EP1383976B1 - Device for covering pools - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device characterised in that said covering elements (8) are modular and stacked in the ditch (F) adjacent to one of the sides of a pool (B) to be covered with a protective and covering surface (6) being mounted thereon; said support elements being stored on a loader lifting platform (E) housed in the ditch and capable of successively lifting them above the water body, so that the lifted elements can be translated by being successively rolled, by a thrusting and horizontal return tractive member (13) (19-20) to cover the pool without contact with the water.

Description

The object of the invention is related to the technical sector of complementary equipment of individual or collective swimming pools.

Many devices for covering private or public outdoor swimming pools are known.

These devices are not satisfactory either in terms of cost and space such as canopies in sliding or opening elements, or in terms of safety and cleanliness, with regard to rolling tarpaulins and sliding curtains articulated elements that do not offer sufficient resistance to the weight of a body and do not provide a good seal by the fact that they do not completely cover the pool. On the other hand, the roll-up tarpaulins receive impurities when they are spread over the basin, and these impurities, during winding, may fall into the water which requires cleaning. The sliding curtains pose the same problems of cleanliness as a result of their storage in a technical pit adjacent to the pool. Indeed, their winding is performed on a motor return shaft located in the upper part of the pit but in a plane above the body of water. There is therefore formation of a connecting strip between the winding zone and the basin coverage area. Thus at the end of winding, the impurities deposited on the curtain fall into the basin.

Also known by the Austrian patent 380057 a basin covering device by two or more panels which are stored and stacked on one another at rest, in the open air on one side of the basin and which are manually moved by rollers rolling on offset rails to cover the pelvis one behind the other.

It can be seen that this arrangement of panels suffers the evils of the ambient air and does not cover the pool in a tight manner because they are located above the pool. Moreover, their size outside the pool makes the environment of the pool unsightly and effectively deprives the users of a part of the surrounding beach.

We still see, by the French patent n ° 2752002 , a mobile pool cover platform with rollers rolling on lateral rails and locked in both positions by jacks secured to the frame of the platform.

It is also known from the patent US 3418667 a device for stacking panels secured in a technical pit with translation means, but in a very complex design, the panels floating on the water.

Again, there is space in the space adjacent to the pool in the uncovered position and need a surface at least identical to that of the pool which is not always feasible.

The covering device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks in that it ensures in an economical and reliable manner, a waterproof, rigid, insulating, aesthetic, highly secure, easy to maneuver and above all invisible in open basin basin cover , and especially very compact, which allows its installation even when there is little space around the basin.

For this purpose and according to a first feature, the basin covering device of the type comprising, adjacent to one of the walls of the basin, a technical pit receiving, by stacking, carrying roofing elements stacked to be moved and guided by translation means for cover the basin, is remarkable in that said carrier cover elements are of modular character and stacked in the pit adjacent to one of the walls of the basin to be covered, a protective surface and cover covering the pit and said elements, and in that said elements are stored by successive horizontal stacking on a loader lifting platform housed in the pit, and in that said platform in its vertical lifting movement presents one by one successively said elements facing a wall of the basin, and in that a push and return member in a horizontal plane allows movement and transfer one to one of said elements from the element located in the upper horizontal part to cover or discover as the basin in its entirety without contact with water.

According to another characteristic, the load carrying elements of the pool are coupled together and with the pushing and pulling member back when they are translated in one direction or the other, by temporary mechanical or electromechanical means.

Another characteristic lies in the fact that the lifting platform housed in the pit is constituted by a metal frame guided sliding or rolling in slides secured to the front and rear walls of the pit and operated by one or more double-acting cylinders, or by a transmission of the motor-chain type.

According to another characteristic, the member for pushing and pulling the load-bearing elements presented at the level of the translation guiding means is constituted by a deformable parallelogram jack device temporarily connected to the push or pull carrier element. , or by motorized rack.

These and other features will become apparent from the following description.

• ■ La figure 1 est une vue en perspective à caractère schématique illustrant à titre d'exemple un bassin rectangulaire avec ses plages, équipé d'un dispositif selon l'invention en position escamotée (bassin découvert) dans une fosse attenante au bassin.
• ■ La figure 2 est une vue semblable à la figure 1 illustrant le dispositif selon l'invention en cours de couverture du bassin.
• ■ La figure 3 est une vue en plan à caractère schématique illustrant le bassin et sa fosse de stockage des éléments de couverture représentés en position bassin recouvert.
• ■ La figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale considérée suivant la ligne 4-4 de la figure 3, les éléments de couverture recouvrant le bassin.
• ■ La figure 5 est une vue semblable à la figure 4, les éléments de couverture étant stockés dans la fosse.
• ■ La figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale considérée suivant la ligne 6-6 de la figure 3, dont la figure 7 est une vue de détail selon A à grande échelle, montrant le guidage en translation d'un élément de couverture.
• ■ La figure 8 est une vue en plan et en coupe à caractère schématique de la fosse équipée du dispositif de couverture selon l'invention.
• ■ La figure 9 est une vue en coupe considérée suivant la ligne 9-9 de la figure 8, montrant le dispositif selon l'invention logé dans la fosse.
• ■ La figure 10 est une vue en coupe considérée suivant la ligne 10-10 de la figure 8, montrant le dispositif selon l'invention logé dans la fosse.
• ■ La figure 11 est une vue en perspective illustrant un élément de couverture selon l'invention.
• ■ La figure 12 est une vue en coupe partielle montrant deux éléments successifs de couverture reliés entre eux.
• ■ La figure 13 est une vue à plus grande échelle montrant l'attelage des éléments de couverture.
• ■ La figure 14 est une vue en perspective à caractère schématique illustrant une variante de réalisation du dispositif de couverture avec un élément porteur disposé sur le bassin.
• ■ La figure 15 est une vue en coupe longitudinale correspondant à la figure 14.
• ■ La figure 16 est une vue en plan correspondant à la figure 14.
• ■ La figure 17 est une vue en coupe transversale correspondant à la figure 14.
• ■ La figure 18 est une vue est une vue en coupe partielle d'un élément porteur selon la variante de réalisation.
• ■ La figure 19 est une vue en coupe à grande échelle montrant la commande et le guidage en translation d'un élément porteur selon la variante de réalisation.

To fix the object of the invention, without however limiting it, in the appended drawings:

• ■ The figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating by way of example a rectangular basin with its beaches, equipped with a device according to the invention in the retracted position (open basin) in a pit adjacent to the basin.
• ■ The figure 2 is a view similar to the figure 1 illustrating the device according to the invention during basin coverage.
• ■ The figure 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating the basin and its storage pit of the cover elements represented in covered basin position.
• ■ The figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 4-4 of the figure 3 , covering elements covering the basin.
• ■ The figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 4 , the cover elements being stored in the pit.
• ■ The figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of the figure 3 , whose figure 7 is a detail view of A on a large scale, showing the translation guide of a cover element.
• ■ The figure 8 is a plan view and schematic sectional view of the pit equipped with the cover device according to the invention.
• ■ The figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of the figure 8 , showing the device according to the invention housed in the pit.
• ■ The figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of the figure 8 , showing the device according to the invention housed in the pit.
• ■ The figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating a cover element according to the invention.
• ■ The figure 12 is a partial sectional view showing two successive elements of cover interconnected.
• ■ The figure 13 is a larger-scale view showing the hitching of the roofing elements.
• ■ The figure 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the cover device with a carrier element disposed on the basin.
• ■ The figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to the figure 14 .
• ■ The figure 16 is a plan view corresponding to the figure 14 .
• ■ The figure 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the figure 14 .
• ■ The figure 18 is a view is a partial sectional view of a carrier element according to the embodiment variant.
• ■ The figure 19 is a large-scale sectional view showing the control and the translational guidance of a carrier element according to the variant embodiment.

In order to make more concrete the object of the invention, it is now described in non-limiting embodiments of embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

The basin covering device (B) is completely invisible when it is not used, that is to say it is entirely housed in a pit (F) established for example along a transverse side of the basin and having substantially the same width as said basin.

To fix ideas, and only as an example, for a rectangular basin 10 meters long, and 5 meters wide, the pit will be about 2.5 meters wide and 5 meters long.

The front (F1) and rear (F2) walls of the pit are equipped with two pairs of vertical rails (1-2) and (3-4) spaced in length to accommodate sliding or rolling, by any known means, a loader lifting platform (E) which consists of a metal frame (5) consisting of four lateral uprights (5a), two uprights intermediate (5b) and two lower crosspieces (5c). At the top, the uprights of the platform receive a protective surface and horizontal cover (6) to completely close the pit. This surface is advantageously made in the same way as the beaches (P) both in terms of its material and its dimensions ( Figures 1 to 13 ). In this way, it is an integral part of the beaches in that it is one of the components of these beaches and that it is located at the same level when the pool is uncovered and the cover elements stored in the pit. Of course, in the case where there is no beach, the surface (6) can be of any kind. The protective surface (6) has a belt section (6a) along three sides to rest on notched edges (F3) of the pit, while the fourth side located above the front wall (F1) of the pit, has a profile (6b) serving as a lip.

In the embodiment variant illustrated in Figures 14 to 19 , the protective surface is fixed and independent of the platform-forming elevator platform (16). In this case, it rests on the sides of the pit leaving a space on the side of the basin for the passage of the load bearing elements.

The uprights of the loader lifting platform internally receive profiled rails (7) for carrying the cover elements (8) of the basin via rolling means.

In the illustrated example, there are 5 cover elements 5 meters long and 2 meters wide to completely cover the basin 10 meters long by 5 meters wide; so there are in this case 5 loading stages on the platform (E).

Each element (8) has rollers (9) near its corners and is formed in a carrier manner with intermediate metal belt sections (8a) (8b) and in the upper part with a cover panel (8c) which can be constituted in several ways and, for example in the same material and the same presentation as the beaches.

Importantly, the panel is constituted by a triple laminated glazing in the upper part and by an aluminum sheet or equivalent absorber, the assembly forming a solar panel, in order to recover the heat input and either heat the pool , or ensure the transfer of calories to a room to be heated, by a heat pump to which can be added an electric heater, as a supplementary heat source, in case of winter need.

In the case where the elements (8) do not constitute solar panels, a waterproof screen (10) of any known type, is positioned under the intermediate profiles to collect rainwater and impurities.

The loader lift platform (E) with its horizontal loading levels of the cover elements is vertically movable. For that, and according to Figures 1 to 13 , one or more means of displacement (11) of the lifting platform are arranged vertically between the bottom of the pit and the frame, for example two double acting cylinders located below the bottom rails (5c). The actuation of the jacks drives the lifting platform upwards, with its protective surface (6), thus also the covering elements (8), the first of which above the stack then arrives at and opposite two sections (12) inserted into a groove (B1) of the walls (B2) of the basin, along the longitudinal sides of said basin. The profiles (12) can be combined with the pool edges.

Arrived in this position, the cylinders (11) are stopped and the first cover member (8) must be translated on the guide rails (12) via its rollers (9). For this purpose, a horizontal push and pull member of the type with deformable parallelogram cylinder (13) for example, is actuated to bring the first element of cover over the basin. This organ is located behind the pit at the level of translation of the cover elements.

When the first covering element rests entirely on the profiles (12), that is to say when it releases the pit, the cylinder (13) is brought back to its initial position to allow the actuation of a step cylinders (11) bringing the second covering element at the level of the profiles (12) and transferring it to the basin by the cylinder (13). This operation is repeated until the transfer of all the elements of coverage on the basin.

In the embodiment variant illustrated in Figures 14 to 19 , the elevation of the load-bearing elements is obtained by a set of electric motors (17) and chains (18), while the translation of said elements above the basin is effected by a central rack (19) meshing with the output pinion an electric motor (20).

On the other hand, the rollers (9) of the load-bearing elements roll directly on the rims or the beaches of the basin, which makes it possible to cover variable shapes of basins, if care is taken to correctly size the elements.

Note that the cover elements are coupled together and with the thrust member and back traction (13) as and when they are transferred to the basin by mechanical means of the type automatic hooks (14) or by electromechanical means of the electromagnet type (15).

For the opposite operation bringing the cover elements back into the pit, the member (13) or the assembly (19-20) pulls the last element, the connecting means are deactivated, and the said element is placed back in the lifting platform at last stage on the rails (7), then the cylinders (11) or the assembly (17-18) pull down the lifting platform with a step, the member (13) or the assembly (19- 20) is again actuated to hook the second element and bring it back to the corresponding stage of the scissor lift; after deactivation of the link, the jacks (11) or the assembly (17-18) again take the platform one step further, and so on until the last cover element.

Note that the lower part of the pit as well as the rear part and the lateral sides give off a space available to house other equipment such as pump, filtration which allows to concentrate the equipment economically under a small volume in continuity with the basin .

The advantages are clear from the invention, it is further emphasized the invisibility of the device when housed in a pit covered by a surface of the same nature and at the same level as the beaches of the basin, if any; the security of the device consisting of rigid support elements interconnected; the impurity seal by total overlap of the basin and the tight screen of the cover elements; the possible thermal insulation by arrangement of the roofing elements and its possibilities of energy recovery, in the form of solar panels, and the use of the pool as a thermal reservoir to supply the hot water circuit of the house.

Claims (13)

1. Device for covering swimming pools of the type comprising, adjacent to one of the sides of a pool (B), an equipment ditch that accommodates stacked support covering elements stacked so that they can be moved and guided by translational means in order to cover the pool, characterised in that said support covering elements (8) are modular and stacked in ditch (F) adjacent to one of the sides of the pool (B) to be covered, a protective and covering surface (6) covering the ditch and said elements (8), and in that said elements are stored by successively stacking them horizontally on a loader lifting platform (E) housed in the ditch, and in that said platform, when it vertically lifts, successively presents said elements (8) one at a time facing side (F1) of pool (B), and in that a thrusting and horizontal return tractive member (13-19-20) allows displacement and transfer of said elements (8) one by one, starting with element (8) located in the upper horizontal part in order to progressively cover or expose the entire pool without contact with the water.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that support elements (8) ate attached together and to thrusting and horizontal return tractive member (13) (19-20) when they are translationally moved in one direction or the other over the pool by temporary mechanical (14) or electromechanical (15) means.
3. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that loader lifting platform (E) housed in trench (F) consists of a metal framework (5) that is guided and slides or rolls on slides (1-2) and (3-4) that are attached to the front and rear sides of the ditch, said framework being designed with rails (7) that constitute staging that makes it possible to stow covering elements (8) horizontally.
4. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that thrusting and horizontal return tractive member for support elements (8) that are presented at a level above the pool consists of a deformable parallelogram jack (13) that is temporarily connected to the covering element (8) that is to be pushed or pulled.
5. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the thrusting and horizontal return tractive member for support elements (8) that are presented at a level above the pool consists of a central rack (19) that meshes with a pinion on the output of an electric motor (20).
6. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that lifting of the support elements (8) stowed in platform is obtained by double-acting jacks (11).
7. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that lifting of the support elements (8) stowed in platform is obtained by an assembly of electric motors (17) and chains (18).
8. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that covering surface (6) that covers ditch (F) is attached to loader lifting platform (E) and has a profiled belt (6a) along three sides in order to rest, by forming a seal baffle, on the notched edges (F3) of the ditch with the 4th side forming the curb of the pool.
9. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that covering elements (8) have, in their four corners, means of rolling of the roller (9) type in order to cooperate with translational guidance means (12) built into the sides of the pool and with the profiled rails (7) supported by framework (5).
10. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that covering elements (8), in their four corners, have means of rolling of the roller (9) type that roll directly on the curbs or decking of the pool.
11. Device as claimed in claim 1 one, characterised in that covering elements (8) consist of metallic belt profiles (8a) and intermediate profiles (8b) and their upper part consists of a covering panel (8c) that is either of the same kind as decking (P) or made of an insulating material or even a transparent material.
12. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that covering elements (8) are designed as solar panels with a covering panel (8c) made of laminated glass and an aluminium absorption sheet in order to collect heat input and either heat the pool or transfer energy in order to heat domestic water by using a heat pump and a heater.
13. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that covering elements (8) have, below covering panel (8c), a leakproof screen (10) that collects impurities and rainwater.

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