Pool cover tracking system

Abstract

Pool cover tracking systems are used to cover and uncover pool covers over pools. A leading edge bar 110 is connected to the pool cover 102. The leading edge bar 110 is also operatively connected to opposing slider assemblies 112, 114 which traverse about opposing tracks 106,108. A connector 120 is utilized to connect the leading edge bar 110 to the slider assemblies 112, 114. The connector 120 is an endcap having a first mating member 162 adapted to removably mate with a second mating member 166 of the leading edge bar 110. The endcap 120 further has a receiver 164 to slidingly receive and slidingly retain a component of a slider assembly 112, 114. The receiver 164 allows for lateral movement of the slider assembly 112, 114 in the endcap 120 to assist in preventing jams of the pool cover tracking system. The receiver 164 may also have a plurality of apertures 174, each of which can engage the slider assembly 112, 114 to allow for vertical alignment of the leading edge bar 110.

1 . A connector for a pool cover tracking system having a pool cover, a leading edge bar connected to the pool cover, and a slider assembly traversing in a track to assist in locating the pool cover, the connector comprising: 
 an endcap having a first mating member adapted to removably mate with a second mating member of the leading edge bar, the endcap further having a receiver to receive a component of a slider assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first mating member of the end cap is one of a male mating member or a female mating member, and wherein the second mating member of the leading edge bar is the other of the male mating member or the female mating member.  
   
   
       3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first mating member of the endcap comprises a protrusion, the protrusion mating and engaging an opening adjacent an end of the leading edge bar.  
   
   
       4 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first mating member of the endcap is adjacent a first end of the endcap, and wherein the receiver of the endcap is adjacent a second end of the endcap.  
   
   
       5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first mating member of the endcap mates with the second mating member of the leading edge bar without additional retaining hardware.  
   
   
       6 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises an aperture dimensioned to receive a component of the slider assembly, wherein a cavity extends into the endcap from the aperture in the receiver, and wherein a portion of the component of the slider assembly is slidingly retained within the cavity of the endcap when the slider assembly is connected to the endcap.  
   
   
       7 . The connector of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of apertures at the second end of the endcap, the plurality of apertures being dimensioned to receive the component of the slider assembly to slidingly retain the component at least partially within the cavity of the endcap.  
   
   
       8 . The connector of  claim 6 , further comprising a first aperture located adjacent a first edge of the endcap, and a second aperture located between the first aperture and a second edge of the endcap.  
   
   
       9 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the endcap is dimensioned to be inserted into the leading edge bar.  
   
   
       10 . A connector for a leading edge bar of a pool cover tracking system, comprising: 
 an endcap having a first mating member adapted to removably mate with the leading edge bar, the endcap being connected to a slider assembly of the pool cover tracking system.    
   
   
       11 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein the endcap is integrally attached to a portion of the slider assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein the endcap is removably secured to the slider assembly.  
   
   
       13 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein the endcap has a first end and a second end, wherein the first mating member is adjacent the first end of the endcap, and wherein the endcap is attached to the slider assembly adjacent the second end of the endcap.  
   
   
       14 . The connector of  claim 10 , further comprising a receiver adjacent the second end of the endcap to receive a component of a slider assembly.  
   
   
       15 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein the receiver comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture being adapted to receive a component of the slider assembly to slidingly connect the slider assembly to the endcap.  
   
   
       16 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein the first mating member is one of a male mating member or a female mating member, and the leading edge bar has a second mating member that is the other of the male mating member or the female mating member, the second mating member of the leading edge bar mating with the first mating member of the endcap  
   
   
       17 . A connector for a pool cover tracking system, the tracking system having a track, a slider assembly traversing about the track and supporting a leading edge bar, the connector connecting the slider assembly to the leading edge bar, the connector comprising: 
 an endcap connected to adjacent an end of the leading edge bar, the endcap having a vertical alignment means for vertical aligning the leading edge bar respective to the track of the pool cover tracking system.    
   
   
       18 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein the vertical alignment means comprises a receiver in the endcap adapted to receive a component of the slider assembly in a plurality of vertical locations.  
   
   
       19 . The connector of  claim 18 , wherein the receiver comprises a plurality of apertures in the endcap, each of the apertures being adapted to receive a component of the slider assembly to vertically align the leading edge bar respective to the track of the pool cover tracking system.  
   
   
       20 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein the endcap has a first end and a second end, wherein the endcap is connected to the leading edge bar adjacent the first end of the endcap, and wherein the vertical alignment means is adjacent the second end of the endcap.  
   
   
       21 . A connector for a pool cover tracking system for a pool, the tracking system having a track, a slider assembly traversing about the track and supporting a leading edge bar, the connector connecting the slider assembly to the leading edge bar, the connector comprising: 
 an endcap connected to the leading edge bar, the endcap having an integral lateral alignment means for aligning the leading edge bar laterally about the pool, the lateral alignment means operating continually during operation of the pool cover tracking system.    
   
   
       22 . The connector of  claim 21 , wherein the lateral alignment means comprises a receiver in the endcap adapted to receive a component of the slider assembly, the receiver allowing the component of the slider assembly to move in opposing lateral directions within the endcap, and without the use of fasteners, during operation of the pool cover tracking system.  
   
   
       23 . The connector of  claim 22 , wherein the receiver comprises an aperture dimensioned to receive a component of the slider assembly, wherein a cavity extends into the endcap from the aperture in the receiver, and wherein a portion of the component of the slider assembly is slidingly retained within the cavity of the endcap, to allow for opposing lateral movement of the component of the slider assembly, when the slider assembly is connected to the endcap.  
   
   
       24 . The connector of  claim 21 , wherein the endcap has a first end and a second end, wherein the endcap is connected to the leading edge bar adjacent the first end of the endcap, and wherein the lateral alignment means is adjacent the second end of the endcap.  
   
   
       25 . A system for tracking a pool cover about a pool, the pool having opposing first and second sides and opposing first and second tracks extending about a length adjacent the opposing sides of the pool, respectively, wherein a first slider assembly traverses in the first track, and wherein a second slider assembly traverses in the second track, the first and second slider assemblies assisting in moving the pool cover over the pool, the system comprising: 
 a leading edge bar having a first end and a second end; and,    a first endcap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first endcap having a first mating member for engaging the first end of the leading edge bar, the second end of the first endcap having an aperture dimensioned to receive a component of the first slider assembly, wherein a cavity extends into the first endcap from the aperture in the receiver of the first endcap, and wherein a portion of the component of the first slider assembly is slidingly retained within the cavity of the first endcap; and,    a second endcap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second endcap having a first mating member for engaging the second end of the leading edge bar, the second end of the second endcap having an aperture dimensioned to receive a component of the second slider assembly, wherein a cavity extends into the second endcap from the aperture in the receiver of the second endcap, and wherein a portion of the component of the second slider assembly is slidingly retained within the cavity of the second endcap.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the aperture in the first endcap comprises a first lateral alignment mechanism, and wherein the aperture in the second endcap comprises a second lateral alignment mechanism, the first lateral alignment mechanism slidingly retaining a portion of the first slider assembly to allow the first slider assembly to move in opposing lateral directions within the cavity of the first endcap during operation of the pool cover tracking system, and the second lateral alignment mechanism slidingly retaining a portion of the second slider assembly to allow the second slider assembly to move in opposing lateral directions within the cavity of the second endcap during operation of the pool cover tracking system, such that when the first slider assembly moves in a first lateral direction in the first endcap, the second slider assembly moves in an opposing second lateral direction in the second endcap.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the first and second lateral alignment mechanisms operate continually during operation of the pool cover tracking system.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the first endcap has a plurality of apertures at the second end of the first endcap, and wherein the second endcap has a plurality of apertures at the second end of the second endcap, each of the plurality of apertures on the first endcap being dimensioned to slidingly engage the first slider mechanism, and each of the plurality of apertures on the second endcap being dimensioned to slidingly engage the second slider mechanism, the apertures in the first and second endcaps providing for vertical alignment of the leading edge bar.