Pool Cover Assembly

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional No. 63/642,992, filed on May 6, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This invention relates generally to a pool cover assembly and more particularly to an elevatable pool cover assembly.

Pool covers minimize evaporation from both outdoor and indoor pools. Covering a pool when it is not in use is an effective means of reducing pool heating costs. Pool covers also keep leaves and debris out of the pool and increase the safety of every user accessing the pool area. A pool takes up a lot of area when not in use. Most pools use pool covers that are not load bearing. A load bearing pool cover can convert unusable space into usable space.

Accordingly, there is a need for a pool cover that can provide both safety and functionality.

The present invention relates to an elevatable pool cover assembly for a pool having a main body portion and opposite foldable end sections. The pool cover assembly is provided with support posts and cross members which support a lift assembly. The pool cover assembly is raised and lowered by the lift assembly above the pool.

An embodiment includes a pool cover assembly, the pool cover assembly comprising: a rigid planar assembly provided with a main body portion and a pair of opposite foldable end sections pivotally secured to the main body portion; a plurality of support members provided about the rigid planar assembly; a plurality of cross members interconnecting the plurality of support members; and a lift assembly provided between the plurality of cross members and the rigid planar assembly; wherein the lift assembly is configured to lift the rigid planar assembly.

The main body portion may be provided with a plurality of rigid frame members. Closed cell foam may be provided between the plurality of the rigid frame members. Closed cell foam sections may be provided underneath a top surface end portion of each of the pair of the opposite foldable end sections. A snubber device may extend across the closed cell foam sections. Each of the pair of the opposite foldable end sections may be provided with a lifting strap. The rigid planar assembly may be provided with a flexible planar member extending thereacross. The flexible planar member may be provided with artificial turf on a top surface of the flexible planar member. The lift assembly may be provided with at least one drive motor having a control switch.

Another embodiment includes a method of assembling a pool cover assembly, the method comprising: providing a rigid planar assembly with a main body portion and a pair of opposite foldable end sections; pivotally securing the pair of opposite foldable end sections to the main body portion; arranging a plurality of support posts about the rigid planar assembly; interconnecting a plurality of cross members between the plurality of support posts; providing a lift assembly between the plurality of cross members and the rigid planar assembly; and configuring the lift assembly to lift the rigid planar assembly.

The method may further comprise providing the main body portion with a plurality of rigid frame members; providing closed cell foam between the plurality of the rigid frame members; providing closed cell foam sections underneath a top surface end portion of each of the pair of the foldable end sections; extending a snubber device across the closed cell foam sections; providing each of the pair of the foldable end sections with a lifting strap; providing the rigid planar assembly with a flexible planar member extending thereacross; providing the flexible planar member with artificial turf on a top surface of the flexible planar member; and providing the lift assembly with at least one drive motor having a control switch.

An embodiment includes a rigid planar assembly above the pool. A plurality of support members are provided about the rigid planar assembly. A plurality of cross members interconnect the plurality of support members. One or more batteries are disposed within the rigid planar assembly. A lift assembly is provided between the plurality of cross members and the rigid planar assembly. The lift assembly is configured to lift and lower the rigid planar assembly using power supplied by the one or more batteries. Multiple stringers are disposed on, and attached to, the plurality of cross members. One or more solar panels are disposed on the multiple stringers, each panel being disposed on, and attached to, two or more stringers of the multiple stringers. The one or more solar panels are configured to receive solar energy and use the received solar energy to charge the one or more batteries via a power cable that electrically connects the one or more solar panels to the one or more batteries.

An embodiment includes a rigid planar assembly above the pool. A rigid planar assembly is above the pool. Multiple hydraulic cylinders are configured to lift and lower the rigid planar assembly. The multiple hydraulic cylinders art driven by an electrically powered pump. Each hydraulic cylinder is positioned outside the pool in a hole within a pool deck surrounding an interior of the pool.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an elevatable pool cover assembly. The pool cover assembly may be raised from a lower to upper position, for example about 7.5 feet, and vice versa. The pool cover assembly completely covers the pool when lowered thereby reducing evaporation. The pool cover assembly in both the raised and lowered positions may reduce the demand for pool chemicals. The lowered pool cover assembly also reduces debris, such as dust, leaves, insects and/or small animals, from falling in the pool and protects the pool itself from destructive UV rays.

In the present invention, the pool cover assembly includes a main body portion and a pair of opposite foldable end sections. The end sections are folded onto the main body portion. The pool cover assembly is lifted and lowered with a cable lift assembly. The cable lift assembly is mounted on cross members and supported by posts. The end sections of the pool cover assembly fold in, thereby reducing the square footage of the pool cover assembly while raised, which in turn reduces the effects of wind and weather. The end sections of the pool cover assembly fold in so no one can be trapped under the pool cover assembly if an unintended user lowers the pool cover assembly with someone still in the pool. As the end sections are folded in, the raised pool cover assembly is smaller than the pool itself, thereby providing both sun and/or shade for the user.

The pool cover assembly of the present invention is strong and rigid and allows a user, for example, to walk and/or place furniture, such as tables and/or chairs, on the pool cover assembly when in the lowered position. The lowered pool cover assembly may also be used as a putting green in conjunction with artificial turf.

Referring to, a rigid pool cover assemblyis provided over a pool. The rigid pool cover assemblyis supported by a plurality of support members or posts, such asinch square steel tubes, and cross members. At least one drive motor (hoist or winch), such as a pair of drive motors, are provided on respective cross memberssupported by posts. Each drive motoris provided with a counter weightEach drive motormay have quarter inch cable. A control switchcommunicates with each drive motorand controls the operation thereof. A locking deviceis provided to secure the control switchfrom inadvertent operation.

In another embodiment (not shown), four drive motors (not shown) may be provided wherein each of the four drive motors has its own cable, spool, and control switch. This arrangement avoids issues of having multiple cables on each spool of a winch. Having four drive motors further provides redundancy should one of the drive motors become inoperative or one of the cables fail. A master switch may operate each of the control switches simultaneously to raise or lower rigid pool cover assembly.

A cable lift assemblyis provided on cross members. The cable lift assemblyhas a plurality of cable members. Each of the cable membershave vertically and horizontally extending cable portionsandEach of the vertically extending cable portionsare respectively attached to a plurality of attachment portionsprovided on the rigid pool cover assembly. The counter weightis secured to a vertically extending cable portionextending from each drive motor.

A plurality of pulley membersare provided on cross membersat a position where support postsare secured. A plurality of threaded bolt membersare provided through support poststo secure the cross membersthereto. Each support postis provided with a base platefixedly secured to a pool deck. The base plateis secured via a plurality of threaded boltsextending upwardly from the pool deckand having nuts and washers (not shown) secured thereto.

The rigid pool cover assemblyis provided with a rigid planar assemblyhaving a flexible planar membermounted thereon. Cable end portionsof vertically extending cable portionsare fixedly secured to the rigid planar assemblyvia the plurality of attachment portions. Artificial turfmay be provided on the flexible planar member

In another embodiment (not shown), rigid pool cover assemblymay be formed of a plastic type material and constructed from separate sheets of the plastic type material interlocking with each other along any one of their sides. The rigid pool cover assemblymay cover a large area of the pool with the interlocking sheet(s). The sheet(s) may be cut at the ends and/or corners of the pool to better fit the pool dimensions. In another embodiment, the rigid pool cover assemblymay be angled around the periphery to fit under the edge of a pool coping.

The rigid planar assemblyis provided with a main body portionhaving a pair of opposite foldable end sectionspivotally secured thereto. Each opposite foldable end sectionis provided with a lifting strapto enable a user to pivotally lift opposite foldable end sectionsto a position on a top surfaceof the flexible planar membersecured to the main body portion.

A plurality of closed cell foam sectionsare provided underneath top surface end portionsof each of the opposite foldable end sectionsEach of closed cell foam sectionsare secured to each of the top surface end portionswith a plurality of securement strap members

A snubber deviceextends across the closed cell foam sectionsof each of the opposite foldable end sectionThe snubber deviceinhibits separation of the plurality of closed cell foam sectionsfrom the top surface end portionswhich may occur due to wind and/or other weather conditions when the rigid planar assemblyis in the upper position.

Referring to, the rigid planar assemblyis provided with a plurality of rigid frame membersrigidly interconnected via a plurality of triangular plate members. Triangular plate membersare secured to rigid frame memberswith a plurality of threaded fastenershaving nuts (not shown) thereon. The structural components of the rigid planar assemblymay be aluminum.

A single drive motoris arranged on one of the cross membersadjacent one of the support postshaving horizontally extending cable portionsextending along each of the cross memberstherefrom. One of horizontally extending cable portionsextends from single drive motoracross to a cable transfer boxwhich provides both an associated vertically extending cable portionand horizontally extending cable portionextending therefrom. Elongated slotted guide channelsare provided along each of support poststo receive a corner portionof triangular plate memberssecured to frame membersat respective corner portionsof main body portionof the rigid planar assembly.

A plurality of support wiresare fixedly secured to triangular plate members. Support wiresextend across the main body portionbetween frame members. Ends of support wiresare secured to triangular plate memberswith looped end portionsand threaded fastening members.

Referring to, slotted guide platesare secured to frame membersand receive support poststherein. A slotted portionis provided in slotted guide platewhich slidable guides the main body portionof the rigid planar assemblyalong each of the support postswhen lifted. Closed cell foamis provided between frame memberswithin the main body portionof the rigid planar assembly. Closed cell foammay be blown between frame members.

Closed cell foam sectionsand the closed cell foambetween the frame membersare both air and water resistant. The thickness of the closed cell foam sections,and the closed cell foambetween the frame membersis generally aboutinches. From the edge of the pool deck to the water surface is generally aboutinches so that the pool cover assembly is configured to float on the water surface, thereby giving more support for a user walking on the pool cover assembly. In addition, the closed cell foam sectionsand the closed cell foambetween the frame membershave insulative properties which reduce the amount of energy needed to keep the pool water at a desired temperature.

is a block diagram of steps of a methodof assembling a pool cover assembly. Methodcomprises providing a rigid planar assembly with a main body portion and a pair of opposite foldable end sections (Step); pivotally securing the pair of opposite foldable end sections to the main body portion (Step); arranging a plurality of support posts about the rigid planar assembly (Step); interconnecting a plurality of cross members between the plurality of support posts (Step); providing a lift assembly between the plurality of cross members and the rigid planar assembly (Step); and configuring the lift assembly to lift the planar assembly (Step).

The method further comprises providing the main body portion with a plurality of rigid frame members; providing closed cell foam between the plurality of the rigid frame members; providing closed cell foam sections underneath a top surface end portion of each of the pair of the foldable end sections; extending a snubber device across the closed cell foam sections; providing each of the pair of the foldable end sections with a lifting strap; providing the rigid planar assembly with a flexible planar member extending thereacross; providing the flexible planar member with artificial turf on a top surface of the flexible planar member; and providing the lift assembly with at least one drive motor having a control switch.

are a side view and a top view, respectively, of a pool cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment. The embodiment ofencompasses the embodiments ofand includes additional features to be described next.

The rigid planar assembly, which is a pool cover, comprises a main body portionand foldable end sectionsandThe rigid planar assemblyis at ground level in.

The foldable end sectionis configured to be folded along pathand rests on one end of the main body portionwhen completely folded. The foldable end sectionmay be similarly folded.

In one embodiment, the rigid planar assemblyspans the total length of the pool. Illustrative length dimensions are, inter alia: pool length=feet; length of rigid planar assembly(L)=34 feet; length of main body portion(L)=26 feet; length of foldable end sections(L) and(L)=4 feet each; and length of cross member(L)=length between support posts=18 feet.

One or more batteriesand one or more water heatersare disposed within the main body portion. Only one such battery and only one such water heater are depicted in.

Each battery of the more batteriesmay be, inter alia, avolt lithium battery.

Each battery of the more batteriesis configured to receive and store energy transmitted from solar panelsandvia a charging of the of the more batteriesby the solar panelsand

The one or more water heatersare configured to heat water in the pool (e.g., a swimming pool) using power supplied by the one or more batteries. The one or more water heatersmay each include a thermostat.

A first plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) lightsis attached to a bottom surface of the body portion. The first plurality of LED lights is configured to provide light onto the pool using power supplied by the one or more batteries.

Support postsare vertically oriented. Each support postsupports a respective drive motor. The drive motorsare configured to move the rigid planar assemblyup and down by motor driven cables via alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) to expose and cover the pool.

In one embodiment, each drive motoris a 12 volt winch.

In one embodiment, there are four or more support postsand respective drive motors. The total number of support posts, and respective drive motors, increases as the size of the pool increases. In other embodiments, there are one, two, or three support postsand respective drive motors.

The support postsare securely coupled and held in place by cross members.

Stringersare disposed on, and attached to, cross members. In one embodiment, the stringersare made of, inter alia, metal (e.g., steel), wood, etc. and may have cross, in one embodiment, cross-sectional dimensions of, inter alia, one inch by three inches.

A second plurality of LED lightsis attached to a bottom surface of the cross members. The second plurality of LED lights is configured to provide light onto the pool using power supplied by the one or more batteries.

Solar panelsandare disposed on, and attached to, the stringers. For example, solar panelis disposed on stringersandGenerally, each solar panel is disposed on, and attached to, two or more stringers.

Although three solar panels-are depicted in, there are generally one or more solar panels disposed on, and attached to, the stringers.

The solar panels-are configured to receive solar energy and use the received solar energy to charge the one or more batteriesvia power cablethat electrically connects the one or more solar panelsto the one or more batteries.

The one or more batteriesare configured to provide power to the drive motors. The one or more batteriesmay also provide power to the LED lights, LED lights, and the one or more water heaters, depending on the currently available charge of one or more batteriesand whether power is needed or desired for the LED lights, LED lights, and the one or more water heaters. In one embodiment, power provided by the one or more batteriesis prioritized for the LED lightsand the LED lightsover the one or more water heatersif the currently available charge of one or more batteriesis insufficient to provide all needed power.