Swimming pool cover assembly

• US 4,790,037 A
• Filed: 05/13/1987
• Issued: 12/13/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Air-Lok Pool Covers Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Air-Lok Pool Covers Incorporated
• Inventors: Phillips, Dwaine
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US07/049,734
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 4/496, 4/498-506, 160/382, 160/383, 160/391, 160/392, 24/359, 24/360, 24/362, 52/410, 52/698, 52/2 C, 52/222, 411/431, 220/232
• US Class Current: 4/499
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/105 supported by air pressure under the cover

Abstract

A swimming pool cover assembly is provided which can easily be installed and removed, and which is adapted to be supported above the surface of the pool without bulky reinforcing or structural members. The swimming pool cover assembly includes an air impervious cover member having dimensions greater than the dimensions of the pool so as to span the pool, an anchor assembly disposed about the perimeter of the pool for securing the cover member over the pool and forming fluid-tight seal therebetween, and a blower assembly for supplying a sufficient volume of air so that a cushion of air is formed between the cover member and the water in the pool for maintaining the cover member in an elevated positioned relative to the surface of the water in the pool.

Claims

1. A swimming pool cover assembly for protecting a swimming pool from debris and weather, the swimming pool cover assembly comprising:

a. an air impervious cover member adapted to span the pool, the cover member having an inlet opening in one end portion thereof and dimensions greater than the dimensions of the pool;

b. anchor means disposed about the perimeter of the pool for securing the cover member over the pool and for forming a substantially air-tight seal with the cover member, the anchor means comprising;

(1) a stationary backup element secured to the deck perimeter about the pool, the backup element having a securement plate and a pair of spatially disposed tab engaging members extending form the securement plate and cooperating with the securement plate to form a locking cavity therebetween;

(2) a cover locking element having a cover plate and a pair of spatially disposed locking tabs extending therefrom and angularly disposed in a diverging direction, the locking tabs being positionable within the locking cavity for locking engagement with the tab engaging members of the backup element so that when a portion of the cover member is positioned therebetween and the cover locking element is disposed within the locking cavity a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween, the cover locking element further comprising a third locking tab extending therefrom and spatially disposed from one of the other locking tabs, the third locking tab and the adjacent locking tab converging so as to define a tab receiving a cavity adapted to receive one of the tab engaging members of the backup element; and

(3) connecting means for connecting the back up element to the deck in close proximity to an edge of the pool;

c. blower means connected to the cover member via the inlet opening for producing a sufficient volume of air to provide a cushion of air between water in the pool and the cover member and to support the cover member in an elevated position relative to the surface of the pool, the blower means comprising;

(1) an air blower having a discharge nozzle; and

(2) a flexible hose having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion connected to the discharge nozzle of the air blower and the second end portion connected to the cover member such that the hose is in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the cover member and a substantially air-tight seal is formed therebetween, and

d. reinforcing means connected to the cover member about the inlet opening for reinforcing the cover member adjacent to the inlet opening.

2. A swimming pool cover assembly comprising

a. an air impervious cover member adapted to span the pool, the cover member having an inlet opening in one end portion thereof and dimensions greater than the dimensions of the pool;

b. anchor means disposed about the perimeter of the pool for securing the cover member over the pool and for forming a substantially air-tight seal with the cover member, the anchor means comprising;

(1) a stationary backup element secured to the deck perimeter about the pool, the backup element having a securement plate and a pair of spatially disposed tab engaging members extending from the securement plate and cooperating with the securement plate to form a locking cavity therebetween; and

(2) a cover locking element having a cover plate and a pair of spatially disposed locking tabs extending therefrom and angularly disposed in a diverging direction and positionable within the locking cavity for locking engagement with the tab engaging members of the backup element so that when a portion of the cover member is positioned therebetween and the locking element is disposed within the cover locking cavity a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween, the cover locking element further comprising a third locking tab extending from the cover plate and spatially disposed from one of the locking tabs, the third locking tab and the adjacently disposed locking tab cooperating to define a tab receiving cavity adapted to receive one of the tab engaging members of the backup element; and

c. blower means connected to the cover member via the inlet opening for producing a sufficient volume of air to provide a cushion of air between water in the pool and the cover member and to support the cover member in an elevated position relative to the surface of the pool.

3. The swimming pool cover assembly of claim 2 wherein the blower means comprises:

an air blower having a discharge nozzle; and

a flexible hose having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion connected to the discharge nozzle of the air blower and the second end portion connected to the cover member such that the hose is in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the cover member and a substantially air-tight seal is formed therebetween.

4. The swimming pool cover assembly of claim 3 wherein the blower means further comprises:

support means for supporting the air blower at a desired location relative to the air inlet opening and the pool.

5. The swimming pool cover assembly of claim 4 further comprising:

hose connector means for connecting the second end portion of the hose to the cover member, the hose connector means having a substantially cylindrically shape body member and a base member connected to one end thereof, the base member being disposed adjacent the cover member such that the body member extends substantially normal to the plane of the base member, the body member and the base member having a passageway extensive therethrough openly communicating with the inlet opening of the cover member.

6. The swimming pool cover assembly of claim 2 further comprising:

reinforcing means connected to the cover member about the inlet opening for reinforcing the cover member adjacent the inlet opening.