Patent ID: 8281427

Claim:
A drain apparatus for installation in a swimming pool, a spa, or any large container of water comprising: a drain orifice that is in fluid communication with a suction pump for draining water from said swimming pool, spa, or any large container of water; a drain cover immovably secured adjacent a surface of said swimming pool, spa, or any large container of water so as to prevent any vertical displacement of said drain cover and having a plurality of drain openings through which water from said swimming pool, spa, or any large container of water is drained by said suction pump; sealing means slidably attached to said drain cover for opening said drain orifice when said sealing means is disposed in a top position and closing said drain orifice when said sealing means is disposed in a bottom position, such that a vacuum underneath said drain cover is eliminated when said sealing means is in said bottom position; and means for biasing said sealing means toward said top position such that said drain orifice is normally open, but when a maximum allowed vacuum level is exceeded, said biasing means enables said sealing means to slide toward said bottom position without any vertical displacement of said drain cover.