U.S. patent application number 11/524312 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for pool skimmer apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Kevin T. Foley.
Application Number | 20080073257 11/524312 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39223778 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080073257 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Foley; Kevin T. |
March 27, 2008 |
Pool skimmer apparatus and method
Abstract
A pool skimmer apparatus and method for maintaining continued
flow of pool water through a pool skimmer intake opening and a pool
skimmer basket when debris clogs the skimmer intake opening and/or
the skimmer basket. A conduit device extends from an outer end
beneath the pool water surface adjacent the skimmer intake opening
and extends adjacent to, connects to or extends through the skimmer
basket, preferably to a lower end adjacent to the bottom or side of
the skimmer basket. The conduit device may be removably connected
to the skimmer basket. In another embodiment, the conduit device
may comprise a first conduit section connected to the skimmer
basket and one or more additional conduit sections removably
connected to the first conduit section.
Inventors: |
Foley; Kevin T.;
(US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Family ID: |
39223778 |
Appl. No.: |
11/524312 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/167.1 ;
210/167.13; 210/167.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/1272
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/167.1 ;
210/167.13; 210/167.19 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/16 20060101
E04H004/16 |
Claims
1. Pool skimmer apparatus for maintaining continued flow of pool
water through the opening of the pool skimmer intake and the
skimmer basket, said skimmer apparatus comprising a conduit device
having an outer end disposed adjacent to the skimmer intake opening
and being disposed beneath the surface of the pool water, said
conduit device extending along said skimmer intake to a position
adjacent to said skimmer basket, thereby enabling flow of pool
water through said conduit device to the skimmer basket.
2. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit
device extends into said skimmer basket.
3. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit
device has an inner end disposed adjacent to the bottom or side of
said skimmer basket.
4. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit
device is removably connected to said skimmer basket.
5. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 4 wherein said conduit
device is removably connected to the bottom or side of said skimmer
basket.
6. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit
device comprises a first conduit section connected to said skimmer
basket, and one or more additional conduit sections removably
connected to said first conduit section.
7. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and
additional conduit sections are tubular in shape.
8. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first conduit
section is fixedly connected to the bottom of said skimmer
basket.
9. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first conduit
section extends through the bottom of said skimmer basket.
10. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first
conduit section extends upwardly from said skimmer basket, and said
one or more of said additional conduit sections has an inner end
extending downwardly into said skimmer basket and is removably
connected to said first conduit section.
11. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first
conduit section extends upwardly from the bottom of said skimmer
basket and terminates in a laterally extending upper end portion
disposed above the upper surface of said skimmer basket, and said
one or more additional conduit sections is removably connected at
its inner end to said upper end portion of said first conduit
section.
12. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer end of
said conduit device extends below the lower portion of said pool
skimmer intake opening.
13. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 6 wherein said one or more
additional conduit sections is further connected to said first
conduit section by a tether to prevent said one or more additional
conduit sections from falling into the pool in the event it is
unintentionally separated from said first conduit section.
14. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first
conduit section and said one or more additional conduit sections
are adjustably connected.
15. The pool skimmer apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of
said conduit devices.
16. A method of maintaining continued flow of pool water through a
pool skimmer intake opening and a pool skimmer basket, comprising
providing a conduit device that extends from an outer end beneath
the pool water surface adjacent the skimmer intake opening to an
inner end adjacent to the skimmer basket.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the outer end of the conduit
device is disposed below the lower portion of the skimmer intake
opening.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the conduit device is removably
connected to the skimmer basket.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the conduit device comprises a
first conduit section connected to the skimmer basket, and one or
more additional conduit sections removably connected to the first
conduit section and extending to said outer end beneath the pool
water surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a new and improved pool
skimmer apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a pool
skimmer apparatus which is constructed to provide for a continued
flow of water from beneath the pool water surface and through the
bottom of the skimmer basket even when debris blocks the skimmer
opening and/or fills the skimmer basket.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] In most swimming pools, leaves and other debris in the pool
can enter the pool skimmer intake and fill the pool skimmer basket
to block the flow of water back to the pump. In such cases, the
pump fills with air and ceases to pump water. If this continues,
the pump motor can burn up. Also, if a pool owner runs the pool
during colder weather, the pool equipment (pump, heater, valves,
etc.) can freeze and sustain significant damage when the flow of
water ceases.
[0005] Various types of screen or filter devices have been
disclosed or used in the prior art for preventing leaves and other
debris from entering a pool skimmer basket or the like. While they
have generally served their purpose, they have been subject to one
or more of the following disadvantages:
[0006] 1. They have been complicated in construction;
[0007] 2. They have been expensive to manufacture;
[0008] 3. They have been large and unsightly;
[0009] 4. They have easily become clogged if not frequently emptied
of debris;
[0010] 5. They have not been durable;
[0011] 6. They have been difficult to install in a pool; and/or
[0012] 7. They have not maintained a flow of water through the pool
pump if blocked by debris.
[0013] The new and improved pool skimmer apparatus of the present
invention is not subject to any of the above-listed disadvantages
and possesses certain advantages not found in the prior art
devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A principal object of the present invention is to provide a
simple and practical apparatus for a pool skimmer which is
constructed to insure a continued flow of water from beneath the
pool water surface and through the bottom of the skimmer basket
even when debris blocks the skimmer opening and/or fills the
skimmer basket.
[0015] A conduit device extends from an outer end beneath the pool
water through the skimmer intake opening and into the skimmer
basket. Depending on its construction, the conduit device may be
removably or fixedly connected to the skimmer basket.
[0016] In accordance with one embodiment, the conduit device
comprises a first conduit section extending upwardly a
predetermined distance from the bottom or other portion of the
skimmer basket. The first conduit section may extend upwardly above
the upper end of the skimmer basket and terminate in a laterally
extending end portion which can be aligned with the pool skimmer
intake. In a second embodiment, the first conduit section
terminates in an upwardly extending end portion disposed within the
skimmer basket.
[0017] In the one embodiment, a generally laterally extending
second conduit section extends inwardly from the pool skimmer
intake opening and is removably connected in any suitable manner at
its inner end to the first conduit section. The outer end of the
second conduit section is adjacent to the pool skimmer intake
opening and terminates below the level of the pool water surface.
The outer end may extend outwardly and downwardly from the intake
opening to a point below the bottom of the intake opening.
[0018] In the second embodiment, the inner end of the second
conduit section may be bent to extend downwardly into the skimmer
basket and is removably connected to the upwardly extending first
conduit section within the skimmer basket.
[0019] In the event the pool skimmer intake becomes clogged with
debris and/or the skimmer basket becomes filled with debris, the
pool water will continue to circulate through the skimmer basket by
flowing through the conduit device or through the second conduit
section from the outer end thereof to the first conduit section and
to the bottom or other portion of the skimmer basket. The conduit
device and the first and second conduit sections of the
above-described embodiments may be of any suitable, solid or
perforated construction and may be made of any suitable
water-resistant material, such as plastic. Also, the first and
second conduit sections may be formed as a one piece conduit device
or of more than two sections, with the inner end thereof being
secured to the skimmer basket in any suitable manner. Also, more
than one conduit device may be provided to insure continued flow of
water from beneath the pool surface at the skimmer intake opening
and through the pool skimmer basket.
[0020] When it is necessary to empty the skimmer basket, the first
and second conduit sections of the conduit are separated, or the
one-piece conduit device is separated from the skimmer basket to
enable it to be removed from the pool and emptied. Thereafter, the
skimmer basket is again positioned within the pool and re-connected
to the conduit device or the second conduit section extending
outwardly to the pool skimmer intake opening and beneath the pool
water surface.
[0021] The first and second conduit sections may be fixedly or
adjustably connected to each other or the conduit device may be
connected to the skimmer basket in any suitable manner, such as by
a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded connection, a telescoping
arrangement, a VELCRO connection or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the
conduit device of the present invention connected to a pool skimmer
basket;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the one embodiment
of the conduit device of the present invention positioned in a pool
skimmer and extending into the skimmer basket;
[0024] FIG. 2a is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another
embodiment of the conduit device of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pool
skimmer basket having a first conduit section of the conduit device
connected thereto or mounted therein;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of the skimmer basket
shown in FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of
a pool skimmer basket with an upstanding first conduit section
connected to the bottom or other portion thereof and the depending
end of a second conduit section of the conduit device connected to
the first conduit section;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away,
of a further embodiment of the conduit device of the present
invention showing a snap fit connection between the first and
second conduit sections thereof; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away,
of a conduit device of the present invention showing removable
tethers for connecting the first and second conduit sections
together and preventing the second conduit section from separating
from the first conduit section and falling into the pool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, a conduit device 10 is removably secured
in any suitable manner to the bottom or other portion of a pool
skimmer basket 12 having a handle 14. The purpose of the conduit
device 10 is to provide for a continued flow of water from beneath
the pool water surface and through the bottom of the skimmer basket
when debris blocks the pool skimmer intake opening and/or fills the
skimmer basket.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates the conduit device 10 and pool skimmer
basket 12 installed in a pool having a pool skimmer intake opening
16. The outer downwardly extending end 18 of the conduit device 10
is disposed outside of the pool skimmer intake opening 16 and
extends below the pool water surface S and, preferably, below the
lower surface 20 of the pool skimmer intake. It is noted that the
outer end 18a of the conduit device 10 need not be downwardly
extending and could be positioned adjacent to the intake opening 16
near the lower surface 20 of the pool skimmer intake below the pool
water surface S, as shown in FIG. 2a. The conduit device 10 extends
inwardly into the pool skimmer intake and is connected to the
bottom 22 or other portion of the skimmer basket 12 in accordance
with the different embodiments described hereinafter.
[0032] It will be readily understood that the conduit device 10
provides for a continued circulation of pool water from the pool
skimmer intake and through the skimmer basket 12 even when the
entrance to the pool skimmer intake is clogged with debris and/or
the skimmer basket is filled with debris. The pool water
continuously flows into the outer end of the conduit device
disposed beneath the pool water surface, through the conduit device
10 and downwardly through the skimmer basket to the pool water
return 24, as shown in FIG. 2. This prevents the pool pump (not
shown) from losing its "prime" if debris should block the skimmer
basket and/or the skimmer intake opening. It also protects against
the loss of pump prime if the pool water level falls below the
lower surface 20 of the pool skimmer intake when the outer end 18
of the conduit device 10 extends into the pool water below the
lower surface 20 of the pool skimmer intake.
[0033] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of the conduit
device 10 wherein a first conduit section 26 is connected to the
bottom 22 or other portion of the skimmer basket 12 and terminates
upwardly in a laterally extending end that can be positioned to
face the pool skimmer intake opening 16. A second laterally
extending conduit section 28 is removably connected in any suitable
manner to the first conduit section 26 and terminates at its outer
end in the downwardly extending end portion 18 or other end
portion, such as 18a, of the conduit device 10.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the first conduit
section 26 may be connected in any suitable manner to the bottom 22
or other portion of the skimmer basket 12. For example, the lower
end of the first conduit section may be provided with a laterally
extending fan-shaped section (not shown) that is connected to the
sides of the skimmer basket. In accordance with a further
embodiment, the bottom 22 of the skimmer basket 12 may be provided
with an open or screened aperture (not shown) that is aligned with
the adjacent end portion of the first conduit section 26.
[0035] FIG. 5 discloses a further embodiment of a conduit device
10a wherein a first conduit section 26a extends upwardly from the
bottom 22a or other portion of the skimmer basket 12a, and the
inner end of a second conduit section 28a extends downwardly into
the skimmer basket 12a and is removably connected in any suitable
manner to the first conduit section 26a. The lower conduit section
26a may extend upwardly any suitable distance from the bottom 22a
of the skimmer basket 12a.
[0036] The first conduit sections 26, 26a and the second conduit
sections 28, 28a of the conduit devices 10, 10a may be removably
connected together in any suitable manner such as by a friction
fit, snap fit, threaded connection, telescoping connection or any
other suitable connection. As an illustrative embodiment, FIG. 6
illustrates a snap fit connection wherein detents 30 on the first
conduit section 26, 26a are snap-fitted over a rim 32 on the second
conduit section 28, 28a.
[0037] FIG. 7 discloses a further embodiment wherein one or more
tethers 34 of any suitable type or construction are removably
connected to the first conduit section 26, 26a and the second
conduit section 28, 28a to prevent the second conduit section from
falling into the pool in the event it becomes separated from the
first conduit section.
[0038] In accordance with the present invention, the conduit device
10 may be located in any suitable position within the skimmer
basket 12, may terminate at or near the bottom or side of the
skimmer basket, and may be formed of any suitable flexible or
rigid, water-resistant material, such as a suitable plastic. Also,
if desired, more than one conduit device may be positioned in the
skimmer basket. The conduit device may be of any suitable
cross-sectional shape.
[0039] When it is desired to empty the skimmer basket 12, 12a, the
conduit device 10 is separated therefrom or the first conduit
section 26, 26a and second conduit section 28, 28a are separated to
enable the skimmer basket to be removed from the pool. Thereafter,
the skimmer basket is again positioned within the pool and is
re-connected to the conduit device, or the first and second conduit
sections are re-connected.
[0040] It will be readily seen that the new and improved pool
skimmer apparatus of the present invention serves to provide for
continued flow of water from beneath the pool water surface from
the skimmer intake opening to the skimmer basket even when debris
blocks the skimmer opening and/or fills the skimmer basket. In this
manner, the pool pump (not shown) is prevented from losing its
"prime".
[0041] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *