EP0864019B1 - Movable covering device, particularly for swimming pools - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR96/01891 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 1, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 1, 1998 PCT Filed Nov. 29, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/20114 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 5, 1997A roof movable between a raised position in which it forms a shelter over a terrace and a lowered position in which it forms a cover over a swimming pool. The roof is mounted on pivotable pillars via hinges. One edge of the roof is supported in the raised position by a winch and cable device for moving the roof assembly between the two positions.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for mobile cover, particularly for swimming pools, play areas or analogous, more particularly for a large swimming pool average such as a private pool.

We know from US-A-3 854 149 and 3 209 373 mobile pool cover devices. The mobility consists in passing the cover cleanly said of a position where it forms a cover above the swimming pool in a position where the cover forms a shelter against the sun or rain above a terrace or analog fitted near the swimming pool.

The structure described in US-A-3,854,149 is of the tilting type. The cover is made up of panels articulated. To put the device in the shelter position, it it is necessary to install support columns. According to US-A-3,209,373, the actual cover is supported by pivoting arms. In the shelter position, the structure is unstable, especially in windy conditions.

Soviet patent 318,237 describes a device for mobile stadium coverage. Each panel of cover is supported by two swing arms forming deformable parallelogram. Such a device is very expensive to achieve if we want to achieve good results in terms of performance, stability, security and reliability.

The swimming pool cover described in DE-A-2 733 338, considered to be the state of the art on which is based on the present invention, includes a support swivels around a vertical axis near an edge of the swimming pool. A roof made of a canvas attached to arms pivotally mounted on the support, can be deployed in fan above the pool to cover it, or on the contrary fold up, pivot upwards then on the side around the vertical axis and finally back towards the bottom to retract into a tub forming a bench seat along said edge of the pool. The manipulations of this device are relatively complex and the function shelter while using the pool is not carried out.

The object of the invention is thus to propose a mobile cover device that is both simple, stable and reliable.

• un toit mobile entre une position basse où il recouvre de manière sensiblement hermétique une première région pouvant être la piscine, l'aire de jeu ou analogue, et une position haute où le toit recouvre à une certaine hauteur une deuxième région décalée par rapport à la première région, le toit ayant un premier bord du côté de la première région et un deuxième bord opposé au premier bord;
• une structure ayant une articulation avec le sol et une articulation avec le toit à distance du deuxième bord, et ayant à partir de l'articulation avec le sol une orientation générale allant de la deuxième région vers la première région lorsque le toit est en position basse; et
• des moyens de support pour supporter le toit au voisinage du deuxième bord lorsque le toit est en position haute, le toit étant écarté des moyens de support lorsqu'il est en position basse.

According to the invention, the mobile cover device, for swimming pools, play areas or the like, comprises:

• a movable roof between a low position where it covers in a substantially hermetic manner a first region which may be the swimming pool, the play area or the like, and a high position where the roof covers at a certain height a second region offset from the first region, the roof having a first edge on the side of the first region and a second edge opposite the first edge;
• a structure having an articulation with the ground and an articulation with the roof at a distance from the second edge, and having from the articulation with the ground a general orientation going from the second region towards the first region when the roof is in the low position ; and
• support means for supporting the roof in the vicinity of the second edge when the roof is in the high position, the roof being separated from the support means when it is in the low position.

The support means can be and are preferably permanently fitted to a certain distance from the first region such as swimming pool. They are not used when the roof is in the down position. In high position, the roof is stabilized by means of support. This allows to provide for the roof a set relatively heavy and / or bulky, capable of covering a relatively large swimming pool or the like, and having for example the appearance of a roof traditional. A relatively heavy structure is able, by its own weight, to close so substantially sealed around the first region when the roof is in the low position. We can thus protect the first region against the intrusion of small animals or insects. If the roof is opaque, the development of algae and other harmful phenomena due to light and in particular to photosynthesis is stop.

Preferably, the device comprises means for hoisting the second edge of the roof to its position defined by the support means. It is advantageous that the hoisting means comprise a winch or the like associated with a traction cable extending between the roof and a position close to the support means, so i that by pulling on the cable the roof initially in low position be pulled along a path leading the second edge towards the support means, with spontaneous pivoting of the pivoting structure also causing the rise of the first edge.

It is therefore sufficient, essentially, to maneuver the hoisting means for moving the roof from its position low to its high position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge further from the description below, relating to a nonlimiting example.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues schématiques en perspective montrant le dispositif selon l'invention avec le toit en position haute et respectivement en position basse ;
• les figures 3, 4 et 5 sont des vues schématiques en coupe montrant le dispositif des figures 1 et 2 en position basse, en position intermédiaire lors d'une manoeuvre, et respectivement en position haute ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective, avec arrachements, des moyens de support ; et
• la figure 7 est une vue en élévation des moyens de support lorsque le toit est en position haute.

In the accompanying drawings:

• Figures 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views showing the device according to the invention with the roof in the high position and respectively in the low position;
• Figures 3, 4 and 5 are schematic sectional views showing the device of Figures 1 and 2 in the low position, in the intermediate position during an operation, and respectively in the high position;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of the support means; and
• Figure 7 is an elevational view of the support means when the roof is in the high position.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 5, the movable cover device 1 has a roof 2 that the device allows to move between a low position (Figures 2 and 3) in which the roof 2 closes superiorly a first region which in the example is a rectangular swimming pool 3, and a high position (figures 1 and 5) in which the roof 2 forms a shelter from the sun or bad weather over a second region such that a terrace 4 adjacent to a longitudinal edge 6 of the swimming pool 3.

In the example shown, the roof 2 has the shape of a classic slanted roof 7, closed at each end by a vertical triangular wall 8.

The roof is made of opaque material and has a lower peripheral edge 9 rectangular designed and sized to lean substantially tightly on the rectangular periphery 11 of the swimming pool 3. The periphery 11 includes the abovementioned edge 6. If necessary, a seal sealing can equip the edge 9 of the roof to support on the periphery 11 of the swimming pool 3 when the roof 2 is in low position. It is also conceivable that the edge lower 9 is large enough to surround the around 11 of swimming pool 3 and rely for example on a surrounding cemented, paved or tiled, formed around the swimming pool 3.

It is preferred, as shown in the example shown, that the high position and the low position of the roof 2 are parallel to each other but it's also conceivable, for example in the case of a single-pan roof roof, that it is horizontal in the low position and tilted up.

The device comprises an articulated structure formed in the example of two parallel tilting pillars 12 comprising a first articulation 13 with the edge 6 of pool 3 and a second joint 14 with the roof 2. The joints 13 and 14 have axes parallel to the edge 6 of the swimming pool. Relative to a vertical plane P (Figure 3) parallel to the axes of the joints 13 and 14 and passing through the center of gravity G of the roof 2, the axis articulation 14 is located on the side of a first edge 16 of the roof 2. The first edge 16 of the roof 2 is that which moves over pool 3 when roof 2 passes from one to the other of its high and low positions. he results from the above that the weight of the roof 2 tends to rotate it towards terrace 4 around joints 14.

When the roof 2 goes from the low position to the high position, the pillars 12 pass from one position lying above the pool 3, shown in the figure 3, in an upright position shown in FIG. 5, in which the pillars 12 support more particularly the region of the first edge 16 of the roof 2.

Elastic means or springs 15, produced by example in the form of gas cylinders, are mounted between the pillars 12 and the ground, and stress the pillars 12 towards the lying position.

In the example shown, the plane Q (Figure 5) passing by the axes of the joints 13 and 14 is inclined towards the terrace 4 when the roof 2 is in the high position. Thanks to this arrangement, the roof 2 can, in the low position, cover a swimming pool of for example 5 meters wide without that the roof 2 is placed at an excessive height in high position. We can see in Figure 3 that thanks to the inclination of the plane Q the pillars 12 do not need to extend over the entire width of the swimming pool 3 when the roof 2 is in the low position. Also in the example shown, the inclined arrangement of the Q plane is rendered even more beneficial by the inclination of the roof panel facing pool 3, because the inclination of the plane Q then allows the hinge pin 14 to be placed higher. The distance between axes 13 and 14 is thus increased, for a given distance between the peripheral edge lower 9 of the roof 2 and the terrace 4 when the roof is in the high position.

We could have tilted the plane Q with pillars 12 straight arranged with an inclination when the roof 2 is in the high position. In the example shown, we preferred to give the tilting pillars 12 a bent configuration with a lower part substantially vertical and an inclined upper part 17 towards the second region 4 in a way corresponding to the slope of roof 7 of roof 2 when roof 2 is in position high. Thus, the roof 2 in the high position is in abutment against the upper part 17 of the pillars 12. This strengthens stability. In addition to pillars 12, the visible lower part is vertical are in the most aesthetically preferred cases.

The device according to the invention further comprises means 18 for supporting the roof 2, when it is in high position, in the region of its second edge 19, opposite the first edge 16. The second edge 19 is that which moves above the terrace 4 when the roof 2 passes from one to the other of its high and low positions. The means 18 comprise a fixed mast 21 fixed to the ground in position adjacent to the edge of the second region 4 (terrace) opposite the first region (swimming pool) 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the roof 2 is supported by the mast 21 when in the high position in the region of its second edge 19. When the roof 2 is in position low, the entire roof, and in particular the second edge 19, are separated from the mast 21.

The mobile cover device further comprises means for pulling the edge 19 towards the mast 21 and for hoist the second edge 19 substantially to the top of the mast 21 when it is necessary to pass the roof from the position lower of Figures 2 and 3 in the upper position of Figures 1 and 5.

The hoisting means comprise a winch 22 (figures 3 to 5) which can be actuated manually or by a motor, the manual solution being preferred for its reliability and simplicity. On the winch 22 is wound one of the ends of a cable 23 which extends to the region of the edge 19 having to come closest to mast 21 when the roof is in high position. Between winch 22 and the edge 19 of the roof 2, the cable 23 passes through a return pulley 24 at the top of the mast 21 and by a carriage 26 mounted freely movable along the mast 21 fitted as a rail for this carriage (see figure 6). The carriage 26 and a console 27 fixed to the edge 19 of roof 2 carry pulley blocks 28 and respectively 29 by which the cable 23 performs several back and forth between the carriage 26 and the console 27. The end 31 of the cable opposite the winch 22 is attached, in the example shown, to the carriage 26.

The top of the mast 21 also carries a device automatic coupling 32 of the type attached to the rear of the heavy-duty vehicles, and the console 27 carries a ring coupling 33 compatible with the coupling device automatic 32. An unlocking command 34 starts from the automatic coupling device 32 to a point easily accessible to an operator, for example 1.50 meter high on the mast 21.

In addition, there is provision in the floor of terrace 4 for groove 36 extending from the base of the mast 21 to first edge 6 of the pool 3. The groove 36 is placed in the same vertical plane as that followed by the console 27 when the roof 2 goes from the high position to the low position or vice versa.

We will now describe how the cover device according to the invention.

When the roof 2 is in the low position (Figures 2 and 3), the pillars 12 are in the supine position above the pool 3. The carriage 26 on the one hand and the console 27 with its muffling pulleys 29 on the other hand are retracted in the groove 36 in the floor of the terrace 4, as are the strands of cable forming the muffling between the carriage 26 and console 27.

To move the roof 2 to the high position, it just actuate the winch 22 in the direction of traction on the cable 23. The second edge 19 of the roof 2 is thus pulled towards the mast 21 and this forces the pillars 12 to pivot up around their 13 joints with the ground as shown in figure 4. This compresses the springs 15. During the ascent, the carriage 26 takes on its own, at at all times, a height position along the mast 21 as it is in balance with respect to the different forces or components of vertical forces acting on him.

When the cable 23 has been wound enough for the length of the strands between the pulleys 28 and 29 is minimal, the pulleys 29 carried by the roof 2 are substantially located under the pulleys 28 of the carriage 26, which is substantially located at the top of the mast 21. The end of movement causes engagement of ring 33 in automatic coupling 32 to get to the situation shown in Figure 7.

In the high position, it is the tension of the cable 23 which supports mainly at the desired height the second edge 19 of the roof 2. This cable locking function 23 is ensured by the winch 22 which is generally carried out to oppose any unwinding movement of the cable 23 under the action of the tension of the cable 23. The coupling 32, 33 has a safety function for cable breakage 23. The coupling 32, 33 also has a function horizontal immobilization of the edge 19 relative to the mast 21.

To move the roof 2 to the low position, we causes the coupling 32, 33 to loosen by means of the command 34, then the winch 22 is actuated in the direction of reeling. As the cable is unwound, the edge 19 of the roof loses height and at the same time the springs 15 push the tilting pillars 12 to their position lying down. The opposite movement from that described above occurs until the low position such as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is made.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the example described and shown.

There could be at least two masts such as 21 and / or two cables that can be operated by the same winch or by two different winches that can be synchronized.

It is also possible to replace the mast 21 with a structure fixed on an existing structure such than a facade or the like.

Especially in the case where there are at least two masts, the number of the tilting pillars could be reduced to one alone. If there are multiple pillars, these can be joined by crosspieces with the particular aim of better synchronize them in their rotation around the joint 13 with the ground.

The carriage such as 26 is not essential, it would be possible to directly connect the cable from the top mast or similar to the roof such as 2. We then have the disadvantage that the cable is not retracted when the roof is in the low position.

It is not essential to lock the roof 2 in high position. It is also possible to lock it with means different from those with automatic coupling described and represented. For example, edge 19 of the roof could by sliding along the mast at the end of the movement towards the high position cross an asymmetrical jump, it would then no longer be able to free itself while the winch is not operated in the direction of reeling. When a such operation of the winch intervenes, the springs such as 15, pushing the pillars 12 towards the lying position, drive the roof 2 away from the mast 21 and thus release the edge 19 of the projection provided along the mast.

Another way could be that the jump can be erased using a command accessible from the base mast to free the edge 19 of the roof when the operator wishes to undertake a return maneuver from roof 2 to low position.

In case there is only one tilting pillar, its articulation with the roof can be of the ball joint type for allow the roof pitch to be adjusted using the two winches controlled independently of each other, each associated with one of the two fixed masts. Between each fixed mast and roof, each cable preferably extends in a vertical plane passing through the center of the patella. It is possible to increase the stability of the whole by means of two cylinders mounted between the tilting pillar and the roof in oblique position on either side of the pillar tilting.

Claims (12)

1. A moveable covering device for swimming pools, games areas or the like (3), comprising :

   a roof (2) which is moveable between a lowered position in which the roof covers, in a substantially sealed manner, a first region which may be the swimming pool, games area or the like, and a raised position in which the roof covers, at a certain height, a second region (4) which is offset with respect to the first region (3), the roof having a first edge (16) on the side nearest the first region (3) and a second edge (19) opposite to the first edge (16);

   a structure (12) having an articulation (13) with the ground and an articulation (14) with the roof at a distance from the second edge (19), and having, starting from the articulation (13) with the ground, a general orientation going from the second region (4) towards the first region (3) when the roof is in the lowered position; and

   support means (18) for supporting the roof (2) in the vicinity of the second edge (19) when the roof (2) is in the raised position, the roof being spaced apart from the support means when it is in the lowered position.
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means for hoisting (22, 23) the second edge (19) of the roof to its position defined by the support means.
3. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the hoisting means comprise a winch or similar (22) coupled to a pulling cable (23) extending between the roof (2) and a position (24) close to the support means, in such a way that by pulling on the cable (23) the roof (2), which is initially in the lowered position, is pulled along a path leading the second edge (19) towards the support means (18), with a spontaneous pivoting of the pivoting structure (12) also causing the raising of the first edge (16).
4. A device according to Claim 3, characterised in that between said close position (24) and the roof (2) the cable passes through a carriage (26) guided along a substantially vertical path, which is substantially vertically aligned beneath the said close position.
5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the carriage (26) is freely mobile along the said path.
6. A device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the pivoting structure (12) is articulated with the ground in the vicinity of the edge (6) of the first region (3) which is adjacent to the second region (4).
7. A device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the pivoting structure (12) is articulated with the roof (2) on the same side as the first edge (16) of the roof with respect to a vertical plane (P) passing through the centre of gravity (G) of the roof.
8. A device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised by resilient means (15) biasing the pivoting structure (12) towards its angular orientation corresponding to the lowered position of the roof.
9. A device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a plane (Q) passing through the articulations (13, 14) of the pivoting structure (12) with the ground and with the roof respectively is inclined towards the second region (4) when the roof is in the raised position.
10. A device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the pivoting structure (12) is bent in such a way as to exhibit, when the roof (2) is in the raised position, a substantially vertical section, starting from the articulation with the ground (13), followed by a section (17) inclined towards the second region (4) .
11. A device according to Claim 10, characterised in that when the roof is in the raised position, the section (17) inclined towards the second region follows a slope of the roof.
12. A device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that in the lowered position the roof bears in a substantially sealed manner on the ground around the first region (3) .

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