by rolling or spooling may be done substantially without any fouling of the pool water.

[00031] Although the detailed description describes the top wall panel 132 as having substantially the identical size and shape as the bottom wall panel 134, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that depending upon the site of deployment and the overall shape of the pool, hot tub or spa to be covered, the wall panels 132, 134 may be formed of a different size and/or shape which is selected to provide an optimum upwardly convex structure when the pool cover 30 is deployed and the bladder 138 inflated.

[00032] Although the detailed description describes the installation of the swimming pool covers in position over an inground swimming pool 20, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that the pool covers of the present invention is equally suited for use with above-ground pools, as well as with outdoor hot tub and/or spa installations.

[00033] Although the detailed description describes and illustrates various preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited. Many modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had to the appended claim.

Claims

I claim:

1. An inflatable pool cover including:
a top substantially fluid impermeable sidewall a bottom substantially fluid impermeable sidewall, a peripheral edge portion of said bottom sidewall being substantially sealingly connected a peripheral edge portion of said top sidewall to define a fluid inflatable bladder therebetween, a valve selectively operable to permit fluid flow into or from said bladder.