GB2072006A

GB2072006A - Roller and sliding system for applying flexible covers

Info

Publication number: GB2072006A
Application number: GB8009333A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-03-20
Filing date: 1980-03-20
Publication date: 1981-09-30

Abstract

A cover system for pools etc comprises roller tracks attached to two sides of the area to be covered, the tracks being fixed parallel to each other and to the top of the surround. A series of twin wheeled roller carriers is inserted into the tracks on each side and each roller carrier is attached to its opposite number by a rod or strap and also to an adjacent carrier by a strap of predetermined length. When the front pair of rollers is pulled along the tracks, a pair of roller carriers will follow at measured intervals dictated by the strap length. The flexible cover is attached to the front pair of roller carriers which, when pulled, cause the cover to follow, suspended by the framework of rods etc underneath. Thus the cover is supported at all times with most of its weight carried by the supporting framework and roller carriers. The edges of the cover are therefore unstressed and are trained to run inside a groove on the tracks to form a seal against dirt and debris and to provide security and safety in the case of swimming pools. The system may alternatively be used to secure a tarpaulin on open-top or open-sided container vehicles. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Roller and sliding system for applying and securing flexible covers This system has been designed to overcome the inherent problems that exist in attempting to cover effectively a swimming pool or similar large area with the object to provide (a) safety (b) maximum heat retention and (c) optimum cleanliness. There are various foreign products which can claim one of these features, but not all three. The system has other industrial applications such as stowing, applying and securing large tarpaulins to open sides or open top container vehicles and other applications requiring frequent efficient opening and covering with P.V.C. or similar flexible sheeting.

This system comprises a twin roller track alloy extrusion secured to two edges of the pool or container to be covered. (see Sketch 1 Figure 1).

Inserted into the tracking on both sides are a number of roller carriers (See Sketch 2 Figure 2) with an extension strip suitably shaped to provide a non-slip buckle feature. The number of rollers used would be dependent on the length involved, but would be sufficient to give an approximate half-metre pitch.

Each carrier would be attached to the opposite number by a reinforced webbing strip using the buckle feature as a method of attaching and tensioning. Each carrier would also be attached to its neighbour with a cord of length equal to the pitch chosen. The leading rollers would have a rigid alloy extrusion or a tensioned support attached to their extension strip in such a way as to provide a self support cross bar. Wires would be attached to each of the leading rollers and front bar, directed around pulleys returning through the twin track extrusions to reeling drums at the end where the cover is stowed.

The equipment thus far could be described as the cover support framework. (See Sketch 2) The actual cover, produced from a reinforced P.V.C. or other suitable material, would be rolled on to an extruded plastic drum supported on bearings or rollers. The diameter of the drum depending on the width and length of the material and its weight.

The edges of the sheet would have a return fold and weld thus providing a hem of some 1 1" - 2" proportion. The leading edge of the cover material would be attached to the leading rollers and front cross bar. The hem of the cover material would be directed into a circular feature in the track extrusion on both sides.

In the circular feature on the track extrusion would be a rod of alloy or plastic fixed at one end. The rod would now be inside the hem and the whole contained inside the circular feature such that as the front bar moved the hem would slide like a gaiter thus sealing and attaching the cover to the twin tracks on each side of the pool over the full length.

As the cover progressed the support framework underneath would follow it in effect carrying the cover on the half-metre support ties. The front bar would lock into a device at the far end of the pool.

The pool would then be covered and sealed on all edges. The cover would be suspended above the surface resting on the support ties providing an air gap for optimum heat retention. In this position there are two safety features. Firstly, the support straps themselves would be designed to support an adult. Secondly, the hem on the cover would be retained inside the circular feature on the side extrusion by the fixed rod. (See Sketch 3). This aspect would also give security on industrial application.

To open the pool would merely mean unlocking the front bar and revolving the drum on which the cover is rolled. As the front bar retracted so would the rolling framework underneath. The hem would slide on the fixed rod and would ultimately be re-rolled on to the cover drum. The hem would not totally disengage from the fixed rod inside the circular feature on the extrusion-lt would always be entered to facilitate the opening operation. (See Sketch 4).

The important feature of this system is the fixed rod sliding gaiter used in conjunction with the rolling support ties. The cover is only attached to the front bar and is contained in the extrusion by the fixed rod. The roller carriers are attached to the front bar and to each other, but not to the cover.

A further feature of this combined system is that the rolling support carriers remove side tension from the hem or gaiter making such an operation possible, reducing wear and friction.

The whole system can be driven by power electrical, hydraulic or air or the reeling drums operated manually. This has not been described as it is presumed such a feature would not enhance or detract from the patentable features of the system.

The whole operation could be completed by one person in one to two minutes ensuring that the pool would always be covered when not in use providing optimum safety and energy conservation.

1. I claim that the combined roller carrier and sliding system as described allows the frequent and easy application of an edge supported and suspended flexible cover over a large area such as a swimming pool and that the loading induced by the weight and catenary effect of the covers mass is transferred to and supported by the roller carriers inserted into the runner tracks, through the straps or flexible rods to which they are attached. Also that the edge of the cover now unstressed can be trained to enter the circular feature of the runner track extrusion to provide a complete seal against dirt and debris, is secure and safe and in the case of swimming pools, has a high heat retention capability with an air gap between cover and surface.

e.g. As the cover is attached only to the leading roller it means that the cover can be rolled independantly of the running gear and when opened in this way the running gear is stacked at one end of the tracks. The roller carriers are designed to support the high catenary loads having twin wheels and needle bearings and running inside vee formed extruded tracks. The vee formed tracks are a feature of the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Roller and sliding system for applying and securing flexible covers This system has been designed to overcome the inherent problems that exist in attempting to cover effectively a swimming pool or similar large area with the object to provide (a) safety (b) maximum heat retention and (c) optimum cleanliness. There are various foreign products which can claim one of these features, but not all three. The system has other industrial applications such as stowing, applying and securing large tarpaulins to open sides or open top container vehicles and other applications requiring frequent efficient opening and covering with P.V.C. or similar flexible sheeting. This system comprises a twin roller track alloy extrusion secured to two edges of the pool or container to be covered. (see Sketch 1 Figure 1). Inserted into the tracking on both sides are a number of roller carriers (See Sketch 2 Figure 2) with an extension strip suitably shaped to provide a non-slip buckle feature. The number of rollers used would be dependent on the length involved, but would be sufficient to give an approximate half-metre pitch. Each carrier would be attached to the opposite number by a reinforced webbing strip using the buckle feature as a method of attaching and tensioning. Each carrier would also be attached to its neighbour with a cord of length equal to the pitch chosen. The leading rollers would have a rigid alloy extrusion or a tensioned support attached to their extension strip in such a way as to provide a self support cross bar. Wires would be attached to each of the leading rollers and front bar, directed around pulleys returning through the twin track extrusions to reeling drums at the end where the cover is stowed. The equipment thus far could be described as the cover support framework. (See Sketch 2) The actual cover, produced from a reinforced P.V.C. or other suitable material, would be rolled on to an extruded plastic drum supported on bearings or rollers. The diameter of the drum depending on the width and length of the material and its weight. The edges of the sheet would have a return fold and weld thus providing a hem of some 1 1" - 2" proportion. The leading edge of the cover material would be attached to the leading rollers and front cross bar. The hem of the cover material would be directed into a circular feature in the track extrusion on both sides. In the circular feature on the track extrusion would be a rod of alloy or plastic fixed at one end. The rod would now be inside the hem and the whole contained inside the circular feature such that as the front bar moved the hem would slide like a gaiter thus sealing and attaching the cover to the twin tracks on each side of the pool over the full length. As the cover progressed the support framework underneath would follow it in effect carrying the cover on the half-metre support ties. The front bar would lock into a device at the far end of the pool. The pool would then be covered and sealed on all edges. The cover would be suspended above the surface resting on the support ties providing an air gap for optimum heat retention. In this position there are two safety features. Firstly, the support straps themselves would be designed to support an adult. Secondly, the hem on the cover would be retained inside the circular feature on the side extrusion by the fixed rod. (See Sketch 3). This aspect would also give security on industrial application. To open the pool would merely mean unlocking the front bar and revolving the drum on which the cover is rolled. As the front bar retracted so would the rolling framework underneath. The hem would slide on the fixed rod and would ultimately be re-rolled on to the cover drum. The hem would not totally disengage from the fixed rod inside the circular feature on the extrusion-lt would always be entered to facilitate the opening operation. (See Sketch 4). The important feature of this system is the fixed rod sliding gaiter used in conjunction with the rolling support ties. The cover is only attached to the front bar and is contained in the extrusion by the fixed rod. The roller carriers are attached to the front bar and to each other, but not to the cover. A further feature of this combined system is that the rolling support carriers remove side tension from the hem or gaiter making such an operation possible, reducing wear and friction. The whole system can be driven by power electrical, hydraulic or air or the reeling drums operated manually. This has not been described as it is presumed such a feature would not enhance or detract from the patentable features of the system. The whole operation could be completed by one person in one to two minutes ensuring that the pool would always be covered when not in use providing optimum safety and energy conservation. CLAIMS

e.g. As the cover is attached only to the leading roller it means that the cover can be rolled independantly of the running gear and when opened in this way the running gear is stacked at one end of the tracks. The roller carriers are designed to support the high catenary loads having twin wheels and needle bearings and running inside vee formed extruded tracks. The vee formed tracks are a feature of the system as this aspect eliminates the runners turning in the horizontal plane.

2. I claim that the system as claimed in 1) may be used in the same way but with the cover produced wider than the area to be covered and the edge of the cover not entering the circular feature.

The edge of the cover can be weighted or fastened down through eyelets. This has economic advantages for internal use or where safety is not of prime importance.

3. I claim that the steel hairpin clip fixture of the roller carriers referred to in Ciaim 1) ensures that the twin wheels of the carriers are always engaged in the vee tracks irrespective of the catenary angles and loads.

e.g. The steel hairpin clip rests in the groove machined in the carrier body and is threaded on the open ends. In this way the component of the tensile loads induced by weight and catenary will always be horizontal and normal to the vee tracks which will ensure wheel contact. The threaded ends allow tensioning of the straps or rods. The hairpin clip in effect provides articulation to the roller carriers.

4. 1 claim that the articulating clip feature as described in Claim 3) has the facilityto accommodate either flexible straps or rods to provide cover support.

e.g. Apart from providing the facility to attach straps for each carrier to its neighbour the steel hairpin clip can receive any attachment on to its open ends which can accommodate straps or rods and is therefore interchangeable depending on the cover specification to be met.

5. I claim that the rods or straps as claimed in any preceding claim are made of such materials as to ensure complete safety when the cover is closed and stationery.

e.g. The support rods or straps if manufactured from alloys or high strength plastics will in conjunction with the cover, when fixed into the circular feature, support the weight of an adult and that such loads will be within the capacity of the needle bearing rollers and vee tracks.

6. I claim that the system as claimed in the preceding claims can be manually operated by simple rope pulls or hand operated roller or can be semi-automatic by use of winches or made fully automatic by employing electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power systems.

e.g. The various alternatives available to drive or operate the cover allows the advantages of the basic system to be employed with varying degrees of sophistication and therefore commercial viability.