FR2650853A1 - Cover device providing winter protection and safety for any surface of liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cover device providing winter protection and safety for any surface of a liquid. The device comprises a power unit 1 including a blower 16 and various meteorological sensors, a microprocessor 15 and a heating system 17. The air is conveyed under a canvas 2 which is held tight over the pool 4 to be protected, following the reading of the meteorological measurements, and which assumes the form of a low dome by virtue of the fact that sealing is ensured by a special profile 6 which is arranged around the pool and in which the edge of the said canvas 2 is fixed.

Description

Winter protection and safety cover for
any surface of a liquid.

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a winter protection and safety cover device for any surface of a liquid.

 The technical sector of the invention is the manufacture of flexible and inflatable cover for protecting said surfaces.

associated with automatic implementation equipment.

 One of the main applications of the invention is its use to cover any type of basin or the like, in particular swimming pools, during the winter period. Firstly. protect and conserve the liquid contained in. said basin. or water for swimming pools, so that it is reusable, and secondly. ensure the safety of people and especially children against the risk of accidental falls.

 In the present description. we will mainly mention - applications to swimming pools. but this use is not limiting, although main.

 Indeed. many protective covers are known to be used during the winter when the pool or basin is not in use, so that the water is not contaminated by foreign bodies (dead leaves, dust, pollen, etc.), or does not undergo a bacterial contamination likely to develop significantly due for example to the stopping of the filtration means during these periods. These are stopped for obvious reasons of economy and are even emptied to avoid the risk of frost. To protect the surface of the water in this way, several types of covers are currently used.

 We can cite for example first of all covers of the protective net type. with fine mesh, stretched over the body of water, these stop the leaves and other solid bodies, but allow rainwater to pass in order to avoid the formation of a pocket of water; however in addition to rainwater. this cover also lets in dust, pollen and the sun's rays: there is then necessarily a bacterial contamination and very often a proliferation of algae. the water being in a stagnant state.

This system therefore does not meet the protection criteria defined above. Furthermore. the accumulation resulting from dust on the bottom of the basin, constitutes for certain types of coatings an important disadvantage to see indelible stains being formed following the phenomenon of decomposition, due to the action of ultraviolet and infrared rays, in particular on the coatings cement or canvas type.

 In this system. systematic cleaning of the pool is essential in spring for re-watering. It should be noted however that the net type cover is often fixed to the edge of the pool by retractable pegs on which springs are taken which ensure the tension of the cover: this ensures good safety against the risk of falling accidents.

 To avoid the passage of pollution through the above net, there are also covers made of reinforced canvas, completely waterproof, also fixed on the edge of the basin, the sealing, however. thus obtained with the stain of the external bodies and with the opacity also often imperfect with the rays.

provides better protection of pools. However, the result is an accumulation of these bodies of all kinds, which in the long run form with rainwater a stagnant and unhealthy pool. The cover is large enough to come to rest on the surface to be protected to avoid the risk of collapse, but can therefore form a second upper basin difficult to evacuate then without risk of polluting the basin that we wanted to protect. dangerous in the event of an accidental fall, even if it is not very deep and unsightly to the eye, and therefore unsanitary.

 It must indeed be emphasized in terms of security that. even if the water table contained in the cover is only 20 to 25 cm deep. the weight of a child or an animal brings to the place of the fall and in a few seconds a depth of 60 to 70 cm, with all the consequences which unfortunately can result: in addition, the fabric used is smooth and it develops algae on its surface which make it even more slippery.

 To provide an answer to the various problems raised above in roofing systems, different manufacturers and inventors have developed various products which provide certain solutions, however partial and sometimes creating new problems or representing excessively high investment costs: we will in particular avoid our presentation marquee type systems.

We disclose in particular the "cover device or removable screen object of patent application NO. 2.565.613 filed on 07
June 1984 by Monsieur COUPIAC, comprising a trapezoidal cover carrying retaining cables on its sides which engage in runners formed in a fixed frame: this system provides better sealing than the spring or hook system, but includes the same disadvantages of water pocket and dirt accumulated on its surface.

 We also note the patent application NO. 2,578,279 published on September 05, 1986 concerning hanger supports for transparent plastic covers and application: it is in fact an important dome structure allowing access below and can therefore be permanently placed on the surface to be protected. This type of protection is therefore very heavy and expensive, and in any case does not stop the sun's rays, and if the cover is opaque, we arrive at an extreme solution equivalent to a closed basin, which is outside of the object of the present invention and of too high a cost.

To avoid the realization of important covers like above, or like telescopic shelters or roller shutters. and avoid the drawbacks of previous tarpaulin covers, various means have been studied to maintain opaque covers above water, avoiding making a pocket for accumulation of dirt: we can cite for example the patent applications NO . 2.561.699 filed March 22, 1984 by Mr. RENAUD, that NO. 2,479,881 filed on 03
April 1980 by Monsieur VAILLIER and that NO. 2,447,436 filed on 25
January 1979 by Messieurs LINARD, who describe elements floating on the surface of the liquid to be protected, with a diameter greater than the height of the rim of the basin and on which the protective cover rests, but the implementation is quite complex, l tightness and security are not perfect, unless they are expensive and the pocket effect is not completely eliminated. These solutions, although attractive, are very little used.

Finally, to approach the object of the present invention, there is on the one hand, the patent application NO. 2,439,857 filed on 25
October 1978 by Mister SCIROPPO on an inflatable enclosure floating on the water, but allowing to use despite its presence the swimming pool like a fixed rigid enclosure, and-on the other hand, the patent application
NO. 2,443,547 deposited on December 05, 1978 by Mr. JAU and describing an inflatable envelope forming a dome with its upper wall and having a lower wall possibly supported on the water and sealing against the edges of the basin due to the pressure maintained in said envelope.

These systems do in fact partially meet the previously defined protection criteria, but do not really provide a seal around the perimeter of the pool because they allow
moreover, they do not provide sufficient security in
nute, are a fairly bulky storage and a setting
- re quite heavy.

 The present invention provides complementary solutions to this last known category of protection by inflatable cover, in which it is situated, in order to propose a coherent whole and meeting all the protection criteria requested.

Indeed, the problem posed is to be able to protect any surface from a liquid contained in a basin such as a swimming pool for a fairly long period such as winter, without any means of treatment of this liquid in operation, and despite all possible external aggressions, either of solid objects, dust or water, or rainwater and other bad weather, while
nt optimum security against accidental drops, for example for children, and allowing the liquid to be reused at the end of the isolation period without significant treatment or cleaning.

One solution to the problem posed is a winter protection and safety cover device for any surface 11 of a liquid 3, contained in a basin 4 such as swimming pool water, of the type comprising a flexible fabric 2 of dimensions adapted to cover an area at least equal to that of the liquid 3, means 6 for fixing this fabric arranged on the periphery of said basin-4, and means 7 for admitting a fluid under said fabric 2 to allow you inflation thereof, characterized in that
- said flexible fabric 2 is insulated, weighing at most 400 gr / m2, of very high mechanical resistance to tearing, waterproof and airtight and opaque with a minimum reflection of 75% of the radiation solar::
- Said intake means 7 comprise at least one central unit 1 controlled by a logic circuit 15 such as a microprocessor, coupled to at least one external measurement sensor for meteorological data and controlling a wind tunnel 16 which is put into automatic action, depending measurements taken by said sensor, such that the baleen air penetrates under said fabric 2 which then inflates to form a slight dome. raised in its center relative to the edge 5 of said basin 4;
- Which fabric 2 is continuously fixed on its periphery all around this basin, in a profile 6 ensuring the sealing and delimiting a closed volume in which the air is blown, between said surface 11 of the liquid. the edges of said basin 4 which contain it, and the fabric 2 itself.

 The result is new winter protection and safety cover devices for any surface of a liquid.

These devices bring many advantages compared to those proposed to date and described above, in fact
- The tightness and opacity of the single cover canvas and fixed continuously on the edge of the basin ensure good water conservation without the addition of chemicals.

 - Its strength and inflation ensure good safety against the risk of drowning accident.

 - The lightness of the canvas allows easy handling and space-saving storage. In addition, its fastening system as described below and thanks to special profiles allows quick and simple installation.

 - Once in place, the dome-shaped canvas is aesthetic and self-cleans with atmospheric precipitation.

 - Thanks to its fixing on a profile, its swelling and the absence of a lower canvas in support, there is no problem of abrasion of the canvas on the often rough edges of the pelvis, which is a major cause rapid degradation of other systems by inflation or tension of the fabric.

 - In the most complete automated version, the system requires no monitoring, hence a major interest in second homes.

 - The design and shape of the canvas allow it to withstand even very strong winds (+ 100 km / hour).

- Whatever the amount of precipitation
serum, depending on the region, no risk of accumulation
.n rain and water pockets as mentioned above.

 - Same advantages in one embodiment in case of snow.

the latter systematically melting in contact with the fabric which can be maintained at a certain temperature by a mattress of pressurized air inside the body of water and heated, which causes an almost immediate - e.

 - The canvas used is insulated and can be aluminized, this behind is also a protection against the possible risk of excessive heat which in other cases would cause a proliferation of algae.

 - On the other hand, the essential oxygenation for water conservation is carried out by the pulsed air of the power plant.

n case of power cut. an integrated pump system
Acute rain or snow water in a way
, cmatic. Once the electricity has returned, the blower system does not resume operation until the water has been completely drained.

 - The device can also be fitted with an alarm on an oscillating float, immediately signaling the slightest anomaly in the event that a child or an animal ventures onto the blanket. The alarm ringing time can be adjustable in duration on an integrated clock.

In the following description. we describe an embodiment of the device according to the invention, but others
can be considered in the context of this:
s, figures and descriptions are in no way limiting.

 Figure 1 is an overall sectional view of the device installed on a basin.

 Figure 2 is a simplified wiring diagram for the control unit.

 Figures 3 are sections of the fixing profile of the fabric in different poses configurations.

 Figure 1 is a general sectional view of the device according to the invention, installed on a basin 4, containing a liquid 3, such as a swimming pool filled with water. This device comprises, in a known manner, a flexible canvas 2, covering the entire surface 111 of the liquid, fixing means 6 rotate around the edge 5 of the basin 4 and means 7 for admitting a fluid, such as air, under the fabric 2 to inflate it.

 In the present embodiment, only a single fabric 2 making a dome is used. and unlike existing systems, the volume of overpressure air is delimited by the latter, but also by said surface 111 and the edges 5 of the basin, thanks to a particular seal of the fixing means 6 as described in FIG. 3.

 At the level of the surface 111 of a wintering pool is generally below the level of flow L in the circuits 10 for reprocessing the water, at a height hl of the order of 10 cm. The level 113 of the water during swimming is of course above this level 112.

 In the event of an accidental fall of a fairly heavy body on the canvas 2, such as an animal or a child, an oscillating probe 9 floating on said surface can be safely placed, which then triggers by the movement created by the fall a alarm in central = - 'a time delay.

 This has the basic essential function of ensuring the admission of air 7 overpressure on the fabric 2, thanks to a ventilation blower 16 sucking air through inlet grilles 20 on the sides or at the - below the unit, so that air can circulate, even in the event of obstruction on the sides.

 This unit can operate in a simplified version continuously, whatever the external conditions. but this represents a significant energy consumption: in a preferred embodiment, it comprises various sensors for measuring meteorological data, such as an anemometer 12 for measuring the wind speed, a temperature probe 13 and a probe 14 for detecting rainwater in order to control the blower 16 only when necessary.

 These various probes are connected to an electronic unit 15 comprising a logic circuit such as a microprocessor which controls on the one hand. the blower 16 but also, depending on the options selected, a heater 17 for the ventilated air. the alarm 19 connected to the oscillating probe 9. and a rainwater drain pump 8 located on the fabric 2.

 All of these functions are described below and are controlled. on a console 21 or dashboard comprising for example: a general on / off switch. a forced-blower switch 16, one for the heater 17 and another for the pump 8. a potentiometer for adjusting the heater 17 and various light or display indications - for the temperature. water and wind sensors. the alarm etc ...

 Finally, this power station, located in a waterproof case which can be made of polyester, includes an electrical transformer 18, such as 220 V / 12 V for supplying the pump. relief for.

the possible evacuation of rainwater having accumulated on the screen following an electrical cut-off due for example to a thunderstorm. This transformer can also be used to supply the sensors and possibly charge the backup batteries.

 The canvas 2 is arranged so that the height of its dome h relative to the edge of said basin 4 is approximately 20 to 50 cm and preferably 30 cm, to better withstand the forces of the winds and allow the flow of the 'rainwater. However. in the event of a general power cut, the blower 16 can be stopped and rainwater can accumulate and fill the fabric 2 making a pocket: when the power supply returns. a contact integrated in the pump 8, then submerged for draining, allows the latter to be controlled by said central unit 1 until the water is discharged; the blower 16 can then be put back into operation to restore the fabric 2 to its dome shape, because as long as the water pocket is too large, the pressure supplied by the blower would not be sufficient for this, for questions of energy saving and material resistance.

 In the event of snowfall and also after a power failure. the snow can be melted thanks to the forced air heated by the heating 17: the water thus obtained then triggers the pump 8 by stopping the ventilation, then the cycle begins again until total evacuation of the snow and the water.

 In addition to this use in the event of snow, the heater 17 can be started with the blower 16 as soon as the outside temperature measured by the probe 13 drops below a given temperature, for example + 5.

 In a preferred embodiment for which the central unit includes various sensors and equipment above. ventilation and heating can be stopped for economy when, in the absence of rain, the wind is below a certain speed. for example 25 km / H and the temperature above a certain value such as 50C: the fabric is then at rest, safety in the event of a fall being in permanent standby. Then when the wind gets stronger or when the rain falls.

the blower 16 is started, and depending on the temperature, the heating also.

 Preferably, said fabric 2 is aluminized with a weight equal to about 250 gr / m2, reflecting 85% of solar radiation and comprising on its periphery a rounded edge forming an O-ring 26, sealing, compatible with said profile 6 fixed entirely around said basin 4, in which said edge is immobilized by a corner piece 25.

FIG. 2 is a simplified wiring diagram of the control unit 1, therefore comprising the members defined in FIG. 1 such as a logic circuit such as a microprocessor 15 connected on the one hand, to different meteorological sensors such as the anemometer 12, through a time delay 23, the temperature probe 13 and the rain probe 14 and. on the other hand. to the blower 16, heating 17 and external pump 8 equipment, which it controls through relays A, - B and C respectively, in accordance with the various operating modes recalled above. -
In addition, this plant is powered by an electrical source 22, which may be the sector. but also as backup a battery at least for the functions of the body fall alarm 9 in the pool: the latter then controls through a halogen 4 to delay the reaction time to the request, for example a horn 19.

 The various sensors 12, 13 and 14 and the pump 8 can be supplied with safety at low voltage 12 V or 24 V through a transformer 18.

 Figures 3 are sections of the fixing profile 6 of the fabric 2 in different configurations of poses around the edge 5 of the basin.

 FIG. 3A represents said section 6 integrated in the rim of said basin when this can be done during the construction of the latter, it is then protected and there is no risk of damaging its feet there, especially if the opening of the profiled by the corner 25 used for blocking the fabric 2, even when the latter is not in place.

 In the four figures 3 shown, said profile 6 comprises a hollow housing 27, of diameter slightly less than that of the seal 26 of the edge of said fabric 2, and a rounded 28 continuous with said housing and of a diameter greater than that of said seal 26, which housings and rounded 27 and 28 are connected to a flat part 29 for fixing said profile and comprising at least one notch 30 for locking 30, so that they form between them a slightly flexible dihedral space, in which a wedge 25 is inserted which compresses said seal 26 and is immobilized in said notch 30.

 The flat part 29 can then be fixed in the ground by. standard screws 31. The fabric 2, under which air is blown, can therefore inflate without the risk of friction from wear due to the rounded shapes and with perfect sealing thanks to its edge 26 forming a joint. The corners 25 can be easily removed by deformation of the profile and can be in several parts all around the edge to facilitate their positioning.

 The notch 30 can be doubled to give a more retracted position of said corners 25 when the fabric is removed.

 In FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D, said profile 6 is fixed next to the rim 5 forming the edge of said basin 4, and receives, when said protective fabric 2 is removed, a covering 32 forming a profile cover and which is blocked in said profile (6 ), thanks to rounding 33 compatible with corresponding recesses therein.

 Figure 3B is a sectional view of an edge 5 in rounded standard coping. FIG. 3C is a view with a square coping and FIG. 3D is a view without a coping.

Claims (10)

 1. A winter protection and safety cover device for any surface (11) of a liquid (3), contained in a basin (4) such as water in a swimming pool, of the type comprising a flexible fabric (2 ) of dimensions adapted to cover a surface at least equal to that of the liquid (3), means (6) for fixing this fabric arranged on the periphery of said basin (4), and inlet means (7) of a fluid under said fabric (2) to allow it to inflate, characterized in that  - said flexible fabric (2) is insulated, weighing at most 400 gr / m2, with very high mechanical resistance to tearing, waterproof and airtight and opaque with a minimum reflection of 75% solar radiation ::  - Said intake means (7) comprise at least one central unit (1) controlled by a logic circuit (15) such as a microprocessor, coupled to at least one sensor for external measurement of meteorological data and controlling a wind tunnel (16) going into automatic action, depending on the measurements taken by said sensor, so that air penetrates under said fabric (2) which then inflates to form a slight dome, raised in its center relative to the edge (5) of said basin (4);  - which fabric (2) is continuously fixed on its periphery all around this basin, in a profile (6) ensuring the sealing and delimiting a closed volume in which the air is blown, between said surface (11) of the liquid , the edges of said basin (4) which contain it, and the fabric (2) itself.  2. Covering device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible fabric (2) is aluminized with a weight equal to about 250 gr / m2, reflecting 85% of solar radiation and comprising on its periphery a rounded edge forming a joint (26) O-ring, sealing, compatible with. said profile (6) fixed all around said basin (4), in which said edge is immobilized by a piece (25) making a corner.  3. Covering device according to any one of claims I and 2, characterized in that said profile (6) is integrated in the rim (5) of said basin (4).  4. Covering device according to any one of claims 2 and 3. characterized in that said profile (6) comprises a hollow housing (27), of diameter slightly less than that of the seal (26) of the edge of said fabric ( 2), and a rounded (28) continuous with said housing and of a diameter greater than that of said seal (26), which housings and rounded (27 and 28) are connected to a flat part (29) for fixing said profile t comprising at least one locking notch (30) (30) so that they form a slightly flexible dihedral space between them, into which a wedge (25) is inserted which compresses said seal (26) and is immobilized in said notch (30).  5. Covering device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said profile (6) is fixed next to the rim (5) forming the edge of said basin (4). and receives when said protective fabric (2) is removed, a covering (32) forming a profile cover and which is blocked in said profile (6), by means of roundings (33) compatible with corresponding recesses therein.  6. Covering device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that among said external measurement sensors are at least one anemometer (12), a temperature probe (13) and a detection probe (14) rain water.  7. Covering device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. characterized in that it comprises a pump (8) for draining rainwater, placed in the center of the fabric (2), and which is controlled by said power station (1), after an electrical cut having stopped said blower (16), and atmospheric precipitation having filled the web (2) with water.  8. Covering device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. characterized in that it comprises a heating (17) which is started with the blower (16) as soon as the outside temperature drops below a given temperature, for example 50.  9. Covering device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said blower (16) is stopped in the absence of rain, wind, above a certain speed, and temperature at -under a certain value, so that the fabric (2) is at rest and the blower is restarted by said central (1), when the wind strength or the rain falls.  10. Covering device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fabric (2) forms a dome with a height of preferably 30 cm maximum, relative to the edge of said basin (4).