Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/028,869, filed on Jul. 25, 2014, and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/144,492, filed on Apr. 8, 2015, the contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for cleaning the surface and interior sides of a pool. More specifically, this invention relates to a floating, portable skimming device that can be readily moved across or below the surface of a pool or attached to the side of a pool. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Outdoor swimming pools and decorative ponds are common features in backyards, parks, schools, camps, and clubs throughout the country. Because they are outside, the surface of these pools can become cluttered or contaminated with various kinds of debris, such as leaves, dirt, insects, and sticks, among many other things. This debris mars the aesthetics of the pool, can cause health issues to those who swim in the pool, and can interfere with the pumps and filters that clean the pool. In addition, this debris can stick to the interior sides of the pool and mar their appearance. As a result, it is desirable to clean the surface and sides of the pool. In particular, it is desirable to clean these surfaces and sides without an individual having to physically enter the pool. 
         [0004]    Various means exist to clean these surfaces, which range from manual, hand skimmers to powered devices. One of the most common devices is a net attached to the end of a pole. An individual can manually move this skimming net across the surface of the pool in order to collect the debris. This method is not without its drawbacks, however. For instance, it is a slow and cumbersome process. It also requires physical effort to move the net on top of the surface, because the operator must support the entire weight of the pole, net, and debris during use. Also, the pole must be regularly removed and emptied because the net&#39;s capacity is limited and the debris can easily fall out of the net once it is collected. 
         [0005]    Powered devices, either using electrical, solar, or wind power, can be used to autonomously clean the pool. These devices are typically placed in the pool and left to clean the pool without human intervention. Either wind or jets/propellers move the device in random or pre-set patterns. These devices also have drawbacks, though. For instance, they can be expensive, especially if they contain sophisticated electronics or motors. They also can miss debris in the pool, especially if they randomly move across the surface to clean the pool or are otherwise not controllable by the operator. 
         [0006]    Another approach has been to use devices pulled by ropes across the surface of the pool, but these devices can be cumbersome to maneuver and cannot be used to collect debris that is floating below the surface of the pool because of the inability to pull the devices down with enough force to overcome the buoyancy of the device. 
         [0007]    Thus, there exists a need for an inexpensive, easy to control device that can quickly and efficiently clean the surface, near surface, and sides of a pool or pond. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention addresses these issues by providing a simple and easily-controllable skimming device that allows an operator to clean the surface, near surface, and sides of a pool, pond, or other water-retaining body. The skimming device floats on the surface of the water, which reduces the weight that must be borne by operator during its use. However, it is weighted and balanced such that some embodiments of the invention can be easily submerged by an operator in order to collect debris that is floating beneath the surface of water, but will naturally try to return to the surface. The front-to-back balancing of the buoyancy of the skimming device is such that the back end of some embodiments will be more inclined to remain floating on or nearer to the surface of the water when the operator tries to submerge the device. In other embodiments, a sinker bar is placed on the front end of the skimming device to facilitate the front end of the skimming device dipping below the water line when water flows past the device. These features assist in collecting and retaining any debris. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the invention can have large collection areas, which reduces the need for repeatedly emptying the skimmer of debris. For many pools, the entire pool can be cleaned without having to remove the skimmer from the pool or to empty it until the cleaning is complete. Embodiments of the invention have a control mechanism that allows the operator to easily control the movement of the device when it is in the water. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used in a fixed position on the side of a pool, in addition to being controlled by an operator. 
         [0010]    While the discussions of some of the embodiments of the invention that follow are in the context of cleaning a swimming pool, the invention has broader uses and the term pool is meant to be a general term encompassing swimming pools, ornamental ponds, fish ponds, and other bodies of water that one desires to clean. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, an apparatus for collecting debris near a surface of a pool, comprising: a first side with a first front end and a first back end; a second side with a second front end and a second back end, wherein the second side is generally parallel to the first side; a front cross piece extending from the first front end to the second front end; a back cross piece extending from the first back end to the second back end; a flexible cord with a first cord end and a second cord end, wherein the first cord end is connected to the first side at a first cord attachment point that is closer to the first front end than the first back end and wherein the second cord end is connected to the second side at a second cord attachment point that is closer to the second front end than the second back end and wherein the length of the flexible cord is less than three times the distance between the first side and the second side; an apparatus front end comprised of a front portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second front ends and the first and second cord attachment points; an apparatus back end comprised of a back portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second cord attachment points and the first and second back ends; a first elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a second elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a first screening medium extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a control attachment point located on the flexible cord; and wherein the buoyancy of the apparatus front end is less than the buoyancy of the apparatus back end. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, an apparatus for collecting debris near a surface of a pool, comprising: a first side with a first front end and a first back end; a second side with a second front end and a second back end, wherein the second side is generally parallel to the first side; a front cross piece extending from the first front end to the second front end; a back cross piece extending from the first back end to the second back end; a flexible cord with a first cord end and a second cord end, wherein the first cord end is connected to the first side at a first cord attachment point that is closer to the first front end than the first back end and wherein the second cord end is connected to the second side at a second cord attachment point that is closer to the second front end than the second back end and wherein the length of the flexible cord is less than three times the distance between the first side and the second side; an apparatus front end comprised of a front portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second front ends and the first and second cord attachment points; an apparatus back end comprised of a back portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second cord attachment points and the first and second back ends; a first elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a second elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a first screening medium extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a control attachment point located on flexible cord; a sinker bar parallel to the front cross piece and connected to the apparatus front end; and wherein the buoyancy of the apparatus front end is less than the buoyancy of the apparatus back end. 
         [0013]    In still another embodiment, an apparatus for collecting debris near a surface of a pool, comprising: a first side with a first front end and a first back end; a second side with a second front end and a second back end, wherein the second side is generally parallel to the first side; a front cross piece extending from the first front end to the second front end; a back cross piece extending from the first back end to the second back end; a flexible cord with a first cord end and a second cord end, wherein the first cord end is connected to the first side at a first cord attachment point that is closer to the first front end than the first back end and wherein the second cord end is connected to the second side at a second cord attachment point that is closer to the second front end than the second back end and wherein the length of the flexible cord is less than three times the distance between the first side and the second side; an apparatus front end comprised of a front portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second front ends and the first and second cord attachment points; an apparatus back end comprised of a back portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second cord attachment points and the first and second back ends; a first elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a second elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a first screening medium extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a control attachment point located on the flexible cord; a second screening medium located at the apparatus back end, wherein the second screening medium is generally parallel to the back cross piece; and wherein the buoyancy of the apparatus front end is less than the buoyancy of the apparatus back end. 
         [0014]    In yet another embodiment, an apparatus for collecting debris near a surface of a pool, comprising: a first side with a first front end and a first back end; a second side with a second front end and a second back end, wherein the second side is generally parallel to the first side; a front cross piece extending from the first front end to the second front end; a back cross piece extending from the first back end to the second back end; an apparatus front end comprised of the first front end, the second front end, and the front cross piece; an apparatus back end comprised of the first back end, the second back end, and the back cross piece; a first elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a second elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a first screening medium extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end; a sinker bar parallel to the front cross piece and connected to the apparatus front end; a first attachment member connected to the first side; a second attachment member connected to the second side; and a bracket connected to the first attachment member and the second attachment member. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is another perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a view of an attachment clip. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows one use of one embodiment of the invention on the surface of a pool. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows one use of one embodiment of the invention near the surface of a pool. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  shows one use of one embodiment of the invention below the surface of a pool. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  shows one embodiment of the invention attached to the side of a pool. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  shows one embodiment of the invention attached to a stand beside a pool. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  shows one embodiment of the invention attached to a pole/stake beside a pool. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The following discussion describes the preferred embodiment of the invention and other embodiments, but there are many other possible embodiments of the invention that fall within the scope of the invention, and one of skill in the art would recognize the various alterations that would fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , skimmer  10  is comprised of two generally rectangular wooden sides or side panels  12  and  14  that are approximately 5″×11″×0.75″ (height×length×thickness) in size and are generally parallel to each other (which can encompass embodiments where the sides are exactly parallel to each other or are within 10° of being parallel to one another). These panels could also be made of metal, plastic, composites, or a variety of other different materials or combination of materials, and they can be in different shapes and sizes. Side panels  12  and  14  are connected via three wooden cross pieces—front cross piece  16 , top cross piece  18 , and back cross piece  20 . Again, cross pieces  16 ,  18 , and  20  can also be made of metal, plastic, composites, or a variety of other different materials or combination of materials, and they can have different cross sections, such as circular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal, among other things. Side panels  12  and  14  have front ends  84  and  88 , which are the portions of the panels towards the front of each side panel (e.g., nearer front cross piece  16 ), and back ends  86  and  90 , which are the portions of the panels towards the back of each side panel (e.g., nearer back cross piece  20 ). 
         [0032]    Front cross piece  16  is roughly rectangular in cross section with dimensions of 0.75″×1.5″×22.5″ (height×width×length). It is connected towards the lower front end of skimmer  10  and extends from one side panel to the other. Top cross piece  18  is cylindrical in shape with a radius of 0.75″ and a length of 22.5″. It is located towards the upper middle of skimmer  10  and extends from one side panel to the other. Back cross piece  20  is cylindrical in shape with a radius of 0.75″ and a length of 22.5″. It is located towards the upper back end of skimmer  10  and extends from one side panel to the other. While cross pieces  16 ,  18 , and  20  are attached to side panels  12  and  14  via a connecting mechanism, such as a screw, nail, bolt, rivet, clip, or glue, for example, they could also be integral with one or both of sides  12  and  14 . Cross pieces  16 ,  18 , and  20  can be solid or hollow (in order to adjust the overall weight of skimmer  10  or to increase or decrease its buoyancy) or filled with a lightweight or buoyant material. Other numbers of cross pieces (such as 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, etc.) could also be used and fall within the scope of the invention. For example, top cross piece  18  could be removed from this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 15 , or it could be moved to the back and below cross piece  20 . 
         [0033]    Skimmer  10  contains two wooden 0.75″×3.5″×13″ (height×width×length) elongated flotation devices  22  and  24  connected to the bottom of side panels  12  and  14  and extend from the front of skimmer  10  to the back. It has been found that the optimal configuration for maneuverability and operation is such that flotation devices  22  and  24  should not extend beyond front cross piece  16 , although the invention can still function if flotation devices  22  and  24  extend in front of front cross piece  16  or are configured in a different manner. Flotation devices  22  and  24  can be made from a variety of buoyant materials or combinations of buoyant materials, such as wood, cork, plastic, foams (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polystyrene), aerogels, nano-cellulose, Styrofoam, and sealed air containers, among other things. Alternatively, floatation devices  22  and  24  could be integral with sides  12  and  14  (respectively), below sides  12  and  14  (respectively), or next to or beside sides  12  and  14  (respectively), among other things, and fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    Floatation devices  22  and  24  are designed to keep skimmer  10  floating at the top of the water&#39;s surface  96  when it is in pool or pond  98 . Thus, the operator does not have to support the weight of skimmer  10  while it is in pool  98 . At the same time, the overall buoyancy of skimmer  10  is such that some or all of it can be submerged with relative ease should the operator push down on the front of skimmer  10  via pole  38  described below. 
         [0035]    A 15″×22.5″ (length×width) screening medium  26  in the form of a net runs along the bottom of skimmer  10  and is attached to cross pieces  16  and  20 . Net  26  is also connected to sides  12  and  14 , either by being directly attached to or abutting sides  12  and  14  or by being indirectly attached to another member (such as a frame or bar) that is attached or next to the sides. Because front cross piece  16  is in the lower front of skimmer  10  and back cross piece  20  is in the upper back of skimmer  10 , debris that floats into skimmer  10  will generally become and remain trapped in skimmer  10  during operation. Net  26  can be attached to cross pieces  16  and  20  and sides  12  and  14  in a variety of manners, such as via glue, screws, nails, rivets, friction fits, clamps, glue, buttons, zippers, snaps, splines, or Velcro-type materials. In this particular embodiment, net  26  is attached to front cross piece  16  and back cross piece  20  by a rubber spline strip inserted into a groove in the cross pieces. Net  26  can be permanently attached to skimmer  10 , or it can be removably attached in order to facilitate cleaning or repair of skimmer  10  or net  26 . Net  26  can be made from a variety of materials, such as string, cord, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, or other types of polymer plastics. In this particular embodiment, net  26  is made of polyester. The mesh of the net should be small enough that the debris will remain trapped in net  26 , but sufficiently porous enough so that it will allow the water to flow through the net during operation or removal of skimmer  10  from the water. In other embodiments, screening medium  26  could be a screen, a strainer, or other type of material that allows water to readily pass through while containing the debris to be removed. 
         [0036]    In order to operate and direct the movement of skimmer  10  in pool or body of water  98 , there are two cord attachment points  28  and  30  located in the top, front corners of side panels  12  and  14 . In this embodiment, these cord attachment points are 0.3125″ diameter holes offset by approximately 0.25″ from the top front corners of side panels  12  and  14 , but other forms and locations of attachment points could be used (such as an eyelet, loop, ring, clasp, screw, or hook, among other things). Cord ends  72  and  74  of a 0.25″ diameter by 32″ long flexible cord (or rope)  32  are connected to side panels  12  and  14  at cord attachment points  28  and  30 . Flexible cord  32  can be made of other materials besides rope, such as chain, cord, or wire, among other things, and be of different diameters and lengths. 
         [0037]    In order to control the operation of skimmer  10 , pole  38  connects to skimmer  10  via control attachment point  34 , which is located at roughly the middle (the mid-point) of rope  32 , and, in this embodiment, is a spring-loaded clip fastened to rope  32 . Control attachment point  34  can be variety of mechanisms or means on rope  32  and fall within the scope of the invention. For instance, control attachment point  34  could just be the middle of rope  32  that is grasped, tied to, or otherwise connected to or by coupling point  36  or pole  38 . Control attachment point  34  could also be an eyelet, loop, ring, clasp, screw, hook, carabiner, or any of a number of devices or means on rope  32  by which pole  38  ultimately connects to rope  32 . Control attachment point  34  could encompass multiple attachment points along rope  32 , such as two or more points equally spaced along or from the middle of rope  32 . 
         [0038]    The ends of rope  32  are tied to cord attachment points  28  and  30  in order to secure the ends of rope  32  to side panels  12  and  14 . Alternatively, other chemical or mechanical devices could be used to secure rope  32  to cord attachment points  28  and  30 , such as clips, loops, screws, bolts, rivets, rings, staples, clasps, ferrules, glues, and other chemical means, among many other things. In addition, control attachment point  34  could also take other forms, such as a loop, screw, eyebolt, ring, clasp, eyelet, hook, etc. Cord attachment points  28  and  30  should be located in the front half of skimmer  10  in order to facilitate movement of skimmer  10 , but can be located in different positions than those shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and still fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, pole  38  connects to control attachment point  34  via coupling point  36 . In one embodiment, pole  38  is a 15′ long by 1″ diameter aluminum pole with a handle on the opposite end from coupling point  36 . Coupling point  36  is an eyebolt attached to the end of pole  38 , which allows pole  38  to attach to rope  32  (and, therefore, skimmer  10 ) via control attachment point  34 . Alternatively, coupling point  36  could take other forms, such as a hole, loop, clip, or other mechanism attached to or in pole  38 . Using a spring-loaded clip for control attachment point  34  allows skimmer  10  to be easily decoupled from coupling point  36 /pole  38  for storage, repair, or replacement purposes (for example, to connect a longer or shorter pole). Pole  38  can be made from a variety of materials and be a variety of lengths and sizes and can be telescopically-adjustable or fixed in length. 
         [0040]    Another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . In this embodiment, skimmer  10  is comprised of two generally rectangular wooden side panels  12  and  14  that are approximately 5″×11″×0.75″ (height×width×thickness) in size. Side panels  12  and  14  are connected via two wooden cross pieces  16  and  20 . 
         [0041]    Front cross piece  16  is roughly rectangular in cross section with dimensions of 0.75″×1.5″×22.5″ (height×width×length). It is connected towards the lower front of skimmer  10  and extends from one side panel to the other. Back cross piece  20  is a rectangular panel comprised of four pieces—top and bottom horizontal bars  40  and  42  with dimensions of 0.75″×1″×22.5″ (height×width×length) and left and right vertical support bars  44  and  46  with dimensions of 2.375″×1″×0.75″ (height×width×length). Back cross piece  20  is located towards the back of skimmer  10  and extends from one side panel to the other and is generally perpendicular to net  26 . Cross pieces  16  and  20  are attached to side panels  12  and  14  via a connecting mechanism, such as a screw, nail, bolt, rivet, clip, or glue, for example. As discussed above, sides  12  and  14  and cross pieces  16  and  20  can be made from a variety of materials and take a variety of forms. 
         [0042]    In this embodiment, skimmer  10  contains two wooden 0.75″×3″×13.5″ (height×width×length) elongated flotation devices  22  and  24  located on the bottom of and connected to side panels  12  and  14 . These flotation devices can be made from a variety of buoyant materials or combinations of buoyant materials, as discussed above. 
         [0043]    A 14″×22.5″ (width×length) polyester net  26  (screening medium) runs along the bottom of skimmer  10  and is attached to cross pieces  16  and  20 . Net  26  is attached to front cross piece  16  and the bottom of back cross piece  20  via slots with rubber splines. A secondary screening or filtering medium  48  extends from the bottom to the top of back cross piece  20  in order to help trap debris in skimmer  10 . In this embodiment, second screening medium  48  is perpendicular to net  26  (meaning that it is roughly at a 90° angle, but it does not have to be precisely 90°). Screening medium  48  could be an additional net, or it could be one or a series of 0.25″-thick porous scouring pads held in a vertical alignment in slots in back cross piece  20 . One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that additional sizes and types of screening or filtering materials, such as geotex tile fabric, screens, nets, or filters, among others could be used for either net  26  or second screening medium  48  and still fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0044]    In order to operate and direct the movement of skimmer  10  in pool or body of water  98 , there are two cord attachment points  28  and  30  located in top, front corners of side panels  12  and  14 . These cord attachment points are 0.3125″ diameter holes offset by 0.75″ from the top front corners of side panels  12  and  14 . The ends of a 0.25″ diameter by 32″ long rope (flexible cord)  32  pass through cord attachment points  28  and  30  before coming together at control attachment point  34 , which is a spring-loaded clip fastened to the center of rope  32 . The ends of rope  32  are tied to cord attachment points  28  and  30  in order to secure the ends of rope  32  to side panels  12  and  14 . As discussed above, flexible cord  32  can take a variety of forms and be attached to skimmer  10  in a variety of ways. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , in order to attach pole  38  to skimmer, an adapter  50  fits into the end of pole  38 . The end of adapter  50  that fits into pole  38  is comprised of a 0.75″ diameter×5″ long piece of PVC pipe with plastic spring clips  52  that secure adapter  50  onto pole  38 . The other end of adapter  50  is comprised of a 0.25″×1″ stainless steel eyebolt  54 . A spring-loaded clip  34  attaches to eyebolt  54  in order to attach skimmer  10  to pole  38 . As discussed above, other attachment mechanisms can be used. 
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7 , brushes  56  and  58  can be placed on the sides of skimmer  10  in order to allow easy cleaning of the sides of the pool by rubbing brushes  56  or  58  along the sides or edges of the pool. Some or all of brushes  56  and  58  can be part of skimmer  10 . For example, skimmer  10  could only have brushes  56  and  58  on the sides, just brush  56 , just brush  58 , or brushes in different locations, such as the top, front, or back, in addition to or instead of brushes  56  and  58 . In one embodiment, the brushes could be 4″×1″×0.5″ in dimension and made of stainless steel, PVC, fabric, or any other common brush material. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, brushes  56  or  58  could be removable, by being screwed, bolted, slotted, snapped, tied, Velcroed, or connected by latches (among other things) into the sides or top of skimmer  10 . In this way, the operator could choose when to use or not use the brushes or remove them for easier cleaning. 
         [0048]    In still another embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , 4″×1″×0.25″ fabric pads  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  110  can be placed on the corners of skimmer  10  in order to help protect pool  98  from skimmer  10 . These pads soften the contact between skimmer  10  and the sides of pool  98  so that skimmer  10  does not scratch or damage pool  98  if skimmer  10  bumps into the sides of pool  98 . Other combinations and configurations of pads are possible and can fall within the scope of the invention. For instance, different numbers (more or less) could be used, such as using only pads  104  and  106 . Additional pads could be placed along the edge of skimmer  10 . A single, long pad could extend along the entire length of side  12  (and a corresponding single pad could extend along the entire length of side  14 ). These pads can be made from a variety of materials, such as fabric, rubber, plastic, and foam, among other things, and can be attached through a variety of mechanical or chemical means, such as screws, Velcro, or glue, among other things. In addition, brushes  56  and  58  could serve double duty, by acting both as cleaning devices and as pads to protect the pool. 
         [0049]    As with the prior embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the components of this embodiment similarly could be made out of different materials or combinations of materials, made in different dimensions, connected in different manners, or be placed in different configurations and still fall within the scope of the invention. The skimmer could be made in larger or smaller sizes depending on the needs of the user and the size of the pool being cleaned. Additionally, features from the various embodiments could by combined or varied and still fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0050]    In order to operate skimmer  10 , an operator attaches pole  38  to skimmer  10  via control attachment point  34  and coupling point  36 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Skimmer  10  is then placed in the water (or, alternatively, the attachment occurs while skimmer  10  is already in the water). Because of the fin-shaped nature of floatation devices  22  and  24  and the coupling of pole  36  towards the front of skimmer  10 , as the operator moves pole  38 , skimmer  10  will readily follow the end of pole  38 . This design allows the operator to readily move skimmer  10  across surface  96  of pool  98  in order to collect debris in net  26 . Skimmer  10  will sharply turn in response to the movement of pole  38  due to the change in tension on rope  32 . 
         [0051]    Occasionally, debris will be floating just below surface  96  of the water. Because rope  32  is closely connected to the end of pole  38  and the front of skimmer  10 , the operator can plunge the end of pole  38  under surface  96  of the water and skimmer  10  will follow, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . This allows the operator to lower the entrance of the skimmer to below the debris floating under surface  96  and then direct the skimmer back up and out of the water to capture the debris in net  26 . The buoyancy of floatation members  22  and  24  (among other things) causes skimmer  10  to float back to the surface  96  of the water once pole  38  is raised. With some practice, an operator can precisely control skimmer  10 , including just partially submerging the front of skimmer  10  ( FIG. 10 ) or completely submerging skimmer  10  ( FIG. 11 ). In addition, the operator can pull skimmer  10  backwards along surface  96  of the water  98  without lifting skimmer  10  in order to move skimmer  10  to wherever the operator desires. The high maneuverability of skimmer  10  provides a significant advantage over other prior-art devices, which cannot be as easily moved along the water, moved below the water, and transitioned between the surface of the water and below the water. 
         [0052]    Experiments with embodiments of skimmer  10  have shown that there is an optimal range of balance between the buoyancy of front end  92  of skimmer  10  (meaning the forward part of skimmer  10  before cord attachment points  28  and  30 ) in relation to back end  94  of skimmer  10  (meaning the backward part of skimmer  10  after cord attachment points  28  and  30 ). In some embodiments, front end  92  of skimmer  10  is almost neutrally buoyant, meaning that only a small amount of force is needed to submerge front end  92  of skimmer  10  below water line  96 , whereas back end  94  of skimmer  10  is more buoyant and is more difficult to submerge. In this configuration, the operator can easily submerge front end  92  of skimmer  10  below water line  96  by pushing pole  38  below the water line. As shown in  FIG. 10 , this allows the operator to collect debris that is floating just below surface  96  with minimal effort, while back end  94  of skimmer  10  (and thus the back end of net  26  and/or secondary screening mechanism  48 ) remains above water line  96  so that the debris does not flow out of skimmer  10 . The exact buoyancy balance required depends on the precise configuration, size, and materials used in skimmer  10 . 
         [0053]    In other embodiments, the buoyancy of skimmer  10  can be such that the front end of skimmer  10  is still less buoyant than back end  94  of skimmer  10 , but the overall buoyancy of skimmer  10  is such that the entire skimmer  10  can be easily submerged under water line  96  when the operator pushes pole  38  below the water line, as shown in  FIG. 11 . In this configuration, the higher buoyancy of back end  94  of skimmer  10  maintains back end  94  in a more upright position, helps contain the debris in net  26 , and facilitates the maneuverability of skimmer  10  under the water. This configuration is more desirable for circumstances in which debris may be present further below the water line than can be reached when just back end  94  of skimmer  10  remains above water. 
         [0054]    In general, it is desirable to have the buoyancy of front end  92  be less than the buoyancy of back end  94  so that back end  94  will be preferentially inclined to remain closer to water line  96  than front end  92  when skimmer  10  is in operation (especially when it is used below the surface of the water). The front-back buoyancy balance of skimmer  10  can be adjusted in a variety of ways. For example, material could be added or removed from the front and back ends, more or less dense materials could be used in the front and back ends, the location of cord attachment points  28  and  30  could be shifted forwards or backwards in skimmer  10 , or the configuration of the components of skimmer  10  could be adjusted, among other things. 
         [0055]    In these disclosed embodiments, the length of rope  32  is less the twice the separation distance between side panels  12  and  14  in order to facilitate the movement of skimmer  10 , although the precise length could be different. If rope  32  is too long, it is more difficult to control skimmer  10 , and it requires greater movement of pole  38  in order to turn skimmer  10  or to cause it to descend under the water. The length of rope  32  could be between one and three times the separation distance between side panels  12  and  14  for optimal operations, although the shorter end of the range has been found to be more desirable in most circumstances. 
         [0056]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , skimmer  10  can be attached to side  70  of pool  98  by attaching it to bracket  60 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , bracket  60  attaches to skimmer  10  via coupling point  62  and control attachment point  34 . Coupling point  62  can take a variety of forms, such as an eyelet, loop, hook, carabiner, string, chain, and rope, among other things. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 13 , bracket  60  can be attached to skimmer  10  via attachment members  100  and  102  (in one example, rope) that tie to the top of skimmer  10 . For example, one end of rope  100  can be tied to the top of the front end  84  of side piece  12 , which then loops up to and through bracket  60 , and then the other end of rope  100  can be tied to the top of the back end  86  of side piece  12  (and the same is true for rope  102  and side  14 ). Other types of attachment members are also possible, including, for example, (1) using four ropes that attach to sides  12  and  14  and bracket  60 , (2) using rigid members (e.g., wooden, metal, or plastic shafts or rods, among other things) that connect into or are fixed to side pieces  12  and  14 , or (3) using rigid members that are integral with side pieces  12  and  14 , among other things. Other materials besides rope could also be used, such as chain, cord, string, or wire, among other things. Thus, attachment members  100  and  102  can be comprised of a variety of flexible or rigid connectors or combination of these flexible or rigid connectors in order to connect skimmer  10  to bracket  60 . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , bracket  60  can be either permanently fixed to side  70  of pool  98  or can be temporarily attached/fixed to pool  98  via a clamp, slot, hole, bolt, mounting panel, or other types of attachment mechanisms. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , bracket  60  could even be attached to or part of a heavily weighted object or stand  76  that rests on the surface  78  of a pool deck or the ground next to the pool or attached to or part of a long stake, post, or pole  80  that is sunk into or affixed to the ground  82  beside pool  98 . Bracket  60  could be integral with post  80 , such as being a part of a curved or L-shaped post with coupling point  62  at its one end, or a piece separate from (but connected to) stand  76  or post  80 . Bracket  60  can take on a variety of forms and be fixed in a variety of other manners such that it can support and restrain the movement skimmer  10  and still fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0058]    By fixing skimmer  10  to bracket  60 , the pool can be cleaned without operator intervention. As debris floats into skimmer  10 , the debris will be caught in skimmer  10  to be removed later by an operator or individual. Skimmer  10  can also be designed such that it can function on the end of pole  38  or be removed and connected to bracket  60 . This versatility is advantageous because an operator can use skimmer  10  to manually clean a pool and then, when finished, connect skimmer  10  to bracket  60  to continue cleaning the pool while the operator is away instead of having to purchase two separate skimming devices. 
         [0059]    In still another embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  12 , sinker bar  64  can be attached to the front of skimmer  10  and is generally parallel to front cross piece  16 . Sinker bar  64  is especially useful for embodiments that are fixed to or beside the side of the pool. As water flows past sinker bar  64 , it creates resistance in the water that effectively reduces the buoyancy of front end  92  and causes front end  92  to dip down into the water, which facilitates the debris being captured by effectively by skimmer  10 . In this circumstance, front end  92  of skimmer  10  would be below the water, while back end  94  of skimmer  10  would remain above water. As the water stops flowing past sinker bar  64 , front end  92  of skimmer  10  would rise back up above water line  96 . Debris that floats into skimmer  10  would then be trapped. 
         [0060]    Sinker bar  64  can be made of a variety of materials that are denser than water. Sinker bar  64  should be designed in such a way so as to sink front end  92  of skimmer  10  below surface  96  of the water when water flows past skimmer  10 /sinker bar  64 , but not be so heavy that it will cause skimmer  10  to sink or the front of skimmer  10  to remain below the water when there is no water flowing past skimmer  10 /sinker bar  64 . The precise density/weight required will depend on the weight, size, and configuration of skimmer  10  and sinker bar  64 , among other things. 
         [0061]    In one embodiment, sinker bar  64  is made of a 20″ long×1″ diameter hollow PVC rod that is attached to front cross piece  16  via cords  66  and  68  that tie to two sides of front cross piece  16  and two ends of sinker bar  64 . Other materials, dimensions, and attachment mechanisms can be used and fall within the scope of the invention. For instance, sinker bar  64  could be attached to front cross piece  16  by rope, chain, or wire that passes through the middle of sinker bar  64 . Sinker bar  64  could also be attached to other parts of skimmer  10 , such as the front ends of side panels  12  and  14 . Instead of being tied to front cross piece  16 , sinker bar  64  could be attached by screws, bolts, slots, snaps, Velcro, or latches, among other things. Sinker bar  64  could also be made of other materials or combinations of materials, such as metal, rubber, or weighted or high-density plastic tubes, among other things. Sinker bar  64  could be permanently attached to skimmer  10 , or it could be a removable attachment. For example, sinker bar  64  could be attached to side panels  12  and  14  (or front cross piece  16 ) using spring-loaded clips, rope that can be untied, snaps, Velcro, or other types of removable securing mechanisms. 
         [0062]    The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The descriptions were selected to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although particular constructions of the present invention have been shown and described, other alternative constructions will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention.

Technology Category: e