BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to skimming devices. More specifically, the invention is a set of three differently shaped skimming nets for fixed continuous skimming or hand skimming floating debris from an outdoor pool.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The relevant art of interest describes various pool skimming devices, but none discloses the instant invention and its versatility. There is a need for an outdoor pool debris skimmer which can be either left in the pool or used by hand. Some outdoor pools are relatively small, but still require skimming of floating debris such as leaves. The pool skimmer prevents the pool filter basket from becoming clogged with debris, such as leaves, branches, and other debris, by skimming pool water before filtering, thereby extending the life of the pool filter. The relevant art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,878 issued on Jun. 15, 1999, to Guido Benevenuto et al. describes a rectangular shaped passive pool skimming net having a T-shaped buoyant stabilizer retained by a strap to the side of the pool. The T-shaped stabilizer consists of two in-line cylindrical styrofoam floats on one side and a single cylindrical styrofoam float on the opposite side to hold the aluminum frame ends together. Another embodiment has two in-line floats on both sides. The device is distinguishable for requiring either one or two T-shaped buoyant stabilizers at the sides of the net frame.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,074 issued on May 16, 1978, to Charles E. Sermons describes a leaf skimmer for swimming pools comprising a triangular floating aluminum framed net having the base ends with circular sponge floats, and the net at its apex forming a pocket. The device is attached to the pool side adjacent a waterline pool drain by a continuous cord passing through a weight on the deck and tied to the base ends. A third float is mounted on a vertical shaft at the apex of the net. The device is distinguishable for requiring the triangular shape with floats attached to each tip.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,109 issued on Jan. 18, 1983, to William F. Edge describes a stationary rectangular skimming net for cleaning floating debris from a swimming pool comprising a net slidably positionable over a polyvinyl chloride tubular pipe frame with a mid support pipe to form a double-sided net which can be tilted at different angles by a quick disconnect assembly provided at the edge of the pool. The device is distinguishable for requiring a net having double sides.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,374 B1 issued on May 7, 2002, to Dominick Splendorio describes a pool skimmer system comprising a buoyant skimmer comprising a polyvinyl chloride telescopic handle with two pivoting joints attached to an elliptical frame and net. The device is distinguishable for requiring two pivoting assemblies and lacking any float support.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,740 issued on Jan. 13, 1976, to Lyle Carter describes an apparatus for collecting surface particles on a body of water by towing, the apparatus comprising two parallel, laterally spaced, longitudinal tracking floats supporting a rigid tubular frame. Two parallel, horizontal hydrofoil bodies are spaced apart to form an intake opening. A funnel-shaped net has its wide opening secured to an intake opening and its narrow end collecting the surface particulate matter. The lower hydrofoil body maintains the intake opening at a predetermined depth below the surface, while the upper hydrofoil body maintains the apparatus to ride over swells. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring hydrofoils and a towing boat.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,001 issued on Jun. 6, 1995, to Gordon B. Yagoda et al. describes an enlarged pool skimmer with a buoyancy component comprising a tubular polyvinyl chloride frame made of an upper inverted U-shape frame portion and a lower U-shaped frame portion having inclined sides, the two frame portions being joined at the sides by vertical brackets which support a horizontal adjustable height cross pipe filled with a foam plastic. At one side a telescopic bent handle having a trigger is attached to an extended bracket. A fine mesh plastic screen is stretched across the frame. The device is deemed distinguishable for requiring a frame with a median cross-brace, a planar screen, and a telescopic bent handle with a trigger.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,414 issued on Feb. 22, 1994, to Louis Mongiello describes a pool skimming device stably secured to the peripheral structure of a pool so that the hoop and net are situated in a path of the water surface caused by the water input of a pool's circulation system. The net is configured with an oval shaped frame having a bent handle positioned on a coping bracket of an above-ground pool or a bracket on concrete or wooden decks. The device is distinguishable for not requiring any float material for the skimming of debris.

[0012] U.K. Patent Application No. 2,156,700, published Oct. 16, 1985, describes a skimmer apparatus attached to the side of a pool to remove floating leaves by an immersed covered box weir having a jet ejector pump forcing the surface water to flow over a buoyant weir and sieve basket. In a second embodiment the purified water is fed through a turbine which drives a pump to draw water over the weir and through the basket. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring pump means.

[0013] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a pool skimmer solving the aforementioned problems desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The instant invention is a swimming pool skimming device comprising three different forms and embodiments. The first preferred embodiment is a substantially oval debris skimming net having a pair of floats wrapped around the side portions of the frame and removably clamped to a pole for ease in cleaning and storage. The second embodiment consists of an oval framed net having shoulder floats on top, and can have a hinged pole handle attached between the shoulder floats for removing surface debris about the pool. This oval framed net can be attached to a side of the pool in a position to catch debris in the moving current. The third embodiment consists of a rectangular framed net having a roller-form float on its upper rim and attached hinge joints on either side of the frame for attaching one or both sides to a pole or poles for use by one or two persons. Alternatively, this rectangular framed net can be attached to a side of the pool for stationary skimming of surface debris. If debris is on the pool bottom, the embodiments can still be utilized to collect even with or without the floats.

[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a set of three pool skimmer nets to remove surface or bottom debris from a swimming pool.

[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a pool skimmer net having a frame with a removable clamped or hinged pole handle attached on a top portion of the frame with either a single elongated floatation device attached to the frame, or having two spaced apart floating shoulder pads.

[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a pool skimmer net, wherein the net may be attached to a side of the pool for use as a stationary skimmer of debris, or attached to a pole for portable skimming.

[0018] Still another object of the invention is to provide a pool skimmer net having a clamp or a universal hinge attached to the frame for attachment of a pole.

[0019] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0020] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.