Pool skimmer basket

A pool skimmer basket is provided and includes a top member having an opening for receiving and capturing debris into the pool skimmer basket and a base member having a plurality of apertures. It also includes a collapsible basket portion couples between the top member and the base member and an emptying device operatively coupled between the base member and the top member. The pool skimmer basket is moveable between an extended and collapsed position in response to operation of the emptying device. It also includes a handle coupled to the emptying device and a locking device operatively coupled to the handle, wherein the locking device is moveable between and locked and an unlocked position. The pool skimmer basket is moveable into the collapsed position when the locking device is in the unlocked position and retained in the extended position when the locking device is moved into the locked position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a pool skimmer basket and more particularly to a pool skimmer basket with a handle and emptying device.

2. State of the Art

There are various ways for cleaning and maintaining a pool, and often times multiple means for cleaning and maintaining a pool are used in conjunction with one another in order to prevent debris and particles from entering the pool filtration system. One of these cleaning means includes the use of a pool skimmer basket.

Conventional pool skimmer baskets are small and sit at the bottom of the skimmer body unit. The size of a conventional skimmer basket limits the amount of material it can hold. If the skimmer basket is not heavy enough there can also be issues of the skimmer basket floating to the surface of the water and losing its effectiveness all together. Conventional skimmer baskets also have the issue of deterring air flow if the basket and/or skimmer body becomes clogged with debris. Without adequate air flow the pool filtration system and motor can become damaged. The place where the skimmer basket seats at the bottom of the skimmer body means the debris floats above the basket and thus may not be captured by the basket. Further, an individual attempting to empty a current skimmer basket must reach through the water and floating debris to grab hold of the basket handle and lift it towards the surface. While lifting the skimmer basket for emptying, the floating debris is dispersed back into the water within the skimmer body and many times back into the pool. When emptying the skimmer basket the individual must reach through the debris and many times scoop the captured debris out of the skimmer basket manually. This debris can include leaves and other natural waste as well as both living and dead bugs and small animals. When returning a current skimmer basket to the skimmer body the individual is required to manually return the basket back through the water and remaining debris to properly seat the basket. Many times the remaining debris is caught underneath the skimmer basket and ultimately gets sucked further into the system causing clogs and damage to more expensive components of the pools filtration system.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of pool skimmer baskets for an improved pool skimmer basket.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pool skimmer basket comprising a top member, a base member and a collapsible basket portion coupled between the top member and the base member. The pool skimmer basket further includes a vented handle for lifting the skimmer basket out of a skimmer body and providing proper airflow to the pools filtration system. The handle then becomes operational with the ability to release and empty the contents collected within the skimmer basket with the click of a button.

An embodiment may include a pool skimmer basket comprising a top member having an opening for receiving debris into the pool skimmer basket and a vented backstop for containing the debris; a base member having a plurality of apertures; a collapsible basket portion couples between the top member and the base member; and an emptying device operatively coupled between the base member and the top member. The pool skimmer basket is moveable between an extended and a collapsed position in response to operation of the emptying device. The pool skimmer basket may comprise a vented handle coupled to the emptying device, wherein the handle operates to lift the pool skimmer basket. The pool skimmer basket may also comprise a locking device, wherein the locking device is moveable between and locked and an unlocked position and the pool skimmer device is moveable into the collapsed position when the locking device is in the unlocked position and retained in the extended position when the locking device is moved into the locked position and engages the top member of the pool skimmer basket. The extended position comprises the base member is retained a predetermined distance away from the top member.

In embodiments, the emptying device comprises a first vented shaft coupled to a second vented shaft at a predetermined angle, wherein a first end of the emptying device is rotatably coupled to a bracket of the base member and a second end of the emptying device is coupled to the handle. The top member may comprise a shaft aperture, wherein the first shaft of the emptying device is slideable through the aperture. The pool skimmer basket is moveable between the extended and collapsed positions in response to the first shaft sliding through the shaft aperture. As the base member is moved toward the top member by sliding the first shaft through the shaft aperture, the base member is rotated toward the opening of the top member.

An embodiment may include a method of using a pool skimmer basket. The method comprises collecting debris within a pool skimmer basket; moving a locking device to an unlocked position; sliding an emptying device to move the pool skimmer basket to a collapsed position; emptying the debris from within the pool skimmer basket through an opening in a top member by angling a base member toward the opening; and sliding the emptying device to move the pool skimmer basket into an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a pool skimmer basket comprising a top member, a base member and a collapsible basket portion coupled between the top member and the base member. The pool skimmer basket further includes a vented handle for lifting the skimmer basket out of a skimmer body and then operational to empty the contents collected within the skimmer basket.

Referring to the drawings,FIGS. 1-9depict an embodiment of a pool skimmer basket10. The skimmer basket10comprises a top member12, a basket portion16, a base member18and a handle20. The basket portion16is coupled between the top member12and the base member18.

The top member12may be formed of a rigid material, wherein the rigid material holds its form and is resistant to wear from water and particularly to chemically treated water, such as chlorinated water and the like. The top member12includes a top surface13having a plurality of apertures40in the top the surface13. The top member12may further include a side member42with a plurality of apertures44within the side surface42. The top member12may also include a bottom surface46, wherein the bottom surface46is ring shaped with an aperture32extending there through. The top member12may include an opening30, wherein the opening30extends through the side surface42of the top member between the top surface13and the bottom surface46.

The base member18may have a plurality of apertures17, wherein the plurality of apertures17allow for water to flow through the apertures, but not debris collected within the pool skimmer basket10. The base member18may also comprise a bracket19. The bracket19is configured to operationally couple to an emptying device22. The emptying device22may comprise a first vented shaft23coupled to a second vented shaft24, wherein the first shaft23is at an angle52with the second shaft24. The emptying device22includes a first end25and a second end27. The first end25of the emptying device22is rotatably coupled to the bracket19of the base member18. The second end27of the emptying device22is coupled to the handle20. The first shaft23of the emptying device22extends through a shaft aperture50that extends through the top surface13of the top member12. The first shaft23is slideable through aperture50of the top surface of the top member.

The basket portion16is coupled between the top member12and the base member18. In some embodiments, the basket portion16is coupled to the top member12by use of an attachment ring14. The attachment ring14may be coupled to the top member12and function to secure the basket portion16between the attachment ring14and the top member12(shown inFIG. 8). In some embodiments, the skimmer basket10may include a base attachment ring15. The base attachment ring15may be coupled to the base member18and function to secure the basket portion16between the base attachment ring15and the base member18. Further, in some embodiments, the basket portion16is collapsible, such as but not limited to a mesh or other permeable material that is flexible. The basket portion16includes an opening that corresponds to the aperture32of the bottom surface46of the top member12. The opening allows for debris to enter the pool skimmer basket10through opening30of the top member12and then collect within the basket portion16through opening32. The emptying device22extends through the opening32of the basket portion16and is rotatably coupled to the bracket19of the base member18within the basket portion16.

The handle20comprises a locking device60that is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking device60may include an actuator62, a lock lever64with a locking protrusion66. The actuator62is moveable between a first and second position, wherein the first position corresponds to the locked position of the locking device60and the second position corresponds to the unlocked position of the locking device60. For example, the actuator62may include a button, wherein depressing the button moves the actuator62from the first position to the second position, thereby moving the locking device60from the locked to the unlocked position. In the locked position, the lock lever64with locking protrusion66extends through an aperture40in the top surface13of the top member and is rotated into a position such that the locking protrusion66engages a bottom side of the top surface13. Depressing the actuator62rotates the lock lever64and disengages the locking protrusion66from the bottom side of top surface13of the top member13. When the locking device60is in the unlocked position, the first shaft23of the emptying device22is free to slide within shaft aperture50of the top member12. The sliding of the first shaft23allows the pool skimmer basket10to be emptied. The locking device60may be biased toward the locked position, wherein a spring or other similar device operates to apply a constant force to move the locking device60to the locked position. Further, the locking device60, when held in the locked position and engaged with the top member12of the pool skimmer basket10, locks the emptying device22in a stationary position. This stationary position orients the base member18away from the top member12in order to form an open space within the basket portion16. This allows for the pool skimmer basket10to collect debris within it while seated within a skimmer body of a pool.

In operation, the pool skimmer basket10is large enough to capture all debris entering the skimmer body of the pool and completely containing the debris within the basket portion16. The pool skimmer basket10is removed from the skimmer body by removing the skimmer body lid and grabbing the handle20that is located just beneath the skimmer body lid that sits flush with the pool decking The handle20of pool skimmer basket10sits well above the water line so it is easier than conventional skimmer baskets to grab and remove the entire basket unit by lifting it up and out of the skimmer body. The handle20of the pool skimmer basket10allows an individual to completely remove the pool skimmer basket10without reaching into the water and/or debris. The pool skimmer basket10completely captures all debris keeping it from being returned back to the pool or allowing it to be sucked down further into the filtration system. Once the pool skimmer basket10is removed from the skimmer body, and with reference toFIG. 10, the locking device10is moveable to the unlocked position and the first shaft23of the emptying device22slides through shaft aperture50of the top member12. As the first shaft22slides, the emptying device22moves the base member18toward the top member12and the basket portion16is collapsed. The base member18rotates with respect to the second shaft24in a direction represented by arrow50as the second shaft24is moved closer to the shaft aperture50of the top member12. This rotation is caused by the angle between the first and second shafts23and24. The rotation of the base member18places the base member18at an angle, wherein the angle encourages debris toward opening30within the top member12. Accordingly, the components of the pool skimmer basket10allows the individual to collapse the basket portion16by simply releasing the lever64while holding onto the handle20so the debris can be emptied without the individual having to reach their hand into the pool skimmer basket10. When the basket portion16is collapsed, the pool skimmer basket10is in the collapsed position.

After being emptied the individual simply slides the first shaft23to move the base member18away from the top member12and then moving the locking device60into the locked position and engaging the top member12to hold the emptying device in a the stationary position. In this condition, the pool skimmer basket10is in the extended position and ready to be inserted back into the skimmer body by using the handle20. Since EZ-Skim completely captures all debris there is nothing left in the skimmer body to get caught beneath the unit upon its return thus saving wear and tear on expensive pool system components.

Referring again to the drawings,FIG. 11depicts a method70of using a pool skimmer basket10. The method includes collecting debris within a pool skimmer basket (Step71); moving a locking device to an unlocked position (Step72); sliding an emptying device to move the pool skimmer basket to a collapsed position (Step73); emptying the debris from within the pool skimmer basket through an opening in a top member by angling a base member toward the opening (Step74); and sliding the emptying device to move the pool skimmer basket into an extended position (Step75).

Method70may include additional steps. For example, Step72of moving the locking device to an unlocked position may include a step of depressing an actuator of the locking device. Step73of sliding the emptying device to move the pool skimmer basket to the collapsed position may include moving the base member toward the top member to collapse the basket portion of the pool skimmer. Step75of moving the pool skimmer basket to the extended position includes moving the base member18away from the top member12and holding the emptying device22in a stationary position thereby retaining the base member18a predetermined distance from the top member12, wherein the emptying device22is held in a stationary position by moving the locking device60into the locked position and engaging the top member12.

It will be understood that other method steps may be included, such as removing the pool skimmer basket from a skimmer body of a pool by using the handle; emptying the debris within the pool skimmer basket without having to touch the debris with a user's hand; and inserting the pool skimmer basket within the skimmer body of the pool. Further, the method70may also include operating a filtration system of the pool with the pool skimmer basket inserted within the skimmer body.

It will be understood that the components defining any pool skimmer basket may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a pool skimmer basket. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any pool skimmer basket may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.