Inflatable and walkable pool cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inflatable and walkable pool cover characterised in that it consists of an air chamber or mattress, equipped with an anti-bulging and stiffening system; a non-slip layer; a fastening system for fastening to the pool basin; a light pavement which allows use of the space occupied by the cover when the pool is not in use and which confers greater stiffness to the assembly; an inflation valve built into the body of the cover, and handling rings for handling the cover.

Description

[0001] INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE POOL COVER

[0002] DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY

[0003] Field of technology

[0004] The present invention relates to an inflatable and walkable cover system for swimming pools, specially designed so that the user can not only walk on its resistant surface, but also, as it has the characteristic of being inflatable, it allows considerable space savings for storage, as it does not have to have the same space outside the pool as that corresponding to the dimensions of the pool basin.

[0005] It also protects the pool water surface from evaporation, preserving the water temperature and preventing rain and dirt, as well as suspended particles, from entering the pool basin.

[0006] The inflatable and walkable pool cover, object of the present invention, has important technical advantages with respect to the current State of the Art, since as has been referred to in the preceding paragraph, it not only allows its transit, but unlike the pool covers built in a single block as in this case, it does not require the same space on the outside of the pool as that corresponding to the pool basin itself to be covered, precisely because of one of its most outstanding characteristics, which is that it is inflatable.

[0007] Another of its technical advantages is its ease of assembly and disassembly. Unlike other existing cover systems that require screws or other structures to store the cover when it is removed, this one is easily removed due to its low weight and can be folded once deflated.

[0008] This means that the inflatable, walkable cover does not require any manual or motorized collection system or storage structure for the entire unit. All that is required is the removal of air from its interior and its subsequent folding and storage wherever the user deems appropriate.

[0009] The generated deck surface is completely walkable, and it is even possible to install artificial grass paving on it to take advantage of the existing space when the pool is covered. This feature is very useful in pools installed in small gardens where outside the summer season the space occupied by the pool can be used for longer periods of time and in complete safety.

[0010] It is initially composed of an air chamber or mattress, airtrack type, 20 cm thick, composed of several layers of 2 mm PVC canvas with an anti-bulging “Drop Stitch” system and a layer of non-slip “EVA” rubber whose resistance and safety is solid enough to be used as a walking surface.

[0011] It should be noted that the present invention can be manufactured in any shape and size that the pool basin to be covered may have. In addition to the primary function described in the preceding paragraphs, the inflatable and walkable pool cover also has other features such as ease of assembly: simply fill the mattress with air and let it float over the pool.

[0012] Another consequence of using this type of cover is the preservation of the pool water temperature by having an air chamber above the water.

[0013] State of the art

[0014] The problem of pool covering has been addressed in other inventions, the most significant antecedents of which include the following:

[0015] Spanish utility model U201600552, entitled "Walkable, Telescopic, Heat-Repellent Pool Cover," discloses a walkable, telescopic pool covering system using a system of plastic sheets or slats and an iron or steel structure for the different modules that comprise the cover. It also requires the assembly of a system of rails and rollers mounted on the exterior perimeter of the pool.

[0016] European patent EP2352889 validated in Spain entitled “Raft cover device” discloses a covering system formed by roofing elements, which is capable of moving from a deployed position in which the roofing elements are arranged juxtaposed and in which the raft is covered, to a stacked position in which the roofing elements are arranged one on top of the other and in which the raft is partially or completely uncovered,said roofing elements comprising two transverse profiles reinforced with longitudinal crossbars with the end crossbars arranged at the ends of said profiles that will rest on the edge of the raft by means of rolling means consisting of casters characterized in that the casters are mounted on caster supports mounted in a foldable manner with respect to the end crossbars to allow their removal during stacking of the roofing elements.

[0017] The roofing elements are stacked inside a hole provided for this purpose, the depth depending on the height of the volume formed by the stacking of the roofing elements.

[0018] Part of the volume defined by the stacking is due in particular to the presence of rolling means that facilitate the translational movement of the roofing elements over the pool during their transition from one arrangement to another.

[0019] Spanish Patent P201530265 "Removable walkable pool cover" discloses a pool covering system composed of a series of rectangular structures whose ends are profiled to fit the edge of the pool basin. These structures (boards) are assembled together, allowing for greater stability of the assembly they form once placed on the pool basin to be covered. Once disassembled, they are stackable.

[0020] The European Patent validated in Spain with number EP3314074 “Cover for a swimming pool or a whirlpool bath and swimming pool or whirlpool bath provided with it” discloses a covering system using a system of relatively rigid slats, connected to each other that form a roll-up screen when it is removed from the pool when it is to be used manually or motorized.

[0021] The screen has two side edges, perpendicular to the side edges of the pool, the cover comprises a winding shaft, the first edge of the screen is connected to the winding shaft and the screen can be rolled and unrolled on the winding shaft, whereby the winding shaft can be moved horizontally so that the screen can be unrolled while the second edge is in a fixed position, and the cover is provided with means for exerting a rotational force on the winding shaft to thereby roll up the screen.

[0022] This allows the screen to be unrolled without it slipping along the edge of the hot tub or pool and causing damage, for example, because the second edge of the screen is held at or near an edge of the hot tub and with the roll-up shaft with the part of the screen that is still rolled up being able to move along the edge, whereby the roll-up shaft performs an essentially horizontal movement and the screen is placed over the edge of the hot tub or pool at this edge without horizontal movement.

[0023] In view of the above, all of them use a system consisting of different modules joined together that can be folded using a manual or motorized system in equivalent ways.

[0024] In the case of utility model U201600552 entitled “Walkable, telescopic and heat-insulated pool cover”, rectangular modules are used, at the support ends of which a rolling system is mounted that rests and slides on rails arranged for this purpose on the outer edge of the pool, with the modules being stacked at the ends of the pool basin.

[0025] In the case of European patent EP2352889 validated in Spain entitled “Raft cover device”, rectangular modules are used with a rolling system mounted on the support ends that rests directly on the edge of the pool, with the modules stacked at one end of the pool basin.

[0026] In the case of Spanish Patent P201530265 “Removable walkable pool cover”, two-legged boards are used on the edges of the pool that can be manually dismantled and stacked wherever the user deems appropriate.

[0027] In the case of the European Patent validated in Spain with number EP3314074 “Cover for a swimming pool or a whirlpool bath and a swimming pool or whirlpool bath provided with it”, relatively rigid slats connected to each other are used to form a roll-up screen that slides along the edge of the pool.

[0028] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the state of the art, since it is a system that can be installed in a pool of any imaginable geometry, which does not require support on the exterior of the same, eliminating obstacles arranged on the pavement surrounding the pool and allowing its removal and convenient storage once the air has been removed from its interior, since it is a pneumatic system, light weight and great rigidity. Furthermore, it allows the placement of an artificial turf pavement on it to take advantage of the existing space when the pool is covered. This feature is very useful in pools installed in small gardens where outside the summer season the space occupied by the pool can be used for longer periods and in complete safety.

[0029] Description of the invention

[0030] The invention relates to an inflatable pool cover made to measure for the geometry of any pool that allows traffic on it, comprising:

[0031] - An air chamber or mattress (1), airtrack type, with variable geometry depending on the measurements of the pool to be covered (8) and variable thickness depending on the loads to be applied, composed of a multi-layer PVC canvas (2) equipped with an anti-bulging “Drop Stitch” system (3) and internal stiffening by means of polyester threads intertwined with each other of the same length that, when inflated, are tightened, creating a resistant surface.

[0032] - A non-slip layer of EVA rubber or light and porous foam (4).

[0033] - A system for fastening to the pool basin using a heat-sealed flap (5).

[0034] - Handling rings (9) - A pavement (7) such as artificial grass or light platform pavement that allows the use of the space occupied by the cover during periods when the pool is not in use and that contributes to providing greater rigidity to the whole.

[0035] - An inflation valve (10) integrated into the body of the air mattress (1) that does not alter its surface and whose preferred location would be coincident with the skimmer area of ​​the pool (8) but could be in any other location adapted to the needs.

[0036] - An optional system for maintaining pressure connected to the inflation and deflation valve consisting of a pressure switch (11) and an air pump (12) that injects air if the pressure switch detects a drop in the internal pressure of the air mattress (1) or removes the air contained inside to facilitate its folding if required.

[0037] In another preferred embodiment the cover comprises:

[0038] - An air chamber or mattress (1), airtrack type, with variable geometry depending on the measurements of the pool to be covered (8) and variable thickness depending on the loads to be applied, composed of a multi-layer PVC canvas (2) equipped with an anti-bulging “Drop Stitch” system and internal stiffening by means of intertwined polyester threads (3) of the same length that, when inflated, are tightened, creating a resistant surface.

[0039] - A non-slip layer of EVA rubber or light and porous foam (4).

[0040] - A system for fastening to the pool basin by means of a heat-sealed flap (5) equipped with fixing eyelets (6).

[0041] - A pavement (7) such as artificial grass or light platform pavement that allows the use of the space occupied by the cover during periods when the pool is not in use and that contributes to providing greater rigidity to the whole.

[0042] - Some manipulation rings (9)

[0043] - An inflation valve (10) integrated into the body of the air mattress (1) that does not alter its surface and whose preferred location would be coincident with the skimmer area of ​​the pool (8) but could be in any other location adapted to the needs.

[0044] - An optional system for maintaining pressure connected to the inflation valve consisting of a pressure switch (11) and an air pump (12) that injects air if the pressure switch (11) detects a drop in the internal pressure of the air mattress (1) or removes the air contained inside to facilitate its folding if required.

[0045] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as the manner of its implementation in practice, it should be noted that the provisions indicated above and represented in the attached drawings are susceptible to modifications in detail as long as they do not alter the fundamental principle.

[0046] Brief description of the Figures

[0047] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the different elements that make up the cover, from the pool basin (8), the inflatable cover (1), the heat-sealed protective flap (5) and the artificial grass or light platform pavement (7) and the inflation valve (10) of the cover (1). A perspective view of the floating inflatable cover (1) is shown, with a typical pool geometry (8) (not binding, since the system is adaptable to any imaginable shape).

[0048] Figure 2 shows a perspective of the floating inflatable cover (1), with a typical pool geometry (8) (not binding, since the system is adaptable to any imaginable shape).

[0049] Figure 2 B shows a detailed section of the PVC layers (2) and anti-slip layer (4) that make it up and of the interior of the air mattress and its “Drop Stitch” anti-bulging system and stiffening by means of intertwined polyester threads (3).

[0050] Figure 3 shows a perspective of the floating inflatable cover (1), with a typical pool geometry (8) (not binding, since the system is adaptable to any imaginable shape) and the flap (5) heat-sealed around its perimeter.

[0051] Figure 4 shows a perspective of the floating inflatable cover (1), with a typical pool geometry (8) (not binding, since the system is adaptable to any imaginable shape) the flap (5) heat-sealed on its perimeter equipped with fixing eyelets (6).

[0052] Figure 5 shows a detail of the heat-sealed flap (5) provided with eyelets (6).

[0053] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the underside of the floating inflatable deck.

[0054] (1), with a typical pool geometry (8) (not binding, since the system is adaptable to any imaginable shape) and the handling rings (9) located in it.

[0055] Figure 7 shows a connection diagram of the optional automated pressure maintenance system consisting of a pressure switch (11) and an air pump (12) to the inflation valve (10) of the cover (1).

[0056] Figure references:

[0057] (1) Floating inflatable deck

[0058] (2) PVC layers

[0059] (3) “Drop Stitch” anti-bulging and stiffening system using intertwined polyester threads

[0060] (4) Anti-slip layer of EVA rubber or light and porous foam type

[0061] (5) Heat-sealed flap

[0062] (6) Fixing eyelets.

[0063] (7) Artificial grass type pavement or light platform type pavement (8) Swimming pool

[0064] (9) Handling rings

[0065] (10) Inflation valve (10) integrated into the body of the air mattress

[0066] (11) Pressure switch (12) Air pump

[0067] (13) Connecting hose

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR A POOL characterized by being made up of an air chamber or mattress (1), equipped with an anti-bulging and stiffening system; a non-slip layer (4); a system for fastening to the pool basin (5) or (6); a lightweight floor (7) that allows the use of the space occupied by the cover during periods when the pool is not in use and that contributes to providing greater rigidity to the whole; an inflation valve (10) integrated into the body of the cover and rings for handling the cover (9). 2.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR POOL according to claim 1, characterized in that the anti-bulging and stiffening system is carried out using polyester threads (3) intertwined with each other of the same length that, when inflated, are tightened, creating a resistant surface. 3.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR POOL according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-slip layer is made by using EVA rubber or light and porous foam (4) 4.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR POOL according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a fixing system by means of a heat-sealed flap (5) or a heat-sealed flap with fastening eyelets (6) that prevents the entry of dirt into the pool basin, thus keeping the water clean of external elements. 5.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR POOL according to claim 1, characterized in that on the cover there can be placed a pavement (7) of artificial grass type or light pavement of platform type that allows the use of the space occupied by the cover during the periods in which the pool is not used and that contributes to providing greater rigidity to the whole. 6.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR POOL according to claim 1, characterized in that as it is an inflatable cover, its removal and folding for storage is done manually using rings (9) of handling with little effort due to its low weight or by means of an air pump (12) that, in inflation mode, introduces air into the cover for its automatic deployment and maintenance of the internal pressure of the mattress (1), and in deflation mode, extracts the air from the cover facilitating its folding, which is completed by means of a manual or mechanical roller that rolls up the deflated cover for storage or manually. 7.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR POOL according to claim 1, characterized by being able to be provided with a system connected to the inflation valve (10) by means of a hose (13) for maintaining the air pressure formed by a pressure switch (11) programmed so that in case of detecting a drop in the internal air pressure of the cover, it orders the injection of air to an air pump (12) until reaching the programmed pressure. 8.- INFLATABLE AND WALKABLE COVER FOR POOL according to previous claims, characterized in that once inflated it becomes a rigid object that does not allow light to pass through, maintaining the microbiological conditions of the water contained in the pool bowl for longer.

Images