EP1687499B1 - Device for uncovering and/or covering the opening to a swimming pool, for low shelters consisting of adjacent roof elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has arrangement units to place roof units (I) in a storage area (600) in stacked position. A motor driving roller moves the units horizontally along the pool towards and/or outside the area. Connection units bind the roof units together to displace the roof units integrally and horizontally along the basin, and separate the roof units for vertical displacement of the roof units at stacking ends in the area.

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to building structures intended to cover, partially or totally, a floor surface such as that delimited by a swimming pool basin and relates more particularly to a temporary pool roof structure formed from a series so-called roof elements arranged side by side to cover the basin longitudinally. In fact, the invention aims in particular various adaptations to cover and / or discover quickly and with the least possible handling, a pool pool.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

There are several types of pool covers in the prior art, but the invention is intended more for blankets which, more commonly known as "low shelters", consist of roof elements arranged juxtaposed along the length of the swimming pool and each performing a rotational movement on one of their longitudinal edges to open and thus give access to the water basin. For a better understanding of the invention, it is useful to specify that the longitudinal, transverse and lateral positions of the roof elements and / or their constituent parts are considered with respect to the longitudinal, lateral and transverse axes of the basin considered in the context. of the present invention as adopting a substantially rectangular configuration. These juxtaposed roof elements are of the type each consisting of a cover formed of panels of translucent material such as double-walled polycarbonate and a rigid frame, light and resistant to support the transparent cover, said frame being formed of arches arranged in transverse planes and braced by crosspieces with two longitudinal end cross members defining two longitudinal edges to the roof element. These two longitudinal edges rest on the edges of the pelvis defining a bearing surface for said roof elements, secured and are retained by means of fixing lugs that are anchored removably in the bearing surfaces of these elements conventionally constituted by the longitudinal edges or banks of the basin.

• il limite le découvrement de la piscine à ladite position entrouverte,
• il nécessite, pour sa manutention, l'utilisation de deux béquilles comme bras de levier pour chacun des éléments de toiture,
• il impose souvent l'intervention de deux personnes pour soulever chaque élément de toiture,
• il offre auxdits éléments entrouverts une prise au vent importante qui a tendance à les déstabiliser,
• il est relativement long à installer et/ou à désinstaller pour plusieurs éléments,
• etc...

To partially discover this pool and enjoy it outdoors, especially in mid-season as soon as the climate or the temperature allows, the roof elements of this pool cover are often mounted individually openable to modulate the opening of the pool outwards. For this purpose, at least one of the longitudinal edges of the reinforcement of the roof elements is thus mounted hinged around the fixing lugs anchored in the bearing flanges of the basin in a transverse plane of transverse expansion, and the other edge is intended to receive two crutches whose heads penetrate into each end of the edge and the feet come to rest on the support edges of the basin for the purpose of wedging said crutches between the edges of the basin and said roofing element which is located thus maintained inclined with respect to the ground, in the desired open position. This device for holding a roof element for low shelters in an open position has constraints in that:

• it limits the uncovering of the pool to said open position,
• it requires, for its handling, the use of two crutches as lever arm for each of the roof elements,
• it often requires the intervention of two people to lift each roof element,
• it offers the said open elements a significant wind catch which tends to destabilize them,
• it is relatively slow to install and / or uninstall for several elements,
• etc ...

Many improvements have been made in recent years to alleviate the lifting operation of the roof elements using a kickstand slid in the edge to act as a lever by exerting an ascending effort applied to the middle of the border, or still using various systems of lifting to limit the trouble.

Despite these various innovations making it possible to substantially improve the passage of the roof elements from a closed position to an open position while avoiding as much as possible the efforts to be made by the user during this operation, the Applicant has found that the opening of elements constituting the pool roof still remained a difficult handling operation, although simplified by the very fact of the weight of said elements. This handling becomes a real difficulty when the pool and therefore the elements of the roof covering it are large or it is necessary to raise several.

In addition, during the summer period when the swimming pool is fully used, the entire discovery of the pool sheltered by such roof elements, known as low shelters, requires their manual removal one by one in order to transport them to a suitable location. storage area located outside the basin and even often distant from the latter for reasons of aesthetics and space. Conversely, during the so-called non-use winter period to cover the pool again, these same roof elements will be transported from their storage area to the pool they will cover so as to close the opening of the latter. These laying and / or removal operations are significant handling problems that require the intervention of at least two people, the provision of a relatively large storage area without forgetting the heavy physical efforts to deploy to move such roof elements.

The document FR 2825738 describes a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

• des moyens d'emmagasinage situés à une extrémité dudit bassin et permettant de stocker de manière empilée lesdits éléments de couverture,
• des moyens de mobilité desdits éléments de couverture permettant de les déplacer horizontalement le long du bassin vers et en dehors desdits moyens d'emmagasinage,
• des moyens de rangement permettant de disposer dans les susdits moyens d'emmagasinage et dans une position empilée, les susdits éléments de couverture dégagés des moyens de guidage intégrés aux parois du bassin,
• et des moyens de liaison desdits éléments de couverture entre eux, indissociables d'une part pour arrimer ces derniers les uns aux autres afin de former un train d'éléments de couverture susceptible de se déplacer solidairement et horizontalement le long dudit bassin, et dissociables l'un de l'autre d'autre part, pour autoriser le déplacement vertical desdits éléments de couverture à des fins d'empilage dans les susdits moyens d'emmagasinage.

Among the existing motorized devices, the document FR 2824095 describes a device for discovering and covering the opening of a swimming pool consisting of cover elements juxtaposed in the direction of the length of the pool and whose flanges cooperate with guide means integrated longitudinal longitudinal walls of the pool of said swimming pool, this device further comprising:

• storage means located at one end of said basin and for storing said elements in a stacked manner cover,
• mobility means of said cover elements for moving them horizontally along the basin to and outside said storage means,
• storage means for disposing in the aforesaid storage means and in a stacked position, the aforementioned covering elements released from the guide means integrated with the walls of the basin,
• and means for connecting said cover elements to each other, which are indissociable, on the one hand, for securing the latter to each other in order to form a stream of cover elements capable of moving together and horizontally along said basin, and separable from each other. on the other hand, to allow the vertical displacement of said cover elements for stacking purposes in the aforesaid storage means.

The device described above and in the document FR 2875738 proposes a low shelter (and not a roof) formed of roof elements juxtaposed in the direction of the length of the pool and each consisting of a cover in translucent material and a rigid frame formed of at least two arches arranged in transverse planes and braced by longitudinal crosspieces with two end crosspieces delimiting two longitudinal parallel edges to the roof element, said two end crosspieces resting on the longitudinal edges of the pool of said pool defining a bearing surface as described in the preamble of claim 1.

This low shelter rests on the ledges. In addition, the roof elements of a low shelter are proposed with arches and therefore define a height greater than the simple cover elements formed of flat panels described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this state of affairs, the applicant has conducted research which has resulted in a new pool roof concept that reconciles the advantages of low shelters, preferably with juxtaposed roof elements articulated to those of high shelters with telescopic roof elements.

• des moyens d'emmagasinage situés, à l'état monté du dispositif, à une extrémité dudit bassin et permettant de stocker de manière empilée lesdits éléments de toiture,
• des moyens de mobilité desdits éléments de toiture permettant de les déplacer horizontalement le long du bassin vers et en dehors desdits moyens d'emmagasinage,
• des moyens de rangement permettant de disposer dans les susdits moyens d'emmagasinage et dans une position empilée, les susdits éléments de toiture dégagés du bassin,
• et des moyens de liaison desdits éléments de toiture entre eux, indissociables d'une part pour arrimer ces derniers les uns aux autres afin de former un train d'éléments de toiture susceptible de se déplacer solidairement et horizontalement le long dudit bassin, et dissociables l'un de l'autre d'autre part, pour autoriser le déplacement vertical desdits éléments de toiture à des fins d'empilage dans les susdits moyens d'emmagasinage,

les susdits moyens d'emmagasinage des éléments de toiture situés à une extrémité du bassin de la piscine se présentant sous la forme d'une aire de stockage correspondant à au moins la surface au sol d'un élément de toiture et sur laquelle les éléments de toiture s'élèvent en pile au-dessus du sol par alimentation les uns en dessous des autres.To this end, the invention proposes a device for discovering and covering the opening of a swimming pool from low shelters, said device comprising said low shelters which consist of roof elements juxtaposed and articulated with type described above, which includes:

• storage means located, in the assembled state of the device, at one end of said basin and making it possible to stack said roofing elements in a stacked manner,
• mobility means of said roof elements for moving them horizontally along the basin to and outside said storage means,
• storage means for disposing in the aforesaid storage means and in a stacked position, the aforementioned roof elements released from the basin,
• and means for connecting said roof elements to each other, indissociable on the one hand for securing the latter to each other in order to form a train of roof elements capable of moving jointly and horizontally along said basin, and dissociable l on the other hand, to allow the vertical displacement of said roof elements for stacking purposes in said storage means,

the aforesaid means for storing the roof elements located at one end of the pool basin in the form of a storage area corresponding to at least the floor area of a roof element and on which the elements of the roof rise in stack above the ground by feeding one below the others.

When the aforesaid roofing elements are of the type of those whose at least one longitudinal edge is mounted hinged relative to the support flange of the swimming pool basin, articulation relative to which it pivots to move from a closed position to a position half open and vice versa, the device of the invention offers great interest in giving the dual opportunity to discover the pool of the pool is one side or the other of the longitudinal plane of the basin by tilting roof elements and on one side or the other of the transverse plane of the swimming pool by moving a train of roof elements which are stacked in the storage means which, located at one end of the basin, are presented under the shape of a storage area corresponding to at least the ground surface of a roof element and on which said roof elements will be admitted.

In addition, associating several roof elements one behind the other and making them movable along the basin in the form of a train by means of rolling members arranged on the two longitudinal parallel edges of each roofing element which slide by rolling on the longitudinal edges of the basin, allows, by associating at least one motor drive roller which, judiciously disposed at the input of the aforesaid storage means and bearing on the aforesaid train of elements roof, will be able to scroll automatically one way out of the basin towards the storage area of said storage means to discover the pool they covered and store them on the storage area in a stacked manner and, in the other direction, towards the interior of the basin so as to evacuate them from the storage area and to scroll them in the form of a train of elements juxtaposed to cover the opening of the tank. u basin.

Thus, each roofing element penetrating the storage means will then be raised vertically at the same time as the others so as to ensure a stack by feeding from below the stack.

The following description gives by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of a swimming pool roof equipped with a device according to the invention for discovering and / or covering the opening. the pool of this pool from low shelters made of juxtaposed roof elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• The figure 1 is an isometric perspective view of a low roof swimming pool roof of conventional design and shown in a closed position.
• The figure 2 is an isometric perspective view of the swimming pool roof of the drawing of the figure 1 , shown partially ajar position.
• The figure 3 is an isometric perspective view of a swimming pool roof according to one embodiment of the invention and shown in closed position.
• The figures 4 , 5 and 6 are isometric perspective views of the swimming pool roof of the drawing of the figure 3 , according to three positions of progressive discovery of the basin.
• The figure 7 is a partial vertical sectional view of a swimming pool roof element showing one of the two longitudinal edges equipped with a body of the device of the invention.
• The figure 8 is a schematic view in vertical section at the end of the pool roof as shown in the drawing of the figure 4 and illustrates a first embodiment of the storage means.
• The figure 9 is a schematic view in vertical section at the end of the pool roof as shown in the drawing of the figure 5 with the same embodiment of the storage means as that illustrated in figure 8 ,
• The Figures 10a and 10b are partial perspective views of two adjacent arches of two pool roof elements respectively shown at the same level associated with each other and at an offset level to be separated from one another,
• The Figures 11a, 11b, 11c are schematic drawings of a partial vertical sectional view at the end of the roof illustrating a second embodiment of the storage means.
• The figure 12 is a detailed schematic drawing of a partially exploded external perspective view of a solution of storage means and a solution of mobility means,
• The figures 13a , 13b, 13c, 13d , are schematic drawings of a partial sectional view illustrating the operation of the storage means illustrated in FIG. figure 12 .
• The Figures 14a, 14b and 14c are schematic drawings of a top view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention illustrating another solution of the mobility means and the storage means,
• the Figures 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d are diagrammatic drawings in side view of a device according to the invention illustrating the operation of the storage means illustrated in FIG. Figures 14a, 14b and 14c .

DESCRIPTION SUPPORTED ON THE DRAWINGS

The drawing of the figure 1 illustrates a swimming pool roof of the prior art more commonly called low shelter and shown in closed position. This roof, referenced T as a whole, is conventionally constituted by a series of three roof elements I of the type of those each consisting of a cover formed of panels of translucent material 100 such as double-walled polycarbonate and a Rigid frame 200 lightweight and resistant in the form of hoops 210 arranged in transverse planes and braced by cross members 220 to support said cover. The two end rails 220 of the frame delimit two parallel longitudinal edges 220a and 220b to the roof elements I which are retained on the longitudinal flanges S of the basin defining a bearing surface, by means of fixing lugs respectively referenced 300a and 300b. and being anchored removably in said flanges S or in the capping margins said flanges.

As can be seen on the drawing of the figure 2 , one (central) of the roof elements I is shown in position partly open to partially discover the pool pool. For this purpose, one (220a) of the two longitudinal edges of the frame of this roof element is released from its fixing lugs 300a thus allowing said element I, a tilting movement on its second edge 220b around the two legs 300b, according to an angular expansion (symbolized by the arrow A) in a plane transverse to the basin. The element I is held in this half-open position by means of two spacers formed by crutches 400 whose heads 410 penetrate into each end of the edge 220a and whose feet 420 come to bear on the longitudinal edges S of the basin in which they are anchored instead and 300a mounting tabs just released.

The drawings of figures 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 show a new pool roof concept with now four (this number of four is only given as an illustrative example and for better clarity of the drawings) roof elements I of the type low shelters articulated as those illustrated on the drawings of figures 1 and 2 but arranged the device of the invention to discover and / or cover the opening of the pool of the pool without any handling operation of laying, removal or transport of said elements I.

For this purpose, the device of the invention comprises a set of means which, judiciously combined with each other, autonomously assume the movements and storage of the elements I to discover (cf. figure 6 ) and / or cover (cf. figure 3 ) the opening of the basin, without any manual intervention.

The first so-called storage means 600 are located at one end of said basin and their role is to store in a stacked manner the roof elements I, as shown in the drawings of the figures 5 and 6 . These storage means 600 are for this purpose in the form of a storage area sized to admit said elements I roofing.

• d'une part, d'organes de roulement 710a (illustrés plus en détails sur le dessin de la figure 7) et qui, répartis sur la largeur des deux bordures parallèles longitudinales 220a et 220b de chaque élément de toiture I, assurent le libre déplacement (flèche H) des bordures 220a et 220b le long du rebord S, et donc de l'ensemble de l'élément I y associé,
• et d'autre part, par au moins un 720a (tel que représenté sur le dessin de la figure 7) mais de préférence deux galets d'entraînement moteur qui, disposés en entrée des susdits moyens d'emmagasinage 600, prennent appui sur l'élément de toiture I présent devant ces derniers afin de le faire défiler soit dans le sens de la flèche H pour le faire pénétrer complètement (cf. figure 4) sur l'aire de stockage des moyens d'emmagasinage 600 afin de le dégager du bassin qu'il recouvrait et le stocker sur l'aire de stockage 600 de manière empilée soit, dans l'autre sens inverse à celui de la flèche H, vers l'intérieur du bassin de manière à l'évacuer de l'aire de stockage 600 en poussant les autres éléments I qui, sous la forme d'un train d'éléments juxtaposés, couvriront progressivement l'ouverture du bassin.

The second so-called mobility means make it possible to move said roof elements I horizontally along the basin towards (arrow H) and / or outside (in the opposite direction of the arrow H) of the storage means 600. These means of mobility are presented for this purpose in the form:

• on the one hand, rolling members 710a (illustrated in more detail in the drawing of FIG. figure 7 ) and which, distributed over the width of the two longitudinal parallel edges 220a and 220b of each roof element I, ensure the free movement (arrow H) of the edges 220a and 220b along the edge S, and therefore of the entire element I associated with it,
• and on the other hand, by at least one 720a (as shown in the drawing of the figure 7 ) but preferably two motor drive rollers which, arranged at the input of said storage means 600, are supported on the roof element I present in front of the latter in order to make it scroll either in the direction of the arrow H to to make it penetrate completely (cf. figure 4 ) on the storage area of the storage means 600 so as to disengage it from the basin it covered and store it on the storage area 600 in a stacked manner, in the opposite direction to that of the arrow H towards the inside of the basin so as to evacuate it from the storage area 600 by pushing the other elements I which, in the form of a juxtaposed stream of elements, will progressively cover the opening of the basin.

Thus, the two longitudinal edges 220a and 220b of the roof elements I rest on the rim of the basin S via the rolling members 710a allowing, once the fixing lugs 300a and 300b released from their anchoring in the aforesaid support flange S freely move the elements I (arrow H) to the storage area 600 of the storage means. This evolution (arrow H) of the elements I of an intermediate position illustrated in FIG. figure 4 at a more advanced position illustrated in the figure 6 , allows to gradually discover the basin of the pool on one end of the latter. Although not illustrated, it should be noted that the roof elements I train will be moved (arrow H) along the support flange S but outside the pool basin completely stacked on the storage area 600, in order to fully discover the basin.

Conversely, by moving the train of elements of roof I in the opposite direction to that of the arrow H along the support flange S but towards the inside of the basin, the stream of roof elements I will gradually cover and seal the basin.

According to a particular adaptation of the invention, the two motor drive rollers (of which only one 720a is illustrated in the drawing of FIG. figure 7 ) providing horizontal movements (arrow H) of the roof elements, have their axes of rotation 721a disposed substantially inclined relative to the vertical and inward of the basin so that the treads of said drive rollers are based on the longitudinal edges 220a and 220b of the roof elements I while ensuring the guiding of said elements I on the storage area 600.

• d'une part, desdits organes de roulement 710a et qui, répartis sur la largeur des deux bordures parallèles longitudinales 220a et 220b de chaque élément de toiture I, assurent le libre déplacement (flèche H) des bordures 220a et 220b le long du rebord S, et donc de l'ensemble de l'élément I y associé,
• et d'autre part, par au moins un moyen de mise en mouvement en translation 730a de type pignon 731a/ crémaillère 732a. Le pignon 731a est entraîné en rotation par un ensemble motoréducteur fixe et la crémaillère 732a est comme illustrée solidaire du rebord longitudinal de l'élément de toiture. Selon le mode de réalisation illustré, la crémaillère 732a, est intégrée aux bordures latérales. Ces pignons, dont seul 731a est représenté, sont disposés en entrée des susdits moyens d'emmagasinage 600. Ils viennent s'engrener avec les crémaillères solidaires de l'élément de toiture I présent devant ces derniers afin de le faire défiler selon leur sens de rotation soit dans le sens de la flèche H pour le faire pénétrer complètement (cf. figure 4) sur l'aire de stockage 600 afin de le dégager du bassin qu'il recouvrait et de le stocker sur l'aire de stockage 600 de manière empilée soit, dans l'autre sens inverse à celui de la flèche H, vers l'intérieur du bassin de manière à l'évacuer de l'aire de stockage 600 en poussant les autres éléments I qui, sous la forme d'un train d'éléments juxtaposés, couvriront progressivement l'ouverture du bassin.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention illustrated by the figures 12 , 13a , 13b, 13c, 13d , the means of mobility are in the form:

• on the one hand, said rolling members 710a and which, distributed over the width of the two longitudinal parallel edges 220a and 220b of each roof element I, ensure the free movement (arrow H) of the edges 220a and 220b along the edge S , and therefore of the set of element I associated with it,
• and on the other hand, by at least one means 730a of translation gear 730a pinion 731a / rack 732a. The gear 731a is rotated by a fixed gear motor assembly and the rack 732a is as shown integral with the longitudinal flange of the roof element. According to the illustrated embodiment, the rack 732a is integrated with the lateral edges. These pinions, of which only 731a is shown, are arranged at the input of the aforesaid storage means 600. They come to mesh with the integral racks of the roof element I present in front of the latter to make it scroll in their direction of rotation in the direction of the arrow H to make it penetrate completely (cf. figure 4 ) on the storage area 600 in order to disengage it from the basin it covered and to store it on the storage area 600 in a stacked manner, in the opposite direction to that of the arrow H, towards the inside the basin in order to evacuate it from the storage area 600 by pushing the other elements I which, in the form of a train of juxtaposed elements, will progressively cover the opening of the basin.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, the storage means 600 are advantageously equipped with elements having not only the function of mechanical stop 610 for the roof elements I in their translational movement towards the storage area 600 but also the function of guiding during their translation from top to bottom and from bottom to top during the raising or lowering phase. This characteristic ensures the longitudinal positioning of the roof elements when they are in the storage area 600.

• d'une part, desdits organes de roulement 710a (illustrés plus en détails sur le dessin de la figure 7) et qui, répartis sur la largeur des deux bordures parallèles longitudinales 220a et 220b de chaque élément de toiture I, assurent le libre déplacement (flèche H) des bordures 220a et 220b le long du rebord S, et donc de l'ensemble de l'élément I y associé,
• et d'autre part, par au moins un mais de préférence deux bandes sans fin horizontales motrices 740a et 740b qui, disposées en entrée des susdits moyens d'emmagasinage 600, coopèrent avec l'élément de toiture I présent devant ces derniers afin de le faire défiler soit dans le sens de la flèche H pour le faire pénétrer complètement sur l'aire de stockage des moyens d'emmagasinage 600 afin de le dégager du bassin qu'il recouvrait et le stocker sur l'aire de stockage 600 de manière empilée soit, dans l'autre sens inverse à celui de la flèche H, vers l'intérieur du bassin de manière à l'évacuer de l'aire de stockage 600 en poussant les autres éléments I qui, sous la forme d'un train d'éléments juxtaposés, couvriront progressivement l'ouverture du bassin.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention illustrated by the Figures 14a, 14b and 14c , the means of mobility are presented for this purpose in the form:

• on the one hand, said rolling members 710a (illustrated in more detail in the drawing of FIG. figure 7 ) and which, distributed over the width of the two longitudinal parallel edges 220a and 220b of each roof element I, ensure the free movement (arrow H) of the edges 220a and 220b along the edge S, and therefore of the entire element I associated with it,
• and on the other hand, by at least one but preferably two endless horizontal driving strips 740a and 740b which, arranged at the input of the aforesaid storage means 600, cooperate with the roof element I present in front of the latter in order to scroll in the direction of the arrow H to make it completely penetrate the storage area of the storage means 600 in order to free it from the basin it covered and store it on the storage area 600 in a stacked manner or, in the other direction opposite to that of the arrow H, towards the interior of the basin so as to evacuate it from the storage area 600 by pushing the other elements I which, in the form of a train of juxtaposed elements, will gradually cover the opening of the basin.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cooperation between the horizontal drive belts and the roof elements is achieved by means of integral fingers 230a and 230b of the elements of the structure. roofing and which engage with the endless horizontal bands 740a and 740b which are equipped with hooking means provided for this purpose.

The third means 800 (illustrated at figures 8 and 9 ) said storage means have the role of arranging on the storage area 600 and in a stacked position, the roof elements I, under the effect of the horizontal movement (arrow H) of the elements I by the drive rollers 720a.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention and as illustrated by the figures 8 , 9 and 11a, 11b, 11c , these storage means 800 are, for this purpose, constituted by a support frame serving as a logical structure to at least two conveyors 810a and 810b which, arranged on the storage area 600 on either side of the stack of stacked roof elements I, are capable of ensuring on the storage area 600, the gripping and the vertical displacement (arrow V) of each roof element I in an upward movement to store them stacked one above the other. others but by feeding one below the other and in a downward movement (inverse to that of the arrow V) to deposit them on the longitudinal edges of the basin in order to juxtapose them to each other. These two conveyors 810a and 810b each consist of an endless belt driven in rotation (arrows R) around two deflection cylinders not shown in the upper and lower part of the conveyors 810a and 810b0 and one of which is a motor for driving of the endless belt around said cylinders.

According to a first embodiment and according to the invention, the two endless belts 810a and 810b are arranged on their width with at least one string of gripping members 811a and 811b disposed opposite each endless band 810a and 810b in order to cooperate simultaneously (as can be seen in the drawing of figures 8 and 9 ) with the two longitudinal parallel edges 220a and 220b of each roof element I which comes to be between them on the storage area 600. These gripping members 811a and 811b are, according to one embodiment of the invention illustrated more in detail on the drawing of the figure 7 , made by hooks which are, on the one hand, regularly spaced apart by a "p" pitch of one another, and, on the other hand, adapted to cooperate with hooking means 221a (for example hooks facing downwards) corresponding to the longitudinal parallel edges 220a and 220b of the roof elements I by the rotation (arrow R) of the endless belts 810a and 810b which provides a vertical linear displacement (arrow V) of the hooks 811a and 811b associated therewith on the rectilinear portion of said strips. Thus, by actuating with a step "p" the stepwise movement of the endless belts 810a and 810b in the direction of arrow V and corresponding to the spacing pitch "p" of two hooks 811a or 811b of the same roselet, these come at the beginning of the movement step cooperate with the side edges 220a and 220b of the element I, equipped for this purpose said hooking means appropriate to the hooks 811a and 811b, in order to raise them then above of the storage area 600 with a pitch "p", so that said element I as well as the previous ones which have been hooked in the same way by the preceding hooks are stored in a stacked manner on the storage area 600 at as and when they are admitted to it. The stepwise reverse movement to that of the R arrow of the endless belts 810a and 810b will ensure the descent (in the opposite direction to that of the arrow V) with the objective of evacuating the roof elements I out of the storage area. 600.

According to another embodiment illustrated by the Figures 11a, 11b and 11c , the two endless belts 810a and 810b are arranged on their width with gripping members 811a and 811b arranged opposite each endless belt 810a and 810b in order to cooperate simultaneously (as can be seen in the drawing of FIGS. Figures 11a, 11b and 11c ) with the two longitudinal parallel edges 220a and 220b of each roof element I which comes to be between them on the storage area 600. Apart from the fact that they are not configured in a string as for the first embodiment , its gripping members 811a and 811b are, according to one embodiment of the invention illustrated in more detail in the drawing of the figure 7 , made by hooks which are adapted to cooperate with hooking means 221a (for example hooks facing the bottom) corresponding to the longitudinal parallel edges 220a and 220b of the roof elements I by the rotation (arrow R) of the endless belts 810a and 810b which provides a vertical linear displacement (arrow V) of the hooks 811a and 811b therein on the rectilinear portion of said strips. Thus, by actuating the displacement of the endless belts 810a and 810b in the direction of the arrow V, they cooperate with the lateral edges 220a and 220b of the element I, equipped for this purpose with said attachment means suitable for hooks 811a and 811b, in order to then raise them above the storage area 600, so that said element I comes to rest on fixed bearings 820a and 820b with the preceding elements which have been brought in the same manner by the preceding movements of the hooks and so that they are stored in a stacked manner on said bearings 820a and 820b above the storage area 600 as and when they are admitted on the latter.

Loosening or retracting the bearings associated with a movement that is not the reverse of that of the arrow R of the endless belts 810a and 810b will ensure the descent (in the opposite direction to that of the arrow V) with the aim of evacuating the roof elements I out of the storage area 600.

In this embodiment, an endless movement of the hooks is not necessary since a simple back and forth movement between the bearings 820a and 820b and the pickup position of the roof elements is sufficient.

It may be envisaged to equip the lower ends of the endless belts 810a and 810b with unrepresented belt guiding means which, by giving an angle of inclination to said hooks, will improve their attachment and / or stalling with the longitudinal edges 200a and 220b of the elements I at the low points of the conveyors 810a and 810b.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention and as illustrated in the drawings of the figures 12 , 13a , 13b, 13c and 13d , the aforesaid storage means 800 are constituted by a support frame serving as a logical structure to at least two elevators of which only 830a is illustrated which, arranged on the storage area 600 on either side of the stack of stacked roof elements I, are capable of ensuring on the storage area 600, the gripping and the vertical displacement (arrow V) of each element of roof I in an upward motion to store them stacked one above the other by feeding one below the other and in a downward movement (inverse to that of the arrow V) to deposit them and place them on the ledges longitudinal sections of the basin in order to juxtapose them to each other.

As illustrated, the elevator 830a is constituted by two cranks 831a and 832a whose synchronized rotation ensures the vertical movement (arrow V) to the top of the roof element I alone or already stacked roof elements I. As illustrated, the cranks 831a and 832a cooperate with the roof element present at the storage area 600 to move it from a low position to a high position as illustrated in the drawings of the drawings. figures 13a and 13b . This passage from a low position (cf. figure 13a ) at a high position (cf. figure 13b ) authorizes, by the action of the mobility means, the arrival of a new roof element I at the level of the elevation means (cf. figure 13c ) which, by rotational movement, deposit the raised roof element on the roofing element placed below and cooperate to pass the assembly formed by the two roofing elements I stacked from a low position (cf. . figure 13d ) at a high position and so on until the arrival of the last roof element on which rest the others. This process is reversed when the roof elements have to cover the basin.

To facilitate the cooperation of the cranks with the roof elements I, they are equipped with two supports on each longitudinal edge. Thus, said cranks 831a and 832a cooperate with camming wedges associated with each roof element I.

In addition, to facilitate storage in stacked position, each roof element I is equipped with spacers interposed between each stacked roof element. These wedges are preformed to receive and hold in position the rolling support means each roof element such as the bearing members 710a which they are provided.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, the wedges and supports merge into one and the same piece 240 equipping each longitudinal edge of the roof elements I.

This piece 240 has been the subject of special care both in its wedge function between the roof elements that in its cam support function that follows the crank of the elevation means.

Thus, according to a preferred feature, the upper part of said parts 240 is preformed of a concave shape 241 in which are wedged the rolling members 710a. As a result, the pieces 240 not only intersect in height between the roof elements but also position them longitudinally.

The drawing of the figure 13a illustrates an embodiment where the crank 831a is advantageously equipped with a roller G whose displacement path 242 is preformed in the lower part 240. This preformation is such that the part 240 and consequently the roof element associated with said roller G. The elevation means being constituted by two pairs of cranks arranged on either side of the storage area, the lateral positioning of the roof element during storage is optimized thanks to this feature.

In addition, according to the embodiment illustrated by the drawing of the figure 12 the parts 240 come into abutment on the mechanical stops 610. The parts 240 also contribute to the longitudinal positioning of the roof elements in their movement.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic and as illustrated by the Figures 14a, 14b, 14c , 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d these storage means 800 are constituted by two ramps 840a and 840b which, arranged on the storage area 600 on either side of the pile of stacked roof elements I, are able to ensure on the storage area 600, the vertical displacement (arrow V) of each roof element I in an upward movement to store them stacked one above the other by means of a displacement of said elements on the ramps by feeding one below the other and in a downward movement (opposite to that of the arrow V) in order to juxtapose them to each other. These two ramps 840a and 840b cooperate with fingers protruding outwardly from the roof elements (I) in order to follow the said elements upward movement and a tilting as illustrated by the figures 15 so that the roof elements stored form an open angle against those coming to bear on their lower surface. According to a preferred embodiment, said fingers bearing on said ramps 840a and 840b are those 230a and 230b engaging with said mobility means 740a and 740b.

According to this characteristic and as illustrated in particular by figure 15c , the translation movement printed on the roof elements and the inclination they adopt when moving on the ramp or when they are stored allow the upward movement of the roof elements.

The fourth means 900 called means for connecting the elements I to each other have, in turn, been provided inseparable firstly to secure them to each other in order to form the element I train under the effect of pebbles motor drive 720a mobility means to move in a horizontal linear movement (arrow H) along said basin, and dissociable from each other on the other hand, so that said elements I entering on the storage area 600 are susceptible, under the effect of the rotation (arrow R) endless conveyors 810a and 810b and 811a and 811b hooks subject there, to move in a vertical linear movement (arrow V) causing their dissociation and their superposition on the storage area 600. Thus, the connecting means 900 are such that, when the roof elements I evolve in a horizontal linear movement of pushing or pulling (arrow H), they are indissociable so as to retain the elements stowed together and form a train of elements, and when an element I enters the storage area 600 (cf. figure 4 ) under the effect of the thrust of the element train I, they become dissociable so as to allow stacking by admission from below the other elements on the storage area 600.

As illustrated here, the connecting means 900 of the elements I are also dissociable between them on the one hand, to allow the free articulation of the elements I (arrow A of the figure 2 ) relative to the support flange S of the basin and indissociable secondly, to push in the direction of the arrow H but also to bring in the opposite direction of the arrow H, the set of elements I stowed one to the other so that the presence of the motor drive rollers 720a at the entrance of the storage area 600, is sufficient to pull outward of the basin (in the direction of the arrow H) or to push towards the inside of the basin (in the opposite direction to that of the arrow H) all the elements I to respectively allow the open position or the covered position of the basin.

A control electronics of the driving motors of the drive rollers 720a and the driving rolls of the endless belts 810a and 810b which, as a function of end-of-travel detectors skillfully arranged and a user-controlled programmed control , allows to orchestrate the linear horizontal (arrow H) and vertical (arrow V) movements of the roof elements I according to an operating cycle which consists of alternating the horizontal (arrow H) and vertical (arrow V) movement times of the roof elements I and in steps corresponding on the one hand, spacing pitch "p" of two hooks 811a or 811b of the same string for the vertical movement (arrow V) of the endless belts 810a and 810b and elements I associated therewith and on the other hand, at a pitch at least equal to the width of the roof elements I for the horizontal displacement (arrow H) of said elements I actuated by the drive rollers 720 at.

When the connection means are dissociated, the elements I of the roof equipped with the device of the invention can also offer the conventional advantages of the low roof of the roof T by allowing the position ajar by the articulation A said elements I (as shown in the drawing of the figure 2 ) on the support flange S of the basin.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid connecting means are constituted by the wings of the arches 210 which, arranged protruding in the extension of the panels 100 of the cover in translucent material to ensure the partial waterproof covering of the elements juxtaposed I of the roof T in the closed position, are provided with a removable device for securing with the arch 210 of the adjacent element I. Thus, as illustrated in more detail on the drawings of Figures 10a and 10b , each of the aforementioned connecting means of two contiguous arches referenced 210r for the roofing element covered and 210c for the roofing element covering conventionally comprising flanged wings is constituted by a U-shaped profile 211 which, intended to marry the lower profiles rectangular 212r and 212c of said two adjacent arches, is secured to the rectangular profile 212r of the arch 210r of the covered element so that the rectangular profile 212c of the arch 210c of the covering element can be housed and wedged in the U-shaped profile 211 (cf. figure 10a ) during the movement of lowering by articulation (opposite direction of the arrow A of the figure 2 ) or by descent on the storage area 600 (in the opposite direction of the arrow V of the figures 5 and 9 ) of the covering element in the lowered position and vice versa to emerge from said U-shaped profile 211 (cf. figure 10b ) during the hinge movement in the direction of the arrow A of the same element to an open position or the upward movement in the direction of the arrow V to stack it on the storage area 600. Preferably, the upper part of the branch 211a of the aforesaid U-shaped profile 211 not integral with the arch 210r of the covered element is flared to facilitate the engagement with clearance of the rectangular lower profile 212c of the arch 210c of the covering element when its downward movement to a juxtaposed position. Similarly, the number and the length of said connecting means constituted by said U-shaped profiles are likely to vary.

• à adopter le même nombre de crochets 811a et 811b quel que soit le nombre d'éléments de toiture I de manière à standardiser la fabrication des convoyeurs 810a et 810b,
• à ne pas se limiter en nombre de galets d'entraînement moteur 720a lorsque les éléments de piscine sont de dimension plus importante,
• à prévoir des galets de guidage ou de contre guidage répartis sur la longueur du bassin pour guider les déplacements horizontaux (flèche H) des éléments I,

It goes without saying that the device described above and shown may be arranged according to several adaptations while remaining in the context of the present invention, adaptations which consist for example:

• to adopt the same number of hooks 811a and 811b irrespective of the number of roof elements I so as to standardize the manufacture of the conveyors 810a and 810b,
• not to be limited to the number of motor drive rollers 720a when the pool elements are of larger size,
• to provide guide rollers or against guiding distributed over the length of the basin to guide the horizontal movements (arrow H) of the elements I,

Claims (21)

1. Device allowing a pool opening to be exposed and concealed based on low profile covers, the said device including the said low profile covers which are constituted by roof components (I) juxtaposed in the direction of the length of the swimming pool and each consisting of a cover in a translucent material (100) and a rigid frame formed of at least two arches (210) placed in transverse planes and braced by longitudinal crosspieces (220) with two end crosspieces delimiting two longitudinal parallel edges (220a and 220b) to the roof component (I), the said two end crosspieces resting, when the device is in a mounted state, on the longitudinal edges of the pool of said swimming pool defining a support surface (S), the said device including means of mobilising said roof components (I) allowing them to be displaced horizontally (arrow H) along the pool and means (900) of connecting said roof components (I) to each other, indissociable on the one hand in order to secure them to each other to form a roof component train (I) able to be displaced integrally and horizontally (arrow H) along said pool, and dissociable one from another on the other hand, in order to allow the vertical displacement (arrow V) of said roof components (I),
   characterised in that it includes:

   - storage means (600) located, when the device is in a mounted state, at one end of said pool and outside thereof, allowing said roof components (I) to be stored in a stacked way, and presenting themselves in the form of a storage area corresponding to at least the ground surface of one roof component (I) and in which the roof components (I) are stacked up above the ground by being fed one underneath the other, and

   - stowing means (800) allowing the aforementioned roof components (I), disengaged from the pool, to be placed in the aforementioned storage means (600) and in a stacked position,

   the said horizontal displacement (H) of said roof components (I) being made towards and away from said storage means (600), and the said vertical displacement (V) of said roof components (I) being made for the purposes of stacking in the aforementioned storage means (600).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the aforementioned stowing means (800), allowing the aforementioned roof components to be placed in a stacked position inside the aforementioned storage means (600), are constituted by a support frame acting as a logic structure to at least two conveyors (810a and 810b) which, placed inside the aforementioned storage means (600) on either side of the stack of stored roof components (I), are able to grip and vertically displace (arrow V) inside the latter each roof component (I) in an upward movement to store them stacked one on top of the other and in a downward movement (reverse to that of the arrow V) to deposit them on the longitudinal edges of the pool (S) in order to juxtapose them one next to the other.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the aforementioned stowing means (800) are constituted by a support frame acting as a logic structure to at least two elevators which, placed in the storage area 600 on either side of the stack of stacked roof components (I), are able to grip and vertically displace (arrow V), in the storage area (600), each roof component (I) in an upward movement so as to store them stacked one on top of the other by feeding them one underneath the other and in a downward movement (reverse to that of the arrow V) so as to deposit them and place them on the longitudinal edges of the pool in order to juxtapose them one next to the other, and in that each elevator (830a) is constituted by two cranks (831a and 832a) the synchronised rotation of which ensures the vertical movement (arrow V) upwards of the single roof component (I) or of the already stacked roof components (I), the cranks engaging with the roof component present at storage area level so as to run it from a low position to a high position; this transfer from a low position to a high position allowing, through the action of said mobility means, the input of a new roof component (I) at the level of the stowing means which, by a rotary movement, deposit the raised up roof component onto the roof component placed beneath and engage to transfer the unit formed by the two stacked roof components (I) from a low position to a high position and so on until the input of the last roof component on which the others will rest.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the aforementioned stowing means (800) are constituted by two ramps (840a and 840b) which, placed in the storage area (600) on either side of the stack of stacked roof components (I), are able to vertically displace (arrow V) in the storage area (600) each roof component (I) in an upward movement to store them stacked one on top of the other by means of a displacement of said components on the ramps by feeding them one underneath the other and in a downward movement (the reverse of that of the arrow V) so as to juxtapose them one next to the other.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that these two ramps (840a and 840b) engage with pins projecting externally from the roof components (I) so as to make said components effect an upward movement and a tilt such that the stored roof components form an open angle opposite those coming to be supported on their lower surface by displacement imparted by said mobility means.
6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the aforementioned mobility means of said roof components (I) allowing them to be displaced horizontally along the pool towards and/or away from said storage means (600) are constituted:

   - on the one hand, by running gear (710a) which, distributed over the width of the two parallel longitudinal edges (220a and 220b) of each roof component (I), ensures the free displacement (arrow H) of the edges (220a and 220b) along the edge (S), and therefore of the whole of the component (I) associated with it,

   - and on the other hand, by at least one motor-drive roller (720a) which, placed at the input of the aforementioned storage means (600), is supported on the roof component (I) present in front of them so as to run it in a direction (arrow H) outwards from the pool to make it completely enter the aforementioned storage means (600) so as to disengage it from the pool which it was covering and to store it in the latter in a stacked way or, in the other direction inwards towards the pool (reverse direction to that of the arrow H), so as to discharge it from the storage area (600) by pushing the other components (I) which, in the form of a train of juxtaposed components, will gradually cover the pool opening.
7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the aforementioned mobility means of said roof components (I) allowing them to be displaced horizontally along the pool towards and/or away from said storage means (600), include at least one horizontal drive endless strip (740a and 740b) which, placed at the input of the aforementioned storage means (600), engage with the roof component (I) present in front of them so as to run it in a direction (arrow H) outwards from the pool to make it completely enter the aforementioned storage means (600) so as to disengage it from the pool which it was covering and to store it in the latter in a stacked way or, in the other direction inwards towards the pool (reverse direction to that of the arrow H), so as to discharge it from the storage means (600) by pushing the other components (I) which, in the form of a train of juxtaposed components (I), will gradually cover the pool opening.
8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the aforementioned mobility means of said roof components (I) allowing them to be displaced horizontally along the pool towards and/or away from said storage means (600), include at least one translation mobilisation means (730a) of the pinion (731a)/rack (732a) type, the pinion (731a) being drawn into rotation by a fixed geared motor unit and the rack (732a) being integral with the longitudinal edge of the roof component (I).
9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that each roof component is fitted with blocks inserted between each stacked roof component.
10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the aforementioned connection means (900) are constituted by the wings of the arches (210) which, placed to project in the extension of the panels (100) of the translucent material cover to ensure the sealed partial covering of the juxtaposed components (I) of the roof in the closed position, are fitted with a removable device for fastening the wings to the arch (210) of the contiguous component (I).
11. Device according to claim 1, allowing a pool opening to be exposed and/or concealed based on low profile covers constituted by juxtaposed roof components (I) of the type such that at least one of its longitudinal edges (220b) is articulated (arrow A) relative to the support edge (S) of the pool, an articulation relative to which it swivels in order to transfer from a closed position to a half-open position and vice versa, characterised in that the aforementioned connection means (900) are dissociable one from another to allow the vertical displacement (arrow V) of said roof components (I) for the purposes of stacking in the aforementioned storage means (600) and the free articulation (arrow A) of each component (I) relative to the support edge (S) of the pool.
12. Device according to claims 1, 10 and/or 11 and allowing a pool opening to be exposed and/or concealed based on roof components, of the type wherein the arch (210) of the covering component (I) is fitted with a wing placed to project in the extension of the panels (100) to provide the sealed partial covering of the arch (210) of the juxtaposed covered component of the roof in the closed position, characterised in that each of the aforementioned connection means of two contiguous arches (210r) for the covered roof component and (210c) for the covering roof component of the roof components (I) is constituted by a U-shaped profile (211) which, intended to conform to the shape of the rectangular lower profiles (212r and 212c) of said two contiguous arches (210r and 210c), is fastened to the rectangular profile (212r) of the arch (210r) of the covered component such that the rectangular profile (212c) of the arch (210c) of the covering component can be housed and inserted in the U-shaped profile (211) during the movement of lowering the covering component into the closed position and conversely to disengage itself from said U-shaped profile (211) during the movement of lifting the same component towards the open position.
13. Device according to claim 12 characterised in that the upper part of the branch (211a) of the aforementioned U-shaped profile (211) not integral with the arch (210r) of the covered component is flared so as to facilitate the engagement with play of the rectangular lower profile (212c) of the arch (210c) of the covering component during its movement of lowering to a juxtaposed position.
14. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the two conveyors (810a and 810b) of the aforementioned stowing means (800) are each constituted by an endless strip drawn in rotation (arrows R) around two return cylinders in the upper and lower part of the conveyors (810a and 810b) of the aforementioned storage means (600) and one of which is a drive cylinder to drive the endless strip around said cylinders.
15. Device according to claim 14 characterised in that the endless strips of the two conveyors (810a and 810b) of the aforementioned stowing means (800) are provided over their width with at least one chain of gripping mechanisms (811a and 811b) placed opposite each other for each endless strip (810a and 810b) so as to engage simultaneously with the two longitudinal parallel edges (220a and 220b) of each roof component (I) which is presented between them in the storage area (600).
16. Device according to claim 15 characterised in that the aforementioned gripping mechanisms (811a and 811b) are embodied in hooks which are, on the one hand, evenly spaced out by a pitch "p" one from the other, and, on the other hand, adapted so as to engage with corresponding fastening means (221a) on the longitudinal parallel edges (220a and 220b) of the roof components (I) to allow the latter to be fastened or unfastened through the rotation (arrow R) of the endless strips (810a and 810b) which ensures a linear vertical displacement (arrow V) of the hooks (811a and 811b) associated with it over the rectilinear portion of said endless strips.
17. Device according to claim 6 characterised in that the aforementioned mobility means include two motor-drive rollers (720a) to ensure the horizontal displacements (arrow H) of the roof components (I) by being supported on the two longitudinal edges (220a and 220b) of said roof components (I).
18. Device according to claim 17 characterised in that the axes of rotation (721a) of the aforementioned motor-drive rollers (720a) of the aforementioned mobility means are placed substantially inclined relative to the vertical and inwards towards the pool in such a way that the treads of said motor rollers are supported on the longitudinal edges (220a and 220b) of the roof components (I) while guiding the horizontal displacement (arrow H) of said components (I).
19. Device according to the set of claims 1, 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, characterised in that it includes an electronic automatic control system for the motors driving the drive rollers (720a) and the motor cylinders of the endless strips (810a and 810b) which, as a function of final position detectors and a programmed control activated by the user, allows the horizontal linear (arrow H) and vertical (arrow V) displacements of the roof components (I) to be orchestrated according to an operational cycle which consists in alternating the horizontal (arrow H) and vertical (arrow V) displacement times of the roof components (I) and according to pitches corresponding:

    - on the one hand for the vertical displacement (arrow V) of the endless strips (810a and 810b) and of the components (I) associated with them, to the spacing pitch "p" of two hooks (811a or 811b) on one and the same chain,

    - and on the other hand for the horizontal displacement (arrow H) of said components (I) activated by the motor-drive rollers (720a), to a pitch at least equal to the width of the roof components (I).
20. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the storage means (600) are fitted with components that act as a mechanical stop unit (610) for the roof components (I) in their movement.
21. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said cranks (831a and 832a) engage with blocks (240) forming cams and associated with each roof component (I).

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