INFLATABLE POOL SET

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable assembly (1) forming a cover for a body of water (3) in the inflated state, comprising at least one inflatable mattress (2). According to the invention, said at least one inflatable mattress (2) comprises at least one water ballast (6) intended to be immersed in the water (3). Figure for the abstract: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: INFLATABLE POOL ASSEMBLY

[0001] The present invention relates to inflatable assemblies forming a cover in the inflated state for bodies of water such as basins or swimming pools.

[0002] In the field of inflatable structures, inflatable mattresses designed to cover the surface of bodies of water such as swimming pools are known. Inflated mattresses, due to the layer of air formed within them, provide thermal insulation to maintain the water temperature, particularly during cooling periods when the pool is not in use. They also limit water loss through evaporation. Furthermore, they can serve as a safety feature and help prevent accidents.

[0003] These inflatable mattresses can be made from sheets or films of thermoplastic polymer that are heat-sealed together. Heat sealing can be achieved by locally heating the sheet to its melting temperature.

[0004] The heat sealing of sheets, or films, of thermoplastic polymer can in particular be carried out by ultrasound, conduction or high frequency.

[0005] Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer sheet or films have a thickness of less than 1 mm and preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0006] This type of material allows, in a known manner, the simple production of an element having a sealed cavity that can be pressurized. Particularly suitable materials are thermoplastic polyurethanes or polyvinyl chlorides.

[0007] Such inflatable mattresses must be simple to use, quick to install and maneuverable by a limited number of people, advantageously not exceeding two.

[0008] In their deflated state, such mattresses can advantageously be wound around an axle, with winding and unwinding triggered by rotating the axle. The mattress is then only inflated when used as a pool cover. Since storage is in the deflated state, the size is reduced. Storage can also be done on a mobile pallet on which the mattress is folded in its deflated state.

[0009] Such inflatable mattresses also have the advantage of being lightweight and easy to handle.

[0010] Inflating the mattress ensures that it takes its shape on the pool and covers the surface of the water. The inflation pressure is generally between 0.1 and 0.5 bar, and most often between 0.2 and 0.35 bar.

[0011] Mattresses thus produced form, in the inflated state, a three-dimensional product having a length, a width and a height or thickness.

[0012] For the purposes of this invention, the length of an inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water when inflated corresponds to its longest dimension. It is most often defined by the direction in which the inflated assembly is wound or unwound during its deployment or storage.

[0013] In the context of the invention, the width of an inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water when inflated is measured along a direction perpendicular to the length of the inflatable assembly. The directions of the width and length define a plane that substantially coincides with the substantially parallel surfaces of the mattress, including the one intended to come into contact with the surface of the body of water.

[0014] In the context of the invention, the height or thickness of an inflatable assembly forming a cover in the inflated state for a body of water is measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the directions of the length and width of the inflatable assembly.

[0015] Such inflatable assemblies are described, for example, in document DE 3000396 A1. The inflatable pool cover described in this publication is an inflatable mattress that rests on the water's surface when inflated and essentially covers the entire water surface. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up onto a roller located at the edge of the pool.

[0016] Document WO 2022 / 264052 A1 further describes a swimming pool cover consisting of an inflatable mattress in which two sheets of flexible material are connected to each other by a plurality of binding threads or fibers. This document describes an embodiment known as "drop stitch" which provides significant rigidity and perfectly flat mattress surfaces.

[0017] The inventors have demonstrated that these inflatable structures used as pool covers can present stability problems in inclement weather, particularly in strong winds. Indeed, these covers, which float on the water and have a thickness that catches the wind, and due to their lightness, can be moved by the wind. The intended thermal protection is thus compromised.

[0018] There is also known retractable pool cover systems. Such systems are made with rigid slats to form roller shutters that float on the water when unrolled. These systems provide a barrier to evaporation, a safety device for people, but limited thermal insulation. Above all, they are quite heavy, requiring reinforced winding structures, and are therefore limited in size.

[0019] There are also tarpaulin systems reinforced by spaced bars that cover the water's surface, resting on the beach. These offer the same advantages in terms of safety and evaporation barrier as the shutter solution described earlier. They also have the same limitations in terms of thermal insulation and dimensions, particularly due to their weight. Furthermore, storing these tarpaulins is complicated due to their bulk, and their installation is not straightforward.

[0020] The inventors have thus set themselves the task of proposing a pool cover that is compact, easy to install and stable in bad weather.

[0021] This purpose is achieved according to the invention by an inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water in the inflated state, comprising at least one inflatable mattress having two substantially parallel external surfaces, one being intended to come into contact with the water, said surfaces being formed by films of flexible material connected to each other on their edges by at least one film of flexible material to form a watertight mattress having a length, a width and a thickness, said at least one inflatable mattress comprising at least one water ballast intended to be immersed in the water.

[0022] Preferably according to the invention, said at least one water ballast is fixed on the external surface intended to come into contact with the water of said at least one inflatable mattress.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the water ballast is immersed in the water when the inflatable assembly is deployed on the body of water to be covered.

[0024] In the context of the invention, a water ballast is a container that fills with water when the inflatable assembly is deployed. It fills through its open upper surface, which forms the opening of the container. The volume of water it contains imparts a load that helps to hold the inflatable assembly in place on the surface of the water on which it is deployed. Such a water ballast can, in particular, counteract the forces exerted by the wind and thus prevent the inflatable assembly from lifting.

[0025] The inventors have thus been able to present an inflatable assembly acting as a pool cover which can be installed quickly by one or two people and which can be easily sized for the body of water to be covered.

[0026] Like the inflatable structures described above, the cover thus produced is lightweight and easy to set up. Indeed, this type of inflatable structure is designed for quick and easy installation. The materials used result in a relatively low weight, and setup is essentially accomplished by inflation using a compressor connected to the inflatable mattress via a valve. Installation can be easily carried out by one or two operators.

[0027] The inventors have also demonstrated that the inflatable assembly according to the invention can withstand gusts of wind without being displaced. Indeed, the water ballast, when sized in relation to the dimensions of the inflatable mattress, stabilizes the inflatable mattress on the body of water it covers, even in windy conditions.

[0028] It is still possible to provide several water weights distributed over the surface of the inflatable mattress when the size of the mattress is large.

[0029] Like the inflatable structures described above, the cover thus produced also provides a thermal insulation function to maintain the water temperature, particularly during cooling periods when the pool is not in use.

[0030] Said at least one water ballast is advantageously made of a flexible film material. Said flexible film material is advantageously identical to the constituent material of the mattress and is a polymer material such as polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

[0031] Preferably, said film constituting the flaps has a thickness between 100 and 500 microns and preferably between 150 and 350 microns.

[0032] Said at least one water ballast advantageously has a cylindrical or conical shape with a circular or polygonal cross-section.

[0033] Said at least one water ballast is advantageously attached to the inflatable mattress by at least one connecting tab fixed at each of its ends, on one side to the water ballast and on the other side to the inflatable mattress. The connecting tab is advantageously made of a material identical to that forming the water ballast and can be considered as part of the water ballast.

[0034] According to a first embodiment of the invention, said at least one water ballast is permanently attached to the inflatable mattress. This type of attachment can be achieved by welding, sewing, or any other suitable means such as gluing.

[0035] According to a second embodiment of the invention, said at least one water ballast is removably linked to the inflatable mattress by a linking device comprising at least two separable parts.

[0036] Preferably, according to this second embodiment of the invention, said at least one connecting device comprising at least two separable parts is of the Velcro® type. One part of this connecting device is then attached to the mattress and the other part is attached to said at least one connecting tab, itself attached to the water weight. Each of the parts is fixed by welding, sewing, or any other suitable means.

[0037] This connecting device comprising at least two separable parts may also be any other type of fastening system advantageously simple to use such as by Examples include fasteners such as detachable zippers or any type of quick-release buckle system.

[0038] To facilitate folding or rolling up the inflatable assembly, said at least one water ballast is advantageously provided with means allowing the water to be evacuated without any effort other than that exerted by rolling or folding. A preferred embodiment consists of providing a perforation in the material forming said at least one water ballast. The presence of at least one hole allows the water to be evacuated, for example, when said at least one water ballast is carried out of the water with the inflatable assembly before it passes between rollers provided to expel the inflation air from the inflatable assembly.

[0039] Preferably according to the invention, the flexible material films forming the mattress are joined together by heat welding as explained previously.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one film of flexible material, which connects the two surfaces by forming the sides of the inflatable mattress according to the invention, is made of at least two films, for example welded together to form the four sides of the mattress. According to another embodiment, each side is made individually of a film, the four films being welded together.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the invention, said at least one film of flexible material, which connects the two surfaces by forming the sides of the inflatable mattress according to the invention, is made with a single film so as to limit the number of welds and facilitate the manufacture of an inflatable mattress.

[0042] Preferably according to the invention, the flexible material films forming the surfaces of the mattress and said at least one flexible material film forming the sides of the mattress are polymer materials such as polyurethanes or polyvinyl chloride.

[0043] Preferably, the films made of flexible materials have a thickness of between 100 and 500 microns and preferably between 150 and 350 microns.

[0044] Preferably also according to the invention, when used on a body of water, the inflation pressure of the inflatable assembly is generally between 0.1 and 0.5 bar, and most often between 0.2 and 0.35 bar

[0045] Other advantageous details and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to Figures 1 and 2, which represent: - [Fig.1], a perspective view of a diagram of an inflatable mattress according to the invention, - [Fig.2], a schematic representation of a water ballast fixed on the surface of the inflatable mattress of [Fig.1].

[0046] The figures are not shown to scale to simplify understanding.

[0047] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an inflatable assembly 1, shown in its inflated state, comprising an inflatable mattress 2, placed on a body of water 3. The inflatable assembly 1 thus presents a visible surface 4 and a non-apparent surface 5 on the [Fig.1], which comes into contact with the water.

[0048] The inflatable mattress is made from sheets of woven PVC (woven polyvinyl chloride) with a thickness of approximately 500 microns.

[0049] The inflatable mattress 2 consists of two sheets of woven PVC, one forming surface 4, visible when the inflatable mattress is in use, and the other forming surface 5, in contact with the water when the inflatable assembly is in use. The two sheets are joined by the sides, which in the example produced are formed by a folded sheet of woven PVC welded at its ends. The sheet forming the sides is also heat-sealed along its entire length to each of the two sheets forming surfaces 4 and 5.

[0050] The inflatable mattress 2 has a length of 12 meters, a width of approximately 8 meters and a height of approximately 20 centimeters.

[0051] Mattress 2 still has a valve, not shown in [Fig.1], positioned on one side.

[0052] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a water ballast 6 fixed to the surface 5 of the mattress 2, which comes into contact with the water.

[0053] The water ballast 6 is made of the same material as the inflatable mattress and is attached to it by four fastening tabs 7, which are themselves attached to the surface 5 by Velcro®-type fastening systems, not shown in [Fig. 2]. The water ballast 6 has a conical shape with a square cross-section and a volume of 36 dm³. It thus exerts a holding force on the inflatable mattress 2 equivalent to a 36 kg body. Depending on the size of the inflatable assembly according to the invention, several water ballasts described above are positioned to exert sufficient holding force to counteract the wind and keep the assembly inflated on the surface of the water. The water ballast 6 also has holes 8 to facilitate water drainage when folding or rolling up the inflatable assembly 1.

[0054] Handling tests were carried out with an inflatable assembly according to the invention, as shown in the figures, and equipped with four water weights. The inflatable assembly is folded and placed on a mobile trolley with two rollers between which the inflatable assembly can pass. The trolley is brought to one end of an outdoor swimming pool with dimensions of approximately 96 m², a length of 12 meters, and a width of 8 meters. The mattress is connected to a compressor that supplies it with air. The start of inflation causes the mattress to expand, which exerts a tensile force on the two rollers between which the inflatable assembly passes. Under the effect of this force, the inflatable assembly gradually unfolds on the water. This technique for deploying an inflatable assembly on a body of water is described, for example, in document WO 2022 / 264052. During the unrolling of the mattress, the water weights are drawn into the water and fill with water as the mattress unfolds. The mattress is inflated to a pressure between 200 and 250 millibars.

[0055] The setup time for two people was approximately 30 minutes. Folding the entire assembly, which requires deflation and then folding, takes 45 minutes.

[0056] Tests were carried out on a basin with a wind of approximately 70 km / h. The presence of the four water weights was sufficient to keep the mattress in position on the body of water.

Claims

Demands

1. An inflatable assembly (1) forming a cover for a body of water (3), in the inflated state, comprising at least one inflatable mattress (2) having two substantially parallel external surfaces (4, 5), one of which is intended to come into contact with the water (3), said surfaces (4, 5) being formed by films of flexible material connected to each other on their edges by at least one film of flexible material to form a watertight mattress (2) having a length, a width and a thickness, characterized in that said at least one inflatable mattress (2) has at least one water ballast (6) intended to be immersed in the water (3) and in that said at least one water ballast (6) is removably connected to the inflatable mattress (2) by at least one connecting device comprising at least two separable parts.

2. Inflatable assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one water ballast (6) is fixed on the external surface (5) intended to come into contact with the water (3) of said at least one inflatable mattress (2).

3. Inflatable assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one connecting device comprising at least two separable parts is of the velcro® type.

4. Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the films of flexible material forming the surfaces (4, 5) of the mattress (2) and said at least one film of flexible material forming the sides of the mattress (2) are polymer materials such as polyurethanes or polyvinyl chloride.

5. Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one water ballast (6) is made with a film of flexible material and in that said film of flexible material is a polymer material such as a polyurethane or a polyvinyl chloride.

6. Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one water ballast (6) comprises means allowing the evacuation of water and preferably comprises at least one hole (8).

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