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  Apparatus for supporting a pool coverUSPTO Application #: 20060288473Title: Apparatus for supporting a pool cover Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a cover member over a pre-selected liquid contained in either a swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool outdoors during a predetermined time of year to protect the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool from damaging cold weather and debris. The apparatus includes at least one support member produced from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape connected between the pre-selected liquid and a predetermined portion of a bottom surface of the cover member for supporting and elevating at least a portion of such cover member. A support member retainer is engageable with each of the support member and predetermined side wall portions of the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool to retain such support member in a substantially central location over the pre-selected liquid contained in such swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool. (end of abstract)
Agent: James Ray & Associates - Monroeville, PA, US Inventor: David Canty USPTO Applicaton #: 20060288473 - Class: 004498000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Pool Type, Accessory, Covering The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060288473. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/693,038 filed on Jun. 23, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates, in general, to pool covers used to protect swimming pools and the like during predetermined times of the year and, more particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus used to support and elevate at least a central portion of the pool cover, which helps prevent snow and ice from building up on the pool cover as well as aids in the removal of leaves, branches and other debris gathered on the pool cover. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Recreational swimming pools and the like have been in existence for many years. During colder seasons of the year, such as fall and winter, many people cover their swimming pools to protect them. In addition, supporting flotation devices are often used to support and elevate the pool covers. These support devices help to keep snow and ice from building up on the cover and allow for more easy removal of such snow and ice. Harmful debris that can gather on the covers are also more easily removed. Another important benefit of these support devices is that they can help prevent expanding ice from breaking or damaging pool walls. [0004] Unfortunately, these support devices often lose air causing them to collapse and allowing the pool cover to sink into the center of the swimming pool. When this happens, snow and ice, or unwanted debris such as leaves and branches, are allowed to collect in the center of the pool, which can possibly cause damage to the cover or pool itself. [0005] A need exists for a more durable and reliable pool cover support apparatus that will maintain its shape and position substantially in the center of the swimming pool. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus that supports a cover member used to cover a pre-selected liquid contained in a swimming pool, a hot tub or a whirlpool outdoors during a predetermined time of year to protect the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool from damaging cold weather and debris. The apparatus includes at least one support member produced from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape. The support member is connected between the pre-selected liquid and a predetermined portion of a bottom surface of the cover member to support and elevate at least a portion of such cover member. The apparatus also includes a support member retainer means that is engageable with each of the support member and predetermined side wall portions of either such swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool to retain such support member in a substantially central location in the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool. [0007] A second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for covering either a swimming pool, a hot tub or a whirlpool outdoors during a predetermined time of year to protect the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool from damaging cold weather and debris. The apparatus includes a cover member produced from a first predetermined material and having a predetermined shape, a predetermined size, a top surface and a bottom surface for covering a pre-selected liquid contained in such swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool. The apparatus also includes a cover member retainer means that is engageable with each of the cover member and predetermined side wall portions of the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool for retaining such cover member over the pre-selected liquid contained in such swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool. The apparatus further includes at least one support member produced from a second predetermined material and having a predetermined diameter. The support member is connected between such pre-selected liquid and a predetermined portion of the bottom surface of the cover member for supporting and elevating at least a portion of such cover member. The apparatus still further includes a support member retainer means engageable with each of the support member and predetermined side wall portions of such swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool for retaining such support member in a substantially central location in the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for supporting a pool cover that is constructed using materials similar to exercise balls which will maintain their shape and hold air longer than pool cover supports currently offered on the market. [0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting a pool cover that maintains its position substantially in the center of the pool. [0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting a pool cover capable of elevating the pool cover higher than standard pool cover supports. [0011] In addition to the above described objects and advantages of the present invention, various other objects and advantages of the apparatus for supporting a pool cover will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in such art from the more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a pool cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the support member and a portion of the support member retaining means of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and [0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a pool cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, particularly showing the cover member and cover member retaining means. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0015] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components, having identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several drawing figures. [0016] Referring now, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated an apparatus, generally designated 10, for supporting a cover member 12 over a pre-selected liquid 14 contained in a receptacle 16, such as a swimming pool, a hot tub or a whirlpool, outdoors during a predetermined time of year to protect such receptacle 16 from damaging cold weather and debris. The apparatus 10 includes at least one support member 18 produced from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape. Support member 18 is connected between such pre-selected liquid 14 contained in such receptacle 16 and a predetermined portion of a bottom surface 24 of such cover member 12 for supporting and elevating at least a portion of the cover member 12. [0017] The apparatus 10 further includes a support member retainer means, generally designated 20, engageable with each of the support member 18 and predetermined side wall portions of such receptacle 16 for retaining the support member 18 in a substantially central location over such pre-selected liquid contained in the receptacle 16. Continue reading... Full patent description for Apparatus for supporting a pool cover Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus for supporting a pool cover patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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