Pool covering system

Abstract

The present invention comprises a pool covering system for a pool The pool has a side rail surrounding the top perimeter thereof. The pool covering system includes a pool covering tarp; and a tarp support structure for the pool covering tarp. The support structure supports the pool covering tarp above the surface of the pool in a tent like manner. The support structure includes a plurality of anchoring structures attached to the side rail, each anchoring structure includes at least one connector tab protrusion which has at least one fastener opening therein. The support structure also has a plurality of elongated structural support members having opposed end portions and at least one connector tab protrusion extending from or attached to each of the opposed end portions. The connector tab protrusions have at least one fastener opening therein. One of the connector tab protrusions of each elongated structural support member is pivotally connected to one of the anchoring structures by a fastening device which extends through both of the fastener openings thereof. The support structure also includes at least one support member collector having at least one connector tab protrusion for each of the structural support members and each of the connector tab protrusions having at least one fastener opening therein. The support member collector engages connector tab protrusions of structural support members which are not already connected to said anchoring structures.

1 . A pool covering system for a pool, said pool having a side rail surrounding the top perimeter thereof, said pool covering system including: 
 a) a pool covering tarp; and    b) a tarp support structure for said pool covering tarp, said support structure supporting said pool covering tarp above the surface of said pool in a tent like manner, said support structure including: 
 i) a plurality of anchoring structures attached to said side rail, each anchoring structure including at least one connector tab protrusion, said connector tab protrusion including at least one fastener opening therein;  
 ii) a plurality of elongated structural support members, said elongated structural support members having opposed end portions and at least one connector tab protrusion extending from or attached to each of said opposed end portions, said connector tab protrusions having at least one fastener opening therein, 
 wherein one of the connector tab protrusions of each elongated structural support member is pivotally connected to one of said anchoring structures by a fastening device which extends through both of the fastener openings thereof; and  
 
 iii) at least one support member collector having at least one connector tab protrusion for each of said structural support members, each of said connector tab protrusions having at least one fastener opening therein; 
 wherein said support member collector engages connector tab protrusions of structural support members which are not already connected to said anchoring structures.  
 
   
   
   
       2 . The pool covering system of  claim 1 , wherein said tarp support structure is designed to cover a round pool and includes at least three anchoring structures, an equal number of elongated structural support members, and one support member collector.  
   
   
       3 . The pool covering system of  claim 2 , wherein said tarp support structure is designed to cover a round pool and includes at least four anchoring structures, an equal number of elongated structural support members, and one support member collector.  
   
   
       4 . The pool covering system of  claim 1 , wherein said tarp support structure is designed to cover an oval pool and includes at least two anchoring structures and further includes at least one elongated structural support cross-member; said elongated structural support cross-member having opposed end portions and at least one connector tab protrusion extending from or attached to each of said opposed end portions, said connector tab protrusions having at least one fastener opening therein, 
 wherein said elongated structural support cross-member is pivotally attached at each end to one of said at least two support member collectors via connector tab protrusions by a fastening device which extends through the fastener openings of both said elongated structural support cross-member and support member collector,    each of said at least two support member collectors in turn are further pivotally attached to a plurality of said elongated structural support members via fastening through said fastener openings of said connector tab protrusions,    each of said elongated structural support members are attached to said anchoring structures via the connector tab protrusions opposite those attached to said support member collectors by a fastening device which extends through both of the fastener openings of said elongated structural support members and said anchoring structures.    
   
   
       5 . The pool covering system of  claim 4 , wherein said tarp support structure includes at least four anchoring structures, an equal number of elongated structural support members, one elongated structural support cross-member, and two support member collectors.  
   
   
       6 . The pool covering system of  claim 4 , wherein said tarp support structure includes at least six anchoring structures, an equal number of elongated structural support members, one elongated structural support cross-member, and two support member collectors.  
   
   
       7 . The pool covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the components of said tarp support structure are fastened together by at least one type of fastener selected from the group consisting of bolts and nuts, clips, pins, and rivets.  
   
   
       8 . The pool covering system of  claim 7 , wherein the components of said tarp support structure are fastened together by bolts and wing nuts.  
   
   
       9 . The pool covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the components of said tarp support structure are fabricated from at least one of metals, and plastics.  
   
   
       10 . The pool covering system of  claim 9 , wherein the components of said tarp support structure are fabricated from at least one of aluminum or steel, and PVC.