Patent Application
20050055898
This invention relates to swimming pool skimmers, and more particularly to a simple and inexpensive guard that is placed in front of the skimmer to intercept leaves and other debris.
Water in swimming pools is circulated by a pump through one or more inlets into the pool and through one or more outlets from the pool. The outlets include outlets located at the waterline around the periphery of the pool. These outlets are commonly referred to as skimmers, and serve to return water to the pump inlet as well as to trap or skim leaves and other floating debris from the water as it enters the skimmers.
If an excessive amount of debris becomes trapped in the skimmers, undue strain is placed on the pump, shortening its life. Accordingly, it is important to frequently inspect and clean the skimmers, especially if there are trees or other sources of floating debris near the pool. Failure to frequently clean the skimmers can result in damage to the pump, necessitating expensive repair, or at the very least can reduce the rate of circulation of water in the pool and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the filtration system and/or result in a chemical imbalance in the pool water.
Accordingly, there is need for a system to minimize or eliminate clogging of swimming pool skimmers without requiring frequent inspection and cleaning of the skimmers.
The present invention comprises a strainer or guard that is placed in front of a swimming pool skimmer to trap leaves and other floating debris before it enters the skimmer, thereby minimizing or eliminating clogging of the skimmer without requiring frequent inspection and cleaning of the skimmer.
The strainer or guard is formed of an open, mesh-like material that projects above and below water level and extends in outwardly spaced relationship to the skimmer. It is open at least at its bottom and functions to pass water while trapping leaves and other floating debris. Since the skimmer remains free of debris, and the water level in the space between the guard and skimmer is independent of the amount of debris trapped in front of the guard, water is always available to flow at its normal rate through the skimmer, regardless of the amount of debris that might be trapped in front of the guard.
Preferably, the skimmer guard is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, is adjustable to fit different size and style skimmers, and is easy to apply and remove
The foregoing as well as other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
A skimmer guard according to the invention is shown at 10 in the drawings. The skimmer guard preferably is injection-molded as one piece from a plastic material that is compatible with a swimming pool environment, e.g., able to withstand the effects of swimming pool chemicals, sunlight, etc. Such materials are commercially available and are commonly used to make strainers and other components of swimming pool equipment.
As shown in
In use, the guard is flexed into an arcuate shape, as indicated in
Since the skimmer guard is open at its bottom, the water level between the guard and the skimmer is independent of the ability of the mesh-like body 11 to pass water through it. Thus, proper functioning of the invention and of the skimmer does not rely upon keeping debris from in front of the guard. Moreover, the guard keeps debris from entering the skimmer, whereby there is little risk of clogging of the skimmer itself.
Although particular embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.
Please amend the Disclosure of the Invention as originally filed with the following re-written Disclosure of the Invention:
The present invention comprises a strainer or guard that is placed in front of a swimming pool skimmer to trap leaves and other floating debris before it enters the skimmer, thereby minimizing or eliminating clogging of the skimmer without requiring frequent inspection and cleaning of the skimmer.
The strainer or guard is formed of an open, mesh or mesh-like material that projects above and below water level and extends in outwardly spaced relationship to the skimmer. It is open at least at its bottom and functions to pass water while trapping leaves and other floating debris. Since the skimmer remains free of debris, and the water level in the space between the guard and skimmer is independent of the amount of debris trapped in front of the guard, water is always available to flow at its normal rate through the skimmer, regardless of the amount of debris that might be trapped in front of the guard.
Preferably, the skimmer guard is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, is adjustable to fit different size and style skimmers, and is easy to apply and remove.
