Frame Pool Support Sleeves to Block Water Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Above-ground pool frame assemblies are prone to water ingress, leading to rust and corrosion, which shortens their service life and compromises user safety due to the current connection methods between support members.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly featuring sleeve insertion apertures and assembly sleeves with support strut retainers that provide a secure, water-tight connection between horizontal and vertical support members, inhibiting rust and corrosion by preventing water entry into the frame elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If through-holes are formed at end portions of above-ground support members and connecting members are used to secure them, then the assembly connection is achieved, but water enters the insides of the support members causing rust and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the support member with integrated connection features) that mediates between the need for easy assembly and water protection. The connection features are designed to join members while preventing water from reaching internal structures, thus resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and water ingress prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful function (water entry) from the connection system by designing the support members so that water cannot enter through the connection points. The connection features are designed to exclude water while maintaining assembly simplicity, effectively removing the water ingress problem from the system
2Productivity
If connecting members are used to secure support members, then the pool frame assembly is achieved, but the accumulation of rust and corrosion increases and service life shortens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing the support members with integrated connection features that inherently prevent rust and corrosion accumulation. The members are manufactured with water-excluding connection geometries before assembly, so that the protective function is built-in from the start, ensuring both efficient assembly and long service life without requiring additional protective measures during or after assembly
3Ease of operation
If traditional connecting members are used, then the support members can be secured, but assembly difficulty increases due to rust and corrosion accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function and the water protection function into a single integrated support member design. The connection features are built into the support members themselves, eliminating the need for separate connecting members and their associated assembly steps. This integration simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining secure connections and preventing water ingress
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments disclose a support assembly, comprising: a side-section horizontal support member, one or more sleeve insertion apertures being provided in a bottom surface of an outer wall of the side horizontal support member; a frame support assembly having at least insertion end; assembly sleeves arranged in the sleeve insertion apertures, the assembly sleeves each comprising: an assembly sleeve body comprising a sleeve side wall and an insertion channel, the insertion channel accommodating the insertion end; and one or more support strut retainers arranged on the first side wall, each of the one or more support strut retainers being configured to retain the insertion ends in the assembly sleeve. The embodiments provide enhanced rust and/or corrosion prevention effect along with convenient and quick assembly. Present embodiments further provide a frame pool kit comprising a pool liner and a pool frame that includes the support assembly.