ZA200907570B

ZA200907570B - Weir basket unit

Info

Publication number: ZA200907570B
Application number: ZA200907570A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Gary Facius
Original assignee: Gary Facius
Priority date: 2008-10-06
Filing date: 2009-10-28
Publication date: 2010-07-28

Description

WEIR BASKET UNIT

Field of the Invention

The field of the art to which the present invention pertains includes the field of swimming pools. More particularly, the present invention is directed to improvements in weir baskets employed in swimming pool skimming systems.

Background of the Invention

A common component of both above-the-ground and built-in swimming pools and/or spas is a mechanism known as a weir or skimmer. A skimmer generally comprises a device for removing floating debris from the water surface of a pool or spa. Typically, skimmers utilize a strainer or weir filter basket disposed in a chamber located adjacent to or inside said weir, in fluid communication with the water within the swimming pool. The pool water enters the chamber through an inlet port disposed within a side wall of the pool, typically known as the “mouth” of the skimmer. The chamber further includes an outlet port which is, in turn, connected to a filter/pump assembly. The weir filter basket includes a vacuum lid which vacuum lid is separate to the filter basket and which lid is placed above the filter basket. Said filter basket is typically positioned over the outlet port : such that water entering the chamber will pass through the vacuum lid and filter basket before exiting through the outlet port. In this respect, the filter basket serves as a large element filtering mechanism whereby materials which enter the pool and float upon the water surface, such as grass, leaves, insects, etc. are removed from and filtered out of the water. Some debris will also sink to the bottom of the pool where, in this case, the : weir accommodates the use of an automatic pool cleaner hose whereby said hose is connected to the vacuum lid. Thus, as can be appreciated, the skimmer plays an important role in keeping the pool water free from contaminants and debris.

Conventional weir baskets comprising filter baskets and separate vacuum lids are known in the art. In conventional weir baskets, the filter basket is used in conjunction with the vacuum lid, which vacuum lid itself is not attached or secured to the filter basket and thus constitutes a separate component from the filter basket.

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The most commonly known weir basket includes a filter basket comprising a handle, which handle is usually in the form of a piece of string attached to two contact points on the circumference edge of the basket. However, the handle may also be a plastic handle

S similarly attached thereto.

As mentioned above, conventional weir baskets include a vacuum lid which lid comprises an engagement means adapted for engaging the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber. In use, the vacuum lid of such conventional weir baskets is inserted : into the skimmer chamber and placed directly above the filter basket, although not secured thereto. Engagement of the engagement means of the vacuum lid to the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber consequently secures the filter basket in place within the skimmer chamber.

Despite the wide spread use of the aforesaid weir baskets, numerous disadvantages are associated therewith. A user wishing to remove the weir basket so as to empty the leaves and debris collected therein will first have to remove the vacuum lid, which lid is secured to the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber directly above the filter basket but not secured to the filter basket. This subsequently causes the undesirable flow of pool water into the now open filter basket, thereby displacing the leaves and debris present therein, and resulting in said leaves and debris flowing out of the filter basket, out of the skimmer chamber, and back into the pool, thus defeating the purpose and function thereof.

Furthermore, when the vacuum lid is removed, the filter basket is no longer retained within the skimmer chamber. Accordingly, the filter basket often rises and floats to the surface of the water, and may tip to one side, causing the further undesirable release of leaves and surface debris that has been collected therein, into the water.

Once the vacuum lid has been removed, a user wishing to remove the filter basket will need to grip onto the string handle to facilitate removal of the basket from the chamber. It is often encountered that the leaves and debris collected in said basket become entangled in the string handle, the removal of which is often very time consuming and messy. Furthermore, the string handle frequently breaks, making removal of the basket most difficult and impractical. In addition to the foregoing, where many insects and old debris has collected in the basket, it is highly undesirable for a user to submerge his/her hand into the basket amongst the dead and decaying insects and old debris in order to locate and grip onto the string handle. In this way, removal of the weir basket is a tedious, two-step procedure.

A user, wishing to return the weir basket into the skimmer chamber often finds that the filter basket starts to rise and float to the surface of the water before the user has had an opportunity to secure the vacuum lid to the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber (in order to retain the filter basket in the skimmer chamber, as discussed above). This causes the task of placing the filter basket into the skimmer chamber very difficult, time- consuming and tedious.

A further disadvantage associated with such conventional weir baskets resides in the fact that the engagement means used to engage the vacuum lid to the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber is typically very small and ineffective. Accordingly, the vacuum lid frequently comes loose from the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber such that the filter basket is no longer retained therein. In this way, the filter basket is able to rise and float to the surface thereby releasing surface debris and leaves back into the water, thereby again defeating the purpose and function of the weir basket.

Certain conventional weir baskets comprise a led weight that is screwed to the bottom wall of the filter basket. This weighting system is often employed in older designed conventional weir baskets and serves a two-fold purpose. Firstly, the weighting system serves to prevent the filter basket from floating to the surface of the water prior to securing the vacuum lid to the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber. Secondly, the weighting system serves to ensure that the debris-filled filter basket is submerged so as to minimize the release of said debris from the filter basket when the vacuum lid is removed. Accordingly, such a weighting system constituted an essential component of such conventional weir baskets.

While such a weighting system is typically employed in older designed weir baskets known in the art, they are still in use in many swimming pools and numerous disadvantages are associated therewith. A significant disadvantage thereof resides in the fact that these weighting systems typically employ a led weight, which impacts 5 significantly on the overall cost of weir baskets employing the same. Accordingly, such weir baskets are considerably expensive.

In view of the above, it is evident that the abovementioned disadvantages associated with existing weir baskets comprising a filter basket and separate vacuum lid consequently renders them ineffective and impractical.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for an improved weir basket for effectively and practically removing unwanted leaves, insects and debris from swimming pools and further, for ensuring constant and effective operation of the swimming pool skimming system as a whole.

Object of the Invention lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved weir basket which will, at least partially, alleviate the abovementioned disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention :

For purposes of the present specification the term “weir basket unit’ referred to herein below refers to a weir basket including a receptacle, in the form of a filter basket, and a lid, said lid being removably securable to the filter basket. The lid employed in the present weir basket unit is referred to herein as a “vacuum lid". The term “vacuum lid" is understood in the art to refer to a lid, employed with a filter basket, having an aperture for interconnecting a pool vacuum cleaning hose therethrough.

According to a first aspect thereof, the present invention provides a weir basket unit suitable for use in swimming pool skimming systems, said weir basket unit including: - a receptacle having engagement formations; - a vacuum lid having complementary engagement formations so as to allow the lid to be removably securable to said receptacle upon engagement therewith; - the vacuum lid being removably securable to at least one inner side wall of a swimming pool skimmer chamber; - such that engagement of the complementary engagement formations to the engagement formations allows the vacuum lid to be removably secured to the receptacle thereby forming a single unit comprising the vacuum lid and the receptacle, which single unit is then removably secured to the at least one inner side wall of the skimmer chamber.

The invention provides for the receptacle to include a plurality of apertures. The size of the apertures allows for the passage of water therethrough whilst preventing leaves, debris and insects collected within the receptacle from escaping therefrom.

The receptacle is in the form of a filter basket. The filter basket may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials, preferably resilient materials capable of withstanding the elements. In a particular form of the present invention, the basket is fabricated of relatively strong molded plastic, such as PP (Polypropylene), so as to be not easily broken. Furthermore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the basket may be fashioned in any colour and may be of any suitable shape and size.

- The filter basket includes a plurality of engagement formations located along a lip thereof. In a particular form of the invention, the engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of L-shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along the lip of the filter basket.

According to the present invention, the vacuum lid includes a plurality of complementary engagement formations located along a first flange thereof. In a particular embodiment, the complementary engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of projections disposed along the first flange of the lid, which projections correspond to the L-shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along the lip of the filter basket.

Engagement between said complementary engagement formations and the engagement formations of the filter basket allows the vacuum lid to be removably securable to the filter basket thereby forming a single weir basket unit comprising the vacuum lid and the filter basket.

The vacuum lid may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials, preferably resilient materials capable of withstanding the elements. In a particular form of the present invention, the lid is fabricated of relatively strong molded plastic, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), Acrylic or Nylon so as to be not easily broken.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the vacuum lid may be fashioned in any colour and may be of any suitable shape and size. N

In one form of the invention, there is provided for the vacuum lid to include an aperture, preferably disposed in the centre thereof, for interconnecting a pool vacuum cleaning hose therethrough.

.+20p9/07570

The invention provides for the vacuum lid to be removably securable to at least one inner side wall of the skimmer chamber. In one embodiment thereof, the lid is removably . securable thereto by virtue of a plurality of engagement formations located along a second flange of the vacuum lid, wherein said engagement formations engage complementary engagement formations located on the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber.

Preferably, the engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of L-shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along the second flange of the vacuum lid and the complementary engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of projections disposed along the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber, which projections correspond to the L-shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along the second flange of the vacuum lid.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the engagement formations and complementary engagement formations referred to herein above may be of any suitable shape, dimension and number and accordingly the present invention is not limited to embodiments wherein said engagement formations and complementary engagement formations exist as projections and notches and corresponding projections and notches, respectively. :

It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the respective projections and notches described herein may be of any suitable configuration and may be disposed on the lip of the filter basket and/or the flanges of the vacuum lid by any appropriate process, such as by ultrasonic welding or by way of injection molding.

In this way, the filter basket and vacuum lid, forming a single weir basket unit, are removably secured to the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber as a single unit.

The weir basket unit, as defined herein above, is advantageous in that it does not comprise a handle attached to the filter basket thereof, as is present in conventional prior art weir baskets.

Furthermore, the present filter basket defined supra does not comprise a weighting system that is present in conventional weir baskets defined in the art and thereby provides an improvement to those of the art.

According to a second aspect thereof, the present invention provides for a weir basket unit, as defined herein above, to be suitable for use in existing, standard swimming pool skimming systems. For purposes of the present specification, the term “standard swimming pool skimming systems” denotes both old and newly designed existing skimming systems. Accordingly, it is the Applicant's intention that the weir basket unit of the present invention be compatible with standard skimming systems already in use in a user's pool.

According to a third aspect thereof, the present invention provides for the use of a weir basket unit, as defined herein above, in swimming pool skimming systems.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a weir basket unit in accordance with the present invention, said weir basket unit having a vacuum lid and a filter basket;

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the underneath side of the vacuum lid of

Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the weir basket unit of Figure 1;

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Figure 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the weir basket unit of Figure 3, showing the weir basket unit placed within a swimming pool skimmer chamber;

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the swimming pool skimmer chamber and weir basket unit of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the swimming pool skimmer chamber of Figure 5, showing the weir basket unit secured therein; and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the swimming pool skimmer chamber and weir basket unit of Figure 6.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

With reference to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a weir basket unit in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference number 1.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 to 7 illustrate the general construction of an improved weir basket unit 1 for use in swimming pool skimming systems 11.

As depicted in Figures 1 and 3, a weir basket unit 1 suitable for use in swimming pool skimming systems 11 includes a filter basket 2, said basket having a plurality of engagement formations, in the form of a plurality of L-shaped projections 5 and L- shaped notches 6, disposed along a lip 4 of the filter basket 2.

As shown in Figure 2, in addition to the aforesaid Figures, the weir basket unit 1 further includes a vacuum lid 3, said vacuum lid having a plurality of complementary engagement formations, in the form of a plurality of projections 7, disposed along a first flange 9 of the lid, which projections 7 correspond to the L-shaped projections 5 and L- shaped notches 6 disposed along the lip 4 of the filter basket 2.

As is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, engagement between the complementary engagement formations, in the form of projections 7, of the vacuum lid 3 and the engagement formations, in the form of projections 5 and notches 6, of the filter basket 2 allows the vacuum lid 3 to be removably securable to the filter basket 2 thereby forming a single weir basket unit 1 comprising the vacuum lid 3 and the filter basket 2 secured to one another.

Figures 1 to 3 depict the vacuum lid 3 having an aperture 10 disposed in the centre : thereof, for interconnecting a pool vacuum cleaning hose (not shown) therethrough.

As shown in the Figures, the vacuum lid 3 is removably securable to the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12 by virtue of a plurality of engagement formations, in the form of a plurality of L-shaped projections 14 and L-shaped notches 15, located along a second flange 16 of the vacuum lid 3. Said engagement formations engage complementary engagement formations, in the form of a plurality of projections 19 disposed along the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12, which projections 19 correspond to the L-shaped projections 14 and L-shaped notches 15 disposed along the second flange 16 of the vacuum lid 3.

As depicted clearly in Figures 4 to 7, the foregoing allows for the filter basket 2 and vacuum lid 3, to be secured to one another thereby forming a single weir basket unit 1, which weir basket unit 1 is removably secured to the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12 as a single unit. in use, a user wishing to install the weir basket unit 1 of the present invention will firstly remove a pool deck panel 17 covering the open end 18 of a skimmer chamber 12 of a swimming pool skimming system 11. The user will then remove the current vacuum lid and the current filter basket, typical of conventional weir baskets, already in use in the : skimmer chamber 12. a

Thereafter, the user will secure the vacuum lid 3 to the filter basket 2. This is achieved by placing the lip 4 of the filter basket 2 into the first flange 9 of the vacuum lid 3 and turning the filter basket 2 and the vacuum lid 3 in a counter-clockwise direction to each other such that the projections 7, disposed on the first flange 9 of the lid 3, engage the corresponding L-shaped notches 6, disposed on the lip 4 of the filter basket 2. By turning said vacuum lid 3 and filter basket 2 in this counter-clockwise direction to each other, the projections 7 disposed on the first flange 9 of the vacuum lid 3 and the corresponding L- shaped notches 6 disposed on the lip 4 of the filter basket 2 lock into one another. In this way, the vacuum lid 3 and filter basket 2 become secured to one another, thereby forming a single weir basket unit 1.

Once the vacuum lid 3 has been secured to the filter basket 2, the user will submerge the weir basket unit 1 into the pool water and introduce the weir basket unit 1 into the skimmer chamber 12. The user will then line up the L-shaped notches 15, disposed on the second flange 16 of the vacuum lid 3, to the corresponding projections 19, disposed on the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12. By pushing the weir basket unit 1 down into the skimmer chamber 12 such that the notches 15, disposed on the second flange 16 of the vacuum lid 3, are in line with said projections 19, disposed on the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12, the user is able to turn the weir basket unit 1 in a clockwise direction whereby the L-shaped notches 15 disposed on the second flange 16 of the vacuum lid 3 move below the corresponding projections 19, disposed on the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12, causing them to lock into one another. In this way, the weir basket unit 1, comprising the vacuum lid 3 and filter basket 2, is secured, as one unit, to the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12.

Upon instillation of the weir basket unit 1 in the skimmer chamber 12, surface debris, leaves and insects from the pool water will accumulate in the filter basket 2 due to the continuous recirculation of pool water through the swimming pool skimming system 11.

While the skimming system 11 continues to operate in a conventional manner, the pool vacuum cleaning hose (not shown) may be inserted through the central aperture 10 located on the vacuum lid 3 to enable vacuuming if so desired. No skimming is present while the hose is connected to the aperture 10.

Removal of the weir basket unit 1 is achieved by simply turning the weir basket unit 1 in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby unlocking the L-shaped notches 15 disposed on the second flange 16 of the vacuum lid 3 from the corresponding projections 19 disposed on the inner side walls 13 of the skimmer chamber 12.

The weir basket unit 1 is easily removed from the skimmer chamber 12 and out of the water by inserting one's fingers through the central aperture 10 disposed on the vacuum lid 3.

In order to remove the debris, leaves and insects collected in the filter basket 2, the user will turn the vacuum lid 3 and filter basket 2 clockwise to each other, thereby unlocking the projections 7 disposed on the first flange 9 of the vacuum lid 3 from the corresponding L-shaped notches 6 disposed on the lip 4 of the filter basket 2. In this way, the vacuum lid 3 and filter basket 2, forming the weir basket unit 1, are separated from one another and the removal of the aforesaid debris, leaves and insects can be achieved.

Advantages associated with the present invention

The weir basket unit of the present invention provides a new and improved means for trapping and thus removing surface and bottom debris, leaves and insects from swimming pool water and the like therefore affording a more effective means for cleaning said debris from swimming pools. This advantage is achieved in that the filter basket and vacuum lid are removably secured to each other, thereby forming a single weir basket unit. Accordingly, the filter basket and vacuum lid remain secured to each other upon removal of the weir basket unit, thereby ensuring that all the debris, leaves and insects collected within the filter basket remains therein upon removal thereof.

The present invention provides a new and improved weir basket unit whereby the vacuum lid is secured to the filter basket thereby preventing disassociation of the . vacuum lid from the filter basket in order to facilitate effective, practical and easy installation and/or removal of the filter basket and vacuum lid in and from the skimmer chamber.

The present weir basket unit provides a new and improved means for facilitating the removal of the debris-filled filter basket for cleaning purposes and thus overcomes the need for a user to remove the weir basket unit by means of the non-effective and cumbersome plastic handle or string handle typical of conventional prior art weir baskets.

The weir basket unit of the present invention does not employ the weighting system typical of conventional weir baskets known in the art.

The present weir basket unit is compatible with existing, standard skimming system designs thus allowing for easy installation of the weir basket unit into the skimmer chamber. it will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. lt is envisaged that the invention as described above will solve the problems associated with known technology.

Claims

INI 200707570 CL Cee 15 Claims

1. A weir basket unit suitable for use in swimming pool skimming systems, said weir basket unit including: - a receptacle having engagement formations; - a vacuum lid having complementary engagement formations so as to allow the lid to be removably securable to said receptacle upon engagement therewith; - the vacuum lid being removably securable to at least one inner side wall of a swimming pool skimmer chamber; - such that engagement of the complementary engagement formations to the engagement formations allows the vacuum lid to be removably secured to the receptacle thereby forming a single unit comprising the vacuum lid and the receptacle, which single unit is then removably secured to the at least one inner side wall of the skimmer chamber.

2. The weir basket unit according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is in the form of a filter basket.

3. .The weir basket unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filter basket includes a plurality of engagement formations located along a lip thereof.

4, The weir basket unit according to claim 3, wherein the engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of L-shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along the lip of the filter basket.

5. The weir basket unit according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum lid includes a plurality of complementary engagement formations located along a first flange thereof.

:

6. The weir basket unit according to claim 5, wherein the complementary engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of projections disposed along the first flange of the vacuum lid, which projections correspond to the L-

~2009/97570 shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along the lip of the filter basket. Co

7. The weir basket unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein engagement between said complementary engagement formations and the engagement formations of the filter basket allows the vacuum lid to be removably securable to the filter basket thereby forming a single weir basket unit comprising the vacuum lid and the filter basket.

8. The weir basket unit according to claim 7, wherein the vacuum lid includes an aperture for interconnecting a pool vacuum cleaning hose therethrough.

9. The weir basket unit according to claim 8, wherein the aperture is disposed in the centre of the vacuum lid.

10. The weir basket unit according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum lid is removably securable to at least one inner side wall of the skimmer chamber.

11. The weir basket unit according to claim 10, wherein the vacuum lid is removably securable thereto by virtue of a plurality of engagement formations located along a second flange of the vacuum lid, wherein said engagement formations engage complementary engagement formations located on the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber.

12. The weir basket unit according to claim 11, wherein the engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of L-shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along the second flange of the vacuum lid and the complementary engagement formations are in the form of a plurality of projections disposed along the inner side walls of the skimmer chamber, which projections correspond to the L-shaped projections and L-shaped notches disposed along=the second flange of the vacuum lid.

13. The weir basket unit according to any one of the preceding claims being suitable for use in existing, standard swimming pool skimming systems and thus being compatible with standard skimming systems already in use in a user's pool.

17 0

14. The weir basket unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein no handle is attached to the filter basket.

15. The weir basket unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein no weighting system or similar device is included in the filter basket.

16. Use of a weir basket unit in swimming pool skimming systems, said weir basket unit including: - a receptacle having engagement formations; - a vacuum lid having complementary engagement formations so as to allow the lid to be removably securable to said receptacle upon engagement therewith; - the vacuum lid being removably securable to at least one inner side wall of a swimming pool skimmer chamber; - such that engagement of the complementary engagement formations to the engagement formations allows the vacuum lid to be removably secured to the receptacle thereby forming a single unit comprising the vacuum lid and the receptacle, which single unit is then removably secured to the at least one inner side wall of the skimmer chamber.

17. A weir basket unit according to claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

18. Use according to claim 16, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures Dated this 9 day of Ocksloet geod Patent L / Agent fori the Appiicant