Abstract: A swimming pool cover fabric has beads attached to its opposite edges. Each bead is positioned to essentially abut the bead in front to form in effect a segmented rod. A drive mechanism has a sprocket to engage each bead and urge it into and out of the race or slot in a track sized to receive the beads. A reversible motor is connected to drive the sprocket to urge the beads and, in turn, the pool cover fabric between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A swimming pool cover fabric has beads attached to its opposite edges. Each bead is positioned to essentially abut the bead in front to form in effect a segmented rod. A drive mechanism has a sprocket to engage each bead and urge it into and out of the race or slot in a track sized to receive the beads. A reversible motor is connected to drive the sprocket to urge the beads and, in turn, the pool cover fabric between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A swimming pool cover fabric has beads attached to its opposite edges. Each bead is positioned to essentially abut the bead in front to form in effect a segmented rod. A drive mechanism has a sprocket to engage each bead and urge it into and out of the race or slot in a track sized to receive the beads. A reversible motor is connected to drive the sprocket to urge the beads and, in turn, the pool cover fabric between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A system for deploying and recovering a cover over a space like a swimming pool having a reel housing that has extensions and a base that may be used to securely mount the reel housing in a receptacle like a recess box. The extensions and the base may brace the reel housing which is made of inelastic or non-deformable material which may be thick metal. The ropes are shortened in length so that there is no excess when the cover is in its fully open position. The ropes are selected to be inelastically deformable. A motor drives the rope reels in the reel housing and the drum for the cover. The clutch that engages either the rope reels or the drum has a non-sacrificial pin to ensure that the clutch and the reels or the drum remain driven and engaged. The cover has outside edges that slide in tracks secured along the edge of the space to be covered. Stop blocks are secured to the outside edge so that the edge is in tension when the cover is positioned over the space to be covered.

Abstract: A system for deploying and recovering a cover over a space, like a swimming pool, has a reel housing that has extensions and a base that may be used to securely mount the reel housing in a receptacle, like a recess box. The extensions and the base may brace the reel housing which is made of inelastic or non deformable material which may be thick metal. The ropes are shortened in length so that there is no excess when the cover is in its fully open position. The ropes are selected to be inelastically deformable. A motor drives the rope reels in the reel housing and the drum for the cover. The clutch, that alternately engages the rope reels and the drum has a non sacrificial pin to ensure that the clutch and the reels or the drum remain driven and engaged.

Abstract: An apparatus for extending and retracting a swimming pool cover includes a motor, a drive shaft connected to the motor, a cover collecting drum attached to the drive shaft and a cable collecting reel mounted on the drive shaft. A series of gears are configured to selectively engage the drive shaft with either the cable collecting reel or the cover collecting drum. A cable secured at one of its ends to the cable collecting reel and at its opposing end to the leading edge of a cover mounted on the cover collecting drum is operative to extend the cover over a swimming pool. The cover collecting drum functions to retract the cover from off of the swimming pool.

Abstract: A fastener and removal tool adapted for manually securing and thereafter detaching two separate members in a preselected spatial relationship is disclosed. The fastener includes an elongate shaft, an inlet means mounted on a first shaft end, and a catch means mounted on an opposing shaft end. The removal tool includes a handle and a rod having a laterally-extending finger. The tool is adapted to be inserted into the fastener for purposes of subsequently applying a longitudinally-directed force against the fastener, thereby effecting a collapse of the fastener sufficient to permit the retraction of the fastener from its engagement with the connected members.

Abstract: A fastener and removal tool adapted for manually securing and thereafter detaching two separate members in a preselected spatial relationship is disclosed. The fastener includes an elongate shaft, an inlet means mounted on a first shaft end, and a catch means mounted on an opposing shaft end. The removal tool includes a handle and a rod having a laterally-extending finger. The tool is adapted to be inserted into the fastener for purposes of subsequently applying a longitudinally-directed force against the fastener, thereby effecting a collapse of the fastener sufficient to permit the retraction of the fastener from its engagement with the connected members.