Patent ID: 8132274

Claim:
A swimming pool cover support unit comprising: a base portion which is positioned in the water of a swimming pool when in use; and a cover supporting portion which includes an adjustable support stanchion adjustably mounted on the base portion to extend vertically upward from the base and which includes two portions which are telescopingly connected together so the height of the stanchion as measured between the base and a top of the stanchion can be adjusted; a plurality of adjustable spokes, each spoke being connected at a proximal end thereof to the top of support stanchion and having a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end, each spoke including two sections which are movably connected together, each spoke including a length dimension which is measured between the proximal end and the distal end thereof, the spokes being adjustable so that the length dimension of one spoke can differ from the length dimension of an adjacent spoke, and a U-shaped distal end unit which has a first leg telescopingly received in a distal end of one of the sections of each spoke, a second leg which is spaced apart from the first leg of the distal end unit in a direction toward the base portion when the distal end unit is in use to define a gap between the first and second legs of the distal end unit, a rim of the pool being accommodated in the gap, a transverse foot element attached to a distal end of the second leg for contacting a pool wall and a bight section connecting the first and second legs of the distal end unit together.