CA1234527A - Roller support for swimming pool covers - Google Patents

Roller support for swimming pool covers

Info

Publication number
CA1234527A
CA1234527A CA000538672A CA538672A CA1234527A CA 1234527 A CA1234527 A CA 1234527A CA 000538672 A CA000538672 A CA 000538672A CA 538672 A CA538672 A CA 538672A CA 1234527 A CA1234527 A CA 1234527A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tube
roller support
sections
support according
grooves
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000538672A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Coates
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PLEASURE-WAY POOLS (1978) Ltd
Original Assignee
PLEASURE-WAY POOLS (1978) Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PLEASURE-WAY POOLS (1978) Ltd filed Critical PLEASURE-WAY POOLS (1978) Ltd
Priority to CA000538672A priority Critical patent/CA1234527A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1234527A publication Critical patent/CA1234527A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/06Safety devices; Coverings for baths
    • E04H4/10Coverings of flexible material
    • E04H4/101Coverings of flexible material wound-up on a fixed axis

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An improved roller support for swimming pool covers, of the type having a support tube with cooperating internal and external telescopic tube sections. The cooperating tube sections are provided with axially extending projections which longitudinally slidably mate, in overlapping portions of the tubular sections, with axially extending grooves, the projections and grooves being located on confronting surfaces of the tubular sactions. In this way relative rotative movement of the tubular sections is prevented. This provides an easier to operate and more secure arrangement for the telescopic tube sections than found in conventional roller supports.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a roller support for swimming ~ool covers, and more paLticUlarly relates to an improved roller su~poLt of the type having coopeLating inteLnal and external telescopic tube sections to which the cover is to be secuLed and on which the cover is to be rolled, tube sup~orts on which the ends o~ the cover sup~oLt tube are rotatably secured and a handle crank mechanically associated with one end of the sup~ort tube foe rotating the su~port.
One such roller sueeort for swimming ~ool covers of the type in question has been described and illustrated in Guard et al Canadian Patent No. 1,123,704 issued May 18, 19~2.
As in conventional roller supports, it features a telescopic tubular construction in which an elongated outer tube section has seated within, extending fLom either end, a ~air of inner tube sections. The inner tube sections may be extended to a proeer length for a given swimming pool, for rolling up and supporting theeeon the blanket or cover for a swimming pool.
When the aperopriate length for the telescopic tube sections has been achieved, cooeerating ribs inwardly extending fLom the outer tubular section and outwardly extending from the inner tube sections must be engaged by turning the tube sections relatively with res~ect to each other. When the cooperating ribs are securely engaged, the inner and outer tubular sections are se~ured against further telescopic mo~emen~. To guard against the rib~ disengaging from their lockea radial alignment position, set screws are in~e~ted ~o a~ to pa~is through cooperating pairs of rihs at several locations where the sections overlap. OveL ex~ended useO these cooperating ribs tend to wear and slip, eroducing relative rotative movement of the telescopic tube sections with respect to each other. ~s well, the tube supports which permit ro~a~ion of the tube sections for rolling and unrolling the pool cover, are at~ached to the tube sections by means of plugs which are inserted in the free ends of the tube sections. To insure that the plugs do not rotate relative to the tube sections in which they are inserted, internal ridges on the tubes must be sheared off by the plugs when the plugs are inserted in position or alterna~ively fluted plugs are used having tips which eitheE

embed into the inner wall of the tube or shear o~f to provide a tight friction fit.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simpler, more reliable type of roller support construction for swimming pool covers.

SUMMAEY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the prQsent invention, there iEi erovided an improved roller support for swimming pool covers o~
the type having an elongated support tube made of cooperating internal and external telescopic tube sections, to which one ~ ~3~

end of the pool cover i8 to be secured. The ends of the cover supeort ~ube are co~atably secured to a pair of s~aced tube supports. A handle crank is m0chanically associated with one end of the supeort tube to pe~mi~ rotation of the support tube. In accordance with the present invention, the tubular sec~ions are provided with a plurality of axially extending projections longitudinally slidably mating with axially extending grooves. The projections and grooves are located on confronting sur~aces of the tubular sections. They are cons~ructed so as to resist celative ro~ative movement of the tubular sections but to permit relative axial movement thereof. Releasable locking means are associated with the tubular sections to prevent relative axial movement when the locking means are in operative position.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking means comerise a plurality of threaded screws extending through overlapping ~ortions of the tube sections. ~ central elongated external tube section is provided, from each end of which extends, for sliding telascopic movement, an internal tube section. It is further ~referred that the grooves be on the outer surface of the internal tube sections and ~he cooperating projections be on the inner surface of the external tube section.
The present invention provides a reliable, easy-to-operate construction of roller SUpeoLt or swimming pool covers. As well, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, the corlstruction of the present invention ~3~

facilitates the in~ertion of end plugs for secuLing to the tube ~uppo~ts. Once the telesco~ic tube sections are secured i.n ~06icion using the lock means, the construction in accoLdance with the present invention virtually elimi.nates any possibili~y of ~elative co~ative movement o~ the tube sections. No relative rotative movement of the telescopic sections is requirad to telesco~ically lock these sections, a definite improvement in the ~resent invention over conventional known roll~L sup~orts such as desc~ibed in Guard et al Canadian Patent No. 1,123,704.

BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed descri~tion and upsn referring to the drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a roller supeort for swimming pool covers in accordance with the present invention;
PIGURE 2 is a section view along line II-II of FIGURE
l; and FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmen~ary perspective view of an end plug and handle crank mechanism for She roller support of FIGURE 1 in accordance with the present invention.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with an example embodimen~, it will be understood that it i8 ~æ3~5~

not intended to limi~ the invention to such embodiment. On the con~rary, it is in~ended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the SeiLit and sco~e o~ the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following descrietion, similar ~eatures in the dra~ings have been given similar reference numerals.
Turning to FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a roller support 2 for a cover 4 for a swimming pool 6 in accordance with the invention. The roller support 2 comprises a tube support 7 made of cooperating telescopic tube sections B, 10 and 12. tube sections 8 and 12 being elongated internal tube sections telescopically extending from ~he ends of external tube section 10. One end of cover 4 is secured to this su~port tube 7 so it may be rolled thereon or unrolled therefrom. The roller sup~ort 2 fuLther comprises a pair of spaced tube supeorts 14 and 16 on which the free ends of ~ube sections 8 and 10 are rotatably secured as illust~ated. ~ handle crank 18 is mechanically associated with one end of the support tube as illust~ated, to ~ermit manual rotation o~ the su~ort tube.
~ s can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, a plurali~y of axially extending projections 20 ace provided on the inner surface of external tube section 10, these projections 2 ~4$2~d longitudinally, slidably mating with axially extending gLooves 21 in the outer surface o~ intecnal tube sections a and ~2 where these ~ube sections overla~ with external tube section 10. Three se~s of axially extending projections 20 are equally s~aced about the inner surface of external tube section 10 and similarly three cooperating gcosves 21 are equally spaced about the outer surface of internal tube sections ~ and 12. It is prefeered that the projections consist of spaced paics of eaLallel ~rojections 22 and 24, each pair of ~rojections to be slidably seated within an appropLiately widened groove 22 for relative sliding movement of the telescopic sections. The projections 22 and 24 are seated within grooves 21 80 as to cesist relative rotative movement of tubular sections but to permit relative axial movement thereof.
When a desired length of support tube 7 has been achieved by telescopic, axial movement of tube sections 8 and 12 with cespect to tube section 10, a plurality of thceaded screws 26 are threaded into overlapping portions of the tube sections to prevent fucther axial movement of the tube sections with respect to each other.
As can be seen in FIGURE 2, grooves 22 are formed on the outer surfaces of internal tube sections 8 and 12 50 as to form a corrasponding projection 28 on the inner surface of these internal tube sections. A plug 30, foc the free ends of internal tube sections 8 and 12 is provided to cooperate with these ~cojections 28 as illustrated (FIGURES 2 and 3). This ~2~

plug 30 consists of three legs 32 spaced about a cen~ral tubular membe~ 34. The free ends 36 o~ legs 32 are outwardly flared to confo~m to the sha~e of protrusions 28 so that they frictionally engage these protrusions and re~ist relative rotative movement o~ the plug with respect to these inteLnal tube sections. ~lso, a central cavity 3~ is pro~ided in sach of ~he legs 32, to ~hreadably receive a screw 40. In this way, a plug 30 is secuLely held within inner tubular members 8 and 12 at each end. The aperture 42 of central tubular member 34 of each plug receives an appropriate axle member 44 extending inwardly fLom tube su~ports 14 and 16. ~s can be seen in FIGURE 3, axle 44, having head 45, at tube support 16 is threadably engaged in apertue ~2 of plug 30 and secured in eosition there by lock nut 46. ~n appropriate handle crank mechanism 18 is provided, consisting of a handle 48 which secures to the free end of axle member ~4, axle member 44 passing through bearings 52 supported in an ap2Lopriate housing such as a pipe 53 mounted on a stand 5~, piee 53, and bearings 52 together with axle 44 making up tube support 14. ~ similar arrangement, with or without a handle 48, is erovided for tube su~eort 14.
Tube supports 14 and 16 can be mounted on casteLs 56 for easy movement thereof. One or more anchor pins 58 a~e provided on su~ports 14 and 16, passing through the platfoLm into seated engagement in a corresponding aperture 60 in the surface suLrounding pool 6 may be provided for immobilizing the ~3~

platfoLm in a desired location. Instead of this locking casters may be used.
Thus it is apparent that theee has been provided in accordance with the invention a roller su~port for swimminy pool coveLs that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in ligh-t of the foregoing descri~tion. ~ccordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a roller support for a cover for swimming pools comprising an elongated support tube made of cooperating internal and external telescopic tube sections to which one end of the pool cover is to be secured, a pair of spaced tube supports on which the ends of the cover support tube are rotatably secured, and a handle crank mechanically associated with one end of the support tube to permit rotation of the support tube, the improvement characterized by the tubular sections being provided with a plurality of axially extending projections longitudinally slidably mating with axially extending grooves, the projections and grooves being located on confronting surfaces of the tubular sections and constructed so as to resist relative rotative movement of the tubular sections but to permit relative axial movement thereof, releasable locking means being associated with the tubular sections to prevent relative axial movement when the locking means are in operative position.
2. A roller support according to claim 1 wherein the lock means, when in operative position, comprise a plurality of screws threadably extending through overlapping portions of the tube sections.
3. A roller support according to claim 1 comprising a central elongated external tube section from each end of which extends, for sliding telescopic movement, an internal tube section.
4. A roller support according to claim 3 wherein the grooves are on the outer surface of the internal tube sections and the cooperating projections are on the inner surface of the external tube section.
5. A roller support according to claim 4 wherein the projections comprise cooperating pairs of spaced parallel projections axially extending along the inner surface of the external tube section, each cooperating pair of spaced parallel projections slidably seated within a cooperating groove in the outer surface of the internal tube section where the external and internal tube sections overlap.
6. A roller support according to claim 3 wherein the axially extending grooves are spaced equidistantly from each other about the outer surface of each of the internal tube sections.
7. A roller support according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein three axially extending grooves are spaced equidistantly from each other about the outer surface of each of the internal tube sections.
8. A roller support according to claim 6 wherein the grooves on the outer surface of the internal tube sections are formed therein so as to produce corresponding protrusions on the inner surfaces of the internal tube section.
9. A roller support according to claim 8 further provided with a plug seated at the end of each of the internal tube sections remote from the external tube section, each plug having a plurality of spaced, radially extending legs about a central tubular member, the end of each of the legs to be seated over a portion of a different one of the protrusions of the grooves on the inner surface of the inner tubular sections.
10. A roller support according to claim 9 wherein the plugs are held in position by means of screws threaded through the internal tube sections into the ends of the legs.
11. A roller support according to claim 9 wherein the handle crank is mechanically secured to the tubular member of the plug so as to permit turning of the support tube when the handle is turned.
12. A roller support according to claim 1 wherein the tube supports are mounted on roller means to facilitate its movement.
13. A roller support according to claim 12 wherein an anchor means is associated with the tube supports to immoblize the roller support when in position with respect to a swimming pool.
14. A roller support according to claim 13 wherein the anchor means comprises a plurality of anchor pins extending through the supports for releasable seated engagement in a corresponding hole in a surface about the swimming pool.
CA000538672A 1987-06-03 1987-06-03 Roller support for swimming pool covers Expired CA1234527A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000538672A CA1234527A (en) 1987-06-03 1987-06-03 Roller support for swimming pool covers

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000538672A CA1234527A (en) 1987-06-03 1987-06-03 Roller support for swimming pool covers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1234527A true CA1234527A (en) 1988-03-29

Family

ID=4135808

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000538672A Expired CA1234527A (en) 1987-06-03 1987-06-03 Roller support for swimming pool covers

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1234527A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2654714A1 (en) * 1989-11-17 1991-05-24 Des Chizeaux Claude Subframe and braking devices for winders for storing webs (sheets) of flexible material
FR2743104A1 (en) * 1995-12-27 1997-07-04 Deyme Sarl Roller support for swimming pool cover
US10752464B2 (en) 2015-08-04 2020-08-25 Nine Ip Limited Fabric roll up core for carrying sheet material

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2654714A1 (en) * 1989-11-17 1991-05-24 Des Chizeaux Claude Subframe and braking devices for winders for storing webs (sheets) of flexible material
FR2743104A1 (en) * 1995-12-27 1997-07-04 Deyme Sarl Roller support for swimming pool cover
US10752464B2 (en) 2015-08-04 2020-08-25 Nine Ip Limited Fabric roll up core for carrying sheet material

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