Patent US3620372A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3620372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Skim tank
Assignee: Sta Rite Industries LLC
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Filing: 1969-08-01
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A skim tank for skimming surface water of a pool has an inlet from the surface of the pool to an upper part of the tank. A rotatable plate extending across the tank at a level below the inlet separates the upper tank portion from a chamber below the plate, and an opening through the plate permits the pool water from the inlet and upper tank portion to flow down to the chamber when the opening is not closed by a stopper, from where it is withdrawn through a conduit by a suction pump for filtering. A bypass conduit connects to the chamber from the pool such that when the stopper closes the opening, water is drawn into the chamber through the bypass line to supply the pump. The pool may be vacuum cleaned through a vacuum line connected at the opening of the plate and in order to close the bypass line during the vacuum operation, the rotatable plate is provided with a closure gate depending from it which blocks the inflow from the bypass to the chamber when the plate is rotated to the blocking position.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon F Ehret
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:07
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H4/00; E04H4/12; E04H4/1209; E04H4/1272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
In combination, a tank having an inlet to an upper portion thereof to receive water from the upper surface of a pool, a plate extending across the tank below said inlet and forming a chamber in the tank below the plate, said plate having an opening through it adapted to be supplied by water entering the upper tank portion from the inlet, a seat at said opening adapted to receive a stopper which prevents a flow of water from the upper portion to the chamber, a floatable stopper adapted to float above the plate when there is sufficient water in the upper portion to float it, and to fit the seat to close the opening in response to a lowering of the level of water in the upper portion substantially below the normal operating level thereof, fastening means attached to the stopper and secured at a stationary part of the tank for confining the float to the vicinity of the seat, an outlet from the chamber adapted to be connected to the suction line of a pump, and a bypass conduit bypassing the inlet and the upper portion, leading to the chamber and operative upon seating of said stopper at said seat, to supply water from a source to the chamber, thereby supplying the pump, said plate being rotatable relative to the chamber and being provided with a gate member dimensioned and positioned to block the entrance of water from the bypass conduit to the chamber when the plate is rotated to the blocking position of the gate so that water can be drawn from the pool through a vacuum line to the chamber when the vacuum line is connected to the opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
In combination, a tank having an inlet to an upper portion thereof to receive water from the upper surface of a pool, a plate extending across the tank below said inlet and forming a chamber in the tank below the plate, said plate having an opening through it adapted to be supplied by water entering the upper tank portion from the inlet, a seat at said opening adapted to receive a stopper which prevents a flow of water from the upper portion to the chamber, a floatable stopper adapted to float above the plate when there is sufficient water in the upper portion to float it, and to fit the seat to close the opening in response to a lowering of the level of water in the upper portion substantially below the normal operating level thereof, fastening means attached to the stopper and secured at a stationary part of the tank for confining the float to the vicinity of the seat, an outlet from the chamber adapted to be connected to the suction line of a pump, and a bypass conduit bypassing the inlet and the upper portion, leading to the chamber and operative upon seating of said stopper at said seat, to supply water from a source to the chamber, thereby supplying the pump, said plate being rotatable relative to the chamber and being provided with a gate member dimensioned and positioned to block the entrance of water from the bypass conduit to the chamber when the plate is rotated to the blocking position of the gate so that water can be drawn from the pool through a vacuum line to the chamber when the vacuum line is connected to the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination according to claim 1 in which the plate rests on an element within the tank and can be readily lifted out of the tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
252 words
In combination, a tank having an inlet to an upper portion thereof to receive water from the upper surface of a pool, a plate extending across the tank below said inlet and forming a chamber in the tank below the plate, said plate having an opening through it adapted to be supplied by water entering the upper tank portion from the inlet, a seat at said opening a float in the upper portion, means restraining the float to a vicinity of the upper portion above the seat whereby the float floats at some distance above the seat when there is sufficient water in the upper portion to float it, and drops down on the seat to close the opening in response to a lowering of the level of water in the upper portion substantially below the normal operating level thereof, an outlet from the chamber adapted to be connected to the suction line of a pump and a bypass conduit bypassing the inlet and the upper portion upon seating oF the float on said seat, to supply water from a source to the chamber, thereby supplying the pump, said plate being rotatable relative to the chamber and provided with a gate member dimensioned and positioned to block the entrance of water from the bypass conduit to the chamber when the plate is rotated to the blocking position, so that water can be drawn from the pool through a vacuum line to the chamber when the vacuum line is connected to the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
252 words
In combination, a tank having an inlet to an upper portion thereof to receive water from the upper surface of a pool, a plate extending across the tank below said inlet and forming a chamber in the tank below the plate, said plate having an opening through it adapted to be supplied by water entering the upper tank portion from the inlet, a seat at said opening a float in the upper portion, means restraining the float to a vicinity of the upper portion above the seat whereby the float floats at some distance above the seat when there is sufficient water in the upper portion to float it, and drops down on the seat to close the opening in response to a lowering of the level of water in the upper portion substantially below the normal operating level thereof, an outlet from the chamber adapted to be connected to the suction line of a pump and a bypass conduit bypassing the inlet and the upper portion upon seating oF the float on said seat, to supply water from a source to the chamber, thereby supplying the pump, said plate being rotatable relative to the chamber and provided with a gate member dimensioned and positioned to block the entrance of water from the bypass conduit to the chamber when the plate is rotated to the blocking position, so that water can be drawn from the pool through a vacuum line to the chamber when the vacuum line is connected to the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
204 words
In combination, a tank having an inlet to an upper portion thereof to receive water from the upper surface of a pool, a plate extending across the tank below said inlet and forming a chamber in the tank below the plate, said plate having an opening through it adapted to be closed on occasions by a stopper such that when not closed by the stopper the chamber is supplied by water passing through the opening from the upper tank portion supplied from the inlet, an outlet from the chamber adapted to be connected to the suction line of a pump, and a bypass conduit bypassing the inlet and the upper portion, leading to the chamber and operative when the stopper closes the opening, to supply water from a source to the chamber, thereby supplying the pump, said plate being rotatable relative to the chamber and being provided with a gate member dimensioned and positioned to block the entrance of water from the bypass conduit to the chamber when the plate is rotated to the blocking position of the gate, so that water can be drawn from the pool through a vacuum line to the chamber when the vacuum line is connected to the opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
In combination, a tank having an inlet to an upper portion thereof to receive water from the upper surface of a pool, a plate extending across the tank below said inlet and forming a chamber in the tank below the plate, said plate having an opening through it adapted to be closed on occasions by a stopper such that when not closed by the stopper the chamber is supplied by water passing through the opening from the upper tank portion supplied from the inlet, an outlet from the chamber adapted to be connected to the suction line of a pump, and a bypass conduit bypassing the inlet and the upper portion, leading to the chamber and operative when the stopper closes the opening, to supply water from a source to the chamber, thereby supplying the pump, said plate being rotatable relative to the chamber and being provided with a gate member dimensioned and positioned to block the entrance of water from the bypass conduit to the chamber when the plate is rotated to the blocking position of the gate, so that water can be drawn from the pool through a vacuum line to the chamber when the vacuum line is connected to the opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination according to claim 4 including a stopper adapted to be fitted to the opening on said occasions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |