Adjustable Section Latch for Easier Pool Fence Interlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Installing and removing removable mesh pool fences is difficult, especially for laypeople, due to the complexity of conventional latching mechanisms that require precise alignment and tensioning of section poles to ensure upright orientation of the mesh.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable section latch with a bracket body having adjusting holes and a keyhole design allows for easy interlocking of section poles, facilitating convenient installation and removal of removable mesh pool fences by allowing one-handed alignment and tensioning without the need for complex mechanical operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional latching mechanisms are used, then the fence sections can be securely connected, but the installation and removal process becomes difficult and time-consuming due to complex alignment and tensioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a bracket body that attaches to one section pole, a screw eye that attaches to the other section pole, and a keyhole feature that enables simple engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and positioned, eliminating the need for complex simultaneous alignment of multiple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket body and screw eye are pre-installed on their respective section poles before the latching operation. This preliminary action allows the user to simply bring the poles together and engage the keyhole with the screw eye, rather than needing to align and coordinate multiple components during the latching moment itself.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional latching mechanisms are used, then the mesh can be held upright, but the user must spend a great amount of time aligning and correctly pulling the section poles to create necessary tension
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket body is pre-installed at the correct position and angle on the first section pole, and the screw eye is pre-installed on the second section pole. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the poles are brought together, the keyhole and screw eye align naturally, and the mesh tensioning geometry is already correct, eliminating time-consuming alignment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyhole feature acts as an intermediary element that mediates the connection between the bracket body and screw eye. Its elongated shape with a narrow end provides a built-in alignment guide and tensioning mechanism that automatically positions the section poles correctly when engaged, eliminating the need for manual alignment and tensioning adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable section latch is used, then the installation process becomes simple and convenient, but additional components (bracket body, screw eye, keyhole) are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket body, keyhole feature, and attachment hardware are combined into a single integrated component that attaches to one section pole. Similarly, the screw eye with its engagement features is combined into a single component for the other pole. This merging reduces the number of separate parts the user must handle and assemble, simplifying the overall latching operation despite the functional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable section latch and method of using thereof is disclosed. The adjustable section latch may be used to interlock two section poles of fence sections of a removable mesh pool fence, where the aforementioned section poles are situated at a section break gap in the removable mesh pool fence. The adjustable section latch may have a bracket body with a plurality of adjusting holes on one end and a keyhole at another end. One of the adjusting holes may be used to fasten the bracket body to a first section pole, while the keyhole on the bracket body may be used to receive a screw eye fastened to a second section pole. The adjustable section latch may be used in a process of interlocking the section poles that makes such latching more convenient than conventional latching mechanisms.