Pool Lane Line Reel with Guide and Manipulandum
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for reeling and storing swimming pool lane lines are inefficient, requiring significant manual effort and often resulting in damage to the reel devices due to the heavy weight and stress applied, posing safety risks and necessitating frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A pool lane line reeling apparatus comprising a frame, axle, and manipulandum, where the axle is rotatably coupled to the frame and the manipulandum provides a mechanical advantage, allowing for easier rotation and distribution of lane lines, optionally assisted by a motor and a lane line guide to reduce user effort and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual reeling methods are used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the manual effort required is excessive and equipment damage occurs frequently
Solution Approach 1:
A lane line guide acts as an intermediary component between the reel and the lane line. The guide is positioned to guide the lane line onto the reel surface, distributing the lane line evenly as it is reeled in. This intermediary structure prevents the lane line from bunching up or creating excessive localized stress on the reel, thereby reducing manual effort required and preventing equipment damage while maintaining relatively simple apparatus structure.
2Strength
If heavy duty reel devices are used, then the equipment strength is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stress-bearing function from the reel device itself and transfers it to a separate lane line guide component. The guide is positioned to guide the lane line onto the reel surface, distributing the load evenly. This allows the use of lighter, less complex reel devices while maintaining equipment strength through the separate guide structure that handles the mechanical stress of lane line distribution.
3Reliability
If lane lines are removed frequently, then the chemical exposure damage is reduced, but the time required for removal and reinstallation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lane line guide is designed to automatically guide and distribute the lane line onto the reel as it is being reeled in, without requiring manual intervention to position or align the lane line. This self-guiding mechanism speeds up the removal and reinstallation process by eliminating manual alignment steps, thereby reducing the time lost during frequent lane line removals while maintaining lane line durability through proper distribution that prevents damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus reduces the manual effort required to reel and store lane lines, minimizes the risk of injury and equipment damage, and extends the lifespan of the reel devices by distributing the weight evenly and providing a mechanical advantage, allowing for safer and more efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The axle can be configured to receive a pool lane line therearound, and the manipulandum can be in communication with the axle such that upon manipulating the manipulandum, the axle can be rotated.
Implementation Method 2
the manipulandum provides a mechanical advantage, allowing for easier rotation and distribution of lane lines
Implementation Method 3
The lane line guide can be movably coupled to the frame. The lane line guide can, for example, define a path which is configured to allow passage of the pool lane line and thereby guide the position of the pool lane line along an axis of the axle.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, kits, and methods for reeling a pool lane line are described herein. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a lane line guide configured to guide the positioning of a pool lane line along an axis of the apparatus. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a manipulandum in communication with an axle of the apparatus.