Patent ID: 7909991

Claim:
An apparatus for skimming the surface of the water in a swimming pool to collect debris floating on the surface into a single location, the device comprising: a cylindrical reel of net material fixed in a position on a perimeter edge of the pool and extending into the pool such that the cylindrical reel is partially submerged into the water in the pool, the cylindrical reel comprising a cylindrically wound length of net material having a fixed end and a free end, the net material capable of being wound and unwound from a cylindrical configuration; a debris diversion guard comprising a pivoting perimeter panel defining a slot through which the free end of the net material extends, the perimeter panel comprising a generally narrow, cylindrical radial section positioned outside a minor portion of the perimeter of the cylindrical reel, leaving a major portion of the perimeter of the cylindrical reel open, the debris diversion guard further comprising radial arms extending from a pivot point on a common axis with the cylindrical reel of net material, the debris diversion guard pivoting independently of the cylindrical reel of net material; and a net end assembly attached to the free end of the net material in a manner that allows an extension of the net material from the cylindrical reel of net material to a range of positions about the pool in a manner that sweeps debris on the surface of the pool.