US2912703A - Swimming pool cover - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1959 w. A. MURPHY swmmmc; POOL COVER Filed Nov. 4, 1957 F IG. 2.

INVENT OR.

WILL/AM A. MURPHY Arromvzys United States Patent C) SWIMMING POOL COVER William A. Murphy, New Hyde Park, N.Y.

Application November 4, 1957, Serial No. 694,184

2 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) The present invention relates to swimming pools, par-- ticularly of the home type, and is concerned primarily with a pool covering element that is adapted to function as a shade or awning.

At the present time, the use of swimming pools in conjunction with the average home is becoming more and more widespread. It may be stated as a general rule that such swimming pools are ordinarily of comparatively small extent as compared to public swimming pools.

When a home has a swimming pool as an adjunct there to, there are many occasions when it is not in use and it is desirable that it be covered. The covering of the swimming pool will eliminate the hazard for children who might accidentally fall into the same, and will also prevent rain water, leaves, dirt, and other foreign matter from getting into the pool. On the other hand, when the pool is in use, it is desirable that a shade or awning be located conveniently close thereto for the convenience of the bathers.

With the foregoing conditions in mind, the present invention has in view as its foremost objective the provision of a cover for a swimming pool that is also adapted to be supported in an npraised position at a side of the pool, in which position it functions as a shade or awning.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision of a cover element of the character aforesaid which has pivotally connected thereto a pair of supporting members the lower ends of which are pivotally connected at a side of the pool so that the cover may be swung down into position covering the open top of the pool or may be swung upwardly to one side and supported in an upraised position by the pivotal members.

Another object in view is to provide a cover for a swimming pool which cover includes a framework having parallel longitudinal members and parallel transverse members. Extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal members is one or more supporting struts. Supporting members which have their lower ends pivotally mounted on a side of the pool have their upper ends connected to the supporting strut or struts by swivel connections. The framework is covered by an appropriate fabric or plastic which may find additional support from cross ribs which extend between the sides of the frame.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cover for a swimming pool of the character aforesaid in which auxiliary supports are connected at their upper ends to a side of the cover frame by swivel connections and the lower ends of which are received in sockets that are provided in the structure or foundation surrounding the pool.

In order to provide the safety factor to the highest degree possible and prevent children from obtaining access to the pool when such is not desired, locks may be provided at both sides for securely locking the cover in closed position.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment, will ICC in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a cover fora swimming pool that includes supporting structure whereby the cover may be either positioned in closing position over the top of the pool or in an erected position at one side where it constitutes a shade or awning.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a swimming pool for which a cover is provided in accordance with the precepts of this invention and with the cover shown in erected position at one side of the pool;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken about on the plane represented by the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and depicting in phantom outline an intermediate position of the cover as it is being swung down into poolclosing position;

Figure 3 is another perspective illustrating the cover in position closing off the open top of the pool; and

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section taken about on the plane represented by the line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, and first more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, a base or foundation in which a swimming pool is formed is identified by the reference character 10. It will be understood that this base may be concrete or simply soil that may be covered with an appropriate upper surface such as brick or tile. The swimming pool is referred to in its entirety by the reference character P and comprises end walls 11 and 12, side walls 13 and 14, and a bottom 15. This rectangular formation of the pool P is the shape which is most widely used in home swimming pools.

The top edges of the side walls 13 and 14 are provided with hasps 15 and 16 for a purpose to be later described. Extending inwardly from the exposed or inner face of the side wall 14 and adjacent to the upper edge thereof are two pairs of spaced ears designated 17 and 18, respectively. The cars 17 are spaced a slight distance from the end wall 12; while the cars 18 are spaced a slight distance from the end wall 11.

A cover is referred to in its entirety by the reference character C. The cover C comprises a rectangular framework having a shape similar to that of the pool P but being somewhat larger than the internal dimensions thereof so that the cover C, when in closed or pool-covering position, will have its marginal edges supported by the foundation 10 about the pool. This framework ispreferably made of metallic tubing and comprises end pieces 19 and 20, side pieces 21 and 22, a supporting strut23, and crossed ribs 24 that are slightly arched or bowed. It will be noted that the supporting strut 23 is also bowed at each and adjacent to its joinder to the end pieces 19 and 20 and the side pieces 21 and 22 by the thread or cord depicted at 27 which passes about the side or end pieces and through openings in the canopy'much in the manner of stitching. This canopy is supported in the curved position illustrated by the ribs 24 and-supporting strut 23.

A pair of main supporting members are designated 29 and 30. The lower end of the member 29 is received between the spaced ears 17 and a pivot pin passed through aligned openings to establish a pivotal connection at this point. The upper end of the member 29 carries a T fitting 31 the cross-head of which is a tubular sleeve that is swivelly mounted on the strut 23.

In a similar manner, the lower end of the member 30 is received between the ears 18 and a pivot pin passed between the aligned openings to establish a pivotal connection at this point. The upper end of the support 30 carries a T fitting corresponding to the one shown at 331 which establishes a swivel connection with the strut 23.

A pair of auxiliary supports are designated 32 and 33. The upper end of the support 32 carries a T fitting 34 which presents a crosshead in the form of a sleeve which receives the side piece 22 to establish a swivel connection therewith. The upper end of the auxiliary support 33 carries a similar T fitting which also provides a swivel connection with the side piece 22.

At appropriate points in the base of foundation and located in proper relation with respect to the side wall 14 of the pool P are sockets 35 and 36. The lower ends of the auxiliary supports 32 and 33 are adapted to be received in these sockets 35 and 36 when the cover C is erected at one side of the pool in the manner shown in Figure l.

Carried by the side piece 27 is a hasp 37 which is adapted to coincide with the hasp 15 on the side wall 13 when the cover is in pool-closing position; and another hasp 38 is provided on the side piece 22 for cooperation with the hasp l6. Padlocks, such as shown at 39 and 40 in Figure 3, may be passed through each pair of hasps to lock the cover in pool-closing position.

Operation While the mode of operation and manner of using the pool cover of this invention is believed to be obvious from the illustration of the drawings and description of parts given, they may be briefly outlined as follows.

When the cover C is in erected or elevated position at one side of the pool P in which it functions as an awning or shade, the lower ends of the auxiliary supports 32 and 33 are received in the sockets 35 and 36, respectively. In this position, the cover C provides a shaded area at one side of the pool for the convenience of the bathers.

During periods when the pool is not to be used and it is desired to cover the same, the lower ends of the auxiliary supports 32 and 33 are first lifted out of the sockets 35 and 36 and the cover C then swung down into the position of Figures 3 and 4 in the manner depicted in phantom outline in Figure 2. This swinging movement is accommodated by the pivotal connections of the lower ends of the supports 29 and to the side 14 of the pool at 117 and 18 and by the swivel connections of the upper ends of these supports 29 and 30 provided by the T fittings 31.

When the cover C has reached pool-closing position as depicted in Figure 3, the hasp 37 will be closely adjacent to the hasp 15 and the hasp 38 closely adjacent to the hasp 16. The padlocks 39 and 40 are then applied to securely lock the cover in this position and prevent children or unauthorized persons from obtaining access to the pool.

It is evident that, with the cover C in the position depicted in Figures 3 and 4, any possibility of children accidentally falling into the pool is definitely precluded; and an effective shield against rain Water, dirt, leaves, or other foreign matter entering the pool is provided.

When the pool is again to be used, the padlocks 39 and 40 are removed and the cover C can be swung into the position of Figure 1 and the lower ends of the auxiliary supports 32 and 33 again placed in the sockets and 36. As is evident from the chair 50 in Figs. 1 and 3, furniture or other apparatus near the pool present no obstacle to operation of the instant device.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the cover C is shown as a single unit covering ail the entire pool. It is evident, however, that the cover may be provided in sections, with the two sections located on opposite sides of the pool. Such an arrangement would be particularly desirable in pools of larger extent. In that case, each section of the cover could be of exactly the same construction above described and illustrated in the drawing. and the operation would be the same. Of course, the device could be constructed in sections on the same side of the pool if desired.

While a. preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, proportions, and devices illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a foundation formed with a swimming pool including a side wall having a top edge, a pair of elements of pivotal connections on said side wall adjacent to said top edge and in spaced relation, a cover for said pool comprising a framework including end pieces, side pieces, and a supporting strut having its ends secured to said end pieces and in parallel relation to said side pieces, a pair of main supports having their upper ends swivelly connected to said supporting strut and their lower ends connected to said elements of pivotal connections, and a pair of auxiliary supports swivelly connected at their ends to one of said side pieces and having lower ends adapted for supporting engagement with said foundation, the said foundation being provided with sockets for receiving the lower ends of said auxiliary supports.

2. In combination, a swimming pool defined by a cavity opening upward through a ground surface, a cover extending generally horizontally across said swimming pool and resting on said ground surface, an elongate sup port extending generally horizontally beneath said cover having one end pivoted to one side wall of said cavity adjacent to said ground surface and having its other end extending toward and terminating short of the opposite side wall of said cavity and pivoted to said cover at a location spaced between said one and other cavity side walls, said cover being movable from its horizontal position extending across said pool and resting on said ground surface upward and sideward to a horizontal position spaced over said ground surface along one side of said pool upon upward swinging movement of said support about its pivotal connection to said one cavity side wall, and an auxiliary elongate support having one end pivotally connected to said cover at a location spaced from the pivotal connection of said cover and first mentioned support and having its other end adapted for supporting engagement with said ground surface when said cover is in its upwardly moved position, said auxiliary support being pivotally connected to said cover at a location thereon adjacent to said one side of said pool when said cover is in position across said pool, and an upstanding socket fixed to said ground surface on said one side of said pool and spaced from the latter for removably receiving said other end of said auxiliary support when said cover is moved upward.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,542,605 Werner Feb. 20, 1951 2,701,135 Balestrieri Feb. 1, 1955 2,701,881 McGee lFeb. 15, 1955

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