Dual direction water surface skimmer and pool side docking device
AssigneeRobert R. Haski
InventorsRobert R. Haski, Allan Dolph Meyer, Norman Michael Berry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water skimmer vessel has two hulls (12, 14) between which a debris collection net or basket-like catcher (22) is arranged. Hinged flaps (68) are provided at each end of the catcher and operate to allow inflow but block outflow of debris from the catcher. Each hull of the vessel is equiped with amoter covered by a guard (28). The vessel may move in either direction and is equipped with sensors (30) on each hulll for effecting the turning and reversing of the vessel upon contact with pool skimmer box inlet (206) and the vessel can be controlled to enter the dock and permit the contents of the catcher to be discharged into the current of pool water flowing into the skimmer box.
Claims21
A self-powered floating water-skimming vessel for use in collecting debris on or just below the surface of water, the vessel having a waterline and comprising:
- two parallel laterally-spaced hulls,
- propulsion means to drive the vessel in either direction,
- a debris catcher arranged between the said hulls, at least portion of said catcher being arranged below the waterline, and said catcher having first and second lateral end openings into which debris can enter and exit depending upon whether the respective opening is leading or trailing having reference to movement of the vessel,
- a first flap hinged to close the first opening of the catcher, when said first opening is the trailing opening so as to block the egress of debris from the catcher, and to open when said first opening is the leading opening to permit ingress of debris into the catcher,
- a second flap hinged to close the second opening of the catcher, when said second opening is the trailing opening to thereby block the egress of debris from the catcher, and to open when said second opening is the leading opening to thereby permit ingress of debris into the catcher.
A water skimming system for use with a swimming pool having a peripheral wall that extends upwards above the level of pool water including:
- a water skimming vessel as claimed in any preceding claim,
- docking means provided for mounting on the wall of the swimming pool so as to extend below the level of the pool water, and
- homing means in the vessel adapted to direct the vessel into said docking means to effect emptying of the catcher or recharging of batteries in the vessel.
A method of removing floating debris from a swimming pool having a peripheral wall containing an outlet opening at the level of water in the pool, the method comprising the steps of:
- operating in the pool a self-powered floating skimmer vessel having a catcher for collecting debris,
- causing the vessel to dock with docking means arranged in front of the outlet opening, and
- discharging collected debris from the catcher into pool water flowing into the outlet while the vessel is docked.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.