EP1233125A1 - Floating cover for a swimming pool - Google Patents

Abstract

The floating cover (1) is composed of several parallel strips (10) each having a hollow structure with cells (12,14) over all their length. A sealing plug (20) is inserted at each strip end (10a,10b) to obtain the cells. Two articulation webs (16,18) are located either side each strip to ensure its connection with adjacent strips so that two adjacent strips can slide longitudinally relative to each other. An external cowl (30) is added to each plug and each cowl has a part (33) which comes opposite the associated articulation web whilst the plug is located at a distance from the web.

Description

The invention relates to a floating swimming pool cover.

It is common to cover swimming pools, especially those arranged outside for example in private homes, by a cover articulated protection, also called roller shutter. This type of coverage protects the pool basin from falling leaves, dust, gravel or other objects that can soil or pollute the water, or even avoid drowning. These blankets can also keep water at a temperature higher than the outside temperature, or even heat it by storing heat especially if the surface of the blanket which is in contact with water is dark. Coverage thus reduces natural phenomena of evaporation due in particular to differences in temperatures between day and night, and therefore reduce water losses.

These covers typically include multiple blades made of plastic which each measure substantially the width of the pool to be covered and which are linked and articulated together at the level of zones of articulation with which they are each provided. So they can adapt by the lapping of water and especially by wrapping itself around a motorized tree, submerged or not. The tubular blades constituting these covers are the more often extruded so as to present longitudinal cells, and they are designed to float as well as possible on the surface of the pool.

However, these blades can easily take water because of their honeycomb structure, and thus present poor flotation even if they are generally made of a low density plastic material. We have therefore planned to close the open ends of these slats with plugs sealing recessed in the cells, preferably with a material of clogging in the alveoli such as glue or putty to improve waterproofing.

A solution to this problem has thus been proposed in the Patent EP 0 225 862. This consists in providing the two open ends of each blade of a plastic plug comprising a body having protruding protrusions coming in with little play in the alveoli, these protrusions each extending inward cells by a thin rod carrying a piston plate at its end substantially occupying the section of the corresponding cell. Room hollow is thus defined around each rod, between the side walls of the cells, a protrusion of the plug and the corresponding piston plate. It is inside this chamber that a sealing material is injected waterproof like an adhesive, through at least one orifice fitted in the plug or in the blade (in this case, said orifice is placed in front of the hollow chamber). The injected sealing material progresses in the hollow chamber and abuts against the transverse wall of the piston so as to seal the plug and the blade. A second opening for each cell is also provided in the cap to expel the air to measure that we inject the glue, even to recover a surplus of glue emerging through this second orifice.

The pool cover blades described in the art previous and in particular in EP 0 225 862 do not give whole satisfaction. Indeed, it is extremely difficult to separate the blades once the caps are glued. So, this is very annoying in the event that a blade is damaged by falling objects such as hailstones or stones, or if it is damaged by wear or by conditions outdoor (weather, foam deposit). This drawback is found during assembly where it becomes very difficult to install a new blade when the plugs of those already installed are securely attached. Indeed, the assembly recommends, to link the blades by their articulation zone, to make slide the joint areas longitudinally by threading them one into the other over the entire length of the blades. When the caps are attached, only force fitting is possible, although laborious, and provided that the blades are not too long and that the assembly is not done with too many blades in the user's hand (3 or 4 maximum).

An object of the invention is to provide a solution to this problem.

To this end, the invention provides a floating cover of swimming pool, this cover consisting of a plurality of blades arranged parallel to each other, each blade having a hollow structure with cells extending over its entire length, a sealing plug inserted and fixed at each end of the blade to close off said cells, two articulation wings located on either side of each blade to ensure its connection with adjacent blades and such as two blades adjacent can slide longitudinally relative to each other, characterized in that an external cap is removably attached on each cap and in that each cap has a part intended to come opposite a hinge wing of the associated blade while that the plug is disposed away from this wing.

As the blades of the same cover have, in a way general, all the same length, this solution also allows, in the if the edges of the pool are not parallel, remove a blade, and replace it with a new one that is better suited, or put a hood with suitable dimensions.

In particular, the cap is clipped onto the cap and completely covers its front face.

Advantageously, the cells of the blade are symmetrical and the cap is reversible so that it can be mounted interchangeably on either end of the blade.

In EP 0 225 862, the thin rod carrying the household piston around it a large volume defining the hollow chamber receiving the sealing material. Such a volume is often unnecessary and therefore requires a large amount of sealing material, which then often puts a long time to dry. In addition, significant variations in thickness of the plug between the piston and the rod can weaken the latter and make it difficult to manufacture by a conventional plastic injection process under pressure. Significant constraints may indeed arise in said rod during injection, as well as when embedding the plug in the blade.

To solve this problem, it is proposed that the cap has a body with at least one projecting protrusion inserted into a corresponding recess of said blade, this protrusion extending by a flared part as one moves away from the body of the stopper, by example of generally conical shape, so that at its end opposite the cap body, the section of the flared part occupies substantially the entire cross section of the cell.

Advantageously, each flared part defines around it and between the walls of the cell inside which it is inserted, a peripheral hollow chamber for the injection of a sealing material such than an adhesive, this chamber being of smaller volume than the volume exterior occupied by said flared part.

In this way, the sealing material can dry more easily because it is injected in a smaller amount than in the prior art.

Generally, the cap body is crossed by only one orifice for each protuberance.

Advantageously, each orifice passing through the body of the plug communicates in a protuberance and divides therein for lead, in the corresponding hollow chamber, into several lateral openings inclined with respect to the axis of the orifice of the body and directed in substantially opposite directions.

As an example, each orifice of the body divides, inside its associated protuberance and at the level of the hollow chamber, in two openings perpendicular to the axis of said orifice and oriented in opposite directions.

In this way, the sealing material is well directed in the hollow chamber so that it distributes much better than in the prior art, the flared shape also serving as a deflector for guide the sealing material. Thus, the sealing material does not form no air bubbles likely to affect the sealing of the cap and it is no need to deburr the cap because the sealing material does not come out of the chamber to the outside of the blade.

According to one embodiment, each flared part of the plug is hollow from its end furthest from the body of the plug.

Generally, the cap is hollow and is made in the same material as the cap, for example in plastic material.

• la figure 1 est, une vue partielle en perspective des extrémités opposées de deux lames adjacentes d'une couverture de piscine conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'un bouchon engagé à chaque extrémité d'une lame de ladite couverture,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe du bouchon suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un capuchon amovible rapporté sur chaque bouchon,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe suivant le plan V de la figure 1,
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5,
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VII-VII de la figure 6,
• la figure 8 est une vue du détail indiqué par la flèche VIII de la figure 5, et
• la figure 9 est une vue du détail indiqué par la flèche IX de la figure 7.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of example and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the opposite ends of two adjacent strips of a swimming pool cover according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a plug engaged at each end of a blade of said cover,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the plug along line III-III of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a removable cap attached to each cap,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the plane V of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of FIG. 5,
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII of FIG. 6,
• FIG. 8 is a view of the detail indicated by the arrow VIII in FIG. 5, and
• FIG. 9 is a view of the detail indicated by the arrow IX in FIG. 7.

A floating cover for a swimming pool is partially shown in perspective in Figure 1 and bears the reference 1. This floating cover 1 comprises a plurality of blades 10 arranged parallel to each other with only opposite ends 10a and 10b of two of them have been represented.

Each blade 10 has a hollow structure comprising longitudinal cells, for example two in number, referenced 12 and 14. These cells 12 and 14, made in one piece with the blade 10 for example during an extrusion operation, extend over the entire length of the blade 10 and preferably have relatively simple sections and identical, for example rectangular or square.

Each blade 10 is provided laterally, on either side alveoli 12 and 14, articulation wings 16 and 18 extending over the entire length of the blade 10. The first articulation wing 16 comprises a wall thin 17 erected laterally from an edge of the cell 12 and it is provided, at its free end, with two rounded hooks 17a and 17b. These hooks 17a and 17b are oriented in opposition so that the wing articulation 16 has substantially the shape of a T whose branch horizontal is rounded. The hooks 17a and 17b are offset laterally and have slightly different shapes, as we can better see on the Figure 5, this to facilitate the mounting of a blade 10 on another.

The second articulation wing 18 is in the form of a laterally open cell with two lips 18a and 18b curved one towards the other and directed towards the interior of this cell (see also Figure 5), in leaving a small gap between them so that the first wing hinge 16 of another blade 10 can be inserted therein and kept there by through its hooks 17a and 17b (see also arrow F of the figure 2).

Each blade 10 is designed to float on the water of a basin swimming pool. However, in order to improve this flotation, it is provided, at its two ends 10a and 10b, of a sealing plug 20 such that shown in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figures 2 and 3 that we will now describe.

Thus, the plug 20 has a body 21 from which protruding protrusions 22 of a shape adapted to penetrate with little play inside the respective cells 12 and 14 of the blade 10.

These protrusions 22 are extended by flared parts 23, for example conical with a compatible square or rectangular section with the section of cells 12 and 14. These protrusions and their flared extensions 23 are such that the plug 20 is reversible for ability to mount either end 10a or 10b blade 10.

Each conical part 23 therefore flares as one moves away from the body 21 of the plug 20 so that the small base of the cone is disposed closer to the body 21 of the plug 20 than the large base. Each conical part 23 therefore ends in a large base having substantially the same section as the cell 12 or 14 so as to close it. We may note that to reduce the amount of material and lighten the plug 20, the flared portions 23 are hollow from their end.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the body 21 of the plug 20 is also crossed by several orifices 24 each arranged in the extension of a conical part 23. Each orifice 24 is divided into two openings 25 arranged in the protrusions 22, closest to the small base of the corresponding conical part 23 and perpendicular to orifice 24.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 and more detail in the sectional views of FIGS. 6 and 7, the plug 20 is provided on a front face 20a of a removable external cap referenced 30, preferably also made of plastic, for example by molding.

This cap 30, which is shown in perspective on the Figure 5 is preferably hollow. It adapts to the body 21 of the plug 20 and has a thickness substantially equal to that of the blade 10 to be find the extension thereof once mounted on said plug 20. The cap 30 has at least one bead 31, shown in detail in the figure 9, which cooperates with a hollow 29 in the body 21 of the plug 20 so as to can be snapped onto plug 20 for mounting and dismounting easy. The cap 30 also has a recessed housing 32 intended to completely cover the front face 20a of the body 21 of the plug 20, and a step 33 intended to close off the hinge wing 18 of the blade 10 when mounted. Finally, the cap 30 has a slot 34, shown more in detail in Figure 8, which is intended to facilitate its disassembly using with a suitable tool such as a screwdriver, or with your nails.

An example of mounting the plug 20 and its cap 30 on a blister 10 of a floating swimming pool cover is described below :

To seal the blade 10 at its ends 10a and 10b, we insert the plug 20 into the cells 12 and 14 by introducing the parts conical 23 of the plug in said cells until the body 21 of the plug 20 acts as a stop and opposes said introduction.

Note that, unlike the plugs of art previous, the plug 20 of the present invention only obstructs the cells 12 and 14 and that it is disposed away from the two articulation wings 16 and 18 of the blade 10. Thus, it is possible to disassemble a blade 10 without problem, especially when it is broken for example due to a fall of Pebble. The mounting of an additional blade 10, by sliding longitudinal of the first articulation wing of a first blade inside of the second hinge wing of a second blade, is also facilitated.

A hollow annular chamber 19 is defined around each conical part 23, being limited laterally by the walls of the corresponding cell 12 or 14, by the extension 22 and by the end of the conical part 22, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 6 or 7. This hollow chamber 19 is of small volume compared to the volume occupied externally by the conical part 23 and also significantly lower volume than in the prior art. Furthermore, the volume of this room 19 decreases as one moves away from the injection orifice 24.

Once the plug 20 is inserted into the blade 10, it is injected by the orifice 24 of the body of the plug 20 a sealing material C, of preferably silicone, such as glue or putty. This sealing material C passes through the two openings 25 and flows into the hollow chamber 19 so sealing the blade 10 and the plug 20. The sealing material C is guided by the shape of the flared part 23 so that it begins to fill the part of the chamber 19 located closest to the injection orifice 24, that is to say the easiest part to complete. Little by little, the sealing material C goes towards the bottom of the chamber 19 as the pressure exerted on increases due to the decrease in the volume of chamber 19. This helps prevent air bubbles from forming in the material clogging C because the air is expelled towards the inside of the blade 10 thanks to the low clearance which is provided between the end of the flared part 23 and the walls of each cell. Furthermore, the sealing material C is well distributed in the hollow chamber 19 because it exits through several openings 25 which are perpendicular to the injection port 24. Finally, due to the small volume of the hollow chamber 19, the quantity of sealing material injected is reduced compared to the prior art, so that it can dry faster (a few hours instead of several days sometimes).

Once the sealing material has been injected into the chamber dig 19, we wait for it to dry a little or we immediately mount the cap 30 of FIG. 4 at the two ends 10a and 10b of the blade 10, in clipping it to the body 21 of each plug 20 in order to obstruct the wing hinge 18 of the blade 10. Of course, it is preferable to mount the blades 10 sealed against each other at their wings of articulation before bringing back the caps 30.

In this way, all the blades 10 which are interconnected at the level of the wings of articulations 16 and 18 so as to form the cover 1 for pool pools are integral and cannot come off one of the other by sliding along the articulation wings, the cap 30 blocking this sliding.

However, if you want to add or change a blade 10, it just remove them. caps 30 removably attached to the cap 20, for example using a screwdriver inserted in the slot 34, and slide the blade 10 longitudinally to add or remove to the cover 1.

Each blade 10 is typically made of a material rot-proof and preferably UV-resistant plastic, such as PVC or polyethylene, for example using a known extrusion process, or using another method to obtain a straight elongated profile and hollow. Preferably, the blade 10 is transparent or translucent (depending on the material used) on its face facing outwards, and dark (black by example) on its side facing the side of the pelvis, so as to limit heat loss from the water and possibly the pool by capturing the sun's rays.

The plugs 20, like the caps 30, are of preferably made of a rot-proof plastic material, having a good resistance to chlorine and good bondability, for example PVC or made of polyethylene, preferably by molding or possibly machining in the mass.

It should be understood, however, that these examples are given solely by way of illustration of the subject of the Invention of which they do not in no way constitute a limitation.

Thus, the main orifices 24 of the front face 20a of the body 21 of plug 20 can communicate with four orifices perpendicular 25, one for each side of the flared part 23, this in order to evenly distribute the clogging fluid material C during its injection along these sections in room 19.

The removable cap 30 can be mounted on the cap 20 other than by clipping and in particular using lugs or screws by example.

The slot 34 of the cap used to be able to remove it easily with a suitable tool can be transferred to the cap without modify its function.

The flared part 23 can take different forms from then that the volume defines between it and the side walls of the cell in which it is inserted decreases as one moves away from the point injection. Thus, it can be a simple conical shape, of round section, square, rectangular or oval for example, of a conical shape in staircase or still variable, straight or curved slopes.

Claims (10)

Floating pool cover (1), this cover (1) consisting of a plurality of blades (10) arranged parallel to each other, each blade having a hollow structure with cells (12, 14) extending over all its length, a sealing plug (20) inserted and fixed at each end (10a, 10b) of the blade (10) to close said cells (12, 14), two articulation wings (16, 18) located on either side of each blade (10) to ensure its connection with adjacent blades (10) and such that two adjacent blades (10) can slide longitudinally relative to each other, characterized in that a external cap (30) is removably attached to each cap (20) and in that each cap (20) has a part (33) intended to come opposite a hinge wing (16; 18) of the associated blade (10) while the plug (20) is disposed away from this wing (16; 18). Cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (30) is clipped onto a front face (20a) of the plug (20) so as to completely cover this face. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cells (12, 14) of the blade (10) are symmetrical and the plug (20) is reversible so that it can be mounted indifferently on the one or the other of the ends (10a, 10b) of the blade (10). Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (20) has a body (21) provided with at least one protrusion (22) projecting inserted into a cell (12, 14) corresponding to said blade (10), this protuberance (22) extending by a flared part (23) as one moves away from the body (21) of the plug (20), for example of generally conical shape, so that at its end opposite the body, the section of the flared part (23) occupies substantially the entire cross section of the cell (12, 14). Cover according to claim 4, characterized in that each flared part (23) defines around it and between the walls of the cell (12, 14) inside which it is inserted, a peripheral hollow chamber (19) for the injection of a sealing material such as an adhesive, this chamber (19) being of smaller volume than the external volume occupied by said flared part (23). Cover according to claim 5, characterized in that the body (21) of the plug (20) is traversed by a single orifice (24) for each protuberance (22). Cover according to claim 6, characterized in that each orifice (24) passing through the body (21) of the plug (20) communicates in a protuberance (22) and divides therein to open, at the hollow chamber ( 19) corresponding, in several lateral openings (25) inclined relative to the axis of the orifice (24) of the body (21) and directed in substantially opposite directions. Cover according to claim 7, characterized in that each orifice (24) of the body (21) divides, inside its associated protuberance (22) and at the level of the hollow chamber (19), into two openings (25 ) perpendicular to the axis of said orifice (24) and oriented in opposite directions. Cover according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each flared part (23) of the plug (20) is hollow from its end furthest from the body (21) of the plug (20). Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap is hollow and it is made of the same material as the cap, for example in plastic material.

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