Automatic cover assembly for a swmming pool

Abstract

A drive arrangement for moving a pool cover between an extended position and a retracted position. The drive arrangement includes a tube, at least one reel, a first motor and a second motor. The tube has a first end, a second end and an internal opening with an inside diameter. The at least one reel is configured for winding of a pair of lines. The first motor is positioned at least partially within the internal opening of the tube. The first motor engages the inside diameter of the tube and is configured to retract the cover. A second motor positioned at least partially within the internal opening of the tube. The second motor engages the at least one reel, and is configured to retract the pair of lines.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover assembly for covering a pool or a hot tub, the cover assembly comprising:
 a tube having a first end, a second end, and an internal opening with an inside diameter;   a plurality of mounting brackets;   a flexible cover having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge being connected to the tube, the flexible cover movable between an extended position and a retracted position;   a pair of lines, each of the lines having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the leading edge of the flexible cover;   a plurality of line guides configured to guide the pair of lines; and   a drive arrangement for moving the cover between the extended position and the retracted position, the drive arrangement including:
 at least one reel configured for winding of the pair of lines, each said reel being connected with a second end of a corresponding one of the lines; 
 a first motor positioned at least partially within the internal opening of the tube, the first motor having a fixed end and a rotatable end, the fixed end being attached to a corresponding one of the mounting brackets and the rotatable end engaging the inside diameter of the tube, the first motor being configured to retract the cover; and 
 a second motor positioned at least partially within the internal opening of the tube, the second motor having a second fixed end and a second rotatable end, the second fixed end being attached to a corresponding one of the mounting brackets and the second rotatable end engaging the at least one reel, the second motor being configured to retract the pair of lines. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first motor and the second motor are connected to a power source. 
     
     
         3 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first motor and the second motor are connected in a series. 
     
     
         4 . The cover assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the power source is connected to a motor controller. 
     
     
         5 . The cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the motor controller provides a first voltage to the first motor and a second voltage to the second motor, the first voltage being higher than the second voltage when the flexible cover is being retracted, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage when the pair of lines are being retracted. 
     
     
         6 . The cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the motor controller provides a first voltage to the first motor and a second voltage to the second motor, the first voltage being lower than the second voltage when the flexible cover is being retracted, the second voltage being lower than the first voltage when the pair of lines are being retracted. 
     
     
         7 . A drive arrangement for moving a pool cover between an extended position and a retracted position, the drive arrangement comprising:
 a tube having a first end, a second end, and an internal opening with an inside diameter;   at least one reel configured for winding of a pair of lines;   a first motor positioned at least partially within the internal opening of the tube, the first motor engaging the inside diameter of the tube, the first motor being configured to retract the cover; and   a second motor positioned at least partially within the internal opening of the tube, the second motor engaging the at least one reel, the second motor being configured to retract the pair of lines.   
     
     
         8 . The drive arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein the first motor and the second motor are connected in a series. 
     
     
         9 . The drive arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein the first motor and the second motor are connected to a motor controller. 
     
     
         10 . The cover assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the motor controller provides a first voltage to the first motor and a second voltage to the second motor, the first voltage being higher than the second voltage when the flexible cover is being retracted, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage when the pair of lines are being retracted. 
     
     
         11 . The cover assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the motor controller provides a first voltage to the first motor and a second voltage to the second motor, the first voltage being lower than the second voltage when the flexible cover is being retracted, the second voltage being lower than the first voltage when the pair of lines are being retracted. 
     
     
         12 . A cover assembly for covering a pool or a hot tub, the cover assembly comprising:
 a tube having a first end, a second end, and an internal opening with an inside diameter;   a plurality of mounting brackets;   a flexible cover having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge being connected to the tube, the flexible cover movable between an extended position and a retracted position;   a pair of lines, each of the lines having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the leading edge of the flexible cover;   a plurality of line guides configured to guide the pair of lines; and   a drive arrangement for moving the cover between the extended position and the retracted position, the drive arrangement including:
 at least one reel configured for winding of the pair of lines, each said reel being connected with a second end of a corresponding one of the lines; 
 a first motor positioned at least partially within the internal opening of the tube, the first motor having a fixed end and a rotatable end, the fixed end being attached to a corresponding one of the mounting brackets and the rotatable end engaging the inside diameter of the tube, the first motor being configured to retract the cover; and 
 a second motor positioned within at least least one of the internal opening of the tube and the at least one reel, the second motor being configured to retract the pair of lines.