Patent Publication Number: US-7909991-B2

Title: Swimming pool skimmer and debris cleaning device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to swimming pools and systems for cleaning debris from the water contained within swimming pools. The present invention relates more specifically to a compact device for skimming the water surface of a swimming pool in order to efficiently collect and remove floating debris from the water in the pool. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     All swimming pools, both smaller residential pools and larger public or institutional swimming pools, require a significant amount of maintenance in order to provide a safe, enjoyable, and hygienic swimming experience to the users of the pool. Swimming Pool maintenance efforts primarily include the circulation and filtration of the water contained in the pool, and the maintenance of the proper levels of chemicals (such as chlorine) designed to eliminate the growth of bacteria, algae, and other undesirable organisms. While most pool water circulation systems include some level of debris filtration, their primary objective is to prevent stagnation within the water through aeration and to maintain the appropriate levels of chemical additives. Most swimming pool water circulation systems are not structured to adequately collect and remove the larger bits of debris that almost always find their way into the swimming pool from the surrounding environment (from vegetation and the like). 
     There have been many efforts in the past to design systems that are directed to the removal of larger objects of debris from the surface of the water within a swimming pool and/or from within the entire volume of the swimming pool water. Most objects of debris that find their way into a swimming pool are generally airborne and, being less dense than water, will typically float on top of the surface of the pool water, as they primarily comprise leaves, sticks, grass clippings, and other bits of paper, trash, or other organic material. Most of the systems designed and developed to remove this debris from the pool therefore focus on that part of the debris that floats at or near the surface of the pool. 
     Most efforts in the past have therefore focused on devices and systems for skimming the debris off the surface of the water within the confined walls of the swimming pool without the removal of water from the pool at the same time. Generally, these prior efforts fall into one of three categories: (1) hand manipulated screens that may be directed across the surface of the water in the pool while the user (or users) stands on the edge of the pool; (2) screening devices designed to be incorporated into the side of the pool in association with a flow of water through the pool&#39;s circulation system; and/or (3) floating devices that move about the surface of the water in the pool and collect debris into any of a number of different nets or filters. Efforts have therefore been made in the past to provide skimmers that are hand manipulated for use by an individual walking around the perimeter of the pool, as well as systems that are fixed in position on the side of the pool as part of the swimming pool water circulation system. 
     A typical example of a hand manipulated pool skimmer is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,632,604 issued to Kirchoff entitled Pool Skimmer which describes the use of an elongated pole handle and at least one skimming net assembly. The pole handle has opposite proximal and distal ends and each skimming net assembly includes an open frame and a net screen. The open frame defines a central opening which net material is fixed across. One end of the open frame is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the pole handle. The other end of the open frame is adapted for detachable attachment to the end portion of the open frame of another skimming net assembly. The Kirchoff patent therefore describes a device that includes a long two-handled set of netted hoops that one or more individuals may move across the surface of the pool to collect debris. The device does not lend itself to easy use by a single individual and does not serve to collect the debris in a single compact location. 
     A floating skimmer type device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,074 issued to Sermons entitled Leaf Skimmer for Pools. This patent discloses a cleaning device for swimming pools that has a floating member that is positioned on the surface of the water in the pool adjacent to and upstream of a water circulation drain for the pool. Attached to the floating member is a net immersed in the water for collecting debris in the proximity of the drain. The floating member is preferably tethered to the side of the pool so as to be easily removable at pre-determined intervals for dumping the debris. The Sermons patent discloses a system that does include the semi-permanent attachment of an anchor to the side of the pool, but relies upon the directed circulation flow of the pool water into the drain element already positioned on and incorporated into the side of the pool. The system would function poorly if it was not specifically positioned in association with a circulation drain. 
     Two additional prior disclosures, U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,660 issued to Lourie et al. entitled Swimming Pool Skimmer, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,135 issued to MacPhee et al. entitled Swimming Pool Cleaner, each describe rigid rectangular structures that are designed to be moved or manipulated by two individuals positioned on either side of the swimming pool simultaneously. The McPhee et al. patent describes the use of a net that may be completely or partially rolled up with one of the side members of the frame for storage. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,767 issued to Beers entitled Swimming Pool Skimming Apparatus is directed to the removal of debris from the water surface of swimming pools and comprises a buoyant tube arrayed along its entire length with a fibrous absorbent material affixed to each of the extreme ends of the tube. The skimming apparatus may be swept across the pool and then wound with one end inside the other until the inner circle has been reduced to a diameter of two or three feet. Although the Beers patent describes a device does a better job of concentrating the debris for removal, it still relies upon a wide area floating component that is difficult to reduce in size and store when not in use. 
     A number of additional prior U.S. patents disclose single ended hand manipulated mechanisms that are either moved about the perimeter of the pool or are pivoted about a point of attachment on the side of the pool to collect debris. These types of devices are typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,858 issued to Soto et al. entitled Device for Cleaning the Surface of the Body of Water in a Pool; U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,020 issued to Gronlund entitled Swimming Pool Skimmer; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,830 issued to Huppert entitled Stationary Skimming Device for a Swimming Pool. 
     None of the efforts made in the prior art disclose the use of a compact net that may be extended across the pool surface and progressively moved about the pool in order to gather debris to a single location. It would be desirable to have a system that, when not in use, was compactly stored in a convenient position on or near the edge of the pool in a manner such that it is immediately ready for use at any time. It would be desirable if such a system allowed for the extension of the collection net out from its stored placement in a manner such that, with a single movement, and by a single user, it would be capable of collecting most all of the debris floating on the surface of the swimming pool into a single location, where it could be then be easily removed from the pool. It would be desirable if such a system would allow for the easy extension and retraction of the collection net out from and into a compact storage configuration, and concurrently provided a means for cleaning the collection net of the debris to prevent it from clogging the stored net system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention therefore provides a device for skimming the surface of the water in a swimming pool or the like, in a single, generally sweeping motion and thereby collecting most all of the debris floating on or near the surface of the pool into one spot where it may be lifted and removed from the pool. The system incorporates a long rectangular section of netting that is wound onto a cylindrical reel and contained on a vertically oriented cylindrical axel. The cylindrical axel and reel are mounted by brackets or weights to the side of the pool. The cylindrically wound netting may be drawn out from the fixed cylinder mounted on the side of the pool through a slot in a pivoting debris deflector positioned on the same cylindrical axel. One end of the long rectangular section of netting may be fixed to a second smaller cylinder or pipe which serves to keep the entire rectangular net from being drawn completely into the enclosure comprising the cylindrical reel. A longer handle may be inserted into the smaller cylinder or pipe and thereby allow the user to withdraw the end of the net from the cylinder and direct the extension of the net out around the edge of the pool in a progressive fashion. In this process, the net gathers debris floating on the surface of the pool and, as the long rectangular net is extended and the end is carried about the edge of the pool, debris collects to a single point as the end of the net is finally brought back to the fixed cylindrical reel location. The cylindrical device is positioned so as to extend vertically across the horizontal water line in the pool in such a manner that some part of the net extends below the water while some part of the net extends above. In this manner, pulling the net from the cylindrical reel provides a means for collecting all of the debris floating on the surface of the pool. The cylindrical reel is preferably spring loaded, such that as the net is withdrawn, spring tension tends to hold and draw the net back as the end progresses about the edge of the pool. Various stops and cleaning mechanisms positioned on the debris deflector component of the cylindrical reel facilitate the collection of debris and prevent the debris from being pulled into the cylindrical reel upon retraction of the net. 
     Further objectives and advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the swimming pool skimmer system of the present invention shown positioned in place along the edge of a swimming pool. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of the swimming pool skimmer system of the present invention showing the various components in the system. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the net reel of the system of the present invention showing the pivoting leaf guard. 
         FIG. 4  is a side plan view of the net reel of the system of the present invention showing the pivoting leaf guard partially immersed in the swimming pool water. 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the swimming pool skimmer system of the present invention showing an optional debris lifting basket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is made first to  FIG. 1  for a description of the complete swimming pool debris skimming device of the present invention as it might be installed in conjunction with the sidewall or edge of a typical swimming pool. The swimming pool  12  shown in  FIG. 1  is a simple circular or oval shaped swimming pool provided as an example for clarity as one shape with which the system of the present invention may be used. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a swimming pool of nearly any configuration may utilize the system of the present invention without difficulty. Therefore, alternative shapes and sizes to the swimming pool  12  show in  FIG. 1  are anticipated. For very large swimming pool facilities and installations it may be preferable to incorporate more than a single apparatus of the present invention to accommodate the more rapid collection and removal of debris from the pool. There are, however, no specific size limitations for the swimming pool that would benefit from the installation and use of the system of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 1 , debris skimming device  10  is shown placed on the edge  18  of swimming pool  12 . The level of pool water  14  is indicated on the side of the pool along the sidewall  16  of the pool. Net reel assembly  20  of the present invention is shown positioned in place on the edge of the pool  12  as described in more detail below. A portion of the extended net  22  is shown in  FIG. 1  as the system might be configured when the user is initially extending the net from the cylindrical net storage device. The movement of the user in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  would be in a clockwise direction around the perimeter of the pool, starting adjacent to the cylindrical storage components of the device, progressing around the perimeter of the pool, and then returning back to the cylindrical storage components with the collected debris. 
     In general, the debris skimming device  10  of the present invention is comprised of two primary components, the net reel component  20  and the extendable end tube assembly  32 . Connecting these two components is a generally rectangular length of net  22  as shown. The net reel component  20  is fixed in position on the edge of pool  12  while the extended net end tube  32  is free to be drawn out away from the net reel  20  and moved about the edge of the pool as shown. In this manner the net  22  is extended from net reel  20  and is directed across the surface of the water in the pool, gradually encompassing and collecting most all of the debris that is floating on the surface of pool water  14 . 
     Net reel assembly  20  is positioned on the edge  18  of pool  12  by means of net reel support  28  and net reel fixed pedestal  30 . As indicated above, a variety of different mechanisms and structures for locating net reel assembly  20  on the edge of the pool  12  and maintaining it in a fixed position will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The device may be semi-permanently mounted to the side of the pool as with bolts or other attachment means fixed into the concrete structure of the pool walls and/or perimeter walkways. Alternately, the device may be positioned using a heavily weighted pedestal that remains in position on the walkway or edge surrounding the pool, despite the relatively small lateral forces exerted on the device during its use. The important requirements are that the cylindrical reel be laterally fixed in position on the edge of the pool while being free to rotate in a manner that allows for the extension and retraction of the net with little effort or force. 
     Associated with net reel  20  are cylindrically wound net  24  and pivoting leaf guard  26 . The operation of these components is described in more detail below. In general, net reel  20  provides a cylindrical reel of net material that may be extended out for use and retracted back into a stored condition when not in use. In the preferred embodiment, net reel  20  comprises a spring loaded reel assembly that automatically retracts the extended net as the user allows the net to be returned back towards the reel component  20  after having been progressed about the perimeter of the pool. 
     When not in use, all but the very end of the longitudinal rectangular net is retracted back into net reel  20  to a point of contact between pivoting leaf guard  26  and extended net end tube  32 . The user initiates use of the pool skimming device of the present invention by grasping removable handle  34  and inserting it into one end of extended net end tube  32 . Once placed into extended net end tube  32 , the user may manipulate removable handle  34  to draw extended net  22  away from net reel  20  along the edge  18  of pool  12 . Positioned on extended net end tube  32  is pool side wall scraper  36  which the user may direct against the side wall  16  to scrape any debris immediately adjacent the side wall into the main area of pool water  14  where it may be gathered and eventually collected by extended net  22 . The user is free to manipulate extended net end tube  32  and the associated pool side wall scraper  36  in any manner to gradually or rapidly collect the debris into the net as the user moves about the perimeter of the pool while standing on edge  18  of the pool. 
     The user may extend the net  22  out from net reel  20  to a point of maximum distance from net reel  20 , as for example, to an opposite or furthest edge of the pool. From that furthest point forward in progressing about the perimeter of the pool, the net reel gradually and automatically retracts the extended net  22  while the user returns to a position adjacent net reel  20  after circumnavigating the entire pool edge. As extended net  22  is retracted back into net reel  20 , debris that is collected in the net is prevented from entering the cylindrically wound net  24  by way of pivoting leaf guard  26 . In a manner described in more detail below, the debris being collected by the extended net  22  is brushed back into the mass of debris still floating on the surface of pool water  14 , but held within a confined area by the remaining portion of extended net  22 . As the net is at all times defining an ever decreasing closed area, the debris in the pool is confined and gathered back to a single location where it can more easily be removed ( in a manner described below). 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  for a more detailed description of the components of debris skimming device  10  of the present invention. Again, the system is comprised primarily of net reel  20 , which in the preferred embodiment is fixed on the edge of the pool, and extended net end tube  32  which is manipulated by the user with the help of removable handle  34 . In the detailed view shown in  FIG. 2 , the manner of attaching extended net  22  to extended net end tube  32  can be seen. Typically a pair of flat gripping flange plates positioned on either side of extended net  22  may be clamped together to hold extended net  22  in an upright position across its extended width along the length of the end tube  32 . In the preferred embodiment, end tube  32  may comprise a section of PVC pipe to which is attached the short width dimension of the rectangular net in the manner described above. Alternately, the end tube may a section of PVC pipe with a longitudinal slit cut into the pipe, into which the end of the net might be placed and secured. Pool side wall scraper  36  may be positioned at an angle or away from the attachment point for extended net  22  onto extended net end tube  32  in a manner that allows the user to lead with the scraper against the wall of the pool and follow with the extended net as the end assembly is directed about the perimeter of the pool. 
     Net reel  20  is again comprised primarily of cylindrically wound net section  24  and pivoting leaf guard  26  which are each connected to a spring loaded reel axle  40  which allows the rotational movement of both wound net  24  and pivoting leaf guard  26  about net reel support  28 . Net reel fixed pedestal  30  is rigidly attached to net reel support  28  and is in turn positioned on fixed mounting base  38  which, as described above, may preferably be either a heavy weighted stand or a heavy plate more permanently fixed to the side of the pool. In this manner, the bracket components comprising net reel support  28 , net reel fixed pedestal  30 , and fixed mounting base  38  remain rigidly positioned on the edge of the pool and maintain net reel  20  in a fixed lateral position, while still allowing net reel  20  and its associated pivoting leaf guard  26  to rotate in any direction and to unwind the extended net  22  as described above. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3 and 4  for a more detailed description of the structure of net reel  20  and its manner of allowing the extension and automatic retraction of the skimming net used in the system of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a top plan view of net reel  20  of the present invention shown without net reel support  28  in order to expose the basic internal structures of the net reel. Spring loaded reel axle  40  is shown centrally positioned within net reel  20  around which is collected wound net  24 . A fixed end (not seen in  FIG. 3 ) of wound net  24  is permanently attached to spring loaded reel axle  40  and the opposite end extends from the wound cylindrical reel out through pivoting leaf guard  26  to its point of attachment to end assembly  32 . 
     Pivoting leaf guard  26  pivots about spring loaded reel axle  40 , although it is not associated with the spring loaded functionality of net reel  20 . Pivoting leaf guard  26  is simply free to rotate at any angle as indicated in  FIG. 3  with respect to the central axis defined by spring loaded reel axle  40 . The extendable end of the net is, of course, left positioned on the external surface of cylindrically wound net  24  and passes through leaf guard  26  between two net guide rollers  44 . These vertically oriented rollers help guide the release of the net when it is extended from net reel  20  and also assist in winding the net back around net reel  20  on retraction. 
     Most importantly in  FIG. 3  are shown leaf guard brushes  42  which are positioned in a vertical arrangement on either side of the opening in leaf guard  26  through which the end of wound net  24  extends. These leaf guard brushes, shown in profile in  FIG. 4 , are spaced sufficiently apart from each other as to allow for the easy extension and retraction of the net from net reel  20  while at the same time sufficiently close as to serve to brush debris outward upon retraction of the net, in a manner that prevents the debris from clogging net reel  20  and becoming wound into cylindrically wound net  24 . Any smaller particles of debris that do make it between leaf guard brushes  42  end up on the external surface of wound net  24  and are free to fall therefrom into the collection area on the surface of the pool. For this reason net reel  20  is preferably an open reel with only the leaf guard covering a small portion of the outward facing surface of the cylindrical structure. 
     The spacing between leaf guard brushes  42  is once again established so as to prevent all but the smallest bits of debris from entering into the cylindrically wound net  24 .  FIG. 4  further shows the approximate depth at which the system of the present invention might be placed within pool water  14 . The width of the net that collects the debris in the present invention may preferably be on the order of 1′ to 2′ in order to allow an adequate range of vertical motion to the user without the risk of losing debris above or below the net as it might cross the water line. In this manner, it is preferable to position the net reel  20  such that the surface of the pool water  14  is approximately mid-way along the height of the net reel  20  thus allowing for an increase or a decrease in the level of the pool water surface as typically occurs through evaporation and the filling or re-filling of the pool. 
     Reference is finally made to  FIG. 5  for a detailed description of an optional component of the swimming pool skimmer system of the present invention.  FIG. 5  discloses in detail the extended net end tube  32  and the removable handle  34  positioned as they are at the end of extended net  22  as described above. Pool side wall scraper  36  is again positioned at an angle with respect to the attachment point for extended net  22 . As an optional component, debris lifting basket  46  may be attached to extended net end tube  32  in a manner that allows the user to lift debris from the surface of the pool after a full sweep of the pool with the primary net. The debris lifting basket  46  of the present invention is positioned in a convenient location on the hand manipulated extended net end tube  32  where the user may readily utilize the basket to remove debris that has been collected by the system of the present invention. A convenient structure to debris lifting basket  46  is shown in  FIG. 5  wherein debris lifting basket  46  comprises a basket net  48  that is configured and supported by basket rim  52  which itself is supported by basket support clip  50 . Support clip  50  is configured to be clipped onto or easily removed from cylindrical extended net end tube  32 . This also allows lifting basket  46  to rotate slightly about extended net end tube  32  in a manner most convenient for the user. The user may simply lift the entire assembly out from the pool and then either dump the contents of the basket directly or remove the lifting basket  46  from its clipped position on extended net end tube  32  for easy disposal of the contents of the net basket at a remote location. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, these descriptions are provided by way of explanation only and are not intended to be construed as limitations of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications of the present invention that would accommodate specific swimming pool structures and specific user needs. Those skilled in the art will further recognize additional methods for modifying the manner of attachment of the system of the present invention to the swimming pool wall or edge. Such modifications as to structure, orientation, geometry, and configuration for the components, where such modifications are coincidental to the type of swimming pool involved or the specific user&#39;s requirements, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.