SKIMMER SPILLWAY APPARATUS

Abstract

A spillway body has an upper section and a lower section with a left vertical side and a right vertical side and an upper horizontal edge and a lower horizontal edge which join exterior and interior faces. The exterior face of the upper section is closed and contoured forming a left wedge and a similarly configured right wedge. The interior face of the upper section is open to receive a means of buoyancy. The lower section has a means of attachment adjacent the lower horizontal edge thereby allowing the apparatus to be rotatably received within a rectangular throat of a swimming pool skimmer housing to improve the movement of pool water flowing to and through said skimmer housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a skimmer spillway apparatus for swimming pool skimmer housings. More particularly, the present invention pertains to improving the movement of pool water flowing to and through the skimmer housing thereby increasing the water skimming effectiveness of pool filtration systems, the skimming increases being done in a safe, convenient and economical manner.

Description of the Prior Art

The use of swimming pool skimmer housings of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, skimmer housings are generally equipped with a rectangular, buoyant skimmer door, alternatively known as a weir door, located adjacent to the pool opening at surface water levels. These planar skimmer doors of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of skimming and removing floating debris and other contaminants from the pool water areas are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While these prior art devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned prior art does not describe a skimmer spillway apparatus which allows for improving the movement of water flowing to and through a skimmer housing thereby increasing the water skimming effectiveness and the surface skimming radius of pool filtration systems, the skimming increases being done in a safe and reliable manner.

In this respect, the skimmer spillway apparatus according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of improving the fluid dynamics of water flowing over a contoured, buoyant skimmer housing door thereby increasing the water skimming effectiveness and the surface skimming radius projected into the pool area from the skimmer housing, the skimming increases being done in a safe, convenient, simple and economical manner.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved skimmer spillway apparatus which can be used for improving the movement of water flowing to and through a skimmer housing thereby increasing water skimming effectiveness of pool filtration systems, the skimming improvements being done in a safe, convenient, simple and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of skimmer housing doors of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved skimmer spillway apparatus. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved skimmer spillway apparatus and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, from a broad perspective, the present invention includes an upper section and a lower section with a left vertical side and a right vertical side and an upper horizontal edge and a lower horizontal edge which join an exterior face and an interior face. The exterior face of the upper section is closed and contoured forming a left wedge and a similarly configured right wedge. The interior face of the upper section is open to receive a means of buoyancy. The lower section has a means of attachment adjacent the lower horizontal edge. In this manner, the skimmer spillway apparatus is configured to be rotatably received within a rectangular throat of a skimmer housing.

To attain this, from a more detailed perspective, the present invention essentially comprises a skimmer spillway apparatus. First provided is a skimmer housing built into the uppermost region of a swimming pool side wall. The skimmer housing has a rectangular opening and a rectangular throat which communicates with the swimming pool at variable water surface levels. The rectangular throat has a horizontal upper surface and a horizontal lower surface and vertical side walls. A cylindrical well is located within the skimmer housing connecting the rectangular throat to a pump filtration system. The vertical side walls have lower cylindrical recesses which are laterally spaced and axially aligned and adjacent to the lower horizontal surface.

Next provided is a spillway body. The spillway body has an upper section and a lower section. The spillway body has a left vertical plate and a right vertical plate and an upper horizontal plate which join an exterior face with an interior face. A vertical centerline is laterally spaced between a left region and a right region of the spillway body.

Provided next are cylindrical projections on the lower section of the left and right vertical plates. The cylindrical projections are axially aligned and rotatably received within the cylindrical recesses of the skimmer housing.

The interior face of the upper section is open with a rectangular edge adjacent to the upper horizontal plate. The exterior face of the upper section is closed and contoured forming a left wedge and a similarly configured right wedge.

The left wedge has a left outer face and a left upper triangular face and a left hypotenuse face.

The right wedge has a right outer face and a right upper triangular face and a right hypotenuse face.

The left hypotenuse face and the right hypotenuse face terminate at a common point adjacent to the vertical centerline.

Provided last is a rectangular plate in a planar configuration. The rectangular plate is fixed to the rectangular edge thereby forming an interior chamber. In this manner, an air-tight seal is formed and the interior chamber provides buoyancy to the spillway apparatus during operation of the pump filtration system.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved skimmer spillway apparatus which has all of the advantages of the prior art weir doors of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved skimmer spillway apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved skimmer spillway apparatus which is of durable and reliable constructions.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved skimmer spillway apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such skimmer spillway apparatus economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a skimmer spillway apparatus for improving the movement of water flowing to and through a skimmer housing thereby increasing the water skimming effectiveness and surface skimming radius of swimming pool filtration systems, the increased skimming being done in a safe, convenient, simple and economical manner.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved skimmer spillway apparatus. A spillway apparatus includes a spillway body formed of a left vertical plate and a right vertical plate and an upper horizontal plate which join an exterior face and an interior face. Cylindrical projections on the lower section of the left and right vertical plates are axially aligned and rotatably received within cylindrical recesses of a skimmer housing. The interior face of the upper section is open with a rectangular edge adjacent to the upper horizontal plate. The exterior face of the upper section is closed and contoured forming a left wedge and a similarly configured right wedge. A rectangular plate in a planar configuration is fixed to the rectangular edge thereby forming a buoyant interior chamber. In this manner, the skimmer spillway apparatus is configured to improve the movement of water flowing to and through the skimmer housing thereby increasing the water skimming effectiveness and the surface skimming radius projected into a swimming pool from the skimmer housing.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings of primary and alternate embodiments of the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a skimmer housing constructed within a swimming pool wall during filtration system operation, having installed therein a skimmer spillway apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the spillway apparatus being partly broken away and shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the spillway apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the spillway apparatus taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the spillway apparatus taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective illustration of the spillway apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective illustration of the spillway apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with a first alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 3 constructed in accordance with a second alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective illustration constructed in accordance with a third alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective illustration of the third alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 1, having installed therein a skimmer spillway apparatus constructed in accordance with a fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being partly broken away and shown in section.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the apparatus taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the apparatus taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective illustration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is an exploded rear perspective illustration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along lines 19-19 of FIG. 12 showing the apparatus rotated to a vertical position perpendicular to the horizontal lower surface of the skimmer housing.

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 20-20 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 21-21 of FIG. 14 constructed in accordance with a fifth alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective illustration constructed in accordance with a sixth alternate embodiment of the invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved swimming pool skimmer spillway device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The present invention, the skimmer spillway apparatus 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. In their broadest context such include a spillway body, a rectangular plate, and an interior chamber. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

The skimmer spillway apparatus 10 of the present invention is for improving the movement of water flowing to and through a skimmer housing thereby increasing the water skimming effectiveness and the surface skimming radius projected into a swimming pool from the skimmer housing, the skimming being done in a safe, convenient, simple and economical manner.

First provided is a skimmer housing, designated generally by the reference numeral 14. The skimmer housing 14 may comprise, according to conventional design, a rectangular opening 16 and a rectangular throat 18 which communicates with a swimming pool at variable water surface levels. The rectangular throat is defined by a horizontal upper surface 22 and a horizontal lower surface 24 and vertical side walls 26. The skimmer housing further comprises a cylindrical well 28 located internally. The cylindrical well is connected to the horizontal lower surface and the vertical side walls for drawing in water and debris from the pool water area into a pump filtration system.

The vertical side walls of the skimmer housing have lower cylindrical recesses 30 adjacent to the lower horizontal surface. The cylindrical recesses are laterally spaced and axially aligned.

Provided next is a spillway body 40. The spillway body has an upper section 42 and a lower section 44. The spillway body further has an exterior face 46 and an interior face 48. The lower section of the spillway body has a lower edge 50.

Next, the spillway body has a vertical centerline 52 which is laterally spaced between a left region and a right region.

A left vertical plate 58 and a right vertical plate 60 and an upper horizontal plate 62 are provided for joining the exterior face with the interior face of the spillway body.

Further provided are cylindrical projections 64. The cylindrical projections extend outwardly from the left and right vertical plates. The cylindrical projections are axially aligned, adjacent to the lower edge, and are outwardly spring biased for being rotatably received within the cylindrical recesses of the skimmer housing.

The interior face of the upper section is open with a rectangular edge 66 adjacent to the upper horizontal plate. The exterior face of the upper section is closed and contoured to form a left wedge 72 and a similarly configured right wedge 74.

The left wedge has a left outer face 76 and a left upper triangular face 78 and a left hypotenuse face 80. The left outer face extends forwardly from the left vertical plate thus forming a first generally scalene triangle shape. The left outer face has a left shortest edge 82 adjacent to the upper horizontal plate. The left upper triangular face extends inwardly from the left shortest edge along the upper horizontal plate and terminates adjacent to the vertical centerline. The left hypotenuse face is supported by the left outer face and the left upper triangular face.

The right wedge has a right outer face 84 and a right upper triangular face 86 and a right hypotenuse face 88. The right outer face extends forwardly from the right vertical plate thus forming a second generally scalene triangle shape. The right outer face has a right shortest edge 90 adjacent to the upper horizontal plate. The right upper triangular face extends inwardly from the right shortest edge of the right outer face along the upper horizontal plate and terminates adjacent to the vertical centerline. The right hypotenuse face is supported by the right outer face and the right upper triangular face. The left hypotenuse face and the right hypotenuse face terminate at a common point adjacent to the vertical centerline.

Lastly provided is a rectangular plate 68 in a planar configuration. The rectangular plate is fixed to the rectangular edge thereby forming an interior chamber 70. In this manner, air becomes trapped within the interior chamber to provide buoyancy to the spillway apparatus during operation.

Attention is now directed particularly to FIG. 1. The skimmer spillway apparatus is shown in a general operating position with the water surface level indicated as 20. As previously pointed out, the left wedge and the right wedge of the spillway body form a sloped concave or V-shaped exterior face. Interior chamber 70 provides buoyancy which causes a portion of the left wedge and the right wedge to move above the water surface level. In this manner, as surface water enters the rectangular opening of the skimmer housing and passes over the exterior face of the spillway body. The configuration of this invention causes a hydrodynamic decrease in pressure thus increasing water speeds flowing to and through the rectangular throat and between the left and right wedges indicated as 99. Furthermore, the increased water speeds are projected outwardly into the pool area which increases the water skimming effectiveness and the surface skimming radius of the skimmer housing.

Referring to FIG. 2, slots 95 may be provided in the lower section adjacent to the left and right vertical plates respectively. The slots provide a means of outward tension for cylindrical projections 64 to be received within the cylindrical recesses of the skimmer housing.

The spillway body and rectangular plate are preferably molded of plastic. There are a number of types of plastic which are suitable for the purpose, an example being ABS resin or other thermoplastics with high impact strength and are resistant to action of most solvents, oils, chemicals, and UV light.

Reference is now made to a first alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7. In this first alternate embodiment of the spillway apparatus 100, the lower section includes a tubular sleeve 102 which contains left and right rods 106. A central spring 104 provides outward tension for positioning the left and right rods within the cylindrical recesses of the skimmer housing. Additionally, not shown in the figures, friction caps can be fixed to the extents of the left and right rods for directly engaging the vertical side walls of the skimmer housing without being received within the cylindrical recesses.

In a second alternate embodiment of the invention and referring to FIG. 9. In this second alternate embodiment of the spillway apparatus 200, a foam material 202 is positioned within the interior face which provides an alternate method of buoyancy. The foam material may be chosen from a wide variety of cellular plastics or similar natural or synthetic elastomers having a low density.

In a third alternate embodiment of the invention and referring to FIGS. 10 and 11. In this third alternate embodiment of the spillway apparatus 300, the upper horizontal plate is eliminated and a central trough 302 is formed on the exterior face along the vertical centerline between the left and right wedges. The central trough terminates at a common upper edge 304 between the exterior and interior faces. The central trough allows the spillway apparatus to communicate with lower pool water levels in parallel orientations with the horizontal lower surface of the skimmer housing.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 12-20 which show a fourth alternate embodiment of the invention comparable to the previous alternate embodiments disclosed. In this fourth embodiment of the apparatus 400, first provided is a skimmer, designated generally by the reference numeral 414. The skimmer 414 may comprise, according to conventional design, a rectangular opening 416 and a rectangular throat 418 which communicates with variable water surface levels 420 of a swimming pool 419. Rectangular throat 418 is defined by a horizontal upper surface 422 and a horizontal lower surface 424 and vertical side walls 426. Skimmer housing 414 further comprises a cylindrical well 428 located internally for drawing in water and debris from the swimming pool into a pump filtration system. It is well known in the prior art that there exists a plurality of methods to moveably mount a skimmer door within the rectangular throat of a skimmer housing such as but not limited to cylindrical recesses or a friction engagement with vertical side walls or a mounting means fixed to the horizontal lower surface. For illustration purposes (in FIG. 19) vertical side walls 426 are shown with cylindrical recesses 430 laterally spaced, axially aligned and adjacent to lower horizontal surface 424.

Provided next is a spillway body 440. The spillway body has an upper section 442 and a lower section 444. Spillway body 440 further has a vertical centerline 445 laterally spaced between a left region 446 and a similarly configured right region 447. Spillway body 440 has an exterior face 448 and an interior face 450. Upper section 442 has an upper horizontal edge 452. Lower section 442 has a lower horizontal edge 454 joining exterior face 448 with interior face 448.

Left region 446 has a left vertical side 456 and right region 447 has a right vertical side 458. The left and right vertical sides join said upper horizontal edge and lower horizontal edge respectively.

Exterior face 448 of upper section 442 is closed and contoured to form a left wedge 460 and a similarly configured right wedge 470. In this manner, interior face 448 of upper section 442 is open.

Left wedge 460 has a left outer face 462 and a left upper triangular face 464 and a left forward face 466. Left outer face 462 extends forwardly from the left vertical side to form a generally scalene triangle shape. Left outer face 464 has a left shortest edge 468 adjacent the upper horizontal edge. Left upper triangular face 464 extends inwardly from left shortest edge 468 along the upper horizontal edge and terminates adjacent vertical centerline 458. Left forward face 466 is supported by left outer face 464 and left upper triangular face 464 and the exterior face of upper section 442.

Right wedge 470 has a right outer face 472 and a right upper triangular face 474 and a right forward face 476. Right outer face 472 extends forwardly from the right vertical side to form a generally scalene triangle shape. Right outer face 474 has a right shortest edge 478 adjacent the upper horizontal edge. Right upper triangular face 474 extends inwardly from right shortest edge 468 along the upper horizontal edge and terminates adjacent vertical centerline 458. Right forward face 476 is supported by right outer face 474 and right upper triangular face 474 and the exterior face of upper section 442.

Left forward face 466 and right forward face 476 terminate at a common point laterally spaced from vertical centerline 445. As previously shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, left forward face 466 and right forward face 476 may terminate at a common point which allows for a central trough to be formed between said left and right forward faces 466, 476.

Further provided is an attachment means 480 adjacent said lower horizontal edge of lower section 442. Said attachment means is configured to be rotatably received between vertical side walls 426 and adjacent said lower surface of skimmer housing 414.

Provided last is a buoyancy means 481. Said buoyancy means is positioned within the open interior face of upper section 442.

As shown in FIGS. 12-20, said buoyancy means preferably includes a rectangular edge 482 adjacent said upper horizontal edge and a rectangular plate 484 in a planar configuration. Said rectangular plate 484 is correspondingly sized and affixed to said rectangular edge 482 which thereby forms an interior chamber 486. In this manner, an air-tight seal is formed within interior chamber 486 to provide said buoyancy means.

Attention is now directed particularly to FIG. 12. Apparatus 400 is shown in a general operating position with water surface level indicated as 420. As previously pointed out, left wedge 446 and right wedge 447 form a generally V-shaped upper section 442. Buoyancy means 481 provides operating rotation (indicated as 471) which positions portions of left wedge 446 and right wedge 447 above water surface level 420. In this manner, as surface water enters rectangular opening 416 and passes over upper section 442, said configuration of this invention causes a hydrodynamic response which increases water speeds flowing to and through rectangular throat 418 indicated as 421. Furthermore, said increased water speeds are projected forwardly into the swimming pool area which increases water skimming effectiveness and surface skimming radius of skimmer housing 414.

Said attachment means may include any one of the numerous skimmer door attachment methods and designs known in the prior art. For purposes of understanding the invention, in FIGS. 12-21, apparatus 400 is illustrated with a primary attachment means which includes cylindrical projections 490 that extend outwardly from said left and right vertical sides. Cylindrical projections 490 are axially aligned, adjacent lower horizontal edge 454 and outwardly spring biased. Shown in FIG. 18, said attachment means may further include a tubular sleeve 491 with left and right rods 493 and a coil spring 497 to increase said outwardly spring biased function. In this manner apparatus 400 is rotatably received adjacent said lower surface within skimmer housing 414.

In a fifth alternate embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 21, said buoyancy means may alternatively include buoyant material. In this fifth alternate embodiment of the apparatus 500, a foam material 502 is positioned within open interior face 550 of upper section 548. In this manner, foam material 502 provides an alternate buoyancy means 580. The foam material may be chosen from a wide variety of cellular plastics or similar natural or synthetic elastomers having a low density.

Lastly, reference is now made to sixth alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 22. In this sixth embodiment of the apparatus 600, a lower section 644 has an attachment means 680 which includes one or more tabs 692. Tabs 692 provide for a lower horizontal edge 654 of the invention to be rotatably mounted to a lower surface of a skimmer housing.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A spillway apparatus comprising: a spillway body having an upper section and a lower section, said spillway body having an exterior face and an interior face and a left vertical side and a right vertical side;said upper section having an upper horizontal edge;said lower section having a lower horizontal edge joining said exterior and interior faces;said exterior face of the upper section being closed and contoured forming a left wedge and a similarly configured right wedge;said interior face of the upper section being open;said left wedge having a left outer face and a left upper face and a left forward face, said left outer face extending forwardly from the left vertical side adjacent the upper horizontal edge, said left upper face extending inwardly from the left outer face along the upper horizontal edge, said left forward face being supported by the left outer face and the left upper face and the exterior face;said right wedge having a right outer face and a right upper face and a right forward face, said right outer face extending forwardly from the right vertical side adjacent the upper horizontal edge, said right upper face extending inwardly from the right outer face along the upper horizontal edge, said right forward face being supported by the right outer face and the right upper face and the exterior face;said lower section having an attachment means adjacent said lower horizontal edge for being rotatably received within a rectangular throat of a swimming pool skimmer housing; andwherein said interior face of the upper section having a buoyancy means.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said left forward face and said right forward face terminate at a common point laterally spaced between said left and right vertical sides.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes cylindrical projections extending outwardly from said left and right vertical sides for engaging sidewalls of said rectangular throat.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cylindrical projections being axially aligned, outwardly spring biased and adjacent said lower horizontal edge.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes one or more tabs for being rotatably mounted to a lower surface of said rectangular throat.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said interior face of the upper section further includes a rectangular edge adjacent the upper horizontal edge;

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 and further including a rectangular plate fixed to said rectangular edge thereby forming a sealed interior chamber and providing said buoyancy means.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a buoyant material is positioned within the contours of said interior face of the upper section thereby providing said buoyancy means.

9. A skimmer spillway apparatus (400) moveably mounted within a swimming pool skimmer housing for improving the movement of water flowing to and through the skimmer housing thereby increasing water skimming effectiveness of swimming pool filtration systems, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a skimmer housing (414) having a rectangular opening (416) and a rectangular throat (418) which communicates with variable water surface levels (420) of a swimming pool, the rectangular throat having an upper surface (422) and a lower surface (424) and vertical side walls (426) connecting to a cylindrical well (428) located internally for drawing in water and debris from the swimming pool into a pump filtration system;a spillway body (440) having an upper section (442) and a lower section (444), the spillway body having a vertical centerline (445) laterally spaced between a left region (446) and a similarly configured right region (447), the spillway body having an exterior face (448) and an interior face (450), the upper section having an upper horizontal edge (452), the lower section having a lower horizontal edge (454) joining said exterior face with said interior face;said left region having a left vertical side (456) and said right region having a right vertical side (458), the left and right vertical sides joining said upper horizontal edge and lower horizontal edge respectively;said exterior face of the upper section being closed and contoured forming a left wedge (460) and a similarly configured right wedge (470);said left wedge having a left outer face (462) and a left upper triangular face (464) and a left forward face (466), said left outer face extending forwardly from the left vertical side plate forming a generally scalene triangle shape, said left outer face having a left shortest edge (468) adjacent the upper horizontal edge, said left upper triangular face extending inwardly from the left shortest edge along the upper horizontal edge and terminating adjacent the vertical centerline, said left forward face being supported by the left outer face and the left upper triangular face and the exterior face of the upper section;said right wedge having a right outer face (472) and a right upper triangular face (474) and a right forward face (476), said right outer face extending forwardly from the right vertical side plate forming a generally scalene triangle shape, said right outer face having a right shortest edge (478) adjacent the upper horizontal edge, said right upper triangular face extending inwardly from the right shortest edge of the right outer face along the upper horizontal edge and terminating adjacent the vertical centerline, said right forward face being supported by the right outer face and the right upper triangular face and the exterior face of the upper section;said lower section having an attachment means (480) adjacent said lower horizontal edge for being rotatably received between said vertical side walls and adjacent said lower surface of the skimmer housing;wherein said left forward face and said right forward face terminating at a common point laterally spaced from said vertical centerline; andwherein said interior face of the upper section being open and having a buoyancy means (481).

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said interior face of the upper section further comprises a rectangular edge (482) and a rectangular plate (484) in a planar configuration fixed to said rectangular edge thereby forming an interior chamber (486) and providing said buoyancy means.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said rectangular edge is adjacent said upper horizontal edge.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said interior face of the upper section further includes a buoyant material (502) thereby providing said buoyancy means.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said lower section having cylindrical projections (490) extending outwardly from said left and right vertical side plates, said cylindrical projections being axially aligned, adjacent said lower horizontal edge, and outwardly spring biased for being rotatably received adjacent said lower surface within the skimmer housing.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said attachment means further includes one or more tabs (692) for being rotatably mounted adjacent said lower surface of the skimmer housing.