Pool Cover Corner Endcap Assembly for Fast Modular Encapsulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pool cover encapsulation pieces are shipped as single large pieces, leading to increased shipping costs, handling difficulties, risk of damage, and labor-intensive corner formation processes requiring cutting, gluing, and welding.

Innovation Solution

A pool cover assembly with interconnected encapsulation members and corner connection assemblies that use friction-fit, snap-fit, or snap-button connections, eliminating the need for gluing, welding, or fasteners, and allowing for easier assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If encapsulation pieces are shipped as single large pieces, then the structural integrity is maintained, but shipping costs and handling difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidshipping cost and handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation piece is divided into multiple smaller sections that can be shipped separately and then connected at the pool corner. This segmentation reduces shipping costs and handling difficulties while maintaining structural integrity through proper connection methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If encapsulation pieces are shipped as single large pieces, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the risk of damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidrisk of damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the encapsulation into smaller sections reduces the risk of damage during shipping and handling, while the connection method ensures structural integrity is maintained when assembled at the pool corner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If corners are formed by cutting and forming radius corners, then the connection is secure, but labor and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidlabor and time for corner formation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation pieces are pre-formed with connecting features (such as protrusions and recesses or interlocking mechanisms) that enable quick assembly at the corner without requiring time-consuming cutting and radius forming operations during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If encapsulation pieces are connected using glue or welding, then the connection is strong, but the complexity of the assembly process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection method replaces chemical bonding (glue) or thermal bonding (welding) with a mechanical interlocking system, such as protrusions fitting into recesses, snap-fits, or interlocking shapes, which provides strong connections while simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4678852A2Pool edge cover assembly and assembly method

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 LATHAM POOL PRODUCTS INC

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AI summary

A pool cover assembly includes a first encapsulation member defining a first side of a pool cover encapsulation, the first encapsulation member comprising a first mating feature. The pool cover assembly further includes a second encapsulation member defining a second side of the pool cover encapsulation, the second encapsulation member comprising a second mating feature. And the pool cover assembly further includes a corner endcap member comprising a third mating feature and a fourth mating feature. The first encapsulation member is coupleable to the corner endcap by the first mating feature and the third mating feature, and the second encapsulation member is coupleable to the corner endcap by the second mating feature and the fourth mating feature. The corner endcap member couples with the first encapsulation member and the second encapsulation member to form a corner of the pool cover encapsulation.