Inflatable Pool Cover for an Aboveground Swimming Pool

Abstract

A pool cover for an aboveground swimming pool, the cover formed with an integrated inflatable and deflatable pocket centrally positioned on the cover. The cover is made of waterproof and durable vinyl PVC knife-coated material.

1 . A pool cover for an aboveground swimming pool having a predetermined shape, size and largest diameter measurement, and whose volume of water is subject to freezing during a winter season, the pool cover comprising:
 a cover body having a top side, and a bottom side, a predetermined size, shape, perimeter, and largest diameter measurement based on the predetermined shape, size and largest diameter measurement of the aboveground swimming pool;   an integral pocket formed and centrally located on the top side, the pocket having an interior space adapted to receive and hold a quantity of air and further having an opening formed into the pocket; and   an adjustable air valve inserted into the opening in the pocket;   wherein the pocket is further defined by a predetermined perimeter shape and a predetermined largest diameter measurement both based on the predetermined shape, size and largest diameter measurement of the aboveground swimming pool;   wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is between about 27% to 33% of the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the aboveground swimming pool;   wherein adjusting the air valve into an open position allows the quantity of air to enter or leave the pocket; and   wherein adjusting the air valve into a closed position prevents the quantity of air from entering or leaving the pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the largest diameter of the aboveground swimming pool is about 18 to 33 feet. 
     
     
         3 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the aboveground swimming pool is at least one of a circle and an oval. 
     
     
         4 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket ranges from about 6 to 10 feet. 
     
     
         5 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the air valve is further comprised of a base having an air intake opening and a removable lid covering the air intake opening. 
     
     
         6 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is about 6 feet for the cover sized for the aboveground swimming pool whose largest diameter measurement ranges between 18 to 22 feet. 
     
     
         7 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is about 8 feet for the cover sized for the aboveground swimming pool whose largest diameter measurement is about 24 feet. 
     
     
         8 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is about 10 feet for the cover sized for the aboveground swimming pool whose largest diameter measurement is about 33 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined perimeter shape of the pocket approximates a square. 
     
     
         10 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is heat welded to the top surface. 
     
     
         11 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is made of vinyl PVC knife-coated material. 
     
     
         12 . The pool cover in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of grommets formed into the perimeter of the cover body, the grommets sized and shaped to receive a cord. 
     
     
         13 . A cover for use with an aboveground swimming pool having a predetermined size and shape and with a motorized air pump having a hose and a coupler, the pool cover comprising:
 a cover body having a top side and a predetermined surface area sized and shaped to cover a water surface area of the aboveground swimming pool;   a pocket centrally positioned on the top side, the pocket having an interior space for receiving a quantity of air defined by an upper wall welded to a lower wall so as to form a perimeter shape around the pocket, with a hole formed into the upper wall through which air is received into or removed from the interior space; and   an air valve having a lid removably secured to a base affixed into the hole,   wherein the pocket has a pocket area measuring less than about 15% of the water surface area covered by the cover body;   wherein removing the lid allows a quantity of air to be received by or removed from the interior space; and   wherein the base is shaped so as to receive the coupler of the motorized air pump.   
     
     
         14 . The cover in  claim 13 , wherein the pocket is further comprised of a perimeter shape approximating at least one of a square and a rectangle. 
     
     
         15 . The cover in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the cover body and the pocket are made of a vinyl PVC knife-coated material. 
     
     
         16 . The cover in  claim 13 , wherein the lower wall of the pocket is the top surface of the cover body.