Patent Abstract:
A skimmer system is provided which includes a reservoir, an inlet, a reservoir pump and a weir. The skimmer system may be attached to a tank having fluid therein. The fluid in the tank defines a tank fluid surface, and the fluid in the reservoir defines a reservoir fluid surface. The reservoir receives fluid from the tank via the inlet, and the tank receives fluid from the reservoir via the reservoir pump. When the skimmer system is activated, the level of the reservoir fluid surface may be maintained below the level of the tank fluid surface. The inlet edge is located below the level of the tank fluid surface. The inlet surface may decline away from the tank to direct the fluid from the tank to the reservoir. The filter is positioned between the inlet and the reservoir to retain particulate within the fluid. The weir defines a weir edge. The weir edge may be parallel to and substantially below the level of the tank fluid surface to allow particulate in the fluid to pass under the weir when the reservoir pump is activated and to prevent particulate in the fluid from passing under the weir when the reservoir pump is deactivated. The filter may be serviced through an access opening formed in a fabricated surface above the filter and covered by a cover.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/612,745, filed Jul. 2, 2003, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to circulation systems which cause fluid to flow through various system components for the purposes of clarifying, heating, purifying and returning the fluid back to the original body of fluid, and more particularly, to a pool skimmer system which cause water to flow through a basket to remove debris floating on the surface of a pool and to return the water back to the pool.  
         [0004]     In the context of swimming pools, the water in the pool is filtered through a circulation system to filter debris from the water. In particular, the circulation system has a reservoir attached adjacent to the pool. The reservoir and the pool are attached to each other through an inlet. Water is filled into the pool to a level above the inlet such that the water from the pool passes through the inlet into the reservoir. In this regard, the inlet is partially submerged under the surface of the water in the pool, and the level of the water in the pool is equal to the level of the water in the reservoir. The reservoir is connected to a pump which draws water from the pool side of the inlet to the reservoir side of the inlet. The reservoir additionally has a filter which traps any debris floating on the surface of the water and in the water. When the circulation system is deactivated, the debris trapped in the filter is trapped in the reservoir by a rotatable weir which is located at the inlet and only rotates toward the reservoir. In this regard, the weir allows passage of water and debris from the pool to the reservoir but not from the reservoir to the pool.  
         [0005]     The filter discussed above requires regular cleaning. For this purpose, an access opening is provided directly above the filter. The access opening is formed in a deck which surrounds the pool. Multiple techniques are employed in the prior art to cover the access opening. An example of a cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,771 (&#39;771 Patent) which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the &#39;771 Patent discloses a cover comprising a frame and a cap member. The deck is modified with an opening sized and configured to receive the frame, and the cap member is sized and configured in conjunction with the frame to be removeably engagable therefrom.  
         [0006]     In the context of swimming pools, the above described circulation system is typical of circulation systems in current use. To trap debris floating on the surface of the pool water, the circulation system requires that the pump be extraordinarily powerful such that debris floating on the pool water are drawn toward and pass through the inlet. Unfortunately, debris is drawn toward but does not pass through the inlet. Instead, the debris floating on the water of the pool collects on both sides of the inlet. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved skimmer system.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention alleviates the deficiencies in the prior art. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a skimmer system attached to a tank having fluid therein. The system comprises a reservoir, an inlet, a filter, a reservoir pump and a weir. The fluid in the tank defines a tank fluid surface, and the fluid in the reservoir defines a reservoir fluid surface. The reservoir receives fluid from the tank via the inlet, and the tank receives fluid from the reservoir via the reservoir pump. The level of the reservoir fluid surface is maintained below the level of the tank fluid surface when the skimmer system is turned on such that fluid in the tank and debris floating in the tank fluid is funneled into the skimmer system, debris is trapped by the filter, and only the fluid but not the debris is returned to the tank.  
         [0008]     The inlet defines an inlet edge and an inlet surface. The inlet edge is located below the level of the tank fluid surface, and the inlet surface declines away from the tank to transfer the fluid from the tank to the reservoir. The reservoir pump transfers fluid from the reservoir to the tank. The filter is positioned between the inlet and the reservoir to retain particulate/debris therein.  
         [0009]     The weir defines a weir edge which may be positioned above the inlet surface. The weir edge may be parallel to and substantially below the level of the tank fluid surface to allow particulate/debris in the fluid to pass under the weir when the reservoir pump is activated and to prevent particulate/debris in the fluid from passing under the weir from the reservoir side to the tank side of the inlet when the reservoir pump is deactivated.  
         [0010]     The inlet edge may be set about one inch below the level of the tank fluid surface. An opening of the inlet is defined by the inlet edge and a height. The inlet edge may be about twenty four inches, and the height may be about four inches. The inlet surface may have a decline angle of about 20 degrees. Although the inlet surface is shown as a flat surface, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the inlet surface may have other configurations such as stair-stepped, convex or concave as long as the fluid from the tank may flow into the area above the filter.  
         [0011]     The level of the tank fluid surface may be equal to the level of the reservoir fluid surface when the skimmer system is not on (i.e., reservoir pump is not activated). At this moment, the rate of fluid transfer through the inlet from the tank to the reservoir and through the reservoir pump from the reservoir to the tank may be equal to zero. Once the reservoir pump is activated (i.e., the skimmer system is turned on), the level of the reservoir fluid surface may begin to decrease in relation to the level of the tank fluid surface. Eventually, for a pump which transfers fluid from the reservoir to the tank at a constant rate, the fluid transfer rate of the fluid through the inlet will equal the fluid transfer rate of the fluid through the reservoir pump, and a steady state condition will occur. Preferably, the level of the reservoir fluid surface is about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface at the steady state condition.  
         [0012]     Over time, as the skimmer system operates at this steady state condition, fluid may evaporate thereby decreasing the level of the reservoir fluid surface. If fluid continues to evaporate out of the tank and reservoir, and the level of the reservoir fluid surface reaches the entrance of the reservoir pump, then air will be pumped through the pump (i.e., dry pump condition) which is not desirable. To prevent the dry pump condition, a fluid level regulator, which is in communication with an inlet fluid valve (see  FIG. 1 ), may activate and deactivate the inlet fluid valve to replenish the tank and reservoir with fluid as fluid evaporates from the tank and reservoir. The inlet fluid valve is connected to an outside fluid source which when opened fills the tank and reservoir with fluid. The fluid level regulator may be attached to the reservoir and may monitor the level of the reservoir fluid surface such that the inlet fluid valve is opened when the level of the reservoir fluid surface is too low (i.e., more than about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface) and is closed when the reservoir has been filled with a sufficient amount of fluid (i.e., the level of the reservoir fluid surface is about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface). For example, the fluid level regulator may open the inlet fluid valve when the level of the reservoir fluid surface is greater than about four inches below the level of the tank fluid surface. As the fluid fills the reservoir, the level of the reservoir fluid surface will rise. The inlet fluid valve may remain open until the fluid level regulator senses that the level of the reservoir fluid surface is about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface.  
         [0013]     Alternatively, the fluid level regulator may monitor the level of the reservoir fluid surface and control (i.e., activate or deactivate) the reservoir pump to maintain the level of the reservoir fluid surface approximately three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface. In this alternative embodiment, a fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump may be greater than a fluid transfer rate of the inlet. The fluid level regulator activates the reservoir pump when fluid level regulator senses that the level of the reservoir fluid surface is about three inches or less below the level of the tank fluid surface and deactivates the reservoir pump when fluid level regulator senses that the level of the reservoir fluid surface is greater than about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface. The reservoir pump may cycle between the activated and deactivated states when the skimmer system is turned on.  
         [0014]     In a further alternative embodiment, the reservoir pump which may have a fluid transfer rate greater than a fluid transfer rate of the inlet may be activated for a set period of time to drain the reservoir and deactivated to allow the reservoir to refill. The reservoir pump may cycle between the activated and deactivated states when the skimmer system is turned on.  
         [0015]     The skimmer system may further comprise a conical tray with an aperture at the center thereof. The tray may be positioned above the reservoir. The aperture may be sized and configured to receive and removeably secure the filter. The tray is located at a level below the inlet surface so as to receive the fluid transferred through the inlet.  
         [0016]     The reservoir may have a cubular or a cylindrical configuration. The reservoir may have a capacity of about 12 to 16 cubic feet. In relation to the cylindrical configuration, the reservoir may have a diameter of about 30 inches. In relation to the cubular configuration, the reservoir may have a base dimension of thirty inches by thirty inches.  
         [0017]     The skimmer system may further comprise an overflow valve attached to the reservoir one inch above the inlet edge to drain fluid from the reservoir when the level of the reservoir fluid surface is greater than one inch above the inlet edge.  
         [0018]     The skimmer system may further comprise a cover which may be positioned above the filter for closing a utility access opening formed in a fabricated surface surrounding the tank to service the filter. The access opening may extend through the fabricated surface having an exposed appearance. The cover may comprise a cap member engagable within the opening. The cap member may have a top cavity adapted to receive a selected material. The cap member may further have at least one hand/finger engagable grip for lifting the cap member and the selected material placed in the top cavity from the opening. The cap member with the material disposed within the top cavity provides an exposed surface having an appearance substantially identical to the exposed appearance of the fabricated surface.  
         [0019]     The cap member may have two hand/finger engagable grips which are a pair of hollow tubes having holes extending to a flared bottom cavity for gripping the cap member with human fingers. The two hand/finger engagable grips may be formed opposite each other and aligned with a center of gravity of the cap member and the selected material placed in the top cavity.  
         [0020]     The cap member may have a bottom plate, a lateral wall, and a plurality of support posts. The bottom plate and the lateral wall define the top cavity, and the plurality of support posts may be disposed within top cavity wherein each post is attached to both the bottom plate and the lateral wall.  
         [0021]     The selected material may be castable, dirt or other material having an appearance identical or substantially similar to the exposed appearance of the fabricated surface. The cap member may additionally have at least one hole for draining moisture from the material placed within the top cavity of the cap member. In particular, the drain hole may be an aperture through the bottom plate.  
         [0022]     In another embodiment of the present invention, an access assembly for constructing a covered access opening is provided. The access opening extends through a fabricated surface having an exposed appearance. The assembly comprises a frame and a cap member. The frame may have may have a side support for lining an access opening through the fabricated surface. The frame may also have a bottom support wherein the side support and the bottom support are sized and configured to receive the cap member. The cap member may have a top cavity adapted to receive a selected material. The cap member may further have at least one hand/finger engageable grip for lifting the cap member and the material placed in the cavity of the cap member from the opening. The hand/finger engagable grip(s) may be formed at a periphery of the cap member.  
         [0023]     Preferably, the cap member may have two hand/finger engageable grips which are a pair of hollow tubes. The hollow tubes may have holes extending through the cap member to a flared bottom cavity for gripping the cap member with human fingers. The two hand/finger engagable grips may be formed opposite each other and aligned with a center of gravity of the cap member and the selected material placed in the top cavity.  
         [0024]     In another embodiment of the present invention, an access assembly may comprise a cap member and a frame. The frame may have a side support for lining an access opening through the fabricated surface and a bottom support wherein the side support and the bottom support are sized and configured to receive the cap member.  
         [0025]     The cap member and the frame may collectively define a hollow tube with a flared bottom cavity for receiving a finger of a human hand to lift the cap member out of the frame. The cap member may have formed about its periphery at least one recess which extends from the top of the cap member to the flared bottom cavity. A top view of the recess may have a semi circular configuration. The flared bottom cavity may be formed at the bottom of the cap member such that a finger may lift the cap member out of the frame.  
         [0026]     In another embodiment of the present invention, an access assembly may comprise a cap member and a frame similar to the above mentioned access assemblies. Moreover, the cap member and the frame may collectively define the hollow tubes or hand/finger engageable grip(s). In particular, a flared bottom cavity may be formed about a periphery of the cap member. A side support of the frame may be recessed to provide access to the flared bottom cavity when the cap member is received by the frame.  
         [0027]     When the cap member is inserted into the frame, the flared bottom cavity may not be aligned to the recess found in the side support. As such, the cap member may be rotated until the recess is aligned to the flared bottom cavity such that a person may lift the cap member out of the frame by inserting his/her fingers into the recess and grasping the flared bottom cavity.  
         [0028]     A plurality of flared bottom cavities may be formed on the cap member. Similarly, a plurality of recesses may be formed in the side support of the frame. The plurality of flared bottom cavities may be formed about the cap member in a corresponding manner to the recesses formed in the side support of the frame. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevational view of a skimmer system attached to a tank and a cover/access assembly;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the skimmer system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a fabricated surface and a first embodiment of a cover/access assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an inlet illustrated in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the cover/access assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a cap member illustrated in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a front cross sectional view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a cover/access assembly;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a cap member illustrated in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a front cross sectional view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a cover/access assembly;  
         [0040]      FIG. 12  is a top view of a cap member and a frame illustrated in  FIG. 11 ; and  
         [0041]      FIG. 13  is a front cross sectional view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0042]      FIGS. 1-13  are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. The following discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will describe the preferred embodiments in the context of residential and commercial pools. However, the present invention is not limited to residential and commercial pools. Rather, they may be expanded into other uses. For example, the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be applicable to water, oil or other fluidic tanks.  
         [0043]     The residential or commercial pool may be a permanently installed pool, in-ground pool, above-ground-pool or an on-ground pool. For purposes of this discussion, the pool which contains the body of water shall be referred to as the tank  10 , and the water within the pool shall be referred to as the fluid  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The area beside the tank  10  is the fabricated surface  14 . The fluid  12  when filled into the tank  10  defines a tank fluid surface  16 . The level of the tank fluid surface  16  changes over time due to evaporation or user intervention. Typically, the tank  10  will have an open top. The tank has an inlet fluid valve  17  (see  FIG. 1 ) which may be turned on automatically through a remote controller or manually through user intervention. The inlet fluid valve  17  fills the tank  10  with fluid from an outside source to raise the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . The rate at which the fluid  12  is filled into the tank  10  defines a fluid transfer rate of the inlet fluid valve  17 . The fluid transfer rate is the amount of fluid  12  that is transferred between two points per a unit of time. For example, the fluid transfer rate of the inlet fluid valve  17  is the amount of fluid  12  that may be transferred from the outside source into the tank  10  per a unit measurement of time.  
         [0044]      FIG. 1  illustrates the skimmer system  18 . The skimmer system  18  may comprise a reservoir  20 , inlet  22 , reservoir pump  24 , filter  26   a , weir  28  and a fluid level regulator  29 . The skimmer system  18  may be incorporated into the circulation system of the tank  10 .  
         [0045]     The reservoir  20  may be generally located adjacent to the tank  10 , and is generally located below the level of the tank fluid surface  16  when the tank  10  is full, as shown in  FIG. 1 . When the reservoir  20  is filled with fluid, the fluid defines a reservoir fluid surface  31 . The reservoir  20  may have a capacity to hold approximately 12 to 16 cubic feet of fluid  12 . The reservoir  20  may have a cylindrical configuration or a cubular configuration. In relation to the cylindrical reservoir  20 , the diameter of the cylindrical reservoir  20  may be approximately thirty inches, and the height  30  of the cylindrical reservoir  20  may be approximately thirty four inches measured from the bottom of the reservoir  20  to the top of the fabricated surface  14 . In relation to the cubular reservoir, the base of the reservoir  20  may have a dimension of about thirty inches by thirty inches, and the height  30  of the cubular reservoir may be about thirty four inches measured from the bottom of the reservoir to the top of the fabricated surface  14 .  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a tray  32  may be attached to the reservoir  20  at its upper portion. The tray  32  may have an inverted conical configuration. The center of the tray  32  may have an aperture.  
         [0047]     The filter  26   a  may be attached to tray  32 . In particular, the filter  26   a  may be attached to the tray  32  at the aperture. The aperture of the tray  32  may be sized and configured to receive and removeably secure the filter  26   a  to the tray. The filter  26  may be a standard pool basket, a wire mesh filter, a permanent medium filter, diatomaceous earth filter, cartridge filter or vacuum filter. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the filter  26   a  is a standard pool basket.  
         [0048]     The fluid level regulator  29  may be attached to reservoir  20  to regulate the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  by activating and deactivating an inlet fluid valve  17  based on a sensed level of the level of the reservoir fluid surface. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fluid level regulator  29  may be in communication with the inlet fluid valve  17 . The fluid level regulator  29  monitors and regulates the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  to be sufficiently below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . For example, the fluid level regulator  29  regulates the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  to be about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . The fluid level regulator  29  may be a ballcock such as a float-arm ball type or a float-cup type. The fluid level regulator  29  may have an up position and a down position. The up position may deactivate the inlet fluid valve  17 , and the down position may activate the inlet fluid valve  17 .  
         [0049]     An overflow valve  34  may be attached to the reservoir  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The overflow valve  34  may have an opened and closed position wherein the fluid  12  exits the reservoir  20  or is retained within the reservoir  20 , respectively. The overflow valve  34  may be a spigot which may be automatically or manually controlled between the opened and closed positions. The overflow valve  34  drains the fluid from the tank  10  and reservoir  20  when the levels of the tank and reservoir fluid surface  16 ,  31  are too high.  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 , an inlet  22  may be attached to the reservoir  20 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the inlet defines an opening  36 . The opening  36  has a width  38  and a height  40 . The inlet  22  further defines an inlet edge  42 . The width  38  of the edge  42  (i.e., the opening) may be about twenty four inches. The height  40  of the opening may be about four inches. The inlet edge  42  may be located approximately one inch below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . When the tank  10  is empty, the inlet fluid valve  17  may be turned on until the level of the tank fluid surface  16  is approximately one inch above the inlet edge  42 . Additionally, the overflow valve  34  may be attached to the reservoir  20  at about one inch above the inlet edge  42 . Accordingly, if the levels of the tank fluid surface  16  and the reservoir fluid surface  31  are more than one inch above the inlet edge  52 , then the fluid  12  may be drained out through the overflow valve  34  to maintain the tank and reservoir fluid surface to be one inch above the inlet edge  42 .  
         [0051]     The inlet edge  42  may be connected to an inlet surface  44 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The inlet surface  44  declines away from the inlet edge  42 . The rate of declination of the inlet surface  44  may be about twenty degrees. For example, the horizontal component of the inlet surface  44  is about eight inches, and the vertical component of the inlet surface  44  is about three inches. Although inlet surface  44  is shown as being a generally flat surface, it is also contemplated that the inlet surface  44  may have any configuration (e.g., stair-step, curved, etc.) as long as a terminal edge  45  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the inlet surface  44  is lower than the inlet edge  42  such that the fluid  12  may cascade downward into the reservoir  20 .  
         [0052]     The inlet  22  and the reservoir  20  may be positioned relative to each other such that the inlet  22  directs the fluid  12  onto the tray  32  and eventually through the filter  26   a  and into the reservoir  20 . The tray  32  may be located below and adjacent the inlet surface  44  such that as fluid  12  initially fills the tank  10 , the level of the tank fluid surface is raised above the inlet edge  42  and the fluid  12  of the tank  10  begins to spill into the reservoir  20  through the inlet  22  due to pressure on the tank side and gravity on the reservoir side of the inlet  22 . The rate at which the fluid  12  is drawn through the inlet  22  defines the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22 . The fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  is a function of the distance at which the inlet edge  42  is located below the tank fluid surface  16 , the width  38  of the inlet edge  42 , and the viscosity of the fluid  12 . The fluid  12  in the tank  10  is considered to be the influent side of the inlet  22 , and the fluid  12  in the reservoir  20  is considered to be the effluent side of the inlet  22 .  
         [0053]     The weir  28  may be located above the inlet surface  44 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The weir  28  may be a square plate which extends across the whole width  38  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the inlet opening  36 . The weir  28  may be attached to the fabricated surface  14  and extend downward toward the inlet surface  44 . The weir  28  may extend substantially below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . The weir  28  may extend toward but does not touch the inlet surface  44  so as to allow particulates/debris within the fluid  12  and on the tank fluid surface  16  to pass under the weir  28  when fluid  12  is being transferred from the tank  10  to the reservoir  20 . In the context of pools, by way of example and not limitation, the particulates may be leaves and dead insects. The particulates may pass under the weir  28  due to the force of the fluid  12  being transferred from the tank  10  to the reservoir  20 . The weir  28  may be fixedly attached to the fabricated surface  14 . Alternatively, the weir  28  may be rotatably attached to the fabricated surface  14 . In particular, the weir  28  may rotate only toward the reservoir  20 . The normal position of the weir  28  may be vertical, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0054]     As stated above, the fluid level regulator  29  monitors and regulates the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  to be sufficiently below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . In this regard, the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is sufficiently below the level of the tank fluid surface  16  as long as the fluid  12  in the tank  10  and the particulates in the fluid  12  are able to pass through the inlet opening  36  and under the weir  28 .  
         [0055]     Attached to the bottom of the reservoir  20  are at least one and preferably two tubes  46  which drain the reservoir  20  of fluid  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Each tube  46  may have a two inch diameter. The tubes  46  may subsequently be attached to the reservoir pump  24  (see  FIG. 1 ). When the reservoir pump  24  is activated, the reservoir pump  24  may transfer fluid  12  from the reservoir  20  to the tank  10 . The reservoir pump  24  defines a fluid transfer rate which defines the rate at which the fluid  12  is transferred from the reservoir  20  to the tank  10 . In this regard, the fluid  12  in the tank  10  is considered to be the effluent side of the reservoir pump  24 , and the fluid  12  in the reservoir  20  is considered to be the influent side of the reservoir pump  24 . The reservoir pump  24  may subsequently be connected to a filter  26   b  (see  FIG. 1 ). The filter  26   b  may subsequently be connected to the tank  10 .  
         [0056]     The fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24  may preferably be constant, or in the alternative, variable. In the context of pools, the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24  and the capacity of the reservoir  20  to contain fluid  12  are sized in relation to each other such that the reservoir pump  24  does not pump air.  
         [0057]     In relation to reservoir pumps  24  having a constant fluid transfer rate, the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24  may be equal to the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  when the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is sufficiently below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . When the tank  10  and reservoir is filled with fluid  12  and the reservoir pump  24  is initially activated, then the level of the tank fluid surface  16  will rise which causes the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  to rise until the fluid transfer rate from the tank  10  to the reservoir  20  through the inlet  22  is equal to the fluid transfer rate from the reservoir  20  to the tank  10  via the reservoir pump  24 . The pump  24  and the inlet  22  eventually reaches a steady state condition in which the level of the tank fluid surface  16  is above the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  a set distance such as about three inches. The reservoir pump  24  may be sized in relation to the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  such that the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is sufficiently below the level of the tank fluid surface at the steady state condition. For example, the reservoir pump  24  may be sized such that the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16  at the steady state condition.  
         [0058]     In relation to reservoir pumps  24  having variable fluid transfer rates, the fluid level regulator  29  varies the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24  as a function of the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31 . The fluid level regulator  29  varies the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24  such that the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is sufficiently below the level of the tank fluid surface. For example, the fluid level regulator  29  varies the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24  such that the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 .  
         [0059]     A general operation of the above described components will be discussed. When the tank  10  is empty, the inlet fluid valve  17  is activated such that fluid  12  may fill the tank  10 . The inlet fluid valve  17  is maintained in the opened position such that the fluid  12  fills the tank  10  till the level of the tank fluid surface  16  is about one inch above the inlet edge  42 . At this time, the level of the tank fluid surface  16  is equal to the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31 .  
         [0060]     The skimmer system  18  is activated thereby turning the reservoir pump  24  on such that fluid from the reservoir  20  is being pumped from the reservoir  20  into the tank  10 , lowering the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31 , and slightly increasing the level of the tank fluid surface in relation to each other. As the reservoir pump  24  transfers fluid from the reservoir  20  to the tank  10 , the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  increases until the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  is equal to the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24 . Preferably, this steady state condition is reached when the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is approximately three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 .  
         [0061]     As skimmer system  18  operates at this steady state condition, due to evaporation, the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  may drop close to the opening of the tubes  46  connected to the reservoir pump  24  thereby producing a possible dry pump situation which is undesirable. To mitigate against the dry pump situation, the fluid level regulator  29  monitors the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . If the level of the tank fluid surface  16  is too low (i.e., more than about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface), then the fluid level regulator  29  may activate the inlet fluid valve  17  to fill the tank  10  and reservoir  20  with fluid. For example, if the fluid level regulator  29  senses that the level of the reservoir fluid level  31  is more than four inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16  then the inlet fluid valve  17  may be activated thereby filling the tank  10  and reservoir  20 . This raises the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31 . The inlet fluid valve  17  may be activated until the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 .  
         [0062]     In an alternate embodiment, the skimmer system  18  is initially activated and the fluid level regulator  29  monitors that the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is at the same level as the level of the tank fluid surface thereby activating the reservoir pump  24  to drain the reservoir  20 . The level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is reduced and the level of the tank fluid surface  16  is increased while the reservoir pump  24  is active because the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24  is greater than the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22 . If the reservoir pump  24  is maintained in the active state and the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  is less than the fluid transfer rate of the reservoir pump  24 , then the reservoir pump  24  will eventually transfer all of the fluid  12  from the reservoir  20  to the tank  10  creating a dry pump situation. To mitigate against the dry pump situation, the fluid level regulator  29  deactivates the reservoir pump  24  when the fluid level regulator  29  reaches the down position. In this alternative embodiment, the fluid level regulator  29  does not deactivate the reservoir pump  24  until the down position has been reached (i.e., when the level of the reservoir fluid surface approaches the entrance of the tubes  46 ) even though the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is more than three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 .  
         [0063]     When the fluid level regulator  29  is in the down position, the reservoir pump  24  may be deactivated. Now, the fluid transfer rate of the inlet  22  is greater than the fluid transfer rate of the deactivated reservoir pump  24  thereby filling the reservoir  20  with fluid  12 . The reservoir pump  24  will be maintained in the deactivated state until the fluid level regulator  29  indicates that the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31  is about three inches below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 .  
         [0064]     When the skimmer system  18  is activated, preferably, the inlet fluid valve  17  is cyclically activated and deactivated due to fluid evaporation or the reservoir pump  24  cycles between the active and deactivated state based on the level of the reservoir fluid surface  31 . Additionally, particulates which float on the tank fluid surface  16  (i.e., particulates which have a lower density than the fluid) are drawn into the inlet  22  and trapped by the filter  26   a . Additionally, particulates which float within the fluid  12  (i.e., particulates which have about the same density as the fluid) in the tank  10  are drawn into the inlet  22  and trapped by the filter  26   a . Additionally, other fluid treatment components may be added to the skimmer system  18  such as a clarifier, heater and purifier.  
         [0065]     When the skimmer system  18  is deactivated, the inlet  22  continues to draw fluid  12  from the tank  10  to the reservoir  20  until the levels of the tank fluid surface  16  and reservoir fluid surface  31  are equal. At this point, the particulates which have a lower density than the fluid  12  may not pass under the weir  28  from the reservoir  20  to the tank  10  because the weir extends from the fabricated surface  14  to below the level of the tank fluid surface  16 . In this regard, the weir  28  extends substantially below the level of the tank fluid surface  16  as long as the particulates having a lower density than the fluid  12  cannot be transferred from the reservoir  20  to the tank  10  when the skimmer system  18  is deactivated.  
         [0066]     One tank  10  may have multiple skimmer systems  18  attached thereto. For example, a plurality of skimmer systems  18  may be located equidistant around the circumference of the tank  10 . When multiple skimmer systems  18  are attached to one tank  10 , then the tubes  46  used to drain each reservoir  20  may be interconnected to a single reservoir pump  24 .  
         [0067]     The filter  26   a  needs to be cleaned out on a regular basis. As such, an access opening may be formed in the fabricated surface  14  above the filter  26   a , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The access opening may be formed directly above the filter  26   a  which is secured to the tray  32  of the reservoir  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 2, 5 ,  8  and  11 , a cover  68   a, b, c  for closing the access opening is illustrated. The cover  68   a, b, c  includes a cap member  70   a, b, c  engageable within the access opening of the fabricated surface  14 . The cover  68   a, b, c  is suitable for covering the access opening formed by the fabricated surface  14 , however, the access opening is preferably formed with a frame  72   a, b, c  having an opening  74   a, b, c  disposed within the plane of the fabricated surface  14 . To facilitate engagement of the cap member  70   a, b, c,  the frame  72   a, b, c  can be provided with a bottom support/rim  76   a, b, c  sized to engage a bottom plate  78   a, b, c  of the cap member  70   a, b, c.  The cap member  70   a, b, c  and frame  72   a, b, c  can be constructed from any material having sufficient stiffness and durability, such as metal, fiberglass, plastic, ceramic, wood, etc.  
         [0068]     As shown in  FIGS. 5-13 , the cap member  70   a, b, c  has a substantially full top cavity  80   a, b, c  (see  FIGS. 7, 10  and  13 ) for receiving a selected material  82  (see  FIG. 3 ). The material  82  within the cavity  80   a, b, c  may be selected to provide an exposed surface  84  (see  FIG. 3 ) having an appearance substantially identical with the exposed appearance of the fabricated surface  14 . Additionally, when the selected material  82  is identical to the material of the fabricated surface  14 , the exposed surface  84  and fabricated surface  14  will have compatible functional properties as well, such as respective coefficients of friction and coefficients of expansion. While a homogenous material  82  is shown in  FIG. 3 , it is, of course, to be understood that non-homogenous materials such as stone and mortar or tile and grout can also be placed within the cavity  80   a, b, c  to provide an exposed surface  84  having a substantially identical appearance with a similarly non-homogenous fabricated surface. It is also to be understood, of course, that a person can select a material  82  to provide an exposed surface  84  with an appearance which is merely compatible with the appearance of the fabricated surface  14 . For example, the user may prefer a material which completes a pattern in the overall landscape, or which creates a readily visible marker.  
         [0069]     The cap member  70   a, b, c  may be provided with a plurality of drain holes  86   a, b, c  for draining moisture from the material  82  placed within the top cavity  80   a, b, c,  and a plurality of support posts  88   a, b, c  attached to the bottom plate  78   a, b, c  and lateral wall  90   a, b, c  for stiffening the lateral wall  90   a, b, c  and anchoring the material  82  within the top cavity  80   a, b, c . Although two drain holes  86   a, b, c  and four support posts  88   a, b, c  are shown in  FIGS. 5-6 ,  8 - 9  and  11 - 12 , it is, of course, recognized that the cap member  70   a, b, c  can be provided with one or more drain holes  86   a, b, c  or support posts  88   a, b, c.    
         [0070]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , a first embodiment of the cap member  70   a  may also be provided with hollow finger grip tubes  92   a  having holes  96   a  extending through the material  82  to a flared bottom cavity  94   a  (see  FIG. 7 ). The tubes  92   a , and more particularly, the flared bottom cavity  94   a  may have a grip surface  98   a  (see  FIG. 7 ) to provide a finger hold for lifting the cap member  70   a  and material  82  from the access opening.  
         [0071]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , a second embodiment of the cap member  70   b  and frame  72   b  may be provided which collectively form hollow finger grip tubes  92   b  (see  FIG. 10 ) having holes  96   b  (see  FIG. 10 ) extending through the material  82  to a flared bottom cavity  94   b . The tubes  92   b , and more particularly, the flared bottom cavity  94   b  may have a grip surface  98   b  (see  FIG. 10 ) to provide a finger hold for lifting the cap member  70   b  and material  82  from the access opening.  
         [0072]     The holes  96   b  as well as the flared bottom cavity  94   b  are defined by both the cap member  70   b  and the frame  72   b . More particularly, the hole  96   b  may be defined by the lateral wall  90   b  of the cap member  70   b  and the side support  104   b  (see  FIG. 8 ) of the frame  72   b . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the lateral wall  90   b  may have at least one recess  106 . The recess  106  when viewed from the top may have a semi circular configuration. The recess defines the inner periphery of the hole  96   b . The outer periphery of the hole  96   b  may be defined by the side support  104   b  of the frame  72   b.    
         [0073]     The flared bottom cavity may also be defined by the lateral wall  90   b  and the side support  104   b . The inner periphery of the flared bottom cavity  94   b  may be an undercut formed in relation to the hole  96   b , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The outer periphery of the flared bottom cavity  94   b  may be defined by the side support  104   b  of the frame  72   b.    
         [0074]     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-13 , a third embodiment of the cap member  70   c  and frame  72   c  may be provided which also collectively form hollow finger grip tubes  92   c  (see  FIG. 13 ) having holes  96   c  (see  FIG. 13 ) extending through the material  82  to a flared bottom cavity  94   c . The tubes  92   c , and more particularly, the flared bottom cavity  94   c  may have a grip surface  98   c  (see  FIG. 10 ) to provide a finger hold for lifting the cap member  70   c  and material  82  from the access opening.  
         [0075]     The holes  96   c  as well as the flared bottom cavity  94   c  may be collectively defined by both the cap member  70   c  and the frame  72   c . More particularly, the hole  96   c  may be defined by the lateral wall  90   c  of the cap member  70   c  and the side support  104   c  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the frame  72   c . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the side support  104   c  of the frame  72   c  may have at least one recess  108 . The recess  108  when viewed from the top may have a semi circular configuration. The recess defines the outer periphery of the hole  96   c . The inner periphery of the hole  96   c  may be defined by the lateral wall  90   c  of the cap member  70   c.    
         [0076]     The flared bottom cavity  74   c  may also be defined by the lateral wall  90   c  and the side support  104   c . The inner periphery of the flared bottom cavity  94   c  may be an undercut formed at the periphery of the cap member  70   c . The outer periphery of the flared bottom cavity  94   c  may be defined by the side support  104   c  of the frame  72   c.    
         [0077]     In all three embodiments of the cap member  70   a, b, c  and frame  72   a, b, c,  the cap member  70   a, b, c  may have at least one hollow finger grip tubes  92   a, b, c . Preferably, the cap member  70   a, b, c  has two hollow finger grip tubes  92   a, b, c.  Each hollow finger grip tube  92   a, b, c  may be located at distal ends or opposed sides of the cap member  70   a, b, c . The hollow finger grip tubes  92   a, b, c  may be placed equidistantly from the center of gravity  99   a, b, c  (see  FIG. 6, 9  and  12 ) of the cap member  70   a, b, c  after being filled with the material  82 . In other words, a line connecting the two grip tubes  92   a, b, c  will cross substantially close to the center of gravity  99   a, b, c  of the cap member  70   a, b, c  filled with material  82 . The line crosses substantially close to the center of gravity  99   a, b, c  of the cap member  70   a, b, c  as long as the human hand, finger or other picking device may lift the cap member  70   a, b, c  from the access opening. Referring now only to the first embodiment (see  FIGS. 5-7 ) and the second embodiment (see  FIGS. 8-10 ), the tubes  92   a, b  from a top view may have a circular configuration or a semicircular configuration (see  FIGS. 6 and 9 ). The circular portions of the semicircularly configured tubes  92   a, b  may be directed toward the center of gravity  99   a, b  of the cap member  70   a, b . Referring now only to the third embodiment (see  FIGS. 11-13 ), the tube  92   c  from a top view may also have a semi circular configuration (see  FIG. 12 . However, the circular portions of the semicircularly configured tube  92   c  may be directed away the center of gravity  99   c  of the cap member  70   c.    
         [0078]     In use, the cap member  70  is placed within the frame  72  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Depending on the materials selected to construct the cover  68  and fabricated surface  14 , it may be advantageous to wrap a self-adhering tape around the outer peripheral wall  102   a, b, c  (see  FIGS. 5, 8 ,  11 ) of the cap member  70   a, b, c  prior to inserting the cap member  70   a, b, c  in the frame  72   a, b, c . When so applied, the self-adhering tape prevents material from bonding to the cap member  70   a, b, c  and additionally minimizes the amount of excess material which may enter the gap between the frame  72   a, b, c  and cap member  70   a, b, c.    
         [0079]     Once the cap member  70   a, b, c  is engaged within the frame  72   a, b, c , the assembly is placed within the intended plane of the fabricated surface as shown in  FIG. 2 . The assembly is then positioned and leveled so the cap member  70   a, b, c  will ultimately seat in a substantially level and flush position with the fabricated surface  14 . To obtain a level and flush position with the fabricated surface, it may be necessary to countersink the frame  72   a, b, c  into the base  101  (see  FIG. 2 ) upon which the fabricated surface  14  will be constructed. The correct orientation for the frame  72   a, b, c  and cap member  70   a, b, c  can also be verified with a level placed across the cap member  70   a, b, c.    
         [0080]     After the assembly is correctly positioned, the fabricated surface  14  is installed around the frame  72   a, b, c,  and a material  82  is placed within the top cavity  80   a, b, c  of the cap member  70   a, b, c . The exposed surface  84  of the material  82  typically must be smoothed and leveled so the cover  68   a, b, c  will seat in a level and flush position with the surrounding fabricated surface  14 .  
         [0081]     Once the material  82  has sufficiently stabilized within the cavity  80   a, b, c , the cover  68   a, b, c  is removed from the frame  72   a, b, c,  the tape (if applied) is removed from the cap member  70   a, b, c , and any excess material is cleaned from the frame  72   a, b, c  and the cap member  70   a, b, c . The time required for stabilization will depend on the selected material  82 , however, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the cover  68   a, b, c  typically should not be removed from the frame  72   a, b, c  until it is certain that the material  82  will remain in the cavity  80   a, b, c  of the cap member  70   a, b, c  and that the exposed surface  84  remain smoothed and level. The cap member  70   a, b, c  is then reinserted within the frame  72   a, b, c  for final placement until access is required.  
         [0082]     In this manner, access is provided for critical utilities disposed underneath the cover  68   a, b, c  such as for cleaning the filter  26   a . In addition, the cover  68   a, b, c  can be constructed from a material  82  which provides an exposed surface  84  having an appearance substantially identical with the fabricated surface  14 . Moreover, the functional properties of the exposed surface  84  will also be compatible with those of the fabricated surface  14  if the cover  68   a, b, c  is constructed from the same material as the fabricated surface  14 . Furthermore, the cover  68   a, b, c  is custom fabricated to better match with the great variety of different fabricated surfaces. While it is recognized that an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is likewise to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4