US3683428A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rigid, buoyant, insulating and rapid folding swimming pool covers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-01
•
Granted: 1972-08-15
•
Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Rigid, closed cell foam plastic sheets are joined by flexible hinges. A series of resulting strips are floated, side by side, to cover the pool. Overall dimensions are slightly smaller than the inner pool perimeter to allow for easy removal. There is attached to the outer perimeter and extending past the edge of the sheets and up the wall of the pool, a flexible lip, preferably porous, so that some pressure is exerted to keep individual sections together while sealing the open perimeter channel. This allows rain water passage to the pool below without permitting dirt to follow. Flexible or elastomeric inserts are attached at corners and at necessary breaks in the lip selected for folding or closer fitting to further keep out contamination. The alternately hinged, rigid foam sheets fold, accordion like, into a small space when not in use.
Inventors
- 👤 Lester Morris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:33
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H4/00; E04H4/06; E04H4/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A swimming pool cover which prevents dissipation of heat from the water of a swimming pool and prevents the water from being contaminated by substances in the atmosphere but allows easy access to the water by an individual when desired, said swimming pool cover comprising a series or rigid, or semi-rigid, waterresistant panels having a net specific gravity less than water, said panels being foldably fixed together by hinge means, said panels being of a size and shape such that the swimming pool cover has less area than the swimming pool whereby margins are left between the edge of the swimming pool and the edges of said panels which are nearest the swimming pool edge thereby leaving a space between the edge of the swimming pool and the edges of said panels, said space being insulated from the atmosphere by flexible joining means which are of a size and shape sufficient to cover said space and are porous to liquids and non-porous to solids, thereby allowing the panels to move in the swimming pool while still covering and insulating said space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A swimming pool cover which prevents dissipation of heat from the water of a swimming pool and prevents the water from being contaminated by substances in the atmosphere but allows easy access to the water by an individual when desired, said swimming pool cover comprising a series or rigid, or semi-rigid, waterresistant panels having a net specific gravity less than water, said panels being foldably fixed together by hinge means, said panels being of a size and shape such that the swimming pool cover has less area than the swimming pool whereby margins are left between the edge of the swimming pool and the edges of said panels which are nearest the swimming pool edge thereby leaving a space between the edge of the swimming pool and the edges of said panels, said space being insulated from the atmosphere by flexible joining means which are of a size and shape sufficient to cover said space and are porous to liquids and non-porous to solids, thereby allowing the panels to move in the swimming pool while still covering and insulating said space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein the panels are made of a closed cell polystyrene foam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein the hinge means include a longitudinally expanding flexible member folded along its longitudinal axis and secured on opposite sides to adjacent inner edges of said panels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein the edges of panels closest to the pool include a longitudinally extending flexible strip secured to the horizontal sides and extending beyond the panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein the panels are made of honeycomb cells with facings of thin, stiff, waterproof sheets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein said panels have internally molded air cavities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A swimming pool according to claim 1 wherein said panels are rigid sheets having a waffle-like pattern which thereby produces buoyancy by water displacement and entrapped air pockets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein the hinge means is provided by laminating a flexible, waterproof membrane to the entire structure, on one or both sides, said flexible membrane with appropriate slack acting as hinge means between the rigid panels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein the edges of panels closest to the pool are open cell, water resistant, compressible foams, said foams being adhesively attached and occupying the annular space between cover and pool wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A swimming pool cover according to claim 1 wherein the flexible joining means have a size greater than the space between the edge of the swimming pool and the edges of said panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |