Device for supporting a pool cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a pool cover including either a singular tub or a plurality of tubs coupled to one another. The tubs are a predetermined height and diameter for providing support of the pool cover. The tubs can be attached to one another in a triangle configuration. The tubs float on the surface of the water. The number of tubs can be selected to cover a predetermined area which can be larger than the area covered by conventional air pillows.

1 . A device for supporting a pool cover comprising: 
 at least one tub adapted to be received on a surface of water in a pool; and    connecting means for connecting said at least one tub to a surface of said pool,    wherein said tub is formed of a predetermined height and width for providing support of said pool cover at a predetermined distance from said surface of water in a pool.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said tub is formed of a material to resist cracking from cold temperatures.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said tub is formed of rubberized plastic.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said tub is formed of a sidewall integral with a bottom wall forming a hollowing cavity within said tub.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said device comprises: 
 a plurality of said at least one tub;    a lip formed in said sidewall of each of said plurality of tubs;    at least one aperture formed in said lip; and    at least one connector being received in said at least one apertures for attaching said plurality of tubs together.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of said at least one tubs are connected to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein three tubs are connected to one another in a triangular configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein a first connector is inserted in a first said aperture formed in said lip of a first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a second tub, a second connector is inserted in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a third tub and a third connector is inserted in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said second tub to attach to a second said aperture formed in said lip of said third tub.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said lip of a first one of said plurality of tubs overlaps a lip of a second one of said plurality of tubs for aligning said aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs to said aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs and said at least one connector having a head attached to legs, wherein said head extend from said aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs and said legs extends within said aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said connector comprises a tie.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said connecting means comprises a cord inserted in an aperture formed in a side surface of said tub and retaining means for preventing said cord from pulling through said aperture.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said connecting means further comprises: 
 coupling means for attaching said cord to said surface of said pool.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said coupling means comprises a hook.  
   
   
       14 . A method for supporting a pool cover comprising: 
 placing at least one tub on a surface of water in a pool;    connecting said at least one tub to a surface of said pool; and    receiving a pool cover over said at least one tub,    wherein said tub is formed of a predetermined height and width for providing support of said pool cover at a predetermined distance from said surface of water in a pool.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of said at least one tubs are connected to one another.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein three tubs are connected to one another in a triangular configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a first connector in a first said aperture formed in said lip of a first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a second tub;    inserting a second connector in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said first tub to attach to a first said aperture formed in said lip of a third tub; and    inserting a third connector in a second said aperture formed in said lip of said second tub to attach to a second said aperture formed in said lip of said third tub.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising overlapping a lip of a first one of said plurality of tubs with a lip of a second one of said plurality of tubs for aligning an aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs with an aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs and inserting a connector having a head attached to legs, wherein said head extend from said aperture formed in said lip of said first one of said plurality of tubs and said legs extends within said aperture formed in said lip of said second one of said plurality of tubs.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said connector comprises a tie.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said connecting step comprises inserting in an aperture formed in a side surface of said tub a cord including a retaining means for preventing said cord from pulling through said aperture.