# US 5,706,531 A · Umbrella frame for pool cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,531 A - Document ID: US5706531A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/685,938 - Filed: 1996-07-22 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-07-22 - Inventors: Roger R. Aubertine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706531A ## CPC - E04H 4/108: {supported by frames} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract An umbrella pool cover frame has a center post, e.g., PVC pipe, that rests on a base disk on the floor of the pool. An adjustable center support is positioned partway up the center post and held in place, e.g., with a pin. A top support disk is fitted to the top of the center post. The center and top support disks have bores to receive ends of support legs or ribs. In one embodiment, sixteen long support legs extend from ground to respective bores in the top disk, and sixteen short support legs extend between respective bores in the center disk and receptacles in the associated support legs. The weight of the frame and the cover is supported both on the center post and on the ground at the ends of the long support legs. For an oblong pool, there can be more than one center support post, and horizontal members or ribs that join the two associated top support disks. The top support disk and the base disk have protective mats to protect the pool floor and the pool cover. The support legs can be extruded aluminum tubing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An umbrella pool cover frame for a swimming pool that has a floor and a peripheral wall, with a ground surrounding said peripheral wall; the pool cover frame comprising: a main post adapted to be vertically disposed in said pool; a base member adapted to be disposed on the floor of the pool and upon which rests a lower end of said main post; an adjustable center support adjustably positioned on said main post; a top support member positioned at an upper end of said main post; a plurality of substantially rigid support legs having inner ends removably connected to said top support member and extending radially from the top support member to the ground beyond said peripheral wall, including means for supporting outer ends of said legs on said ground; and a plurality of substantially rigid support ribs extending from said center support, each said rib having a first end supported on said center support and a second end removably received in receptacle means on a corresponding one of said support legs. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pool cover frame of claim 1 wherein said support legs each have a bend therein to permit the frame to clear the peripheral wall of the pool. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pool cover frame of claim 1 wherein the receptacle means of said support legs include a fitting onto which the second end of the associated support rib is coupled. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pool cover frame of claim 1 wherein said base member includes a plate member having an upper side on which rests the lower end of said main post, and a protective mat disposed on a lower side of said plate member to protect the floor of the pool. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The pool cover frame of claim 4 wherein said plate member has receptacle means on an upper side thereof for removably attaching to the lower end of said main post. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pool cover frame of claim 1 wherein said top support member comprises a disk having a center socket member to receive the upper end of said main post, and a protective mat disposed on an upper side of said disk. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pool cover frame of claim 1 wherein said post is a tubular member having a plurality of breather holes bored therein at positions disposed axially along the post to accommodate expansion and contraction of water in said pool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pool cover frame of claim 1 wherein said support legs are tubular aluminum extrusions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The pool cover frame of claim 8 wherein the inner and outer ends of said support legs are chamfered, and said top support member includes a plurality of bores into which the inner ends of the respective legs are received. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The pool cover frame of claim 9 wherein said support ribs include tubular extruded aluminum members having chamfers at least at their said one ends, and said center support includes a plurality of bores into which the first ends of the respective support ribs are received. ### Claim 11 An umbrella pool cover frame for a swimming pool that has a floor and a peripheral wall, with a ground surrounding said peripheral wall; the pool cover frame comprising: a main post adapted to be vertically disposed in said pool; a base member adapted to be disposed on the floor of the pool and upon which rests a lower end of said main post; an adjustable center support positioned on said main post; a top support member positioned at an upper end of said main post; a plurality of support legs having inner ends connected to said top support member and extending radially from the top support member to the ground beyond said peripheral wall, including means supporting outer ends of said legs on said ground; a plurality of support ribs extending from said center support, each said rib having a first end supported on said center support and a second end received in receptacle means on a corresponding one of said support legs; a second main post adapted to be vertically disposed in said pool; a second base member adapted to be disposed on the floor of the pool, spaced from the first-mentioned base member, and upon which rests a lower end of the second main post; a second adjustable center support positioned on the second main post; a second top member positioned at an upper end of the second main post; a second plurality of support legs having inner ends connected to said second top member and extending radially from the second top member to the ground beyond said peripheral wall, including means for supporting outer ends of said legs on said ground; a second plurality of support ribs extending from said second center support, each such rib having a first end supported on said second center support and a second end received in receptacle means on a corresponding one of said second plurality of support legs; and at least one additional support leg extending between the first-mentioned and the second top support members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pool cover frame of claim 11, further comprising at least first and second additional support ribs, said first and second additional support ribs respectively having a first end attached to the first-mentioned and the second center supports, and a second end connected to receptacle means on said at least one additional support leg.