SELF DRAINING POOL COVER

Abstract

A device for draining a fluid through a pool cover. The invention may include an opening in an intermediate region of the pool cover, the intermediate region being positioned between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover. The invention may include a conduit in fluid communication with the opening in the intermediate region of the pool cover, wherein fluid on the pool cover substantially drains through the conduit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many pools, especially above-ground pools, employ a cover during the winter season. A pool cover prevents the accumulation of leaves and debris in the pool during the off season. Since wind might blow the pool cover off the pool, the pool cover is often secured to the wall of the pool or over the wall of the pool in some fashion. Unfortunately, rain, snow, and ice can accumulate on the pool cover, with the resulting weight on the pool cover doing damage to the wall of the pool. There is a long-felt need for a means to drain fluid from the pool cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pool with a self-draining pool cover, with portions removed for clarity, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the self-draining pool cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the self-draining pool cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the self-draining pool cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the self-draining pool cover of FIG. 1 showing the underside of the pool cover.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the self-draining pool cover of FIG. 1 showing the underside of the pool cover.

FIG. 7 is an elevational side view of a self-draining pool cover.

FIG. 8 is an elevational side view of a self-draining pool cover.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention includes a device for draining a fluid through a pool cover. The invention may include an opening in an intermediate region of the pool cover, the intermediate region being positioned between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover. The invention may include a conduit in fluid communication with the opening in the intermediate region of the pool cover, wherein fluid on the pool cover substantially drains through the conduit.

The invention includes a drain assembly for draining fluid through a pool cover. The invention may include a disc having an opening therein and located proximate a first side of the pool cover. The invention may include a conduit in fluid communication with an opening in the disc, wherein the tube extends through an opening in the pool cover and the opening in the pool cover is located between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover and the fluid substantially drains from the first side of the pool cover through to a second side of the pool cover.

The invention includes a drain assembly for draining fluid through a pool cover. The invention may include a disc having an opening therein and operatively connected to a first side of the pool cover, the opening in the disc being located between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover and the fluid substantially drains from the first side of the pool cover through to a second side of the pool cover. The invention may include a conduit in fluid communication with an opening in the disc, wherein the tube extends through an opening in the pool cover and the opening in the pool cover is located between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover and the fluid substantially drains from the first side of the pool cover through to a second side of the pool cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/681,132, filed May 16, 2005.

Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain directional terms that may be used herein are used to facilitate the description of the invention. Unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms and the like should be interpreted with reference to the figure(s) under discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on the position in which the invention or components may be used. Indeed, it is contemplated that the components of the invention may be easily positioned in any desired orientation for use. Likewise, numerical terms such as for example “first” and “second” are not intended as a limitation or to imply a sequence, unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context of the discussion.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a device, indicated generally at 12, in accordance with the present invention. The term “operatively connected” is understood to include [but is not necessarily limited to] a linking together of the portions under consideration and may include a physical engagement and/or a functional or operational connection. The term “drain” is understood to include [but is not limited to] a device provided to deplete, empty, and/or move a fluid. The term “opening” as used herein is understood to include [but is not limited to] a port and/or point of access. The term “fluid” may include [but is not limited to] a substance having particles that move generally relatively easily and change their relative position generally without a separation of the mass and that generally relatively easily yield to pressure. It will be appreciated that fluids are generally capable of flowing. Nonlimiting examples of fluids include liquids and gases, including water, air, hydraulic fluids, and the like. In this context, water with relatively small solid particles of leaves, debris and the like may be considered a fluid.

The illustrated device 12 is a self-draining cover employed with a generally circular pool—though may be modified to fit any suitable pool shape. The illustrated device 12 includes a pool cover 16 and a drain assembly 20. The illustrated pool cover 16 is generally circular and shown generally draped over a pool wall 24. The illustrated pool cover 16 includes a central region 28, an intermediate region 32, and a peripheral region 36. It will be appreciated that the illustrated central region 28 is generally circular, while the illustrated intermediate region 32 and the illustrated peripheral region 36 are generally annular portions of the pool cover 16. The intermediate region 32 need not be generally annular. The illustrated pool cover 16 is a vinyl sheet, but can be made by or with any suitable materials.

The following non-limiting example of the relative dimensions of the central region 28, intermediate region 32, and peripheral region 36 is offered for additional clarity. Assume that the pool or the pool cover 16 is generally circular—as shown in FIG. 1. The central region 28 is generally circular—as shown in FIG. 1. The central region 28 has a major dimension D1. The intermediate region 32 has a major dimension D2. The peripheral region 36 has a major dimension D3. When the central region 28 is generally circular, the major dimension D1 may approximate the radius of the major dimension D1. The term “major dimension” may be understood to include the distance across the span of the region in question—as indicated by the arrows D1, D2, and D3. When dealing with circularity, the major dimension may be measured generally along an axis which extends from about the middle of the circle to the periphery and/or circumference of the circle. The term “axis” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, a generally straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate. The “axis” may be a generally straight line with respect to which a body, component, or figure may be generally symmetrical. The “axis” may be a reference line of a coordinate system.

The illustrated drain assembly 20 includes a strainer 40, a weight 44, a disc 48 having an opening therein, and a tube 52. The illustrated disc 48 has an opening therein. The term “disc” is understood to include, but is not limited to, a structure or functionality which may be generally rounded and generally flat and/or flattened and optionally including an opening therein. The disc need not be generally rounded, and may have any suitable contour. Non-limiting examples of generally rounded disc-shaped articles include phonograph records and digital video discs (DVD's).

The strainer 40 may be a basket type device for trapping leaves and debris and allowing fluid to pass through an opening 56 in the pool cover 16. Any suitable strainer may be employed. The term “strainer” is understood to include a suitable device, such as for example a sieve, to retain sufficiently large generally solid pieces while a liquid passes through.

The disc 48 is shown in FIG. 1, the weight 44 and strainer 40 having been removed for purposes of clarity. The illustrated disc 48 is generally circular. The tube 52 is shown positioned in about the middle of the disc 48. The illustrated tube 52 passes through the disc 48. The tube 52 may be secured to the disc 48 with a flange 60. The flange 60 may be secured to the disc 48 with a suitable adhesive 64 or other fastener or other suitable means. The flange 60 and the disc 48 may be integrally formed as desired. The disc 48 may be secured to the pool cover 16 with a suitable adhesive 64 or other fastener. The illustrated disc 48 may be made with vinyl or any other suitable material. The illustrated flange 60 may be made with molded plastic or any other suitable material. The disc 48 is shown having an opening therein and located proximate a first side of the pool cover. The term “proximate” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, a general nearness or closeness in space, time, and/or relationship.

The tube 52 is shown secured to an elbow pipe 68 below the water level 72. The elbow pipe 68 may be made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or any other suitable material. The elbow pipe 68 is shown secured to a PVC extension 76. The PVC extension 76 is shown secured to a tubing 80. The tubing 80 may be generally flexible vinyl tubing or may be made with any other suitable material. The tubing 80 is shown secured to a pipe 84. The illustrated pipe 84 may be made with PVC or any other suitable material. The pipe 84 is shown to exit the pool wall 24 at an opening 88. The opening 88 may be a return outlet in the pool wall 24.

An O-ring 92 is provided for the pipe 84. The O-ring 92 may be made of an elastomer, such as for example rubber or the like. A hose 96 is secured to the pipe 84 by means of a hose adapter 100. The hose 96 should be long enough to drain undesirable water from the pool, but not so long that water stops in the hose 96. The hose adapter 100 may also be secured to a pool fixture if desired for connecting the hose adapter 100 to the pipe 84.

It will be appreciated that the hose 96 is in fluid communication with the tube 52. Thus, water that is poured or drained through the top of the pool cover 16 will flow though the tube 52 and eventually the hose 96. On the way to the hose 96, the fluid would pass through the elbow pipe 68, the PVC extension 76, the tubing 80, the pipe 84, and the hose adapter 100. It should be appreciated that the tube 52, the elbow pipe 68, the PVC extension 76, the tubing 80, the pipe 84, the hose adapter 100, and the hose 96 may be secured in any suitable fashion, including friction fit, adhesive, fastener, and the like.

FIG. 1 shows the disc 48 located in the intermediate region 32 of the pool cover 16. If the disc 48 is located in the central region 28 or too close to the center of the pool cover 16, un-melted snow or ice on the pool cover 16 may cause the opening 56 in the pool cover 16 to sink below the level of the opening 88 in the pool wall 24. When the opening 56 in the pool cover 16 sinks below the level of the opening 88 in the pool wall 24, fluid may not readily drain by gravity through the hose 96. It is thus desirable to locate the tube 52 and/or the opening 56 in the pool cover 16 in the intermediate region 32 of the pool cover 16.

If the disc 48 is located in the peripheral region 36 of the pool cover 16, fluid may not readily drain by gravity through the hose 96. This is because the opening 56 in the pool cover 16 will be above the water level 72. The opening 56 in the pool cover 16 may be positioned at about four feet from the pool wall 24 when the pool is a generally round eighteen foot diameter pool—or at any other suitable distance and location.

Fluid on the pool cover 16, in the tubing 80, in the pipe 84, and in other structures will freeze at sufficiently low temperatures, such as those which may be encountered in late fall, winter, and early spring in northern portions of the United States. Frozen water does not readily drain, thus allowing for the undesirable accumulation of unmelted snow or ice on the pool cover 16. As the temperature begins to rise and water accumulates on the pool cover 16, fluid that is drawn to the disc 48 will drain through the hose 96. The weight 44 may be employed to cause the fluid on the pool cover 16 to flow towards the disc 48, and thus drain through the hose 96. The strainer 40 may be employed to prevent leaves and other undesirable debris from collecting in the tube 52 of the drain assembly 20 or the opening 56 in the pool cover 16.

It will be noted that the opening 56 in the pool cover 16 and the hose 96 are in fluid communication. The other components shown between the opening 56 in the pool cover 16 and the hose 96 are similarly in fluid communication. The term “fluid communication” may suggest a route and/or system of routes for the flow of a fluid. The term “fluid communication” may also suggest the traveling and/or transporting of a fluid. The term “fluid communication” may include [but is not limited to] the general ability or capacity for fluid to flow between the parts, sections, or components under consideration.

It should be noted that a skimmer plate lid 104 may also be employed for a skimmer 108. The term “skimmer” may include [but is not limited to] an object, or device that substantially reduces and/or eliminates material from a fluid. The skimmer may be employed to selectively filter leaves and debris from the fluid in the pool. The skimmer plate lid 104 may be employed to generally seal off the skimmer 108 when the pool cover 16 is in place, as shown. The disc 48 may be placed at any suitable location on the pool cover 16. When the pool is a generally round eighteen foot diameter pool, as shown, the disc 48 is placed at about four feet from the pool wall 24. The tube 52, the elbow pipe 68, the pvc extension 76, the tubing 80, the pipe 84, and the hose 96 are conduits in fluid communication with the opening 56 in the pool cover 16. The strainer 40 is shown here positioned generally upstream of the conduits.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be employed in a number of arrangements, including a pool with a return outlet 88. A light may be removed from inside the return outlet 88. The pipe 84 and O-ring 92 may be employed to assist in the reduction of leakage of water.

Referring also to FIG. 7, alternate embodiments may be employed. An eyeball-retainer assembly 112 may be coupled with the tubing 80. The eyeball-retainer assembly 112 may include a generally outer retainer that may be coupled with the return outlet 88. The components may be friction fit, glued, or threadably engaged as desired. It will be noted that FIG. 7 does not show the pipe 84, and O-ring 92 employed in FIG. 2. The pipe 84, O-ring 92, hose 96, and hose adapter 100 may be replaced by a pool filter hose.

Referring also to FIG. 8, some pools have a return outlet 88 with interior threading. A male hose adapter 116 may be employed. A threaded end 120 of the male hose adapter 116 may couple with the return outlet 88 when the male hose adapter 116 is positioned between the return outlet 88 and the tubing 80.

The disclosures of the following issued U.S. patents are incorporated herein as if fully rewritten:

Number	Inventor	Issue Date	Title
6,260,217	Loft, Jr.	Jul. 17, 2001	Winter swimming pool cover
			and drainage device
5,946,743	Hashmi	Sep. 7, 1999	Self-draining pool cover
5,802,629	Zietek	Sep. 8, 1998	Self-draining pool cover
6,128,791	Brocking	Oct. 10, 2000	Swimming pool cover
			drainage apparatus
D470,210	Rodriguez,	Feb. 11, 2003	Inflatable swimming pool
	et al.		cover
6,487,733	Bonelli,	Dec. 3, 2002	Self-draining swimming
	et al.		pool cover

The components disclosed and discussed in this application will be understood to be operatively connected to each other. Alternate embodiments may be considered to practice the present invention. Suitable plumbing and other fixtures and/or couplings may also be employed. The invention may be made with any suitable materials and by any suitable methods. The invention may be adapted to fit a wide variety of uses. It will be appreciated that the components of the invention may be easily modified as needed to accommodate varying sizes and shapes.

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 accompanying 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 description and should not be regarded as limiting. The disclosure may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including equivalent constructions. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract and disclosure are neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor are they intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A device for draining a fluid through a pool cover comprising:

an opening in an intermediate region of the pool cover, the intermediate region being positioned between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover, and

a conduit in fluid communication with the opening in the intermediate region of the pool cover, wherein fluid on the pool cover substantially drains through the conduit.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pool wall having an opening therein, wherein the fluid drains generally through the opening in the pool wall.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region is generally annular.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region is generally annular, the intermediate region having a major dimension that is greater than a major dimension of the central region, the major dimension of the intermediate region and the major dimension of the central region being measured generally along an axis which extends from about the middle of the pool cover to about the periphery of the pool cover.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a disc in fluid communication with the conduit.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the disc is secured to the pool cover.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the conduit is secured to the disc with a flange.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the conduit is positioned in about the middle of the disc.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a strainer upstream of the conduit.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the strainer is operatively connected to the pool cover.

11. A drain assembly for draining fluid through a pool cover comprising:

a disc having an opening therein and located proximate a first side of the pool cover; and

a conduit in fluid communication with an opening in the disc, wherein the tube extends through an opening in the pool cover and the opening in the pool cover is located between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover and the fluid substantially drains from the first side of the pool cover through to a second side of the pool cover.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the disc is located in an intermediate region of the pool cover, the intermediate region being located between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the intermediate region of the pool cover has a second major dimension measured generally along an axis which extends from about the middle of the pool cover to about the periphery of the pool cover, and the central region of the pool cover has a first major dimension measured generally along the axis and the first major dimension is greater than the second major dimension.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the disc is generally rounded.

15. A device of claim 11 used with a pool operatively connected to a skimmer, wherein the skimmer is generally covered with a lid to substantially prevent the flow of fluid into the skimmer.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the disc is secured to the pool cover.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein the conduit is secured to the disc with a flange.

18. A device for draining a fluid through a pool cover comprising:

a disc having an opening therein and operatively connected to a first side of the pool cover, the opening in the disc being located between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover and the fluid substantially drains from the first side of the pool cover through to a second side of the pool cover; and

a conduit in fluid communication with an opening in the disc, wherein the tube extends through an opening in the pool cover and the opening in the pool cover is located between a central region of the pool cover and a peripheral region of the pool cover and the fluid substantially drains from the first side of the pool cover through to a second side of the pool cover.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the conduit is secured to the disc with a flange.

20. The device of claim 18 further comprising a strainer upstream of the conduit wherein the strainer is operatively connected to the pool cover.