IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO POOL COVER SYSTEMS

Abstract: A pool cover system (1) for swimming pool (10) comprises a pool cover (2), first and second pull cable lengths (3, 4) secured to the leading transverse edge (2a) of the cover (2), at laterally-spaced first and second anchorage points (5, 6) thereof, and extending away from the cover (2), in the direction of intended movement (7) of the cover, and guide pulleys (20, 21, 22) for conducting the first pull cable length (3) along a direction-changing path so as to extend once more in the direction of intended movement (7), but on the opposite side of the cover (2). The first pull cable length (3) is secured to the cover (2) by the anchorage point (6), which also secures the pull cable length (4). The arrangement is such that tension applied to the second cable length (4) is transmitted to the first cable length (3) as well, so that the tension is transferred substantially evenly to both sides of the cover (2). The cable lengths (3, 4) preferably comprise a single cable.

Description: IMPROVEME TS IN OR RELATING TO POOL COVER SYSTEMS BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to pool cover systems, primarily for swimming pools, and comprises a modification of the pool cover system disclosed by UK Patent Application No. 2,199,741A, to which reference is directed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a pool cover system comprises a pool cover, first and second pull cable lengths secured to a transverse edge of the cover at laterally-spaced, first and second points thereof, and extending away from the cover in the direction of intended movement of the cover, guide means for conducting the first pull cable length along a direction-changing path so as to extend once more in the direction of intended movement, but on the opposite side of the cover, and means whereby tension applied to the second pull cable length is transmitted to the first pull cable length so that said tension is transferred substantially evenly to the cover. The first and second cable lengths are preferably formed by a single cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic plan view of a pool cover system and Figure 2 is a side view, in section, and to an enlarged scale, illustrating a detail of the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference first to Figure 1, a pool cover system 1 for a pool 10 comprises a pool cover 2, first and second pull cable lengths 3, 4 secured to the leading transverse edge 2a of the cover 2, at laterally-spaced first and second anchorage points 5, 6 thereof, and extending away from the cover, in the direction of intended movement 7 of the cover, and guide means 8 for conducting the first pull cable length 3 along a "direction-changing path so as to extend once more in the direction of said intended movement (7), but on the opposite side of the cover 2. The first pull cable length 3 is then secured to the cover 2 by the anchorage point 6, which also secures the pull cable length 4. The arrangement is such that tension applied to the second cable length 4 is transmitted to the first cable length 3, so that said tension is transferred substantially evenly to both sides of the cover 2. The cable lengths 3, 4 of this example comprise a single cable. The anchorage points 5 and 6 comprise cable clamps. The cable lengths 3, 4 extend away from the transverse edge 2a in directions substantially parallel to the intended direction 7 of pool cover movement. With reference now to Figure 2, the cover 2 is guided during its movement by an arrangement disclosed by the above-mentioned UK Patent Application No. 2,199,741A. (The arrangement is not shown in Figure 1 of the present disclosure.) Figure 2 shows the pool 10, which comprises water 11 enclosed in a pool surround 12. The side edges of the pool cover are secured to guides 15 of extruded flexible plastics material (PVC) which are slidable on the upper surface of the surround 12. Each guide 15 incorporates a hinge portion 16 and a guide member 17 slidably located by a guide channel 18 set in the pool surround 12, so as to be flush with its upper surface. Two channels 18 are provided, laterally spaced from each other in substantially parallel array, and extending in the direction of pool cover movement. Each guide channel 18 is of rectangular cross-section with an upper, upwardly-facing, slot 19 formed in the channel. Each guide membe 17, which is of anvil cross-section, has a base portion 17a of widt greater than that of the associated slot 19. The guide means 8 comprise pulleys 20, 21, 22 rotatable abou substantially vertical axes 23, 24, 25 disposed at the corners of an imaginary triangle. The first cable length 3 extends around the pulley 20, back to the pulley 21, across to the pulley 22 and up to the anchorage point 6 where it is secured to the cover 2. The second cable length 4 which, as mentioned above is formed by the same cable as the cable length 3, extends around a pulley 26, back to a pulley 27 and on to a winding drum 28, driven by an electric motor/gear box unit 31 through a clutch 32. The pulleys 26 and 27 are rotatable about substantially vertical axes 29, 30. The axes 23, 24, 25, 29 are disposed at the corners of an imaginary rectangle. In operation the cover 2, which is initially rolled up on a roller 34 rotatable about an axis 35, is pulled over the pool 2, in the direction of arrow 7, by winding up the cable length 4 on the drum 28. The roller 34 can be driven by an electric motor/gear box unit 36 through a clutch 37. The clutch 37 is first disengaged and the clutch 32 engaged to allow the pool 10 to be covered. As tension is applied to the cable length 4, and on to the cable length 3, this tension is transmitted substantially evenly to the two sides of the cover 2. Inter alia, the arrangement avoids entanglement of cables. Additional cable guide pulleys may be required in order to avoid obstacles in the paths of the cables. Any of these and the above-mentioned pulleys can be caused to rotate about non-vertical axes, according to requirements. To uncover the pool 10, the clutch 32 is disengaged, the clutch 37 engaged, and the motor/gear box unit 36 used to rotate the roller 34 and thus wind up the cover 2. Two cables, interconnected by the clamp 6 may be substituted for the single cable constituted by lengths 3 and 4.

Claims: C I M S 1. A pool cover system comprising a pool cover (2), and first (3) and second (4) pull cable lengths secured to a transverse edge o the cover at laterally-spaced, first (5) and second (6) point thereof, extending away from the cover in the direction of intende movement (7) of the cover characterised in that guide means (8) ar provided for conducting the first pull cable length (3) along direction-changing path so as to extend once more in the directio of intended movement (7), but on the opposite side of the cover (2), and means (6) whereby tension applied to the second pull cabl length (4) is transmitted to the first pull cable length (3) so tha said tension is transferred substantially evenly to the cover (2). 2. A pool cover system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the first and second cable lengths (3, 4) are formed by a single cable. 3. A pool cover system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the guide means (8) comprise pulleys (20, 21, 22) rotatable about axes (23, 24, 25) disposed at the corners of an imaginary triangle. 4. A pool cover system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the guide means (8) comprise pulleys (20, 21, 25, 26) rotatable about axes (23, 24, 25, 29) disposed at the corners of an imaginary rectangle. 5. A pool provided with a pool cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the pool cover (2) is guided by guide members (17) slidably located by a pair of laterally-spaced channels (18) set in the pool surround (12), and extending in the direction of pool cover movement (7). 6. A pool as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the guide members (17) are slidable on the upper surface of the pool surround (12). 7. A pool cover system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 8. A pool provided with a pool cover system as claimed in Claim 7.

Inventors: JEFFREY PETER DAVID, JEFFREY ROSEMARY DAWN, MACMATH IAN JAMES SCOTT, JEFFREY, PETER, DAVID, JEFFREY, ROSEMARY, DAWN, MACMATH, IAN, JAMES, SCOTT
Applicants: JEFFREY PETER DAVID, JEFFREY ROSEMARY DAWN, MACMATH IAN JAMES SCOTT, JEFFREY, PETER, DAVID, JEFFREY, ROSEMARY, DAWN, MACMATH, IAN, JAMES, SCOTT
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E04H3
IPC codes: E04H4