U.S. patent application number 12/271749 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for stabilization mechanism for pool with movable cover.
Invention is credited to Stefan Kanetis.
Application Number | 20090126097 12/271749 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40639163 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090126097 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kanetis; Stefan |
May 21, 2009 |
Stabilization Mechanism For Pool With Movable Cover
Abstract
A locking system for securing a cover that moves within a hole
between a lowered position and a raised position is disclosed. The
locking system includes one or more locking mechanisms. Each
locking mechanism includes an upper leg and a lower leg, each upper
leg and the lower leg having a proximal end and a distal end. Each
locking mechanism further includes a first joint that joins the
upper leg near the respective distal ends of the upper leg and the
lower leg, the first joint allowing planar rotational motion of the
upper leg relative to the lower leg between a minimum folded angle
in the lowered position and a maximum unfolded angle in the raised
position. Each locking mechanism further includes a second joint to
flexibly attach the distal end of the upper leg on the bottom side
of the cover to allow planar rotational motion of the upper leg
relative to the cover, and a third joint to flexibly attach the
distal end of the lower leg to an attachment disposed on the bottom
of the hole.
Inventors: |
Kanetis; Stefan; (Del Mar,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO, P.C
ONE FINANCIAL CENTER
BOSTON
MA
02111
US
|
Family ID: |
40639163 |
Appl. No.: |
12/271749 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60988063 |
Nov 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
61099885 |
Sep 24, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/503 ;
4/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/065 20130101;
E04H 4/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/503 ;
4/498 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/06 20060101
E04H004/06 |
Claims
1. A locking system for a cover that is moveable between a lowered
position and a raised position in a hole that comprises an upper
rim, a bottom, and one or more sidewalls connecting the bottom and
the upper rim, the locking system comprising: one or more locking
mechanisms, each locking mechanism including: an upper leg and a
lower leg, each upper leg and the lower leg having a proximal end
and a distal end; a first joint that joins the upper leg near the
respective distal ends of the upper leg and the lower leg, the
first joint allowing planar rotational motion of the upper leg
relative to the lower leg between a minimum folded angle in the
lowered position and a maximum unfolded angle in the raised
position; a second joint to flexibly attach the distal end of the
upper leg on the bottom side of the cover to allow planar
rotational motion of the upper leg relative to the cover; and; and
a third joint to flexibly attach the distal end of the lower leg to
an attachment disposed on the bottom of the hole.
2. The locking system in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising an extendable mechanism that provides a force on the
lower leg that extends the first joint until the maximum unfolded
angle is reached and the cover is elevated to the raised
position.
3. The locking system in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising an extendable mechanism that provided a force on the
upper leg that extends the first joint until the maximum unfolded
angle is reached and the cover is elevated to the raised
position.
4. The locking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the
maximum unfolded angle is greater than 180 degrees.
5. The locking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the
extendable mechanism includes an actuator.
6. The locking system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the hole
is a pool filled with water, and wherein the actuator is a
hydraulic actuator that utilizes water from the pool.
7. A pool, comprising: a hole having an upper rim, a bottom, and
one or more sidewalls connecting the bottom and the upper rim; a
cover sized to fit within the upper rim and that is moveable
between a lowered position and a raised position in the hole; a
locking system for securing the cover in the raised position, the
locking system comprising one or more locking mechanisms, each
locking mechanism including: an upper leg and a lower leg, each
upper leg and the lower leg having a proximal end and a distal end;
a first joint that joins the upper leg near the respective distal
ends of the upper leg and the lower leg, the first joint allowing
planar rotational motion of the upper leg relative to the lower leg
between a minimum folded angle in the lowered position and a
maximum unfolded angle in the raised position; a second joint to
flexibly attach the distal end of the upper leg on the bottom side
of the cover to allow planar rotational motion of the upper leg
relative to the cover; and; and a third joint to flexibly attach
the distal end of the lower leg to an attachment disposed on the
bottom of the hole.
8. The pool in accordance with claim 7, further comprising an
extendable mechanism that provides a force on the lower leg that
extends the first joint until the maximum unfolded angle is reached
and the cover is elevated to the raised position.
9. The pool in accordance with claim 7, further comprising an
extendable mechanism that provided a force on the upper leg that
extends the first joint until the maximum unfolded angle is reached
and the cover is elevated to the raised position.
10. The pool in accordance with claim 8, wherein the maximum
unfolded angle is greater than 180 degrees.
11. The pool in accordance with claim 8, wherein the extendable
mechanism includes an actuator.
12. The pool in accordance with claim 11, wherein the hole is a
pool filled with water, and wherein the actuator is a hydraulic
actuator that utilizes water from the pool.
13. The pool in accordance with claim 7, wherein the locking system
includes three locking mechanisms equally spaced in the hole about
the cover.
14. A locking system for securing a cover in a raised position,
where the cover moves from a lowered position to a raised position
within a hole having an upper rim, a bottom, and one or more
sidewalls connecting the bottom and the upper rim, the locking
system comprising: three locking mechanisms equally spaced about a
bottom side of the cover, each locking mechanism comprising an
upper leg and a lower leg, each upper leg and the lower leg having
a proximal end and a distal end; a first joint that joins the upper
leg near the respective distal ends of the upper leg and the lower
leg, the first joint allowing planar rotational motion of the upper
leg relative to the lower leg between a minimum folded angle in the
lowered position and a maximum unfolded angle of greater than 180
degrees in the raised position; a second joint to flexibly attach
the distal end of the upper leg on the bottom side of the cover to
allow planar rotational motion of the upper leg relative to the
cover; and; a third joint to flexibly attach the distal end of the
lower leg to an attachment disposed on the bottom of the hole; and
an extendable mechanism connected between the bottom and the lower
leg that provides a force on the lower leg that extends the first
joint until the maximum unfolded angle is reached and the cover is
elevated to the raised position.
15. The locking system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the
extendable mechanism includes an actuator.
16. The locking system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the
hole is a pool filled with water, and wherein the actuator is a
hydraulic actuator that utilizes water from the pool.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of the following provisional applications, of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: U.S. Ser. No.
60/988,063, entitled "Lockable, Retractable Pool Cover," filed Nov.
14, 2007 (Attorney Docket No. 36533-502PRO) and U.S. Ser. No.
61/099,885, entitled "Stabilization Mechanism for Pool With Movable
Cover," filed Sep. 24, 2008.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Humans have enjoyed swimming pools for hundreds, if not
thousands, of years. Most pools are formed of a container having at
least a sloping bottom, or a flattened bottom and side walls. Some
modern pools that have a moveable bottom that can be moved up or
down to adjust the depth of the pool. These pools rely on track
mechanisms, usually positioned at peripheral edges of the bottom
coincident to the side walls.
[0003] Now, a new breed of swimming pool has recently been
introduced that includes a hydraulically-operated,
vertically-moving retractable cover. In the fully raised position,
the pool cover completely covers the water and forms a deck on
which people can sit, walk or play. In a lowered position, i.e. at
a position anywhere between the fully raised position and a fully
lowered, the cover acts as a bottom of the pool at a desired depth.
The covers of these types of pools are raised and lowered primarily
by means of a single hydraulic cylinder or other single hydraulic
element, which is usually coupled to the center of the underside of
the cover.
[0004] These pools with movable, retractable covers have safety and
stability requirements not present with conventional pools. For
example, there is a general OSHA requirement to lock-out/tag-out
heavy equipment during service (i.e. disabling the machine from
running), and in cases where a person can get into the mechanism,
the mechanism needs to be mechanically prevented from moving. Also,
in the event of a hydraulic failure, the retractable cover, and any
weight or potential live loads exerted on it, needs mechanical
support.
SUMMARY
[0005] This document describes a stabilization mechanism, including
one or more locking legs, for adding stability and safety to a
movable cover for a pool.
[0006] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and
advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and
from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other aspects will now be described in detail with
reference to the following drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 is an isometric diagram showing a collapsible
support.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a collapsible support being collapsed or
retracted.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the
collapsible support shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a variation of the collapsible support in which
the upper leg has a feature that allows an extendable member to
slidably attach to a slot or groove
[0012] FIG. 5 shows the collapsible support of FIG. 4 being
lowered.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows yet another variation of a collapsible
support.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows two positions of another variation of a
collapsible support without extendable member.
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a system that uses air to raise and lower
a cover.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows the use of compressed air to move the
extendable member.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows an alternative implementation of a collapsible
support in which the leg hyper-extends about an articulation
point
[0018] FIG. 11 is a more detailed view of the support in the locked
position.
[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a pool with movable cover for which a
collapsible support can desirably be used.
[0020] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to retractable,
lockable covers for pools or other openings. The currently
disclosed subject matter can provide, among other potential
benefits, apparatuses, systems, methods, techniques and/or articles
of manufacture that can be used in conjunction with a cover for a
pool or other opening. The cover can be raised an lowered in the
opening such that when the cover is in its fully raised position,
it can support substantial weight.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 12, a cover 6 can have a top side and a
bottom side and can be moveable between a lowered position and a
raised position in a hole 1 that comprises an upper rim, a bottom
5, and one or more sidewalls connecting the bottom and the upper
rim. The cover 6 can be connected to a cylinder 3 or other type of
moving mechanism to move the cover 6. The cylinder 3 can be
hydraulically or pneumatically moved to rectract into or extend
from a receiving cavity 2, and held in place by collar or gasket 4.
The hole 1 can in some variations be a pool such as a swimming
pool, but the current subject matter can be adapted to provide a
retractable, lockable cover for any number of holes or openings,
either in the ground, or as part of an above-ground structure. In
the example where the hole 1 is a pool such as a swimming pool, the
cover can be a pool cover.
[0023] One or more supports, in the form of collapsible structures,
can be included as part of the apparatus supporting the cover 6.
These supports enable the cylinder 3 to be reduced in size, since
load can be redistributed to the supports. The supports also act as
a mechanical stop for the maximum height of the cover in the raised
position, and prevent rotation of the cover within the hole. The
supports can be adapted to lock the cover height at any level, and
the positioning of the support minimizes damage to the rest of the
structure in the event of a support malfunction. The supports
eliminate teeter-totter about the main cylinder and eliminate
cantilever effects on other supports.
[0024] Each such support can include an upper leg and a lower leg,
each having a proximal end and a distal end. A first joint that
joins the upper leg and the lower leg can be provided near the
respective distal ends of the upper leg and the lower leg. The
first joint can allow planar rotational motion of the upper leg
relative to the lower leg between a minimum folded angle and a
maximum unfolded angle of less than approximately 180 degrees.
Alternatively first joint can allow planar rotational motion of the
upper leg relative to the lower leg between a minimum folded angle
and a maximum unfolded angle of greater than approximately 180
degrees, to "lock in" the support in a hyper-extended position. A
second joint can flexibly attach the distal end of the upper leg on
the bottom side of the pool cover, or to any member extending from
the bottom side of the cover, and thereby allow planar rotational
motion of the upper leg relative to the cover. A third joint can
flexibly attach the distal end of the lower leg to an attachment
disposed on one of the one or more sidewalls or on the bottom of
the hole. An extendable mechanism can be included that provides a
force on the upper leg that extends the first joint until the
maximum unfolded angle is reached and the pool cover is elevated to
the raised position. The collapsible structure can bear the weight
of the cover when the first joint is at its maximum unfolded angle.
As the cover moves toward the raised position, the supports
straighten out and increase in strength and stability.
[0025] Each leg of the support can be formed of a rigid material
such as stainless steel, aluminum, carbon fiber composite material,
or any other rigid material. Preferably, the material is
accommodative to a water environment.
[0026] In optional variations of the subject matter described
herein, the pool cover can be disposed approximately level with the
upper rim of the hole when the cover is in the raised position.
Additionally, the cover need not comprise a locking mechanism to
lock the cover to the sidewall when the cover is in the raised
position. The extendable mechanism can optionally include a piston
with a cross-sectional shape and a piston case comprising a cavity
having the same cross-sectional shape as the piston and a fluid
inlet to the cavity that permits fluid to be forced into the cavity
or released therefrom. Forcing fluid into the cavity via the fluid
inlet can cause the piston to extend out of the cavity and allowing
fluid to escape from the cavity via the fluid inlet can cause the
piston to retract into the cavity, thereby facilitating raising and
lowering, respectively, of the cover.
[0027] The subject matter can also be implemented as an apparatus
that includes an upper leg and a lower leg, each with a proximal
end and a distal end. A first joint joining the upper leg and the
lower leg near their respective distal ends and allowing planar
rotational motion of the upper leg relative to the lower leg
between a minimum folded angle and a maximum unfolded angle of less
than approximately 180 degrees can be included, as can a second
joint flexibly attaching the distal end of the upper leg on the
bottom side of a cover and allowing planar rotational motion of the
upper leg relative to the cover and a third joint flexibly
attaching the distal end of the lower leg to an attachment disposed
on a sidewall or a bottom of a hole. An extendable mechanism that
provides a force on the upper leg to extend the first joint until
the maximum unfolded angle is reached and the cover is elevated to
a raised position can be included such that the collapsible
structure is capable of bearing the weight of the cover when the
first joint is at its maximum unfolded angle.
[0028] In another implementation, a method of raising a lowering a
cover disposed in a hole can include providing a force on an upper
leg of a collapsible structure that extends a first joint. The
first joint can join the upper leg and a lower leg near respective
distal ends of the upper and lower legs and also allow planar
rotational motion of the upper leg relative to the lower leg
between a minimum folded angle and a maximum unfolded angle of less
than approximately 180 degrees. A distal end of the upper leg can
be flexibly attached by a second joint to a bottom side of the
cover and a distal end of the lower leg can be flexibly attached to
an attachment disposed on a sidewall or on a bottom of the hole.
The cover can be elevated to a raised position such that the
collapsible structure bears the weight of the cover when the first
joint is at its maximum unfolded angle. By reducing the force on
the upper leg, the angle defined by the first joint and the second
joint can be decreased from the maximum unfolded angle, thereby
lowering the cover from the raised position.
[0029] FIG. 1 is an isometric diagram showing a collapsible support
100 that can be used in conjunction with a retractable, locking
cover of a pool or other type of hole. As shown, in some examples,
the support 100 can include an upper leg 102 and a lower leg 104,
each having a proximal end and a distal end. The support 100 can
further include a first joint 106 that is a hinge and also an
extendable member 108 that causes the first joint 106 to expand to
its maximum angle as the extendable member 108 extends. As the
extendable member 108 retracts, the collapsible support 100 folds
about the first joint 106, thereby causing a cover 110 mounted on
top of the collapsible structure to be lowered toward a bottom 112
as shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the
collapsible support 100 along with a cover 120, and also showing
the fully raised and fully lowered positions of the collapsible
support 100. FIG. 4 shows a variation of the collapsible support in
which the upper leg has a feature that allows an extendable member
to slidably attach to a slot or groove 132 in the upper leg such
that extension of the extendable member causes the attachment point
of the extendable member to the upper leg to move as the
collapsible support is raised. This variation is also shown in FIG.
5 as the collapsible support is being lowered. FIG. 6 shows yet
another variation of the collapsible support, in which a slot or
groove 140 is connected to a stability leg 142.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows two positions of another variation of a
collapsible support 150, in which no extendable member is included,
and which can lock into place in a fully raised position. As in the
device of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the collapsible support of FIG. 7 can
fully support the cover when it is in the fully raised position.
The distal end of the upper leg can be attached to some form of
raising or lowering mechanism that can provide a force necessary to
lift and drop the cover in the hole. Alternatively, the force
needed to raise the cover can be provided by one or more flotation
tanks 160 that can be filled with air supplied by an outside source
162 such as a tank or a pump, as shown schematically in FIG. 8. The
extendable members shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and discussed elsewhere
herein can optionally be operated via a source of compressed air
164 as shown schematically in FIG. 9. Other means of extending
and/or retracting the extendable supports are possible. The
extendable supports need not be pneumatic in nature, as
screw-operated devices or other mechanisms for extending a
supporting brace can be incorporated based on the teachings
provided herein.
[0032] FIG. 10 shows an alternative implementation of a collapsible
support 200, which functions as a locking leg in which the leg
hyper-extends about an articulation point for added stability. FIG.
11 is a more detailed view of just the leg in the locked
position.
[0033] In this alternative implementation, each support 200 can
include an upper leg 202 and a lower leg 204, each having a
proximal end and a distal end. A first joint 206, or articulation
point, that joins the upper leg 202 and the lower leg 204 can be
provided near the respective distal ends of the upper leg 202 and
the lower leg 204. The first joint 206 can allow planar rotational
motion of the upper leg 202 relative to the lower leg 204 between a
minimum folded angle and a maximum unfolded angle of greater than
approximately 180 degrees, to "lock in" the support 200 in a
hyper-extended position. A second joint 208 can flexibly attach the
distal end of the upper leg 202 on the bottom side of a pool cover
201, or any member extending therefrom, and thereby allow planar
rotational motion of the upper leg 202 relative to the cover 201. A
third joint 210 can flexibly attach the distal end of the lower leg
204 to an attachment disposed on one of the one or more sidewalls
or on the bottom 203 of the hole. An extendable mechanism 212 can
be included that provides a force on the lower leg 204 that locks
the first joint 206 into the hyper-extended position until the
maximum unfolded angle is reached and the pool cover 201 is
elevated to the raised position. The collapsible support 200 can
bear the weight of the cover 201 when the first joint 206 is
slightly hyper-extended and at its maximum unfolded angle. In
alternative implementations, the extendable mechanism 212 can be
attached between the cover 201 and the upper leg 202.
[0034] The support can have a simple locking mechanism. The support
200, which may collapse such that the upper leg 202 and lower leg
204 form an acute angle, i.e. may be `straightened` slightly past
180 degrees, at which point there is a rigid stop that prevents the
first joint 206 or hinge from rotating further. The support 200, in
this full `straight` position can be put under compression without
the legs 202, 204 buckling at the first joint 206. In some
implementations, the extendable mechanism 212 pulls the leg into
this `straight` position, and then the weight of the cover is set
on the support 200. The weight of the cover locks the legs into
place, as the legs will try to buckle, but a hinge used for the
first joint 206 will resist such buckling.
[0035] The extendable mechanism 212 may be an actuator, for
example, a hydraulic actuator, and can be connected to either the
upper leg 202 or lower leg 204 to provide force to collapse or
straighten the support 200. The other end of the actuator (assuming
the actuator operates in a linear fashion) can be connected to the
underside of the cover 201, or the bottom 203, or even to the side
of the hole. In one preferred implementation, the actuator is
connected to the lower leg 204, with the other end of the actuator
connected to the pool bottom 203, near the main hydraulic cylinder,
via a hinge. Rotary actuators, or other actuators, may be used to
apply force to the leg assembly.
[0036] Using one or more supports 200 with a movable cover in a
pool or hole helps to prevent rotation (yaw) of the cover 201 with
respect to the pool shell throughout the motion range, and it
eliminates any requirement for an unusual shaped (non-round)
cylinder ram. Any number of supports can be used. In some
implementations, the bottom connection point of the support 200 is
further from the center than the top connection point, forming a
tripod when the support 200 is extended and locked
[0037] The legs 202 and 204 are rigid and resist twisting, even in
a bent or collapsed position, further assisting rotational
stiffness of the cover 201. In the locked position, the legs 202,
204 make the cover more rigid to vertical deflection. In a specific
alternative, the connection point between each support 200 and the
cover 201 is approximately 2-3 feet from the center of the cover.
When a multiplicity of supports 200 is used, the wide spacing
between the supports 200 helps stability.
[0038] Although a few variations have been described in detail
above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be
within the scope of the following claim.
* * * * *