# US 2014/0197115 A1 · Pool Skimmer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197115 A1 - Document ID: US20140197115A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/739,407 - Filed: 2013-01-11 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-11 - Inventors: Calvin Hargis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197115A1 ## CPC - E04H 4/1272: {Skimmers integrated in the pool wall} - E04H 4/1254: {Arm-mounted debris traps or flow diverters} - B65H 16/005: {Dispensers, i.e. machines for unwinding only parts of web roll} - E06B 9/08: Roll-type closures (roller blinds E06B9/40; operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; usable only as awnings E04F10/06) - E06B 2009/543: {Horizontally moving screens} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A device for skimming a pool surface to collect floating debris includes an elongate handle, a hollow body, and a spool on which an elongate continuous length of webbing is wound in a spiral configuration. The spool is housed within the body and the webbing is extendable from the spool through a slot formed in the body and is retractable onto the spool through the slot via spool rotation. The webbing has a proximal end to which an end piece is connected. The end piece is shaped to prevent passage through the slot and has a fastening element for being secured to an edge of a pool structure for removably mounting the end piece to the structure. The handle and body are sufficiently portable and lightweight to enable carrying by hand and ready removability of the entire device from the pool when not in use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for skimming the surface of a body of water to collect debris floating on the surface, comprising: an elongate handle; a hollow body interconnected to the handle; and a spool on which an elongate continuous length of webbing material is wound, said spool being housed within said hollow body and said webbing material being extendable from the spool through a slot formed in the hollow body and retractable onto the spool through said slot via rotation of said spool within said hollow body; said webbing material having a proximal end to which an end piece is connected, said end piece being of a shape to prevent passage through said slot into the hollow body and having a fastening element for securing said end piece to an edge of a structure of the body of water for removably mounting the end piece to the structure; and said handle and hollow body being sufficiently portable and lightweight to enable carrying and manipulation of the device by hand and to enable ready removability of the entire device from the body of water when not in use. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body is connected to the end of the handle and travels with the handle during a skimming operation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein an end of the handle extends within the hollow body and forms an axis about which the spool rotates. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, further comprising a flange extending outwardly from the hollow body, wherein said handle has a longitudinal axis, wherein said slot and said flange extend parallel to said longitudinal axis of said handle, and wherein said flange and said slot extend on diametrically opposed locations on said hollow body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein said fastening element of said end piece is at least one of a hook, a clamp, a tie, a mechanical fastener, and a hook and loop fastener. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein the body of water is a pool, wherein the pool structure is a cleanout opening, wherein the edge of the structure is a rim defining a cleanout opening, and wherein the fastening element is adapted to be removably secured to the rim of the cleanout opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein the webbing material is an elongate continuous length of netting or flexible perforated material. ### Claim 8 A method of making a pool skimming device, comprising the steps of: integrally forming or securing a hollow body on the end of an elongate handle such that the hollow body has an open end and an elongate slot extending from the open end and such that the end of the elongate handle extends within the hollow body; inserting a spool on which an elongate continuous length of webbing material is wound into the open end of the hollow body onto the end of the handle such that the spool is housed within the hollow body and such that the spool is rotatable about the handle for purposes of extending and retracting the webbing material relative to the hollow body; and securing an end piece to a proximal end of the webbing material, the end piece being of a shape to prevent passage through the slot of the hollow body and having a fastening element for securing the end piece to an edge of a structure of a swimming pool; during said inserting step, inserting the webbing material into the slot of the hollow body such that the end piece is located exterior of the hollow body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of locking the spool within the hollow body. ### Claim 10 A method of skimming a pool of water with a skimming device, comprising the steps of: positioning a hand-held portable skimming device adjacent a pool structure, the skimming device having an elongate handle, a hollow body connected to one end of the handle, and a spool within the hollow body on which a continuous elongate length of webbing material is wound in a spiral configuration, the webbing material extending through a slot formed in the hollow body and having a proximal end with an end piece having a fastening element located external of the hollow body; disposing the hand-held skimming device in a substantially vertical position with the hollow body partially submerged within the pool of water; securing the fastening element to the pool structure; after said securing step, moving the hand held skimming device including the handle and the hollow body in a path of travel around the perimeter of the pool one time such that the webbing material is automatically extended from and retracted onto the spool to maintain the webbing material in a taut vertical position extending above and below a waterline of the pool along an entire extended length of the webbing material between the end piece and the hollow body to enable debris floating on a surface of the pool to be corralled by the webbing; and after said moving step, disconnecting the end piece from the structure and entirely removing the skimming device from the pool. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the pool of water is a swimming pool, wherein in the pool structure is a rim of a cleanout opening, and further comprising the step of forcing the debris corralled by the webbing through the cleanout opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, wherein the hollow body has a flange extending outwardly therefrom, and wherein, during said moving step, said flange is in contact with and slid along a sidewall defining the perimeter of the pool.