FR2747717A1 - Floating cover for swimming pool rolled onto drum - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover comprises a number of blades (1) which are articulated where they are joined together. Each blade comprises stops which limit angular deflection (9) between adjacent blades to 45 deg or less. Each of the blades may have a face of a rib of the male part (6) of the articulation hinge and a face at the end of the rib of the female part (7). These faces form an included angle of 40-45 deg between them.

Description

POOL COVER
The present invention relates to floating necks for swimming pools which can be wound on a drum generally immersed in a box communicating with the swimming pool basin.

 The technical field of the invention is that of the production of rollable covers for swimming pools.

 The present invention applies more particularly to rollable covers for swimming pools essentially consisting of floating blades hinged together and generally made of plastic.

 We already know from patent FR2063506 (GRANDERATH) a swimming pool cover similar to a rolling shutter capable of being rolled up on a tree and composed of flat bars capable of floating, each of the hollow blades being closed at its end by plugs and comprising further pieces similar to plugs preventing the profiles from moving relative to each other in the direction of their length.

 The object of the present invention is to improve swimming pool covers.

 The solution to the problem posed consists in providing a rollable swimming pool cover comprising a plurality of blades or profiles, floating, generally hollow, substantially identical, juxtaposed, hinged together along their longitudinal edge, preferably obtained by extrusion of plastic material; each blade has stops which limit the angular movement (ie the amplitude of the relative rotational movement between two juxtaposed blades) authorized by the articulation between these blades, between two successive blades, to a value less than or equal to 45, preferably of the order of 40 to 44.

 The solution to the problem posed also consists in providing a cover in which each of said blades comprises a solid core of low density, for example made of cellular material such as closed cell foam of density less than 0.5, which preferably extends over the entire length of the blade: the lower wall of each of said blades can be interrupted and reduced to two lower ribs preferably bent at their free ends: said core is for example co-extruded with (the walls of) the blade.

 The solution to the problem posed also consists in providing a cover in which each of said blades is provided at each of its two ends with a plug, for example made of elastomer. preferably radially expandable and / or retractable longitudinally, which is provided on at least part of its external faces with deformable pins or tongues, capable of coming to bear against at least part of the internal faces of a tubular cavity delimited by walls of the blade, such as the inner face of the upper and lower walls of the blade.

 The solution to the problem posed also consists in providing a cover comprising, for each of said blades. at each of its two ends, a longitudinal articulation stop which is fixed to the end of a pin-forming tube or male articulation shaft between two blades, which (sliding) stop has a shoulder whose outer diameter is substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tube, which abutment further comprises a head with an outer diameter greater than said outer diameter of the shoulder (and of the tube of the male joint), and preferably close to or at least equal to the diameter outside (of the nucleus) of the female joint.

According to preferred embodiments
- Each of said blades comprises a first face of a longitudinal (branched) rib of the male joint, and comprises a second face of the end (bent) of a longitudinal rib of the female joint, which first and second faces form an angle between 40 and 450, which ribs preferably extend over the entire length of the blade or over a substantial part thereof
- Each of said blades further comprises, along a first longitudinal edge, a first external face, a lateral rib of upper end preferably extending substantially vertically, that is to say parallel to the faces (or walls ) lateral of the blade, and comprises along a second longitudinal or side edge, a second external face, preferably substantially vertical, capable of coming to bear on said first external face of the juxtaposed blade, in order to limit the travel to a substantially zero value, corresponding to a position in which the blades are substantially coplanar, and / or a position in which the axes of articulation of the two consecutive blades are coplanar
- the ratio of the diameter of the cover winding roller or drum (which is submerged). the width of the blades is between 2 and 3 and preferably of the order of 2.3 to 2.5;
- Said blades are provided with a convex or convex upper wall preferably in the form of a portion of cylinder provided with a radius (of curvature of the wall) whose ratio to the width of the blade is close to 2 to;
- In said cover is provided a flap consisting of one or more parts, extending along the transverse edges (with reference to the longitudinal axis of the blades) of the cover. which is able to come into contact with the walls or walls delimiting the swimming pool basin, and which is preferably removable to facilitate its replacement in the event of wear;
- Said flap or scraper is integrated into the cap;
- Each end of each blade is provided with a section of plastic profile in the general shape of T or H, parts of which form said flap.

 Thanks to the limited angular movement between the successive blades of a cover according to the invention, a cover is provided whose mechanical resistance is improved and which allows in particular relatively large masses to be placed on the cover without causing significant depression of this in the water, which can avoid in some cases the drowning of young children for example.

 The particular structure of the blades constituting the cover according to the invention also makes it possible to obtain such covers at a lower cost, in particular thanks to the ease of assembly of the parts constituting the cover, and makes it possible to effectively protect the water from swimming pool against dust contained in the atmosphere; the blades whose upper wall is curved also make it possible to avoid stagnation of water on the surface thereof and consequently makes it possible to reduce their soiling or fouling the particular limits conceming the angular clearance between two successive blades to facilitate the deployment of the cover during its unwinding of the drum and in particular avoids the need for guides.

 The buoyancy of the covers according to the invention is also improved by virtue of the large sealed volume which they delimit in particular in the case of the use of a low density core enabling the buoyancy of the blades to be improved. as well as by the use of caps with a particular structure.

 The invention makes it possible to provide covers capable of extending over the entire surface of the basin (generally rectangular) and to provide a substantially rigid cover made up of elements hinged together.

 The particular characteristics of the male and female joints provided along the longitudinal edges of each of the blades make it possible to obtain. in addition to the rigidity of the cover, a relative tightness of the cover which also contributes to the difficulty of causing this cover to sink into the water under the effect of a mass placed on this cover; in addition the rigidity of the cover according to the invention and in particular the presence of side flaps make it more difficult to lift the cover resting on the surface of the water and consequently reduces the risk of accident.

 The numerous advantages provided by the invention will be better understood through the following description, which refers to the appended drawings, which illustrate without any limiting nature the preferred embodiments of cover according to the invention.

 Figure 1 illustrates in sectional view through a vertical plane a cover partially wound on a submerged drum, in which only a few blades have been shown.

 Figure 2 illustrates in sectional view through a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blades, a longitudinal stop equipping an articulation between two blades.

 Figure 3 illustrates in sectional view through a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a blade, a first embodiment of a cover blade according to the invention.

 FIG. 4 illustrates in a view through a vertical plane (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a blade), the end of a blade provided with a plug according to the invention, and is a view according to IV.IV in Figure 5.

 FIG. 5 illustrates in sectional view through a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of a blade, the end of a blade provided with a plug according to the invention.

 Figures 6 and 7 illustrate in a sectional view through a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a blade, two alternative embodiments of a blade equipped with a core improving its buoyancy and its rigidity and its impact resistance.

 FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a flap equipping the longitudinal end of the blades with a cover according to the invention. FIG. 9 illustrates in cross-sectional view through a vertical plane. a completely unrolled cover of the drum.

 With reference to Figures 1. 3 * 6 and 7 particularly. the swimming pool cover essentially consists of a plurality of blades 1 capable of floating on the surface 3 of the water 4 contained in the basin or the swimming pool.

 This cover is intended to be wound on (or unwound from) a drum 10 of longitudinal axis 11 perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1 that is to say substantially horizontal, which is immersed in water 4; each of the blades 1 comprises along a first longitudinal edge a female articulation 7 whose axis of articulation is marked 5, and comprises along a second edge a longitudinal male articulation 8 along an axis of articulation 6.

 The articulation axes 5 and 6 are parallel to the main longitudinal axis 2 of the blades 1.

 As illustrated in particular in FIG. 1, the angular movement between the two blades 1 A and 1B shown in the upper left part of the figure, which are only partially submerged, is zero, that is to say that the axes of the male and female joints of these two blades (shown substantially horizontally in this figure 1) are coplanar.

 We see in this figure that the angular movement 9 between the second blade 1B and the third blade 1 C is close to zero for example of the order of 2 degrees, and that the angular movement 9 between the following pairs of blades (1C, 1D) and (ID, 1E) is substantially identical, preferably slightly less than 45, for example of the order of 44 degrees.

 Preferably, the outside diameter 12 of the drum 10 is such that its ratio to the width 13 of the blades 1 is between 2 and 3, for example close to 2, 4.

 With reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 in particular, each of the blades 1 has a curved or convex upper wall 14, that is to say as shown in these figures, extending along a portion of a cylinder with an axis not shown and of radius 34 corresponding to the radius of curvature of the upper wall 14.

 In these three alternative embodiments, the blade comprises, in addition to the upper wall 14, two side walls 16 and, in the case of FIGS. 3 and 6. a lower wall 15 forming with the walls 14 and 16 a tubular hollow structure; in the embodiment shown in Figure 7. the bottom wall does not extend over the entire width 13 of the blade but is interrupted in its central part to leave only two ribs 35 connected to the side walls 16. which ribs 35 are preferably angled at their ends.

and cooperate with a core 32 (for example of cellular foam) whose shape matches the internal face of the upper 14 and side walls 16 and is provided with grooves 36 or grooves whose shape matches the end of the ribs 35. and whose face lower 33 is concave and / or curved.

 As illustrated in the various figures, each of the blades comprises a female articulation 7 extending along one of the side walls 16, and a male articulation 8 extending along the second side wall 16. intended to cooperate with the 'female joint of the blade which must be juxtaposed with this blade.

 In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the blade comprises a core 32 whose shape matches the internal faces of the upper 14, lower 15 and lateral 16 walls, which can for example be co-extruded with said walls, that is to say manufactured by extrusion simultaneously with the blade while being of a different material (or of the same kind but of different density).

 As illustrated in particular in FIG. 3, the blade comprises a third rib 20 extending substantially in the extension of the lower wall 15 which is itself extended by a part 30 forming a half tube (or bearing or hub) of axis 5 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade, which is the axis of articulation of this female articulation part.

 On the other side of the blade extends a first rib 18 preferably over the entire length of the blade, which is itself extended by, on the one hand a first branch 22 or rib, and by a second branched rib 23 itself extended by a tube 21 constituting a pin or a shaft of the male articulation and extending along the axis 6 of articulation.

 To this end, the outside diameter of the tube 21 is substantially equal, for example very slightly smaller, to the diameter of the inner wall 25 of the part 30 of the female joint.

The branched rib 22 extending the first rib 18 defines a flat face 28 which makes an angle 29 between 40 and 45 with the vertical.
On the other longitudinal edge (on the side of the female joint 7) of the blade. is provided a rib 19 extending substantially in the extension of the upper wall 14, which is bent in the vicinity of its free end and which defines a first internal face 27 substantially vertical against which the face 28 of the rib 22 can come to bear as illustrated in FIG. 1. in order to constitute a stop limiting the angular movement to the value of the angle 29 mentioned above.

 The end of said rib 19 also forms a second face or external face 63 which is capable of coming into contact with an upper external face 62 of the side wall 16 of a juxtaposed blade making it possible to limit the angular movement between the two juxtaposed blades at a zero value, as illustrated in FIG. 1 with regard to the two juxtaposed blades located at the top left of this figure.

 The blade illustrated in FIG. 3 further comprises two longitudinal ribs 17 connecting said upper 14 and lower 15 walls so as to define three longitudinal tubular conduits or cavities 26 inside the blade, which will be closed by plugs at their ends in order to constitute a sealed hollow body, which walls or ribs 17 increase the rigidity of the blade.

 FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the use of a plug according to the invention which is capable of being inserted at the end of a blade according to FIG. 3.

 With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the plug 31 comprises a part intended to be inserted inside the blade, that is to say between the upper 14 and lower 15 walls of the latter and inside of a tubular cavity (reference 26 in Figure 3) of this blade.

 In the case of Figures 3 to 5 where the blade has three tubular cavities 26, the plug may be in one part as shown in Figure 4 or in several (three) parts.

 The plug has a part capable of being inserted inside the tubular cavity 26, which is essentially constituted by an upper wall 42, two side walls 41 and a lower wall 43, the side walls 41, upper 42 and lower 43 being equipped at their periphery with pins or tongues 46 made of flexible material, so as to be deformable, and preferably the part of the plug inserted inside the blade is itself made of flexible or deformable material.

 As shown in particular in FIG. 5, said plug has a cavity 40 delimited by said walls 41, 42, 43 as well as by a bottom 44, said cavity 40 being open at another end arranged opposite the bottom 44.

 The introduction of the plug can be obtained by means of a tool inserted inside the cavity 40 according to the arrow marked 45 in Figure 5. to cause a force entry of part of the plug to the 'interior of the tubular conduit 26 of the blade between the walls 14 and 15, to a position of the bottom 44 shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 during this introduction. the friction forces on the internal faces of the walls 14 and 15 causes the deformation illustrated in FIG. 5 of the lugs or lamellae 46 fitted to the periphery of this part of the stopper: when the tool is withdrawn from the cavity 40 from the body of the stopper , The elasticity of the constituent material allows the bottom 44 to return to the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 5. and consequently the reduction in the length (measured along the longitudinal axis of the blade) of the part of the stopper introduced into the blade, and a relative expansion or radial expansion causing the application of pressure forces causing a tightening of the body of the plug inside the conduit 26 of the blade, by means of said flexible pins (or tongues) 46 .

 In the case where the body of the cap is provided with said flexible tabs (46) which surround the body of the cap, a water-tight closure is obtained directly; in the case where flexible pins 46 are used (instead of the tongues), the seal is obtained for example by gluing.

 As also illustrated in these figures, the plug is provided, in part external to said blade, with an upper flap 37, a lateral portion 39 of which is offset to allow overlapping (in scales) - as illustrated in FIG. 4 in particular - between the flaps 37 , 39 of two consecutive blades when these are aligned (substantially coplanar); the outer part of the plug generally comprises a small flap or protuberance 38 located in the lower part thereof, that is to say near the lower wall 15 of the blade.

 With reference to FIG. 8, it can be seen that in this alternative embodiment of the flap according to the invention, the blade 1 is closed in leaktight manner at its end by a plug 31, the main part of which is inserted between the upper and lower walls. (marked 14 and 15) of the blade; the plug is provided with a head 55 forming a stop against the end of said walls 14 and 15.

A section 54 of a profile, for example made of plastic, in the general shape of
T or H, can be attached to the end of the blade 1, which surrounds said plug 31, and can for example pinch said blade 1 by wings 56 and 58 of the profile section.

 A third wing 57 of the section 54 of the profile, at least part of which is flexible, allows contact at its end 60 with the wall 61 limiting the basin containing the water 4, the level of which is marked 3 in this figure.

 With reference to FIG. 2, a longitudinal (or axial) stop according to the invention can be constituted by a part 48 in the general shape of a screw comprising a head 51 provided with an imprint 52 allowing its rotation by a tool such as than a screwdriver; this longitudinal articulation stop 48 is capable of being screwed in by a threaded part 49 which it comprises, inside the tube 21 constituting the male articulation shaft of a blade according to the invention which may be itself - even internally ribbed as schematically represented in FIG. 3, and making it possible to avoid deformation and bursting of the tube 21.

 Said stopper 48 comprises, a shoulder 50 located between the head 51 and the part 49, of length 53 corresponding to the authorized longitudinal clearance between two blades, and the external diameter of which is very close to the external diameter of the tube 21, and slightly less than the diameter internal (of the internal cylindrical face identified in FIG. 3) of the female articulation part; the external diameter of the head 51 is greater than the internal diameter of the female articulation part in order to prevent it from sliding at the beyond the shoulder 50.

 With reference to FIG. 9, the cover counts the number of blades necessary and sufficient to completely close the pool over its entire length 66 (between the opposite walls 61, 68), including the trunk inside which the drum is mounted. 10 axis it; at the end of the unwinding of the cover, the last blade 65 (fixed to the drum by a flexible strap 64) is substantially (as shown in dashed lines) in abutment against a wall 61, while the first blade 67 is also substantially in abutment against the wall 68 opposite the wall 61; we can not move the cover in this position by pushing it for example in the trunk, which increases the safety of users.

Claims (10)

 1. Rollable swimming pool cover comprising a plurality of blades (1) hinged together, characterized in that each blade has stops which limit the angular movement (9) between two successive blades. at a value less than or equal to 45o  2. Cover according to claim I wherein each of said blades (1) comprises a face (28) of a rib (22) of the male joint (6), and comprises a face (27) of the end of a rib (19) of the female joint (7), which faces (27, 28) form an angle (29) of between 40 and 450, and each of said blades further comprises along a first edge a face ( 63) of an upper end lateral rib (19) extending vertically, that is to say parallel to the faces or the lateral walls (16) of the blade, and comprises along a second edge or side, a vertical external face (62) capable of coming to bear on said face (63) of the juxtaposed blade in order to limit the movement to a zero value.  3. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 2 in which the ratio of the diameter (12) of the drum (10) for winding the cover, to the width (13) of the blades (1) is between 2 and 3.  4. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said blades (1) are provided with a curved upper wall (14).  5. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each of said blades comprises a solid core (32) of low density.  6. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each of said blades (1) is provided at each of its two ends with a plug (31) provided with deformable pins or tabs (46).  7. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in which is provided a flap extending along the transverse edges of the cover which is capable of coming into contact with the walls or walls (61) delimiting the basin of the swimming pool.  8. Cover according to claim 7 wherein said flap or scraper (37. 39) is integrated into the plug (31).  9. Cover according to claim 7 wherein each end of each blade is provided with a section (54) of section of which parts (57, 60) form said flaps.  10. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising, for each of said blades, at each of the two ends thereof, a stop (48) fixed to the end of a tube (21) forming a pin or male articulation shaft (8) between two blades, which sliding stop (48) comprises a shoulder (50) whose external diameter is substantially equal to the external diameter of said tube (21), which stop (48) further comprises a head (51) with an outside diameter greater than said outside diameter of the shoulder.