Low Profile Circular Drain With Water Stop For Swimming Pools

• US 20140250581A1
• Filed: 03/11/2013
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aquastar Pool Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Olaf Mjelde
• Inventors: Mjelde, Olaf
• Granted Patent: US 9,540,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/507
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1236 Bottom drains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A sump drain includes a ring-shaped 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 a number of 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. Upon installation, 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, to help prevent water from passing through the plaster into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.

Claims

1. A sump drain for connecting to a filtering system and installation in the plaster floor of a swimming pool or spa comprising:

an annular chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and annular top opening between the sidewalls;

the chamber further having a plurality of ports to radial conduits extending inwardly to a central hub for tying into the pool or spa filtering system; and

,

the sump drain configured such that when installed plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub.

2. The sump drain of claim 1 further configured such that when installed the top opening is substantially flush with the pool or spa floor.

3. The sump drain of claim 1 further comprising a circular grid, sized to cover the top opening and having a multiplicity of openings.

4. The sump drain of claim 1 wherein the top opening is about an inch wide.

5. The sump drain of claim 1 further comprising a removable cap over the central hub for access to clean out the drain.

6. The sump drain of claim 1 wherein the ports to the radial conduits are through the inner sidewall.

7. The sump drain of claim 1 further comprising a channel proximate the chamber top opening to help prevent water from passing through the plaster and into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.

8. A sump drain for connecting to a filtering system and installation in the plaster floor of a swimming pool or spa comprising:

an annular chamber having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, and an annular top opening between the sidewalls;

the chamber further having a plurality of ports to radial conduits extending inwardly to a central hub for tying into the pool or spa filtering system;

the sump drain configured such that when installed, plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub; and

,

the sump drain further configured such that when installed, the top opening is substantially flush with the pool or spa floor.

10. The sump drain of claim 8, wherein the top opening is about an inch wide.

11. The sump drain of claim 8 further comprising a removable cap over the central hub for access to clean out the drain.

12. The sump drain of claim 8 wherein the ports to the radial conduits are through the inner sidewall.

13. The sump drain of claim 8 further comprising a channel proximate the chamber top opening to help prevent water from passing through the plaster and into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.

9. The sump drain of claim 9 further comprising a circular grid, sized to cover the top opening and having a multiplicity of openings.

14. A sump drain for connecting to a filtering system and installation in the plaster floor of a swimming pool or spa comprising:

an annual chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and annular top opening between the sidewalls;

the chamber further having a plurality of ports to radial conduits extending inwardly to a central hub for tying into the pool or spa filtering system; and

,

the sump drain further configured such that when installed the top opening is substantially flush with the pool or spa floor.

15. The sump drain of claim 14 further comprising a circular grid sized to cover the top opening and having a multiplicity of openings.

16. The sump drain of claim 14, wherein the top opening is about an inch wide.

17. The sump drain of claim 14, further comprising a removable cap over the central hub for access to clean out the drain.

18. The sump drain of claim 14 wherein the ports to the radial conduits are through the inner sidewall.

19. The sump drain of claim 14 further comprising a channel proximate the chamber top opening to help prevent water from passing through the plaster and into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.

20. A method of installing a sump drain in a plaster floor of a swimming pool or spa for connection to a filtering system, comprising the steps of:

providing a sump drain having a generally annular-shaped chamber with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and conduits extending inwardly to a central hub;

placing the sump drain in the floor of the pool or spa proximate the filtering system;

connecting the central hub to the filtering system;

embedding the sump drain in the pool or spa by placing substantial amounts of plaster between the annular chamber and the hub.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of placing a plaster cover on the sump drain prior to the placing substantial amounts of plaster between the annular chamber and the hub.