Swimming Pool Safety Covers

Abstract

Pool covers embodying the invention are formed of a very dense mesh material which ensures substantially one hundred percent shade while allowing water to pass uniformly through the cover and which is adequately strong to support the weight of an adult. The pool cover is formed of plastic fibers which are interwoven to form a dense mesh which is then subjected to a pressure and heat cycle to ensure that the resultant material has the requisite properties for allowing water to pass through at a desired rate (e.g., 0.1 to 5 gallons per square foot per minute) while blocking light (e.g., 100% shade). Thus, a self-filtering safety pool cover is formed which allows for water to pass through uniformly across its surface while blocking sunlight.

1 . A method of forming material for a pool cover comprising the steps of:
 interweaving a first set of plastic fibers lying along a first direction with a second set of plastic fibers lying along a second direction, generally perpendicular to the first direction, for forming a sheet of plastic material with a mesh pattern;   selecting said first set of plastic fibers to have a first density (i.e., X fibers per unit of length) and selecting said second set of fibers to have a second density (i.e., Y fibers per unit of length) for forming a tight mesh pattern enabling water to pass through the pool cover while blocking light from passing through; and   processing the material through a heat and pressure cycle for compressing the fibers such that water can pass through the material while light is blocked from passing through the material, providing approximately 100% shade.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material is processed to provide approximately hundred percent (100%) shade as defined in the ASTM standard. 
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material is processed to allow water to pass through the material at a rate ranging from 0.009 to 5 gallons per square foot per minute. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material is sufficiently sturdy to bear the weight of an adult. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the number of threads per inch woven along one direction is approximately three times the number of threads per inch interwoven in the perpendicular direction. 
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further including the steps of cutting and connecting different sections of the material so it fits over an intended pool area and attaching straps to the material for securing the material to the pool. 
   
   
       7 . A method of forming a pool cover comprising the steps of:
 interweaving a first set of plastic fibers lying along a first direction with a second set of plastic fibers lying along a second direction, generally perpendicular to the first direction, for forming a sheet of plastic material with a mesh pattern;   selecting said first set of plastic fibers to have a first density (i.e., X fibers per unit of length) and selecting said second set of fibers to have a second density (i.e., Y fibers per unit of length) for forming a tight mesh pattern enabling water to pass through the pool cover while blocking light from passing through;   processing the material such that water can pass through the material while light is blocked from passing through the material, providing approximately 100% shade; and   attaching straps to the material so it can be draped over a pool and secured to the pool structure, with the material being sturdy enough to support the weight of a human.   
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the material is processed to provide approximately one hundred percent (100%) shade as defined in the ASTM standard. 
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the material is processed to allow water to pass through the material at a rate ranging from 0.009 to 5 gallons per square foot per minute. 
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the number of threads per inch woven along one direction is approximately three times the number of threads per inch interwoven in the perpendicular direction.