WO2008075074A2 - Structures couvrantes mobiles - Google Patents

Structures couvrantes mobiles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008075074A2
WO2008075074A2 PCT/GB2007/004926 GB2007004926W WO2008075074A2 WO 2008075074 A2 WO2008075074 A2 WO 2008075074A2 GB 2007004926 W GB2007004926 W GB 2007004926W WO 2008075074 A2 WO2008075074 A2 WO 2008075074A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
platform
movable cover
cover structure
structure according
guide
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2007/004926
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2008075074A3 (fr
Inventor
John Cartwright
Original Assignee
S.Cartwright & Sons (Coachbuilders) Ltd,
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0625512A external-priority patent/GB0625512D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0712201A external-priority patent/GB0712201D0/en
Application filed by S.Cartwright & Sons (Coachbuilders) Ltd, filed Critical S.Cartwright & Sons (Coachbuilders) Ltd,
Priority to US12/519,609 priority Critical patent/US20100024313A1/en
Priority to EP07858795A priority patent/EP2118405A2/fr
Priority to GB0912384A priority patent/GB2457862B/en
Publication of WO2008075074A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008075074A2/fr
Publication of WO2008075074A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008075074A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
    • E04H4/08—Coverings consisting of rigid elements, e.g. coverings composed of separate or connected elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06—Safety devices; Coverings for baths
    • E04H4/08—Coverings consisting of rigid elements, e.g. coverings composed of separate or connected elements
    • E04H4/086—Sliding covers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to movable cover structures, particularly although not exclusively for use with swimming pools.
  • US-A-4598506 describes a platform which is movable between a raised position in which it is stored overhead, and a lowered position at which it covers the pool and provides a floor space for a recreation or party room.
  • the platform is raised and lowered on vertical guide posts.
  • US-A-3114153 describes a cover for an outdoor swimming pool which is slidable horizontally between a protective position at which it extends over the pool and a retracted position at which it is clear of the pool.
  • the cover constitutes a substantial raised structure and has downwardly projecting wheels which run on tracks beneath the cover. An external winch is provided for movement of the cover. When drained of water, the covered swimming pool can be used as a secure shelter and access hatches are provided in the cover.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a movable platform which can be used conveniently for movement horizontally between a supportive covering position and a retracted out of the way position.
  • a movable cover structure comprising a platform which is mounted so as to be displaceable horizontally along a path between first and second positions at which the platform respectively covers a fixed ground area and is retracted clear of such area, the platform providing an exposed supportive cover surface in said first position, characterised in that the movement of the platform along the said path is effected by interengagement of at least one drive track and at least one drive rotatable element connected to power driving means for drivable rotation thereof.
  • the fixed ground area may incorporate a swimming pool whereby in the covering position the platform can conveniently be used as a floor or ground surface to accommodate persons seated or standing or engaging in sporting or recreational activities, and in both the retracted and covering positions the platform need not unduly restrict usage of areas adjoining the swimming pool.
  • the movable cover structure of the invention may be used for any suitable purpose in any suitable context.
  • the fixed ground area may constitute a ground surface outside a garage or other storage area whereby the platform may be used for moving a vehicle supported on the platform in and/or out of the storage area.
  • the platform may constitute a single panel or multiple panels movable together or separately.
  • interengageable guide track and guide rotatable elements For guidance of movement of the platform along the said path there may be provided interengageable guide track and guide rotatable elements.
  • the guide rotatable elements and guide tracks may be provided at opposite long edges of a rectangular said platform.
  • the guide rotatable elements may be on the platform movable therewith, the guide tracks being fixed alongside the platform.
  • the guide rotatable elements may be wheels and the guide tracks may comprise channel or angle-section members.
  • the guide rotatable elements may be mounted on the platform so as to be rotatable about horizontal or substantially horizontal axes and may project outwardly beyond the respective platform periphery.
  • the interengagement of the guide rotatable elements and guide tracks may thus occur transversely displaced beyond the platform periphery.
  • the guide tracks extend substantially wholly along the fixed ground area and also beyond such area to achieve guidance throughout substantially all of the length of the platform substantially throughout the entire movement between the said positions.
  • the (or each) drive rotatable element may also be a said guide rotatable element, or may be a separate rotatable element.
  • the (or each) drive track may also be a said guide track or may be a separate track.
  • the power driving means may comprise any suitable kind of motor or actuator particularly a hydraulic motor.
  • An electric motor may be used and this may be a low voltage motor powered from mains supply via a transformer or other voltage reducing device.
  • the motor may be a 24 v motor drawing say 30 amps whereby the current at mains voltage may be only 3 amps.
  • operation of the motor may require simultaneous actuation of two switches which may be press buttons or the like which require continuous application of pressure for actuation.
  • These buttons may be provided on a wall mounted control box or the like. Other arrangements are also possible.
  • the motor or other driving means may be mounted on the platform so as to be movable therewith.
  • drive may be applied directly to one or more drive rotatable elements on the platform.
  • the driving means may be mounted alongside the platform so as to be fixed relative to the ground area.
  • Drive may be transmitted to the platform via one or more drive rotatable elements mounted alongside the platform for engagement therewith e.g. via a said drive track, such as a toothed drive track, on the platform.
  • drive tracks mounted on the platform at opposite sides thereof and these may run alongside and separate to the aforesaid guide tracks along the length of the platform.
  • the drive tracks may extend at least substantially along the entire length of the platform.
  • the drive tracks extend beyond the platform at a forward end thereof for engagement with the drive rotatable elements beyond the platform when the platform is in the said first (cover) position.
  • the cover structure may be used within premises or outdoors. Most preferably, in order to ensure unobtrusive arrangement of the platform in the retracted state, the platform slides beneath a floor or ground surface to be at least partially and preferably substantially wholly concealed therebeneath on movement to the retracted position.
  • a movable cover structure comprising a platform which is mounted so as to be displaceable horizontally along a path between first and second positions at which the platform respectively covers a fixed ground area and is retracted clear of such area, the platform providing an exposed supportive cover surface in said first position, characterised in that a floor structure with a space therebeneath is provided adjacent to the said fixed ground area, the movement of the platform along the said path is guided by guide means whereby in the said second position the platform is stowed in said space beneath the said floor structure, and power means is provided for powering said movement.
  • the guide means may comprise interengageable guide tracks and guide rotatable elements and the power means may comprise power driving means connected to at least one drive rotatable element drivably interposed between the platform and the ground area, and this may drivably engage a respective drive track.
  • the platform may have further guide wheels, e.g. at opposite sides at the leading end region of the platform, which are rotatable about upright or vertical axes for rolling engagement transversely with upright surfaces of the tracks. These further guide wheels help prevent transverse distortion or lozenging of the platform.
  • the second aspect of the invention may be combined with the first aspect of the invention and/or may incorporate any or all of the subsidiary features of the first aspect of the invention, as described above, as appropriate.
  • sensors and associated control devices such as infrared or other directed beam system, may be provided to detect presence of a person on the platform and/or in the fixed ground area, e.g. in the swimming pool where provided, to prevent and/or give warning of movement of the platform.
  • one or more sensors may be provided whereby operation of the power driving means, at least in the direction towards the cover position, is prevented if the, or any one, sensor is actuated indicating the presence of an obstructing body in the area to be covered e.g., as appropriate, the presence of a person in the swimming pool.
  • a transverse sensor whereby a detector beam runs along a leading edge of the platform, transversely to the direction of movement of the platform so as to be interrupted by an obstructing body at the leading edge
  • one or more longitudinal sensors whereby a detector beam runs forwardly from a leading edge of the platform in the direction of movement of the platform, preferably at each side edge of the platform so as to be interrupted by any obstructing body at the (or each) such edge
  • a motion detector within the water of the pool so as to be actuated by any detected movement of the water e.g. by flow within the body of water or by rise and fall of the water surface.
  • the platform may be coplanar with some or all adjacent surfaces in one or both positions or it may be displaced above or below one or more such adjacent surfaces.
  • the arrangement may be such that the upper surface of the platform is coplanar with the upper surface of the adjacent said floor structure in the covering position whereby a ramped or curved guide path is provided to displace the platform downwardly into the said space when the platform is retracted.
  • the platform may be stepped down from the upper surface of the floor structure in the covering position whereby no downward displacement may be necessary on retraction.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing one form of a movable cover structure according to the invention in situ, in an open position
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 1 in a closed position
  • Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line III-III of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged side edge view of a front end region of the cover structure of Figure 1 ; and Figures 5, 6 are enlarged plan and end edge views of the front end region.
  • FIGS. 1-3 show a building structure 1 with upright walls 2 and a roof (not shown) defining an enclosure around a ground area containing a large excavated cavity 4 for a swimming pool.
  • the swimming pool cavity 4 is sealed, finished with an appropriate surface, such as tiles, and is connected to water supply, purification and drainage in the usual way (not shown).
  • the internal side and end walls of the cavity are vertical and the internal bottom surface of the cavity is inclined as shown, whereby the cavity side walls have inclined bottom edges and the end walls are of different height.
  • the cavity 4 is rectangular in plan and is bounded beyond its two long sides and a bottom end by coplanar horizontal flat floor surfaces 5.
  • One of said upright walls 2a of the building structure 1 runs parallel and adjacent to the opposite front end of the cavity 4.
  • This wall 2a may be an outer wall of the building structure or it may be an internal wall dividing the structure 1 into separate rooms or enclosures.
  • the wall 2a is provided with a slot-shaped aperture 21 at its lower periphery.
  • a horizontal flat floor surface 6 is provided by the top surface of a floor or ground structure having upper panelling suspended on transverse bearers 7 above a lower support surface 8 with a narrow free space 9 therebetween.
  • the top surface 6 of the floor structure is displaced above the other coplanar floor surfaces 5.
  • the free space 9 is rectangular.
  • This floor surface 6 may be within a room or enclosure of the building structure 1 separated by the wall 2a, or it may be an external floor or ground surface.
  • the opposite long vertical side walls of the cavity 4 terminate at their top edges level with the adjacent floor surfaces 5.
  • respective square section channels 10 extending longitudinally horizontally slightly below the top surfaces of such walls.
  • the vertical bottom end wall of the cavity 4 also terminates at its top edge level with the floor surface 5.
  • the top edge of the vertical front end wall of the cavity terminates below such surfaces 5 level with the lower surface 8.
  • the channels 10 contain channel members 11 which define guide tracks.
  • the channel members 11 run along the entire length of the vertical side walls of the cavity 4 and extend continuously beyond the side walls at the front end into the free space 9 for a length slightly greater than the length of the side walls.
  • the channel members 11 are fixed in positions within this free space 9.
  • the axle is drivably connected to twin hydraulic motors 12a mounted within the recess 12 mounted on opposite ends of the axle 14, such motors being linked by hydraulic conduits to a controllable hydraulic power source (not shown) mounted at a convenient position within the building.
  • a cover platform 15 is provided which is substantially equal in size and shape to the rectangular plan of the cavity 4.
  • This platform 15 comprises wood panelling 16 or the like supported on a metal framework of peripheral elongate members 17 and transverse bearers 18.
  • the respective elongate members 17 have wheels 19 rotatably mounted on horizontal axes projecting transversely outwardly from the platform 15. These wheels 19 are smooth surfaced guide wheels. Also along the long sides of the platform 15 there are respective toothed racks 20 inwardly of the guide wheels 19 and parallel to the long sides of the platform 15, the teeth of the racks 20 being directed downwardly and being aligned with the toothed wheels 13.
  • the racks 20 extend throughout the entire length of the platform 15.
  • the platform 15 can fit over the cavity in a cover position, with the guide wheels 19 within the guide tracks 11 in the side walls. In this position, at the said front end the toothed racks 20 are within the floor space 9 and engage the toothed wheels 13, and the opposite end of the platform 15 abuts the inner surface of the respective vertical end wall of the cavity 4 or, if desired, enters a receiving channel in such wall.
  • the top surface of the platform 15 is coplanar and coextensive with the bounding floor surface 5.
  • a control unit (not shown) is provided for controlling supply of hydraulic pressure from the source to the hydraulic motor 12a.
  • the platform 15 can be moved between the covering position described above and a stowed position in which the platform is retracted wholly clear of the swimming pool cavity through the aperture 21 and into the floor structure space 9, the depth and other dimensions of such space 9 being sufficient to accommodate the platform 15 in its entirety.
  • control unit when it is desired to use the swimming pool, the control unit is operated e.g. by a wall mounted electrical control to cause the toothed wheels 13 to be driven in engagement with the toothed racks 20 to retract the platform wholly into the inner space 9 of the floor structure.
  • the control unit can be operated to drive the toothed wheels 13 to move the platform 15 out of the inner space 9 of the floor structure to cover completely the swimming pool.
  • the platform 15 is coplanar with the floor surfaces 5 at the two long sides and the bottom end of the pool but is stepped down relative to the top surface 6 of the floor structure.
  • the platform 15 then provides a floor surface which can be used by persons. Appropriate covers and seals may be provided to ensure that there are no undesirable gaps around the platform 15 and the open end of the free space 9 of the floor structure as appropriate in both positions of the platform 15.
  • Sensors are provided (not shown) to detect the presence of persons on the platform 15 when it is over the swimming pool, and within the swimming pool when the platform 15 is retracted, and also at the end edge of the platform 15 remote from the floor structure space 9, to ensure that the platform 15 cannot be moved when a person is standing on the platform 15, and to ensure that a person cannot be trapped in the pool or against the end of the platform 15.
  • a system using infrared beams across the pool cavity 4 above the water level in the pool may be used to detect the presence of persons in the pool.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Buildings Adapted To Withstand Abnormal External Influences (AREA)
  • Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une structure couvrante mobile d'une surface au sol déterminée, telle qu'un trou de piscine (4), comprenant une plate-forme (15) déplaçable horizontalement depuis une position où elle recouvre la surface au sol déterminée, jusqu'à une position où elle est rentrée par rapport à une telle surface. Des rainures de section carrée (10) sont insérées le long des surfaces intérieures de grandes parois latérales verticales opposées du trou (4) et abritent des rails de guidage (11). Des roues de guidage (19) sont disposées le long des grands côtés opposés de la plate-forme (15) et sont en contact avec les rails de guidage (11). Le mouvement de la plate-forme (15) est déclenché par un moteur (12a), lequel entraîne les roues dentées (13) qui sont en contact avec des crémaillères dentées (20) montées sur la plate-forme (15). En position rentrée, la plate-forme (15) est rangée sous une surface au sol (6) plate, horizontale et adjacente, dans un espace intérieur (9) situé sous ladite surface (6). Des capteurs sont montés pour détecter la présence de personnes dans la piscine.
PCT/GB2007/004926 2006-12-20 2007-12-20 Structures couvrantes mobiles WO2008075074A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/519,609 US20100024313A1 (en) 2006-12-20 2007-12-20 Movable covers structures
EP07858795A EP2118405A2 (fr) 2006-12-20 2007-12-20 Structures couvrantes mobiles
GB0912384A GB2457862B (en) 2006-12-20 2007-12-20 Movable cover structures

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0625512.9 2006-12-20
GB0625512A GB0625512D0 (en) 2006-12-20 2006-12-20 Movable cover structures
GB0712201A GB0712201D0 (en) 2007-06-23 2007-06-23 Movable cover structures
GB0712201.3 2007-06-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008075074A2 true WO2008075074A2 (fr) 2008-06-26
WO2008075074A3 WO2008075074A3 (fr) 2008-08-07

Family

ID=39472785

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2007/004926 WO2008075074A2 (fr) 2006-12-20 2007-12-20 Structures couvrantes mobiles

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20100024313A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2118405A2 (fr)
GB (1) GB2457862B (fr)
WO (1) WO2008075074A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3004206A1 (fr) * 2013-04-03 2014-10-10 Octavia Piscine recouverte d'un plancher mobile deplacable sous un plancher fixe
ES2542440A1 (es) * 2014-02-04 2015-08-05 Julian ALONSO MEIRA Cubierta transitable corredera enrasada para piscina

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT380057B (de) * 1983-03-03 1985-08-15 Boeck Josef Dkfm Abdeckung von schwimmbecken
WO1991019870A1 (fr) * 1990-06-18 1991-12-26 Dominique Prudhomme Couverture escamotable integrable dans son site
DE29709674U1 (de) * 1997-06-04 1997-08-14 Arau GmbH, 73614 Schorndorf Abdeckvorrichtung
FR2843152A1 (fr) * 2002-08-05 2004-02-06 Hydra Systeme Dispositif de couverture provisoire de piscine et piscine equipee dudit dispositif
US20060200900A1 (en) * 2005-03-08 2006-09-14 Chris Dorsch Retractable cover arrangement for hot tubs and the like

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4811433A (en) * 1986-03-31 1989-03-14 Macdonald Scott H Pool cover extending and retracting device
US5761750A (en) * 1997-06-03 1998-06-09 Mazzola; Charles Thomas Hot tub with covering apparatus
US5913613A (en) * 1997-09-19 1999-06-22 Cover-Pools, Inc. Cover operation system
US6355180B1 (en) * 1999-11-12 2002-03-12 Joseph Valentine Swimming pool covering, heating, and cleaning system
KR100351817B1 (ko) * 2000-01-13 2002-09-11 엘지전자 주식회사 오픈케이블 수신 시스템 및 시스템 진단 방법
US6959513B1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2005-11-01 Ruscito Sr Raymond A Deck covering apparatus
US7218235B1 (en) * 2004-09-30 2007-05-15 Rainey Jeffrey L Motion responsive swimming pool safety device
US7308722B2 (en) * 2005-04-07 2007-12-18 George Koren Spa cover lifter
US7752685B2 (en) * 2005-11-15 2010-07-13 Tudor E Jess Foldable spa cover device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT380057B (de) * 1983-03-03 1985-08-15 Boeck Josef Dkfm Abdeckung von schwimmbecken
WO1991019870A1 (fr) * 1990-06-18 1991-12-26 Dominique Prudhomme Couverture escamotable integrable dans son site
DE29709674U1 (de) * 1997-06-04 1997-08-14 Arau GmbH, 73614 Schorndorf Abdeckvorrichtung
FR2843152A1 (fr) * 2002-08-05 2004-02-06 Hydra Systeme Dispositif de couverture provisoire de piscine et piscine equipee dudit dispositif
US20060200900A1 (en) * 2005-03-08 2006-09-14 Chris Dorsch Retractable cover arrangement for hot tubs and the like

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3004206A1 (fr) * 2013-04-03 2014-10-10 Octavia Piscine recouverte d'un plancher mobile deplacable sous un plancher fixe
ES2542440A1 (es) * 2014-02-04 2015-08-05 Julian ALONSO MEIRA Cubierta transitable corredera enrasada para piscina

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20100024313A1 (en) 2010-02-04
GB2457862B (en) 2011-09-21
EP2118405A2 (fr) 2009-11-18
GB0912384D0 (en) 2009-08-26
WO2008075074A3 (fr) 2008-08-07
GB2457862A (en) 2009-09-02

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