Pool cover attachment features and methods for frameless pool covers

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.

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.