Pool cover attachment features and methods for frameless pool covers

Abstract

A pool cover apparatus for a retractable pool cover includes a draw cord extending over a length. A webbing including an elongated sheet extending along the length encloses the draw cord and forms a first sheet flap and a second sheet flap overlapping along a connection side. The elongated sheet forms an interior side directed to the draw cord and an exterior side directed away from the draw cord. A pool cover is connected along a perimeter edge to an interior side of the first flap forming a cover interface. The first sheet flap and the second sheet flap are fused along a webbing interface extending proximate to the draw cord and the first sheet flap extends beyond the second sheet flap providing a bonding surface for connecting the pool cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pool cover apparatus for a retractable pool cover comprising:
 a draw cord extending over a length and forming a cord surface;   a webbing comprising an elongated sheet extending along the length, enclosing the cord surface, and forming a first sheet flap and a second sheet flap overlapping along a connection side of the draw cord, wherein the elongated sheet forms an interior side directed to the draw cord and an exterior side directed away from the draw cord; and   a pool cover connected along a perimeter edge to an interior side of the first flap forming a cover interface, wherein the first sheet flap and the second sheet flap are fused along a webbing interface of the first sheet flap and the second sheet flap extending proximate to the draw cord and the first sheet flap extends beyond the second sheet flap forming a bonding surface over an exposed portion of the interior side to which the perimeter edge of the pool cover is connected.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter edge overlaps the first sheet flap and does not overlap the second sheet flap. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second sheet flap terminates at the webbing interface forming the exposed portion of the interior side of the first sheet flap. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the webbing and the pool cover form a bonding interface having a clearance thickness extending over the webbing interface and the cover interface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the clearance thickness is limited to a combination of two layers of the webbing, or a layer of the webbing in combination with the pool cover. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the clearance thickness is limited to a first thickness attributed to two times a webbing thickness along the webbing interface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the clearance thickness of the bonding interface is further limited to a second thickness attributed to the webbing thickness in combination with a pool cover thickness along the cover interface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter edge of the pool cover extends into a channel formed by an encapsulation structure defining a visible perimeter of the pool cover. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pool cover comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface comprises a printed graphic or decorative design extending to the perimeter edge and into the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the printed graphic or decorative design extends over the cover interface in connection with the first sheet flap of the webbing. 
     
     
         11 . A pool cover apparatus for a retractable pool cover comprising:
 a draw cord extending over a length and forming a cord surface;   a webbing comprising an elongated sheet enclosed about the draw cord forming a first sheet flap and a second sheet flap overlapping along a connection side of the draw cord, wherein the elongated sheet forms an interior side directed to the draw cord and an exterior side directed away from the draw cord;   a pool cover connected along a perimeter edge to the interior side of the first sheet flap forming a cover interface; and   an encapsulation structure configured to connect about a perimeter of a pool and define a cover perimeter, the encapsulation structure comprising a channel formed by opposing channel walls along a depth, wherein the webbing is disposed within the channel in an extended configuration of the pool cover, and the perimeter edge of the pool cover extends into the depth of the channel.   
     
     
         12 . The pool cover apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the first sheet flap and the second sheet flap are fused along a webbing interface of the first sheet flap and the second sheet flap extending proximate to the draw cord on the interior side, and the first sheet flap extends beyond the second sheet flap forming a bonding surface over an exposed portion of the interior side. 
     
     
         13 . The pool cover apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the encapsulation structure forms a webbing pocket formed by at least one encapsulation protrusion extending into the channel from at least one of the opposing walls. 
     
     
         14 . The pool cover apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the draw cord and a corresponding encapsulated portion of the webbing are disposed within a webbing pocket, wherein the webbing interface extends from the webbing pocket. 
     
     
         15 . The pool cover apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the cover interface is at least partially enveloped within the depth of the channel. 
     
     
         16 . The pool cover apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the webbing interface and a portion of a bonding interface are disposed within the depth of the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The pool cover apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the pool cover comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface comprises a printed graphic extending to the perimeter edge. 
     
     
         18 . The pool cover apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the perimeter edge including the printed graphic extends to the channel formed by the encapsulation structure. 
     
     
         19 . A method for providing a retractable cover assembly for a pool comprising:
 providing an encapsulation webbing comprising an encapsulation material wrapped over a draw cord, wherein the encapsulation webbing is formed by connecting a first webbing flap to a second webbing flap on a connection side of the draw cord by affixing an end portion of the first webbing flap to the second webbing flap, thereby exposing a bonding surface of the second webbing flap beyond the end portion of the first webbing flap;   preparing a decorated pool cover comprising a design disposed on an outward facing surface opposite an inward facing surface;   welding a perimeter edge of the inward facing surface of the decorated pool cover to the bonding surface of the second webbing flap; and   enclosing the encapsulation webbing within a channel formed by an encapsulation structure, wherein enclosing the encapsulation webbing comprises inserting at least a portion of the perimeter edge into the channel.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 extending the encapsulation webbing along a side of a pool within the encapsulation structure;   masking the encapsulation webbing of the pool cover within the encapsulation structure, thereby occluding the encapsulation webbing from an exterior view by an extent of the encapsulation structure; and   extending the design of the decorated pool cover to the encapsulation structure.