Patent Publication Number: US-11028607-B1

Title: Swimming pool peripheral recess cover fastener

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional application of and claims priority from pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/406,224, filed on Jan. 13, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,301,835, the disclosure of which is included by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The invention generally concerns swimming pool covers. In particular, the invention provides covers for peripheral recesses in swimming pools, for example, for stair assemblies. The covers and methods disclosed facilitate pool installation and minimize or eliminate delays due to the acquisition of specially designed pool covers. 
     Description of Related Art 
     The popularity and common appearance of swimming pools, among other things, reflects the continuous improvements made by pool suppliers in reducing cost and enhancing the enjoyment of inground and above ground swimming pools. In some pool installations, for example, those in northern climates, swimming pools are typically protected during cooler months with what are referred to as “winter covers.” 
     Though taking many forms, winter covers are typically water-impermeable plastic sheets adapted to be mounted over a pool and protect the pool and the water it contains from inclement weather, snow, leaves, and animals, among other things. 
     Historically, winter covers have been effective means for protecting a pool. However, with the increasing popularity of auxiliary pool structures that enhance the pool experience, for example, stairwells and/or other recesses within the periphery of the pool, the fabrication and installation of winter covers can be problematic. Specifically, with the addition of such peripheral recesses, the conformity of the recesses to the conventionally shaped pool covers, for example, round, oval, or rectangular, can be compromised. 
     According to the existing art, covering peripheral recesses, such as, stairwells, requires the fabrication of uniquely designed pool covers having external “flaps” or covers that cover and protect the recess. The cost and availability of such specially designed pool covers may not only increase the cost of a pool but may also interfere with the pool installation process. 
     Aspects of the present invention were conceived and developed to over come these and other disadvantages of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention provide swimming pool peripheral recess covers, methods for covering peripheral recesses in a swimming pool, and swimming pool peripheral recess cover fasteners that over come the issues and disadvantages associated with prior art covers and methods. 
     One embodiment of the invention is a swimming pool peripheral recess cover comprising or including: a flexible sheet adapted to at least partially cover the peripheral recess, the flexible sheet having a plurality of edges; and a fastener mounted to at least one of the plurality of edges, the fastener adapted to releasably engage a main pool cover. In one aspect, the peripheral recess comprises a stairwell or stair assembly. 
     In one aspect, the fastener comprises at least one elongated fastener, and the at least one elongated fastener includes a recess adapted to engage a projection on the main pool cover or a projection adapted to engage a recess on the main cover. For example, the elongated fastener may include a receptacle adapted to receive a projection mounted to the main cover. The fastener receptacle may include an opening defined by opposing arms, for example, flexible opposing arms adapted to deflect when contacted by the projection on the main cover. The opposing arms may further include a projections or ribs adapted to engage the projection on the main cover. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is a method for at least partially covering a peripheral recess in a swimming pool, the method comprising or including: providing a flexible sheet adapted to at least partially cover the peripheral recess, the flexible sheet having a plurality of edges and a fastener mounted to at least one of the plurality of edges; installing a main cover on the swimming pool; installing the flexible sheet at least partially over the peripheral recess; and engaging the fastener on the flexible sheet to the main cover. In one aspect, the peripheral recess covered by the process is a stairwell or stair assembly. 
     In another aspect of the method, the fastener may include a receptacle having an opening and wherein the main cover comprises a projection or “bead,” wherein the step of engaging the fastener on the flexible sheet to the main cover may be practiced by inserting the projection or bead of the main cover into the opening of the receptacle of the fastener on the flexible sheet. In another aspect, the opening of the receptacle may be defined by opposing flexible arms, and the practice of inserting the projection into the opening may comprise deflecting the flexible arms by contacting at least one of the flexible arms with the projection or bead. In a further aspect, the flexible arms may each comprise a projection or rib, and the method may further comprise retaining the main cover projection or bead within the receptacle by engaging a projection on at least one of the flexible arms with a surface on the projection or bead of the main cover. 
     A further embodiment of the invention is swimming pool peripheral recess cover fastener comprising or including: an elongated receptacle adapted to mounted to a flexible sheet, the receptacle having an elongated opening defined by opposing elongated flexible arms and an internal cavity in communication with the opening adapted to receive and retain a mating projection or “bead.” In one aspect, the opposing elongated flexible arms of the fastener may comprise arms adapted to deflect when contacted by the mating projection or bead. In another aspect, the opposing arms of the fastener may include a projection or rib adapted to engage the mating projection or bead. In another aspect, the internal cavity of the fastener may include an internal surface having at least one rib adapted to contact the mating projection or bead and minimize rotation of the mating projection or bead. The mating projection or bead may be mounted on a main pool cover, and the fastener may be adapted to engage the mating projection or bead on the main pool cover to fasten the peripheral recess cover to the main pool cover. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from review of the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of pool cover installation over a stair assembly according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of pool cover installation over a stair assembly according one aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the engagement of the cover arrangement shown in  FIG. 2  as viewed along section lines  3 - 3  shown in  FIG. 2  with the fastener engaged. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the engagement of the fastener shown in  FIG. 3  with the fastener disengaged. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a fastener according to another aspect of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a pool cover installation  10  over a stair assembly  12  of a pool  14  according to the prior art. As shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the prior art, when a pool cover  16  (only a representative portion of which is shown) is positioned over pool  14  (only a representative portion of which is shown), the cover  16  is typically provided by a conventional pool cover  16 , for example, having a “stock” shape and dimensions to accommodate the standard size and shape of pool  14 . For example, pool  14  may typically comprise a rectangular or circular shape, and conventional pool cover  16  may typically be stocked in sizes and shapes, again, for example, rectangular or circular, to fit over the conventionally shaped pool. Accordingly, without further modification, pool cover  16  would typically not cover stair assembly  12 . 
     In conventional practice, when a stair assembly  12  or other recess is present in a pool, is to be covered, a specially designed stair assembly cover or “flap”  18  is typically provided to cover stair assembly  12  and at least partially cover adjacent pool deck  19 . For example, in typical practice, a specially designed cover  16  having a flap  18  is provided. The flap  18  may typically be stitched to cover  16 , for example, stitched along an edge  17 , to provide an integral, specially designed cover  16 / 18  for pool  14  and stair assembly  12 . 
     As is known in the art, the cover  16 / 18  may typically be mounted to the edge of pool  14 , for example, mounted in a groove, track, or “bead receiver” in a coping  15  mounted on pool  14 , for example, a coping provided by Radiant Pools of Albany N.Y. Flap  18  may be retained on the adjacent underlying deck or other surface  19  by conventional means, for example, via one or more straps or tie-downs, and/or with ballast, for example, one or more sand-filled bags or water-filled bags or containers. In addition, according to conventional practice, flap  18  does not engage cover  16  or coping  15  outside the extents of stair assembly  12 , but flap  18  simply lies on deck  19  adjacent to coping  15  and/or cover  16 , and, for example, held down by water bags. 
     However, it is recognized in the art that providing the specially designed cover  16  with flap  18  is not only costly to the pool cover provider and to the pool owner, but such a specially designed cover arrangement  10  can limit the installation procedure and hamper the installer. For example, the delivery time of a typically non-standard, specially-ordered cover  16  with integral flap  18  may undesirably be much longer than the delivery time of stock-size covers  16 , and thus, without taking special precautions, delivery of specially designed cover  16  with integral flap  18  may interfere with the installation schedule of the installer and/or pool owner. 
     Recognizing the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art, the present inventors conceived and developed embodiments of the present invention, and their many aspects. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of pool cover installation arrangement  20  for a peripheral recess  22 , such as, a stairwell or stair assembly  22 , for example, a stair assembly similar to stair assembly  12  shown in  FIG. 1 , of a pool  24  (only a representative portion of which is shown) having an adjacent surface or deck  25  (only a representative portion of which is shown in  FIG. 2 ) according one aspect of the present invention. According to aspects of the invention, peripheral recess  22  may comprise any structure associated with pool  24 , for example, peripheral recess  22  may comprise a cavity, a bench, a wading pool, a hot tub, or a “swim-up” bar associated with pool  24 . However, it is envisioned that aspects of the invention may be used for any other structure associated with any other cavity or depression having a recess, interruption, or cavity in its periphery or outer boundary for which protection or covering is desired. In the following discussion, peripheral recess  22  may be referred to as a “stairwell” or “stair assembly” to facilitate disclosure; however, such terms are not intended to in any way limit the scope or potential application of aspects of the invention. 
     As shown  FIG. 2 , arrangement  20  may typically include a pool cover  26 , for example, a main pool cover, (only a representative portion of which is shown), for example, similar in function to cover  16  shown in  FIG. 1 , but, according to aspects of the invention, arrangement  20  also includes a smaller cover, auxiliary cover, panel, flexible sheet, or “flap”  28  adapted to cover stair assembly  22 , or any similar recess in pool  24 . The flap  28  typically includes a plurality of edges, for example, external extremities. Unlike prior art pool cover arrangements, according to aspects of the invention, panel  28  is not stitched to main cover  26 ; panel  28  is attached to main cover  26  by means of one or more fasteners  30 , for example, one or more elongated fasteners  30 , for instance, along edge  29  of panel  28 . 
     The one or more fasteners  30  may be any conventional fasteners adapted to engage panel  28  with cover  26 . However, according to one aspect of the invention, the one or more fasteners  30  may allow for ready or easy engagement and disengagement of panel  28 —with/from cover  26 . For example, one or more fasteners  30  may comprise mechanical fasteners, such as, threaded fasteners, or loop and hook type fasteners, such as, fasteners marketed under the name Velcro® hook and loop fasteners. Upon attachment of panel  28  to cover  26  by fasteners  30 , panel  28  may be retained on deck  25  by conventional means, for example, with straps, tie-downs, or ballast (as disclosed herein), and cover  26  beyond the extremities of fasteners  30  may be retained by conventional means, for example, cover  26  may engage a groove, a track, or a bead receiver in a coping  27  mounted to pool  24 . 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the one or more fasteners  30  may typically comprise one or more “male-female” type fasteners as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the engagement of panel  28  with cover  26  by means of one or more fasteners  30  of the cover arrangement  20  shown in  FIG. 2 , as viewed along section lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , according to an aspect of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , connector  30  comprises a male-type projection or “bead”  32  having a flange  33  mounted to cover  26  and a female-type receptacle  34  having a flange  35  mounted to panel  28 . It is envisioned that, in one aspect, male-type projection  32  may be mounted to panel  28  and female-type receptacle  34  may be mounted to cover  26 . The mounting of projection  32  to cover  26  or panel  28  and the mounting of receptacle  34  on panel  28  or cover  26  may be conventional, for example, projection  32  and receptacle  34  may be molded into cover  26 , or panel  28 , respectively; flange  33  of projection  32  and flange  35  of receptacle  34  may be sewn onto cover  26 , or panel  28 , respectively; or attached by conventional fasteners. 
     Though aspects of the invention may be adapted for a broad range of thicknesses of cover  26  and panel  28 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , cover  26  may have a thickness  36  and panel  28  may have a thickness  38  ranging from about 0.001 inches to about 1 inch, but are typically between about 0.001 inches and about 0.010 inches, for example, about 0.005 inches. Similarly, the thicknesses  47  and  49  of flanges  33  and  35 , respectively, may vary broadly. In one aspect, thicknesses  47  and  49  may range from about 0.001 inches to about 1 inch, but are typically between about 0.025 inches and about 0.050 inches, for example, about 0.03125 [ 1/32] inches. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the fastener  30  shown in  FIG. 3  with projection  32  disengaged from receptacle  34  to facilitate illustration and description of this aspect of the invention. Projection  32  having flange  33  is sized and shaped to be received by respectable receptacle  34  and retained by receptacle  34 , for example, retained without separating under the loading typically expected upon cover  26  and panel  28 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , projection  32  may be an elongated projection having a body  39  having an upper surface  40  beveled at an angle α from the horizontal and a lower surface  41 . In one aspect, projection  32  may comprise any of the conventional “bead” designs provided by contemporary pool liner providers, for example, provided by Proplastex Industries Inc. of Ontario, Canada. For example, in one aspect, projection  32  may comprise a “standard bead,” for example, standard bead #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. As also shown in  FIG. 4 , flange  33  may have a length  51  ranging from about 0.25 inches to about 3 feet, but length  51  is typically between about 0.50 inches and about 2 inches, for example, about 1 inch. 
     Though in  FIG. 4  lower surface  41  is shown substantially planar, for example, coplanar with the lower surface of cover  26 , in one aspect, lower surface  41  may be beveled, that is, in lieu of the bevel of upper surface  40  or where both surfaces  40  and  41  are beveled. The beveled surface  40  may vary the thickness of body  39  of projection  32  from a front thickness  42  to a rear thickness  44 . Angle α of surface  40  may range from about 0 degrees to about 30 degrees, but typically may be about 10 degrees. 
     The front edge of projection  32  may be planar, as shown, or radiused. Front thickness  42  may range from about 0.03125 [ 1/32] inches to about 0.5 [½] inches, but front thickness  42  may typically be about 0.1625 [ 1/16] inches. Rear thickness  44  may range from about 0.03125 ( 1/32) inches to about 0.5 [½] inches, but rear thickness  44  is typically about 0.125 (⅛) inches. 
     The rear surface  43  of projection  32  may also be beveled at an angle β from the vertical. Angle β may range from about 0 degrees to about 30 degrees, but typically about 16 degrees. According to aspects of the invention, projection  32  may have a length (not shown in  FIG. 4  but, for example, extending into the plane of the page of  FIG. 4 ) ranging from about 1 foot to about 200 feet, but is typically ranging from 50 feet to 100 feet, for example, about 80 feet, depending upon the width or circumference of the structure being covered. 
     Receptacle  34  having flange  35  is sized and shaped to receive projection  32  and retain projection or bead  32 , for example, retained without separating under the loading typically expected upon cover  26  and panel  28 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , receptacle  34  may be a hollow body  46  having an opening  48  and an internal cavity  50  adapted to receive projection  32 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , opening  48  has a width  52 , for example, a width adapted to receive at least the front thickness  42  of body  39  of projection  32 . Accordingly, width  52  may be comparable to thickness  42 , for example, ranging from about 0.03125 [ 1/32] inches to about 0.5 [½] inches, but width  52  may typically be about 0.07813 [ 5/64] inches. As also shown in  FIG. 4 , flange  35  may have a length  53  ranging from about 0.25 inches to about 3 feet, but length  53  is typically between about 0.50 inches and about 2 inches, for example, about 1 inch. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , body  46  of receptacle  34  may include two opposing arms  54  and  56 , for example, resilient arms adapted to deflect, for example, elastically deflect, when receiving projection  32 . Arms  54  and  56  may each include a projection  58 , for example, cooperating projections, that when arms  54  and  56  elastically engage projection  32 , at least one of arms  54  and  56  deflect when contacted by upper surface  40  and/or lower surface  41  of projection  32 . According to aspects of the invention, at least one of arms  54  and  58  may continue to deflect with contact by upper surface  40  and/or lower surface  41  until the rear end of body  39  of projection  32  having thickness  44  passes through opening  48  allowing arms  54  and  56  to elastically contract. In one aspect, upon contraction of arms  54  and  56  at least one of the projections  58  on arms  54  and  56  are adapted to engage the rear surface  43  of projection  32 . According to aspects of the invention, as shown most clearly in  FIG. 3 , when at least one of the projections  58  engage surface  43  of projection  32 , the projection or bead  32  can be retained by receptacle  34  where panel  28  may be attached to cover  26 . 
     In one aspect, receptacle  34  may include one or more ribs or projections  60  on an internal surface of cavity  50 . In this aspect, the one or more ribs  60  may function to minimize or prevent the disengagement of projection  32  from receptacle  34 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 3 , with the elastic contraction of at least one of arms  54  and  56 , and the engagement of at least one of projections  58  with rear surface  43  of bead  39 , the one or more ribs  60  may contact or bear against the upper surface  40  and/or lower surface  41  of projection  32  and prevent rotation of projection  32 , which may disengage a projection  58  from surface  43 . However, according to this aspect of the invention, the presence of one or more ribs or projections  60  within cavity  50  of receptacle  34  may minimize or prevent rotation and disengagement of projection  32  from receptacle  34 , and thus, ensure a secure connection of panel  28  to cover  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , body  46  of receptacle  34  may have thickness  62  ranging from about ¼ inch to about 6 inches, but is typically between about 0.375 [⅜] inches and about 0.5 [½] inches, for example, 0.4375 [ 7/16] inches. Body  46  of receptacle  34  may have a width  64  ranging from about ¼ inch to about 6 inches, but is typically between about 0.375 [⅜] inches and about 0.75 [¾] inches, for example, 0.5625 [ 9/16] inches. 
     According to aspects of the invention, receptacle  34  may have a length (not shown in  FIG. 4  but, for example, extending into the plane of the page of  FIG. 4 ) ranging from about 1 inch to about 20 feet, but is typically ranging from 5 feet to 15 feet, for example, about 14 feet, depending upon the width of the structure being covered. 
     Projection  32  and receptacle  34  may be made from a broad range of materials, for example, from a plastic or from an elastomer. According to aspects of the invention projection  32  and receptacle  34  may be fabricated by any conventional methods, for example, in one aspect, projection  32  and receptacle  34  may be fabricated by extrusion. 
     Cover  26  and panel  28  may be made from a broad range of materials, for example, a plastic, for example, a woven or a non-woven plastic. In one aspect, cover  26  and panel  28  may be made from a vinyl or a woven plastic, for example, may comprise a material from which a tarp is made, for example, a polyester, a polyethylene, or their equivalent. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a fastener  60  according to another aspect of the invention. Similar to fastener  30 , fastener  60  engages a recess-covering panel  68  with a cover or main panel  66 , as disclosed herein. As shown in  FIG. 5 , fastener  60  comprises a male-type projection or “bead”  62  mounted to cover  66  and a female-type receptacle  64  mounted to panel  68 . It is envisioned that in one aspect, male-type projection  62  may be mounted to panel  68  and a female-type receptacle  64  may be mounted to cover  66 . The mounting of projection  32  to cover  26  or panel  28  and the mounting of receptacle  34  on panel  68  or cover  66  may be conventional, for example, projection  62  and receptacle  64  may be molded into cover  66  or panel  68 , respectively, or attached by conventional fasteners. 
     In contrast to fastener  30  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , fastener  60  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a receptacle  64  comprising a generally rectangular shape in cross section, for example, having rounded corners, as shown. In addition, though in one aspect receptacle  64  shown in  FIG. 5  may be centrally mounted to panel  68  (as shown in phantom by panel  69 ), panel  68  may be mounted offset from the centerline of receptacle  64 , for example, mounted to an upper or lower extremity or edge of receptacle  64  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Otherwise, it is envisioned that projection or bead  62  and receptacle  64  may have any one or more of the attributes of projection  32  and receptacle  34  disclosed herein. For example, projection  62  and receptacle  64  may have any one of the dimensions disclosed for projection  32 , and receptacle  64  may comprise any one or more of the materials of receptacle  34  disclosed herein. 
     It is believed that it will be clear from the above disclosure that the present invention, in its several embodiments and many aspects, provides unique opportunities to facilitate pool cover installation about peripheral recesses, such as, stairwells or stair assemblies, among other features and/or structures. According to aspects of the invention, swimming pool peripheral recess covers, methods for covering peripheral recesses in a swimming pool, and swimming pool peripheral recess cover fasteners are provided that overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Though it is envisioned that aspects of the invention are uniquely adapted for use in swimming pools, including inground, partially inground, and above ground pools, it is also recognized that aspects of the invention may be used in any application having a peripheral recess, for example, in residential or commercial water features (for example, ornamental ponds and streams) and commercial or industrial vessels or tanks, among other structures. Other applications of aspects of he invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     The terminology used herein is provided for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. 
     The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.