Modular Animal Barrier for Pools with Flexible Web

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animal barriers for bodies of water, such as hot tubs and fountains, either restrict water flow or fail to prevent animals from accessing the water, as they are not customizable to fit specific spillway designs.

Innovation Solution

A modular animal barrier system comprising elongated frame members with connectors and a flexible web made of durable materials, allowing for customization and effective prevention of animal access while maintaining free water flow, using a combination of malleable frame members, connectors, and a flexible web with secure fastening options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a barrier is installed to prevent animals from accessing water, then animal access is blocked, but water flow is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal access to waterVSAvoidwater flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible web made of mesh material or vinyl sheet that can be conformably attached to the spillway surface. This flexible barrier allows water to pass through while physically blocking animals, resolving the contradiction between animal protection and water flow maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh material used in the flexible web contains openings that allow water to flow through while being sufficiently small to prevent animal passage. This porous structure simultaneously achieves both objectives of maintaining water flow and blocking animal access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed barrier structure is used, then animal access is blocked, but adaptability to different spillways is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal access to waterVSAvoidcustomizability to spillway design

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier is divided into multiple frame members connected by joints, allowing the structure to be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation enables the barrier to be customized to fit various spillway shapes and sizes while maintaining effective animal exclusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier incorporates flexible elements and adjustable components that allow it to adapt dynamically to different spillway geometries. The flexible web can be shaped and molded to conform to specific spillway surfaces, providing versatility across different applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11873656B1Pool cap

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 WAGNER TODD RAYMOND

AI summary

The present device is an animal barrier for use proximate a body of water, and is comprised of a plurality of elongated frame members, each having two opposing ends, a malleable inner core, a sleeve surrounding the inner core, and a cushioning outer cover. The animal barrier further includes a plurality of linear union connectors of various shapes that are used to connect the elongated frame members, forming a barrier frame for fixing about the body of water. The claimed invention further includes a flexible web adapted for fixing with two or more of the elongated frame members.