WO2008138091A1 - Couverture de piscine flottante - Google Patents

Couverture de piscine flottante Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008138091A1
WO2008138091A1 PCT/CA2007/000812 CA2007000812W WO2008138091A1 WO 2008138091 A1 WO2008138091 A1 WO 2008138091A1 CA 2007000812 W CA2007000812 W CA 2007000812W WO 2008138091 A1 WO2008138091 A1 WO 2008138091A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tile
enclosure
deformation
tile body
cover according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2007/000812
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ami Kolechstein
Original Assignee
Ami Kolechstein
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
Application filed by Ami Kolechstein filed Critical Ami Kolechstein
Priority to PCT/CA2007/000812 priority Critical patent/WO2008138091A1/fr
Priority to EP07719736.6A priority patent/EP2155988B1/fr
Publication of WO2008138091A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008138091A1/fr

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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
    • E04H4/065—Floors adjustable in height

Definitions

  • This invention relates to swimming pool covers.
  • Particular embodiments of the invention provide swimming pool covers formed from one or more floatable tiles.
  • Pool covers may be used for a variety of reasons, including (without limitation) providing thermal isolation for the water in a pool, reducing evaporation of the pool water and reducing the accumulation of debris in the pool water.
  • Floatable insulating pool covers that are adapted to sink to the bottom of the pool when not in use provide convenience to a pool owner. These types of floatable covers avoid the unwieldy work of removing pool covers from the water surface and reinstalling pool covers in place atop the water surface.
  • Floatable insulating pool covers are known in the art. Such pool covers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,626,005 (Stifter); 2,970,320 (Karp); 3,184,763 (Kennedy); and 4,716,603 (Sernetz). These systems have a number of deficiencies which, it is presumed, have prevented them from gaining widespread acceptance among consumers.
  • a pool can be dangerous for children and others who are unable to swim.
  • Pool covers that are insufficiently buoyant (in any localized region of the pool) to support the weight of a person who may fall onto the cover can exacerbate this danger.
  • pool covers can cause danger by wrapping around the person and preventing the person from moving his or her limbs.
  • One aspect of the invention provides a cover for a body of water, the cover comprising one or more tiles.
  • Each tile comprises a generally flattened tile body floatable atop the body of water to cover a surface area thereof.
  • the tile body defines an enclosure wherein at least a portion of the tile body that defines the enclosure is deformable.
  • Each tile also comprises a ballast having a density greater than water and a port for conveying a fluid having a density less than water into and out of the enclosure.
  • the portion of the tile body Upon conveying the fluid into the enclosure via the port, the portion of the tile body deformably expands to increase a volume of the enclosure and increase a buoyancy of the tile and, upon conveying the fluid out of the enclosure via the port, the portion of the tile body deformably contracts to decrease the volume of the enclosure and decrease the buoyancy of the tile.
  • the cover may comprise a deformation sensing system for sensing deformation of the tile body.
  • the deformation sensing system may be operatively coupled to a fluid flow limiter located between the port and the enclosure for discontinuing conveyance of the fluid into the enclosure when the deformation of the portion of the tile body is greater than an upper deformation threshold.
  • the deformation sensing system may be operatively coupled to a fluid flow limiter located between the port and the enclosure for discontinuing conveyance of the fluid out of the enclosure when the deformation of the portion of the tile body is less than a lower deformation threshold.
  • the deformation sensing system may comprise one or more arms which engage the tile body such that deformation of the portion of the tile body causes movement of the one or more arms.
  • the one or more arms may be mechanically coupled to the fluid flow limiters, such that movement of the one or more arms actuates the fluid flow limiters.
  • the deformation sensing system may comprise a pair of arms that pivot relative to one another about one or more pivot joints.
  • the pair of arms may engage the tile body, such that deformation of the portion of the tile body changes a relative pivotal orientation of the arms.
  • the deformation sensing system may comprise a pivotable arm. A portion of the pivotal arm may engage the tile body, such that deformable expansion of the tile body causes the arm to pivot in a first angular direction and deformable contraction of the tile body causes the arm to pivot in a second angular direction.
  • Each tile may comprises a buoyancy control valve assembly in fluid communication between the port and the enclosure.
  • the buoyancy control valve assembly may comprise: first and second fluid paths between the port and the enclosure; a first one-way valve configured to allow fluid flow from the port to the enclosure via the first fluid path and to prevent fluid flow from the enclosure to the port via the first fluid path; and a second one-way valve configured to allow fluid flow from the enclosure to the port via the second fluid path and to prevent fluid flow from the port to the enclosure via the second fluid path.
  • the buoyancy control valve assembly may comprise at least one selectively-actuatable valve mechanism configurable to a first state wherein fluid flow between the port and the enclosure via the first fluid path is prevented and to a second state wherein fluid flow between the enclosure and the port via the second path is prevented.
  • the buoyancy control valve assembly may comprise: a first selectively-actuatable valve configurable to allow fluid flow between the port and the enclosure via the first fluid path when the first selectively-actuatable valve is in a first flow state and to prevent fluid flow between the port and the enclosure via the first fluid path when the first selectively-actuatable valve is in a flow-prevention state; and a second selectively-actuatable valve configurable to allow fluid flow between the enclosure and the port via the second fluid path when the second selectively-actuatable valve is in a second flow state and to prevent fluid flow between the enclosure and the port via the second fluid path when the second selectively-actuatable valve is in a second flow-prevention state.
  • the cover may comprise a plurality of tiles and at least one coupler.
  • the coupled may comprise four deformable branches that extend outwardly from a central region in four angularly spaced apart directions, each branch comprising one or more fastener component.
  • the coupler may be coupleable to one of the plurality of tiles by extending a corner of the tile into an angular region between first and second adjacent branches of the coupler, fastening the first branch to a first side of - A -
  • the tile using at least one of the fastener components of the first branch and fastening the second branch to a second side of the tile on using at least one of the fastener components of the second branch, the first and second sides of the tile on opposing sides of the corner.
  • the upper and lower deformation thresholds of the tile body may additionally or alternatively be upper and lower volume thresholds of the enclosure.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method for controlling a buoyancy of a pool cover having one or more tiles.
  • the method involves: providing a tile having a tile body which defines an enclosure wherein at least a portion of the tile body that defines the enclosure is deformable; conveying a fluid having a density less than water into the enclosure to deformably expand the portion of the tile body, thereby increasing a volume of the enclosure and increasing a buoyancy of the tile; sensing deformation of the portion of the tile body; and discontinuing conveying the fluid into the enclosure upon sensing that the deformation of the portion of the tile body is greater than an upper deformation threshold.
  • the method may also involve conveying the fluid out of the enclosure to deformably contract the portion of the tile body, thereby decreasing the volume of the enclosure and decreasing a buoyancy of the tile; and discontinuing conveying the fluid out of the enclosure upon sensing that the deformation of the portion of the tile body is less than a lower volume threshold.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a swimming pool incorporating a pool cover according to a particular embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a partially exploded isometric view of a tile of the Figure 1 pool cover together with tile couplers on two of its corners;
  • Figure 3 is an isometric view of the Figure 2 tile with its covers removed;
  • FIG 4 is an isometric sectional view of the Figure 2 tile which shows more detail of its ballast assemblies
  • Figure 5 is an isometric view of the frame of the Figure 2 tile
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the Figure 2 tile in an expanded state
  • Figure 7 is an isometric view of a tile coupler suitable for use in the Figure 1 pool cover;
  • Figure 8 is an isometric sectional view of the Figure 1 pool and pool cover;
  • Figure 9 is a partial isometric view of a corner of the Figure 8 pool cover;
  • Figure 10 is a partial isometric view of a side of the Figure 8 pool cover
  • Figure 11 is a partially see-through isometric view of a corner of the Figure 2 tile and the Figure 7 tile coupler;
  • Figure 12 is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the Figure 2 tile
  • Figures 13A-13D are isometric views showing various components used to supply air to and to withdraw air from the buoyancy control system of the Figure 2 tile;
  • Figure 14 is an isometric sectional view of the buoyancy control valve assembly of the Figure 2 tile;
  • Figure 15 is a different isometric sectional view of the buoyancy control valve assembly of the Figure 2 tile; and Figures 16A and 16B are partial plan views of the connection between the upper arm and the upper tile cover of the Figure 2 tile.
  • floatable pool covers which comprise one or more generally flattened tiles.
  • Each tile has a generally flattened tile body which is floatable atop the pool water to provide a surface which covers an area of the pool.
  • the tile body defines a deformable enclosure. Air may be introduced into the enclosure to expand the volume of the tile body, thereby decreasing the specific gravity of the tile and causing the tile to float on the water surface. Air may be withdrawn from the enclosure causing the volume of the tile body to contract, increasing the specific gravity of the tile and causing the tile to sink to the pool bottom.
  • the tile When the tile is at the pool bottom, it provides a substantially flat and robust surface which facilitates cleaning and maintenance of the pool cover and which provides safety for swimmers in the pool.
  • the tile may incorporate one or more deformation sensing systems.
  • the deformation sensing systems are sensitive to deformation of the tile body and/or to changes in the enclosure volume that accompanies such deformation.
  • the deformation sensing system(s) may be operatively coupled to one or more fluid flow limiters to control the flow of air into and/or out of the enclosure and/or the tile.
  • the deformation sensing system(s) may be mechanically coupled the fluid flow limiter(s) to form a mechanical flow controllers.
  • a mechanical flow controller may limit the flow of air into its associated enclosure when deformation of the tile body reaches an upper deformation threshold or when the volume of the enclosure reaches an upper volume threshold.
  • the mechanical flow controller may also limit the withdrawal of air from its associated enclosure when deformation of the tile body reaches a lower deformation threshold or when the volume of the enclosure reaches a lower volume threshold.
  • the deformation sensing system may be mechanical in nature.
  • the deformation sensing system comprises one or more arms, each of which has a first end that bears against (or otherwise engages) the tile body to detect deformation thereof.
  • the first ends of the arms may engage covers of the enclosure to detect deformation of the enclosure covers.
  • the arms may be actuated by the enclosure covers.
  • the deformation sensing system may comprise a pivotal assembly where second ends of the arms are capable of pivoting about one or more pivot joints.
  • the mechanical flow controller may limit the flow of air into and/or out of the enclosure by actuating one or more selectively actuatable valves.
  • the selectively actuatable valves may be actuated by the arms of the deformation sensing system.
  • the one or more mechanical flow controller preferably comprise a single mechanism that is operable to sense the deformation of the tile body and/or volume of the enclosure and/or tile and to limit the flow of air into and out of the enclosure in response to changes in the deformation/volume.
  • a pool cover may comprise a plurality of tiles which may be coupled to one another using flexible couplers.
  • Each coupler may be cross-shaped to provide four branches and four interior corners (i.e. one interior corner between each pair of branches).
  • a tile may be received in each interior corner of a coupler and the pair of branches that form the interior corner may be coupled to the tile on different sides thereof.
  • a coupler may accommodate up to four tiles (i.e. one in each interior corner). The couplers may also convey air between tiles.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pool 100 covered by a pool cover 101 according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
  • Pool cover 101 comprises a network 102 of tiles 104.
  • network 102 of tiles 104 comprises a plurality of tiles 104.
  • cover 101 may generally comprise as few as one tile 104.
  • Tiles 104 have a generally flattened shape and are floatable atop the pool water to provide a surface which covers an area of the pool. Because of the generally flattened shape of tiles 104, the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of tiles 104 may be significantly greater than their depth. In some embodiments, the ratio of each of the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of tiles 104 to the depth of tiles 104 is greater than 5: 1.
  • each tile 104 provides a pool covering surface area greater than or equal to 0.3 m 2 .
  • tiles provide a pool covering surface area greater than or equal to 0.5 m 2 .
  • tiles provide a pool covering surface area greater than or equal to LO m 2 .
  • network 102 of tiles 104 comprises inner tiles 104A, which are generally rectangular in shape.
  • Tile network 102 may also comprise corner tiles 104B and edge tiles 104C.
  • inner tiles 104A, corner tiles 104B and edge tiles 104C are all generally rectangular in shape.
  • cover 101 may incorporate a skirt (not shown) formed from deformable plastic, rubber or other suitable material which extends between corner tiles 104B, edge tiles 104C and the edge 110 of pool 100.
  • corner tiles 104B and edge tiles 104C may be shaped to conform with the edges of a pool that is not rectilinear.
  • FIG. 2 depicts a tile 104 suitable for use with cover 101.
  • Tile 104 includes a tile body 121 which comprises a generally planar upper cover 114A and, on its opposing side, a generally planar lower cover 114B.
  • upper and lower covers 114 are fabricated from nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene or some other suitable plastic.
  • Upper and lower covers 114 are at least moderately deformable.
  • FIG. 3, 4 and 5 show tile 104 (or portions of tile 104) with some of its components (including covers 114) removed to show more detail of the interior structure of tile 104.
  • Tile 104 comprises a frame 118 which, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a number of external frame members 116A-116D (collectively, 116) and a number of internal frame members 120A-120D (collectively, 120), 128A- 128H (collectively, 128).
  • External frame members 116 and internal frame members 120, 128 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as nylon or plastic. Preferably, however, external frame members 116 and internal frame members 120, 128 are relatively rigid in comparison to upper and lower covers 114.
  • External frame members 116 (together with upper and lower covers
  • external frame members 116 may comprise a pair of longitudinal frame members 116A,116B and a pair of transverse frame members 116C, 116D arranged in a generally rectangular form.
  • internal frame members 120, 128 are arranged to define a plurality of regions 124 which may house ballast assemblies 126 as described in more detail below.
  • frame 118 comprises four longitudinal internal frame members 120A- 120D and eight transverse frame members 128A-128H, which together define six ballast regions 124A-124F (collectively, 124). Portions of ballast regions 124 may additionally or alternatively be defined by external frame members 116.
  • frame 118 including external frame members 116 and internal frame members 120 are fabricated as a single monolithic unit. In other embodiments, external frame members and internal frame members 120 are fabricated from separate components which are joined together by welding or using other suitable fastening technique.
  • portions of internal frame members 120A- 120D may be L- shaped in cross-section to provide transversely-projecting ledges 136A-136D (collectively, 136) in ballast regions 124.
  • portions of internal frame members 128A-128H may be L-shaped or T-shaped in cross-section to provide longitudinally-projecting ledges 138A-138H (collectively, 138) in ballast regions 124.
  • internal frame members 120, 128 are L-shaped or T-shaped in cross-section to provide ledges 136, 138 which are formed from smaller, spaced apart ledge segments that do not extend fully across the dimensions of ballast regions 124.
  • Each external frame member 116A-116D of tile 104 may also incorporate a a coupling bracket 160A- 160D (collectively, 160) at or near a first end and a coupling bracket 164A-164D (collectively, 164) at or near a second end (see Figure 2).
  • Coupling brackets 160, 164 are preferably integrally formed with their respective frame members 116.
  • Coupling brackets 160, 164 may alternatively be separate components which are joined to their respective frame members 116 by welding or using some other suitable fastening technique.
  • each coupling bracket 160 comprises an aperture 162 and each coupling bracket 164 comprises an aperture 166.
  • Apertures 164, 166 preferably extend through their corresponding coupling brackets 160, 164 and through their corresponding frame members 116. Apertures 164, 166 may be shaped to allow for counter-sinking of fastener components. Apertures 164, 166 may be threaded.
  • tile 104 comprises a substantially airtight enclosure 140 formed between upper cover 114A and lower cover 114B.
  • upper cover 114A is sealed to upper frame flanges 130 of external frame members 116 and lower cover 114B is sealed to lower frame flanges 132 of external frame members 116 to provide airtight enclosure 140 therebetween.
  • the seal between external frame 116 and covers 114 may be formed by plastic welding, by using a suitable sealing compound or by any other suitable technique.
  • covers 114 are not sealed to internal frame members 120, 128.
  • Enclosure 140 is located within tile body 121 and may have a generally flattened shape similar to that of tile body 121. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of enclosure 140 may be significantly greater than its depth.
  • the ratio of each of the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of enclosure 140 to the depth of enclosure 140 is greater than 4: 1.
  • air may be introduced to enclosure 140 to increase the volume of tile body 121 and to cause tile 104 to float and air may be withdrawn from enclosure 140 to decrease the volume of tile body 121 and to cause tile 104 to sink.
  • tile 104 comprises a plurality of ballast assemblies 126A-126F (collectively, 126). Ballast assemblies 126 are preferably located within enclosure 140. Figures 3 and 4 show more detail of ballast assemblies 126.
  • each ballast assembly 126A-126F of tile 104 comprises a corresponding ballast 142A-142F (collectively, 142), which is at least partially covered on its upper surface by an upper ballast cover 144A-144F (collectively, 144) and on its lower surface by a lower ballast cover 146A-146F (collectively, 146).
  • Upper and lower ballast covers 144, 146 may be fabricated from a suitable foam, such as polystyrene or the like.
  • Ballast covers 144, 146 may provide positive buoyancy relative to pool water and may insulate the pool water from heat loss. Ballast covers 144, 146 may also be relatively soft to help prevent injury to a person who may fall on tile 104. In addition, ballast covers 144, 146 may act as spacers which support upper and lower covers 114 when air is withdrawn from tile 104. Ballast 142 may comprise any suitably dense material that is negatively buoyant in pool water. In particular embodiments, ballast 142 comprises concrete or ceramic, which may be easily and inexpensively fabricated to have desirable dimensions.
  • ballast assemblies 126 are located in corresponding ballast regions 124 of frame 118 ( Figure 3). When located in ballast regions 124, ballast assemblies 126 may rest on ledges 136, 138 of internal frame members 120, 128. Ballast 142 of each ballast assembly 126 may project longitudinally and transversely from upper and lower ballast covers 144, 146 to be received on corresponding ledges 136, 138 (see Figure 4). Ballast assemblies 126 may additionally or alternatively be secured to internal frame members 120, 128 using suitable fasteners (e.g. threaded fasteners, deformable clips, fitted joints or the like) or using other techniques (e.g. glue or the like).
  • suitable fasteners e.g. threaded fasteners, deformable clips, fitted joints or the like
  • other techniques e.g. glue or the like.
  • Tile 104 also comprises an air conduit 148 ( Figures 3 and 4).
  • air conduit 148 extends longitudinally along one side of tile 104 between external frame member 116B and internal frame member 120D.
  • tile 104 may comprise nipple connectors 151, 153 at each of its longitudinal ends.
  • Air conduit 148 may be operatively connected to first ends of nipple connectors 151, 153 to provide fluid communication therebetween.
  • nipple connectors 151, 153 may comprise opposing ends which project through external frame elements 116C, 116D and into channels 134C, 134D.
  • nipple connectors 151, 153 may be protected by upper and lower frame flanges 130C, 130D, 132C, 132D.
  • nipple connectors 151, 153 represent only one type of air conduit connector and that other types of valves or conduit connectors could be used in the place of nipple connectors 151, 153.
  • Tiles 104 in pool cover 101 may be moveably coupled to one another using flexible couplers 150.
  • a coupler 150 is depicted in greater detail in Figure 7.
  • coupler 150 is cross-shaped to provide four branches 152A-152D (collectively, 152) and four interior corners 155A-155D (collectively, 155).
  • coupler 150 comprises an outer body 154 and an inner frame 156.
  • Outer body 154 which may be cross-shaped, is preferably fabricated from an elastomer ic material, such as a suitable rubber, foam, soft plastic or the like.
  • inner frame 156 is also cross- shaped to facilitate coupling to four tiles 104 as described in more detail below.
  • inner frame 156 may be fabricated from materials that are more rigid than those used to fabricate outer body 154.
  • inner frame 156 is preferably fabricated from a material that is at least moderately resiliently deformable, such as nylon, a suitably strong plastic or the like.
  • Outer body 154 may extend outwardly into each of branches 152 to cover a portion of inner frame 156. This design promotes safety, as outer body 154 is preferably fabricated from a material that is relatively soft compared to inner frame 156.
  • inner frame 156 comprises a pair of coupling brackets 158A, 158B which extend outwardly from the ends of each branch 152. Coupling brackets 158A, 158B may be threaded. As explained in more detail below, a tile 104 may be received in each interior corner 155 (i.e.
  • coupling brackets 158 comprise female fastener components, but in general, coupling brackets 158 may comprise any type of fastener component(s) which are capable (alone or in combination with other fastener component(s)) of attaching coupler 150 to tiles 104 as described below.
  • Coupler 150 also comprises a conduit 161 that extends through one of its branches 152A. As described in more detail below, nipple connectors 151, 153 of adjacent tiles 104 may be connected to opposing ends of conduit 161 to provide fluid flow between the air conduits 148 of adjacent tiles 104 via conduit 161.
  • Coupler 150 may be used to couple as many as four tiles 104, with each of the four tiles 104 received in a corresponding interior corner 155 and coupled to a corresponding pair of branches 152. Each tile 104 is coupled to one of the coupling brackets 158 A on a first branch 152 and to the other one of the coupling brackets 158B on the second branch 152.
  • Figure 2 shows two couplers 150 and 150' .
  • the tile 104 illustrated in Figure 2 has one of its corners received in interior corner 155D of coupler 150.
  • Branch 152D of coupler 150 projects into channel 134B and branch 152A of coupler 150 projects into channel 134C.
  • a male fastener element projects through aperture 162C, coupling bracket 160C and channel 134C and through female coupling bracket 158B of branch 152A and a similar male fastener component (not shown) projects through aperture 166B, coupling bracket 164B and channel 134B and through female coupling bracket 158A of branch 152D.
  • nipple connector 151 of tile 104 may project into a first end of conduit 161 of coupler 150.
  • a longitudinally-adjacent tile 104 may be received in interior corner 155A and may be coupled to branches 152A, 152B of coupler 150.
  • the nipple connector 153 of the longitudinally-adjacent tile 104 may project into the opposing end of conduit 161 and coupling brackets 164D, 160B of the longitudinally-adjacent tile 104 may be respectively connected to coupling bracket 158A of branch 152A and coupling bracket 158B of branch 152B.
  • a transversely-adjacent tile 104 (not shown) may be received in interior corner 155C and may be coupled to branches 152C, 152D of coupler 150.
  • Coupling brackets 164C, 160A of the transversely-adjacent tile 104 may be respectively connected to coupling bracket 158 A of branch 152C and coupling bracket 158B of branch 152D.
  • a diagonally-adjacent tile 104 (not shown) may be received in interior corner 155B and may be coupled to branches 152B, 152C of coupler 150.
  • Coupling brackets 164A, 160D of the diagonally-adjacent tile may be respectively connected to coupling bracket 158A of branch 152B and coupling bracket 158B of branch 152C.
  • coupler 150' of Figure 2 may be used in a similar manner to couple tile 104 to the longitudinally-adjacent tile 104 and two other adjacent tiles.
  • couplers 150 are preferably at least moderately deformable and resilient, such that adjacent tiles 104 may move independently from one another by deforming couplers 150.
  • This resilient deformability is useful to help pool covers 101 incorporating pluralities of tiles 104 to conform with the bottom 170 of pool 100, which has different depths as explained in more detail below.
  • tiles are torsionally deformable about both their longitudinal and transverse axes and are also capable of bending.
  • Figures 8, 9 and 10 show how couplers 150 may also be used to connect corner tiles 104B and edge tiles 104C to the edges 110 of pool 100. Some detail is eliminated from Figures 8, 9 and 10 for clarity. In the illustrated embodiment, corner tiles 104B and edge tiles 104C are substantially similar to the inner tiles 104A, but this is not necessarily the case. Pool 100 may be provided with vertically extending shafts 178, 180, 182, 184 at spaced apart locations along its edges 110 (preferably at or near its corners).
  • a corner tile 104B may be coupled to shaft 178 (or a similar shaft 180, 182, 184 at one of the other corners) by securing two of the branches 152A, 152B of coupler 150 to corner tile 104B in a manner similar to that described above and by securing the other two branches 152C, 152D of coupler 150 to ring member 186 which encircles shaft 178.
  • the coupling brackets 158 of coupler 150 are secured to ring member 186 using fastener components 190.
  • Shaft 178 projects through ring member 186 in such a manner that ring member 186 may slide upwardly and downwardly on shaft 178.
  • corner tile 104B and edge tiles 104C are also connected to one another using edge cables 188, 192.
  • two of the branches 152A, 152B of coupler 150 are coupled to corner tile 104B in a manner similar to that described above.
  • One of the other branches 152C of coupler 150 may be secured to edge cable 188 and the last branch 152D of coupler 150 may be secured to edge cable 192.
  • Coupler 150 may be coupled to edge cables 188, 192 by fastener components 190 which are simultaneously securable to coupling brackets 158 of coupler 150 and to one of edge cables 188, 192.
  • Edge tiles 104C may be coupled to one of edge cables 188, 192 in similar fashion.
  • Figure 9 shows how edge tile 104C may be coupled to edge cable 188 using coupler 150' and one or more fastener components 190.
  • Figure 10 shows how edge tiles 104C may be coupled to edge cable 192 using coupler 150" and one or more fastener components 190.
  • Tile 104 also comprise a buoyancy control system 200 for controlling its buoyancy.
  • Buoyancy control system 200 may receive air through nipple connector 151.
  • Figure 11 shows nipple connector 151 in more detail.
  • Nipple connector 151 may be provided with three connector ends 151A, 151B, 151C.
  • connector end 15 IA may be used to connect to air conduit 148 of tile 104 and connector end 15 IB may be used to connect to conduit 161 of coupler 150.
  • nipple connector 151 may also comprise a transversely extending connector end 151C which provides air flow to and from buoyancy control system 200 through air conduit 202.
  • Air conduit 202 is connected at its other end to a nipple connector 206 of adapter member 204.
  • Adapter member 204 and its nipple connector 206 may provide a conduit to supply air to, and withdraw air from, buoyancy control system 200.
  • nipple connectors 151, 153 nipple connector 206 may be implemented using other types of valves and conduit connectors.
  • Adapter member 204 is preferably pivotally coupled to bearing mounts 208, 210 to form a pivot joint 209 and is preferably rigidly connected to a buoyancy control valve assembly 218 ( Figures 13C, 13D). Pivot joint 209 permits adapter member 204 and buoyancy control valve assembly 218 to pivot about a transversely extending axis relative to bearing mounts 208, 210 and frame members 120C, 120B.
  • Adapter member 204 comprises a port 216 ( Figures 13A, 13B), which may be located between interior frame members 102B, 120C to supply air to, and withdraw air from, buoyancy control valve assembly 218.
  • port 216 Figures 13A, 13B
  • adapter member 204 is threadably connected to buoyancy control valve assembly 218.
  • other suitable connection means may be used to operatively connect adapter member 204 to buoyancy control valve assembly 218.
  • buoyancy control valve assembly 218 comprises a bore 223 which receives adapter member 204 such that port 216 of adapter member 204 is in fluid communication with port 224 of buoyancy control valve assembly 218.
  • Bore 223 may be threaded (not shown) to provide threadable connection to the threaded portion of adapter member 204.
  • buoyancy control valve assembly 218 comprises lower arm 220 and upper arm 222 which are pivotally connected to one another via pivot joint 225.
  • Pivot joint 225 permits relative pivotal movement between upper and lower arms 220, 222 about a transversely extending axis.
  • arms 220, 222 extend longitudinally from pivot joint 225 in both directions to provide forward arm portions 220A, 222 A and rearward arm portions 220B, 222B.
  • forward arm portions 220A, 222 A extend forwardly from pivot joint 225 by a distance greater than 1/4 of the longitudinal dimension of tile 104.
  • the ends of forward arm portions 220A, 222 A are located at the approximate center of the longitudinal dimension of tile 104.
  • Rearward arm portions 220B, 222B may extend as far rearwardly from pivot joint 225 as external frame member 116C, but are preferably able to pivot about pivot joint 225 without contacting external frame member 116C.
  • FIGS 16A, 16B show one technique for coupling the forward portion 222 A of upper arm 222 to upper cover 114A of tile 104 (i.e. for maintaining the engagement between upper arm 222 and upper cover 114A).
  • tile 104 comprises a generally U-shaped member 22 IA which extends downwardly from an undersurface of upper cover 114A to provide an aperture 213A.
  • Forward portion 222A of upper arm 222 projects through aperture 213A so as to be held between the undersurface of upper cover 114A and U-shaped member 22 IA.
  • a similar U-shaped member 22 IB may be used to hold forward portion 220A of lower arm 220 between an upper surface of lower cover 114B and U-shaped member 22 IB.
  • U-shaped members 221 represent only one method of coupling the arms 220, 222 to covers
  • buoyancy control valve assembly 218 comprises a bias mechanism 217 which is coupled to pivot joint 225 in such a manner that is causes forward arm portions 220A, 222A to tend to pivot away from one another at pivot joint 225.
  • the action of bias mechanism 217 may be counteracted by upper and lower covers 114A, 114B which will respectively assert downward pressure against forward arm portion 222A and upward pressure against forward arm portion 220A.
  • buoyancy control valve assembly 218 also comprises a valve body 229 which defines bores 227, 231 and 233 therein. A central region 232 of bore 227 is in fluid communication with port 224 and adapter member 204. In the illustrated embodiment, buoyancy control valve assembly 218 also comprises a pair of one-way valves 226, 228 which may be located in bore 227.
  • one-way valves 226, 228 are configured such that air may flow through valve 226 from central region 232 of bore 227 to region 234 of bore 227 (but not from region 234 to region 232) and such that air may flow through valve 228 from region 230 of bore 227 to region 232 of bore 227 (but not from region 232 to region 230).
  • Region 230 of bore 227 is in fluid communication with bore 231 and region 234 of bore 227 is in fluid communication with bore 233.
  • Bores 231, 233 respectively comprise ports 242, 240 which are in fluid communication with the enclosure 140 formed between upper and lower covers 114 of tile 104 (see Figure 6).
  • Buoyancy control valve assembly 218 may also comprise piston-actuated valves 236, 238 which may control the flow of air into and/or out of ports 240, 242 and may thereby control the amount of air in enclosure 140 as described in more detail below.
  • piston-actuated valves 236, 238 are open (i.e.
  • piston-actuated valves 236, 238 are closed (i.e. capable of preventing airflow therethrough) when their respective pistons 236A, 238 A are extended.
  • buoyancy control system 200 of pool cover 101 comprises a pressure generator 250.
  • Pressure generator 250 is switchable via switch 251 to introduce air to pool cover 101 (by creating a positive air pressure gradient which tends to force air into pool cover 101) or to withdraw air from pool cover 101 (by creating a negative pressure gradient which tends to withdraw air from pool cover 101).
  • Pressure generator 250 may be implemented using one or more suitably configured pumps, compressors or the like.
  • Pressure generator 250 is preferably located away from pool 100.
  • pressure generator 250 comprises a first pressure generator for creating a positive pressure gradient and a second pressure generator for creating a negative pressure gradient.
  • the pressure generated by pressure generator 250 is not overly high.
  • the pressure generated by pressure generator 250 is less than 5 atmospheres. In other embodiment, the pressure generated by pressure generator 250 is less than 2 atmospheres.
  • Pressure generator 250 is in fluid communication with buoyancy control system 200 of pool cover 101.
  • buoyancy control system 200 comprises a main conduit 252 and a plurality of flexible conduits 254 (one for each longitudinal column of tiles 104) which provide fluid communication between pressure generator 250 and pool cover 101.
  • individual tiles 104 in each longitudinal column of tiles 104 may also be in fluid communication with each other and with pressure generator 250 via their conduits 148, nipple connectors 151, 153 and via conduits 161 of couplers 150.
  • buoyancy control valve assembly 218 acts as a deformation sensing system that is sensitive to deformation of tile body 121 and/or to changes in the volume of enclosure 140. Buoyancy control valve assembly 218 may also act as a mechanical flow controller to control the amount of air introduced into enclosure 140 and withdrawn from enclosure 140.
  • pool cover 101 is floating atop the water in pool 100
  • enclosure 140 of tile is in an expanded state and upper and lower covers 114A, 114B of tile 104 are respectively deformed upwardly and downwardly.
  • U-shaped members 221A, 221B act to pull forward arm portions 220A, 222A apart from one another by pivoting upper arm 222 relative to lower arm 220 at pivot joint 225 and by pivoting lower arm 220 relative to frame 118 at pivot joint 209.
  • valve assembly 218 may be said to be in an expanded configuration.
  • valve assembly 218 when valve assembly 218 is in its expanded configuration, piston 236A of piston-actuated valve 236 is extended (preventing the flow of air through piston-actuated valve 236) and rearward arm portions 220B, 222B depress piston 238 A (allowing air flow through valve 238).
  • switch 251 and/or pressure generator 250 Figure 1 are configured to cause air to be withdrawn from cover 101 (i.e. to create a negative pressure gradient between generator 250 and cover 101). Referring again to Figure 14, this negative pressure gradient creates vacuum force at port 224 of buoyancy control valve assembly 218.
  • piston 236 A Since piston 236 A is extended when tile 104 is floating atop the pool water and valve assembly 218 is in its expanded configuration, no air flows through piston- actuated valve 236 or one-way valve 226. However, when valve assembly 218 is in its expanded configuration, piston 238 A is depressed. Consequently, air flows from enclosure 140 through port 242, piston-actuated valve 238, region 230 of bore 227, one-way valve 228 and out of port 224.
  • tile 104 to contract (i.e. covers 114A, 114B deform toward one another). Eventually this volume reduction and accompanying deformation cause tile 104 to have a negative buoyancy relative to the pool water (i.e. a specific gravity greater than 1). Accordingly, tile 104 begins to sink toward bottom 170 of pool 100.
  • the withdrawal of air from enclosure 140 may cause covers 114 to approach a substantially flat (i.e. undeformed) state where covers 114 approach the upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower ballast covers 144, 146. In some cases, the withdrawal of air from enclosure 140 may cause covers 114 to approach an inwardly deformed state where covers 114 abut against the upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower ballast covers 144, 146.
  • covers 114 when tile 104 is in its contracted state, covers 114 are spaced less than 1 A " from upper and lower ballast covers 144, 146. In other embodiments, when tile 104 is in its contracted state covers 114 are spaced less than 1 A " from upper and lower ballast covers 144, 146.
  • covers 114 begin to deform toward one another, forward arm portions 220A, 222 A begin to pivot toward one another by pivoting upper arm 222 relative to lower arm 220 at pivot joint 225 and by pivoting lower arm 220 relative to frame 118 at pivot joint 209.
  • valve assembly 218 eventually reaches a configuration where piston 236A is depressed and piston 238A is no longer depressed.
  • valve assembly 218 may be said to be in a contracted configuration.
  • valve assembly 218 When valve assembly 218 is in its contracted configuration, air is no longer capable of being withdrawn from enclosure 240 out of port 224, because: (i) piston-actuated valve 238 is no longer actuated and therefore prevents air flow through port 242; and (ii) one-way valve 226 prevents air flow from region 234 to region 232 of bore 227. In this manner, valve assembly 218 senses the deformation of tile body 121 and/or the volume of enclosure 140 and discontinues the withdrawal of air from enclosure 140 when tile body 121 has reached a lower deformation threshold and/or enclosure 140 has reached a lower volume threshold.
  • valve assembly 218 When valve assembly 218 is in its contracted configuration, the specific gravity of tile 104 is preferably in a range of 1.01-1.25. Consequently, tile 104 sinks until it reaches bottom 170 of pool 100 or until the negative pressure gradient created by pressure generator 250 and/or switch 251 is reversed.
  • pressure generator 250 may be shut off after cover 101 has reached bottom 170 of pool 100. The shut off of pressure generator 250 may be performed manually or may be responsive to a pressure sensor (not shown) which may detect when cover 101 has reached a depth corresponding to bottom 170 of pool 100.
  • Bottom 170 of pool 100 may comprise a shallow end 176, a transition region 174 and a deep end 172 as shown in Figure 8.
  • flexible couplers 150 described above may deform so that individual tiles 104 may have different orientations than one another.
  • couplers 150 may deform such that tiles 104 in shallow end 176 and deep end 172 may be oriented generally horizontally and tiles 104 in transition region 174 may be oriented at an angle with respect to the horizontal.
  • Shafts 178, 180, 182, 184 (together with ring members 186) may guide cover 101 toward bottom 170.
  • one of more shafts 178, 180, 182, 184 may be provided with one or more bends 177, shaped such that cover 101 may move away from (or toward) the edges 110 of pool 100 as cover 101 sinks.
  • the shape of bends 177 may be selected such that cover 101 conforms to the shape of bottom 170 of pool 100 when cover 101 has sunken completely.
  • valve assembly 218 When tile 104 is contracted and valve assembly 218 is in its contracted configuration, air is prevented from flowing from port 224 toward region 230 of bore 227 by one-way valve 228. However, piston 236A is depressed. Consequently, air flows from port 224, through one-way valve 226, region 234 of bore 227, piston-actuated valve 236, out of port 240 and into enclosure 140.
  • forward arm portions 220A, 222 A continue to pivot away from one another, forward arm portion 222 A pivots away from piston 236 A and rearward arm portion 222B pivots toward piston 238A.
  • Buoyancy control valve assembly 218 eventually reaches its expanded configuration where piston 238 A is depressed and piston 236A is no longer depressed.
  • valve assembly 218 is in its expanded configuration, air is no longer capable of being introduced into enclosure 240 via port 224, because: (i) piston-actuated valve 236 is no longer actuated and therefore prevents air flow through port 240; and (ii) one-way valve 228 prevents air flow from region 232 to region 230 of bore 227.
  • valve assembly 218 senses the deformation of tile body 121 and/or the volume of enclosure 140 and discontinues the introduction of air into enclosure 140 when the deformation of tile body 121 reaches an upper deformation threshold and/or enclosure 140 has reached an upper volume threshold.
  • the ratio of the upper volume threshold to the lower volume threshold is less than 1.25. In other embodiments, the ratio of the upper volume threshold to the lower volume threshold is less than 1.15. [0068] When buoyancy control valve assembly 218 reaches its expanded configuration, the specific gravity of tile 104 is preferably in a range of 0.75-0.99. Consequently, tile 104 rises until it floats at or near the surface of the water in pool
  • Pressure generator 250 may be shut off after cover 101 has reached the surface of the water in pool 100. The shut off of pressure generator 250 may be performed manually or may be responsive to a pressure sensor (not shown) which may detect when cover
  • cover 101 When cover 101 is floating atop the surface of the pool water, it may provide insulation which helps to maintain the temperature of the water in pool 100.
  • the insulation provided by cover 101 may be superior to that of prior art designs because enclosures 140 of tiles 104 provide a relatively large volume of air between the pool water and the external environment and because that air is trapped in enclosures 140.
  • ballast covers 144, 146 (which are also located in enclosures 140) may provide a relatively large amount of insulating foam.
  • cover 101 When cover 101 is floating atop the surface of the pool water, it preferably has sufficient buoyancy to support the weight of an average person to prevent drowning of a person who may fall onto cover 101.
  • cover 101 Even if the weight of a person is sufficient to cause one or more tiles 104 to sink by a small amount, the coupling of tiles 104 by couplers 150 prevents cover 101 from collapsing on itself. Together, the plurality of tiles 104 used to form cover 101 may provide sufficient positive buoyancy to support the weight of a person who falls onto cover 101.
  • tiles 104 may comprise any type of tile body 121 or housing that contains an enclosure 140 into which air can be introduced and ftom which air can be withdrawn via a suitable port.
  • the tile body that forms the enclosures 140 is also the tile body that covers a surface area of the pool water.
  • enclosures 140 also preferably contain ballasts 142.
  • pool 100 comprises a single cover 101, wherein all of the individual tiles 104 are mechanically coupled to one another.
  • a pool 100 may comprise a plurality of separate covers 101, wherein each cover 101 comprises one or more mechanically-coupled tiles 104, but wherein the covers 101 are mechanically separate from one another. This configuration permits different portions of pool 100 to be separately covered or uncovered.
  • nipple connectors 151, 153, 206 are used to connect to various conduits. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many other suitable connectors for providing fluid communication between conduits.
  • longitudinally-adjacent tiles 104 may have air supplied to nipple connector 153 through a conduit 161 in a coupler 150.
  • air may be supplied to nipple connector 153 using other constructions, such as by a flexible hose that is separate from mechanical coupler 150, for example.
  • buoyancy control system 200 is implemented such that longitudinal columns of tiles 104 are connected to pressure generator 250 in parallel and individual tiles 104 within a longitudinal column are connected in series with one another.
  • each tile 104 may be connected to pressure generator 250 in parallel or clusters of tiles 104 having different shapes may be connected to pressure generator 250 in series or in parallel.
  • coupler 150 comprises conduit 161 to provide fluid communication between a pair of longitudinally-adjacent tiles 104. In other embodiments, coupler 150 may provide fluid communication between 3 or more tiles 104 which need not be longitudinally adjacent.
  • piston-actuated valves 236, 238 may be replaced by other suitable selectively-actuatable valves, including, without limitation, other types of mechanically actuatable valves and electronically actuatable valves.
  • piston-actuated valves 236, 238 may comprise a single selectively-actuatable valve mechanism that is configurable to a first state where it prevents fluid flow through one-way valve 226 (i.e. to discontinue air flow into enclosure 140) and to a second state where it prevents fluid flow through one-way valve 228 (i.e. to discontinue air flow out of enclosure 140).

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  • Architecture (AREA)
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Abstract

La présente invention concerne, dans un de ses aspects, une couverture pour une étendue d'eau, la couverture comprenant un ou plusieurs segments. Chaque segment comprend un corps de segment généralement aplati qui peut flotter sur l'étendue d'eau pour recouvrir une surface de cette dernière. Le corps de segment définit une enceinte dans laquelle au moins une partie du corps de segment qui définit l'enceinte est déformable. Chaque segment comprend également un lest qui possède une densité supérieure à celle de l'eau et un orifice prévu pour faire entrer dans l'enceinte un fluide qui possède une densité inférieure à celle de l'eau et pour l'en faire sortir. Lors de l'envoi du fluide dans l'enceinte par l'intermédiaire de l'orifice, la partie déformable du corps de segment s'agrandit pour augmenter un volume de l'enceinte et augmenter une flottabilité du segment et, lors de l'évacuation du fluide hors de l'enceinte par l'intermédiaire de l'orifice, la partie du corps de segment se contracte de façon déformable pour réduire le volume de l'enceinte et réduire la flottabilité du segment.
PCT/CA2007/000812 2007-05-09 2007-05-09 Couverture de piscine flottante WO2008138091A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CA2007/000812 WO2008138091A1 (fr) 2007-05-09 2007-05-09 Couverture de piscine flottante
EP07719736.6A EP2155988B1 (fr) 2007-05-09 2007-05-09 Couverture de piscine flottante

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CA2007/000812 WO2008138091A1 (fr) 2007-05-09 2007-05-09 Couverture de piscine flottante

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WO2008138091A1 true WO2008138091A1 (fr) 2008-11-20

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Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2970320A (en) 1959-01-12 1961-02-07 Lifeguard Swim Pool Corp Combination swimming pool cover and floor
US3184763A (en) 1963-03-06 1965-05-25 Donald P Kennedy Safety cover for swimming pools
DE2100716A1 (de) 1970-01-16 1971-07-22 Schwarz. Gerhard, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn., Wien Badebecken
US3813704A (en) * 1972-06-19 1974-06-04 D Troiano Floatable safety cover for swimming pools
US3889303A (en) * 1974-03-27 1975-06-17 Augustus B Kinzel Displaceable swimming pool cover
DE2724287A1 (de) 1977-05-28 1978-12-07 Wolfgang Ing Grad Schroetter Schwimmbadabdeckung
US4197595A (en) * 1975-08-08 1980-04-15 Dearing Leroy M Cover for swimming pools
CA1184825A (fr) 1979-09-20 1985-04-02 Gordon C. Stead Couvre-piscine submersible
US4626005A (en) 1983-07-06 1986-12-02 Gustav Stifter Fluid-tight flexible connection between hollow sections
US4716603A (en) 1980-07-09 1988-01-05 Sernetz Dipl Ing Dr Tech Heinz Swimming pool cover
EP1658762A1 (fr) 2004-11-17 2006-05-24 André Chauveau Dispositif de couverture de bassin de réception de liquide et dispositif générateur d'air associé à un tel dispositif
FR2886381A1 (fr) 2005-05-24 2006-12-01 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Dispositif de protection propre a loger un dispositif de purification et module de ventilation d'air comportant ce dispositif.

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2866381B1 (fr) * 2004-02-18 2006-05-19 Raymond Nexon Profile destine a la construction d'un plancher pour bassin et susceptible de flotter ou d'etre immerge

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2970320A (en) 1959-01-12 1961-02-07 Lifeguard Swim Pool Corp Combination swimming pool cover and floor
US3184763A (en) 1963-03-06 1965-05-25 Donald P Kennedy Safety cover for swimming pools
DE2100716A1 (de) 1970-01-16 1971-07-22 Schwarz. Gerhard, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn., Wien Badebecken
US3813704A (en) * 1972-06-19 1974-06-04 D Troiano Floatable safety cover for swimming pools
US3889303A (en) * 1974-03-27 1975-06-17 Augustus B Kinzel Displaceable swimming pool cover
US4197595A (en) * 1975-08-08 1980-04-15 Dearing Leroy M Cover for swimming pools
DE2724287A1 (de) 1977-05-28 1978-12-07 Wolfgang Ing Grad Schroetter Schwimmbadabdeckung
CA1184825A (fr) 1979-09-20 1985-04-02 Gordon C. Stead Couvre-piscine submersible
US4716603A (en) 1980-07-09 1988-01-05 Sernetz Dipl Ing Dr Tech Heinz Swimming pool cover
US4626005A (en) 1983-07-06 1986-12-02 Gustav Stifter Fluid-tight flexible connection between hollow sections
EP1658762A1 (fr) 2004-11-17 2006-05-24 André Chauveau Dispositif de couverture de bassin de réception de liquide et dispositif générateur d'air associé à un tel dispositif
FR2886381A1 (fr) 2005-05-24 2006-12-01 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Dispositif de protection propre a loger un dispositif de purification et module de ventilation d'air comportant ce dispositif.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP2155988A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2155988A1 (fr) 2010-02-24
EP2155988B1 (fr) 2013-10-30
EP2155988A4 (fr) 2011-11-30

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