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) has, on the axially outer part of the external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water (3), at least one flap (7) attached to said external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water (3). Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

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] This document describes yet another method for deploying the inflatable assembly. Pressurizing the inflatable assemblies is used for this deployment. In fact, the progressive inflation of the inflatable assembly from one end helps to advance the inflatable assembly across the body of water, for example, by deploying it between two freely rotating rollers arranged according to the width of the body of water. The inflation of the portion in contact with the water exerts a tensile force on the rollers, which deploys the remaining uninflated portion of the inflatable assembly.

[0018] The inventors have pointed out that this method of deploying the inflatable assembly on the pool could present drawbacks. Ideally, to avoid heat loss, the inflatable assembly should cover the entire surface of the water. However, this deployment method can cause the inflatable assembly to rub against the pool walls, leading to its rapid deterioration.

[0019] The inventors have also demonstrated that these inflatable structures for forming pool covers can present major drawbacks in certain applications. Particularly in the case of infinity pools, it has been found that such covers, designed to fit very close to the edges of the pool, can prevent the proper functioning of the water filtration system. Indeed, the filtration system must remain active when the pool cover is in place, and it has been observed that the cover, manufactured according to the documents described above, disrupts the proper circulation of the water, even risking damage to the suction pumps when they pump air for too long.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The inventors have thus set themselves the task of proposing a pool cover that is compact, easy to install regardless of size, whose installation does not risk causing damage to the cover and adaptable to any type of pool regardless of the filtration system.

[0023] 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 having on the axially external part of the external surface, which is not intended to come into contact with the water, at least one flap connected to said external surface, which is not intended to come into contact with the water.

[0024] Preferably according to the invention, said at least one inflatable mattress comprises on the axially outer part of the external surface, which is not intended to come to the contact with water, two flaps attached to said external surface, which is not intended to come into contact with water.

[0025] Preferably, said at least one flap extends along the length of the inflatable mattress on the lateral edges of the inflatable mattress.

[0026] Advantageously according to the invention, said at least one bib has a length at least equal to that of said inflatable mattress.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The inventors have shown that the inflatable assembly according to the invention comprises an inflatable mattress which can be made with a dimension, and more particularly a width, smaller than that of the body of water to be covered. Indeed, the presence of flaps advantageously positioned on the edges of the mattress along the length of the mattress will extend the surface area of ​​the water to be covered by resting on the edges or coping of the body of water.

[0030] Since the width of the inflatable mattress is less than that of the body of water, it can be deployed on the water without risk of damage to the mattress due to friction against the pool walls. After the mattress is fully deployed, the splash guards can in turn be deployed to rest on the pool coping, thus completely covering the body of water.

[0031] Since the flaps are attached to the outer surface of the mattress and rest on the coping stones, when deployed they trap a volume of air above the water. This volume of air helps to supplement the thermal insulation provided by the mattress when it is inflated and deployed on the water. Similarly, the flaps help to limit water evaporation.

[0032] The inventors have also demonstrated that the inflatable assembly according to the invention is adaptable to any type of body of water or swimming pool, and more particularly to the case of infinity pools which require drainage at the water's surface. Indeed, since the inflatable mattress is narrower than the width of the body of water it covers, when inflated and deployed on the water, it does not risk hindering or obstructing the water circulation system. This is also the case with even flaps that are placed between the outer surface of the mattress and the coping stones.

[0033] Preferably according to the invention, the films of flexible material forming the mattress are joined together by heat sealing as explained previously.

[0034] 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 mattress forming an 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Preferably, the films made of flexible materials have a thickness of between 100 and 500 microns and preferably between 150 and 350 microns.

[0038] Preferably also according to the invention, in use 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.

[0039] The flaps are advantageously made of a flexible film material. Said flexible film material is advantageously identical to the material constituting the mattress and is a polymer material such as polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

[0040] Preferably, said film constituting the flaps has a thickness between 100 and 500 microns and preferably between 150 and 350 microns.

[0041] According to a first embodiment of the invention, said at least one flap 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.

[0042] According to a second embodiment of the invention, said at least one bib is removably linked to the inflatable mattress by a linking device comprising at least two separable parts.

[0043] Preferably, according to this second embodiment of the invention, said at least one fastening device comprising at least two separable parts is of the Velcro® type. One part of this fastening device is then attached to the mattress and the other part is attached to said at least one flap. Each of the parts is fixed by welding, sewing, or any other suitable means.

[0044] This connecting device comprising at least two separable parts may also be any other type of fastening system advantageously simple to use such as, for example, fasteners of the detachable zipper type or any type of quick-release buckle system.

[0045] Preferably, according to the invention, the height of said at least one inflatable mattress is between 5 cm and 25 cm.

[0046] During the deployment of the inflatable assembly according to the invention, pressurizing the mattress can be used for this purpose. Indeed, the progressive inflation of the inflatable assembly from one end can help to advance the inflatable assembly across the body of water, for example, by deploying it between two freely rotating rollers arranged according to the width of the body of water. The inflation of the portion in contact with the water exerts a tensile force on the rollers, which deploys the remaining uninflated portion of the inflatable assembly. This contribution of inflation to the deployment of the inflatable assembly is described, for example, in document WO 2022 / 264052 AL

[0047] When the inflatable assembly is fully deployed on the body of water, the mattress is brought to its operating pressure and the flaps are deployed to rest on the edges or coping of the pool.

[0048] Other advantageous details and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of an example of an embodiment of the invention with reference to [Fig.1], which represents a perspective view of a diagram of an inflatable assembly according to the invention.

[0049] Fig. 1 is not shown to scale to simplify understanding.

[0050] 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 Fig. 1 which comes into contact with the water.

[0051] The inflatable mattress 2 is made from sheets of woven PVC (woven polyvinyl chloride) with a thickness of approximately 500 microns.

[0052] An inflation valve, not shown in [Fig.1], is present on one side of the mattress 2. The valve can be connected to a compressor to inflate the mattress.

[0053] The inflatable mattress 2 consists of two sheets of woven PVC, one forming the surface 4, visible when the inflatable mattress is in use, the other forming the 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 length of woven PVC sheet folded and 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.

[0054] The inflatable mattress 2 has a length of 12 meters, a width of 7.5 meters and a height approximately 20 centimeters.

[0055] The inflatable assembly 1 further comprises two flaps 7 attached to the inflatable mattress 2, forming the lateral edges of the inflatable assembly when deployed. These flaps are made of the same material as the inflatable mattress 2 and are attached to it with Velcro®-type fastening systems, not shown in [Fig. 1].

[0056] The width of each of the flaps 7 is approximately 50 centimeters. The length of the flaps 7 is the same as that of the mattress and is 12 meters.

[0057] These flaps 7 are folded over the inflatable mattress 2 during its deployment and inflation to avoid disrupting this deployment by causing friction on the edges of the pool. After the mattress 2 is fully inflated, the flaps 7 are unfolded to rest on the coping stones surrounding the body of water.

[0058] These flaps help to complete the coverage of this body of water to prevent heat loss.

[0059] Handling tests were carried out with an inflatable assembly as shown in [Fig. 1]. The flaps are attached to the inflatable mattress with Velcro® fasteners, each part being pre-welded to the flaps and to the mattress. 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 measuring approximately 96 m², 12 meters long and 8 meters wide, with its edges above the water level on all four sides. The start of inflation causes the mattress to expand, which exerts a pulling force on the two rollers between which the inflatable assembly passes, unfurling over the water. When the inflatable assembly is fully deployed over the pool, the mattress is inflated to a pressure between 200 and 250 millibars.The two splash guards are then deployed on the pool coping. To ensure that the splash guards cannot be folded back, for example by the wind, weights can be placed at intervals depending on the length of the pool. These weights are positioned to hold the splash guards in place on the coping.

[0060] The setup time for two people was approximately 30 minutes. Folding the entire unit, which requires folding the flaps onto the mattress, deflating it, and then folding it, takes 45 minutes.

[0061] The example of an inflatable assembly tested with the two bibs confirmed the feasibility of setting up without friction on the edges of the basin.

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 on the axially external part of the external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water (3), at least one flap (7) attached to said external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water (3) and in that said at least one flap (7) is removably attached to the inflatable mattress (2) by a connecting device comprising at least two separable parts.

2. Inflatable assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one inflatable mattress (2) has on the axially outer part of the external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with water (3), two flaps (7) linked to said external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with water (3).

3. Inflatable assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one flap (7) extends along the length of the inflatable mattress (2) on the lateral edges of the inflatable mattress (2).

4. Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one bib (7) has a length at least equal to that of said inflatable mattress (2).

5. Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said connecting device comprising at least two separable parts is of the velcro® type.

6. Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the films of flexible material forming the surfaces 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.

7. An inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one bib (7) is made with a film made of flexible material and in that said film made of flexible material is a polymer material such as polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

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