US20100162478A1

US20100162478A1 - Pool cover weight

Info

Publication number: US20100162478A1
Application number: US12/317,750
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald E. Olson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-29
Filing date: 2008-12-29
Publication date: 2010-07-01

Abstract

A pool cover weight comprising an elongated flexible tubular member which is filled with a ballast material and which has a tether secured thereto so that a plurality of the weights may be placed over the side edge portions of a pool cover extending over an above-ground pool with the tethers thereof being secured to the upper ends of the side walls of the pool. The positioning of the pool cover weights on the pool cover prevent the pool cover from flapping in the wind.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pool cover weight and more particularly to a pool cover weight, a plurality of which are utilized to weigh down a pool cover which has been placed over an above-ground pool, which has been partially drained to winterize the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Owners of above-ground pools normally winterize the same by first partially draining the water from the pool so that the water level of the remaining water is substantially below the upper end of the side walls of the pool. A flexible pool cover is then placed over the pool so as to extend between the side walls thereof with the central portion of the cover being positioned on the remaining water in the pool. The side edges of the pool cover are normally secured to the upper outer sides of the side walls of the pool. In some cases, water is placed on top of the pool cover to prevent the pool cover from flapping in the wind. Even with the water placed on the pool cover, as described above, the sides of the pool cover, which extend upwardly from the central portion thereof over the side walls, still flap in the wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A pool cover weight is disclosed which comprises an elongated, flexible tubular member having a closed lower end and a selectively closable upper end. The tubular member is adapted to have a ballast material such as sand or the like positioned therein. The upper end of the tubular member has a plurality of spaced-apart grommets positioned therein. An elongated, flexible tether, having first and second ends, is extended through the spaced-apart grommets to at least partially close the upper end of the tubular member to maintain the ballast material therein. A retaining means, such as a knot or the like is provided at the first end of the tether to prevent the tether from disengaging from the tubular member. A hook is provided on the second end of the tether to enable the tubular member to be secured to the upper ends of the side walls of the pool.
The pool weight covers of this invention are designed to be used with an above-ground pool which has been partially drained for winterization purposes. A flexible pool cover is stretched over the pool and is secured to the side walls of the pool so that the central portion of the pool cover is positioned on the water remaining in the pool. A plurality of the pool cover weights are placed on the pool cover in a spaced-apart relationship so as to be positioned on the side portions of the pool cover with the hooks on the tethers being secured to the upper ends of the side walls of the pool. The pool weight covers of this invention prevent the side portions of a pool cover from flapping in the wind.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved pool cover weight.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pool cover weight which includes a tubular member filled with sand or the like and which is placed on the side portion of the pool cover with the hook thereof being secured to the upper end of the side wall of the pool.
A further object of the invention is to provide a pool cover weight, a plurality of which are used to weigh down the side edge portions of a pool cover extending over a partially drained above-ground pool.
A further object of the invention is to provide a pool cover weight of the type described which will not damage the pool cover with which it is associated.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pool cover weight which has sand or the like contained therein with the sand being able to be removed therefrom during periods of non use for storage purposes.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pool cover weight of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an above-ground pool which has been partially drained and has a flexible pool cover thereover and which also shows a plurality of the pool cover weights of this invention being utilized; and

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the pool of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
The pool cover weight of this invention is referred to by the reference numeral 10 and includes a flexible tubular member 12 having a closed lower end 14 and an open upper end 16. The upper end of the tubular member 12 has a plurality of spaced-apart grommets 18 secured thereto. Tubular member 12 is comprised of a flexible and water impervious material such as plastic or rubber. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, tubular member 12 is at least partially filled with a ballast material such as sand or the like.
Pool cover weight 10 also includes an elongated flexible tether, rope or cord 22 which may be comprised of an elastic material if so desired. As seen in the drawings, tether 22 has opposite ends. A hook 24 is secured to one of the ends of the tether 22. After the tubular member 12 is at least partially filled with the ballast material, tether 22 is threaded through grommets 18 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. The numeral 26 refers to a retaining means such as a knot to selectively adjust the length of the tether 22 and to prevent the tether 22 from disengaging from the grommets 18.
The pool cover weight of this invention is designed to be used with an above-ground pool 28 which includes an upstanding side wall or walls 30 extending therearound. Most above-ground pools 28 have a horizontally disposed railing or plate 32 provided at the upper end of the side walls thereof.
The pool 28 is winterized by first partially draining the pool so that the water level 34 therein is substantially below the upper end of the pool as seen in FIG. 3. A flexible pool cover 36 of conventional design is then extended across the pool 28 and extended over the upper ends of the side walls 30 with the pool cover resting on the water within the pool as seen in FIG. 3. Frequently, water 38 is placed on top of the pool cover as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to maintain a majority of the pool cover 36 in engagement with the water beneath the pool cover 36.
The pool cover weights 10 are then positioned on the side edge portions of the pool cover 36 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the hooks 24 of the tethers 22 being secured to the upper side edges of the pool 28. The length of the tethers 22 may be easily adjusted so as to be properly positioned on the pool cover 36 by adjusting the position of the knot or retaining means 26 on the tether. The weight of the tubular member with respect to the tether 22 causes the upper end of the tubular member 12 to be closed to maintain the ballast material within the tubular member 12. The positioning of the weights 10 around the pool, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 prevents, prevents the side edge portions of the pool cover 36 from flapping in the wind due to the weight of the tubular members 12 and due to the fact that the tethers 22 extend upwardly over the side edges of the pool cover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, thereby preventing movement of the side edge portions of the pool cover.
When the pool 28 is to be used during the next season, the weights 10 are removed from the pool and the sand or ballast material therein may be disposed of so that the weights 10 may be easily and compactly stored. Thus it can be seen that the pool cover weight of this invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. A pool cover weight, comprising:

an elongated, flexible tubular member having a closed lower end and a selectively closable upper end;

said tubular member adapted to have a ballast material therein;

said upper end of said tubular member having a plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein;

an elongated, flexible tether having first and second ends;

said tether extending through said spaced-apart openings to at least partially close said upper end of said tubular member to maintain the ballast material therein;

retaining means on said tether at said first end thereof to prevent said tether from disengaging from said tubular member;

a hook at said second end of said tether to enable said tubular member to be secured to a supporting member so that said tubular member may be positioned on the pool cover;

2. The pool cover weight of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a knot formed in said tether.

3. The pool cover weight of claim 1 wherein said openings comprise grommets.

4. The pool cover weight of claim 1 wherein the ballast material comprises sand.

5. The pool cover weight of claim 1 wherein said tubular member is formed of a water impervious material.

6. The pool cover weight of claim 1 wherein said tubular member is comprised of a plastic material.

7. The pool cover weight of claim 1 wherein said tubular member is comprised of a rubber material.

8. In combination with a partially drained above-ground swimming pool having upstanding side walls extending therearound and a pool cover extending over and between the side walls with the pool cover positioned on the surface of the water remaining in the pool, comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart pool cover weights positioned on the pool cover inwardly of the side walls of the pool;

said weights being operatively secured to the side walls to maintain said weights in position on the pool cover.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein each of said pool cover weights comprises:

said tubular member adapted to have a ballast material therein;

an elongated, flexible tether having first and second ends;

a retaining means on said tether at said first end thereof to prevent said tether from disengaging from said tubular member;

a hook at said second end of said tether to enable said tubular member to be secured to a side wall.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises a knot formed in said tether.

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said openings comprise grommets.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein the ballast material comprises sand.

13. The combination of claim 9 wherein said tubular member is formed of a water impervious material.

14. The combination of claim 9 wherein said tubular member is comprised of a plastic material.

15. The combination of claim 9 wherein said tubular member is comprised of a rubber material.