EP2072716A1 - Swimming pool skimmer comprising two independent parts connected together with a swivel connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The skimmer (1) has a part (2) or a loop-hole presenting a symmetry axis. Another part (3) has a body with upper and lower chambers (3a, 3b) having cylindrical walls presenting another symmetry axis. The parts are fixed together in an orientable manner along angular positions in which inclination between the axes varies from 90 degrees to specific degrees when the former axis has the inclination with respect to the horizontal varying from zero to maximum alpha angle above the horizontal, where the latter axis is vertical. A sealed groove receives an elastomer adhesive bead to seal the parts. The specific degree is the sum of 90 degrees and maximum alpha angle. The angle is lower or equal to 10. An independent claim is also included for a swimming pool comprising a lateral wall equipped of a skimmer.

Description

The present invention relates to a new type of steerable skimmer, that is to say a device of a pool water circulation system, cooperating with a side wall of the pool of the pool to suck and channeling the pool water by skimming its surface, the water being channeled in a channel circuit outside the pool pool. This type of device is also called skimmer.

1. 1/- un tunnel à section sensiblement rectangulaire, dont l'axe longitudinal est sensiblement horizontal, traversant la paroi de la piscine et débouchant au niveau de la paroi, les parois latérales du tunnel étant, en outre, évasées en direction de l'intérieur de la piscine pour favoriser l'écoulement de l'eau depuis l'intérieur de la piscine vers l'extérieur de la piscine par l'intermédiaire de cette meurtrière en forme d'entonnoir. L'ouverture (meurtrière) du skimmer est destinée à recevoir un courant d'eau depuis le bassin de la piscine vers le circuit de circulation d'eau à l'extérieur du bassin. La partie en entonnoir et du tunnel vise à créer un rétrécissement de largeur de celui-ci pour générer une accélération du débit d'eau qui le traverse en direction du corps de skimmer. L'ouverture de la meurtrière, au niveau de la paroi de la piscine, est régulée par un volet pivotant, l'ouverture se faisant par pivotement du volet (faisant office de clapet anti-retour) en fonction du courant d'aspiration de l'eau à travers le skimmer, de façon connue, et
2. 2/- un corps de skimmer dont l'axe longitudinal est disposé sensiblement verticalement, c'est-à-dire perpendiculairement à l'axe dudit tunnel, le corps du skimmer comprenant une paroi cylindrique sensiblement à section circulaire, avec un orifice inférieur coopérant avec une canalisation du circuit de circulation d'eau, notamment en direction d'un dispositif de traitement de l'eau, tel qu'un filtre à sable. Le corps de skimmer est apte à recevoir un panier dans sa partie inférieure, c'est-à-dire dans un puit situé dans le corps de skimmer, mais au-dessous de la surface plancher du tunnel meurtrière.

A skimmer comprises, in known manner, two parts, namely:

1. 1 / - a tunnel of substantially rectangular section, whose longitudinal axis is substantially horizontal, passing through the wall of the pool and opening at the wall, the side walls of the tunnel being further flared towards the interior the pool to promote the flow of water from the inside of the pool to the outside of the pool via this funnel-shaped looper. The opening (deadly) of the skimmer is intended to receive a stream of water from the pool of the pool to the water circulation circuit outside the pool. The funnel and tunnel portion aims to create a width narrowing thereof to generate an acceleration of the flow of water through it to the skimmer body. The opening of the loophole, at the level of the pool wall, is regulated by a pivoting flap, the opening being made by pivoting the flap (acting as a non-return valve) as a function of the suction current of the pool. water through the skimmer, in a known manner, and
2. 2 / - a skimmer body whose longitudinal axis is disposed substantially vertically, that is to say perpendicular to the axis of said tunnel, the skimmer body comprising a cylindrical wall substantially circular in section, with a cooperating lower orifice with a channel of the water circulation circuit, particularly in the direction a water treatment device, such as a sand filter. The skimmer body is adapted to receive a basket in its lower part, that is to say in a well located in the skimmer body, but below the floor surface of the murderous tunnel.

The "skimmer" or "surface skimmer" keeps the body of water perfectly clean. Skimmers connected to the electric pump unit can absorb the entire flow of the installation, thus quickly removing the water from the leaves, hair, hair, insects and impurities that settle there before they become heavy and fall to the bottom of the pool. These skimmers are provided with an easily accessible basket, allowing the retention of these elements, so as to avoid the clogging of the pipes and to protect the electric pump unit. If possible, the skimmers are placed in front of the prevailing wind and facing the discharge nozzles in order to push the impurities towards the suction and to create a current on all the surface of the basin. Supplied with cover, screws, flanges and seals, skimmers are equipped with an extension that avoid cuts in the lip.

Traditionally, there are two sizes of skimmer with small and large murderer, but in both cases, the skimmer body is substantially the same size.

• ouverture extérieure rectangulaire de la meurtrière débouchant sur le bassin :

• grande meurtrière : largeur = 400 mm, hauteur = 165 mm, et
• petite meurtrière : largeur = 200 mm environ, hauteur = 130 mm.

Classically, the approximate dimensions of skimmer are as follows:

• Rectangular external opening of the loophole opening on the basin:

• large murderer: width = 400 mm, height = 165 mm, and
• small slit: width = 200 mm, height = 130 mm.

The skimmer body has a circular section about 200 mm in diameter at its base, corresponding substantially to the diameter of the filter basket.

The distance between the plane of the opening of the killer side basin and the skimmer body axis, depends on the thickness of the pool wall and other conditions of installation of the pool during its installation. This distance can vary from 30 to 45 cm.

• une partie évasée, c'est-à-dire dont la section rectangulaire du tunnel se réduit depuis son ouverture (meurtrière) débouchant dans la paroi vers la direction du corps de skimmer, et
• une deuxième partie à section rectangulaire sensiblement constante, disposée entre le corps de skimmer et la partie de tunnel en entonnoir.

Most often, the tunnel portion of the skimmer comprises, itself, two parts, namely:

• a flared portion, that is to say the rectangular section of the tunnel is reduced from its opening (killer) opening into the wall towards the direction of the skimmer body, and
• a second portion of substantially constant rectangular section disposed between the skimmer body and the funnel tunnel portion.

This offset of the skimmer body is related to the thickness of the wall but also the peripheral edge around the basin, to the extent that the upper part of the skimmer body is covered with a plate and cover that outcrop at the level from the beach surrounding the basin, beyond the peripheral edge.

Thus, the largest deposits on the water surface of the pond are dragged through the killer and collected in this filter basket.

So that the amount of water entrained in the skimmer is optimal, with regard to its role of skimmer deposit on the surface of the water, it is conventionally considered that the level of water in the upper chamber of the skimmer body , above the filter basket, must reach a level corresponding substantially to 2/3 to 8 / 10th of the height of the opening of the skimmer body corresponding to the opening of the tunnel skimmer side. And, therefore, in theory also, the level of water at the level of the killer, that is to say at the opening of the tunnel side basin, must be substantially 2/3 to 8 / 10th of its height compared to the tunnel floor.

In the skimmers implemented to date, the two parts of the skimmer, namely respectively the tunnel / loophole, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the container body filter basket, are arranged along perpendicular axes .

A problem arises for swimming pools where the pool wall, receiving the skimmer, is slightly inclined relative to the vertical. This is the case, in particular, for shell pools of composite laminate materials based on synthetic resin and fibers, in particular polyester resin, for which it is necessary to provide an inclination of 2 to 5 degrees with respect to the vertical , side walls of the shell to allow demolding of the hull. As a result, after the installation of the loophole at the pool wall of the pool, the skimmer body is not quite vertical, which affects the proper functioning of the skimmer, as will be explained here. -after. Indeed, the upper chamber of the skimmer, above the filter basket, can be completely filled with water when the outer opening of the loophole is filled to 80%, according to the standard criterion considered optimal for a good operation of the skimmer. Conversely, the outer opening of the murderer will be filled to less than 50% for the upper chamber of the skimmer body is filled 50 to 80%. These two situations affect the proper functioning of the water circulation and the skimming of the water surface of the pool by the skimmer.

Another disadvantage of the inclination of the skimmer body is that it is necessary to apply a raising device to recover a flat upper end adapted to cooperate with plates and horizontal covers at ground level. This riser consists, in general, of a section of a tubular washer cylindrical wall cross section inclined at its upper end, allowing, by rotation on itself, to adjust its inclination to restore a horizontality at the level of ground.

Another problem of the skimmers is their relative fragility, especially at the junction zone of the tunnel / loophole part with the cylindrical skimmer body part. Thus, during construction, when installing the pool, it is necessary to install the skimmer on the pool wall and the skimmer body is an inconvenience due to its size outside the pool and often receives shocks during construction.

Moreover, in winter, in case of frost, there is often damage, including cracks at the junction between the tunnel portion and the skimmer cylindrical body.

In case of damage to the skimmer, it is difficult to replace it, especially to separate from the wall of the pool tunnel / murderous part. This is why, in most cases, a localized repair is performed whose reliability is not always satisfactory.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new type of skimmer that provides a solution to the problems outlined above.

• une première pièce formant un premier tunnel de guidage de l'eau de la piscine depuis une première ouverture d'extrémité longitudinale débouchant dans une paroi latérale de la piscine jusqu'à une deuxième ouverture d'extrémité longitudinale débouchant sur une deuxième pièce au dessus dudit réceptacle de panier de filtration, ladite première pièce présentant un premier axe de symétrie dans sa direction longitudinale, et
• ladite deuxième pièce comprenant un corps à paroi cylindrique formant un réceptacle de panier de filtration en contrebas d'un premier orifice latéral de ladite paroi cylindrique communiquant avec ladite deuxième ouverture du premier tunnel, et ladite paroi cylindrique présentant un deuxième axe de symétrie dans sa direction longitudinale, et
• les deux première et deuxième pièces étant fixées l'une à l'autre, de manière orientable selon plusieurs positions angulaires possibles dans lesquelles l'inclinaison, entre lesdits premier et deuxième axes au niveau desdites première et deuxième pièces, peut varier de 90° à 90° +α max lorsque ledit premier axe, au niveau de ladite première pièce, est d'une inclinaison α par rapport à l'horizontal variant de zéro à un angle α max en dessous de l'horizontal, ledit deuxième axe étant vertical.

The present invention relates to a swimming pool skimmer comprising two independent pieces fixed to each other in an orientable manner comprising:

• a first piece forming a first tunnel for guiding the pool water from a first longitudinal end opening opening into a side wall of the pool to a second longitudinal end opening opening on a second room above said filter basket receptacle, said first piece having a first axis of symmetry in its longitudinal direction, and
• said second part comprising a cylindrical wall body forming a filter basket receptacle below a first lateral orifice of said cylindrical wall communicating with said second opening of the first tunnel, and said cylindrical wall having a second axis of symmetry in its longitudinal direction, and
• the two first and second parts being fixed to each other, rotatable according to several possible angular positions in which the inclination between said first and second axes at said first and second parts, can vary from 90 ° to 90 ° + α max when said first axis, at said first part, is of an inclination α with respect to the horizontal varying from zero to an angle α max below the horizontal, said second axis being vertical.

It is understood that said second piece extends below said first piece so that the angle [90 + α], which can vary from 90 ° to [90 + α max], is measured in the positive direction of rotation from said second axis, at said cylindrical wall, towards said first axis, at said first piece, that is to say from the portion of the second axis located below the first axis, towards the first axis.

Thus, this orientation allows said first axis to be substantially horizontal or slightly inclined by an angle α less than or equal to α max with respect to the horizontal, while said second axis extends in a substantially vertical direction.

In practice, for the installation of the skimmer on an inclined pool wall of a given angle α relative to the vertical, said second axis is disposed in a substantially vertical position and said first piece is disposed with said first axis in an inclined position fixed relative to the horizontal of an angle α less than or equal to α max, especially so that said first piece is substantially perpendicular to the wall of the pool when it is inclined at an angle α less than or equal to at α max with respect to the vertical, namely slightly flared upwards at an angle of 90 ° + α with the bottom wall or the horizontal ground.

It is understood that said second opening of the first tunnel opens into the second room above said basket receptacle.

In practice, an angle α max of less than or equal to 5 ° is sufficient, but preferably, there will be provided a possibility of rotation of an angle α max less than or equal to 10 °.

Advantageously, said first part comprises a first contact surface capable of cooperating with a second complementary shaped contact surface of said second part, said complementary shapes of said contact surfaces of complementary shapes allowing a circular rotation about the same axis of rotation perpendicular to said first and second axes of said two first and second parts relative to each other by displacement, preferably by sliding relative to each other of said first and second complementary shape contact surfaces.

By complementary shape of said first and second flanges is meant that, if said first flange is of concave shape, said second flange is of convex shape, and vice versa.

• ladite première pièce forme un dit premier tunnel à section transversale sensiblement rectangulaire dont les parois latérales sont évasées en se rapprochant l'une de l'autre depuis ladite première ouverte dudit premier tunnel débouchant dans ladite paroi latérale de piscine, vers ladite deuxième ouverture du premier tunnel, ladite deuxième ouverture dudit premier tunnel étant bordée par un premier rebord périphérique formant ladite première surface de contact s'inscrivant dans une surface d'enveloppe cylindrique, et
• ladite deuxième pièce comprend une paroi sensiblement cylindrique de préférence de section circulaire formant :
  • une chambre inférieure cylindrique apte à recevoir un dit panier par dessus un orifice inférieur apte à communiquer au fond de ladite chambre inférieure avec une canalisation d'évacuation d'eau dans un circuit de circulation de l'eau à l'extérieur de la piscine, notamment en direction d'un dispositif de traitement d'eau tel qu'un filtre à sable, et
  • une chambre supérieure cylindrique au dessus de la chambre intérieure, la paroi cylindrique de la chambre supérieure présentant un dit premier orifice latéral situé au dessus de la zone réceptacle du panier, ledit premier orifice latéral se prolongeant d'une partie formant un deuxième tunnel s'étendant dans la direction d'un troisième axe perpendiculaire audit deuxième axe, une deuxième ouverture d'extrémité dudit deuxième tunnel étant bordée par un deuxième rebord périphérique formant ladite deuxième surface de contact s'inscrivant dans une surface d'enveloppe cylindrique de même rayon de courbure circulaire que ledit premier rebord, et au moins les bords latéraux des deux premier et deuxième rebords périphériques étant en appui au moins partiellement l'un contre l'autre après fixation desdites première et deuxième pièces entre elles dans une dite position angulaire.

According to additional advantageous characteristics:

• said first piece forms a said first tunnel of substantially rectangular cross-section, the side walls of which are flared towards each other from said first open end of said first tunnel opening into said pool side wall, towards said second opening of the first tunnel, said second opening of said first tunnel being bordered by a first peripheral rim forming said first contact surface forming a cylindrical envelope surface, and
• said second part comprises a substantially cylindrical wall preferably of circular section forming:
  • a cylindrical lower chamber adapted to receive a said basket over a lower orifice adapted to communicate at the bottom of said lower chamber with a water discharge pipe in a water circulation circuit outside the pool, in particular towards a water treatment device such as a sand filter, and
  • a cylindrical upper chamber above the inner chamber, the cylindrical wall of the upper chamber having a said first lateral orifice located above the receptacle area of the basket, said first lateral orifice extending from a portion forming a second tunnel; extending in the direction of a third axis perpendicular to said second axis, a second end opening of said second tunnel being bordered by a second peripheral rim forming said second contact surface forming a cylindrical envelope surface of the same radius of circular curvature that said first rim, and at least the lateral edges of the first and second peripheral rims bearing at least partially against each other after attachment of said first and second parts together in a said angular position.

The flared, conventional shape of the side walls of the first tunnel of said first piece, also called murderer, generates in known manner an acceleration of the water flow.

• ladite chambre supérieure n'a pas de fond étant ouverte sur ladite première chambre et ledit premier orifice latéral de la chambre supérieure est situé au dessus de la zone réceptacle du panier lorsque celui-ci est en position dans la chambre inférieure, et
• ledit troisième axe correspond audit premier axe lorsque lesdites première et deuxième pièces sont fixées l'une à l'autre avec lesdits premier et deuxième axes disposés à 90°, et
• ledit premier axe forme un angle α avec ledit troisième axe lorsque lesdits premier et deuxième axes forment un angle α + 90°,
• ledit premier orifice latéral de la chambre supérieur correspond à une première ouverture d'extrémité longitudinal dudit deuxième tunnel.

We understand that:

• said upper chamber has no bottom open on said first chamber and said first lateral orifice of the upper chamber is located above the receptacle area of the basket when it is in position in the lower chamber, and
• said third axis corresponds to said first axis when said first and second parts are fixed to each other with said first and second axes arranged at 90 °, and
• said first axis forms an angle α with said third axis when said first and second axes form an angle α + 90 °,
• said first lateral orifice of the upper chamber corresponds to a first longitudinal end opening of said second tunnel.

By complementary shape of said flanges is meant that, if the first flange is of concave shape, the second flange is of convex shape and vice versa.

The axis of rotation of said first and second parts, relative to each other, corresponds with the axis of said cylindrical envelope surface.

Said side walls of the first tunnel are substantially vertical when the skimmer is in position on the wall of the pool.

The transverse sections (that is to say, in planes perpendicular to said first and third axes) rectangular said second openings of the first and second tunnels are substantially the same width, while said first opening of the first tunnel is wider than said second opening of the first tunnel.

More particularly, said second tunnel comprises at least one ceiling wall inclined with respect to said third axis when the floor wall of the second tunnel is parallel to said third axis and in the continuity of the floor wall of said first tunnel and said first and third axes coincide, so that said second opening of the second tunnel of rectangular section is greater than said second opening of the first tunnel, and so that, whatever the angular position in rotation with respect to each other of said first and second contact surfaces formed by said first and second flanges, said second opening of the first tunnel remains fully within the limits of said second corresponding opening of the second tunnel.

It is understood that the larger area of said second opening of the second tunnel means a greater height (dimension in the vertical direction when the skimmer is in position on said pool side wall).

Thus, the accelerating water in the first tunnel does not encounter any frontal obstacle by opening into the second tunnel regardless of the axis of inclination less than or equal to α max of said first axis relative to the horizontal.

• dans la position angulaire maximale autorisée de ladite deuxième pièce par rapport à ladite première pièce, la paroi inclinée de fond ou de plancher dudit deuxième tunnel se trouve dans la continuité de la paroi de plafond ou, respectivement, de plancher dudit premier tunnel, et, éventuellement, en position sensiblement horizontale, et
• les bords supérieur et inférieur du premier rebord dépassent suffisamment des parois de plafond et respectivement plancher au niveau de ladite deuxième ouverture du premier tunnel pour que les bords supérieur et inférieur dudit second rebord restent toujours au moins partiellement en appui sur les dits bords supérieur et inférieur du premier rebord dans les différentes positions angulaires possibles. En d'autres termes, les bords supérieur et inférieur du premier rebord (ainsi que les bords latéraux) dépassent d'un arc de cercle d'angle α au moins égal à α max par rapport aux parois de plafond et respectivement de plancher au niveau de ladite deuxième ouverture du premier tunnel.

We understand that:

• in the maximum permitted angular position of said second piece with respect to said first piece, the inclined bottom or floor wall of said second tunnel is in continuity with the ceiling or floor wall of said first tunnel, and, possibly in a substantially horizontal position, and
• the upper and lower edges of the first flange sufficiently protrude from the ceiling walls and respectively floor at said second opening of the first tunnel so that the upper and lower edges of said second flange always remain at least partially supported on said upper and lower edges the first edge in the different angular positions possible. In other words, the upper and lower edges of the first rim (as well as the lateral edges) protrude from an arc of angle α at least equal to α max with respect to the ceiling walls and floor said second opening of the first tunnel.

• ledit deuxième rebord comprend une pluralité de perforations, lesdites perforations étant aptes à recevoir des vis, et
• ledit premier rebord comprend une pluralité de rainures de fixation continues et parallèles s'étendant dans une direction dans un plan perpendiculaire audit axe de rotation et parallèle audit premier axe , lesdites rainures de fixation étant positionnées en vis-à-vis de dites perforations dans toutes lesdites positions angulaires possibles, et lesdites rainures de fixation présentant des largeur et profondeur aptes à coincer les extrémités desdites visses une fois celles-ci vissées à travers lesdites perforations et lesdites première et deuxième pièces fixées l'une à l'autre.

According to other advantageous features of the present invention:

• said second flange comprises a plurality of perforations, said perforations being adapted to receive screws, and
• said first flange comprises a plurality of continuous and parallel fastening grooves extending in a direction in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation and parallel to said first axis, said fixing grooves being positioned opposite said perforations in all said possible angular positions, and said fixing grooves having width and depth capable of jamming the ends of said screws once these screwed through said perforations and said first and second parts fixed to each other.

The large number of perforations on said lateral edges and said continuous fastening grooves make it possible to precisely adjust, in a large number of possible angular positions, the rotation relative to one another of said first and second parts, for adapt to the inclination of the pool side wall and restore the verticality of the cylindrical body of said second piece.

It is understood that said fixing grooves extend in a vertical plane when said skimmer is in position on a pool side wall.

More particularly, said first and second flanges comprise at least fixing grooves and, respectively, perforations on said side edges, and preferably said fixing grooves and perforations regularly spaced on said side edges, upper edges and lower edges.

Advantageously, at least one of said first and second peripheral flanges, preferably said second flange, comprises a sealing groove around its entire periphery, close to the edges of said second opening of the first or second tunnel, respectively. sealing groove being adapted to cooperate with an O-ring or adapted to receive a bead of glue, preferably elastomeric type, preferably of the polyurethane or silicone type.

• ledit premier tunnel comprend une première partie à parois latérales, verticales et évasées, du côté de ladite première ouverture d'extrémité du premier tunnel, et une deuxième partie à parois latérales, parallèles, verticales du côté de ladite deuxième ouverture d'extrémité du premier tunnel, et
• ledit deuxième tunnel comprend des parois latérales, parallèles et verticales dans le prolongement des parois latérales verticales de ladite deuxième partie dudit premier tunnel.

According to other particular characteristics:

• said first tunnel comprises a first portion with side walls, vertical and flared, on the side of said first end opening of the first tunnel, and a second part with side walls, parallel, vertical on the side of said second end opening of the first tunnel, and
• said second tunnel comprises side walls, parallel and vertical in the extension of the vertical side walls of said second part of said first tunnel.

It is understood that the vertical position of the walls of the first and second tunnels means when the skimmer is in position on the side wall of the pool.

The present invention also provides a swimming pool comprising at least one side wall equipped with at least one skimmer according to the invention.

Advantageously, a swimming pool according to the invention has a shell of laminated composite materials based on synthetic resin and fibers, and said skimmer is applied against a said side wall of said shell inclined at an angle α less than or equal to α max, said first axis being substantially perpendicular to said pool side wall.

It is understood that said first axis is then inclined relative to the horizontal of a determined angle α, less than or equal to α max.

In practice, α will be of the order of 2 to 3 °, given the inclination of the side walls of polyester laminate pool hulls.

Preferably, said second axis is positioned in a substantially vertical position.

In another embodiment, said second axis is not substantially vertical and said upper chamber of said cylindrical body of the second part is surmounted by a raising device consisting of a tubular washer with a cylindrical wall whose lower end, which is fitted around the upper end opening of said upper chamber of the second piece, is in a straight cross section, the upper end of said washer being cut at a non-straight angle relative to the axis of the cylindrical wall of said washer so that by performing a rotation on itself of said washer about the axis of its cylindrical wall said upper end is found in a substantially horizontal plane.

• la figure 1 représente une vue de coté d'un skimmer orientable selon la présente invention,
• la figure 2 représente une dite deuxième pièce, en perspective, d'un skimmer orientable selon la présente invention,
• la figure 3 représente une dite première pièce de skimmer selon la présente invention, en perspective,
• la figure 4 représente lesdites première et deuxième pièces constitutives d'un skimmer orientable selon la présente invention, en éclaté, avec différents articles équipant un dit skimmer,
• la figure 5 représente un skimmer orientable, vu en coupe de coté, adapté sur une paroi latérale de piscine inclinée par rapport à la verticale, ledit corps de skimmer étant sensiblement vertical,
• la figure 6 représente le skimmer orientable selon la présente invention, avec une inclinaison théorique maximale du corps de skimmer par rapport à ladite première pièce.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows, given in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, with reference to the following Figures 1 to 6 annexed in which:

• the figure 1 represents a side view of a steerable skimmer according to the present invention,
• the figure 2 represents a said second piece, in perspective, of a steerable skimmer according to the present invention,
• the figure 3 represents a so-called first skimmer piece according to the present invention, in perspective,
• the figure 4 represents said first and second component parts of a steerable skimmer according to the present invention, exploded, with different items equipping a said skimmer,
• the figure 5 represents a steerable skimmer, seen in side section, adapted to an inclined pool side wall with respect to the vertical, said skimmer body being substantially vertical,
• the figure 6 represents the steerable skimmer according to the present invention, with a maximum theoretical inclination of the skimmer body with respect to said first piece.

In the Figures 1 to 6 , the skimmer consists of a first piece 2 or murderous, forming two water guiding tunnels of the pool 2a, 2b, from a first opening 21 opening into the side wall 5 of the pool to a second opening 22 opening on the second opening 32 of the second part 3 which will be described below.

The first piece or slicer 2 comprises a peripheral rim 21a around its said first opening 21, which peripheral rim 21a is applied against the inside of the side wall 5 of the pool in which it opens. The first piece 2 comprises a first part 2a forming a tunnel, whose upper walls 211a and lower 212a are horizontal and parallel, but whose side walls 210a are arranged vertically but funnel-shaped, that is to say in approaching a second portion 2b of said first tunnel 2. In the second portion 2b, the side walls 210b are parallel and vertical, while its upper walls 211b and 212b lower respectively constituting the ceiling and floor of said tunnel are parallel and substantially horizontal. The funnel tunnels of the first portion 2a and right of the second portion 2b have a cross section (that is to say in a plane perpendicular to the axis X1X1) of said tunnel of substantially rectangular shape.

At the end of said first tunnel 2, more precisely at the end of the portion 2b of said first tunnel, said second opening 22 is surrounded by a said first peripheral rim 200 formed by upper edges 202 and lower 203 and side edges 201. Said first peripheral flange 200 forms a first concave sliding contact surface 20, able to slide on a second sliding contact surface of a second peripheral flange of said second part, vis-à-vis, as will be described hereinafter, this first contact surface 20 forming a cylindrical envelope surface having a radius of curvature R. The axis ZZ of said cylindrical envelope surface of the sliding surface 20 is perpendicular to the same first X1X1 axis of said first portion 2a and second portion 2b of said first tunnel 2 and pass through it.

On the figure 5 the pivoting flap 21b, fitted on the floor of said second tunnel 2, is shown at the junction zone between the first funnel portion 2a and the second rectilinear portion 2b. The first funnel part 2a makes it possible to generate an acceleration of the stream of water sucked by the slugger 2, which causes a lowering of the pivoting shutter 21b, allowing the upper part of the water level and the objects floating therein to pass, as shown figure 5 .

On the figure 2 there is shown a fixing groove 230 extending substantially over the entire arc traversed by said lateral edges 201 of the first peripheral flange 200 and five other fixing groove segments 230 arranged parallel between the two grooves of the two lateral edges 201 on, respectively, the upper edges 202 and lower 203 of said first peripheral flange 200.

On the figure 4 the second piece 3 is constituted by a cylindrical body comprising an upper chamber 3a with cylindrical walls and a circular section disposed above a lower chamber 3b intended to receive a filtering basket 4, said lower chamber also having a cylindrical wall with a circular section slightly smaller than that of the upper chamber. The bottom of the lower chamber comprises a lower orifice 31b for discharging water towards a pipe 6 of the water circulation circuit outside the pool, in particular in the direction of a treatment device. water, such as a sand filter. The upper chamber 3a comprises an upper end opening 31d, open, and through which can be inserted said pre-filtration basket 4, which upper end of the upper chamber 3a is intended to be covered by a cover 8a, 8b , usually sealed on the floor next to the pool wall. Excessive filling of the upper chamber of the skimmer body is avoided thanks to a lateral opening 31c, in its upper part, called "too full", to evacuate the excess water.

As shown on the figure 4 , the second part 3 further comprises a second tunnel 3c opening onto a first opening or first lateral orifice 31a of the cylindrical wall of the upper chamber 3a. The second end opening 32 of the second tunnel 3 opens on said second end opening 22 of the first tunnel 2, when said first and second parts are fixed to each other.

The second tunnel 3c comprises two side walls, parallel, vertical 320 and a lower floor wall 322, substantially perpendicular to the second axis YY of said cylindrical walls of the upper chamber 3a and lower 3b of the cylindrical body of the second part 3. The upper wall of ceiling 321 of said second tunnel 3 is inclined upwardly above the horizontal. This makes it possible to create a second opening 32 of said second tunnel larger than the second opening 22 of said first tunnel, while the first opening 31a of the second tunnel is substantially of the same size in height and width as the second opening 22 of the first tunnel.

Said second opening 32 of the second tunnel 3c is flanked by a second peripheral flange 300 constituting the second sliding contact surface 30 of the second part 3. The second peripheral flange 300 is a convex surface forming part of an envelope surface cylindrical with the same radius of curvature R as the cylindrical envelope surface of said first peripheral flange 200. The axis ZZ of the cylindrical envelope surface of the second peripheral flange 300 is perpendicular to said second axis YY of the cylindrical body, as well as auditing third directional axis XX of the second tunnel 3c, the latter also being perpendicular to said second axis YY. The second tunnel 3c also has, in cross section (that is to say perpendicular to its said third directional axis XX), a substantially rectangular section.

It will be understood that the axes of the cylindrical envelope surfaces of said first peripheral flanges 200 and said second flanges peripherals 300 coincide when said first and second pieces are fixed to each other.

Said radius of curvature R of said envelope surfaces is greater than the maximum length L6 of the side walls 320 of said second tunnel.

As shown on the figures 2 and 3 , the side edges 301 of the second flange 300 and the upper edges 302 and lower 303 of the second flange 300 have the same lengths C5 and L5 as, respectively, the lateral edges 201 and upper edges 202 and lower 203 of said first flange 200. the upper edges 302 and lower 303 of the second flange 300 have a width L2 smaller than the width L1 of the upper edges 202 and lower 203 of the first flange 200. And, said second opening 32 of the second flange 300 (same as above for 300 ) extends over an arc C2 that is larger than the arc C1 of said second opening 22 of the first flange 200. On the other hand, the widths L3 of the side edges 301 and 201 of the first flange 200 and second flange 300 are substantially identical, as well as the width L4 of said second opening 22 of the first tunnel 2 and second opening 32 of the second tunnel 3c.

The side edges 301, upper edge 302 and lower edge 303 of the second peripheral flange 300 have perforations 331, evenly spaced, which coincide with the grooves 230 when said first peripheral flange 200 and second peripheral flange 300 are fitted against one another. other, fitted edge-to-edge, in alignment, such that the axes of rotation of the envelope surfaces of said first peripheral flange 200 and second peripheral flange 300 coincide in an axis of rotation ZZ passing through said second axis YY and perpendicular thereto; latest.

Fixing said first piece 2 and second piece 3, at their said first contact surface 20 and second contact surface 30 constituted by said first peripheral flange 200 and second peripheral rim 300, is made using screws 332 inserted from outside the pool and behind the second peripheral rim 300 in said perforations 331, so as to come down in force and jam, by screwing, in the depth of the grooves 230, the latter acting as pegs.

The largest arc C2 of the second opening of the second tunnel, with respect to the arc C1 of the second opening of the first tunnel, on the one hand, and the greatest length of the circular arc L1 of the upper edges 202 and lower 203 of the first flange 200, with respect to the length of the circular arc L2 of the upper edges 302 and lower 303 of the second flange 300, on the other hand, are determined so as to allow a rotation of an angle α max, such that said second opening of the first tunnel is always included within the limits of the second opening of the second tunnel, on the one hand, and such as, on the other hand, said second upper and lower edges 302 and 303 of said second second flange 300 always remain in abutment on the upper edges 202 and, respectively, lower 203 of the first peripheral flange 200, whatever the angular variation of said first axis with respect to the horizontal of an angle α less than or equal to at α max. Thus, the water arriving through said second opening 22 of the first tunnel 2 encounters no obstacle when crossing the second opening 32 of the second tunnel 3c, so as not to disturb the suction of the water through the skimmer at the junction area of said first and second pieces.

The continuity of the fixing grooves 230 combined with the large number of perforations 331 extending on the lateral edges 301 of said second peripheral flange 300 makes it possible to precisely adjust, in a large number of desired angular positions, the rotation relative to one another. at the other of the two sliding surfaces 20 and 30 of said first and second parts, to adapt to an inclination of the side wall 5 of the pool and restore the verticality of the cylindrical body 3a, 3b, the second part 3. The number of possible angular positions depends on the spacing of the perforations 331 on the lateral edges 301 of said second peripheral flange 300.

On the figure 4 , there is shown a sealing groove 330 flanking the second opening 32 of the second tunnel 3c, near the edges of said opening. This sealing groove 330 is intended to cooperate with an elastomeric O-ring or to receive a bead of elastomeric glue to ensure a good seal of the attachment of said first and second parts. It is understood that this seal and this bead of adhesive are applied before the screws 332 are screwed into the perforations 331 and grooves 230.

On the figure 1 , there is shown a steerable skimmer 1 according to the present invention, the upper opening 31d of the upper chamber 3a is surmounted by a raising device 7, consisting of a wall washer of cylindrical section whose lower end 72 is perpendicular to the axis of said cylindrical wall of the raising device, while its upper end 71 is inclined, the variable height of the wall of the cylinder being continuously increasing from a point of the circumference to the diametrically opposite point. Thus, by rotation of said washer 7, the upper end 71 can adapt horizontally to a cover 8a, 8b disposed horizontally on the beach surrounding the side wall 5 of the pool, at ground level.

On the figure 5 , there is shown a steerable skimmer 1 according to the present invention, adapted to a side wall 5 of polyester shell constituting a pool, said side wall 5 being inclined at an angle α of 2.25 ° with respect to the vertical. The inclination of an angle α + 90 of the second axis YY of the cylindrical body of the second part 3, relative to the first axis X1X1 of the first tunnel of the first part 2, allows the surface of the water level 9 to stop. not on the ceiling wall of the first tunnel 2 or second tunnel 3c, and the upper chamber 3a of the second part 3 is not completely filled with water.

It is understood that the inclination of the ceiling of the second tunnel and the radius of curvature R of the envelope surfaces of said first concave sliding surface 20 and second convex surface 30 are such that it is possible to incline said first axis X1X1 d an angle α max of 5 °, preferably 10 °, with respect to the horizontal, by rotating said second sliding surface 30 with respect to the first sliding surface 20 of said angle α max, without that the level of the water 9 passing through said first tunnel 2 and second tunnel 3c of said first piece, does not touch the ceiling walls 211a, 211b and 321 of said tunnels, and without the upper chamber 3a of the cylindrical body of the second piece 3 is completely filled with water.

On the figure 6 a skimmer oriented in a theoretical maximum position, corresponding here to approximately 5 ° α max, is represented in which the end of the ceiling wall 321 of said second tunnel 3c just reaches the end of the ceiling wall 211b of the second portion 2b delimiting the second opening 22 of the second tunnel 2. In this position, it can be seen that the lower edge 303 of the second flange 300 protrudes from the lower edge 203 of the second flange 200, while the upper edge 202 of the first flange 200 exceeds the upper edge 302 of the second rim 300. It can be seen that in this maximum angular position, the level of the water 9 remains approximately halfway up the first opening 21 of the first tunnel 2, without touching the ceiling wall 321 of the second tunnel, nor completely fill the upper chamber 3a of the skimmer body. By varying the radius of curvature R and the length of the second tunnel 3b, it would be possible to obtain a different angle α max. In practice the rotation of an angle α max of about 5 ° is sufficient.

In general, the first piece 2 and second piece 3 are made of polymeric material of ABS, polypropylene, polyethylene or other thermoplastic polymers suitable for injection molding or rotational molding.

Claims (13)

Swimming pool skimmer (1) comprising two independent pieces fixed to one another in an orientable manner comprising: - A first piece (2) forming a first tunnel (2a-2b) for guiding the pool water from a first longitudinal end opening (21) opening into a side wall (5) of the pool up to a second longitudinal end opening (22) opening on a second piece (3) above said filter basket receptacle (4), said first piece having a first axis of symmetry in its longitudinal direction (X1X1), and said second piece (3) comprising a cylindrical wall body (3a-3b) forming a filter basket receptacle (4) below a first lateral orifice (31a) of said cylindrical wall communicating with said second opening (22); ) of the first tunnel, and said cylindrical wall (3a-3b) having a second axis of symmetry in its longitudinal direction (YY), and the two first and second parts being fixed to each other, in a rotatable manner according to several possible angular positions in which the inclination, between said first and second axes (X1X1, YY) at said first and second parts, may vary from 90 ° to 90 ° + α max when said first axis, at said first piece, is inclined α with respect to the horizontal varying from zero to an angle α max below the horizontal, said second axis being vertical. Pool skimmer according to claim 1, characterized in that said angle α max is less than or equal to 10. Swimming pool skimmer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first piece (2) comprises a first contact surface (20) adapted to cooperate with a second complementary shaped contact surface (30) of said second piece (3). ), said forms complementary of said contact surfaces of complementary shapes allowing a circular rotation about the same axis of rotation (ZZ) perpendicular to said first and second axes (X1X1, YY) of said two said first and second parts relative to the other by displacement, preferably by sliding relative to each other of said first and second complementary shape contact surfaces. Pool skimmer according to claim 3, characterized in that: said first piece (2) forms a said first tunnel (2a, 2b) of substantially rectangular cross-section, the side walls (210a, 210b) of which are flared towards each other from said first open (21); ) of said first tunnel opening into said pool side wall (5) towards said second opening (22) of the first tunnel, said second opening (22) of said first tunnel being bordered by a first peripheral rim (200) forming said first surface contact in a cylindrical envelope surface, and said second piece (3) comprises a substantially cylindrical wall, preferably of circular section, forming: A cylindrical lower chamber (3b) capable of receiving a said basket (4) over a lower orifice (31b) able to communicate at the bottom of said lower chamber with a water discharge pipe (6) in a cooling circuit; circulating the water outside the pool, in particular towards a water treatment device such as a sand filter, and An upper chamber (3a) cylindrical above the inner chamber, the cylindrical wall of the upper chamber having a said first lateral orifice (31a) located above the receptacle zone of the basket, said first lateral orifice (31a) extending a part forming a second tunnel (3c) extending in the direction of a third axis (XX) perpendicular to said second axis (YY), a second end opening (32) of said second tunnel being bordered by a second peripheral flange (300) forming said second contact surface (30) forming part of a surface cylindrical casing with the same circular radius of curvature (R) as said first flange (200), and at least the lateral edges (201, 301) of the first and second peripheral flanges (200, 300) bearing at least partially against each other; the other after fixing said first and second parts together in a said angular position. Swimming pool skimmer according to claim 4, characterized in that said second tunnel (3c) comprises at least one ceiling wall (321) inclined with respect to said third axis (XX) when the floor wall (322) of the second tunnel is parallel at said third axis and in the continuity of the floor wall (212a, 212b) of said first tunnel (2a, 2b) and said first and third axes coincide, so that said second opening (32) of the second rectangular section tunnel is greater than said second opening (22) of the first tunnel, and so that, regardless of the rotational angular position relative to each other of said first and second contact surfaces formed by said first and second flanges (200 , 300), said second opening (22) of the first tunnel remains fully within the limits of said second corresponding opening (32) of the second tunnel. Pool skimmer according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: said second rim comprises a plurality of perforations (331), said perforations being able to receive screws (332), and said first flange comprises a plurality of continuous and parallel fastening grooves (230) extending in a direction in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation and parallel to said first axis (X1X1), said fixing grooves (230) being positioned in opposite said perforations in all said possible angular positions, and said fixing grooves having a width and depth capable of jamming the ends of said screws once they screwed through said perforations and said first and second parts fixed to one another. Swimming pool skimmer according to claim 6, characterized in that said first and second flanges (200,300) comprise at least fixing grooves (230) and, respectively, perforations (331) on said side edges (201,301), and preferably said fixing grooves and perforations regularly spaced on said side edges (201, 301), upper edges (202, 302) and lower edges (203, 303). Swimming pool skimmer according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at least one of said first and second peripheral flanges (200, 300), preferably said second flange, comprises a sealing groove (330) over its entire length. around the edges of said second opening (22,32) of the first or second tunnel, respectively, said sealing groove being adapted to cooperate with an O-ring or able to receive a bead of glue, preferably of the type elastomer, more preferably of the polyurethane or silicone type. Pool skimmer according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that said first tunnel comprises a first part (2a) with lateral walls (210a), vertical and flared, on the side of said first end opening (21) of the first tunnel, and a second part (2b) with parallel side walls, (210b), vertical on the side of said second end opening (22) of the first tunnel, and said second tunnel comprises lateral walls (320), parallel and vertical in the extension of the vertical side walls of said second portion (2a) of said first tunnel. Swimming pool comprising at least one side wall (5) equipped with at least one skimmer according to one of claims 1 to 9. Swimming pool according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a shell made of laminated composite materials based on synthetic resin and fibers, and said skimmer (1) is applied against a said side wall of said shell inclined at a lower angle α or equal to α max, said first axis (X1X1) being substantially perpendicular to said pool side wall (5). Pool according to claim 11, characterized in that said second axis is substantially vertical. Swimming pool according to claim 11, characterized in that said second axis (YY) is not substantially vertical and said upper chamber (3a) of said cylindrical body of the second part (3) is surmounted by a raising device (7) consisting of a tubular washer with a cylindrical wall whose lower end (71), which is fitted around the upper end opening (31d) of said upper chamber of the second part, is in a right cross-section, upper end (72) of said washer being cut at a non-straight angle relative to the axis of the cylindrical wall of said washer so that by rotating on itself of said washer about the axis of its cylindrical wall Sa said upper end (72) is found in a substantially horizontal plane.

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