Self-tending, multi-position debris deflector for pools

Details Self-tending, multi-position debris deflector for pools Self-tending, multi-position debris deflector for pools

2000-08-09

2001-11-13

Barry, Chester T. (Department: 1724)

Liquid purification or separation

Processes

Separating

C210S167150, C210S232000, C210S242100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315911

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention relates to a swimming pool deflector for directing floating debris into standard pool skimming devices. Further, the field of this pool deflector invention relates to one that is self-tending and requires no tools nor permanent attachment apparatus for its removal or installation. My method invention includes the novel steps of stabilizing a floating deflector at two points which include the side of the pool and the finger hole of an access cover for a swimming pool skimmer entrance port.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
My invention interfaces and operates in conjunction with other swimming pool fixtures and apparatus. Provided below are brief descriptions of certain relevant devices which further the understanding of the invention and provide a basis for a detailed teaching of the improvement in the art provided by this invention.
Filtration System
All swimming pools have a filtration system for continual cleaning of pool water. These filter systems employ circulating pumps which maintain a flow of water from the pool through the filters and return the filtered water back to the pool. The first stage of the filter system is a coarse skimmer trap which catches leaves and other floating debris as such debris works its way into the trap. This skimmer trap is standard in most pools, with only minor variations in distance from the edge of the pool.
Pool Deck
A horizontal concrete, paver or tiled surface which surrounds the edge of the swimming pool. The skimmer trap is located below the deck and that trap is the first coarse stage in the filtration loop for the pool.
Filter Access Plate
The aforementioned skimmer trap includes a removable catch basin that is easily removable/replaceable for periodic cleaning of skimmed debris caught in the basin. An access port is located in an opening in the pool deck above the catch basin. That access port normally takes the form of a removable cover plate. Such a plate is generally flush mounted in the pool deck directly above the water entrance port to the filtration system skimmer. Access cover plates are equipped with a finger hole opening for ease in manual removal and replacement.
Pool Deflector
Generically, a device that floats on, and extends slightly below the pool water surface in order to deflect floating surface debris into the skimmer and associated filtering circulation apparatus.
Surface Flotation Rod
A length of flotation material on the pool deflector proper that surrounds a hollow, sealed rod that is situated at water level. The flotation rod is perhaps two to three feet in length. Attached to the floatation rod is a flat plate deflector with its flat surface perpendicular to the water surface. Attachment may be via sheet metal type screws. The deflector plate is positionally reversible in order to accommodate clockwise or counter clockwise water flow in the pool.
Knuckle
This is a direction-changing elbow connected to the floatation rod which acts as a deflector stop against the side of the pool. Seated in the knuckle is an upright extension rod that is telescoped and adjustable to accommodate different depths of the water surface relative to the pool deck.
Adjustable Deck Arm
This adjustment is located in a telescoping extension arm which runs from the pivot point in the cover plate outward over the edge of the deck. It provides an inward and outward sliding distance and is normally adjusted once for any given pool. Such a one time setting is necessary because the skimmer access ports from pool to pool are not always the same distance from the edge of the pool. Geometrically, this adjustable arm sets the chord length of a given radius arc which defines the angle of deflection for the deflector. Additionally, this adjustment presets the point at which the deflector rests against the edge of the pool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The environmental requirements for this invention are well known. Outside swimming pools have the problem of debris from the atmosphere—leaves, twigs, and the like—littering the pool. Indoor pools, to a lesser degree, likewise accumulate floating debris. Swimming pools are thus equipped with water circulation and filtering apparatus, which circulate and filter pool water.
As a side effect of this circulating filter system, there is generated within the pool, a slow, steady clockwise, or counter-clockwise rotation of the pool water. The flow in such a pool becomes very laminar, and floating debris becomes entrained in the laminar flow and tends to bypass the skimmer entrance to the filtering system.
Thus, a need quickly developed for a deflector which resides near the skimmer circulation entrance, which deflector stays in place during the many hours when a pool is not in use. Also such a deflector must easily be removable when the pool is put into use and for safety sake must not require any obtrusive attachment mechanisms. This invention supplies for the first time just such a swimming pool deflector apparatus.
The laminar flow phenomenon had lead to dozens of prior art methods and attempts in the art for a safe, workable deflection apparatus that serves to interrupt a portion of that flow, and redirect floating debris into the skimmer entrance for the filtration system. Although these devices are truly surface water deflectors, some in the art have misused the word “skimmer”. A skimmer is actually an operator or machine moved cleaning apparatus. When manually moved, such a skimmer takes the from of a hand held combination pole and net that is manually moved about the pool surface to clean a large surface area.
There have been many prior art attempts to create deflectors which will do the job in a satisfactory manner. Those attempts to date have various shortcomings such as undue complexity and compromises for deck or pool safety. Most of these prior art devices are removeably connected to the pool by a permanent attaching fixture element that is somehow permanently affixed to the deck, pool side, skimmer opening, pool ladder or the like. These attachment elements in and about the pool periphery are obtrusive and create safety hazards.
Additionally, many of the attachment elements require the installer to work from within the pool. An aftermarket exists for a pool flow deflector which may easily be hand installed and hand removable, and which does not modify the surroundings and/or pool equipment in any way. Of particular importance is a pool deflector that does not rely upon attachment elements and the attendant safety hazards such elements create.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Turning now to the prior art, a search has revealed various patents, several of which are only of peripheral relevance. Additionally the Patent Office has cited certain art in connection with the examination and allowance of the earlier parent application. Such patents include:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,411 to Lempio (Apr. 11, 1989)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,721 to Mathews (Jan. 4, 1994)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,472 to Maxfield (Feb. 28, 1995)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,750 to Vos (Mar. 4, 1997)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,085 to Platt III (Mar. 25, 1997)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,253 to Rowe (Nov. 17, 1987)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,001 to Yagoda et al. (Jun. 6, 1999)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,184 to Veillet (Dec. 15, 1998)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,109 to Edge (Jan. 18, 1983)
U.S. Patent Des. 282,302 to Reynoso et al. (Jan. 21, 1986)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,436 to Cseh (Sep. 30, 1980)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,400 to Patrice (Aug. 9, 1994)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,514 to Paskert (Oct. 2, 1990)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,470 to Wards (Dec. 6, 1988)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,340 to O'Brien (Jan. 19, 1988)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,064 to Desrochers (Sep. 8, 1998)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,217 to Fulop (Jun. 11, 1996)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,296 to Rotundo (Feb. 21, 1995)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,189 to Page, Jr. (Mar. 29, 1988)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,327 to Heinlein (Jan. 17, 1978)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,020 to Gronlund (Apr. 23, 1996)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,662 to Joseph (Sep. 9, 1980)
U.S. Patent Des. 314,456 to Baitz (Feb. 5, 1991)
Highly summarized the above-mentioned prior art falls into

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