Retractable load-bearing cover

Details Retractable load-bearing cover Retractable load-bearing cover

1999-06-24

2001-03-20

Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)

Static structures (e.g., buildings)

Article or material supported cover

Flexibly connected strips or slats

C052S003000, C052S071000, C052S169700, C004S498000, C004S503000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06202355

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to retractable covers and more particularly pertains to a retractable load-bearing cover for use in covering in an extended position and uncovering in a retracted position an area such as a swimming pool or ice skating surface to provide a load-bearing surface in the extended position. In the retracted position the retractable cover is foldable in accordion fashion adjacent the area to be covered.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Retractable swimming pool covers available on the market typically include a fabric which is sized so that most of it floats on the water surface of the swimming pool. While such covers arguably protect children and animals from falling into the pool, they do not provide a load-bearing surface capable of supporting human activities such as dancing and sporting activities. Furthermore, such covers are not adapted to cover other areas such as ice skating surfaces.
The problem of providing a load-bearing surface for such a covering has been addressed in the prior art as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,259 to Scardenzan. The Scardenzan device includes a rigid deck member which fits over the top of the pool and which is lifted clear of the top of the pool by a hydraulic cylinder and linkage coupling the hydraulic cylinder to the deck member. The device suffers from the disadvantage of requiring a housing located to one side of the pool to accommodate the hydraulic components and linkage. Additionally, the deck member in its upper position shades a portion of the pool and the area adjacent the pool.
A removable pool cover support apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,527 to Perez et al. A plurality of adjustable frame assemblies capable of spanning opposite edges of a pool are secured one to the other such that the frame assembly will span the pool between its opposite sides. A framework overlying and supported by the frame assemblies spans across the length and width of the swimming pool for, in turn, supporting a pool cover. The Perez et al. apparatus thus requires extensive on-site assembly.
A combination indoor swimming pool cover and support floor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,506 to Nohl et al. When in place the cover provides a continuation of the floor and when raised vertically becomes a false ceiling. A hoist mechanism is stored in a crawl space or attic above the normal ceiling. The cover is specifically designed for an indoor pool.
A foldable pool cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,118,148 to Taylor et al. that includes a plurality of panels hinged to one another. The panels are formed of an upper and lower sheet for accommodation of hydrogen rich radiation shielding material therebetween to minimize the penetration of dangerous dosages of radiation through the panels. The panels are not shown to be load-bearing.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a retractable cover which is load-bearing and which is easily foldable in accordion fashion for storage adjacent the area to be covered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a retractable cover which is load-bearing.
It is a further object of applicant's invention to provide a retractable cover which is foldable in accordion fashion for storage adjacent the area to be covered.
Various of the foregoing objects, advantages, and distinctions of the invention are particularly obtained in a retractable cover including a plurality of rigid hinged panels. The rigid panels are formed by welding or otherwise attaching a plurality of extruded aluminum beams together to form a panel of desired size, each panel having a flat upper surface. Adjoining pairs of hinged panels are hingedly attached to interconnecting support members having runner members disposed on opposite ends thereof. The runner members are adapted to slide along the edge of a swimming pool deck or other area to be covered. Alternatively, the runner members may include wheel means adapted to ride along the edge. A first pair of hinged panels has a first panel including a first edge hingedly attached to a support structure such as an upstanding wall. In an extended position the rigid panels form a load-bearing cover in which the panel flat upper surfaces are coplanar and in which the interconnecting support members span the width of the swimming pool or other area. In a retracted position, the cover is folded in accordion fashion with the first pair of hinged panels folded adjacent the support structure and adjoining hinged pairs folded sequentially against one another.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2085436 (1937-06-01), Maurer
patent: 3118148 (1964-01-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 3466830 (1969-09-01), Smith
patent: 3683428 (1972-08-01), Morris
patent: 3854149 (1974-12-01), Mischke
patent: 4135259 (1979-01-01), Scardenzan
patent: 4192025 (1980-03-01), Hinsperger
patent: 4466143 (1984-08-01), Lamb
patent: 4550945 (1985-11-01), Englehardt
patent: 4598506 (1986-07-01), Nohl et al.
patent: 4628646 (1986-12-01), Eyerle
patent: 5067184 (1991-11-01), Last
patent: 5086872 (1992-02-01), Lin
patent: 5303527 (1994-04-01), Perez et al.
patent: 5394660 (1995-03-01), Haris
patent: 5678253 (1997-10-01), Baker
patent: 5740562 (1998-04-01), Nickalo
patent: 5819332 (1998-10-01), Perry
patent: 5921030 (1999-07-01), Ducotey et al.
patent: 5941027 (1999-08-01), Hallsten
patent: 6079059 (2000-06-01), Girerd

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