AU2018321575A1

AU2018321575A1 - A skimmer lid support and assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2018321575A1
Application number: AU2018321575A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William George FREEMAN
Original assignee: SKIMMER LIDS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SKIMMER LIDS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2018-08-24
Publication date: 2020-04-16
Also published as: WO2019036748A1

Abstract

There is provided a support for a skimmer lid, the support comprising a base; a rim extending from the base, the base defining an opening for access to a skimmer box; and at least one support member extending from at least one of the base and the rim to support the skimmer lid when the skimmer lid is arranged in the support, the, or each, support member being arranged so that the lid is spaced from the base to allow part of a lifting device to be positioned against a lower surface of the lid.

Description

A SKIMMER LID SUPPORT AND ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] Various embodiments of a skimmer lid support and assembly are described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] In one aspect, there is provided a support for a skimmer lid, the support comprising:

a base;

a rim extending from the base, the base defining an opening for access to a skimmer box; and at least one support member extending from at least one of the base and the rim to support the skimmer lid when the lid is received in the support, the, or each, support member being arranged so that the lid is spaced from the base to allow part of a lifting device to be positioned against a lower surface of the lid.

[0003] The support base may be in the form of a plate with the rim extending from a periphery of the plate so that the base and the rim form a recess for the lid.

[0004] The, or each, support member may be dimensioned so that an upper surface of the lid is substantially flush with a proximal edge of the rim.

[0005] The, or each, plate may be configured in any appropriate shape, including a substantially quadrilateral shape, for example a square, or a substantially round shape, all when viewed from above and in an operational position.

[0006] The, or each, support member may be arranged anywhere on the base, including at the interface of the base and the rim, or the interface of the base and the opening. The, or each support member may also be a spacer or shim arranged on the base.

[0007] The, or each, support member may be a portion of the base, shaped to form a tab extending upwardly from a remaining portion of the base.

[0008] The, or each, support member may extend operatively upwardly to an extent that is less than the height of the rim. More particularly, the, or each, support member may extend operatively upwardly to an extent that is less than half the height of the rim.

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 [0009] In another aspect, there is provided a skimmer lid assembly comprising:

a support having a base and a rim extending from the base, the base defining an opening for access to a skimmer box;

a lid;

at least one support member extending from at least one of the base, the rim and the lid so that the, or each, support member supports the lid when the lid is arranged in the support, the, or each, support member being arranged so that the lid is spaced from the base to allow part of a lifting device to be positioned against a lower surface of the lid.

[0010] The lid of the assembly may comprise:

a lid base; and a skirt extending from the lid base and being dimensioned so that the skirt is substantially surrounded by the rim and the lid base rests on the, or each, support member, when the lid is mounted in the support.

[0011] The lid base may also define one or more access apertures for insertion of the part of the lifting device or devices. This access aperture may extend from an edge of the lid base, towards the centre of the lid base, in a configuration appropriate for accommodating the part of the lifting device.

[0012] In addition, the lid base may include one or more drainage apertures. The, or each, drainage aperture may extend from an edge of the lid base, or a, or each, corner of the lid base where the lid is substantially quadrilateral in shape, towards the centre of the lid base.

[0013] In a further aspect, there is provided a support for a skimmer lid, the support comprising:

a rim that defines an opening for access to a skimmer box; and at least one support member extending inwardly from the rim, the or each support member being positioned so that when a skimmer lid is positioned in the opening, and on the, or each, support member, an upper surface of the skimmer lid is substantially flush with an upper edge of the rim.

[0014] There is also provided a method of providing access to a skimmer box, the method comprising the steps of: arranging a rim with respect to the skimmer box, such that the skimmer box can be accessed via an opening defined by the rim, at least one support member extending inwardly from the rim, the, or each, support member being positioned so that an upper surface of the skimmer lid is substantially flush with an

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 upper edge of the rim when the skimmer lid is positioned in the opening and on the, or each, support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Figure 1 is a top perspective exploded view of a skimmer lid assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the assembly shown in figure 1.

[0017] Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view from below of a skimmer lid assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 4 is a plan view from above of a skimmer lid assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view from above of the skimmer lid assembly shown in figure 4.

[0020] Figure 6 is a plan view from above of a skimmer lid support of the assembly shown in figure 5.

[0021] Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of a skimmer lid for use with the skimmer lid support shown in figure 6.

[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective view from above of the skimmer lid support as shown in figure 6.

[0023] Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of a skimmer lid support according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Figure 10 is a perspective view from below of the skimmer lid support of figure 9.

[0025] Figure 11 is a perspective view from below of a skimmer lid for use in an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 12 is a side view of a lifting device for use with an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Figure 13 is another side view of the lifting device shown in figure 12.

[0028] Figure 14 shows a tile that may be fitted into a lid of a skimmer lid assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention.

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 [0029] Figure 15 shows a perspective view from below of a skimmer lid according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 16 shows a perspective view from above of a skimmer lid support according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 17 is a plan view from above of the skimmer lid support shown in figure 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0032] Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view from above of a skimmer lid assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 10, including a lifting device 12. The skimmer lid assembly 10 includes a skimmer lid support 14 and a lid 16. This embodiment of the assembly of the disclosure has a substantially square configuration. Other configurations are envisaged, and a round configuration is also described below, although any practical configuration can be effected.

[0033] The skimmer lid support 14 includes a base 18 which defines an opening 20 for access to a skimmer box, and a rim 22 extending orthogonally from the base. In use, the skimmer lid support 14 is placed and secured over a skimmer box, in a recess in the paving around a swimming pool or spa, the recess being appropriately sized and shaped to accommodate the skimmer lid support 14.

[0034] The skimmer lid support 14 also includes support members 24 arranged on the base 18 and extending upwardly from the base 18 to support the lid 16 when the lid 16 is mounted in the support 14.

[0035] The lid 16 includes a lid base 26 and a skirt 28 extending orthogonally from the lid base 26 and being dimensioned so that the skirt 28 is substantially surrounded by the corresponding rim 22, and the lid base 26 rests on the support members 24, when the lid 16 is mounted in the support 14.

[0036] The lid 16 also includes at least one access aperture 30 (figure 3) in the lid base 26, for use with a lifting device 12. The access aperture 30 may be at any position on the lid base 26. Particularly, the access aperture 30 may extend from an edge of the lid base 26 towards the centre of the lid base in a rectangular configuration, as illustrated in figures 1, 3 and 11. The lifting device 12 includes a handle 32 attached to a T-bar 34. The T-bar 34 can include a shank 35 and a leg or cross bar 37 arranged on an end of the shank 35 (figure 12). The T-bar 34 may be inserted into the access

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 aperture 30 and secured under the lid base 26 by turning the handle 32 so that part of the lifting device 12, such as the leg or cross bar 37 can be positioned against a lower surface 17 of the lid 16 (figure 3). Figures 11 and 15 show an alternative lid 100 having two access apertures 101, 102 on opposing sides of the lid base 103.

[0037] The lid 16 may also include one or more drainage apertures 33 in the lid base 26, illustrated in each corner of the lid base 26 in figure 1. The drainage apertures 33 prevent pooling of water in the lid 16 by allowing water to drain through the apertures 33, through the opening 20, into the pool or spa. The drainage apertures 33 may be any shape, size and number, and may be situated anywhere on the lid base 26. This applies equally to the drainage apertures 104 of the lid 100 in figure 11. Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the lid 16 without drainage apertures.

[0038] Referring back to figure 1, the drainage apertures 33 are offset inwardly from the skirt 28 so that, in use, they do not overlie the support members 24 on the corresponding lid support 14, and block drainage.

[0039] The base 18 may define apertures or openings 74 to facilitate attachment of equipotential bonding leads, wires, cables or devices to form part of an equipotential bonding network incorporated into a swimming pool.

[0040] The support members 24 are dimensioned so that when the lid 16 is mounted in the support 14, the lid base 26 is spaced a from the base 18. The spacing can be predetermined, depending on dimensions of the leg or cross bar 37. This enables insertion and securing of the lifting device 12 as described above, facilitating lifting or removal of the lid 16 from the support 14, allowing access to the associated skimmer box. Although there are four equally spaced support members 24 shown in this embodiment, there may be any number of support members 24 at any practicable spacing from each other, such that there remains the spacing between the lid base 26 and the support base 18 when the lid 16 is mounted in the support 14. The support members 24 can take various forms. For example, in figures 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 they are shown as plate sections that are arranged on the support base 18.

[0041] The base of the support of the invention may also be a discontinuous base, in which the discontinuous portions of the base may be shaped to form tabs which are generally parallel to the rim, and function as the support members when the lid is mounted in such a support.

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 [0042] In an alternative embodiment, shown in figure 15, the support members 24 are arranged on base 302 of the lid 300. When this lid 300 is mounted in a skimmer lid support of the invention, such as support 14 without the support members 24, the lid base 302 is spaced from the base 18.

[0043] The support members 24, in any embodiment of the invention, may also be spacers or shims.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of the assembled embodiment of the skimmer lid assembly 10 of figure 1, with the lifting device 12 in place, illustrating the corresponding dimensions of the rim 22 and the lid skirt 28 to facilitate substantially exact fitting of the lid 16 in the support 14.

[0045] Referring back to figure 1, The lid 16 has a recess 36 defined by the skirt 28, which may support a paver or tile or other surface material to match or complement the paving around a swimming pool or spa. The material may be a settable material such as concrete, or may be a material such as timber. Figure 14 shows such a tile 38, which includes an aperture 40, which is aligned with the access aperture 30 in the lid 16 when included in the assembly. The alignment of the apertures 30 and 40 enables insertion of the lifting device 12 through the tile 38 and the lid 16, into the space between the lid 16 and the support base 18, for lifting or removal of the tile 38 and lid 16, and allowing access to the associated skimmer box. The inclusion of a tile 38 aesthetically disguises the skimmer box assembly 10 from view when access to the associated skimmer box is not required.

[0046] Optionally, the tile 38 may have a pair of finger holes or apertures 72 to allow a user to lift the tile 38 and the associated lid 16 by hand.

[0047] The lifting device 12 for use with the assembly of the disclosure is shown in more detail in figures 12 and 13.

[0048] A further configuration of the skimmer lid support of the disclosure is shown in figures 9 and 10. With reference to the preceding drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified. In this configuration, a skimmer lid support 140 comprises a base 180 which defines an opening 200 for access to a skimmer box, and a rim 220 extending orthogonally from the base. In use, the skimmer lid support 140 is placed and secured over a skimmer box, in a recess in the paving or floor around a swimming pool or spa, the recess being appropriately sized and shaped to accommodate the skimmer lid support 140.

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 [0049] The skimmer lid support 140 also includes support members or tabs 240 arranged on the base 180 and extending upwardly from the base 180 to support a lid (for example the lid 16) when the lid 16 is mounted in the support 140. In this configuration, the tabs 240 are formed at an interface of the base 180 and the opening 200, by shaping each of a portion of the base to form each of the tabs 240 which extend upwardly from the base 180, substantially orthogonally to the base 180. Thus, the tabs 240 may be the result of a cutting and bending process carried out on the base 180, wherein cuts are made into the base 180 to demarcate the tabs 240, which are subsequently bent upwards. The tabs 240 may be bent upwardly to be generally parallel to the rim 220. Thus, the tabs 240 are an integral part of the support 140. The support 140 may be of a sheet material, such as sheet steel or sheet aluminium. Thus, the provision of the tabs 240 does not result in an additional weight of the support 140. Furthermore, fabrication of the support 140 with the integrated tabs 240 may be a relatively simple process without the requirement for adding or attaching further components.

[0050] The tabs 240 are dimensioned so that when a lid (for example the lid 16) is mounted in the support 140, the lid base 26 is spaced a predetermined distance from the base 180. This enables insertion and securing of the lifting device 12 as described above, facilitating lifting or removal of the lid 16 from the support 140, allowing access to the associated skimmer box. Although there are eight regularly spaced tabs 240 shown in this embodiment, there may be any number of tabs 240 at any practicable spacing from each other, such that there remains the predetermined distance between the lid base 26 and the support base 180 when the lid 16 is mounted in the support 140.

[0051] The base 180 may also include a support lug 250 in each corner of the base 180, of any practicable configuration and material, configured to provide additional support for the lid base 26 when mounted. The lugs 250 may be cylindrical and may be manufactured of metal, including of steel. The base 180 may include further lugs that are interposed between the lugs 250, between the corners of base 180. Further lugs may be useful when the lid is relatively large. It is envisaged that the lugs can replace the support member or tabs described herein.

[0052] The base 180 may define apertures or openings 740 to facilitate attachment of equipotential bonding leads, wires, cables or devices to form part of an equipotential bonding network incorporated into a swimming pool.

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 [0053] A further configuration of the skimmer support and assembly of the disclosure is shown in figures 4 to 8 and generally indicated with reference numeral 50. With reference to the preceding drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified. This configuration is substantially round.

[0054] Figure 5 shows a top perspective exploded view of the skimmer lid assembly 50, including the lifting device 12. The skimmer lid assembly 50 includes a skimmer lid support 52 and a lid 54.

[0055] The skimmer lid support 52 comprises a base 56 which defines an opening 57 for access to a skimmer box, and a rim 58 extending orthogonally from the base 56. In use, the skimmer lid support 52 is placed and secured over a skimmer box, in a recess in the paving around a swimming pool or spa, the recess being appropriately sized and shaped to accommodate the skimmer lid support 52.

[0056] The skimmer lid support 52 also includes support members 60 arranged on the base 56 and extending upwardly from the base 56 to support the lid 54 when the lid 54 is mounted in the support 52. In this example, the support members 60 are in the form of plate sections, shaped to sit on the base 56.

[0057] The lid 54 comprises a lid base 62 and a skirt 64 extending orthogonally from the lid base 62 and being dimensioned so that the skirt 64 is substantially surrounded by the corresponding rim 58, and the lid base 62 contacts the support members 60, when the lid 54 is mounted in the support 52.

[0058] The lid 54 may also include one or more drainage apertures 55 in the lid base 62, illustrated as four apertures 55 in the lid base 62 in figure 5. The drainage apertures 55 prevent pooling of water in the lid 54 by allowing water to drain through the apertures 55, through the opening 57, into the pool or spa. The drainage apertures 55 may be any shape, size and number, and may be situated anywhere on the lid base 62.

[0059] The lid 54 also includes an access aperture 66 in the lid base 62 for use with the lifting device 12 described above. The T-bar 34 may be inserted into the access aperture 66 and secured under the lid base 62 by turning the handle 32, to allow part of the lifting device 12 to be positioned against a lower surface of the lid 54.

[0060] The support members 60 are dimensioned so that when the lid 54 is mounted in the support 52, the lid base 62 is spaced from the base 56. The spacing can be predetermined, depending on dimensions of the leg or cross bar 37. This

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 enables insertion and securing of the lifting device 12 as described above, facilitating lifting or removal of the lid 54 from the support 52, allowing access to the associated skimmer box. Although there are four equally spaced support members 60 shown in this embodiment, there may be any number of support members 60 at any practicable spacing from each other, such that there remains the spacing between the lid base 62 and the support base 56 when the lid 54 is mounted in the support 52.

[0061] Figure 4 shows a top view of the assembled embodiment of the skimmer lid assembly 50 of figure 5, with the lifting device 12 in place, illustrating the corresponding dimensions of the rim 58 and the lid skirt 64 to facilitate appropriately close fitting of the lid 54 in the support 52.

[0062] The lid 54 has a recess 68 defined by the skirt 64, which may support a paver, tile or other surface material to match or complement the paving around the swimming pool or spa. Such a paver or tile, in a round configuration for this embodiment, would include an aperture for alignment with the access aperture 66 in the lid 54 when included in the assembly. The alignment of the aperture in the paver or tile with the aperture 66 enables insertion of the lifting device 12 through the paver or tile and the lid 54, into the space between the lid base 62 and the support base 56, for lifting or removal of the tile and the lid 54, and allowing access to the associated skimmer box. The inclusion of such a tile or paver aesthetically disguises the skimmer box assembly 50 from view when not in use.

[0063] In use, the support 14, 52, 140 of the disclosure is placed and secured in a recess over a skimmer box of a pool or spa. The skimmer lid 16, 54, 100 of the disclosure is positioned in the support 14, 52, 140. A tile or paver of choice is placed in the lid 16, 54, 100. In this way, the skimmer box is protected and aesthetically disguised when access is not required. When access to the skimmer box is required, the lifting device 12 is inserted into the access aperture 30, 66, or either of the access apertures 101, 102; the lifting device 12 is turned, locking the T-bar 34 under the lid base 26, 62, 103 in the space created by the support members 24, 60, or tabs 240; the lid 16, 54, 100 and associated tile are then lifted off the support 14, 52, 140, allowing access to the skimmer box. With the lid 100, two devices 130 can be used to lift the lid and the associated tile.

[0064] The support 14, 52, 140 may be made in parts and assembled, or may be made as a single unit, for example by pressing or moulding. Suitable materials for manufacture of the support 14, 52, 140 may be any metal, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, plastics, reinforced plastics or other appropriate material. The components

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 of the support 14, 52, 140 may also be made of different materials, for example a combination of metal and plastic.

[0065] Similarly, the lid 16, 54, 100 of the disclosure may be made in parts, assembled, and the apertures 30, 33, 66, 55, 104 subsequently punched out, or may be made as a single unit, for example pressed or moulded. Suitable materials for manufacture of the lid 16, 54, 100 may be any metal, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, plastics, reinforced plastics or other appropriate material. The components of the lid 16, 54, 100 may also be made of different materials, for example a combination of metal and plastic.

[0066] Optionally, the lid 16, 54, 100 may include a further aperture configured to enable insertion of a finger, and lifting of the lid 16, 54, 100 with the finger. For example, in figure 7, there is indicated, in dotted lines, with reference numeral 70, a pair of finger holes that may be used, in an alternative manner, to lift the lid 54, the finger holes 70 corresponding with the finger holes 72 in the tile 38 of figure 14.

[0067] Use of the lifting device 32 with the apertures 30, 66, 101, 102 at or near a periphery of the lid 16, 54, 100 allows the lifting and opening of a skimmer lid assembly that would be difficult or uncomfortable to do by inserting fingers into an opening and lifting the assembly. The handle 33 provides secure purchase for a user with little discomfort compared to an arrangement in which a user is required to grip the lid assembly with his or her hand(s).

[0068] The spacing for the leg or crossbar 37, as described above, is positioned between an underneath surface of the lid and the base of the lid support. It will be appreciated that this space is kept relatively protected from ingress of dirt, or plant material because it only opens into the skimmer box. Thus, the leg or cross bar 37 can be kept clear of any obstructions. This allows the lifting device to engage an edge of the lid at or near an edge, with an associated mechanical advantage over engagement nearer a central region of the lid. In addition, where two access apertures are provided, the lid can be held more stably with two tools than would be the case with two apertures positioned closer to the central region of the lid. This is particularly the case with lids that might incorporate tiles that are relatively large and heavy.

[0069] A further configuration of a support 400 for a skimmer lid of the invention is shown in figures 16 and 17. The rim 410, which can be circular as shown is these figures, or may be any other practicable shape, is arranged on a skimmer box and defines an opening for access to the skimmer box. Support members 420, which may

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 be any practicable number or configuration, are positioned to extend inwardly from the rim 410. When a skimmer lid of the invention is positioned in the opening, an underside of the lid rests on the support members 420, providing access for a lifting device to be used with the lid as described for other embodiments of the invention. When the lid is in place on the support members 420, an upper surface of the lid is substantially flush with an upper edge 430 of the rim 410.

[0070] Alternatively, a lid for use in an embodiment of the invention may also be as described in US Application No. 15/336,801, incorporated herein by reference.

[0071] The invention has been described in detail for use with skimmer boxes. The invention may equally be used in other applications where covered access is required, such as drains and access covers.

[0072] Throughout the specification, including the claims, the word “proximal” indicates a position closer to a user, in operation, relative to a position referred to as “distal”.

[0073] The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description.

[0074] Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term “comprising” and variants thereof such as “comprise” or “comprises” are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

[0075] It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0076] When any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

WO 2019/036748 PCT/AU2018/000149 [0077] Words indicating direction or orientation, such as “front”, “rear”, “back”, “upper”, lower”, etc, are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments may be used in a non-operative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Claims

1. A support for a skimmer lid, the support comprising:

a base;

a rim extending from the base, the base defining an opening for access to a skimmer box; and at least one support member extending from at least one of the base and the rim to support the skimmer lid when the skimmer lid is arranged in the support, the, or each, support member being arranged so that the lid is spaced from the base to allow part of a lifting device to be positioned against a lower surface of the lid.

2. The support as claimed in claim 1, in which the base is in the form of a plate and the rim extends from a periphery of the plate so that the base and the rim form a recess for the lid.

3. The support as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the, or each, support member is dimensioned so that an upper surface of the lid is substantially flush with an upper edge of the rim.

4. The support as claimed in any one of claims 2 and 3, in which the plate is substantially quadrilateral or round.

5. The support as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the, or each, support member is a portion of the base, shaped to form a tab extending upwardly from a remaining portion of the base.

6. The support as claimed in in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the, or each support member is a spacer or shim arranged on the base.

7. The support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the, or each, support member extends upwardly less than half the height of the rim.

8. A skimmer lid assembly, which comprises:

a lid;

at least one support member extending from at least one of the base, the rim and the lid so that the, or each, support member supports the lid when the lid is arranged in the support, the, or each, support member being arranged so that the lid

WO 2019/036748

PCT/AU2018/000149 is spaced from the base to allow part of a lifting device to be positioned against a lower surface of the lid.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, in which the lid comprises:

a lid base; and a skirt extending orthogonally from the lid base and being dimensioned so that the skirt is substantially surrounded by the rim and the lid base rests on the, or each, support member, when the lid is mounted in the support.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, in which the lid base defines at least one access aperture for insertion of the part of a lifting device.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, in which the, or each, access aperture extends from an edge of the lid base.

12. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the lid base defines at least one drainage aperture.

13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, in which the, or each, drainage aperture extends from an edge of the lid base.

14. A support for a skimmer lid, the support comprising:

15. A method of providing access to a skimmer box, the method comprising the steps of:

arranging a rim with respect to the skimmer box, such that the skimmer box can be accessed via an opening defined by the rim, at least one support member extending inwardly from the rim, the, or each, support member being positioned so that an upper surface of the skimmer lid is substantially flush with an upper edge of the rim when the skimmer lid is positioned in the opening and on the, or each, support member.