Abstract: Two-piece detachable bracket for supporting heavy pool-deck lid modules covering below deck troughs housing powered pool cover systems is described.

Abstract: Two-piece detachable bracket for supporting heavy pool-deck lid modules covering below deck troughs housing powered pool cover systems is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for sequentially supporting, opening and closing a pool-deck lid covering below-deck troughs housing coordinated with the operation of powered pool cover systems housed in the troughs. In certain embodiments the system comprises in combination: a front, longitudinal seating structure, an upwardly movably, cantilever bracket structure, hydraulic/pneumatic means, and a hydraulic/pneumatic actuation control means.

Abstract: An two-piece, corner framing element is described for connecting two longitudinal swimming pool extrusions having longitudinal pool-liner channels that utilizes the conventional upward projecting liner-anchoring land along a bottom front edge of the pool-liner channels for angularly orienting and securing the longitudinal extrusions together in the field framing a pool corner wall during construction of a swimming pool.

Abstract: An two-piece, corner framing element is described for connecting two longitudinal swimming pool extrusions having longitudinal pool-liner channels that utilizes the conventional upward projecting liner-anchoring land along a bottom front edge of the pool-liner channels for angularly orienting and securing the longitudinal extrusions together in the field for framing a corner structure for pool walls as a pool is being constructed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for sequentially supporting, opening and closing a pool-deck lid covering below-deck troughs housing coordinated with the operation of powered pool cover systems housed in the troughs. In certain embodiments the system comprises in combination: a front, longitudinal seating structure, an upwardly movably, cantilever bracket structure, hydraulic/pneumatic means, and a hydraulic/pneumatic actuation control means.

Abstract: An improved anti-cavitation hydraulic manifold for hydraulically coupling the hydraulic input and output of two, drive coupled, reversible hydraulic motors and a reversible source of hydraulic power for winding and unwinding systems is described wherein a stop confines a shuttle ball within each of two input/output (I/O) chambers receiving driving hydraulic input liquid from the reversible source of hydraulic power between an annular valve seat around a bypass passage communicating between the bases of the input/output (I/O) chambers and any ports penetrating into the respective input/output (I/O) chambers supplying high pressure or driving hydraulic input from the reversible source of hydraulic power where, responsive to supplied high pressure or driving hydraulic input to a particular I/O chamber, the shuttle ball in the chamber seats upon the particular annular valve seat translating a shuttle rod in the bypass passage unseating the particular shuttle ball from the annular valve seat around the passageway

Abstract: Invented techniques and associated mechanisms are described for passively assuring that the spiraling layers of wound-up layers of a buoyant pool cover are, and will remain tightly wound around a rotatable cover drum completely submerged in a pool bottom tough.

Abstract: Invented techniques and associated mechanisms are described for eliminating bi-directional flexure properties of coupled buoyant-slats forming a pool cover while simultaneously increasing the buoyancy of a leading or front portion of the cover and for assuring that the spiraling layers of wound-up layers of a buoyant pool cover are, and remain tightly wound around a submerged, rotatable cover drum at all times.

Abstract: An improved anti-cavitation hydraulic manifold for hydraulically coupling the hydraulic input and output of two, drive coupled, reversible hydraulic motors and a reversible source of hydraulic power for winding and unwinding systems is described wherein a stop confines a shuttle ball within each of two input/output (I/O) chambers receiving driving hydraulic input liquid from the reversible source of hydraulic power between an annular valve seat around a bypass passage communicating between the bases of the input/output (I/O) chambers and any ports penetrating into the respective input/output (I/O) chambers supplying high pressure or driving hydraulic input from the reversible source of hydraulic power where, responsive to supplied high pressure or driving hydraulic input to a particular I/O chamber, the shuttle ball in the chamber seats upon the particular annular valve seat translating a shuttle rod in the bypass passage unseating the particular shuttle ball from the annular valve seat around the passageway

Abstract: The present invention is a modular lid system for an underwater swimming pool cover or other underwater enclosure. The modular lid has a rigid lid portion which has an overall buoyancy such that the lid portion closes the enclosure underwater by force of gravity. The modular lid system also has a remote power pack for providing a source of hydraulic power to the modular lid. The remote power pack is located at a position remote from the swimming pool. The remote power pack includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic drive mechanism is actuated by the remote power pack. The drive mechanism has a predetermined range of movement. A decoupled linkage mechanism extends between the hydraulic drive mechanism and the lid portion for causing limited opening movement thereof. The limited opening movement corresponds to the predetermined range of movement of the hydraulic drive mechanism.

Abstract: An invented dual, coupled check valve mechanism is described for a direct drive, reversible hydraulic power source for hydraulic circuits that includes a manifold hydraulically coupled to the respective input/output ports and a reservoir of the hydraulic power source defining a translation passageway having mid-passage drain hydraulically coupled to the reservoir, where each end of the translation passageway has an angled annular valve seat opening to larger diameter plenum containing a check valve ball. A translating rod with a length greater and a circumferential diameter less than that of the translation passageway located in the translation passageway prevents the respective check valve balls from simultaneously seating on the valve seats at the respective ends of the translation passage way.

Abstract: An invented hinge for coupling three buoyant-slats pool cover sections together is described wherein three, modified, longitudinal buoyant slats are coupled for pivoting around three angularly spaced, parallel hinge axes aligned with the slats by a plurality of hinge plates each defining a coupling aperture received and pinned within registering hinge bays penetrating into adjacently positioned, longitudinal side flotation chambers of the three modified buoyant slats by a longitudinal hinge pin passing through the coupling apertures of the hinge plates received in the hinge bays inside of the flotation chamber of each of the three modified, buoyant slats.

Abstract: A drive and control system for controlling the movement of a pool cover comprised of interconnected rigid buoyant slats. The system relies upon a hydraulic drive section including a hydraulic motor drive which may be initially provided with fluid under pressure by a remote electric drive section. The hydraulic drive section is also provided with an effective means of controlling movement of the pool cover, both in a winding direction on a cover drum, which may be submerged, and/or in an unwinding direction where the pool cover is being unwound from the drum. Various mechanisms to control the movement of the cover are described herein.

Abstract: A modular lid system for an underwater swimming pool cover or other underwater enclosure, the modular lid comprising: a rigid lid portion having an overall buoyancy such that the lid portion closes the enclosure underwater by force of gravity; a remote power pack for providing a source of hydraulic power to the modular lid, the remote power pack located at a position remote from the swimming pool in which a lid may be, the remote power pack including a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic drive mechanism actuated by the source of remote power pack, the drive mechanism having a predetermined range of movement; and a decoupled linkage mechanism extending between the hydraulic drive mechanism and the lid portion for causing limited opening movement thereof, said limited opening movement corresponding to the predetermined range of movement of the hydraulic drive mechanism, wherein the decoupled linkage mechanism disengages from the lid portion during closing movement of the linkage mechanism and allows for manual opening

Abstract: A traveling swimming pool cover drum enclosure comprising a cover drum enclosure for containing a pool cover wound onto a central drive shaft, the cover drum enclosure having a plurality of wheels oriented for moving the cover drum enclosure to a position adjacent an edge of a swimming pool as desired, and an actuator coupled to the wheels of the cover drum enclosure for wheels are rotated, thereby causing the cover drum enclosure to travel to a position adjacent the edge of the swimming pool as desired.

Abstract: An invented track construct component system with a threaded radial bearing end pulley is described for pool cover systems that includes an extruded longitudinal cover track having a top longitudinal anchoring slot, a C-channel longitudinal slot along one side edge for capturing and holding a side edge of a pool cover and associated sliders carrying a leading (front) edge structures, a cable return channel with a longitudinal slot opening along the other side edge for receiving and protecting cabling connecting between sliders/front cover corners and associated cable reels. Each cover track is secured within separate extruded side wall channel structures having a top channel side wall with a depending longitudinal shaped for snuggly fitting into the longitudinal anchoring slot of the cover track. The extruded side wall channel structures are incorporated into the side wall of the pool.

Abstract: A track construct component system for pool cover systems includes:

Abstract: A swimming pool cover for extension over and retraction from a swimming pool and where the cover may engage a portion of the deck surrounding the swimming pool during movement thereof. The swimming pool cover comprises a flexible fabric sheet of the type capable of being spooled or rolled and capable of being unrolled to extend over a swimming pool. The swimming pool cover is comprised of a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface with the bottom surface extending over and potentially in contact with the upper surface of the water in the swimming pool. In order to reduce frictional effects between the bottom surface of the swimming pool cover and the upper surface of the deck, the swimming pool cover is provided with a surface configuration which is roughened to substantially reduce surface area contact of the sheet with the deck of the swimming pool. In this way, frictional effects between the cover and the deck are reduced during movement thereof.

Abstract: An invented track construct component system with a threaded radial bearing end pulley is described for pool cover systems that includes an extruded longitudinal cover track having a top longitudinal anchoring slot, a C-channel longitudinal slot along one side edge for capturing and holding a side edge of a pool cover and associated sliders carrying a leading (front) edge structures, a cable return channel with a longitudinal slot opening along the other side edge for receiving and protecting cabling connecting between sliders/front cover comers and associated cable reels. Each cover track is secured within separate extruded side wall channel structures having a top channel side wall with a depending longitudinal shaped for snuggly fitting into the longitudinal anchoring slot of the cover track. The extruded side wall channel structures are incorporated into the side wall of the pool.