GB2214799A

GB2214799A - Pool cover securing arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2214799A
Application number: GB8802275A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John T Osborne
Original assignee: TIL LEISURE Ltd
Current assignee: TIL LEISURE Ltd
Priority date: 1988-02-02
Filing date: 1988-02-02
Publication date: 1989-09-13
Also published as: GB8802275D0

Abstract

A pool cover securing arrangement comprises a flexible floating cover (5), preferably of reinforced plastics bubble material, covering substantially the entire surface of the pool, and clips (8) for securing the cover to a fixed structure which surrounds the pool. The arrangement is such that in the event of small animals falling onto the cover they will be supported thereon. <IMAGE>

Description

PROTECTIVE POOL COVER This invention relates to a protective pool cover and in the preferred embodiment provides a protective cover system which will prevent small animals from falling into a pool of liquid, for example a domestic swimming pool.

Pools of liquid, for example domestic swimming pools, present a potential hazard to small animals. The problem is particularly acute in the case of swimming pools which are out of doors, into which both domestic and wild animals may accidentally fall.

It is known to cover such pools with floating covers - e.g. of plastic bubble material in order to conserve heat. However, conventional materials for this purpose tend to be relatively weak, and in any event are not restrained around the entire periphery of the cover.

For this reason, floating pool covers of the prior art do not offer protection to animals which might fall into.

the pool.

We have now found that if a floating cover of sufficient strength is employed, and the cover is secured to a fixed structure about the entire periphery of the cover, small animals falling onto the cover will be supported and can subsequently be removed from the cover.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a method of preventing animals from falling into a pool of liquid, the method comprising providing a flexible floating cover which substantially covers the surface of the pool, and securing the cover to a fixed structure around the entire periphery thereof whereby al:, fa ig onto he (j7t wll? b B sppv-ed.

The invention also provides a protective system for preventing animals from falling into a pool of liquid, the system comprising a flexible floating cover which substantially covers the surface of the pool of liquid, a fixed structure which surrounds the pool of liquid, and means for securing the cover to the fixed structure around the entire periphery of the cover whereby animals falling onto the cover will be supported.

Preferably, the cover is of a thermal insulating material, and accordingly is effective to conserve heat as well as to prevent animals from falling into the pool of liquid. A particularly preferred material is a reinforced plastic bubble material.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein the single Figure is a crosssectional view taken at the edge of a domestic swimming pool schematically illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the swimming pool 1 includes a side wall 2 which extends around the entire periphery of the pool of water 3. The side wall 2 is capped with edging slabs 4 in conventional manner.

A flexible floating cover 5 covers substantially the entire surface of the pool and is formed, in the preferred embodiment, by a reinforced plastic bubble material.

At spaced apart intervals around the entire periphery of the cover 5 are positioned eyelets 6 defining a series of openings 7 in the material of the cover.

Through each opening 7 extends a clip 8 which is secured to the fixed structure of the side wall/edging slabs which forms the periphery of the pool. The clip 8 may be of plastic mat,-ic;l or of a sl tabie metal, for c"aiaipl stainless steel. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the pin 8 includes a leg 9 which fits within a hole 10 drilling through the edging slab 4 and into the side wall 2. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the clip 8 will not be accidentally displaced from the hole 10, but can readily be removed from the hole 10 when it is desired to remove the cover from the pool.Further, it will be appreciated that the fixing system illustrated in the drawing can readily be applied to existing pools simply by drilling appropriate holes 10 at spaced apart intervals around the periphery of the pool.

The cover 5 may be a single sheet of material, or may comprise a multiplicity of sheets if a large area is to be covered. In either case, the entire periphery of the cover is secured at spaced apart intervals by means of the clips 8 so that if a small animal accidentally falls onto the surface of the cover the combination of the bouyancy of the cover and the fact that the cover is retained around its periphery will enable the cover to support the animal and the risk of drowning will be obviated.

Whilst in the preferred embodiment of the invention the cover 5 is retained by means of clips 8, any other appropriate retaining arrangement may be used.

For example, a permanent anchorage may be secured to the side wall 2 or edging slabs 4 to which the cover 5 may be secured either by clips, or by other retaining means, for example elasticated rope. The exact means by which the cover is secured is not material to the present invention and any means which provide securement of the cover around the entire periphery thereof so that the cover will support an animal falling onto it may be adopted.

If a multiplicity of sheets are used to cover a large a;-ca,-, a;-ca,-, the shc-vetsshots shc-vetsshots may t. overlappecovr.1apec overlappecovr.1apec cir inser- connected e.g. by lacing in order to prevent animals falling between adjacent sheets.

Claims

1. A method of preventing animals from falling into a pool of liquid, the method comprising providing a flexible floating cover which substantially covers the surface of the pool, and securing the cover to a fixed structure around the entire periphery thereof wheres animals falling onto the cover will be supported.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the flexible floating cover is formed of reinforced plastic bubble material.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein securing the cover to a fixed structure is accomplished by securing the cover to anchorage means provided on the pool surround.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said anchorage means comprise holes drilled into the horizontal surface surrounding,the pool and securing the cover to the fixed structure is accomplished by means of retaining clips inserted into said holes and passing downwardly over the coping of the pool to engage in holes provided in the floating cover.

5. A protective system for preventing animals from falling into a pool of liquid, the system comprising: a flexible floating cover which substantially covers the surface of the pool of liquid; a fixed structure which surrounds the pool of liquid; and means for securing the cover to the fixed structure around the entire periphery of the cover whereby animals falling onto the cover will be supported.

6. A protective system according to claim 5 wherein said cover is of a thermal insulating material.

7. A protective system according to claim 6 wherein said thermal insulating material is a reinforced plastic bubble material.

8. A protective system according to any of claims 57 wherein said fixed structure comprises the coping of the pool.

9. A protective system according to claim 8 wherein said means for securing the cover comprises anchorage means on a horizontal surface of said coping.

10. A protective system according to claim 9 wherein said securing means comprises clips secured to said anchorage means and extending downwardly over the coping of said pool to engage holes provided in said cover.

11. A protective system according to claim 10 wherein said anchorage means comprises holes provided in the swimming pool coping into which the clips are inserted.

12. A method of preventing animals from falling into a pool of liquid, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

13. A protective system for preventing animals from falling into a pool of liquid, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.