Patent Publication Number: US-7594997-B1

Title: Portable skimmer, motor and pump protector for a swimming pool or hot tub

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/865,029, filed Nov. 9, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a portable skimmer, motor and pump protector for a swimming pool or a hot tub to prevent passage of leaves or other debris into the skimmer in order to avoid clogging or decreased efficiency of the skimmer, pump or motor. In particular, the present invention is directed to a lightweight, easily installable and easily removable protector which protects the skimmer from being clogged. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Swimming pool and hot tub systems pump water in a continual cycle, from the pool or hot tub through filtering and optional treatment systems and then back to the pool or hot tub again. In this manner, the system keeps the water in the pool or hot tub relatively free of dirt, debris and bacteria. 
   Water flows from the swimming pool through a skimmer which is recessed in a sidewall of the pool at the water level. The skimmer typically includes a removable basket to prevent leaves and other floating debris from passing through the pumping and filter system. The skimmer removes floating debris as it floats by the skimmer opening. A flapper or weir allows debris to flow into the skimmer but prevents it from drifting back out. Debris is caught in the skimmer basket and the basket is periodically emptied. Excessive debris can clog the basket, resulting in ineffective skimming. If the skimmer continues to be clogged, the basket may be damaged. Additionally, water flow may be interrupted resulting in damage to the pump or motor. 
   The skimmer is connected by piping to a pump and motor which pulls water from the pool or hot tub and through the skimmer into a filter. Optional equipment includes chemical treatment equipment, such as a chlorinator or brominator, and heaters. The pool water is thereafter delivered back to the swimming pool through piping and return inlets. 
   In certain conditions, such as stormy weather, and in certain seasons, such as the fall, leaves in large quantities may fall into the pool. During these times, the skimmer basket must be emptied frequently to prevent the basket from being clogged. The skimmer baskets are often composed of thin plastic and may be broken by the weight of the leaves and debris and the force of water being pumped therethrough. Additionally, when the basket is clogged, the pumping and filter system is not working efficiently. Moreover, if the basket becomes excessively clogged, water will not pass and the pump and motor may run “dry”, causing damage to the pump or motor. 
   Prior attempts have been made to protect the skimmer. For example, Boggs et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,602) discloses a flat guard which is attached to the skimmer intake. Other prior solutions either attach to the walls of the swimming pool or to the skimmer itself. The guard disclosed in the application by Georgeff et al. (U.S. application Ser. No. 10/660,961) attaches to the walls of the swimming pool with suction cups. Sliger, Jr. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,217) discloses a skimmer screen held in place by a mounting bracket attached to the side wall of the pool. Similarly, Harry (U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,634) discloses a shield that mounts on hooks or bolts attached to the pool wall. The screen of Benedict (U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,450) attaches via retention flanges extending within the intake opening. Likewise, Evans et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,041) discloses a guard that attaches by means of brackets configured to bear against opposite opposed walls of the skimmer intake. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object and purpose of the present invention to provide a portable skimmer, motor and pump protector which may be installed and operated without fasteners to the pool or to the skimmer. 
   It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to provide a skimmer, motor and pump protector which is portable and may be easily installed and removed. 
   It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to provide a portable skimmer, motor and pump protector which prevents the skimmer basket from being clogged and damaging the basket. 
   It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to provide a portable skimmer, motor and pump protector which prevents the pump and motor from running dry and prevents damage to the pump or motor. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a portable skimmer, motor and pump protector for a swimming pool or hot tub. The protector includes a frame to support netting which permits water from the pool or hot tub to easily pass therethrough. The netting substantially surrounds the skimmer and its opening. 
   The protector includes a frame having a pair of semi-circular or arched portions which are spaced from and parallel to each other. The frame also includes a brace portion extending between the semi-circular portions. Additionally, the frame includes a top portion which extends between the semi-circular brace portions and rests on the top deck of the swimming pool when in use. 
   The frame also includes a pair of upright portions which are spaced from and parallel to each other. When in use, the upright portions rest against the sidewall of the pool. Finally, the protector may include a handle which extends from the top portion of the frame and may be weighted to assist in holding the protector in place. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable skimmer, motor and pump protector constructed in accordance with the present invention installed on a swimming pool. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention. 
   While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the invention&#39;s construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. 
   Referring to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a portable skimmer, motor and pump protector  10  installed for use on a swimming pool  20 . Although the protector  10  is described in use with a swimming pool, it might also be employed with a hot tub or pond with a skimmer. The pool  20  includes a flat top deck  22  which extends away from the edge of the pool and may be composed of concrete, tile, bricks or various other materials. The top deck  22  adjoins and is substantially perpendicular to a sidewall  24  of the pool. Depending on the type of swimming pool, the sidewall may be composed of concrete, granite, fiberglass or a wall with a vinyl liner. The sidewall  24  extends both beneath and above the level of the water in the pool. Edging or coping  26  may be used at the intersection of the top deck and the sidewall. 
   The pool  20  also includes a skimmer assembly  28  having an opening through and recessed in the sidewall  24  of the pool. 
   The skimmer opening includes a portion both above and below the water level so that the skimmer assembly  28  will operate when the water is at various levels. In the present embodiment, the skimmer opening is rectangular; however, the protector  10  will operate with various skimmer configurations. The skimmer assembly  28  may also include a top opening  30  through the top deck to access a removable basket (not visible) which gathers leaves and other debris which is carried by the water into the skimmer assembly. 
   The protector  10  includes a frame  32  (to be described in detail) to support netting  40  which permits water from the pool  20  to easily pass therethrough. The netting  40  may have openings of various dimensions but will generally block leaves and other debris from passing through the netting. The netting  40  may be composed of nylon and substantially surrounds the skimmer  28  and its opening. Accordingly, the protector  10  in normal operation has a portion below the level of the water and a portion above the level of the water in the pool. 
   The protector  10  includes a frame  32  having a pair of semi-circular or arched portions  44  and  46  which are spaced from and parallel to each other. Other shapes are, of course, possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. The frame  32  also includes a brace portion  48  extending between the semi-circular portions  44  and  46 . 
   The frame  32  also includes a top portion  50  which extends between the semi-circular portions  44  and  46  and rests on the top deck when in use. The brace portion  48  is parallel to the top portion  50 . 
   The frame  32  also includes a pair of upright portions  52  and  54  which are spaced from and parallel to each other. When in use, the upright portions  52  and  54  rest against the sidewall  24  of the pool. Each of the upright portions  52  and  54  may include an offset to receive the edging or coping  26  that may extend outward from the sidewall of the pool  20 . 
   The protector  10  may also include a handle  60  which extends from the top portions  50  of the frame  32 . In one preferred embodiment, the handle  60  is composed of tubular metal so that it is weighted and assists in holding the protector in place. 
   The frame  32  may be constructed of lightweight material, such as fiberglass tubing or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing in a single piece or in component pieces which are assembled in the field. 
   The frame  32  supports netting  40  which may be removably attached to the frame by hook and loop fastener straps  62 , such as Velcro®. 
   The protector  10  acts as a cantilever which rests on the top deck to suspend the protector in front of the skimmer assembly opening. 
   Use of the present invention prevents the skimmer basket, the pump, and the filter from being clogged. 
   Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.