US20140231324A1

US20140231324A1 - Pool Skimmer Protector

Info

Publication number: US20140231324A1
Application number: US13/767,880
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Griffin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-15
Filing date: 2013-02-15
Publication date: 2014-08-21

Abstract

A pool skimmer protector comprising a frame positioned in front of a pool skimmer, where the frame includes a top edge and a bottom edge; a screen attached to the top edge, where the screen rests flush against the frame; and a handle attached to a bottom edge of the screen, where the handle lifts the screen away from the pool skimmer to remove any debris collected on the screen.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cover for a swimming pool skimmer which protects the skimmer from clogging due to debris found in the pool.
2. Description of Related Art
Many homeowners have pools at their homes for exercise and entertainment purposes. They enjoy the fun activities that may be shared in the pool, but despise the hassle to keep the pool clean. Typically, after each use the pool must be covered to prevent leaves, trash and bugs from getting into the water or drains. Also, the pool must be routinely swept with an elongated net to collect any debris that falls into the pool while the pool is uncovered. The debris must be collected because otherwise it can get into the skimmer or drains causing hazardous clogs. The clogs prevent water from flowing through the skimmer and drains and into the pool pump system. The pump system of the pool must continuously have flowing water otherwise it dries out, overheats and burns out. This is why pool cleanliness is so important for optimal operation.
Because the pool must be routinely cleaned and maintained, pool owners are often uneasy about leaving the pool unattended for extended periods of time. If they plan to leave for more than a few days they usually have to hire someone to check and clean the pool, thereby ensuring that the pool is running as it should. This may be costly especially if the homeowner is away often. Therefore, it would be beneficial in the art to provide a device that prevents drain clogging without continuous monitoring by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a protector for pool skimmers, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pool skimmer protector which collects debris floating on the surface of the water before entering into the pool skimmer.
Another, object of the present invention is to provide a pool skimmer protector with a screen that lifts out of the pool to easily remove the debris from the protector.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a pool skimmer protector is described comprising a frame positioned in front of a pool skimmer, where the frame includes a top edge and a bottom edge; a screen attached to the top edge, where the screen rests flush against the frame; and a handle attached to a bottom edge of the screen, where the handle lifts the screen away from the pool skimmer to remove any debris collected on the screen.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a pool skimmer protector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a pool skimmer protector fastened in front of a pool skimmer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a cover for a swimming pool skimmer which protects the skimmer and drain from clogging due to debris found in the pool. The present invention provides a pool skimmer protector which is positioned in front of a pool skimmer to collect debris that may clog and ultimately stop the flow of the pump. The pool skimmer protector includes a screen to collect the debris, and the screen is flexible to allow for easy disposal. By keeping the skimmer and the drain clean the pool pump never runs dry, offering the user peace of mind that their pool is operating correctly while unattended.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a pool skimmer protector 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The pool skimmer protector 100 includes a frame 102, where the frame 102 is generally square or rectangular shaped to fit in front of a pool skimmer. The frame 102 is made from a durable, lightweight, waterproof material able to withstand prolonged exposure to pool water. The frame 102 includes a top edge 104 and a bottom edge 106. The top edge 104 extends approximately four inches from the top of the frame 102 to provide a lip upon which a user places a sandbag to secure the pool skimmer protector 100 to the edge of the pool.
In front of the frame 102 is a screen 110 attached at the top edge 104. The screen 110 rests flush against the frame 102, and is a coordinating shape to the frame 102. The screen 110 is a flexible piece of mesh material which may be composed of fiberglass, nylon, plastic or the like. The screen 110 may be lifted from the frame 102 with a handle 114 attached to a bottom edge 112 of the screen 110.
The bottom edge 112 or attachment edge of the screen 110 connects to the bottom edge 106 of the frame 102 to keep the screen 110 in place during use. The attachment edge 112 of the screen 110 and the bottom edge 106 of the frame 102 may be magnetically connected together with a magnetic strip within each the attachment edge 112 and the bottom edge 106. The magnetic connection prevents the screen 110 from moving during use, but still allows for easy lifting with the handle 114 when desired by the user.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a front view of the pool skimmer protector 100 is shown in front of a pool skimmer 152 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The top edge of the frame 102 rests above the pool edge 150. The extended length of the top edge enables the user to rest a sandbag 116 on the top edge to keep the frame 102 and the pool skimmer protector 100 in position in front of the pool skimmer 152.
The screen 110 is illustrated see through for better viewing of the pool skimmer 152. As debris floats on the water surface 154 the screen 110 collects it before the pool skimmer 152 is clogged. After a period of time a substantial amount of debris may be on the screen 110, at which time the user may pull the handle 114 to lift the screen 110 and remove the debris. Once the debris is removed the screen 110 may drop the handle 114 back in the pool, where then the attachment edge 112 magnetically connects to the bottom edge 106. With the pool skimmer protector 110 the user may leave the pool unattended for a length of time without worrying that the drains will clog causing the pumps to run dry.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pool skimmer protector comprising:

a. a frame positioned in front of a pool skimmer, where the frame includes a top edge and a bottom edge;

b. a screen attached to the top edge, where the screen rests flush against the frame; and

c. a handle attached to a bottom edge of the screen, where the handle lifts the screen away from the pool skimmer to remove any debris collected on the screen.

2. The pool skimmer protector according to claim 1, where the bottom edge of the screen is magnetically connected to the bottom edge of the frame.

3. The pool skimmer protector according to claim 1, where the top edge of the frame extends along a pool edge to enable frame attachment to the pool edge in front of the pool skimmer.

4. The pool skimmer protector according to claim 3, where the extended top edge is attached to the pool edge by resting a sandbag on the top edge.

5. The pool skimmer protector according to claim 1, where the screen is made from fiberglass.