Expanded Polypropylene Pool Decking with Skived Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concrete pool decks are prone to causing slips and falls, leading to injuries due to their hardness and lack of cushioning, and they also degrade over time, especially when exposed to water and UV light.
Innovation Solution
A padded non-slip pool decking system using an expanded polypropylene substrate with a skived surface to enhance adhesion, combined with a polyurethane coating for anti-fungal and slip-resistant properties, and releasable fasteners for easy installation over existing decks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If concrete is used for pool decking, then durability and water resistance are improved, but slip resistance and impact protection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining an expanded polypropylene foam core (providing cushioning and impact absorption) with a polyurethane coating layer (providing slip resistance and durability). This composite material approach allows the decking to simultaneously achieve impact protection and slip resistance that neither material could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanded polypropylene foam core acts as a flexible cushioning layer that deforms under impact to absorb energy, while the polyurethane coating provides a durable protective film. This flexible structure contrasts with rigid concrete while maintaining durability through the coating layer.
2Strength
If concrete is used for pool decking, then structural strength is improved, but impact absorption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines the structural integrity of the polyurethane coating with the impact-absorbing properties of the expanded polypropylene foam core, achieving both strength and impact absorption simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanded polypropylene foam core is specifically designed to cushion impacts before they reach the underlying structure, absorbing impact forces proactively rather than reactively. This beforehand cushioning prevents injury while maintaining overall structural strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional decking materials are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but resistance to microbial degradation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polyurethane coating is formulated with specific chemical parameters including biocidal agents and UV stabilizers, changing the material properties to resist microbial degradation and UV damage while maintaining ease of application through coating processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of polypropylene foam and polyurethane coating creates a composite material system where the coating layer provides microbial and UV resistance, protecting the underlying foam structure from degradation.
4Loss of substance
If wood or polymer members with gaps are used, then drainage is improved, but slip resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The expanded polypropylene foam core has a porous cellular structure that allows water to pass through to the drainage layer below, providing effective drainage while the continuous polyurethane coating surface maintains slip resistance by eliminating exposed edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines the drainage capabilities of the porous foam core with the slip-resistant surface properties of the polyurethane coating, achieving both drainage and slip resistance without the hazards of exposed edges found in spaced wood or polymer members.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces impact forces by up to 67% and resists degradation from water, chlorine, UV light, bacteria, and microbes, providing a safer and more durable alternative to traditional concrete decks.
Implementation Method 1
The padded surface attenuates impact forces that occur when a person falls, or a body part of a person, and hits the deck
Implementation Method 2
The decking has a slip resistant surface that also resists microbial degradation in the presence of water... the decking absorbs impact forces from human limbs and heads thrown into the decking
Implementation Method 3
a coating adheres upon the surfaces using skiving upon the surfaces of the core
Implementation Method 4
resists decay from ultraviolet light, bacteria, microbes, water, and impact forces
Implementation Method 5
resists degradation from water, chlorine, UV light, bacteria, and microbes
Implementation Method 6
a floatation support positioned upon the bottom surface of the energy absorbing foam
Data Source
AI summary
A padded injury reducing non slip pool decking has an expanded polypropylene substrate as a core with its surfaces and a coating upon the surfaces adhered following skiving upon the surfaces. The present invention seeks to reduce slip injuries around a pool by providing a padded surface. The padded surface attenuates impact forces that occur when a person falls, or a body part of a person, hits the deck. The present invention provides a cushioning action that has increased energy absorption properties over the existing surfaces around swimming pools. The core utilizes expanded polypropylene melted from its pellet stage into generally slab form with a polyurethane coating. The coating has a precise mixture of three components and various additives. The components include methylenebis and isothianzolin and the additives include traction, tints, among other things.