The present invention is in the technical area of apparatus for cleaning and servicing pools and spas, and relates more particularly to a skimmer net that may be easily emptied without direct hand contact.
Nets for skimming debris and other unwanted matter from pools and spas are well-known in the art. It is quite common to get a nasty green pool full of algae when the pool owner neglects to service the pool for a few weeks or months. In this circumstance hand contact with a net used to clean may be dangerous, as well as just unsanitary. In such a circumstance it is common to encounter dead animals like mice, squirrels, lizards, worms and so on. Also rotten vegetable matter, like leaves and grass. Such offal may be infested with dangerous bacteria, as well.
Nets in the conventional art require that a user empty the net by hand manipulation. What is needed is a skimmer net that enables reversal and emptying the net without ever being directly touched.
In one embodiment of the invention a skimmer net apparatus is provided, comprising a handle having a first and a second end and a length having an axis, a net-bottom-rod having a length with an axis at a right angle to the axis of the handle, offset from the axis of the handle by a depth dimension, a rigid coupling joining the net-bottom-rod to an extension of the handle, a movable frame having a shape defining a top of a net, with a width and a length, the movable frame rotatable about an axis at a right angle to the axis of the handle, a slider implemented on the handle, translatable in a direction of the axis of the handle, a linkage mechanism joined to the movable frame and to the slider, such that translating the slider along the handle rotates the movable frame about the axis at a right angle to the axis of the handle, and net material joined to the movable frame along the shape defining the top of a net and to the net-bottom-rod. With the movable frame in a horizontal position forward of the handle, a net is implemented between the shape of the movable frame and the net-bottom-rod, enabling capture of material in the net by manipulation of the handle, and wherein moving the slider in a direction away from the net employs the linkage mechanism to rotate the movable frame about the axis at a right angle to the axis of the handle, past the net-bottom-rod, such that the net is turned inside out, facilitating divesting material captured in the net.
In one embodiment the apparatus further comprises a fixed frame in the shape of the movable frame, the fixed frame rigidly joined to the extension of the handle, such that the movable frame in a horizontal position surrounds and locates onto the fixed frame, providing the fixed and movable frames in a common position. Also, in one embodiment the a rigid coupling joining the net-bottom-rod, joins rigidly to a front edge of the fixed frame. In one embodiment the apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism usable to lock the slider to the handle in a variety of different positions. And in one embodiment one of the variety of different position in which the slider may be locked to the handle is the position where the movable frame is in a horizontal position forward of the handle.
In another aspect of the invention a method for emptying a skimmer net without hand contact is provided, comprising positioning a net-bottom-rod at a right angle to and offset from an axis of a handle having a first and a second end and a length, with the net-bottom-rod rigidly attached to an extension of the handle, pivoting a movable frame having a shape defining a top of a net, with a width and a length, about an axis at a right angle to the extension of the handle, imposing net material joined around a periphery of the movable frame and the net-bottom-rod, providing a net with an open top defined by the movable frame and a fixed bottom defined by the net-bottom-rod, imposing a linkage mechanism between a slider on the handle and an offset from the movable frame, such that retracting the slider on the handle rotates the movable frame downward around the axis at a right angle to the extension of the handle, and moving the slider along the handle away from the extension of the handle, causing the movable frame to rotate about the axis at a right angle to the extension of the handle, past the fixed net bottom held by the net-bottom-rod, inverting the net to be inside out, and emptying any material collected in the net.
In one embodiment of the method further comprising implementing a fixed frame in the shape of the movable frame, the fixed frame rigidly joined to the extension of the handle, such that the movable frame in a horizontal position surrounds and locates onto the fixed frame, providing the fixed and movable frames in a common position. In one embodiment the method further comprises joining the net-bottom-rod rigidly to a front edge of the fixed frame. In one embodiment the method further comprises imposing a locking mechanism on the slider, the locking mechanism usable to lock the slider to the handle in a variety of different positions. And in one embodiment one of the variety of different position in which the slider may be locked to the handle is the position where the movable frame is in a horizontal position forward of the handle.
In one embodiment of the invention a fixed frame 104 is rigidly joined to handle 101, and serves as an anchor for a rod 106 which defines a bottom of a net for the skimmer apparatus. Rod 106 is a straight rod and has an axis that is offset from and at a right angle to a long axis of handle 101. Rod 106 is projected in its fixed position at an end of extension 105 extending from a central point on a front side of fixed frame 104. Fixed frame 104 is in a shape of a top of a skimmer net, but in embodiments of the invention net material is not joined to fixed frame 104.
A movable frame 103 in the shape of fixed frame 104 fits just outside fixed frame 104, and is pivoted at pivot axis 107 to an extension of handle 101, such that movable frame 103 may rotate around the pivot axis. Movable frame 103 is manipulated by links 108 pivoted to the movable frame and to a slider 102 that translates along handle 101. A locking mechanism 112 is provided on slider 102 in some embodiments to lock the slider to the handle in different positions as desired by a user.
It may be seen in
It will be clear that the circumstance shown in
In some embodiments limit stops may be incorporated to constrain the translation of slider 102 relative to handle 101, and therefore the degree of rotation of movable frame 103 relative to fixed frame 104. A locking mechanism may also in some embodiments be employed to position and lock slider 112 at different positions relative to handle 101, and one such lock may be employed to lock the apparatus at the circumstance that frames 103 and 104 are in contact, such that the apparatus appears and functions as a conventional skimmer net apparatus.
The skilled person will understand that the embodiments illustrated and described above are exemplary, and that the mechanisms described may be implemented in other ways to turn the net inside out. Alterations may be made in these embodiments within the scope of the invention. Limitations to the invention are only recited in the claims below.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5385666 | Perlsweig | Jan 1995 | A |
6383374 | Splendorio | May 2002 | B1 |
6412213 | Wellard | Jul 2002 | B1 |