Universal track and coping assembly for pool covers

a technology for pool covers and copings, applied in the direction of gymnasiums, buildings, construction, etc., can solve the problems of increased wear and tear of the cover sheet, inability to use channel tracks, and only use known track and coping combinations

Inactive Publication Date: 2004-07-01
AUTOMATIC POOL COVERS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a universal track and coping assembly for swimming pools that allows for the use of different commercially available pool covers without the need for a separate track and coping system. The assembly includes a reversible track that can be inserted into a slot of a coping body in two orientations, allowing for the interlocking of the track and coping body. The track is stably retained within the slot despite the pulling weight of the pool cover. The assembly also includes a coping body with a slot having inner walls and an opposite inner wall, with a coping tab interlocking with the reversible track to keep it from being pulled out of the slot opening. The technical effect of the invention is the ability to use different pool covers with a single track and coping system, reducing wear and tear on the cover sheet and allowing for the use of a wider variety of pool covers."

Problems solved by technology

One problem with the known track and coping combinations is that some coping manufactures provide copings that do not have a slot for receiving the track or copings that have a slot that fits only a certain construction of commercially available track, and not others.
Another problem is that known track and coping combinations can only be used with few specific constructions of the commercially available pool covers.
However, this configuration results in increased wear and tear on the cover sheet when the edges rub on the track walls defining the front channel.
Similarly, the two-channel track cannot be used with the wider pool cover made for the three-channel track because the cover sheet will sag too much due to its extra width, and the two-channel track cannot accept the slider, because the two-channel track has no third channel.

Method used

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  • Universal track and coping assembly for pool covers
  • Universal track and coping assembly for pool covers
  • Universal track and coping assembly for pool covers

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Embodiment Construction

[0036] The embodiment disclosed below is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, pool 10 is installed with universal track and coping assembly 20 along sidewalls 14 of pool 10. Pool cover 30 has side edges 32 retained in universal track and coping assembly 20. Cover 30 may be extended over pool 10 from first end 11 to second end 12. Pulley 101 may be provided on each of side of pool 10, at second end 12 for directing the direction of a rope (not shown) attached to each of side edges 32. During periods of non-use, cover 30 is retracted to first end 11, and during periods of use, cover 30 is extended to second end 12. First end 11 may be a shallow end or a deep end of the pool, however, typically first end 11 is the deep end. The extension and the retraction of cover 30 ma...

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Abstract

The present invention provides a universal track and coping assembly for use with different commercially available swimming pool covers. The universal track and coping assembly includes a coping body defining a slot for receiving a reversible track for retaining side edges of a pool cover, and a reversible track insertable within the slot in two orientations. In a first orientation, the reversible track can receive a traditional construction of commercially available pool covers, and in a second orientation, the reversible track can receive other constructions of pool covers. The universal track and coping assembly may include a pulley which may reside in a pulley housing. The pulley housing may define a passageway having an opening for easily releasing the pulley from the housing.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit under Title 35, U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 433,441, entitled UNIVERSAL TRACK AND COPING ASSEMBLY FOR POOL COVERS, filed on Dec. 13, 2002.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The field of the present invention pertains to tracks and coping for use with swimming pool covers.[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art[0005] Swimming pool covers are needed to prevent debris from entering the pool, and to heat the pool in the case of a solar cover. A pool cover may reduce chemical usage, as well as provide some safety. An automatic pool cover system allows the cover to be easily extended over the pool during periods of non-use, and retracted during periods of use. A typical automatic pool cover is wound around a reel or tube, which usually is disposed within a cover box at one end of the pool, commonly the deep end. The automatic cover system usually includes a pair of tracks extend along each side w...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E04H4/08
CPCE04H4/10E04H4/141
InventorSHEBEK, MICHAEL J.
OwnerAUTOMATIC POOL COVERS