Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Pool type – Accessory
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-01
2001-12-04
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Pool type
Accessory
C004S506000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324706
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to swimming pools, and, more particularly, to an automatic pool cover box used to house an automatic pool cover.
2. Description of the Related Art
Swimming pools are commonly covered to prevent debris from entering the pool and to heat the pool in the case of a solar cover. An automatic pool cover provides convenience for a user by allowing the cover to be easily extended over the pool during periods of non-use, and retracted during periods of use. Typically, a box is placed in the decking surrounding the pool at a location opposite from the walk-in steps (usually at the deep end of a pool). The box extends across the width of the pool, and houses an electric motor and reel on which the cover is wound.
A problem with conventional automatic pool cover boxes is that they are typically constructed from treated lumber and manufactured on-site at the pool location. The box is usually constructed from treated 2×12's which are coupled together in an end-to-end manner corresponding to the width of the pool and additional space at each longitudinal end required for the drive motor and mounting brackets. For example, a swimming pool having a width of 20 feet typically requires a automatic pool cover box of about 26 feet in length. To prevent deflection of the 2×12 walls relative to each other, cross members in the form of 2×4's or the like are fastened to the 2×12 side walls at period locations along the length of the box. It will be appreciated that the weight of a box constructed primarily from 2×12's which is 26 feet long is very heavy. Moreover, depending upon the skill of the installers, the quality of the box may vary from one installation to another.
What is needed in the art is an automatic pool cover box which is easy to assembly on-site, provides uniformity of construction from one installation to another, is light weight, and adjustable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an automatic pool cover box having a front wall, rear wall and lid constructed from modular components which may be easily connected together on-site and adjusted relative to each other to provide an optimum installation.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an automatic pool cover box including a front wall having a plurality of elongated extrusions, each extrusion having a first side wall, an opposite second side wall, a first coupler on the first side wall and a second coupler on the second side wall. Adjacent extrusions are coupled together using a respective first coupler and second coupler. A second side wall of one of the extrusions defines a bottom edge of the front wall. A rear wall includes a plurality of elongated extrusions, each extrusion having a first side wall, an opposite second side wall, a first coupler on the first side wall and a second coupler on the second side wall. Adjacent extrusions are coupled together using a respective first coupler and second coupler. A second side wall of one of the extrusions defines a bottom edge of the rear wall which is at least intermittently connected with the bottom edge of the front wall. A lid includes a plurality of elongated extrusions, with each extrusion having a first side wall, an opposite second side wall, a first coupler on the first side wall and a second coupler on the second side wall. Adjacent extrusions are coupled together using a respective first coupler and second coupler. A hinge member interconnects the rear wall and the lid. The hinge member is coupled with the rear wall in a vertically adjustable manner and is hingably coupled with the lid.
An advantage of the present invention is that the automatic pool cover box is constructed from substantially identical extrusions, thereby reducing the part count of different types of parts.
Another advantage is that the box may be easily assembled on-site, without substantial variance from one installation to another.
Yet another advantage is that the lid may be adjusted in a vertical manner relative to the rear wall, thereby providing optimum fit and slope to the lid.
A further advantage is that a wear bar may be attached to the top edge of the front wall to inhibit wear of the cover during extension and retraction.
Still another advantage is that a coping may be directly carried by the lid.
Another advantage is that the leading edge bar may include a coping with a leading edge which is substantially the same as the remaining coping of the pool, and a trailing edge which mates with the coping carried by the lid.
Yet another advantage is that the box is very light weight when compared with conventional designs.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3076975 (1963-02-01), Lamb
patent: 3748664 (1973-07-01), Morita
patent: 4203174 (1980-05-01), Shultz
patent: 5555574 (1996-09-01), Wason et al.
patent: 5860413 (1999-01-01), Bussey, Jr. et al.
patent: 5887296 (1999-03-01), Handwerker
patent: 5913613 (1999-06-01), Ragsdale et al.
patent: 5946743 (1999-09-01), Hashmi
Fort Wayne Pools, Inc.
Phillips Charles E.
Taylor & Aust P.C.
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