초록

An invention for cleaning the surface and near surface of pools and ponds is disclosed. The invention comprises a floating skimmer with a screening medium that can easily be controlled by an operator and maneuvered above and below the surface of the pool or attached to the side of the pool.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for collecting debris near a surface of a pool, comprising: a first side with a first front end and a first back end;a second side with a second front end and a second back end, wherein the second side is generally parallel to the first side;a front cross piece extending from the fir

1. An apparatus for collecting debris near a surface of a pool, comprising: a first side with a first front end and a first back end;a second side with a second front end and a second back end, wherein the second side is generally parallel to the first side;a front cross piece extending from the first front end to the second front end;a back cross piece extending from the first back end to the second back end;a flexible cord with a first cord end and a second cord end, wherein the first cord end is connected to the first side at a first cord attachment point that is closer to the first front end than the first back end and wherein the second cord end is connected to the second side at a second cord attachment point that is closer to the second front end than the second back end and wherein the length of the flexible cord is less than three times the distance between the first side and the second side;an apparatus front end comprised of a front portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second front ends and the first and second cord attachment points;an apparatus back end comprised of a back portion of the apparatus extending between the first and second cord attachment points and the first and second back ends;a first elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end;a second elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end;a first screening medium extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end;a control attachment point located on the flexible cord; andwherein the buoyancy of the apparatus front end is less than the buoyancy of the apparatus back end. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first elongated floatation device and the second elongated flotation device do not extend in front of the front cross piece. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first screening medium is comprised of one of a net, a screen, and a strainer. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first screening medium is removable from the apparatus. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first screening medium is connected to the front cross piece and the back cross piece. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible cord is comprised of one of a rope, a wire, and a chain. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control attachment point is located in the middle of the flexible cord. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control attachment point is comprised of one of a hook, a loop, a ring, an eyelet, and a clip. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sinker bar parallel to the front cross piece and connected to the apparatus front end. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sinker bar is removable from the apparatus. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first brush attached to the first side. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first brush is removable from the apparatus. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a second brush attached to the second side. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second brush is removable from the apparatus. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first pad located on the first side. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a second pad located on the second side. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second screening medium located at the apparatus back end, wherein the second screening medium is generally parallel to the back cross piece. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second screening medium is removable from the apparatus. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pole connected to the control attachment point. 20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bracket connected to the control attachment point. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the bracket is adapted to be connected to one of a side of the pool, a stand, a pole, a post, and a stake. 22. An apparatus for collecting debris near a surface of a pool, comprising: a first side with a first front end and a first back end;a second side with a second front end and a second back end, wherein the second side is generally parallel to the first side;a front cross piece extending from the first front end to the second front end;a back cross piece extending from the first back end to the second back end;an apparatus front end comprised of the first front end, the second front end, and the front cross piece;an apparatus back end comprised of the first back end, the second back end, and the back cross piece;a first elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end;a second elongated floatation device extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end;a first screening medium extending from the apparatus front end to the apparatus back end;a sinker bar parallel to the front cross piece and connected to the apparatus front end;a first attachment member connected to the first side;a second attachment member connected to the second side; anda bracket connected to the first attachment member and the second attachment member. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a second screening medium located at the apparatus back end, wherein the second screening medium is generally parallel to the back cross piece. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second screening medium is removable from the apparatus. 25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the bracket is adapted to be connected to one of a side of the pool, a stand, a pole, a post, and a stake. 26. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a first pad located on the first side. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a second pad located on the second side.