US20030037371A1

US20030037371A1 - Drain assembly for above ground flexible swimming pool cover (s)

Info

Publication number: US20030037371A1
Application number: US10/212,516
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-22
Filing date: 2002-08-06
Publication date: 2003-02-27

Abstract

A drain assembly for above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool covers compressed of rigid plastic material, thereby installed in the prescribed matter defining a clear passageway which will allow for the free flow of standing water and particulate matter from the exterior surface of the above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool cover to the exterior periphery of the above ground swimming pool.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drain assembly for above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool cover(s), hereby called pool cover and in particular, to a plastic drain assembly used in conjunction with the pool cover, existing skimmer opening and exterior skimmer assembly, thus allowing for the gravitational egress of standing water and coarse debris from the exterior surface of the pool cover through the plastic drain assembly and related exterior skimmer assembly to the exterior periphery of above ground swimming pool.

1. Objects of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a drain assembly integrated with the pool cover and related exterior skimmer assembly, which will provide a clear passageway from the exterior surface of the pool cover to the exterior periphery of the above ground swimming pool, thus permitting the egress of standing water from rain or snow melt and coarse debris from the exterior surface of the pool cover through the drain assembly to the exterior periphery of the above ground swimming pool. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain assembly integrated with the pool cover and related exterior skimmer assembly, which will prolong the life of pool cover by removing the dead loads associated with standing water and particulate debris, which is, associated with stretching the pool cover fibers and degrading the waterproofing impregnated in the flexible sheet material of pool covers.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel drain assembly integrated with the pool cover and related exterior skimmer assembly, which will aid in the cleaning of the pool cover of dirt and debris prior to removing the pool cover.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel drain assembly integrated with the pool cover and related exterior skimmer assembly, which will prevent the accumulation of water on the exterior surface of the pool cover, preventing the pool cover from being used as a bird bath and droppings area, which further degrade the waterproof integrity of the pool cover through the chemicals present in the droppings reacting with the pool covers waterproofing.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a novel drain assembly integrated with the pool cover and related exterior skimmer assembly, which will prevent the accumulation of water on the exterior surface of the pool cover from becoming a mosquito breeding area, which reduces health risk associated with mosquitoes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The drain assembly for above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool covers (Hereby called pool cover when positioned inside above ground swimming pool Hereby called swimming pool between the underside of pool cover and aligned on a transverse axes with the existing swimming pool skimmer opening., but not limited to the existing skimmer opening. Permits the free passage of water and coarse debris from the exterior surface of the swimming pool cover to the exterior periphery of the swimming pool through the drain assembly utilizing existing swimming pool skimmer openings.(but not limited to the existing above ground skimmer openings)

The drain assembly for pool covers will prevent the accumulation of water and coarse debris from building up on the exposed surface of the pool cover when the swimming pool is not in use, Thereby extending the life of the swimming pool cover. This will also make it easier to keep the pool cover clean and aid in the cleaning of the swimming pool cover when the swimming pool is being readied for use, by making it easier to wash debris from the pool covers exterior surface prior to the pool covers removal from the swimming pool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The object of this invention will become evident, particularly when taken in view of the following drawings. [0010]
FIG. 1 is a plan view, viewed from top of above ground swimming pool showing the above ground swimming pool cover with drain assembly in the installed position. [0011]
FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along axis [0012] 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the above ground swimming pool cover. The drain assembly installed and the above ground swimming pool side wall construction and the exterior skimmer assembly.
FIG. 3 is a exploded cross section of FIG. 2 showing the individual items and there relationships in order of assembly. [0013]
FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric cross section of FIG. 3 showing the individual items and their relationships in order of assembly.[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of above ground swimming pool showing: [0015] 1 Drain assembly for above ground swimming pool covers in its installed position. 2 The above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool cover. (for reference only) 3 The above ground swimming pool cover air pillow. (for reference only) 4 The above ground swimming pool structure. (for reference only) 5 Exterior skimmer assembly (for reference only)
FIG. 2 is a cross section along axis [0016] 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing: 1 Drain assembly for above ground swimming pool covers in its installed position. 2 The above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool cover. (for reference only) 3 The above ground swimming pool air pillow. (for reference only) 4 The above ground swimming pool structure. (for reference only) 5 Exterior skimmer assembly (for reference only)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross section of FIG. 2 showing in order of assembly: [0017] 1 the Drain assembly with two (2) integral mounting flanges. 2 two (2) interface gaskets with (on one (1) surface) one located on the underside of 11 the flexible waterproof swimming pool cover and one (1) located on the exterior surface of 11 the flexible waterproof swimming pool cover. 3 Exterior interface flange. 4 Standard gasket. 5 Exterior skimmer assembly (for reference only) 6 Above ground swimming pool liner.(for reference only) 7 Optional swimming pool liner pad. (for reference only) 8 Swimming pool side wall. (for reference only) 9 Swimming pool side post. (for reference only) 10 swimming pool coping. (for reference only) 11 Above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool cover. (for reference only)
FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric cross section similar to FIG. 3 but showing the relationship of items in a perspective form: [0018] 1 The drain assembly with two (2) integral mounting flanges. 2 Two (2) standard gaskets with waterproof adhesive (on one 1 surface) one located on the under side of 8 the flexible waterproof swimming pool cover and one (1) located on the exterior surface of 8 the flexible waterproof swimming pool cover. 3 Exterior interface flange. 4 Standard skimmer gasket. 5 Exterior skimmer assembly. 6 Above ground swimming pool coping. (for reference only) 7 The above ground swimming pool skimmer opening in side wall. (for reference only) 8 The above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool cover. (for reference only)

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A drain assembly for above ground flexible waterproof swimming pool covers, comprising:

A waterproof plastic transition duct assembly with two (2) integral flanges, one (1) flange On each opposing ends, with each flange having an integral mechanical interface required for drain assembly installation.

2. A drain assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said drain assembly is installed inside above ground swimming pool between the underside of the waterproof swimming pool cover, Hereby known as pool cover and aligned in a transverse axes with existing above ground swimming pool skimmer opening, Hereby know as skimmer opening, but not limited to existing skimmer opening. Thereby installed by mechanical means as stated in the related subsequent claims.

3. A drain assembly in accordance with claim 1, having one (1) integral interface flange with a planar area greater than the drain area itself that interfaces with existing skimmer opening, as stated in claim 2, and a standard skimmer gasket, thereby attached by mechanical mean to an exterior skimmer assembly forming a watertight seal between the drain assembly and the skimmer opening located on the side wall of swimming pool.

4. A drain assembly in accordance with claim 1, having a second integral interface flange with a planar area greater than the drain area itself that interfaces with a standard gasket and the underside of the pool cover as stated in claim 2 and a second standard gasket that interfaces with the exterior surface pool cover thus aligned with a standard interface flange on the exterior surface of pool cover thereby attached by mechanical means forming a watertight seal between the pool cover and the drain assembly.

5. A drain assembly in accordance with claim 1, forming a clear drainage passageway by carefully removing pool cover material with a sharp implement from the inner surface of the exterior cover interface flange as stated in claim 4, thereby creating a clear passageway for the egress of water and coarse debris from the exterior surface of the pool cover to the exterior periphery of the swimming pool through the drain assembly utilizing existing skimmer opening, but not limited to the existing skimmer opening.