Low profile circular drain with water stop for swimming pool

• US 10,323,429 B1
• Filed: 12/05/2018
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aquastar Pool Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Aquastar Pool Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Mjelde, Olaf
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan N
• Application Number:
  US16/210,850
• Time in Patent Office: 195 Days
• Field of Search: 4507, 4286, 4292
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1236 Bottom drains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A sump drain includes a chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and a circular opening between the sidewalls preferably about an inch wide and optionally having a grid cover. Preferably the inner sidewall has ports extending inwardly to radial conduits to a central hub for tying into a pool or spa filtering system, with the central hub operating as a clean out and having a removable cap. Plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub, such that the sump drain attractively blends in with the pool or spa floor. When installed, the top opening is preferably substantially flush with the pool or spa floor while being safely unblockable. And the sump drain preferably further includes channels both outboard and inboard from the chamber top opening and around the central hub.

Claims

1. A low profile drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a surface material and having a drain inlet, the low profile drain comprising:

a sump embedded in the surface when installed, the sump forming a top side defining an annular top opening no less than about eighteen inches in inner diameter exposed through the surface, the sump forming an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall on opposite sides of the annular top opening, the outer sidewall having an upper peripheral edge about the annular top opening;

the sump having a tray-shaped water stop extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge for catching migrating water and for embedded anchoring in the surface when installed;

the sump extending to a central connection to the drain inlet in the surface when installed, the sump defining an open chamber spanning beneath the annular top opening to receive water admitted therethrough, the sump being configured to maintain open communication between the annular top opening and the central connection, the annular top opening defined to contiguously extend fully about the central connection;

the sump being configured to receive water admitted through the annular top opening and guide the water to the central connection through portions of the sump embedded in the surface when installed; and

the sump being configured with the annular top opening encircling surface material substantially filling the space inside the inner sidewall when the low profile drain is installed, the surface material and the annular top opening being substantially flush with the surface when the low profile drain is installed, and the sump except the annular top opening being substantially covered by the surface material to blend in with the surface when the low profile drain is installed.

2. The low profile drain recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the sump is removable from above the central connection to access the drain inlet for purposes of cleaning out the drain inlet.

3. The low profile drain as recited in claim 2, wherein the central connection includes a hub extending upwardly to be about coplanar with the top annular opening.

4. The low profile drain as recited in claim 3, wherein the portion of the sump removable from above the central connection includes a central cap no greater than about 2.5 inches in diameter.

5. The low profile drain as recited in claim 1 further comprising a drain cover coupled to the sump to cover the annular top opening.

6. The low profile drain as recited in claim 1, wherein both the inner and outer sidewalls are formed with the water stop, the water stop extending radially inward from the inner sidewall and radially outward from the outer sidewall.

7. The low profile drain as recited in claim 1, wherein the sump defines a ring-shaped chamber, and a plurality of radial conduits extending between the ring-shaped chamber and the central connection.

8. The low profile drain as recited in claim 1, wherein the sump is configured to accept a substantial amount of the surface material between the inner sidewall and the central connection.

9. A low profile drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a surface material and having a drain inlet, the low profile drain comprising:

a sump embedded in the surface when installed, the sump forming a top side defining an annular top opening no less than about eighteen inches in inner diameter exposed through the surface, the sump forming an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall on opposite sides of the annular top opening, the outer sidewall edge about the annular top opening;

the sump having a tray-shaped water stop extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge for catching migrating water and for embedded anchoring in the surface when installed;

the sump extending to a central connection to the drain inlet in the surface when installed, the sump being configured to maintain open communication between the annular top opening and the central connection, the annular top opening defined to contiguously extend fully about the central connection;

the sump being configured to receive water admitted through the annular top opening and guide the water to the central connection through portions of the sump embedded in the surface when installed; and

the sump being configured with the annular top opening encircling surface material substantially filling the space inside the inner sidewall when the low profile drain is installed, the surface material and the annular top opening being substantially flush with the surface when the low profile drain is installed, and the sump except the annular top opening being substantially covered by the surface material to blend in with the surface when the low profile drain is installed;

wherein the water stop includes a horizontal shelf and a vertical wall collectively forming a gutter, the water stop being endlessly looped about the outer sidewall.

10. A sump drain having a rounded anti-entrapment configuration for partially embedded installation within a surface of a pool or spa formed of a surface material and having a drain inlet, the sump drain comprising:

a body defining a water receiving structure having a substantially circular intake opening for admitting water therethrough, the intake opening having an inner diameter of at least 18 inches, the body having an upper peripheral edge about the intake opening, the body defining an open chamber spanning beneath the intake opening to receive water admitted therethrough, the body being configured to be embedded within the surface and attach to the drain inlet when installed;

the body having a gutter portion formed to extend radially from the body and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge for catching migrating water, the gutter portion configured for embedded anchoring in the surface; and

the body maintaining open communication from the intake opening to the drain inlet when installed, and the body configured to guide the water admitted through the intake opening to the drain inlet of the pool or spa; and

the body being configured to receive a substantial amount of the surface material inboard of the intake opening and up to being about flush with the surface of the pool or spa when the sump drain is installed, such that the body is substantially covered by the surface material and blends in with the surface;

wherein the body is configured such that the drain inlet is selectively accessible through the body with the sump drain installed in the surface.

11. The sump drain as recited in claim 10 further comprising a drain cover coupled to the body to cover the intake opening.

12. The sump drain as recited in claim 10, wherein the gutter portion forms a channel extending contiguously about the intake opening.

13. The sump drain as recited in claim 10, wherein a portion of the body disposed above the drain inlet is removably covered by a central cap about 2.5 inches in diameter for displaying a manufacturer'"'"'s logo.

14. The sump drain as recited in claim 10, wherein the body defines a plurality of radial parts extending from the intake opening for guiding the water admitted by the intake opening radially inward to the drain inlet.

15. The sump drain as recited in claim 10, wherein the gutter portion forms a channel extending radially from and along an outboard side of the intake opening.

16. A sump drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a surface material and having a drain inlet, the sump drain comprising:

an upper part exposed through the surface when installed, the upper part having a first portion forming an outer sidewall and a second portion forming an interior sidewall, the outer sidewall encircling the interior sidewall, the first and second portions being configured for at least partial embedding in the surface, the outer and interior sidewalls defining a contiguous annular top opening therebetween, the interior sidewall being not less than about 18 inches in diameter, the outer sidewall having a upper peripheral edge about the annular top opening, the upper part being formed with a water stop defining a gutter extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge;

a central connection disposed radially inward from the contiguous annular top opening of the upper part to be in open communications therewith, the central connection being configured for embedding in the surface of the swimming pool or spa and coupling to the drain inlet when installed; and

a lower part configured for embedding in the surface beneath the upper part when installed, the lower part defining an open chamber spanning beneath the contiguous annular top opening to receive water admitted through the contiguous annular top opening, the lower part in cooperation with the upper part guide the water to the central connection;

wherein the contiguous annular top opening is defined to contiguously extend fully about the central connection and remain substantially flush with the surface when the sump drain is installed in the swimming pool or spa;

wherein the upper part is configured to receive a substantial amount of the surface material inside the interior sidewall and up to being about flush with the surface of the swimming pool or spa when the sump drain is installed, such that the sump drain is substantially covered by the surface material and blends in with the surface; and

wherein a portion of the upper part disposed above the central connection is removable to access the drain inlet when installed.

17. The sump drain as recited in claim 16 further comprising a drain cover coupled to the outer and interior sidewalls to cover the annular top opening.

18. The sump drain as recited in claim 16, wherein the water stop extends from the outer sidewall to be endlessly looped about the upper part.

19. The sump drain as recited in claim 16, wherein the upper and lower parts form a ring-shaped chamber therebetween, and further comprising a plurality of radial parts extending between the ring-shaped chamber and the central connection.

20. The sump drain as recited in claim 16, wherein the central connection includes a hub extending upwardly to about the surface when the sump drain is installed, and the removable portion of the upper part includes a central cap covering the central connection to the drain inlet, the central cap being no greater than about 2.5 inches in diameter.

21. A sump drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a surface material and having a drain inlet, the sump drain comprising:

an upper part exposed through the surface when installed, the upper part having a first portion forming an outer sidewall and a second portion forming an interior sidewall, the outer sidewall encircling the interior sidewall, the first and second portions being configured for at least partial embedding in the surface, the outer and interior sidewalls defining a contiguous annular top opening therebetween, the interior sidewall being not less than about 18 inches in diameter, the outer sidewall having an upper peripheral edge about the annular top opening, the upper part being formed with a water stop defining a gutter extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge;

a central connection disposed radially inward from the contiguous annular top opening of the upper part to be in open communications therewith, the central connection being configured for embedding in the surface of the swimming pool or spa and coupling to the drain inlet when installed; and

a lower part configured for embedding in the surface beneath the upper part when installed, the lower part being disposed to receive water admitted through the contiguous annular top opening and in cooperation with the upper part guide the water to the central connection;

wherein the contiguous annular top opening is defined to contiguously extend fully about the central connection and remain substantially flush with the surface when the sump drain is installed in the swimming pool or spa;

wherein the upper part is configured to receive a substantial amount of the surface material inside the interior sidewall and up to being about flush with the surface of the swimming pool or spa when the sump drain is installed, such that the sump drain is substantially covered by the surface material and blends in with the surface; and

wherein a portion of the upper part disposed above the central connection is removable to access the drain inlet when installed;

wherein the water stop includes a horizontal shelf and a vertical wall collectively forming the gutter.

22. A low profile drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a predetermined material and coupling to an inlet of a pump and filtering system of the swimming pool or spa, the low profile drain comprising:

a sump embedded in the surface when installed, the sump having a generally rounded shape with a top side having a ring-shaped opening between an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, the ring-shaped opening spanning a minimum distance of about 18 inches diametrically across the surface when the sump is installed, the outer sidewall having an upper peripheral edge about the ring-shaped opening;

the sump having a channel extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge for embedded anchoring in the surface when installed; and

the sump having a hub for coupling to the inlet in the surface when installed, the sump defining an open chamber spanning beneath the ring-shaped opening to receive water admitted therethrough, the sump being formed to maintain open communication between the ring-shaped opening and the hub, the sump including portions embedded in the surface when installed and configured to guide water admitted through the ring-shaped opening to the hub;

wherein when the sump is installed, the inner sidewall is configured to enclose a portion of the predetermined material of the surface, with the portion of the predetermined material and the ring-shaped opening being substantially flush, and the sump being substantially covered by the predetermined material to blend in with the surface except at the ring-shaped opening.

23. The low profile drain as recited by claim 22, wherein the sump includes a removable portion disposed above the hub for selective access to the inlet for purposes of cleaning out the inlet.

24. The low profile drain recited in claim 23 further comprising a temporary cover for the ring-shaped opening sized to temporarily fit into the sump until all the predetermined material is installed around the low profile drain.

25. The low profile drains as recited by claim 22, wherein the sump defines a ring-shaped chamber, and a plurality of radial parts extending between the ring-shaped chamber and the hub.

26. The low profile drain as recited in claim 22, wherein the sump is configured to accept a substantial amount of the predetermined material between the inner sidewall and the hub.

27. The low profile drain as recited by claim 22, wherein the hub extends upwardly to be about coplanar with the ring shaped opening.

28. The low profile drain as recited in claim 22, wherein the sump has the generally rounded shape thereof selected from the group consisting of:

an oval shape, a circular shape, and a shape defining rounded corners.

29. A low profile drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a predetermined material and coupling to an inlet of a pump and filtering system of the swimming pool or spa, the low profile drain comprising:

a sump embedded in the surface when installed, the sump having a generally rounded overall shape with a top side having a ring-shaped opening between an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, the ring-shaped opening spanning a minimum distance of about 18 inches diametrically across the surface when the sump is installed, the outer sidewall having an upper peripheral edge about the ring-shaped opening;

the sump having a channel extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge for embedded anchoring in the surface when installed; and

the sump having a hub for coupling to the inlet in the surface when installed, the sump being formed to maintain open communication between the ring-shaped opening and the hub, the sump including portions embedded in the surface when installed and configured to guide water admitted through the ring-shaped opening to the hub;

wherein when the sump is installed, the inner sidewall is configured to enclose a portion of the predetermined material of the surface, with the portion of the predetermined material and the ring-shaped opening being substantially flush, and the sump being substantially covered by the predetermined material to blend in with the surface except at the ring-shaped opening;

wherein the channel defines a water stop configured for catching migrating water, the water stop includes a horizontal shelf and a vertical wall collectively forming a gutter.

30. The low profile drain as recited by claim 29, wherein the water stop is endlessly looped about the outer sidewall.