Compact Plastic T-Joint for Above-Ground Pool Frame Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing T-shaped joints in above ground pool frames are prone to galling and corrosion, and are relatively wide, requiring large holes or gaps in pool liners, which affects the pool's appearance and water containment.

Innovation Solution

A T-shaped joint constructed of plastic with a minimized size, where the vertical joint portion accounts for at least 50% of the width between the horizontal joint portions, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly while resisting corrosion and improving appearance and water containment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal T-shaped joints are used, then the joint provides sufficient structural strength, but it is susceptible to galling and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to galling and corrosionVSAvoidcorrosion and galling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the chemical and physical properties of the joint. This material substitution eliminates the electrochemical corrosion mechanisms that affect metal, while the plastic material's inherent properties provide resistance to galling and maintain structural reliability in pool environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The T-shaped joint is constructed from composite plastic materials that combine multiple properties: structural strength to support the pool frame, corrosion resistance to withstand water exposure, and galling resistance through the material's surface characteristics. The composite nature allows simultaneous optimization of these competing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If existing wide T-shaped joints are used, then the joint provides sufficient structural stability, but it requires wide holes in pool liners affecting appearance and water containment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe assembly stabilityVSAvoidhole area in pool liner

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The joint design segments the structural function from the visible area. The coupling assemblies are positioned at the ends of horizontal joint portions, concentrating the connection points while allowing the vertical joint portion to have minimal width. This segmentation enables the joint to maintain stability through proper coupling placement rather than overall joint width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a wide, two-dimensional joint footprint to a minimized, three-dimensional configuration. By verticalizing the joint structure and positioning coupling assemblies at strategic points, the design reduces the horizontal footprint (width through which the liner hole must pass) while maintaining structural integrity through the vertical arrangement and coupling mechanism design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11692572B2Joint for above ground pool frame

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 INTEX MARKETING

AI summary

A frame pool is disclosed including a frame assembly and a pool liner, the frame assembly including horizontal frame members and a vertical frame member coupled together via a T-shaped joint. The T-shaped joint may be constructed of plastic to facilitate attachment and detachment to the adjacent frame members and to resist galling and corrosion. The T-shaped joint may also be relatively small to improve the appearance and water containment of the frame pool.