GB2170702A - Improvements relating to swimming pool enclosures - Google Patents

Abstract

A swimming pool enclosure has a translucent roof (6) to take advantage, during the summer, of solar gain. For winter use, insulation panels (7) provide a lining or under-roof shield. The panels are articulated and are supported by wheels that run on parallel tracks (3) which can be part of the roof structure. The panels are folded up concertina fashion for summer or extended flat for winter. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to swimming pool enclosures This invention relates to swimming pool enclosures.

In this country, to enjoy year round swimming it is essential to enclose the pool. There are two basic methods. One is to have a glazed structure, which is akin to a greenhouse and which will have the same effect, appreciably warming the air whenever there is a reasonable amount of sun. However, in the depths of winter it cannot contribute much, and there are then great problems with heat loss. To keep the pool going requires a supplementary space heating system.

The other approach is to have a building with high insulating properties completely enclosing the pool.

However, one then loses the advantage of solar gain through a translucent roof, and all heating has to be done by a plant which is expensive to install and even with efficient insulation, not without certain running and maintenance costs. Also, the cost of such a building is very much greater than a "greenhouse".

It is the aim of this invention to try to take advantage of the benefits of both such systems and to avoid their disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a swimming pool enclosure comprising a translucent roof, parallel tracks spanning the underneath of the roof, and a set of insulating panels supported by roller means between each adjacent pair of tracks, groups of panels being mutually hinged to be foldable concertina fashion or to be extended to infill the spaces between said tracks with the roller means running on said tracks.

The roller means are preferably at alternate hinge axes, while the other hinge axes may be arranged to rise above the tracks as folding is carried out. Thus, the insulation stows into the roof space. Means may be provided to support the panels, when extended, adjacent the other hinge axes.

For a better understanding of the invention one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa vertical section through a swimming pool enclosure, Figure 2 is a detail of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a detail, corresponding to Figure 2, but showing insulation panels being stowed, Figure 4 is a section on the line IV--IV of Figure 2, and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic underneath plan view of the roof of the enclosure.

In the enclosure of Figure 1, columns 1 support roof trusses 2, which extend in parallel across the pool (not shown). Each truss is a lattice girder with a straight lower boom 3 and a shallow V-shaped upper boom 4, so that the roof has a central gutter 5.

Glazing of translucent plastic sheeting 6 covers the roof and slopes down to this gutter.

The lower boom 3, at least, of each truss is of Isection with the edges of the horizontal portions turned inwardly. Preferably, this boom 3 will be constructed in accordance with the beam described in my co-pending Application No. 8602006.

Rectangular insulation panels 7 are hinged together so that they can fold and unfold lengthwise of the trusses concertina-fashion as shown in Figure 3. At alternate hinges 8, conveniently using extensions of the hinge pins as axles, there are wheels 9 at each side which run within the tracks provided by the lower booms 3. These hinges allow the adjacent panels 7 to fold upwardly about them through a prog ressionally sharper V-configuration, while the alternate set of hinges 10 allow their adjacent panels to fold in the opposite manner, through an inverted V-shape, before closing together completely.

When an array of panels is drawn out as shown on the left hand side of Figure 1 and in Figure 5, the space between the trusses is completely spanned.

Heat is retained in the space below, as indicated by the bent arrows. Adequate support is provided at alternate hinges 8 by the wheels, but at the intermediate hinges 10 reliance is placed on the abutting edges of adjacent panels to keep them horizontal. Although they are light, and quite thick, it may be difficult to prevent sagging, with the hinges being forced into shallow reflex angle positions. To prevent this, these hinges may also have some support, as indicated in Figures 2 and 4. An inverted T bracket 11 has its stem sandwiched between the two C-section members of the boom 3, constructed as in Application No. 8602006, and its crossmember providing ledges on either side to project a short distance under the panels 7 on or adjacent the hinge 10.

Folding an array of panels to the stowed position shown on the right hand side of Figure 1 and in Figure 4 is simply a matter of drawing back the array from the panel furthest from the columns 1. This can be done through a cord and pulley arrangement (not shown), and the hinges 10 may be "broken" upwardly to commence the folding by using a pole to press lightly upon one of the adjacent panels. The array of course can be retained in the stowed position simply by cleating up the cord. With free running wheels their weight alone will cause them to unfold into the insulating position, although this can be kept under control by surging out on the cord. When stowed, there can be solar gain through the translucent roof as indicated by the straight arrows.

Although the wheels 9 are shown at the hinges 8, they could be elsewhere. For example, they could be at or near the mid-point of each side of a panel.

Thus, when the panels were folded they would be partly above and partly below the lower boom 3.

This would of course require more wheels, but the stress on the hinges 10 would not be so great, and larger panels could be used.

It is also possible to have the wheels 9 on extensions of the other hinges 10 so that the panels would be folded entirely below the boom 3. This would enable even larger panels to be provided; with the arrangement shown, their dimension lengthwise of the trusses is restricted by the depth of those trusses. A cord arrangement would be required to draw them out rather than fold them, and when so drawn out. the panels would require means to hold them there. The cord being secured might suffice but there could be catches at the ends of the hinges 8 which would have been brought up to the level of the lower booms 3 to engage the latter.

Figure 1 shows the panels in two equal sets, one each side of the gutter 5. Symmetricality is not essential and for short spans there could just be one set For a very wide span it may even be arranged to have three or more sets, with the intermediate ones stowing at intermediate positions.

This system may be applied to many different kinds of roof, apartfrom that shown in Figure 1, provided that tracks corresponding to the booms 3 can be fitted. They need not be an integral part of the roof structure, although it is a convenience and an economy if they are. For example, with an apex roof, suitably profiled horizontal tie bars could serve as the tracks.

Claims (5)

1. A swimming pool enclosure comprising a translucent roof, parallel tracks spanning the underneath of the roof, and a set of insulating panels supported by roller means between each adjacent pair of tracks, groups of panels being mutually hinged to be foldable concertina fashion or to be extended to infill the spaces between said tracks with the roller means running on said tracks.

2. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the roller means are at alternate hinge axes.

3. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the other hinge axes are arranged to rise above the tracks as folding is carried out.

4. An enclosure as claimed. in Claim 2 or3, wherein means are provided to support the panels, when extended, adjacent the other hinge axes.

5. A swimming pool enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.