1. A pool comprising: an open top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall, said pool capable of storing water and substantially impermeable to said stored water; a cover with a top side and a bottom side, said cover capable of substantially covering said open top of said pool, wherein said cover is able to move up from said bottom of said pool and down toward said bottom of said pool; a moving mechanism for moving said cover up from said bottom of said pool and down toward said bottom of said pool, wherein said stored water can flow from said bottom side of said cover to said top side of said cover during descent and from said top side of said cover to said bottom side of said cover during ascent, wherein said cover is moved up by applying pressure to the cover; and a stabilizing mechanism for stabilizing said cover when it is in a position away from the bottom of the pool, and optionally wherein said stabilizing mechanism is integral to said lifting mechanism.
2. The pool of claim 1, wherein said lifting mechanism is selected from the group consisting of at least one hydraulic cylinder, at least one inflatable bladder, at least one scissor lift, and a post.
3. The pool of claim 1, wherein said moving mechanism is a column disposed in a receiving cavity, said cavity having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said column, wherein fluid entering said cavity through a flow inlet displaces said column, thereby raising said cover, and wherein fluid evacuating said cavity retracts said column, thereby lowering said cover.
4. The pool of claim 3, wherein said cross-sectional shape of said column is selected from the group consisting of square, triangle, circle, ellipse, rhombus, trapezoid, and parallelogram.
5. The pool of claim 3, wherein said moving mechanism does not include a sealing gasket between said column and said receiving cavity.
6. The pool of claim 1, wherein said stabilizing mechanism is a rack and gear mechanism.
7. The pool of claim 3, wherein said column comprises at least one opening parallel to the long axis of said column, and wherein the total cross sectional area of said opening(s) is at least equal to the total cross sectional area of said flow inlet.
8. The pool of claim 1, further comprising one or more safety device selected from the group consisting of motion sensors, interlocks, alarms, and pressure sensors.
9. The pool of claim 1, wherein said sidewall comprises at least one member of the group consisting of skimmers, lights, massage jets, whirlpool jets, and ladder indents.
10. The pool of claim 1, further comprising at least one supplemental hydraulic support deployable upon elevation of a said cover to a predetermined level.
11. The pool of claim 1, further comprising a gasket surrounding the periphery of said cover.
12. The pool of claim 1, wherein said at least one cover is supported by a framework.
13. The pool of claim 1, wherein said sidewall comprises a plurality of blocks, each block having at least one groove disposed on the side of said block, wherein the grooves of adjacent blocks define a channel.
14. The pool of claim 13, wherein said channel comprises a stabilizing material.
15. The pool of claim 14, wherein said stabilizing material is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of epoxy, fiberglass, and concrete.
16. The pool of claim 1, wherein said cover may be stopped at any point during descent to provide a pool of varying apparent depth.
17. The pool of claim 1, wherein said pressure is applied directly by said mechanism.
18. The pool of claim 1, further comprising a table integral to said cover, wherein said table may be raised or lowered independent of said cover.
19. A room comprising at least two sidewalls and a pool of claim 1, each sidewall comprising a plurality of interlocking blocks.
20. The room of claim 19, wherein said interlocking blocks are foam blocks.
21. A control system for a pool of claim 1, comprising at least one safety feature selected from the group consisting of a pool deck pump discharge pressure transmitter, an emergency stop push button, a key switch operator, a code entry system, a wave sensor, and an infrared sensor.
22. A control system for a movable pool cover of claim 1, comprising at least one safety feature selected from the group consisting of a pool deck pump discharge pressure transmitter, an emergency stop push button, a key switch operator, a code entry system, a wave sensor, and an infrared sensor.
23. A method of elevating, lowering, and stabilizing a cover on a pool, comprising: (a) providing a pool comprising an open top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall, said pool capable of storing water and substantially impermeable to said stored water; (b) providing a moving mechanism for moving a cover up from said bottom of said pool and down toward said bottom of said pool, wherein said cover comprises a top side and a bottom side; (c) elevating said cover using said moving mechanism, wherein said cover is elevated to substantially cover said open top of said pool and said cover is elevated up from said bottom of said pool and said stored water flows from said top side of said cover to said bottom side of said cover while ascending, and said cover is elevated by applying pressure to the cover; (d) lowering said cover using said moving mechanism wherein said cover is lowered toward said bottom of said pool and said stored water flows from said bottom side of said cover to said top side of said cover while being lowered, and said cover is lowered by applying negative pressure to the cover; and (e) stabilizing said lifting mechanism using a stabilizing mechanism when said cover is in a position away from the bottom of the pool, and optionally wherein said stabilizing mechanism is integral to said lifting mechanism.
24. The method of claim 23, including wherein said moving mechanism is a column disposed in a receiving cavity, said cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of said column, wherein fluid entering said cavity through a flow inlet displaces said column, thereby raising said cover, and wherein fluid evacuating said cavity retracts said column, thereby lowering said cover.
25. The method of claim 24, including wherein said moving mechanism does not include a sealing gasket between said column and said receiving cavity.
26. The method of claim 23, including wherein said stabilizing mechanism is a rack and gear mechanism.
27. The method of claim 24, including wherein said column comprises at least one opening parallel to the long axis of said column, and wherein the total cross sectional area of said opening(s) is at least equal to the total cross sectional area of said flow inlet.
28. The method of claim 23, including deploying lateral stabilizers to supplement the stability provided by said stabilizing mechanism.
29. A method for building a structure surrounding a pool with a cover that elevates and descends, comprising: (a) a providing a pool with a cover that elevates and descends; (b) providing a plurality of blocks, each block having at least four sides, and each block comprising a groove on one side and a tab on the opposite side; (c) situating said blocks so that the groove of one block aligns with the tab of an adjacent block; and (d) securing said blocks with an adhering material disposed into said grooves, providing a structure surrounding said pool.
Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/781,898, filed on Mar. 13, 2006, and having a common inventor, Stefan Kanetis. That application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present inventions. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field
The present invention relates to, but is not limited to, the fields of construction and use of pools and covered pools. Pools may include, but are not limited to, swimming pools, hot tubs, pools used for therapy, reflecting pools, wave pools, whirlpools, and wading pools.
2. Background
A variety of pools that can be built on a property or purchased ready-made are available. These pools are popular and are often a desired home improvement project.
Many of the available options for providing a pool on a property have disadvantages. For example, they may require a large piece of open land, which is then used solely for a pool. Unfortunately, many homes or other areas where a pool might otherwise be desirable do not have a large piece of land available for dedication for use as a pool. Many available pools are also expensive and/or inefficient to construct. They may also be expensive to heat to a desired temperature. Once a desired temperature has been attained, maintaining that temperature may be difficult. Furthermore, when a pool is not in use debris may accumulate in the pool, or chemicals that are used to maintain a clean, sanitary pool may be degraded by sunlight.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of a covered pool having a lowering and raising cover, more generally to the field of covered pools, and even more generally to the field of pools. Pool covers of the present invention may function as a patio. Pools of the present invention may be added to almost any size plot of land. For example, a pool of the invention may be used in the yard of a house, apartment building, or rehabilitation center. Pools of the invention allow a portion of land to be used alternately as a pool and as a patio. Furthermore, pools of the invention allow a single pool to be us
1. A pool comprising: an open top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall, said pool capable of storing water and substantially impermeable to said stored water; a cover with a top side and a bottom side, said cover capable of substantially covering said open top of said pool, wherein said cover is able to move up from said bottom of said pool and down toward said bottom of said pool; a moving mechanism for moving said cover up from said bottom of said pool and down toward said bottom of said pool, wherein said stored water can flow from said bottom side of said cover to said top side of said cover during descent and from said top side of said cover to said bottom side of said cover during ascent, wherein said cover is moved up by applying pressure to the cover; and a stabilizing mechanism for stabilizing said cover when it is in a position away from the bottom of the pool, and optionally wherein said stabilizing mechanism is integral to said lifting mechanism.
2. The pool of claim 1, wherein said lifting mechanism is selected from the group consisting of at least one hydraulic cylinder, at least one inflatable bladder, at least one scissor lift, and a post.
3. The pool of claim 1, wherein said moving mechanism is a column disposed in a receiving cavity, said cavity having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said column, wherein fluid entering said cavity through a flow inlet displaces said column, thereby raising said cover, and wherein fluid evacuating said cavity retracts said column, thereby lowering said cover.
4. The pool of claim 3, wherein said cross-sectional shape of said column is selected from the group consisting of square, triangle, circle, ellipse, rhombus, trapezoid, and parallelogram.
5. The pool of claim 3, wherein said moving mechanism does not include a sealing gasket between said column and said receiving cavity.
6. The pool of claim 1, wherein said stabilizing mechanism is a rack and gear mechanism.
7. The pool of claim 3, wherein said column comprises at least one opening parallel to the long axis of said column, and wherein the total cross sectional area of said opening(s) is at least equal to the total cross sectional area of said flow inlet.
8. The pool of claim 1, further comprising one or more safety device selected from the group consisting of motion sensors, interlocks, alarms, and pressure sensors.
9. The pool of claim 1, wherein said sidewall comprises at least one member of the group consisting of skimmers, lights, massage jets, whirlpool jets, and ladder indents.
10. The pool of claim 1, further comprising at least one supplemental hydraulic support deployable upon elevation of a said cover to a predetermined level.
11. The pool of claim 1, further comprising a gasket surrounding the periphery of said cover.
12. The pool of claim 1, wherein said at least one cover is supported by a framework.
13. The pool of claim 1, wherein said sidewall comprises a plurality of blocks, each block having at least one groove disposed on the side of said block, wherein the grooves of adjacent blocks define a channel.
14. The pool of claim 13, wherein said channel comprises a stabilizing material.
15. The pool of claim 14, wherein said stabilizing material is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of epoxy, fiberglass, and concrete.
16. The pool of claim 1, wherein said cover may be stopped at any point during descent to provide a pool of varying apparent depth.
17. The pool of claim 1, wherein said pressure is applied directly by said mechanism.
18. The pool of claim 1, further comprising a table integral to said cover, wherein said table may be raised or lowered independent of said cover.
19. A room comprising at least two sidewalls and a pool of claim 1, each sidewall comprising a plurality of interlocking blocks.
20. The room of claim 19, wherein said interlocking blocks are foam blocks.
21. A control system for a pool of claim 1, comprising at least one safety feature selected from the group consisting of a pool deck pump discharge pressure transmitter, an emergency stop push button, a key switch operator, a code entry system, a wave sensor, and an infrared sensor.
22. A control system for a movable pool cover of claim 1, comprising at least one safety feature selected from the group consisting of a pool deck pump discharge pressure transmitter, an emergency stop push button, a key switch operator, a code entry system, a wave sensor, and an infrared sensor.
23. A method of elevating, lowering, and stabilizing a cover on a pool, comprising: (a) providing a pool comprising an open top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall, said pool capable of storing water and substantially impermeable to said stored water; (b) providing a moving mechanism for moving a cover up from said bottom of said pool and down toward said bottom of said pool, wherein said cover comprises a top side and a bottom side; (c) elevating said cover using said moving mechanism, wherein said cover is elevated to substantially cover said open top of said pool and said cover is elevated up from said bottom of said pool and said stored water flows from said top side of said cover to said bottom side of said cover while ascending, and said cover is elevated by applying pressure to the cover; (d) lowering said cover using said moving mechanism wherein said cover is lowered toward said bottom of said pool and said stored water flows from said bottom side of said cover to said top side of said cover while being lowered, and said cover is lowered by applying negative pressure to the cover; and (e) stabilizing said lifting mechanism using a stabilizing mechanism when said cover is in a position away from the bottom of the pool, and optionally wherein said stabilizing mechanism is integral to said lifting mechanism.
24. The method of claim 23, including wherein said moving mechanism is a column disposed in a receiving cavity, said cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of said column, wherein fluid entering said cavity through a flow inlet displaces said column, thereby raising said cover, and wherein fluid evacuating said cavity retracts said column, thereby lowering said cover.
25. The method of claim 24, including wherein said moving mechanism does not include a sealing gasket between said column and said receiving cavity.
26. The method of claim 23, including wherein said stabilizing mechanism is a rack and gear mechanism.
27. The method of claim 24, including wherein said column comprises at least one opening parallel to the long axis of said column, and wherein the total cross sectional area of said opening(s) is at least equal to the total cross sectional area of said flow inlet.
28. The method of claim 23, including deploying lateral stabilizers to supplement the stability provided by said stabilizing mechanism.
29. A method for building a structure surrounding a pool with a cover that elevates and descends, comprising: (a) a providing a pool with a cover that elevates and descends; (b) providing a plurality of blocks, each block having at least four sides, and each block comprising a groove on one side and a tab on the opposite side; (c) situating said blocks so that the groove of one block aligns with the tab of an adjacent block; and (d) securing said blocks with an adhering material disposed into said grooves, providing a structure surrounding said pool.
Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/781,898, filed on Mar. 13, 2006, and having a common inventor, Stefan Kanetis. That application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present inventions. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field
The present invention relates to, but is not limited to, the fields of construction and use of pools and covered pools. Pools may include, but are not limited to, swimming pools, hot tubs, pools used for therapy, reflecting pools, wave pools, whirlpools, and wading pools.
2. Background
A variety of pools that can be built on a property or purchased ready-made are available. These pools are popular and are often a desired home improvement project.
Many of the available options for providing a pool on a property have disadvantages. For example, they may require a large piece of open land, which is then used solely for a pool. Unfortunately, many homes or other areas where a pool might otherwise be desirable do not have a large piece of land available for dedication for use as a pool. Many available pools are also expensive and/or inefficient to construct. They may also be expensive to heat to a desired temperature. Once a desired temperature has been attained, maintaining that temperature may be difficult. Furthermore, when a pool is not in use debris may accumulate in the pool, or chemicals that are used to maintain a clean, sanitary pool may be degraded by sunlight.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of a covered pool having a lowering and raising cover, more generally to the field of covered pools, and even more generally to the field of pools. Pool covers of the present invention may function as a patio. Pools of the present invention may be added to almost any size plot of land. For example, a pool of the invention may be used in the yard of a house, apartment building, or rehabilitation center. Pools of the invention allow a portion of land to be used alternately as a pool and as a patio. Furthermore, pools of the invention allow a single pool to be us
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