WO2000019040A1

WO2000019040A1 - Device for covering pools, in particular swimming pools

Info

Publication number: WO2000019040A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/002256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis Durand
Original assignee: Louis Durand
Priority date: 1998-09-25
Filing date: 1999-09-23
Publication date: 2000-04-06
Also published as: FR2783855A1; FR2783855B1; EP1119672A1; AU5867099A

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for covering pools, in particular swimming pools, characterised in that it consists of a plurality of mobile elements (E) forming the decks of the swimming pool when the swimming pool is being used, and which cover entirely said swimming pool when the latter is not being used, by the successively displacing the elements relative to one another.

Description

DEVICE FOR COVERING BASINS, ESPECIALLY

FOR POOLS

To date, many devices are known to be used to cover the outdoor swimming pools of individuals or public.

Among these devices, there may be mentioned in particular shelters in the form of arches with opening or sliding elements, fabrics or tarpaulins preferably mounted on a reel, or even curtains or sliding panels integrated into the construction of the swimming pool. These installations have a number of drawbacks. For example, high-rise shelters require a solid and therefore expensive installation, get dirty easily, which requires tedious cleaning, are not always compatible with the often limited surrounding space, and are unsightly. The roller cover covers are an unsightly installation and not very resistant to bad weather, offer no security due to their deformation under the weight of a body for example, have a low thermal resistance by their constitution and due to the residual free space between their surface and the pool deck. As for the curtains and integrated sliding panels, such as those described in the Austrian patents 380057 and German 2901893 it is understood that they require a particular arrangement of the swimming pool during construction. In addition, they do not offer good thermal insulation, and unnecessarily clutter the area around the pool when they are in the open swimming pool position.

In addition, this equipment is necessarily used in addition to the swimming pool itself, which considerably increases the cost of the operation. Their installation is not always possible taking into account the environment of the swimming pool. The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks in the sense that it makes it possible to obtain an economical, rigid, insulating, aesthetic, very safe basin cover, easy to maneuver, and above all does not constitute additional equipment. For this, and according to a first characteristic, the device is constituted by a plurality of mobile elements, forming the areas of the pool in the position of use of the latter, and which entirely cover said pool in the position of non-use, by displacements successive said elements between them. According to another characteristic, the elements in number and variable dimensions depending on the size of the pool are interconnected and with the walls of the pool by rolling and guiding means and are maneuverable manually or motorized.

To meet the safety objectives, the elements are produced in the form of rigid rib panels and suitably arranged to be load-bearing, while clutch release means, warning devices and detectors are used when the panels are maneuvered.

These characteristics and others will emerge from the description which follows.

To fix the subject of the invention. without however limiting it, in the attached drawings:

- Figures 1 to 4 show in perspective a swimming pool of generally conventional rectangular shape equipped with the cover device according to the invention, and shown successively in the uncovered position, being covered and covered.

- Figures 5 to 9 show in perspective a rectangular pool of the overflow type, equipped with the device according to the invention and shown successively in the uncovered position, during recovery and covered.

- Figures 10 to 14 show in perspective a swimming pool similar to the previous one equipped with the device according to another embodiment, and shown successively in the uncovered position, being covered and covered.

- Figure 15 is a partial sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 4, showing the assembly and guiding of two panels together by a carrier element. - Figure 16 is a partial sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Figure 4 showing the assembly and guiding of three other panels together.

- Figure 17 is a partial sectional view taken along line 17-17 of Figure 4, showing the assembly and guiding of two other panels together.

- Figure 18 is a partial sectional view similar to Figure 17, showing the adaptation of the device on a swimming pool with skimmer.

- Figure 19 is a partial sectional view similar to Figure 17, showing the adaptation of the device on a pool with peripheral trough.

- Figure 20 illustrates two examples of coating the beach elements.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in nonlimiting embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

According to an important characteristic, we wanted to make a swimming pool cover using for this the beach generally dressing this type of basin. To this end, and as can be seen, FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings in particular, the covering device consists for example of eight beach elements dimensioned according to the sides of the basin, so that after their respective movements these elements cover said pool. In the example illustrated of a standard rectangular swimming pool of length (L) equal to twice the width (1) for example 8m X 4m, we will use eight identical elements (E) of 4m X 2m, namely twice three elements (El, E2, E3) and (E4, E5, E6) in the length and two elements (E7, E8) in the width. In the case of a rectangular swimming pool of length (L) greater than half the width (1) (for example 12m X 5m), we will find for example six identical elements at the ends, of length equal to twice their width and to the width of the swimming pool (5m x 2.5m), only the intermediate element or elements being of different length and of the same width, one element of 7m X 2.5m or two elements of 3.5m X 2.5m.

In another case illustrated in FIG. 20, if the length of the pool is less than twice its width, the device can be simplified by using fixed range elements (Ml-M2) at the longitudinal ends between which can slide mobile overlapping deck elements (M3-M4) each of which will be half the width of the pool.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the process of covering the pelvis will now be described, it being understood that the movements of the beach elements can be carried out either manually or in a motorized manner. Firstly (figure 2), the elements of the short sides are moved towards each other (E7, E8) until their front face is substantially in alignment with the line of separation between the elements (El , E2) and (E4, E5) for element (E7), and between elements (E2, E3) and (E5, E6) for element (E8). We then move the elements (E2, E5) until they are in contact (Figure 3). At this moment, the basin is completely covered and it only remains to bring the elements (El, E3) against each other, on the one hand, and (E4, E6) on the other, to constitute a compact rectangular surface (Figure 4). If the swimming pool is always rectangular, but of the overflow type, that is to say one side of which does not have a range, the wall on this side letting the water pass through a weir in order to be recycled by any known means , the device according to the invention will be established accordingly, FIGS. 5 to 14, and one will find for example longitudinal elements (E9, E10, El 1) and (E12, E13, E14) and a single transverse element (E15).

The covering process for this type of swimming pool can be as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9 or else as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14 by the arrows (1 to 4).

Referring now to Figures 15 to 19, there is described a non-limiting example of embodiment of the elements and the rolling and guiding means of these elements.

Each beach element is produced in the form of rigid rib-like support panels (10) of the sandwich type, that is to say comprising a casing (10a) of light alloy such as aluminum and an insulating filling (10b) of polyurethane for example.

In FIG. 15, there is illustrated the connection between a beach element (E5) and a beach element ((E8) placed side by side in the pool covering position (FIG. 4). profile (11) made of light alloy such as aluminum, for this purpose the profile has a lower heel (Ha) on which is supported and fixed by any means such as the element (E5). , the profile also has a lower heel (11b), the upper face of which is arranged in a double-slope projection to constitute a rail (ie) on which rollers (12) roll in the thickness of the element (E8) which can therefore slide relative to the element (E5) which is guided at the notched upper part (E8a) under a projection (l ie) of the profile, the edge of the element (E8) being covered with a light alloy profile (15).

In Figure 16, there is illustrated the connection between a beach element (E2), a beach element (E5) and a beach element (E4) placed side by side in the pool covering position (Figure 4). In this case, the elements (E2) and (E5) are joined on their edge (E2a and (E5a) with a support profile (13) made of light alloy filled with insulating material having for this purpose a lower heel (13a) while 'at the upper part, the profiles form an extension (13b) directed towards each other to ensure the continuity of the upper surface and follow the contour of the other elements in the open pool position. The element (E4), which must sliding along the element (E5) has rolling and guide means (rail 17c, rollers 12) which are not shown here for the clarity of the drawing; said element (E4) overlaps the element ( E5) by a notch (E4a) surrounded by a light alloy profile (14).

In FIG. 17, the connection between a beach element (E8) and a beach element (E6) has been illustrated, both of which have to slide relatively relative to each other at the level of the wall (P). of the swimming pool.

To this end, the element (E6) receives on its edge a profile (13) identical to that fitted to the element (E2) while the element (E8), as we have seen previously, receives a profile in light alloy (15) and fits into the profile (13). These two elements each receive rollers (12) cooperating with rails (16a-16b) formed on a light alloy profile (16) straddling the wall (P) of the swimming pool. The connection shown in Figure 17 is valid both in the case of a swimming pool with skimmer (Figure 18) and a swimming pool with peripheral trough (Figure 19). Outside the wall (P), we have sills (17) on a shoulder (PI) of the wall intended to support the rails of the panels on the beaches. Of course, as seen in the figures and in particular in the figure

20, the panels or beach elements receive on their upper face all types of coatings such as wooden slats or gratings (18), tiles (19) or other facing materials used for swimming pool decks.

On the other hand, the mobility of the beaches generating the risk of accident, it is necessary to provide safety devices such as audible warning devices, disengagement of the movement in the event of an obstacle, remote control with instantaneous cut-off when the button is released. triggering, detection cells Similarly, it is necessary to provide a locking in position of the panels in the two extreme positions, by any manual or automatic means; It is also not excluded to provide housing on the panels making it possible to permanently or removably fix a peripheral barrier when the pool is uncovered.

Note also that we can design beach elements of all shapes adapted to the shapes of the pool (ovoid, bean, L ...), and it is not excluded to provide rotational movements of the range elements, combined or not with translations. We can also provide for simplicity, fixed elements for those who do not cover the pool, the differences in level being bridged by removable panels.

One can also arrange the elements of the beaches in solar panels in order to heat the water very economically. Of course, it is possible to implement the device of mobile beaches on a swimming pool already equipped with copings or usual beaches.

The advantages are apparent from the following description, it is further emphasized: - the original pool cover using the beaches

- the aesthetics of the discreet device which can be easily dressed and which preserves the environment due to the absence of a superstructure.

- the ease of maneuvering by motorization - safety by load-bearing elements that can be locked in position.

- thermal insulation with insulating panels ensuring a pleasant water temperature even in winter

- the numerous possibilities of adaptation according to the dimensions of the swimming pool, and the peripheral space available. - Possible use on the terrace accessible from the covered surface of the swimming pool.

Claims

- 1 - Device for covering basins, in particular swimming pools, characterized in that it consists of a plurality of mobile elements (E) forming the areas of the pool in the position of use of the latter, and which cover entirely said swimming pool in the non-use position, by successive displacements of said elements between them.

-2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable elements (E) are made in the form of rigid panels of the sandwich type offering good insulation and suitably arranged to be load-bearing.

-3- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements (E) are interconnected and with the walls of the pool by rolling and guiding means of the rail type (ie - 16a - 16b) and rollers (12) suitably arranged to ensure the successive displacements of the elements between them.

-4- Device according to claim 1, applied to a rectangular pool of length (L) equal to twice the width (1), characterized in that the movable elements (E) are all of the same dimensions, that is to say - say length equal to the width of the pool, and width equal to half the width of the pool.

-5- Device according to claim 1, applied to a rectangular pool of length (L) greater than half the width (1), characterized in that one implements six elements (E) of length equal to the width of the pool and width equal to half the width of the pool, while 11

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on February 8, 2000 (08.02.00); claim 1 as amended; other claims unchanged (2 pages)]

- 1 - Device for covering basins, in particular swimming pools, of the type comprising several sliding panels characterized in that it consists of a plurality of mobile elements (E) forming the areas of the swimming pool in the position of use of the latter, and which completely cover said swimming pool in the non-use position, by successive movements of said elements together.

-5- Device according to claim 1, applied to a rectangular pool of length (L) greater than half the width (1), characterized in that one implements six elements (E) of length equal to the width of the 10

one or more intermediate elements (E) of the same width and of different length are interposed between the end elements.

-6- Device according to claim 1, applied to a rectangular swimming pool whose length (L) is less than twice its width

(1), characterized in that the end elements in the length (M1-M2) are fixed, while the intermediate elements (M3-M4) are mobile and of width equal to half the width of the pool.

-7- Device according to claim 1, applied to a rectangular swimming pool of the overflow type, characterized in that one implements elements (E) longitudinal and a single element (E) transverse.

-8- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the beach elements (E) receive on their upper face all types of coatings such as wood, tiles and other facing materials.

-9- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative movements of the elements (E) therebetween are carried out in a motorized manner with all the necessary safety means such as audible warning devices, cells, movement declutching and locking in position.

-10- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements (6) are arranged to receive in range position removable or non-removable safety barriers. pool and width equal to half the width of the pool, while one or more intermediate elements (E) of the same width and different length are interposed between the end elements.

-6- Device according to claim 1, applied to a rectangular swimming pool whose length (L) is less than twice its width (1), characterized in that the end elements in the length (M1-M2) are fixed , while the intermediate elements (M3-M4) are mobile and of width equal to half the width of the pool.

-10- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements (6) are arranged to receive in range position removable or non-removable safety barriers.

DECLARATION ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 19

The applicant, in response to the International Search Report, wishes to provide the following details in order to better understand the interest of the patent application in reference.

The main idea developed by the depositor is to make a swimming pool cover not with the means and equipment currently on the market such as shelters, verandas, awnings, fabrics, gratings, rigid panels ...., which are necessarily implemented in addition to the elements generally composing swimming pools, but using conventional swimming pool equipment constituted directly by the beach or coping surrounding the basin, therefore without bulky, unsightly and expensive supplement.

For this, the depositor has provided judiciously dimensioned beach elements so that after successive displacements of the elements between them, the basin is entirely covered with these elements, which, we can see, is an economical way of making a cover. On the other hand, such an embodiment does not require additional space or imposing and unsightly volume for its implementation, as is the case with known covers. The state of the art, constituted in particular by the teaching of the Austrian patents 380057 and German 2901893, absolutely does not disclose the characteristics of the request and does not suggest to a skilled person to reproduce, in an obvious manner, such characteristics , taking into account the problem to be solved.

^ THE AUSTRIAN PATENT 380057 describes a swimming pool cover by a single sliding element suitably guided, which, when it is not placed above the basin, extends next to the said basin which considerably clutters the environment of the swimming pool.

Q> THE GERMAN PATENT 2901893 describes a cover made from several sandwich type panels, but here again, we are in the field of the prior art known for covers in the form of additional equipment.