Swimming pool cover with secured float

Abstract

A swimming pond cover has an underside with at least one tab secured to the underside. The tab has a grommet configured to receive it tether attached to a float. The float is positioned in the center of a swimming pool on the surface of the water and is secured in its position by being tethered to the pool cover, which is secured to the wall of the pool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swimming pool cover having an underside with at least one tab secured to the underside, said tab having a grommet configured to receive a tether attached to a float. 
     
     
         2 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 1  wherein swimming pool cover is fabricated from a flexible, waterproof sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 2  wherein the flexible waterproof sheet comprises a synthetic polymer selected from polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 3  wherein the tab is fabricated from the same material as the swimming pool cover. 
     
     
         5 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 1  wherein the tab has a polygonal shape wherein one edge of the tab is attached to the underside of the swimming pool cover by stitching. 
     
     
         6 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 1  wherein the tab has a polygonal shape wherein one edge of the tab is attached to the underside of the swimming pool cover by adhesive or thermal welding. 
     
     
         7 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 5  wherein the tab is triangular in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 1  wherein said swimming pool cover is circular in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 1  wherein said swimming pool cover is oval in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The swimming pool. cover of  claim 1  wherein said swimming pool corer is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         11 . A system for covering a swimming pool comprising:
 a) a float; and   b) a swimming pool cover having an underside with at least one tab secured to the underside, each said tab having a grommet configured to receive a tether attached to the float.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the float is an inflatable float. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the float comprises a buoyant polymeric foam. 
     
     
         14 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 11  wherein the tab and the swimming pool cover are fabricated from the same material. 
     
     
         15 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 11  wherein the tab has a polygonal shape and wherein one edge of the tab is attached to the underside of the swimming pool cover by stitching, adhesive or thermal welding. 
     
     
         16 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 15  wherein the tab is triangular in shape. 
     
     
         17 . The swimming pool cover of  claim 1  wherein said swimming pool cover is circular, oval or rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         18 . A method for covering a swimming pool comprising:
 a) providing a float;   b) providing a swimming pool cover having an underside with one or more tabs secured to the underside, said tab(s) each having a grommet configured to receive at respective tether attached to the float;   c) tying the tether attached to the float to the grommet in the at least one tab to attach the float to the swimming pool cover; and   d) positioning the swimming pool cover with attached float over the swimming pool cover.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the swimming pool cover includes two or more tabs. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the float is an inflatable float, and the method further includes the step of inflating the float.