Patent ID: 6473914
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
A submersible panel for a swimming pool filled with water, comprising:a panel assembly including a plurality of hollow and elongated panel parts assembled together, the panel assembly defining an upper and lower surface, both the upper and lower surfaces being plane and free, the panel assembly being configure to be at least partially filled with water from the pool and to be at least partially evacuated by compressed gas to form a pool cover covering a surface of the water in the pool when at least partially filled with the compressed gas and at least one submerged pool bottom at a selectable depth in the pool when at least partially filled with pool water, the plurality of assembled panels parts defining a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit; a manifold coupled to the panel assembly, the manifold being configured to selectively admit at least compressed gas into the panel assembly, the manifold including a first valve that is configured to couple the first fluid circuit to the second fluid circuit and to homogenize a pressure between the first and second fluid circuits; a compressed gas supply means coupled to the manifold, the compressed gas supply means being effective to selectively supply the compressed gas to the panel assembly through the manifold and to at least partially evacuate water contained in the assembled plurality of panel parts to cause the panel assembly to be selectively and at least partially filled with compressed gas or pool water.