Patent ID: 6187181
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
A floating skimmer, comprising:a buoyant housing defining a hollow interior, and further defining a water inlet port and a water outlet port for in-line connection with a vacuum hose coupled between a suction-powered pool cleaner and a suction side of a pool water filtration system, said inlet and outlet ports being in flow communication with said hollow interior, whereby water drawn by the filtration system from the pool cleaner flows through said housing;debris collection means within said hollow interior of said buoyant housing and defining a primary debris collection chamber and a secondary debris collection chamber, said collection means further defining an inlet for water flow through said water inlet port into said primary collection chamber for capture of water-entrained debris therein, and a perforated side wall disposed in flow communication with said water outlet port to permit water flow from said primary collection chamber and through said perforated side wall to said outlet port;said housing further defining an upper weir chamber disposed generally above said collection means, and at least one weir for spillover flow of water from a pool surface into said upper weir chamber;said secondary collection chamber being disposed in flow communication between said upper weir chamber and said outlet port, whereby water flow from a pool surface into said upper weir chamber carries floating debris through said upper weir chamber into said secondary collection chamber for capture therein, said collection means further defining at least one perforated wall segment separating said secondary collection chamber from said outlet port to permit water flow from said secondary collection chamber to said outlet port;a flow control valve assembly including a valve member movable between a closed position and an open position for regulating water flow from said upper weir chamber into said secondary collection chamber;said housing further defining at least one auxiliary intake port opening into said upper weir chamber; anda water level regulator floatably mounted within said upper weir chamber and including means for variably opening and closing said at least one auxiliary intake port for maintaining the water level within said upper weir chamber generally between predetermined maximum and minimum level limits.