Patent Publication Number: US-2023141176-A1

Title: Siphon assembly and method of use thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial Number 63/360,923 filed on Nov. 10, 2021 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure is directed to pool equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to equipment for draining accumulated water from a pool cover. Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a siphon assembly having a pad with an open-weave structure which allows water to flow therethrough from multiple directions to an intake member. The pad’s structure and multiple inlet openings defined in the intake member provide for improved drainage of the accumulated water without the siphoning assembly becoming clogged by leaves, algae or other debris in the water. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Swimming pools and other man-made bodies of water such as fish ponds are often covered with a pool cover during winter. Covers are typically made from sheet materials and are anchored in a suitable manner to the coping or other structures that encircle the pool. The cover will prevent leaves and other debris from entering the pool water during the winter months while the pump and filtration equipment are switched off and are no longer circulating and filtering the pool water. 
     Since pool covers are typically fabricated from plastic sheet materials, they tend not to allow much of the rainwater and/or snowmelt which falls on the cover to drain therethrough and into the pool. As a result it is not uncommon for a volume of water and debris, such as leaves and twigs, to accumulate on the upper surface of the cover. All of this water and debris must be removed from time to time or, at the very least, prior to removing the cover in the spring. 
     Various devices have been proposed in the art to drain this accumulated water from pool covers. For example, West (U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,764) discloses a cover having an integral drainage port located near the cover’s center. A drainage hose may be connected to the drainage port and the end of the hose is positioned outside of the pool. Water accumulating on the upper surface of the cover will tend to flow through the drainage port, through the hose, and be directed away from the pool and onto the ground. In order to prevent the drainage port from becoming clogged with leaves, twigs, algae and other materials in the accumulated water on the pool cover, West discloses that the cover includes a screen positioned vertically above the drainage port. The screen is integral with the material that forms the cover and is fabricated from a mesh material that allows water to drain through it but prevents most debris from passing through the screen. 
     It should be noted that in order to cause water to drain off the pool cover through the hose, it is necessary to either engage a pump with the hose to either suction water into the hose or drive water through the hose. Alternatively, the pump may be omitted and the drainage hose may be set up so that it will act as a siphon. A siphon is essentially a hollow tube that is initially charged (i.e., filled with water) and is then arranged so that a first end of the charged hose is submerged in water accumulated on the pool cover, and the second end of the hose is placed at a lower elevation, possibly a distance away from the pool cover. Charging the hose sets up a naturally occurring flow of water through the hose, i.e., a siphon. The siphon action will continue until the first end of the hose is exposed to the air and the siphon action is broken. The only way to set up the siphon action again is to recharge the hose, submerge the first end, etc. The West patent mentioned above and various other references mentioned below rely on utilizing siphoning action in a drainage hose to remove accumulated water from a pool cover. 
     Another device proposed by the prior art to drain accumulated water from pool covers is that disclosed by Dellasso (U.S. 4,834,138). Dellasso teaches a device which includes a housing that is selectively placed on an upper surface of the pool cover when it is desired to drain accumulated water therefrom. The housing is constructed so as to form two interior chambers which are covered by way of a hinged lid. A plurality of through-holes is defined in a region of the lid which overlays one of the chambers. A first of the chambers is provided to receive some type of material to add weight to the device, such as gravel. The second chamber, which is overlayed with the region of the lid having through-holes, is provided to allow water to drain into the same. A drainage port is provided in the second chamber. A drainage hose is connected to the drainage port, extends over the side of the pool, and is placed on the ground at a lower elevation relative to the pool. A hand-operable pump is engaged with the hose to set up a siphon action in the hose. The pump causes water to be suctioned into the hose to fill the same. In other words, the pump “charges” the hose. Once the hose is charged, water will automatically flow through the hose without the pump being further operated. Leaves and other debris in the water on the pool cover will be prevented from flowing into the second chamber by the lid. One of the problems with this particular device is that the flow rate through the hose is proportionate to the number of through-holes defined in the cover. Another problem is that eventually, leaves and other debris will tend to be suctioned onto the lid’s flat upper surface, blocking some or all of the through-holes, further diminishing water flow into the second chamber and thereby out of the hose. Yet another problem with this device is that the level of accumulated water on the pool has to be sufficient to cover at least the upper surface of the housing so that water can drain into the second chamber. As soon as the level of water on the cover drops below the upper surface of the housing, the device becomes inoperative. Consequently, there is always a volume of water remaining on the upper surface of the cover after use of the Dellasso device. Additionally, when more water accumulates on the cover, the user has to reengage the pump with the hose and activate the same in order to charge the hose and set up the siphon action once again. 
     Yet another device proposed by the prior art is that disclosed by Tedona (U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,267). Tedona’s device is similar to that of Dellasso discussed above. Tedona’s device includes a housing having a hinged lid with through-holes defined therein and through which water drains into an interior chamber. Tedona, however, does not provide two chambers within the housing like Dellasso. Instead, Tedona provides a base on the housing which includes a material that adds weight to the housing. The weight allows the housing to sink to the bottom of a volume of accumulated water on a pool cover. There is a single chamber defined in the housing. Water drains through the through-holes into the single chamber, leaving debris on the upper surface of the lid. A drainage port is provided in the single chamber and a hose is connected to the drainage port. Tedona teaches to create a fixed loop in the hose a distance from the drainage port. The loop ensures that after the hose is initially charged (i.e., filled with water to set up a siphon action) by way of a pump, the hose will remain charged even after the level of water on the pool cover drops below the upper surface of the housing. Then when additional water accumulates on the pool cover and the level of water surpasses the upper surface of the housing once again, the siphon action will automatically be reinitiated without the need for a user to engage a pump with the hose. As a result water will tend to automatically flow through the through-holes, through the hose, and onto the ground until the water level on the pool cover once again drops below the level of the upper surface of the housing. Like Dellasso’s device, the Tedona device tends to get clogged as leaves and debris accumulates on the lid blocking the through-holes. Additionally, like Dellasso’s device, the Tedona device tends to leave a volume of undrained water on the pool cover. 
     SUMMARY 
     A siphon assembly and a method of use thereof to drain accumulated water from a pool cover are disclosed herein. The siphon assembly includes a pad that is made of a plurality of fibrous threads which are formed into an open-mesh or open-weave structure where the threads are surrounded by air spaces. An intake member is embedded at least partially in the pad. The intake member is a pipe fitting which includes one or more inlets and one outlet. Preferably, the pipe fitting includes multiple inlets and out outlet. A hose is engaged with the intake member. In particular, the hose is engaged with part of the intake member which defines the one outlet opening. When the pad is submerged in the water which has accumulated on a pool cover, a siphoning action is set up in the hose. The siphoning action causes some of the accumulated water which surrounds the pad to be sucked into the pad’s interior through the pad’s air spaces. The water moves from the air spaces in the pad into the intake member’s inlets. A passageway defined in the intake member directs the water from the inlet openings to the outlet opening. Since the hose bore is in fluid communication with the passageway in the intake member, water flows out of the outlet opening and into the hose bore. The fibrous threads of the pad prevent leaves, twigs, algae, soil or other debris in the water accumulated on the pool cover from reaching the inlets and clogging them. The multiple inlets also help to ensure water keeps flowing into the intake member even if one of the inlets does, accidentally, become clogged with this debris in the water. Because of the open-weave nature of the fibrous threads and air spaces of the pad, water is able to be sucked into the pad’s interior from multiple directions. Providing at least one pad surface remains at least partially submerged in the water and is not exposed to air or blocked by debris, the siphon assembly will continue to drain water therethrough until all of the inlets of the intake member are exposed to air and the siphoning action through the hose automatically stops. 
     In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a siphon assembly for draining accumulated water from a pool cover, wherein the siphon assembly comprises a pad made from a water and air pervious material; an intake member partially surrounded by the pad; a passageway defined by the intake member, and a hose operably engaged with the intake member, wherein a bore of the hose is placed in fluid communication with the passageway, and wherein the hose is configured to enable a siphoning action to drain the accumulated water from the pool cover through the pad, the passageway, and the bore. 
     In one embodiment the water and air pervious material may be an open-mesh or open-weave material. In one embodiment, the material of the pad may comprise a plurality of fibrous material threads and a plurality of air spaces between the threads, wherein the plurality of air spaces permit air and water to move through the pad. In one embodiment, the plurality of fibrous material threads may be formed of a waterproof material. In one embodiment, the intake member may be a pipe fitting. In one embodiment, the pipe fitting may define at least one inlet opening to the passageway and one outlet opening to the passageway. In one embodiment, a first portion of the pipe fitting which includes the at least one inlet opening may be located within an interior of the pad, and a second portion of the pipe fitting which includes the outlet opening may be located outside of the pad. In one embodiment, the pipe fitting may be a 4-way cross fitting having a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, and a fourth arm, wherein the at least one inlet opening includes an inlet opening defined by each of the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm, and wherein the one outlet opening is defined by the fourth arm. In one embodiment, the pad may define an aperture which extends between an interior surface and an exterior surface of the pad, and wherein at least part of the fourth arm extends through the aperture such that the one outlet opening is located outside of the pad. 
     In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method of draining accumulated water off a pool cover, said method comprising submerging a siphon assembly in the accumulated water to be drained from the pool cover; providing a pad as part of the siphon assembly, wherein the pad is comprised of a water and air pervious material; embedding an intake member at least partially within the pad; engaging a first end of a hose with the intake member; placing a bore of the hose in fluid communication with a passageway defined through the intake member and thereby placing the bore of the hose in fluid communication with air spaces defined in the pad; causing accumulated water from the pool cover to flow from outside the pad into an interior of the pad; and causing water in the interior of the pad to flow through the passageway and subsequently through the bore of the hose. 
     In one embodiment, the method may further comprise providing more than one inlet opening in the intake member and through which water flows from the interior of the pad to the passageway of the intake member. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise providing only one outlet opening in the intake member and through which water flows from the passageway and into the bore of the hose. In one embodiment, providing the pad may include manufacturing the pad from an open-mesh or open-weave of a plurality of fibrous threads and wherein the air spaces are interspersed between the plurality of fibrous threads. In one embodiment the method may further comprise surrounding the intake member with the plurality of fibrous threads of the pad; and preventing debris in the accumulated water from clogging the intake member with the plurality of fibrous threads. In one embodiment the submerged pad may have an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter side surface extending between the upper surface and lower surface, and the method may further comprise causing water to flow from outside the pad to the interior of the pad through one or more of the upper surface, the lower surface and the perimeter side surface. In one embodiment the method may further comprise initiating a siphoning action in the hose to cause accumulated water from the pool cover to flow from outside of the pad into the interior of the pad. In one embodiment, the siphoning action continues even when an upper surface of the pad is exposed to air or when the upper surface becomes clogged with debris located in the accumulated water. In one embodiment, initiating the siphoning action may be preceded by charging the hose. In one embodiment charging the hose may be followed by placing a second end of the hose at an elevation vertically below the first end of the hose. 
     In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a siphon assembly comprising a pad made of a plurality of fibrous threads, wherein air spaces are interspersed among the fibrous threads; an intake member comprising a pipe fitting having a passage defined therethrough, wherein the passageway is in fluid communication with the air spaces in the pad; an aperture defined in the pad, wherein a first portion of the intake member is surrounded by the pad and a second portion of the intake member extends through the aperture; and at least one securement member engaged with the pad, said at least one securement member maintaining the pad in place around the first portion of the intake member. 
     In one embodiment, the pipe fitting may be a 4-way cross pipe fitting which defines three inlet openings to the passageway and one outlet opening to the passageway. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG.  1    is top, isometric perspective view of an above-ground swimming pool with a pool cover engaged therewith and showing a siphon assembly in accordance with the present disclosure positioned to drain off liquid which has accumulated on the upper surface of the pool cover; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a top, isometric perspective view of components used to assemble the siphon assembly of the present disclosure, with the components shown in an initial position; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a top, isometric perspective view of an intermediate position in the assembly of the siphon assembly, where a pad of the siphon assembly is folded to form an L-shape and showing a four-way intake member placed on an upper surface of one of the legs of the L-shaped pad; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a top, isometric perspective view of the siphon assembly in a fully-assembled final position where the pad’s legs are vertically aligned with one another, burying the intake member therebetween, and further showing an outlet hose engaged with the intake, 
         FIG.  3 A  is a right side elevation view of the siphon assembly sitting on the upper surface of the pool cover and positioned to drain the accumulated water off the pool cover; 
         FIG.  3 B  is right side elevation view of the siphon assembly sitting on the upper surface of the pool cover and showing the level of the accumulated water substantially reduced, and showing leaves and other debris collecting on an upper surface of the siphon assembly but not blocking the flow of water therefrom; and 
         FIG.  4    is a top plan view of the siphon assembly submerged in a volume of water accumulated on the pool cover; wherein the siphon assembly is shown with the first section of the pad removed for clarity of illustration and showing the intake member and part of the hose shown in horizontal cross section. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    there is illustrated an above ground swimming pool  10  which is covered with a pool cover  12  that is secured to the above ground pool  10  in any suitable fashion. Pool cover  12  has an upper surface  12   a  and a lower surface  12   b  ( FIG.  3 A ). When pool cover  12  is engaged with the pool  10 , lower surface  12   b  is located adjacent any water (not shown) that is in the interior of the pool  10 .  FIGS.  1  and  3 A  show a volume of water  14  has accumulated on the upper surface  12   a  of the pool cover  12 . 
       FIGS.  1  through  3 B  show a siphon assembly in accordance with the present disclosure, generally indicated at  100 . Siphon assembly  100  comprises a pad  102 , an intake member  104 , securement members  106 , and a hose  108 . These components will be described in greater detail hereafter. 
     Pad  102  may be formed from a material which is air and water pervious. In other words, pad  102  is made from a material which is permeable and allows air and water to move through it. The material of pad  102  has an open-weave or open-mesh type of structure formed from a loose and random weave of waterproof fibers. As such, the material comprises a plurality of fibrous material threads  110  and a plurality of air spaces  112  between the threads  110 . The air spaces  112  allow air and water to move through the pad  102 . Suitable materials for pad  102  include various types of plastics including but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Recycled plastics may also be suitable materials for formation of the fibrous material. Additionally, pad  102  may be infused with ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers and antimicrobial substances. The UV stabilizers will aid in resisting sun damage to the pad  102 . The antimicrobials will resist bacterial and fungal growth within pad  102 . Any other substances which will help pad  102  to stand up to harsh environments such as snow, ice, rain, and intense heat may be incorporated into the material of pad  102 . It will be understood that materials other than plastics may be used in the fabrication of pad  102 . 
     The loose weave of the fibers  110  interspersed with air spaces  112  enables pad  102  to breathe and also permits water to flow through the air spaces  112  between the fibers  110 . The woven nature of pad  102  is such that the fibers  110  tend to prevent the passage of leaves and other debris into or through the pad  102 . In particular, any solid objects which are not small enough to move through the air spaces  112  will be prevented from moving through pad  102  by the fibers  110 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C , pad  102  is an elongate strip which is generally rectangular in shape. Pad  102  has first surface  102   a , a second surface  102   b  that is opposed to the first surface  102   a . Pad  102  further includes a first end  102   c  and a second end that is opposed to the first end  102   c . Pad  102  further includes a first side  102   e , and a second side  102   f  that is opposed to the first side  102   e . Pad  102  has a thickness “T” measured between first surface  102   a  and second surface  102   b , a length “L” measured between first end  102   c  and second end  102   d , and a width “W” measured between first side  102   e  and second side  102   f . Thickness “T” of pad  102  may be from about 1/16″ up to about ¾ inch. It will be understood, however, that the thickness “T” may be less than 1/16″ or greater than ¾ inch. The length “L” of pad  102  may be from about 12 inches long up to about 4 feet long. It will be understood, however, that the length “L” may be less than 12 inches long or greater than 4 feet long. The width “W” of pad  102  may be from about 6 inches wide up to about 2 feet wide. It will be understood, however, that the width “W” may be less than 6 inches or greater than 2 feet. In one embodiment pad  102  may be 1/16 th  of an inch thick, 2 feet long, and 1 foot wide. 
     It will be understood that while pad  102  is described herein and illustrated in the attached drawings as being rectangular in shape, any desired shape of the material of pad  102  may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, pad  102  may be cut to be circular in shape and then folded in half to form a generally semi-circular pad member of siphon assembly  100 . The rectangular shape of pad  102  as described and illustrated herein should not be considered to unnecessarily limit the scope of the pad which may be utilized in siphon assembly  100 . 
       FIG.  2 A  shows that an aperture  102   g  is defined in pad  102 . Aperture  102   g  extends between first surface  102   a  and second surface  102   b . Aperture  102   g  is preferably formed in a central location of both the width “W” and length “L” of pad  102 , i.e., midway between first end  102   c  and second end  102   d , as well as midway between first side  102   e  and second side  102   f . The purpose of aperture  102   g  will be described later herein. 
     Intake member  104  comprises a standard plumbing pipe fitting. As illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , intake member  104  comprises a 4-way cross fitting. The cross fitting includes a first arm  104   a , a second arm  104   b , a third arm  104   c , and a fourth arm  104   d . Adjacent arms of the four arms  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  are arranged at ninety degrees relative to one another. The four arms  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c ,  104   d  all are arranged in substantially a same plane. 
     It will be understood that any suitable 4-way cross fitting  104  may be utilized as intake member  104 . As such, the four arms  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c ,  104   d  may be tapered moving in a direction from a central meeting point to the outer ends of the respective arms. The exterior surfaces may be provided with barbs or quick connect features. 
     In other embodiments, pipe fittings other than 4-way cross fittings may be utilized as intake member  104 . For example, pipe fittings that include less than four arms may be utilized as intake member  104 . In other embodiments, pipe fittings with more than four arms may be utilized as intake member  104 . 
     As illustrated in the attached figures, in the present embodiment, first arm  104   a , second arm  104   b , and third arm  104   c  are utilized as water intakes. Fourth arm  104   d  is utilized as a water outlet. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  2 A,  2 B, and  2 C , when siphon assembly  100  is to be assembled utilizing pad  102  and intake member  104 , the rectangular pad  102  is initially folded from an initial position shown in  FIG.  2 A  to an intermediate position shown in  FIG.  2 B . Pad  102  is folded about a fold line which extends from first side  102   e  to second side  102   f . Preferably, the fold line extends along a midline between first end  102   c  and second end  102   d . 
     In the intermediate position shown in  FIG.  2 B , pad  102  generally has an L-shape when viewed from a left side. The L-shape comprises a first section  102   h  and a second section  102   j  which meet along the fold line (or midline between first end  102   c  and second end  102   d ). The aperture  102   g  is located in the fold line or midline. Intake member  104  is placed on the first surface  102   a  of the second section  102   j  and the fourth arm  104   d  is inserted through the aperture  102   g  so that a portion of the fourth arm  104   d  extends outwardly beyond the second surface  102   b  of pad  102 . The first arm  102   a , second arm  102   b , and third arm  102   c  rest upon the first surface  102  of the second section  102   j . The first and third arms  104   a ,  104   c  extend along the inner surface of the fold line and the second arm  104   b  extends outwardly from the fold line and generally at ninety degrees relative thereto. 
     First section  102   h  of pad  102  is then folded completely over second section  102   j  of pad  102  such that the first surface  102   a  of first section  102   h  abuts the first surface  102   a  of second section  102   j . The intake member  104  is captured between the two portions of the first surface  102   a . Preferably, first end  102   c  is vertically aligned with second end  102   d , the portions of the first side  102   e  on first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  are vertically aligned with one another, and the portions of the second side  102   f  on first section  102   h  and second section  102  are vertically aligned with one another. 
     When pad  102  is completely folded in half such that the first section  102   h  is located vertically above second section  102   j  as illustrated in  FIG.  2 C , then one or more securement members  106  are engaged with pad  102  to retain pad  102  in the folded position. Securement members  106  may be plastic cable ties as illustrated in  FIG.  2 C . Each cable tie  106  is threaded through one or more air spaces  112  in one of the first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  and then through one or more air spaces  112  in the other of first section  102   h  and second section  102   j . Each cable tie  106  is then secured to itself as is well known in the art and is drawn tight enough to hold first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  in abutting contact with one another. Cable ties  106  are then permanently fixed to pad  102  and cannot be accidentally removed therefrom. The only way to remove cable ties  106  from their engagement with pad  102  is to cut them. 
     A plurality of cable ties  106  are shown as being engaged with a portion of a perimeter of the folded pad  102 . The cable ties  106  are positioned at intervals from one another around the portion of the perimeter of the pad  102 . The intervals are sufficiently close enough to hold the first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  in abutting engagement and without leaving large enough openings between adjacent cable ties  106  that the intake member  104  could accidentally slide out from between the first section  102   h  and second section  102   j . 
       FIG.  2 C  shows that only three sides of the substantially square-shaped folded pad  102  has cable ties  106  engaged therewith. The fold  102   k  which extends between first side  102   e  and second side  102   f  is free of cable ties  106 . It will be understood, however, that in other instances, one or more cable ties  106  may be engaged with pad  102  along fold  102   k  to aid in keeping first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  in a substantially fixed relationship with one another. Placing a cable tie  106  on either side of the fourth arm  104   d  of intake member  104  may also help keep intake member  104  seated in substantially a fixed position between first section  102   h  and second section  102   j . 
     It will be understood that while the securement members  106  have been illustrated in the drawings and described herein as being cable ties, in other embodiments other types of securement devices may be utilized instead. For example, securement members  106  may comprise clips, clamps, snaps, or any other suitable device or mechanism which will keep first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  of pad  102  in abutting contact with one another and intake member  104  sandwiched between them. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  2 C,  3 A and  3 B , a hose  108  is secured to a free end of fourth arm  104   d  which extends outwardly from aperture  102   g  defined in pad and beyond fold  102   k . (The free end of fourth arm  104   d  is indicated in  FIG.  2 A  by the reference character 104d′.) Hose  108  is flexible tubular member that has an outer wall  108   a  with a first end  108   b  and a second end  108   c . The hose  108  defines a bore  108   d  ( FIG.  4   ) which extends from an opening in first end  108   b  to an opening in second end  108   c . As mentioned earlier herein, the free ends of the first, second, third, and fourth arm  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c ,  104   d  may be tapered or provided with barbs or quick connect features. Any of these features may be utilized to aid an installer to slide a first end of the flexible hose  108  onto free end 104d′ of fourth arm  104   d  so that the free end 104d′ enters the bore of hose  108 . A hose clamp  116  is shown as being used to secure hose onto fourth arm  104   d . It will be understood, however, that in other embodiments, a zip tie or any other type of securing mechanism may be used to secure hose  108  to fourth arm  104   d  of intake member  104 . In other embodiments, fourth arm  104  may be provided with a quick connect mechanism at its free end  104   d  and hose  108  may be provided with a complementary quick connect at first end  108   b . The complementary quick connect mechanisms may then be utilized to secure hose  108  to intake member  104 . In yet other embodiments, hose  108  may simply be retained on intake member  104  by friction. It should be understood that the hose clamp  116  is representative of any desired suitable manner of connecting hose  108  to intake member  104  so that hose  108  does not accidentally become disengaged from intake member  104 . 
       FIG.  4    shows a cross-section through the assembled siphon assembly  100 . As can be seen from this figure, the central region and four arms  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c ,  104   d  of intake member  104  define an passageway  104   e  that extends from openings in each of the free end of the four arms  104   a  through  104   d  and through the central region. When hose  108  is engaged with free end  104   d ′ of fourth arm  104   d  then passageway  104   e  is placed in fluid communication with bore  108   d  of hose  108 . 
     Siphon assembly  100  is used in the following manner. Pad  102  and intake member  104  are engaged with one another as described earlier herein with reference to  FIGS.  2 A through  2 C . Securement members  106  are engaged with pad  102  as earlier described herein in order to secure the two pad sections  102   h ,  102   j  to one another and to trap the intake member  104  in a sandwiched position between the two pad sections  102   h ,  102   j . Hose  108  is then engaged with the free end  104   d ′ of fourth arm  104   d  which projects outwardly from the aperture  102   g  defined in the pad  102 , and hose clamp  116  is utilized to secure hose  108  to fourth arm  104   d . 
     Siphon assembly  100  is then submerged into a volume of water  14  accumulated on the upper surface  12   a  of pool cover  12  as is illustrated in  FIGS.  1 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  4   .  FIG.  4    shows that when siphon assembly  100  is submerged water will tend to flow through the air spaces  112  in the woven mesh material of pad  102 . The water flow from the accumulated volume of water  14  and into the air spaces  112  of pad  102  is indicated in  FIGS.  3 A through  4    by arrows “A”. Because pad  102  is fabricated entirely from a woven mesh material, water will tend to flow in substantially every direction from outside the pad  102  toward the first surface  102   a  thereof. Any portion of the pad  102  that is even partially submerged will experience water flow the direction of arrows “A” from outside the pad  102  and towards the inside of the pad  102 . 
     Ultimately, water that has flowed into the air spaces  112  of pad  102  will make its way into the openings (unnumbered) defined in the free ends of the three arms  104   a ,  104   b , and  104   c  of the intake member  104  and subsequently into the passageway  104   e  of intake member  104 . The flow of water into the passageway  104   e  is indicated by arrows “B” in  FIG.  4   . Because there are three arms  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  with openings thereto within the interior of the pad  102 , water will flow into the passageway  104   e  from three different directions. Water does not flow into the opening defined in the free end  104   d ′ of fourth arm  104   d  from the volume of accumulated water  14  on the pool cover  12  since the free end  104   d ′ of the fourth arm  104   d  is enveloped within the bore  108   d  of hose  108 . Since water is flowing in the direction of arrows “B” into the passageway  104   e , the only escape for that water is to flow along the portion of the interior cavity defined by fourth arm  104   d . The water will flow through fourth arm  104   d  and subsequently into bore  108   d  of hose  108 . The flow of water through fourth arm  104   d  and into and through bore  108   d  of hose  108  is indicated by arrow “D” in  FIGS.  3 B, and  4   . 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show siphon assembly  100  submerged in a volume of water  14  accumulated on the upper surface  12   a  of pool cover  12 .  FIG.  3 A  shows a first instance prior to siphon assembly  100  being activated to drain water  14  from pool cover  12 . The figure shows water  14  is of a first depth “L1” and some leaves  16  are floating on the upper surface of water  14 . The first depth “L1” is measured from the uppermost surface  14   a  ( FIGS.  1  and  3 A ) of the water  14  to upper surface  12   a  of pool cover  12 . 
       FIG.  3 B  shows a situation after siphon assembly  100  has been activated and has been working for some time. Siphon assembly  100  is shown siphoning water from the pool cover  12  through the hose  108 , as indicated by arrow “D”.  FIG.  3 B  also shows that the level of water  14  on pool cover  12  is dropping, as indicated by arrows “E”. In particular,  FIG.  3 B  shows a situation when the water level is now at a depth “L2”. The second depth “L2” is measured from the uppermost surface  14   a  of the water  14  to the upper surface  12   a  of pool cover  12 . The level “L2” is less than the level “L1” shown in  FIG.  3 A . 
     It should be noted that  FIG.  3 B  shows that the water level “L2” is marginally below the uppermost surface of pad  102 . This uppermost surface based on the illustrated orientation of siphon assembly  100  is indicated by the reference character  102   m . Some of the leaves  16  are illustrated as resting on the uppermost surface  102   m , thereby potentially blocking some of the air spaces  112  in uppermost surface  102   m . In addition to these blockage of air spaces  112  by leaves  16 , since the uppermost surface  102   m  is no longer submerged beneath the water  14 , water cannot flow into the pad  102  and subsequently into the intake member  104  through uppermost surface  102   m . Because of these two factors, little to no water  14  will flow into pad  102  through the uppermost surface  102   m . However, because pad  102  is capable of taking in water through any of the other surfaces of pad  102 , including the first and second ends  102   c ,  102   d , the first and second sides  102   e ,  102   f , the fold  102   k , and even portions of the lowermost surface of the pad, indicated in  FIG.  3 B  by the reference character  102   n . As a consequence and unlike prior art devices, water  14  continues to drain off pool cover  12 , even though the uppermost surface  102   m  of siphon assembly  102  is above the upper level of the water  14  and/or is blocked by leaves  16  and other debris. 
     Since water  14  is able to continue to flow into pad  102  and into intake member  104  even as the uppermost regions of pad  102  is exposed to the air and/or becomes blocked by leaves  16  and other debris that cannot move past the threads  110  of pad  102 , more water  14  will be drained from off the pool cover  12  than was possible with prior art devices. Water  14  will continued to be drained off the pool cover  12  until one or more of the three openings to the passageway  104   e  of first, second, and third arms  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  is exposed to the air and the siphoning action of intake member  104  is halted. 
     After use of siphon assembly  100 , pad  102  may be cleaned by simply hosing it off. Because the woven fibers  110  are loosely engaged with one another, after hosing off the pad  102  air will flow through the air spaces  112  and the airflow will dry the pad  102 . This will substantially reduce the chances that mold will grow within the interior of the pad  102 . 
     Furthermore, if the pad  102  wears out or for some reason the intake member  104  becomes clogged, siphon assembly  100  may easily be cleaned or parts thereof replaced by simply opening the securement members  106  and disassembling the pad  102  and intake member  104 . For example, if the pad  102  has become worn, a replacement pad may be selected, engaged with the intake member  104  as previously described herein, and then new securement members  106  (or the previously-used securement members if they are clamps, clips etc.) will be reengaged with the folded replacement pad to reassemble the siphon assembly  100 . 
     It will be understood that instead of pad  102  being fabricated from a loosely woven or fibrous material which has air spaces formed therein, pad  102  may be fabricated out of a generally solid material with a plurality of air-flow channels therein which allow water to flow from an exterior surface of the pad to an interior surface of the pad and a plurality of air-flow channels originate in each of the first surface, second surface, first end, second end, first side, and second side. A pad fabricated in this manner will be designed to work in substantially the same manner as the pad  102  disclosed herein. 
     Siphon assembly  100  as disclosed and illustrated herein enables a homeowner or pool maintenance worker to quickly and easily assemble the siphon assembly  100  from its component parts, i.e., the pad  102 , intake member  104 , securement members  106  and hose  108 . The disclosed siphon assembly  100  also enables the home owner or pool maintenance worker to quickly and easily replace worn component parts. In other embodiments, the siphon assembly  100  may be a factory-assembled device that is sold to the home owner or pool maintenance worker in a fully-assembled condition. In these embodiments the securement members may be replaced with a more permanent mechanism of securing the first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  to one another. For example, an adhesive or heat welding may be used to permanent bond the first and second pad sections  102   h ,  102   j  to one another. Any other suitable mechanism for permanently securing the pad  102  in the configuration shown in  FIG.  2 C  may be utilized. In these embodiments, if the pad  102  wears out over time then the home owner or pool maintenance worker may cut the pad  102  free from around the intake member  104  and then purchase a replacement pad and securement members  106  to assemble a replacement siphon assembly  100 . 
     Siphon assembly  100  may be sold as a kit comprising a pad  102 , an intake member  104 , and securements  106 . The hose  108  and hose clamp  116  may be sold as part of the kit or the home owner or pool maintenance worker may utilize a hose and hose clamp that they already own. The kit may additionally include a hand pump or any other type of pump which can be operated by a user to initiate the siphoning action within hose  108 . 
     Weights do not form part of siphon assembly  100 . However, when siphon assembly is sold to the consumer, the consumer may be instructed that if they want to, rocks or some other suitable weighting material may be placed between the first section  102   h  and second section  102   j , either above or below the intake member  104  prior to first section  102   h  and second section  102   j  being secured to one another with securements  108 . 
     A method of using siphon assembly  100  may be summarized as a method of draining accumulated water  14  off a pool cover  12  which includes submerging a siphon assembly  100  in the accumulated water  14  to be drained from the pool cover  12  (as illustrated in  FIG.  3 A ); providing a pad  102  as part of the siphon assembly  100 , wherein the pad  102  is comprised of a water and air pervious material; embedding an intake member  104  at least partially within the pad  104 ; engaging a first end  108   b  of a hose  108  with the intake member  104 ; placing a bore  108   d  of the hose  108  in fluid communication with a passageway  104   e  defined through the intake member  104  and thereby placing the bore  108   d  of the hose  108  in fluid communication with air spaces  112  defined in the pad  102 . The method further includes causing accumulated water  14  from the pool cover  12  to flow from outside the pad  102  into an interior of the pad  102 ; and causing water in the interior of the pad  102  to flow through the passageway  104   e  and subsequently through the bore  108   d  of the hose  108 . 
     The method includes providing more than one inlet opening in the intake member  102 , i.e., the openings to the passageway  104   e  defined in first arm  104   a , second arm  104   b , and third arm  104   c . Water flows from the interior of the pad to the passageway  104   e  of the intake member through these openings in the first, second, and third arms  104   a ,  104   b , and  104   c . The method further includes providing only one outlet opening in the intake member  104  and through which water flows from the passageway  104   e  and into the bore  108   d  of the hose  108 . The only one outlet opening is the opening defined in the end region 104d′ of the fourth arm  104   d  of the intake member  104 . 
     The method further includes manufacturing the pad  102  from an open-mesh or open-weave material comprising a plurality of fibrous threads  110  and having air spaces  112  interspersed between and around the plurality of fibrous threads  110 . The method includes surrounding at least a portion of the intake member  104  with the plurality of fibrous threads  110  of the pad  102  and preventing debris in the accumulated water  14 , such as the leaves  16  from clogging the inlet openings of the intake member  104  with the plurality of fibrous threads  110 . The pad  102 , when submerged as illustrated in  FIG.  3 A  has a lower surface which contacts the pool cover  12  and an upper surface which is located remote from the pool cover  12 . Both the lower surface and the upper surface comprise regions of the second surface  102   b  of the pad as can be seen in  FIG.  2 C . The submerged pad  102  also has a perimeter side surface which extends between the upper surface and the lower surface of the pad. The perimeter side surface is comprised of the first end  102   c  and second end  102   d  of the pad illustrated in  FIG.  2 A  along with the first side  102   e  and second side  102   f . The fold  102   k  ( FIG.  2 C ) of pad  102  also forms part of the perimeter side surface which extends between the upper surface and lower surface. When pad  102  is submerged, water  14  is able to flow into the interior of the pad  102  through air spaces  112  which are accessible in one or more of the upper surface, the perimeter side surface, and the lower surface of the pad. So, even if leaves  16  or other debris accumulate against one of the upper surface, lower surface or perimeter side surface of pad  102 , water  14  is still able to be drawn into the interior of pad  102  through others of the upper surface, lower surface or perimeter side surface. The fibrous threads  110  of the pad  102  prevent the debris, such as leaves  16 , from coming into contact with intake member  104  and blocking or clogging intake member  104 . However, even if some smaller debris is sucked into the interior of pad  102  and does clog one of the inlet openings to the intake member, e.g., the opening in the first arm  104   a , the inlet opening in the second arm  104   b  and or the inlet opening  104   c  in the third arm  104   c  will remain open and water  14  will continue to be drained through the intake member  104  and hose  108 . The method further includes initiating a siphoning action in the hose  108  to cause accumulated water  14  from the pool cover  12  to flow from outside of the pad into the interior of the pad, as indicated by the arrows “A”, “B”, and “C” ( FIG.  4   ). Initiating the siphoning action is preceded by charging the hose  108 , i.e., filling the hose with water. This can be accomplished in any way known in the art such as engaging a pump (not shown) with the hose  108  and drawing some of the water  14  into the hose  108 . In other instances, hose  108  may be filled with water before being engaged with the fourth arm  104   d  of intake member  104 . After charging the hose  108 , a second end  108   c  of the hose  108  is placed at an elevation vertically below the first end  108   b  of the hose  108  as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . Positioning the second end  108   c  of the hose  108  vertically below the first end  108   b  thereof naturally sets up the siphoning action which will continue until the water  14  is drained from the pool cover. The siphoning action in the hose  108  continues even when an upper surface of the submerged pad is exposed to air or when the upper surface becomes clogged with debris  16  located in the accumulated water. The siphoning action in the hose  108  will continue until all of the inlet openings in the intake member are exposed to air. 
     It will be understood that in other embodiments, not shown herein, a pump may be provided in the interior of pad  102  and may be used in conjunction with intake member  104  or instead of intake member  104 . In the former situation, the pump may be positioned between intake members  104  and hose  108 . In the latter situation, hose  108  may be directly engaged with pump. Pump will preferably be provided with more than one inlet through which water may be caused to flow from the water  14  collected on pool cover  12 , through the fibrous threads  110  of pad  102  and subsequently into hose  108 . 
     Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. 
     While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
     The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term “effecting” or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term “effecting” should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of “effecting an event to occur” would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur. 
     When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. 
     If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
     As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/-0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. 
     Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.