Apparatus and method for eliminating debris from a contained body of liquid

Abstract

An effective skimming and vacuuming apparatus and / or skimming and vacuuming system that is cost effective, simple and light weight such that the consumer would find it reliable, easy to install, easy to remove, lightweight, affordable, adaptable, and assists in the removal of debris from the surface of the liquid regardless of the liquid level and assists in the removal of debris below the surface of the liquid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application pends form provisional application 60 / 427285.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT [0002] This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program. REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”[0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention relates generally to liquid maintenance devices, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for eliminating debris from a contained body of liquid, such as a swimming pool. [0006] 2. Prior Art [0007] Skimming and vacuuming devices have been developed to eliminate debris from contained bodies of liquid. Skimming devices are typically used for contained bodies of liquid, although, they may be used for open bodies of liquid, such as the ocean, such as when an environmental cleanup is required. Said contained bodies of liquid are gen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026] A novel approach to liquid maintenance has now been discovered, thus providing the maintainer with improved modes of maintaining contained bodies of liquid. The present invention achieves a simpler, effective, affordable, adaptable and less cumbersome way of maintaining a body of liquid regardless of the water level. By practicing the disclosed invention, the skilled practitioner will now enjoy easy installation, easy removal, a reduced need for water level monitoring and a less cumbersome way of maintaining a body of liquid. The advantages of using the present invention include: affordability, adaptability, ease of set up, ease of installation, ease of removal, the ability to remove debris from the surface of the water and below the surface at the same time, and the ability to run the skimmer / vacuum when the water level is low, especially for swimming pools which permits the pool owner to wait until it rains to fill the swimming pool, thus saving the swimming pool owner time effort and expense as well as conserving environmental resources, especially in the event of a drought or water ban. The present invention will hereinafter be referred to as the Low Water Skimmer Vac.

Problems solved by technology

Although adjustable skimming devices have been developed to accommodate said fluctuations in water level, they are, however, cumbersome, complex and expensive.

Furthermore, although various types of vacuums have been developed to remove debris from the bottom of the liquid container, they are also cumbersome, tend to be complex and may be expensive.

And still further, skimming and vacuuming devices have not been combined into one simple unit.

Therefore, said skimming and vacuuming devices have some drawbacks.

Firstly, the skimming and vacuuming devices are cumbersome, i.e., large, bulky and heavy, making the installation and removal of the skimming or vacuuming device a chore that may require more than one person.

Secondly, the skimming and vacuuming devices are complex, i.e., many moving parts with connections to various intakes and outtakes, making the installation and removal of the skimming device time consuming for the maintainer.

Thirdly, the skimming and vacuuming devices may be expensive due to their complexity.

Said expense will limit the number of consumers who will purchase said skimming and vacuuming devices.

Fourthly, the skimming and vacuuming devices may require modifications to the existing filtering system, thus increasing the complexity and cost of said skimming and vacuuming devices.

Fifthly, the skimming devices do not assist in the removal of debris from the liquid below the surface, thus requiring the user to rely on the additional task of vacuuming to remove debris below the surface to the liquid.

Sixthly, said skimming and vacuuming devices are not specifically designed for low liquid levels, such as when the liquid level is below the skimming intake six inches or more, as is usually the case when the a body of liquid, typically a swimming pool, has been closed for a period of time or there has been a drought or water ban.

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