HEATING SIPHON APPARATUS FOR SWIMMING POOL

Abstract

A heating siphon apparatus for enhancing water circulation in a pool such that cool water near the bottom of the pool is circulated to the surface. The heating siphon apparatus comprises a base component, hose nipple component, a water input component, and two water output components, each defined by a hollow tubular structure. The hose nipple component, water input component, and water output components are each attached to an end of the base component and together, enable the heating siphon apparatus to employ a siphon to draw water into and through the water input component to be directed to and out through the dual water output components. Upon the provision of suction to the hose nipple component, water will continually circulate by entering the water input component and exiting the dual water output components after the suction is removed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to swimming pool accessories and, more particularly, to a heating siphon apparatus configured to circulate water in a pool so as to produce a warmer water temperature throughout the pool.

2. Description of the Prior Art

While conventional swimming pools may appear to simply be a hole or basin filled with water, it is well established that there is a significant amount of unseen activity which enables their operation. Pools customarily employ pumping, filtering, chemical treating and, in many cases, heating systems, all of which operate in concert, in order to maintain water which is both safe and desirable to swim in. Despite the use of such systems, it is well known that swimming pools often have uneven water temperatures in various sections, often embodied as pockets of cold water or water which is significantly colder at the bottom of the pool than the top. A problem which still exists, therefore, is that existing water circulation systems are unable to provide for an even temperature distribution in conventional pools. Thus, there remains a need for a heating siphon apparatus which would operate to continually move water from the bottom of a pool to the top of the pool where it can be heated by the sun and warm air. It would be helpful if such a heating siphon apparatus did not require ongoing electrical power to operate. It would be additionally desirable for such a heating siphon apparatus to enhance the circulation of water in the pool basin sufficient to eliminate cold pockets of water.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a siphon apparatus adapted to automatically move water from the bottom of the pool to the top of the pool. The primary components in Applicant's heating siphon apparatus are a base component which connects a hose nipple, an input component, and two output components. When in operation, the heating siphon apparatus enhances the circulation of water within the pool basin in a manner which results in water which is more evenly heated. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heating siphon apparatus for enhancing water circulation in a pool such that cool water near the bottom of the pool is circulated to the surface. The heating siphon apparatus comprises a cross fitting shaped base component, hose nipple component defined by a coupling pipe, a threaded adapter, and a hose nipple, a water input component defined by a elongated, telescoping pipe, and two water output components, each defined by a forty-five degree elbow. Each component is defined by a hollow tubular structure which is adapted to regulate the flow of fluids or otherwise provide a channel through which fluid can travel. The hose nipple component, water input component, and water output components are each attached to an end of the base component and together, enable the heating siphon apparatus to employ a siphon to draw water into and through the water input component to be directed to and out through the dual water output components. The heating siphon apparatus is structured to lie in a pool, in which the siphon is started by connected the pool vacuum tubing to the hose nipple component and starting the suction from the pool vacuum. Once started, the suction from the pool vacuum can be shut off and the water circulation in the water input component and out the dual water output components continues.

It is an object of this invention to provide a heating siphon apparatus which would operate to continually move water from the bottom of a pool to the top of the pool where it can be heated by the sun and warm air.

It is another object of this invention to provide a heating siphon apparatus which does not require continuous electrical power to operate.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a heating siphon apparatus which enhances the circulation of water in the pool basin sufficient to eliminate cold pockets of water.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a heating siphon apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, a heating siphon apparatus 10 is shown having a base component 11, hose nipple component 12, a water input component 13, and two water output components 14. Each of these components are defined by a hollow tubular structure which is adapted to regulate the flow of fluids or otherwise provide a channel through which fluid can travel. The base component 11 is defined as a cross fitting (or 4-way fitting) pipe structure and provides a means for attaching a plurality of pipes. The hose nipple component 12 is defined by a coupling pipe 15, a threaded adapter 16, and a hose nipple 17. The coupling pipe 15 is permantely attached to one end of the base component 11. The hose nipple 17 is connected to the coupling pipe 15 through the threaded adapter 16 so as to establish a continuous channel through to the base component 11. The hose nipple 17 includes a plurality of elevated ribs 17a which enable it to receive and hold tubing from a pool vacuum. In this regard it provides a means for introducing suction.

The dual opposing water output components 14 are each defined as a forty-five degree elbow fittings which are permanently attached to opposing sides of the base component 11. The water output components 14 are oriented such that the distal ends of the water output components 14, or the ends opposite the attachment to the base component 11, are directed perpendicular with respect to the planar arrangement of the base component 11, hose nipple component 12, and water input component 13.

The water input component 13 is defined by a first elongated tube 18 and a second elongated tube 19 which is telescoping disposed in the first elongated tube 18 so as to enable it to slide in and out thereof. The first elongated tube 18 is permanently attached at one end to the end of the base component 11 opposite the hose nipple component 12. An O-ring seal 20 is disposed on the proximal end of the second elongated tube 19 relative to its attachment to the first elongated tube 18. The O-ring seal 20 provides a structure which prevents the second elongated tube 19 from falling out of the first elongated tube 18 and which ensures that the combined contiguous interior channels of the first elongated tube 18 and the second elongated tube 19 remains water and air tight when the second elongated tube 19 is extended as shown in FIG. 1. The second elongated tube 19 moved to an extended position from a retracted position, wherein it is disposed substantially inside the inside channel of the first elongated tube 18, through telescopic motion. Once in either the extended position or the retracted position, the second elongated tube 19 is locked in place through a threaded locking unit 21 which engages tightening threads 22 on the first elongated tube 18. When the tightening threads 22 are engaged, the inner diameter of the first elongated tube 18 is constricted slightly, locking the second elongated tube in place.

In operation, the heating siphon apparatus 10 employs a siphon to draw water into and through its water input component 13 which is directed to and exits from the dual water output components 14. The heating siphon apparatus 10 is structured to lie in a pool or other body of water in which it is desired to circulate water. In a pool, the siphon is started by connected the pool vacuum tubing to the hose nipple component 12 and starting the suction from the pool vacuum. Once started, the suction from the pool vacuum can be shut off and the water circulation in the water input component 13 and out the dual water output components 14 continues. Through this action, the water input component provides a means for sucking in water and the water output components provide a means for dispensing water sucked in through water input component 13. Such circulation takes cooler, heavier water on the bottom of the pool and directs it towards the surface where it can be warmed by solar radiation and warm air.

In the preferred embodiment, the coupling pipe 15 is a 3″ long PVC pipe with a diameter of 1 and ¼″, the threaded adapter is a plastic body with a diameter measuring 1 and ¼″, the hose nipple 17 is a 1 and ¼″ to 1 and ½″ diameter PVC threaded nipple, the water output components 14 are PVC elbows with a diameter measuring 1 and ¼″, the first elongated tube 18 is a 4′ PVC pipe measuring 1 and ¼″ inner diameter, the second elongated tube 19 is a 2 and ½′ PVC pipe with a diameter measuring 1 and ¼″, the O-ring seal 20 measures 1 and ¼ inner diameter, and the diameter of the threaded locking unit 21 measures 1 and ¼″.

In an alternate embodiment, the heating siphon apparatus 10 is arranged such that it lies in a pool with the water input component 13 touching or near the bottom and the hose nipple component 12 above or near the surface of the water.

It is understood that the telescoping nature of the water input component 13 enables the heating siphon apparatus 10 to be transported or packaged more easily.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A heating siphon apparatus, comprising:

a base component defined by a cross fitting pipe structure have four input/output ends connected by an internal channel;

a hose nipple component attached to one end of said base component, wherein said hose nipple component is adapted to receive and releaseably hold tubing from a pool vacuum;

a water input component defined by an elongated pipe structure, wherein said water input component is connected to the end of the base component opposite the hose nipple component;

at least one water output component, wherein each of the at least one water output component are defined as a forty-five degree elbow pipe structure and said water output components are connected to the end of the base component between the hose nipple component and the water input component; and

wherein the heating siphon apparatus is configured such that when the water input component is submerged in a body of water and suction is introduced to the hose nipple component, water from the body of water will continually circulate through the heating siphon apparatus by entering the water input component and exiting the at least one water output components.

2. The heating siphon apparatus of claim 1, wherein two water output components are connected to said base component.

3. The heating siphon apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose nipple component comprises a coupling pipe, a threaded adapter, and a hose nipple.

4. The heating siphon apparatus of claim 1, wherein said water input component includes at least two discrete telescoping pipes.

5. The heating siphon apparatus of claim 4, wherein said water input component is defined by a second elongated tube telescopically attached to a first elongated tube, a O-ring seal and a threaded locking unit.

6. The heating siphon apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first elongated tube includes a plurality of tightening threads disposed on the exterior surface of the distal end of the first elongated tube relative to the base component.

7. A heating siphon apparatus, comprising:

a base means for attaching a plurality of pipes;

a nipple means for introducing suction;

an input means for sucking in water;

at least one output means for dispensing water sucked in through the input means.

8. The heating siphon apparatus of claim 7, comprising two output means for dispensing water sucked in through the input means.