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  Heat sealed webbing method and apparatus for pool coversUSPTO Application #: 20060064812Title: Heat sealed webbing method and apparatus for pool covers Abstract: A method is provided for attaching an elongated webbing member to an edge of a pool cover, comprising positioning the edge of the pool cover so that a portion of the pool cover edge is in contact with a portion of the webbing, and heat sealing the webbing portion to the pool cover edge portion. An assembly is provided for coupling a pool cover to a connector mechanism attached to a pool, comprising a pool cover comprising at least one pool cover edge, and a webbing coupled to at least a portion of the pool cover edge by a heat seal between a portion of the webbing and a portion of the pool cover edge. An apparatus is also provided for forming a webbing attached to the edge of a pool cover. (end of abstract) Agent: Rader, Fishman & Garauer PLLC - South Jordan, UT, US Inventor: Lanny R. Smith USPTO Applicaton #: 20060064812 - Class: 004498000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Pool Type, Accessory, Covering The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060064812. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/305,467, filed Nov. 26, 2002, and entitled "Heat Sealed Webbing Method and Apparatus for Pool Covers", by Lanny R. Smith, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional patent application No. 60/334,094, filed Nov. 29, 2001, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] The present disclosure relates to swimming pool covers, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for attaching webbing to the edges of pool covers. [0004] 2. Background [0005] Swimming pools are commonly covered to prevent debris from entering the pool, to preserve chemical treatments in the water and to heat the pool in the case of a solar cover. Typically, a pool cover will extend over the entire surface of the pool during periods of non-use and then be retracted during periods of use. The cover may be extended and retracted by mechanical or automatic means. In either case, a track assembly is usually connected to or built into the walls for guiding the edges of the cover as it traverses the pool. The pool cover typically has some means connected along the edge of the cover interacting with the track assembly to facilitate movement of the pool cover. [0006] The pool cover may be fabricated from a vinyl-coated mesh made up of a dacron thread or "skrim" covered on top and bottom by vinyl coating. The result is a strong, durable and waterproof material that is ideal for long-term, maintenance-free use. The webbing may be made out of canvas or sail cloth, so that it can endure the mechanical stresses and wear placed on it as the bead slides along the tracking assembly and as weight is placed on the cover. [0007] The webbing may be connected to the pool cover by thread stitches running along the webbing. Although the stitches are made of strong and durable thread, they are vulnerable to wear and may eventually wear out before the cover or the webbing. This wear occurs as the result of several factors, including ultraviolet rays from sunlight, chemical corrosion from pool chemicals and the mechanical stresses described above. Accordingly, it is not unusual for periodic repairs to be required to the thread stitching in order to maintain the integrity of the connection between the webbing and the pool cover. [0008] Accordingly, there is an important need for an improved connection between the pool cover and the webbing that forms the edge bead for the pool cover. An improved webbing material and method of attaching the material to the pool cover is needed to reduce maintenance on the pool cover and to increase safety and durability for the pool cover. SUMMARY [0009] The present disclosure provides an improved method for attaching border webbing to an edge of the pool cover to form a bead for guiding the webbing along an encapsulated track. The border webbing is heat sealed to the edge of the pool cover to form a durable attachment thereto. The webbing and the edge of the pool cover are made of heat sensitive material that become plastic and form a bond with the application of heat. [0010] One application of the disclosure comprises a method for attaching an elongated webbing member to an edge of a pool cover, wherein the edge of the pool cover is positioned so that a portion of the pool cover edge is in contact with a portion of the webbing. The portion of the pool cover edge is then heat sealed to the portion of the webbing. [0011] The method further comprises wrapping the webbing around an elongated filler member, so that at least one flap extends from the filler member, positioning the portion of the pool cover edge to overlap the flap, and applying heat to cause a heat seal between the portion of the pool cover edge and the flap. Preferably, the portion of the pool cover edge and/or the flap are composed of a heat sensitive material that will form the heat seal. [0012] Another application comprises a pool cover having at least one pool cover edge, a webbing coupled to at least a portion of the pool cover edge by a heat seal between a portion of the webbing and a portion of the pool cover edge. [0013] Additionally, the portion of the webbing and/or the portion of the pool cover edge may be made of a thermoactive material, such as vinyl, that becomes plastic with the application of heat, to form the heat seal. As used herein, the term "thermoactive material" means a material that is sufficiently sensitive to heat to become pliable or plastic in consistency, so as to provide a surface appropriate for heat welding. The webbing may be wrapped around a filler element to form a bead, so that the bead substantially maintains its shape under mechanical stress to guide the edge of the pool cover along a mechanical track. [0014] Another implementation includes an apparatus for forming a webbing attached to the edge of a pool cover, comprising a positioning element for disposing a portion of the webbing in contact with a portion of the pool cover edge and a heating element for applying heat to form a heat seal between the webbing portion and the pool cover edge portion. [0015] Additional optional features include a pressing element for consolidating the heat seal between the webbing portion and the pool edge cover portion. The positioning element may provide a flap extending from the webbing to overlap the portion of the pool cover edge and form the heat seal therewith. The apparatus may further comprise an element for wrapping the webbing around an elongated filler element, wherein the wrapping element forms the portion of the webbing to include at least one flap extending from the filler element. The portion of the pool cover edge may extend between first and second flaps of the webbing. The heating element may include a first nozzle to apply heat to the first flap and a second nozzle to apply heat to the second flap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of an example taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pool showing a pool cover guided by a tracking assembly in the pool walls; [0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art structure showing a webbing and bead formed along the edge of the pool cover and carried in the tracking assembly; [0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art structure including an edge of a pool cover sewn to a webbing and bead for attaching to the tracking assembly of FIG. 2; [0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another prior art structure including an edge of a pool cover sewn to webbing and bead for attaching to the tracking assembly of FIG. 2; Continue reading... Full patent description for Heat sealed webbing method and apparatus for pool covers Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Heat sealed webbing method and apparatus for pool covers patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Heat sealed webbing method and apparatus for pool covers or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Above-ground swimming pool with view window Next Patent Application: Re-circulating multiple directional whirlpool jet Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Heat sealed webbing method and apparatus for pool covers patent info. 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