Floating Support Structure for Pond Netting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for maintaining small water features like ponds and streams, such as using protective netting, face issues like debris accumulation, improper aeration, breaches, and netting damage due to weight, and are difficult to set up.
Innovation Solution
A floating support structure with adjustable-length legs and buoyant floatation devices that can move between open and closed positions, allowing the structure to float on water and support a protective cover while being easily deployable and storable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If protective netting is simply stretched over the water surface and anchored to the ground, then the setup is simple, but excessive debris accumulates on the netting causing it to sag below the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static ground-anchored netting system to a dynamic floating support structure. The support structure includes floatation devices that allow the netting to be elevated above the water surface while remaining adjustable and adaptable to water level changes and debris weight, preventing sagging while maintaining ease of setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using floatation devices (such as foam blocks or air-filled chambers) attached to the support structure to counterbalance the downward weight of accumulated debris. This keeps the protective netting elevated above the water surface even when heavy debris accumulates, preventing sagging and maintaining proper water flow.
2Reliability
If protective netting is stretched over a frame erected over the water feature, then the netting is kept out of the water, but the frame is difficult to set up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into modular segments including multiple support members (legs) that can be independently assembled and positioned. Each support member can be separately inserted into the water and connected to floatation devices, allowing for easier setup compared to assembling a complete rigid frame structure, while still maintaining reliable netting elevation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces rigid frame structures with flexible support members that can bend and adapt to the water surface contours. These flexible support members, combined with floatation devices, provide the necessary netting elevation while being much easier to install and adjust than rigid framed structures, reducing setup difficulty.
3Area of stationary object
If protective netting is anchored to the ground outside the edges of the waterway, then the netting can be positioned over the water feature, but debris buildup causes improper aeration and breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple floatation devices distributed along the support structure, providing more than the minimum buoyancy needed. This excess buoyant capacity ensures that even when significant debris accumulates on the netting, the support structure maintains adequate elevation to prevent breaches and ensure proper aeration, while still covering the required water feature area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a floating support structure as an intermediary between the protective netting and the water surface. This intermediary structure bears the weight of accumulated debris, preventing direct contact between heavy debris and the netting, thereby avoiding breaches and maintaining proper aeration while still allowing the netting to cover the water feature area.
4Reliability
If protective netting is stretched over a frame, then breaches within moving water courses are prevented, but the structure is difficult to assemble and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static rigid frame structures with dynamic floating support members that can move and adjust with water flow and debris weight. This dynamic design maintains water course integrity by adapting to changing conditions while significantly reducing structural complexity and ease of assembly compared to rigid framed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs support members that serve multiple functions: providing structural support for the netting, offering buoyancy to keep the netting elevated, and acting as barriers to prevent debris-induced breaches. This multi-functionality reduces the need for complex multi-component frame structures while maintaining water course integrity.
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 floating support structure effectively keeps debris out of the water, maintains proper aeration, and reduces damage to the netting, while being easier to set up and maintain than traditional frame-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least three floatation devices, wherein each floatation device of the at least three floatation devices is coupled to the second terminal end of a leg of the at least three legs
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a floating support structure for supporting a cover of a body of water. In an aspect, the floating support structure includes at least three legs, each leg of the at least three legs having a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end, a hub coupled to the first terminal end of each leg of the at least three legs, and at least three floatation devices, wherein each floatation device of the at least three floatation devices is coupled to the second terminal end of a leg of the at least three legs. In an aspect, the hub may be configured to receive a terminal end of at least one interconnection rod, and the at least one interconnection rod may be configured to couple the floating support structure to a second floating support structure.