WO2013026100A1

WO2013026100A1 - A skimmer lid assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013026100A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000990
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aaron Kelly; John Mansell
Original assignee: Poolrite Research Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-24
Filing date: 2012-08-23
Publication date: 2013-02-28
Also published as: AU2012300192A1; AU2012300192B2

Abstract

The invention resides in a skimmer lid assembly including a lid having a top from which depends a skirt; and a surround used to mount the lid, the surround including a band which substantially surrounds the skirt when the lid is mounted to the surround; at least one track located on the either the skirt or the band and at least one carriage located on the other of the band or the skirt; the at least one track having an entrance and a locking portion interconnected by a travelling portion; the at least one carriage able to travel along the track from the entrance to the locking portion; wherein when the carriage is located within the locking portion, the lid is able to move laterally with respect to the surround.

Description

TITLE

"A SKIMMER LID ASSEMBLY"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a skimmer lid assembly. In particular the invention relates to a skimmer lid assembly which assists in the unwanted removal of a lid from a surround.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Domestic swimming pools are enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world. In order that people are able to continue to enjoy their swimming pool it is necessary to have a filtration system associated with the swimming pool to both clean and chlorinate the swimming pool water. As part of the filtration system, most domestic pools have a skimmer box into which water from the pool is passed before entering into a filter. The skimmer box is typically used to capture debris which may fall into a pool so that the debris does not enter the filter.

Most skimmer boxes include a lid, an associated surround and a leaf box. The surround is normally embeddedinto concrete which typically surrounds swimming pools. The lid is located onto the surround to prevent unwanted access to the leaf box. A basket usually located within the leaf box to assist in capturing leaves and other debris that pass from the pool into the leaf box.

Children gaining access to the skimmer box is an important issue. Small children have been known to fall into the skimmer boxes and become trapped. Removal of the child typically involves destroying the skimmer box and associated surrounding concrete which is a costly exercise. In a worst case scenario, children have been severely injured and even drowned by becoming caught in a skimmer box. Further, chemicals are often located within the leaf basket of the skimmer box. A typical example of these types of chemicals is Cyanuric Acid tablets. These types of chemicals can harm unprotected skin and can cause significant injury or even death if ingested. For the above reasons, limited access to contents of a skimmer box is desirable. Traditionally, skimmer lid assemblies include a lid which is press fitted onto the surround. Unfortunately overtime the press fitted lid often becomes loose within the surround and therefore can be easily removed from the surround. Even when the lid and surround are new, stronger children are often able to remove the lid from the surround to gain access to the skimmer box.

Newer skimmer lid assemblies often have a bayonet type fitting in which removal of the lid from the surround requires rotation of the lid with respect to the surround. Children generally do not have sufficient strength to remove a lid from the surround which uses this type of fitting. However, skimmer lid assemblies which use a bayonet type fitting are notoriously fragile and prone to breakage. Further, if a lid is not tightened sufficiently to the surround, there is no visual indication that the lid is loose and easily removable.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or to provide the consumers with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a skimmer lid assembly including:

a lid having a top from which depends a skirt; and a surround used to mount the lid, the surround including a band which substantially surrounds the skirt when the lid is mounted to the surround;

at least one track located on the either the skirt or the band and at least one carriage located on the other of the band or the skirt;

the at least one track having an entrance and a locking portion interconnected by a travelling portion; the at least one carriage able to travel along the track from the entrance to the locking portion;

wherein when the carriage is located within the locking portion, the lid is able to move laterally with respect to the surround.

Normally there are at least two tracks. Preferably each track is located on the skirt. Each track may be in the form of a recess.

Usually there is the same number of carriages as there are tracks. Accordingly, there are normally at least two carriages. Preferably each carriage is located on the band. Each carriage may be in the form of a tab which extends outwardly from the band.

The locking portion may extend passed the travelling portion to create a trap. That is the locking portion is located on both sides of the travelling portion.

The locking portion typically prevents substantial rotational movement of the lid with respect to the surround when the carriage is located within the locking portion.

The travelling portion may or may not be linear. Preferably, the travelling portion is inclined. The travelling portion may allow both rotational movement and lateral movement of the lid relative to the surround as the carriage passes along the length of the travelling portion.

The skimmer lid assembly may further include a key which engages the lid. The key may be used to both lift and rotate the lid with respect to the surround.

Accordingly, the lid may include at least one slot. The key may be passed through the slot and engage within the lid to both lift and rotate the lid with respect to the surround.

In another form, the invention resides in a lid for a skimmer assembly, the lid including:

a top from which depends a skirt; and

at least one track located on the skirt

wherein the at least one track has an entrance and a locking portion interconnected by a travelling portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a skimmer lid assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view of the skimmer lid assembly according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an assembled top view of the skimmer lid assembly according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an assembled front view of the skimmer lid assembly according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is an assembled side view of the skimmer lid assembly according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a further assembled top view of the skimmer lid assembly according to Figure 1 showing the section line A-A.

Figure 7 is an assembled sectional view along section line A-A of the skimmer lid assembly according to Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detailed view of the assembled sectional view of the skimmer lid assembly according to Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a skimmer lid assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a skimmer lid assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figures 1 to 8 show a skimmer lid assembly 10 that is used to enclose a skimmer box (not shown). The skimmer lid assembly 10 includes a surround 20, a lid 30 and a key 40.

The surround 20 is used to mount the lid 30. The surround 20 is typically made from plastics although other materials may be used. The surround 20 includes a seat 21 which supports the lid 30 and a band 22 which encircles the lid 30. The band 22 extends downwardly from the seat 21. Four tabs 23 extend outwardly from the band 22. Each of the tabs 23 are rectangular in transverse cross-section and are orientated so that they are slightly angled.

The lid 30 is used to prevent unwanted access to the skimmer box (not shown). The lid 30 is formed from a top 31 from which extends a depending skirt 32. The top 31 and the depending skirt 32 are integrally formed and made from plastic. However, it should be appreciated other materials may be used. The top 31 is convex in shape and includes a series of holes 33 that are located adjacent the periphery of the lid 30. Two key hole slots 34 extend through the lid 30. Each key hole slot includes a linear section 35 and an arcuate section 36.

The depending skirt has four tracks 50. However, it should be appreciated that the number of tracks 50 may be varied according to design. Each track 50 is formed from a recess that extends from a bottom edge of the depending skirt 32 to adjacent a top end of the union of the depending skirt 32 and the top 31.

Each track 50 includes an entrance 51 , a travelling portion 52 and a locking portion 53. The entrance 51 is located adjacent bottom edge of the depending skirt. Two chamfered faces 54 are located at start of the entrance 51. The travelling portion 52 connects the entrance 51 to the locking portion 53. The travelling portion 52 is elongate and inclined. The locking portion 53 is located at the end of the travelling portion 52. The locking portion 53 is substantial rectangular in shape. A trap 55 is located adjacent one end of the locking portion 53 past an intersection of the travelling portion 52 and the locking portion 53. An abutment face 56 of the trap is located adjacent the intersection.

The key 40 includes a handle 41 and two engagement members 42. It should be appreciated that the handle 41 may be shaped according to design. The two engagement 42 members are designed to fit through the linear section 36 of the key slots 34 and engage an underside of the top 31 of the lid 30.

In use, the lid 30 is attached to the surround by orientating the lid 30 so that each tab 23 is located at a respective entrance 51 of a respective track 50. The chamfered faces 54 assist with location of the tabs 23 within the entrances 51. Once the tabs 23 pass through the entrances 51 , the lid 30 is rotated so that the tabs 23 move along the travelling portions 52 of the tracks 50. As the tabs 23 move along the lid 30, the lid 30 also moves laterally (inwardly) with respect to the surround 20. The inclination of the traveling portions 52 matches the inclination of the tabs 23 to enable the tabs 23 to pass easily along the travelling portions 52. Normally the combination of the weight of the lid 30 and the inclination of the travelling portions 52 allows the lid 30 to self rotate about the tabs 23. However, rotation of the lid 30 can be carried out by hand if necessary.

Once the tabs 23 pass from the travelling portion 52 into the locking portion 53, lid 30 is able to fall laterally with respect to surround 20 so that the top 31 is located on the seat 21 of the surround 20. The locking portion 53 substantially prevents rotation of the lid 30 with respect to the surround 20 when the tab 23 is located within the locking portion 53.

When the lid 30 is to be removed from the surround 20, the key 40 is required to engage the lid 30. In order that the key 40 engages the lid 30, the key is inserted into the key slots 34 using the handle 41 so that the engagement members 42 of the key are located through the linear sections 35 of the keys slots 34. The key 40 is rotated so that the engaging members 42 are located beneath the top 31 to enable the lid to be lifted. Also the key 40 is passed along the curved portion 36 of the key slots 34 until the key 40 abuts the top 31 to allow the lid 30 to be rotated with respect to the surround 20.

After the key 40 engages the lid 30, the lid 30 is able to be lifted laterally with respect to the surround 20. This causes the tabs 23 to move along the locking portions 53 toward the travelling portions 52. A rotational force is applied to the key 40 when lifting the lid 30 so that when the tabs 23 are in alignment with the travelling portions 52, the lid 30 rotates so that the tabs 23 pass into the travelling portions 52. Further, rotation of the lid 30 causes the lid 30 to pass through the travelling portions 52 toward the entrances 51. As the tabs 23 travelling along respective travelling portions 52 toward the entrances 51 , the lid 30 moves laterally (outwardly) with respect to the surround 20. Once the tabs 23 pass through the entrances 51 the lid 30 can be removed from the surround 20.

The skimmer lid assembly 0 also has an in built child safety feature when removing the lid 30. If a child is able to obtain the key 40, insert the key 40 into the keys slots 34, rotate key 40 with respect to the key slots 34 and lift the lid 30 with respect to the surround 20 there is still no guarantee that the child will be able to remove the lid 30 from the surround 20. Children generally lack the dexterity that is required to both lift the lid 30 and rotate the lid 30 at the same time to enable tabs 23 to locate within the travelling portions 52.

Generally a child is able to lift lid 30 fully and then rotate the lid 30. In this circumstance, the tabs 23 will bypass the travelling portions 52 of the track 50 and become located in the traps 55. Any rotation then applied to the lid 30 will cause the abutment faces 56 of the traps 55 to abut against the tabs 23 substantially preventing rotation of the lid 30.

A further advantage of the skimmer lid assembly 10 is that when the lid 30 is located on the seat 21 of the surround 20 this provides a visually indication that the lid 30 is locked to the surround 20. That is, the lid can only be located on the seat of the surround when the tabs are located within respective locking portions of the respective tracks. When in this position the key 40 is required for removal.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a skimmer lid assembly 10 in which the key 40 and associated key slot 34 within the lid 30 have been changed when compared to the skimmer lid assembly 10 shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment the key 40 still has a handle 41 and two engagement members 42. However, there is only a single slot 34 located within the lid and an associated inverted U-shaped chair (not shown) located on the underside of the lid 30.

In use, the engagement members 42 are inserted through the key slot and rotated through 90 degrees so that they engage the U-shaped chair. When the engagement members 42 engage the chair this allows the lid 30 to be both lifted and rotated using the key 40.

Figure 10 shows further alternative embodiment in which the track 50 is located on the band 22 and the tabs 23 are located on the skirt 32. The operation of the lid 30 with respect to the surround operates in the same manner as described for the skimmer assembly 10 shown in Figure 1.

It should be appreciated that the lid 30 and the surround 20 may have additional safety features added. For example, a reed switch may be located on the surround 20 and/or lid 30 so that when the lid is rotated past a predetermine position and/or removed from the surround 20, this causes an associated pump or associated filtration control unit to become inoperable.

In this specification, the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modification may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A skimmer lid assembly including:

the at least one track having an entrance and a locking portion interconnected by a travelling portion;

the at least one carriage able to travel along the track from the entrance to the locking portion;

2. The skimmer lid assembly of claim 1 wherein there are at least two tracks.

3. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein each track is located on the skirt.

4. The skimmer lid assembly of claim of any one of the preceding claims wherein each track is in the form of a recess.

5. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein there is the same number of carriages as there are tracks.

6. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein each carriage is located on the band.

7. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein each carriage is in the form of a tab which extends outwardly from the band.

8. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking portion extends passed the travelling portion to create a trap.

9. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking portion prevents substantial rotational movement of the lid with respect to the surround when the carriage is located within the locking portion.

10. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the travelling portion is inclined.

1 . The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the travelling portion allows both rotational movement and lateral movement of the lid relative to the surround as the carriage passes along the length of the travelling portion.

12. The skimmer lid assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the skimmer lid assembly further includes a key which engages the lid via a slot in the lid.

13. The skimmer lid assembly of claim 12 wherein the key is passed through the slot and engages within the lid to both lift and rotate the lid with respect to the surround.

14. A lid for a skimmer assembly, the lid including:

a top from which depends a skirt; and

at least one track located on the skirt

wherein the at least one track has an entrance and a locking portion interconnected by a travelling portion.

15. The lid of claim 14 wherein the wherein the locking portion extends passed the travelling portion to create a trap.