Patent ID: 12209430

InFIGS.1-10, the same characters represent the same components unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Spatial or directional terms, such as “left”, “right”, “inner”, “outer”, “above”, “below”, and the like, relate to the embodiments or aspects as shown in the drawing figures and are not to be considered as limiting as the embodiments or aspects can assume various alternative orientations.

All numbers used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. By “about” is meant within plus or minus twenty-five percent of the stated value. However, this should not be considered as limiting to any analysis of the values under the doctrine of equivalents.

Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass the beginning and ending values and any and all subranges or subratios subsumed therein. For example, a stated range or ratio of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges or subratios between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less. The ranges and/or ratios disclosed herein represent the average values over the specified range and/or ratio.

The terms “first”, “second”, and the like are not intended to refer to any particular order or chronology, but refer to different conditions, properties, or elements.

All documents referred to herein are “incorporated by reference” in their entirety.

The term “at least” is synonymous with “greater than or equal to”.

As used herein, “at least one of” is synonymous with “one or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” means any one of A, B, or C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, or C. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes A alone; or B alone; or C alone; or A and B; or A and C; or B and C; or all of A, B, and C.

The word “comprising” and “comprises”, and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, “comprises” means “includes” and “comprising” means “including”.

As used herein, the terms “parallel” or “substantially parallel” mean a relative angle as between two objects (if extended to theoretical intersection), such as elongated objects and including reference lines, that is from 0° to 5°, or from 0° to 3°, or from 0° to 2°, or from 0° to 1°, or from 0° to 0.5°, or from 0° to 0.25°, or from 0° to 0.1°, inclusive of the recited values.

As used herein, the terms “perpendicular”, “transverse”, “substantially perpendicular”, or “substantially transverse” mean a relative angle as between two objects at their real or theoretical intersection is from 85° to 90°, or from 87° to 90°, or from 88° to 90°, or from 89° to 90°, or from 89.5° to 90°, or from 89.75° to 90°, or from 89.9° to 90°, inclusive of the recited values.

With reference toFIG.1, a sealing closure assembly100is configured for use with a skimmer (not shown) of a pool, spa, hot tub, or the like. The sealing closure100is configured to close a skimmer opening101and prevent water from entering the skimmer opening101. Typically, the skimmer is mounted on a pool sidewall. The skimmer has a peripheral flange107that defines the skimmer opening101. The peripheral flange107may be secured to the pool sidewall by fasteners (not shown) or other mechanical means. Surface water from the pool is drawn through the skimmer opening101for subsequent pumping, filtration, and heating purposes. At least a portion of the sealing closure assembly100is configured to interact with the skimmer opening101so as to block the skimmer opening101and prevent the passage of water therethrough.

With reference toFIGS.1-2, the sealing closure assembly100includes a closure faceplate102and a cover104configured for removably connecting to the closure faceplate102. The closure faceplate102is configured to be connected to the skimmer opening101on the pool or water side of the skimmer. The closure faceplate102has a generally square or rectangular shape, at least a portion of which is dimensioned to fit inside the skimmer opening101. Desirably, an outer shape of at least a portion of the closure faceplate102is shaped to correspond to the shape of the skimmer opening101. In some aspects, the closure faceplate102may be installed directly on the sidewall of the pool. In other aspects, the closure faceplate102may be installed over the skimmer peripheral flange107.

With reference toFIG.3, the closure faceplate102has a sidewall106defining an outer peripheral shape of the closure faceplate102. The sidewall106has a central opening108with a flange103(shown inFIG.2) that extends around an inner periphery of the central opening108and protrudes rearwardly relative to the sidewall106. In some aspects, at least a portion of the flange103may be inserted into the skimmer opening101such that the sidewall106overlaps at least a portion of the skimmer opening101in order to prevent movement of the closure faceplate102into the skimmer opening101. In other aspects, at least a portion of the flange103may interact with the skimmer peripheral flange107(shown inFIG.1) such that the sidewall106overlaps at least a portion of the skimmer opening101and/or the skimmer peripheral flange107. In further examples, the flange103may narrow or widen in a direction from away from an outer surface of the sidewall106toward the skimmer opening101. In other examples, the flange103may be substantially perpendicular to the sidewall106.

With reference toFIGS.1-2, in some embodiments or aspects, the sidewall106of the closure faceplate102may have one or more through-holes111configured to receive a fastener element (not shown), such as a screw, to connect the closure faceplate102to the skimmer opening101and/or the skimmer peripheral flange107. In further embodiments or aspects, the closure faceplate102may be connected to the skimmer opening101and/or the skimmer peripheral flange107by an adhesive. The underside of the closure faceplate102could have several undercut notched areas (not shown) formed therein to permit the insertion of a removal tool, such as a screwdriver tip, to permit removal of the closure faceplate102from the skimmer opening101and the skimmer peripheral flange107, if desired.

The closure faceplate102may be removably or non-removably connected to the skimmer opening101and/or the skimmer peripheral flange107. With specific reference toFIGS.4and6, in some embodiments or aspects, the flange103of the closure faceplate102has one or more locking elements110configured to connect with the skimmer peripheral flange (not shown) installed around the skimmer opening101. The one or more locking elements110may be formed at an outer periphery of the flange103. In some embodiments or aspects, the one or more locking elements110may formed as tabs that snap over the skimmer peripheral flange installed around the skimmer opening101. At least a portion of the flange103may be flexible to allow the one or more locking elements110to be deflected such that they can pass over the skimmer peripheral flange. Alternatively, the flange103may be rigid, while the one or more locking elements110may flex or deflect relative to the flange103to allow the closure faceplate102to be connected to the skimmer peripheral flange installed around the skimmer opening101. In some embodiments or aspects, the flange103and/or the one or more locking elements110may be movable between a first, undeflected position and a second, deflected position. Once the one or more locking elements110clear the skimmer peripheral flange, the one or more locking elements110may snap back to the initial, undeflected position. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the one or more locking elements110may be formed as tabs, snaps, or other fastening elements that connect the closure faceplate102to the skimmer peripheral flange107.

With reference toFIGS.5-6, the closure faceplate102may have one or more radiused corners109at apex locations of the central opening108. In some aspects, the radiused corners109may be provided to ease the transition between the adjoining linear or substantially linear portions111of the closure faceplate102to provide a better sealing interface with the sealing gasket of the cover104, as described herein. For example, the radiused corners109may have a radius R between 0.25″ to 1″ and may join to linear or substantially linear portions that are oriented at a substantially perpendicular angle. In this manner, the radiused corners109provide a smooth transition between the adjoining linear or substantially portions111in the corners of the central opening108to prevent leakage of water.

In some embodiments or aspects, the closure faceplate102is formed as a one-piece integral member formed from a rigid material. For example, the closure faceplate102may be injection molded from a hard plastic material, such as an ABS plastic resin that resists dimensional shrinking due to temperature variations. In other aspects, the closure faceplate102may be formed from metal, composite material, such as carbon fiber, or a combination of metal, plastic, and/or composite materials. In various aspects, the closure faceplate102is made from a rigid material capable of resisting stretching or breaking due to contact with ice which may form in the pool.

With reference toFIGS.1-2, the cover104is configured to be removably secured to the closure faceplate102to enclose the central opening108and prevent passage of water through the central opening108and into the skimmer opening101. The cover104has a cover plate112that is shaped to correspond to the central opening108of the closure faceplate102. As shown inFIG.7, a sealing gasket114extends around an inner surface115of the cover plate112. The cover plate112, together with the sealing gasket114, is configured to abut the outer surface of the sidewall106of the closure faceplate102. For example, the cover plate112may be configured to interface with the closure faceplate102, such that the sealing gasket114contacts the outer or pool-side facing surface of the sidewall106for a watertight seal between the cover plate112and the closure faceplate102.

With reference toFIG.7, the sealing gasket114of the cover104may be dimensioned such that the sealing gasket114has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the sidewall106of the closure faceplate102. That is, the sealing gasket114of the cover104may have one or more linear or substantially linear portions that correspond to the one or more linear or substantially linear portions111of the closure faceplate102and one or more radiused portions with a radius that substantially corresponds to the radius R of the radiused corners109of the closure faceplate102. The sealing gasket114may be a monolithic component, or it may be comprised of two or more separate elements. In some aspects, the sealing gasket114is formed separately from the cover plate112and is removably or non-removably installed on the cover plate112. In other aspects, the sealing gasket114is formed together with the cover plate112, such as by co-molding. In some aspects, the sealing gasket114may be formed from a resilient material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, which remains flexible in varying temperature settings and is resistant to degradation over time. The sealing gasket114may be formed, for example, by injection molding, or, as noted above, by co-molding with the cover plate112.

With continued reference toFIG.7, the cover104has a lip120protruding from the inner surface115of the cover plate112. The lip120is shaped to correspond to the shape of an outer periphery of the closure faceplate102. When the cover104is installed on the closure faceplate102, the lip120may be configured to conceal the closure faceplate102.

With continued reference toFIG.7, the cover104has at least one closure member130on the cover plate112for locking the cover plate112to the closure faceplate102. As described herein, the at least one closure member130is positioned such that it is configured to interface with at least a portion of the closure faceplate102. When the at least one closure member130is connected to the closure faceplate102, the cover104is locked to the closure faceplate102to prevent ingress of water into the skimmer opening.

The at least one closure member130includes a body132having a first end134connected to the cover plate112and a second end136protruding relative to the first end134. In some embodiments or aspects, the body132of the at least one closure member130may protrude in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the cover plate112. The second end136of the at least one closure member130is deflectable relative to the first end134. For example, the second end136of the at least one closure member130may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first end134such that the second end136reverts back to its initial position after being laterally displaced relative to the first end134.

In some embodiments or aspects, the at least one closure member130is four closure members130positioned to engage four corners of the flange103of the closure faceplate102. The bodies132of the closure members130may be spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a width of the central opening108of the closure faceplate108.

With reference toFIG.8, the at least one closure member130has a locking member138between the first end134and the second end136. The locking member138is configured for engaging with the flange103of the closure faceplate102when the cover104is connected to the closure faceplate102. In some embodiments or aspects, the locking member138is a notch that protrudes from the body132of the at least one closure member130. The locking member138has a proximal edge139athat faces the inner surface of the cover plate112and a distal edge139bthat faces away from the inner surface of the cover plate112. In some embodiments or aspects, the proximal edge139amay be substantially parallel to a plane defined by the cover plate112, while the distal edge139bmay be angled relative to the plane of the cover plate112. The locking member138is spaced apart from the first end134by a distance corresponding to a thickness of the flange103. In this manner, when the at least one closure member130is connected to the closure faceplate102, the flange103of the closure faceplate102is captured between the first end134and the locking member138.

In some embodiments or aspects, the cover104is formed as a one-piece integral member formed from a rigid material. For example, the cover104may be injection molded from a hard plastic material, such as an ABS plastic resin that resists dimensional shrinking due to temperature variations. In other aspects, the cover104may be formed from metal, composite material, such as carbon fiber, or a combination of metal, plastic, and/or composite materials. In various aspects, the cover104is made from a rigid material capable of resisting stretching or breaking due to contact with ice which may form in the pool.

Having described the structure of the sealing closure assembly100, a method of installing the sealing closure assembly100to close the skimmer opening101and prevent the passage of water into the skimmer opening101will now be described. To install the sealing closure assembly100, the closure faceplate102is first installed on the skimmer opening101, for example by snapping the closure faceplate102such that the one or more locking elements110lockingly engage the closure faceplate102with the skimmer peripheral flange107. In various other aspects, the closure faceplate102may be installed on the skimmer peripheral flange107by one or more fasteners, adhesive, or any other mechanical connection means that securely retains the closure faceplate102on the skimmer peripheral flange107. When installed, the closure faceplate102surrounds the skimmer opening101such that obstructing the central opening108of the closure faceplate102also obstructs the skimmer opening101.

Next, the cover104is connected to the closure faceplate102such that the second ends136of the one or more closure members130on the cover104extend into the central opening108of the closure faceplate102. During installation of the cover104onto the closure faceplate102, the distal edges139bof each of the locking members138contacts the flange103of the closure faceplate102such that the second end136of the closure members130is deflected from an initial position to a deflected position. With continued movement of the cover104toward the closure faceplate102, the distal edges139bof each of the closure members130pass over the flange103of the closure faceplate102such that the closure faceplate102is captured between the proximal edge139aand the inner surface of the cover plate112(seeFIGS.9-10). In this position, the second end136of the closure members130is deflected from the deflected position back to the initial, undeflected position. Furthermore, the sealing gasket114seals the interface between the cover plate112and the closure faceplate102to prevent ingress of water through the central opening108of the closure faceplate102. In this manner, the cover104is securely fastened to the closure faceplate102and ingress of water into the central opening108of the closure faceplate102and into the skimmer opening is prevented. To remove the cover104from the closure faceplate102, the second ends136of the closure members130are deflected away from the flange103of the closure faceplate102to permit the locking member140to pass over the flange103as the cover104is moved in a direction away from the closure faceplate102. For example, the second ends136of the closure members130may be accessed through a skimmer opening on the pool deck.

While specific embodiments or aspects of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presently preferred embodiments or aspects described herein are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.