Abstract:
A floating pool skimmer ( 1 ) that randomly travels across the surface of a pool to ensure that the entire surface of the water in the pool is cleaned. The floating pool skimmer has an elongated hose ( 3 ) that attaches to a conventional fixed pool skimmer, a vacuum inlet and/or a vacuum hose ( 6 ) connecting an automatic pool vacuum ( 2 ) to a pool pump and filter. A basket ( 26 ) held within a main housing ( 8 ) strains water and traps debris which is held in the basket by suction from the pool filter while the pool filter is operational. When the pool filter is not running a floating weir ( 17 ) and/or one or more weir doors ( 30 ) prevents debris from floating back out of the basket and into the pool. Apertures ( 14 ) located on the main housing allow water into the main housing that then acts as a ballast to ensure the floating pool skimmer remains upright at all times.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to pool maintenance and more particularly, to an automatic pool skimmer that floats on the surface of a pool to ensure that the entire surface of the water in the pool is cleaned. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional pool skimmers are typically fixed housings located adjacent to a pool wall in a pool deck. Pool water is drawn from the pool via a rectangular aperture located in the pool wall. The housing may be accessed from the pool deck through a circular or rectangular lid. When a pool pump is operational water is drawn from the pool through the aperture in the pool wall over a weir. Then, the water is drawn down into a removable skimmer basket (the purpose of which is to entrap leaves and other floating debris) and circulated via pipes to the pool pump through a filter and finally back into the pool through one or more outlets located in the pool wall. A problem with fixed skimmers is that they are only able to trap and remove debris from the surface of the pool water when the debris moves close to the pool skimmers to be sucked into the housing and into the skimmer basket. Therefore, a large portion the pool surface is not cleaned. An additional problem arises when a pool only has one fixed skimmer and an automatic vacuum device is connected to the skimmer. In this situation the automatic vacuum device is attached to and powered by the skimmer, thus the skimmer is not cleaning the surface of the pool water but rather supplying suction to the automatic vacuum device, which only cleans the pool floor. 
         [0003]    There are currently mobile floating skimmers available, however these types of skimmers pose many problems. One problem experienced with existing mobile skimmers is that they are unstable and have a tendency to tip over especially when not operating as there is no suction from the pool pump pulling the skimmer downward to act as a ballast, thereby keeping the skimmer in an upright position. An additional problem also occurs when the pump is turned off and/or is not receiving suction from the pool pump. When this occurs debris caught in the skimmer can float up and out of the skimmer back into the pool, thereby defeating the purpose of the skimmer. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a need exists for a floating pool skimmer that captures and traps debris even when not operating, remains in an upright position at all times and attaches to an existing fixed skimmer, a vacuum inlet and/or an automatic vacuum line. 
         [0005]    The relevant prior art includes the following references: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Pat. No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 (U.S. Pat. References) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 4,746,424 
                 Drew 
                 May 24, 1988 
               
               
                   
                 5,133,854 
                 Horvath 
                 Jul. 28, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 D432,206 
                 Stoltz et al. 
                 Oct. 17, 2000 
               
               
                   
                 6,187,181 
                 Stoltz et al. 
                 Feb. 13, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 6,224,753 
                 Marbach 
                 May 01, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 7,146,658 
                 Lyall 
                 Dec. 12, 2006 
               
               
                   
                 8,475,656 
                 Neumann 
                 Jul. 2, 2013 
               
               
                   
                 2013/0206659 
                 Hernaiz 
                 Aug. 15, 2013 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Non-Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         poolskimusa.com 
         strider-ss.com 
         subsib.allalla.com 
         associatedindustries.com 
         solar-breeze.com 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide a floating pool skimmer that captures and traps debris from the surface of a pool even when a pool pump is not operating and providing suction to the floating pool skimmer. 
         [0012]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a floating pool skimmer that remains in an upright position at all times even when the pool skimmer is not operating. 
         [0013]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a floating pool skimmer that will attach to an existing fixed skimmer, a vacuum inlet and/or an automatic vacuum line so the automatic pool skimmer can be powered by the pool pump. 
         [0014]    The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a floating pool skimmer that floats on the surface of the water in a pool and randomly travels across the surface of the pool to ensure that the entire surface of the water is cleaned. The floating skimmer has an elongated hose that attaches to a conventional fixed pool skimmer, a vacuum inlet and/or a vacuum hose connecting an automatic pool vacuum to the pool pump and filter. The elongated hose of the floating pool skimmer may be attached to a vacuum hose using a T-fitting so that suction from the pool filter is supplied to the vacuum and to the floating skimmer simultaneously. A basket held within a main housing catches debris which is held in the basket by suction from the pool filter while the pool filter is operational. When the pool filter is not running a floating weir and/or one or more weir doors prevent debris from floating back out of the basket. Apertures located on the main housing allow water into the main housing that then acts as a ballast to ensure the floating pool skimmer remains upright at all times. 
         [0015]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is cutaway view of a pool in which a floating pool skimmer of the present invention is connected to an automatic pool vacuum; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the floating pool skimmer of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the floating pool skimmer of the present invention having a floating weir in a downward position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the floating pool skimmer having a floating weir in an upward position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3  of the floating pool skimmer of the present invention having a floating weir in a downward position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the floating pool skimmer having a weir door, and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  of the floating pool skimmer having a weir door. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
         1 . floating pool skimmer, generally     2 . automatic pool vacuum     3 . elongated hose     4 . fixed pool skimmer     5 . floating means     6 . vacuum hose     7 . T-fitting     8 . main housing     9 . perimeter wall of main housing     10 . bottom surface of main housing     11 . upper edge of main housing     12 . opening of main housing     13 . float     14 . aperture     15 . main housing inlet     16 . channel     17 . floating weir     18 . perimeter wall of floating weir     19 . inner surface of floating weir     20 . outer surface of floating weir     21 . upper edge of floating weir     22 . upper opening of floating weir     23 . lower edge of floating weir     24 . lower opening of floating weir     25 . floating weir inlet     26 . basket     27 . coupling     28 . spacer     29 . guide     30 . weir door     31 . hinge     32 . inner housing     33 . chlorine tab       
 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a cutaway view of a pool in which a floating pool skimmer  1  of the present invention connected to an automatic pool vacuum  2  is illustrated. The automatic pool skimmer  1  floats on the surface of the water in the pool and randomly travels across the surface of the pool to ensure that the entire surface of the water is cleaned. The floating pool skimmer  1  comprises an elongated hose  3  that attaches to a conventional fixed pool skimmer  4 , directly into a vacuum inlet and/or a vacuum hose  6  connecting an automatic pool vacuum  2  to the vacuum fixed pool skimmer  4 . As illustrated here, the elongated hose  3  of the floating pool skimmer  1  is attached to the vacuum hose  6  with a T-fitting  7  so that suction from the fixed pool skimmer  4  is supplied to the automatic pool vacuum  2  and to the floating pool skimmer  1  simultaneously, thereby allowing the floating pool skimmer  1  and automatic pool vacuum  2  to operate at the same time from a single source of suction provided by a pool pump. 
         [0059]    With reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , a perspective side view of the floating pool skimmer  1  of the present invention, a side view of the floating pool skimmer  1  having a floating weir  17  in a downward position, a side view of the floating pool skimmer  1  having a floating weir  17  in an upward position, and a cross-sectional view along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 , respectively, are illustrated. The floating pool skimmer  1  comprises a main housing  8  having a cup-like structure with a perimeter wall  9 , a bottom surface  10  and an upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9 . Said upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  surrounds an opening  12  into the interior of the main housing  8 . One or more floats  13  extend outward from the main housing  8  proximate to the upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  to support the floating pool skimmer  1  in water and to keep the upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  substantially parallel to the surface of the water. One or more apertures  14  are located on the main housing  8  on the perimeter wall  9  and/or the bottom surface  10 , to allow water to flow into the main housing  8  to ensure the main housing  8  remains submerged just below the surface of the water. The main housing  8  further comprises one or more main housing inlets  15  located proximate to the upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  to allow pool water and any debris floating on the surface of the pool water to flow into the main housing  8 . The one or more floats  13  have channels  16  that allow water to reach the main housing inlets  15  of the main housing  8 . 
         [0060]    A floating weir  17  is located within the main housing  8 . The floating weir  17  comprises a perimeter wall  18  preferably having substantially the same shape as the perimeter wall  9  of the main housing  8 . The perimeter wall  18  of the floating weir.  17  further comprises an inner surface  19 , an outer surface  20 , an upper edge  21  surrounding an upper opening  22  and a lower edge  23  surrounding a lower opening  24 . One or more floating weir inlets  25  are located on the perimeter wall  18  of the floating weir  17  proximate to the upper edge  21 . When the floating pool skimmer  1  is operational and suction is supplied to the main housing  8 , the floating weir  17  is sucked into the main housing  8  into a downward position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , to allow water to pass through the one or more floating weir inlets  25 . A floating means  5  such as a ring of foam, or other floating material is preferably located below the floating weir inlets  25 . When the floating pool skimmer  1  is not operational and suction is not being supplied to the main housing  8 , the floating weir  17  floats upward partially projecting out of the main housing  8  into an upward position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , so the floating weir inlets  25  are located above the surface of the water to prevent any debris caught within the floating pool skimmer  1  from escaping out of the floating weir inlets  25 . As an alternative to weir inlets  25 , the height of the perimeter wall  18  of the floating weir  17  may be less than the height of the perimeter wall  9  of the main housing  8  so that when the floating weir  17  is in a downward position, the upper edge  21  of the perimeter wall  18  of the floating weir  17  is located below the main housing inlets  15 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , spacers  28  and/or guides  29  may be located between the main housing  8  and the floating weir  17 . The spacers  28  and guides  29  center the floating weir  17  within the main housing  8  and also keep the floating weir inlet  25  lined up with the main housing inlet  15  when the floating weir  17  is in a downward position. 
         [0061]    A basket  26  is located within the main housing  8  that strains water passing through the floating pool skimmer  1  to capture debris and prevent debris from passing through a coupling  27  located on the bottom surface  10  of the main housing  8  that is attached to the elongated hose  3 . 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIGS. 6-7 , a side view of the floating pool skimmer  1  having a weir door  30 , and a cross-sectional view along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , respectively, are illustrated. The floating pool skimmer  1  comprises a main housing  8  having a cup-like structure with a perimeter wall  9 , a bottom surface  10  and an upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9 . Said upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  surrounds an opening  12  into the interior of the main housing  8 . One or more floats  13  extend outward from the main housing  8  proximate to the upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  to support the floating pool skimmer  1  in water and to keep the upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  substantially parallel to the surface of the water. One or more apertures  14  are located on the main housing  8  on the perimeter wall  9  and/or the bottom surface  10 , to allow water to flow into the main housing  8  to ensure the main housing  8  remains submerged just below the surface of the water. The main housing  8  further comprises one or more main housing inlets  15  located proximate to the upper edge  11  of the perimeter wall  9  to allow pool water and any debris floating on the surface of the pool water to flow into the main housing  8 . The one or more floats  13  have channels  16  that allow water to reach the main housing inlets  15  of the main housing  8 . 
         [0063]    A weir door  30  is located on the main housing inlet  15  of the main housing  8 . The weir door  30  is attached to the main housing  8  by a hinge  31  or other rotating means that allows the weir door  30  to open inward into the main housing  8  to allow water to pass through the main housing inlet  15  into the main housing  8  when the floating pool skimmer  1  is operational and suction is supplied to the main housing  8 . When the floating pool skimmer  1  is not operational and suction is not being supplied to the main housing  8 , the weir door  30  returns to an upward position in line with the perimeter wall  9  of the main housing  8  to prevent any debris caught within the floating pool skimmer  1  from escaping out of the main housing inlet  15 . 
         [0064]    A basket  26  is located within the main housing  8  that strains water passing through the floating pool skimmer  1  to capture debris and prevent debris from passing through a coupling  27  located on the bottom surface  10  of the main housing  8  that is attached to the elongated hose  3 . In addition, an inner housing  32  may be located within the basket  26  for the placement and disbursement of chlorine tabs  33  into the pool water. 
         [0065]    It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.