Skimmer Basket With Trigger-Actuated Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and cleaning of skimmer baskets in swimming pools can be unpleasant due to the presence of trapped contaminants like small animals, hair clumps, or decayed matter, as existing designs do not adequately protect users from these objects during removal.
Innovation Solution
A skimmer basket assembly with a basket having flaps that can be opened via a trigger mechanism, connected to a handle with a sliding lid that covers the top, allowing for safe disposal of contents without direct contact with undesirable items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the skimmer basket is removed for cleaning, then the trapped contaminants can be accessed, but the user is exposed to objectionable items such as small animals, hair clumps, or decayed matter
Solution Approach 1:
The basket is divided into a basket body and a separate lid that can be independently manipulated. The lid can be opened to access contaminants while the basket remains in the well, allowing users to view and access debris without removing the entire basket assembly, thus reducing exposure to objectionable items.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid acts as an intermediary between the user and the contaminants. Users interact with the lid to access and remove debris rather than directly handling the basket contents, providing a protective barrier that reduces exposure to harmful or objectionable items while maintaining cleaning functionality.
2Productivity
If the skimmer basket is removed from the well, then cleaning can be performed, but the process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the lid from the basket body, users can open and clean the basket while it remains in the well, eliminating the need to fully remove and transport the basket for cleaning. This segmentation allows cleaning to be performed in-situ, saving time and simplifying the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The basket design allows users to perform cleaning operations directly at the skimmer well location without needing to remove the basket to a separate cleaning area. The trigger mechanism and lid design enable self-contained cleaning operations that can be completed quickly at the point of use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a trigger mechanism is added to open the flaps, then contents can be evacuated safely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of opening the basket from the top by removing the lid, the flaps at the bottom are designed to open outward when the trigger is activated. This inverted approach allows contaminants to be evacuated from the bottom of the basket while the lid remains closed, providing user protection without requiring complex opening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger mechanism serves as a simple intermediary that converts a small user input motion into the opening of the flaps. This mechanical linkage provides a straightforward way to open the flaps for evacuation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure, as the trigger only needs to release the flap latches rather than move the entire basket assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a skimmer basket assembly. The skimmer basket assembly may include a basket, the bottom of which may include one or more flaps. A handle may be connected to the basket via one or more connectors configured to selectively expand and contract. The handle may include a trigger mechanism that is mechanically linked to the one or more flaps of the basket. The trigger mechanism may be configured to operate the one of more flaps of the basket upon manipulation of the trigger mechanism. The skimmer basket assembly may include a lid that is slidingly connected to the one or more connectors. The lid may be configured to receive the handle therein and substantially cover a top opening of the basket.