U.S. patent application number 12/367950 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for reel for an automatic pool cover assembly.
Invention is credited to Michael J. Shebek.
Application Number | 20100199417 12/367950 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539129 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100199417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shebek; Michael J. |
August 12, 2010 |
REEL FOR AN AUTOMATIC POOL COVER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A pool cover assembly for covering a swimming pool includes a
cover, a pool cover box, and a reel positionable within the pool
cover box and configured for carrying the cover. The reel includes
a tube and an end piece. The tube includes an end with at least one
keying feature and the end piece includes at least one mating
keying feature. The keying feature and the mating keying feature
coact to allow relative axial movement between the tube and the end
piece, but not allow relative rotational movement between the tube
and the end piece.
Inventors: |
Shebek; Michael J.; (Carmel,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAYLOR & AUST, P.C.
P.O. Box 560, 142. S Main Street
Avilla
IN
46710
US
|
Family ID: |
42539129 |
Appl. No.: |
12/367950 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/502 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/101 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/502 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/10 20060101
E04H004/10 |
Claims
1. A swimming pool, comprising: a plurality of side walls; and a
pool cover assembly for covering the swimming pool, said pool cover
assembly including: a cover; a pool cover box mounted along at
least one of said side walls; and a reel positioned within said
pool cover box and carrying said cover, said reel including a tube
and an end piece, said tube including an end with at least one
keying feature and said end piece including at least one mating
keying feature, said keying feature and said mating keying feature
coacting to allow relative axial movement between said tube and
said end piece, but not allow relative rotational movement between
said tube and said end piece.
2. The swimming pool of claim 1, wherein said end piece is a drive
end piece, and further including an idler end piece, said tube
including an idler end with at least one keying feature and said
idler end piece including at least one mating keying feature, said
keying feature of said idler end and said mating keying feature of
said idler end piece coacting to allow relative axial movement
between said tube and said idler end piece, but not allow relative
rotational movement between said tube and said idler end piece.
3. The swimming pool of claim 1, wherein said at least one keying
feature in each of said drive end and said idler end are a
plurality of recesses, and said at least one mating keying feature
on each of said drive end piece and said idler end piece are a
plurality of mating projections.
4. The swimming pool of claim 3, wherein said plurality of recesses
have a cross section with one of a circular, rectangular and square
shape, and said plurality of projections have a mating cross
section with one of a circular, rectangular and square shape.
5. The swimming pool of claim 1, wherein each said keying feature
is one of a recess and a projection, and each said mating keying
feature is one of a mating recess and mating projection.
6. The swimming pool of claim 1, wherein each said keying feature
is a recess, and each said mating keying feature is a mating
projection.
7. The swimming pool of claim 6, wherein each said recess and each
said mating projection have a cross section with one of a circular,
rectangular and square shape.
8. A pool cover assembly for covering a swimming pool, said pool
cover assembly including: a cover; a pool cover box; and a reel
positionable within said pool cover box and configured for carrying
said cover, said reel including a tube and an end piece, said tube
including an end with at least one keying feature and said end
piece including at least one mating keying feature, said keying
feature and said mating keying feature coacting to allow relative
axial movement between said tube and said end piece, but not allow
relative rotational movement between said tube and said end
piece.
9. The pool cover assembly of claim 8, wherein said end of said
tube is one of a drive end and an idler end, and said end piece is
one of a drive end piece and an idler end piece.
10. The pool cover assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one
keying feature is a plurality of recesses, and said at least one
mating keying feature is a plurality of mating projections.
11. The pool cover assembly of claim 10, wherein said plurality of
recesses have a cross section with one of a circular, rectangular
and square shape, and said plurality of projections have a mating
cross section with one of a circular, rectangular and square
shape.
12. The pool cover assembly of claim 8, wherein each said keying
feature is one of a recess and a projection, and each said mating
keying feature is one of a mating recess and mating projection.
13. The pool cover assembly of claim 8, wherein each said keying
feature is a recess, and each said mating keying feature is a
mating projection.
14. The pool cover assembly of claim 13, wherein each said recess
and each said mating projection have a cross section with one of a
circular, rectangular and square shape.
15. A reel for use with a pool cover assembly, comprising: a tube
and an end piece, said tube including an end with at least one
keying feature and said end piece including at least one mating
keying feature, said keying feature and said mating keying feature
coacting to allow relative axial movement between said tube and
said end piece, but not allow relative rotational movement between
said tube and said end piece.
16. The reel of claim 15, wherein said end of said tube is one of a
drive end and an idler end, and said end piece is one of a drive
end piece and an idler end piece.
17. The reel of claim 15, wherein said at least one keying feature
is a plurality of recesses, and said at least one mating keying
feature is a plurality of mating projections.
18. The reel of claim 17, wherein said plurality of recesses have a
cross section with one of a circular, rectangular and square shape,
and said plurality of projections have a mating cross section with
one of a circular, rectangular and square shape.
19. The reel of claim 15, wherein each said keying feature is one
of a recess and a projection, and each said mating keying feature
is one of a mating recess and mating projection.
20. The reel of claim 15, wherein each said keying feature is a
recess, and each said mating keying feature is a mating
projection.
21. The reel of claim 20, wherein each said recess and each said
mating projection have a cross section with one of a circular,
rectangular and square shape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to swimming pools, and, more
particularly, to automatic pool cover assemblies for swimming
pools.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Swimming pools are commonly covered to prevent debris from
entering the pool, to preserve chemical treatments in the water and
to heat the pool in the case of a solar cover. An automatic pool
cover provides convenience for a user by allowing the cover to be
easily extended over the pool during periods of non-use, and
retracted during periods of use. Typically, a pool cover box is
placed in or on the decking surrounding the swimming pool at a
location opposite from the walk-in steps (i.e., usually located at
the deep end of the pool). The pool cover box extends across the
width of the swimming pool, and within the box is mounted a reel to
store the pool cover on, an electric (or hydraulic) motor and a
mechanism to deploy and retract the pool cover.
[0005] A problem with a conventional automatic pool cover assembly
is that the reel can be somewhat difficult to assemble on-site
and/or modify in the event of a design change in the pool. A reel
typically has a hollow tube which is cut to a specific length,
based upon the expected width of the pool. A tube ring has an
outside diameter which fits within the inside diameter of the tube.
The tube is then screwed to the tube ring using radially extending
metal screws. An end cap or end casting is then fastened to the
tube ring, with the end cap having an integral stub shaft extending
therefrom for use as either a drive shaft or idler shaft.
Alternatively, an end cap may be configured with an outside
diameter which fits directly within the tube, without the use of
tube ring. The tube is again rigidly affixed to the end cap using
screws or the like. These relatively complex mounting arrangements
take time to assemble, are a relatively complex mounting
arrangements, and do not allow easy retrofit modifications.
[0006] What is needed in the art is a pool cover assembly with a
reel which is easy to assemble, disassemble, retrofit and
rework.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a reel for a pool cover
assembly with a tube and at least one end piece which are axially
movable but rotationally immovable relative to each other.
[0008] The invention in one form is directed to a swimming pool,
including a plurality of side walls and a pool cover assembly for
covering the swimming pool. The pool cover assembly includes a
cover, a pool cover box mounted along at least one of the side
walls, and a reel positioned within the pool cover box and carrying
the cover. The reel includes a tube and a drive end piece. The tube
includes a drive end with at least one keying feature, and the
drive end piece includes at least one mating keying feature. The
keying feature and the mating keying feature coact to allow
relative axial movement between the tube and the drive end piece,
but not allow relative rotational movement between the tube and the
drive end piece.
[0009] The invention in another form is directed to a pool cover
assembly for covering a swimming pool. The pool cover assembly
includes a cover, a pool cover box, and a reel positionable within
the pool cover box and configured for carrying the cover. The reel
includes a tube and an end piece. The tube includes an end with at
least one keying feature and the end piece includes at least one
mating keying feature. The keying feature and the mating keying
feature coast to allow relative axial movement between the tube and
the end piece, but not allow relative rotational movement between
the tube and the end piece.
[0010] The invention in yet another form is directed to a reel for
use with a pool cover assembly. The reel includes a tube and an end
piece. The tube includes an end with at least one keying feature
and the end piece includes at least one mating keying feature. The
keying feature and the mating keying feature coact to allow
relative axial movement between the tube and the end piece, but not
allow relative rotational movement between the tube and the end
piece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of an embodiment of the invention
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swimming pool including an
embodiment of a pool cover assembly of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially fragmentary view of an
embodiment of a reel of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective, partially fragmentary view of
another embodiment of a reel of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially fragmentary view of
another embodiment of a reel of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective, partially fragmentary view of
another embodiment of a reel of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially fragmentary view of
another embodiment of a reel of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an end
piece used with a reel of the present invention.
[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out
herein illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, in one
form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown an embodiment of a swimming pool 10 including a
deck 12, a coping 14, a cover 16, a leading edge bar 18 and a pool
cover box 20 of the present invention.
[0021] Deck 12 is generally horizontal and is preferably
constructed from concrete. Coping 14 connects to deck 12 in a
substantially coplanar fashion along the edge of deck 12 facing the
interior of swimming pool 10.
[0022] Coping 14 is connected to deck 12 and provides a track
allowing leading edge bar 18 to slide therein. The general shape of
the exposed portion of coping 14 is generally curved such that
there are no exposed sharp corners.
[0023] Cover 16 is attached to leading edge bar 18 which pulls
cover 16 from pool cover box 20, through an opening existing
between pool cover box 20 and a top edge of swimming pool 10, and
across the length of swimming pool 10. To prepare swimming pool 10
for use, cover 16 retracts into pool cover box 20 pulling leading
edge bar 18 to the previously described opening.
[0024] Leading edge bar 18 is connected to cover 16 and provides
support along the leading edge of cover 16. Each end of leading
edge bar 18 is connected to at least one cable or rope (not shown)
and is slidably connected to a track in coping 14. Leading edge bar
18 is shaped in a manner to be unobtrusive and aesthetically
pleasing when located at either end of swimming pool 10. Although
coping 14 is shown as including an integral track for leading edge
bar 18 and cover 16, it is also possible that a pair of top mounted
tracks may be mounted to deck 12 along either side of swimming pool
10.
[0025] Pool cover 16, leading edge bar 18 and pool cover box 20
form part of a pool cover assembly 22, which also includes a reel
24 (FIG. 2) carried within pool cover box 20. Pool cover assembly
22 also includes a drive mechanism (not shown) housed within pool
cover box 20, which typically drives a rope and pulley system for
the extension and retraction of cover 16. When cover 16 is
retracted from swimming pool 10, cover 16 is wrapped around reel 24
a number of times corresponding to the length of swimming pool
10.
[0026] Now additionally referring to FIG. 2, reel 24 will be
described in greater detail. Reel 24 is positioned within pool
cover box 20 and carries cover 16. Reel 24 includes a tube 26, a
drive end piece 28, and an idler end piece 30. Drive end piece 28
and idler end piece 30 each include an axially extending shaft 31,
which is either a drive shaft or idler shaft, respectively.
[0027] Tube 26 includes a drive end 32 and idler end 34, each of
which are substantially identically configured in the illustrated
embodiment. Drive end 32 and idler end 34 each include one or more
keying features 36. Similarly, drive end piece 28 and idler end
piece 30 each include one or more mating keying features 38. Keying
features 36 and mating keying features 38 coact to allow relative
axial movement between tube 26 and end piece 28 or 30, but not
allow relative rotational movement between tube 26 and end piece 28
or 30. Although each of drive end 32 and idler end 34 are shown as
including mating keying features, it is also to be understood that
only one of drive end 32 and idler end 34 may include mating keying
features.
[0028] In the embodiment of reel 24 shown in FIG. 2, keying
features 36 are in the form of three tubes which are affixed to the
inside diameter of tube 26 and extruded concurrent with tube 26.
Similarly, mating keying features 38 are in the form of three tubes
or cylinders which extend axially from a corresponding end piece 28
or 30. Tubes 38 are sized, oriented and positioned relative to each
other such that they fit within tubes 36 within tube 26.
[0029] Although reel 24 is shown as including keying features 36 in
the form of recesses and mating keying features 38 in the form of
projections, it is also to be understood that this configuration
may be reversed or mixed. That is, keying features 36 may be in the
form of projections and mating keying features 38 may be in the
form of recesses, or another combination thereof.
[0030] During assembly on-site, tube 26 is simply cut to length (if
necessary), and each end piece 28 and 30 is assembled to tube 26 by
inserting mating keying features 38 into keying features 36.
Depending on the exact width of the pool, the axial length of reel
24 may be adjusted through the axial adjustment between keying
features 38 into keying features 36.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another embodiment
of a reel 40 of the present invention. Reel 40 is similar to reel
24 shown in FIG. 2, with the primary difference being the size and
shape of keying features 42 and mating keying features 44. In the
embodiment of reel 40, tube 46 has keying features 42 which are in
the form of three slots which are extruded or otherwised formed
into the outside diameter of tube 46. Each slot 42 has a generally
rectangular shaped cross section. Similarly, end piece 48 (one of
which is shown) has a mating keying feature 44 which is in the form
of projections with a rectangular shaped cross section. Optionally,
one or more of the projections 44 may include a hole 50 or the like
for receiving a fastener 52 (such as a bolt) for affixing the axial
position of end piece 48 relative to tube 46.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown yet another
embodiment of a reel 60 of the present invention. Reel 60 is
similar to reels 24 and 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the primary
difference being the size and shape of keying feature 62 and mating
keying feature 64. In the embodiment of reel 60, tube 66 has a
keying feature 62 which is in the form of a single recess which is
extruded or otherwised formed into tube 46. Recess 62 has a
generally square shaped cross section. Similarly, end piece 68 (one
of which is shown) has a mating keying feature 64 which is in the
form of a single projection with a generally square shaped cross
section.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a portion of another embodiment of a reel 70 of
the present invention. Tube 72 does not include integral keying
features as shown, e.g., in FIG. 2. Rather, a tube ring 74 is
inserted into the end of tube 72 and fastened in known manner using
screws or the like, and is thereby considered as part of tube 72.
Tube ring 74 includes keying features 76 which may mate with mating
keying features from an end piece, such as end piece 28 shown in
FIG. 2. The size and shape of the keying features and mating keying
features may vary.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a portion of yet another embodiment of a reel
80 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the end of tube 82
is formed with three equidistant slots 83. An end cap 84 includes
projections 86 which are received within slots 83. End cap 84 is
fastened to tube 82 and considered part of tube 82. End cap 84
includes a keying feature 88 which can mate with a mating keying
feature, such as keying feature 64 of end piece 68.
[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of an end piece 90 of the
present invention. End piece 90 includes three projections 92
defining mating keying features which can mate, e.g., with keying
features 36 (FIG. 2) or keying features 76 (FIG. 5).
[0036] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
* * * * *