Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed towards skimmer systems for above-ground pools. In particular, the present disclosure relates to skimmer systems that are easily installed to the side wall of an above-ground pool. In addition, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a skimmer system for an above-ground pool that provides for an improved watertight seal between the skimmer system and the side wall of the pool. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a weir that is easily installed into and removed from a skimmer system according to a user&#39;s needs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application claims benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/083,955, entitled “Threaded Attachment System for Wall-Mounted Pool Skimmer” and filed Nov. 25, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth below in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wall-mounted pool water skimmers for above-ground pools (AGPs) and, more particularly, to skimmers mounted by a thread-and-nut system. The present disclosure further relates to methods for attaching a pool water skimmer to a vertical wall of an AGP. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Art 
         [0005]    Above-ground pools and cleaning systems for AGPs are known in the art. Typically, AGPs are constructed of steel, resin, plastic, or other materials. AGPs generally are constructed using a perimeter frame, of various designs, with a heavy plastic, vinyl, or fabric liner to contain water. Additionally, AGPs may be collapsible to enable convenient storage, and they may include portals. Typically, AGPs are constructed entirely above ground. So, in a typical configuration, a suitably level site is chosen, and the pool is assembled and filled in place. 
         [0006]    Typically, AGPs include a skimmer system. Traditional wall-mounted skimmer systems for AGPs include a skimmer basket on one side of the vertical wall and a bracket placed on the other side of the wall such that the skimmer basket and bracket are joined through a hole in the vertical wall. Generally, the skimmer basket and bracket are attached to a vertical wall of the AGP with a number of screws, and they are sealed with one or more gaskets or seals. Accordingly, in a typical configuration, the vertical wall and the seals are sandwiched between the bracket and the skimmer basket, and the skimmer system is sealed through the compression provided by the screws. In various traditional skimmer systems, the intake to the skimmer is provided with a weir that allows solids (e.g., leaves, branches, pool toys, large insects) to enter the skimmer unit while preventing the solids from exiting the skimmer and going back into the pool. 
         [0007]    But traditional skimmer systems are problematic. They are difficult and time-consuming to install because of the number of screws (or other fastening means) necessary to secure the skimmer basket and bracket to the vertical wall while creating a watertight seal. Further, the compression provided by the screws often fails to create a watertight seal as the force provided by the screws, which are dispersed apart from one another, is not uniform across the surface of the bracket, skimmer basket, or vertical wall. 
         [0008]    Thus it would be desirable to develop an improved skimmer system for an above-ground pool that is easy and convenient to install, and that provides an improved watertight seal. It is to the foregoing that the present disclosure is primarily directed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Various features and advantages of the present disclosure may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing sheets. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a conventional skimmer system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of above-ground container, specifically a rectangular frame swimming pool. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of another above-ground container, specifically a round frame swimming pool. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of yet another above-ground container, specifically a ring swimming pool. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of another above-ground container, specifically an oval swimming pool. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective, exploded view of a skimmer system and pool wall, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is another exploded view of a skimmer system and pool wall, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a skimmer system and a weir, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a close-up view of a skimmer system and weir, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the examples included herein. Before the exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods according to the present disclosure are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited to those described within this disclosure. Numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0020]    Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to any definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, “a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. 
         [0021]    Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. As used herein, the term “pool” shall refer to and include any above ground or free-standing swimming pool, spa, water tank, or other above-ground liquid containment enclosure. 
         [0022]    To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are explained hereinafter with reference to their implementation in an illustrative embodiment. Such illustrative embodiments are not, however, intended to be limiting. 
         [0023]    The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention, for example. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout,  FIG. 1  is an example of a traditional wall-mounted skimmer system  100  for an above-ground pool (AGP). As shown in  FIG. 1 , a traditional wall-mounted skimmer system  100  generally attaches to and is supported by the side wall  120  of an AGP. As will be understood, the side wall  120  of the AGP can comprise an outer wall and an inner wall. Typically, the traditional wall-mounted skimmer system  100  includes a skimmer unit  130  having a flat intake bracket  133  that includes a plurality of screw holes configured to receive screws. Further, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the traditional wall-mounted skimmer system  100  includes a seal  136 , which is typically installed between flat intake bracket  133  and a hole (or “opening”)  122  in the side wall  120  on the outer wall of the side wall  120  of the AGP. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the traditional wall-mounted skimmer system  100  includes a flat bracket  139 , which is installed against the hole  122  in the side wall  120  on the inner wall of the side wall  120  of the AGP. As shown, the flat bracket  139 , seal  136 , and flat intake bracket  133  may be attached using a plurality of screws or other fastening means. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vertical wall  122  and seal  136  are sandwiched between the flat intake bracket  133  and flat bracket  139 , which creates a seal. But, as discussed previously, the seal may not be entirely watertight because, for example, the force exerted by the screws is not uniform across the boundary of the hole  122 . 
         [0025]    Four different containers upon which embodiments of the present disclosure (or traditional skimmer systems  100 ) can be installed are shown in the perspective views illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2D . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , an AGP  200  may have a base  210  and a side wall  120 . 
         [0026]    The AGP  200  can be a frame pool or a pop-up type of pool, both of which may be collapsible in nature. Generally, a frame pool is prefabricated and includes a plurality of external vertical braces or frames  260  for supporting the frame pool above the ground, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The frame pool can be made of metal, plastic, and other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the pop-up pool may be adapted to rise with the amount of water inserted into pool (e.g.,  FIG. 2C ), and can also be outfitted with external braces or frames  260  for additional support (e.g.,  FIG. 2D ). 
         [0027]    Typically, an AGP  200  is formed with the base  210  and side wall  120 . The base  210  and side wall  120  can be manufactured out of many different materials and can be formed of the same materials or each a different material. For example, a base  210  and a side wall  120  can be formed from a synthetic material such as, for example, plastic, polyurethane, PVC, nylon, or other synthetic material, or a base  210  and a side wall  120  can be formed from other suitable materials. Generally, the materials should be treated to retain water. For example, such materials could be adhered to, laminated with, coated with, or bonded to a material impermeable to water. In some embodiments, a base  210  can be formed from a nylon shell, which can be laminated or otherwise treated to hold water. Similarly, a wall  120  of an AGP  200  can be constructed from these materials, or other materials having similar suitable qualities. Many of the materials that are used are selected for their durability. 
         [0028]    For example, a base  210  can be formed from materials that can be more durable than a side wall  120 , as a base  210  may be subjected to more wear than that experienced by a side wall  120 . Also, in some embodiments, a base  210  and a side wall  120  can be formed from a combination of materials, which can be adhered or bonded together. The materials used for the various portions of an AGP  200 , including, for example, a base  210  and a side wall  120 , can be joined (i.e., connected) by way of a number of commonly known suitable techniques, such as sewing, adhesives, bonding, lamination, RF welding, and other suitable joining techniques. The connection of a base  210  to a side wall  120  can be along the bottom  222  of the side wall  120 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . For example, a base  210  can include a perimeter, wherein a side wall  120  can be connected about the perimeter of the base  210  such that the side wall  120  is generally perpendicular to the base  210 . 
         [0029]    As discussed in relation to  FIG. 1 , a side wall  120  may have an inner wall and an outer wall. An inner wall can be sealable to the outer wall. Typically, a side wall  120  is non-inflatable. In some embodiments, an inner wall can be made of pliable material such as plastic (e.g., PVC), while an outer wall may be made of a rigid material such as hard plastic. Alternatively, in some embodiments, an inner wall may be made of a pliable plastic such as PVC, and an outer wall may be made from a metal such as steel or aluminum. Accordingly, in some embodiments, an inner wall can limit leakage of fluid should the outer wall crack. Likewise, the material of an inner wall can be made of hard plastic, and the material of an outer wall can be made of pliable material to protect from potential leakage should the hard plastic crack. In other embodiments, an inner and outer wall can be made of the same material. For example, the inner wall can be made of hard plastic, while the outer wall can also be made of hard plastic. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, an AGP  200  may have one or more braces or structural support members  260 , as is shown in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2D . A support member  260  can include vertical rib supports, and can be coupled proximate to a side wall  120  of an AGP  200 . For example, one or more support members  260  can be inserted within the material making up a side wall  120  (e.g., into one or more pockets incorporated into a side wall  120 ). A support member  260  can have at least a portion coupled to the top of a side wall  120  and vertically along a side wall  120  to provide rigidity to a side wall  120 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary skimmer system  300  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. According to some embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , a skimmer system  300  may comprise a skimmer unit  310 , and may also comprise a pump unit (not shown). Further, a skimmer system  300  may comprise an intake  315 , which may be circular and have a diameter, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, an intake  315  may be molded onto a front-facing panel  322  of a skimmer unit  310  and extend beyond the front-facing panel  322 . In some embodiments, an intake  315  extending beyond a front-facing panel  322  can be inserted through an opening  122  in a side wall  120  of an AGP  200 . Further, an intake  315  may be threaded such that a skimmer unit  310  can be secured to the side wall  120  of an AGP  200  with a skimmer unit securing nut  320 . 
         [0032]    As is shown in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, a skimmer system  300  may comprise a seal ring  325 , which may be a gasket, having an inner surface  326  and an outer surface  327 , and a diameter substantially similar to the diameter of an intake  315 . In some embodiments, a seal ring  325  may be positioned around an intake  315  and may be sandwiched between the outer wall of a side wall  120  and a front-facing panel  322  of a skimmer unit  310  such that the outer surface  327  is disposed against the front-facing panel  322 , and the inner surface  326  is disposed against the outer wall of the side wall  120 . As will be appreciated, a seal ring  325  may assist in creating a watertight or near-watertight seal when a skimmer system  300  is installed to a side wall  120 . Additionally, a skimmer system  300  may comprise additional seals or gaskets. For example, in some embodiments, a seal  328  may be positioned between a skimmer unit securing nut  320  and the inner wall of a side wall  120 . 
         [0033]    In example embodiments, the diameter of a skimmer unit securing nut  320  is substantially equal to the diameter of an intake  315 . Accordingly, a skimmer unit securing nut  310  can be threaded onto an intake  315  to create a watertight seal or near-watertight seal (i.e., substantially watertight seal) between the skimmer system  300  and the side wall  110  of the AGP  200 . In some embodiments, a watertight seal of a skimmer system  300  can be achieved by the exerted compression force provided by hand-tightening a skimmer unit securing nut  320  onto an intake  315 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, a skimmer unit securing nut  320  may be configured with threads that allow for a user or installer to secure a skimmer unit securing nut  320  to an intake  315  using hand-tight force such that hand-tight force is sufficient to achieve a watertight or near-watertight seal between a skimmer system  300  and a side wall  110  when a skimmer unit securing nut  320 , intake  315 , skimmer unit  310 , seal ring  325  (and any other seals or gaskets) are joined together. Typically, it is preferable that a skimmer unit securing nut  320  not be overtightened as overtightening can cause wrinkles in a side wall  120 , which may ultimately compromise the integrity of a side wall  120 . 
         [0034]    In example embodiments, a skimmer unit securing nut  320  may be provided with surface features  335  that allow for a secure grip by a user or installer while securing a skimmer unit securing nut  320  onto an intake  315 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , such surface features  335  may be embodied as raised or vertical surfaces upon which an installer can exert force with a thumb or finger when tightening or loosening a skimmer unit securing nut. Further, in some embodiments, a skimmer unit securing nut  320  may have a back surface  340  that can be provided with one or more shoulders positioned to exert force on the inside wall of the side wall  120  as the skimmer unit securing nut  320  is threaded onto the intake  315 . As will be understood and appreciated, such shoulders may further assist in creating a watertight seal between a skimmer system  300  and a side wall  120  of an AGP  200 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate view of an embodiment of a skimmer system  300  according to the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, an intake  315  of a skimmer unit  310  may be placed through a hole in a side wall  120  of an AGP  200 . As discussed in relation to  FIG. 3 , a seal ring  325  or other gasket may be placed around the intake  315  such that the seal ring  325  is sandwiched between the outer wall of the side wall  120  and the body of the skimmer unit  310 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, to secure a skimmer system  300  to a side wall  120  of an AGP  200 , a skimmer unit securing nut  320  may be threaded onto an intake  315 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a view of a skimmer system  300  with a skimmer unit securing nut  320  threaded onto the intake  315 , according to some embodiments. For explanation purposes,  FIG. 5  does not show side wall  120 , but it will be understood that when installed, side wall  120  is sandwiched between securing nut  320  and the front-facing panel  322  of skimmer body  310 . Further,  FIG. 5  shows a weir  510 , which may be included in a skimmer system  300 . As discussed, a weir  510  may be configured to allow water flow into a skimmer body  310  through an intake  315 . Further, a weir  510  may be configured to prevent or limit water egress out of the skimmer body  310  and back through the intake  315  and into AGP  200 . Accordingly, a weir  510  may allow solids such as leaves, sticks, toys, etc., from inside the AGP  200 , to enter a skimmer unit  310 , while also preventing the solids from exiting the skimmer unit  310  and returning to the inside of the AGP  200 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, a weir  510  may be four-sided. In some embodiments, two of the opposing sides (e.g.,  521  and  523 ) may be curved such that the sides are substantially similar to the curvature of an intake  315 . Further, in some embodiments, two of the opposing sides may be substantially flat. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, opposing flat sides may constitute a top edge  531  and bottom edge  533 . Additionally, in some embodiments, a weir  510  may comprise a mechanical system for attaching the weir  510  to a skimmer unit  310 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a weir  510  may comprise flexible pins  540 ,  541 , which may be positioned at the corners of the bottom edge  533 . In some embodiments, flexible pins  540 ,  541  are configured to allow flexibility when installing a weir  510  into a skimmer system  300 . But pins  540 ,  541  should provide sufficient rigidity to prevent a weir  510  from detaching from an intake  315  as water and debris pass from the inside of the AGP  200  into the skimmer unit  310 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a close-up view of a weir  510  and an intake  315 . In some embodiments, an intake  315  may be provided with a system for securing a weir  510  to the intake  315 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , in example embodiments, an intake  315  may be provided with a female receiving bracket  610  for coupling a weir  500  to the intake  315  using a flexible pin  540 . As will be understood, in some embodiments, pins  540 ,  541  may be constructed such that, when being installed or removed from a female receiving bracket  610 , pins  540 ,  541  can flex from a first (i.e., neutral) position to a second inward position to clear the female receiving bracket  610  and then return to the first position where they each are held in place by a respective female receiving bracket  610 . As will further be understood, while  FIG. 6  shows a flexible pin  540  at one corner of a bottom edge  533  of a weir  510 , in such embodiments, flexible pins  540 ,  541  are positioned at opposing corners of the bottom edge  533 , and corresponding female receiving brackets (e.g.,  610 ) are included with an intake  315 . In some embodiments, in addition to coupling a weir  510  to an intake  315 , receiving brackets (e.g.,  610 ) may be configured to allow a weir to pivot. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a receiving bracket  610  may be configured to allow a weir  510  to open, such that water and debris can pass into a skimmer unit  310  from inside an AGP  200 , and close, such that water and debris are prevented from egressing back into the AGP  200  from the skimmer unit  310 . As will be understood and appreciated, such a configuration of flexible pins  540 ,  541  and receiving brackets (e.g.,  610 ) allow for a detachable weir  510  that can be installed and removed according to a user&#39;s needs. 
         [0038]    Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented, it will be apparent of those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.