Movable covers structures

Abstract

A movable cover structure for a fixed ground area, such as a swimming pool cavity ( 4 ), has a platform ( 15 ) which is displaceable horizontally from a position where it covers the fixed ground area to a position where it is retracted clear of such area. Square section channels ( 10 ) are inset along the inner surfaces of opposed long vertical side walls of the cavity ( 4 ) and house guide tracks ( 11 ). Guide wheels ( 19 ) are provided along opposed long sides of the platform ( 15 ) and engage with the guide tracks ( 11 ). Movement of the platform ( 15 ) is effected by a motor ( 12 a ) driving toothed wheels ( 13 ) which engage with toothed racks ( 20 ) provided on the platform ( 15 ). In the retracted position the platform ( 15 ) is stowed beneath an adjacent horizontal flat floor surface ( 6 ) within an inner space ( 9 ) below the surface ( 6 ). Sensors are provided to detect the presence of persons in the swimming pool.

1 . A movable cover structure comprising a platform which is mounted so as to be displaceable horizontally along a path between first and second positions at which the platform respectively covers a fixed ground area and is retracted clear of such area, the platform providing an exposed supportive cover surface in said first position, characterised in that the movement of the platform along the said path is effected by interengagement of at least one drive track and at least one drive rotatable element connected to power driving means for drivable rotation thereof. 
   
   
       2 . A movable cover structure comprising a platform which is mounted so as to be displaceable horizontally along a path between first and second positions at which the platform respectively covers a fixed ground area and is retracted clear of such area, the platform providing an exposed supportive cover surface in said first position, characterised in that a floor structure with a space therebeneath is provided adjacent to the said fixed ground area, the movement of the platform along the said path is guided by guide means whereby in the said second position the platform is stowed in said space beneath the said floor structure, and power means is provided for powering said movement. 
   
   
       3 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 1  wherein movement of the platform along the said path is guided by guide means. 
   
   
       4 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 2  wherein the power means comprises power driving means connected to at least one drive rotatable element and said drive rotatable element drivably engages a respective drive track. 
   
   
       5 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the guide means comprises interengageable guide tracks and guide rotatable elements. 
   
   
       6 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 5  wherein the guide rotatable elements and guide tracks are provided at opposite long edges of a rectangular said platform. 
   
   
       7 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide rotatable elements are on the platform movable therewith, the guide tracks being fixed alongside the platform. 
   
   
       8 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide rotatable elements are wheels and the guide tracks comprise channel or angle-section members. 
   
   
       9 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide rotatable elements are mounted on the platform so as to be rotatable about horizontal or substantially horizontal axes and project outwardly beyond the respective platform periphery. 
   
   
       10 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide tracks extend substantially wholly along the fixed ground area and also beyond such area to achieve guidance throughout substantially all of the length of the platform substantially throughout the entire movement between the said positions. 
   
   
       11 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the power driving means is a hydraulic motor. 
   
   
       12 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the power driving means is an electric motor. 
   
   
       13 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 12  wherein the electric motor is a low voltage motor powered from mains supply via a voltage reducing device. 
   
   
       14 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 11 , wherein operation of the motor requires simultaneous actuation of two switches. 
   
   
       15 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 11 , wherein operation of the motor requires continuous application of pressure for actuation. 
   
   
       16 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the driving means is mounted on the platform so as to be movable therewith. 
   
   
       17 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the driving means is mounted alongside the platform so as to be fixed relative to the ground area. 
   
   
       18 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a safety  15  device which comprises a sensor and associated control device is provided to protect against unsafe operation. 
   
   
       19 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 18  wherein the safety device comprises an infrared system to detect presence of a person on the platform and/or in the fixed ground area. 
   
   
       20 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform is coplanar with some or all adjacent surfaces in one or both positions. 
   
   
       21 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform is displaced above or below some or all adjacent surfaces in one or both positions. 
   
   
       22 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface of the platform is coplanar with the upper surface of the adjacent said floor structure in the covering position whereby a ramped or curved guide path is provided to displace the platform downwardly into the said space when the platform is retracted. 
   
   
       23 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the platform is stepped down from the upper surface of the floor structure in the covering position whereby no downward displacement is necessary on retraction. 
   
   
       24 . A movable cover structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed ground area incorporates a swimming pool. 
   
   
       25 . (canceled)