Pool skimmer safety system

Abstract

The present invention provides a swimming pool safety system including a housing having a first opening for coupling to a pump, a second opening for coupling to a pool drain, and a third opening for receiving water form a surface of a pool. The present invention may further include a skimmer basket positionable in the housing, where the skimmer basket defines a debris-retaining region and a member having a passage therethrough. A method of use of the present invention is also provided in which the housing may be configured to reduce an entrapment force experienced at a pool drain, and to further provide a fluid flow path through the debris-retaining region of the skimmer basket to place the first opening of the housing in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]n / aSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]n / aFIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to a method and system for limiting and / or reducing an entrapment force in pool drains in order to avoid injury.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]In general, swimming pools include a pump for drawing water from a drain at the bottom of a pool through a skimmer housing and towards a filter from which the water is returned to the pool. The skimmer housing is often installed at least partially in the ground or beneath a deck surface, having a removable lid and a basket contained therein that retains leaves or other debris from the pool and prevents clogging of the pump and / or filter.[0005]In order to provide sufficient circulation of pool water such that the filter and other components of the pool operate as desired, the pool pump providing the circulation often has a fairly large flow rate. As water is drawn thr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for reducing and / or eliminating suction forces experienced during entrapment against a pool drain that is simple in operation, cost effective, and easily integrated with existing pools. In particular, the pool safety system of the present invention may include a housing, where the housing defines a housing base, a housing sidewall extending upward from the housing base, a first opening in one of the housing base and housing sidewall for coupling to a pump, a second opening in one of the housing base and housing sidewall for coupling to a pool drain, and a third opening in one of the housing base and housing sidewall for receiving water from the surface of a swimming pool.

Problems solved by technology

As water is drawn through the drain by the pump, a suction force is created at the surface of the drain, and as such, the drain at the bottom of a swimming pool can pose a significant safety hazard to those occupying of the pool, in particular to a young child or a person of limited physical strength.

In fact, in most cases, the suction force is so substantial, i.e., in the range of 500 pounds of force or more, that even an adult of above-average strength will be unable to overcome the suction force being experienced.

As a result, there is a strong likelihood that a person will panic, increasing the chance that drowning may result.

Even under circumstances where an individual is capable of pushing away from the drain, the possibility of incurring serious injury remains nonetheless.

Some of these devices introduce air to the inlet side of the pump in response to the sensed high suction condition, which results in loss of pump prime.

Other devices may interrupt the power source to the pump, thereby causing the pump to cease operation.

While certain devices have been proposed, there are numerous problems present with existing devices.

For example, many of the devices are very expensive and have multiple moving parts, which increases the likelihood that the device may malfunction or fail to operate as intended.

In addition, some of the devices provide false signals triggered by filled drain sumps and / or skimmer baskets, or due to pressure variations created when the pump is first turned on.

Moreover, installation of some devices may require excavation or other drastic measures for installation, which greatly increases cost and provides a deterrent to use and integration.

Finally, upon installing a particular device, the pump might be damaged or otherwise negatively impacted upon actuation of the device, resulting in the attendant problems of expense and loss of use of the swimming pool.

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