# US 5,706,530 A · Skimmer seal for swimming pool

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- Number: US 5,706,530 A
- Document ID: US5706530A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/524,750
- Filed: 1995-09-07
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1995-09-07
- Inventors: Albert S. Mariano
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706530A

## CPC

- E04H 4/1272: {Skimmers integrated in the pool wall}
- E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D)

## Abstract

An improved seal for insertion into a skimmer of a swimming pool that attaches to an intake pipe of the pool filtration equipment and extends into the walled region of the skimmer to provide a compressible body absorbing the expansion of ice during freeze-up of the pool. The seal comprises an air valve for introducing air via an inner shaft into the intake pipe line to clear out water. The seal obviates having to lower the pool water level.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a swimming pool having a skimmer including a walled region and an intake water line for connection to filtration equipment, a seal for protecting said skimmer and said water line from ice damage comprising:
a hollow body having an outer wall of resilient material, said body extending from said intake water line to be compressibly disposed within said skimmer walled region upon formation of ice therearound;
a first end of said body having valve means for introducing and maintaining air under pressure to said intake water line;
said first end comprises means extending upward for providing a grip to screw said seal into said intake water line with said valve means positioned in the center of said grip providing means;
a second end of said body having a cylindrical projection, said projection having means for securing said body to said intake water line; and
means within said body extending from said first end to said second end for directing said air through said body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The seal as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a self-sealing air valve.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The seal as recited in claim 2 wherein said self-sealing air valve seals a pocket of air in said water line to prevent water from reentering said water line from said skimmer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The seal as recited in claim 1 wherein:
said body comprises an upper portion and a lower portion;
said upper portion comprises a plurality of vertically stacked cylindrical sections having alternating concave and convex shaped edge surfaces extending to said first end; and
said lower portion comprises a truncated conical shape contiguous to said first portion and extending to said second end.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The seal as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer wall of said body comprises blow-molded plastic for allowing the seal to expand and contract as ice accumulates in said skimmer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The seal as recited in claim 1 wherein said second end of said body securing means comprises screw threads.

### Claim 7

In a swimming pool having a skimmer including a walled region and an intake water line for connection to filtration equipment, a seal for protecting said skimmer and said water line from ice damage comprising:
a hollow body having an outer wall of resilient material, said body extending from said intake water line to be compressibly disposed within said skimmer walled regions upon formation of ice therearound;
a first end of said body having valve means for introducing and maintaining air under pressure to said intake water line;
a second end of said body having a cylindrical projection, said projection having means for securing said body to said intake water line; and
means within said body extending from said first end to said second end for directing said air through said body, said air directing means including a shaft having a strong wall for preventing expansion and contraction of said shaft wall.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The seal as recited in claim 7 wherein said valve means comprises a self-sealing air valve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The seal as recited in claim 8 wherein said self sealing air valve seals a pocket of air in said water lines to prevent water from reentering said water lines from said skimmer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The seal as recited in claim 7 wherein said outer wall of said body comprises plastic for allowing the seal to expand and contract as ice accumulates in said skimmer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The seal as recited in claim 7 wherein said second end of said body securing means comprises screw threads.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The seal as recited in claim 7 wherein:
said body comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion comprises a plurality of vertically stacked cylindrical sections having alternating concave and convex shaped edge surfaces extending to said first end; and
said lower portion comprises a truncated conical shape contiguous to said first portion and extending to said second end.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The seal as recited in claim 7 wherein said first end comprises means extending upward for providing a grip to screw said seal into said intake water line with said valve means positioned in the center of said grip providing means.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The seal as recited in claim 7 wherein: said body comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first portion of said body extending in a first direction and said second portion extending in a second direction approximately ninety degrees relative to said first direction of said first portion.