US3780385A

US3780385A - Swimming pool cover

Info

Publication number: US3780385A
Application number: US00302934A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Dunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-11-01
Filing date: 1972-11-01
Publication date: 1973-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-25

Abstract

A swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming pool liner and a second swimming pool liner attached circumferentially to the first liner''s interior vertical surface, the second liner defining the pool bottom in a lowered position and forming with said first liner a watertight compartment which compartment, when filled with water, displaces the second liner upward whereby the second liner acts as a swimming pool cover. Water is introduced into the compartment through a hose fitting in one of the liners, and preferably the second liner. The water which is introduced into the compartment may optionally be the swimming pool water which is located upward of the second liner.

Description

United States Patent [191 Dunn [451 Dec. 25, 1973 SWIMMING POOL COVER 22 Filed: Nov. 1, 1972 [21] Appl.No.:302,934

Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney-Sidney W. Russell [5 7 ABSTRACT A swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming pool liner and a second swimming pool liner attached circumferentially to the first liners interior vertical surface, the second liner defining the pool bottom in a lowered position and forming with said first liner a watertight compartment which compartment, when filled with water, displaces the second liner upward whereby the second liner acts as a swimming pool cover. Water is introduced into the compartment through a hose fitting in one of the liners, and preferably the second liner. The water which is introduced into the compartment may optionally be the swimming pool water which is located upward of the second liner.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU m2 5 ma FIG.1

FIG.3

FIG.4

SWIMMING POOL COVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The primary and overriding objective of this invention is the development of a pool cover which would be virtually impossible to remove and, therefor, aflord the highest order of protection for unsupervised children or unwary trespassers.

The inherent danger of backyard-type swimming pools, particularly to smaller children, is a recognized problem and as will be noted by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,070 which relates to another type of pool cover, but not exhibiting the various purposes and advantages of the instant invention.

Swimming pools are, in various residential areas, considered attractive nuisances, for every year many unsuspecting children tragically become victims of their curiosity when pools are left uncovered, or when the covers are easily removable. Many local ordinances therefore are strict as to proper fences or enclosures for same, this for protective purposes.

Many of the pool covers previously developed, among other disadvantages, were relatively light in construction and easy to remove. These covers, although serving to keep the pool free from dustand soot, do not prevent unwanted intruders in the pool. Other types of pool covers have been sealed at their ends to a continuous flexible hollow border which was filled with a suitable liquid such as water. These covers are also disadvantageous because they are subject to inadvertent rupture or puncturing allowing the liquid to empty therefrom, thus to thereby detract from their usefulness. Still other types of covers have been unsatisfactory in that they require time consuming staking and the like to secure the cover to the border or frame of the poo]. Attachment devices of the type developed previously are exemplified by the retainer and lock for swimming pool covers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,410. One of the recent developments in swimming pool covers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,070 where the cover is supported by a heavy liquid filled multi-compartment border region which rests on the peripheral edge of the pool.

In each of the previous designs for pool covers or pool cover and retainer arrangements, the main purpose has singularly been one of continual improvement to the method of retention of the cover to the border or peripheral areas or the swimming pool, rather than directing the aim of same to the multi-purpose scheme of this invention. Accordingly, although each design further reduced the possibility of disengagement of the pool cover, the inherent danger, though minimized, was still present. In accordance with this invention, a second liner which acts as a cover when in a raised position is employed. The locus of attachment of the pool cover is interiorally of the swimming pool. When the cover is in the raised position because of water pressure, the vertical portion of the cover is maintained transversely against the swimming pool sidewalls. It is thus physically impossible to detach the cover at its locus of attachment. The deeper the pool, the lower the locus of attachment the water level in the pool, and consequently the greater the force against the swimming poo] sidewalls at the locus of attachment.

' Another objective of the invention is to provide a pool cover that does not need any storage place, for as stated, in any position it is permanently attached to the pool.

Still another objective is to provide a pool cover which effectively precludes intrusion of dirt or other foreign matter.

Yet another objective is to provide a facile arrangement whereby manually and mechanically attachable and detachable cover retaining arrangements are rendered unnecessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present in vention the above objectives are accomplished by providing a swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming pool liner of flexible material having a vertical portion and a bottom portion, and a second liner of flexible material attached circumferentially to the interior vertical surface of the first swimming pool liner, said first and second liners being adapted to form a watertight compartment therebetween. A means for introducing and withdrawing water from said compartment is located in at leastone of said liners, the size and disposition of said second liner being such that when water is introduced into the compartment between said liners the second liner extends upward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as a pool cover.

Pools of the type forwhich the invention is particularly adapted may be mounted above the ground or constructed in the ground. An example of the former type would be pools of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,466,676 having peripheral walls extending above the ground within which a swimming pool liner may be suitably supported. In any event, it is contemplated that in accordance with my invention the first liner may be attached to the side, vertical walls of a pool structure in any suitable manner. The first liner may, for example, be secured at its peripheral and upper edge to the peripheral walls of the pool structure by coping.

The unitary pool liner and cover :may be constructed of any suitably flexible and water impervious material. Illustrative materials of this type are the polyvinyls, such as polyvinyl chloride, and the polyolefins, such as polyethylene. The unitary pool liner and cover may be formed as one piece or more preferably, the liners may be individually fabricated and thereafter attached together by heat sealing or some other appropriate bonding method.

This invention is also applicable to a swimming pool unit including side vertical walls and a bottom wall wherein non-flexible material, that is, a pool wall proper, is utilized in place of liner 3. In this application of the invention a liner corresponding to the second liner of applicants unitary liner and cover is attached directly to the swimming pool wall forming therewith the required intermediate watertight compartment. Where possible the liner may be bonded by heat or chemical reaction to the swimming pool wall. Where the composition of the liner and swimming pool wall does not permit, mechanical bonding is suitably employed.

It will, therefore, be noted that this invention also includes a swimming pool unit including side vertical walls and a bottom wall which has an improved safety pool cover comprising a flexible material attached circumferentially to the interior side vertical walls, said pool cover extending downwardly from the locus of attachment and having a vertical portion and a bottom portion when in lowered position, said pool cover being adapted to form a compartment bounded by the vertical and bottom walls of the swimming pool unit when in an upward position. There is also provided a means for introducing to and withdrawing water from said compartment and as so provided in the swimming pool unit of this invention. The size and locus of attachment of the cover is such that, and as stated, when fluid is introduced into the compartment the cover extends above its locus of attachment whereby it acts as pool cover.

In its application, this invention also encompasses in combination, with the swimming pool unitary liner and cover and the aforesaid swimming pool unit, a means for withdrawing water from the swimming pool unit located above the cover and introducing the water into the compartment thereby to raise the inner liner in covering position over the water. As will be more particularly pointed out in the detailed description of the drawings, the use of this invention allows the swimming pool water to be utilized for moving the liner attached interiorally of the pool upward to the covered position. In turn, when the cover is removed; that is returned to the lowered position the water formerly beneath the cover is again reintroduced into the swimming pool as the swimming pool water. Hence the same water may be reused, yet during periods of non-use is not subject to contamination by debris, for when in non-use the inner liner covers the water in adequate and safe fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the invention in application to a conventional pool structure. The figures are crosssection illustrations.

FIG. 1 is a view, partially in cross-section, illustrating the invention wherein the second liner is operating as a cover. This operational position will hereinafter be called the covered position.

FIG. 2, similar to FIG. 1, shows the invention wherein the cover is being removed that is, wherein the second liner is being passed downwardly past its locus of attachment.

FIG. 3 depicts the invention wherein the second liner is in the lowered position functioning as the pool bottom.

FIG. 4 shows, again in partial cross-section, the invention wherein the second pool liner is being moved upwardly to the covered position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In FIG. 1, the unitary pool cover and liner is disposed within a rigid swimming pool supporting frame defined by vertical sides 1 and bottom 2. The latter as illustrated may be the ground surface or more suitably, a bottom wall. The first (3) and second (4) swimming pool liners which comprise the unitary pool cover and liner assembly, are placed within the frame, with the first pool liner 3 attached to the frame and the second pool liner 4 facing inwardly towards the interior of the pool.

In FIG. 1 the unitary pool liner and cover is illustrated with the second pool liner 4 extending upward of the locus of attachment 8 whereby it is operating as a pool cover. Opening serves as the means for introducing and withdrawing water from compartment 9 formed between the first liner 3 and second liner 4 via pump P. This opening or inlet may be a hose fitting which can be valved to off or closed position when the second liner is in the pool covering position. Water line 6 is connected to opening 5 and water pump outlet 11. It is from pump outlet 11 and through line 6 that the water whichvraises the second liner to the cover position is introduced into compartment 9. Water pump inlet 12 is connected to line 7. Both of lines 6 and 7 may be constructed of any suitable materials such as piping or tubing of metal, e.g. copper or more practically, hose of rubber or some other flexible plastic material.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, hose 7 is connected to the interior of the swimming pool 10; the pump withdraws water from the swimming pool interior via hose 7 and pumps the water from the pool into compartment 9 via hose 6.

In FIG. 2 where the second liner 4 is in a position intermediate the covered position and bottom position, the water in compartment 9 is being withdrawn through opening 5 via hose 6 into pump inlet 12 and then is pumped above the liner 4 into the swimming pool interior 10 through pump outlet 11 and hose 7.

In FIG. 3, the second liner 4 is in a lowered position. Opening 5 is illustrated with line 7 detached. Substantially all of the water has been removed from compartment 9. The second liner in the position illustrated in FIG. 3 acts as a second pool bottom liner. The pump is illustrated as still operative. The pump thus employed may be considered the recirculating pump ordinarily associated with larger pools. In the larger pools, the water is continuously or intermittently recirculated by a pump means. Upon removal from the interior of the pool by pump means, the water may be treated by passage through a filter (not shown)containing materials such as diatomaceous earth, often further treated by the addition of certain chemicals including, for example, chlorine, copper sulfate, etc. It is possible in these pool arrangements to adapt the recirculation pump for use as the pumping means of the invention.

In FIG. 4 where the second liner is being moved upwardly to the cover position, the water (10) above compartment 9 is being withdrawn through hose 7 and pumped through hose 6 into compartmnet 9 via opening 5.

Adverting again to FIG. 1, such represents the most simplified version of the invention wherein in the position shown the pump P has completed the filling operation into the compartment 9 with the interliner 4 in raised, cover position. A line 27 represents the inlet to the pump P providing fresh water to the area 9; the same may also constitute a waste line upon reverse flow. That is, by suitable valving the pump P can be reversed so that line 6 permits reversal of flow to withdraw the water within area 9 and discharge the same to waste by line 27, line 27 being suitably valved for this purpose. In other words, the set-up as depicted in FIG. 1 would be more appropriate for use where the water is not saved after each use of the pool. On the other hand, the more preferred embodiment of the invention is represented in FIGS. 2-4 inclusive where reuse of the water is enabled. Obviously, after periods of such reuse during intermittent periods of pool coverage as shown in FIG. 1, the water can be permanently discharged through waste line 27 and then the pool refilled through line 7 and as shown in FIG. 2. The details of such an appropriate valving arrangement for these latter purposes are well within the skill of the art, and hence such details, as to such valve mechanisms, are not shown in the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 are intended to illustrate a preferred mode of the inventive structure as well as practical utilization of the apparatus of the invention. As is readily apparent, the opening 5 can be located in the first liner downward of the locus of attachment 8 with equivalent results. Moreover, a swimming pool unit including side vertical walls and a bottom wall wherein non-flexible material is utilized in place of the liner 3 is within the scope of this invention. In this latter swimming a wimming pool structure may be of a type where a liner is unnecessary. In pools of this type a liner corresponding to the second liner may be attached directly to the swimming pool bottom and side walls, and forming therewith the requisite watertight compartment. It is also necessary, as must appear evident from the foregoing, that the size and disposition of the liner is such that when fluid is introduced into the compartment between the liner and pool wall, the second liner extends above its location of attachment to a high point (as shown in FIG. 1) where it may appropriately achieve its intended function an adequate swimming pool cover.

There may be obvious alternate modifications of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, said scope of the invention to be limited only by that area defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming pool liner of flexible material having a vertical portion and a bottom portion, a second liner of flexible material attached circumferentially to the interior vertical surface of the first swimming pool liner, said first and second liners being adapted to form a watertight compartment between said liners, a means for introducing and withdrawing water from said compartmnent located in one of said liners, the size and disposition of said second liner being such that when water is introduced into the compartment between said liners the second liner extends upward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as a pool cover.

2. A swimming pool unitary liner and cover of claim 1 further characterized in that the flexible material is a vinyl plastic.

3. The swimming pool unitary liner and cover of claim 1 further characterized in that the means of introducing and withdrawing water from the compartment is a hose fitting which is connected to a water pump means by a first water hose said pump means in turn being connected to the interior of said swimming pool unit located upward of said second liner by a second water hose, whereby when said unit is filled for swimming and the second liner is in the lowered position the second liner can be raised to cover the unit by pumping water located upward of said pool into said compartment.

4. In combination with a swimming pool unit including side vertical walls and a bottom wall an improved safety pool cover comprising a flexible material attached circumferentially to the interior side vertical walls, said pool cover extending downwardly from the locus of attachment and having a vertical portion and a bottom portion when in lowered position, said pool cover being adapted to form a compartment with the vertical and bottom walls of the swimming pool unit when in an upward position, a means for introducing and withdrawing water from said compartment, the size and locus of attachment of said cover being such that when water is introduced into the compartment the cover extends upward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as a pool cover.

5. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in that the means of introducing and withdrawing fluid from said compartment is connected with a means for withdrawing water from the swimming pool unit located upwards of the cover and introducing the water into said compartment.

6. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in that the means for introducing and withdrawing fluid from said compartment is connected to a means for withdrawing water from said compartment and introducing the water into the pool unit upwards of the cover.

7. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in that the means of introducing and withdrawing fluid from the compartment is a hose fitting connected to a water pump by a first water hose, said pump means in turn being connected to the interior of said swimming pool unit located upward of said pool cover by a second water hose, whereby when said unit is filled for swim ming and the cover is in the lowered position the cover can be raised to cover the unit by pumping water located upward of said cover into said compartment.

Claims

1. A swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming pool liner of flexible material having a vertical portion and a bottom portion, a second liner of flexible material attached circumferentially to the interior vertical surface of the first swimming pool liner, said first and second liners being adapted to form a watertight compartment between said liners, a means for introducing and withdrawing water from said compartmnent located in one of said liners, the size and disposition of said second liner being such that when water is introduced into the compartment between said liners the second liner extends upward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as a pool cover.

7. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in that the means of introducing and withdrawing fluid from the compartment is a hose fitting connected to a water pump by a first water hose, said pump means in turn being connected to the interior of said swimming pool unit located upward of said pool cover by a second water hose, whereby when said unit is filled for swimming and the cover is in the lowered position the cover can be raised to cover the unit by pumping water located upward of said cover into said compartment.