Granted Patent B1

US 12,650,024 · App. 19/403,501 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Inventor: Yuan Wang (Dongguan, CN)

E04H4/10

Abstract

Claims (89)

1 . A swimming pool cover, comprising:

a flexible covering layer, wherein the flexible covering layer is configured to enclose and cover a swimming pool;

a tightening strap, wherein the tightening strap is disposed around the flexible covering layer;

a tensioning device, wherein the tensioning device comprises:

a retaining support and a tensioning support pivotally connected to each other, wherein a first elastic limiting member is disposed on the retaining support, and a second elastic limiting member is disposed on the tensioning support;

a winding shaft portion, wherein the winding shaft portion extends through a pivot connection between the retaining support and the tensioning support; and

a one-way ratchet, wherein the one-way ratchet is disposed on the winding shaft portion, and the tightening strap is wound around the winding shaft portion;

wherein the tensioning support comprises:

a tensioning bracket, wherein the tensioning bracket is rotatably disposed on the winding shaft portion; and

a rubber-coated handle, wherein the rubber-coated handle is fixedly disposed on the tensioning bracket at one end distal from the winding shaft;

wherein the rubber-coated handle comprises:

a sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve portion is sleeved over a top of the tensioning bracket; and

a cylindrical top portion, wherein the cylindrical top portion is disposed at a top of the sleeve portion, and an outer diameter of the cylindrical top portion is greater than a thickness of the sleeve portion;

wherein two obtuse angle openings are formed on opposite sides in a width direction of the sleeve portion, and reinforcing ribs are fixedly disposed within the obtuse angle openings; and

a second convex-concave anti-slip portion is disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical top portion;

wherein the winding shaft portion has a locked state and a winding state by rotating the tensioning support;

wherein, in the locked state, the tensioning support is pulled to rotate toward the retaining support, the second elastic limiting member disengages from the one-way ratchet, and the one-way ratchet is locked by the first elastic limiting member to prevent rotation of the winding shaft portion;

wherein, in the winding state, the tensioning support is pulled to rotate away from the retaining support, the first elastic limiting member disengages from the one-way ratchet, and the one-way ratchet is locked by the second elastic limiting member and rotates with the tensioning support, causing the winding shaft portion to rotate; and

wherein the tightening strap is wound by the rotation of the winding shaft portion to tighten the flexible covering layer around an outer side wall of the pool.

2 . The swimming pool cover according to claim 1 , wherein:

one end of the tightening strap is fixed to the retaining support, and another end of the tightening strap is wound around the winding shaft portion;

the tightening strap is disposed over the flexible covering layer and extends circumferentially around the outer side wall of the pool; and

the winding shaft portion is driven by a reciprocating swing of the tensioning support to rotate unidirectionally, thereby winding up the tightening strap.

3 . The swimming pool cover according to claim 2 , wherein:

the winding shaft portion comprises: a first arcuate shaft and a second arcuate shaft;

the first arcuate shaft and the second arcuate shaft are both disposed on the one-way ratchet;

the retaining support and the tensioning support are rotatably sleeved on the first arcuate shaft and the second arcuate shaft; and

the first arcuate shaft and the second arcuate shaft are spaced apart to form a threading cavity between the first arcuate shaft and the second arcuate shaft.

4 . The swimming pool cover according to claim 1 , wherein the second elastic limiting member comprises:

a second locking block, wherein the second locking block is slidably disposed within second guide slots of the tensioning bracket;

a second spring, wherein the second spring is connected respectively to the second locking block and the tensioning bracket, and applies elastic force to the second locking block, causing the second locking block to engage with teeth of the one-way ratchet; and

a rubber-coated grip, wherein the rubber-coated grip is disposed on the second locking block, and wherein the rubber-coated grip forms a handle portion, with the handle portion facing outward an outer side of the tensioning bracket.

5 . The swimming pool cover according to claim 4 , wherein the rubber-coated handle comprises:

a rubber coating layer, wherein the rubber coating layer encases the second locking block;

a protruding rubber block, wherein the protruding rubber block is connected to a top of the rubber coating layer, with the handle portion having a step shape being formed between the protruding rubber block and the rubber coating layer;

a cushioning layer, wherein the cushioning layer is disposed on a surface of the handle portion; and

a first convex-concave anti-slip portion is disposed on the surface of the handle portion or on a surface of the cushioning layer.

6 . The swimming pool cover according to claim 4 , wherein the tensioning support comprises:

tensioning side plates located on two widthwise sides of the tensioning support; and

a second support plate connecting the tensioning side plates;

wherein the second support plate is disposed adjacent to tops of the tensioning side plates, forming a cavity on a side of the second support plate facing the winding shaft portion; and

wherein the rubber-coated handle is positioned within the cavity.

7 . The swimming pool cover according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining support comprises:

retaining side plates located on two widthwise sides of the retaining support; and

a first support plate connecting the retaining side plates;

wherein the retaining side plates and the first support plate form a first inner cavity, and the first elastic limiting member is disposed within the first inner cavity; and

wherein a shaft rod is fixedly disposed at one end of the retaining side plates, and the one end of the tightening strap is connected to the shaft rod.

8 . The swimming pool cover according to claim 1 , wherein:

the flexible covering layer comprises a central portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion is connected to the central portion, the central portion is configured to cover a pool opening, and the peripheral portion is configured to enclose the outer side wall of the pool;

a lug is disposed on the peripheral portion, the lug forms a rope passage, and the tightening strap passes through the rope passage;

the lug further forms a mounting opening, the mounting opening is located below the rope passage, and the mounting opening is configured for connection to a weight or a ground stake; and

a cover shroud is further disposed on the peripheral portion, the cover shroud is attached to the peripheral portion via a hook-and-loop fastener, and the cover shroud is configured to cover the tensioning device.

9 . A swimming pool cover, comprising:

a flexible covering layer configured to enclose and cover a swimming pool;

a tightening strap disposed around the flexible covering layer;

a tensioning device, comprising:

a retaining support and a tensioning support pivotally connected to each other, wherein a first elastic limiting member is disposed on the retaining support, and a second elastic limiting member is disposed on the tensioning support;

a winding shaft portion extending through a pivot connection between the retaining support and the tensioning support; and

a one-way ratchet disposed on the winding shaft portion, wherein the tightening strap is wound around the winding shaft portion;

wherein the tensioning support comprises:

a tensioning bracket rotatably disposed on the winding shaft portion; and

a rubber-coated handle fixedly disposed on the tensioning bracket at one end distal from the winding shaft;

wherein the second elastic limiting member comprises:

a second locking block slidably disposed within second guide slots of the tensioning bracket;

a second spring connected respectively to the second locking block and the tensioning bracket, wherein the second spring applies elastic force to the second locking block, causing the second locking block to engage with teeth of the one-way ratchet; and

a rubber-coated grip disposed on the second locking block, wherein the rubber-coated grip forms a handle portion facing outward an outer side of the tensioning bracket;

wherein the rubber-coated handle comprises:

a rubber coating layer encasing the second locking block;

a protruding rubber block connected to a top of the rubber coating layer, with the handle portion having a step shape being formed between the protruding rubber block and the rubber coating layer;

a cushioning layer disposed on a surface of the handle portion; and

a first convex-concave anti-slip portion disposed on the surface of the handle portion or on a surface of the cushioning layer;

wherein the winding shaft portion has a locked state and a winding state by rotating the tensioning support;

wherein, in the locked state, the tensioning support is pulled to rotate toward the retaining support, the second elastic limiting member disengages from the one-way ratchet, and the one-way ratchet is locked by the first elastic limiting member to prevent rotation of the winding shaft portion;

wherein, in the winding state, the tensioning support is pulled to rotate away from the retaining support, the first elastic limiting member disengages from the one-way ratchet, and the one-way ratchet is locked by the second elastic limiting member and rotates with the tensioning support, causing the winding shaft portion to rotate; and

wherein the tightening strap is wound by the rotation of the winding shaft portion to tighten the flexible covering layer around an outer side wall of the pool.

10 . A swimming pool cover, comprising:

a flexible covering layer configured to enclose and cover a swimming pool, and comprising a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the peripheral portion is connected to the central portion, the central portion is configured to cover a pool opening, and the peripheral portion is configured to enclose the outer side wall of the pool;

a tightening strap disposed around the flexible covering layer; and

a tensioning device, comprising:

a retaining support and a tensioning support pivotally connected to each other, wherein a first elastic limiting member is disposed on the retaining support, and a second elastic limiting member is disposed on the tensioning support;

a winding shaft portion extending through a pivot connection between the retaining support and the tensioning support; and

a one-way ratchet disposed on the winding shaft portion, wherein the tightening strap is wound around the winding shaft portion;

wherein a lug is disposed on the peripheral portion, the lug forms a rope passage, and the tightening strap passes through the rope passage;

wherein the lug further forms a mounting opening located below the rope passage, the mounting opening being configured for connection to a weight or a ground stake;

wherein a cover shroud is further disposed on the peripheral portion, the cover shroud being attached to the peripheral portion via a hook-and-loop fastener and configured to cover the tensioning device;

wherein the winding shaft portion has a locked state and a winding state by rotating the tensioning support;

wherein, in the locked state, the tensioning support is pulled to rotate toward the retaining support, the second elastic limiting member disengages from the one-way ratchet, and the one-way ratchet is locked by the first elastic limiting member to prevent rotation of the winding shaft portion;

wherein, in the winding state, the tensioning support is pulled to rotate away from the retaining support, the first elastic limiting member disengages from the one-way ratchet, and the one-way ratchet is locked by the second elastic limiting member and rotates with the tensioning support, causing the winding shaft portion to rotate; and

wherein the tightening strap is wound by the rotation of the winding shaft portion to tighten the flexible covering layer around an outer side wall of the pool.

Priority Claims (1)

References Cited (10)