GB1589370A - Skimmers - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SKIMMERS (71) We, ATLANTIC (POOLS AND SAUNA INDUSTRIES) INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, a British Company of Brook Lane, Whitestake, Preston, Lancashire, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to skimmer assembly intended particularly, but not exclusively, for use in clearing debris material from swimming pools.

According to the present invention there is provided a skimmer assembly for removing debris material from a pool of water and for maintaining a controlled water level for said pool, the assembly comprising a water inlet, a water outlet communicating with said inlet and for connection to a pump for drawing water through the assembly from the inlet to the outlet, a floating weir pivotally mounted in said inlet and adapted to allow one way passage of debris material into the assembly as water is drawn therethrough, and a valve for connection to a water supply, said valve being operable by the weir such that when the weir alls below a predetermined position the valve is opened to admit water to the pool until the weir rises to a position at which said valve is closed.

The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one embodiment of skimmer assembly according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing a skimmer assembly 1 comprises a hollow body 2, of generally circular section, and an integral water inlet duct 3 extending at right angles to the body 2. The body 2 and duct 3 are of plastics material.

The duct 3 is of generally rectangular section and has a rectangular mouth 4 through which water may enter the skimmer 1. In the region of the mouth 4 is a floating weir 5, also of plastics material. The weir 5 is generally rectangular and has two resiliently mounted corner fixing lugs 5a, one on each widthwise edge, which locate in suitable mountings (not shown) at the bottom front corners of the inside side faces of the duct 3 so that the weir 5 is pivotally movable between the positions shown in the drawing by solid and chain-dot lines.

A valve 6 is provided in the upper portion of the duct 3 behind the mouth 4 and the valve 6 is connected to a feed water supply (not shown) by a pipe 7. The valve 6 has a short hollow plastics arm 8 which is movable between a lower position in which the valve 6 is open and an upper position in which the valve is closed.

A coarse filter basket 9 of plastics material is seated within the body 2 which is provided at its base with two pipes 10 and 11.

Additionally a lid 12 is provided at the top of the body 2.

The mouth 4 of the skimmer 1 may be provided with an outwardly flared extension throat (not shown) of generally rectangular section and the assembly is located in the side of a swimming pool such that, with the normal desired water level in the pool, the weir 5 holds the plastic arm 8 to the upper position thus closing the valve 6. Any drop in the water level thus causes the weir 5 to pivot downwards thus allowing the arm 8 to fall and open the valve 6 so that water is introduced into the swimming pool until the desired water level is achieved.

Coarse debris (e.g. leaves) will accumulate in the pool and a water cleansing operation will occasionally be necessary. For this purpose the pipe 10 will be connected to a pump (not shown) which draws water from the pool through the mouth 4. Coarse debris passes over the weir 5 and is collected in the basket 9. Any debris which remains floating at the top of the body 2 is prevented from returning to the pool by the weir 5. The cleansed water may then be returned via a fine filter (not shown) to the pool. The fine filter will occasionally require cleaning by a backwash operation using water drawn from the pool which must subsequently be run to drain. Loss of pool water in this manner causes the weir to fall and allow replacement water to be introduced through valve 6.

If the pool is provided with a floor drain of the type known as a sump pot, the pot will be connected to pipe 11 of the skimmer so that water is drawn from the floor of the pool to the fine filter via an opening in the base of the skimmer 1 and the pump.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A skimmer assembly for removing debris material from a pool of water and for maintaining a controlled water level for said pool, the assembly comprising a water inlet, a water outlet communicating with said inlet and for connection to a pump for drawing water through the assembly from the inlet to the outlet, a floating weir pivotally mounted in said inlet and adapted to allow one way passage of debris material into the assembly as water is drawn therethrough, and a valve for connection to a water supply, said valve being operable by the weir such that when the weir falls below a predetermined position the valve is opened to admit water to the pool until the weir rises to a position at which said valve is closed.

2. A skimmer assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve has an arm movable between an upper position at which the valve is closed and a lower position at which the valve is open, said weir being capable of effecting movement of said arm from the lower to the upper position.

3. A skimmer assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 provided with a filter basket between the water inlet and water outlet.

4. A skimmer assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. 6. If the pool is provided with a floor drain of the type known as a sump pot, the pot will be connected to pipe 11 of the skimmer so that water is drawn from the floor of the pool to the fine filter via an opening in the base of the skimmer 1 and the pump. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A skimmer assembly for removing debris material from a pool of water and for maintaining a controlled water level for said pool, the assembly comprising a water inlet, a water outlet communicating with said inlet and for connection to a pump for drawing water through the assembly from the inlet to the outlet, a floating weir pivotally mounted in said inlet and adapted to allow one way passage of debris material into the assembly as water is drawn therethrough, and a valve for connection to a water supply, said valve being operable by the weir such that when the weir falls below a predetermined position the valve is opened to admit water to the pool until the weir rises to a position at which said valve is closed.

2. A skimmer assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve has an arm movable between an upper position at which the valve is closed and a lower position at which the valve is open, said weir being capable of effecting movement of said arm from the lower to the upper position.

3. A skimmer assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 provided with a filter basket between the water inlet and water outlet.

4. A skimmer assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawing.