Stationary pool leaf net filter

• US 20020027097A1
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Published: 03/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Baer
• Original Assignee: James Baer
• Inventors: Baer, James
• Granted Patent: US 6,398,952 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/169
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1254 Arm-mounted debris traps or flow diverters

Abstract

A collection device is provided for collecting floating leaves, bugs, and other surface debris in a swimming pool. A leaf net is attached to a bracket that is clamped/mounted to the edge of a swimming pool. The leaf net extends a minimal horizontal distance into the water of a pool to minimize swimmer interference, has a low profile so that it will not interfere with a pool cover, and easily slides off of the mounting pole for containment of and removal of collected debris.

Claims

1. A stationary pool leaf net filter apparatus comprising:

a debris collecting net;

said debris collecting net is removable for cleaning without loss of contained debris from a pocket type net element;

a mounting means affixed to said debris collecting net for attaching said debris collecting net to an edge of a swimming pool; and

a net mounting pole means to connect said mounting means to the debris collecting net in a manner such that a side of said debris collecting net closest to a clamping means is positioned parallel with respect to a plane formed by a sidewall of the swimming pool.

2. The stationary pool leaf net filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein, when in use said debris collection net extends a minimal distance into a swimming pool.

3. The stationary pool leaf net filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is placed a short distance from a main pool filter'"'"'s discharge point where natural circulation of the swimming pool and centrifugal force bring swimming pool surface debris to said debris collecting net.

4. The stationary pool leaf net filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said debris collecting net and said mounting means can be detached for debris removal, and wherein detachment occurs without having a mechanical mechanism holding said mounting means on said net mounting pole means.

5. The stationary pool leaf net filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clamping means can be easily removed from said edge of said swimming pool for relocation or winter storage without leaving any holes behind in said edge of said swimming pool.

6. The stationary pool leaf net filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said leaf net filter apparatus is of low profile and can be covered at night and when said swimming pool is not in use by the swimming pool'"'"'s standard pool cover, and will remain in operation while the swimming pool'"'"'s cover is covering said swimming pool.

7. A stationary pool leaf net filter assembly for attachment to an outer top edge of a swimming pool, said assembly comprising:

a clamping means for affixing a net attaching bracket to a sidewall of a conventional swimming pool;

a net attaching bracket for supporting a net; and

a net formed at a distal end of a mounting pole such that said net partially extends into a swimming pool'"'"'s water so that a portion of said net is above a water line of the swimming pool and a balance of said net is below the waterline.

8. The stationary pool leaf net filter assembly of claim 7, wherein said clamping means comprises:

a threaded rod shaft having an upper end and a lower end;

a swivel cap terminating said upper end of said threaded rod shaft so that said threaded rod shaft will not rotate against a pool edge;

a handle in physical communication with the lower end of said threaded rod shaft opposite said swivel cap for urging said threaded rod shaft in a rotating manner;

a clamp retaining said threaded rod shaft, wherein said clamp has a horizontal length for keeping said clamp from rotating due to any rotational force applied to said clamp, and an upper edge of said clamp that extends laterally beyond a lower edge for additional upper clamping surface area;

a mounting pole, said mounting pole is attached perpendicularly along a linearly elongated centerline of an upper surface of said upper edge of said clamp, thereby forming an angle slightly greater than 90°

with respect to said mounting pole and a lateral, outer surface of said clamp, said mounting pole functions as an attachment means such that a net attaching bracket is held on by force of the swimming pool'"'"'s circulating water; and

a net attaching bracket connected to said net by means of a fastener offset at a same angle as said mounting pole such that a side of said net closest to said clamp is positioned parallel with respect to a plane formed by a sidewall of the swimming pool.

9. A method of easily cleaning a debris collecting net of a stationary pool net filter apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a. turning a leaf net upside down over a debris collection receptacle;

b. shaking or tapping in a gentle manner collected debris trapped within said leaf net so as to remove the collected debris; and

c. turning said leaf net inside out and spraying the collected debris off said leaf net with a standard garden hose.