Telescoping Pool Tool Drainage and Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pool poles are weak, prone to damage, and create drag and friction due to trapped water, with locking mechanisms that often get stuck or fail to secure the pole sections effectively.

Innovation Solution

A pool tool design featuring a base tube with a drain and tool attachment connector, hybrid carbon fiber tubes with compression clamps and a vent for rapid drainage, and non-migrating pinch-style locking clamps to reduce friction and allow easy adjustment, ensuring the pole sections do not get stuck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If current pool poles are used with small drain holes and no air vent, then the structure is simple, but water is trapped in the pole creating drag, friction, and additional weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidpole weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pole is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be independently adjusted. Each section has its own locking mechanism and drainage system, allowing water to be drained from specific segments rather than requiring a complex full-length drainage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A compression clamp acts as an intermediary component between pole sections. The clamp includes a compression member that applies force to secure sections together while allowing for easy adjustment and release, solving both the weight issue by securing sections firmly and the ease of operation issue by allowing quick adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If current locking mechanisms are used to secure telescoping poles, then the structure is simple, but the mechanisms get stuck making adjustment difficult or fail to maintain secure hold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism complexityVSAvoidlocking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses a dynamic compression clamp with a movable compression member that can be easily adjusted along the pole section. The clamp transitions between a relaxed state for easy adjustment and a compressed state for secure locking, providing both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional cam-lock or screw-based mechanical locking system is replaced with a compression-based system using elastic or resilient materials. This substitution eliminates the sticking problems associated with traditional mechanical locks while maintaining secure holding capability through continuous compression force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional pool pole materials are used, then the pole is easier to manufacture, but the pole is weak, unsubstantial, and easily damaged, bent or crushed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidpole strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pole sections are constructed using composite materials that combine the strength of rigid structures with the flexibility of softer materials. The compression clamps use resilient materials that provide both structural integrity and shock absorption, preventing the pole from being easily damaged, bent, or crushed while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design allows for quick drainage, reduced friction and weight, and improved strength, making the pole easier to use and adjust, while preventing collapse and sticking issues.

Implementation Method 1

The vent is operable to enable rapid draining of the pool tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRapid drainage through vent:

Implementation Method 2

A first compression clamp is disposed at the distal end of the first stage tube and is operable to secure a second stage tube disposed within the first stage tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

hybrid carbon fiber tubes with compression clamps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS20240181622A1Telescoping pool tool

Publication Date: 2024.06.06 HOWARD KENNETH M

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the invention a quick draining pool tool is provided. A base tube has a distal end opposite a proximal end and is operable to receive and secure a tool. A drain is defined by the base tube. A first stage tube has a distal end opposite a proximal end and is connected to the base tube. One or more secondary stage tubes are operable to be disposed within the first stage tube. The one or more said secondary stage tubes are operable to telescopically extend from the distal end of the first stage tube. A grip is disposed at the distal end of the secondary stage tubes and defines a vent operable to enable rapid draining of the pool tool. An interior flow path is defined by the base tube, the first stage tube, and the one or more secondary stage tubes.