NZ616277B2 - Device for moving coverings for insulating pools - Google Patents

Abstract

covering and moving device for moving the covering for an insulating pool, is composed of two parts 1, 2 connected to each other in an articulated manner, which lie flat on an upper edge of the pool 6 in a closed state. The rear part 2 of the covering is connected to the pool 6 by means of a hinge, and the front part 1 of the covering is connected to two lifting arms 3. The arms 3 are arranged at the sides of the pool 6 and are driven by at least one drive, such that in use when the lifting arms 3 rotate, the covering is able to be transferred from the closed state to an open state in which the covering lies behind the pool 6 and back again from the open state to the closed state by a lifting/folding motion. , and the front part 1 of the covering is connected to two lifting arms 3. The arms 3 are arranged at the sides of the pool 6 and are driven by at least one drive, such that in use when the lifting arms 3 rotate, the covering is able to be transferred from the closed state to an open state in which the covering lies behind the pool 6 and back again from the open state to the closed state by a lifting/folding motion.

Description

Covering and moving device for moving the covering for insulating pools The invention relates to a covering and moving device for insulating pools, which covering is composed of two parts connected to each other in an articulated manner, which parts of the covering lie flat on an upper edge of the pool in a closed state.

Such a device and/or a cover lifter serves for lifting coverings or so-called thermocovers, as are used nowadays in modern Whirlpools, spas, hot tubs, etc.

Hitherto in the prior art were structures which permitted such a commercially available covering to be lifted from the pool and/or to be moved into a al position behind the pool. The covering then rests positioned behind or above the edge of the pool. In this case, before being opened, the covering has to be manually released from the pool and, after being closed, said covering has to be refixed. This generally takes place via straps mounted on the ng. Insulated coverings generally t of two styropor cores welded in nylon, which are inserted into rs of a vinyl sleeve which is resistant to UV light.

Said chambers are connected in the centre by a reinforced vinyl web and thus form a hinge extending over the entire width of the pool. Said coverings insulate the pool thermally relative to the surroundings and thus prevent heat loss of the heated pool water. Said coverings also e tion from environmental nces on the water.

DE 10 2008 032 158 Al discloses a whirlpool covering according to the prior art which consists of two or more parts connected together in an articulated. manner. The parts of the covering may be pivoted and moved via a gear ism. The device for folding the covering is of relatively complex construction. Moreover, in the open state of the whirlpool, parts of the folded covering protrude over the upper edge thereof in an unsatisfactory manner.

WO 2009/129756 A2 discloses a two—part covering of a whirlpool, one part being moved into a ntially al position for opening the covering. The part articulated to said part slides on rollers along the upper edge of the pool and in the open state of the whirlpool is located substantially parallel to the first part of the covering. By a corresponding ism, the folded—up covering is able to be lowered into a storage space provided therefor adjacent to the whirlpool. In addition to the complexity of the construction, it is also a drawback that the storage space for the folded—up covering generally has to be configured to be deeper than the pool, whereby additional structural measures are required. er, alterations have to be made to the whirlpool, permitting or facilitating the rolling of the covering part on the edge of the pool.

Finally, US 072 A discloses a covering for whirlpools ting of two parts connected together in an articulated manner, one part having to be moved manually onto the other part before the two superimposed parts of the ng are manually d via lateral lifting arms and a horizontal bar adjacent to the edge of the pool. In this case, in addition to the manual actuation, the parts of the folded—up covering protruding over the edge of the pool are also troublesome in the open state of the whirlpool.

The reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a covering and. moving device for insulating pools, which will overcome or ameliorate problems with such at present, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Other objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following ption, which is given by way of e only.

According to one aspect there is provided a covering and moving device for moving the covering for an insulating pool which covering is , composed of two parts connected to each other in an articulated manner, which parts of the covering lie flat on an upper edge of the pool in a closed state, wherein the rear part of the covering is connectable to the pool by means of a hinge, and the front part of the covering is connected to two lifting arms which are arranged at the sides of the pool and which are driven by at least one drive , such that in use when the lifting arms rotate, the ng is able to be transferred from the closed state to an open state in which the covering lies behind the pool and back again from the open state to the closed state by a lifting/folding motion.

This allows for the comfortable, automatic movement of such a commercially available two—part whirlpool covering (the ool or the spa is denoted after as the pool) into a position behind the pool during the uncovering process and back again during the ng process.

In an embodiment the rear part of the covering is connected to the pool by means of a hinge, and the front part of the ng being connected to two lifting arms which. are arranged at the sides of the pool and which are driven by at least one drive, such that when the lifting arms rotate, the covering is able to be transferred from the closed state to an open state in which the covering lies behind the pool and back again by a lifting/folding . The covering lies folded—up in the uncovered state and invisible to the bather(s) behind the pool, which opens up completely new perspectives for the builder of the pool deck, the landscape designer, etc., and the entire covering could even be concealed in a t which in turn could be designed as a reclining surface. In this case, the pool itself is not modified in any respect. By means of the structure described here and the drives, the bearing points and the pivot points thereof, the covering describes a complex lifting/folding motion which represents the entire uncovering and/or covering process. When the pool is open, the covering is not located vertically in the space as in previous solutions, but lies folded—up to half its width behind the pool and does not interfere with the bather(s) in any respect. In the closed state, r fixing of the ng to the pool, for example via corner straps is no longer necessary.

Advantageously, in the open state, the parts of the ng lie folded—up horizontally behind the pool below the upper edge of the pool.

If the at least one drive of the lifting arms is designed to be self-locking, the parts of the covering' are held fixedly in on. A further fixing of the covering to the pool against the effects of wind and other influences is no longer necessary.

A sliding rail may be provided on the side of each lifting arm facing the pool, in which sliding rail a pin fixedly connected to the front part of the covering is able to be mounted in a ble and linear displaceable manner.

An adjustable stop is ably arranged in the sliding rail of each lifting arm for limiting the cement path of the pin.

Each lifting arm may be of angular configuration, as an angled lifting arm. As a result, the lifting/folding motion is assisted and the corresponding position of the folded—up covering in the open state of the pool is permitted and/or assisted.

The sliding rail may be formed from polyamide (PA) or polyacetol.

Unless the t clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not d to”.

The invention is described in more detail with reference to an exemplary‘ embodiment according to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a pool with a two-part covering in the closed state; Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the hinge for the articulated connection of one part of the ng to the pool; Fig. 3 shows a side view of the pool according to Fig. l with the covering slightly open; Fig. 4 shows a ed View of the partially open covering in the region of the lifting arm; Fig. 5 shows a section through an embodiment of a g arm; Fig. 6 shows a side view of the pool according to Fig. l, with the covering half open; Fig. 7 shows a side view of the pool according to Fig. l with the covering almost completely open; Fig. 8 shows a side view of the pool according to Fig. l with the covering completely open; and Fig. 9 shows a side view of the pool according to Fig. l with the covering half closed.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a pool 6 with a covering in the closed state consisting of two parts 1, 2 connected to each other in. an articulated Inanner. The rear‘ part. 2 of the ng is connected to the pool 6 by means of a hinge 4 (see Fig. 2). In this case, the upper leaf of the rear hinge 41 is fixedly connected to the rear part 2 of the covering. The pivot point of the hinge 4 in this case is located in a defined position below the upper edge 5 of the pool 6. The front part 1 of the covering connected in an articulated manner to the rear part 2 is connected to lifting arms 3, which may be rotated by at least one drive 7. The ents of the cover lifter, such as the lifting arms 3, hinge 4, etc. are preferably designed symmetrically on both. sides of the pool 6. The front part 1 of the covering is held fixedly in position by the ocking of the at least one drive 7, and the rear‘ part 2 of the covering is held fixedly in position by the hinge 4. A further fixing of the covering to the pool 6 against the effects of wind and other influences is no longer necessary.

The sequence of opening or uncovering and/or closing or covering, as might be viewed from one side of the pool 6, is described hereinafter. When opening and closing, in the case of two drives 7, said drives run synchronously from one end position to the other. The end position is defined, on the one hand, as the closed or d state of the covering where the two parts 1 and 2 of the ng lie flat on the upper edge 5 of the pool and, on the other hand, the open or uncovered state where the parts 1 and 2 of the covering lie folded—up horizontally on top of one another behind the pool 6.

Fig. 3 shows the initial uncovering process. The drive 7 rotates the lifting arm 3 clockwise and thus lifts the front part 1 of the covering. A sliding rail 9 inserted in the front region of the lifting arm 3 or integrated therein, supports a pin 8 in a rotatable and linear displaceable manner in the lifting arm 3. Said pin 8 is ted fixedly to the front part 1 of the covering and limited in its path by a stop 10 on the sliding rail 9 (see also Fig. 4 and. Fig. 5). This construction. permits the front part 1 of the covering to m both a rotational motion about the axis of the pin 8 and a linear motion along the guide in the g rail 9, also limited by the stop 10 and/or the end of the sliding rail 9.

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the front part 1 of the covering with the lifting arm 3. A mechanical stop 10 limits the path of the pin 8 on its path in the sliding rail 9.

Fig. 5 shows the cross section. of an. embodiment of the front lifting arm 3 in detail. The round stainless steel tube of the lifting arm 3 is slotted on the side facing the pool 6, and thus permits the pin 8 a free linear motion along the stainless steel tube over a specific length. The path of the pin 8 is thus d at the front by the end of the g rail 9, and at the rear by the adjustable stop 10 which is fixedly connected to the sliding rail 9.

Said sliding rail 9 manufactured from polyamide (PA) or polyacetol is inserted from the front into the hollow lifting arm 3 and fixed at the top and bottom by screws 11.

The pin 8 formed from alloy steel which in turn is fixed by washers l2 and circlips 13 on both sides of the g rail 9, permits the front part 1 of the covering to move along the sliding rail 9, which serves as a guide, with a maintenance—free rotational and sliding motion.

Fig. 6 shows the opening' process of the covering in a subsequent state. The rotational movement of the lifting ann 3 is continued, the front part of the covering has reached. its rear stop 10 in. the sliding" guide 9 kn! the force of y and now the second part 2 of the covering which still lies flat begins an upwardly oriented rotational movement about the bearing point in the hinge 4.

Fig. 7 shows the folding process of the covering behind the pool 6. The rotational nt of the lifting arm 3 is ued, the front part 1 of the covering is placed on the rear part 2 of the covering and subsequently the folded-up covering moves as a unit into a horizontal position.

Fig. 8 shows the covering in the completely open state. The covering process is carried out in reverse sequence. The entire covering is lifted in an upwardly oriented rotational nt, the rear part 2 of the covering is initially placed on the upper edge 5 of the pool 6, at this time the front part 1 of the covering has already moved past the vertical (see Fig. 9) and s the curved path Via the pin. 8 slidably' mounted. in the sliding rail 9, downwards to the front until both parts IL and 2 of the covering come to rest flat on the upper edge 5 of the pool 6 (see Fig. l).

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1. A covering and moving device for moving the covering for an insulating pool, which covering is composed of two parts connected to each other in an lated manner, which parts of the covering lie flat on an upper edge of the pool in a closed state, wherein the rear part of the covering is connectable to the pool by means of a hinge, and the front part of the covering is connected to two lifting arms which are arranged at the sides of the pool and which are driven by at least one drive such that in , use when the lifting arms rotate, the covering is able to be transferred from the closed state to an open state in which the ng lies behind the pool and back again from the open state to the closed state by a lifting/folding motion. A covering and Inoving device according‘ to Claim 1, wherein in the open state, the parts of the ng lie folded—up horizontally behind the pool below the upper edge of the pool. A covering and moving device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one drive of the lifting arms is designed to be self—locking. A covering and moving device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a sliding rail is provided on the side of each lifting arm facing the pool, in which sliding rail a pin fixedly connected to the front part of the covering is able to be mounted in a rotatable and linear displaceable manner. 5. A ng and moving device according to Claim 4, wherein an adjustable stop is arranged in the sliding rail of each lifting arm for limiting the displacement path of the pin 6. A covering and moving device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein each lifting arm is of angular configuration. 7. A covering and moving device ing to one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the sliding rail is formed from polyamide or polyacetol. 8. An insulating pool comprising a ng and moving device according to any one preceding claim. 9. A covering and moving device for moving the covering for an insulating pool ntially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10. An insulating pool, covering and device for moving the covering substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. W0 35886