RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/213,548 filed on Jun. 22, 2021 and entitled “Improved Swimming Pool Skimmer System”, by Guisti, the text and figures of which are incorporated into this application in their entirety.
BACKGROUND The surface of a swimming pool is exceptionally susceptible to gathering debris. Be it leaves, or even bugs that were attempting to take a drink of water, the surface of a swimming pool requires constant attention to make sure it is free of such unsightly debris.
Just about every swimming pool, be it above ground or built into the landscape, will have a swimming pool skimmer. Such a swimming pool skimmer generally includes a wide opening and a basket for collecting debris as water returns from the swimming pool and back to a filtration system.
It has long been recognized that such swimming pool skimmers are not very effective. In fact, Gronlund, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,020 issued on Apr. 23, 1996, recognize the problem and presented what, for its time, was a novel apparatus to improve the efficacy of a swimming pool skimmer. Groulund taught and apparatus that would extend outward from the swimming pool skimmer out across the surface of the swimming pool. Groulund's apparatus was intended to direct more debris toward the swimming pool skimmer and also to filter debris using a filter set longitudinally outward from the swimming pool skimmer. And even before Gronlunds, others of postulated other apparatus to improve the efficacy of the swimming pool skimmer. Regrettably, the prior art fails to recognize certain key aspects of just how the swimming pool skimmer actually operates and are rendered virtually useless.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Several alternative embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings and figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram that illustrates one example method for skimming the surface of water in a pool;
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method wherein an obstacle is used to help direct water toward the swimming pool skimmer;
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another alternative example method for directing water toward a skimmer;
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that depicts another alternative example method wherein a portion of the obstacle penetrates down through the water surface;
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that depicts another alternative example method wherein attachment of the obstacle is made at a trailing edge of the skimmer;
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that depicts another alternative method wherein the obstacle dislodges from his attachment to further promote safety of the system herein described;
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that depicts an alternative method that allows the obstacle to follow the surface of the water;
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method wherein water flowing into the pool is used to cause water to migrate along the perimeter of the pool;
FIG. 9A is a flow diagram wherein water directed toward the surface causes a bubbling sound effect;
FIG. 9B is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method wherein causing water at its upper surface to migrate along the perimeter of the pool is accomplished by using pre-existing components installed in a pool;
FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram of one alternative example embodiment of a swimming pool skimmer obstacle device;
FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates the construction of the obstacle and a mechanism to maintain the obstacle at a level substantially that of the water in the pool;
FIG. 12 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates a friction fitting structure included at each end of the sleeve;
FIG. 13 is a pictorial diagram that further illustrates a detachment mechanism formed by the retainer and the upward bend of the rod;
FIGS. 14 and 15 are pictorial diagrams that illustrate movement of the arm according to the level of water in the swimming pool;
FIG. 16 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates an alternative mounting structure for the sleeve to which the obstacle is attached;
FIG. 17 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates overall application of the swimming pool skimmer obstacle device;
FIG. 18 is a pictorial diagram of one example of a pre-existing water inlet; and
FIGS. 19 and 20 are pictorial diagrams that illustrate one alternative example embodiments of a redirection fitting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the interest of clarity, several example alternative methods are described in plain language. Such plain language descriptions of the various steps included in a particular method allow for easier comprehension and a more fluid description of a claimed method and its application. Accordingly, specific method steps are identified by the term “step” followed by a numeric reference to a flow diagram presented in the figures, e.g. (step 5). All such method “steps” are intended to be included in an open-ended enumeration of steps included in a particular claimed method. For example, the phrase “according to this example method, the item is processed using A” is to be given the meaning of “the present method includes step A, which is used to process the item”. All variations of such natural language descriptions of method steps are to be afforded this same open-ended enumeration of a step included in a particular claimed method.
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram that illustrates one example method for skimming the surface of water in a pool. This method includes a first step of directing water to the skimmer return from the region proximate there to (step 10). Many prior attempts for improving the efficacy of a skimming apparatus have attempted to direct water toward the skimmer. This is generally accomplished by providing for some form of paddle that would help collect debris that is further away from the skimmer then would ordinarily be subject to the vacuum force introduced by water flowing into the skimmer and through the collection basket. But this is only part of the problem. One feature of the method and apparatus described in the claims attached hereto is a method step included for causing the water at the surface of the swimming pool to migrate along the perimeter of the pool (step 15). Now, debris on the surface of the pool is swept toward a paddle, or other directing apparatus, so as to more effectively move the debris toward the opening included in the skimming device itself
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method wherein an obstacle is used to help direct water toward the swimming pool skimmer. In this alternative example method, an obstacle is provided at a level substantially equal to the level of the water surface (step 20). An additional included step provides for setting the obstacle at an acute angle relative to the return of the water pool skimmer (step 25). An additional included step provides for setting the angle in a direction opposite of that of the migrating water (step 30). As can be appreciated, these additional method steps provide for directing debris which is being carried along by the water which is migrating along the perimeter of the pool.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another alternative example method for directing water toward a skimmer. In this alternative example method, an obstacle is provided at a level substantially equal to the level of the water surface (step 35) and setting the obstacle to form a funnel -like shape at the water's surface (step 40) when viewed from above.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that depicts another alternative example method wherein a portion of the obstacle penetrates down through the water surface. In this alternative example method, the obstacle is again placed at an approximate level to that of the surface of the water (step 45). However, in this alternative example method, an additional step provides for including a feature on the obstacle that penetrates down through the service of the water (step 50). It should be appreciated that this feature helps to encourage debris to be lifted up from just below the surface of the water and into the opening of the swimming pool skimmer. Although the angle at which the penetrating surface may be varied significantly, experimentation demonstrates that the feature should penetrate down through the water at approximately a 45° angle. However, this particular angle should not be used to limit the claims appended hereto.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that depicts another alternative example method wherein attachment of the obstacle is made at a trailing edge of the skimmer. It should be appreciated that, in this alternative example method, the obstacle is again set at a level substantially equal to the level of the water surface (step 55). In this alternative example method, the obstacle is attached to the skimmer opening at an edge that is trailing relative to the direction of the migrating water (step 60). In other words, as the water flows past the skimmer opening, that portion of the skimmer that the water passes first is not where the obstacle is attached, but rather at a trailing edge as the water passes by the edge after the water passes in front of the opening of the water skimmer return.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that depicts another alternative method wherein the obstacle dislodges from his attachment to further promote safety of the system herein described. In this alternative example method, the obstacle is again set at a level substantially equal to the level of the water surface (step 65). If a force is applied to the obstacle (step 70), and said force is substantial, the obstacle dislodges from the skimmer return (step 75). It should be appreciated that, in this alternative example method, the obstacle dislodges in the event that a swimmer accidentally comes into contact with the obstacle.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that depicts an alternative method that allows the obstacle to follow the surface of the water. In this example alternative method, an included step provides for allowing the obstacle to migrate orthogonally relative to and in response to the level of the surface of the water (step 80). By so doing, the effectiveness of the obstacle is greatly enhanced as the amount of water in the swimming pool varies over time.
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method wherein water flowing into the pool is used to cause water to migrate along the perimeter of the pool. In this alternative example method, water from an inlet is directed toward the surface and in a direction substantially along the pool perimeter (step 85). It should be appreciated that, by so doing, water will begin to migrate along the perimeter of the pool.
FIG. 9A is a flow diagram wherein water directed toward the surface causes a bubbling sound effect. In this alternative example method, water from the inlet is directed toward the surface at an angle so as to reach the surface and cause a bubbling sound at the water's surface (step 90). Such bubbling as a tranquilizing effect on people bathing in the pool.
FIG. 9B is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method wherein causing water at its upper surface to migrate along the perimeter of the pool is accomplished by using pre-existing components installed in a pool. According to this alternative example method, causing water at its upper surface to migrate along the perimeter of the pool comprises a first step of removing a water inlet nozzle from an inlet water source (step 82). It should be appreciated that, especially in above ground pools, a water inlet penetrates through the side of the pool. In such physical embodiments, the water inlet is fitted with an inlet nozzle. The additional includes step provides for attaching a redirection fitting to the inlet water source (step 87). The redirection fitting, according to various alternative example methods, is redirected along a perimeter of the pool (step 97) in one alternative included step and, in an alternative included step the water is directed toward the surface of the water disposed in the pool (step 92).
FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram of one alternative example embodiment of a swimming pool skimmer obstacle device. FIG. 17 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates overall application of the swimming pool skimmer obstacle device. In this alternative example embodiment, the apparatus described in the claims hereto attached includes an obstacle 150 for attachment to a water skimmer return 100. This apparatus further includes, as shown in FIG. 17, a nozzle 280 for directing water from an inlet toward the surface of water and along the perimeter of the pool.
The obstacle 150 is held in place by a cylindrical member 120 which is allowed to migrate up and down within a sleeve 105. As can be appreciated, the obstacle is set an acute angle relative to the water skimmer, as shown in the figure. In yet another alternative embodiment, the acute angle is set opposite the flow of water 151 along the perimeter of the pool.
FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates the construction of the obstacle and a mechanism to maintain the obstacle at a level substantially that of the water in the pool. In this alternative example embodiment, the obstacle 150 is affixed to a flotation device 130. The flotation device 130 is disposed about a rod 140 and is capped 135 at an end farthest from the sleeve 105. The rod 140 includes a substantially 90° upward to bend relative to the flotation device 130. This upward bend is retained in a retainer block 145, which is also included in this example embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates a friction fitting structure included at each end of the sleeve. As depicted in this figure, the sleeve 105 includes threads 170 disposed at each end of the sleeve 105. Two end caps 115 and 110 include internal threads 175 which engage with the threads 170 included at the two ends of the sleeve 105. Friction pads 160 and 165 are included and are forced outward relative to the longitudinal center of the sleeve 105. As the end caps 115 and 110 are screwed in opposite directions, it causes the overall length 180 of the mechanism to expand thereby forcing the friction pads 160 and 165 to engage with upper and lower internal surfaces (225, 227) as shown on FIG. 15. This causes the sleeve 105 to be retained within the cavity of the skimmer 100.
FIG. 13 is a pictorial diagram that further illustrates a detachment mechanism formed by the retainer and the upward bend of the rod. In this alternative example embodiment, the detachable coupler 145 includes a receptacle 200, wherein said receptacle provides for features to prevent rotation of the upward bend of the rod 140. Corresponding features 205 are included in the upper bend of the rod 140, again to prevent rotation of the upward bend of the rod when it is received into the receptacle 145. It should be appreciated that, when the flotation device 130 is floating in the water, an upward force is applied to the upward bend of the rod 140 causing its featured end at 205 to be retained in the receptacle 200. Then, one a substantially downward force is applied to the flotation device 130, the featured end of the upward bend of the rod 140 will be released by the receptacle 200. For convenience, one alternative example embodiment includes a tether 207 to facilitate retrieval of the arm and disassociated obstacle 150 when it is detached from the detachable coupler 145.
FIGS. 14 and 15 are pictorial diagrams that illustrate movement of the arm according to the level of water in the swimming pool. In these illustrations, reference 230 depicts the level of water in the swimming pool. As seen in FIG. 14, the water level 230 as fallen below the lower internal surface 225 of the swimming pool skimmer 100. At this water level, the swimming pool skimmer is simply not effective because water is no longer flowing into the swimming pool skimmer itself. Even still, the flotation mechanism 130 maintains the obstacle 150 at a level substantially that of the level of water 230 in the swimming pool. In such case, the detachable coupler 145, which is affixed to a cylindrical element 120 is allowed to move up and down 220 within the sleeve 105.
As seen in FIG. 15, the water level in the pool 230 is now at a level greater than the lower surface 225 of the swimming pool skimmer 100 and the flotation mechanism 130 adjusts the level of the obstacle 150 according to the level of the water 230 in the pool. Again, the cylindrical member 120 is allowed to move vertically 220 within the sleeve 105.
FIG. 14 also shows that the obstacle 150 is generally set at an angle 235 beneath the level of the water 230. Although not critical, experimentation demonstrates that an angle of 45° appears effective, but is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. Again not entirely critical, the depth 240 of the obstacle 150 below the surface of the water 230 is set to approximately 2 inches. Again, this is simply one illustrative embodiment it is not intended to limit the claims appended hereto.
FIG. 16 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates an alternative mounting structure for the sleeve to which the obstacle is attached. In this alternative example embodiment, the two end caps 110 and 115 are replaced with flanged end caps 250. The flanged end caps 250 included in this alternative example embodiment includes flanges that themselves include holes 255 which are used to screw the flanged end caps 250 to the outer perimeter of the swimming pool skimmer assembly 100 itself.
FIG. 17 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates overall application of the swimming pool skimmer obstacle device. As already discussed, a nozzle 285 is attached to an inlet by way of a flange 280. In this alternative example embodiment, the flange 280 is affixed to the inside of the pool using waterproof glue and the nozzle 285 is set at an angle 290 to direct water from the inlet toward the surface 230 of the water and also to redirect the water along the perimeter of the pool.
FIG. 18 is a pictorial diagram of one example of a pre-existing water inlet. As depicted in this diagram, the water inlet 280 includes an internal thread 282. The internal thread 282 receives an external thread 287, which is included on a pre-existing nozzle 285.
FIGS. 19 and 20 are pictorial diagrams that illustrate one alternative example embodiments of a redirection fitting. According to this alternative example embodiment, the redirection fitting 300 comprises a threaded inlet section 330, a redirection section 320, and a threaded outlet section 345. According to one illustrative use case, the redirection fitting 300 is fitted into the water source inlet 280, which emanates from the wall of a swimming pool. In yet another alternative example embodiment, the redirection fitting includes a pressure plate 325 extending radially from the end of the threaded inlet section 330. In one illustrative use case, a washer 335 is disposed in between the pressure plate 325 and the surface of the water source inlet 280. This substantially reduces the possibility of leakage resulting from the interface between the water source inlet you hundred 80 and the redirection fitting 300.
As illustrated, one use case provides for reuse of a pre-existing inlet nozzle 285, which is mated with the threaded outlet section 345 included in this alternative example embodiment of the redirection fitting 300. Is also illustrated, the angle 290 of the redirection fitting 300 is adjustable relative to the surface of the water 230 by orientation of the redirection fitting's 300 threaded inlet section 380 relative to the internal thread 282 of the water inlet 280.
While the present method and apparatus has been described in terms of several alternative and exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. It is therefore intended that the true spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto include all such alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents.
