Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus for preventing swimming pools and other small bodies of water from overflowing and, more particularly, to an apparatus that measures the water level of a swimming pool and upon the water level passing beyond a preset maximum level removing the water from the swimming pool until the water level is lowered below the preset maximum level. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Swimming pools and other small bodies of water are prone to overflowing and causing damage to surrounding areas. Particularly when swimming pools overflow the water spilling over the edges can cause damage to the outer surfaces of the sides of the swimming pool. Additionally, the water can cause soil sitting below the surface to compress and/or erode. 
         [0005]    Prior art systems have focused on gutter systems that catch water after overflowing a swimming pool. Such systems have the drawback of requiring the gutters being installed outside of the top lip of the swimming pool. Water flowing over the lip may cause damage to the lip as the water passes over it. Further, as the gutter is placed in the ground around the outer perimeter of the pool, the structural integrity of the swimming pool may be diminished. Such gutter systems are also prone to collecting leaves and other debris that cause the gutters to clog. 
         [0006]    Yet other prior art systems provide a reservoir or cistern that catches water that overflows a given level within the pool. Such prior art systems require a large area to hold the reservoir or cistern. These system also require the outlet port to feed the reservoir be placed at the overflow level where leaves and other debris collect on the water&#39;s surface. Such debris can clog the outlet port preventing water from flowing into the reservoir or cistern. 
         [0007]    Both the prior art gutter systems and reservoir or cistern systems also have the drawback of only being applicable to only in-ground swimming pools. 
         [0008]    The aforementioned and other shortcomings are illustrative rather than exhaustive. Conventional approaches my have yet other drawbacks. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for removing excess water from a pool. The apparatus includes: a tank that receives water from the pool, a water level in the tank corresponding to a water level in the pool; an adjustable switch that is set to a predetermined maximum level that the water level in the tank and correspondingly in the pool should not exceed; and a pump electrically connected to that adjustable switch pumps water out of the tank through an attached interior output pipe to an attached exterior output pipe upon receiving a signal to begin pumping from the adjustable switch. Upon water rising in the pool and correspondingly rising in the tank, the rising water level passing the predetermined maximum level triggers the adjustable switch to cause the pump to begin pumping, and the pump pumps water from the tank and correspondingly from the pool. Upon the water level dropping below the predetermined maximum level the adjustable switch causes the pump to stop pumping. 
         [0010]    Yet in another aspect of the present invention provides a device for removing excess water from a swimming pool. The device includes a vertical post configured to be inserted into the swimming pool and receive water from the swimming pool. The vertical post includes: a pump that pumps water outside of the vertical post, a switch that determines a maximum water level and is connected to the pump, upon water rising above the maximum water level, the switch actuates the pump to begin pumping, and upon water falling below the maximum water level, the switch actuates the pump to stop pumping. The device also includes: a horizontal arm connected to the vertical post and configured to rest on a horizontal surface around an upper surface of an outer perimeter of the swimming pool and further prevents the vertical post from being inserted into the swimming pool below a given depth; and a conduit attached to the vertical post that carries water away the water from the vertical post. 
         [0011]    Yet in another aspect of the present invention provides a device for removing excess water from a swimming pool. The device includes: a vertical post configured to be inserted into the swimming pool and receive water from the swimming pool. The vertical post includes: a pump that pumps water outside of the vertical post and a switch that determines a maximum water level and is connected to the pump. Upon water rising above the maximum water level, the switch actuates the pump to begin pumping. Upon water falling below the maximum water level, the switch actuates the pump to stop pumping, the device also includes a conduit attached to the vertical post that carries water away the water from the vertical post. 
         [0012]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is neither intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor should it be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantage noted in any part of this application. 
         [0013]    The aforementioned and/or other features, aspects, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings; possibly inferable from the detailed description and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1 . is a cutaway view of an in-ground swimming pool overflow prevention device consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2 . is a cutaway view of an above-ground swimming pool overflow prevention device consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3 . is a perspective view of an adjustable switch for setting a maximum water level for an overflow protection device consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A-B  are perspective views of the in-ground and above-ground swimming pool overflow prevention devices in use consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
         [0020]    Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of at least one embodiment or implementation, it is to be understood that the legal scope of protection of this application is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this disclosure. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments and/or implementations are both contemplated and possible , using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims 
         [0021]    It is to be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this application using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘ ’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1 . is a cutaway view of an in-ground swimming pool overflow prevention device  100 . The exterior of device  100  is preferably constructed of a vinyl or polyvinyl chloride forming a vertically elongated box  101  with a cap  103  and bottom plate  105 . The elongated box in at least one embodiment is constructed of a five-inch by five-inch fence post, the post having an exterior surface  110  and interior  111 . The device  101  is installed in the ground  107  in proximity to an in-ground swimming pool  109 . The interior  111  (alternatively tank) of the vertically elongated box  101  contains a pump  113 , an adjustable switch  115 , interior output pipe  117 , exterior output pipe  119  and valve  121 . 
         [0023]    In operation the device  101  receives water  123  from the in-ground swimming pool  109  through exterior input pipe  124 . The water  123  fills the interior  111  of the vertically elongated box  101 . The water  123  fills the interior  111  of the vertically elongated box  101  to the water level  125 . As the device  100  and the in-ground swimming pool  109  are in proximity to each other, the water level  125  will be the same in the in-ground swimming pool  109  and device  100 . 
         [0024]    If during a rainstorm or other activity that causes the in-ground swimming pool  109  to receive water  123 , the water level  125  rises to the level  126  in both the in-ground swimming pool  109  and in the interior  111  of the device  100 . As the water level  125  rises the water  123  comes into contact with the adjustable switch  115 . The adjustable switch  115  contains a flood free switch (not shown) that receives power via insulated electrical cord  127 . When the flood free switch comes into contact with water  123  the switch is open and a signal is sent via signal cord  129  to the pump  113  to begin pumping water  123 . 
         [0025]    Alternatively, the device  100  has only two electrical cords  127  and  131  and no signal cord  129 . In this configuration, the electrical cord  131  for the pump  113  plugs into a unit (not shown) of the flood free switch, which has a female power adapter for receiving the plug at the end of the electrical cord  131 . When the flood free switch opens, power is send via electrical cord  131  to the pump  113  and the pump begins to pump water  123 . 
         [0026]    As long as the flood free switch is open, the pump  113  receiving power via electrical cord  131  continues to pump water  123  up through the interior output pipe  117 . When the water  123  reaches the exterior output pipe  119  it is diverted out towards a pipe or hose (not shown) attached to the exterior output pipe  119 , which takes the water  123  away from the area of the in ground swimming pool  209 . Advantageously, the pipe or hose takes the water  123  to a spillway (not shown), dry-well (not shown), sewage system (not shown) or other means of carrying away unwanted water. 
         [0027]    As the pump  113  continues to pump the water  123  out of the interior  111  of the device  100 , water flows from the in-ground swimming pool  109  through the exterior input pipe  124  thereby reducing the water level  125  in the in-ground swimming pool  109 . It will be understood that the water level  125  will be lowered at the same rate in the interior  111  of the device  100  as in the in-ground swimming pool  109  by the pump  113 . 
         [0028]    When the water level  125  falls below a predetermined maximum water level  133  on the adjustable switch  115 , the flood free switch closes causing the pump  113  to stop pumping. The exterior output pipe  125  feeds a pipe or hose to carry the water away from the pool and it is assumed that the pipe will carry the water down hill. As such, even though pump  113  is not running water  123  can continue to be siphoned from the interior  111  of the device  100 . To prevent siphoning, the valve  121  attached above the exterior output pipe  125  is spring loaded to change the pressure in the interior output pipe  117  to prevent syphoning. In other words, during pumping the pressure in the interior output pipe  117  is positive, but when the pump  113  stops, the pressure in the interior output pipe  117  becomes negative. The valve  121  is spring loaded and set to open when the pressure becomes negative allowing air to enter the interior output pipe  117 , thereby preventing the syphoning. 
         [0029]    The cap  103  on the top of the elongated box  101  is detachable such that the handle  134  on the adjustable switch  115  can be rotated to either raise or lower the flood free switch in order to change predetermined maximum water level  133 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2 . is a cutaway view of an above-ground swimming pool overflow prevention device  200 . The exterior of device  200  is preferably constructed of a vinyl or polyvinyl chloride forming a vertically elongated box  101 , a horizontally elongated box  201  with a cap  103  and bottom cap  205 ( a ) and ( b ) and end cap  206 . The a horizontally elongated box  201  is attached through the vertically elongated box  101  at a right angle near the top of the vertically elongated box  101 . The device  200  is installed by placing the vertically elongated box  101  into the above ground swimming pool  209  until the horizontally elongated box  201  meets a deck or lip  243  of the swimming pool  209 . 
         [0031]    The vertically elongated box  101  will rest against the side  241  of the above ground swimming pool  209 . The vertically elongated box  101  is further constructed with a set of rubber or nylon bumpers  245  to keep the vertically elongated box  101  from rubbing against the side  241  of the above ground swimming pool  209 . It will be understood that the set of rubber or nylon bumpers  245  may be adjustable to ensure the vertically elongated box  101  (alternatively post) is kept on a true vertical plane. 
         [0032]    The horizontally elongated box  201  (alternatively arm) may also include a further set of rubber or nylon bumpers (not shown) to keep the horizontally elongated box  201  on a true horizontal plane. To aid in determining whether the horizontally elongated box  201  and vertically elongated box  101  are on their respective true planes, a pair of bubble levels  247  and  249  are respectively placed on the x and y axis of the horizontally elongated box  201 . 
         [0033]    The interior  111  (alternatively tank) of the vertically elongated box  101  contains a pump  113 , an adjustable switch  115 , interior output pipe  117 , exterior output pipe  219  and valve  221 . 
         [0034]    In operation the device  200  receives water  123  from the swimming pool  209  through bottom cap  205 ( a ). The bottom cap  205 ( a ) is show in a bottom view  205 ( b ) having a set of non-clogging inlet ports  251  on each face of the bottom cap  205 ( b ). The water  123  fills the interior  111  of the vertically elongated box  101 . The water  123  fills interior  111  of the vertically elongated box  101  to the water level  125 . It will be understood as the device  200  is inserted into the above ground swimming pool  209 , the water level  125  will be the same in the above ground swimming pool  209  and device  200 . 
         [0035]    If during a rainstorm or other activity that causes the above ground swimming pool  209  to receive water  123 , the water level  125  rises to a level  126  in both the above ground swimming pool  209  and in the interior  111  of the device  200 . As the water level  125  rises the water  123  comes into contact with the adjustable switch  115 . The adjustable switch  115  contains a flood free switch (not shown) that receives power via insulated electrical cord  127 . When the flood free switch comes into contact with water  123  the switch is open and a signal is sent via signal cord  129  to the pump  113  to begin pumping water  123 . 
         [0036]    As long as the flood free switch is open, the pump  113  receiving power via electrical cord  131  continues to pump water  123  up through the interior output pipe  117 . When the water  123  reaches the exterior output pipe  219  it is diverted out towards a pipe or hose (not shown) attached to the exterior output pipe  219 , which takes the water  123  away from the area of the above ground swimming pool  209 . Advantageously, the pipe or hose takes the water  123  to a spillway (not shown), dry-well (not shown), sewage system (not shown) or other means of carrying away unwanted water below the grade of the exterior output pipe  219 . 
         [0037]    As the pump  113  continues to pump the water  123  out of the interior  111  of the device  100 , water flows from the above ground swimming pool  209  through the exterior input pipe  124  thereby reducing the water level  125  in the above ground swimming pool  209 . It will be understood that the water level  125  will be lowered at the same rate in the interior  111  of the device  200  as in the above ground swimming pool  209  by the pump  113 . 
         [0038]    When the water level  125  falls below a predetermined maximum water level  133  on the adjustable switch  115 , the flood free switch closes causing the pump  113  to stop pumping. The exterior output pipe  219  feeds a pipe or hose to carry the water  123  away from the above ground swimming pool  209  it is assumed that the pipe will carry the water down hill. As such, even though pump  113  is not pumping, water  123  can continue to be siphoned from the interior  111  of the device  100 . To prevent siphoning, the valve  121  attached above the exterior output pipe  119  is spring loaded to change the pressure in the interior output pipe  117  to prevent syphoning. 
         [0039]    It will be understood that the cap  103  on the top of the elongated box  101  is detachable such that the handle  134  on the adjustable switch  115  can be rotated to either raise or lower the flood free switch in order to change predetermined maximum water level  133 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3 . is a perspective view of an adjustable switch  115  for setting a predetermined maximum water level  133  for the swimming pool overflow protection devices  100  and  200 . The adjustable switch  115  is constructed from horizontal members  361  and  363 . The horizontal members  361  and  363  are connected via vertical members  365  and  367 . A threaded rod  368  extends through and between the horizontal members  361  and  363 . On the top of the threaded rod  368  is a handle  134 . Twisting the handle  134  causes the sled  369  to be lowered or raised along the threaded rod  368  in respect to the vertical members  365  and  367 . A flood free switch  371  as in the type produced by Intellishield™ is attached to the sled  369  and has a set of arms  373  to hold onto the horizontal member  367 . However, any type of switch that can turn on or cause power to be sent to a pump may be used. 
         [0041]    The vertical member  367  has affixed thereon a series of horizontal lines that indicate the point at which the flood free switch  373  will open and signal or power the pump  113 . The lines roughly correlate to the predetermined maximum water level  133 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4A-B  are perspective views of the in-ground and above-ground swimming pool overflow prevention devices ( 100 ,  200 ) in use. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4A  shows the in-ground swimming pool overflow prevention device  100  buried in the ground  107  in proximity to the in-ground swimming pool  109 . The device  100  receives water  123  via an exterior input port  124  and if the water  123  is above a predetermined maximum water level  133 , then the water is pumped out of the exterior output pipe  119 . 
         [0044]    The system described above uses a 1200 gallon-per-hour (gph) pump  113  to quickly reduce the amount of water in a standard twenty by forty foot pool. However, it will be understood that larger pumps and a larger interior output pipe  117  could be used where the pool contains greater amounts of water  123 . Additionally, instead of increasing the size of a pump  113  and interior output pipe  117 , a series of the device  100  may be installed in proximity to the in ground swimming pool  109 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4B  shows the above ground swimming pool overflow prevention device  200  having the horizontally elongated box  202  sitting across the lip  445  of the above ground swimming pool  209  and the attached deck  443  and the vertically elongated box  101  inserted into the water  123  of the above ground swimming pool  209 . In use, the end cap  206  is open as it pivots on a hinge (not shown). In this position, the male plugs (not shown) for electrical cords  127  and  131  can be retrieved from horizontally elongated box  201  and plugged into a ground fault interrupt (GFI) outlet (not shown). 
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment, then above ground swimming pool overflow prevention device  200  can be used in an in-ground swimming pool  109  when the device  100  is not available when the in ground swimming pool  109  is installed. 
         [0047]    The device  200  receives water  123  via a bottom cap  205  and if the water  123  is above a predetermined maximum water level  133 , then the water is pumped out of the exterior output pipe  219  attached to a hose  419  that carries the water  123  away from the above ground swimming pool  209 . 
         [0048]    Examples of various features/aspects/components/operations have been provided to facilitate understanding of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. In addition, various preferences have been discussed to facilitate understanding of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that all examples and preferences disclosed herein are intended to be non-limiting. 
         [0049]    Although selected embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described individually, it is to be understood that at least aspects of the described embodiments may be combined. 
         [0050]    Although selected embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it is to be appreciated that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: e