US3801994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pool cover and elevating apparatus therefore
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-24
•
Granted: 1974-04-09
•
Expires: 1992-07-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an air inflatable bag or container employed to elevate the covering sheet customarily used for protecting a swimming pool when not in use. The container has an open end held submerged in water and provides a passageway to entrap a quantity of water. Air is then bubbled up through the entrapped water into the bag to inflate the same. Various shapes and constructions are shown all operating on the same principle.
Inventors
- 👤 G Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:10
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H4/00; E04H4/06; E04H4/10; E04H4/105; E04H4/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
In combination with a swimming pool having a bottom and side walls terminating at an upper edge, means for covering the entire exposed surface of said pool, means for securing said covering means in fixed position relative to said pool with the outer perimeter of said covering means disposed outwardly of said upper edge, means for elevating said covering means above the surface of the water in said pool including at least one inflatable container made from air-impervious material and having means defining a passageway communicating with the interior thereof, said passageway having an inlet opening, means for maintaining said inlet opening and at least a portion of said passageway adjacent thereto in a submerged position to entrap a quantity of water in said passageway, and means for introducing air into the water below the surface of the entrapped quantity of water to bubble upwardly through said entrapped quantity and escape from said surface thereof into said container whereby to inflate same, said surface of said entrapped quantity providing sealing means for maintaining the air in said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
In combination with a swimming pool having a bottom and side walls terminating at an upper edge, means for covering the entire exposed surface of said pool, means for securing said covering means in fixed position relative to said pool with the outer perimeter of said covering means disposed outwardly of said upper edge, means for elevating said covering means above the surface of the water in said pool including at least one inflatable container made from air-impervious material and having means defining a passageway communicating with the interior thereof, said passageway having an inlet opening, means for maintaining said inlet opening and at least a portion of said passageway adjacent thereto in a submerged position to entrap a quantity of water in said passageway, and means for introducing air into the water below the surface of the entrapped quantity of water to bubble upwardly through said entrapped quantity and escape from said surface thereof into said container whereby to inflate same, said surface of said entrapped quantity providing sealing means for maintaining the air in said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a collapsible bag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 including means for reenforcing said bag at said inlet opening, said reenforcing means comprising said means for maintaining said inlet opening in a submerged position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bag includes a reduced neck portion which defines said inlet opening and said passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bag has a pillow-like configuration and said passageway is at least partially defined by an elongated hose communicating with the interior of said bag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elevating means includes another container at least partially disposed within said one container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said one container comprises a collapsible bag having a reduced neck portion and said other container comprises a collapsible bag having a reduced neck portion, said neck portion of said other container being disposed within said neck portion of said one container, each said neck portion defining said inlet opening and said passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said other container comprises a hollow axially elongated body having a generally cylindrical portion defining said inlet opening, and said elevating means includes means for maintaining said body in a generally axially vertical condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said other container comprises a hollow axially elongated body having a generally cylindrical portion and a spherical portion terminating its upper end, said cylindrical portion defining said inlet opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said other container comprises a hollow axially elongated body having a generally cylindrical portion and a spherical portion terminating its upper end, said cylindrical portion defining said inlet opening, a whistle member positioned within said spherical portion and having a port leading to the exterior of said spherical portion, and a sound defining tuBe forming a part of said whistle and extending downwardly into said cylindrical portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said other container comprises a hollow axially elongated body having an upper closed end and an upwardly extending conical base at its opposite lower end, said conical base having a central port defining the inlet opening into said other container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said other container comprises a hollow axially elongated body having an upper closed end and upwardly extending conical base at its opposite lower end, said conical base having a central port defining the inlet opening into said other container, and a weight member lodged within the angle defined by said conical base with said elongated body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said one container comprises said covering means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for maintaining said inlet opening of said one container in a submerged position comprises said other container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including means for automatically positioning said inflatable container generally midway between opposite sides of said pool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for automatically positioning said container comprises said means for maintaining said inlet opening in a submerged position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for automatically positioning said container comprises a line having the ends thereof secured at opposite sides of said pool and a weight slidably received on said line and connected to said inflatable container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said container is releasably secured to said covering means and forms a part thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said container is releasably secured to said covering means by ''''Velcro.''''
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said covering means comprises an air-impervious sheet and a portion thereof forms a part of said container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said inlet opening in a submerged position is adjustable to maintain said inlet opening at a predetermined position below the surface of the water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein said means for maintaining said inlet opening in a submerged position comprises a float adjustably secured to said passageway-defining means, and a weight secured to said passageway-defining means between said inlet opening and said float.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein said means for maintaining said inlet opening in a submerged position comprises a weight disposed at the bottom of said pool, and means providing adjustable connection between said weight and the portion of said container defining said inlet opening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein said adjustable connecting means comprises several tie cords, at least one of said tie cords extending through an opening in said weight and upwardly to said upper edge where it may be manually manipulated to adjust said inlet opening to said predetermined position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said covering means is attached to the outer side walls of said tank by detachable snap fasteners.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as set forth in claim 25 wherein the snap fasteners are of the ''''Velcro'''' type.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-08 | 1977-10-08 | 1978-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-08 | 1981-10-08 | 1982-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-08 | 1985-10-08 | 1986-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |