US3711873A

US3711873A - Swimming pool cover

Info

Publication number: US3711873A
Application number: US00177409A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Katzman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-09-02
Filing date: 1971-09-02
Publication date: 1973-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-23

Abstract

The method for and device to cover a swimming pool in which a sheet is disposed over the swimming pool, and a plurality of water filled tubes positioned on the sheet adjacent to the edge of the swimming pool to hold it down, the tubes being filled with water, and loops embracing the water filled tubes to secure the tubes in position on top of the cover.

Description

United States Patent [191 Katzman [451 Jan. 23, 1973 [5 SWIMMING POOL COVER 3,509,585 5 1970 Solomon ..4/172.12 [76] Inventor: Frederick Katzman, 372 Hamilton Bwlevardv Summit, 08854 3,667,070 6/1972 mm et al. ..4/172.12 [22] Filed: Sept. 2, 1971 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis [211 177,499 Attorney-Popper, Bain, Bobis & Gilfillan 52 11.8. CI ..4/172.12 ABSTRACT [51] hit. Cl. ..E04h 3/16, E9411 3/18 The method for and device to cover a i i l [58] Field Of Search....4/l72.l2, 172.13, 17214, 172 in which a Sheet is disposed over the i i pool and a plurality of water filled tubes positioned on the [56] References C'ted sheet adjacent to the edge of the swimming pool to UNITED STATES PATENTS hold it down, the tubes being filled with water, and loops embracing the water filled tubes to secure the 2,883,676 4/1959 Kwake ..4/l72.l2 tubes in position on top of the cover. 3,077,610 2/1963 Gazdik 3,353,309 ll/l967 Kwake ..4/l72.l2 UX 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH23 I973 3.711.873

FIG. 1

A INVENTOR -a. M i v FREDERICK KATZMAN BY Wpmfim/ M a ATTORNEYS SWIMMING POOL COVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to swimming pool covers generally, and specifically to swimming pool covers in which a plurality of water filled tubes secure the cover in place and are positioned on the swimming pool cover by loops embracing the tubes.

2. PRIOR ART Numerous swimming pool covers have been devised for covering swimming pools during periods when they are not in use, in order to keep out children and animals that might fall in and drown, in order to keep out dust, dirt and leaves during the winter, and to preserve the cleanliness of the pool. These pool covers are of the kind which are usually positioned over the pool by being attached to anchors, being secured in place by laces, or by being provided with a continuous tube filled with water attached to the cover along its boarder, and holding the cover slackly in place (Kwake U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,676; Gazdik U.S. Pat. No. 3,077,610; Sanford U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,816). These covers are heavy, difficult to adjust, difficult to handle, take a long time to fill, and a long time to empty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found that a swimming pool cover may be prepared which is light in weight and easy to position, easy to anchor in place, and easy to move. Such a cover is one which extends over the swimming pool and on the marginal portions thereof. At the marginal portions of the swimming pool where the cover overlays it, there are provided numerous straps or loops which are secured to the cover. A plurality of separate, relatively short tubes are provided which are passed through these loops or straps, and are then filled with water. The weight of these tubes is sufficient to anchor the cover in place by resting on it, and the straps keeping the tubes in position, so that the cover will not be displaced. They hold the water filled tubes in place on the cover. The tubes being devised to be of such short length as to be easy to handle whether empty or filled with water. The cover is easily adjustable and the weight of the plurality of the tubes is sufficient to keep the cover in place around the edge of the swimming pool, and to keep out dirt.

DRAWINGS The foregoing objects and advantages, as well as other objects and advantages may be achieved by the device shown by illustration in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the cover with water filled tubes in place on top of the cover;

FIG. 2 is aperspective view of a portion of the cover showing loops attached spaced inwardly from the edge;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the cover in another form showing loops attached close to the edge;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover and loops shown in FIG. 3 with the loops disposed outwardly to receive the tubes;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tube retained on the cover resting on it;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a short water tube; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a cover with straps attached in two places.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS side of the swimmingpool. A plurality of straps or loops- 13 are attached to the cover in order to receive tubes 14. These straps 13 are attached to the cover 11 by stitches l5 and are spaced inwardly from the edge thereof, but extend toward the edge of the cover as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Tubes 14 are prepared with sealable water ports 16 and each tube 14 is placed on the cover 11 near its edge, and passed through the straps 13 so that the tube 14 rests on the cover 11. The cappable opening or water filler port 16 is then opened and the tube is filled with water 17. The cap is then applied to seal the opening 16. The tube 14, being filled with water 17 lies upon the cover 11 and holds it down. Other tubes 14 are inserted in other straps 13 and similarly filled with water 17 until all of the straps 13 are occupied by tubes 14 and the weight of the tubes 14 on the cover where they rest on the coping 12 or edge of the swimming pool, hold the cover 11 in place.

Instead ,of the straps 13 being attached to the cover 11 each at one point spaced inwardly from the edge of the cover 11 and extending outwardly as loops toward the edge of the cover, as shown in FIG. 2, an alternative form of the invention may be utilized as is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the straps 13 may be attached to the cover near its edges and extending inwardly as loops. It is also noted that instead of the straps 13 being secured to the cover 11 only at one point, they may also be secured by stitches 15 to the cover at two points, as shown in FIG. 7, each of which points generally represents the length of the strap 13 with sufficient extra length to form a loop over the cover 11 to receive the tubes. A single loop may be sufficient to receive and hold a water filled tube 14, but it is preferred that each tube shall be received by more than one loop 13 as shown in FIG. 1. The tubes 14 may be provided in various lengths. It is preferred, however, that each tube should be for convenience approximately 6m 10 feet long. The straps 13 may be attached to the cover 11 at intervals of 4 or 5 feet. The cover 11 may be of the mesh variety, or it may be a plastic sheet. Each tube 14 need only be provided with one filler port 16. By reason of the tube's l4 relatively short length, it is not necessary to provide it any tube with an air exhaust port. The loops may also be secured to the cover by heat sealing.

The short tubes are easy to handle, and are inserted in the straps 13 before being filled with water 17. They are easily shifted with the cover, even after being filled, to stretch the cover taut over the pool. Being short, the tubes are easy to fill and drain. Unlike a continuous tube, one puncture does not ruin the cover, for the d efective tube can be replaced. Even though the tubes may not lay evenly, they may nevertheless hold the cover tightly.

DEFINITION The term strap as used herein means: 1. A flat piece of material fastened at both ends to a cover or;

2. A folded piece of material the ends of which are fastened together to a sheet in both of which cases a means for holding a water tube attached to a sheet is formed.

The term loop as used herein means:

I. A strap folded upon itself and fastened by its ends together to a sheet in which case a loop for encircling and holding a water tube is formed, with the folded end free.

I claim:

1. A swimming pool cover comprising:

a. a sheet,

b. the sheet dimensioned larger than the size of a swimming pool,

c. a plurality of straps defining loops attached to the sheet,

d. the straps attached generally on that portion of the sheet which is larger than the swimming pool,

e. a plurality of tubes for containing a liquid,

f. a water port in each of the water tubes,

g. means to seal the water ports,

h. each of the water tubes adapted to be inserted through at least one of the loops.

. A swimming pool cover comprising:

. the device according to claim 1 and,

. wherein the liquid to be contained in the tubes is water.

. A swimming pool cover comprising:

. the device according to claim 1 and,

. the tubes lying on a portion of that portion of the sheet which is larger than the swimming pool when said cover is in place.

. A swimming pool cover comprising:

a. the device according to claim 1 and,

FUN

GNU

b. the tubes lying adjacent to the sheet when said cover is in place.

. A swimming pool cover comprising:

. the device according to claim 1 and,

. the straps are attached to the sheet at points spaced inwardly from the edge of the sheet.

. A swimming pool cover comprising:

. the device according to claim 1 and,

. the straps are attached to the sheet at points along the edge of the sheet.

. A swimming pool cover comprising:

. the device according to claim 1 and,

each strap attached to the sheet at two points generally defining a line perpendicular to the edge of the cover, but outside the portion of the sheet that covers the swimming pool.

8. A swimming pool cover comprising:

a. the device according to claim 1,

b. wherein the liquid to be contained in the tubes is water,

c. the tubes lying on a portion of that portion of the sheet which is larger than the swimming pool, and,

d. the tubes collectively defining generally at least a portion of the outline of the swimming pool.

9. A swimming pool cover comprising:

a. the device according to claim 8 and,

b. the weight of the tubes when filled with water being sufficient to hold the sheet tautly over the swimming pool.

10. A swimming pool cover comprising:

a. the device according to claim 1 and,

b. the sheet being made of material impenetrable to fluids.

Claims

1. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. a sheet, b. the sheet dimensioned larger than the size of a swimming pool, c. a plurality of straps defining loops attached to the sheet, d. the straps attached generally on that portion of the sheet which is larger than the swimming pool, e. a plurality of tubes for containing a liquid, f. a water port in each of the water tubes, g. means to seal the water ports, h. each of the water tubes adapted to be inserted through at least one of the loops.

2. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. wherein the liquid to be contained in the tubes is water.

3. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. the tubes lying on a portion of that portion of the sheet which is larger than the swimming pool when said cover is in place.

4. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. the tubes lying adjacent to the sheet when said cover is in place.

5. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. the straps are attached to the sheet at points spaced inwardly from the edge of the sheet.

6. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. the straps are attached to the sheet at points along the edge of the sheet.

7. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. each strap attached to the sheet at two points generally defining a line perpendicular to the edge of the cover, but outside the portion of the sheet that covers the swimming pool.

8. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1, b. wherein the liquid to be contained in the tubes is water, c. the tubes lying on a portion of that portion of the sheet which is larger than the swimming pool, and, d. the tubes collectively defining generally at least a portion of the outline of the swimming pool.

9. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 8 and, b. the weight of the tubes when filled with water being sufficient to hold the sheet tautly over the swimming pool.

10. A swimming pool cover comprising: a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. the sheet being made of material impenetrable to fluids.