US3021530A - Combination awning and swimming pool cover - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1962 s. E. SEARS COMBINATION AWNING AND SWIMMING POOL COVER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

Filed March 21, 1960 INVENTOR. SAM E SEA e s Feb. 20, 1962 s, SEARS 3,021,530

COMBINATION AWNING AND SWIMMING POOL COVER Filed March 21, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 25 /7 25 l "20 l 20 H ISM? H l5 215i 6! BF IV F 4| E616 :QL

INVENTOR.

5AM E 354/88 ,47 roam/Ex FIG. 5'

Feb. 20, 1962 I s. E. SEARS 3,021,530

COMBINATION AWNING AND SWIMMING POOL COVER Filed March 21, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 5AM E SEA/BS 014/ 4 ATTOB/VEYS 3,021,534) CGMBMATION AWNWG AND SWIliG PGGL COVER Sam E. ears, 444 G t., San Diego, Calif. Filed Mar. 21, 19:50, Ser. No. 16,561 6 Claims. (Cl. 4l72) This invention relates to combination awning and swimming pool covers, and included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a combination awning and swimming pool cover which provides efficient and dependable protection to prevent small children from using or falling into an unattended swimming pool; but also protects the swimming pool from growth of algae or other organisms responsive to sunlight, or contamination of the swimming pool by dirt, leaves, or trash.

Second, to provide a combination awning and swimming pool cover which in one position fits over and covers a swimming pool and which may be raised and turned, if desired, to form an awning or sunshade over the pool itself, or over an adjacent area.

Third, to provide a structure of this type which may be supported from and rotated about a single pillar when raised, and rest by its margins on the margins of a swimming pool when lowered.

Fourth, to provide a swimming pool cover which is readily capable of manipulation so as to pass under a diving board projecting from a side of the swimming pool.

Fifth, to provide a structure of this type which is inherently capable of being counter-balanced, so as to minimize the effort required to manipulate it between its swimming pool covering position and its elevated sunshade functioning portion.

Sixth, to provide a structure of this type which may be adapted to fit swimming pools of various shapes and sizes, and particularly, when used for swimming pools of large size, may be provided with auxiliary folding posts or legs for support in its elevated position.

With the above and other objects in view, as: may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a reduced plan view of the combination awning and swimming pool, the awning and swimming pool cover being shown by solid lines in its position over a swimming pool, the awning and swimming pool cover being shown by broken lines in a partially offset and a completely ofiset position with respect to the swimming pool;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1, showing the cover structure and its frame and also showing the supporting post;

FIGURE 3 is a further enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken through 33 of FIGURE 2, showing the journal post and the adjacent vertical guide members;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, elevational view taken from the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 with the awning or cover structure shown in its raised position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view through 5-5 of FIGURE 3 showing the manner in which one of the bracket members is guided in the vertical guide member;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken from 6-6 of FIGURE 1 showing the awning and swimming pool cover in its raised position; and illustrating particularly one of the foldable legs which may be employed, particularly in the support of larger sizes of awning and swimming pool covers;

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatical plan view similar to 3,2l,53 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 cludes three L-shaped bracket members 1, which may be channel-shaped in cross section. Each bracket member includes a horizontal leg '2 which is adapted to span a swimming pool, preferably across the width thereof. Each bracket member 1 also includes a vertical leg 3 of shorter length than the horizontal leg 2.

The bracket members 1 support transverse beams 4 which extend from the bracket members to the end of the swimming pool A to be covered. The cross beams 4 support a covering 5 which may be formed of sheet metal, such as aluminum, or may be formed of plastic material. Tension cables 6 extend from the upper ends of the two outside bracket members 1 to the far corners of the covering 5 and to intermediate points along the far side of the covering, as shown in FIGURE 1. The tension cables may be provided with turnbuckles 7. The upper extremities of the bracket members 1 are joined together by a cross brace 8.

The outside bracket members 1 are adapted to 'be guided by their vertical legs 3 in vertical guide tracks 9. These guide tracks may be channel-shaped with inturned margins 10. The upper and lower extremities of the vertical guide legs 3, of the outside bracket members 1, are provided with rollers ll arranged in pairs and connected by axles 12. The rollers fit between the inturned flanges 10 and the opposite wall of the vertical guide tracks 9, as shown best in FIGURE 3.

The two vertical guide tracks 9 are joined together by two or more cross yokes 13 which have journal apertures 14 at their central portions. The journal apertures 14 are adapted to fit rotatably on a vertically disposed journal post 15, the lower end of which is anchored in the ground at one side of the swimming pool A. The journal post 15 may be provided with one or more collars 16 which underlie corresponding cross yokes 13, so that the vertical tracks 9 are supported by the journal post 15. By reason of the vertical guide tracks 9 and the journal post 15, the cover structure comprising the bracket members 1, cross beams 4, and covering 5 may be raised and lowered by vertical travel of the legs 3 in the guide tracks 9 and may be rotated about the axis of the journal post 15.

In order to facilitate vertical movement of the cover structure, a sheave 17 is supported from the uppermost cross yoke 13 over the upper end of the journal post 15. A counterbalance cable 18 passes over the sheave l7 and is connected by one end to the central bracket member and by its other end to a counterbalance weight 19 vertically movable within the journal post 15. For this purpose the journal post 15 is preferably tubular.

Attached to the vertical legs 3 of the outside bracket members 1 is a pair of elevating cables 20 which pass upwardly and are wrapped on drums 21. The drums 21 are joined together by a connecting shaft 22 and are supported by brackets 23 from their respective guide tracks 9, as shown best in FIGURE 4. The connecting shaft 22 is provided at one end with a gear unit 24, preferably one employing a worm gear. The gear unit is driven by an operating shaft 25 which extends downwardly along one side of one of the guide tracks 9 and is provided at its lower end with a suitable crank handle 26. By turning the crank handle, the drums 21 may be rotated and the covering structure may be raised or lowered. By the use of the worm gear drive, the covering structure is readily locked in any selected position.

The cover structure is supported in a horizontal position by means of the vertical legs 3 and the tension cables 6. However, particularly in the construction of larger sizes of combined awning and swimming pool covers, it is desirable to provide folding legs 27 at the remote corners of the cover structure, as shown fragmentarily in FIGURE 6. These legs 27 are folded when the cover structure is in its lower position over the swimming pool, such as the position shown in FIGURE 2, and may be pivoted to supporting positions when the cover structure is raised.

Operation of the combination awning and swimming pool cover is as follows:

The structure is dimensioned so as to be slightly larger than the dimensions of a swimming pool. If the swimming pool is rectangular in shape, the cover structure may also be rectangular in shape. However, if the swimming pool is semicircular at its ends, the cover structure may also have semicircular ends. In fact, the cover structure may have any desired contour so as to correspond to the contour of the pool which it is intended to cover.

When the cover structure is in its lower position, such as shown in FIGURE 2, its margins rest on the margins of the swimming pool so as to serve not only to protect the swimming pool from exposure to sunlight and thus the growth of algae, but also to keep out dirt, leaves, and trash. And still of greater importance, the cover when in it lower position prevents the use of the swimming pool by small children who might drown should the swimming pool be unattended.

When it is desired to utilize the swimming pool, the cover structure may be merely raised to an elevated position, in which case the swimming pool is shaded by the cover. However, if it is desired to expose the pool to sunlight or to provide a covered area at one side of the pool, it is merely necessary to rotate the cover structure and vertical guide tracks about the axis of the journal post to any of the positions represented by the broken lines in FIGURE 1. While this may be readily accom plished manually by merely pulling the structure about the axis of the journal post, a drive means for this purpose, such as the drive means represented by the gear unit 24- and operating shaft 25, may be utilized. Also, if desired, conventional geared electric motor drives may be provided.

Reference is now directed to the construction shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. In order to readily operate the larger sizes of the combination awning and swimming pool cover, it is desirable to so support the cover structure as to minimize the lateral load placed on the rollers 11. To accomplish this, a beam 28 is mounted in the uppermost cross yoke 13 so as to extend horizontally over the central portion of the cover structure. A vertical post 29 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the two upper cross yokes 13 and projects above the journal post 15. A strut or brace 30 extends from the upper end of the post 29 to the extended end of the beam 28. With this arrangement it will be seen that the beam 28 rotates about the post 15 with the cover structure.

In place of the cable 18 and pulley or sheave 17, a pulley 31, which may be connected to the post 29, is positioned above the journal post 15, and a second pulley 32 is supported by the beam 28 vertically above the center of gravity of the cover structure. A cable 33 attached to the weight 19 passes over the pulley or sheave 31 or 32 and may extend downwardly for attachment to the center of the cover structure, as indicated in part by broken lines in FIGURE 8. However, it is preferred to utilize a multiple sheave pulley 32 and provide four cables 33a extending an equal distance laterally to appropriate points on the cover structure, as shown in FIGURE 7, so as to stabilize the cover structure.

In addition to the drums 21, there may be provided on the shaft 22 at its central portion a drum 34 supported by a bracket 35 from the post 23. A cable 36 is wrapped about the drum 34 and extends outwardly above the beam 28 and around a pulley or sheave 37 located at the extremity of the beam 28. The cable 36 extends downwardly and is attached to the cover structure, as shown in FIGURE 8.

It will be observed that, by reason of the beam 23 and the manner in which the counterbalance weight 19 is connected through the cable 33 or cables 33a to the cover structure, the cover structure is supported in a substantially balanced condition so that lateral loads on the rollers 11 are largely eliminated; and particularly the cover structures of large size pools raise and lower freely. It will be also observed that the cable 36 also aids in this manner. As a consequence, either the cable 36 or 33, or the cables 33a, may be omitted if desired. Still further, it should be observed that these cables may be interchanged, that is, the cable 36 may be connected to the counterbalance weight 19 and the cable 33 connected to the drum 34.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the construction set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A swimming pool cover, comprising: a frame structure dimensioned to span a swimming pool; a covering for said frame structure; a post at one side of said frame structure; vertical guide means at opposite sides of said post, said guide means being supported from and rotatable about said post; bracket means having vertical legs extending vertically from said frame structure and adapted to be guided vertically and carried by said guide means to raise and lower said flame structure, said bracket means and frame structure also being rotatable with said guide means about said post, whereby said frame structure and covering may be raised and lowered relative to a swimming pool and rotated to positions at least partially displaced from said swimming pool.

2. A swimming pool cover, comprising: a frame structure dimensioned to span a swimming pool; a covering for said frame structure; a post at one side of said frame structure; vertical guide means at opposite sides of said post, said guide means being supported from and rotatable about said post; bracket means having vertical legs extending vertically fromsaid frame structure, said legs being connected with and vertically guided by said guide means to raise and lower said frame structure, said bracket means and frame structure also being rotatable with said guide means about said post, whereby said frame structure and covering may be raised and lowered relative to a swimming pool and rotated to positions at least partially displaced from said swimming pool; a counterbalance weight slidable in said post; and sheave and cable means connecting said weight and frame structure thereby to counterbalance the weight of said frame structure.

3. A swimming pool cover, comprising: a frame structure dimensioned to span a swimming pool; a covering for said frame structure; spaced vertical brackets extending upwardly from the midportion of one side of said frame structure; tension elements extending from said brackets to remote stations on said frame structure; vertical guide means for said vertical brackets; and roller means between said brackets and said guide means whereby said brackets are vertically movable, thereby to raise and lower said frame structure, said tension elements adapted to hold saidframe structure in a substantially horizontal position.

4. A swimming pool cover, comprising: a frame structure dimensioned to span a swimming pool; a covering for said frame structure; spaced vertical brackets extending upwardly from the midportion of one side of said frame structure; tension elements extending from said brackets to remote stations on said frame structure; vertical guide means for said vertical brackets; roller means between said brackets and said guide means whereby said brackets are vertically movable, thereby to raise and lower said frame structure, said tension elements adapted to hold said frame structure in a substantially horizontal position; a vertical post between said guide means; and means for journaling said guide means about the axis of said post, thereby to move said frame structure and its covering into and out of vertical registry with said swimming pool.

5. A swinmiing pool cover, comprising: a frame structure dimensioned to span a swimming pool; a covering for said frame structure; spaced vertical brackets extending upwardly from the Inidpor'tion of one side of said frame structure; tension elements extending from said brackets to remote stations on said frame structure; vertical guide means for said vertical brackets; roller means between said brackets and said guide means where by said brackets are vertically movable, thereby to raise and lower said frame structure, said tension elements adapted to hold said frame structure in a substantially horizontal position; a vertical post between said guide means; means for journaling said guide means about the axis of said post, thereby to move said frame structure and its covering into and out of vertical registry with said swimming pool; and foldable legs at the remote portions of said frame structure from said post to assist said 6 post in the support of said frame structure when said frame structure is elevated.

6. A displaceable cover structure, comprising: a vertical post; a structural beam; means for rotatably supporting said beam at the upper end of said post; cross yokes also rotatably supported on said post and extending laterally therefrom; vertical guide means carried by the extremities of said cross yokes; bracket means vertically movable in said guide means; a frame supported by said bracket means; a covering for said frame disposed under said beam; said beam, cross yokes, guide means, bracket means, frame, and covering being rotatable in unison about said post; flexible means extending from said frame and covering to said beam; and means for applying a force on said flexible means to raise said frame and covering.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,720,081 Kornsweet July 9, 1929 2,212,711 MacIsaac Aug. 27, 1940 2,482,211 Reichardt Sept. 30, 1949 2,701,881 McGee Feb. 15, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 681,155 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1952

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