Swimming Pool Overflow Grid with Flexible Synthetic Stone Tread Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grids for covering swimming pool overflow ducts, particularly those made of plastic, have a low-quality appearance and are complex and costly to manufacture when made from natural or synthetic stone materials, especially for curvilinear sections.
Innovation Solution
A grid made from a range of materials, colors, and finishes with a flexible interconnection system using moulded or cast composite materials, such as synthetic stone, allowing for both straight and curved configurations, and featuring a spillway rim with adjustable blocks for enhanced aesthetics and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If grids are made from plastic material, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but appearance quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a rigid support structure made from plastic material with a flexible covering layer made from textile or synthetic leather. This composite construction allows the grid to maintain the manufacturing advantages of plastic while achieving the aesthetic quality of natural or synthetic stone, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and appearance quality.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If grids are made from natural or synthetic stone materials for high-quality appearance, then appearance quality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grid into two distinct functional layers: a rigid support structure that provides structural integrity and a flexible covering layer that provides aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured separately using optimal processes (injection molding for the support, coating or lamination for the covering), reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to forming entire stone grids, especially for curvilinear sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the covering layer by using flexible materials such as textile or synthetic leather that can be easily formed into various shapes. This parameter change from rigid stone to flexible covering material eliminates the need for complex custom molding processes for different pool configurations, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining high appearance quality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid configuration grids are used for straight-sided pools, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to curvilinear sections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the covering layer flexible while keeping the support structure rigid. The flexible covering layer can dynamically adapt to curved surfaces and various pool configurations, while the rigid support structure maintains structural stability. This dynamic combination resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using a flexible covering layer of textile or synthetic leather that conforms to the shape of the support structure. This flexible layer can be easily adapted to curvilinear sections of pools while the rigid support structure underneath provides the necessary structural stability, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom moulds are prepared for synthetic stone materials to cover curvilinear sections, then adaptability to curved sections is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid synthetic stone requiring custom molds to flexible textile or synthetic leather that can be easily formed. This parameter change allows the same standard support structure to be used for both straight and curved sections, eliminating the need for expensive custom moulds while maintaining adaptability to curvilinear sections.
Data Source
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AI summary
The grid (1) comprises an array of tread elements (2) with an elongated shape, which are made from a composite moulded or cast material, in particular a synthetic stone material, and are arranged co-planar, aligned and mutually spaced along a direction of alignment (X- X) forming an angle with respect to their longitudinal direction and which are fixed to at least one interconnection member (3) with an elongated shape, which extends along said direction of alignment (X-X). The interconnection member (3) is flexible such that the ends of at least some of the tread elements (2) which extend on a same side with respect to the interconnection member (3) can be moved towards or away from one another, such that the array of tread elements (2) is capable of assuming an at least partially curved configuration in the plane in which the tread elements (2) lie.