US3443265A - Pool cover - Google Patents

Description

May 13, 1969 c. J. HAUCK 3,443,265

POOL COVER Filed June 30, 1967 INVENTOR. a/weszs (1 H uc United States Patent 3,443,265 POOL COVER Charles J. Hauck, 112 Heller Way, Upper Montclair, NJ. 07043 Filed June 30, 1967, Ser. No. 650,430

Int. Cl. E0411 1/32 U.S. Cl. 4-172 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a pool cover. More particularly, the invention relates to a pool cover having an integrated cabana section at one end.

Heretofore, in some instances, swimming pool covers have been made of a substantially flat construction such that when the covers are in place, the swimming pools could not be used. In other instances, the pool covers have been made of such bulky construction as to require roller supports so as to facilitate the mounting of the covers over a swimming pool.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to permit use of a swimming pool while such is covered by a pool cover.

It is another object of the invention to permit year-round utilization of an outdoor swimming pool.

It is another object of the invention to reduce the maintenance costs of an outdoor swimming pool.

It is another object of the invention to permit installation of a pool cover over a swimming pool in a minimum of time.

Briefly, the inventionprovides a pool cover for an outdoor swimming pool which completely encloses the pool from the surrounding exterior environment while permitting sufficient headroom for use of the pool. The pool cover is constructed of a number of interconnected elements of light weight plastic materials such as fiber glass reinforced plastics to form an arched section for covering the tank of the pool and a cabana section at one end of the arched section. The cabana section is of greater interior dimensions than the arched section so as to provide a lounging area for swimmers. The dimensions of the arched section are such as to provide sufiicient headroom at the longitudinal ends of the pool whereas the dimensions along the side edges of the pool are of lesser extent.

The arched section of the swimming pool is preferably made of clear materials so as to permit natural or artificial light to pass through the cover to illuminate the pool. However, the cabana section is preferably made of translucent material so as to create a shaded area for the comfort of the occupants of the enclosed area. The cabana section is also provided with a plurality of windows made of clear plastic material such as clear acrylic in order to illuminate the interior of the cabana section.

The pool cover is made of materials so as to be substantially maintenance free, noncorrosive, and mildew and rotproof. Thus, the pool cover, once installed can be left in place year-round without becoming inefiective.

In addition, the various elements of the pool are constructed so as to be self-supporting while being relatively light in weight. This permits the pool cover to be erected or dismantled manually within a minimum of time.

The elements of the arched section of the pool cover 3,443,265 Patented May 13, 1969 r: CC

are supported on the ground or on a suitable apron around the swimming pool in a secure manner by suitable means so as to insure the stability of these elements in place. Similarly, the cabana section can be stabilized by securement to a'suitable ground support or by the formation of a peripheral channel about the base of the cabana section which can be filled with sand or water to weight down the cabana section.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pool cover of the invention in place over a swimming pool;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the pool cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 of a manner of interconnecting the elements of the pool cover;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 1 of a means for securing a pool element to the apron of a swimming pool;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view taken on line 66 of FIG. 1 of a window mounted in the cabana section; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an end view of the cabana section.

Referring to FIG. 1, pool cover 10 is constructed to overlie and enclose a swimming pool 11, for example, a transportable outdoor swimming pool. The pool cover 10' includes an arched section 12 which overlies the tank 13 of the swimming pool 11 and a cabana section 14 which is located at one end of the arched section 12 to enclose a lounging area 15 adjacent the tank 13.

Referring to FIG. 2, the arched section 12 is made up of a plurality of interconnected elements 16, 16' which arch over the tank 13. The end element 16 is formed in a semibowl shape so as to close off one end of the swimming pool 11 while the remaining elements 16 are formed in an arcuate shape such as a semioval shape so as to bridge the tank 13. The elements 16, 16' are formed of a plastic material which is of sufficient rigidity to be self-supporting when formed into the shape of the elements 16, 16. For example, the elements 16, 16 are made of fiber glass reinforced plastic. The plastic material, in addition, is of such a nature as to be noncorrosive, mildewproof and rotproof so as to substantially reduce the maintenance of the pool cover. Also, the plastic material is of a clear nature so as to permit the passage of light for illuminating the interior of the arched section 11.

The cabana section 14 is likewise made up of a plurality of interconnected elements 17, 17' which form a bowl shape of larger dimension than the arched section. The end element 17 which is of bowl shape encloses the end of the swimming pool 11 opposite the end enclosed by element 16 while a pair of elements 17, each of which is of arc shape, are connected to element 17 and to each other to form an extension to increase the extent of the lounging area 15. However, any number of pairs of elements 17 can be interconnected within the cabana section 14 toincrease the size of the lounging area 15. The elements 17, 17' are formed of plastic materials which are self-supporting, such as, fiber glass reinforced plastic. In addition, the material of the elements 17, 17' is of translucent nature so as to create a shaded sun-protected area within the lounging area 15.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the elements 16 are formed of a single thickness, with an upstanding transverse flange 18 along one edge, and a downwardly directed channel 19 at the opposite edge. The flanges 18 of each element is sized to lit in an interlocking manner to form a water tight seal between each other. In a similar manner, the end element 16 has a downwardly directed channel 20 which is sized to receive a flange 18 of the adjacent element 16, or vice versa.

The arched section 11 and cabana section 14, since each is of different dimensions so as to provide more headroom in the lounging area 15, are interconnected in sealed fashion by a transition element 21. The transition element 21 which is preferably of the same material as elements 16 is formed with an upstanding recess 22 and a depending recess 23 at opposite transverse edges. The upstanding recess 22 is sized to interlock with a recess 19 of an element 16 while the depending recess 22 is sized to interlock with a recess 23 formed along the edges of elements 17.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the elements 17, 17' are formed with depending flanges 24 along mutually abutting edges. These flanges 24 have matching holes through which suitable bolts 25 pass and are tightened in watertight engagement by means of threaded nuts 26 on the bolts 25.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, in order to facilitate the stability of the pool cover after being placed over the pool 11, the various elements 16, 16' are formed with flanges 27 to form a continuous peripheral lip about the arched section 14. The flanges 27 are further secured in removable relation as by bolts 28 to the apron 29 of the swimming pool 11.

Similarly, in order to facilitate the stability of the cabana section 14, the elements 17, 17 are formed with a continuous peripheral channel 29 which is contoured to receive a ballast such as sand or water.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the elements 17, 17 are provided with openings 30 which are slightly recessed. Each opening 30 is covered by a window 31 which is seated in bonded relation in the recesses of the elements .17, 17. The windows 31 are of a clear acrylic plastic material so as to permit shafts of light to pass into the lounging area for illumination as well as to permit viewing to the rear of the cabana section 14. Alternatively, the windows 31 can be of a colored plastic material in order to create a desired illuminated effect within the lounging area 15.

Referring to FIG. 7, in order to permit access to the interior of the pool cover 10, a door 32 is hingedly or otherwise mounted in the rear wall of the single thickness cabana element 17. Preferably, the door 32, when in a closed position, is in water sealed relation to the pool cover.

It is noted that the arched section can also be provided with openings and windows similar to the cabana section so that if ventilation of the enclosed area is desired, some of the windows in the arched or cabana sections can be opened.

It is further noted that the cabana section is dimensioned to provide sufficient space for a lounging area. For example, at the midpoint, the cabana section can preferably be seven to nine feet high. Also, the pool cover is in suitable dimensions to sufliciently cover a pool, such as a pool with dimensions of twenty feet by fifty feet, to allow entry into the tank of the pool from either end.

In addition, it is noted that the cabana section can be omitted and replaced by an element similar to the end element of the arched section. In such a case, a door would be provided in either or both of the end elements for entry purposes.

The pool cover of the invention is advantageously constructed of elements of relatively light weight which can be conveniently interlocked in water tight relation and which can be easily handled manually. The erection or dismantling of such a pool cover can be rapidly accomplished in a minimum of time with a minimum of tools.

Also, the interior of the pool cover of the invention can be conveniently heated by suitable heaters during cold weather so as to allow the use of a covered swimming pool.

Since the pool cover is made of noncorrosive mildewproof materials, once erected in place, the pool cover can remain in place for year-round service with relatively little service.

What is claimed is:

1. A pool cover comprising a plurality of rigid selfsupporting interconnected elements, each of said elements being interconnected to an adjacent element in watertight relatio, at least a first number of said elements being of arcuate shape to bridge a swimming pool tank to permit swimming therein, wherein said arcuate-shaped elements are of clear plastic material whereby the interior of said elements can be illuminated under an external source of light.

2. A pool cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said arcuate shaped elements are made of a fiber glass reinforced plastic.

3. A pool cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said arcuate-shaped elements has a transverse flange at one end thereof and a recess at the opposite end thereof, each flange of an arcuate shaped element being received in the recess of an adjacent arcuate shaped element in interlocking relation to form a water tight seal.

4. A pool cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein a sec- 0nd number of said elements form a cabana section of bowl shape at one end of the pool cover.

5. A pool cover as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second number of elements are of translucent material and include a plurality of openings therein and wherein a plurality of windows of clear material are disposed across respective openings in said second number of elements.

6. A pool cover as set forth in claim 5 wherein said windows are of clear acrylic plastic material.

7. A pool cover as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second number of elements include an end element of bowl shape, at least a pair of arc-shaped elements in abutment with said end element and means securing said end element and are shaped elements together in water-tight relation.

8. A pool cover as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means includes a depending flange on each of said end element and arc-shaped elements and a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies passing through said flanges.

9. In combination with a swimming pool having a tank therein, a pool cover enclosing said swimming pool in spaced vertical relation, said pool cover comprising a plurality of parallel interconnected self-supporting elements, each of said elements being interconnected to an adjacent element in water-tight relation, at least a first number of elements forming an arched section over said tank longitudinally of the longitudinal axis of said tank, a second number of elements forming a cabana section at one end of said swimming pool of greater height than said arched section, and a transition element interconnected respective elements of said arched and cabana sections.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first number of elements include a peripheral lip and wherein the combination further includes means securing said lip to said pool.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said second number of elements include a peripheral channel for receiving ballast.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first number of elements are made of clear fiber glass reinforced plastic and said second number of elements are made of translucent fiber glass reinforced plastic.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second number of elements include a plurality of windows of clear acrylic plastic mounted therein and a door mounted therein.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first number of elements include an end element at one end of said pool having a channel along a transverse edge, and a plurality of arcuate-shaped elements bridging said tank, each said arcuate shaped elements having a flange at one transverse edge and a recess at the opposite edge, said flanges of the respective elements being received in interlocking Water-tight relation within respec tive recesses of adjacent elements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1962 Logan.

6 3,123,868 3/1964 Gust 5280 3,154,888 11/1964 Graham 52-80 3,158,161 12/1964 Knodel. 3,289,370 12/1966 Van Etten.

5 FOREIGN PATENTS 993,441 5/1965 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES Swimming Pool Cover, Popular Science, pp. 144 and 10 214, September 1957.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner.

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