Patent Publication Number: US-2011056940-A1

Title: Lid Particularly for a Pool Return Skimmer

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of, and claims priority benefit of, application Ser. No. 12/001,824, entitled “Lid particularly for a pool return skimmer”, filed Dec. 13, 2007, which claims priority benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/935,656. Both of the above applications are incorporated herein by specific reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to a lid particularly suited for a pool skimmer or other similar usage where reptiles, insects or the like may pose a danger. More specifically, the invention relates to a pool skimmer lid that is made of a substantially clear material to enable someone to see whether a dangerous reptile or any other undesirable or dangerous things are in the pool skimmer. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Prior art lids for pool returns have conventionally been made of a material, typically plastic, that is opaque or that does not otherwise permit someone to see what is in the skimmer. Serious injury can result, for example, if a snake is in the skimmer, because when the lid is removed the person attending to the pool could be struck or bitten by the snake. Other similar dangers are posed by spiders or other insects that may be housed below a lid for a sprinkler system. 
     The inventions disclosed and taught herein are directed to an improved lid that permits the person about to remove the lid to see what is below, for example in a pool skimmer, before removing the lid and subjecting himself or herself to a dangerous situation. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention includes a lid for an opening, such as a pool return skimmer or the like, comprising: a generally circular cover having a central recess; a handle within the recess; and a hood configured to selectively cover the recess and handle. The recess may be generally semi-cylindrical in cross section. Similarly, the handle may be generally semi-cylindrical in cross section. The handle includes a longitudinal spine member and a plurality of ribs. The ribs may be generally semi-circular. The ribs may be configured to transfer downward force applied on the hood to the cover, thereby supporting the hood. The spine member and ribs may be configured to prevent the handle from moving within the recess. The handle may also include a tab extending from the ribs. More specifically, the tab may fit within a slot in a bottom of the recess and be configured to resist withdrawing the handle from the recess, thereby facilitating removal of the cover using the handle. The cover, the handle, and the hood may be constructed from transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate, thereby enabling a user to see whether any undesirable things are beneath the lid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of the top of the lid of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is partial perspective view of the bottom of the lid of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the handle that is a more specific aspect of the lid of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a cover of another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the cover of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the cover of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the cover of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a handle designed to be operable with the cover of  FIG. 4 , according to certain aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the handle of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the handle of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the handle of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the hood designed to be operable with the cover of  FIG. 4 , according to certain aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer&#39;s ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer&#39;s efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. 
     Applicants have created a lid for an opening, such as a pool return skimmer or the like, comprising: a generally circular cover having a central recess; a handle within the recess; and a hood configured to selectively cover the recess and handle. The recess may be generally semi-cylindrical in cross section. Similarly, the handle may be generally semi-cylindrical in cross section. The handle includes a longitudinal spine member and a plurality of ribs. The ribs may be generally semi-circular. The ribs may be configured to transfer downward force applied on the hood to the cover, thereby supporting the hood. The spine member and ribs may be configured to prevent the handle from moving within the recess. The handle may also include a tab extending from the ribs. More specifically, the tab may fit within a slot in a bottom of the recess and be configured to resist withdrawing the handle from the recess, thereby facilitating removal of the cover using the handle. The cover, the handle, and the hood may be constructed from transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate, thereby enabling a user to see whether any undesirable things are beneath the lid. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A generally circular lid  10  includes a rim  14 , having a top  12 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , and a bottom, as seen in  FIG. 2 , for engagement with the opening of a pool return skimmer. The rim  14  may include any desirable optional features, such as enlarged areas, bumps, or other similar features (not shown) to facilitate the lid fitting properly in a pool return opening. 
     At least a substantial portion of the central region  16  of the lid is made of a substantially clear material, to enable someone about to remove the lid to see whether any undesirable reptiles or any other undesirable or dangerous things are in the pool skimmer or other environment that the lid may be used in. Most preferably, the entire lid is made from one material and is substantially clear. 
     The top of the lid may optionally include ridges, only one of which  18  is depicted. Such ridges, if used, may provide a decorative touch or reinforcement. Preferably, such ridges will not be included in the central region of the lid, because such ridges may hamper the ability to see what is in the pool skimmer. Alternatively, indentations of any design can be employed. 
     The lid is preferably made of any suitable plastic material. One suitable material is polycarbonate. Preferably, but optionally, the plastic material will include some blend of materials to inhibit degradation. A particularly suitable plastic is Zylar® 631 from NOVA Chemicals. The lid can be made by any suitable molding technique; one particularly suited technique is injection molding. 
     The list is depicted as being substantially flat so that it will be flush with decking around the pool, but this is not an essential feature. The lid could be made slightly domed, as well. Also, the lid could be made in a manner to provide some magnification, in order to enhance the ability to see below the lid. 
     In another more specific, alternative aspect of the preferred embodiment of the lid, one or more openings  20 ,  22  may be provided in the lid to facilitate the removal of the lid from the pool return skimmer. These openings are depicted as substantially circular, but may be of any desired shape to accommodate someone&#39;s fingers or thumbs being inserted into the hole to facilitate the removal of the lid from the pool return opening, or other opening that the lid may be used with, after the person about to remove the lid has been able to check for dangerous reptiles or insects. 
     In another more specific, alternative aspect of the preferred embodiment, a handle  30  may be provided to be cooperable with the lid to facilitate the removal of the lid from the pool return skimmer. As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the handle preferably includes a grip  32 , a post  34  which extends through an opening  24  in the lid, and a stop  36  associated with the post below the bottom of the lid. The lid may have a recessed slot  26  to receive the grip of the handle. The length of the post is greater than the thickness of the lid, to enable the grip to be pulled up away from the top of the lid, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , to facilitate removal of the lid. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the bottom  39  of the post  34  may preferably be tapered to facilitate the insertion of the post into the stop  36 . Stop  36  includes an opening  38  to receive the bottom of the post, which may also alternatively include a slotted design to facilitate the portions of the bottom of the post on each side of the slot to be compressed, to even better facilitate the stop bottom fitting in and being retained by the stop  36 . When the grip is pulled upward into the position shown in  FIG. 1 , the stop  36  will engage the bottom of the opening  24  in the lid. 
     An optional spring (not shown) could be provided around the point below the bottom of the lid, to provide a spring-loaded effect for the handle, if desired. 
     In another more specific embodiment, the top of the lid includes a recess  26  to receive the grip, so that the top of the grip is substantially flush with the top of the lid. The recess will preferably be substantially complementary in shape to the grip to better achieve the substantially flush fit. 
     In another more specific embodiment, the lid includes at least one additional recess  27  to facilitate someone gripping the grip. Preferably two recesses  27 ,  28  are provided and should be sized to enable someone&#39;s fingers or thumb to grip the grip  32 . 
     Any other suitable, alternative handle design could be employed, as well. 
     In another more specific embodiment, the bottom of the lid includes reinforcement structure, such as ridges or webbing  40  of any suitable configuration. The right side of  FIG. 2  depicts one design whereas the left side of  FIG. 2  depicts another alternative design. 
       FIGS. 4-12  illustrate an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the lid  10  of the present invention may include a generally circular cover  110  having a central recess  112 , a handle  114  within the recess  112 , and a hood  116  to selectively cover the recess  112  and handle  114 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the cover  110  may include a ledge  118  about the perimeter of the cover  110  to fit atop an opening, such as that of a pool return skimmer, and one or more downwardly facing projections  120  for engagement with the opening. The projections  120  may also rigidify and provide support to lid  10 . The projections  120  may be arcuate, cylindrical, or segmented cylindrical and spaced about the cover  110  adjacent the ledge  118 . 
     The recess  112  is preferably generally semi-cylindrical in cross section and may include a plurality of support ridges  122 . The recess  112  may also include one or more slots  124  in a bottom thereof, centered and aligned along the longitudinal axis of the recess  112 . The recess  112  may also include one or more niches  126  at either end of the longitudinal axis of the recess  112 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , the handle  114  may include a longitudinal spine member  128  and one or more ribs  130 . The spine  128  may be centered and aligned along the longitudinal axis of the handle  114  and/or recess  112 . Either end of the spine  128  may fit within the niches  126  of the recess  112 . The ribs  130  may be generally semi-circular and may fit between a pairs of the ridges  122  of the recess  112 . The handle  114  may also include one or more tabs  132  extending from the ribs  130 . The tab(s)  132  may fit within the slot(s)  124  in the bottom of the recess  112  and have spurs  134 , or otherwise be configured, to resist withdrawing the handle  114  from the recess  112 , thereby facilitating removal of the cover  110  using the handle  114 . 
     In this manner, the spine  128 , ribs  130 , and/or tabs  132  may engage the ridges  122 , niches  126 , and/or slots  124 , and/or may otherwise be configured, to prevent the handle  114  from moving within the recess. Furthermore, the ribs  130  may be configured to transfer downward force applied from above, such as on the hood  116 , to the cover  110 , thereby supporting the hood  116 . 
     To facilitate removal of the cover  110 , the handle  114  may include openings  136  to receive a user&#39;s fingers. For example, the openings  136  may be between the spine  128  and the tabs  132  and/or between adjacent ones of the ribs  130 . The spine  128  and ribs  130  may also cooperate to prevent items larger that the user&#39;s fingers from entering the recess  112 . The tab(s)  132  may also include one or more holes  138  to suspend something below, such as a basket, thereby enabling the user to lift the basket out with the cover  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the hood  116  preferably mounts to the cover  110  to selectively cover the recess  112  and handle  114 , thereby preventing the user&#39;s toes from being caught within the recess  112 . The hood  116  may include a flange  140  and/or a catch  142  that mate with corresponding features on the cover  110 , to hold the hood  116  in place. 
     Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant&#39;s invention. For example, the present invention has been described in relation to a lid for a pool return. However, the same inventive concept and features could be implemented, for example, for lids for sprinkler systems. Poisonous spiders may be housed below such lids and pose the same type dangerous threat that a snake would pose to someone removing a pool lid. Further, the various embodiments of the present inventive lid can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa. 
     The elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. 
     The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, the Applicant intends to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.