Patent Publication Number: US-2015068652-A1

Title: Inflatable cover and control system

Description:
I. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to covers for objects and in particular to a control system for use with an inflatable cover. 
     II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Outdoor equipment is frequently protected during periods of storage and non-use. For example, during the off season, such as winter, when boats are not in use, they are frequently covered with a type of cover. During the winter months of the year, when swimming pools are not in use, they are frequently covered with a cover to prevent leaves and dirt from entering the standing water in the pool. The cover keeps debris out of the pool. 
     Current boat and swimming pool covers are typically a flexible plastic or vinyl sheet placed over the boat or swimming pool. Because the cover is flexible and spans across a large area, any water that falls on the upper surface of the cover, tends to depress the cover downwardly trapping the water in a recess. Over time, a large amount of standing water can build up on the top of the cover. This standing water collects leaves and allows algae to grow and frequently results in permanent staining of the cover. 
     When it is time to remove the cover, the accumulated water and debris trapped in the recess are difficult, messy and time consuming to remove prior to taking the cover off. Often an additional pump is required to remove the accumulated standing water off the cover. In some cases, the weight of the accumulated water on the cover causes the cover to rip and tear resulting in a ruined cover. 
     III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Example embodiments provide an inflatable cover that can automatically inflated when water is detected on the surface of the cover. The inflation of the cover is terminated by an inflation sensor such that the inflatable cover is not overly inflated. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable cover assembly includes a tarp body having an integral bladder with an air chamber. A tube is coupled to the bladder. An air pump is coupled to the tube. The air pump inflates and deflates the bladder via air pumped through the tube. A water sensor is coupled to the tarp body. The water sensor detects the presence of water on the tarp body and generates an electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body. A controller is in communication with the water sensor and the air pump. In response to receiving the electrical signal from the water sensor, the controller causes the air pump to inflate the bladder. 
    
    
     
       IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of an inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of an inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the inflatable cover assembly mounted over a swimming pool with the bladder in a deflated state, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the inflatable cover assembly mounted over a swimming pool with the bladder in an inflated state, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a diagrammatic view of the control system for controlling and operating the inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention. 
     The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “example embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “example embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an inflatable cover assembly  10 , according to example embodiments. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , inflatable cover assembly  10  comprises a central tarpaulin or tarp body  12 . Central tarp body  12  is a flexible sheet that is generally planar. While the tarp body  12  is shown as round in shape, in other embodiments, tarp body  12  can be square, rectangular or other suitable shapes that are sized and shaped to cover the object desired to be covered. Tarp body  12  has an upper side or surface  14 , a central region  15 , a lower side or surface  16  and an outer circumferential or peripheral edge  18 . Tarp body  12  can be formed from suitable materials such as polypropylene, nylon, plastics, vinyl, rubber or other sheet materials that are coated with a waterproof coating. 
     Several tie-down panels  20  are attached around outer circumferential edge  18 . Tie-down panels  20  extend away from outer circumferential edge  18 . Each tie-down panel has an attached grommet  22  that includes a central aperture  24 . During attachment of the cover to an object, a rope or bungee cord can be connected through apertures  24  in order to retain the inflatable cover assembly  10  to the object desired to be covered. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , inflatable cover assembly  10 , further includes a flexible inflatable bladder  30 . Bladder  30  is generally disc shaped and includes an upper panel  32  with an outer surface  33  and a lower panel  34  with an outer surface  35 . An air chamber  36  is defined within bladder  30  between upper panel  32  and lower panel  34 . Inflatable bladder  30  is capable of being inflated and deflated by a fluid such as air. Inflatable bladder  30  is formed from a flexible material that is impervious to gases such as rubber or vinyl. 
     In one embodiment, inflatable bladder  30  is attached to the bottom surface  16  of tarp body  12  along a circular seam  38 . Bladder  30  can be attached to bottom surface  16  by means of a connecting device or material  40  such as fasteners, adhesives or by an ultrasonic weld. 
     A linear air hose or air tube  42  has ends  44  and  46 . In another embodiment, inflatable bladder  30  is not attached to the bottom surface  16  of tarp body  12  and is a separate independent unit that is placed under tarp body  12 . Air tube end  44  is connected to the bladder  30  and provides a fluid communication path for air flow between air tube  42  and bladder  30  when inflating or deflating bladder  30 . Air tube end  46  is connected to an air pump  50 . Air pump  50  operates to supply and remove pressurized air from air chamber  36  such that bladder  30  can be inflated and deflated by the operation of air pump  50 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , inflatable cover assembly  10  is shown in a deflated state mounted to and covering a swimming pool  60 . Swimming pool  60  has sides  62  and an interior space that is filled with water  64 . The water  64  has a surface  66  upon which the bladder  30  can float or rest. Tarp body  12  is placed over swimming pool  60  with bottom surface  16  facing water surface  66  and bladder bottom surface  35  resting on water surface  66 . Tie-down panels  20  are attached to mounting points  68  affixed to swimming pool sides  62  by a connector means  70  such as rope or bungee cords. The tension in tarp body  12  can be adjusted by the adjustment of connector means  70 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , inflatable cover assembly  10  is shown in an inflated state mounted to and covering swimming pool  60 . In  FIG. 4 , air pump  50  has inflated bladder  30  with air such that center region  15  is raised to an elevation that is higher than the sides  62  of swimming pool  60 . Any water that has accumulated in the center region  15  will flow over sides  62  and off of tarp body  12 . Significantly, because the tarp body  12  is prevented from accumulating water thereatop, the inflatable cover assembly  10  provides a safety device which aids in the prevention of unintentional drownings for children, as well as pets. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of an inflatable cover assembly  100  is shown. Inflatable cover assembly  100  has an integrally formed bladder  130 . Inflatable cover assembly  100  has a central tarpaulin or tarp body  102 . Central tarp body  102  is a flexible sheet. Tarp body  102  has an upper side or surface  104 , a central region  105 , a lower side or surface  106  and an outer circumferential or peripheral edge  108 . Tarp body  102  can be formed from suitable materials such as polypropylene, nylon, plastics, vinyl, rubber or other sheet materials that are coated with a waterproof coating. 
     A flexible integral inflatable bladder  130  is formed by a single sheet or panel  132  of material that is attached to the bottom surface  106  of tarp body  102 . Bladder  130  is generally disc shaped. An air chamber  136  is defined within bladder  130  between the bottom surface  106  of tarp body  102  and panel  132 . Air tube end  44  is connected to the bladder panel  132  and provides a fluid communication path for air flow between air tube  42  and bladder  130  when inflating or deflating bladder  130 . Inflatable bladder  130  is capable of being inflated and deflated by a fluid such as air supplied by air pump  50 . The material forming inflatable bladder  30  (tarp body  12  and panel  132 ) are formed by from a flexible material that is impervious to gases such as rubber or vinyl. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates components of a control system  200  for controlling and operating the inflatable cover assembly  10 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , control system  200  includes a controller  210  that can control the operation of control system  200 . Controller  210  can be any suitable micro-controller, or micro-processor that can be selectively programmed using firmware and/or software to perform the various functions described within the present disclosure. 
     Controller  210  is in communication with a power source  215  via an electrical cable  212 . Power source  215  can supply power to controller  210  and to other component of control system  200 . Controller  210  is in communication with a control panel  220  via an electrical cable  217 . Control panel  220  can include user input and output devices such as a keypad or display that allows a user to control the operation of control system  200 . In one embodiment, controller  210  is mounted within control panel  220 . 
     Controller  210  is in communication with a display  225  via an electrical cable  222 . Display  222  can be a video display screen that shows the user information regarding the operation of control system  200 . Controller  210  is further in communication with a transceiver  230  via an electrical cable  232 . Transceiver  230  is a radio that can send and receive wireless signals  235 . In one embodiment, transceiver  230  is in communication with a remote device  240  via wireless signals  235 . In one embodiment, transceiver  230  is in a mobile communication device that can connect to a wireless network and remote device  240  is a mobile phone. In an embodiment, transceiver  230  can send an e-mail or text alert to remote device  240  that bladder  30  has been inflated or deflated. 
     Controller  210  is also in communication with an air pump  50  via an electrical cable  242 . Controller  210  can trigger air pump  50  to turn on or off. Controller  210  can further control the direction of rotation of air pump  50 . Controller  210  can cause air pump  50  to rotate in a direction that inflates bladder  30  or can cause air pump  50  to rotate in a reverse direction that deflates bladder  30 . 
     Controller  210  is in communication with a water sensor  250  via an electrical cable  252 . In other embodiments, water sensor  250  can be communicatively coupled to controller  210  by wireless means. Water sensor  250  is a commercially available device that generates a water detected electrical signal when water sensor  250  senses the presence of water. Water sensor  250  can transmit the water detected electrical signal to controller  210 . Water sensor  250  can be mounted to the upper surface  14  of tarp body  12  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Controller  210  is additionally in communication with an inflation or pressure sensor  260  via an electrical cable  262 . In other embodiments, inflation sensor  260  can be communicatively coupled to controller  210  by wireless means. Inflation sensor  260  is a commercially available device that generates an inflated electrical signal after bladder  30  has been inflated. Inflation sensor  260  can transmit the inflated bladder electrical signal to controller  210 . In one embodiment, inflation sensor  260  is a pressure sensor and inflation sensor  260  supplies controller  210  with a continuous reading of the pressure within bladder  30 . Inflation sensor  260  can be mounted in the interior of bladder  30  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , inflatable cover assembly is shown in a deflated state. When water sensor  250  detects the presence of water, such as rain, on the upper surface  14  of tarp body  12 , water sensor  250  generates the water detected electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body and transmits the water detected electrical signal to controller  210 . Controller  210  receives the water detected electrical signal and in response to receiving the water detected electrical signal from the water sensor  250 , controller  210  causes the air pump  50  to turn on causing bladder  30  to inflate. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , inflatable cover assembly is shown in an inflated state where bladder  30  is filled with air. In the inflated state, any water that has accumulated in center region  15  will flow off of tarp body  12 . After a period of operation of air pump  50 , the air pressure within bladder  50  will increase to a desired or pre-determined level. Inflation sensor  260  can sense the pressure level within bladder  30  and transmit the inflated bladder electrical signal to controller  210 . Controller  210  receives the inflated bladder electrical signal and in response to receiving the inflated bladder electrical signal from the inflation sensor  260 , controller  210  causes the air pump  50  to turn off. Controller  210  thereby inflates bladder  30  to the desired level and prevents over inflation of bladder  30 . 
     As previously disclosed, the tarp body  12  is prevented from accumulating water thereatop, particularly about the upper side of center region  15  thereof. Thus, the inflatable cover assembly  10  provides a safety device which aids in the prevention of unintentional drownings of children, as well as pets. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CPSC”), drownings are the leading cause of injury death for children between the ages of one to four. The CPSC further reports that an annual average of 390 pool or spa-related drownings for children younger than 15 occurred from 2007 to 2009, and about 75% (293) of the reported fatalities involved children younger than five. The use of the present invention may substantially reduce the number of annual drowning fatalities each year concerning young children, as well as pets. 
     It is envisioned that the various embodiments, as separately disclosed, are interchangeable in various aspects, so that elements of one embodiment may be incorporated into one or more of the other embodiments, and that specific positioning of individual elements may necessitate other arrangements not specifically disclosed to accommodate performance requirements or spatial considerations. 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims. 
     Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions. 
     Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. It is intended that the application is defined by the claims appended hereto.