FR2724195A1 - Submersible cover for swimming pools or other area of water - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover is made of a flexible material to form a hollow deck (1). The deck is lowered by allowing it to fill with water, so it sinks to the bottom of the pool. To raise the deck a compressor (S) mounted at the side of the pool forces the water out and the deck floats to the surface. A flexible hose (A) couples the compressor to the deck. The deck is double walled to reduce risk of accidental damage, and has internal reinforcing to make it more rigid when at the top of the pool. To allow entry and exit of water, a set of solenoid valves (E) are fitted along the underside of the deck, and can be remotely operated to move between the open and closed positions. The sides of the deck are formed as brushes and scrapers, so raising and lowering the deck cleans the sides of the pool.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for transforming any liquid surface into a firm soil and vice versa.

Most liquid surfaces resulting from the decision to have a liquid reserve, reservoirs, basins, bodies of water, swimming pools ... present the risk of accidental immersion. It is one of the most important sources of accidents affecting young children. The technical solutions sometimes used are cover solutions: - either by heavy structures presenting sufficient guarantees of security. These structures generally require integrated design.

- or by light structures that do not offer the same guarantees.

These liquid reserves also pose technical maintenance and operating problems. The technical solutions traditionally used meet only one criterion at a time, most often partially: addition of soluble products, octopus robots, solar blankets, tarpaulins ...

Liquid surfaces cannot have other uses.

The device according to the invention overcomes or minimizes these drawbacks. It indeed has, according to a first characteristic: - an envelope: either filled with a gaseous fluid causing it to lift on the surface and eliminating any risk of accidental immersion; either filled with a liquid fluid causing its immersion by gravity and its positioning at the bottom of the liquid reserve: elimination of the risks of impacts following a jump or a dive poorly controlled, no bulk; - the modular and preformed structure of the envelope makes it possible to match any form of existing liquid reserve; - solenoid valves, fixed on the enclosure, allowing, at a distance, the replacement of one fluid by the other; - a compressor-winder-control panel block regulating the assembly; - a flexible pipe allowing the gaseous supply of the envelope; - a brush structure, at the periphery of the envelope, ensuring, during each immersion or each return to the surface, the scanning of the walls and the flow of the liquid.

According to a particular embodiment, the envelope may consist of a double structure.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure 1 shows, in section, the device in the lift position.

Figure 2 shows, in section, the device in the immersion position.

FIG. 3 shows, in projection, the device according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows, in section, a variant of the envelope.

With reference to these drawings, the device comprises an envelope (1) filled with gas (G) ensuring its lift on the surface (FIG 1) or filled with liquid (L) ensuring its immersion by gravity (FIG 2); its modular and preformed structure (FIG 3) allows it to match any form of existing liquid reserve; the solenoid valves (E) allow admission into the envelope (1) or delivery of the liquid (L); a compressor-winder-control panel block (S) ensures the gaseous pressure supply of the envelope or its atmospheric pressure via a flexible pipe (A), ensuring the connection between the compressor of the block (S) and the envelope (1); ue brushes peripheral structure (B) sweeps the walls and the liquid flow (L).

The nonlimiting addition of the envelope (2). (FIG 4). makes it possible to constitute a double envelope giving additional security guarantees in the event of accidental perforation of the envelope (1).

Reinforcement (R). (FIG 4), provides additional mechanical resistance to impact or penetration and constitutes a firm and level ground.

By way of nonlimiting example: - the envelope will have an average thickness of 10 centimeters; - It will consist of pneumatic tubes produced by thermo-welding or vulcanization, thus conforming to the shape of the equipped liquid reserve (FIG 3); - the technical characteristics of the envelope will ensure total opacity to light thus preventing any photosynthesis, therefore any possible development of algae or micro-organisms at the bottom of the liquid reserve and making it possible to limit the use of chemicals interview.

- the upper surface of the envelope may be arranged so as to constitute a floor or a carpet making it possible to accommodate, under normal conditions, human beings, domestic animals ... and to make a playground, a space sporty, a relaxation area ...

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for swimming pools.

Claims (4)

REVENDI CATI ONS 1 - Device intended to transform any liquid surface into a firm ground and vice versa, characterized by an envelope (1), either filled with a gaseous fluid (G) (FIG 1). either filled with a liquid fluid (L) (FIG 2). 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized by the modular and preformed structure of the envelope (1) (FIC 3).  3 - Device according to claim 1, characterized by the non-limiting addition of a second envelope (2). 4 - Device according to claims I and 3, characterized by the solenoid valves (E) fixed on the envelopes (1) and (2). S - Device according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized by a compressor-winder-control panel block (S) and a pipe (A). 6 - Device according to claim 1, characterized by a brush structure (B), on the periphery of the envelope (1). 7 - Device according to claim 1, characterized by a reinforcement (R) of the envelope (1) constituting a firm and level ground.