FLOATING DEBRIS ELIMINATOR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/732,041 filed Jul. 8, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification relates to systems and devices for removing debris from pools.

BACKGROUND

Swimming pools are popular recreational facilities that require regular maintenance to ensure cleanliness and proper operation. One of the key aspects of pool maintenance involves removing debris such as leaves, insects, dirt, and other miscellaneous particles that accumulate on the pool surface or within the circulation system. Debris can clog filtration systems, reduce water quality, and increase maintenance costs.

Existing debris straining solutions, including skimmer nets, basket filters, and inline strainers, often face limitations such as inefficient debris capture, difficulty in cleaning, or inadequate flow capacity. Conventional strainers may also require frequent removal and cleaning, disrupting pool operation and increasing labor efforts.

There is a need for an improved debris strainer that effectively captures debris, minimizes flow disruption, and simplifies cleaning and maintenance procedures.

SUMMARY

In certain aspects, a device, such as a debris eliminator device, includes a housing having a cone shape; a first end of the housing has a first diameter; a second end of the housing has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; the first end of the housing is coupled to the second end of the housing by a housing wall; the first end of the housing is opposite the second end of the housing; a cavity located within the housing between the first end and the second end; the first end of the housing comprises an inlet for fluid to flow into the cavity of the housing; and the second end of the housing comprises an outlet for fluid to flow out of the cavity of the housing.

In certain aspects, a pool skimmer system includes a pool water inlet; a basket filter fluidly coupled to the pool water inlet; and a debris eliminator device comprising: a housing having a cone shape, wherein: a first end of the housing has a first diameter; a second end of the housing has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; the first end of the housing is coupled to the second end of the housing by a housing wall; the first end of the housing is opposite the second end of the housing; a cavity located within the housing between the first end and the second end; the first end of the housing comprises an inlet for fluid to flow into the cavity of the housing; and the second end of the housing comprises an outlet for fluid to flow out of the cavity of the housing.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 depicts an example pool skimmer system according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a debris eliminator device according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a top-down view of the debris eliminator according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of the debris eliminator according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom perspective view of the debris eliminator according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the debris eliminator according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a device for removing debris from the surface water in a pool. Swimming pools utilize pool skimmers having basket filters generally located along the walls of the pool to collect debris from the water. The basket filters are positioned in cavities that allow debris to float into the cavity for collection. Current pool skimmers gradually pull in water from the area around the opening to the cavity. However, since current basket filters are located below the surface of the water they do not capture floating debris. If floating debris is not captured within the basket filter, the floating debris can escape the cavity and return to the pool. This reduces the effectiveness of the basket filter system and requires manual skimming operations to collect debris. Aspects of the present disclosure provide a technical solution that improves the effectiveness of the basket filters in collecting surface debris, such as leaves, bugs, pollen, and the like.

As discussed in more detail herein, the device creates a cyclone that pulls water from the surface of the water where floating debris is located and forces the floating debris into the water thereby capturing the floating debris in either the device or the basket filter that is submerged within the water. The cyclonic flow of water improves the capture of floating debris. Furthermore, the structure of the device is configured such that once the device is submerged in the cavity of the pool skimmer onto of the basket filter, the force of the water holds the device in place without requiring additional clips, clamps, screws, or other fasteners. Accordingly, the device requires minimal effort to use and extract when the basket filter needs to be emptied.

The purpose of the device is to assist swimming pool owners and operators with removing surface debris without needing to use nets or manual skimmers to clean the surface of their pools. The device is compatible with current pool skimmers and does not require any additional hardware to install.

Turning now to the drawings where like numbers refer to like structures, aspects of the floating debris eliminator are described in more detail. FIG. 1 depicts a non-limiting example of a pool skimmer system 10 comprising a device according to aspects of the present disclosure. The pool skimmer system 10 includes skimmer housing 120 configured to receive water from a pool through a water inlet 140. The skimmer housing 120 is coupled to a skimmer basin 130. The skimmer basin 130 includes a basket filter 110 is submerged in the water and in some aspects located below the water inlet 140.

In aspects of the present disclosure the pool skimmer system 10 includes a debris eliminator device 100 (also referred to herein as the device 100). The device 100 is positioned under the surface 150 of the water and rests on an upper surface of the basket filter 110. When the device 100 is installed, it may fill with water and create a suction fit with the upper surface of the basket filter 110. Additionally, the force of the water on the external surface of the device 100 keeps the device 100 submerged. In certain aspects, the device 100 is made of a material that is less buoyant than water.

In operation, the pool skimmer system 10 receives water from the pool through the water inlet 140 which generally flows in the direction of arrow A. However, the water may lap back and forth or in and out of the skimmer housing 120. Floating debris 160A-160C may be drawn into the pool skimmer system 10 as the water laps in and out of the pool skimmer system 10. Floating debris 160A-160C refers to debris that does not full submerge in the water and generally stays on the surface 150 of the water.

In certain aspects, the device 100 creates a cyclone flow of water with the surface 150 of the water such that floating debris 160B-160C may be drawn downward as indicated by arrows B and C into the inlet of the device 100. The cyclone flow as indicated by arrows D and E cause the floating debris and optionally non-floating debris to be drawn into the cavity of the device 100 as depicted by arrow F. As described in more detail herein the device 100 further includes an outlet opposite the inlet that is configured to dispense the floating debris 160B-160C into the basket filter 110.

FIGS. 2-6 depict various views of the device 100. The device 100 includes a housing 103 that has a first end 102 opposite a second end 104. The housing 103 has a shape that corresponds to a cone. In some aspects, the cone is a rounded cone shape. The first end 102 of the housing 103 has a first diameter d₁. The second end 104 of the housing has a second diameter d₂. The first diameter d₁ is less than the second diameter d₂.

The housing 103 that extends between the first end 102 and the second end 104 includes a housing wall which has an outer surface 103A and an inner surface 103B. The housing wall has a thickness. The thickness of the housing wall may decrease in thickness from t₁ to t₂ as the housing walls extends from the first end 102 to the second end 104. The carrying thickness of the housing wall creates a pressure differential the water outside of the device 100 and the water inside of the device 100. In certain aspects, the pressure differential enables a suction and/or cyclonic flow through the device 100.

The housing wall 103, the first end 102, and the second end 104 form a cavity 109. In some aspects, the second end 104 may include a constrictor 107. The constrictor 107 may enclose a portion of the second end 104. The constrictor 107 may include an opening that forms an outlet 106 for water and debris (e.g., floating debris 160A-160C) to flow from the cavity 109 of the device 100 into the basket filter 110. The outlet 106 may have an outlet diameter d₄ that is less than the second diameter d₂.

In certain aspects, the second end 104 may include a flange 105. The flange 105 may extend from the second end 104 away from the housing 103 thereby creating a stand off or spacing between the outlet 106 and the basket filter 110 when the device 100 is installed. The flange 105 may have a height h₂ that is designed to correspond to one or more various pool skimmer systems 10.

The first end 102 may have a first flange configured to extend in a direction away from the second end 104 and the housing wall 103A, 103B. The first flange comprises a height h₁ configured to position the inlet 101 below the surface 150 of water when installed in the pool skimmer system 10.

The first end 102 includes an inlet 101. The inlet 101 has an inlet diameter d₃ that is less than the first diameter d₁. The inlet 101 may have one or more surface features on an inner surface of the inlet 101 that cause water to flow in a cyclonic manner as the water is drawn in through the inlet 101. In certain aspects, the inlet diameter d₃ and the outlet diameter d₄ may be configured to create a high and/or low pressure through the device 100. In some aspects, the inlet diameter d₃ is greater than the outlet diameter d₄. In certain aspects, the inlet diameter d₃ is less than the outlet diameter d₄. In certain aspects, the inlet diameter d₃ is equal to the outlet diameter d₄.

In certain aspects, the second diameter d₂ corresponds to the diameter of the upper surface of the basket filter 110. That is, the second diameter d₂ causes the device 100 to rest on the upper surface of the basket filter 110 and not fit within the opening of the basket filter 110. In certain aspects, the second diameter d₂ is greater than the diameter of the opening of the basket filter 110.

Implementation examples are described in the following clauses.

In certain aspects, a device, such as a debris eliminator device, includes a housing having a cone shape; a first end of the housing has a first diameter; a second end of the housing has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; the first end of the housing is coupled to the second end of the housing by a housing wall; the first end of the housing is opposite the second end of the housing; a cavity located within the housing between the first end and the second end; the first end of the housing comprises an inlet for fluid to flow into the cavity of the housing; and the second end of the housing comprises an outlet for fluid to flow out of the cavity of the housing.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein the second diameter corresponds a diameter of a basket filter of a pools skimmer.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein the housing wall comprises a thickness, wherein the thickness of the housing wall decreases from the first end to the second end.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein the first end comprises a first flange configured to extend away from the second end and the housing wall, wherein the first flange comprises a height configured to position the inlet below a surface of water when installed in a pool skimmer.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein the second end comprises a flange configured to space the outlet from a basket filter when installed in a pool skimmer.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein an inlet diameter of the inlet is less than an outlet diameter of the outlet.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein an inlet diameter of the inlet is greater than an outlet diameter of the outlet.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein an inlet diameter of the inlet is equal to an outlet diameter of the outlet.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein the housing further comprises a constrictor located at a convergence of the housing wall and the second end.

The device of any preceding clause, wherein the constrictor forms the outlet such that the outlet comprises an outlet diameter that is less than the second diameter.

In certain aspects, a pool skimmer system includes a pool water inlet; a basket filter fluidly coupled to the pool water inlet; and a debris eliminator device comprising: a housing having a cone shape, wherein: a first end of the housing has a first diameter; a second end of the housing has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; the first end of the housing is coupled to the second end of the housing by a housing wall; the first end of the housing is opposite the second end of the housing; a cavity located within the housing between the first end and the second end; the first end of the housing comprises an inlet for fluid to flow into the cavity of the housing; and the second end of the housing comprises an outlet for fluid to flow out of the cavity of the housing.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein the second diameter corresponds a diameter of a basket filter of a pools skimmer.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein the housing wall comprises a thickness, wherein the thickness of the housing wall decreases from the first end to the second end.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first end comprises a first flange configured to extend away from the second end and the housing wall, wherein the first flange comprises a height configured to position the inlet below a surface of water when installed in a pool skimmer.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein the second end comprises a flange configured to space the outlet from a basket filter when installed in a pool skimmer.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein an inlet diameter of the inlet is less than an outlet diameter of the outlet.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein an inlet diameter of the inlet is greater than an outlet diameter of the outlet.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein an inlet diameter of the inlet is equal to an outlet diameter of the outlet.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein the housing further comprises a constrictor located at a convergence of the housing wall and the second end.

The pool skimmer system of any preceding clause, wherein the constrictor forms the outlet such that the outlet comprises an outlet diameter that is less than the second diameter.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “or a combination thereof” means a combination including at least one of the foregoing elements.

It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the embodiments being “configured” in a particular way, “configured” to embody a particular property, or function in a particular manner, are structural recitations as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is “configured” denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Since modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the disclosure may occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosure should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

It is noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term “wherein” as a transitional phrase. For the purposes of defining the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open-ended transitional phrase that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of characteristics of the structure and should be interpreted in like manner as the more commonly used open-ended preamble term “comprising.”

Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described herein with reference to explanatory embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and are intended to be covered by the appended claims. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the concepts disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the same. Thus, it is intended that the present application cover the modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.