EP3899169B1 - Inflatable surface-covering device - Google Patents
Inflatable surface-covering device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3899169B1 EP3899169B1 EP19816750.4A EP19816750A EP3899169B1 EP 3899169 B1 EP3899169 B1 EP 3899169B1 EP 19816750 A EP19816750 A EP 19816750A EP 3899169 B1 EP3899169 B1 EP 3899169B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- drum
- flap
- rails
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Images
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
- E04H4/10—Coverings of flexible material
- E04H4/101—Coverings of flexible material wound-up on a fixed axis
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
- E04H4/10—Coverings of flexible material
- E04H4/105—Coverings of flexible material supported by air pressure under the cover
Definitions
- the invention relates to a device for covering a surface, which is easy to implement and best meets the requirements of the application concerned.
- the cover device is permanent in that the cover is permanently attached to a drum bonded to the surface and allowing the cover to be rolled up and unrolled to uncover or cover the surface.
- the cover device of the present invention makes it possible, once the surface is covered by the cover, to pressurize the volume between the surface and the cover, causing the cover to form a dome.
- the formation of a dome has many advantages described in the following sections.
- Coatings are applied to surfaces for reasons that depend on the nature of those surfaces.
- the cover in the case of a basin such as a swimming pool, the cover can prevent pollution by leaves or animals, can save energy, water and reagents and can or must ensure the safety of people especially children.
- a cover In a desalination pond or other treatment of a fluid, a cover prevents the dilution of liquid due to rain or excessive evaporation due to heat.
- a cover makes it possible to protect it against bad weather, and in particular intermittent rain.
- Permanent devices for covering a surface allowing the covering and uncovering of the surface by the covering automatically using a motor, or semi-automatically using a crank, are known. These permanent devices are characterized by a drum permanently bonded to the surface and allowing to store the cover when the surface is uncovered. Covering the surface is easily done by unrolling the cover from the drum.
- the cover In devices comprising a drum fixed to a first transverse side of the surface to be protected, the cover is deployed by pulling it by a movable end with automatic traction means of the rack or chain or traction cable type with or without a return pulley .
- the cover may optionally be guided by slideways arranged on the longitudinal sides of the surface to be covered; the blanket then slides over the surface covering it. Similarly, when removing the cover, it slides over the surface to be uncovered by wrapping around the drum.
- This automatic cover device is illustrated in particular in the following documents: US 3,277,498 , US 3,574,979 , UK 2,199,741 , US 2005/0097834 , Turnover 2,115,113 , US 2001/0023506 , US 5,930,848 , US 4,001,900 .
- the motorized drum is mounted on a longitudinal translation mechanism which moves the drum above the surface to be covered, which literally allows the cover to be “placed” on the surface, during its deployment, by simultaneously unrolling it from the drum during its longitudinal displacement, then to lift it, when it is withdrawn, while rolling it up simultaneously on the drum.
- the cover therefore does not slip on the surface either during its deployment or during its removal.
- the covering device also comprises a system for fixing the covering to a first transverse side of the surface to be covered so that the translation of the drum causes the rotation of the latter and the unrolling or rolling up the cover above the surface to be covered.
- Examples of automatic or semi-automatic devices of this type are disclosed, for example, in the following documents: WO2005/026473 , FR 2 900 951 , FROM 2,257,231 , FR 2 893 651 , FR 2 789 425 , FR 2 803 769 , FR 2 743 502 , EP 1 719 858 , FR 2 908 402 and BE 2008/0417/0418/0419 .
- the two types of fixed or mobile drum devices discussed above can comprise rails fixed parallel to the surface to be covered and comprising an opening allowing locking of the first and second longitudinal edges of the cover over a length corresponding to the cover portion covering the surface when unrolling or rolling up the cover.
- Examples of such devices comprising a movable drum are described in WO2010010152 and WO2010054960 .
- a cover whose longitudinal edges are locked can be stretched above the surface. If the surface includes a cavity, such as a swimming pool, such a cover offers the enormous advantage of thermally isolating the water from the surroundings, thus preventing the water from cooling, if the atmosphere is colder than the desired water temperature (eg during the night) or preventing its heating, if the atmosphere is warmer than the desired water temperature (eg in hot southern countries).
- a blanket as shown in Figure 1(a) however, has the disadvantage that it will always sag a little under the effect of its own weight and especially under the effect of rainwater or snow which accumulates on the outer surface of the cover. For this reason, such covers are usually provided with water drainage holes distributed around the center of the cover. This has the disadvantage of cooling the pool water, changing its pH, and introducing dirt, such as dirt, leaves, insects, etc.
- Another disadvantage of such devices is that the high tension applied to the cover and especially to its longitudinal edges, necessary to minimize the arrow in the center of the cover, requires an advanced mechanism.
- FIG. 1(b) Another type of device illustrated in Figure 1(b) , comprising rails locking the longitudinal edges of the cover are such that the cover rests on the surface of the water.
- This type of device is advantageous in that in the event of heat or significant solar radiation, the water in the swimming pool is heated by conduction of the heat stored by the cover.
- This type of device is also advantageous in that it does not apply voltages to the cover.
- the atmosphere is colder than the desired water temperature (eg during the night), such a device accelerates the cooling of the pool water.
- it has rained or snowed and water has deposited on the outer surface of the cover, it is very difficult to remove the accumulated water without mixing it with the pool water. .
- US 3,277,498 describes a device for covering fixed drum provided with rails in which the longitudinal edges of the cover slide during deployments and withdrawals of the cover and ensuring sufficient sealing to allow pressurization by air blowing of the space comprised under the cover.
- the motorization of this device is particularly complex.
- the rails (6) may comprise a substantially "U” or “G” profile, that is to say comprising a fin partially closing one side of the opening (6o) of the profile, or "C”, that is to say comprising two fins partially closing each side of the opening (6o) of the rails.
- the carriage may comprise at each of its ends a drive wheel arranged at a non-zero distance from the corresponding rail, on the same plane as and between the at least two rollers and whose axis of rotation is parallel to that of said drum.
- a belt which is flexible extends along each of the first and second rails, attached only at each of its ends to first and second ends of the corresponding rail, and inserted into the opening of the corresponding rail in two sections of the belt between the first and second rollers and the first and second ends of the corresponding rail, and capping without slipping the drive wheel in the section of the belt between the at least two rollers.
- each rail (6) is preferably formed of a "G" or “C” profile with the opening (6o) oriented away from the surface, and with a fin located on the side of the rail adjacent to the surface.
- Continuous insertion means make it possible to insert the longitudinal edges of the cover into the opening) of each of the rails as the cover unwinds from the drum, and to un-insert them from the opening of each of the rails as the cover is rolled up on the drum.
- Each longitudinal edge of the cover is provided with a bead which, by the combined action of the strap integrating into the rail and the fin of the "G" or "C” profile, reversibly locks an edge longitudinal length of the cover in the corresponding rail as the drum unwinds.
- the sealed end of the flap secured to the interior surface of the cover by gluing and/or welding.
- the sealed end of the flap can be attached to the drum axle.
- the flap can have a width comprised between its free and sealed ends comprised between 150 and 600 mm, preferably between 200 and 500 mm, more preferably between 250 and 400 mm.
- the device may comprise one or more flexible tongues which connect a portion of the flap, preferably adjacent to the free end of the flap, to a portion of the interior surface of the cover.
- the flap has a length equal to the length of the movable end of the cover and has a measured width normal to its length, and in which one or more tabs are distributed along the length of the flap.
- the tabs have a length measured between the flap and the inside surface of the cover that is shorter than the section of flap between its sealed end and the portion of the flap to which the tab(s) are attached.
- the carriage and the drum are enclosed in a box comprising only an opening defined by a perimeter and extending the full length of the drum and facing the surface.
- the sealed end of the flap is fixed at least to a downstream or upstream portion of the perimeter of the opening of the caisson, in which "downstream” and “upstream” are defined in the direction of movement of the mobile end (10m) of the cover allowing the covering of the surface.
- the flap can have in this form of the invention, a width between its free ends and sealed preferably between 20 and 120 mm, preferably between 30 and 100 mm, more preferably between 40 and 70 mm.
- the surface may comprise a cavity, preferably intended to be filled with water, including a swimming pool, a drinking water tank, or a basin comprising aquatic animals, or a methanisation tank, a tennis court, a petanque court, or of curling.
- the blower system may comprise an air outlet for injecting air into the volume and being installed in a water drainage channel of a swimming pool, in a cavity of a swimming pool coping, on the cover, in a box or on an axle of the drum of a device.
- the device may include a motor actuating the movement of the mobile end of the cover. Otherwise a crank can allow the activation of the movement.
- the device (1) of the present invention makes it possible to cover and uncover, automatically or semi-automatically, a substantially rectangular surface (3) delimited by first and second longitudinal sides connected to each other by first and second sides transverse.
- the device includes a cover (10) that is flexible and substantially airtight and waterproof. It must have dimensions to cover the surface (3).
- the cover is delimited by first and second longitudinal edges (10L) substantially parallel and connected to each other, on the one hand, by a mobile end (10m) and, on the other hand, by a static end ( 10s) which is attached to the first transverse side in a substantially airtight manner.
- the device comprises a drum (2) mounted for rotation and capable of rolling up and unrolling the cover (10) along its first and second longitudinal edges (10L).
- the winding and unwinding of the cover is accompanied by a displacement of the movable end (10m) of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface.
- the mobile end can move between two extreme positions: an uncovered position and a covering position.
- the uncovered position corresponds to a situation where the blanket is fully rolled up on the drum, with its movable end (10m) being adjacent to the first transverse side of the surface., As the name suggests, in this position the movable end , the surface is not covered by the blanket.
- the covering position defines a configuration in which the surface is covered by the cover which is unrolled from the drum.
- the mobile end (10m) of the cover is adjacent to the second transverse side.
- the device of the present invention comprises first and second rails (6) fixed along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface.
- Each of the first and second rails includes an opening (6o) allowing locking in such a way substantially airtight from the first and second longitudinal edges (10L) of the cover over a length corresponding to the cover portion covering the surface when the cover is unrolled.
- the flap (41) includes a sealed end (41s) extending substantially parallel to, and along a length of the second transverse side of the surface. It is mounted so as to follow the movements of the movable end (10m) of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides (10L).
- the flap also comprises a free end (41L) opposite the sealed end (41s), such that when the mobile end (10m) is in the covering position, the free end (41L) of the flap is in contact with the surface.
- the flap (41) forms an airtight seal between the cover and the surface along its second transverse side, making it possible to define the volume under the cover which is substantially airtight on the four sides of the cover when the mobile end is in the position of recovery.
- the device may comprise a blower system (51) capable of blowing air (51a) into the volume under the cover including between the surface (3) and the inner surface (10i) of the cover facing the surface (3) when the movable end of the cover is in the covering position and thus create an overpressure in this volume causing the cover that forms a dome.
- a blower system (51) capable of blowing air (51a) into the volume under the cover including between the surface (3) and the inner surface (10i) of the cover facing the surface (3) when the movable end of the cover is in the covering position and thus create an overpressure in this volume causing the cover that forms a dome.
- the drum (2) is mounted on a longitudinal translation mechanism, comprising a carriage (21) transversely overhanging the surface (3) to be covered and supporting the drum (2).
- the static end (10s) of the cover is fixed to the surface (3) in an airtight manner along the first transverse edge.
- the mobile end (10m) of the cover is fixed to an axle (2a) of the drum (2).
- the carriage (21) comprises at each of its ends at least two rollers (33) resting on the first and second rails (6) allowing the longitudinal translation of the carriage (21) between the first and second transverse sides of the surface.
- the translation of the carriage can be activated by mounting cables or chains, by a rack system as described in WO2010010152 , or by other systems.
- the carriage (21) comprises at each of its ends a drive wheel (9) arranged at a non-zero distance from the corresponding rail (6), on the same plane as, and between the at least two rollers (33) whose axis of rotation is parallel to that of said drum (2) and with which it forms a triangle.
- a belt (31) which is flexible extends along each of the first and second rails (6), fixed only at each of its ends to a first and second end (35) of the corresponding rail.
- Each belt is inserted into the opening (6o) of the corresponding rail in two sections (31a) of the belt (31) between the first and second rollers (33) and the first and second ends (35) of the corresponding rail, and styling without slipping the wheel drive (9) in the section (31b) of the belt (31) between the at least two rollers (33).
- the rotation (by a motor or a crank) of the driving wheel (9) causes the translation of the carriage with respect to the belts which are fixed, and thus allows the carriage to move longitudinally between the first and second transverse sides of the surface.
- FIG. 2 The movement of the drum along the rails (6) is illustrated in Figure 2 , with top and cross-sectional views of the movement of the drum and the movable end (10m) of the cover from (a) the uncovered position, (b) between the uncovered and cover positions, and (c) up to the cover position, where the surface is covered by the cover.
- Air (51a) can then be blown under the cover to pressurize the volume under the cover and thereby impart a dome shape to the cover.
- the cover With a mobile drum, the cover is placed on the surface without friction. As the drum advances towards the second transverse side of the surface, the longitudinal edges (10L) are inserted and locked into the opening (6o) of the rails.
- each rail (6) is preferably formed of a "G" or "C” profile with the opening (6o) oriented away from the surface (3), and with the fin located on the side of the rail (6) adjacent to the surface.
- Continuous insertion means make it possible to insert the longitudinal edges (10L) of the cover into the opening (6o) of each of the rails (6) as the cover (10) unwinds from the drum (2 ), and to uninsert them from the opening of each of the rails (6) as the cover is rolled up on the drum.
- Such means are described in detail for example in WO2017130053 .
- each longitudinal edge (10L) of the cover is provided with a bead (16) which, by the combined action of the belt (33) integrating into the rail (6) and the fin of the profile in "G” (or “C"), reversibly locks a longitudinal edge (10L) of the cover in the corresponding rail as the drum unwinds.
- the drum (2) is fixedly installed adjacent to the first transverse side of the surface (3).
- the static end (10s) of the cover (10) is fixed to an axle (2a) of the drum and the mobile end (10m) of the cover is a free end.
- the drum can be installed in a chamber located below the surface to be covered (if the latter is substantially horizontal), thus hiding the drum from sight.
- the chamber may also be designed to be substantially airtight to seal the volume under the cover on the side of the first transverse side.
- the drum (2) can be above the surface to be covered (if the latter is horizontal) thus making it visible. Other measures are necessary to seal the volume under the cover (10) on the side of the first transverse side, discussed later.
- Moving the movable end (10m) of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface requires the use of a cable and pulley assembly to pull the movable end (10m) to the second transverse edge of the surface and thus cover the surface.
- To uncover the surface it suffices to rotate the drum on its longitudinal axis to bring the movable end of the cover towards the first transverse side of the surface.
- the displacement of the movable end (10m) of the cover mounted on a fixed drum does not belong to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3 for information, with top views and profile sections of the movement of the mobile end (10m) of the cover from (a) the uncovered position, (b) between the uncovered and cover positions, and (c) up to at the covering position, where the surface is covered by the cover.
- Air (51a) can then be blown under the cover to pressurize the volume under the cover and thereby impart a dome shape to the cover.
- the longitudinal edges (10L) can be provided with beads (16) inserted into rails (6) comprise a substantially "C" profile, that is to say comprising two fins partially closing each side of the opening (6o ) rails.
- the openings (6o) of the first and second rails (6) are preferably oriented opposite to each other.
- the cover (10) comprises first and second longitudinal edges (10L) parallel to each other and connected to each other by a mobile end (10m) and by a static end (10s).
- the cover is preferably substantially rectangular in shape, at least on three of its four sides, the static end (10s) or the mobile end (10m) not necessarily being straight or normal to the longitudinal edges.
- the cover is rectangular.
- the cover should be flexible to allow it to be rolled over the drum and should be made of a substantially airtight material.
- the cover is made of polymer, for example a vinyl polymer, or is a fabric impregnated or covered with a layer of polymer.
- the longitudinal edges (10L) of the cover (10) are preferably provided with a bead (16).
- Beads adapted to the device of the present invention are described for example in WO2014064138 .
- the beads can be present on a longitudinal strip glued, welded, and/or sewn to the cover, thus forming the longitudinal edges (10L) of the cover (cf. Figure 5(b), 5(d) and 5(e) .
- the static end (10s) of the cover is attached in a substantially airtight manner to the first transverse edge of the surface (3).
- the static end can be fixed to the coping of the swimming pool.
- the movable end (10m) of the cover is fixed to an axle (2a) of the drum and moves in translation with the drum (2) mounted on the carriage (21).
- the carriage (21) preferably comprises a translation axle inserted coaxially in the axle (2a) and connected to that -this by a spiral spring which is loose when the movable end (10m) is in the uncovered position adjacent to the first transverse side of the surface and is stretched when it is in the covering position, adjacent to the second transverse side of the surface.
- the translation axle is connected to the drive wheel (9) as well as for example to a motor (30). The rotation of the translation axle makes it possible to move the carriage along the rails (6).
- the tension applied to the cover by the distance from the drum causes the rotation of the axle (2a) of the drum and the progressive tension of the spiral spring.
- the rotational speed of the axle (2a) varies with the diameter of the drum and accelerates when the mobile end (10m) approaches the second transverse side and the diameter of the drum decreases.
- the tensioned spiral spring ensures the rotation of the axle (2a) during the translation of the carriage towards the first transverse edge.
- the rails (6) are fixed along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface and each include an opening (6o).
- the opening (6o) makes it possible to lock the corresponding longitudinal edge (10L) of the cover (10).
- the rails also guide the movement of the carriage (21) by interacting with the rollers (33).
- the rails (6) preferably comprise a substantially "U” or “G” profile, that is to say comprising a fin partially closing one side of the opening (6o) of the profile, or "C” , that is to say comprising two fins partially closing each side of the opening (6o) of the rails.
- the rails must not only interlock the longitudinal edges of the cover as the cover overlaps the surface, but they must also ensure that this interlock forms a substantially airtight contact between the longitudinal edges of the cover and rails.
- the interaction of the bead (16) with the fins of the rail (6) and, in the case of the Figure 5(b) together with the belt (31) which is also housed in the opening of the rail in the portions (31a) of the longitudinal edges of the surface ensures a substantially airtight contact.
- the expression "substantially airtight" does not require a perfect seal. Achieving a perfect seal would be illusory or very expensive to implement.
- the airtightness required in the present invention is such that the pressure losses in the volume under the cover allow, using a conventional blower device, to ensure an overpressure of at least 10 Pa, to preferably at least 50 Pa, more preferably at least 70 Pa.
- the pressure should be sufficient to lift the weight of the cover (10).
- the person skilled in the art can determine the optimal compromise between the cost to improve the sealing of the longitudinal edges in the rails and the cost of energy consumption to maintain such pressure under the cover.
- the air leaks are preferably less than 50 m 3 / h, preferably less than 30 m 3 / h and even more preferably less than 20 m 3 / h.
- a blower system (51) having an air flow (51a) of 100 to 300 m 3 / h can be used, preferably between 150 and 250 m 3 / h.
- the device of the present invention comprises a flap (41).
- the flap includes a sealed end (41s) extending substantially parallel to and over a full length of the second transverse side of the surface and is mounted to follow the movement of the movable end (10m) of the cover along first and second longitudinal sides (10L). It also includes a free end (41L) opposite the sealed end (41s). When the movable end (10m) is in the covering position, the free end (41L) of the flap is in contact with the surface.
- the sealed end (41s) of the flap (41) can be attached to the inner surface (10i) of the cover (10) by gluing and/or welding.
- the sealed end (41s) of the flap (41) is preferably adjacent to the mobile end (10m) of the cover or, in any case, is substantially closer to the mobile end (10m) than to the fixed end (10s).
- the sealed end (10s) of the flap can be attached to the axle (2a) of the drum.
- the flap (41) may have a width between its free (41L) and sealed (41s) ends, preferably between 150 and 600 mm, preferably between 200 and 500 mm, more preferably between 250 and 400 mm, depending surface dimensions.
- the width of the flap should allow the flap to form an air seal between the cover and the surface along its second transverse side, between its sealed end (41s) and its free end (41L) which is in contact with the area (3).
- the volume under the cover thus being substantially airtight along the four sides of the surface (3), the volume under the cover can then be pressurized by blowing air through the blower system (51).
- the carriage (21) and the drum (2) are enclosed in a box (61) comprising only an opening defined by a perimeter and extending over the entire length of the drum and facing the surface (3).
- the sealed end (41s) of the flap (41) is fixed at least to a downstream or upstream portion of the perimeter of the opening of the box.
- the terms “downstream” and “upstream” are defined in the direction of movement of the mobile end (10m) of the cover allowing the covering of the surface.
- the flap (41) may have a width comprised between its free (41L) and sealed (41s) ends, preferably comprised between 20 and 120 mm, preferably between 30 and 100 mm, more preferably between 40 and 70 mm.
- the casing may comprise means for varying the distance, h, separating the surface (3) from the perimeter of the opening of the casing.
- the distance can be varied using jacks (63), preferably electric, or levers, or endless screws.
- the position of the box can thus be varied in a direction normal to the plane comprising the perimeter of the surface (3) between a translation position, in which the perimeter of the opening of the box, including the flap, is not in contact with the surface, and a contact position, in which the perimeter of the opening of the box contacts the surface and forms a substantially sealing contact therewith in the air.
- the flap (41) extends over the entire perimeter of the opening of the box (61). The flap must ensure airtightness of the volume included in the casing when the latter is in the contact position.
- the covering position of the drum can be defined as illustrated in Figure 6(d) such that the entire perimeter of the box opening is outside the cavity, for example on the edge of a swimming pool.
- the volume under the cover can then be pressurized up to the flap (41) located on an upstream portion of the perimeter of the opening of the box.
- the volume under the cover is separated from the volume in the box and it is preferable to install the blower system outside the box, for example on the cover or in a wall defining the cavity of the surface (3).
- the blower system can be arranged on or in the casing (cf. Figures 4(b), 4(c) , 6(e) and 6(f) .
- the blower system can also preferably be mounted on the axle (2a) of the drum, the interior of which is hollow and the walls of which are provided with openings (2o) distributed over the length of the axle.
- the box cannot vary its distance, h, from the surface.
- the flap must seal the casing at least in the position covering the drum.
- the longitudinal portions of the perimeter of the opening must also be sealed, for example with side flaps (41e) also extending along the longitudinal portions, and the free ends of which contact the surface when the carriage (21) moves.
- the surface can be provided at its second transverse side with a counter-sealing system which, in collaboration with the flap (41) and with the side flaps (41e), makes it possible to form a seal when the drum is in the covering position.
- the flaps (41, 41e) of the box must not touch the surface during the movement of the carriage, thus notably reducing the wear of the flaps.
- the upstream portion of the carriage can also be fitted with a flap or a seal. If necessary, it is possible to compartmentalize the interior volume of the casing with a partition (62) which, in certain configurations, makes it possible to simplify the sealing of the casing on the upstream part of the perimeter of the opening, where the cover joins the surface. .
- the flap does not come to fold up in such a way uncontrolled, thus increasing the diameter of the drum in the uncovered position and, above all, preventing during a subsequent covering of the surface, that the flap is positioned correctly when the mobile end (10m) of the cover is in the covering position . If the flap is incorrectly positioned and its free end does not contact the surface correctly, the seal sought may be lost.
- the device comprises one or more tabs (42) distributed over the length of the flap, which are flexible and which connect a portion of the flap (41), preferably adjacent to the free end (41L) of the flap, to a portion of the inner surface (10i) of the cover (10).
- the tabs have a length measured between the flap (41) and the inner surface (10i) of the cover which is shorter than the flap section between its sealed end (41s) and the portion of the flap at which the tabs are attached.
- a second flap can be sealed to the inner surface (10i) of the cover on the side of the static end (10s) of the cover.
- Such an "upstream" flap may be necessary if it is difficult to ensure the sealing of the volume under the cover at the level of the first transverse side.
- the blower system can be located in a swimming pool water drainage channel, in a cavity of a swimming pool coping (see Figure 2 &3), on the cover (10), in or on a box (61), or on an axle (2a) of the mobile drum.
- a device according to the present invention on existing surfaces of any size and configuration, it is preferable to be able to install the blower system on the device itself.
- the casing (61) of a mobile drum see Figure 4(c) , 6(e) and 6(f)
- a hollow axle (2a) of a movable or fixed drum see Figure 4(b)
- a blower system installed on the hollow axle (2a) defining a cavity is preferred.
- the axle comprises orifices (2o) distributed along the axle, fluidically connecting the cavity with an exterior of the axle and confined between the sealed end (41s) of the flap and the movable end (10m) of the cover.
- a covering device can be used to cover different types of surfaces, such as tennis courts, curling courts, closingtanque courts, an ice rink, etc.
- the surface to be covered can also comprise a cavity, preferably intended to be filled with water, including a swimming pool, a drinking water reservoir, or a basin comprising aquatic animals, or a methanization pit.
- the volume under the cover can be pressurized by blowing air through a blower system (51) makes it possible to impart to the cover (10) a dome shape, which moves the blanket away from the covered area.
- the dome shape prevents rainwater from accumulating on the outer surface of the cover (10) and collapsing its center. A significant part of this accumulated water eventually ends up coming into contact with the surface, either by flowing through drainage holes applied to the cover to prevent the formation of a water pocket, or by uncovering the surface by the roll up the cover on the drum. With the domed shape, rainwater trickles down to the periphery of the surface by gravity.
- the dome shape insulates the ice surface from the atmosphere which, if at a temperature above 0°C would result in higher energy demands to maintain the temperature of the ice. below 0°C.
- the present invention is particularly advantageous, since it makes it possible to form a dome with the cover, as illustrated in Figure 1(c) by pressurizing the volume under the cover, but also to form a floating cover as illustrated in the Figure 1(b) , depending on whether you want to thermally insulate the pool water from the ambient atmosphere (e.g., if the ambient temperature is lower than the desired water temperature) or, on the contrary, whether you want to form a thermal bridge between the pool water and the surrounding atmosphere (e.g., if the sun shines on the cover and you want to raise the temperature of the water.
- the pressure under an inflated cover can be reduced quickly by moving the movable end (10m) of the cover so as to break the seal at the level of the second transverse side.
- the device may comprise a depressurization valve which can be opened to reduce the pressure under the cover and allow it to rest on the surface of the water.
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Description
L'invention se rapporte à un dispositif de couverture d'une surface, aisé à mettre en œuvre et répondant au mieux aux exigences de l'application concernée. Le dispositif de couverture est permanent en ce que la couverture est en permanence attachée à un tambour lié à la surface et permettant l'enroulement et le déroulement de la couverture afin de découvrir ou recouvrir la surface. Le dispositif de couverture de la présente invention permet, une fois la surface recouverte par la couverture, de pressuriser le volume compris entre la surface et la couverture, provoquant la formation d'un dôme par la couverture. La formation d'un dôme a de nombreux avantages décrits dans les sections suivantes.The invention relates to a device for covering a surface, which is easy to implement and best meets the requirements of the application concerned. The cover device is permanent in that the cover is permanently attached to a drum bonded to the surface and allowing the cover to be rolled up and unrolled to uncover or cover the surface. The cover device of the present invention makes it possible, once the surface is covered by the cover, to pressurize the volume between the surface and the cover, causing the cover to form a dome. The formation of a dome has many advantages described in the following sections.
On applique des couvertures sur des surfaces pour des raisons qui dépendent de la nature de ces surfaces. Ainsi, dans le cas d'un bassin tel qu'une piscine la couverture peut éviter la pollution par des feuilles ou des animaux, peut faire économiser de l'énergie, de l'eau et des réactifs et peut ou doit assurer la sécurité des personnes en particulier des enfants. Dans un bassin de dessalement ou d'autres traitements d'un fluide, une couverture permet d'éviter la dilution de liquide due à la pluie ou l'évaporation excessive due à la chaleur.Coatings are applied to surfaces for reasons that depend on the nature of those surfaces. Thus, in the case of a basin such as a swimming pool, the cover can prevent pollution by leaves or animals, can save energy, water and reagents and can or must ensure the safety of people especially children. In a desalination pond or other treatment of a fluid, a cover prevents the dilution of liquid due to rain or excessive evaporation due to heat.
Lorsqu'il s'agit d'un terrain de sport tel qu'un terrain de tennis externe en terre battue ou gazon, une couverture permet de le protéger contre les intempéries, et en particulier une pluie intermittente.In the case of a sports field such as an outdoor clay or grass tennis court, a cover makes it possible to protect it against bad weather, and in particular intermittent rain.
Dans tous les cas de figure, on recherche généralement un dispositif de couverture économique permettant une mise à couvert et à découvert aisée, sûre, reproductible et rapide, et nécessitant un minimum d'intervention humaine.In all cases, an economical hedging device is generally sought which allows easy, safe, reproducible and rapid covering and uncovering, and requiring a minimum of human intervention.
Des dispositifs permanents de couverture d'une surface permettant le recouvrement et découvrement de la surface par la couverture de manière automatique à l'aide d'un moteur, ou semi-automatique, à l'aide d'une manivelle, sont connus. Ces dispositifs permanents sont caractérisés par un tambour lié en permanence à la surface et permettant de stocker la couverture lorsque la surface est découverte. Le recouvrement de la surface se fait facilement par le déroulement de la couverture du tambour. On distingue deux types de dispositifs : (1) les dispositifs dans lesquels le tambour est fixé à un premier côté transversal de la surface à protéger et (2) les dispositifs dans lesquels le tambour est mobile et se déplace sur la surface à protéger. La présente invention concerne ces deux types de dispositifs.Permanent devices for covering a surface allowing the covering and uncovering of the surface by the covering automatically using a motor, or semi-automatically using a crank, are known. These permanent devices are characterized by a drum permanently bonded to the surface and allowing to store the cover when the surface is uncovered. Covering the surface is easily done by unrolling the cover from the drum. There are two types of devices: (1) devices in which the drum is fixed to a first transverse side of the surface to be protected and (2) devices in which the drum is mobile and moves over the surface to be protected. The present invention relates to these two types of devices.
Dans les dispositifs comprenant un tambour fixé à un premier côté transversal de la surface à protéger, la couverture est déployée en la tirant par une extrémité mobile avec des moyens de traction automatique de type crémaillère ou chaîne ou câble de traction avec ou sans poulie de renvoi. La couverture peut éventuellement être guidée par des glissières disposées sur les côtés longitudinaux de la surface à couvrir ; la couverture glisse alors sur la surface en la couvrant. De même, lors du retrait de la couverture, celle-ci glisse sur la surface à découvrir en s'enroulant autour du tambour. Ce dispositif de couverture automatique est illustré notamment dans les documents suivants :
Les dispositifs comprenant un tambour fixé au côté transversal de la surface ont pour inconvénient majeur de faire glisser la couverture qui est traînée sur la surface à protéger lors de son déploiement et de son retrait ce qui engendre son usure prématurée ainsi qu'un travail supérieur à fournir par un moteur ou un humain, dû aux frottements ainsi générés.The devices comprising a drum fixed to the transverse side of the surface have the major drawback of causing the cover to slide, which is dragged over the surface to be protected during its deployment and its removal, which causes its premature wear as well as a work greater than provided by a motor or a human, due to the friction thus generated.
Les dispositifs dans lesquels le tambour est mobile pallient cet inconvénient. Le tambour motorisé est monté sur un mécanisme de translation longitudinale qui déplace le tambour au-dessus de la surface à couvrir ce qui permet littéralement de « poser » la couverture sur la surface, lors de son déploiement, en la déroulant simultanément du tambour pendant son déplacement longitudinal, puis de la soulever, lors de son retrait, en l'enroulant simultanément sur le tambour. La couverture ne glisse donc pas sur la surface ni lors de son déploiement ni lors de son retrait. Le dispositif de couverture comprend également un système de fixation de la couverture à un premier côté transversal de la surface à couvrir de sorte que la translation du tambour entraîne la rotation de celui-ci et le déroulement ou l'enroulement de la couverture au-dessus de la surface à couvrir. Des exemples de dispositifs automatiques ou semi-automatiques de ce type sont divulgués par exemple dans les documents suivants :
Les deux types de dispositifs à tambour fixe ou mobile discutés ci-dessus peuvent comprendre des rails fixés parallèlement à la surface à couvrir et comprenant une ouverture permettant un verrouillage des premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux de la couverture sur une longueur correspondant à la portion de couverture recouvrant la surface lors du déroulement ou enroulement de la couverture. Des exemples de tels dispositifs comprenant un tambour mobile sont décrits dans
Dans la présente demande, les termes « longitudinal » « transversal » et leurs dérivés se réfèrent respectivement à la direction de déplacement du tambour et à la direction de l'axe de révolution de celui-ci.In the present application, the terms "longitudinal" "transverse" and their derivatives refer respectively to the direction of movement of the drum and to the direction of the axis of revolution thereof.
Comme illustré à la
Une couverture telle qu'illustrée à la
Un autre type de dispositifs illustré à la
Une autre configuration de dispositif de couverture est illustrée à la
Dans le domaine des piscines, il a été proposé dans
Malheureusement, aucune des solutions discutées pour que la couverture forme un dôme ne peut être implémentée dans un dispositif permanent (semi-) automatique, dans lequel la couverture est enroulée sur, et déroulée d'un tambour mobile. Il est clair que la présence d'un boudin, même parfaitement dégonflé, augmenterait de manière inacceptable le diamètre du tambour lorsqu'il est en position découverte, avec l'entièreté de la couverture enroulée sur celui-ci. Il est également impossible de former un tambour de diamètre raisonnable avec une couverture pourvue d'une bavette soudée sur tout le périmètre de la couverture. Enfin, s'il est raisonnablement aisé de garantir une étanchéité suffisante le long des bords longitudinaux d'une couverture insérés dans des rails dans le cas d'un tambour fixe, tel que décrit dans
Le besoin demeure donc quant à un système de recouvrement automatisable d'une surface équipé d'un tambour mobile permettant le stockage de la couverture lorsque la surface est découverte et qui permet de pressuriser le volume compris entre la surface et la couverture lorsque la surface est recouverte (= « volume sous la couverture »). Il demeure également un besoin pour combiner les avantages thermiques d'une couverture flottante et celles d'une couverture tendue ou gonflée, selon les besoins de réchauffement ou refroidissement de l'eau contenue dans une piscine ou un bassin. Ces avantages et d'autres décrits dans les sections suivantes sont remplis par la présente invention.The need therefore remains for an automatable covering system for a surface equipped with a mobile drum allowing the storage of the cover when the surface is uncovered and which allows the volume between the surface and the cover to be pressurized when the surface is covered (= "volume under the cover"). There also remains a need to combine the thermal advantages of a floating cover and those of a stretched or inflated cover, depending on the heating or cooling needs of the water contained in a swimming pool or a basin. These and other advantages described in the following sections are fulfilled by the present invention.
L'invention est telle que définie dans la revendication principale et des variantes préférées sont définies dans les revendications dépendantes. La présente invention comporte notamment un dispositif de couverture d'une surface sensiblement rectangulaire délimitée par des premier et deuxième côtés longitudinaux reliés l'un à l'autre par des premier et deuxième côtés transversaux, le dispositif comprenant,
- une couverture qui est sensiblement étanche à l'air et à l'eau et permettant de recouvrir la surface, la couverture étant délimitée par des premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux sensiblement parallèles et reliés l'un à l'autre par une extrémité mobile et par une extrémité statique fixée au premier côté transversal de manière sensiblement étanche à l'air,
- un tambour monté à rotation apte à enrouler et dérouler la couverture sur ses premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux par déplacement de l'extrémité mobile de la couverture le long des premiers et deuxième côtés longitudinaux de la surface, entre,
- ∘ une position découverte, dans laquelle l'extrémité mobile est adjacente au premier côté transversal, la surface n'étant pas recouverte par la couverture et
- ∘ une position de recouvrement, dans laquelle l'extrémité mobile est adjacente au deuxième côté transversal, la surface étant ainsi recouverte par la couverture,
- des premier et deuxième rails fixés le long des premier et deuxième côtés longitudinaux de la surface, chacun des premier et deuxième rails comprenant une ouverture permettant un verrouillage de manière sensiblement étanche à l'air des premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux de la couverture sur une longueur correspondant à la portion de couverture recouvrant la surface lors du déroulement de la couverture,
- dans lequel l'extrémité statique (10s) de la couverture est fixée à la surface (3) de manière étanche à l'air le long du premier bord latéral et l'extrémité mobile (10m) est fixée à un essieu (2a) du tambour (2) qui est monté sur un mécanisme de translation longitudinale, comprenant un chariot (21) surplombant transversalement la surface (3) à couvrir et supportant l'essieu du tambour (2), ledit chariot (21) comprenant à chacune de ses extrémités au moins deux roulettes (33) reposant sur les premier et deuxième rails (6) permettant la translation longitudinale du chariot (21),
- un système de soufflerie apte à souffler de l'air entre la surface et une surface intérieure de la couverture faisant face à la surface lorsque l'extrémité mobile de la couverture est en position de recouvrement, et
- une bavette ayant
- ∘ une extrémité scellée s'étendant sensiblement parallèle au, et sur toute une longueur du deuxième côté transversal de la surface et montée de sorte à suivre les déplacements de l'extrémité mobile de la couverture le long des premier et deuxième côtés longitudinaux, et
- ∘ une extrémité libre opposée à l'extrémité scellée, telle que lorsque l'extrémité mobile est en position de recouvrement, l'extrémité libre de la bavette est en contact avec la surface, et
- ∘ avec son extrémité scellée et son extrémité libre qui est en contact avec la surface, la bavette forme une étanchéité à l'air entre la couverture et la surface le long de son deuxième côté transversal, permettant de définir un volume sensiblement étanche à l'air entre la surface et la surface intérieure de la couverture lorsque l'extrémité mobile est en position de recouvrement et de créer une surpression dans ce volume par soufflage d'air par le système de soufflerie.
- a cover which is substantially airtight and watertight and capable of covering the surface, the cover being delimited by first and second substantially parallel longitudinal edges and connected to each other by a movable end and by a static end fixed to the first transverse side in a substantially airtight manner,
- a rotatably mounted drum capable of winding and unwinding the cover on its first and second longitudinal edges by moving the mobile end of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface, between,
- ∘ an uncovered position, in which the mobile end is adjacent to the first transverse side, the surface not being covered by the cover and
- ∘ a covering position, in which the movable end is adjacent to the second transverse side, the surface thus being covered by the cover,
- first and second rails secured along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface, each of the first and second rails including an opening for substantially airtight locking of the first and second longitudinal edges of the cover over a length corresponding to the portion of cover covering the surface when the cover is unrolled,
- wherein the static end (10s) of the cover is attached to the surface (3) in an airtight manner along the first side edge and the movable end (10m) is attached to an axle (2a) of the drum (2) which is mounted on a longitudinal translation mechanism, comprising a carriage (21) transversely overhanging the surface (3) to be covered and supporting the axle of the drum (2), said carriage (21) comprising at each of its ends at least two rollers (33) resting on the first and second rails (6) allowing the longitudinal translation of the carriage (21),
- a blower system capable of blowing air between the surface and an inner surface of the cover facing the surface when the movable end of the cover is in the covering position, and
- a bib having
- ∘ a sealed end extending substantially parallel to, and over an entire length of the second transverse side of the surface and mounted so as to follow the movements of the movable end of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides, and
- ∘ a free end opposite the sealed end, such that when the movable end is in the covering position, the free end of the flap is in contact with the surface, and
- ∘ with its sealed end and its free end which is in contact with the surface, the flap forms an airtight seal between the cover and the surface along its second transverse side, making it possible to define a substantially airtight volume air between the surface and the inner surface of the cover when the movable end is in the covering position and to create an overpressure in this volume by blowing air through the blower system.
Les rails (6) peuvent comprendre un profil sensiblement en "U", en "G", c'est-à-dire comprenant une ailette refermant partiellement un côté de l'ouverture (6o) du profil, ou en "C", c'est-à-dire comprenant deux ailettes refermant partiellement chaque côté de l'ouverture (6o) des rails.The rails (6) may comprise a substantially "U" or "G" profile, that is to say comprising a fin partially closing one side of the opening (6o) of the profile, or "C", that is to say comprising two fins partially closing each side of the opening (6o) of the rails.
Le chariot peut comprendre à chacune de ses extrémités une roue d'entraînement disposée à une distance non-nulle du rail correspondant, sur un même plan que, et entre les au moins deux roulettes et dont l'axe de rotation est parallèle à celui dudit tambour. Une courroie qui est flexible s'étend le long de chacun des premiers et deuxième rails, fixée uniquement à chacune de ses extrémités à un premier et deuxième bouts du rail correspondant, et insérée dans l'ouverture du rail correspondant dans deux sections de la courroie comprises entre les première et deuxième roulettes et les premier et deuxième bouts du rail correspondant, et coiffant sans glissement la roue d'entraînement dans la section de la courroie comprise entre les au moins deux roulettes.The carriage may comprise at each of its ends a drive wheel arranged at a non-zero distance from the corresponding rail, on the same plane as and between the at least two rollers and whose axis of rotation is parallel to that of said drum. A belt which is flexible extends along each of the first and second rails, attached only at each of its ends to first and second ends of the corresponding rail, and inserted into the opening of the corresponding rail in two sections of the belt between the first and second rollers and the first and second ends of the corresponding rail, and capping without slipping the drive wheel in the section of the belt between the at least two rollers.
Selon l'invention, chaque rail (6) est de préférence formé d'un profil en "G" ou "C" avec l'ouverture (6o) orientée à l'opposé de la surface, et avec une ailette située du côté du rail adjacent à la surface. Des moyens d'insertion continue permettent d'insérer les bords longitudinaux de la couverture dans l'ouverture) de chacun des rails au fur et à mesure du déroulement de la couverture du tambour, et de les désinsérer de l'ouverture de chacun des rails au fur et à mesure de l'enroulement de la couverture sur tambour. Chaque bord longitudinal de la couverture est pourvu d'un bourrelet qui, par l'action conjuguée de la courroie s'intégrant dans le rail et de l'ailette du profil en "G" ou "C", verrouille de manière réversible un bord longitudinal de la couverture dans le rail correspondant au fur et à mesure du déroulement du tambour.According to the invention, each rail (6) is preferably formed of a "G" or "C" profile with the opening (6o) oriented away from the surface, and with a fin located on the side of the rail adjacent to the surface. Continuous insertion means make it possible to insert the longitudinal edges of the cover into the opening) of each of the rails as the cover unwinds from the drum, and to un-insert them from the opening of each of the rails as the cover is rolled up on the drum. Each longitudinal edge of the cover is provided with a bead which, by the combined action of the strap integrating into the rail and the fin of the "G" or "C" profile, reversibly locks an edge longitudinal length of the cover in the corresponding rail as the drum unwinds.
Dans une forme de l'invention, l'extrémité scellée de la bavette fixée à la surface intérieure de la couverture par collage et/ou soudage. Alternativement, l'extrémité scellée de la bavette peut être fixée à l'essieu du tambour. Dans ces deux configurations, la bavette peut avoir une largeur comprise entre ses extrémités libre et scellée comprise entre 150 et 600 mm, de préférence entre 200 et 500 mm, encore de préférence entre 250 et 400 mm.In one form of the invention, the sealed end of the flap secured to the interior surface of the cover by gluing and/or welding. Alternatively, the sealed end of the flap can be attached to the drum axle. In these two configurations, the flap can have a width comprised between its free and sealed ends comprised between 150 and 600 mm, preferably between 200 and 500 mm, more preferably between 250 and 400 mm.
Pour faciliter l'enroulement de la couverture et de la bavette, le dispositif peut comprendre une ou plusieurs languettes flexibles qui relient une portion de la bavette, de préférence adjacente à l'extrémité libre de la bavette, à une portion de la surface intérieure de la couverture. La bavette à une longueur égale à la longueur de l'extrémité mobile de la couverture et a une largeur mesurée normale à sa longueur, et dans lequel l'une ou plusieurs languettes sont distribuées sur la longueur de la bavette. Les languettes ont une longueur mesurée entre la bavette et la surface intérieure de la couverture qui est plus courte que la section de bavette comprise entre son extrémité scellée et la portion de la bavette à laquelle la ou les languettes sont fixées.To facilitate the rolling up of the cover and the flap, the device may comprise one or more flexible tongues which connect a portion of the flap, preferably adjacent to the free end of the flap, to a portion of the interior surface of the cover. The flap has a length equal to the length of the movable end of the cover and has a measured width normal to its length, and in which one or more tabs are distributed along the length of the flap. The tabs have a length measured between the flap and the inside surface of the cover that is shorter than the section of flap between its sealed end and the portion of the flap to which the tab(s) are attached.
Dans une autre forme de l'invention, le chariot et le tambour sont enfermés dans un caisson comprenant uniquement une ouverture définie par un périmètre et s'étendant sur toute une longueur du tambour et faisant face à la surface. L'extrémité scellée de la bavette est fixée au moins à une portion avale ou amont du périmètre de l'ouverture du caisson, dans lequel «aval» et « amont » sont définis dans le sens de déplacement de l'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture permettant le recouvrement de la surface. La bavette peut avoir dans cette forme de l'invention, une largeur comprise entre ses extrémités libre et scellée comprise de préférence entre 20 et 120 mm, de préférence entre 30 et 100 mm, encore de préférence entre 40 et 70 mm.In another form of the invention, the carriage and the drum are enclosed in a box comprising only an opening defined by a perimeter and extending the full length of the drum and facing the surface. The sealed end of the flap is fixed at least to a downstream or upstream portion of the perimeter of the opening of the caisson, in which "downstream" and "upstream" are defined in the direction of movement of the mobile end (10m) of the cover allowing the covering of the surface. The flap can have in this form of the invention, a width between its free ends and sealed preferably between 20 and 120 mm, preferably between 30 and 100 mm, more preferably between 40 and 70 mm.
La surface peut comprendre une cavité, de préférence destinée à être remplie d'eau incluant une piscine, un réservoir d'eau potable, ou un bassin comprenant des animaux aquatiques, ou un réservoir de méthanisation, un terrain de tennis, de pétanque, ou de curling. Le système de soufflerie peut comprendre une sortie d'air permettant d'injecter de l'air dans le volume et étant installée dans un caniveau d'évacuation d'eau d'une piscine, dans une cavité d'une margelle de piscine, sur la couverture, dans un caisson ou sur un essieu du tambour d'un dispositif.The surface may comprise a cavity, preferably intended to be filled with water, including a swimming pool, a drinking water tank, or a basin comprising aquatic animals, or a methanisation tank, a tennis court, a petanque court, or of curling. The blower system may comprise an air outlet for injecting air into the volume and being installed in a water drainage channel of a swimming pool, in a cavity of a swimming pool coping, on the cover, in a box or on an axle of the drum of a device.
Le dispositif peut comprendre un moteur actionnant le déplacement de l'extrémité mobile de la couverture. Sinon une manivelle peut permettre l'activation du déplacement.The device may include a motor actuating the movement of the mobile end of the cover. Otherwise a crank can allow the activation of the movement.
Ces aspects ainsi que d'autres aspects de l'invention seront clarifiés dans la description détaillée de modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention, référence étant faite aux dessins des figures, dans lesquelles :
-
Fig. 1 représente trois configuration (a)-(c) de dispositifs de couvertures tendue, flottante et gonflée, et (d) et (e) représentent deux dispositifs selon la présente invention recouvrant (d) une surface comprenant une cavité et (e) une surface plane ; -
Fig. 2 représente une première forme préférée de l'invention comprenant un tambour mobile se déplaçant le long de la surface depuis (a) une position découverte, en passant par (b) une position partiellement couverte, jusqu'à (c) une position de recouvrement. -
Fig. 3 représente une seconde forme n'appartenant pas à l'invention comprenant un tambour fixe et la couverture comprenant une extrémité libre et mobile se déplaçant le long de la surface depuis (a) une position découverte, en passant par (b) une position partiellement couverte jusqu'à (c) une position de recouvrement. -
Fig. 4 représente différentes variantes de bavettes selon la présente invention. -
Fig. 5 représente différentes variantes de rails et de systèmes de verrouillage des bords longitudinaux de la couverture dans un dispositif comprenant (a)&(b) un tambour mobile selon l'invention et (c)&(d) un tambour fixe selon l'art antérieur. -
Fig. 6 représente différentes variantes de bavettes formant une étanchéité à l'air au niveau de l'extrémité mobile de la couverture.
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Fig. 1 shows three configurations (a)-(c) of stretched, floating and inflated cover devices, and (d) and (e) show two devices according to the present invention covering (d) a surface comprising a cavity and (e) a surface plane ; -
Fig. 2 shows a first preferred form of the invention comprising a movable drum moving along the surface from (a) an uncovered position, through (b) a partially covered position, to (c) a covered position. -
Fig. 3 shows a second form not belonging to the invention comprising a fixed drum and the cover comprising a free and movable end moving along the surface from (a) an uncovered position, passing through (b) a partially covered position up to (c) a recovery position. -
Fig. 4 represents different variants of flaps according to the present invention. -
Fig. 5 shows different variants of rails and systems for locking the longitudinal edges of the cover in a device comprising (a) & (b) a mobile drum according to the invention and (c) & (d) a fixed drum according to the prior art . -
Fig. 6 shows different variants of flaps forming an airtight seal at the mobile end of the cover.
Le dispositif (1) de la présente invention permet de recouvrir et découvrir de manière automatique ou semi-automatique une surface (3) sensiblement rectangulaire délimitée par des premiers et deuxièmes côtés longitudinaux reliés l'un à l'autre par des premiers et deuxièmes côtés transversaux. Le dispositif comprend une couverture (10) qui est flexible et sensiblement étanche à l'air et à l'eau. Elle doit avoir des dimensions permettant de recouvrir la surface (3). La couverture est délimitée par des premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux (10L) sensiblement parallèles et reliés l'un à l'autre, d'une part, par une extrémité mobile (10m) et, d'autre part, par une extrémité statique (10s) qui est fixée au premier côté transversal de manière sensiblement étanche à l'air.The device (1) of the present invention makes it possible to cover and uncover, automatically or semi-automatically, a substantially rectangular surface (3) delimited by first and second longitudinal sides connected to each other by first and second sides transverse. The device includes a cover (10) that is flexible and substantially airtight and waterproof. It must have dimensions to cover the surface (3). The cover is delimited by first and second longitudinal edges (10L) substantially parallel and connected to each other, on the one hand, by a mobile end (10m) and, on the other hand, by a static end ( 10s) which is attached to the first transverse side in a substantially airtight manner.
Le dispositif comprend un tambour (2) monté à rotation et apte à enrouler et dérouler la couverture (10) le long de ses premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux (10L). L'enroulement et déroulement de la couverture est accompagné par un déplacement de l'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture le long des premiers et deuxième côtés longitudinaux de la surface. L'extrémité mobile peut se déplacer entre deux positions extrêmes : une position découverte et une position de recouvrement. La position découverte correspond à une situation où la couverture est entièrement enroulée sur le tambour, avec son extrémité mobile (10m) étant adjacente au premier côté transversal de la surface., Comme son nom l'indique, dans cette position de l'extrémité mobile, la surface n'est pas recouverte par la couverture.The device comprises a drum (2) mounted for rotation and capable of rolling up and unrolling the cover (10) along its first and second longitudinal edges (10L). The winding and unwinding of the cover is accompanied by a displacement of the movable end (10m) of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface. The mobile end can move between two extreme positions: an uncovered position and a covering position. The uncovered position corresponds to a situation where the blanket is fully rolled up on the drum, with its movable end (10m) being adjacent to the first transverse side of the surface., As the name suggests, in this position the movable end , the surface is not covered by the blanket.
La position de recouvrement définit une configuration dans laquelle la surface est recouverte par la couverture qui est déroulée du tambour. L'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture est adjacente au deuxième côté transversal.The covering position defines a configuration in which the surface is covered by the cover which is unrolled from the drum. The mobile end (10m) of the cover is adjacent to the second transverse side.
Le dispositif de la présente invention comprend des premier et deuxième rails (6) fixés le long des premier et deuxième côtés longitudinaux de la surface. Chacun des premier et deuxième rails comprend une ouverture (6o) permettant un verrouillage de manière sensiblement étanche à l'air des premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux (10L) de la couverture sur une longueur correspondant à la portion de couverture recouvrant la surface lors du déroulement de la couverture.The device of the present invention comprises first and second rails (6) fixed along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface. Each of the first and second rails includes an opening (6o) allowing locking in such a way substantially airtight from the first and second longitudinal edges (10L) of the cover over a length corresponding to the cover portion covering the surface when the cover is unrolled.
L'optimisation du soufflage d'air sous la couverture afin de former un dôme lorsque l'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture est en position de recouvrement et que la surface (3) est recouverte par la couverture requiert qu'un volume défini entre la surface recouverte et une surface intérieure (10i) de la couverture (=« volume sous la couverture ») soit sensiblement étanche à l'air de l'atmosphère en contact avec une surface extérieure de la couverture. Grâce, d'une part, à l'extrémité statique (10s) de la couverture, qui est fixée au premier côté transversal de manière sensiblement étanche à l'air et, d'autre part, aux premier et deuxième côtés longitudinaux (10L) qui sont verrouillés de manière sensiblement étanche à l'air dans les rails (6) correspondants, le volume sous la couverture (10) est sensiblement étanche à l'air sur trois des quatre côtés de la surface. Si une étanchéité suffisante ne peut être assurée au niveau du deuxième côté transversal, la pressurisation du volume sous la couverture ne peut se faire de manière satisfaisante, demandant trop de puissance et une consommation d'énergie démesurée. Il est donc essentiel d'étanchéifier le quatrième côté (i.e., le deuxième côté transversal) de la surface. L'étanchéité du deuxième côté transversal, lorsque la surface est recouverte pas la couverture (10) est assurée par une bavette (41).The optimization of the air blowing under the cover in order to form a dome when the movable end (10m) of the cover is in the covering position and the surface (3) is covered by the cover requires that a defined volume between the covered surface and an inner surface (10i) of the cover (=“volume under the cover”) is substantially airtight from the atmosphere in contact with an outer surface of the cover. Thanks, on the one hand, to the static end (10s) of the cover, which is fixed to the first transverse side in a substantially airtight manner and, on the other hand, to the first and second longitudinal sides (10L) which are locked in a substantially airtight manner in the corresponding rails (6), the volume under the cover (10) is substantially airtight on three of the four sides of the surface. If sufficient sealing cannot be ensured at the level of the second transverse side, the pressurization of the volume under the cover cannot be done satisfactorily, requiring too much power and disproportionate energy consumption. It is therefore essential to seal the fourth side (i.e., the second transverse side) of the surface. The sealing of the second transverse side, when the surface is covered by the cover (10) is ensured by a flap (41).
Comme illustré à la
Le dispositif de la présente invention permettant de rendre sensiblement étanche à l'air le volume défini sous la couverture, le dispositif peut comprendre un système de soufflerie (51) apte à souffler de l'air (51a) dans le volume sous la couverture compris entre la surface (3) et la surface intérieure (10i) de la couverture faisant face à la surface (3) lorsque l'extrémité mobile de la couverture est en position de recouvrement et d'ainsi créer une surpression dans ce volume faisant bomber la couverture qui forme un dôme.The device of the present invention making it possible to make the volume defined under the cover substantially airtight, the device may comprise a blower system (51) capable of blowing air (51a) into the volume under the cover including between the surface (3) and the inner surface (10i) of the cover facing the surface (3) when the movable end of the cover is in the covering position and thus create an overpressure in this volume causing the cover that forms a dome.
Dans une première variante préférée de l'invention illustrée dans les
Le chariot (21) comprend à chacune de ses extrémités au moins deux roulettes (33) reposant sur les premier et deuxième rails (6) permettant la translation longitudinale du chariot (21) entre les premier et deuxième côtés transversaux de la surface. La translation du chariot peut être activée par un montage de câbles ou chaînes, par un système de crémaillère tel que décrit dans
Par exemple, dans une variante préférée, décrite en détails dans
Le déplacement du tambour le long des rails (6) est illustré à la
Comme illustré à la
Dans une autre variante de la présente invention illustrée à la
Le déplacement de l'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture le long des premier et deuxième côtés longitudinaux de la surface requiert l'utilisation d'un montage de câbles et poulies pour tirer l'extrémité mobile (10m) vers le deuxième bord transversal de la surface et ainsi recouvrir la surface. Pour découvrir la surface, il suffit de faire tourner le tambour sur son axe longitudinal pour ramener l'extrémité mobile de la couverture vers le premier côté transversal e la surface.Moving the movable end (10m) of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface requires the use of a cable and pulley assembly to pull the movable end (10m) to the second transverse edge of the surface and thus cover the surface. To uncover the surface, it suffices to rotate the drum on its longitudinal axis to bring the movable end of the cover towards the first transverse side of the surface.
Le déplacement de l'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture montée sur un tambour fixe n'appartient pas à la présente invention est illustré à la
Comme illustré à la
La couverture (10) comprend un premier et deuxième bords longitudinaux (10L) parallèles entre eux et reliés l'un à l'autre par une extrémité mobile (10m) et par une extrémité statique (10s). La couverture est de préférence de forme sensiblement rectangulaire, au moins sur trois de ses quatre côtés, l'extrémité statique (10s) ou l'extrémité mobile (10m) n'étant pas nécessairement droites ou normales aux bords longitudinaux. De préférence, la couverture est rectangulaire.The cover (10) comprises first and second longitudinal edges (10L) parallel to each other and connected to each other by a mobile end (10m) and by a static end (10s). The cover is preferably substantially rectangular in shape, at least on three of its four sides, the static end (10s) or the mobile end (10m) not necessarily being straight or normal to the longitudinal edges. Preferably, the cover is rectangular.
La couverture doit être flexible pour lui permettre d'être enroulée sur le tambour et elle doit être faite d'un matériau sensiblement étanche à l'air. De préférence, la couverture est en polymère, par exemple un polymère vinylique, ou est un tissu imprégné ou recouvert d'une couche de polymère.The cover should be flexible to allow it to be rolled over the drum and should be made of a substantially airtight material. Preferably, the cover is made of polymer, for example a vinyl polymer, or is a fabric impregnated or covered with a layer of polymer.
Les bords longitudinaux (10L) de la couverture (10) sont de préférence munis d'un bourrelet (16). Des bourrelets adaptés au dispositif de la présente invention sont décrits par exemple dans
Dans la variante d'un tambour mobile des
Afin de synchroniser la vitesse de translation du chariot avec la vitesse de déroulement / enroulement de la couverture du / sur le tambour, le chariot (21) comprend de préférence un essieu de translation inséré coaxialement dans l'essieu (2a) et relié à celui-ci par un ressort spiral qui est lâche lorsque l'extrémité mobile (10m) est en position découverte adjacente au premier côté transversal de la surface et est tendu lorsqu'elle est en position de recouvrement, adjacente au deuxième côté transversal de la surface. L'essieu de translation est relié à la roue d'entraînement (9) ainsi que par exemple à un moteur (30). La rotation de l'essieu de translation permet de déplacer le chariot le long des rails (6). Lors d'un déplacement du chariot vers le deuxième bord transversal de la surface, la tension appliquée sur la couverture par l'éloignement du tambour entraîne la rotation de l'essieu (2a) du tambour et la tension progressive du ressort spiral. A vitesse de translation constante du chariot, la vitesse de rotation de l'essieu (2a) varie avec le diamètre du tambour et accélère lorsque l'extrémité mobile (10m) s'approche du deuxième côté transversal et le diamètre du tambour diminue. Dans le sens inverse de découvrement de la surface, le ressort spiral tendu assure la rotation de l'essieu (2a) lors de la translation du chariot vers le premier bord transversal.In order to synchronize the speed of translation of the carriage with the unwinding/winding speed of the cover from/on the drum, the carriage (21) preferably comprises a translation axle inserted coaxially in the axle (2a) and connected to that -this by a spiral spring which is loose when the movable end (10m) is in the uncovered position adjacent to the first transverse side of the surface and is stretched when it is in the covering position, adjacent to the second transverse side of the surface. The translation axle is connected to the drive wheel (9) as well as for example to a motor (30). The rotation of the translation axle makes it possible to move the carriage along the rails (6). During of a movement of the carriage towards the second transverse edge of the surface, the tension applied to the cover by the distance from the drum causes the rotation of the axle (2a) of the drum and the progressive tension of the spiral spring. At constant translational speed of the carriage, the rotational speed of the axle (2a) varies with the diameter of the drum and accelerates when the mobile end (10m) approaches the second transverse side and the diameter of the drum decreases. In the opposite direction of uncovering of the surface, the tensioned spiral spring ensures the rotation of the axle (2a) during the translation of the carriage towards the first transverse edge.
D'autres systèmes de synchronisation des vitesses de rotation du tambour et du moteur sont possibles, par exemple par contact circonférentiel de deux galets en rotation ou par tout autre système connu de l'homme du métier comme par exemple décrit dans les documents
Les rails (6) sont fixés le long des premier et deuxième côtés longitudinaux de la surface et comprennent chacun une ouverture (6o). L'ouverture (6o) permet de verrouiller le bord longitudinal (10L) correspondant de la couverture (10). Dans le cas d'un tambour mobile, les rails assurent également le guidage du déplacement du chariot (21) en interagissant avec les roulettes (33).The rails (6) are fixed along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface and each include an opening (6o). The opening (6o) makes it possible to lock the corresponding longitudinal edge (10L) of the cover (10). In the case of a mobile drum, the rails also guide the movement of the carriage (21) by interacting with the rollers (33).
Les rails (6) comprennent de préférence un profil sensiblement en "U", en "G", c'est-à-dire comprenant une ailette refermant partiellement un côté de l'ouverture (6o) du profil, ou en "C", c'est-à-dire comprenant deux ailettes refermant partiellement chaque côté de l'ouverture (6o) des rails.The rails (6) preferably comprise a substantially "U" or "G" profile, that is to say comprising a fin partially closing one side of the opening (6o) of the profile, or "C" , that is to say comprising two fins partially closing each side of the opening (6o) of the rails.
Les rails ne doivent pas uniquement verrouiller les bords longitudinaux de la couverture au fur et à mesure que la couverture recouvre la surface, mais ils doivent également assurer que ce verrouillage forme un contact sensiblement étanche à l'air entre les bords longitudinaux de la couverture et les rails. Par exemple, comme illustré à la
L'expression « sensiblement étanche à l'air » ne requiert pas une étanchéité parfaite. La réalisation d'une étanchéité parfaite serait illusoire ou très chère à mettre en œuvre. L'étanchéité à l'air requise dans la présente invention est telle que les pertes de pression dans le volume sous la couverture permettent à l'aide d'un dispositif de soufflerie conventionnel d'assurer une surpression d'au moins 10 Pa, de préférence au moins 50 Pa, encore de préférence au moins 70 Pa. La pression doit être suffisante pour soulever le poids de la couverture (10). L'homme du métier peut déterminer le compromis optimal entre le coût pour améliorer la l'étanchéité des bords longitudinaux dans les rails et le coût de consommation d'énergie pour maintenir une telle pression sous la couverture. Par exemple, avec une pression sous la couverture de 50 Pa, les fuites d'air sont de préférence inférieures à 50 m3 / h, de préférence inférieures à 30 m3 / h et encore de préférence inférieures à 20 m3 / h. Un système de soufflerie (51) ayant un débit d'air (51a) 100 à 300 m3 / h peut être utilisé, de préférence entre 150 et 250 m3 / h.The expression "substantially airtight" does not require a perfect seal. Achieving a perfect seal would be illusory or very expensive to implement. The airtightness required in the present invention is such that the pressure losses in the volume under the cover allow, using a conventional blower device, to ensure an overpressure of at least 10 Pa, to preferably at least 50 Pa, more preferably at least 70 Pa. The pressure should be sufficient to lift the weight of the cover (10). The person skilled in the art can determine the optimal compromise between the cost to improve the sealing of the longitudinal edges in the rails and the cost of energy consumption to maintain such pressure under the cover. For example, with a pressure under the cover of 50 Pa, the air leaks are preferably less than 50 m 3 / h, preferably less than 30 m 3 / h and even more preferably less than 20 m 3 / h. A blower system (51) having an air flow (51a) of 100 to 300 m 3 / h can be used, preferably between 150 and 250 m 3 / h.
Afin d'assurer une étanchéité du volume sous la couverture au niveau du deuxième côté transversal de la surface, le dispositif de la présente invention comprend une bavette (41). La bavette comprend une extrémité scellée (41s) s'étendant sensiblement parallèle au, et sur toute une longueur du deuxième côté transversal de la surface et est montée de sorte à suivre les déplacements de l'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture le long des premiers et deuxième côtés longitudinaux (10L). Elle comprend également une extrémité libre (41L) opposée à l'extrémité scellée (41s). Lorsque l'extrémité mobile (10m) est en position de recouvrement, l'extrémité libre (41L) de la bavette est en contact avec la surface.In order to seal the volume under the cover at the level of the second transverse side of the surface, the device of the present invention comprises a flap (41). The flap includes a sealed end (41s) extending substantially parallel to and over a full length of the second transverse side of the surface and is mounted to follow the movement of the movable end (10m) of the cover along first and second longitudinal sides (10L). It also includes a free end (41L) opposite the sealed end (41s). When the movable end (10m) is in the covering position, the free end (41L) of the flap is in contact with the surface.
Dans une variante préférée de l'invention illustrée à la
De manière alternative illustrée à la
Dans les deux variantes précédentes illustrées à la
Dans une troisième variante illustrée à la
Dans une variante illustrée à la
Dans le cas où la surface comprend une cavité, comme par exemple une piscine, la position de recouvrement du tambour peut être définie comme illustrée à la
Si par contre, comme illustré à la
Dans une autre variante, le caisson ne peut pas varier sa distance, h, de la surface. Dans ce cas, la bavette doit assurer l'étanchéité du caisson au moins dans la position de recouvrement du tambour. En plus de la portion avale du périmètre du caisson munie d'une bavette, les portions longitudinales du périmètre de l'ouverture doivent également être étanchéifiées, par exemple avec des bavettes latérales (41e) s'étendant également le long des portions longitudinales, et dont les extrémités libres contactent la surface lors des déplacements du chariot (21). Tel qu'illustré à la
La portion amont du chariot peut également être munie d'une bavette ou d'un joint. Si nécessaire il est possible de compartimenter le volume intérieur du caisson avec une paroi de séparation (62) qui permet dans certaines configurations de simplifier l'étanchéification du caisson sur la partie amont du périmètre de l'ouverture, là où la couverture rejoint la surface.The upstream portion of the carriage can also be fitted with a flap or a seal. If necessary, it is possible to compartmentalize the interior volume of the casing with a partition (62) which, in certain configurations, makes it possible to simplify the sealing of the casing on the upstream part of the perimeter of the opening, where the cover joins the surface. .
Surtout, mais pas uniquement, dans le cas d'un tambour mobile, il est important qu'au cours du ré-enroulement de la couverture sur le tambour lors d'un découvrement de la surface, la bavette ne vienne pas se replier de manière incontrôlée, augmentant ainsi le diamètre du tambour en position découverte et, surtout, empêchant lors d'un recouvrement suivant de la surface, que la bavette ne se positionne correctement lorsque l'extrémité mobile (10m) de la couverture se trouve en position de recouvrement. Si la bavette est mal positionnée et que son extrémité libre ne contacte pas correctement la surface, l'étanchéité recherchée peut être perdue. Pour éviter ce problème et comme illustré à la
Si nécessaire, comme illustré à la
Le système de soufflerie peut comprendre une ou plusieurs souffleries (51) installées de sorte qu'une sortie d'air permette d'injecter de l'air (51a) dans le volume sous la couverture qui est sensiblement étanche à l'air sur tout le périmètre de la surface (3). Des souffleries telles que disponibles sur le marché peuvent être utilisées, dont la puissance dépend de la capacité du volume sous la couverture et de la qualité de l'étanchéité sur les quatre côtés de la surface. Dans la plupart des cas, un débit de 70 à 400 m3 / h, de préférence entre 100 et 300 m3 / h, encore de préférence entre 150 et 250 m3 / h peut être appliqué pour former un dôme.The blower system may include one or more blowers (51) installed such that an air outlet allows air (51a) to be injected into the volume under the cover which is substantially airtight throughout. the perimeter of the surface (3). Blowers such as available on the market can be used, the power of which depends on the capacity of the volume under the cover and the quality of the sealing on the four sides of the surface. In most cases, a flow rate of 70 to 400 m 3 /h, preferably between 100 and 300 m 3 /h, more preferably between 150 and 250 m 3 /h can be applied to form a dome.
Le système de soufflerie peut se trouver dans un caniveau d'évacuation d'eau d'une piscine, dans une cavité d'une margelle de piscine (voir
Un dispositif de couverture selon la présente invention peut servir pour couvrir différents types de surfaces, tels que des terrains de tennis, de curling, de pétanque, une patinoire, etc. La surface à couvrir peut également comprendre une cavité, de préférence destinée à être remplie d'eau incluant une piscine, un réservoir d'eau potable, ou un bassin comprenant des animaux aquatiques, ou une fosse de méthanisation.A covering device according to the present invention can be used to cover different types of surfaces, such as tennis courts, curling courts, pétanque courts, an ice rink, etc. The surface to be covered can also comprise a cavity, preferably intended to be filled with water, including a swimming pool, a drinking water reservoir, or a basin comprising aquatic animals, or a methanization pit.
Le fait que le volume sous la couverture puisse être pressurisé par soufflage d'air par un système de soufflerie (51) permet d'impartir à la couverture (10) une forme de dôme, qui écarte la couverture de la surface couverte. La forme de dôme évite à l'eau de pluie de s'accumuler sur la surface extérieure de la couverture (10) et d'affaisser son centre. Une partie importante de cette eau accumulée finissant finalement par entrer en contact avec la surface, soit par écoulement par des orifices d'évacuation appliqués sur la couverture pour éviter la formation d'une poche d'eau, soit en découvrant la surface par l'enroulement de la couverture sur le tambour. Avec la forme en dôme, l'eau de pluie s'écoule par ruissellement vers la périphérie de la surface par gravité.The fact that the volume under the cover can be pressurized by blowing air through a blower system (51) makes it possible to impart to the cover (10) a dome shape, which moves the blanket away from the covered area. The dome shape prevents rainwater from accumulating on the outer surface of the cover (10) and collapsing its center. A significant part of this accumulated water eventually ends up coming into contact with the surface, either by flowing through drainage holes applied to the cover to prevent the formation of a water pocket, or by uncovering the surface by the roll up the cover on the drum. With the domed shape, rainwater trickles down to the periphery of the surface by gravity.
Dans le cas d'une piste de curling ou une patinoire, la forme de dôme isole la surface glacée de l'atmosphère qui, si elle est à une température supérieure à 0°C entraînerait des demandes énergétiques supérieures pour maintenir la température de la glace en-dessous de 0°C.In the case of a curling rink or a skating rink, the dome shape insulates the ice surface from the atmosphere which, if at a temperature above 0°C would result in higher energy demands to maintain the temperature of the ice. below 0°C.
Dans le cas de piscines, la présente invention est particulièrement avantageuse, car elle permet de former un dôme avec la couverture, comme illustré à la
En pressurisant le volume sous la couverture uniquement lorsque l'extrémité mobile (10m) est en position de recouvrements, on peut faire glisser les bords longitudinaux (10L) dans les rails (6) lors du déplacement de l'extrémité mobile sans que la couverture ne soit tendue comme illustré à la
Enfin, lorsque la couverture forme un dôme, la surface extérieure de la couverture est parfaitement lisse et donne un aspect esthétique supérieur.
Claims (13)
- Covering device (1) of a substantially rectangular surface (3) delimited by first and second longitudinal sides linked to one another by first and second transverse sides, the device comprising,• a cover (10) which is substantially airtight and watertight and that allows the surface (3) to be covered, the cover being delimited by first and second longitudinal edges (10L) that are substantially parallel and linked to one another by a movable end (10m) and by a static end (10s),• a rotationally mounted drum (2) capable of winding and unwinding the cover (10) on its first and second longitudinal edges (10L) between,o an uncovered position, in which the surface is not covered by the cover, ando a covering position, in which the surface is thus covered by the cover,• first and second rails (6) fixed along the first and second longitudinal sides of the surface, each of the first and second rails comprising an opening (6o) allowing the first and second longitudinal edges (10L) of the cover to be locked in a substantially airtight manner over a length corresponding to the cover portion covering the surface when the cover is being unwound,the device comprising• a blower system (51) capable of blowing air (51a) between the surface and an inner surface (10i) of the cover facing the surface (3) when the movable end of the cover is in covering position, and• a flap (41) havingo a sealed end (41s) extending substantially parallel to, and over an entire length of, the second transverse side of the surface and mounted so as to follow the displacements of the movable end (10m) of the cover along the first and second longitudinal sides (10L), ando a free end (41L) opposite the sealed end (41s), such that when the movable end (10m) is in covering position, the free end (41L) of the flap is in contact with the surface, andthe device being produced in such a way thato with its sealed end (41s) and its free end (41L) which is in contact with the surface (3), the flap (41) forms an airtight seal between the cover and the surface along its second transverse side, making it possible to define a substantially airtight volume between the surface and the inner surface of the cover when the movable end is in covering position and to create an overpressure in this volume by the blowing of air by the blower system (51),characterized in that,• the static end (10s) is fixed to the first transverse side in a substantially airtight manner,• the movable end (10m) is fixed to an axle (2a) of the drum (2) which is mounted on a longitudinal translation mechanism, comprising a carriage (21) transversely overhanging the surface (3) to be covered and supporting the axle of the drum (2), said carriage (21) comprising, at each of its ends, at least two rollers (33) resting on the first and second rails (6) allowing the longitudinal translation of the carriage (21),
- Device according to Claim 1, wherein the rails (6) comprise a substantially U-shaped profile, a substantially G-shaped profile, that is to say including a fin partially enclosing one side of the opening (6o) of the profile, or a substantially C-shaped profile, that is to say including two fins partially closing each side of the opening (6o) of the rails.
- Device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein(a) the carriage (21) comprises, at each of its ends, a drive wheel (9) disposed at a non-zero distance from the corresponding rail (6), on the same plane as, and between, the at least two rollers (33) and whose axis of rotation is parallel to that of said drum (2),(b) a belt (31) which is flexible extends along each of the first and second rails (6), fixed only at each of its extremities to a first and second end (35) of the corresponding rail, and inserted in the opening (6o) of the corresponding rail in two sections (31a) of the belt (31) comprised between the first and second rollers (33) and the first and second ends (35) of the corresponding rail, and capping, without slip, the drive wheel (9) in the section (31b) of the belt (31) comprised between the at least two rollers (33).
- Device according to Claims 2 and 3, wherein,• each rail (6) is formed by a G-shaped or C-shaped profile with the opening (6o) oriented opposite the surface (3), and with a fin situated on the side of the rail (6) adjacent to the surface,• continuous insertion means allowing inserting the longitudinal edges (10L) of the cover into the opening (6o) of each of the rails (6) as the cover (10) is unwound from the drum (2), and to extract them from the opening of each of the rails (6) as the cover is wound onto the drum,• each longitudinal edge (10L) of the cover is provided with a bead (16) which, by the combined action of the belt incorporated in the rail (6) and of the fin of the G-shaped profile, reversibly locks a longitudinal edge (10L) of the cover in the corresponding rail as the drum is unwound.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flap (41) has a width comprised between its free (41L) and sealed (41s) ends of between 150 and 600 mm, preferably between 200 and 500 mm, more preferably between 250 and 400 mm.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed end (41s) of the flap (41) is fixed to the inner surface (10i) of the cover (10) by gluing and/or welding.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed end (10s) of the flap is fixed to the axle (2a) of the drum.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more tongues (42) which are flexible and which link a portion of the flap (41), preferably adjacent to the free end (41L) of the flap, to a portion of the inner surface (10i) of the cover (10), wherein the flap has a length equal to the length of the movable end (10m) of the cover and has a width measured normal to its length, and wherein one or more tongues are distributed over the length of the flap, and have a length measured between the flap (41) and the inner surface (10i) of the cover which is shorter than the flap section comprised between its sealed end (41s) and the portion of the flap to which the tongue or tongues are fixed.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein• the carriage (21) and the drum (2) are enclosed in a housing (61) comprising only one opening defined by a perimeter and extending over an entire length of the drum and facing the surface (3), wherein• the sealed end (41s) of the flap (41) is fixed at least to a downstream or upstream portion of the perimeter of the opening of the box, wherein "downstream" and "upstream" are defined in the direction of displacement of the movable end (10m) of the cover allowing the surface to be covered, and wherein• the flap (41) has a width comprised between its free (41L) and sealed (41s) ends of preferably between 20 and 120 mm, preferably between 30 and 100 mm, more preferably between 40 and 70 mm.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blower system (51) comprises an air outlet allowing air (51a) to be injected into the volume and being installed in a water outlet gutter of a swimming pool, in a cavity of a swimming pool well, on the cover (10), in a housing according to Claim 11, or on an axle (2a) of the drum of a device according to any one of Claims 3 to 5.
- Device according to Claim 9, wherein• the drum (2) comprises a hollow axle (2a) provided with a cavity, and orifices (2o) are distributed along the axle, fluidly linking the cavity with an outside of the axle and contained between the sealed end (41s) of the flap and the movable end (10m) of the cover, and wherein• the blower device (51) is linked to the cavity of the axle, in fluid communication therewith.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a motor (30) driving the displacement of the movable end (10m) of the cover.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface comprises a cavity, preferably intended to be filled with water, including a swimming pool, a potable water tank, or a basin containing aquatic animals, a tennis, petanque or curling court.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
BE20185905A BE1026976B1 (en) | 2018-12-19 | 2018-12-19 | INFLATABLE SURFACE COVERING DEVICE |
PCT/EP2019/084819 WO2020126793A1 (en) | 2018-12-19 | 2019-12-12 | Inflatable surface-covering device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3899169A1 EP3899169A1 (en) | 2021-10-27 |
EP3899169B1 true EP3899169B1 (en) | 2022-08-31 |
Family
ID=65013427
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19816750.4A Active EP3899169B1 (en) | 2018-12-19 | 2019-12-12 | Inflatable surface-covering device |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US11988014B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3899169B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN113227517A (en) |
BE (1) | BE1026976B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3121312A1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL284051A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020126793A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE1027806B1 (en) * | 2019-11-28 | 2021-06-28 | Becoflex | SURFACE COVERING DEVICE INCLUDING DISCREET LOCKING MEANS |
DE102023102831A1 (en) * | 2023-02-06 | 2024-08-08 | Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts | Movable device for moving a material film in and out |
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CH681165A5 (en) * | 1990-07-06 | 1993-01-29 | Bieri Blachen Ag | |
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FR2803769B1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2002-04-12 | Jean Luc Gaudon | DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A SURFACE BY MEANS OF A COVER |
GB2379163A (en) * | 2001-08-31 | 2003-03-05 | Michael John Borrill | Swimming pool cover |
FR2859716B1 (en) | 2003-09-12 | 2006-12-01 | Michel Mahaut | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COVERING AND DISCOVERING A SURFACE BY A ROLL-UP COVERING ELEMENT |
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DE202006017434U1 (en) * | 2006-11-14 | 2008-03-20 | Rehau Ag + Co | Device for covering open containers with a liquid contained therein |
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BE1021407B1 (en) | 2012-10-24 | 2015-11-17 | Becoflex S.A. | DEVICE FOR COVERING A SURFACE COMPRISING FASTENING BOURRELETS ALONG THE EDGES OF THE COVER. |
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-
2018
- 2018-12-19 BE BE20185905A patent/BE1026976B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2019
- 2019-12-12 WO PCT/EP2019/084819 patent/WO2020126793A1/en unknown
- 2019-12-12 CN CN201980084251.3A patent/CN113227517A/en active Pending
- 2019-12-12 CA CA3121312A patent/CA3121312A1/en active Pending
- 2019-12-12 US US17/414,522 patent/US11988014B2/en active Active
- 2019-12-12 EP EP19816750.4A patent/EP3899169B1/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-06-15 IL IL284051A patent/IL284051A/en unknown
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CA3121312A1 (en) | 2020-06-25 |
IL284051A (en) | 2021-08-31 |
US11988014B2 (en) | 2024-05-21 |
BE1026976A1 (en) | 2020-08-12 |
CN113227517A (en) | 2021-08-06 |
WO2020126793A1 (en) | 2020-06-25 |
EP3899169A1 (en) | 2021-10-27 |
US20220049513A1 (en) | 2022-02-17 |
BE1026976B1 (en) | 2020-08-21 |
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