EP2706169B1 - Device for covering a manhole in a jacuzzi - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for covering an inlet opening of a whirlpool according to the preamble of claim 1.

Well-known whirlpools use covers, which are usually made up of several interconnected elements. These cover protect the existing water in the pool on the one hand from contamination caused by the falling in of leaves, needles and / or insects. On the other hand, jacuzzi covers serve to insulate the hot tub when not in use. This prevents the existing water from cooling down. Good insulation also has the advantage that the maintenance costs are lower because less energy is needed to heat and / or keep the water warm.

It is known to cover whirlpools when not in use with foldable covers, which consist of foil-covered polystyrene foam (eg Styrofoam). Such a foldable cover designed in this way usually consists of a plurality of insulating material filled with cover elements, which in turn must be positioned by the whirlpool user after the use of the whirlpool by hand over the whirlpool. This known solution is therefore troublesome and strenuous for whirlpool users, which is especially difficult for older and / or infirm people.

It was therefore in US 6,000,072 already proposed to provide manually operable mechanical aids for raising and lowering covers.

Further, in EP-2 028 333 A2 proposed to provide a whirlpool cover of at least two cover elements and a transmission for pivoting the cover, wherein the transmission for pivoting the cover comprises an axis of rotation in the region of a Whirlpooloberseitenkante around which the cover can be pivoted into a rest position to an outer side wall of the whirlpool.

The required linkage, gear and drives are strong enough for lifting and pivoting the relatively heavy cover, so that a sufficient torsional stiffness can be achieved. This leads to the result that interfere with the Whirlpoolseitoberanteenkanke superior linkage and cover the aesthetic sensation of the user, because these known Faltabdeckungen are visible during the bathing operation beyond the upper limit and the linkage protrudes laterally from the pool wall. During the pivoting of the collapsed cover it also leads to grinding between the cover and the top of the spa. As a result, depending on the design of the spa, shavings on a whirlpool top edge may occur.
Moreover, it is not possible in the known Whirlpoolabdeckungen to ensure fully automatic operation, ie an operation in which no monitoring of the covering process by the user while maintaining the relevant. Safety instructions is required. The document EP0683290 shows a device for covering a manhole of a basin having the features of the preamble of independent claim 1.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for covering a whirlpool, which does not have at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.
In the context of the present invention, a whirlpool is understood to mean any bathtub-like configuration of a water-absorbing element. This includes elements such as spas, bathtubs, Kneipp baths, swimming pools and the like.
In the following, the terms spa cover and cover are used interchangeably.
The object of the present invention is achieved by the features listed in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are specified in further claims.

• ein Abdeckelement, das mindestens zur Abdeckung der Einstiegsöffnung verwendbar ist,
• eine mit dem Abdeckelement wirkverbundene Antriebseinheit zum Verschieben des Abdeckelementes,
• eine mit der Antriebseinheit wirkverbundene Steuereinheit, und
• eine Folieneinheit, mit der eine Folie zumindest über eine Oberseitenkante der Einstiegsöffnung ausbreitbar ist, bevor das Abdeckelement (3) über die Oberseitenkante geschoben wird.

The device according to the invention for covering a manhole of a whirlpool or the like comprises the following elements:

• a cover element, which is usable at least for covering the manhole,
• a drive unit operatively connected to the cover element for displacing the cover element,
• a control unit operatively connected to the drive unit, and
• a film unit with which a film is spreadable at least over a top edge of the manhole before the cover (3) is pushed over the top edge.

The foil protects the top edge of the access opening from scratching. At the same time, the film increases the sealing of the basin with respect to the environment, which can save energy, especially when used in a whirlpool.

A variant of the inventive device is that the film unit, seen in the transport direction of the cover during a closing process, is arranged at the front end of the cover.

Further embodiments of the device according to the invention consist in that the film unit comprises a first roller on which the film can be wound up. Yet further embodiments of the inventive device are that a spring element with the first roller is operatively connected so that the film is biased in any position of the cover.

Further embodiments of the inventive device are that the spring element can be prestressed by means of a transmission gear.

Further embodiments of the device according to the invention consist in that the film unit has a smoothing element, which preferably consists of a smoothing roller.

Further embodiments of the device according to the invention consist in that the film unit has a positioning element, which preferably consists of a positioning roller.

• erste Rolle;
• Glättungsrolle;
• Positionierrolle.

Further embodiments of the device according to the invention are that at least one of the following rollers is driven by a drive:

• first role;
• Smoothing roll;
• Positioning roller.

Further embodiments of the inventive device are that the cover is weighted in a range of 10% to 20% of a total length of the fully extended cover to a lifting of the cover member from the top edge of the manhole, the weighted area being located in the first third of the fully extended cover member after the film unit.

Further embodiments of the device according to the invention consist in that the weighted area is arranged immediately after the film unit.

• ein Rundprofil mit einer Längsachse und einem Steg;
• ein Passprofil, derart ausgestaltet, dass ein weiteres Rundprofil einer weiteren Lamelle im Wesentlichen formschlüssig im Passprofil aufnehmbar ist,
• einen Schenkel, der zu einer aus der Längsachse und dem Steg gebildeten Fläche im Wesentlichen parallel verläuft und der derart ausgestaltet ist, dass das weitere Passprofil einer weiteren Lamelle zumindest teilweise überdeckt wird,

und wobei jeweils ein Rundprofil einer Lamelle in einem Passprofil einer benachbarten Lamelle aufnehmbar ist.Further embodiments of the device according to the invention consist in that the cover element has a plurality of lamellae with a substantially flat support surface, wherein the lamellae have a hollow profile, comprising:

• a round profile with a longitudinal axis and a web;
• a passport profile, designed in such a way that a further round profile of a further lamella can be accommodated essentially in the form of a positive fit in the passport profile,
• a limb which runs essentially parallel to a surface formed from the longitudinal axis and the web and which is designed such that the further pass profile of a further lamella is at least partially covered,

and wherein in each case a round profile of a slat in a fitting profile of an adjacent slat is receivable.

Further embodiments of the inventive device are that individual lamellae are mutually rotatable so that a convex angle between a support surface of a first blade and a contact surface of a second blade adjacent to the first blade is at most 30 degrees, preferably at most 20 degrees, more preferably at most 10 degrees, and that a concave angle between a bearing surface of a first blade and a bearing surface of a second blade which is adjacent with respect to the first lamella, is at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 50 degrees, more preferably at most 40 degrees.

Further embodiments of the device according to the invention consist in that weights are contained in the hollow profiles of the lamellae forming the weighted region.

It is expressly understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are arbitrarily combinable. Only those combinations of variants are excluded, which would lead to contradictions by a combination.

Fig. 1

einen Whirlpool mit einer erfindungsgemässen Abdeckvorrichtung in perspektivischer Darstellung, wobei ein Abdeckelement einen Teil einer Eintrittsöffnung des Beckens abdeckt,

Fig. 2

den Whirlpool mit der erfindungsgemässen Abdeckvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1, wobei das Abdeckelement vollständig in einen Grundrahmen zurückgezogen ist,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivisch Darstellung eines oberen Bereichs des Grundrahmens mit Abdeckelement aus Lamellen, wobei das Abdeckelement vollständig eingezogen ist,

Fig. 4

die perspektivische Darstellung gemäss Fig. 3 mit teilweise ausgefahrenem Abdeckelement,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Ausführungsvarianten für eine erfindungsgemässe Lamelle mit Endkappe,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch zwei miteinander gekoppelte erfindungsgemässe Lamellen,

Fig. 7

eine Schnitt gemäss Fig. 5 durch die Lamellen, die zueinander geneigt sind,

Fig. 8

ein erfindungsgemässes Abdeckelement mit einer Folieneinheit mit Blick von unten,

Fig. 9

das Abdeckelement gemäss Fig. 8 in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 10

eine erste Rolle zum Aufwickeln einer Folie,

Fig. 11

die erste Rolle gemäss Fig. 10 in einem Schnitt längs einer Drehachse der Rolle,

Fig. 12

eine weitere Ausführungsvariante für einen Grundrahmen der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung, wiederum in einer perspektivischen Darstellung, und

Fig. 13

eine weitere Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung mit einem unter das Becken führbaren Abdeckelement.

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a whirlpool with a covering device according to the invention in a perspective view, wherein a covering element covers a part of an inlet opening of the basin,

Fig. 2

the whirlpool with the covering device according to the invention Fig. 1 wherein the cover element is completely retracted into a base frame,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of an upper portion of the base frame with cover of lamellas, wherein the cover is fully retracted,

Fig. 4

the perspective view according to Fig. 3 with partially extended cover element,

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a variant for an inventive lamella with end cap,

Fig. 6

a section through two mutually coupled inventive slats,

Fig. 7

a section according to Fig. 5 through the slats, which are inclined to each other,

Fig. 8

a cover element according to the invention with a foil unit with a view from below,

Fig. 9

the cover according to Fig. 8 in a side view,

Fig. 10

a first roll for winding a film,

Fig. 11

the first role according to Fig. 10 in a section along a rotation axis of the roll,

Fig. 12

a further embodiment of a base frame of the inventive device, again in a perspective view, and

Fig. 13

a further embodiment of the invention with a feasible under the basin cover.

In Fig. 1 a whirlpool 1 is shown with a basin 6 with inlet opening, which is delimited by a substantially horizontally extending whirlpool top edge 2. A cover element 3 can be pushed over the whirlpool top edge 2 in the transport direction 16 for completely covering or releasing the pelvis 6 or the inlet opening 7.

In Fig. 2 the basin 6 is fully released by the cover 3 is shown withdrawn into a base frame 4.

In a further embodiment of the covering device according to the invention, it is provided that, when the basin 6 is completely open, the base frame 4 can be lowered so far (in FIG Fig. 2 not shown) that an upper Edge or an upper cover of the base frame 4 with a bordering element 5 of the whirlpool 1 is flush with the surface. Thus, the entire cover device for the user can not be stowed apparent, which in particular also has the advantage that the view of the whirlpool users in any way is restricted, regardless of where the spa user is in the pool 6.

Out Fig. 1 It can also be seen that the cover element 3 consists of lamellae, which - seen in the transport direction 16 - extend transversely and have the lateral end caps, which will be explained further below. The lamellae make it possible to flexibly form the cover element 3, so that it can be inserted into an, for example, spiral-shaped guide element with reduced frictional resistance or under the pelvic floor. Due to the structure of the cover 3 with lamellae increased strength is obtained perpendicular to the transport plane at the same time.

Fig. 3 shows a base frame 4 for receiving a cover element 3 of slats with the elements contained therein in turn in a perspective view. In particular, both a mobile contact strip 20 and a fixed contact strip 19 can be seen here. While the mobile contact strip 20 is arranged at the front end of the cover 3 and therefore moves with the cover 3, the fixed contact strip 19 on the base frame 4 above a feed opening for the Cover element 3 is arranged. Both the mobile and the fixed contact strip 20 and 19 are safety elements for the prevention of accidents and for machine protection (device protection) in an automatic operation of the inventive device. For this purpose, the contact strips 19, 20 are operatively connected to a control unit, so that when a triggering or response of the contact strips 19, 20 acting on the cover 3 drive unit (not shown) immediately stopped or the movement of the cover 3 can be reversed by reversing the direction of rotation ,

The operation of the contact strips 19, 20 is characterized by the Fig. 4 further clarified, with the same reference numerals have been used in this drawing for easy identification.

Next is, especially in Fig. 4 , a film unit 22 recognizable, which is arranged at the front end of the cover 3. Furthermore, a mobile contact strip 20 is provided on the film unit 22, with which any objects obstructing the inlet opening can be detected. The film unit 22 occupies the Whirlpooloberseitenkante 2 ( Fig. 1 or 2 ) with a film, which consists for example of a polymer before the cover 3 can touch the Whirlpooloberseitenkante 2 and the inlet opening. Consequently, the cover 3 is moved in the sequence on the spread film, which no scratches or other injuries of the Whirlpooloberseitekante 2 can arise. moreover causes the film an even better seal between the Whirlpooloberseitenkante 2 ( Fig. 1 or 2 ) and the cover 3.

It has been shown that the film is also a high-quality, glass-fiber reinforced PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) excellently suitable, which is also known under the trade name TEFLON. It is important that the film is inherently stable, durable and at the same time sealing.

The film unit 22 comprises a first roller 23, on which the film is completely rolled up when the cover element 3 in the base frame 4 to release the pelvis 6 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) is recorded. On the roller 23 acts, for example, a preloaded coil spring (in Fig. 4 not shown), so that the film in each phase of a Abdeckvorganges without wrinkles spread or can be retracted again. Further variants of a film unit 22 will be explained below.

In order to further stabilize the cover element 3, it is provided in another embodiment of the invention to draw a cable pull, for example a steel cable or a copper wire, through the end caps 24. Thus, the lateral stability of the cover 3 is further enhanced and a lateral displacement is successfully prevented. A steel cable, a copper strand or another good electrically conductive material has the advantage that electrostatic charges, for example, when covering of the pelvis may arise due to friction between the cover element and the pelvic upper edge or due to friction of the film on at least one of the rollers, can be derived.

First, possible embodiments of the cover 3 will be discussed. So shows Fig. 5 a hollow profile 51 for a lamella. An end cap 24 is shown, which - viewed in the transport direction 16 of the cover 3 - arranged laterally and inserted into a cavity of the cover 3 forming lamellae and is firmly connected to this. On the underside of an end cap 24 recesses (not visible) can be seen, which are arranged at a regular distance, wherein the recesses of adjacent end caps 24 are aligned, so that teeth of arranged on a drive shaft gears can engage in the recesses. The drive unit is thus operatively connected via the drive shaft, the gears and the end caps 24 with the cover 3. Accordingly, the cover 3 can be moved in one direction or the other depending on the direction of rotation of the drive unit.

Fig. 5 1 shows an exploded view of a lateral end piece of a lamella 50 according to the invention. The lamella 50 in this example consists of a hollow profile 51, an end cap 24, as well as a seal 60 and a sealing ring 61, which in the assembled state, the hollow spaces of the hollow profile 51 with respect to the end cap 24 caulk. The hollow profile 51 has a number of special structures. Thus, a round profile 53 extends along the entire longitudinal axis of the hollow profile 51. On the opposite longitudinal axis of the hollow profile 51, a fitting profile 54 is formed. The hollow profile 51 also has a substantially flat support surface 52 and opposite the support surface 52 two obliquely arranged surfaces, wherein a first surface 58 from the fitting profile 54 extends obliquely to the center and then merges into a second surface 59, which at a different angle to Support surface 52 extends as the first surface 58. The round profile 53 is connected via a web 57 with the rest of the hollow profile. The round profile 53 defines in its interior itself a cavity in which optionally a stabilizing tube can be installed. The hollow profile is produced for example by an extrusion process. In the interior of the hollow profile 51 strips 62 may be formed. These strips 62 are adapted to hold a flat profile in the hollow profile in position. Such a flat profile may extend over the entire length of the hollow profile and may be made of aluminum, for example. The flat profile serves to increase stability and strength.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the cover 3 is designed cambered, so that water can drain laterally, especially on the end caps 24. A crowning of the cover 3 can be further reinforced or strengthened by the above-mentioned flat profile also has a crown. The seal ring 61 and the seal 60 are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

In the Fig. 6 and 7 a partial section of a cover member 3 according to the invention is shown, wherein a section transverse to two mutually coupled hollow sections 51 and 51 'is shown, as already described with reference to Fig. 5 have been explained. Accordingly, in the Fig. 6 and 7 the flags used for the corresponding components in Fig. 5 have been introduced, wherein the hatched in the sectional area shown hollow profile 51 and not hatched in the cut surface hollow profile 51 'are constructed identically. The in the Fig. 6 and 7 shown and coupled together hollow sections 51 and 51 'are thereby rotated about the longitudinal axis of the round profile 53' and the fitting profile 54 against each other.

The first hollow profile 51 is on the one hand from the round profile 53 and a leg 55 which is parallel to a surface formed from the longitudinal axis of the round profile 53 and the web 57. On the opposite side, the hollow profile 51, as already based on Fig. 5 has been explained, the fitting profile 54 on. A lower portion of the fitting profile 54 is formed in the present example on one side as an extension of the substantially flat support surface 52. An upper portion of the fitting profile 54 is formed from an extension of the first inclined surface 58. The first inclined surface 58 leads approximately to the middle of the hollow profile 51 and goes there in the second inclined surface 59 on.

In the in the Fig. 5 to 7 In the embodiment of the invention shown, the thickness of the hollow profile 51, 51 'is greater at the end provided with the round profile 53, 53' than at the end provided with the fitting profile 54, 54 '.

The passport 54, 54 'are dimensioned so that they can take a round profile 53, 53' and the hollow sections 51, 51 'in the manner mentioned can rotate against each other. The leg 55 'of the second hollow profile 51' is arranged so that it can slide over the fitting profile 54 of the first hollow profile 51. The web 57 'and the leg 55' of the second hollow profile 51 'allow a rotational movement about an angle α about the longitudinal axis of the round profile 54, wherein the angle α is defined with respect to the support surface 52 of the first hollow profile 51 ( Fig. 6 ) and thus describes a convex shape of the cover. Therefore, the angle α is also referred to as a convex angle α. According to Fig. 6 includes the support surface 52 'with respect to the support surface 52 a convex angle α of 10 degrees. This maximum convex angle α is predetermined by the stop of the one end of the fitting profile 54 on the web 57 'or can be adjusted by its position.

In contrast, shows Fig. 7 the other extreme for the rotational movement about the same axis, by now the other end of the fitting profile 54 on the other side of the Steges 57 'is pending. For example, here is a maximum angle β 40 degrees. This maximum angle β has now, as is self-evident from the in the 3 and 4 shown construction, direct influence on the maximum radius of curvature for guide elements or guide rails for the cover 3. The angle β is hereinafter also referred to as a concave angle β, since it describes the concave configuration of the cover.

The inventive cover 3 ( Fig. 1 ) consists of a plurality of interconnected hollow profiles 51, 51 '. Thus, according to the desired length for the cover 3 ( Fig. 1 ) correspondingly many hollow profiles to connect with each other.

Due to the advantageous embodiment of the legs 55, for example, rainwater is discharged and deflected over the two inclined surfaces 58, 59 and 58 ', 59' existing gutters clean from the interior of the hollow profile laterally beyond the end caps 24. Accordingly, the two inclined surfaces 58, 59 and 58 ', 59' continue in the end cap 24, as shown Fig. 5 is apparent.

Of course, here again a crowning of the profiles is conceivable, so that rainwater can flow off the side well.

To further stabilize the cover 3 is provided in a further embodiment of the invention, by the end caps 24 pull a cable, for example, a rubber cord, a steel cable or a copper wire. Thus, the lateral stability of the cover 3 is further enhanced and a lateral displacement is successfully prevented. A copper strand - or another good electrically conductive material - has the advantage that electrostatic charges, which may arise, for example, when covering the pool by friction between the cover and the upper edge of the pool, can be derived.

Fig. 8 shows a cover 3 in a view from below in a perspective view. The film unit 22 arranged in the transport direction 16 at the front end of the cover element 3 comprises a first roller 23 on which the film is wound, a smoothing roller 61 which ensures a smooth spreading of the film on the underside of the cover element 3, and a positioning roller 62 whose lowest point is flush with the underside of the cover 3. The foil itself is in Fig. 8 not apparent.

The cover 3 according Fig. 8 consists in turn of interconnected slats 50, as discussed in detail in connection with the Fig. 5, 6 and 7 has been described.

Fig. 9 shows a part of the cover 3 together with the film unit 22 as in Fig. 8 however, in a side view with other components partially in Section are shown. In addition to the already based on the Fig. 8 explained components is now also the film and its course to the smoothing roller 61 and the positioning roller 62 can be seen. While the first roller 23 on which the film is wound has a variable diameter because of the film, the smoothing roller 61 and the positioning roller 62 have fixed positions and diameters. In this case, the smoothing roller 61 is offset because of their opposite rotational movement upwards, so that no additional frictional forces are generated on the upper edge edge of the basin. The positioning roller 62 is - as already mentioned - placed in the film unit 22, that the film after the deflection by the positioning roller 62 with the bottom of the cover 3 is flush.

In a first embodiment of the film unit 22, the first roller 23 is driven by moving the cover 3 or the film is pulled as needed by the first roller 23. For the reverse transport of the cover 3, ie when the manhole is to be opened again, the first roller 23 must be actively driven, so that the film can be wound reliably again on the first roller 23. This can be done, for example, by means of a drive which is controlled as a function of the speed of the cover element 3. Alternatively, the film unit 22 or the first roller 23 comprises a spring element, which is biased by a displacement when covering the manhole, so when opening the Boarding the film in turn can be rolled on the first roller 23.

Fig. 10 shows a first roller 23 in a perspective view. The first roller 23 has at the end shown a mounting wheel 81 with holes 76 for fixed connection to a main support tube 72 on which the film can be wound up.

At the in Fig. 10 shown embodiment, a spring element is installed in the roller 23. Fig. 11 shows this in a step along the longitudinal axis through the first roller 23 according to Fig. 10 ,

Fig. 11 shows the first roller 23 according to Fig. 10 in a section through the longitudinal axis of the roller 23, with hatching of the cut surfaces and fasteners such as set screws or the like are omitted. This is a variant of a first roller 23, in which a spring element 70 is used for pretensioning the film. In addition, this embodiment comprises a planetary gear in order to use a stronger spring element 70 thanks to reduced rotational speed.

The first roller 23 has at one end face a fastening wheel 81, with which a simple mounting on the housing of the film unit 22 (FIG. Fig. 9 ) is possible. Furthermore, bores 76 are provided in the fastening wheel 81. Through these holes 76 screws (in Fig. 11 Not shown) for fixed screwing with the spur gear 77 passed. As a result, the belonging to a transmission gear 71 spur gear 77 is fixed. A shaft 75 is guided by the mounting wheel 81 in the interior of the roller 23, wherein the shaft 75 is supported by bearings 74 in the mounting wheel 81 and in support bearings 73 of a centering 82 radially. On the shaft 75 is located further in the region of the spur gear 77, a sun gear 79, in the planetary gears 78 engage, which in turn engage in the spur gear 77. The transmission gear 71 - comprising the spur gear 77, the planetary gears 78 and the sun gear 79 - is implemented in this embodiment as a so-called planetary gear or planetary gear (planetary).

Finally, one end of the spring element 70 is fixed with a fastening 80 in the centering element 82. The other end of the spring element 70 is fixed with respect to the housing of the film unit 22.

Thus, the spring element 70 when spreading the film, that is stretched during the covering process of the manhole, which due to a ratio of the transmission gear 71, the centering element 82 relative to the main support tube 72 rotates correspondingly slowed down. For example, with a gear ratio of three, the main support tube 72 rotates three times around its own axis, while the centering element 82 rotates only once around its own axis. Thus, the spring element 70 three times less often turned up and therefore can be designed accordingly stronger.

Thus, the embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for covering large inlets excellent. Thus it has been shown that cover elements of 6m length and more can be successfully covered with the film unit according to the invention.

As already mentioned, drives for controlled driving of the first roller can also be provided. The drives can be installed in the first pipe or arranged outside. For controlled biasing of the foil, for example, a torque monitoring sensor may be used, which is connected to the control unit of the drive and ensures that a predefined constant tension acts on the foil.

Fig. 12 shows in a perspective view of the base frame 4, wherein the view is released into the interior, so that a still to be explained helical guide element 12 can be seen. When in Fig. 12 shown base frame 4 is a modular structure that structurally simple to Whirlpools of different construction and can be adapted by different manufacturers. It is conceivable, for example, a reduced design in which the base frame consists of a single, firmly connected to the whirlpool frame, in which case the various above-mentioned components are attached only to this one frame.

In Fig. 12 is the film unit 22 with the mobile contact strip 20 can be seen, in which case the cover 3 is completely retracted into the base frame 4, but at the same time only a short portion of the cover 3 is drawn. The height of the Whirlpooloberseitenkante 2 must match in the region of the outlet of the cover 3 with the guide member 12 such that the cover 3 can be pushed as possible without height offset on the Whirlpooloberseitenkante 2 when the cover 3 for covering in the transport direction 16 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) is moved. Any necessary height adjustment can be accomplished by the use of feet with different dimensions and by fine adjustment of screw feet, which can be arranged below the feet.

The indispensable for the transport of the cover element 3 drive unit is deliberately not shown here for a better overview. On the other hand, gears 9 are visible, which are operatively connected to the drive unit and which engage in an edge region in the cover 3 and its end caps. So that the cover 3 can be moved uniformly, gears 9 are provided on both sides, with opposing gears 9 are arranged on a shaft.

The spiral guide elements 12 connected to the base frame 4 support the cover element 3 from the side in the direction of transport 16. For this purpose, three guide rails 13, 14 and 15 are provided, which defines the freedom of movement of the cover 3 in the area of the base frame 4 defined, so that only the cover 3 here remains a one-dimensional possibility of movement. In the region of an outlet opening, in which the cover element 3 leaves the base frame 4 and from then on the whirlpool top edge edge 2 (FIG. Fig. 1 and 2 ), a first guide rail 13 above the cover 3, a second guide rail 14 laterally in the transport direction 16 of the cover 3 and a third guide rail 15 below the cover 3 seen arranged laterally. The guide rails 13, 14 and 15 have, for example, a round cross-section. Thus, the frictional resistance between cover 3 and guide rails 13, 14 and 15 is reduced to a minimum.

In principle, any desired shape for the guide elements 12 can be provided. A helical guide element 12, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, has proven to be advantageous when a space-saving variant is preferred. In this case, spiral shapes with a rectangular basic shape may also be suitable, since in this way the available space, which is due to a base frame with a cross section corresponding to a raised rectangle, can be optimally exploited.

In order that the device according to the invention can be used to cover a manhole for cover elements 3 of very different sizes, it is proposed according to the invention to construct the base frame 4 in a modularly expandable manner. For this purpose, depending on the length of the cover 3, the base frame 4 are divided into an upper and a lower part, so that an expansion module 90 or more extension modules 90 to 92 can be inserted therebetween. The expansion modules 90 to 92 are designed so that the guide rails 13, 14 and 15 can be seamlessly connected to the corresponding guide rails of the upper and lower part. It is also conceivable and advantageous for proper transporting of the cover element 3 in the area of the expansion modules 90 to 92 that the expansion modules 90 to 92 also have toothed wheels 9 for transporting the cover element 3. This is provided, for example, in the extension modules 91 and 92 as it is Fig. 12 is apparent.

This creates the possibility of adapting the base frame 4 flexibly to the actual length of the cover element 3, without the need for costly individual productions.

Fig. 13 again shows a perspective view of another embodiment for a Inventive device for covering a manhole. The base frame 4 is designed to be relatively slim in this embodiment, since the cover 3 is now not performed in a helical guide element, but it is the cover 3 through the base frame 4 and then passed under the basin. For this purpose, a support structure 100 is provided, in which the cover 3 can be introduced. The support structure must be stably designed to accommodate the weight of the pool. Also in this embodiment of the present invention, the base frame 4 can be constructed according to modular, so that the base frame 4 can be easily adapted to different pelvic depths.

It is expressly understood that both the modular construction of the base frame 4 and the use of a support structure 100 for receiving the cover 3 under the pelvis independently of the film unit 22, as has been described in connection with the other figures, can be used. Accordingly, independent protection is reserved for these aspects of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. A device for covering an access opening of a whirlpool or the like, wherein the device comprises the following elements:

   - a cover element (3) which can be used at least to cover the access opening,

   - a drive unit operatively connected to the cover element (3) for displacing the cover element (3),

   - a control unit operatively connected to the drive unit,

   characterized by a film unit (22) with which a film can be spread at least over a top edge (2) of the access opening before the cover element (3) is pushed over the top edge (2) .
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the film unit (22), as seen in the transport direction (16) of the covering element (3) during a closing operation, is arranged at the front end of the cover element (3).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the film unit (22) comprises a first roller (23) on which the film can be wound up.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that a spring element (70) is operatively connected to the first roller (23) such that the film is pretensioned in every position of the cover element (3).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring element (70) can be pretensioned by means of a transmission gearing (71).
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the film unit (22) comprises a smoothing element (61) which preferably consists of a smoothing roller.
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the film unit (22) has a positioning element (62) which preferably consists of a positioning roller.
8. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the following rollers is driven by a drive:

   - first roller (23);

   - smoothing roller (61);

   - positioning roller (62).
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover element (3) is weighted within a range of 10% to 20% of a total length of the fully extended cover element (3) to prevent the cover element (3) from lifting from the top edge (2) of the access opening, wherein the weighted portion in the first third of the fully extended cover element (3) is arranged after the film unit (22).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the weighted portion is arranged immediately after the film unit (22) .
11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cover element (3) comprises a plurality of slats (50) having a substantially flat bearing surface (52), wherein the slats (50) have a hollow profile, comprising:

    - a round profile (53) with a longitudinal axis and a web (57) ;

    - a fitting profile (54), designed such that a further round profile (53') of a further slat (50') can be accommodated in a substantially form-fitting manner in the fitting profile (54);

    - a leg (55) which extends substantially parallel to a surface formed from the longitudinal axis and the web (57) and which is designed such that the further fitting profile (54'') of a further slat (50'') is at least partially covered,

    and wherein a respective round profile (53) of a slat (50) can be accommodated in a fitting profile (54'') of an adjacent slat (50).
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that individual slats (50, 50') are rotatable in such a way against one another in that a convex angle (α) between a bearing surface (52) of a first slat (50) and a bearing surface (52') of a second slat (50'), which is adjacent with respect to the first slat (50), is at most 30 degrees, preferably at most 20 degrees, even more preferably at most 10 degrees, and in that a concave angle (β) between a bearing surface (52) of a first slat (50) and a bearing surface (52') of a second slat (50'), which is adjacent with respect to the first slat (50), is at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 50 degrees, even more preferably at most 40 degrees.
13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that weights are contained in the hollow profiles of the slats (50) forming the weighted portion.

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