Device for covering a pool comprising an insulation element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (10) for covering a basin (12) comprising a main body (16) movable between a position covering the basin (12) and a position uncovering the basin (12), the main body (16) comprising two main beams (18) between which extend a plurality of transverse beams (20); the device (10) comprising at least one insulation element (30) and at least one movement system (32) for the insulation element (30), the insulation element (30) comprising at least one flat insulation plate (34) which extends in a plane parallel to a main plane of the main body (16), the insulation plate (34) being connected to the main body (16) via the movement system (32), the movement system (32) allowing the vertical movement of the insulation plate (34) between a high position and a low position so as to cover the basin (12).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for covering a basin, for example for covering a swimming pool, comprising an insulation element. Technical background

[0002] Pool cover devices, for example, are mobile terraces designed to cover and uncover a swimming pool, depending on the desired use.

[0003] Such cover devices are advantageous both from an ergonomic point of view by adding useful space above a pool, and also from the point of view of the safety of the pool it covers, by preventing, for example, a child or a pet from falling in.

[0004] However, the use of individual pools raises numerous environmental issues, particularly regarding their water consumption. Indeed, during periods of intense heat, these pools can lose a significant amount of water through evaporation, requiring regular refilling to compensate for these losses.

[0005] US 2006 / 200900 A1, DE 10 2022 106439 A1 and FR 3 073 542 A1 show recovery devices to reduce evaporation losses.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is therefore to propose an alternative basin covering device which limits water evaporation outside the basin.

[0007] The invention therefore proposes a covering device including thermal insulation in order to limit water losses from the basin.

[0008] Thus, such a covering device according to the invention combines the safety advantages of the covering device mentioned above, while also providing an effective solution to combat water evaporation, which is responsible for the daily refilling of pools. The use of such a covering device therefore makes it possible to significantly reduce the frequency of refilling and the amount of water needed to fill the pool, for example, during periods of high heat.

[0009] Furthermore, such a covering device according to the invention also allows, through thermal insulation, better heat retention in the pool, thus enabling energy savings when the pool water is heated. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention proposes a device for covering a basin comprising a main body movable along a longitudinal direction between a position when the basin is covered and a position when the basin is uncovered, the main body comprising: two main beams extending along the longitudinal direction and between which extend a plurality of transverse beams in a transverse direction and in such a way that they connect the main beams; the transverse beams being aligned and spaced a non-zero longitudinal distance apart from each other in the longitudinal direction;the device comprising at least one insulation element and at least one system for moving the insulation element, the insulation element comprising at least one flat insulation plate extending in a plane parallel to a principal plane of the main body, the insulation plate being connected to the main body via the movement system, the movement system allowing the vertical movement of the insulation plate between a high position and a low position when the main body is in its covering position, so as to cover the pool by contact of at least a part of the insulation plate with at least one coping of the pool.

[0011] According to other features of the invention: the upper position of the insulation plate corresponds to a position of the insulation plate in which the insulation plate is pressed against an inner face of several cross beams; the movement system includes at least one actuating member and at least two cables attached to the insulation plate, the actuating member being connected to the two cables in such a way as to allow the insulation plate to be moved between the upper and lower positions; the movement system includes at least two angle return elements, each cooperating with one of the cables, and such that each of the cables extends, between the actuating member and the angle return element in the transverse direction and, between the angle return element and the insulation plate in the vertical direction;The insulation plate comprises several distinct fixing points, the cables connected to the actuating member being fixed to the insulation plate each at a distinct fixing point of the insulation element, the fixing points being offset transversely from each other; the actuating member is fixed to one of the main beams of the main body and extends in a vertical thickness of the main beam, transversely between two transverse beams; the device comprises two systems for moving the insulation element, the movement systems extending from one of the main beams opposite each other in the longitudinal direction; the movement system comprises at least one manual actuator connected to at least four cables fixed to the insulation plate so as to allow the movement of the insulation plate between the upper and lower positions;The device includes at least one bracket, the bracket comprising a fixing wall integral with the insulation plate and a guide wall perpendicular to the fixing wall and configured to slide along one of the transverse beams of the main body when the insulation plate is moved between its upper and lower positions and vice versa; the device includes a sensor for the vertical position of the insulation plate relative to the main body of the device; the device includes a pair of rails extending in the longitudinal direction, each of the main beams comprising a sliding device capable of cooperating with one of the rails so that the main body is able to move from its covered position to its uncovered position and vice versa;

[0012] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a basin and a covering device according to any one of the preceding characteristics, the basin being delimited by a peripheral coping and the insulation element being configured so that in its lower position it is in contact with the peripheral coping.

[0013] According to a feature of the assembly, the insulation element includes a peripheral seal configured to be in contact with the peripheral rim of the basin when the insulation element is in its lowered position. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig.1] is a general perspective view of a basin cover device, comprising at least one main body and one insulation element, the main body being in an uncovered position; [ Fig. 2 ] is a cross-sectional view of the basin cover device of the figure 1 , the main body being in a position covering the pelvis and the insulating element in a low position; Fig.3 ] is a close-up cross-sectional view of the covering device of the figure 1 in which the insulation element is in its lower position in contact with a pool coping; [ Fig. 4 ] is a close-up cross-sectional view of the covering device of the figure 1 in which the insulation element is in a high position at a distance from the edge of the pool; [ Fig. 5 ] is a close-up view of an insulation element displacement system; [ Fig. 6] is a general perspective view of the recovery system of the figure 1 including at least one set square; [ Fig. 7 ] is a close-up view of the set square of the figure 6 . Detailed description of the invention

[0015] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0016] There figure 1 illustrates a device 10 for covering a basin 12, for example a swimming pool.

[0017] Basin 12 is notably delimited on its periphery by a coping 14.

[0018] The covering device 10 comprises a main body 16 movable along a longitudinal direction L between a covering position of the basin 12 and an uncovering position of the basin 12 illustrated on the figure 1 .

[0019] The main body 16 of the device 10 comprises two main beams 18 which extend along the longitudinal direction L, and between which extend a plurality of transverse beams 20 along a transverse direction T.

[0020] More precisely, the transverse beams 20 extend between the main beams 18 in such a way that they connect them.

[0021] The transverse beams 20 extend along the transverse direction T and in such a way that they are spaced from each other by a non-zero longitudinal distance DL.

[0022] Longitudinal ends 22 of the main beams 18 are defined, opposite each other along the longitudinal direction L.

[0023] At least two transverse beams 20 each extend transversely between the longitudinal ends 22 of the main beams 18 so as to form a peripheral frame of the main body 16, these transverse beams being called end transverse beams 20a.

[0024] Visible at the figure 2 , each of the cross beams 20 comprises an external face 24 and an internal face 26, vertically opposed to each other.

[0025] The inner face 26 of the transverse beams 20 then corresponds to the face intended to be opposite the basin 12 when the main body 16 is in its position covering the basin 12.

[0026] Device 10 also includes a pair of rails 28, visible at the figure 1 , whose rails 28 extend along the longitudinal direction L.

[0027] Rails 28 extend in particular longitudinally on either side of basin 12.

[0028] Each of the main beams 18 then includes a sliding device 29, visible at figures 3 and 4 , capable of cooperating with one of the rails 28 and in such a way that the main body 16 is capable of moving from its covering position to its uncovering position and vice versa, via the rails 28.

[0029] For example, and without limitation, the sliding device 29 is a wheel having a complementary shape with the rail.

[0030] Furthermore, it should be considered that the device 10 may include any other alternative system to the rails, as long as it allows the main body 16 to move between its covering position and its uncovering position of the basin 12.

[0031] The device 10 also includes at least one insulation element 30, and at least one displacement system 32 for the insulation element 30, visible at the figure 1 .

[0032] The insulation element 30 according to the invention is at least a thermal insulation element.

[0033] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the insulation element 30 here takes the form of a flat insulation plate 34 which extends in a plane parallel to a principal plane of the main body 16, corresponding here to a longitudinal plane L and a transverse plane T.

[0034] Visible at the figure 2 , the insulation plate 34 comprises a lower face 36 and an upper face 38, opposite each other along the vertical direction V.

[0035] The upper face 38 is opposite the inner face 26 of the transverse beams 20 and the lower face 36 is configured to be opposite the basin 12 in the position of covering the main body 16.

[0036] The insulation board 34 is composed, for example and without limitation, of a central layer of expanded polyurethane, externally covered, on its upper face 38 and its lower face 36, with a layer of resistant polymer such as polyester. This composition of the insulation board 34 provides it with sufficient rigidity for use in the covering system.

[0037] The insulation plate 34 extends in relation to the main body 16, covering, at least in part, the inner face 26 of the transverse beams 20.

[0038] The insulation plate 34 is connected to the main body 16 of the device 10 via the displacement system 32.

[0039] The movement system 32 allows, in particular, the vertical movement of the insulation plate 34 between a high position, visible at the figure 4 and a low position, visible to the figure 3, when the main body 16 is in its position covering the pelvis 12.

[0040] It is then understood that the movement of the insulation plate 34 between its high position and its low position and vice versa, only takes place when the main body 16 is positioned covering the basin 12.

[0041] The low position of the insulation plate 34 allows the basin 12 to be covered by contact of at least part of the insulation plate 34 with at least one edge of the basin, hereinafter referred to as coping 14.

[0042] It is then understood that the contact between the insulation plate 34 and the coping 14 of the basin 12 ensures the thermal insulation of the basin 12 from the environment outside the basin 12, thus limiting the increase in the temperature of the surface of the water in the basin and thus limiting the phenomenon of evaporation.

[0043] A vertical thickness EV is defined for the main beams 18, taken along the vertical direction V and particularly visible at figures 3 and 4 .

[0044] According to one feature of the invention, the cross beams 20 and the insulation plate 34 extend between the main beams 18, in their vertical thickness EV.

[0045] More precisely, the insulation plate 34 extends relative to the main body 16 of the device 10 in such a way that it is included in the vertical thickness EV of the main beams 18, in its lower position and in its upper position defined previously.

[0046] In its upper position, the insulation plate 34 is notably pressed against the inner face 26 of several of the transverse beams 20.

[0047] Put another way, in its upper position, the insulation plate 34 includes its upper face 38 in contact with several internal faces 26 of several transverse beams 20.

[0048] In its lower position, the insulation plate 34 is at a non-zero vertical distance from the inner faces 26 of the transverse beams 20.

[0049] The displacement system 32 of the insulation plate 34, visible at the figure 5 , includes at least one actuation member 40 and at least two cables 42 attached to the insulation plate 34.

[0050] In particular, the actuation member 40 is connected to the two cables 42 so as to be able to move the insulation plate 34 between the high position and the low position.

[0051] The actuation element 40 here takes, but is not limited to, the form of a cylinder, for example pneumatic, whose movement is controlled by a motorized unit. The cylinder of the actuation element moves, in particular, along the transverse direction T.

[0052] The actuation member 40 is integral with one of the main beams 18 of the main body 16 and extends in particular in its vertical thickness.

[0053] Furthermore, the actuation member 40 is fixed to one of the main beams 18 at one of its longitudinal ends 22.

[0054] It is then understood that the actuation member 40 extends from one of the main beams 18, along the transverse direction T and between two transverse beams 20.

[0055] Thus, the actuation member 40 allows the transverse translational movement of the cables 42 to which it is attached.

[0056] The two cables 42 are attached to the actuation member 40 in such a way that they are longitudinally offset from each other.

[0057] The displacement system 32 also includes two angle return elements 44, each cooperating with one of the cables 42 of the displacement system 32 and such that each of the cables 42 extends, between the actuating member 40 and the angle return element 44 in the transverse direction T and, between the angle return element 44 and the insulation plate 34 in the vertical direction V.

[0058] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the angle return elements 44 are pulleys.

[0059] The two angle return elements 44 of the displacement system 32 are in particular fixed to the end transverse beam 20a which extends from the same longitudinal end 22 of the main beam 18 to which the actuation member 40 is fixed.

[0060] The two angle return elements 44 are then fixed to the end transverse beam 20a in such a way that they are offset transversely from each other.

[0061] Thus, it is understood that the cables 42 of the displacement system 32 extend from the actuation member 40 and are attached to the insulation plate 34 at two separate fixing points 46 of the insulation plate 34, the fixing points 46 being offset transversely from each other.

[0062] It is also understood that each of the fixing points 46 extends vertically in relation to one of the angle return elements 44 of the displacement system 32.

[0063] Such an arrangement of the fixing points 46 on the insulation plate 34 ensures better stability of the insulation plate 34 during its vertical movement, between its high position and its low position and vice versa.

[0064] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the fixing points 46 take the form of non-through holes into which expanding plugs are inserted. The end of each of the cables 42, intended to cooperate with the fixing points 46, may then include an element adapted to be screwed into the expanding plug.

[0065] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the device 10 comprises two displacement systems 32 of the insulation element 30 in accordance with what has just been described previously.

[0066] More specifically, the two displacement systems 32 extend from one of the main beams 18 and opposite each other along the longitudinal direction L.

[0067] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the two displacement systems 32 extend from one of the main beams 18 each from one of its longitudinal ends 22.

[0068] It is then understood that in such a configuration of the device 10, the insulation plate 34 includes four fixing points 46 distributed in opposite pairs along the longitudinal direction L.

[0069] Such a configuration of the device 10 is advantageous in that the distribution of the four fixing points 46 on the insulation plate 34 makes it possible to improve the stability of the insulation plate 34 during its vertical movement.

[0070] It should be considered that, alternatively, the movement system may include a manual actuator connected to at least four cables attached to the insulation plate as described above, so as to allow movement of the insulation plate between the high position and the low position.

[0071] According to a feature of the invention visible to figures 6 And 7 , device 10 includes at least one bracket 48.

[0072] More precisely, the bracket 48 includes a fixing wall 50 attached to the insulation plate 34 and a guide wall 52 perpendicular to the fixing wall 50 and configured to slide along one of the end crossbeams 20a of the main body 16 when moving the insulation plate 34 between its low position and its high position and vice versa.

[0073] More precisely, the bracket 48 is positioned on the insulation plate 34 in such a way that it slides along the end crossbeam 20a carrying the angle return elements 44 previously described.

[0074] Thus, the bracket 48 includes grooves 54 formed in the vertical alignment of the corner return elements 44, such that the grooves 54 allow the passage of the corner return elements 44 when the insulation plate 34 moves from its lower position to its upper position.

[0075] According to the example of the invention, the device 10 comprises two brackets 48, which extend opposite each other in the longitudinal direction L, such that each slides along one of the end transverse beams 20a carrying the angle return elements 44 of each of the displacement systems 32.

[0076] Furthermore, when the device 10 includes the brackets 48, the cables 42 are attached to the fixing wall 50.

[0077] Such brackets 48 make it possible in particular to guide the movement of the insulation plate 34 between its lower and upper positions and vice versa, limiting its tilting.

[0078] As seen at the figure 1 , the device 10 includes a sensor 56 of the vertical position of the insulation plate 34 relative to the main body 16 of the device 10.

[0079] The position sensor 56 can, for example, take the form of a lever which moves vertically in contact with the insulation plate 34.

[0080] The position of the insulation plate 34 in the high or low position is then communicated, for example, to an electronic control system, not shown, allowing a user to be informed of the position of the insulation plate 34.

[0081] According to a feature of the invention visible at the figure 2 , the insulation element 30 includes a peripheral seal 58 configured to be in contact with the peripheral coping 14 of the basin 12 when the insulation element 30 is in its lower position.

[0082] It is then understood that the peripheral joint 58 extends from the lower face 36 of the insulation plate 34 and in such a way that it is in contact with the coping 14 of the basin 12 when the insulation element 30 is in its lower position.

[0083] Such a peripheral joint 58 of the insulation element 30 advantageously compensates for irregularities in the coping 14, for example when it has irregularities in vertical height which can generate gaps between the coping 14 and the insulation plate 34 when the latter is in its lower position.

[0084] The peripheral joint 58 thus makes it possible to maintain the thermal insulation effect provided by the insulation plate 34 regardless of the irregularities of the coping 14 of the basin 12 to be covered.

[0085] According to another example of the invention, the insulation element 30 may include a retaining foot 60, visible at the figure 2 .

[0086] The support foot 60 can take the form of a threaded rod which extends vertically from the insulation plate 34, and at the end of which extends a base intended to be in contact with the coping 14. It is then understood that a vertical dimension of the support foot 60 can be adapted via the thread of the threaded rod.

[0087] Advantages are gained from such a support foot 60, particularly when the basin 12 includes a peripheral coping 14 with different vertical heights, as visible in the figure 2 .

[0088] Thus, the support foot 60 makes it possible to compensate for the vertical offset of the coping 14, by supporting the insulation plate 34 in its lower position.

[0089] The 60 support foot acts, among other things, as a wedge.

[0090] In such a configuration of the coping 14, the peripheral joint 58 described previously then extends between the insulation plate 34 and the coping 14 in such a way as to fill the space between them, due to the vertical offset of the coping 14.

[0091] According to an example of the invention not shown, the insulation plate may include an integrated probe enabling the formation of a passage for gas emissions related to water treatment when the basin is covered by the main body of the cover device.

[0092] The advantage of the covering system as just described is that, in addition to the safety aspect of covering the pool, it limits the evaporation of the pool water by thermally insulating it from the outside environment.

[0093] Thus, thermal insulation of the pool by means of the insulation board makes it possible to reduce the water requirements of a pool by directly limiting water losses, especially during periods of high heat.

[0094] Furthermore, such an insulation plate advantageously protects the pool from external pollution by preventing it from entering the pool.

Claims

1. Device (10) for covering a basin (12) comprising a main body (16) movable along a longitudinal direction (L) between a covering position of the basin (12) and an uncovering position of the basin (12), the main body (16) comprising: - two main beams (18) which extend along the longitudinal direction (L) and between which extend a plurality of transverse beams (20) along a transverse direction (T) and in such a way that they connect the main beams (18); - the transverse beams (20) being aligned and spaced from one another by a non-zero longitudinal distance (DL) along the longitudinal direction (L); the device (10) comprising at least one insulation element (30), the insulation element (30) comprising at least one planar insulation plate (34) which extends in a plane parallel to a main plane of the main body (16), the device being characterized in that it comprises at least one displacement system (32) of the insulation element (30), the insulation plate (34) being connected to the main body (16) via the displacement system (32), the displacement system (32) allowing the vertical displacement of the insulation plate (34) between an upper position and a lower position when the main body (16) is in its covering position, so as to cover the basin (12) by contact of at least a part of the insulation plate (34) with at least one coping (14) of the basin (12).

2. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper position of the insulation plate (34) corresponds to a position of the insulation plate (34) in which the insulation plate (34) is pressed against an inner face (26) of several transverse beams (20).

3. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement system (32) comprises at least one actuating member (40) and at least two cables (42) integral with the insulation plate (34), the actuating member (40) being connected to the two cables (42) so as to be able to allow the displacement of the insulation plate (34) between the upper position and the lower position.

4. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the displacement system (32) comprises at least two angle return elements (44) each cooperating with one of the cables (42) and in such a way that each of the cables (42) extends, between the actuating member (40) and the angle return element (44) along the transverse direction (T) and, between the angle return element (44) and the insulation plate (34) along the vertical direction (V).

5. Device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the insulation plate (34) comprises several distinct fixing points (46), the cables (42) connected to the actuating member (40) being integral with the insulation plate (34) each at a fixing point (46) distinct from the insulation element (30), the fixing points (46) being transversely offset from one another.

6. Device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the actuating member (40) is integral with one of the main beams (16) of the main body (16) and extends in a vertical thickness (EV) of the main beam (16), transversely between two transverse beams (20).

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two displacement systems (32) of the insulation element (30), the displacement systems (32) extending from one of the main beams (18) opposite to one another along the longitudinal direction (L).

8. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the displacement system (32) comprises at least one manual actuator connected to at least four cables (42) integral with the insulation plate (34) so as to allow the displacement of the insulation plate (34) between the upper position and the lower position.

9. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one bracket (48), the bracket (48) comprising a fixing wall (50) integral with the insulation plate (34) and a guide wall (52) perpendicular to the fixing wall (50) and configured to slide along one of the transverse beams (20) of the main body (16) during the displacement of the insulation plate (34) between its upper position and its lower position and vice versa.

10. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sensor (60) of the vertical position of the insulation plate (34) with respect to the main body (16) of the device (10).

11. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a pair of rails (28) which extend along the longitudinal direction (L), each of the main beams (16) comprising a sliding device (29) able to cooperate with one of the rails (28) in such a way that the main body (16) is able to move from its covering position to its uncovering position and vice versa.

12. Assembly comprising a basin (12) and a covering device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the basin (12) being delimited by a peripheral coping (14) and the insulation element (30) being configured in such a way that in its lower position it is in contact with the peripheral coping (14).

13. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the insulation element (30) comprises a peripheral seal (58) configured to be in contact with the peripheral coping (14) of the basin (12) when the insulation element (30) is in its lower position.

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