Modular Pool Cover Panels for Temporary Flooring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for covering pools during non-use or construction require significant time, equipment, and can damage the pool structure, while permanent retractable flooring options are often impractical and require additional space.

Innovation Solution

A pool covering system that acts as a temporary floor, assembled across the pool without damaging the structure or requiring embedded mounting features, and can be installed and removed efficiently without draining the pool.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a permanent retractable floor is installed, then the pool area can be covered, but significant space is required to house the floor adjacent to the pool and equipment to move the flooring surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepool covering capabilityVSAvoidstorage space for flooring

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pool cover is divided into multiple panels that can be independently stored and deployed. Each panel can be stored separately along the pool edge, eliminating the need for a large centralized storage area while maintaining full coverage capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pool cover panels are designed to nest within each other when retracted, with smaller panels fitting into spaces between larger panels. This nesting arrangement minimizes the storage footprint along the pool edge while preserving the ability to deploy full coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If scaffolding is used to build a floor over the pool, then the pool can be covered, but significant time and equipment are required for draining and building the supported floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepool covering capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pool cover panels are pre-assembled with integrated support structures and connection mechanisms before deployment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site scaffolding construction and allows for rapid installation by simply deploying the pre-fabricated panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex scaffolding support system is extracted and replaced with a simplified panel-based structure that integrates its own support elements. The panels are designed to self-support when deployed, eliminating the need for external scaffolding and associated installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If scaffolding and supports are used to construct a floor, then the pool can be covered, but the scaffolding may cause damage to the pool's bottom surface or liner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepool covering capabilityVSAvoiddamage to pool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pool cover panels utilize flexible yet strong material that can conform to the pool opening without requiring rigid scaffolding contact with the pool bottom. The panels span across the opening and are supported by tension and geometric configuration, eliminating the need for supports that could damage the pool liner or structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support mechanism is shifted from the vertical dimension (scaffolding reaching down to the pool bottom) to the horizontal and diagonal dimensions (panels spanning across the opening with supports at the perimeter). This dimensional change eliminates the need for vertical supports that could contact and damage the pool bottom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pool is drained to install a floor, then the floor can be installed, but significant time is required to drain and refill the pool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepool covering capabilityVSAvoiddrainage and refilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pool cover panels are designed to be installable in the pool's normal filled state, with pre-configured attachment mechanisms that work with water present. This eliminates the need for preliminary draining, as the panels can be directly installed over the water and secured without requiring dry conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250067072A1Temporary pool cover and floor system

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 COLHURST CONCEPTS LLC

AI summary

The innovation relates to a pool covering system that is usable as a flooring surface. The pool covering system includes brackets and support beams spanning the pool opening. The beams provide structural support to cross members and flooring placed on top of the beams. The pool covering system does not require significant drainage of the pool and does not damage the pool structure during installation and use.