Automatic cover for a swimming pool

Abstract

The invention relates to a pool cover device comprising a closed position and an open position, the pool comprising a first wall, the cover device comprising a submerged winding axis disposed near the first wall of the pool, a floating cover adapted to cover the pool in the closed position and to be wound around the winding axis in the open position, a submerged platform covering the winding axis and the wound floating cover in the open position, the platform comprising a first end, called the rear end, provided to be positioned near the first wall, and a second end, called the front end, opposite the rear end, the cover device comprising an opening on the side of the front end of the platform,The opening allows the floating apron to pass between the open and closed positions of the cover device. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Automatic cover for a swimming pool. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of swimming pools, and more particularly to automatic pool cover devices. The invention is particularly suitable for a swimming pool with a wall having non-right angles. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] An automatic pool cover system provides protection by preventing debris, leaves, or other dirt from falling into the pool and also acts as a safety measure against drowning in the event of an accidental fall, for example, by a child under 5 years old. An automatic cover system also helps retain the pool water's heat overnight. For all these reasons, the use of automatic pool covers has increased.

[0003] Often, an automatic swimming pool cover system consists of a roller shutter and includes a floating cover – or slatted cover – made up of a plurality of floating slats joined together. The cover is designed to roll up around a winding / unwinding axle (hereinafter "the axle"), for example, a tube. In the "pool closed" position (hereinafter "closed position"), the floating cover is in the unrolled position: the floating cover is deployed on the surface of the water to cover the pool. In the "pool open" position (hereinafter "open position"), the floating cover is stowed away, rolled up around the winding / unrolling axle, leaving access to the pool unobstructed.

[0004] The pool cover device can be positioned outside the pool, possibly just at the edge of the pool, with the cover wrapping around the axis in the "pool open" position and thus being outside the pool.

[0005] However, often for aesthetic reasons, it is possible to install the cover device directly in the pool, which makes it possible to conceal it, particularly when it is in the open position.

[0006] In this case, one method is to fix transversely, on either side of the pool basin and below the water's surface, fastening means for securing the winding axle and possibly other components of the cover system, such as a housing to cover the axle. The housing can serve an aesthetic purpose, concealing the axle and the floating cover in the open position. The housing can also contribute to safety by preventing access to the cover mechanism and / or allowing a pool user to stand on it. In the open position, the floating cover is wound around the axle and is submerged.

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates such a cover device installed in a swimming pool 100. Figure 1 is a view of a swimming pool 100 comprising a pool basin and a cover device (or roller shutter). The basin comprises a first wall A and a second opposing wall B, walls A and B being able to delimit a length of the basin. The cover device, positioned near a first wall (here, wall A), comprises a floating curtain 110, or cover 110, shown here almost completely wound around a winding axis (the axis is therefore invisible) and comprising a plurality of floating slats assembled together. The illustrated cover device includes a casing (or cladding) consisting of a platform 150 supported by beams 130 and 140. The platform 150 is, for example, a grating.The platform 150 may include a grating or flooring allowing a pool user to stand or sit on it. The platform 150 is positioned above the axle and therefore covers the axle and the floating cover wound around the axle when the cover system is in the open position. The cover system also includes a vertical partition wall 160 (partially shown in [Fig. 1]), located in front of the platform 150, separating the cover system from the pool itself. The vertical partition wall 160 and the platform 150 form a box covering the winding axle and protecting it, particularly when the floating cover 110 is wound around it in the open position. The platform 150 is typically located a few centimeters below the water surface so that the floating cover 110 can pass over it when unrolled.In the illustrated example, the winding axle and the beam 140 are supported by flanges, or fixing means for the cover device, 120A and 120B fixed to the walls of the swimming pool basin.

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the cover device of Figure 1. The axis 270 is located near a wall of the basin delimiting the length of the pool basin 100 (here, wall A). The platform 150 comprises a rear end, on the side of wall A of the pool, and a front end, shown in [Fig. 2], resting on the vertical partition wall 160. An opening is provided for the passage of the floating cover 110 between wall A and the rear end of the platform 150. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the direction of rotation of the winding / unwinding axis is chosen to allow the floating cover 110 to be unrolled along wall A of the pool so that it can pass through the opening located between wall A of the pool and the rear end of the platform 150. When the floating cover 110 is thus unrolled on the side of the rear end of the platform 150, its The free end (i.e., the end not directly attached to the winding / unwinding axis 270) rises to the water surface and then tilts towards the opposite wall of the pool (wall B, not shown in [Fig. 2]). Tilting the free end of the floating cover 110 to the correct side (i.e., towards wall B) can be achieved by means of a weight placed in this free end or by the shape of the free end itself. In the closed position, the floating cover 110 is fully unrolled and covers the water surface of the pool. Thus, in the closed position, the free end of the floating cover 110 abuts against wall B, and the end of the floating cover 110 connected to the axis 270, possibly via straps or bands, abuts against wall A.

[0009] For the cover device to be accepted as a safety cover, it must comply with a safety standard, for example, standard NF P90-308 defined by AFNOR (French Standardization Association). According to most standards, access to the mechanisms of a cover device must be protected. The platform 150 and the vertical wall 160, forming a box around the axis 270, thus protect access to the mechanisms, particularly to the axis 270. Standard NF P90-308 specifies more specifically that the horizontal opening through which the floating curtain 110 passes between the wall A and the rear end of the platform 150 must have a maximum width "d" less than a predetermined value. This predetermined value can be defined by a standard, for example, standard NF P90-308. This predetermined value is for example equal to 80 mm according to the NF P90-308 standard published in 2013.

[0010] However, this maximum width constraint of the opening between the wall and the rear end of the platform may no longer be able to be respected by a known cover device as previously described when the basin includes, for example, at least one rounded corner, or a cut-off section, or any shape creating a reduction in the width of the basin on the side of wall A, here two rounded corners, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0011] Fig. 3 comprises Figure 3A and Figure 3B. Figure 3A shows a top view of a swimming pool basin with rounded corners. Figure 3B shows a side view of a cover device similar to the cover device described above, placed against a wall of a pool with rounded corners. The area 380 of the pool, shown in Figures 3A and 3B by hatching, corresponds to an area where the width of the pool is less than the width of the rest of the pool due to the rounded corners. This area 380 extends a distance "a" from the wall A. A floating cover 310, intended to cover the surface of the pool in the closed position, largely comprises floating slats having a width equal to the width of the pool. The axis The winding mechanism 370 cannot therefore be installed too close to wall A so that the curtain 310 is not wound or unwound in zone 380, as said zone 380 is not wide enough for the passage of the slats of the floating curtain 310. The minimum width of the opening "d" through which the curtain 310 passes between wall A and the rear end of the platform 350 is thus constrained by the rounded corners, and more specifically by the distance "a", the width "d" cannot be less than the distance "a". Thus, depending on the degree of the rounding, and therefore depending on the value of "a", it is not possible to have an opening with a width "d" that complies, for example, with the requirements of standard NF P90-308.

[0012] Some solutions have been developed, consisting of adding an additional beam against the wall or a hatch to close the opening when the cover device is in the open position. However, these solutions are complex to implement and costly in terms of additional materials.

[0013] It is therefore necessary to propose a solution to address the problem of installing, in accordance with a safety standard, a cover device in a swimming pool comprising a basin with a wall including, for example, rounded corners, the cover device having to be placed against this wall. Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention relates to a cover device for a swimming pool basin comprising a closed position and an open position, the basin comprising a first wall, the cover device comprising: - a submerged winding axis positioned near the first wall of the basin, - a floating cover, designed to cover the pool basin in the closed position and to be wound around the winding axis in the open position, - a submerged platform covering the winding axis and the floating apron wound in the open position, the platform comprising a first end, called the rear end, intended to be positioned close to the first wall, and a second end, called the front end, opposite the rear end, - the cover device comprising an opening on the side of the front end of the platform, the opening allowing passage of the floating deck between the open and closed positions of the cover device.

[0015] Advantageously, the cover device can be arranged against a wall of a swimming pool basin regardless of the shape of said wall.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening is located under the platform on the side of the front end of the platform.

[0017] Advantageously, the cover device does not include a horizontal opening into which something could fall.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the platform is immersed at a depth at least equal to a minimum depth determined as a function of a radius of curvature of the floating deck.

[0019] Advantageously, the floating apron can be unrolled / rolled up without user intervention.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the platform is immersed at a depth at least equal to twice the radius of curvature of the floating deck.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the direction of rotation of the winding axis is adapted to unroll the floating curtain on the side of the opening.

[0022] Advantageously, the cover device can minimize the use of guidance systems for the floating deck and / or friction, reducing its complexity and / or wear.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a vertical partition wall disposed on the side of the front end of the platform, the platform and the vertical partition wall forming a box around the winding axis, the vertical partition wall comprising the opening for the passage of the floating deck, the opening preferably being located at the top of the vertical partition wall.

[0024] Advantageously, the cover device is protected in a casing.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a vertical partition wall disposed on the side of the front end of the platform, the platform and the vertical partition wall forming a box around the winding axis, the vertical partition wall being positioned at the front of the front end of the platform, the opening for the passage of the floating deck being formed by a horizontal space between the front end of the platform and the vertical partition wall.

[0026] Advantageously, the cover device according to the invention can be installed in a basin already comprising a vertical separating wall.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the distance between the vertical separating wall and the floating curtain wound around the winding axis in the open position is greater than a predetermined value.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first end, referred to as the rear end, of the platform intended to be positioned near the first wall includes a shape enabling it to come to rest against the first wall.

[0029] The invention also relates to a swimming pool comprising a basin, the swimming pool comprising a cover device for the basin according to one of the preceding claims, the first end, referred to as the rear end, of the platform being positioned against the first wall of the basin.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pool includes at least one other wall adjacent to the first wall of the pool, the angle of junction of the two walls not being right.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first wall of the basin comprises a non-planar shape. FIGURES

[0032] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0033] [Fig.1] Fig.1 illustrates a pool cover device known to a person skilled in the art.

[0034] [Fig.2] Fig.2 illustrates a side view of a basin cover device of a swimming pool known to someone in the trade.

[0035] [Fig.3] Fig.3 comprises figures 3A and 3B and illustrates the problem posed by a swimming pool basin including rounded corners.

[0036] [Fig.4] Fig.4 illustrates a side view of a basin cover device of swimming pool according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a basin cover device swimming pool according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0038] [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 illustrates side and top views of a cover device of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device being in an open position.

[0039] [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 illustrates side and top views of a cover device of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device being in a first intermediate position.

[0040] [Fig.8] Fig.8 illustrates side and top views of a pool cover device according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device being in a second intermediate position.

[0041] [Fig.9] Fig.9 illustrates side and top views of a cover device of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device being in a third intermediate position.

[0042] [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 illustrates side and top views of a pool cover device according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device being in a fourth intermediate position.

[0043] [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 illustrates side and top views of a pool cover device according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device being in a closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The invention presented solves the problem of installing an automatic cover device, comprising a platform, submerged in a swimming pool basin, when the basin has a wall against which the cover device is positioned, said wall having, for example, non-right angles (the two adjacent walls not intersecting at a right angle). More specifically, the cover device according to the invention can be installed near a pool wall even if said wall has rounded corners or any other feature that reduces the width of the pool near the wall or, more generally, prevents a floating cover from being close to the wall (i.e., from coming abutting against the wall). The invention can thus be implemented when an obstacle or protrusion is present along the wall.

[0045] The invention solves the problem of installing a submerged cover device in a swimming pool basin comprising a first wall, the pool comprising another wall adjacent to the first wall of the basin (the two walls defining a junction angle at their intersection), the junction angle of the two walls not being a right angle but, for example, rounded. In other words, the cover device according to the invention can be installed near, or against, a wall of a swimming pool forming a rounded angle or a chamfered edge with an adjacent wall or comprising an irregular shape.

[0046] Figures 1 to 3 have been described previously.

[0047] Fig. 4 illustrates a profile view of a 400 pool cover device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] The cover device 400 for a swimming pool basin includes a closed position and an open position. The swimming pool basin, similar to the basin illustrated in [Fig. 1], comprises two opposing walls A and B delimiting the length of the basin (wall B is not shown). The cover device 400 includes a submerged winding axle 470 located near a first wall of the basin (here, wall A). The cover device 400 includes a floating cover 410, adapted to cover the swimming pool basin in the closed position and to be wound around the winding axle 470 in the open position. The device The cover 400 comprises a submerged platform 450, for example a grating 450, covering the winding shaft 470 and the floating curtain 410 wound in the closed position. The platform 450 has a first end, called the rear end, on the side of the first wall A, and a second end, called the front end, on the opposite side of the first wall A, that is, on the side of the second wall B. The cover device 400 includes an opening O on the side of the front end of the platform 450, the opening O allowing passage of the floating curtain between the open and closed positions of the cover device. In other words, the opening O allows passage of the floating curtain 410 when the cover device 400 moves from the open to the closed position (and vice versa). Opening O is located on the front end side of platform 450, here under a beam 430 supporting platform 450 with beam 440.The dimensions of the opening O may have to comply with certain predetermined values. These values ​​may be defined by a standard, for example, standard NF P90-308. Thus, for example, standard NF P90-308 published in 2013 defines that the width of the opening O (i.e. here the distance between the bottom of the beam 430 and the top of a vertical partition wall 460) must be less than 100 millimeters.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first end, referred to as the rear end, of the platform 450 intended to be positioned near the wall A comprises a shape enabling it to bear against the wall A. According to one embodiment of the invention, "bearing against the wall A" means that the shape of the first end, referred to as the rear end, of the platform 450 is adapted to be placed near the wall A without leaving any gap between the edge of the first end and the wall, or with a maximum gap width less than a predetermined value, for example defined by a standard such as NF P90 308. In other words, the shape of the first end, referred to as the rear end, of the platform is adapted to "conform" to the shape of the wall A, particularly its possible rounded corners at the junctions with the adjacent walls.By "meeting," it is meant that the clearance between the first, so-called rear, end of platform 450 and wall A is less than a predetermined value. According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined value is defined in a safety standard, for example, standard NF P90-308. In this case, the opening with a width "d" that must comply with the constraints of standard NF P90-308 corresponds to the clearance between the first, so-called rear, end of platform 450 and wall A.

[0050] The platform 450 is immersed at a depth "h" at least equal to a minimum depth determined according to a radius of curvature of the floating deck 410. The radius of curvature of the floating deck 410 is smaller the more the floating deck 410 can be folded back on itself, or, in other words, the more the floating deck 410 can be considered "flexible." In other words, the radius of curvature of the floating deck is smaller the more easily the floating deck can be rolled up on itself. It should be noted that the radius of curvature of the floating deck 410 is normally less than or equal to the radius of the winding / unwinding axis 470 of the floating deck 410 so that the floating deck 410 can be wound around the axis 470 without risk of damage.

[0051] This depth “h” corresponds to the space required between the water surface and the platform 450 so that the floating deck 410 can unroll normally without catching on any surface, particularly, as explained below, when the floating deck 410 has come to rest against the wall B and then unrolls towards the wall A.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the platform 450 is immersed at a depth "h" at least equal to twice the radius of curvature of the floating deck 410.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the direction of rotation of the winding / unwinding axis 470 is adapted to unwind the floating curtain 410 on the side of the winding / unwinding axis 470 opposite the wall A, that is, on the side opposite the wall against which the cover device 400 is positioned. In other words, the direction of rotation of the winding / unwinding axis 470 allows the floating curtain 410 to be unwinded on the side of the opening O, located on the front end side of the platform 450. Put another way, the direction of rotation of the winding / unwinding axis 470 allows the floating curtain 410 to be unwinded on the front end side of the platform so that the free end of the floating curtain 410 rises towards the opening O, possibly guided by a guiding means, as the axis 470 is unfolding.This direction of rotation, which allows the apron 410 to be unrolled from the open position (apron 410 wound around the axis 470) to the closed position (apron 410 unrolled and covering the surface of the basin), is represented in [Fig. 4] by arrow F. This direction of rotation F allows the apron 410 to be unrolled with its free end rising towards the front end of the platform 450, or substantially below the front end of the platform 450. This direction of rotation F for unrolling the apron 410 is the opposite direction to the usual unrolling direction used for traditional cover devices described in Figures 1 to 3. Using a direction of rotation F contrary to the usual direction of rotation advantageously allows the apron 410 to be unrolled with its free end positioned directly on the side of the apron's exit opening O, i.e., on the side of the front end of the platform 450.This direction of rotation F prevents the apron 410 from catching under the surface of the platform 450 during its unrolling and facilitates its exit (or entry) through the opening O. . It should be noted that the floating apron 410 is wound around the axis 470 by rotating the winding axis 470 in the direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation F.

[0054] According to a complementary embodiment of the invention, the cover device 400 includes a guide means 480 for the apron 470 under the front end of the platform 450 (here, shown under the beam 430). This guide means 480 guides the free end of the apron 410 when the apron 410 is unrolled to ensure that the apron 410 exits smoothly through the opening O without catching on an obstacle. The guide means 480 may include a tubular part with a substantially triangular cross-section, as shown in [Fig. 4], to guide the apron 410 during its unrolling.

[0055] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guide means 480 can allow the use of an axis 410 having a conventional direction of rotation (i.e. unwinding of the apron 410 with a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation F), that is to say in which the free end rises along the wall A during the unwinding of the apron 410. In this case, the guide means 480 can guide the free end of the apron 410 so that it exits (and re-enters) via the opening O without catching under the grating 450.

[0056] The guiding means 480 may include straps (or any other means of connection, such as straps, ropes, cords, nets, etc.) fixed on one side to the front end of the platform 450, above the opening O, and comprising on the other side suspended weights placed between the wall A and the axis 470.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover device 400 comprises a vertical partition wall 460 in front of the platform 450 and forming a box around the winding axis 470. The opening "O" for the passage of the floating curtain 410 can be located at the top of this vertical partition wall 460. The opening O is then positioned vertically. According to a preferred embodiment, the distance "e" between the vertical partition wall 460 and the floating curtain 410 wound around the winding axis 470 in the open position (i.e., when the floating curtain 410 is fully wound around the axis 470) is at least equal to a predetermined value, for example, determined as a function of the thickness of the floating curtain 410. According to one embodiment of the invention, this distance "e" is at least equal to 7 centimeters.This minimum distance between the vertical separation wall 460 and the rolled-up floating curtain 410 prevents the curtain 410 from rubbing against the vertical separation wall 460 during the rolling or unrolling of the floating curtain 410. Indeed, if the distance "e" between the vertical separation wall 460 and the rolled-up floating curtain 410 is too small, the curtain 410 may rub against or get stuck against the vertical separation wall 460.

[0058] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the vertical partition wall 460 is offset and advanced relative to the front end of the platform 450, the upper end of the vertical partition wall 460 rising to the same height as the platform 450. In this case, the opening O is formed by the horizontal space between the front end of the platform 450 and the top of the vertical partition wall 460. The opening O is then positioned horizontally.

[0059] Fig. 5 illustrates a profile view of a 500 pool cover device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0060] The cover device 500 comprises, like the device illustrated in [Fig. 4], a platform 550 supported by two beams 530 and 540, the beam 530 supporting in this example the front end of the platform 550. A floating apron 510 is wound around an axis 570. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 5] differs from the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 4] in that the cover device 500 is integrated into a cavity located at the bottom of the pool, against the wall A. This embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5] therefore does not include a vertical wall identical to the vertical wall 460 of [Fig. 4]. Similarly, according to this embodiment, the opening O, allowing passage of the deck 510, is located on the front end side of the platform 550, beneath it, and opens horizontally at the bottom of the pool. The opening O may have to comply with the requirements of a standard, for example, standard NF P90-308.The width of the opening O can thus be subjected to the same maximum value constraint as the width of the gap between the wall A and the platform (“d”).

[0061] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cavity in which the cover device 500 is installed is formed by a vertical wall similar to the vertical wall 460 of [Fig. 4], for example, a concrete wall. In other words, according to this embodiment of the invention, the vertical partition wall 460 is a vertical wall such as a concrete wall. The opening O is formed by a space between the front end of the platform 550 and the vertical partition wall, a space through which the floating deck 510 can pass. The opening O is then positioned horizontally, as illustrated in [Fig. 5].

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the platform 550 and the upper end of the vertical wall are flush with each other. According to another embodiment of the invention, the platform 550 is lower than the upper end of the vertical wall.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a vertical partition wall disposed on the front end side of the platform, the platform and the vertical partition wall forming a box around the winding axis. The vertical partition wall is positioned at the front of the front end of the platform, the opening O for the passage of the floating deck being formed by a horizontal space between the front end of the platform and the vertical separation wall.

[0064] Figures 6 to 11 illustrate different positions of a cover device 600 for a swimming pool basin according to the invention, between the open position shown in [Fig. 6] and the closed position shown in [Fig. 11]. Figures 6 to 11 therefore represent the same cover device 600 in different positions, between an open position and a closed position. These figures can be read in either direction depending on whether the cover device is moving from the open position to the closed position (reading direction from [Fig. 6] to [Fig. 11]) or, conversely, from the closed position to the open position (reading direction from [Fig. 11] to [Fig. 6]). The cover device 600 illustrated is, for example, the cover device 400 described previously.

[0065] Fig. 6 illustrates side and top views of a pool cover device 600, comprising a wall A and an opposite wall B delimiting a length of the pool, according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device 600 being in an open position.

[0066] The cover device 600 is shown here in the open position, i.e. the apron 610 is totally rolled around an axis 670 and access to the basin is free. Advantageously, in the open position, the free end of the floating apron 610 is located on the side of the front end of the platform 650, here under the front end of the platform 650, possibly under a guide means 680. The winding / unwinding direction of the apron 610 around the axis 670 is chosen such that the unwinding of the apron 610 occurs in such a way that the free end E of the apron 610 rises on the side of the opening O, here located under the front end of the platform 650, possibly guided by the guide means 680. In other words, the unwinding direction of the axis 670 corresponds to the direction of rotation F previously defined.

[0067] An area in which the width of the basin is less than the width of the rest of the basin due to the presence of rounded corners on wall A (or any other shape and / or protrusion) is represented by dashed lines. This area extends over a distance "a".

[0068] Regarding the top view of the pool (at the bottom of [Fig. 6] and following), the surface of the pool covered by the floating cover 610 is indicated by hatching. In [Fig. 6], with the cover device 600 in the open position, the floating cover 610 is fully rolled up. Access to the pool is therefore unobstructed.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover device 600 comprises a vertical partition wall 660. The vertical partition wall 660 is arranged on the front end side of the platform 650, the platform 650 and the vertical separation wall 660 forming a box around the winding axis 670. The vertical separation wall 660 may include the opening O for the passage of the floating deck 610. The opening O is preferably located at the top of the vertical separation wall 660, but it may be located at any height of the vertical separation wall 660. In one embodiment, the opening O is located at the bottom of the vertical separation wall 660, at the level of the bottom of the basin.

[0070] Fig. 7 illustrates side and top views of the cover device 600 of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device 600 being in a first intermediate position.

[0071] Figure 7 represents a situation in which the cover 610 of Figure 6 has been partially unrolled, i.e., at the beginning of the pool closure. Upon reaching the surface, the free end E of the cover 610 tilts in the direction of the wall B, for example by means of a ballast placed in the free end E of the cover 610 (or due to the geometry of said free end E). As the cover is unrolled by the axis 670 rotating in the direction of rotation F, the cover 610 progresses across the surface of the pool towards the wall B, progressively covering the surface of the pool, as illustrated by hatching in the top view of the pool basin.

[0072] Fig. 8 illustrates side and top views of the cover device 600 of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device 600 being in a second intermediate position.

[0073] Fig. 8 represents a situation in which the apron 610 has come to rest against the wall B. The free end E is against the wall B. From this moment, during the unwinding of the apron 610 to close the basin, the apron 610 unwinds towards the wall A: the still submerged part of the apron 610 gradually unwinds on the surface of the basin towards the wall A.

[0074] Fig. 9 illustrates side and top views of the cover device 600 of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device 600 being in a third intermediate position.

[0075] Fig. 9 represents a situation in which the apron 610 has come to rest against the wall B and in which the apron 610 has partially unrolled towards the wall A. The part of the apron 610 that was still submerged came to unroll progressively on the surface of the basin, in the direction of the wall A. The end G of the apron 610 attached to the axis 670 by means of straps 690 for example is shown here as having come out of the box of the cover device 600.

[0076] A circle of curvature C of the floating deck 610 is represented by dashed lines in [Fig. 9]. The radius of curvature of the floating deck 610 corresponds to the radius of the circle of curvature C. The height "h" is determined such that the floating deck 610 so that it can form a loop above the platform, the height "h" must therefore be greater than or equal to the diameter of the circle of curvature C, i.e. twice the radius of curvature of the floating deck.

[0077] If the water depth “h” above the platform 650 is insufficient, then the submerged portion of the floating cover 610 cannot deploy correctly on its own and remains trapped under the portion of the floating cover 610 already deployed on the surface. The cover device 600 cannot then fully cover the surface of the basin without additional action. A user can then complete the deployment of the floating cover 610 “by hand,” for example, by pulling on it and / or assisting the unfolding of the cover by lifting it during the final stage of deployment.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the invention, and depending on the buoyancy, size and / or rigidity of the slats constituting the floating deck 610, the height "h" may be slightly less than the diameter of curvature of the floating deck, the floating deck 610 being able to extend marginally above the water surface when winding / unwinding over the platform 650.

[0079] Fig. 10 illustrates side and top views of the cover device 600 of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device 600 being in a fourth intermediate position.

[0080] Fig. 10 represents a situation in which the floating apron 610 has come to rest against the wall B and in which the apron 610 has unrolled towards the wall A. The part still submerged of the apron 610 has gradually unrolled on the surface of the basin towards the wall A. The end G of the apron 610 attached to the axis 470, by means of straps for example, is shown here as having come out of the caisson of the cover device 600 and approaching the wall A, the apron 610 positioning itself due to its buoyancy on the surface of the basin.

[0081] Fig. 11 illustrates side and top views of the cover device 600 of a swimming pool basin according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover device 600 being in a closed position.

[0082] Figure 11 shows a situation in which the cover 610 has come to rest against wall B and against wall A. The cover 610 completely covers the surface of the pool basin, and the cover device 600 is in its closed position. End E of the floating cover 610 is abutting wall B, and end G of the floating cover 610 is abutting wall A.

[0083] The cover device 600 can return to its open position, illustrated in [Fig. 6], by rotating the shaft 670 in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation F in order to wind the curtain 610 around the shaft 670. During winding towards the open position, the curtain 610 assumes the various intermediate positions illustrated. in figures 10 to 7, in the reverse order of the order previously described for the unwinding of the apron 610 towards the closed position.

[0084] The shape of the free end E of the floating deck 610 is designed to come abutting against the wall B. Similarly, the shape of the end G of the floating deck 610 is designed to come abutting against the wall A.

Claims

Claims

1. Covering device (400, 500, 600) for a pool of a swimming pool comprising a closed position and an open position, the pool comprising a first wall (A), the covering device comprising: - a submerged winding shaft (470, 570, 670) arranged close to the first wall of the pool, - a floating apron (410, 510, 610), adapted to cover the pool of the swimming pool in the closed position and to be wound around the winding shaft in the open position, - a submerged platform (450, 550, 650) covering the winding shaft and the wound floating apron in the open position, the platform comprising a first end, called the rear end, intended to be positioned close to the first wall, and a second end, called the front end, opposite the rear end, - the covering device comprising an opening (O) on the side of the front end of the platform,the opening allowing passage of the floating deck between the open position and the closed position of the covering device, in which the platform (450, 550, 650) is immersed to a depth (h) at least equal to twice the radius of curvature of the floating deck (410, 510, 610).,

2. Covering device for a swimming pool according to the preceding claim, the opening being located under the platform (450, 550, 650) on the side of the front end of the platform.

3. Covering device for a swimming pool according to one of the preceding claims, the direction of rotation of the winding axis being adapted to unroll the floating apron on the opening side.

4. Covering device for a swimming pool basin according to one of the preceding claims, the covering device comprising a vertical separating wall (460, 660) arranged on the side of the front end of the platform, preferably under the front end of the platform, the platform and the vertical partition wall forming a box around the winding axis, the vertical partition wall comprising the opening (0) for the passage of the floating apron, the opening preferably being located at the top of the vertical partition wall.

5. Covering device for a swimming pool according to claim 1 to 3, the covering device comprising a vertical separating wall (460, 660) arranged on the side of the front end of the platform, the platform and the vertical separating wall forming a box around the winding axis, the vertical separating wall being positioned in front of the front end of the platform, the opening (0) for the passage of the floating apron being formed by a horizontal space between the front end of the platform and the vertical separating wall.

6. A covering device for a swimming pool according to claim 4 or 5, the distance (e) between the vertical dividing wall and the floating apron wound around the winding axis in the open position being greater than a predetermined value.

7. Covering device for a swimming pool according to one of the preceding claims, the first end, called the rear end, of the platform, intended to be positioned close to the first wall, comprising a shape allowing it to bear against the first wall.

8. Swimming pool (100) comprising a pool, the swimming pool comprising a covering device (400, 500, 600) for the pool according to one of the preceding claims, the first end, called the rear end, of the platform being positioned against the first wall (A) of the pool.

9. Swimming pool according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one other wall adjacent to the first wall of the pool, the junction angle of the two walls not being right.

10. A swimming pool according to claim 9, the first wall of the pool comprising a non-planar shape.

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