Pool cover

Abstract

The pool cover is made of multi-layer light-weight construction having a translucent top layer to permit sunlight to pass through and an opaque bottom layer for absorbing sunlight passing through the translucent layer. In a two-layer construction, a plurality of pockets are formed in the bottom layer. In a three-layer construction, a plurality of pockets are formed in the intermediate layer. When in use, the opaque layer becomes heated by sunlight and transfers heat by contact to the water in the pool. The heated air in the pockets also serves to conduct heat to the water and to serve as a thermal insulating barrier during non-daylight hours. The top layer may also be made of reflective material to reduce heating of the water during short-term pool closures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pool cover comprising 
 a first flat upper translucent layer for passing sunlight therethrough;    a second intermediate layer secured to said first layer, said second layer having a plurality of pockets therein facing said first layer sealed relative to said first layer to encapsulate air therein to form an insulating barrier over a pool surface; and    a third underlying opaque layer secured to said second layer to encapsulate air therebetween to provide further insulation, to reduce evaporation from the pool surface, and to inhibit growth of algae.    
     
     
         2 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each layer is made of plastic and is flexible to permit folding or rolling of the pool cover.  
     
     
         3 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 1  in which said three layers are coextensive and wherein said layers are sealed together at the peripheral edges thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 1  in which said layers are coextensive and oversized relative to the pool surface whereby when installed on a pool surface, the peripheral edges thereof extend upwards along the sides of the pool.  
     
     
         5 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of drainage holes in said layers for passing water therethrough, wherein said plural drainage holes are provided through selected ones of said pockets.  
     
     
         6 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said upper layer and said intermediate layer is transparent.  
     
     
         7 . A pool cover comprising 
 a first flat upper reflective layer for reflecting external heat away from a pool surface;    a second intermediate layer secured to said first layer, said second layer having a plurality of pockets therein facing said first layer sealed relative to said first layer to encapsulate air therein to form an insulating barrier over a pool surface; and    a third underlying opaque layer secured to said second layer to encapsulate air therebetween to provide further insulation, to reduce evaporation from the pool surface, and to inhibit growth of algae.    
     
     
         8 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 7  wherein each layer is made of plastic and is flexible to permit folding or rolling of the pool cover.  
     
     
         9 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 7  in which said three layers are coextensive and wherein said layers are sealed together at the peripheral edges thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 7  in which said layers are coextensive and oversized relative to the pool surface whereby when installed on a pool surface, the peripheral edges thereof extend upwards along the sides of the pool.  
     
     
         11 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of drainage holes in said layers for passing water therethrough, wherein said plural drainage holes are provided through selected ones of said pockets.  
     
     
         12 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said first upper layer is provided with a reflective coating on the top surface thereof to make said layer reflective.  
     
     
         13 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 7  in which metallic powder is distributed through said first upper layer to make said layer reflective.  
     
     
         14 . A pool cover comprising 
 a first underlying opaque layer to inhibit growth of algae and to reduce evaporation from a pool surface;    a second intermediate layer secured to said first layer, said second layer having a plurality of pockets therein facing said first layer sealed relative to said first layer to encapsulate air therein to form an insulating barrier over a pool surface; and    a third flat overlying translucent for passing sunlight therethrough secured to said second layer to encapsulate air therebetween to provide further insulation.    
     
     
         15 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 14  wherein each layer is made of plastic and is flexible to permit folding or rolling of the pool cover.  
     
     
         16 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 14  in which said three layers are coextensive and wherein said layers are sealed together at the peripheral edges thereof.  
     
     
         17 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 14  in which said layers are coextensive and oversized relative to the pool surface whereby when installed on a pool surface, the peripheral edges thereof extend upwards along the sides of the pool.  
     
     
         18 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of drainage holes in said layers for passing water therethrough, wherein said plural drainage holes are provided through selected ones of said pockets.  
     
     
         19 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 14  wherein at least one of said overlying layer and said intermediate layer is transparent.  
     
     
         20 . A pool cover comprising 
 a first underlying opaque layer to inhibit growth of algae and to reduce evaporation from a pool surface;    a second intermediate layer secured to said first layer, said second layer having a plurality of pockets therein facing said first layer sealed relative to said first layer to encapsulate air therein to form an insulating barrier over a pool surface; and    a third flat overlying reflective layer secured to said second layer to encapsulate air therebetween to provide further insulation and to reflect external heat away from the pool surface.    
     
     
         21 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 20  wherein each layer is made of plastic and is flexible to permit folding or rolling of the pool cover.  
     
     
         22 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 20  in which said three layers are coextensive and wherein said layers are sealed together at the peripheral edges thereof.  
     
     
         23 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 20  in which said layers are coextensive and oversized relative to the pool surface whereby when installed on a pool surface, the peripheral edges thereof extend upwards along the sides of the pool.  
     
     
         24 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 20  further comprising a plurality of drainage holes in said layers for passing water therethrough, wherein said plural drainage holes are provided through selected ones of said pockets.  
     
     
         25 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said first upper layer is provided with a reflective coating on the top surface thereof to make said layer reflective.  
     
     
         26 . A pool cover as set forth in  claim 20  in which metallic powder is distributed through said first upper layer to make said layer reflective.