Pool Skimmer Bezel Concealing Aesthetic Contradiction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water skimmers for pools and spas are unsightly and pose safety hazards, failing to match the aesthetic appeal of custom-colored and textured surfaces, making them conspicuous and undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A bezel system designed to fit within the opening of a water skimmer, made from materials like PVC or vinyl, which mimics the color and texture of the surrounding surface, creating a duct-like structure with ribs and angled walls to securely position and blend with the skimmer's surface, ensuring a smooth water flow path while concealing the skimmer's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional water skimmers are installed in pools and spas, then water filtration and debris capture are achieved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
A custom-made insert or bezel is introduced as an intermediary component between the functional water skimmer and the visible pool/spa surface. This insert acts as a mediator that conceals the unsightly skimmer while allowing water flow, thus preserving aesthetic appeal without compromising filtration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to visually copy or replicate the appearance, color, and texture of the surrounding pool or spa surface materials (such as pebble, tile, or concrete finishes). By copying the visual characteristics of the environment, the insert makes the skimmer invisible to the eye while maintaining its water capture function.
2Productivity
If standard water skimmers are used, then water capture function is provided, but the skimmers appear conspicuous and unsightly against custom surface finishes
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is manufactured in various colors and surface textures that match different pool and spa finish materials. By changing the color and visual properties of the insert to correspond with the surrounding surface, the skimmer assembly becomes visually integrated into the environment rather than standing out as a separate, unsightly element.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical and visual parameters of the insert (color, texture, surface finish) are adjusted and customized to match the specific pool or spa environment. This parameter matching allows the functional skimmer to be concealed while maintaining its water capture productivity.
3Ease of operation
If rectangular plastic skimmer assemblies are installed, then water flow passage is provided, but limited color options prevent matching diverse surface finishes
Solution Approach 1:
The water skimmer system is segmented into two separate components: the functional rectangular plastic skimmer assembly (which handles water flow) and the cosmetic insert (which provides visual matching). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the skimmer for water capture efficiency and the insert for aesthetic versatility across different surface finishes.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert serves multiple functions: it conceals the skimmer, matches various surface finishes through available color and texture options, and maintains water flow pathways. This multi-functionality allows a single insert design to adapt to diverse pool and spa environments with different surface materials and colors.
Data Source
AI summary
A bezel for inserting into an opening of a water skimmer installed in a wall of an artificial body of water are disclosed. The bezel forms an open-ended duct-like structure that allows water to pass into the skimmer. The visible surfaces of the bezel can have a color or texture that mimics the wall of the artificial body of water so as to conceal the skimmer. The bezel can include one or more ribs that extend from the outside surface of the bezel. The one or more ribs can be sized to form a friction fit that holds the bezel within the opening of the skimmer.