Abstract:
Provided is a debris guard disposable in a pool to prevent debris floating on the surface of the water from entering the pool skimmer. The debris guard forms a barrier around the skimmer opening at the water surface to keep debris out of the skimmer to allow water to circulate through the skimmer and the water filter. In this regard, the debris guard does not significantly reduce or inhibit the flow rate of water flowing through the pool filtration system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    (Not Applicable) 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a filter for a swimming pool skimmer, and more specifically to a filter configured to be deployable in the pool to filter debris at the water surface without substantially inhibiting fluid flow into the skimmer of the swimming pool. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    The water in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, and the like is routinely filtered to remove floating dirt and debris near the water surface. To this end, pools generally include water pumps which circulate the water through a skimmer and then to a water filter. The skimmer is typically disposed adjacent the pool and includes a skimmer box configured to receive a straining device to remove large debris, such as leaves, hair and other large particles from the water surface before the water enters the water filter. The strainer is typically removable and is accessible through a cover located near the pool. Water from the pool usually enters the skimmer box through a cutout formed within the pool wall at the water line. As water passes through the skimmer box, it flows through the strainer and enters a pipe that leads to the water filter. Since water is actively drawn into the filter intake by the pump, suction is created at the opening of the filter intake. After the water passes through the filter, the water is pumped back into the pool through jets. 
         [0007]    A variety of shapes and sizes of skimmers are available for new pool construction and are in use in existing pools. The skimmer pool water opening typically is formed having a generally rectangular configuration and is located at the side of the pool at the normal water level in the pool. Some skimmers include a weir door that pivots relative to the skimmer box to open/close the skimmer opening. Skimmer filters typically comprise a removable basket that is typically nested within the skimmer box to be hidden from view. The removable basket may be routinely removed to be emptied of leaves, twigs, animals, insects and other debris. If the filter becomes clogged, the water flow through the filter may be blocked, which may cause damage to the recirculation pump. As such, the filter must be monitored to prevent costly damage to the recirculation system. 
         [0008]    Debris collected in the filter can vary with the seasons of the year, as well as with the local vegetation. For instance, deciduous trees and bushes tend to shed leaves and seed pods on a seasonal basis. Along these lines, the change in seasons may bring winds which may deposit debris in the pools, which may require constant vigilance on the part of the pool owner to empty the skimmer filter before the skimmer filter fills up and possibly damages the recirculation system. During these particularly “dirty” seasons, absent pool owners may be required to turn off the recirculation system to prevent debris from entering the skimmer filter. However, if the recirculation system is turned off, debris may gather in the pool, which may result in an unswimmable pool. 
         [0009]    As is apparent from the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for a filtering device which is deployable in a pool to filter debris floating at the surface of the water from entering the skimmer, wherein the filtering device is configured to allow water to circulate through the system at near-normal flow rates. The present invention addresses this particular need, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a debris guard disposable in a pool to prevent debris floating on the surface of the water from entering the pool skimmer. The debris guard forms a barrier around the skimmer opening at the water surface to keep debris out of the skimmer to allow water to circulate through the skimmer and the water filter. In this regard, the debris guard does not significantly reduce or inhibit the flow rate of water flowing through the pool filtration system. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the debris guard includes a surface barrier member selectively disposable in the pool to form a large object barrier within the pool about the skimmer opening at the water surface and to partially define an opening about an axis substantially perpendicular to the water surface. The debris guard further includes an attachment mechanism connected to the surface barrier member and connectable to the skimmer box to couple the surface barrier member thereto. 
         [0012]    The surface barrier member may be comprised of a frame and a mesh guard connected to the frame, wherein the mesh guard restricts debris from passing therethrough while allowing water to pass therethrough. 
         [0013]    The surface barrier member may be configured to be transitional between a deployed orientation wherein the surface barrier member defines a generally arcuate configuration and a stowed orientation wherein the surface barrier member may be removed from the pool and define a generally flat, planar configuration to facilitate storage of the surface barrier member when it is not being used. The surface barrier member may be biased toward the stowed configuration. The debris guard may additionally include a deployed support member attachable to the surface barrier member to maintain the surface barrier member in the deployed configuration. 
         [0014]    The attachment mechanism may be used to anchor the surface barrier mechanism to the skimmer box, pool wall or another stationary body. The attachment mechanism may include a tether and a suction device connected to the tether. The tether may be connectable to the surface barrier member and the suction device may be connectable to the skimmer box to connect the surface barrier member thereto and to maintain the surface barrier member in place about the skimmer opening. 
         [0015]    The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front upper perspective view of a water surface debris guard disposed within a swimming pool to filter debris from water entering a pool skimmer; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the debris guard depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a rear upper perspective view of the debris guard; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a partial rear upper perspective view of the debris guard with a suction device exploded therefrom; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  is a partial rear upper perspective assembled view of the debris guard and suction device shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a suction device connected to a skimmer box and a tether for connecting the debris guard to the skimmer box; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top view of another embodiment of the water surface debris guard; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an end post and a complimentary front screen; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows different embodiments of the front screen. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. 
         [0028]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, there is shown a water surface debris guard  10  specifically configured and adapted to prevent large debris  12  floating on the surface of the water  14  from entering the pool skimmer  16 . The debris guard  10  is placed in the pool such that the debris guard  10  forms a protective water surface debris barrier around the skimmer opening  18 . Therefore, leaves, flower petals, grass clippings, litter, and other items floating near the surface of the pool may be blocked by the debris guard  10  and prevented from entering the skimmer  16  to allow the water circulation cycle to continue. In this regard, the debris may gather or collect at the outside of the debris guard  10  in a manner which may not impede the flow path of water from the pool to the skimmer  16  (i.e., the water may flow under the debris guard  10  to the skimmer  16 ). 
         [0029]    The debris guard  10  may be selectively placed in the pool as desired by the user. Along these lines, the debris guard  10  may be employed when the pool owner will be absent for a period of time, or during a time of year which is more likely to produce debris  12  in the pool. For instance, leaves tend to fall from deciduous trees during the fall season, and therefore, it may be advantageous to employ the debris guard  10  if the pool is located near one or more deciduous trees. Debris may also be more likely to gather in a pool during a windy season. For example, the desert southwest experiences monsoon seasons which tend to produce higher level winds on a more frequent basis. As such, the debris guard  10  may be desirable during monsoon season for pools located in the desert southwest. Although the foregoing describes environments including deciduous trees and the desert southwest, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that foregoing illustrations are exemplary in nature only and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0030]    According to one embodiment, the debris guard  10  includes a surface barrier member  20  disposable in the pool and an attachment mechanism  22  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) for anchoring the surface barrier member  20  in proper position within the pool. The surface barrier member  20  is preferably disposed near the skimmer opening  18  to form a barrier within the pool about the skimmer opening  18  and is also preferably spaced from the skimmer opening  18  and extends from the pool wall on one side of the skimmer opening  18  to the pool wall on the other side of the skimmer opening  18 . Along these lines, the attachment mechanism  22  may be connected to the skimmer box  24  and/or the pool wall  26  to maintain the surface barrier member  20  in its preferred position relative to the skimmer opening  18  to filter large debris at the water surface for water entering the skimmer  16 . The surface barrier member  20  includes a frame  28  and a filtering member  30 , such as a mesh material connected to the frame  28  and extending within the opening defined by the frame  28 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the skimmer opening  18  is formed within the pool wall  26  at the typical water level of the pool. The skimmer opening  18  extends into the pool wall  26  through the pool deck  31  toward the skimmer box  24 , which is typically located near the edge of the pool. The skimmer box  24  generally includes a lid  32  which may be placed over the opening of the skimmer box  24  to conceal the skimmer box  24  and to form a flush surface with the upper surface of the pool deck  31 . 
         [0032]    In the particular embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the surface barrier member  20  defines an arcuate configuration having a pair of end portions  34  and a midpoint  36 . The surface barrier member  20  is placed in the pool such that the end portions  34  are disposed on opposite sides of the skimmer opening  18 . Furthermore, the midpoint  36  extends away from the skimmer opening  18 , such that the surface barrier member  20  defines a convex surface that faces away from the skimmer opening  18  and a concave surface that faces toward the skimmer opening  18 . However, the surface barrier member  20  may be placed in the pool such that the midpoint  36  extends toward the skimmer opening  18  so that the surface barrier member  20  defines a convex surface that faces toward the skimmer opening  18  and a concave surface that faces away from the skimmer opening  18 . 
         [0033]    The surface barrier member  20  is placed in the pool to reside at the water surface. In this regard, the surface barrier member  20  may extend from the water surface in one direction below the water surface and from the water surface in an opposite direction to extend above the water surface. In this regard, one embodiment of the surface barrier member  20  is primarily directed toward blocking large debris floating at or near the surface of the water from entering the skimmer opening  18 . 
         [0034]    The surface barrier member  20  is also advantageously configured to allow water from the pool to easily flow to the skimmer  16  through the skimmer opening  18 . The configuration and placement of the surface barrier member  20  within the pool does not substantially inhibit water flow into the skimmer opening  18 . In this regard, the surface barrier member is spaced from the skimmer opening  18  to allow the water to flow under the surface barrier member  20  and then upward toward the skimmer opening  18 . In this regard, the surface barrier member  20  and the pool wall  26  collectively define a vertical flow path for the water entering the skimmer opening  18 . 
         [0035]    The frame  28  depicted in the figures defines a generally quadrangular configuration including a pair of vertical frame members and a pair of horizontal frame members. The frame  28  defines a rectangular opening within which the filtering member  30  extends over. It is contemplated that other embodiments of the frame  28  may define other shapes and configurations, such as an oval, triangle, circle or other shapes contemplated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0036]    The frame  28  may be formed from materials that are well known in the art including, but not limited to, PVC pipe, plastic tubing, metal tubing, and other materials capable of being disposed in chlorinated water or salt water for extended periods of time. Furthermore, the frame  28  may be formed from a buoyant material, or may otherwise be configured to float within the pool. 
         [0037]    The filtering member  30  may include a net or mesh material that is tied or bound to the frame  28  to extend over the central opening defined by the frame  28 . The net or mesh material may have small openings which allow the water to flow therethrough, while at the same time forming a barrier to larger debris floating near the water surface. According to another embodiment, the filtering member  30  may include a substantially continuous material (i.e., no openings), such as a sheet of plastic, metal, fiberglass, etc. Such a filtering member  30  may be effective at blocking larger debris as well as smaller debris. The substantially continuous material may be connectable to the frame by mechanical fasteners, such as snaps, buttons, rivets, or other fasteners known by those skilled in the art. In this regard, it may be advantageous for the filtering member  30  to be flexible, as well as selectively removable from the frame  20  to facilitate storage of surface barrier member  20 , as described in more detail below. 
         [0038]    Various embodiment of the debris guard  10  may also include one or more auxiliary nets  33  extending over the top of the debris guard  10  or underneath the debris guard  10  to prevent debris from falling within the space between the debris guard  10  and the pool wall. An upper auxiliary net  33  would prevent debris from falling into the pool, while a lower auxiliary net would prevent debris located at a lower level in the pool from being sucked up toward the pool wall. 
         [0039]    The surface barrier member  20  is secured in place within the pool by the attachment mechanism  22 . Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one embodiment of the attachment mechanism  22  includes a tether  38  and a suction device  40 . The tether  38  defines two end portions, with each end portion being connected to a respective one of the end portions  34  of the frame  28 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the tether  38  may be connected to other locations of the frame  28  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and that the particular attachment points of the tether  38  to the frame  28  are exemplary in nature only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0040]    The suction device  40  includes an eyelet which the tether  38  is threaded through to connect the suction device  40  to the tether  38 . The suction device  40  is connected to a stationary surface adjacent the skimmer opening  18  to maintain the surface barrier member  20  in proper position in front of the skimmer opening  18 . It is contemplated that the tether  38  and suction device  40  may pass through the skimmer opening  18  to allow the suction device  40  to connect to the skimmer box  24 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . It is also contemplated that the suction device  40  may be connected to the pool wall  26 , or another object near the pool to which the device  10  may be anchored to. For instance, it is contemplated that the device  10  may be connected to a volleyball pole, umbrella pole, basketball pole, lounge chair or another relatively stationary object near the pool. 
         [0041]    The length of the tether  38  may be adjusted to allow for proper placement of the surface barrier member  20  within the pool. Along these lines, the tether  38  may be disposed in tension to maintain the end portions  34  of the frame  28  adjacent the pool wall  26 , such that the filtering member  30  extends partially above the water surface and partially below the water surface to effectively filter large debris at the water surface. In a preferred embodiment, the filtering member  30  is substantially perpendicular to the water surface when properly deployed. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there is shown another embodiment of the attachment mechanism  22  that does not employ a tether  38 . In the alternate embodiment, the suction device  40   a  is attached within a recess  43  formed within the frame  28 . The exemplary embodiment includes an internally threaded recess  43  formed within each end portion  34 , and the suction device  40   a  includes an externally threaded end portion  45 . The external threads on the end portion  45  of the suction device  40  threadably engage with the internal threads formed on the recess  43  to connect the suction device  40   a  to the frame  28 . The suction device(s)  40   a  may be connected to a wall or other anchoring surface in or near the pool. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  also show magnetic fasteners  47  connected to the end portions  34  for securing the debris guard  10  within the pool. The magnetic fasteners  47  may magnetically engage with complimentary magnetic fasteners or to a magnetic surface locating in or near the pool. 
         [0044]    Although the foregoing describes the attachment mechanisms  22  which connect the debris guard  10  to an adjacent surface, it is contemplated that other techniques may be used to maintain the surface barrier member  20  in its desired position within the pool. For instance, one embodiment of the attachment mechanism  22  may include a weight and an adjustable extension rod (not shown) connected to the surface barrier member  22 . When placed in the pool, the weight may sink to the bottom of the pool and the extension rod may be adjusted to position the surface barrier member  22  at the surface of the pool. 
         [0045]    According to one embodiment, the surface barrier member  20  includes certain features which allow it to be transitioned between a generally planar stowed configuration when the surface barrier member  20  is removed from the pool and a non-planar deployed configuration during use. Along these lines, the surface barrier member  20  may be easier to store in a garage, pool shed, or the like when the surface barrier member  20  assumes a planar configuration. For instance, the surface barrier member  20  may be placed along a wall of a garage or storage shed. During use of the surface barrier member  20 , it may be advantageous for the surface barrier member  20  to assume a non-planar configuration so as to easily extend about the skimmer opening  18  to form a barrier. 
         [0046]    The frame  28  may define a certain degree of flexibility to allow for transition between the stowed and deployed configurations. In this regard, the user may bend the frame  28  to transition the frame  28  between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. It is also contemplated that the frame  28  may incorporate one or more pivoting joints to allow the frame  28  to transition between the stowed and deployed configurations. Along these lines, the frame  28  may be comprised of several pivoting segments separated by a pivoting joint. The segments may pivot relative to each other to define the generally planar stowed configuration and to transition to the generally non-planar deployed configuration. 
         [0047]    In the particular embodiment depicted in the figures, the surface barrier member  20  includes a deployed support bar  42  which is connected to the frame  28  to maintain the frame  28  in the deployed configuration. In this regard, the frame  28  is biased toward the stowed configuration such that when the deployed support bar  42  is disengaged from the frame  28 , the frame  28  automatically reverts back to the stowed configuration. The deployed support bar  42  may define opposed end portions  44  which are insertable into respective ones of a pair of connectors  46  formed within the frame  28 . When the deployed support bar  42  is connected to the pair of connectors  46 , the frame  28  may be maintained in the deployed configuration to define the arcuate shape shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The deployed support bar  42  may be disengaged with one or both of the connectors  46  to allow the frame  28  to be transitioned from the non-planar deployed configuration to the planar stowed configuration. 
         [0048]    The device  10  provides an easy-to-use solution for reducing the amount of debris which passes into the skimmer  16 . In this regard, the water circulation and filtration system may operate at relatively normal levels without the debris blocking water circulation. In addition, after the device  10  has been placed in the pool for a period of time, the debris may gather near the device  10 , which may facilitate removal of the debris from the water. In other words, rather than having to skim the entire surface of the pool, a large percentage of the debris may be directed toward the device  10 . Thus, the user may skim the water adjacent the device  10  to quickly remove a large percentage of the debris. 
         [0049]    The device  10  may also be quickly and easily placed in the pool when needed. Therefore, if a pool owner is going on vacation, the user may place the device  10  in the pool to prevent debris from passing into the skimmer  16 . Also, if the pool owner is aware of a storm that is scheduled to hit the area, the pool owner may place the device in the pool to protect the skimmer  16  from debris that may fall in the pool. After the pool owner returns home, or the storm, passes, the device  10  may be easily removed from the pool to allow the pool owner to enjoy the pool without the device  10  presenting an obstruction. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown another embodiment of the debris guard  100 . The debris guard  100  includes a frame including a pair of end posts  102  which connect with a barrier member  104  or screen which filters the debris in the water. Each end post  102  defines a channel  106  or recess extending into the end post  102  and defining a shape that is complimentary to the barrier member  104 . The debris guard  100  may be assembled by disposing a first end portion  108  of the barrier member  104  within a first end post  102   a  and a second end portion  110  within a second end post  102   b . When the end portions  108 ,  110  of the barrier member  104  are disposed within the channels  016  formed within the end posts  102   a ,  102   b , the barrier member  104  is coupled to the end posts  102   a ,  102   b . In this regard, the end portions  108 ,  110  of the barrier member  104  and the end posts  102   a ,  102   b  are configured to form a friction tight engagement therebetween to secure the barrier member  104  to the end posts  102   a ,  102   b.    
         [0051]    The barrier member  104  and the end portions  102  may be configured to dispose the barrier member  104  in an arcuate configuration when the barrier member  104  is connected to the end posts  102 . Along these lines, the barrier member  104  may be configured to bend or flex when connected to the end posts  102 . Furthermore, the barrier member  104  may also be configured to define a planar configuration when disconnected from the end posts  102 . 
         [0052]    The barrier member  104  may be formed from an extruded material capable of bending or flexing, as described above. Furthermore, the material of the barrier member  104  is preferably capable of withstanding long exposure to water. In addition, the end posts  102  may be formed from a strong durable material, such as rubber, plastic or metal. 
         [0053]    Each end post  102  additionally includes a connector portion  112  which is used to connect the end post  102  to a rear support bar  114 . In this regard, the rear support bar may include a first end portion  116  that connects with the connector portion  112   a  on the first end post  102   a  and a second end portion  118  that connects with the connector portion  112   b  on the second end post  102   b.    
         [0054]    Each connector portion  112  may include a first plate  120  and a second plate  122  in spaced relation to each other. The first and second plates  120 ,  122  may include coaxially aligned apertures  124 ,  126 . The rear support bar  114  may also include an aperture formed at each one of the end portions  116 ,  118  which are aligned with the apertures  124 ,  126  formed within each connector portion  112  to connect the rear support bar  114  to the end posts  102 . In this regard, a mechanical fastener, such as a screw, pin or the like may be advanced through the apertures in the end posts  102  and the rear support bar  114  to form the connection. 
         [0055]    It is contemplated that the rear support bar  114  and the barrier member  104  may be selectively connected and disconnected from the end posts  102  as desired. Thus, when the debris guard  100  is needed, the barrier member  104  and rear support bar  114  may be connected to the end posts  102  to assume the assembled configuration (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). However, when it is desirable to store the debris guard  100 , the barrier member  104  and rear support bar  114  may be disconnected from the end posts  102  to define a more desirable storage configuration. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown two different embodiments of the barrier member. In each embodiment, the barrier member includes a first end portion, a planar middle portion, and a second end portion. The primary distinction between the two embodiments is the shape of the first and second end portions. 
         [0057]    More specifically, the barrier member  104   a  includes a first end portion  130   a  that is not as hollow as the first end portion  130   b  defined by barrier member  104   b . The middle portions  132   a ,  132   b  are fairly similar, as are the second end portions  134   a ,  134   b . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific configurations of the barrier members  104   a    104   b  depicted in  FIG. 7  are exemplary in nature only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0058]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of components and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention.