FR3090024A1 - Winding device for a swimming pool cover and winding method - Google Patents

Abstract

A winding device (1) for a pool cover, said winding device (1) comprising a winding member (2) configured to be connected to a cover, a first axis being mounted at a first end of the winding member (2), a second axis being mounted at a second end of the winding member (2), a first displacement member (3) connected to the first axis and a second member movement (4) connected to the second axis to allow the movement of the winding device (1) on the ground, at least one motor mounted in the winding member (2) and at least one immobilizing member (6 ) configured to block the rotation of the first axis so as to allow the wrapping of the bar cover around said winding member (2) while allowing the movement of the winding device (1) on the ground. Figure of the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Winding device for a swimming pool cover and winding method

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of swimming pool security and more particularly to a device for winding a pool cover for swimming pools. Prior art

In order to secure a swimming pool, in particular to avoid any accidental fall in the swimming pool basin, various devices are known, such as a bar cover.

A tarpaulin with bars comprises a canvas arranged on the swimming pool in order to cover the basin and prevent its access. Bars are mounted in the canvas to allow the weight of the canvas to be supported, the ends of the bars being supported at the periphery of the basin. The bars make it possible to stiffen the tarpaulin and keep it in place in the event of a person falling on the canvas. Such a tarpaulin must be folded when the pool is to be used and unfolded when the pool is to be secured.

Unlike a bubble cover whose structure is light, a bar cover has a heavy structure and is difficult to handle by a user.

To fold the bar cover, a user places himself at one end of the pool and advances along the latter by winding the bar cover. However, such a manual operation is tedious and painful. In known manner, the bar cover has a terminal bar which has a square end to cooperate with a winding device in order to fold the bar cover.

Discloses in particular a manual winding device, that is to say not motorized, comprising a crank connected to a cooperation member, intended to cooperate with the square end, by a bevel gear in order to prevent the user from stooping down at the level of the pelvis during winding However, a manual winding device remains a source of hardship for the user since he must actuate the crank to allow winding.

To eliminate this drawback, there is known a motorized winding device in the form of a unit comprising a cooperation member driven by a motor. Also, in operation, the motor shaft is configured to drive the end bar in rotation so as to allow the folding of the bar cover around the end bar. However, the different bars of the tarpaulin create imbalances when the tarpaulin rotates on the ground, which damages the tarpaulin by friction as well as the engine which undergoes significant stresses with each shock caused by the imbalances, which reduces its reliability.

In addition, such a motorized winding device does not allow the bar cover to be unwound in order to replace it above the swimming pool basin.

There is therefore a need for a device for winding a tarpaulin bar to solve at least some of these drawbacks.

Statement of the invention

To this end, the invention relates to a device for winding up a pool cover for swimming pools, said winding device comprising:

• a winding member configured to be connected to a tarpaulin with bars, the winding member extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, a first axis being mounted at the first end of the winding, a second axis being mounted at the second end of the winding member, • a first displacement member connected to the first axis and a second displacement member connected to the second axis in order to allow the displacement of the winding device ground, • at least one motor mounted in the winding member and configured to rotate the winding member with respect to the first axis along a winding axis and • at least one immobilizing member configured to block the rotation of the first axis so as to allow the wrapping of the bar cover around said winding member while allowing the movement of the winding device on the ground.

Thanks to the device according to the invention, a tarpaulin can be easily wrapped around the winding member thanks to the motor driving the latter in rotation. The presence of an immobilizing member allows optimal winding by allowing relative movement between the first axis and the winding member. In addition, this allows the winding device to be able to move on the ground during winding, which facilitates winding. Advantageously, the displacement members make it possible to raise the winding member relative to the ground, which makes it possible to limit friction and the wear of the bar cover. The tarpaulin can also be easily moved when it is rolled up due to the displacement members. Advantageously, the winding device is compatible with any bar cover.

Preferably, the first displacement member and the second displacement member are respectively in the form of a first wheel and a second wheel. Such displacement members have a simple structure, which reduces the manufacturing cost.

Preferably, the first wheel has a diameter greater than 35cm, preferably greater than 45cm. Such a diameter makes it possible to raise the winding member relative to the ground. Preferably, the first wheel and the second wheel are identical.

According to a preferred aspect, the first wheel and the second wheel are coaxial, preferably along the winding axis.

Preferably, the first displacement member and the second displacement member are respectively mounted free in rotation on the first axis and the second axis in order to allow automatic displacement in translation during winding.

Preferably, the immobilization member is integral in rotation with the first axis. Preferably, the immobilizing member comprises a stop member configured to come into contact with the ground. Thus, the first axis is immobilized due to the abutment.

According to a preferred aspect, the abutment member is in the form of a wheel in order to allow abutment without friction during the translation of the winding device on the ground.

Preferably, the winding device comprises a battery configured to supply the motor with electrical energy, said battery being mounted in the winding member. Thus, all the electrical equipment is integrated to avoid any damage. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the battery is integrated into the engine.

Preferably, the winding device comprises a wireless communication module configured to remotely receive an activation command from the motor.

Preferably, the winding device comprises at least one immobilization member per displacement member in order to allow balanced immobilization between the ends of the winding member.

Preferably, the winding device comprises at least one immobilizing member intended to come into abutment on winding and at least one immobilizing member intended to come into abutment during unwinding. Thus, depending on the direction of rotation, a different immobilizing member comes into abutment.

Preferably, the winding device comprises, for each movement member, an immobilizing member intended to come into abutment on winding and an immobilizing member intended to come into abutment during unwinding.

Preferably, the winding device comprises at least one friction member, preferably a spring, mounted between the winding member and the displacement member. This advantageously makes it possible to avoid any overtraining due to the imbalances formed by the bars of the bar cover during winding. The translation speed of the winding device is reduced in order to tension the tarpaulin during winding.

The invention also relates to a set of a winding device as presented above and a tarpaulin bar connected to the winding member of the winding device to allow its winding.

The invention further relates to a method of winding a tarpaulin with bars by means of a winding device as presented above, said method comprising:

• a step of connecting the tarpaulin to the winding member of the winding device and • a motor activation step so as to cause the rotation of the winding member relative to the first axis.

The invention further relates to a method of unwinding a tarpaulin bar wound on a winding device as presented above, said method comprising a step of activating the motor in the opposite direction of rotation to that of winding.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which:

[Fig.l] is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a winding device according to the invention connected to a bar cover;

[Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the winding device of Figure 1;

[Fig.3] is a schematic sectional view of the winding device of Figure 2;

[Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the implementation of a winding process by means of a device according to the invention and

[Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the implementation of an unwinding process using a device according to the invention.

It should be noted that the figures show the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary.

Description of the embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown schematically a winding device 1 of a bar cover 9 according to the invention.

In known manner, as presented above, a bar cover 9 includes a fabric 91 disposed on the pool to cover the pool and prevent its access. Bars 92 are mounted in the fabric 91 in order to allow the weight of the fabric 91 to be supported, the ends of the bars 92 being in abutment at the periphery of the basin. The bars 92 make it possible to stiffen the fabric 91 and to keep it in place in the event of a fall of a person on the fabric 91. Such a tarpaulin with bars 9 must be folded when the basin must be used and unfolded when the basin must be secured. Unlike a bubble cover whose structure is light, a bar cover 9 has a heavy structure and is difficult to handle by a user.

In this example, with reference to Figure 1, the fabric 91 has a rectangular shape to allow to secure a basin of rectangular or other shape. The fabric 91 is made of a flexible material and has a length and a width and bars 92, parallel to the width, are mounted on the fabric 91 so as to stiffen it. In this example, the bar cover 9 has seven bars 91 but it goes without saying that it could be different. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the bar cover 9 comprises fixing means, for example straps 93, which are intended to tension the bar cover 9 during its use. Such a bar cover 9 is known to a person skilled in the art and will not be presented in more detail.

As will be presented hereinafter, the winding device 10 makes it possible to wind the bar cover 9 when the basin is to be used and to unwind it when the basin is to be secured.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the winding device 10 comprises a winding member 2, configured to be connected to a bar cover 9, a first displacement member 3, a second displacement member 4 so allow movement of the winding device 1 on the ground S and a motor 5 mounted in the winding member 2 to drive it in rotation.

Thus, the winding member 2 allows a motorized winding of the bar cover 9 at a distance from the ground S in order to avoid any friction which can lead to premature wear. As the winding progresses, the displacement members 3, 4 move due to the tensile force generated by the winding, which allows optimal winding.

Referring to Figure 3, the winding member 2 extends longitudinally between a first end 2A and a second end 2B along a winding axis X2. The winding member 2 is at least partially hollow and has a length adapted to the tarpaulin 9 to be rolled up. Preferably, the winding member 2 is made of metal in order to have a high mechanical strength, but it goes without saying that other materials could be suitable.

As shown more particularly in Figure 3, the winding device 1 has a first axis 21 mounted at the first end 2A of the winding member 2 and a second axis 22 mounted at the second end 2B of l 'winding member 2. Such axes 21, 22 allow a rotation of the rolling member 2 along the axis of rotation X2.

The winding device 1 comprises a first displacement member 3 connected to the first axis 21 and a second displacement member 4 connected to the second axis 22 in order to allow the displacement of the winding device 1 on the ground S. Like this will be presented later, the displacement members 3, 4 are not motorized but allow movement due to the tensile force generated by the winding. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first displacement member 3 is articulated on the first axis 21 along the winding axis X2 while the second displacement member 4 is articulated on the second axis 22 along the winding axis X2.

Each displacement member 3, 4 is configured to maintain the winding member 2 at a distance from the ground S which is at least 15 cm, preferably 20 cm, more preferably greater than 30 cm.

In this embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, each displacement member 3, 4 is in the form of a wheel 31, 41, in particular, a idler wheel. Preferably, the diameter of a wheel 31, 41 is between 35 cm and 50 cm, preferably between 45 cm and 50 cm. Such an embodiment makes it possible to limit the cost of manufacturing the winding device 1. It goes without saying that other wheel diameters 31, 41 could also be suitable.

According to the invention, still with reference to Figure 3, a motor 5 is mounted in the winding member 2 and configured to rotate the winding member 2 relative to the first axis 21 along the winding axis X2. In this example, the motor 5 includes a stator part secured to the first axis 21 and a rotor part secured to the winding member 2.

The winding device 1 also comprises, in the winding member 2, a battery (not shown) configured to supply the motor 5 with electrical energy and a wireless communication module (not shown) configured to receive remotely an activation command for the motor 5. Thus, a user can remotely control the direction of rotation of the motor 5 in order to carry out winding and unwinding. It goes without saying that a direct command, that is to say one which is not carried out remotely, could also be suitable.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the battery is integrated into the motor 5.

In order to allow relative rotation of the winding member 2 relative to the first axis 21, the winding device 1 comprises an immobilizing member 6 configured to block the rotation of the first axis 21 so as to allow winding the tarpaulin 9 around said winding member 2 while allowing the movement of the winding device 1 on the ground.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the immobilizer 6 is integral in rotation with the first axis 21. In this example, the immobilizer 6 comprises a stop member 61 configured to come into contact with the soil S. Thus, the first axis 31 is immobilized due to the abutment. In this example, the stop member 61 is in the form of a wheel in order to allow a stop without friction during the translation of the winding device 1 on the ground S. The immobilizing member 6 comprises a connecting member 62 connecting the stop member 61 to the first axis 21. The connecting member 62 extends radially with respect to the winding axis X2 and has a length greater than the vertical height of the winding member 2, that is to say, the radius of the first wheel 31.

Thus, the immobilizing member 6 can pivot around the winding axis X2 in order to come into abutment with the ground S for each direction of rotation of the motor 5 in order to immobilize the first axis 21 and thus allow optimal winding.

According to one aspect of the invention, the winding device 1 comprises at least one immobilizing member 6 per displacement member 3, 4 in order to allow balanced immobilization between the ends of the winding member 2 Preferably, the winding device 1 comprises, for each displacement member 3, 4, an immobilizing member 6 intended to come into abutment when winding and an immobilizing member intended to come into abutment when unwinding . Thus, depending on the direction of rotation, a different immobilizing member 6 comes into abutment. The use of several immobilizing members 6 makes it possible to limit the rotation of the first axis 31 so that it is quickly in abutment. The winding is then improved.

According to one aspect of the invention, optionally, still with reference to Figure 3, the winding device 1 comprises a friction member 7 associated with each displacement member 3, 4 in order to slow the rotation of the displacement member 3, 4. In this example, the friction member 7 is in the form of an elastic spring mounted compressed between a displacement member 3, 4 and an end 2A, 2B of the member d winding 2. Preferably, the friction member 7 is mounted around an axis 21, 22. Such friction members 7 make it possible in particular to prevent an acceleration of the rotation of the winding member 2 due to the imbalance caused by the bars 92 of the bar cover 9 during winding. It goes without saying that only a friction member 7 could be used.

There will now be described a form of implementation of the method of using a winding device 1 according to the invention and in particular for the winding and unwinding of a bar cover 9.

First, in a first example of winding, the bar cover 9 is installed on the pool of a swimming pool in order to secure it. To fold the bar cover 9, with reference to FIG. 4, a user connects one end of the bar cover 9 to the winding member 2 of the winding device 1. In this embodiment, the straps 93 are connected to the winding member 2.

Then, a user activates the motor 5, manually or remotely, so that the winding member 2 rotates around the winding axis X2 according to a first direction of rotation RI. During rotation in the first direction RI, the first axis 21 is also driven in rotation in the first direction RI which causes in rotation the immobilizing member 6 which is integral with the first axis 21. Referring to Figure 4 , the immobilization member 6 is shown in abutment against the ground S following rotation in the first direction RL Due to the abutment of the immobilization member 6, it follows that the first axis 21 is immobilized in rotation, which optimally drives the winding member 2.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the bar cover 9 is wound as and around the winding member 2, which tightens the fabric 91 of the bar cover 9 and exerts a force of traction T. As a result of this traction force, the displacement members 3, 4 are driven forward as illustrated in FIG. 4, that is to say in the direction of the tarpaulin 9. advantageous, the wheel 61 of the immobilizing member 6 makes it possible to follow the displacement members 3, 4 while remaining in abutment against the ground S.

The tarpaulin with bars 9 is thus gradually wound around the winding member 2 while limiting friction as the winding device 1 moves as the winding takes place. The mechanical forces are advantageously reduced, which guarantees high reliability.

The tarpaulin 9 is then rolled up and can be stored. The winding device 1 makes it possible, thanks to its displacement members 3, 4, to move the bar cover 9 in a simple and practical manner despite its mass and size.

To replace the bar cover 9 on the pool, a user controls the motor 5, manually or remotely, so that the winding member 2 rotates around the winding axis X2 in a second direction of rotation R2, opposite to the first direction of rotation RL During rotation in the second direction R2, the first axis 21 is also driven in rotation in the second direction R2 which causes the immobilizing member to rotate 6 which is integral with the first axis 21. With reference to FIG. 5, the immobilizing member 6 is shown in abutment against the ground S following rotation in the second direction R2. Due to the abutment of the immobilizing member 6, it follows that the first axis 21 is immobilized in rotation, which allows to optimally drive the winding member 2. Thus, the immobilizer 6 is located on the side of the bar cover 9 during winding and on the side opposite to the bar cover 9 during unwinding.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the tarpaulin 9 takes place progressively around the winding member 2 and the user can move the device 1 so that the tarpaulin 9 is positioned appropriately on the pelvis. Advantageously, the wheel 61 of the immobilizing member 6 makes it possible to follow the displacement members 3, 4 while remaining in abutment against the ground S.

When the bar cover 9 is fully unwound, the user detaches the straps from the bar cover 9 so as to separate the winding device 10 which can then be stored. Alternatively, the winding device 10 can remain attached to the bar cover 9 when the latter is unrolled.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Winding device (1) for a swimming pool cover (9), said winding device (1) comprising • a winding member (2) configured to be connected to a bar cover (9), the winding member (2) extending longitudinally between a first end (2A) and a second end (2B), a first axis (21) being mounted at the first end (2A) of the winding member (2), a second axis (22) being mounted at the second end (2B) of the winding member (2), • a first displacement member (3) connected to the first axis (21) and a second displacement member (4) connected to the second axis (22) in order to allow the displacement of the winding device (1) on the ground, • at least one motor (5) mounted in the winding member (2) and configured to rotate the winding member (2) relative to the first axis (31) along a winding axis (X2) and • at least one immobilizer (6) configured for block the rotation of the first axis (21) so as to allow the winding of the tarpaulin (9) around said winding member (2) while allowing the movement of the winding device (1) on the ground. [Claim 2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the first displacement member (3) and the second displacement member (4) are in the form of a first wheel (31) and a second wheel (32), respectively. [Claim 3] Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, in which the first displacement member (3) and the second displacement member (4) are respectively mounted to rotate freely on the first axis (21) and the second axis (22) . [Claim 4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the immobilizing member (6) comprises a stop member (61) configured to come into contact with the ground. [Claim 5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the stop member (61) is in the form of a wheel. [Claim 6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a battery configured to supply the motor (5) with electrical energy, said battery being mounted in the winding member (2). [Claim 7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a wireless communication module configured to remotely receive an engine activation command (5). [Claim 8] Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least one friction member (7), preferably a spring, mounted between the winding member (2) and the displacement member (3, 3 ', 4) [Claim 9] Assembly of a winding device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and of a bar cover (9) connected to the winding member (2) of the winding device (1) in order to allow its winding. [Claim 10] Method for winding a bar cover (9) by means of a winding device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, said method comprising: • a step of connecting the bar cover (9) to the organ winding (2) of the winding device (1) and • an engine activation step (5) so as to drive the rotation of the winding member (2) relative to the first axis (21). 1/3