Patent attributes
An expandable socket holds a fence pole for a flexible swimming pool fence. The socket, being generally cylindrical, but slightly tapered, is open at a top end and has a bottom end partially closed with a rectangular opening. The socket sits within a bore within a concrete swimming pool deck or within a cylindrical sleeve adapted to be imbedded in a hole in earth. The lower end of the fence pole has a shaft, with a locking plate mounted thereon. The locking plate fits through the opening in the socket and is twisted to lock the pole in place within the socket. The socket has one or more lengthwise expansion ribs extending from a sidewall. Each rib is capable of limited pivotal outwardly and inwardly movement and has an increased taper at the distal end. When the fence pole is inserted into the socket, each rib is forced outwardly to engage an inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve.
