US3363767A

US3363767A - Water distribution system for swimming pools

Info

Publication number: US3363767A
Application number: US462165A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert S Ellis
Original assignee: Lifetime Metal Products Inc
Current assignee: Lifetime Metal Products Inc
Priority date: 1965-05-20
Filing date: 1965-05-20
Publication date: 1968-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1985-01-16
Also published as: DE1684800A1; GB1140199A; NO118628B; IL25626A; NL6606816A; CH449926A; SE302274B; JPS4827428B1; DK114578B

Description

Jan. 16, 1968 H. s. ELLIS 3,363,767

WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR SWIMMIG POOLS Filed May 20, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 16, 1968 H. s. ELLIS 3,363,767

WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR SWIMMING FOOLS Filed May 2o, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 16, 1968 l H. s. ELLIS 3,363,767

WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR SWIMMING POSLS Filed May 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a 3a 7/ 7i 70 x (30 7/ 7a 60 706 65 J7 M 75 4 l 4 u 67 57 a 54, 5 u l Y f 7 @a A/// @4 i 'mmm mumml. g 'Hummm 5 55 .5

y qu 5 59 u United States Patent O 3,363,767 WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR SWIMMING POOLS Herbert S. Ellis, Albany, NX., assignor to Lifetime Metal Products, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed May 20, 1965, Ser. No. 462,165 Claims. (Cl. 210-169) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A water distribution system for swimming pools wherein the swimming pool has a gutter whose inside Wall forms an incoming water-carrying conduit `and at least one yWeir in the upper portion of the conduit permitting water to ilow from the pool into the gutter, the disclosure further including a surge tank and iilter system having a selectively positionable valve which is Operable to maintain a proper level of water in the swimming pool.

This invention relates to a water distribution system for swimming pools and more particularly the invention is an improvement in the conduit system shown in the Ogden Patent 2,932,397.

Prior to the Ogden invention, it had been the practice in installing swimming pools to bury in the terrain in the area surrounding the swimming pool a main pipe for carrying water into the swimming pool. From that main pipe, distribution pipes were connected into the swimming pool wall below the water level to convey water into the pool at a number of points spaced around the pool periphery. Although this system had been used for many years, and is still `being used today, it had a number of serious disadvantages. Depending upon the corrosive quality of the soil in which the pipes were buried, the pipes might `deteriorate to the point of unusability in as short a time as three years. The repair of the pipes required the excavating of the terrain surrounding the pool to provide access to the pipes to permit their repair or replacement. Additionally, the Iburied pipes did not admit of continuous inspection which would enable the early detection and economic replacement of deteriorating sections.

The Ogden invention has proved to be `a remarkable improvement over the existing distribution systems dscribed above. In accordance with the Ogden invention, the `distribution conduit for carrying water around the periphery of the pool is mounted in an` exposed position on the pool wall and provision is made for jet nozzles spaced along the length o'f the conduit 'for the emission of water directly into the pool. Preferably, the conduit forms the inner wall of the periphery pool gutter so as to facilitate its fabrication and installation. Obviously, the Ogden structure eliminates the disadvantages attending the `burying of pipe in the terrain surrounding the swimming pool and lfurther eliminates the need for connections from `that buried pipe into the wall of the pool. Since all conduit except the main drain Vfrom the bottom of the pool is exposed, it is easily accessible for regular maintenance and repair.

It has been an objective of the present invention to provide improvements in the Ogden structure 'for the complete and eifective recirculation of water. The iirst of these is constituted yby at least one and preferably a plurality of integral skimming weirs which are mounted in the peripheral conduit. More specifically, a small portion of the top wall of the pool conduit is removed to provide `a notch in the conduit and the weir structure is mounted in that notch, thereby sealing the top wall on the conduit. The Weir provides a transverse passage through the top portion of the conduit to permit water to flow from the pool to the gutter. A gate is pivotally mounted in the weir for movement .between a position in which the transverse passage is blocked and a position in which it is out of lthe Way of `the passage. Means are provided for selectively locking the gate in one of its two position. A Weir is preferably mounted in each corner of the pool.

The integral skimming weir structure of the invention permits the proper flow of water into the gutter during the two main conditions of operation namely the active condition in which the pool is lled with swimmers and the quiescent condition which contains when the poo-l is closed. 'During the active condition, the Weir gates are closed, thereby preventing the flooding of the gutters. Water is splashed into the gutters through the iactivity of the swimmers, and, additionally, the minimum amount of water required vfor the purposes of gutter sanitation and gutter ilow direction is supplied -by jets connecting the conduit to the gutters.

During the quiescent periods, the gates are swung open and maintained in an open positions by the locking means. During this period, the pool level may be maintained at any level between the upper and lower edges of the Weir opening to permit the surface water of the pool to Ow through the weirs. By locating the weirs at each corner of lthe pool, effective skimming action of the surface Wall and `debris lying on the surface is attained regardless of the direction of any surface winds.

Another feature of the invention which is collateral t0 the .provision of the integral skimming weirs described above resides in the accessibility of the interior of the conduit permitted by the removable weir structure. This accessibility is important in several respects, the most important of which being the ability to introduce sacri'lical anodes into the conduit interior and to maintain a regular inspection of the anodes. Through this feature of the invention, coupled with regular inspection and maintenance on the part of pool personnel, the life of the conduit system can be indefinitely prolonged.

Another objective of `the invention has been to provide a pool having an integral skimming Weir at each corner of the pool, the weirs being oriented relative to each other to permit the introduction of saeriiicial anodes so oriented that they extend substantially over the entire length of the conduit.

It has been another objective of the invention to provide an improved distribution system, including a pump and iilter system, co-operating with the conduit return gutter and main drain which permits lthe proper handling and iiltration of the pool -water under varying conditions of ilow without requiring a iloa-t valve, which is subject to sticking and mechanical failure.

Another objective ofthe invention has been to provide a pool corner structure incorporating the integral skimming weir described above which admits of prefabrication and ease of installation at the poolside.

Another objective of the invention has been to provide a water distribution system `for a swimming pool comprising, a surge tank having filters therein, means forming an open gutter around the periphery of said pool and connected to said surge tank, a pipe extending around the periphery of said pool and forming the inner wall of said gutter, a plurality of outlet nozzles in said pipe directing water downwardly into said pool, at least one transverse passageway through the upper portion of said pipe, means for selectively opening or closing said passageway, a main drain and conduit connecting the bottom of said pool to said surge tank, a selectively positionable valve in said conduit, and a pump and conduit means connected between said surge tank and pipe to `draw water through said `filters and into said pipe.

These and other objectives of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view partly in section of a swimming pool employing the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the gutter section taken along lines 2 2 of FIG. l,

IFIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View partly in section showing the Weir section,

IFIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional Views taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to PIG. l of the drawings, a swimming pool `161 has an open gutter 11 around its periphery, the gutter having an inner wall 12 formed by a hollow pipe 13. The gutter 11 and pipe 13 are connected to a filter system 14. The filter system 14 includes a surge tank 115 in which one or more 4filter units 16 are located. The gutter 11 is connected directly to the surge tank 15 so that the water in the gutter ilows under the force of gravity into the surge tank. The lter units 16 are connected by a manifold 17 to a conduit 1S which projects through a wall 19 o'f the surge tank. A pump 20 and conduit 21 connect the conduit 18 tothe pipe 13.

The pool has a main drain 24 connected by a conduit 25 to the surge tank 1S. The conduit 25 has a selectively positionable valve 26 with which the ilow rate of water from the drain 24 into the surge tank 15 can be varied. The filter system has other plumbing which is used for cleaning the filters, draining the pool and the like, but the additional plumbing is conventional and does not form a part of the present invention.

The `filter system illustrated in a vacuum system in which the water in the surge tank is drawn through the filters by means of the pump 2t) whose low pressure side is connected to the lfilter. The distribution system of the present invention is substantially equally usable with other well known filter systems, these including the several combinations of an open or a closed balancing tank and a pressure diatomite filter or a pressure sand filter. The open balancing tank is comparable to the surge tank 15 and is installed with its upper level slightly above the level of the pool. `Either a pressure diatomite or pressure sand filter is made as a separate unit and connected to it by a pump and conduit, the low pressure side of the pump being connected to the tank and the high pressure side being connected tothe lfilter. The closed balancing tank is similarly connected to either type of pressure lfilter but is located below the level of the pool. The selectively positionable Valve 25 may be used in these systems to connect the main drain of the pool to the tank and to maintain a minimum water level in the tank. With the open and closed ba-lancing tanks, however, it is preferable to use a -float valve in the tank to regulate the maximum level of water in the tank by controlling the flow through the main drain.

It can be seen that the surge tank is supplied with water from the main drain and from the open gutter 11. Filtered water is returned -to the pool only through the pipe 13 and the conduit 21, which connects the pipe 13 to the pump 20. Around the periphery of the pool, as for example on three foot centers, are a plurality of nozzles 28 (see FIG. 2) by which the water is directed from the pipe 13 into the pool. The nozzles lare downwardly directed, preferably at an angle of approximately to the vertical side wall 29 of the pool.

An integral skimming Weir 3@ is located at each corner of the pool. The weir is formed by a notch in the upper portion of the pipe 13, the notch forming a transverse passage between the pool and the gutter 11. Means are provided for selectively opening or closing the passage for operation under the two principal conditions of operation; namely, the condition of swimming activity with its turbulent water, and the quiescent condition occurring when there are no swimmers in the pool.

Even under the best conditions of maintaining proper pool chemistry, the pool water tends to be corrosive. The outside of the surfaces of the pipe 13 and gutter section are normally painted, thereby preventing the corrosive attack on the outside surface of the metal. However, on the inside surface of the pipe 13, a sacrificial anode 31 is provided to preserve the pipe. Under normal water conditions the sacrificial anode 31 may be disintegrated in a two to live year period and requires one yearly inspection. The disposition of the weirs 30 at the corners of the pool permits the inspection and replacement of the anodes at regular intervals. Each anode extends substantially the full length of the section of pipe in which it is located and can be installed by removing the Weir structure and sliding the anode into the section of the pipe 13 through the hole left by the -removal of the Weir structure. It will be noted that each weir .3@ is similarly located with respect to the corner, that is, as viewed from the center of the pool, each Weir appears at the right of the corner. This positioning permits the introduction of anodes into each straight section of pipe 13 so that substantially the entire perime- -ter ofthe pool is protected.

One example of a gutter installation is illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the gutter installed on a granite pool. The concrete which forms the pool wall is indicated at 35 and has anchor rods '36 embedded in it, the anchor rods having threaded ends 37 used to level the gutter section during installation. A unitary gutter section is constituted by a back wall 3S forming the pool curbing, a `bottom wall 39, and the pipe 13 forming the front wall of the gut-ter 11. A metal stiffener 4t) is welded to the back wall 38 and an angle anchor bracket 41 is welded to the bottom walls and to the pipe 13, the anchor bracket being secured to the anchor bolts 36 by the nuts 42. A concrete pool deck, shown in part at 43, is filled in behind the back Wall 38 of the gutter section up to a barrier 44, which 'forms an expansion joint between the gutter section and the concrete deck.

The back wall 38 of the gutter section has an inclined inner surface 46 extending above the upper surface of the pipe 13. The surface 46 has an important function of directing water which is splashed over the pipe 13 as indicated by the arrow 47 down into the gutter 11 as indicated by the

arrows

48 and 49. Thus, the water which is splashed over the pipe 13 is almost entirely directed into Ithe gutter rather than being splashed back into the pool.

This surface water, which is the most highly contaminated of all the pool water, is thus continually taken off the surface of the pool water and directed to the .filter system.

Not only does the gutter configuration, particularly in,- cluding the surface 46, assist in the recirculation of the pool water to the filter system, but additionally the gutter section provides a fast pool for compet-itive swimming. By eliminating the slash back of water against the pool walls, a much smoother surface of the pool water is maintained during competitive swimming.

One method of installing the integral skimming weir is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6. The Weir section is mounted in a notch 5@ formed in the upper portion of the pipe 13. In a generally rectangular pipe, which is six or eight inches high and four inches wide, for example, the notch is cut to a depth of approximately two inches. The notch creates a top edge 51, side edges 52 and a bottom edge 53 in the pipe. A wall 54 is welded inside the pipe A13 at each end of the notch to provide a seal along the top edge S1 and the side edges 52. The wall 54 has a flange SS which, along with the bottom edges 53 of the notch, forms a support for a bottom plate 55. A gasket 57 is clamped between the bottom plate 56 and the support formed by the flange SS and the bottom edges 53 of the notch. A pair of longitudinally extending blocks S3 are welded to the inside surface of the pipe 13 immediately below the bottom edges 53 and have a series of spaced internally threaded holes to receive bolts 59 by which the bottom plate 56 is secured in the notch. When the bottom plate 56 is securely fastened in the notch, clamping the gasket 57 between it and the bottom edge 53 and the iiange 55 a seal is formed preventing any escape of the water under pressure from the pipe 13.

A top plate `60 is mounted in the notch with its end edges in abutting engagement with the top edge 51 and side edges 52 of the notch Sil. The top plate 60 is secured to the bottom plate S6 by two bolts 61, each of which passes through a collar 62 and is threaded into a theraded hole `63 in the bottom plate S6. The top plate 6! has depending side walls 64 (see FIG. 6), the upper portion of the side walls `64 being bored as at 65 to receive pivot pins 66 by which a gate 67 is pivoted in the weir. The combined top plate 60 and bottom plate 56 form a transverse passageway 63 through which water skimmed from the surface of the pool may pass when the gate is swung upwardly to a horizontal position as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The gate 67 may be held selectively in either the open position or closed position by a retainer arm '76. The retainer arm is Z-shaped and has a leg 71 threaded into an internal bore in a set screw 72, which is threaded into the top plate 6i). The attachment of the retainer arm to the set screw '72 permits the arm to be pivoted in a horizontal plane until it extends longitudinally of the Weir thereby permitting the gate 67 to be swung between its two positions. After the gate is properly positioned the retainer arm is swung back to a transverse position in which it holds the gate in a closed position by bearing on the rear surface of the gate (see FIG. 4). Alternatively, the gate is held in opened position as viewed in FIG. 5 by providing a support on which the gate rests in its upward position.

Within the pipe 13 and immediately below each Weir, a bolt 75 is welded to the wall of the pipe. The bolt has a nut 76 threaded onto it by which a pigtail 77 may be electrically connected to the wall of the pipe. The other end of the pigtail is welded to the sacrificial anode 31; thereby, completing the electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is, of course constituted by the anode 31, the pigtail, the pipe 13 and the pool water in the conduit which constitutes an electrolyte.

A gutter wash nozzle 78 is mounted below the weir on the pipe 13 by a bolt 79 threaded into a hole in the wall of the pipe. The wall has two holes Sti communicating with the nozzle to permit a continuous supply of water to the nozzle thereby assuring a continuous washing of the gutter.

Operation in the operation of the pool, the pool is first illed from a fresh water line indicated at til in FIGURE r1, the water being introduced into the surge tank where it is filtered and pumped into the main distribution pipe 13. During this filling operation, the gates in all weirs are maintained closed so that the level of the water can be brought up to about an inch from` the top of the pipe 13. After the pool has been filled to that level, the incoming water is turned ofi. With the pump running, the valve 26 in the main drain conduit 2-5 is manipulated to vary the flow from the main drain to the surge tank until a steady state condition is maintained in which the water level in the surge tank 15 is about six inches over the filter elements. The level of the water in the pool may be approximately two feet higher than the level of the water in the surge tank, under these conditions, thereby providing the head necessary to drive the water through the restricted opening of the valve 26. If the level of the water in t-he surge tank should drop any lower, the head of course, increases thereby providing greater pressure to drive water into the surge tank. Thus, by preselecting the minimum condition of the level of water in the surge tank through the positioning of the valve 26, an automatic regulation of the level of the water in the surge tank can be maintained without the use of a float valve.

lUnder normal operating conditions, the level in the surge tank will be maintained about two feet over the top of t-he filter elements. The additional water required to maintain that level in the surge tank comes from the gutter 11. Under active conditions of pool operation, the weirs 30 are maintained in a closed condition and water is driven into the gutters by the activity of the swimmers in the pool splashing water over the pipe 13. During the active period, it is necessary to close the weir gates in order to prevent the flooding of the gutters, which would cause an improper operation of the circulating system.

When there are no swimmers in the pool, the weirs are opened and the water pours into the gutters from the passageways 63 formed by the weirs. By providing a weir at each of t-he corners of the pool, the direction of the wind has no effect on the successful skimming action of the system. No matter which direction the wind is blowing, it will drive the debris and surface scum toward at least one of the weirs thereby eifectively cleaning the surface scum from the pool during the quiescent nighttime operation.

By directing the incoming jets 28 downwardly at an angle of approximately 45, the filtered water coming into the pool is driven against the bottom of the pool and provides a scrubbing action to raise the sediment from the bottom of the pool toward the upper surface. Further, by bringing the incoming water down to the bottom of the pool, the more contaminated water at the surface of the pool is splashed into the gutters by the activity of the swimmers or moves into the gutters through the weirs during the quiescent stage of operation. Thus, regardless of the conditions of operation, the system provides for the constant introduction of clean chlorinated water into the bottom of the pool where the chlorine is released slowly and a constant removal of the most contaminated water of low chlorine content from the surface of the pool.

During the regular operation of the pool a minimum of 50% of the pools lter rate is supplited from the gutter, However, by varying the position of valve 26, as much as to 100% of liow can be obtained from the pool surface giving in eifect a bottom supply, top takeoif recirculation system. p

Having described my invention I claim:

1. In a water distribution system for a swimming pool including a gutter having a front wall constituted by a pipe extending around the periphery of the pool and an anode located in at least a portion of said pipe, a Weir section comprising:

means forming a notch in the upper portion of said pipe, said notch opening into said pipe,

a removable weir section mounted in said notch in sealing engagement therewith while permitting water to flow through the lower portion of said pipe, said `weir having a transverse passage therethrough,

a gate pivoted to said top portion of said weir section on an axis extending longitudinally of said pipe, said gate being pivot-able between a vertical position in which it closes the passage created by said notch and a horizontal position in which it opens said passage,

and means for selectively locking said gate in either of its two positions.

2. In a water distribution system for a swimming pool including a gutter having a front wall constituted by a pipe extending around the perpriphery of the pool, a Weir section comprising:

the top portion of said pipe having a notch formed by top edges, side edges and bottom edges in said pipe,

a wall sealing each side of said notch while leaving the lower portion of said pipe unobstructed to the passage of water, said wall having a bottom flange having an upper sunface flush with the bottom edge of said notch,

a removable -bottom plate in sealing engagement with said upper surface of said flange and said bottom edge,

a removable top plate disposed in said notch and having an upper surface substantially llush `with the upper surface of said pipe,

a gate pivoted to said top plate on an axis extending longitudinally ot said pipe, said gate being pivotable between a vertical position in which it closes the passage created by said notch and a horizontal position in which it opens said passage,

and means for selectively locking said gate in either of its two positions.

3. In a water distribution system for a swimming pool including a gutter having a front wall constituted by a pipe extending around the periphery of the pool, a weir section comprising:

a removable weir section mounted in said notch in sealing engagement therewith while leaving the lower portion of said pipe unobstructed to the passage of water, said Weir having a transverse passage therethrough,

a gate pivoted to the top portion of said Weir section on an axis extending longitudinally `of said pipe, said gate being pivotable 'between a vertical position in which it closes the passage created by said notch and Ia horizontal position in which it opens said passage,

and means for selectively locking said gate in either of its two positions.

4. In a water distribution system for a swimming pool including a gutter having a front wall constituted by a pipe extending around the periphery of the pool, a `Weir section comprising:

means forming a notch in the upper portion of said pipe to form a transverse passage through said pipe, said notch opening into said pipe,

a removable bottom plate in sealing engagement with said pipe at the bottom of said notch while leaving the lower portion of said pipe unobstructed to the passage of water,

a removable top plate disposed in said notch and having an upper surface substantially ilush with the upper surface of said pipe,

a gate pivoted to said top plate on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of said pipe, said gate being pivotable down to a vertical position in which it closes the passage created by said notch and up to a horizontal position in which it opens said passage,

a retainer arm pivoted on a vertical axis in said top plate, said arrn selectively providing a support for holding said gate in a horizontal position and an abutment for blocking movement out of a vertical position.

S. In a water distribution system for a swimming pool including a gutter having a front wall constituted by a pipe extending around the periphery of the pool and an anode located in at least a portion of said pipe, a weir section comprising:

means in the wall of said pipe immediately below said notch for electrically connecting said anode to said P1136,

said `anode being introducible into said pipe through said notch,

a removable Weir section mounted in said notch in sealing engagement therewith while leaving the lower portion of said pipe unobstructed for the passage of water, said weir having =a transverse passage therethrough.

6. In a water distribution system for a swimming pool including a gutter having a front wall constituted by a pipe extending around the periphery of the pool and an anode located in at least a portion of said pipe, a weir section comprising:

means in the wall of said pipe immediately below said notch for electrically connecting said anode to said pipe,

said anode being introducible into said pipe through said notch,

a removable Weir section mounted in said notch in sealing engagement therewith while leaving the lower portion unobstructed to the passage of water, said Weir having a transverse passage therethrough,

a gate pivoted to the top portion of said weir section on an axis extending longitudinally of said pipe, said gate being pivotable between a vertical position in which it closes the passage created by said notch and a horizontal position in which it opens said passage,

and means for selectively locking said gate in either of its two positions.

'7. A water distribution system for a swimming pool comprising:

a surge tank having lilters therein,

means forming an open gutter around the periphery of said pool and connected to said surge tank,

a pipe extending around the periphery of said pool and forming the inner wall of said gutter,

a plurality of outlet nozzles in said pipe directing water downwardly into said pool,

at least one transverse passageway through the upper portion of said pipe,

means for selectively opening or closing said passagea main drain and conduit connecting the bottom of said pool to said surge tank, a selectively positionable valve in said conduit,

and a pump and conduit means connected between said surge tank and pipe to draw water through said filters and into said pipe.

8. A water distribution system for a swimming pool comprising:

a surge tank having filters therein,

at least one transverse passageway through the upper portion of said pipe,

a main drain and conduit connecting the bottom of said pool to said surge tank, a selectively positionable valve in said conduit,

9. A water distribution system for a swimming pool comprising:

a surge tank having ilters therein,

at least one transverse passageway through the upper portion of said pipe,

means for selectively opening or closing said passage- Ways a main drain and conduit connecting the bottom of said pool to said surge tank, a selectively positionable valve in said conduit, said main drain and conduit being adapted to maintain the water level in said surge tank, above said lters when said pool is full, and without How of water from said gutters,

and a pump and conduit `means connected between said surge tank and pipe to draw water through said lters and into said pipe.

10. A water distribution system for a swimming pool having angular corners comprising,

a surge tank having filters therein,

means forming an open gutter around the periphery 10 of said pool and connected to said surge tank,

a transverse passageway through the upper portion of said pipe located at each corner of said pool, said .passageways being similarly disposed with respect to said corners,

means for selectively opening or closing said passage- Way,

a main drain and conduit connecting the bottom of 1 t? said pool to said surge tank, a selectively positionable valve in said conduit, and a pump and cond-uit means connected between said surge tank and pipe to draw water through said lters and into said pipe.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 758,822 5/ 1904 Collis. 2,619,455 11/1952 Harris et al 204-197 2,809,752 10/1957 Leslie 210--169 X 2,846,385 8/1958 Buchan 2(34-197 X 2,932,397 4/1960 Ogden 4-172 X 3,152,059 10/1964 Wellington 204-197 3,155,989 ll/l964 Anderson 210-169 X 3,263,811 8/1966 Baker et al 210-169 X FOREIGN PATENTS 248,053 10/ 1962 Australia,

REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner. F. MEDLEY, Assistant Examiner.