Removable skimmer basket handle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Removable Skimmer Basket Handle which is ideal for people who wishes to use skimmer sock fabric in their skimmer baskets to collect ultra-fine particles and prevent them going into their pool filter. The removable handle allows this person the ability to remove the basket using the upper portion curved handle and twist the handle to separate the handle from the basket so the person can remove the fabric sock and replace with a new sock. The present invention also allows a skimmer basket lifting tool that enables a user to engage and remove a skimmer basket for cleaning without having to contact the debris accumulated within the basket.

Claims

1. A skimmer basket removal device comprising: a removable skimmer basket handle comprising a grip portion and an elongated post; said grip portion located at a first end of the elongated post and having a curved top and a bump up peak located on the curved top; a rectangular slot located at a second, opposite end of the elongated post; said post comprising a hollow portion at the second end communicating with said slot; and a separate base cap configured to be attached to a bottom of a skimmer basket; said base cap comprising a T shaped extension on a top thereof; wherein the handle is configured to engage said base cap such that the extension is received through the rectangular slot and into the hollow portion and the handle is turned ¼ turn; wherein said grip is configured to allow a user to hook the bump up peak through the grip to lift and remove the handle and basket when the handle is engaged to the base cap.

2. The skimmer basket removal device of claim 1, wherein the T bar base is configured to be screwed into place on an inside of a skimmer basket with screws going through the underside of the skimmer basket, through the skimmer basket and into T bar base screw holes.

3. The skimmer basket removal device of claim 1, wherein the rectangular slot of the handle and T shaped extension of the base cap are sized and shaped to be configured to capture a skimmer sock attached to the skimmer basket therebetween.

4. The skimmer basket removal device of claim 1, wherein the base cap is weighted to be configured to sink the skimmer basket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1: is a Left elevational view of a removable skimmer basket handle;

(2) FIG. 2: is a Front elevation view of thereof;

(3) FIG. 3: is a Right elevation view thereof;

(4) FIG. 4: is a Perspective elevation view thereof;

(5) FIG. 5: is a Bottom elevation view thereof;

(6) FIG. 6: is a top elevation view hereof; and

(7) FIG. 7: is a Back view thereof, of removable skimmer basket handle;

(8) FIG. 8: is a Left elevational view of the base cap for the removable skimmer basket handle;

(9) FIG. 9: is a Top elevation view thereof;

(10) FIG. 10: is a Right elevation view thereof;

(11) FIG. 11: is a Perspective elevation view thereof;

(12) FIG. 12: is a Bottom elevation view thereof;

(13) FIG. 13: is a front elevation view hereof; and

(14) FIG. 14: is a Back view thereof, the base cap for the removable skimmer basket handle;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

(16) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

(17) Some prior art skimmer basket handles comprise small thin plastic straps or a small ridged side clip attached to the sides of the skimmer basket. The small thin plastic straps are generally not very strong and some are easily breakable. The small thin plastic straps and the small side clips rest inside of the skimmer basket below the water line and in the midst of the undesirable debris that has accumulated in the skimmer basket. In order to pick up such handles it is necessary to reach down into the inside of the skimmer basket and touch the undesirable debris in the skimmer basket.

(18) Some other prior art skimmer basket handles comprise small metal or plastic wires that are connected to the rim of the skimmer basket. In the course of time such handles will become broken or detached or lost. This means that the cleaning person will be required to put his or her hand into the unpleasant debris that has accumulated in the skimmer basket.

(19) In addition, many prior art skimmer baskets do not have a weight incorporated into the basket design. Skimmer baskets are usually made of lightweight material such as plastic. A skimmer basket that lacks a weight will float up through the debris in the skimmer well when the pool pump is not operating and not circulating water through the skimmer well. When the skimmer basket floats upwardly with respect to its seated position within the skimmer well, it will break the seal between the walls of the skimmer well and the rim of the skimmer basket. Then when the pool pump is turned on, there is a possibility that debris will lodge in the space between the rim of the skimmer basket and the walls of the skimmer well, thereby preventing the skimmer basket from properly seating itself in the skimmer well basket seat location.

(20) The present invention provides a removable skimmer basket handle comprising a grip 102 which is curved on top with a bump up peak 106 to be able to hook onto the handle to lift and remove the basket. It has a straight post 104 in the middle and the opposite end is flat with an internal slot large enough to receive a T bar base cap 108 that will be screwed/attached to the skimmer basket. The separate T bar base cap will allow a person to lock and unlock the handle to the skimmer basket with a ¼ turn twisting motion. The design is ideal for people who wish to use skimmer sock fabric in their skimmer baskets to collect ultra-fine particles and prevent them going into their pool filter.

(21) The removable handle allows this person the ability to remove the basket using the upper portion curved handle and twist the handle to separate the handle from the basket so the person can remove the fabric sock and replace with a new sock. The person would then reattach the handle to the base pinching the sock between the handle and T bar with a ¼ turn. The T bar base is screwed into place on the inside of the skimmer basket with screws going through the underside of the skimmer basket, through the skimmer basket and into the T bar base screw holes.

(22) While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

(23) Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

(24) The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.