EP1157179B1 - Flexible submersible panel for pool formed with elongated hollow elements and corresponding use - Google Patents

Abstract

The flexible liner bowl for a swimming pool (1) has hollow elongate sections (2a-h) which are connected together. Each section has a water inlet at one end and an outlet at the other. The openings are connected to a manifold tube. The edges of the panel adjust to the walls of the pool to form a cover in the raised position and a liner in the lowered position.

Description

The present invention relates to a submersible flexible panel for pool, in particular for swimming pool comprising elongated hollow modular elements assembled together.

It relates more specifically to a panel formed of elements having at one end a flooding opening and at their other end a water drain opening said openings on the opposite front sides of the panel being connected directly or indirectly to a distributor tube

Swimming pool covers floating between two waters and formed of hollow elements connected with specially shaped connectors to fulfill this function have already been described by DE 33 24 406 C (G. STIFTER).

According to this document, the hollow elements comprise a cover, a base and continuous amounts to form depressions. In addition, the cover is connected to a reversible pump. This is a hydraulic pump.

Therefore, the function of these hollow elements is to internally present streams of water in one direction and then in the other. This is illustrated by the special shape of the flexible pipe fittings that make up not only the hydraulic but also the mechanical connection with small serrated sleeves made of elastic material.

As a result, the application of large forces pulls the panels.

Hence the obligation to use small hollow elements. This cover to reach a size that allows to cover a basin will always present several of these small hollow elements connected end-to-end via said elastic connectors. This cover therefore has a multitude of junctions between said elements.

The movements of each hollow element result from random internal water currents. This means that the hollow elements have a density close to or greater than the pond water and movements that are contrary to each other. This entails risks of tearing at the level of junctions, at least relative movements between the hollow elements. This imposes in addition to the use of small hollow elements the use of elastic connectors.

This results in difficulties in ensuring the safety of the pool at the level of the covers. Small hollow elements at a density close to water do not provide the lift of children especially near or in the junctions. So these items only serve as cover without protecting from drowning.

The second problem of known covers is the difficulty of cleaning. In the case of these covers made of elements fixed elastically end to end, each junction forms a groove on the surface of the cover. This imperfect cleaning of the grooves allows the bacterial proliferation. In addition, repetitive cleaning in these moving and complicated shape grooves would result in wear of the cover.

In addition, for all movements, ascending or descending the hollow elements being supplied with water, the dispensing tube is located entirely under the cover to connect it to a pump placed in a specific arrangement arranged at the basin, with the construction difficulties that entails.

In addition, the circuit formed by the known hollow panels and the distributor tube is closed. Indeed, the pump supplies not only air, but also water panels and air as water is sucked by the pump.

The invention aims to provide a panel having by itself sufficient lift to ensure the safety of children and be of easy installation, without work at the bottom of the basin for the installation of a turbine and allow effective cleaning of the surface of the compressed gas distribution means, in particular air from the pump such that a tube passes for a portion above the elongated hollow modular elements of the panel according to the invention and to the above the basin surface and for another part below the basin surface. In particular the gas distribution means comprises a distributor air tube part connected directly or not to a plunging tube portion of compressed gas introduction connected directly or not to the elongated hollow modular element. This direct junction or not is provided under or on the sides of the modular element. The edges of said panel adjust substantially to the walls of the basin so as to form a basin cover in the upper position and at least one bottom in submerged position.

Blanket panels of this type are described, for example, in European Patent Application No. 0 044 104. These known submersible panels consist of a plurality of hollow modular elements secured together. According to a first embodiment, the hollow part of each section constitutes a floodproof sealed cavity. The filling of the cavity with the water of the pond weighs each element which causes the panels to sink. The cavities of the various elements are connected to a source of compressed air that allows the water to be emptied from the cavities under the pressure of the air. This emptying of the water lightens the elements which makes the panels rise to the surface. The panels floating on the surface when the water of said cavities is emptied, constitute a cover for the basin.

The panels have the advantage of stirring the water during their immersion which homogenizes it, hence constant temperature and tearing bacteria in the corners and edges of the basin, where they usually accumulate. In the emergent position, therefore in the cover, the panel isolates the water from the pool from the ambient air, which maintains the temperature of the pool and saves energy.

Said panel known from the European patent application No. 0 044 104 with open circuit supplied directly by the water of the basin and driving this water is flexible submersible basin, including pool comprising elongated hollow modular elements assembled together, said elements having at one end an impregnation opening for filling with the pond water and at their other end a water drain opening, said openings on the opposite front sides of the panel being connected to a dispenser means compressed gas passing for a portion above the elongated hollow modular elements and the surface of the basin and for another part below the basin surface, the dispensing means comprising at least one distributor tube to which is connected a tube of introduction connected to hollow modular elements elongate, the edges of said panel substantially adjusting to the walls of the basin so as to form a pelvic cover in the upper position and at least one bottom in submerged position.

However, these known panels have drawbacks, especially for cleaning, they are fixed on the fixed bottom of the basin by cables and various mechanisms, possibly the underside of the panel is provided with articulated feet to allow stopping at a position intermediate panel on said deployed feet. All these mechanisms block the passage of cleaning robots and require access under the panel for implementation. In addition, they complicate the assembly of the panel by requesting special arrangements.

In addition, the air entering the cavities must be sufficiently compressed to expel the water. It will have a tendency to spread on one side of the panel when it is wide. Which raises the side in which the air is directed, the other side remains filled with water. If the pool is three meters deep, the panel will tip over and its lower part undergoes a considerable pressure of three bars, the part filled with air raises it and the panel breaks during its ascent.

In order to avoid the development work and to allow the elimination of bacteria while allowing efficient cleaning of the panel without wear and to prevent this tilting which causes the breakage of the panel, the upper and lower horizontal faces of said panel according to the invention are flat and free. Said upper horizontal face being substantially equal to the length of the basin is able to form the cover in the upper position. The compressed gas distribution means comprises a collector fixed on the front side of the panel that can supply gas to each of the elements of one end of the panel by at least one pipe connected by a central pipe to the compressed gas introduction tube, the pipe horizontal manifold having at each end an opening for filling and / or draining the water and at least one valve, able to adjust the flow of fluid in each of these end openings. In order to obtain at least two bottom levels of the pool in submerged position. This holding the panel in a horizontal position makes it possible to stop it at an intermediate level to form a shallow basin, despite the absence of feet under the free bottom face. The panel is constituted transversely by at least one fixed assembly of several hollow modular elements.

Thus, the technical problems are solved by a panel whose upper and lower horizontal faces are flat and free, said horizontal upper face being substantially equal to the length of the basin being able to form the cover in the upper position and the compressed gas dispensing means comprises a collector capable of supplying gas to each of the elements of one end of the panel and being itself fed by at least two compressed gas sources so as to form two fluid circuits: a valve is arranged on the central pipe connecting two circuits of fluids so as to homogenize the pressure between the two circuits at each end the central pipe having an opening opening into the basin, said collector being fixed to the side front panel capable of supplying gas to each of the elements of one end of the panel by at least one pipe connected by a central pipe to the compressed gas introduction tube, the horizontal central pipe of the manifold having at each end an opening for water and / or water drain and having at least one valve, being able to adjust the flow of fluid in each of these end openings to place the panel at at least two levels of bottom of the basin in submerged position, a cache covering the collector; the modular elements being connected end to end by at least one articulated mechanical joint comprising a horizontal axis engaged and fixed in two flanges, said axis is engaged freely in rotation and locked in translation in the bore of another flange extending in a fixed manner; member mounted in duplicate with at least one flexible pipe sealingly connecting the hollow portion of said elements.

So that the panel in the lower submerged position forms the bottom covering of the pool avoiding the installation of a smooth outer covering such as swimming pool tiles, including for multi-level pools, for example for large and small pools separated by an inclined plane, the panel elements are connected end to end by at least one articulated mechanical joint mounted in duplicate with at least one flexible pipe sealingly connecting the hollow part of said elements.

This allows the panel in its position of fixed bottom lining of the basin not to present a loop at the edge marking the change of bottom level basin, sulphat would cause a siphon in the water basin.

For this purpose, the basin being of sufficient size to accept several levels of bottom, a single horizontal panel is substantially equal to the length of the basin can form the bottom of the basin in a lower position, each element alone or assembled end to end to at least one other member forming the length of said panel.

According to other features, the junction of the panel comprises a horizontal axis engaged and fixed in two flanges extending in a fixed manner the end of an element, said axis being engaged freely in rotation and locked in translation in the bore of another flange extending fixedly the following element so that in the lower position the panel marries the bottom of the pool on either side of the leveling edge.

In order for the panel to rise horizontally by balancing the pressure between the air and the water present in the cavities, the collector capable of supplying gas to each of the elements of one end of the panel is itself fed by at least two sources. of gas compressed to form two fluid circuits, a valve being disposed on the central pipe connecting the two fluid circuits so as to homogenize the pressure between the two circuits.

In order to simplify the manufacture and that the panel has a flat surface to the pool wall, the central pipe and the manifold panel supply pipes are arranged horizontally in the same axis extending the hollow modular elements. They are covered with a cover so that the panel is formed by the modular elements and the collector.

In order to facilitate maintenance and to allow the use of the entire panel surface, a bracket-shaped cover covering the manifold and maintaining a downward opening is secured by at least one screw to the surface of the elements.

• La Fig. 1 représente schématiquement en vue de coté arrachée un bassin équipé du panneau selon l'invention ;
• La Fig. 2 représente vu en coupe le bassin de la Fig. 1 dans lequel le panneau est en position submergée inférieure ;
• La Fig. 3 représente vu de dessus un collecteur munie de clapets équilibreurs de pression, reliés aux éléments creux, selon l'invention ;
• La Fig. 4 représente vu en coupe un collecteur fixé horizontalement dans l'axe des éléments modulaires ;

A non-limiting example of implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 shows schematically in side view torn off a basin equipped with the panel according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the basin of FIG. 1 in which the panel is in the submerged lower position;
• Fig. 3 shows seen from above a manifold provided with pressure-equalizing valves connected to the hollow elements according to the invention;
• Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a collector fixed horizontally in the axis of the modular elements;

The basin shown in FIG. 1 is covered with a panel 1 consisting of different elements in hollow sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h and a collector 3 covered with a cover 4. Laterally, the elements in hollow profiles Length-wise spacers are nested according to the tongue-and-groove principle, until the width of the basin is reached. The ends are closed by nested and glued caps 2i. Longitudinally the profiles are interconnected by an articulated joint 5. These elements in hollow sections are sealed and include watering openings 6 on the front end. Air inlet openings 7 are provided on the rear end.

The hinged junction 5 connects the end-to-end elements by at least one mechanical joint 8 mounted in duplicate with a flexible pipe 9 sealingly connecting the hollow part of said elements from impounding openings 6 of the various hollow-section elements. respectively 2a, 2c, 2e, 2g to the air inlet openings 7 of the various elements in hollow sections 2b, 2d, 2f, 2h. The basin has in its rear part a small bath and a large bath on its front part. The two baths are separated by an inclined plane which forms an edge at its upper limit where the small bath begins. The panel 1 is submersible and can descend from the surface to the fixed bottom of the basin, as shown in Fig.2. The various elements in hollow sections 2a, 2c, 2e, 2g cover the bottom of the small bath forming a coating, the articulated junction allows the inclination of the upper part of the hollow profile elements 2b, 2d. 2f, 2h, these elements gradually soften their inclination, which makes them take off from the incline to rest on the bottom of the large bath to the front of the pool. A large surface of the panel 1 rests on the bottom of the large bath at the other end the panel rests on the entire bottom of the small bath.

As shown in FIG. 3, the manifold 3 is supplied with compressed air via two flexible tubes 10 coming from a source of compressed air P. These tubes 10 open into a central duct 11 of the manifold 3. Flexible hoses 12 connect the central duct 11 to the openings air inlet 7 of the various elements in hollow sections 2a, 2c, 2e, 2g. The collector 3 being supplied with compressed air by the two flexible tubes 10, the panel 1 comprises two fluid circuits. A valve 13 is mounted in the middle of the central pipe 11 to interconnect the two fluid circuits. At each end the central pipe 11 has an opening opening into the basin. This opening is regulated by valves 14. When the panel 1 is raised, under the effect of the arrival of the compressed air, the valves 13, 14 are of sufficient size to maintain the pressure balance in all directions. the width of the panel in proportion to the pressure resulting from the depth. The panel 1 can go up regularly and even stop at a horizontal intermediate position.

Fig. 4 represents a sectional view, the rear part of the panel 1 having the end of a hollow section member 2 which is fixed the manifold 3. The latter 3 is in a flat shape, the axes of its various tubes and pipes being merged in the same plane. The sleeve 15 mechanically secures the plane of the axes of the collector 3 coincides with the plane of the axes of the hollow-section elements 2. The sleeve 15 is held in the end of the hollow-section elements 2 by the screws 16. Each rigid end 17 flexible tubes 10 of air inlet is housed in the sleeve 15 through an opening 18 of the hollow profile element 2. The end of the pipe 10 is connected to the central pipe 11 of the collector 3 The cover 4 is substantially parallel to the plane of the axes of the pipes and tubes of the collector 3 and to the hollow-section elements 2. This cover 4 is fixed on the hollow-section elements 2 and covers the collector 3. The end of the cover 3 is folded into square down. Thus, the entire panel 1 has a free flat top surface and parallel to the plane containing the axes of the collector 3 and the hollow profile elements 2. the square form of the cover 4 allows it to cover the visible top and rear face of the collector 3.

The operation of the panel 1 according to the invention is as follows, the closing of the valves 13, 14 forms a balance between the atmospheric pressure and the water pressure of the basin. As a result, the water can not enter the hollow section members 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h and the panel 1 floats on the basin surface. In this position the panel 1 forms a blanket that isolates the water from the pond from the ambient air. Hence energy saving and safety against drowning, the blanket supporting the weight of several people.

The immersion of the panel 1 occurs following the opening of the valves 15. This opening causes the escape of the air contained in the profiles and the water supply through the end openings of the central pipe 12 of the collector 3 The adjustment of the valve 13 makes it possible to keep the panel 1 in horizontal lateral position. The elements in hollow sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h are filled with water gradually. Panel 1 starts to dive at one end. To form a shallow pool, for example for baby swimmers, it is possible to stop the panel 1 at this intermediate level which forms the bottom at the level chosen by closing the valves 14. The valve 13 keeps the panel in equilibrium. To obtain a very deep basin with large and small bath, the valves 13 are left open and the hollow section elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h continue to fill with water. The panel 1 ends up settling on the fixed bottom of the basin. The joint allows the junction 5 to cover the edge of the bottom of the basin and the panel 1 to cover the fixed bottom of the small bath without forming a blister which would cause a siphon. The panel 1, after the junction 5 descends in a decreasing rounded slope towards the fixed bottom of the large bath.

To raise the panel 1 to the surface, compressed air is blown by the turbines P into the hollow-section elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e. 2 F. 2g, 2h. This air flushes the water and the panel starts to rise. The valves 13 having a function of valves, it is possible to stop the panel 1 at an intermediate position in which it forms the bottom of a shallow basin. It is also possible to lift the panel 1 until emersion. It will float on the surface and will form a cover on the basin.

The thermal insulation of the panel 1 is excellent thanks to the air contained in the elements in hollow sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h.

The tightness of the panel 1 totally prevents evaporation and greatly reduces the heat losses due to temperature variations, wind and water / air exchange.

The energy and temperature gains are very important in outdoor pools, when the panel 1 is totally immersed thanks to the absorption qualities of the pool, especially when the panel is dark in color.

For a large basin such as a pool of fifty meters, the junction 5 can transport elements in hollow sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h of a length less than twenty-five meters and to assemble them at the edge of the basin, which simplifies the manipulation.

Although the invention has been described in connection with very particular structures, it is in no way limited and many variations can be made, such as combinations of different embodiments shown in the drawings or described above or to put several junctions, in particular for pools of complicated shapes with several positive or negative edges, without departing from the scope of the invention,

The reference signs inserted after the technical features mentioned in the claims are intended only to facilitate the understanding of the latter and in no way limit the scope.

Claims (8)

1. Flexible submersible panel for pool, in particular for a swimming pool (1) comprising elongated hollow modular elements assembled together said elements including at one end an opening for priming the water (6) by completion with the water of the pool and at their other end an opening for draining off the water (7), said openings located on the forward opposite sides facing of the panel (1) being connected either directly or indirectly to means for distributing compressed gas (P) which for a part (P1) passing above the hollow modular elongated elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h) and the pool surface and on the other part (P2) under the surface of the pool, the distributor means (P2) comprising at least one distributor tube to which an introduction tube (12) is connected that is also connected to the elongated hollow modular elements, the edges of said panel more or less match the pool walls so as to constitute a pool cover in the upper position and at least a floor in the submerged position, characterized in that upper and lower horizontal surfaces of the panel are planar and free, said upper horizontal surface being more or less equal to the pool length suitable for constituting a cover in the upper position and the distributor means of compressed gas including manifold (3) permitting to supply with gas each of elements of one end of the panel (1) and itself being supply by at least two origins of compressed gas so as to constitute two fluid circuits; a valve (13) is mounted in the central pipe (11) to connect the two fluid circuits so as to balance in proportion pressure between the two circuits in at each end of the central pipe (11) comprising an opening into the pool said manifold (3) being fixed at forward side of the panel (1) capable of supplying each of the elements of an end of the panel with gas from at least one nozzle connected by the central pipe (11) to the tube (12) that introduces compressed gas, the horizontal central pipe (11) of the manifold comprising at each end a water inlet and/or outlet opening and comprising at least a valve (14), capable of adjusting the flow of fluid of each of these end openings for stopping the panel in at least two floor levels constituting the bottom of the pool in the submerged position, a cover (4) covering the manifold; the modular element being connected end to end by at least one hinged mechanical joint (5) including an engaged horizontal axle and fixed in two flanges said axle is engaged free in rotation and locked in translation in the hole of one other flange extending in a fix way the double-mounted element with at least one flexible pipe that form a leaktight connection between the hollow section of said hollow elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h).
2. Panel according of claim 1, wherein hinged mechanical joint (5) extending in a fix way the end of an element (2a, 2c, 2e, 2g) with the next element (2b, 2d, 2f, 2h) according to in a way that in lower position the panel assuring the shape of the pool bottom either side of the edge marking the change in level.
3. Panel according of claim 1 or 2, consisting transversely of at least one fixed assembly of several hollow modular elements.
4. Panel according of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the compressed gas supplying from the distributor means (P, P1, P2) is air.
5. Panel according of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the central pipe (11) and the distributing pipes of the panel (1) of the manifold (3) are horizontally arranged in the same axis prolonging the hollow modular elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h).
6. Panel according of any of the foregoing claims in which central pipe (11) and the distributing pipes of the panel (1), of the manifold (3) are covered with a cover configured the surface of the panel constituted by the modular elements and the manifold.
7. Panel according to claim 6 wherein the cover (4) is bracket shaped and defines a downward-facing opening that is configured to be fastened to a surface of the manifold elements by at least one screw.
8. Panel according to one of the previous claims wherein at least an adjusting valve (14) of the openings of the central pipe (11) and at least a connection valve (13) of fluid circuits allows to balance pressure in the panel (1) so as to remain the panel submerged in water at a selected depth in the pool to form the selected bottom of said pool.

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