Pool closure system

Abstract

An inflatable pillow for a pool closure system including a first side surface, forming a substantially vertical plane, a first riser surface, the first riser surface substantially vertically oriented, a top surface, the top surface having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the side surface is connected to the top surface at the first edge, wherein the first riser surface is connected to the top surface at the second edge, the second edge extending substantially horizontally, and wherein the top surface is curved such that the first edge resembles an arc extending both vertically and horizontally.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention broadly relates to an inflatable pillow for a pool closure system, more specifically to a pool closure system comprising a plurality of inflatable pillows.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Pool closure systems are known in the art. For example, these closure systems are used to seal up a pool for winter or if the pool is vacant or unusable for an extended period of time. Most typical systems include a waterproof cover that is stretched over the pool and held in place, such as by weights, clamps, clips, or other securing means. Commonly, a single inflatable pillow is placed in the middle of the pool, under the cover. This pillow is used to create a bulging in the middle of the pillow so that rain, snow, debris, etc., does not collect in the middle of the pool. However, there are several problems with this type of pool closure system, particularly with respect to the pillow, as the pillow must be centered in the pool in order for the system to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the f

Problems solved by technology

However, there are several problems with this type of pool closure system, particularly with respect to the pillow, as the pillow must be centered in the pool in order for the system to work properly.

For example, initially positioning the pillow can be difficult because the pillow is inflated, and therefore easily blown around by wind.

This dragging results in the pillow being caught in the cover and being dragged around also.

However, the grommets are arranged on these pillows such that any force exerted on a grommet pulls directly on a seam of the pillow, so if the pillow experiences a force, such as a gust of wind, the rope pulls directly on the seam, which can result in the seam to tear or rip apart, thereby destroying the pillow.

However, another common problem is that debris, rain, snow, leaves, etc. collect in a ring around the pillow.

For example, pillows can slowly deflate over time, the cold temperatures of winter will cause the pressure in the pillow to lessen, or the cover could not be secured on the pool with sufficient tension, etc.

For example, since the cover is waterproof, rain, leaves, snow melt, etc., collects in this ring and causes the cover to sag deep into the water that is left in the pool, resulting in the cover becoming extremely difficult to remove, as it can not be simply slid off the side of the pool.

For example, if this collected debris is not first removed before sliding the cover off of the pool, it is very likely that the debris will become dumped into the pool during removal of the cover, defeating one primary reason for covering the pool in the first place.

However, rigid members are heavy, relatively expensive in comparison to inflatable pillows, cumbersome, and take up a lot of storage room when not in use.

However, pool covers are subjected to harsh conditions (e.g., being frozen into ice, subjected to falling debris, dragged across pool surfaces during install and removal, etc.) and while a few small holes or damage will not substantially effect a regular cover (that is, the cover will operate sufficiently even if rendered not completely impermeable), any holes in the liner of Genzel et al. will result in the entire liner needing to be replaced or working less efficiently.

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