Pool Drain Cover Bubble Bump Wire Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pool drain covers do not effectively match the curved shape of pool main drains and fail to prevent worm accumulation efficiently, lacking a domed center feature and being costly to maintain with chemical cleaners.

Innovation Solution

A pool drain cover with a bubble-shaped bump integrally formed in a flat sheet of plastic, combined with a wire assembly for easy mounting and removal, which creates a seal with the pool drain to prevent worm entry and is made from durable materials like vinyl or silicone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flat pool drain cover is used, then it is simple to manufacture, but it does not conform to the curved shape of the main pool drain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformity to curved drain shapeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pool drain cover incorporates a domed center portion that is curved to match the curved shape of the main pool drain. This curvature allows the cover to conform properly to the drain surface, improving sealing and fit while remaining manufacturable through standard molding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If existing pool drain covers are used, then they provide basic coverage, but they fail to prevent worm accumulation effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworm prevention effectivenessVSAvoidcover structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pool drain cover features a protruding center portion that extends into the drain opening. This localized structural variation creates a physical barrier that prevents worms from reaching the drain while maintaining overall cover simplicity. The raised center acts as a specific defensive feature without requiring complex multi-component structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If chemical cleaners are used to prevent worm accumulation, then worm prevention is achieved, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworm prevention effectivenessVSAvoidchemical cleaner consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pool drain cover provides passive worm prevention through its physical structure—the protruding center portion creates a barrier that naturally prevents worm entry without requiring chemical treatments. This mechanical solution eliminates the need for ongoing chemical cleaner purchases and application, providing self-sustaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If a domed center is added to the pool drain cover, then worm prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworm prevention effectivenessVSAvoidmolding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The domed center portion is integrally formed with the flat surface of the pool drain cover in a single molding operation. This integration combines multiple features (flat coverage area and raised protective center) into one unified component, avoiding the need for separate parts or complex assembly processes while maintaining effective worm prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12258779B1Pool drain cover

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 TOMASELLO JOHN

AI summary

A pool drain cover including a cover assembly and a wires assembly. The cover assembly includes a cover and a bump, wherein the bump is a bubble-shaped portion integrally formed on the cover. The cover is placed over the pool drain cover to prevent collecting worms into the main drain pool system, thereby the cover may sink into the water and be positioned by means of a rope and a plurality of ropes included in the wires assembly. The user may handle the rope until reaching a predetermined position over the pool drain cover and pulling the rope to remove the cover from the pool drain cover when the user may consider appropriate.