Method and apparatus for encapsulation and alignment of pool cover assembly

Abstract

An encapsulation apparatus configured to connect about a perimeter of a pool for a pool cover includes an elongated encapsulation extending along a longitudinal axis configured to engage a perimeter of the pool cover. A channel is formed on a first side of the elongated encapsulation by opposing channel walls configured to receive a webbing of the pool cover. A support structure forms a second side of the elongated encapsulation. The support structure includes opposing interior walls extending at a wall angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The opposing interior walls of the support structure are configured to receive a splice member disposed between adjacent segments of the elongated encapsulation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lid assembly for a retractable pool cover assembly comprising:
 a plurality of cover segments forming a support deck on a first side and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending from an opposing second side, wherein at least one neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs form at least one slot comprising a longitudinal opening extending therebetween;   a splice member comprising an elongated body comprising a first end portion extending to a second end portion along a longitudinal axis, wherein the splice member is interposed between the neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs of adjacent cover segments of the plurality of cover segments; and   a retaining fastener in connection with the splice member on the first end portion via a threaded interface, wherein the retaining fastener binds the first end portion of the splice member within the at least one slot formed by the neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs.   
     
     
         2 . The lid assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the splice member binds the adjacent cover segments together along the longitudinal axis and structurally binds the adjacent cover segments to uniformly deflect in response to a force applied to the support deck. 
     
     
         3 . The lid assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the second end portion is bound between the neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs by an interference fit of the elongated body between the neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs. 
     
     
         4 . The lid assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the stiffening ribs extend laterally from a proximal end portion in connection with the second side of the cover segments to a distal end portion. 
     
     
         5 . The lid assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the neighboring pair of stiffening ribs comprise at least one encapsulation tab extending therebetween from the distal end portions and partially enclosing the longitudinal opening. 
     
     
         6 . The lid assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs comprises a plurality of neighboring pairs of the stiffening ribs configured to receive a plurality of the splice members spaced over the opposing second side. 
     
     
         7 . The lid assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the second end portion is bound between the neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs and an encapsulation tab forming an interference fit about the elongated body of the splice member. 
     
     
         8 . The lid assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the second end portion is configured to slide longitudinally within the slot and is retained within the slot by the encapsulation tab by the interference fit and is retained longitudinally on the first end portion by the retaining fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The lid assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the stiffening ribs comprising the encapsulation tab form a profile shape along the longitudinal axis, wherein the profile shape is one of a T-shape or an L-shape. 
     
     
         10 . The lid assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining fastener is withdrawn from the splice member along the threaded interface, thereby binding the splice member and the retaining fastener between the neighboring pair of the stiffening ribs. 
     
     
         11 . The lid assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the retaining fastener is extended outward along the threaded interface disposed in a recessed pocket formed in the first end portion of the splice member perpendicular to the second side and the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . An encapsulation apparatus configured to connect about a perimeter of a pool for a pool cover, the encapsulation apparatus comprising:
 an elongated encapsulation extending along a longitudinal axis configured to engage a perimeter of the pool cover;   a channel formed on a first side of the elongated encapsulation by opposing channel walls configured to receive a webbing of the pool cover; and   a support structure forming a second side of the elongated encapsulation, wherein the support structure comprises opposing interior walls extending at a wall angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the opposing interior walls of the support structure are configured to receive a splice member disposed between adjacent segments of the elongated encapsulation.   
     
     
         13 . The encapsulation apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 the splice member comprising an elongated bar having tapered sidewalls converging at a base at a taper angle complementary to the wall angle.   
     
     
         14 . The encapsulation apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the tapered sidewalls of the splice member align with the opposing channel walls of the adjacent segments of the elongated encapsulation. 
     
     
         15 . The encapsulation apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the taper angle of the tapered sidewalls settles in contact with the opposing channel walls thereby longitudinally aligning the adjacent segments of the elongated encapsulation. 
     
     
         16 . The encapsulation apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the splice member is affixed to the support structure by a plurality of fasteners thereby rigidly aligning the adjacent segments of the elongated encapsulation. 
     
     
         17 . The encapsulation apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the wall angle ranges from 15 to 65 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . A method of aligning adjacent segments of encapsulation structure for a retractable pool cover, the method comprising:
 positioning the adjacent segments of the encapsulation structure along a longitudinal axis aligned with a pool edge;   providing an angled trough having opposing interior walls forming a wall angle across the angled trough extending along the longitudinal axis of the adjacent segments;   inserting a splice member into the angled trough of the adjacent segments, the splice member comprising an elongated bar having at least one tapered sidewall converging at a base along a taper angle complementary to the wall angle; and   orienting the adjacent segments such that the tapered sidewalls settle within the opposing interior walls of the adjacent segments formed by the angled trough, thereby longitudinally aligning the adjacent segments of the encapsulation structure.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 affixing the splice member to the support structure via a plurality of fasteners thereby rigidly securing the alignment of the adjacent segments to the splice member.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the encapsulation structure forms a channel extending on a first side of the encapsulation structure comprising opposing interior walls configured to receive a webbing of the pool cover; and
 a support structure extending along a second side of the encapsulation structure, wherein the support structure forms the opposing interior walls.