CA2544084A1 - Apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp - Google Patents

Apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2544084A1
CA2544084A1 CA002544084A CA2544084A CA2544084A1 CA 2544084 A1 CA2544084 A1 CA 2544084A1 CA 002544084 A CA002544084 A CA 002544084A CA 2544084 A CA2544084 A CA 2544084A CA 2544084 A1 CA2544084 A1 CA 2544084A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tarp
slats
drum
pockets
swimming pool
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002544084A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Julie Pelchat
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2544084A1 publication Critical patent/CA2544084A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06Safety devices; Coverings for baths
    • E04H4/10Coverings of flexible material
    • E04H4/101Coverings of flexible material wound-up on a fixed axis

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp comprises a drum, a tarp, a plurality of slats wherein the tarp has s plurality of pockets. The slats are slid in the pockets through entry points situated at the ends of the pockets. The slats are mechanically fastened to the drum. At least one floating end is located at the end at the tarp distal from the drum so as to avoid any tendency of the tarp from extending underwater.

Description

Anr~aratus for rolling and unrallina sw~ irnnrrina~oo tarp FIELD OF THE INVENTIO,L~
[001] The invention relates generally to swimming pool accessories but more particularly to a system for rolling and unrolling a swirtming pool tarp.

[002p )nventars are quite creative when it comes io developing toots for rolling tarps and many methods have been developped which mostly consist in rolling a tarp around a drum.
[Or3:3] US patent 3,940,808 has a hollow air f~Iled flexible horizontal endless 10 pl2~stic waterproof loop ttrat floats orr top of the water in a swimming pool and is shaped to conform with the inner peripftery of the pool. The loop has an open central region. A thin flat flexible horizontal plastic waterproof sheet is disposed across the airfrlted loop_ [opa] US patent 4,192,025 has a thermal blanket for a swimming pool 15 consisting of a covering of flexible plastic sheet material to which are secured strips of foam-backed plastic sheet material to provide flotation and reinforcement.
@0.5] US patent 4,251,889 shows a swimmeng pant cover having a sheet of transparent, flexible, pliant plastic with an overhang of a several inches permitting folriing back. all edges, a foamed plastic cylinder in the fold around the pool periphery and a plurality of tubular clamps maintain the 5 folded e~d~ around the fnarned plastic cy~tnder.
[tlU6j US patent 5,25J,t)78 discloses a swimming pool cover for oavering the entire area of a water filled pool so as to prevent egress of silt and debrfs into the pool during periods of non-use comprises a water-impervious sheet material configured to extend across the entire area of 1.0 the pool_ A securing strap is atkached at spaced-apart positions near edges of the sheet material for securing the sheet material in a taut condikion to pool outer portions. A resilient attachment, such as a spring, attaches the sexxrring strap to the ancrior so as to ensure the maintenance of the taut condition. A filter is attached along and near 15 peripheral edges of the aperture and the filter has pore sizes sufficient to be impervious to sift and debris but pervious to water_ [007] US patent 5,606,749 has a swimming pool cover and tall-up device combination comprising a flexible shat; extending intermediate of the swimming pool cover from one edge to an opposite edge, with the 2() flexible shaft being cannecterl at least intermittently along its length to the swimming pool cover. A crank arm or other wind-up device is provided to be connected at least to one end of the flexible shaft far applying #ort]ue to the flexible shaft. The flexible shaft and swimming pool cover ere adapted to float on the surface of the water, and when it is necessary to store the rolled-up swimming pool cover, it is removed completely from the swimming pool and stored remotely.
5[008] The drawback in some of the prior art is that when comes time to unroll the tarp, it may rtat spread easily and evenly across the surface of the pool.
SUMMARY OF_'Clvf~~NN_EI~fTI_QN
(t>Og] In view of the faregoirrg disadvantage inherent in the known devices now a 0 present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be tfescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to have the main advantage of having a tarp which can be rolled as vyell as unrolled evenly 2rc:ross the surface of a pool.
15[(?t7lpa It is a second advarytage of this imrentivn tv require fasfier rolling and unrolling of tile tarp.
[p011~ To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a drum, a tarp, a plurality of slats wherein the tarp has a plurality pf pockets. The 20 slats are slid in the pockets through entry points situated at the ends of the pockets. The slats one mechanica~y fastened to the drum.
[UUt2) In most embodiments, it is preferable, although not absolutely necessary, to have at least one floating end located at the end of the tarp distal from the drlrm so as to avoid any tendency of the tarp from extending undenrtrater_ [0013] Preferably, the slats are rigid yet flexible so that they can be rolled along with the tarp. These slats allow for unrolling the tarp across the surface of a pool so as to provide for an even spread. Also, in some ?. U embodiments, the drurn rolls the tarp in two direction simultaneously so as to speed up the rolling and unrolling process.
[UU1.4] Where has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the irrventirrn in order th2rt the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated, There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject mattes of the claims appended hereto.
ZO(UU15~ In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its appfreation to tfye details of construction and fo the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in ~J
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Fvlso, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[~16] As such, those skelled in the art wili appfeciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be util'EZed as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that 10 the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
~Op171 These together with other objects of the iimrention, along with the various 1S features of novelty which char-actetize tile invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disGosure. For a better understar5ding df the invention, its operating advantages and the speGi~c objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter 20 which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
in BftLEF_D~SC _R_IPTIO~Op~S
[UU18] Fig. 1 Exploded perspective view of a round tarp with its components.
[0419] Fig. 2 Perspective view of a round tarp on a swimming pool.
5[0020] Fig. 3 F~cploded perspective view of a rectangular tarp with its components.
[0421] Fig. 4 Perspective view of a rectangular tarp an a swimming pool [002.2] Fig. 5ai Top vimro of a mund tarp.
[0023] F'ig. 5b~ Perspective view details of the tarp's components.
DETAILED, DESCRIP~',~,~,ON
[0024] An apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp assembly (10) to be spread across the surface of a poa! (11) has a drum (12) around which a tarp (14) is ratled_ 6n tfie case of the embodiment of Figs. ~I,z and 6, the tarp (14) is rounds arid rolled iwo sides at a lime starting with the widest part of the tarp (14), which is s'Etuated proximal the drum (12) and finishing off with the narrowest part, which is situated distally from the drum (12). This two sides sirrtuttaneous rollinglunrolling is anticipated by US patent 5,606,748 incarporated herein by reference.
1n order td provide for an even spread when unrolling, flexible slats (16) provide the appropriate level of rigidity to the tarp (14). Floating ends (1$) are located at the narrowest part, which is situated distaily from the drum (12), so as to avoid arty tendency of the tarp (14) to extend under the water and get wet on its topside. The floating ends (18) are 1.0 frictionally as weft as adhesively attached to the tarp (14).
[0025) The slats (16) are frictiQrrally inserted into pockets (20) during the assembly process through entry points (22) situated at the ends of the pockets. This operation can be accomplished by the user or it can also be done at the manufacturing stage. The slats (16) are mechanically 1.5 fastened to the drum (12) by way of mechanical fasteners (13). A
reinfon;.erttent sleeve (24) can be added to the part of the slats (16) mechanically fastened as per Fig. 5e. This adds an extra thickness and provides for a material that is more resilient than the slats (1B) so that the mechanical fastening to the drum (12) can be more durable.
20[0026] Figs. 3-4 show a rectangular embodiment of the invention having the same components except that it is not rolled two sides at a time.

IS
[00271 The slats (?s) can easily be replaced since they are not permanently bonded to the tarp (14) and simply fastened mechanically to the drum (12} the tarp (14} itself is not drreetty attaches? to the drum (12) and so, by removing al! of the slats (1ti) from tt~e pockets (20) of the tarp (14}, 5 the tarp (14) can be removed to be replaced by a new tarp (14) if so required.
[0428] In operati4n, a user rotates the drum (12} in a fashion similar to that of the prior art, picks u.p the drum (12) with the tarp (ta) rolled around it, also as is known in the art and puts it at a remote location. The reverse to process is done for unrolling the tarp (14) so as to spread it across the surface of the pool (11)_ [00291 As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invenfion, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of 15 usage and operation will be provided_ [0030] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thaf the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 20 include variations in. size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those g illustrated in the drawings arrd described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0031] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 5 principles of the inverefion. Further, strive nurrterous rnodihcatior~s and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable rr>~fications and equivalents may be resorted to, falPing within the svope of the invention.
>0 zo

Claims (5)

1. An apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp comprising:
a drum, a tarp, a plurality of slats;
said tarp having a plurality of pockets;
said slats being slid in said pockets through entry points situated at the ends of said pockets;
said slats being mechanically fastened to said drum.
2. An apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp as in claim 1 wherein:
there is at least one floating end located at the end of said tarp distal from said drum so as to avoid any tendency of said tarp from extending underwater.
3. An apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp as in claim 1 wherein:
said slats are flexible.
4. An apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp comprising:
a drum, a tarp, a plurality of flexible slats;
said tarp having a plurality of pockets;
said slats being slid in said pockets through entry points situated at the ends of said pockets;
said slats being mechanically fastened to said drum.
5. An apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp comprising:
a drum, a tarp, a plurality of flexible slats;
said tarp having a plurality of pockets;
said slats being slid in said pockets through entry points situated at the ends of said pockets;
said slats being mechanically fastened to said drum;
there is at least one floating end located at the end of said tarp distal from said drum so as to avoid any tendency of said tarp from extending underwater.
CA002544084A 2005-04-20 2006-04-19 Apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp Abandoned CA2544084A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67294705P 2005-04-20 2005-04-20
US60/672,947 2005-04-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2544084A1 true CA2544084A1 (en) 2006-10-20

Family

ID=37114217

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002544084A Abandoned CA2544084A1 (en) 2005-04-20 2006-04-19 Apparatus for rolling and unrolling a swimming pool tarp

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US20060236446A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2544084A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT14965U1 (en) * 2015-05-21 2016-09-15 Hermann Meisel Gmbh COVERING DEVICE FOR A BASIN

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3070811A (en) * 1960-06-13 1963-01-01 Emil A Bender Flexible swimming pool cover
US3474931A (en) * 1968-03-12 1969-10-28 Olin Mathieson Flexible floating blanket for vapor loss control in vertical storage tanks
US3940809A (en) * 1974-08-26 1976-03-02 The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. Swimming pool cover
CA1057620A (en) * 1978-07-12 1979-07-03 Cornelius A. Hinsperger Cover for swimming pool
US4251889A (en) * 1979-08-20 1981-02-24 Solaron Corporation Swimming pool cover
US4324370A (en) * 1980-11-06 1982-04-13 Feherguard Products Pool cover roller assembly
US4385407A (en) * 1981-06-19 1983-05-31 Zook Kenneth W Floatable pool cover
US4407027A (en) * 1981-08-10 1983-10-04 Colon Jr George M Pool-cover apparatus and method
US4471500A (en) * 1981-08-18 1984-09-18 Long Robert E Self-rolling swimming pool cover
US4467978A (en) * 1982-10-27 1984-08-28 Sealed Air Corporation Reel system for swimming pool covers
US4715070A (en) * 1986-12-29 1987-12-29 Montijo James K Flotation pool blanket
US5038419A (en) * 1989-05-15 1991-08-13 Macdonald Scott H Pool cover draining device
US5107552A (en) * 1990-05-03 1992-04-28 Vogue Industries, Ltd. Swimming pool cover and roll-up device
US5259078A (en) * 1991-09-12 1993-11-09 Cantar Corporation Pool cover
US5580185A (en) * 1995-10-30 1996-12-03 Ware; Colon K. Oil containment boom
US5701613A (en) * 1995-12-22 1997-12-30 Richardson; Cedric D. Swimming pool cover assembly
US6355180B1 (en) * 1999-11-12 2002-03-12 Joseph Valentine Swimming pool covering, heating, and cleaning system
US6575518B1 (en) * 2001-12-21 2003-06-10 Aero Industries, Inc. Flexible cover system for an open-topped container
US6871362B1 (en) * 2003-05-27 2005-03-29 Lothar J Zell Pool cover spool
US7056059B1 (en) * 2004-09-28 2006-06-06 Kau-Fui Vincent Wong Boom with ramped or horizontal skirt structure for slowing the flow speed of buoyant fluids on moving water for fluid, containment, fluid containment system and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20060236446A1 (en) 2006-10-26

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Discontinued