AU2005200798A1 - The skimmer net system - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

/stsnts Act /,999 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT THE SKIMMER NET SYSTEM For Trapping Floating and Moving Debris from Swimming Pools The following statement is full description of this invention, including diagrams and the best method of performing it known to me: STHE SKINNER NET SYSTEM This invention relates to improvements in devices for removing moving debris from swimming pools.

INTRDDUCTION

00 [D01] Owning a swimming pool, whether it is in-ground or aboveground, is every homeowner's dream especially for those who are privileged to live in warmer climates. Trees, shrubs and plants are often planted surrounding swimming pools to make it look more natural and attractive. However this creates the dilemma of leaves.

NC twigs and bugs (described as "DEBRIS" and "FLOATING MATTER" in this text) falling into the pool. This invention relates to making their removal simpler, easier and cheaper.

N BACKGROUND [002] Any such matter or debris described above, which falls into the swimming pool floats around for a number of hours before finally settling to the bottom. All such organic and some inorganic matters have buoyancy in order to float and get their bounce from little pockets of air trapped within. After the air is either dissolved in water or is replaced by water such organic matter settles to the bottom of the pool. It was also noted that such debris after floating for a while gradually loses some of its buoyancy making it float at different depths of the pool. Although the use of the word Skimmer" in the title may suggest removal of floating debris from the surface of the pool only, its use is not limited to skimming the surface for debris only. For example by extending the lower end of the skimmer frame in order to reach either the middle or the bottom of the pool, it will help with the removal of all moving matter whether it be floating on the surface, suspended at different depths or on the bottom of the pool.

[003] It is a known fact that manual removal of moving and floating matter or debris is easier than removing the matter or debris which has settled to the bottom of the pool and is stationary. Manually removing with a netted scoop is perhaps the most effective and the most common method in use today, but it requires significant amount of time and effort. Another method of getting around this problem is automation, but in my view and as the critics comment that these methods have never been effective or cost efficient.

Taking these facts into account the disclosed invention: 1. Is designed in a manner to provide an implement to remove most of this floating/moving matter or debris before it settles to the bottom of the pool.

2. Is designed in a manner to provide an implement to remove most of this floating/moving matter or debris before reaching the skimmer box/basket of the pool.

3. Is designed to making removal of floating/moving matter or debris easier, effortless and effective.

Background-conventional and modern methods SDescription of Prior Arts [004] It is common knowledge that removing floating matter is essential because when it settles to the bottom, its removal is not only a hard task but, if left un-removed decaying matters cause 00 discolouration of the water and the pool lining resulting in stubborn, un-removable stains.

[DDo] §[1015] S(A) Conventional method/s- the most commonly used method today is one whereby a fine Smeshed net scoop on a frame and handle is used to remove debris whether floating, suspended or from the bottom of the pool. This is not only a hard task but also very time consuming.

[0061 Automation- there is a number of products in the market that are designed to overcome this problem. However these products are expensive, sophisticated, and difficult to use and clean.

Some of these products, because they are connected to the inlet port or suction side of the filter pump, create a huge problem of motor burnout and pump damage if left unchecked.

Debris or matter described above often clog the sieve of the skimmer basket/s and restrict, or in some case totally stop, the water flow to the filter pump. If left unchecked this will starve the motor of cool/cold water, needed by the motor to remove its heat generated within.

Some other products use the outlet port to force water through a floating tubular net system whereby one end is sealed off to trap floating debris, however such floating debris is rarely attracted towards the water flow path.

*he present Ainftisn ovrcomes most of theseproblems described abo [0117] How the swimming pool filtering system works is common knowledge to every one with Sa swimming pool. Water is pumped out of the swimming pool preferably six to ten inches from Sthe surface via the skimmer box, a suitable water pump and through a series of filtering 0systems. The clean filtered water is then jet forced back into the pool. The amount of water passing through this system depends on the size of the pool, the size of the pump and the size of the filtering system. The incoming jet of water into the pool is often angled in a way so that 00 it creates a one directional flow to aid and assists the skimmer basket in collecting the floating matter or debris. The skimmer basket is basically a sieve that sits in the skimmer box 0 and is attached to the pool wall to act as the first stage of filtration. A very common problem is that, the suction or inlet side of the pump is directly connected to the skimmer box which is in under a huge constant suction pressure and since the surface area of the skimmer basket is limited in order to fit inside the skimmer box, does not take long to clog up with smaller debris cN such as bugs, flower buds etc and restrict/ block off the water flow to the pump.

>This invention relates to the design of The Skimmer Net System in order to overcome all of the problems described above. This invention from cleaning point of view allows the pool to be left unattended for many days or even weeks.

OESCRIPTNI aIF HIEPFEREDRB EMBDIIENT [0F II Although specific embodiment of thepresent invention is described with reference t frhe drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example, principle and concept nly. Itis merely illusraive of but a small number of the many possible specifc embodimens, which can represent applicatons of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present inven#o pertains are deemed to be within the spirit scope and contemplation of the present invention.

This wll be subjeted to furher research and development in order to utlise fully, the principle/s and the oncept/s. Itis subjected to comply with thelawsof the respective authorities if any in order to full achiev the itended uses or the intended functions of this inventon.

It is also subjected to comply with the respective safety laws of the authorities, if any, in order to fully achieve the safety standard required for public use.

C SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION C [009] This invention relates to improvements in the method/s of maintaining and cleaning swimming pools, especially the removal of floating/moving debris or matter as described earlier.

*0 This invention also relates to the removal of floating debris or floating matter before reaching the pool's skimmer box thus minimising the problems described earlier.

0 This invention titled THE SKIMMER NET SYSTEM is an independent device for trapping/removing floating debris from swimming pools before settling to the bottom and n without directly being part of filtering system/s.

This invention describes the use of a fine mash netting material that is similar to that c-i used in the netted scoop described earlier to replicate a pillow case where the open end is supported by a framed structure to make this a trap like implement.

[010] THE MANNER OF MANUFACTURE One objective of the present invention is to provide an implement (THE SKIMMER NET SYSTEM) for the removal of floating moving debris/matter before reaching the first stage of filtration, the skimmer box of the pool.

The second objective of the present invention is to provide a device for removing moving suspended debris or matter before settling to the bottom of the pool.

The said invention utilises all materials that are readily and commercially available to manufacture and is easy to mass-produce, thus making it cost effective.

The present invention describes the use of a fine-mesh netting material that is similar to that used in construction of a netted scoop described earlier.

The present invention unlike other prior arts, uses the technology and the technique well known today, whereby THE SKIMMER NET SYSTEM utilises the use of the following: I. A mesh netting material that will also reduces drag and has low resistance against the water flow.

2. A frame that is shaped in a manner to replicate an aircraft wing. This specific shape is important to create a small bow wave to avoid debris collecting on the frame structure yet creating low pressure within the frame, there for attracting more debris towards the water flow/current I and 2 above are engineered with precision to eliminate backward water pressure.

3. Water flows to work and does not require any or external power source.

Sophisiated mathematiwlca'culations andunique desin technology is tiised in makhn ths invention work effect 23-MAY-2005 17:26 FROM:BASE BIOMEDICAL SERV 0265843525 TO:62853929 P.2/3 /tmsan aed6sta g thecar stig d sgun fc& dbl w as foun d &q Ae&_i&7tZf.C#bi t 6 /eak ng'/ouf 7#127ANOWS ma'ftr/sas deb Y s do 4&,hmdugvo dw_ d~tV thfpoui The of~zmymf'n 11wfon uspwaf sf It 00 *snodWth,7 g ASek mer Neystem 'wyas capabble Of&ipph1g rcosdj'ifg mot thefl eigqpe tanff Itk, dbhris th1 colavansgfl hepo/skmmerbs& ox) f lWfWtIJ -Aborinsb,//j, A-0 Ski#Ss~mpmm ztrA w~,d7wg j1,U~ bFsk tanda rgosssejr ional Viw Ote Skim me/2r/ ny nut sa011 frMob n wsa/sof atheofo.Itg mnO M'd~liindifi sucb~s 6gsJ flowepbd fi~ev e Th(~lbne* nmse r~ uh simzia,~d ma&~g ih~p $u dim je RELAJN TD 01A51wdls AND DRAWINGS (PGE /~~oesddnl~NIBn/sar Figure 1 is a crass-sectional view of the skimmer net ookring from the! tap of the pool. It shows the aircraft wing like configuration used in construction -the framed structure

"E"

for the skimmer Net Assembly. The Skimmer Net is attached to the frame which is positioned against the pool wail where illustrates the path directional flaw of the water towards the Skimmer Net.

Figure la Demonstrates an aircraft wing lie configuration and its effects on the flow/path of the water, Figure 2 shows construction of the Skimmer Net Assembly where being the mesh netting (the Trap) which will be secured to the frame structure to make the Skimmer Net Assembly complete.

Figure 3 is the cross-sectional view of the pool where shows the water line or level, "U' shows the pool wall and the pool decking. It also shows the position of the Skimmer Net Assembly whereby bracket positioning it in place, which is also mounted to the base pole and base with a quick cnomec tdisconnect system Components "N K" and make The Skimmer Net System complete.

23/05 '05 MlON 17:38 [TX/RX NO 88761 23/05 '05 MON 17:38 [TX/RX NO 8876]

Claims (1)

1. 23-MA~Y-2005 17:26 FROrI:BASE BIOM1EDICAL SERV 0265843525TO6832 33 TO:62853929 P.3/3 The claims deinng th2 invenitin ape as fu~aws. N. Ay~i~~ ubraI~ i,/could be used for trapping debris. For example wire netting, cotton netting, nylon nettng etc could be welded, heat pressed, sewn and could be of any shapE/form for example lm a pillow case or any other and could hav partitions within as baffles 00 such thot the debris colleacted do not clump together resisting water flow. C* 2. Th e oute'r AzdsdYst,ct MEth wm&SfmmoM erN At~ssemb'coau Id be m a nuActu red usi ng any number of moulded or extruded shapes such as flatternd, rounded, bull nosed, curved in the shape of an aircraft wing or otherwise and any suitable mateial/s could be used indluding wood. N- iron. aluminium, we. plastic etc for the purpose of manufacture. 3. The aue~dt~w atumo~gm~A ,hnjdrepresent any shape and size including square, oblong, round triangular, oval etc. It could he designred in a manner to skim Nsurfae for debris or the expandgd and extended models to reach the middle or bottonm of the pool of suspended debris. 4, f//F SX#K TM~F'~'f 1 7~Sf/fcould he manufactured using any number of configurations suited to different paol needs or otherwise and any suitable material could ha used for the purpnose of its constrction or manufacture-for example wand. irait aluminium, wire. plastic atc. #SAfl#F&MvS~ 1 an independent dee for the purpose of removing floating/moving debris including leaves from swimming pool/s and is not in anyway part of the filtration system/s of the pool, One of its main purposes is to assist and work in conjunction with the existing filtration sytem/s to prolong their cleaning process and also overcoming the problems described earlier. 6. ThSkk&nsp ~uJd be positioned in place using the method descibed herein or any other number of methods could be applied suited to the individual pool's need. For example in above ground pools without decking the Skimmer Net bracket/s will be secured to the pool wall. Applicant NIRANA~ SINGHI 23-May-05 23/05 '05 MON 17:38 [TX/RX NO 88761 23/05 '05 MON 17:38 ITX/RX NO 8876]