WO2006125247A1

WO2006125247A1 - Apparatus for maintaining water quality

Info

Publication number: WO2006125247A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000647
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rodney John Tanks
Original assignee: Planet Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-05-25
Filing date: 2006-05-17
Publication date: 2006-11-30

Abstract

A method of maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, the method including using a filter system having an inlet for receiving water from the pool to filter the water to remove micro-debris. The method also includes substantially preventing ingress of macro debris into the inlet, thereby allowing the macro-debris to be removed at a later time.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING WATER QUALITY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for maintaining water quality in a swimming pool.

Background of the Invention

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Generally, pool cleaners are used to clean water contained in a swimming pool to thereby maintain the pool at optimum performance. Pool cleaners generally utilise three different techniques for treating pool water including: 1. circulation of water through a filtration system to remove micro-contaminants (dust, pollen, micro-organisms)

2. removal of macro-contaminants (leaves, insects etc); and,

3. chemical treatment to kill organisms such as algae.

Generally swimming pools include an in-built cleaning system referred to as a skimming device which operates to address the first two cleaning requirements. To achieve this the skimming device is arranged to remove water from the surface of the pool and circulate this through a filtration system, returning the water to the pool at a different location. Removing water from the pool surface removes macro-debris floating on the water surface, which is then retained in a leaf-trap to prevent the macro-debris entering the filtration system. The water is then passed through the filtration system allowing the micro-debris to be removed.

Chemical treatment can then be provided either by the filtration system, or separate addition of chemicals to the water.

However, these types of pool cleaners suffer from a number of disadvantages. The owner of the swimming pool is required to regularly empty the macro-debris collected in the leaf trap, otherwise clogging of the leaf-trap can occur. If clogging of the leaf-trap does occur, the flow of water to the filtration system is reduced, and therefore the water in the swimming pool does not receive adequate filtration. As a result, micro contaminants build up, which in turn causes discolouration and accelerated algal growth in the water. As a result, not only does the water become visually tainted, it can also become unpleasant or dangerous to swim in. Therefore, it is not pleasant and/or safe to use the pool until it has been appropriately treated to remove the micro-debris and any associated contamination.

If the owner does not regularly empty the leaf trap, the quality of the water contained in the swimming pool can deteriorate rapidly, resulting in the pool becoming unusable. Generally such contaminated water requires significant chemical treatment, which can be very costly to rectify the problem and bring the water back to an acceptable condition.

Furthermore, clogging of the leaf-trap can lead to excessive strain on the pump of the filtration unit as it attempts to draw water from the swimming pool through the clogged leaf- trap. This can lead to costly damage to the pump, which in turn results in damage of the filtration system, again leading to the build up of micro contaminants. Furthermore, replacing a damaged pump or filtration system can be expensive.

Regular emptying of the leaf-trap may not be possible in circumstances when the owner of the swimming pool plans to be away for an extended period of time, such as a holiday, when such maintenance of the leaf-trap is not possible. Therefore, in order to reduce excessive strain occurring on the filtration system pump, the owner may decide to deactivate the filtration system, such that filtration of the water to remove micro contaminants is not performed. When the owner returns from the extended period of time, the quality of the water may have deteriorated to the extent where the cost and time involved in restoring the quality of the water is excessive. Alternatively, if the cleaning system is to remain activated, it is necessary to ensure manual intervention is available to ensure that damage does not occur to the filtration system.

Additionally, since the skimming device is typically located near the top edge of the swimming pool to collect debris floating on the surface, a reduction in the water level due to evaporation or the like can result in the skimming device, and accordingly the filtration system failing to receive water. Thus, in this situation, filtration and chemical treatment of the water fails to occur and may cause costly damage to the pump if adequate water flow is not maintained.

The other common technique for pool cleaning is to use a vacuum cleaning/pressure system that is positioned on the bottom of the pool. Such systems are generally self propelled by use of a water pump which cause the unit to traverse the bottom surface of the pool. Such systems operate to transfer water to the skimmer mechanism, removing macro debris present on the bottom of the pool in the process, either by catching the macro-debris in an attached bag, or in the skimmer mechanism leaf trap. Such systems therefore operate in a similar manner to the skimmer mechanism described above, and therefore suffer from similar drawbacks, such as requiring frequent emptying of the leaf trap in order to function correctly.

Summary of the Invention

In a first broad form the present invention provides a method of maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, the method including: a) using a filter system having an inlet for receiving water from the pool to filter the water to remove micro-debris; and, b) substantially preventing ingress of macro debris into the inlet.

In one particular, but non-limiting, form, the ingress of macro-debris is substantially prevented to thereby prevent the filtration system becoming blocked.

In another particular, but non-limiting, form, the method includes preventing ingress of the macro debris using an inlet arrangement.

In one aspect, the method includes subsequently removing macro-debris from the pool.

In another aspect, a) micro-debris includes at least active contaminants having a diameter of less than lmm; and, b) macro-debris includes at least inert contaminants having a diameter of greater than lmm. a) micro-debris has a diameter of less than 3mm; and, b) macro-debris has a diameter of greater than 3mm. Optionally, the method includes using apparatus formed from a housing having one or more inlets for receiving water, and a connector, and wherein the method includes: a) positioning the housing in the pool such that the one or more inlets are situated between a bottom surface of the swimming pool and a water surface, to thereby reduce at least some of the debris entering the one or more inlets; and, b) connecting the connector to a pump of a filtration system thereby allowing water to be received by the one or more inlets and transferred to the filtration system, the filtration system being adapted to remove micro-debris from the water.

Optionally, the inlet is arranged to substantially prevent ingress of macro-debris.

In a second broad form the present invention provides a method of maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, when the swimming pool is unattended for a time period, the method including: a) during the time period: i) using a filter system to filter the water to remove micro-debris during the time period; and, ii) preventing the filer system from removing macro-debris from the pool; and, b) following the time period, removing the macro-debris from the pool.

In one particular, but non-limiting form, the method is a method according to the first broad form of the invention.

In a third broad form the present invention provides apparatus for maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, the apparatus includes: a) a housing including: i) one or more inlets for receiving water, the housing being configured such that the one or more inlets are situated between a bottom surface of the swimming pool and a water surface in use, to thereby reduce at least some of the debris entering the one or more inlets; and, ii) a connector connectable to a pump of a filtration system to allow water to be received by the one or more inlets and transferred to the filtration system.

In one particular, but non-limiting, form, the inlets are arranged to substantially prevent ingress of macro-debris. In another particular, but non-limiting, form, the inlets are arranged to substantially prevent ingress of debris having a size of greater than lmm diameter.

In one optional form, the inlets are arranged to allow ingress of micro-debris.

In another optional form, the inlets are arranged to allow ingress of debris having a size of less than lmm diameter.

Optionally, the housing includes at least one cavity for at least one of: a) storing weights for selectably adjusting the buoyancy of the housing; and, b) storing chemical materials for chemically treat the water in the swimming pool.

Optionally, in use, the one or more inlets are arranged to substantially face the bottom surface of the swimming pool.

In one particular, but non-limiting, form, the housing includes a base.

In another particular, but non-limiting, form, in use, the base rests on the bottom surface of the swimming pool.

In one aspect, the base includes a non-slip material.

In another aspect, the housing includes a cover partly covers the one or more inlets.

In one optional form, the cover is retained to the housing with a plurality of retaining fins. In another optional form, the cover includes a convex exterior surface. In another optional form, the connector includes at least one of: a) an outlet; b) a pipe; and, c) a hose.

In some forms, the connector is releasably fixed to an inlet of the filtration system using a coupling element.

In one particular, but non-limiting, form, the coupling element includes at least one of: a) a threaded coupling element, b) an adjustable pipe clamp; and, c) a clipping element.

In one form the inlets are arranged to substantially prevent ingress of macro-debris.

In one optional form, the cavity includes a well which retains chemicals within the housing.

In another optional form, the cavity is defined by a wall which includes a height which shelters the chemicals from the sunlight which enters the housing.

In one aspect, the housing includes at least one hole to allow water to flow into and out of the cavity.

In another aspect, the at least one hole is provided in the form of at least one slit to restrict sunlight entering the housing.

In one particular, but non-limiting form, the base is releaseably engageable with the housing.

In another particular, but non-limiting form the base and housing releaseably engage using coperating engagement elements.

In one optional form, the base and housing releaseably engage using a twisting action.

In another optional form, at least one of the housing and the base include visual indicia indicative of at least one of engagement instructions and disengagement instructions.

In one aspect, the outlet includes a first thread which cooperates with a second thread provided on the pipe such as to positively engage the pipe with the outlet.

In another aspect, the apparatus includes one or more vents which allow at least one of water contained within the apparatus to drain therefrom when the apparatus is removed from the swimming pool and air contained within the apparatus to flow thereout whilst the apparatus is being submerged.

In another optional aspect, the cover includes cover vents to facilitate submersion and drainage of the apparatus .

In one particular, but non-limiting form, the housing includes housing vents to facilitate submersion and drainage of the apparatus. In another particular, but non-limiting form, the cover includes cover vents to facilitate submersion and drainage of the apparatus.

In an optional form, the base include a finger engagement portion for receiving a portion of a user's fingers to twist the base relative to the housing.

In a fourth broad form the present invention provides a method of maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, the method including using an apparatus including a housing having one or more inlets and a connector, and wherein the method includes: a) submerging the housing in the swimming pool such that the one or more inlets are situated between a bottom surface of the swimming pool and a water surface in use, to thereby reduce at least some of the debris entering the one or more inlets; and, b) connecting the connector to a pump of a filtration system to thereby allow water to be received by the one or more inlets and transferred to the filtration system.

In one particular, but non-limiting, form, the method includes allowing ingress of micro- debris, thereby allowing the micro-debris to be removed by the filtration system, and substantially prevent ingress of macro-debris, thereby preventing the filtration system becoming blocked.

In another particular, but non-limiting, form, the method includes allowing ingress of debris having a size of less than lmm diameter into the inlets.

In one optional form, the method includes preventing ingress of debris having a size of greater than lmm diameter.

In another optional form, the housing of the apparatus includes one or more of cavities and wherein the method includes at least one of: a) inserting an amount of weight into the one or more cavities for selectably adjusting the buoyancy of the housing; and, b) inserting a chemical treatment into the one or more cavities for chemically treating the water in the swimming pool.

Brief Description of the Figures

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure IA shows a front view of an example of an apparatus;

Figure IB shows a top perspective view of the apparatus of Figure IA;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a swimming pool including the apparatus of Figure

IA; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of an example of the apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 7 shows an underside isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 8 shows a top view of an example of the cover of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 9 shows a magnified view of region A of the cover of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a top isometric view of the cover of Figure 8;

Figure 11 shows a side view of the cover of Figure 8;

Figure 12 shows a underside isometric view of the cover of Figure 8; Figure 13 shows a magnified isometric view of region B of the cover of Figure 12;

Figure 14 shows a top view of an example of the housing of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 15 shows a top isometric view of the housing of Figure 14;

Figure 16 shows a magnified isometric view of region C of the housing of Figure 15;

Figure 17 shows a magnified isometric view of region D of the housing of Figure 15; Figure 18 shows a top view of an example of a base of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 19 shows a magnified top view of region E of the base of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a isometric top view of the base of Figure 18;

Figure 21 is a magnified top view of region F of the base of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a side view of the base of Figure 18; Figure 23 is an underside isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 24 is an exploded underside isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 25 is a magnified underside isometric view of region H of the housing of Figure 24; and

Figure 26 is a magnified underside isometric view of region J of the base of Figure 24.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

An example of an apparatus for maintaining water quality in a swimming pool will now be shown with reference to Figures IA and IB. In particular, the apparatus 10 includes a housing 20 including a base 80, one or more inlets 30, and a connector 40. In one example, the apparatus 10 may also include at least one cavity 60 located in the housing 20, and a cover 50 coupled to the housing with a plurality of retaining fins 70.

An example of the operation of the system will be described with respect to Figure 2, which shows a swimming pool 95 including a water surface 85, a bottom surface 75, and macro- debris 90a, 90b, 90c. A skimming device 110 is provided which includes an inlet 150 coupled via a leaf trap 120 and a pipe 130, to a filtration system 140, as shown.

In order to maintain the water quality in the swimming pool 95, the cleaning apparatus 10 is submerged in the swimming pool 95 as shown. The connector 40 is then connected to the filtration system 140, via the pipe 130, as shown. It will be appreciated that it is unnecessary to remove the leaf trap 120 in order for the apparatus 10 to operate.

When the filtration system 140 is activated, a pump (not shown) operates to pump water through the inlets 30, the connector 40 and the pipe 130 into the filtration system 140. This allows the water within the pool to be filtered, to remove micro contaminants, using the filtration system 140, in the normal way.

In use, the housing 20 is configured such that the base 80 rests on the bottom surface 75 with the inlets 30 positioned above the bottom surface 75 as shown. Macro-debris 90a, 90b, 90c, such as leafs and stick, typically floats on the water surface 85 or rests on the bottom surface 75. As a result, the positioning of the inlets 30 between the water surface 85 and the bottom surface 75, ensures that the inlets are located in an area which is relatively free of macro- debris 90a, 90b, 90c. Accordingly, the configuration reduces the risk of macro-debris 90a, 90b, 90c entering or clogging the inlets 30.

The housing 20 may also include a cover 50 that extends radially outwardly from a centre of rotation of the housing, to thereby extend outwardly over the one or more inlets 30. The cover 50 is generally retained on the housing 20 using a plurality of retaining fins 70, although other connection means may be used. In any event, the cover 50 acts to prevent macro-debris 90b falling from the water surface 85 from entering the one or more inlets 30. Thus, macro- debris 90b that falls from the water surface 85, is deflected by the cover 50, and therefore restricts the macro-debris 90b from entering the one or more inlets 30 that substantially face the bottom surface 75 of the swimming pool 95. The cover 50 may include a convex shaped exterior surface such as to alleviate build up of macro-debris 90b that lands on the cover 50.

The cavities 60 may be used for storing weights in the apparatus 10 so as to adjust the buoyancy of the housing 20, allowing the user the capability of selecting the location of the housing 20 within the swimming pool 95. The one or more cavities 60 may additionally or alternatively be used for storing materials for chemically treating the water contained within the swimming pool 95. The chemical materials may be of the form which can be slowly released and dispersed into the water whilst the housing 20 is submerged, such as slow release tablets, or the like.

Generally, the base 80 of the housing 20 is able rest on the bottom surface 75 of the swimming pool 95. In the event of a reduction of the volume of water contained in the swimming pool 95, the location of the housing 20 ensures that water remains available to the one or more inlets 30. The base 80 may include a non-slip material such that the risk of the housing 20 tipping over due to movement in the water is reduced.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 26, there is shown another example of the apparatus 10.

In this example apparatus includes three components which couple together to form the apparatus 10. In particular the apparatus 10 includes a cover component 50, a housing component 20, and a base component 80. As shown in Figure 24, the cover component 50 engages with one end of the housing component 20, and the base component 80 engages with an opposing end of the housing component 20. Each of these components 20, 50, 80 will be discussed in detail below.

Referring to Figures 8 to 13, there is shown an example of the cover component 50. In particular, the cover component 50 includes a connector 40. In this example, the connector 40 is located at an axis of rotation of the cover 50. The connector 40 includes an internal thread 41 which allows a threaded pipe 100 to engage with the cover component 50 of the apparatus 10. The thread 41 allows for the pipe 100 to be positively engaged with the cover when water is be pumped. The thread can also facilitate in allowing the apparatus to be moved within the water of the swimming pool. For example, the engagement of the thread 41 of the connector 40 and the pipe 100 can allow the apparatus 10 to be pulled out of the water by a user when the user wishes to remove the apparatus from the swimming pool 95 or to move the position of the apparatus 10 in the swimming pool 95.

As can be seen clearly in Figure 9, a region of the cover 50 adjacent the connector 40 can include visual indicia 42 indicative of an operation of engaging the pipe 100 with the connector 40 and/or disengaging the pipe 100 from the connector 40. In particular, the visual indicia 42 may be indicative of a direction of rotation of the pipe relative to the cover 50 to engage the pipe 100 with the connector 40. Additionally or alternatively, the visual indicia 42 may be indicative of a direction of rotation of the pipe relative to the cover 50 to disengage the pipe 100 from the connector 40.

As can be seen clearly in Figure 12, the underside of the cover 50 includes a cover coupling element 200 to couple the cover 50 to the housing. In particular, the cover coupling element 200 can include at least one cover engagement element 201 which cooperates with at least one housing engagement element 211 of a housing coupling element 210 of the housing 20 to couple the cover 50 to the housing 20. In one form, as shown in Figure 12, the cover engagement elements 201 are provided as recesses which cooperate with housing engagement elements 211 which are provided as tabs.

Referring to Figures 12 and 23, the cover 50 defines one or more inlets 30 which allow water from the swimming pool 95 to flow to the pipe 100. In one form, the cavities 30 may be defined by radially extending walls 52. As shown in Figures 8, 10 and 11, the cover 50 includes recesses 51 which the walls extend therefrom. As shown in Figure 12, the radially extending walls 52 can be provided in the form of fins which extend from the cover 50 to the connector 200. The radially extending walls 52 can also facilitate in providing structural strength to the cover coupling element 200. The water which flows into the one or more inlets 30 flows into a void defined by arms of the cover coupling element 200 such that the water flows into the connected pipe 100.

As shown in Figures 4, 9 and 10, the cover 50 can be provided with at least one cover vent 59. The cover vent 59 can allow for air and water to flow in and out of the apparatus 10. Thus, air can flow out of the vent whilst the apparatus allows air to flow out of the apparatus whilst being submerged. Furthermore, the at least one cover vent 59 allows water contained within the apparatus 10 to drain out of the apparatus 10. As discussed in more detail below, the cover vent can be in fluid communication with at least one housing vent 29 and/or base vent 89 such as to assist in the submersion of the apparatus 10 and/or drainage of contained water within the apparatus 10.

Referring now to Figures 14 to 17, there is shown an example of the housing component 20 of the apparatus 10. As shown in Figure 24, the housing component defines the cavity 60. In one form, the housing component 20 can be provided as a hollow frustro-conical structure. One end of the housing component 20 can be enclosed by a roof panel 24 whilst the opposing end of the housing component 20 engages with the base component 80.

As shown clearly shown in Figures 15 and 16, the housing component 20 includes a complementary housing coupling element 210 which couples with the cover coupling element 200 extending from the cover 50. As previously indicated, the housing coupling element 210 includes one or more housing engagement elements 211 which are engageable with the cover coupling element 200. The housing engagement elements can be provided in the form of tabs which include a hook so as to positively engage the recesses of the cover coupling element 200.

The housing component 20 can include a roof panel 24 which includes the housing connector 210. In one form, the housing connector 210 is axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing component 20 and located at an axis of rotation of the roof panel 24. As shown in clearly in Figure 16, the housing connector may be provided as a recess in the roof panel 24. The housing engagement elements 211 can be extend from the recess in the roof panel.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the roof panel 24 can also include one or more cover wall engaging elements 25 which are engageable with the walls 52 of the cover 50. The cover wall engaging elements 25 can be provided in the form of channels which receive at least a portion of the walls 52 of the cover 50. The channels 25 can substantially restrict the cover 50 rotating relative to the housing 20 due to engagement of at least a portion of the walls 52.

The housing component 20 can include holes 22 which allow water to flow into the cavity 60 defined by the housing 20. If chemicals are provided in the cavity 60, the holes 21 allow chemically treated water to flow therethrough and disperse throughout the water of the swimming pool 95. The holes 21 can be evenly distributed around the perimeter of the housing wall 23. Furthermore, the holes 21 can be provided adjacent the base 80 when engaged with the housing 20 such as to facilitate dispersion of chemically treated water. The holes 22 may be provided as slits such as to restrict sunlight entering the cavity 60 of the apparatus 10, thereby restricting exposure of the chemicals to sunlight. Furthermore, if the chemicals within the cavity 60 are slow release chemicals, the narrow holes 22 restrict the chemicals from dispersing too quickly within the water of the swimming pool.

As shown in Figures 14, 15, 17 and 26, the housing component 20 can include one or more housing engagement portions 26 which can cooperate with one or more base engagement portions 84 of the base component 80 such as to allow the base component 80 to couple to the housing component 20. In one form the housing engagement portions 26 releaseably engage with the base engagement portions 84 such as to allow the cavity 60 to be refilled with chemical and/or weights if required. As shown, the housing engagement portions 26 are provided as flanges 26 which extend from a housing wall 23 of the housing component 20. As shown clearly in Figure 17, the flange 26 may include one or more ridges/recesses 27 which facilitate positive engagement of the flange 26 with the cover engagement portions 84 of the base component 80. The flanges 26 can be evenly distributed around the perimeter of housing component 20.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the housing component 20 can include at least one housing vent 29. In one form, the at least one housing vent 29 can be provided in the roof panel 24 of the housing component 20 such as to facilitate air flow whilst the apparatus is being submerged and/or drainage of water contained within the apparatus 10 when the apparatus 10 has been removed from the swimming pool 95. In another form, the housing vent 29 is in fluid communication with the at least one cover vent 59 and the at least one base vent 89 to assist at least one of submersion and drainage functions.

Referring now to Figures 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, there is shown an example of the base component 80 of the apparatus 10. The base component can include base engagement portions 84, a finger engagement portion 82, a well 61, first visual indicia and second visual indicia 85, and at least one support element 81.

The underside surface of the base component 80 is shown in Figures 7, 23 and 26. In particular, the underside surface of the base component 80 includes the finger engagement portion 82 to facilitate a user rotating the base 80 relative to the housing component 20 such as to engage and disengage the respective components 20, 80. In one form, the finger engagement portion 82 can be provided as a plurality of finger recesses such as to allow the user to insert at least a portion of their fingers in the finger recesses, so that a rotational force can be applied to the base 80 by the user to engage or disengage the respective components 20, 80.

As shown in Figures 7 and 23, the underside surface of the base component 80 includes first visual indicia 83 indicative of engagement instructions for engaging the base component 80 with the housing component 20 and/or disengagement instructions for disengaging the base component 80 from the housing component 20.

Referring to Figures 7, 23, and 26, the base component 23 includes support elements 81 which can be provided in the form of feet to support the apparatus 10 on the base surface 75 of the swimming pool 95. The feet 81 can be provided in the form of hemispheres. The feet 81 can be evenly distributed about the underside surface of the base component 23. In one form the second visual indicia 85 can be indicative of a direction of rotation of the base component 80 relative to the housing component 20 to disengage and/or engage the respective components 20, 80.

Referring to Figures 18 and 19 illustrating the top surface of the base component 80, there is shown the second visual indicia 85 of the base component 80. The second visual indicia 85 can be indicative of engagement instructions to engage the base component 80 with the housing component 20 and/or disengagement instructions for disengaging the base component 80 from the housing component 20. In one form the second visual indicia 85 can be indicative of a direction of rotation of the base component 80 relative to the housing component 20 to disengage and/or engage the respective components 20, 80. The second visual indicia 85 can be located on a rim 86 of the base component 80.

Referring to Figures 20 and 21, the base engagement portions 84 extend from the rim 86 of the base component 80. The base engagement portions 84 cooperate with the housing engagement portions 26 to releasably couple the base component 80 to the housing component 20. The base engagement elements 84 can be provided in the form of a hook element which cooperatively receives one of the flanges 26 of the housing component 20. Each hook element 84 can also cooperatively engage with the ridges/recesses 27 of the flange 26 such as to facilitate positive engagement of the housing component 20 with the base component 80. As can be seen from Figure 20 of the base component 20, the support elements 81 are provided as recesses 81' in the top surface of the base component 20. Similarly, the finger engagement portion 82 of the base component 20 is provided as a raised section 82'.

The top surface of the base component 20 can include a wall 61 which extends from the top surface of the base component 20 to define a well 62. The well 62 is contained within the cavity 60 and can be used to store chemicals and/or weights. Additionally or alternatively, the finger engaging portion can define the wall of the well 62. The chemicals may be provided in forms of chlorine tablets.

Although sunlight is restricted from entering the cavity 60 of the housing component 20, a minimal portion of sunlight may enter via the narrow holes 21 of the housing component 20.

However, the chemicals resting within the well 62 can be substantially restricted from being exposed to this minimal portion of sunlight by the wall sheltering the chemicals. When the minimal portion of sunlight enters the housing component 20, the minimal portion of sunlight enters at a sharp angle relative to the horizontal due to the apparatus being located within the swimming pool 95. As such, the wall 61 can be configured to include a height which can shelter the chemicals from the minimal portion of light that manages to enter the housing component 20. The well 62 can further assist in retention of the chemical tablets within a centre region of the cavity 60 such as to restrict the tablets substantially moving from one side of the cavity 60 to the other. This function again facilitates in reducing the likelihood of the chemicals being exposed to the minimal portion of sunlight which may enter the housing component 20.

The base component 80 can be provided with at least one base vent 89. The at least one base vent 89 can allow air and water to flow into and out of the apparatus. Thus, the at least one base vent 89 allows water to flow into the apparatus, specifically the cavity 60, whilst being submerged. Similarly, the at least one base vent 89 can allow water contained within the apparatus 10 to be drained out of the apparatus 10 when the apparatus has been removed from the swimming pool 95. The at least one base vent 89 can be in fluid communication with the at least one housing vent 89 and the at least one cover vent 59.

The base component 80, the housing component 20, and the cover component 50 can be formed using injection moulding techniques. In one form, the apparatus can be made from

ABS plastic due to water and sunlight properties. Voids in each component 20, 50, 80 can be provided with undercut portions such as to allow for simpler tooling. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the holes 21 meet the housing wall 23 via a sloping undercut portion 22. By providing undercut portions at void regions of each component, each component 50, 20, 80 can be formed integrally. Furthermore, a single moulding component tool can be used for each component 20, 50, 80.

It will be appreciated that by reducing and preferably substantially restricting or preventing macro-debris from entering the inlets 30, the macro-debris entering the filtration system is minimised, which in turn allows the filtration system to function over a greatly extended time period, without external intervention. In this regard, in the event that macro debris does enter the inlets, and hence the filtration system, the macro debris will generally be filtered out of the water either by the leaf trap 120, or by a subsequent or secondary debris-collecting basket. This restricts the macro debris entering, and thereby damaging, the pump and the main filtration unit.

Thus, whilst some macro debris may enter the inlets, the amount of macro debris entering the leaf trap is vastly reduced compared to the normal operation of the skimmer, thereby restricting the leaf trap becoming blocked and allowing the filtration system to function consistently.

This configuration allows the filtration system to continue to function in the normal way and remove micro-debris from the pool, thereby assisting in maintaining the water quality and clarity of the water in the swimming pool. In particular, the pool water can remain filtered of micro-contaminants, and through the use of appropriate chemical treatment, either by the filtration system 140 or chemicals provided in the cavity 60, this ensures any active contaminants, such as organisms, are substantially destroyed. The removal of micro- contaminants and destruction of organisms reduces the likelihood of the water becoming contaminated with micro contaminants, which in turn assists in maintaining water clarity and quality.

Whilst the apparatus 10 device generally does not remove macro debris 90a, 90b, 90c from the pool, the macro debris 90a, 90b, 90c generally has a negligible impact on water quality, and the macro-debris can be easily removed, for example by scooping the macro debris 90a, 90b, 90c from the water using a net or other similar methods and devices. Accordingly, the apparatus allows the filtration system to remain activated, whilst unattended, for a substantially increased time period. The use of the apparatus can extend the time period over which the filtration system can remain active but unattended. For example, the time period can be extended from two or three days, to up to six weeks, when it is generally advisable to back-wash the filtration system, in accordance with normal filtration system operating requirements.

Thus, the apparatus assists in maintaining water quality over a prolonged time period, without the requirement for repeated maintenance, or expensive water treatments. The maintenance of the water quality is achieved by allowing the macro debris to remain in the pool water during time periods when manual intervention in the cleaning process is not achievable. This in turn allows the pool cleaning system to efficiently remove the micro debris without manual intervention, with the macro debris being removed manually at a later time.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

Thus for example, the buoyancy of the housing 20 can be selected so that the housing is neutrally or positively buoyant with the base 80 suspended above the bottom surface 75. It will be appreciated that in this instance, the buoyancy can be controlled using weights, as described above, to thereby allow the inlets to be positioned at a selected position between the bottom surface 75 and the water surface 85.

Alternatively a positively buoyant housing may be used which extends downwardly from the water surface 85. In this case, the inlets may be provided in a lower portion of the housing such that the inlets are positioned between the bottom surface 75 and the water surface 85.

It will also be appreciated that the connector 40 may be provided as an outlet, a pipe or a hose such that the apparatus can be connected to the pump 130.

In the above description the term "Macro Debris" is intended to refer to inert contaminants which do not grow or multiply, and is generally of a size greater than 1.0mm in diameter. Whilst it may float initially, macro debris generally becomes water logged after a relatively short time period (a few hours to a day or two) and sinks to the bottom of the pool. Examples of macro debris include leaves, sticks, dead insects, soil, sand, and bird feathers.

In contrast, "Micro Debris" is generally active and can therefore grow and multiply. Micro debris is generally less than 1.Omm in diameter, and can usually remain in suspension in the water. Examples of micro debris include bacteria, algae, and pollen.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) A method of maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, the method including: a) using a filter system having an inlet for receiving water from the pool to filter the water to remove micro-debris; and, b) substantially preventing ingress of macro debris into the inlet.

2) A method according to claim 1, wherein the ingress of macro-debris is substantially prevented to thereby prevent the filtration system becoming blocked.

3) A method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes preventing ingress of the macro debris using an inlet arrangement. 4) A method according to claim 3, wherein the method includes subsequently removing macro-debris from the pool.

5) A method according to claim 1, wherein: a) micro-debris includes at least active contaminants having a diameter of less than lmm; and, b) macro-debris includes at least inert contaminants having a diameter of greater than lmm.

6) A method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes using apparatus formed from a housing having one or more inlets for receiving water, and a connector, and wherein the method includes: a) positioning the housing in the pool such that the one or more inlets are situated between a bottom surface of the swimming pool and a water surface, to thereby reduce at least some of the debris entering the one or more inlets; and, b) connecting the connector to a pump of a filtration system thereby allowing water to be received by the one or more inlets and transferred to the filtration system, the filtration system being adapted to remove micro-debris from the water.

7) A method according to claim 6, wherein the inlet is arranged to substantially prevent ingress of macro-debris.

8) A method of maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, when the swimming pool is unattended for a time period, the method including: a) during the time period: i) using a filter system to filter the water to remove micro-debris during the time period; and, ii) preventing the filer system from removing macro-debris from the pool; and, b) following the time period, removing the macro-debris from the pool.

9) A method according to claim 8, wherein the method is a method according to any one of the claims 1 to 7.

10) Apparatus for maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, the apparatus includes: a) a housing including: i) one or more inlets for receiving water, the housing being configured such that the one or more inlets are situated between a bottom surface of the swimming pool and a water surface in use, to thereby reduce at least some of the debris entering the one or more inlets; and, ii) a connector connectable to a pump of a Filtration system to allow water to be received by the one or more inlets and transferred to the filtration system.

11) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inlets are arranged to substantially restrict ingress of macro-debris.

12) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inlets are arranged to substantially restrict ingress of debris having a size of greater than 3mm diameter.

13) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inlets are arranged to allow ingress of micro-debris.

14) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inlets are arranged to allow ingress of debris having a size of less than 3mm diameter. 15) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the housing includes at least one cavity for at least one of: a) storing weights for selectably adjusting the buoyancy of the housing; and, b) storing chemical materials for chemically treat the water in the swimming pool.

16) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein, in use, the one or more inlets are arranged to substantially face the bottom surface of the swimming pool.

17) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the housing includes a base.

18) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein, in use, the base rests on the bottom surface of the swimming pool. 19) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the base includes a non- slip material.

20) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the housing includes a cover which partly covers the one or more inlets. 21) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the cover is retained to the housing with a plurality of retaining fins.

22) The apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the cover includes a convex exterior surface. 23) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 22, wherein the connector includes at least one of: a) an outlet; b) a pipe; and, c) a hose. 24) The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 23, wherein the connector is releasably fixed to an inlet of the filtration system using a coupling element.

25) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the coupling element includes at least one of: a) a threaded coupling element, b) an adjustable pipe clamp; and, c) a clipping element.

26) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the inlets are arranged to substantially prevent ingress of macro-debris.

27) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cavity includes a well which retains chemicals within the housing.

28) The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the cavity is defined by a wall which includes a height which shelters the chemicals from the sunlight which enters the housing.

29) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the housing includes at least one hole to allow water to flow into and out of the cavity. 30) The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the at least one hole is provided in the form of at least one slit to restrict sunlight entering the housing.

31) The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the base is releaseably engageable with the housing.

32) The apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the base and housing releaseably engage using coperating engagement elements.

33) The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the base and housing releaseably engage using a twisting action. 34) The apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein at least one of the housing and the base include visual indicia indicative of at least one of engagement instructions and disengagement instructions.

35) The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the outlet includes a first thread which cooperates with a second thread provided on the pipe such as to positively engage the pipe with the outlet.

36) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus includes one or more vents which allow at least one of water contained within the apparatus to drain therefrom when the apparatus is removed from the swimming pool and air contained within the apparatus to flow thereout whilst the apparatus is being submerged.

37) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the cover includes cover vents to facilitate submersion and drainage of the apparatus .

38) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the housing includes housing vents to facilitate submersion and drainage of the apparatus. 39) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cover includes cover vents to facilitate submersion and drainage of the apparatus. 40) The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the base include a finger engagement portion for receiving a portion of a user's fingers to twist the base relative to the housing. 4I)A method of maintaining water quality in a swimming pool, the method including using an apparatus including a housing having one or more inlets and a connector, and wherein the method includes: a) submerging the housing in the swimming pool such that the one or more inlets are situated between a bottom surface of the swimming pool and a water surface in use, to thereby reduce at least some of the debris entering the one or more inlets; and, b) connecting the connector to a pump of a filtration system to thereby allow water to be received by the one or more inlets and transferred to the filtration system.

42) A method according to claim 41, wherein the method includes allowing ingress of micro- debris, thereby allowing the micro-debris to be removed by the filtration system, and substantially prevent ingress of macro-debris, thereby preventing the filtration system becoming blocked.

43) A method according to claim 41, wherein the method includes allowing ingress of debris having a size of less than lmm diameter into the inlets. 44) A method according to claim 41, wherein the method includes preventing ingress of debris having a size of greater than lmm diameter.

45) A method according to any one of the claims 41 to 44, the housing of the apparatus includes one or more of cavities and wherein the method includes at least one of: a) inserting an amount of weight into the one or more cavities for selectably adjusting the buoyancy of the housing; and, b) inserting a chemical treatment into the one or more cavities for chemically treating the water in the swimming pool.

46) An apparatus for maintaining the quality of water in a swimming pool, the apparatus being substantially herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

47) A method for maintaining the quality of water in a swimming pool, the method being substantially herein before described.