Apparatus for heating a swimming pool

Claim 1

A solar pool heater apparatus, comprising: liner means for absorbing solar radiation, said liner means comprising a fabric sheet having high absorbtivity, and a specific gravity greater than one, said fabric sheet having a plurality of apertures therethrough; said liner means further comprising reinforcing means for providing said fabric sheet with substantial tensile strength, said reinforcing means comprising a matrix of interconnected cords coupled to said fabric sheet, said cords comprising nylon cords, said suspension means comprising: grommet means having portions set in opposed first and second ends of said fabric sheet for providing structurally sound attachment points in said fabric sheet; and hook means coupled to opposed ends of said pool for engaging said grommet means so that said fabric sheet can be suspended in said pool to absorb solar radiation, said suspension means further comprising cart means for storing said fabric sheet out of said pool and further for transporting said fabric sheet to and from said pool, said cart means comprising: spool means for rolling and unrolling said fabric sheet about an axis of said spool means; and drive means coupled to said spool means for controllably rotating said spool means.