Screen for swimming pool apron incorporating filtration grids in its central and / or peripheral part.

Abstract

A pool cover screen incorporating filtration grids in its central and / or peripheral section. The invention relates to a screen (1) for a floating pool cover (2), comprising a waterproof fabric, the central section of which is intended to cover the surface of the cover and the peripheral section of which is intended to conform to the vertical walls of the pool basin, at least the central section comprising at least one filtration grid (3) allowing the filtration and drainage of rainwater. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Screen for swimming pool apron integrating filtration grids in its central and / or peripheral part. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of additional protective devices for swimming pool cover slats, commonly called screens or protective screens. Previous technique

[0002] Pool cover slats, which can be automatically deployed, constitute a type of pool cover. Their main functions are to ensure the safety of people in case of a fall into the pool, and to provide thermal protection for the pool water.

[0003] The major drawback of a deck is that it does not by itself protect the water in the basin from external pollution (leaves, debris, etc.) which, once on the deck, can enter the basin, particularly following bad weather, and pollute the water in this basin.

[0004] French patent FR2879 640B1 proposes a screen that solves this problem: this screen consists of a waterproof fabric which, in its installed configuration, extends over the pool deck, and which includes filtration grids in its peripheral section that, in its installed configuration, conform to the vertical walls of the pool. However, in the event of heavy rain, a significant amount of water can accumulate in the central part of the screen and put mechanical stress on it. Furthermore, the filtration grids are added to the periphery of the waterproof fabric by sewing or gluing, which is very expensive in terms of materials used and manufacturing process costs.

[0005] French patent FR3044 694B1 describes a device for retaining a watertight protective screen for automatic pool cover slats, which comprises, both in its central and peripheral parts, large-diameter circular holes forming vents, typically on the order of 2 cm, intended for rainwater drainage. These holes do not allow for efficient and fine filtration of impurities and debris falling onto the screen, and allow a large number of impurities of significant size to pass through.

[0006] French patent FR2840 937B1 describes a flexible, floating bubble cover that covers The entire surface of the water in a swimming pool, with its perimeter conforming to the vertical walls of the pool. The perimeter of this floating cover is perforated with several holes, which prove inefficient at draining a significant volume of water. In fact, drainage can only occur under certain conditions. that the water reaches a certain height. Furthermore, piercing a bubble material, all around the perimeter of the tarpaulin, becomes a complicated and expensive operation.

[0007] The product marketed under the name PROTECT ONE is a cover to be placed on a pool cover, the central part of which includes large diameter circular holes, on the order of 2 cm, in order to ensure ventilation and drainage of rainwater.

[0008] These holes do not allow fine filtration of small impurities.

[0009] There is therefore a need to further improve the protective screens for pool cover slats, in particular to guarantee both: - Fine filtration of impurities present on the screen in its installed configuration, i.e. deployed on a shutter curtain, - Efficient drainage of large volumes of water, particularly those brought by heavy rainfall, - And the achievement of these efficient filtration and evacuation functions by more economical means.

[0010] The object of the invention is to meet, at least in part, this need(s). Description of the invention

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a screen for a pool cover, comprising a waterproof fabric, the central part of which is intended to completely cover the surface of the cover, and the peripheral part of which is intended to conform to the vertical walls of the pool basin, at least the central part comprising at least one specific surface perforated with a multitude of small holes, a surface called a filtration grid, ensuring the filtration and drainage of rainwater. This multitude of small holes is perforated simultaneously using a specific tool.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the screen comprises a plurality of filtration grids distributed over the surface of the central part.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least part of the holes of a filter grid is arranged in the peripheral part and at least another part of the holes of the same grid is arranged in the central part.

[0014] Advantageously, the perforation dimensions of the holes in a filter grid are between 2 x 2mm and 15 x 15mm, or are holes of equivalent section.

[0015] Advantageously, the number of holes in a filter grid is between 3 and 30

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the holes of at least one filter grid are arranged relative to each other so as to form a pattern, in particular a decorative and / or visual indicator. A pattern may advantageously be a representation of an object, an animal, or a logo, or a symbol, or a proper name.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one filter grid is made of a pre-perforated fabric, called an added filter grid, and fixed directly, in particular by gluing, sewing or welding, in a through opening made in the waterproof fabric on its central or peripheral part or both.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment, at least one filtration grid is made directly by perforations in the waterproof fabric.

[0019] The invention further relates to a method for producing a screen as described above, comprising a step of perforating at least a plurality of holes in the central and / or peripheral part of the waterproof fabric, using a perforation tool with at least two removable jaws, facing each other, in which removable punch-type dies are mounted to slide, in order to perforate said waterproof fabric by pressure. In order to minimize the time required to perforate the screen with the holes for each of the filter grids, an advantageous method is to make all the holes in a single operation.

[0020] Thus, the invention essentially consists of a protective screen to be deployed on a floating pool cover on the surface of a swimming pool. This screen is made of a waterproof and opaque film, typically of a synthetic material known for this purpose, such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.

[0021] To prevent rainwater from flowing directly into the swimming pool basin without prior filtration, the screen comprises a single-piece peripheral portion designed to conform to the vertical walls of the inner edges of the basin, in the screen's installed configuration. The screen can be tensioned and held in place by known fastening means, such as those described in FR2879 640B1 and FR3044 694B1, or by other means.

[0022] In order to both drain and filter rainwater present on the screen, particularly after heavy rainfall, the central part of the screen is equipped with filtration grids that simultaneously perform these two functions. These filtration grids are preferably made by perforations directly into the screen fabric. The perforations may be circular, square, or other cross-sectional holes.

[0023] The number of these filter grids is sufficient to ensure, in all weather conditions, the evacuation of rainwater.

[0024] In fact, the number of these filter screens depends on the discharge capacity of each one, which is itself directly related to the number of holes (nt) per filter screen, and preferably the diameter (dt) of each of these holes when they are circular and of the same diameter. Thus, a relationship can be defined to ensure a capacity under all circumstances. evacuation (CE) of the screen according to the invention following heavy rain according to the following equation 1:

[0025] [Equation 1]

[0026] CE=nt x (dt)2 x nG x coefficient.

[0027] Where nG expresses the number of identical filter grids made in a given screen.

[0028] CE thus defines a constant in liters / minute. The value of this constant applied to a given screen is variable and can be fixed according to the different climatic conditions from one region or country to another in terms of rainfall.

[0029] The invention offers numerous advantages over the prior art, including:

[0030] - A fine, very efficient filtration of impurities that reach the screen; - Very efficient drainage of rainwater volumes, especially in the event of severe weather; - Low material and manufacturing process costs.

[0031] Other advantages and features will become clearer upon reading the detailed description, given by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the following figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of a swimming pool equipped with an automatic cover apron on which a protective screen according to the invention is extended.

[0033] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detailed top view of a protective screen with a filtration grid according to the invention forming a pattern.

[0034] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tool perforation for making the filtration grids according to the invention.

[0035] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a top view of a protective screen according to a variant of realization of the invention, having filtration grids attached to cutouts in the airtight screen. Detailed description

[0036] For the sake of clarity, the same references designating the same elements according to the invention are used for all figures 1 to 4.

[0037] Fig. 1 represents a screen 1 of waterproof fabric in installed configuration, the central part of which completely covers an apron 2 of a pool cover itself covering the upper surface of a pool basin, and the peripheral part of which follows the vertical walls of the pool basin.

[0038] According to the invention, at least the central part incorporates a plurality of filtration grids 3, in order to filter impurities, and to evacuate rainwater.

[0039] Each filter grid 3 occupies a portion of the central part of the screen and comprises a plurality of small-diameter holes. The filter grids 3 in the central part of the screen not only allow for fine and highly efficient filtration of impurities but also, in all circumstances of rain or storms, ensure the evacuation of the corresponding water without accumulation on the apron.

[0040] The holes in each filter grid 3 can have varying dimensions and shapes. Preferably, the holes are circular, with a minimum diameter of 2 mm, and up to 15 mm, in order to meet the requirements for fine filtration and efficient drainage of rainwater.

[0041] Preferably, the minimum number of holes for a given filter grid is equal to 3.

[0042] The maximum number of holes per filter grid is not limited because it depends on the total number of filter grids 3 on a given screen 1. This total number depends on the intended use of the screen and the rainfall conditions it may encounter.

[0043] The filter grids can be distributed over the entire surface of the central part of the screen 1. Preferably, at least part of the filter grid holes can be arranged at the periphery of the central part, i.e. in a horizontal area resting on the apron 2 in the installed configuration, up to the junction with the peripheral part following the vertical walls of the basin or a plurality of the holes of this same filter grid are made.

[0044] Figure 2 illustrates a variant in which the arrangement of the holes in one or more filter grids creates a pattern of a particular shape. Examples include, but are not limited to, patterns representing objects, animals, logos, proper names, etc.

[0045] In order to easily and in a single operation, pierce all the holes in a given filter grid, a perforation tool 5 can be used as shown in [Fig. 3]. This tool can be a known type of clamp, comprising two removable jaws 6 facing each other, each of which has holes in which removable punch-type punches 7 are mounted to slide. Applying a force F to the punches 7 causes them to slide into a position for perforating the screen fabric 1.

[0046] As shown in [Fig. 4], the added filter grids 8 can be pieces of pre-perforated fabric which, after cutting corresponding openings in the screen fabric 1, are fixed directly onto these openings. By way of non-examples limiting their fixing can be done by gluing, sewing, welding ... The added filtration grids 8 can be placed on the central part of the screen 1 or straddling the central and peripheral part covering the vertical walls of the basin as shown in [Fig.4]

[0047] Other variants and improvements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Screen (1) for pool cover (2), comprising a waterproof fabric, the central part of which is intended to cover the surface of the cover and the peripheral part is intended to fit the vertical walls of the pool basin, characterized in that at least the central part includes at least one filtration grid (3) allowing the filtration and drainage of rainwater.

2. Screen according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of filter grids (3) distributed over the surface of the central part.

3. Screen according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the perforation dimensions of the holes of a filter grid (3) are between 2x2 mm and 15x15 mm, or holes of equivalent section.

4. Screen according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the number of holes in a filter grid (3) is between 3 and 30.

5. Screen according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a portion of the holes of a filter grid (3) is arranged in the peripheral part and at least another portion of the holes of the same grid is arranged in the central part.

6. Screen according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holes of at least one filter grid are arranged relative to each other so as to form a pattern, in particular a decorative and / or visual indication.

7. Screen according to claim 6, characterized in that a pattern which may be a representation of an object, an animal, or a logos, or a symbol, or a proper name.

8. Screen according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one added filter grid (8) made of a pre-perforated fabric, fixed directly, in particular by gluing, sewing or welding, in a through opening made in the waterproof fabric of the screen (1).

9. Screen according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one filter grid (3) is made directly by perforations in the waterproof fabric of the screen (1).

10. Method of making a screen (1) according to claim 9 characterized in that it comprises a step of perforating a plurality of holes in at least the central part of the waterproof fabric, by means of a perforation tool (5) with at least two removable jaws (6), facing each other and in which removable punches (7) of the punch type are mounted to slide in order to perforate said waterproof fabric by pressure.

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