Telescopic Pool Pole Detent Locking and Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic poles for swimming pool cleaning face issues such as sagging, weight, and locking mechanism failures, leading to reduced effectiveness and safety concerns, including the risk of the pole collapsing or becoming difficult to maneuver.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic pole design featuring an inner tube that slides within an outer tube with a detent mechanism for locking, additional reinforcement walls for strength, and a watertight inner tube configuration to prevent water entry, ensuring buoyancy and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the diameter and wall thickness of tubular sections are increased to reduce sagging, then the strength and sag resistance are improved, but the weight increases making the handles heavier and more difficult to work with
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple telescopic tubular sections that can be extended or retracted. This segmentation allows the handle to achieve the required length for reaching into pools while using thinner-walled sections that reduce overall weight compared to a single solid handle of equivalent strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining different materials for the handle components. The telescopic sections use materials optimized for strength-to-weight ratio, and the coupling mechanism integrates multiple material properties to provide both strength and reduced weight while maintaining sag resistance.
2Length of moving object
If multiple additional lengths of tubing are added in series to increase overall length, then the reach is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple telescopic tubular sections that can be extended or retracted. This segmentation allows the handle to achieve the required length for reaching into pools while using thinner-walled sections that reduce overall weight compared to a single solid handle of equivalent strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mechanism allows the handle length to be dynamically adjusted between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic capability provides the required reach when needed while maintaining a compact, simple form when retracted, reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the inner tube in position, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to engage automatically when the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube. The cam element and slot configuration create a self-locking action that secures the tube in position without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a cam element that converts rotational motion into linear locking action. This mechanical substitution replaces what would otherwise require more complex actuation systems, providing reliable locking with minimal complexity through pure mechanical advantage.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved telepole device having attachment means for attaching swimming pool cleaning, and other tools. The improved telepole device preferably includes an inner tube which freely slides within an outer tube, and a locking device to temporarily secure the inner tube in a desired position within the outer tube. A preferred lightweight design may be at least partially hollow along the length of the tube(s), and durability may be provided by inner/reinforcement wall(s) that extend across the hollow portion(s) of one or both of the tubes. On the end of the outer tube through which the inner tube slides/extends is a collar element attached thereto and comprised of a locking device having a detent mechanism for “locking” the inner tube in place within the outer tube. Preferably, the collar's opening and the profile of the inner tube have one or more sides that, due to their relative position with respect to each other, can prevent the inner tube from rotating within the collar. Further, the inner tube preferably has a series of holes along its length which are positioned to receive a pin element of the detent mechanism. Further, the end of the outer tube opposite the collar preferably has attachment holes configured to receive attachable and detachable swimming pool cleaning tools, and an additional set of holes that allow water to drain from the outer tube while a tool is attached.