Pipes and tubular conduits – End protectors – Threaded
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-04-03
Brinson, Patrick (Department: 3752)
Pipes and tubular conduits
End protectors
Threaded
C004S504000, C004S507000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209586
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to drain covers for swimming pools and spas, and more particularly to an apparatus for applying an exposed aggregate or plaster finish to the top surface of drain covers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Drain openings are typically formed on the bottom of most conventional swimming pools so that water can be removed from the pool and circulated through a filtration system. The openings generally extend through the floor of the pool and are connected to drain pipes that are configured to transport water from the pool to a filtering device. Furthermore, a recirculation pump is typically used to remove water from the pool through the drains, down the drain pipes, and into the filtration system wherein the water is filtered and cleaned before being transported back into the pool through the return lines.
Disadvantageously, however, the drain openings are generally unsightly and can pose as a safety hazard for swimmers. In particular, the suction created by the large volume of water passing through the drains is known to cause a whirlpool vortex wherein the force of the vortex can be strong enough to pull down and trap swimmers near the drains. Furthermore, it can be appreciated that a swimming pool tends to lose some of its aesthetic appeal when the floor of the pool is dotted with numerous drain openings. To address these problems, various anti-vortex drains and covers have been developed to reduce the suction around the drains while at the same time enhance the aesthetic appeal of the pool.
In particular, the standard drain cover currently used for most swimming pools is a circular anti-vortex drain cover. The cover is adapted to be positioned over a generally circular drain opening and comprises a top surface that is relatively flat and a plurality of side openings that serve as passage ways for water to flow from the pool into the drain opening. Furthermore, the cover is made from plastic material and is generally available only in a limited number of colors such as black, white, and shades of gray.
Consequently, the standard drain covers often do not match the surface finish of the swimming pool as the surface finish of the pools can be made from a wide variety of colors and textures. In particular, the standard drain covers will appear conspicuously out of place when set against the surface finish of swimming pools having a plaster or exposed aggregate finish wherein the color of the surface is custom blended to the taste of the pool owner. Likewise, the standard drain covers also appear undesirably conspicuous when they are positioned over drain openings formed on the bottom of spas that are decorated with a colored plaster or exposed aggregate finish.
To address this problem, drain cover assemblies have been created that are designed with the intent of making the cover less conspicuous and more uniform with the surface finish of the pool or spa. In particular, there are existing covers made from a clear plastic material wherein the transparency of the plastic is likely to make the cover less noticeable and allow the cover to blend in with the surface finish of the pool or spa. Disadvantageously, however, the transparent covers do not properly conceal the drain pipes underneath the covers and therefore leave the unsightly pipes exposed to plain view. It can be appreciated that visible drain pipes on the bottom of a swimming pool or spa are sometimes even more unappealing than drain covers that do not match the color and texture of the surface finish of the pool.
Hence, from the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there is a need for a drain cover for swimming pools or spas that is less conspicuous. To this end, there is a particular need for an apparatus or a method for matching a drain cover to the surrounding surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the apparatus for forming an exposed aggregate or plaster surface finish on drain covers of the present invention. In one aspect, the apparatus of the present invention comprises an aggregate retaining member wherein the retaining member is positioned adjacent an upper surface of a pool drain cover such that the retaining member retains aggregate material on the upper surface of the pool drain cover. Preferably, the retaining member is attached to the drain cover through the use of fasteners or screws. Preferably, the retaining member extends about an outer perimeter of the upper surface of the drain cover so as to define a cavity in which the aggregate material can be positioned and wherein the retaining member exerts a force against the aggregate material to retain the aggregate material in the cavity adjacent the upper surface.
In another embodiment, the retaining member extends outward from the plane of the upper surface while simultaneously extending inward towards the center of the upper surface of the drain cover such that an outer edge of the retaining member is positioned over the plane of the upper surface. Preferably, the retaining member is formed of a clear material so that the aggregate material is visible through the retaining member to thereby camouflage the retaining member.
Furthermore, the retaining member comprises at least one reinforcing member that extends across the cavity defined by the retaining member wherein the at least one reinforcing member is coupled to the inner walls of the retaining member so as to increase the structural rigidity of the retaining member. Preferably, the at least one reinforcing member is recessed in the cavity so as to be located a distance less than the first distance from the upper surface so that when the aggregate material is positioned within the cavity, the aggregate material covers the at least one reinforcing member.
In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a pool drain cover assembly wherein the assembly comprises a base member, a cap member, and an retainer positioned adjacent an upper surface of the cap member so as to form a cavity on the upper surface wherein aggregate material is retained in the cavity on the upper surface of the cap member. Preferably the aggregate material is positioned within the cavity so as to be in contact with the upper surface of the cap member and the inner surfaces of the retainer.
In one embodiment, the pool drain cover assembly can be formed by attaching the base member, cap member, and retainer together through the use of fasteners. In another embodiment, the retainer can be molded as an integral part of the cap member. Preferably, the upper surface of the drain cover is coated with an exposed aggregate material that is substantially identical to the surface finish of the swimming pool. In particular, the retaining member retains the aggregate on the upper surface of the cap member so as to make the aggregate appear as the color and texture of the cover assembly. In contrast to the conventional drain covers that are available in only a selected number of colors, the pool drain cover assembly of the present invention can be easily made into a wide variety of colors and textures to match the surface finish of the swimming pool. Advantageously, the drain cover assembly is camouflaged in the same color and texture as the swimming pool so as to not detract from the aesthetic appeal of the pool.
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patent: 5996134 (1999-12-01), Senninger
Brinson Patrick
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
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