SUPPORT TROLLEY FOR A POOL COVER SYSTEM

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support trolley for a pool covering system, and to a pool covering system comprising such a support trolley. State of the art

[0002] Document FR2244066 discloses a system for covering a basin, such as a swimming pool, comprising: a pool cover configured to protect the pool against water pollution and heat loss from the water, and to ensure the safety of children near the pool, and a support carriage comprising: a support part movable in translation in a first direction of movement and a second direction of movement opposite to the first direction of movement, a winding drum configured to wind and unwind a pool cover between a covering position in which the pool cover covers the pool and a release position in which the pool cover releases access to the pool, the winding drum being mounted so as to be movable in rotation on the support part about an axis of rotation extending transversely to the direction of movement and in a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation,two rolling elements configured to roll respectively on two rolling surfaces arranged on either side of the basin, and a drive mechanism comprising a first overrunning clutch connected to the winding drum, a second overrunning clutch connected to the rolling elements, and a drive motor connected to the first and second overrunning clutches and to the rolling elements via an endless transmission element, the first overrunning clutch being movable between an engaged state in which the first overrunning clutch is capable of transmitting a rotational torque to the winding drum and a disengaged state in which the first overrunning clutch is incapable of transmitting a rotational torque to the winding drum,and the second overrunning coupling being movable between an engaged state in which the second overrunning coupling is capable of transmitting rotational torque to the rolling elements and a disengaged state in which the second overrunning coupling is incapable of transmitting rotational torque to the rolling elements.

[0003] Such a drive mechanism is more particularly configured such that: a rotation of the drive motor in a first motor rotation direction causes a movement of the first overrunning clutch into the disengaged state and a movement of the second overrunning clutch into the engaged state, and thus causes a rotation of the rolling elements in a first rotation direction so as to move the support part in a direction of unwinding of the pool cover, and a rotation of the drive motor in a second motor rotation direction, opposite to the first motor rotation direction, causes a movement of the first overrunning clutch into the engaged state and a movement of the second overrunning clutch into the disengaged state, and thus causes a rotation of the winding drum in the second rotation direction so as to move the support part in a direction of unwinding of the pool cover.

[0004] However, when rolling up the pool cover, the driven part of the second freewheel coupling, which is rotationally fixed to the rolling elements, is likely to be driven in rotation, depending on the diameters of the rolling elements and the diameter of the winding drum which changes during the phase of rolling up the pool cover, at a rotation speed which can cause the second freewheel coupling to switch to the engaged state.However, such a transition of the second freewheel coupling into the engaged state when rolling up the pool cover, while the rolling elements roll on the rolling surfaces arranged on either side of the pool, is detrimental to the quality of the rolling up of the pool cover, but also to the reliability of the drive mechanism, since it can cause wear or even breakage of certain elements of the drive mechanism, such as the first and second freewheel couplings and the endless transmission element.

[0005] Furthermore, such a support carriage is complex and expensive. Furthermore, such a support carriage has many parts that are susceptible to failure, which impairs the reliability of the support carriage and thus of the covering system. EP 3 318 700 A1, EP 3 739 149 A1 and FR 2 908 402 A1 also disclose support carriages according to the state of the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0007] The technical problem underlying the invention therefore consists of providing a support trolley for a pool covering system which is of simple and reliable structure, while ensuring easy and reliable rolling and unrolling of a pool cover.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a support trolley for a pool covering system, the support trolley comprising: a support portion configured to be movable in translation relative to the pool in a translation direction, the support portion comprising two lateral support frames intended to move respectively along two opposite lateral edges of the pool, a winding drum configured to wind and unwind a pool cover between a covering position in which the pool cover covers a pool and a release position in which the pool cover releases access to the pool, the winding drum comprising two end portions opposite each other and respectively supported by the two lateral support frames,the winding drum being mounted so as to be able to rotate relative to the support portion about an axis of rotation extending transversely to the translation direction and in a cover winding direction and a cover unwinding direction opposite to the cover winding direction, two drive wheels which are mounted so as to be able to rotate respectively on the two lateral support frames and which are configured to roll respectively on two rolling surfaces arranged on either side of the basin, and a rotational drive device configured to rotate the winding drum and the two drive wheels, the rotational drive device comprising a drive motor and at least one coupling mechanism arranged at least partly in one of the lateral support frames, the at least one coupling mechanism comprising a coupling member, such as a coupling dog,movable relative to the respective lateral support frame in a direction of movement and between a first engaged state in which the coupling member is configured to rotationally couple the drive motor to the winding drum and is uncoupled from the respective drive wheel, and a second engaged state in which the coupling member is configured to rotationally couple the drive motor to the respective drive wheel and is uncoupled from the winding drum, the at least one coupling mechanism being configured such that: a rotation of the drive motor in a first motor rotation direction causes a movement of the coupling member in the direction of movement and in the first engaged state and causes a rotation of the winding drum in the blanket winding direction, and a rotation of the drive motor in a second motor rotation direction,opposite to the first direction of rotation of the motor, causes a movement of the coupling member in the direction of movement and in the second engaged state and causes a rotation of the respective drive wheel in a basin closing direction.

[0009] Therefore, when the drive motor is rotated in the first motor rotation direction, the winding drum is rotated in the cover winding direction via the coupling member, which causes the pool cover to be wound around the winding drum and thus the support portion to move in a direction of movement corresponding to an opening of the pool.

[0010] When the drive motor is rotated in the second motor rotation direction, the drive wheels are rotated in the pool closing direction by means of the coupling member and roll on the two rolling surfaces arranged on either side of the pool, which causes the support part to move in a direction of movement corresponding to a closing of the pool. Such a movement of the support part induces traction on the pool cover, which causes the winding drum to rotate in the cover unwinding direction and thus unwinds the pool cover.

[0011] Such a configuration of the rotary drive device, and in particular of the coupling mechanism, ensures in particular optimal winding of the pool cover around the winding drum.

[0012] In addition, due to the simplicity of the coupling mechanism of the support carriage according to the present invention, such a support carriage has increased reliability.

[0013] The support trolley may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the direction of movement is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding drum.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one coupling mechanism further comprises a first toothed wheel which is rotationally fixed to the winding drum and a second toothed wheel which is rotationally fixed to the respective drive wheel, the coupling member being configured to be rotationally coupled to the first toothed wheel when the coupling member occupies the first engaged state and to be rotationally coupled to the second toothed wheel when the coupling member occupies the second engaged state.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first toothed wheel extends substantially coaxially with the winding drum.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second toothed wheel extends substantially coaxially with the respective drive wheel.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second toothed wheels of the at least one coupling mechanism extend respectively in two extension planes which are substantially parallel and which are offset relative to each other in the direction of movement of the coupling member.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling member is configured to extend in the extension plane of the respective first gear wheel when the coupling member occupies the first engaged state, and to extend in the extension plane of the respective second gear wheel when the coupling member occupies the second engaged state.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one coupling mechanism comprises at least one intermediate toothed wheel mounted rotatably on the respective lateral support frame and configured to rotatably couple the coupling member with the respective first toothed wheel when the coupling member occupies the first engaged state.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotational drive device comprises a drive shaft which is rotationally coupled to the drive motor and which comprises two end portions opposite each other, the coupling member being mechanically connected to a respective end portion of the drive shaft.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling member is carried by the respective end portion of the drive shaft.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two end portions of the drive shaft are respectively supported by the two lateral support frames.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft extends substantially parallel to the winding drum.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling member comprises a mounting part, for example tubular, mounted on the respective end portion of the drive shaft, and a coupling part comprising peripheral teeth.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral toothing of the coupling part is configured to be rotationally coupled to the respective first toothed wheel when the coupling member occupies the first engaged state, and to be rotationally coupled to the respective second toothed wheel when the coupling member occupies the second engaged state.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the mounting part comprises at least one connecting groove which extends helically around a central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and in which a connecting lug provided on the respective end portion of the drive shaft is slidably mounted.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting groove is through and forms a connecting slot.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive motor is rotatably coupled to a central portion of the drive shaft which is located substantially equidistant from the first and second lateral support frames.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive motor is arranged in a central portion of the support part.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the axes of rotation of the two drive wheels extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding drum. Advantageously, the axes of rotation of the two drive wheels are substantially collinear.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support carriage comprises a control unit configured to control the operation of the drive motor.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotary drive device comprises two coupling mechanisms provided respectively in the two lateral support frames.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two coupling members of the two coupling mechanisms are connected respectively to the two opposite end portions of the drive shaft.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the invention, the rotary drive device comprises two drive shafts, each coupling member being connected to an end portion of a respective drive shaft.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotational drive device comprises two drive motors, each drive shaft being rotationally coupled to a respective drive motor.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support carriage extends in a general direction of extension.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support carriage further comprises an anti-imbalance device configured to exert a resistive torque on the winding drum. The presence of such an anti-imbalance device prevents, when a support bar of the pool cover leaves the winding drum during unwinding of the pool cover, the mass of said support bar from causing an acceleration of the rotation of the winding drum and therefore a noisy impact of said support bar against the pool.

[0039] The present invention further relates to a pool covering system, comprising a support trolley according to the invention, and a pool cover configured to be wound around the winding drum.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pool cover comprises a tarpaulin and support bars attached to the tarpaulin and configured to rest on opposite edges of the pool. Brief description of the figures

[0041] In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this support trolley and this basin covering system. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pool covering system according to the invention. Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a support trolley belonging to the basin covering system of the figure 1 . Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a central portion of the support carriage of the figure 2 . Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a side portion of the support carriage of the figure 2 . Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the support carriage of the figure 2 showing more particularly a coupling member in a first engaged state. Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the support carriage of the figure 2 showing more particularly the coupling member in a second engaged state. Figure 7 is a partial side view of the support carriage of the figure 2 . Figure 8 is a partial top view of the support carriage of the figure 2 showing more particularly the coupling member in the first engaged state. Figure 9 is a partial top view of the support carriage of the figure 2 showing more particularly the coupling member in the second engaged state. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the coupling member in the first engaged state. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the coupling member in the second engaged state. Figure 12is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the support carriage of the figure 2 . Detailed description

[0042] THE figures 1 to 12 represent a basin covering system 2 intended to cover a basin 3, such as a swimming pool.

[0043] The pool covering system 2 comprises a pool cover 4 having two transverse edges 5 opposite each other and two longitudinal edges 6 also opposite each other. One of the transverse edges 5 of the pool cover 4 is intended to be fixed to a transverse edge of the pool 3, for example, according to the embodiment shown in the figure 1 , the transverse edge opposite the stairs providing access to pool 3.

[0044] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the pool cover 4 comprises a tarpaulin 4.1 which is flexible and which can for example be made of PVC, and support bars 4.2 fixed to the tarpaulin 4.1 and configured to rest on opposite edges of the pool 3, and more particularly on the longitudinal edges of the pool 3. Each support bar 4.2 can for example be inserted into a respective sleeve provided on the tarpaulin. Such a pool cover 4 is also called a bar cover or bar tarpaulin. However, the pool cover 4 could have a different structure, and for example be made in the form of a slatted apron.

[0045] The pool covering system 2 further comprises a support carriage 7 extending in a general direction of extension De.

[0046] As shown more particularly on the figure 1, the support carriage 7 comprises a support part 8 configured to be movable in translation in a translation direction Dt and in a first direction of movement S1 and a second direction of movement S2 opposite the first direction of movement S1. The translation direction Dt of the support part 8 advantageously extends perpendicular to the general direction of extension De of the support carriage 7 and parallel to the direction of extension of the basin 3.

[0047] As shown more particularly on the figure 2, the support part 8 comprises two lateral support frames 9 intended to move respectively along two opposite lateral edges of the basin, and more particularly along two longitudinal edges of the basin 3. In order to reinforce the structure of the support carriage 7, the support part 8 could possibly further comprise one or more reinforcing elements, such as reinforcing beams, connecting the two lateral support frames 9.

[0048] The support carriage 7 also comprises a winding drum 11 configured to wind and unwind the pool cover 4 between a covering position in which the pool cover 4 is unwound and covers all or substantially all of the pool 3, and a release position in which the pool cover 4 is rolled up and releases access to the pool 3. For this, the transverse edge 5 of the pool cover 4, which is opposite the transverse edge 5 fixed to the pool 3, is fixed to the winding drum 11.

[0049] The winding drum 11 comprises two end portions opposite each other and respectively supported by the two lateral support frames 9. The winding drum 11 is mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the support part 8 around an axis of rotation A (see figure 7) extending perpendicular to the translation direction Dt and in a cover winding direction SE and a cover unwinding direction SD opposite to the cover winding direction SE.

[0050] As shown on the figure 1 , the support part 8 comprises a protective cover 12 mounted on the two lateral support frames 9, and configured to cover and protect the winding drum 11.

[0051] The support carriage 7 further comprises two drive wheels 13 mounted to rotate respectively on the two lateral support frames 9 around axes of rotation which extend parallel to the axis of rotation A of the winding drum 11, and which may for example be collinear. The two drive wheels 13 are configured to roll respectively on two rolling surfaces arranged on either side of the basin 3 and extending more particularly respectively along the longitudinal edges of the basin 3. Advantageously, each drive wheel 13 comprises a tread, for example made of plastic material.

[0052] The support carriage 7 further comprises two rolling elements 14, such as casters or rollers, having axes of rotation extending parallel to the axis of rotation A of the winding drum 11, and configured to roll respectively on the two rolling surfaces arranged on either side of the basin 3. Advantageously, the rolling elements 14 are offset relative to the drive wheels 13 in the translation direction Dt. Such an arrangement of the rolling elements 14 and the drive wheels 13 ensures great stability for the support carriage 7.

[0053] The support carriage 7 also comprises a rotation drive device configured to rotate the winding drum 11 in the cover winding direction SE and to rotate the two drive wheels 13 in a pool closing direction.

[0054] The rotational drive device comprises a drive motor 15 and a drive shaft 16 which is rotatably coupled to the drive motor 15. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive shaft 16 extends parallel to the winding drum 11 and comprises two end portions opposite each other which are respectively supported by the two lateral support frames 9. Advantageously, the drive motor 15 is arranged in a central portion of the support part 8, is covered by the protective cover 12, and is rotatably coupled to a central portion of the drive shaft 16 which is located substantially equidistant from the first and second lateral support frames 9.

[0055] The rotary drive device further comprises two coupling mechanisms 17 provided respectively in the two lateral support frames 9.

[0056] Each coupling mechanism 17 comprises a coupling member 18, such as a coupling dog, mechanically connected to a respective end portion of the drive shaft 16, and more particularly carried by the respective end portion of the drive shaft 16. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each coupling member 18 comprises a mounting part 18.1, for example tubular, fitted onto the respective end portion of the drive shaft, and a coupling part 18.2 coaxial with the respective mounting part 18.1 and comprising peripheral teeth.

[0057] Each coupling mechanism 17 further comprises a first toothed wheel 19 which is rotationally fixed to the winding drum 11, and a second toothed wheel 21 which is rotationally fixed to the respective drive wheel 13. Advantageously, the first toothed wheel 19 extends coaxially with the winding drum 11, and the second toothed wheel 21 extends coaxially with the respective drive wheel 13.

[0058] The first and second toothed wheels 19, 21 of each coupling mechanism 17 extend respectively in two respective extension planes which are substantially parallel and which are offset from each other along a central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 16.

[0059] Each coupling member 18 is more particularly movable relative to the respective lateral support frame 9 in a direction of movement Dd which is parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 16 and between a first engaged state (see figures 5 , 8 And 10 ) in which the coupling member 18 extends in the extension plane of the respective first gear wheel 19 and the peripheral toothing of the respective coupling part 18.2 is rotationally coupled to the respective first gear wheel 19, and a second engaged state (see figures 6 , 9 And 11 ) in which the coupling member 18 extends in the extension plane of the respective second gear wheel 21 and the peripheral toothing of the respective coupling part 18.2 is rotationally coupled to the respective second gear wheel 21.

[0060] Thus, the coupling members 18 are configured to rotationally couple the drive shaft 16 to the winding drum 11 and to uncouple the drive shaft 16 from the drive wheels 13 when the coupling members 18 occupy the first engaged state, and are configured to rotationally couple the drive shaft 16 to the drive wheels 13 and uncouple the drive shaft 16 from the winding drum 11 when the coupling members 18 occupy the second engaged state.

[0061] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the mounting portion 18.1 of each coupling member 18 comprises a pair of connecting grooves 22 which each extend helically around the central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 16 and in each of which is slidably mounted a respective connecting lug 23 provided on the respective end portion of the drive shaft 16. Each connecting groove 22 may for example be through, and thus form a connecting slot, and each connecting lug 23 may for example extend radially relative to the central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 16. Advantageously, the two connecting lugs provided on each end portion of the drive shaft 16 are diametrically opposite.

[0062] As shown on the Figures 10 and 11, each connecting groove 22 has a first cam surface 22.1 configured to cooperate with the respective connecting lug 23 when the drive shaft 16 is rotated in a first direction of rotation, and a second cam surface 22.2 configured to cooperate with the respective connecting lug 23 when the drive shaft 16 is rotated in a second direction of rotation. When the drive shaft 16 is rotated in the first direction of rotation and the coupling members 18 occupy the second engaged state (see figure 11), each connecting lug 23 slides on the respective first cam surface 22.1, and, since the respective coupling part 18.2 is rotationally coupled with the respective second toothed wheel 21, the respective coupling member 18 is moved in translation along the direction of movement Dd until reaching the first engaged state which corresponds to a position in which said connecting lug 23 abuts against a first end of the respective connecting groove 22 (see figure 10 ). When the drive shaft 16 is rotated in the second direction of rotation and the coupling members 18 occupy the first engaged state (see figure 10), each connecting lug 23 slides on the respective second cam surface 22.2, and, since the respective coupling part 18.2 is rotationally coupled with the respective first gear wheel 19, the respective coupling member 18 is moved in translation along the direction of movement Dd until reaching the second engaged state which corresponds to a position in which said connecting lug 23 abuts against a second end of the respective connecting groove 22 (see figure 11 )

[0063] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each coupling mechanism 17 comprises an intermediate toothed wheel 24 mounted rotatably on the respective lateral support frame 9 and configured to rotatably couple the coupling member 18 with the respective first toothed wheel 19 when the coupling member 18 occupies the first engaged state.

[0064] Each coupling mechanism 17 is more particularly configured such that: a rotation of the drive motor 15 in a first motor rotation direction causes a movement of the coupling member 18 in the movement direction Dd and in the first engaged state and causes a rotation of the winding drum 11 in the cover winding direction SE, and a rotation of the drive motor 15 in a second motor rotation direction, opposite to the first motor rotation direction, causes a movement of the coupling member 18 in the movement direction Dd and in the second engaged state and causes a rotation of the respective drive wheel 13 in a pool closing direction.

[0065] Therefore, when the drive motor 19 is rotated in the first motor rotation direction, the winding drum 11 is rotated in the cover winding direction SE via the coupling member 18, which causes the pool cover 4 to be wound around the winding drum 11 and thus causes the support part 8 to move in the second movement direction S2.

[0066] When the drive motor 19 is rotated in the second motor rotation direction, the drive wheels 13 are rotated in the pool closing direction by means of the coupling member 18 and roll on the two rolling surfaces arranged on either side of the pool 3, which causes the support part 8 to move in the first movement direction S1. Such a movement of the support part 8 induces traction on the pool cover 4, which causes the winding drum 11 to rotate in the cover unwinding direction SD and thus unwinds the pool cover 4.

[0067] The support carriage 7 further comprises a control unit configured to control in particular the operation of the drive motor 15, and may also comprise one or more photovoltaic panels configured to electrically supply in particular the control unit and the drive motor 15. Each photovoltaic panel may for example be mounted on an upper face of the protective cover 12.

[0068] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the support carriage 7 further comprises an anti-unbalance device 31 configured to exert a resistive torque, directly or indirectly, on the winding drum 11, such that, when a support bar 4.2 leaves the winding drum 11 during the unwinding of the pool cover 4, the mass of said support bar 4.2 does not cause an acceleration of the rotation of the winding drum 11 and therefore a noisy impact of said support bar 4.2 against the pool 3.

[0069] Advantageously, the anti-imbalance device 31 comprises a braking roller 32 which extends substantially coaxially with the winding drum 11 and which is integral in rotation with the winding drum 11, a friction belt 33 configured to cooperate by friction with an external peripheral wall of the braking roller 32 and a tensioning device 34 configured to tension the friction belt 33. The tensioning device 34 may for example comprise a tension spring 35 configured to exert a tensile force on the friction belt 33 which is oriented substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation A.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the rotation drive device could comprise two drive shafts 16, each coupling member 18 then being mechanically connected to an end portion of a respective drive shaft 16.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the rotational drive device could comprise two drive motors 15, each drive shaft 16 then being coupled in rotation to a respective drive motor 15.

[0072] As goes without saying, the invention is not limited to the embodiments of this support trolley 7 and this basin covering system 2, described above as examples, but rather encompasses all the variant embodiments thereof, according to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A support carriage (7) for a pool covering system (2), the support carriage (7) comprising: - a support part (8) configured to be movable in translation relative to the pool in a translation direction (Dt), the support part (8) comprising two lateral support frames (9) intended to move respectively along two opposite lateral edges of the pool, - a winding drum (11) configured to wind and unwind a pool cover (4) between a covering position in which the pool cover (4) covers a pool and a release position in which the pool cover (4) releases access to the pool, the winding drum (11) comprising two end portions opposite each other and respectively supported by the two lateral support frames (9), the winding drum (11) being mounted movable in rotation relative to the support part (8) about an axis of rotation (A) extending transversely to the translation direction (Dt) and in a cover winding direction (SE) and a cover unwinding direction (SD) opposite the cover winding direction (SE), - two drive wheels (13) which are rotatably mounted on the two lateral support frames (9) respectively and which are configured to roll respectively on two rolling surfaces disposed on either side of the pool, and - a rotation drive device configured to rotationally drive the winding drum (11) and the two drive wheels (13), the rotation drive device comprising a drive motor (15) and at least one coupling mechanism (17) disposed at least partly in one of the lateral support frames (9), the at least one coupling mechanism (17) comprising a coupling member (18) movable relative to the respective lateral support frame (9) in a displacement direction (Dd) and between a first engaged state in which the coupling member (18) is configured to rotationally couple the drive motor (15) to the winding drum (11) and is uncoupled from the respective drive wheel (13), and a second engaged state in which the coupling member (18) is configured to rotationally couple the drive motor (15) to the respective drive wheel (13) and is uncoupled from the winding drum (11), the at least one coupling mechanism (17) being configured such that: - a rotation of the drive motor (15) in a first motor rotation direction causes a displacement of the coupling member (18) in the displacement direction (Dd) and in the first engaged state and causes a rotation of the winding drum (11) in the cover winding direction (SE), and - a rotation of the drive motor (15) in a second motor rotation direction, opposite the first motor rotation direction, causes a displacement of the coupling member (18) in the displacement direction (Dd) and in the second engaged state and causes a rotation of the respective drive wheel (13) in a pool closing direction.

2. The support carriage (7) according to claim 1, wherein the displacement direction (Dd) is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the winding drum (11).

3. The support carriage (7) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one coupling mechanism (17) further includes a first gear wheel (19) which is rotatably secured to the winding drum (11) and a second gear wheel (21) which is rotatably secured to the respective drive wheel (13), the coupling member (18) being configured to be rotatably coupled to the first gear wheel (19) when the coupling member (18) occupies the first engaged state and to be rotatably coupled to the second gear wheel (21) when the coupling member (18) occupies the second engaged state.

4. The support carriage (7) according to claim 3, wherein the first gear wheel (19) extends substantially coaxially with the winding drum (11).

5. The support carriage (7) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second gear wheel (21) extends substantially coaxially with the respective drive wheel (13).

6. The support carriage (7) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first and second gear wheels (19, 21) of the at least one coupling mechanism (17) extend respectively in two extension planes which are substantially parallel and which are offset relative to each other according to the displacement direction (Dd) of the coupling member (18).

7. The support carriage (7) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the at least one coupling mechanism (17) includes at least one intermediate gear wheel (24) rotatably mounted on the respective lateral support frame (9) and configured to rotatably couple the coupling member (18) with the respective first gear wheel (19) when the coupling member (18) occupies the first engaged state.

8. The support carriage (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotation drive device includes a drive shaft (16) which is rotatably coupled to the drive motor (15) and which comprises two end portions opposite each other, the coupling member (18) being mechanically connected to a respective end portion of the drive shaft (16).

9. The support carriage (7) according to claim 8, wherein the two end portions of the drive shaft (16) are respectively supported by the two lateral support frames (9).

10. The support carriage (7) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the drive shaft (16) extends substantially parallel to the winding drum (11).

11. The support carriage (7) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the coupling member (18) includes a mounting part (18.1) mounted on the respective end portion of the drive shaft, and a coupling part (18.2) comprising peripheral teeth.

12. The support carriage (7) according to claim 11, wherein the mounting part (18.1) includes at least one connecting groove (22) which extends helically about a central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (16) and in which a connecting lug (23) provided on the respective end portion of the drive shaft (16) is slidably mounted.

13. The support carriage (7) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the drive motor (15) is rotatably coupled to a central portion of the drive shaft (16) which is located substantially equidistant from the first and second lateral support frames (9).

14. The support carriage (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the rotation drive device includes two coupling mechanisms (17) provided respectively in the two lateral support frames (9).

15. The support carriage (7) according to claim 14 in combination with claim 8, wherein the two coupling members (18) of the two coupling mechanisms (17) are connected respectively to the two opposite end portions of the drive shaft (16).

16. A pool covering system (2), comprising a support carriage (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and a pool cover (4) configured to be wound around the winding drum (11).