Low shelter with articulated roof elements for use as a swimming pool roof

• US 7,263,805 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2002
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abrisud Co.
• Original Assignee: Abrisud Co.
• Inventors: Chapus, Serge
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield; Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): KENNY, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US10/480,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20040187397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,918 Days
• Field of Search: 52D/IG.17, 52/21.1, 52/3, 52/5, 52/64, 52/63, 52/66, 52/67, 521/696, 522/00, 52/73, 52/69, 52/71, 52/86, 135/906, 449/8, 47/17
• US Class Current: 52/67
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/165 having movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/084 with lifting mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/086 Sliding covers E04H4/084 and E04H4/088 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 135/906 Arched structure

Abstract

A low shelter swimming pool roof system is provided. The system can include, over a portion (P′) at least of its length, juxtaposed roof elements (I′) and juxtaposed roof elements (I). The distance that delimits the external chord of each of the longitudinal edges (220a′) and (220b′) of the roof elements (I′) resting on the support edge (S) of the pool and connected by two roof arcs (210′) can be shorter than the distance which delimits the internal chord of the two longitudinal edges (220a) and (220b) the roof elements (I) of the other portion (P) resting on the support edge (S) of the pool and connected by two roof bows (210). Such an arrangement enables the first portion (P′) of roof elements (I′) to be nested in the second portion (P) of relatively larger roof elements (I) thereby partially exposing the pool over a length corresponding to the displacement of the mobile portion (P′) of roof elements (I′).

Claims

1. A low shelter swimming pool roof system, comprising:

roof elements (I and I′

) juxtaposed along a length of a swimming pool;

a translucent material cover (100 and 100′

) and a resistant rigid frame formed of at least two arcs (210 and 210′

) arranged in planes transverse to the pool and separated by longitudinal cross-ties (220 and 220′

) with two end cross-ties delimiting two longitudinal parallel sides (220a, 220a′ and

220b, 220b′

) to the roof elements (I and I′

) and which rest on longitudinal edges of the swimming pool, thereby defining a support surface (S),

the roof elements (I and I′

) having at least one longitudinal side (220b) articulated (arrow A) relative to the support surface (S) of the edge of the swimming pool, the articulation allowing the roof element to pivot from a closed position to a partly open position;

wherein the swimming pool roof system is formed, along at least one portion (P′

) of its length, of juxtaposed roof elements (I′

) whose distance, defined by an external cord of the two longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

) resting on support edge (S) of the swimming pool and linking the two arcs (210 and 210′

), is less than the distance defined by an internal cord of the two longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) resting on the support edge (S) of the swimming pool and connecting the two arcs (210 and 210′

) of the juxtaposed elements (I) of the other portion (P) of the swimming pool roof system to enable nesting of a first portion (P′

) of the roof elements (I′

) in a second portion (P) of the roof elements (I) and to partially open up the swimming pool along a length depending on a displacement of a mobile portion (P′

) of roof elements (I′

); and

wherein the roof element (I′

) of the mobile portion (P′

) comprises mutual linking structure that is both dissociable to allows free articulation (arrow A) of each roof element (I′

) relative to the support edge (S) of the swimming pool, and non-dissociable to allow longitudinal movement of a mobile portion (P′

) of roof elements (I′

) along the support edge (S) such that the juxtaposed roof elements (I′

) are stowed one after the other.

2. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein the portion (P′

) with the roof elements (I′

) is mounted so as to be mobile (arrow D) along or outside of the swimming pool, and is displaced beneath the portion (P) of the roof elements (I) to be partly or totally covered by the roof elements (I).

3. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein the portion (P) with the roof elements (I) is mounted so as to be mobile along or outside of the swimming pool, and is displaced above the portion (P′

) of the roof elements (I′

) which it covers partly or totally.

4. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile portion (P′

) of roof elements (I′

) is situated at one end of the swimming pool.

5. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, further comprising two mobile portions of roof elements (I and I′

) situated at the two ends of the swimming pool.

6. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein the link between the two portions (P and P′

) of the roof elements (I and I′

) in the closed position is ensured by a partial mutual nesting of the two neighboring roof elements (I and I′

) with overlap of the two arcs (210 and 210′

) of each of the nested roof elements (I and I′

).

7. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein the two arcs (210 and 210′

) of the roof elements (I and I′

) of the portion (P) and the mobile portion (P′

) have a same radius of curvature.

8. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal side (220a, 220b and 220a′

, 220b′

) of the roof element (I and I′

) of the portion (P) and the mobile portion (P′

) are profiled to receive in a removable or adjustable manner, either fixation lugs (310a) of the roof elements (I) on the support edge (S), or displacement means (320a′

) of the roof elements (I′

) along and outside of the support edge (S).

9. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein linking means comprise wings of the two arcs (210 and 210′

) that, arranged overhanging the prolongation of panels of the translucent material cover (100) to partially seal the nesting of the juxtaposed roof elements (I′

) in the closed position, are provided with a removable device for solidarization the wings with the arc (210′

) of an adjacent roof element (I′

).

10. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 9, wherein each means for linking two contiguous arced couplings (210r′

and 210c′

) includes a U-profile (211′

) which, taking shapes of rectangular lower profiles (212r′ and

212c′

) of the two contiguous arced couplings (210r′ and

210c′

), is made integral with the rectangular profile (212r′

) of the arced coupling (210r′

) of the roof element (I′

) in such a way that the rectangular profile (212c′

) of the arced coupling (210c′

) of the roof element (I) can be lodged in the U-shaped profile (211′

) during the lowering movement of the roof element (I) into the closed position and inversely, to release the U-shaped profile (211′

) during the lifting movement of the same element to obtain an open-position.

11. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 10, wherein an upper part of a branch of the U-shaped profile (211′

) not firmly attached to the arced coupling (210r′

) of the roof element (I′

) is flared to facilitate engaging the rectangular lower profile (212c′

) of the arced coupling (210c′

) of the roof element (I) with play, during its lowering movement into the closed position.

12. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, wherein the two end cross-ties of the frame delimiting two longitudinal sides (220a, 220a′

and 220b, 220b′

) to the roof element (I and I′

) are each arranged at their upper part and facing towards an internal side of the roof elements (I and I′

) with a projecting inclined groove (221a and 221a′

) to grab and retain an edge of the translucent material cover (100 and 100′

) at their lower part and facing towards an external side of the roof elements (I and I′

), with a coupling organ (222a and 222a′

) in order to retain, via fixation lugs (300a, 300a′ and

300b, 300b′

) of the roof elements (I and I′

) on the edge (S) of the swimming pool, wherein each of two end cross-tie (220a) of the portion (P) of the roof elements (I) receiving the coupling organ (222a) and the groove (221a) is preformed with a profile bent with a first brand (220a1) and a second branch (220a2) with an obtuse angle to ensure simultaneously both a lateral displacement towards the external side of the roof elements (I and I′

) from the position of the coupling organ (222a), and a vertical displacement upwards, from the position of the inclined groove (221a), while still respecting the angle of inclination of the inclined groove (221a).

13. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 12, wherein the first branch (220a1) of the profile forming the end cross-tie (220a) and receiving at its low part the coupling organ (222a) is narrow and set vertically like a post, and wherein a second branch (220a2) receiving at its top part the inclined groove (221a), takes the shape of a cone with a small base along the prolongation of the first branch (220a1) with a vertical orientation while a big base receives at its top part the inclined groove (221a).

14. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 12, wherein the coupling organ (222a′

) of the longitudinal sides (220a′

) is formed following the profile of the cross-tie of the longitudinal sides (220a′

) along a runner of circular cross-section open to the exterior of a longitudinal groove (222a′

) with a relatively bigger width than that of the thickness of the fixation lugs (300a′

) in order to enable a pivoting linkage between the longitudinal sides (220a′

) and a cylindrical end (301a′

) of the fixation lugs (300a′

), wherein the cylindrical end (301a′

) of the fixation lug (300a′

) is truncated along an oblique plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal sides (220a′

) so as to enable passage of the truncated cylindrical end (301a′

) of the fixation lug (300a′

) by the longitudinal groove (222a′

) of the coupling organ (222a′

).

15. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, in which either a portion (P′

) of roof elements (I′

) or a portion (P) of roof elements (I) is mounted in a mobile arrangement (arrow D) along the swimming pool, wherein the displacements (D) of the mobile portion (P′

) are guided along a longitudinal axis of the swimming pool by at least one guide roller (510a′

or 510b′

) engaged in rotation around a vertical axis associated with the arc (210′

) located at an end of the mobile portion (P′

) such that a rolling strip (511a′

or 511b′

) of the guide roller (510a′

) or 510b′

) at least partially extends towards the mobile portion (P′

) facing the portion (P) while still being supported on the cross-ties (220) or on panels of translucent material cover (100) of the portion (P) forming a runway along the length of displacement of the mobile portion (P′

).

16. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 15, wherein the displacements (D) of the mobile portion (P′

) are guided (arrow D) along the longitudinal axis of the swimming pool by two guide rollers (510a′ and

510b′

) engaged in rotation around two axes associated with the arc (210′

) located at an end of the mobile portion (P′

) and approximately level with the two longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

), in such a way that the rolling strips (511a′ and

511b′

) of the guide rollers (510a′ and

510b′

) at least partially extends towards the longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

) of the mobile portion (P′

) facing the two longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) of the portion (P) while still being supported on the two longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) of the portion (P) forming a runway along the length of displacement of the mobile portion (P′

).

17. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 15, wherein the guide rollers (510a′

and 510b′

) are arranged with the arc (210′

) located at an end of the mobile portion (P′

) moving along the portion (P).

18. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 15, wherein the axes of the two guide rollers (510a′

and 510b′

) are arranged in vertical planes.

19. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 15, wherein the axes of the guide rollers (510a′

and 510b′

) are arranged in inclined planes such that guiding, bearing and displacement (arrow D) of the mobile portion (P′

) is ensured.

20. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 1, in which either the portion (P′

) of small roof elements (I′

) or the portion (P) of roof elements (I) is mounted in a mobile arrangement (arrow D) along the swimming pool, wherein the displacements D of the mobile portion (P′

) are guided along a longitudinal axis of the swimming pool by at least one counter guide roller (520a or 520b) engaged in rotation around an axis associated with the arc (210) located at an end of the portion (P′

) around a vertical axis associated with the arc (210′

) located at an end of the mobile portion (P′

) such that a rolling strip (521a or 521b) of the counter-guide roller (520a or 520b) overhang the plane of portion (P) facing the mobile portion (P′

) while still being supported on the cross-ties (220′

) or on panels of translucent material cover (100′

) of the mobile portion (P′

) forming a runway along the length of displacement of panels of translucent material cover (100′

).

21. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 20, wherein the displacements (D) of the mobile portion (P′

) are guided (arrow D) along the longitudinal axis of the swimming pool by two counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) engaged in rotation around two axes associated with the arc (210) located at an end of the portion (P) at the level of the two longitudinal sides (220a and 220b), in such a way that the rolling strips (521a and 521b) of the counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) overhang the plane of the longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) of the portion (P) facing the two longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

) of the mobile portion (P′

) while still being supported on the two longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

) of the mobile portion (P′

) forming a runway along the length of displacement of that latter.

22. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 20, wherein the counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) are arranged with the arc (210) located at an end of the portion (P or P′

) along which the mobile portion (P′

or P) moves.

23. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 20, wherein the axes of the two counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) are arranged, at the level of the arc (210) located at an end of the portion (P) along which the mobile portion (P′

) moves, in a vertical plane by means of a fixation in the longitudinal edges (S) of the swimming pool.

24. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 15, wherein the guide rollers (510a′

or 510b′

) or counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) are engaged in free rotation around their axes.

25. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the guide rollers (510a′

or 510b′

) or of the counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) is motorized.

26. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 15, wherein the displacements (D) of the mobile portion (P′

) are guided (arrow D) along the longitudinal axis of the swimming pool;

by two guide rollers (510a′ and

510b′

) engaged in free rotation around two vertical axes associated with the arc (210′

) located at an end of the mobile portion (P′

) extending along the portion (P) and at the level of the two longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

), such that the rolling strips (511a′ and

511b′

) of the guide rollers (510a′ and

510b′

) overhang the plane of the longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

) facing the two longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) of the portion (P) while still being supported on the cross-ties formed by the longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) forming a runway along the length of displacement of the mobile portion (P′

), or by two counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) engaged in free rotation around two vertical axes associated with the arc (210) located at an end of the portion (P) along which the mobile portion (P′

) moves and at the level of the two longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) in such a way that the rolling strips (521a and 521b) of the counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) overhang the plane of the longitudinal sides (220a and 220b) of the portion (P) facing the two longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

) of the mobile portion (P′

) while still being supported on the two longitudinal sides (220a′ and

220b′

) of the mobile portion (P′

) forming a runway along the length of displacement of the latter.

27. The low shelter swimming pool roof system according to claim 26, wherein the two guide rollers (510a′

and 510b′

) engaged in rotation around two associated axes of the arc (210′

) located at an end of the mobile portion (P′

) moving along the portion (P) are partially set or totally set in the same horizontal plane as the plane of the two counter-guide rollers (520a and 520b) engaged in rotation around two vertical axes associated with the arc (210) located at an end of the portion (P) along which the mobile portion (P′

) moves, in such a way as to arrive at a stop at an end of a run against that latter and in such a way as to limit the end linear displacement runs D of the mobile portion P′

along the longitudinal axis of the swimming pool.