Patent ID: 6979401

Claim:
A skimming apparatus for use in removing surface debris from a captive body of water, comprising: (a) a skimmer body having an interior, an upper portion, and a lower portion, said skimmer body positionable to be within the captive body of water, wherein (a1) said upper portion of said skimmer body contains at least one intake aperture for receiving surface water from the captive body of water, and, (a2) said lower portion of said skimmer body contains at least one discharge aperture in a side of said upper portion for removing water from said interior of said skimmer body; (b) a submersible pump external to said skimmer body interior and positionable to be directly connected to said lower portion thereof, said submersible pump having at least an intake orifice and a discharge orifice, said intake orifice being in fluid communication with said discharge aperture of said skimmer body and in fluid communication with said interior of said skimmer body, said submersible pump at least for removing water from said skinner body interior via said discharge aperture; and, (c) a porous filter positionable to be within said skimmer body interior for receiving and filtering water drawn into said interior of said skimmer by said submersible pump.