Collapsible dome for pools

• US 6,272,695 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2000
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aljaz Brandner
• Original Assignee: Aljaz Brandner
• Inventors: Brandner, Aljaz
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US09/583,083
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 449/8, 450/3
• US Class Current: 4/498
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/108 supported by frames

Abstract

A collapsible dome includes two or more arches of larger radius than half of the diameter of the pool which are therefore lower and provide a consequently lower structure, preferably of arcuated shape. Arches are pivotably attached on one end to the first support base, mounted to the pool'"'"'s edge, and on the other to the second support base. Second support base is slidably hung upon a support guide bar which is mounted on the pool'"'"'s edge with one end opposite the first support base and a membrane cover attached to each arch and tensioned after set up to the pool'"'"'s edge. While the membrane is not fastened to the pool'"'"'s edge, one side of the collapsible dome can easily be shifted along the support guide bar. Before collapsing the dome, the second support base should be shifted along the support guide bar in the appropriate direction to decrease the circumference between the first and second support bases. The arches, having a larger radius than the pool, would otherwise collapse into the pool instead of onto the pool'"'"'s edge. When the dome is used on pools with shape different than round like oval or rectangular, shifting of both support bases along the pool'"'"'s edge before collapsing of the dome is required to assure collapsing of the dome on or behind the pool'"'"'s edge. Domes having only two arches are quickly and easily attached to the pool'"'"'s edge by pivotable attaching components, which include two cups into which the ends of the arches are put by means of slip joint assemblies, bound by a cord that permits pivotal movement to the base support.

Claims

1. A collapsible dome comprising

a support guide bar mounted on the edge of a pool,

a first support base mounted on said edge of said pool opposite said support guide bar on the opposite side of said pool,

a second support base slidably hung upon said support guide bar, said support guide bar allowing movement of said second support base along said support guide bar to decrease or increase the distance measured around said pool edge between said first support base and said second support base,

at least two arches, each of said arches having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotably attached to said first support base and said second end pivotably attached to said second support base, each of said arches being movable between a collapsed position and an inclined position,

a flexible membrane attached to each of said arches, said flexible membrane spanning the area between said arches themselves and between the said arches and said pool edge, when said arches are inclined to form said collapsible dome.

2. A collapsible dome according to claim 1, wherein said flexible membrane has a door means.

3. A collapsible dome according to claim 1, wherein a first arch of said at least two arches and a second arch of said at least two arches having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a first cup, said first cup bound by a cord to said first support base, said first end of said second arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a second cup, said second cup bound by a cord to said first support base, said second end of said first arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a third cup, said third cup bound by a cord to said second support base, said second end of said second arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a forth cup, said forth cup bound by a cord to said second support base, said first arch and said second arch being movable between a collapsed position and an inclined position.

5. A collapsible dome according to claim 1, wherein said flexible membrane has a door means.

6. A collapsible dome according to claim 1, wherein a first arch of said at least two arches and a second arch of said at least two arches having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a first cup, said first cup bound by a cord to said first support base, said first end of said second arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a second cup, said second cup bound by a cord to said first support base, said second end of said first arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a third cup, said third cup bound by a cord to slip joint assembly to a forth cup, said forth cup bound by a cord to said second support base, said first arch and said second arch being movable between a collapsed position and an inclined position.

7. A collapsible dome according to claim 5, wherein said flexible membrane has a door means.

4. A collapsible dome comprising

a first support guide bar mounted on the edge of a pool,

a second support guide bar mounted on said edge of said pool opposite said first support guide bar on the opposite side of said pool,

a first support base slidably hung upon said first support guide bar, said first support guide bar allowing movement of said first support base along said first support guide bar to decrease or increase the distance measured around said pool edge between said first support base and said second support guide bar,

a second support base slidably hung upon said second support guide bar, said second support guide bar allowing movement of said second support base along said second support guide bar to decrease or increase the distance measured around said pool edge between said second support base and said first support guide bar,

at least two arches, each of said arches having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotably attached to said first support base and said second end pivotably attached to said second support base, each of said arches being movable between a collapsed position and an inclined position,

a flexible membrane attached to each of said arches, said flexible membrane spanning the area between said arches themselves and between the said arches and said pool edge, when said arches are inclined to form said collapsible dome.

8. A collapsible dome comprising

a first support base mounted on the edge of a pool,

a second support base mounted on said edge of said pool opposite said first support base on the opposite side of said pool,

a first arch and a second arch, said first arch and said second arch having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a first cup, said first cup bound by a cord to said first support base, said first end of said second arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a second cup, said second cup bound by a cord to said first support base, said second end of said first arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a third cup, said third cup bound by a cord to said second support base, said second end of said second arch attached by a slip joint assembly to a forth cup, said forth cup bound by a cord to said second support base, said first arch and said second arch being movable between a collapsed position and an inclined position,

a flexible membrane attached to each of said arches, said flexible membrane spanning the area between said arches and between said arches and said pool edge, when said arches are inclined to form said collapsible dome.