Device for supporting a pool cover
The present invention relates to a device for supporting a pool cover including either a singular tub or a plurality of tubs coupled to one another. The tubs are a predetermined height and diameter for providing support of the pool cover. The tubs can be attached to one another in a triangle configuration. The tubs float on the surface of the water. The number of tubs can be selected to cover a predetermined area which can be larger than the area covered by conventional air pillows.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/511,476 filed Oct. 14, 2003, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDuring the winter months, a pool cover is typically used to cover a swimming pool while not in use to protect the pool from leaves, dirt and any foreign matter not desired in a winterized pool. Conventionally, one or more air pillows are used to hold up the pool cover. The air pillows are formed of a rubber material filled with air. The air pillows float on the surface of the water below the pool cover for supporting the pool cover above the surface of the water. The air pillows have the disadvantage of not being durable and loosing air over time or in a worse case scenario, deflating totally. It is desirable to provide a device for supporting a pool cover providing improved support and durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a device for supporting a pool cover including either a singular tub or a plurality of tubs coupled to one another. The tubs are a predetermined height and diameter for providing support of the pool cover. The tubs can be attached to one another in a triangle configuration. The tubs float on the surface of the water. The number of tubs can be selected to cover a predetermined area which can be larger than the area covered by conventional air pillows. The device has the advantage of being durable and unlikely to sink.
The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
Tub 12 is formed of a predetermined height and width for providing support of a pool cover at a predetermined distance from the water surface, as shown in
A plurality of apertures 16 are formed in lip 15 around the circumference thereof, as shown in
For coupling tubs 12 in a triangular configuration, connector 18a can be inserted in aperture 16a of first tub 12a to attach to aperture 16b of second tub 12b, as shown in
Connector 18 can have a head 19 attached to legs 20,21, as shown in
Apertures 30 can be formed in side surface 32 of tub 12, as shown in
After placement of tubs 12 on water surface 13, cord 34 can be attached to pool 11, as shown in
After coupling of device 10 to pool 11, cover 40 can be attached over device 10, as shown in
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A device for supporting a pool cover comprising:
- at least one tub adapted to be received on a surface of water in a pool; and
- connecting means for connecting said at least one tub to a surface of said pool,
- wherein said tub is formed of a predetermined height and width for providing support of said pool cover at a predetermined distance from said surface of water in a pool.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said tub is formed of a material to resist cracking from cold temperatures.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said tub is formed of rubberized plastic.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said tub is formed of a sidewall integral with a bottom wall forming a hollowing cavity within said tub.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein said device comprises:
- a plurality of said at least one tub;
- a lip formed in said sidewall of each of said plurality of tubs;
- at least one aperture formed in said lip; and
- at least one connector being received in said at least one apertures for attaching said plurality of tubs together.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said at least one tubs are connected to one another.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein three tubs are connected to one another in a triangular configuration.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein a first connector is inserted in a first said aperture formed in said lip of a first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a second tub, a second connector is inserted in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a third tub and a third connector is inserted in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said second tub to attach to a second said aperture formed in said lip of said third tub.
9. The device of claim 6 wherein said lip of a first one of said plurality of tubs overlaps a lip of a second one of said plurality of tubs for aligning said aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs to said aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs and said at least one connector having a head attached to legs, wherein said head extend from said aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs and said legs extends within said aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs.
10. The device of claim 6 wherein said connector comprises a tie.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a cord inserted in an aperture formed in a side surface of said tub and retaining means for preventing said cord from pulling through said aperture.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein said connecting means further comprises:
- coupling means for attaching said cord to said surface of said pool.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said coupling means comprises a hook.
14. A method for supporting a pool cover comprising:
- placing at least one tub on a surface of water in a pool;
- connecting said at least one tub to a surface of said pool; and
- receiving a pool cover over said at least one tub,
- wherein said tub is formed of a predetermined height and width for providing support of said pool cover at a predetermined distance from said surface of water in a pool.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein a plurality of said at least one tubs are connected to one another.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein three tubs are connected to one another in a triangular configuration.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:
- inserting a first connector in a first said aperture formed in said lip of a first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a second tub;
- inserting a second connector in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a third tub; and
- inserting a third connector in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said second tub to attach to a second said aperture formed in said lip of said third tub.
18. The method of claim 15 further comprising overlapping a lip of a first one of said plurality of tubs with a lip of a second one of said plurality of tubs for aligning an aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs with an aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs and inserting a connector having a head attached to legs, wherein said head extend from said aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs and said legs extends within said aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said connector comprises a tie.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein said connecting step comprises inserting in an aperture formed in a side surface of said tub a cord including a retaining means for preventing said cord from pulling through said aperture.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2004
Publication Date: Apr 14, 2005
Inventor: John Cicale (Deptford, NJ)
Application Number: 10/964,154