Abstract:
A pool cover support frame has a central vertical support member with a plurality of radially projecting spokes extending from a hub mounted atop the central vertical support member. The spokes attach to the edge of the pool walls via clamps, and are spaced evenly about the perimeter. Spokes are inserted under compressive force into the hub, causing them to bow outwardly in an arc, creating an arched dome over which to arrange a pool cover.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The field of this invention is swimming pool cover supports, and more particularly, an above ground swimming pool cover support frame.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Various pool covers are well known in the prior art. Support frames have been disclosed with support covers over swimming pools. The present invention is designed to prevent the cover from sagging which is a typical problem experienced with pool covers and frames. By the spring arching effect achieved by each individual spoke in a spoke and hub arrangement, a pool cover may be held taut over the frame so as to repel and redirect precipitation, leaves and other debris. This stretching property thus avoids festooning and sagging which in other arrangements causing pooling and collection pockets. These pockets allow accumulation of water, leaves and dirt under which the cover membrane ultimately stretches, pulls loose or gives way.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0003]    What is disclosed is a frame for supporting a swimming pool cover comprising a center support member having a base portion and a mast portion, with the mast portion extending vertically from said base portion to a height greater than the pool wall. A center hub portion has a connecting means to attach the hub portion to the top of the mast portion. Also, a plurality of first receiving means are provided, for receiving the radially extended support spokes. A plurality of side bracket portions each include means for engaging the top edge of the pool, and a second receiving means for receiving the other end of each radially extended support spoke. A plurality of support spokes each have a first end adapted for insertion into a respective first receiving means on the hub, and a second end adapted for insertion into a respective second receiving means in one of said plurality of said side brackets. Each of the support spokes may be inserted into the first receiving means and extended radially to a corresponding one of said side brackets, with a compressive force so as to deflect each said support spokes outwardly in an arch to form a dome like canopy over which a cover membrane may be supported.  
           [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pool cover framework that is designed to prevent the typical sagging of the pool cover, thus adequately covering the pool and preventing any water or debris from entering the pool.  
           [0005]    It is further an object of the present invention to provide pool tarp support spokes constructed of galvanized tubing, sidewall brackets constructed of galvanized sheet, a spoke hub constructed of galvanized tubing, a PVC main support tube, and spokes constructed of a plastic extrusion with stainless steel wingnuts.  
           [0006]    Yet another object of the present invention to provide a base which rests on the bottom center of a swimming pool and attaches to the adjustable main support tube, with a spoke hub attached to the top of the support tube to accommodate the tarp support spokes.  
           [0007]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a support frame having a pre-formed bow shape designed to provide framework for the pool cover.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention to provide sidewall brackets which include self-adhesive foam rubber on all contacting edges that attach around the edge of a swimming pool.  
           [0009]    It is further an object of the present invention to provide a pool cover support frame that can be assembled from the side of the pool, without having to enter the pool . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the device disposed in a swimming pool;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the center hub sitting atop the central support element;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the bracket attaching an end of a spoke to the pool flange;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the hub and spoke arrangement of the spokes extending to the periphery of the swimming pool, and a partial fragmentary view of the center cap portion;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing a single spoke outside of the center support receiving member, and the free standing center support member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    Referring to FIG. 1, a swimming pool cover support assembly is generally designated as  10 . A center support assembly  17  is disposed within approximately the center of the swimming pool. A bell shaped base portion  12  has a stabilizer portion  13  which rests on the bottom of the pool. Socket portion  20  is adapted to receive tubular portion  14 . Socket  20  is comprised of a hollow cylindrical stub extending upward from base portion  12 . A telescoping tubular portion  16  is inserted within the hollow bore of tubular portion  14  and adjusted to a desirable height, which height would extend the top of tubular portion  16  to a height approximately 12 inches or greater above the pool side walls, so as to permit a domed canopy to be formed. Once the desirable height is determined, tubular portion is affixed with a pin, bolt, or adhesive, to tubular portion  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the center support member  17  is comprised of PVC plastic tubing material. Tubing material must be of sufficient wall thickness to maintain a rigid vertical support or mast which maintains a substantially vertical posture for center support assembly  17 .  
         [0016]    Base member  12  may be of PVC plastic or a water-resistant metallic material.  
         [0017]    At the top of center support assembly  17  a cap portion  18  rests upon tube portion  16 , maintained in place by socket portion  19 . Socket portion  19  fits over tube portion  16  in a sleeve type slight friction fit and in the preferred embodiment is removable, although optionally one may choose to adhesively affix cap portion  18  to tube portion  16 . Cap portion  18  has a plurality of sockets  24  extending radially from the center point of cap portion  18 . Sockets  24  are adapted to accept spoke portions  23  extending radially outward to the pool flange  15 . In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, twelve individual sockets  24  are provided, although more or less spoke portions  22  may be provided as needed. A pool cover  26  may then be fitted over the top of the dome like canopy created by the plurality of spokes extending outward to pool flange  15 .  
         [0018]    Referring now to FIG. 2, top cap  18  rests on center support tube  16 , and is retained in place by socket  19  having a hollow cylindrical bore to accept tubular portion  16 . A plurality of receiving means  24  are directed radially outward, towards the pool perimeter to accept spoke portions  23 .  
         [0019]    Referring now to FIG. 3, a detail illustrates the method of connection of spokes  22  to the pool flange  15 . A flange bracket is generally designated as  28 . A pair of horizontal plates  42 ,  44  are spaced apart and parallel to each other connected by vertical connector portion  40  adjacent the inside wall of pool  11 . A hole (not shown) is drilled in each plate  42 ,  44  in vertical alignment to accept down leg  34 , which extends vertically downward from spoke  22  at the termination end adjacent pool  11 . Plate  42  extends horizontally into top plate  36  which rests on pool flange portion  11 . A “J” shaped clamp  30  is fastened to parallel plate  36  by means of nut  32  which connects to threaded stud  32 A projecting upward from horizontal plate  36 . Connector stud  32 A is spot welded or otherwise affixed to horizontal plate  36  and penetrates through “J” bracket  30  through a slotted opening  32 B in “J” clamp bracket  30 . A foam rubber protective strip  38  is inserted between bracket  28  and pool flange  15  in order to protect the parts of the pool in order to prevent direct contact from the bracket with parts of the pool. For example, a pool side wall typically has a liner membrane which may be susceptible to piercing by contact with metal parts.  
         [0020]    Referring next to FIG. 4, a top plan view illustrates the hub and spoke arrangement created by the spokes  22  inserted into sockets  24  connected to top cap  18 . The angle (delta) formed between spoke portions  22  is preferably equal between all spoke portions. This creates a symmetry which allows for even distribution of the weight of the pool cover or tarp to be transferred to the pool side walls. Spoke portions  22  are inserted into sockets  24  and then clamped on pool flange  15  by means of the arrangement set forth in FIG. 3 for pool flange bracket  28 . Top cap  18  is illustrated in a fragmentary portion to show the smooth top cap which covers hub  18 A from which sockets  24  project radially outward. Top cap  18  provides a rounded, smooth protected cover of the dome canopy, to prevent contact between pool cover membrane  26  and various irregular metal parts underlying top cap  18 . This additional precaution is intended to avoid tearing or snagging of the pool cover membrane  26  during installation.  
         [0021]    Referring now to FIG. 5, the dotted line is intended to illustrate the point of insertion of spoke extension  23  into cap portion  18 . Each socket  24  receives an individual spoke  22 . Center support assembly  17  extends downward from top cap  18  to base portion  12  resting on the bottom of the swimming pool. An adjustment means  21  is provided at one end of spoke extension  23 , where spoke  22  is inserted to spoke extension  23  and then adjusted to the desirable length which permits extension of spoke  22  into bracket  28  through holes  37 ,  35 . Down leg  34  penetrates plates  42 ,  44  through holes  35 ,  37  to retain the position of spoke  22  in bracket  28 . Also illustrated is adjustment slot  32 B on “J” clamp  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the angle between spoke  22  and down leg  34  will be slightly greater than a 90° angle, and the spoke sections  22 ,  23  when connected to sockets  24  and brackets  28  will be under compressive force causing a slight bulge or upward deflection of the thin rod, to effect a dome shape of the resulting canopy for the pool cover membrane  26  to be stretched over. Thus is created a framework which is designed to prevent a sagging of a pool cover while adequately covering the pool and preventing any water or debris from entering the pool. In the preferred embodiment, the tarp support spokes are constructed of galvanized steel tubing. The side wall brackets will be preferably constructed of a galvanized sheet metal and the spoke hub will be constructed of a galvanized plate with galvanized tubing. The main center of the support assembly as previously mentioned, will be constructed of a PVC plastic tubing, with sufficient wall thickness to maintain rigidity. The base cone  12  would be preferably constructed of a plastic extrusion having stainless steel wing nuts.  
         [0022]    Further disclosed is a method for assembling a swimming pool cover support. First, the side wall brackets are attached to the swimming pool flange  15 . Next, the assembled center support assembly is placed inside of the pool. Allow time for water to fill up the base portion  12 . Insert a spoke  22  into a socket  24  at the 3:00 o&#39;clock position, insert another spoke  22  into the socket  24  at the 9:00 o&#39;clock position of cap portion  18 . With two individuals positioned at the end of the spokes inserted at 3:00 o&#39;clock and 9:00 o&#39;clock, work the water filled base  12  toward the center of the swimming pool  11 . Make sure two installed spokes  22  are positioned to accept side brackets  28 . After these two spokes  22  are installed, complete the process by inserting the remaining support spokes  22  into spoke sockets  24  and connecting each said spokes  22  to the side wall brackets  28  onto pool flange  15 . Using plastic clamps provided, fasten pool cover to the side of pool by clamping two at a time opposing each other until all have been installed. The entire pool cover support frame can be assembled from the side of the pool, without having to enter the pool.  
         [0023]    According to the provisions of patent statutes, I have explained the principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.