EP0724049A1 - Roll-up covering device for basins, such as pools - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover consists of a layer (3) of a supple material with dimensions to fit the pool and fastened to transverse reinforcing bars (4). The bars are made from triangular-section extrusions, each with a base (20) which has its ends resting on the edges of the swimming pool and at least one side (21) which faces away from the direction in which the cover is rolled and forms an angle (22) of less than 70 degrees with the base. The reinforcing bars fit into sleeves (25) on the covering layer's upper surface or, in a variant each one can be in the form of an extrusion with grooves along its two opposite sides to receive separate sections of the cover. The cover is made from a synthetic, e.g. composite, material.

Description

The invention relates to a roll-up covering device intended in particular for covering a basin such as a swimming pool, comprising, on the one hand, a flexible covering sheet with dimensions preferably adapted to those of the basin to be covered and, on the other hand part, reinforcing bars arranged transversely and to which said covering sheet is made integral, as defined in claim 1.

The present invention will find its application in the field of covers for pools, more particularly swimming pools.

A number of covering devices corresponding to the above description are already known. In particular, it is known from document FR-A-2,613,408, a rollable covering device for containers, in particular for swimming pools, comprising a covering sheet above which are designed, transversely, sleeves with even to accommodate reinforcing bars in the form of tubes of circular section. In particular, one of the transverse edges of this covering sheet receives, inside a sheath, a transverse reinforcing bar, at least one of the ends of which protrudes laterally from the longitudinal edge of said cover sheet. This projecting end of said reinforcing bar further comprises a maneuvering square on which a driving mechanism can be engaged, such as a bevel gear allowing the driving in rotation of said bar in view of the winding of the covering device via a crank. This drive mechanism can also be motorized.

Anyway, during winding maneuver, the various transverse reinforcing bars, extending above the covering sheet represent a succession of obstacles that must be crossed. In the end, it is particularly difficult to systematically cross the already wound part of the covering device each of these obstacles constituted by a transverse reinforcing bar and it is necessary to provide on the crank constituting the drive means in rotation, a particularly significant effort. In the case of motorized winding, it is obvious, here again, that it is necessary to provide motor means which are powerful enough for them to be able to overcome the resistance to winding which these obstacles provide.

It is also known from document FR-A-2,637,643 a covering device in all points similar to that which has just been described, but which provides, however, for placing the reinforcing bars under the covering sheet, in sheaths fitted to the latter at its lower face. This solution makes it possible to respond to the problem posed insofar as, on the side where the covering sheet is wound, the latter is free of obstacles, avoiding successive crossings which have been mentioned before. However, being precisely arranged under the covering sheet, these reinforcing bars are interposed between the latter and the edge of the basin, thus promoting the passage of litter, dead leaves or the like under the covering device. However, when used as a winter cover, these covering devices have the main function of preventing these dead leaves and the like from falling back inside the pool.

In order to respond to this problem, provision is made, according to this document FR-A-2,637,643, to equip the ends of the profiles. tubular, constituting the transverse reinforcing bars, of eccentric flat parts. Note, moreover, that at these support zones of the covering device on the edges of the basin, these ends of said transverse reinforcing bars can pass over the covering sheet. The problem with such a design is, of course, its cost. In particular, in the case where the flat ends of the transverse reinforcement bars are obtained by deformation of the profile which constitutes them, this results in constraints in terms of the nature of the material used or in the thickness of the walls making up the profile. Naturally, it is necessary to have a tool capable of creating this deformation. In certain cases, provision is made to terminate at the ends of the reinforcing bars of the end pieces, for example made of synthetic material, comprising an eccentric flat. Again, the design and assembly of these tips represent additional operations which increase the cost of the covering device.

Finally, through document FR-A-2,690,943, a covering device similar to those described above is known, but the covering sheet of which is of the modular type and made up of tarpaulin elements with transverse edges fitted rods capable of being inserted into profiles with grooves of substantially circular section constituting transverse reinforcement bars. Such a design which more responds to the drawbacks represented by the covering sheet in one piece in the event of a tear does not, however, satisfy the problem previously posed.

Thus, the grooves capable of accommodating the transverse rods equipping the covering elements, are located on either side and substantially in the horizontal median plane of the profiles. constituting said reinforcing bars. Also, at the support zones at the edge of the basin, there remains between them and the covering sheet a space allowing the passage of waste and others. In addition, these grooved profiles again create obstacles transverse to the winding direction of the covering device, obstacles which are particularly difficult to overcome, in particular when this result has to be obtained by force of the wrist by means of 'a crank.

The present invention proposes to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks. The invention as defined in the claims solves the problem and consists of a rollable covering device intended, in particular, to cover a pool, such as a swimming pool, comprising, on the one hand, a flexible covering sheet with dimensions preferably adapted to those of the basin to be covered and, on the other hand, reinforcement bars arranged transversely and to which said covering sheet is made integral, said reinforcement bars being formed by profiles of approximately triangular section comprising, on the one hand , a base through which these profiles are intended to rest at the edge of the basin to be covered and, on the other hand, at least one side, located on the side opposite to the winding direction of the covering device, forming with the base an acute angle less than 70 °.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the reinforcing bars are engaged in sheaths arranged transversely on the upper face of the covering sheet.

In addition, according to the invention, the profile constituting a reinforcing bar is a grooved profile comprising a groove extending, substantially, along the longitudinal edges of said base of the profile, said grooves being able to receive a rod fitted to each of the transverse edges of sections of covering sheets extending between two successive reinforcing bars.

Preferably, at least the reinforcing bars situated on the side of the first half of the covering sheet, this with respect to the winding direction of the latter, respect, between them, a distance of between 1.2 and 1, 10 foot.

The advantages resulting from the present invention consist essentially in that, because of the particular configuration of the transverse reinforcing bars, these no longer create, as before, obstacles which it is simply necessary to overcome. In fact, the roller which constitutes the length of the covering sheet already wound up comes, in this case, into contact with the inclined side of a reinforcing bar and, continuing the winding movement, this roller instead of passing , simply above said reinforcing bar, causes the latter to tilt in the winding direction so that it offers less resistance to the progress in progress.

It is obvious under these conditions, that the maneuvers, when executed manually, prove to be more convenient and, above all, easier. In the case of a motorization, the motor is less stressed each time it passes over a transverse reinforcement bar so that its power and therefore its weight can be reduced, not to mention that the consumption of electrical energy is also more low. This represents a very particular advantage in the case of autonomous electrical energy supply, for example, using a battery.

Finally, by choosing a well-defined spacing between the reinforcement bars located, in particular, in the upstream part of the covering sheet, this with respect to the winding direction, it is possible to ensure a better distribution of these reinforcement bars around the winding shaft, so that the roll which the cover sheet forms progressively during the operation is more cylindrical. It is obvious, in fact, that an ovoid shape again makes the maneuver difficult because of a progression by blows.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématisée et en perspective d'un dispositif de recouvrement conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématisée et en élévation de ce dispositif de recouvrement ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue schématisée du dispositif de recouvrement en cours d'enroulement ;
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématisée, partielle et en coupe illustrant un profilé constituant une barre de renfort, selon l'invention, engagée dans un fourreau cousu sur la face supérieure de la feuille de recouvrement ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation, en élévation, d'un profilé constituant une barre de renfort selon l'invention et correspondant à un mode de réalisation préférentiel.

The invention is explained below in more detail using a drawing representing only embodiments.

• Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a covering device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 represents a schematic view in elevation of this covering device;
• FIG. 3 represents a diagrammatic view of the covering device during winding;
• Figure 4 is a schematic representation, partial and in section illustrating a profile constituting a reinforcing bar, according to the invention, engaged in a sleeve sewn on the upper face of the cover sheet;
• Figure 5 is a representation, in elevation, of a profile constituting a reinforcing bar according to the invention and corresponding to a preferred embodiment.

We refer to the different figures in the attached drawing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a covering device 1 more particularly intended for basins 2 of the swimming pool type or the like. In this regard, it should be noted that the shape of this basin can be arbitrary and that the covering device 1 is in no way limited to the parallelepiped shape more particularly shown in FIG. 1.

Thus, this covering device 1 comprises a covering sheet 3 of flexible material, for example of a possibly composite synthetic material. In fact, such a cover sheet can have different structures depending on the purpose sought. Thus, it can be in the form of a more or less fine mesh net if, through the covering device, it is sought, simply, to prevent dirt, of the dead leaf type or the like falling back into the pelvis 2. This covering sheet 3 can also be transparent or translucent or, on the contrary, completely opaque. Be that as it may, the present invention is in no way limited, either to the configuration, or to the materials, or even to the more specific function which said covering sheet 3 must fulfill.

The covering device 1 further comprises reinforcing bars 4 arranged transversely and to which the covering sheet 3 is made integral. The ends 5, 6 of these reinforcing bars 4 rest, moreover, on the longitudinal edges 7 and 8 of basin 2.

It should be observed that one of the transverse edges 10 of the covering sheet 3 is, in addition, made integral with a winding bar 12 of generally cylindrical section, on which is intended to wind the sheet of overlay 3. Specifically, this winding bar 12 can be equipped, at at least one of its ends 13, with an operating square 14 on which can be threaded a drive mechanism (not shown) with manual or motorized control. It should be noted that in the event of motorized rotation drive of the winding bar 12, the motor means can still take a position inside said bar so that its section is sufficient.

It is further noted that, unlike the representation in FIG. 2, this winding bar 12 is not necessarily located at the very end of the covering sheet 3. Thus, a section of tarpaulin can possibly extend the latter beyond this winding bar 12, in particular for the purpose of adjusting the length of said covering sheet 3 to that of the basin 2. However, according to the invention, this adjustment in length, of the sheet of covering 3 is preferably carried out at its opposite end 15 with respect to said winding bar 12. Thus, said covering sheet 3 can be extended by a section of tarpaulins 16 beyond the last reinforcing bar transverse 4, located at its end 15. This adjustment in length of this covering sheet 3 relative to the length of the basin 2 can also be obtained by adjusting accordingly, the spacing between two bars s of successive reinforcement 4 or between the first reinforcement bar 4 and the winding bar 12.

However, according to the invention, at least the reinforcing bars 4 situated, relative to the winding direction 17, in the first half 18 of the covering sheet 3, respect a spacing of between 1.2 and 1.3 meters, preferably between 1.22 and 1.27 meters. Ultimately, this distance between the reinforcement bars 4 is respected throughout the covering sheet 3, except between the last two or three reinforcement bars 4A, 4B, 4C if it is necessary that the spacing between the latter is modified to adjust the length of the covering sheet 3 to that of the basin 2. The advantages arising from such a configuration consist in that during winding of the covering sheet 3, an approximately regular distribution of these reinforcing bars 4 is obtained around the winding bar 12, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the roller 19 which this covering device gradually creates 1 wound, has a generally cylindrical shape whose progressions along the edges 7, 8 of the basin 2 are facilitated.

Specifically, in order to facilitate the winding operation of this covering device 1, the reinforcing bars 4, extending transversely above the covering sheet 3, are formed by sections of approximately triangular section comprising a base 20 by means of which such a reinforcing bar 4 is intended to rest on the edges 7 and 8 of the basin 2. Consequently, this base 20 is preferably flat. In addition and according to the invention, this profile has at least one side 21, located on the side opposite to the winding direction 17, forming with said base 20 an acute angle 22 less than 70 °. As for the side 23 which completes this triangular section of the profiles constituting the reinforcement bars 4, its configuration can be arbitrary. However, for mechanical strength issues, it will preferably extend, approximately perpendicular to the base 20.

As for the inclined side 21 it is not necessarily plane, as shown in Figure 4, but it can also be concave or convex. The latter solution, more particularly shown in FIG. 5, has the advantage of increasing the inertia of this profile and, ultimately, of improving its mechanical strength.

In addition, this triangular configuration of the profile, according to the invention, can lead to a shift of its center of gravity G relative to the vertical median plane P. However, to avoid the risk of tilting of said profile under the impulse of a pressure applied to the covering device 1, it is advantageously provided to define the thickness of the walls corresponding to the sides 21 and 23 so that their respective weight limits or cancels the offset of said center of gravity G with respect to said vertical plane P. Thus, as visible in FIG. 5, the wall corresponding to the side 21 is defined to be substantially thicker, in particular, in its lower part to obtain the desired result.

In addition, the side 23 can also be chosen to be slightly convex, as shown in FIG. 5, to increase this inertia of the profile defining a reinforcing bar 4.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, during the progression of the roller 19 that constitutes the part of the covering sheet 3 already wound around the winding bar 12, this roller 19 more easily crosses such a reinforcing bar 4, in accordance with the invention, insofar as this roller 19 is no longer required to completely circumvent said reinforcing bar 4 but by relying on the slope defined by the inclined side 21, it causes the tilting of this reinforcing bar 4 around the edge defined by the vertical side 23 and the base 20. This winding operation of the covering device 1, according to the invention is carried out, in a way, with a certain continuity making more convenient handling.

In the context of FIG. 4, a transverse reinforcing bar according to the invention is illustrated, engaged in a sheath 25 sewn transversely over a sheet of covering 3. It can thus be seen that the base 20 of the profile formed by a reinforcing bar 4 is thus located substantially in the same horizontal plane as said covering sheet 3. It is obvious, in such a configuration, that there do not persist any openings between the edges 7, 8 of the basin 2 and said covering sheet 3, capable of favoring the passage of litter, of the dead leaf or other type.

The configuration according to FIG. 5 differs in that a reinforcing bar 4 is constituted by a grooved profile to which the transverse edges 26, 27 are made integral, equipped with a ring 28, sections of covering sheets 29 s' extending, precisely, between two successive reinforcing bars 4. More particularly, on either side, this grooved section has a groove 30, 30A capable of accommodating such a rod 28 and extending, preferably, along each of the longitudinal edges 31, 32 of the base 20 Again, this configuration ensures that the cover sheet 3 and said base 20 of these sections constituting the reinforcement bars 4, are located substantially in the same horizontal plane, limiting the infiltration of detritus or other inside the pelvis 2.

Note that in such a case, said reinforcement bars 4 rest directly at their ends 5, 6, on the edges 7, 8, of the pelvis 2. Since the reinforcement bars 4 are preferably of the metallic type and, in particular, aluminum, it appears desirable to cover, at least their ends 5, 6, at their base 20, with a protective sole 33.

It is preferably designed from a synthetic material and can be fixed by any means known to the skilled person, applying reinforcement bars 4 to this base. However, so as to limit the operations assembly and, of course, the cost of a covering device 1, said soles 33 are advantageously in the form of profiles capable of being threaded on the ends 5, 6 of these reinforcement bars 4 in coming to grip on the longitudinal edges 31, 32 of the base 20. Note that at the level of the latter can still be provided at least one "T" groove 34 able to accommodate a rib 35 of conjugate shape, is provided with this sole 33 of profiled plastic material.

Consequently, the present invention responds quite effectively to all of the problems and drawbacks of covering devices known up to now. Also, the invention represents a clear progress in the field considered.

Claims (12)

Rollable covering device intended, in particular, to cover a basin (2), such as a swimming pool, comprising, on the one hand, a flexible covering sheet (3) with dimensions preferably adapted to those of the basin (2) to be covered and, on the other hand, reinforcement bars (4) arranged transversely and to which said covering sheet (3) is made integral, characterized in that said reinforcement bars (4) are formed by sections of approximately triangular section comprising, on the one hand, a base (20) by means of which these sections are intended to rest on the edge (7, 8) of the basin (2) to be covered and, on the other hand, at least one side ( 21) located on the side opposite to the winding direction (17) of the covering device (1), forming, with the base (20) an acute angle (22) less than 70 °. Covering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing bars (4) are engaged in sleeves (25) arranged transversely on the upper face of the covering sheet (1). Covering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile constituting a reinforcing bar (4) is in the form of a grooved profile to which the transverse edges (26, 27) fitted with a rod are made integral (28), sections of cover sheets (29) extending between two successive reinforcing bars (4). Covering device according to claim 3, characterized in that the grooved profile constituting a reinforcing bar (4) has a groove (30, 30A) capable of accommodating a rod (28) of a section of sheet of covering (29) and extending, preferably, along each of the longitudinal edges (31, 32) of the base (20). Covering device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclined side (21) is of concave or convex shape. Covering device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side (23) completing the triangular section of a profile constituting a reinforcing bar (4), extends approximately perpendicularly to the base ( 20), this side (23) being straight or convex. Covering device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, through the thickness of the sides (21) and (23) corresponding to the profile defining a reinforcing bar (4), the weight of said sides ( 21) and (23) is thus determined to limit or cancel the offset between the center of gravity (G) of said profile and its vertical median plane (P). Covering device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the reinforcing bars (4) being located, with respect to the winding direction (17), in the first half (18) of the cover sheet (3), respect a spacing between 1.2 and 1.3 meters between them, preferably between 1.22 and 1.27 meters. Covering device according to claim 8, characterized in that the spacing between the last two or three reinforcing bars (4A, 4B, 4C) of the cover sheet (3), this with respect to the winding direction (17) of the latter, respects, between them, a spacing defined according to the dimensions of the basin (2) to adjust, accordingly, the length of the cover sheet (3). Covering device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reinforcing bar (4) comprises, at its ends (5, 6), a protective sole (33) fixed applied to the base (20). Covering device according to claim 10, characterized in that the protective sole (33) is in the form of a profile made of synthetic material capable of being fitted onto the ends (5, 6) of the reinforcement bars ( 4) by gripping on the longitudinal edges (31, 32) of the base (20). Covering device according to claim 11, characterized in that at the base (20) of a profile constituting a reinforcing bar (4) is arranged at least one "T" groove (34) in the same position. 'receiving a rib (35) of conjugate shape equipping a protective sole (33) of profiled synthetic material.

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