Pool cover reel assembly

Abstract

A low friction pool cover reel to assist in retrieval and deployment of swimming pool covers onto the surface of water in a swimming pool.

1 . A pool cover reel device comprising: 
 a plurality of upstanding support members;    at least one tubular member having an inner tubular member surface and an outer tubular member surface, the outer tubular member surface having longitudinally-oriented recessed sections and the inner tubular member surface having corresponding longitudinally-oriented metal projections;    at least one web member which further comprises: a tubular hub formed along a central longitudinal opening of the at least one tubular member and a plurality of rib members, each rib member having at least one head member and radially extending from the tubular hub toward the inner tubular member surface and concentrically engaged to the longitudinally-oriented metal projections of the inner tubular member surface; and    a handcrank shaft coaxially engaged with the at least one web member.    
   
   
       2 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein the handcrank shaft is engaged only with a first web member, while a second shaft member is engaged only with a second web member.  
   
   
       3 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one web member is concentrically engaged with at least two tubular members.  
   
   
       4 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one head member has a curvature that corresponds to an inner diameter of the at least one tubular member.  
   
   
       5 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one head member is joined to the at least one tubular member by at least one securing screw.  
   
   
       6 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the recessed sections are spaced apart by about a 180 degree separation.  
   
   
       7 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of web members, with a plurality of lengths.  
   
   
       8 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of upstanding support members are mounted on casters.  
   
   
       9 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of upstanding support are anchored to a fixed surface.  
   
   
       10 . A pool cover reel device comprising: 
 at least one tubular member having an inner tubular member surface with longitudinally-oriented metal projections;    at least one web member concentrically engaged to the longitudinally-oriented metal projections of the inner tubular member surface;    a handcrank shaft coaxially engaged with the at least one web member; and    a plurality of upstanding support members, each upstanding support member having a plurality of bearing assemblies enclosed in a tubular housing, each bearing assembly further comprising: 
 an inner housing having a central bore and a first circumferential recess formed on an outer diametric surface of the inner housing;  
 an outer housing having a second circumferential recess formed on an inner diametric surface of the outer housing; and  
 a plurality of ball bearings positioned in an intermediate space formed between the inner housing and the outer housing.  
   
   
   
       11 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 10 , wherein the handcrank shaft is engaged only with a first web member, while a second shaft member is engaged only with a second web member.  
   
   
       12 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of bearing assemblies include a first bearing assembly engaged in a first open end of the tubular housing and a second bearing assembly engaged in a second open end of the tubular housing.  
   
   
       13 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 10 , wherein the ball bearings are spherical.  
   
   
       14 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate space is packed with lubricant to provide low friction movement of the plurality of ball bearings.  
   
   
       15 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate space between the inner housing and the outer housing are closed up by a seal.  
   
   
       16 . The reel device of  claim 10 , wherein, wherein the plurality of upstanding support members are mounted on casters.  
   
   
       17 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of upstanding support are anchored to a fixed surface.  
   
   
       18 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 10 , wherein there is a plurality of web members, with a plurality of lengths.  
   
   
       19 . A pool cover reel device comprising: 
 at least one tubular member having an inner tubular member surface with longitudinally-oriented metal projections;    at least one web member concentrically engaged to the longitudinally-oriented metal projections of the inner tubular member surface;    a handcrank shaft coaxially engaged with the at least one web member; and    a plurality of upstanding support members, wherein each upstanding support member is anchored to a fixed surface by an anchoring assembly which further comprises: 
 an anchoring member having an upper end terminating in a handle, an intermediate section enclosed by a spring seat with a corresponding compression spring; and a lower end having a threaded surface; and  
 a base member, joined to the upstanding support member, having an opening for the anchoring member to pass therethrough.  
   
   
   
       20 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 19 , wherein the anchoring member is capable of reciprocating movement within the spring and opening.  
   
   
       21 . A pool cover reel system comprising: 
 a pool cover; and    a pool cover reel device further comprising: 
 a plurality of upstanding support members;  
 at least one tubular member having an inner tubular member surface and an outer tubular member surface, the outer tubular member surface having longitudinally-oriented recessed sections and the inner tubular member surface having corresponding longitudinally-oriented metal projections;  
 at least one web member which further comprises: a tubular hub formed along a central longitudinal opening of the at least one tubular member and a plurality of rib members, each rib member having at least one head member and radially extending from the tubular hub toward the inner tubular member surface and concentrically engaged to the longitudinally-oriented metal projections of the inner tubular member surface; and  
 a handcrank shaft coaxially engaged with the at least one web member.  
   
   
   
       22 . A pool cover reel device comprising: 
 a plurality of upstanding support members;    at least one tubular member having an inner tubular member surface and an outer tubular member surface, the outer tubular member surface having longitudinally-oriented recessed sections and the inner tubular member surface having corresponding longitudinally-oriented metal projections;    at least one web member which further comprises: a tubular hub formed along a central longitudinal opening of the at least one tubular member and a plurality of rib members, each rib member having at least one head member and radially extending from the tubular hub toward the inner tubular member surface and concentrically engaged to the longitudinally-oriented metal projections of the inner tubular member surface; and    a shaft member having a first end coaxially engaged with the at least one web member and a second end adapted to engage with an electric motor.    
   
   
       23 . The pool cover reel device of  claim 22 , wherein the second end of the shaft member has recesses suitable for engaging a driving member joined to an electrical drill.