CA2651294C - Skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus - Google Patents
Skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2651294C CA2651294C CA2651294A CA2651294A CA2651294C CA 2651294 C CA2651294 C CA 2651294C CA 2651294 A CA2651294 A CA 2651294A CA 2651294 A CA2651294 A CA 2651294A CA 2651294 C CA2651294 C CA 2651294C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- skimmer
- ramp
- cover
- housing
- helical
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K29/00—Other apparatus for animal husbandry
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
A device to allow animals trapped in a swimming pool skimmer to escape via a helical ramp integrally attached to a skimmer cover with an exit hole in the top. The invention provides for the replacement of an existing skimmer cover with the said invention to provide a simple hassle free solution to the drowning of small animals that get caught in the skimmer assembly.
Description
SKIMMER COVER AND HELICAL RAMP APPARATUS
FIELD
This application relates to pool cleaning apparatus and more particularly to a skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus for a pool skimmer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The trapping and subsequent drowning of a variety of small animals in swimming pool skimmers has been and continues to be a large problem for pool owners. As animals jump or fall into the pool, especially during rainy spells, they become trapped. After struggling, sometimes for hours, they eventually get trapped in the pool skimmer assembly and drown.
The drowning of these small animals present a variety of problems to the pool owner mainly:
a) the dead animals are unpleasant to remove and dispose;
b) the dead animals require an excessive amount of chlorination or other chemicals to deal with the decomposition; and c) needlessly kills off vital members of our ecosystem.
There have been several attempts at solving this problem. U.S. Patent #5377623 and U.S.
Patent #6796864 provide means for frogs and other animals to climb onto a pad or other area prior to the critter arriving at the pool skimmer assembly. While these means may have some success they present other issues for the pool owner and do not address the issue of the animals in the skimmer itself.
U.S. Patent # 5862541 provides an exit ramp apparatus added to the skimmer basket area.
The complexity of this design and the additional effort needed by the pool owner make this solution less effective. The chances of an animal finding the end of the ramp is reduced. U.S. Patent #5862541 only allows for the manual positioning of the ramp location and if the animal misses the ramp upon entering the skimmer basket it is out of luck. The ramp of U.S. Patent #5862541 is linear and the slope is dictated by the diameter of the skimmer assembly.
FIELD
This application relates to pool cleaning apparatus and more particularly to a skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus for a pool skimmer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The trapping and subsequent drowning of a variety of small animals in swimming pool skimmers has been and continues to be a large problem for pool owners. As animals jump or fall into the pool, especially during rainy spells, they become trapped. After struggling, sometimes for hours, they eventually get trapped in the pool skimmer assembly and drown.
The drowning of these small animals present a variety of problems to the pool owner mainly:
a) the dead animals are unpleasant to remove and dispose;
b) the dead animals require an excessive amount of chlorination or other chemicals to deal with the decomposition; and c) needlessly kills off vital members of our ecosystem.
There have been several attempts at solving this problem. U.S. Patent #5377623 and U.S.
Patent #6796864 provide means for frogs and other animals to climb onto a pad or other area prior to the critter arriving at the pool skimmer assembly. While these means may have some success they present other issues for the pool owner and do not address the issue of the animals in the skimmer itself.
U.S. Patent # 5862541 provides an exit ramp apparatus added to the skimmer basket area.
The complexity of this design and the additional effort needed by the pool owner make this solution less effective. The chances of an animal finding the end of the ramp is reduced. U.S. Patent #5862541 only allows for the manual positioning of the ramp location and if the animal misses the ramp upon entering the skimmer basket it is out of luck. The ramp of U.S. Patent #5862541 is linear and the slope is dictated by the diameter of the skimmer assembly.
2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided an apparatus comprising a skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly by which small animals in a pool skimmer may escape on their own.
The present invention is an assembly of two components comprising a skimmer cover and helical ramp:
The skimmer cover is simply a cover designed to fit existing pool skimmer assemblies.
These existing skimmer covers may be round or square shape, crowned or flat or any combination of size and shape. The cover itself is not important to the present invention design except for the integration of an opening and a coupling such as a snap fit design to accept a helical ramp component. The snap fit feature is a simple manner of attaching the ramp in a structural and functional manner. The cover is further enhanced by the placement of the exit opening placed at the radial outward edge of the cover to maximize the ramp diameter. The placement is dictated by the particular skimmer assembly for which the cover is designed to allow for the proper placement of the ramp along the inside diameter of the skimmer enclosure.
The helical ramp provides an inclined plane for the animal to scale to the exit opening.
The helical ramp may be securely attached to the cover, e.g. at the opening area, by the aforementioned snap fit feature. From this attachment point the ramp radiates (e.g.
clockwise or counter clockwise) downwardly in a screw like fashion. As the ramp comes around on itself, the radial dimension then decreases, collapsing inwardly as to allow the component to be molded simply and not cause an undercut condition in the tooling required. The said radially collapsing ramp ends below water level with a flat rest area.
As the ramp continues downwardly, the diameter is maximized to fit the inside diameter of the pool skimmer housing until such point as it interferes with the start point of itself.
At that point the radial dimension then decreases to allow the helical form to continue downwardly without interference.
In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a swimming pool skimmer cover assembly for a skimmer housing having side walls and a skimmer basket with a center area within said housing, said skimmer cover assembly comprising:
There is provided an apparatus comprising a skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly by which small animals in a pool skimmer may escape on their own.
The present invention is an assembly of two components comprising a skimmer cover and helical ramp:
The skimmer cover is simply a cover designed to fit existing pool skimmer assemblies.
These existing skimmer covers may be round or square shape, crowned or flat or any combination of size and shape. The cover itself is not important to the present invention design except for the integration of an opening and a coupling such as a snap fit design to accept a helical ramp component. The snap fit feature is a simple manner of attaching the ramp in a structural and functional manner. The cover is further enhanced by the placement of the exit opening placed at the radial outward edge of the cover to maximize the ramp diameter. The placement is dictated by the particular skimmer assembly for which the cover is designed to allow for the proper placement of the ramp along the inside diameter of the skimmer enclosure.
The helical ramp provides an inclined plane for the animal to scale to the exit opening.
The helical ramp may be securely attached to the cover, e.g. at the opening area, by the aforementioned snap fit feature. From this attachment point the ramp radiates (e.g.
clockwise or counter clockwise) downwardly in a screw like fashion. As the ramp comes around on itself, the radial dimension then decreases, collapsing inwardly as to allow the component to be molded simply and not cause an undercut condition in the tooling required. The said radially collapsing ramp ends below water level with a flat rest area.
As the ramp continues downwardly, the diameter is maximized to fit the inside diameter of the pool skimmer housing until such point as it interferes with the start point of itself.
At that point the radial dimension then decreases to allow the helical form to continue downwardly without interference.
In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a swimming pool skimmer cover assembly for a skimmer housing having side walls and a skimmer basket with a center area within said housing, said skimmer cover assembly comprising:
3 a skimmer cover, having a predetermined size and shape, configured for removably covering the skimmer housing, the skimmer cover having an integrally molded opening; and an helical ramp for attachment to the cover about the opening, the helical ramp having a flat centrally located pad at one end, said ramp sized to fit inside said skimmer housing such that said pad area is suspended in said center area of said skimmer basket, said ramp radiating spirally down to below a water level inside said skimmer housing to allow small animals caught in a skimmer current to exit to a pool deck via said opening and wherein said ramp is molded from plastic and is configured for collapsing radially inwardly as said ramp projects to said water level.
In one embodiment, the skimmer cover and helical ramp are attached by an integrally molded snap fit coupling configured for attaching the helical ramp to the cover about the opening such that the helical ramp is suspended from the cover only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a an isometric view of the skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly apparatus in accordance with one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the of the skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the helical ramp apparatus; and FIG. 4 is an assembly view of a skimmer housing, skimmer basket with the skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus installed in accordance with one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As seen in FIG. 1, the skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly comprises a cover 10 and a helical ramp 11. In the present embodiment, ramp 11 is attached to cover 10 by a snap fit coupling 13 at opening location 12. Said snap fit feature is of common design for injection molding and need only securely fasten the ramp to the cover in a simple and
In one embodiment, the skimmer cover and helical ramp are attached by an integrally molded snap fit coupling configured for attaching the helical ramp to the cover about the opening such that the helical ramp is suspended from the cover only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a an isometric view of the skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly apparatus in accordance with one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the of the skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the helical ramp apparatus; and FIG. 4 is an assembly view of a skimmer housing, skimmer basket with the skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus installed in accordance with one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As seen in FIG. 1, the skimmer cover and helical ramp assembly comprises a cover 10 and a helical ramp 11. In the present embodiment, ramp 11 is attached to cover 10 by a snap fit coupling 13 at opening location 12. Said snap fit feature is of common design for injection molding and need only securely fasten the ramp to the cover in a simple and
4 convenient manner. Other attachment means (e.g. screws or fasteners) may be employed.
Opening location 12 in cover 10 allows the animals to escape from the skimmer assembly. The location of opening location 12 is determined by the diameter of the skimmer housing 16 as shown in FIG. 4. Ramp 11 outer diameter is also determined by the skimmer housing 16. These two dimensions are simply determined by the maximum diameter that ramp can be designed for that will allow ramp 11 to fit loosely inside of the skimmer housing 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the helical ramp turns counter clockwise. However, in an alternate embodiment, the ramp may turn in a clockwise direction and be secured to an opposite side of opening location 12.
FIG. 2 shows a simple elevation view of the cover 10 integrally attached to ramp 11. The shallow slope of ramp 11 (at least along one or more portions thereof) can be seen in this view. As ramp 11 spirals downward from cover 10, the diameter 14 remains constant until the ramp comes around on its self as shown in FIG. 3. In order not to be die locked in the molding process the diameter 14 may be reduced to diameter 15 as the ramp continues to spiral downward. This spiral effect continues downward to a level below the operating water level of the skimmer assembly for which it is designed and ends in the center area of the skimmer basket 17. Note that the skimmer cover 10 and helical ramp 11 are not attached in any way to skimmer basket 17.
At least a portion of the helical ramp may hug the side wall of the skimmer housing 16 when installed. As water flows radially down into the skimmer it naturally forces the small critters against the ramp which radiate upwardly along the side wall of the skimmer housing 16.
FIG. 4 shows an assembly of the skimmer cover 10 and helical ramp 11 installed in a skimmer housing 16 with a skimmer basket 17 in place. For convenience, portions of the skimmer housing 16 are transparent for illustration purposes. As water flows into opening 18 the small animals will be forced onto ramp 11 and be trapped between skimmer housing 16 wall. If the animal first misses the ramp lithe radial current of the water being drawn into opening 18 will continue to give ample opportunity to the animal to grab hold of ramp 11 and climb upward to exit at opening location 12.
In accordance with one feature, due to the helical design, a much lower profile ramp may be provided than in known designs. The slope of the ramp (at least over one or more portions) is much less as the effective length can be much longer as the ramp follows the inside circumference of the skimmer housing. This reduced slope of the ramp provides a
Opening location 12 in cover 10 allows the animals to escape from the skimmer assembly. The location of opening location 12 is determined by the diameter of the skimmer housing 16 as shown in FIG. 4. Ramp 11 outer diameter is also determined by the skimmer housing 16. These two dimensions are simply determined by the maximum diameter that ramp can be designed for that will allow ramp 11 to fit loosely inside of the skimmer housing 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the helical ramp turns counter clockwise. However, in an alternate embodiment, the ramp may turn in a clockwise direction and be secured to an opposite side of opening location 12.
FIG. 2 shows a simple elevation view of the cover 10 integrally attached to ramp 11. The shallow slope of ramp 11 (at least along one or more portions thereof) can be seen in this view. As ramp 11 spirals downward from cover 10, the diameter 14 remains constant until the ramp comes around on its self as shown in FIG. 3. In order not to be die locked in the molding process the diameter 14 may be reduced to diameter 15 as the ramp continues to spiral downward. This spiral effect continues downward to a level below the operating water level of the skimmer assembly for which it is designed and ends in the center area of the skimmer basket 17. Note that the skimmer cover 10 and helical ramp 11 are not attached in any way to skimmer basket 17.
At least a portion of the helical ramp may hug the side wall of the skimmer housing 16 when installed. As water flows radially down into the skimmer it naturally forces the small critters against the ramp which radiate upwardly along the side wall of the skimmer housing 16.
FIG. 4 shows an assembly of the skimmer cover 10 and helical ramp 11 installed in a skimmer housing 16 with a skimmer basket 17 in place. For convenience, portions of the skimmer housing 16 are transparent for illustration purposes. As water flows into opening 18 the small animals will be forced onto ramp 11 and be trapped between skimmer housing 16 wall. If the animal first misses the ramp lithe radial current of the water being drawn into opening 18 will continue to give ample opportunity to the animal to grab hold of ramp 11 and climb upward to exit at opening location 12.
In accordance with one feature, due to the helical design, a much lower profile ramp may be provided than in known designs. The slope of the ramp (at least over one or more portions) is much less as the effective length can be much longer as the ramp follows the inside circumference of the skimmer housing. This reduced slope of the ramp provides a
5 much easier exit for the animal in this slippery turbulent environment.
In accordance with one feature, simplicity and ease of use for the pool owner are provided. The cover and ramp assembly simply replaces existing pool skimmer covers or is purchased from the OEM at installation. The cover and ramp assembly may be sold separately or with a skimmer housing and basket assembly, for example. Patent #
5862541 is an additional item needed by the pool owner and must be installed correctly, adjusted and maintained. The helical exit ramp of the current invention is attached to the skimmer cover and is effectively one piece. Commonly, pool owners/cleaners remove the skimmer cover on a regular basis to clean out leaves and other debris caught in the basket. With Patent # 5862541, debris will get caught in the mechanism and must be cleaned, repositioned and reattached. With the above-described cover and ramp assembly, the simple act of removing the cover to clean the basket allows debris to fall away and the skimmer cover and ramp assembly is replaced without thought or additional effort being required as the ramp is simply part of the cover.
In accordance with one feature, simplicity and ease of use for the pool owner are provided. The cover and ramp assembly simply replaces existing pool skimmer covers or is purchased from the OEM at installation. The cover and ramp assembly may be sold separately or with a skimmer housing and basket assembly, for example. Patent #
5862541 is an additional item needed by the pool owner and must be installed correctly, adjusted and maintained. The helical exit ramp of the current invention is attached to the skimmer cover and is effectively one piece. Commonly, pool owners/cleaners remove the skimmer cover on a regular basis to clean out leaves and other debris caught in the basket. With Patent # 5862541, debris will get caught in the mechanism and must be cleaned, repositioned and reattached. With the above-described cover and ramp assembly, the simple act of removing the cover to clean the basket allows debris to fall away and the skimmer cover and ramp assembly is replaced without thought or additional effort being required as the ramp is simply part of the cover.
Claims (2)
1. A swimming pool skimmer cover assembly for a skimmer housing having side walls and a skimmer basket with a center area within said housing, said skimmer cover assembly comprising:
a skimmer cover, having a predetermined size and shape, configured for removably covering the skimmer housing, the skimmer cover having an integrally molded opening; and an helical ramp for attachment to the cover about the opening, the helical ramp having a flat centrally located pad at one end, said ramp sized to fit inside said skimmer housing such that said pad area is suspended in said center area of said skimmer basket, said ramp radiating spirally down to below a water level inside said skimmer housing to allow small animals caught in a skimmer current to exit to a pool deck via said opening and wherein said ramp is molded from plastic and is configured for collapsing radially inwardly as said ramp projects to said water level.
a skimmer cover, having a predetermined size and shape, configured for removably covering the skimmer housing, the skimmer cover having an integrally molded opening; and an helical ramp for attachment to the cover about the opening, the helical ramp having a flat centrally located pad at one end, said ramp sized to fit inside said skimmer housing such that said pad area is suspended in said center area of said skimmer basket, said ramp radiating spirally down to below a water level inside said skimmer housing to allow small animals caught in a skimmer current to exit to a pool deck via said opening and wherein said ramp is molded from plastic and is configured for collapsing radially inwardly as said ramp projects to said water level.
2. The skimmer assembly of claim 1 wherein the skimmer cover and helical ramp are attached by an integrally molded snap fit coupling configured for attaching said helical ramp to said cover about the opening such that said helical ramp is suspended from said cover only.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2651294A CA2651294C (en) | 2009-01-27 | 2009-01-27 | Skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2651294A CA2651294C (en) | 2009-01-27 | 2009-01-27 | Skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2651294A1 CA2651294A1 (en) | 2010-07-27 |
| CA2651294C true CA2651294C (en) | 2016-08-16 |
Family
ID=42371414
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2651294A Active CA2651294C (en) | 2009-01-27 | 2009-01-27 | Skimmer cover and helical ramp apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2651294C (en) |
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2009
- 2009-01-27 CA CA2651294A patent/CA2651294C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2651294A1 (en) | 2010-07-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20140127 |