Saltwater pool skimmer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of mounting a pool skimmer to a wall of a saltwater swimming pool to prevent rusting of the wall in the skimmer mounting area. This is accomplished by interposing insulators between the corrosive salt water and the holes necessary to mount the skimmer. The front bracket of the skimmer of the present invention has cavities to accommodate the interposed insulators. The insulators are a combination of one-piece screws with metal washers, and rubber-like washers made of a TPE resin. The rubber-like washer IS sandwiched inside the cavity of the front bracket by the screw's metal washers. The interposing insulators resist salt water from leaking down a screw's threads and attacking the integrity of the metal wall of the swimming pool. The insulators form a watertight seal around the screw thus preventing salt water from corroding the wall of the metal swimming pool.

Description

[0001]This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 62 / 007,827, filed on Jun. 4, 2014.[0002]The present invention relates to preventing corrosion of the mounting area of swimming pool accessories such as a swimming pool skimmer in saltwater swimming pools with coated metal walls. This is accomplished by interposing a water-inhibiting means between the corrosive saltwater and the corrosive-susceptible metal wall.BACKGROUND[0003]Salt water has gradually gained popularity as a sanitary alternative to chlorine. Most saltwater pools are made with coated metal walls. Typically, the part of the metal wall that is submerged in salt water is susceptible to corrosion when a pool accessory such as a skimmer is mounted with screws to the wall. Notwithstanding waterproofing efforts, salt water finds its way down the screw's threads and corrodes the metal wall in proximity of the screw's hole significantly shortening the lifespan of the pool. Once corrosion sets in, it is not long...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention helps prevent damage to saltwater swimming pools caused by corrosion. This is achieved by using a new mounting screw combination with a metal washer and a rubber-like washer to protect vulnerable areas such as skimmers and pool lights. This results in a longer lifespan for the pools and reduces maintenance costs.

Problems solved by technology

Typically, the part of the metal wall that is submerged in salt water is susceptible to corrosion when a pool accessory such as a skimmer is mounted with screws to the wall.

Notwithstanding waterproofing efforts, salt water finds its way down the screw's threads and corrodes the metal wall in proximity of the screw's hole significantly shortening the lifespan of the pool.

However, typically the double gasket protecting the opening in the pool wall for the skimmer does not adequately prevent the saltwater from migrating over time along the screw threads.

Once the salt water sets in, it corrodes the metal wall.

Repair of this corrosion is difficult and expensive, and sometimes the only option is to throw out the old pool and install a new one.

Images