SIPHON ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

Siphon assembly and method of use thereof to drain water from a pool cover. The siphon assembly includes a pad of fibrous threads surrounded by air spaces. An intake member embedded in the pad includes multiple inlets and one outlet. A hose is engaged with the intake member. When the pad is submerged in the water, a siphoning action set up in the hose sucks water through the pad’s air spaces, into the intake member’s inlets, through the outlet, and into the hose’s bore. The fibrous threads prevent debris in the water from reaching the inlets and clogging them. Water is sucked into the pad’s interior from multiple directions and providing at least one pad surface is not exposed to air or blocked by debris, the siphon assembly will continue to drain water therethrough until all of the inlets of the intake member are exposed to air.

Claims

1. A siphon assembly for draining accumulated water from a pool cover, wherein the siphon assembly comprises: a pad having a first layer and a second layer opposed to the first layer, wherein both the first laver and the second laver are made from a water and air pervious material; an intake member extending through an interior of the pad defined between the first layer and the second layer; wherein a first surface of the intake member is in direct contact with an interior surface of the first layer and an opposed second surface of the intake member is in direct contact with an interior surface of the second layer; a passageway defined by the intake member, and a hose operably engaged with the intake member, wherein a bore of the hose is placed in fluid communication with the passageway, and wherein the hose is configured to enable a siphoning action to drain the accumulated water from the pool cover through the pad, the passageway, and the bore.

2. The siphon assembly according to claim 1, wherein the water and air pervious material is an open-mesh or open-weave material.

3. The siphon assembly according to claim 1, wherein the material of the pad comprises a plurality of fibrous material threads and a plurality of air spaces between the threads, wherein the plurality of air spaces permit air and water to move through the pad.

4. The siphon assembly according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of fibrous material threads are formed of a waterproof material.

5. The siphon assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intake member is a pipe fitting.

6. The siphon assembly according to claim 5, wherein the pipe fitting defines at least one inlet opening to the passageway and one outlet opening to the passageway.

7. The siphon assembly according to claim 6, wherein a first portion of the pipe fitting which includes the at least one inlet opening is located within an interior of the pad between the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of the second layer, and wherein a second portion of the pipe fitting which includes the outlet opening is located outside of the pad.

8. The siphon assembly according to claim 6, wherein the pipe fitting is a 4-way cross fitting having a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, and a fourth arm, wherein the at least one inlet opening includes an inlet opening defined by each of the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm, and wherein the one outlet opening is defined by the fourth arm.

9. The siphon assembly according to claim 8, wherein the pad defines an aperture which extends between the interior of the pad and outside the pad, and wherein at least part of the fourth arm extends through the aperture such that the one outlet opening is located outside of the pad.

10. A method of draining accumulated water off a pool cover, said method comprising: forming a siphon assembly by providing a pad having a first layer and a second layer opposed to the first layer, wherein both the first layer and the second layer are made from a water and air pervious material; placing an intake member into an interior of the pad such that an exterior surface of the intake member contacts the first pad and the second pad; extending part of the intake member outwardly from between the first layer and the second layer; engaging a first end of a hose with the part of the intake member; placing the second layer of the pad of the siphon assembly onto an upper surface of the pool cover; submerging at least a portion of the siphon assembly in the accumulated water to be drained from the pool cover; placing a bore of the hose in fluid communication with a passageway defined through the intake member and thereby placing the bore of the hose in fluid communication with air spaces defined in the pad; causing accumulated water from the pool cover to flow from outside the pad into interior of the pad; and causing water in the interior of the pad to flow through the passageway and subsequently through the bore of the hose.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising providing more than one inlet opening in the intake member and through which water flows from the interior of the pad to the passageway of the intake member.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising providing only one outlet opening in the intake member and through which water flows from the passageway and into the bore of the hose.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein providing the pad includes manufacturing the pad from an open-mesh or open-weave of a plurality of fibrous threads and wherein the air spaces are interspersed between the plurality of fibrous threads.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: surrounding the intake member with the plurality of fibrous threads of the pad; and preventing debris in the accumulated water from clogging the intake member with the plurality of fibrous threads.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising causing water to flow from outside the pad to the interior of the pad through both of the first layer and the second layer.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: initiating a siphoning action in the hose to cause accumulated water from the pool cover to flow from outside of the pad into the interior of the pad.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the siphoning action continues even when the first laver of the pad is exposed to air or when the first laver becomes clogged with debris in the accumulated water.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising providing more than one inlet opening in the intake member and through which water flows from the interior of the pad to the passageway of the intake member; and wherein the siphoning action in the hose continues until all of the more than one inlet openings in the intake member are exposed to air.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. The siphon assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pad includes a three-dimensional exterior surface that faces an external environment which completely surrounds the pad, and wherein the entire exterior surface permits accumulated water from the pool cover to flow from the external environment through the pad and into the interior.

22. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: draining accumulated water from off the pool cover and into the interior of the pad through a three-dimensional exterior surface of the pad, where the exterior surface is entirely surrounded by an environment external to the pad.

23. A siphon assembly comprising: a length of material comprising a plurality of fibrous threads with air spaces located therebetween; wherein the length of material is folded back upon itself to form a pad having a first layer and a second layer; a pipe fitting located in an interior of the pad which is defined between the first layer and the second layer; at least one securement member securing the first layer and the second layer to one another; wherein an exterior surface of the pad is completely surrounded by an environment external to the pad and the air spaces place the external environment and the interior of the pad in fluid communication with one another; and wherein the entire exterior surface of the pad enables water accumulated on a pool cover to flow through the air spaces and into the interior.

24. The siphon assembly according to claim 23, wherein the pipe fitting defines a passage therethrough which extends from more than one inlet opening to an outlet opening, and wherein the passage is placed in fluid communication with the interior of the pad through the more than one inlet opening.

25. The siphon assembly according to claim 24, wherein the outlet opening is located outside of the exterior surface of the pad.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

[0017] FIG. 1 is top, isometric perspective view of an above-ground swimming pool with a pool cover engaged therewith and showing a siphon assembly in accordance with the present disclosure positioned to drain off liquid which has accumulated on the upper surface of the pool cover;

[0018] FIG. 2A is a top, isometric perspective view of components used to assemble the siphon assembly of the present disclosure, with the components shown in an initial position;

[0019] FIG. 2B is a top, isometric perspective view of an intermediate position in the assembly of the siphon assembly, where a pad of the siphon assembly is folded to form an L-shape and showing a four-way intake member placed on an upper surface of one of the legs of the L-shaped pad;

[0020] FIG. 2C is a top, isometric perspective view of the siphon assembly in a fully-assembled final position where the pad’s legs are vertically aligned with one another, burying the intake member therebetween, and further showing an outlet hose engaged with the intake,

[0021] FIG. 3A is a right side elevation view of the siphon assembly sitting on the upper surface of the pool cover and positioned to drain the accumulated water off the pool cover;

[0022] FIG. 3B is right side elevation view of the siphon assembly sitting on the upper surface of the pool cover and showing the level of the accumulated water substantially reduced, and showing leaves and other debris collecting on an upper surface of the siphon assembly but not blocking the flow of water therefrom; and

[0023] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the siphon assembly submerged in a volume of water accumulated on the pool cover; wherein the siphon assembly is shown with the first section of the pad removed for clarity of illustration and showing the intake member and part of the hose shown in horizontal cross section.

[0024] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated an above ground swimming pool 10 which is covered with a pool cover 12 that is secured to the above ground pool 10 in any suitable fashion. Pool cover 12 has an upper surface 12a and a lower surface 12b (FIG. 3A). When pool cover 12 is engaged with the pool 10, lower surface 12b is located adjacent any water (not shown) that is in the interior of the pool 10. FIGS. 1 and 3A show a volume of water 14 has accumulated on the upper surface 12a of the pool cover 12.

[0026] FIGS. 1 through 3B show a siphon assembly in accordance with the present disclosure, generally indicated at 100. Siphon assembly 100 comprises a pad 102, an intake member 104, securement members 106, and a hose 108. These components will be described in greater detail hereafter.

[0027] Pad 102 may be formed from a material which is air and water pervious. In other words, pad 102 is made from a material which is permeable and allows air and water to move through it. The material of pad 102 has an open-weave or open-mesh type of structure formed from a loose and random weave of waterproof fibers. As such, the material comprises a plurality of fibrous material threads 110 and a plurality of air spaces 112 between the threads 110. The air spaces 112 allow air and water to move through the pad 102. Suitable materials for pad 102 include various types of plastics including but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Recycled plastics may also be suitable materials for formation of the fibrous material. Additionally, pad 102 may be infused with ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers and antimicrobial substances. The UV stabilizers will aid in resisting sun damage to the pad 102. The antimicrobials will resist bacterial and fungal growth within pad 102. Any other substances which will help pad 102 to stand up to harsh environments such as snow, ice, rain, and intense heat may be incorporated into the material of pad 102. It will be understood that materials other than plastics may be used in the fabrication of pad 102.

[0028] The loose weave of the fibers 110 interspersed with air spaces 112 enables pad 102 to breathe and also permits water to flow through the air spaces 112 between the fibers 110. The woven nature of pad 102 is such that the fibers 110 tend to prevent the passage of leaves and other debris into or through the pad 102. In particular, any solid objects which are not small enough to move through the air spaces 112 will be prevented from moving through pad 102 by the fibers 110.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2A through 2C, pad 102 is an elongate strip which is generally rectangular in shape. Pad 102 has first surface 102a, a second surface 102b that is opposed to the first surface 102a. Pad 102 further includes a first end 102c and a second end that is opposed to the first end 102c. Pad 102 further includes a first side 102e, and a second side 102f that is opposed to the first side 102e. Pad 102 has a thickness “T” measured between first surface 102a and second surface 102b, a length “L” measured between first end 102c and second end 102d, and a width “W” measured between first side 102e and second side 102f. Thickness “T” of pad 102 may be from about 1/16″ up to about ¾ inch. It will be understood, however, that the thickness “T” may be less than 1/16″ or greater than ¾ inch. The length “L” of pad 102 may be from about 12 inches long up to about 4 feet long. It will be understood, however, that the length “L” may be less than 12 inches long or greater than 4 feet long. The width “W” of pad 102 may be from about 6 inches wide up to about 2 feet wide. It will be understood, however, that the width “W” may be less than 6 inches or greater than 2 feet. In one embodiment pad 102 may be 1/16.sup.th of an inch thick, 2 feet long, and 1 foot wide.

[0030] It will be understood that while pad 102 is described herein and illustrated in the attached drawings as being rectangular in shape, any desired shape of the material of pad 102 may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, pad 102 may be cut to be circular in shape and then folded in half to form a generally semi-circular pad member of siphon assembly 100. The rectangular shape of pad 102 as described and illustrated herein should not be considered to unnecessarily limit the scope of the pad which may be utilized in siphon assembly 100.

[0031] FIG. 2A shows that an aperture 102g is defined in pad 102. Aperture 102g extends between first surface 102a and second surface 102b. Aperture 102g is preferably formed in a central location of both the width “W” and length “L” of pad 102, i.e., midway between first end 102c and second end 102d, as well as midway between first side 102e and second side 102f. The purpose of aperture 102g will be described later herein.

[0032] Intake member 104 comprises a standard plumbing pipe fitting. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, intake member 104 comprises a 4-way cross fitting. The cross fitting includes a first arm 104a, a second arm 104b, a third arm 104c, and a fourth arm 104d. Adjacent arms of the four arms 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d are arranged at ninety degrees relative to one another. The four arms 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d all are arranged in substantially a same plane.

[0033] It will be understood that any suitable 4-way cross fitting 104 may be utilized as intake member 104. As such, the four arms 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d may be tapered moving in a direction from a central meeting point to the outer ends of the respective arms. The exterior surfaces may be provided with barbs or quick connect features.

[0034] In other embodiments, pipe fittings other than 4-way cross fittings may be utilized as intake member 104. For example, pipe fittings that include less than four arms may be utilized as intake member 104. In other embodiments, pipe fittings with more than four arms may be utilized as intake member 104.

[0035] As illustrated in the attached figures, in the present embodiment, first arm 104a, second arm 104b, and third arm 104c are utilized as water intakes. Fourth arm 104d is utilized as a water outlet.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, when siphon assembly 100 is to be assembled utilizing pad 102 and intake member 104, the rectangular pad 102 is initially folded from an initial position shown in FIG. 2A to an intermediate position shown in FIG. 2B. Pad 102 is folded about a fold line which extends from first side 102e to second side 102f. Preferably, the fold line extends along a midline between first end 102c and second end 102d.

[0037] In the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2B, pad 102 generally has an L-shape when viewed from a left side. The L-shape comprises a first section 102h and a second section 102j which meet along the fold line (or midline between first end 102c and second end 102d). The aperture 102g is located in the fold line or midline. Intake member 104 is placed on the first surface 102a of the second section 102j and the fourth arm 104d is inserted through the aperture 102g so that a portion of the fourth arm 104d extends outwardly beyond the second surface 102b of pad 102. The first arm 102a, second arm 102b, and third arm 102c rest upon the first surface 102 of the second section 102j. The first and third arms 104a, 104c extend along the inner surface of the fold line and the second arm 104b extends outwardly from the fold line and generally at ninety degrees relative thereto.

[0038] First section 102h of pad 102 is then folded completely over second section 102j of pad 102 such that the first surface 102a of first section 102h abuts the first surface 102a of second section 102j. The intake member 104 is captured between the two portions of the first surface 102a. Preferably, first end 102c is vertically aligned with second end 102d, the portions of the first side 102e on first section 102h and second section 102j are vertically aligned with one another, and the portions of the second side 102f on first section 102h and second section 102 are vertically aligned with one another.

[0039] When pad 102 is completely folded in half such that the first section 102h is located vertically above second section 102j as illustrated in FIG. 2C, then one or more securement members 106 are engaged with pad 102 to retain pad 102 in the folded position. Securement members 106 may be plastic cable ties as illustrated in FIG. 2C. Each cable tie 106 is threaded through one or more air spaces 112 in one of the first section 102h and second section 102j and then through one or more air spaces 112 in the other of first section 102h and second section 102j. Each cable tie 106 is then secured to itself as is well known in the art and is drawn tight enough to hold first section 102h and second section 102j in abutting contact with one another. Cable ties 106 are then permanently fixed to pad 102 and cannot be accidentally removed therefrom. The only way to remove cable ties 106 from their engagement with pad 102 is to cut them.

[0040] A plurality of cable ties 106 are shown as being engaged with a portion of a perimeter of the folded pad 102. The cable ties 106 are positioned at intervals from one another around the portion of the perimeter of the pad 102. The intervals are sufficiently close enough to hold the first section 102h and second section 102j in abutting engagement and without leaving large enough openings between adjacent cable ties 106 that the intake member 104 could accidentally slide out from between the first section 102h and second section 102j.

[0041] FIG. 2C shows that only three sides of the substantially square-shaped folded pad 102 has cable ties 106 engaged therewith. The fold 102k which extends between first side 102e and second side 102f is free of cable ties 106. It will be understood, however, that in other instances, one or more cable ties 106 may be engaged with pad 102 along fold 102k to aid in keeping first section 102h and second section 102j in a substantially fixed relationship with one another. Placing a cable tie 106 on either side of the fourth arm 104d of intake member 104 may also help keep intake member 104 seated in substantially a fixed position between first section 102h and second section 102j.

[0042] It will be understood that while the securement members 106 have been illustrated in the drawings and described herein as being cable ties, in other embodiments other types of securement devices may be utilized instead. For example, securement members 106 may comprise clips, clamps, snaps, or any other suitable device or mechanism which will keep first section 102h and second section 102j of pad 102 in abutting contact with one another and intake member 104 sandwiched between them.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 2C, 3A and 3B, a hose 108 is secured to a free end of fourth arm 104d which extends outwardly from aperture 102g defined in pad and beyond fold 102k. (The free end of fourth arm 104d is indicated in FIG. 2A by the reference character 104d′.) Hose 108 is flexible tubular member that has an outer wall 108a with a first end 108b and a second end 108c. The hose 108 defines a bore 108d (FIG. 4) which extends from an opening in first end 108b to an opening in second end 108c. As mentioned earlier herein, the free ends of the first, second, third, and fourth arm 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d may be tapered or provided with barbs or quick connect features. Any of these features may be utilized to aid an installer to slide a first end of the flexible hose 108 onto free end 104d′ of fourth arm 104d so that the free end 104d′ enters the bore of hose 108. A hose clamp 116 is shown as being used to secure hose onto fourth arm 104d. It will be understood, however, that in other embodiments, a zip tie or any other type of securing mechanism may be used to secure hose 108 to fourth arm 104d of intake member 104. In other embodiments, fourth arm 104 may be provided with a quick connect mechanism at its free end 104d and hose 108 may be provided with a complementary quick connect at first end 108b. The complementary quick connect mechanisms may then be utilized to secure hose 108 to intake member 104. In yet other embodiments, hose 108 may simply be retained on intake member 104 by friction. It should be understood that the hose clamp 116 is representative of any desired suitable manner of connecting hose 108 to intake member 104 so that hose 108 does not accidentally become disengaged from intake member 104.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the assembled siphon assembly 100. As can be seen from this figure, the central region and four arms 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d of intake member 104 define an passageway 104e that extends from openings in each of the free end of the four arms 104a through 104d and through the central region. When hose 108 is engaged with free end 104d′ of fourth arm 104d then passageway 104e is placed in fluid communication with bore 108d of hose 108.

[0045] Siphon assembly 100 is used in the following manner. Pad 102 and intake member 104 are engaged with one another as described earlier herein with reference to FIGS. 2A through 2C. Securement members 106 are engaged with pad 102 as earlier described herein in order to secure the two pad sections 102h, 102j to one another and to trap the intake member 104 in a sandwiched position between the two pad sections 102h, 102j. Hose 108 is then engaged with the free end 104d′ of fourth arm 104d which projects outwardly from the aperture 102g defined in the pad 102, and hose clamp 116 is utilized to secure hose 108 to fourth arm 104d.

[0046] Siphon assembly 100 is then submerged into a volume of water 14 accumulated on the upper surface 12a of pool cover 12 as is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3A, 3B, and 4. FIG. 4 shows that when siphon assembly 100 is submerged water will tend to flow through the air spaces 112 in the woven mesh material of pad 102. The water flow from the accumulated volume of water 14 and into the air spaces 112 of pad 102 is indicated in FIGS. 3A through 4 by arrows “A”. Because pad 102 is fabricated entirely from a woven mesh material, water will tend to flow in substantially every direction from outside the pad 102 toward the first surface 102a thereof. Any portion of the pad 102 that is even partially submerged will experience water flow the direction of arrows “A” from outside the pad 102 and towards the inside of the pad 102.

[0047] Ultimately, water that has flowed into the air spaces 112 of pad 102 will make its way into the openings (unnumbered) defined in the free ends of the three arms 104a, 104b, and 104c of the intake member 104 and subsequently into the passageway 104e of intake member 104. The flow of water into the passageway 104e is indicated by arrows “B” in FIG. 4. Because there are three arms 104a, 104b, 104c with openings thereto within the interior of the pad 102, water will flow into the passageway 104e from three different directions. Water does not flow into the opening defined in the free end 104d′ of fourth arm 104d from the volume of accumulated water 14 on the pool cover 12 since the free end 104d′ of the fourth arm 104d is enveloped within the bore 108d of hose 108. Since water is flowing in the direction of arrows “B” into the passageway 104e, the only escape for that water is to flow along the portion of the interior cavity defined by fourth arm 104d. The water will flow through fourth arm 104d and subsequently into bore 108d of hose 108. The flow of water through fourth arm 104d and into and through bore 108d of hose 108 is indicated by arrow “D” in FIGS. 3B, and 4.

[0048] FIGS. 3A and 3B show siphon assembly 100 submerged in a volume of water 14 accumulated on the upper surface 12a of pool cover 12. FIG. 3A shows a first instance prior to siphon assembly 100 being activated to drain water 14 from pool cover 12. The figure shows water 14 is of a first depth “L1” and some leaves 16 are floating on the upper surface of water 14. The first depth “L1” is measured from the uppermost surface 14a (FIGS. 1 and 3A) of the water 14 to upper surface 12a of pool cover 12.

[0049] FIG. 3B shows a situation after siphon assembly 100 has been activated and has been working for some time. Siphon assembly 100 is shown siphoning water from the pool cover 12 through the hose 108, as indicated by arrow “D”. FIG. 3B also shows that the level of water 14 on pool cover 12 is dropping, as indicated by arrows “E”. In particular, FIG. 3B shows a situation when the water level is now at a depth “L2”. The second depth “L2” is measured from the uppermost surface 14a of the water 14 to the upper surface 12a of pool cover 12. The level “L2” is less than the level “L1” shown in FIG. 3A.

[0050] It should be noted that FIG. 3B shows that the water level “L2” is marginally below the uppermost surface of pad 102. This uppermost surface based on the illustrated orientation of siphon assembly 100 is indicated by the reference character 102m. Some of the leaves 16 are illustrated as resting on the uppermost surface 102m, thereby potentially blocking some of the air spaces 112 in uppermost surface 102m. In addition to these blockage of air spaces 112 by leaves 16, since the uppermost surface 102m is no longer submerged beneath the water 14, water cannot flow into the pad 102 and subsequently into the intake member 104 through uppermost surface 102m. Because of these two factors, little to no water 14 will flow into pad 102 through the uppermost surface 102m. However, because pad 102 is capable of taking in water through any of the other surfaces of pad 102, including the first and second ends 102c, 102d, the first and second sides 102e, 102f, the fold 102k, and even portions of the lowermost surface of the pad, indicated in FIG. 3B by the reference character 102n. As a consequence and unlike prior art devices, water 14 continues to drain off pool cover 12, even though the uppermost surface 102m of siphon assembly 102 is above the upper level of the water 14 and/or is blocked by leaves 16 and other debris.

[0051] Since water 14 is able to continue to flow into pad 102 and into intake member 104 even as the uppermost regions of pad 102 is exposed to the air and/or becomes blocked by leaves 16 and other debris that cannot move past the threads 110 of pad 102, more water 14 will be drained from off the pool cover 12 than was possible with prior art devices. Water 14 will continued to be drained off the pool cover 12 until one or more of the three openings to the passageway 104e of first, second, and third arms 104a, 104b, 104c is exposed to the air and the siphoning action of intake member 104 is halted.

[0052] After use of siphon assembly 100, pad 102 may be cleaned by simply hosing it off. Because the woven fibers 110 are loosely engaged with one another, after hosing off the pad 102 air will flow through the air spaces 112 and the airflow will dry the pad 102. This will substantially reduce the chances that mold will grow within the interior of the pad 102.

[0053] Furthermore, if the pad 102 wears out or for some reason the intake member 104 becomes clogged, siphon assembly 100 may easily be cleaned or parts thereof replaced by simply opening the securement members 106 and disassembling the pad 102 and intake member 104. For example, if the pad 102 has become worn, a replacement pad may be selected, engaged with the intake member 104 as previously described herein, and then new securement members 106 (or the previously-used securement members if they are clamps, clips etc.) will be reengaged with the folded replacement pad to reassemble the siphon assembly 100.

[0054] It will be understood that instead of pad 102 being fabricated from a loosely woven or fibrous material which has air spaces formed therein, pad 102 may be fabricated out of a generally solid material with a plurality of air-flow channels therein which allow water to flow from an exterior surface of the pad to an interior surface of the pad and a plurality of air-flow channels originate in each of the first surface, second surface, first end, second end, first side, and second side. A pad fabricated in this manner will be designed to work in substantially the same manner as the pad 102 disclosed herein.

[0055] Siphon assembly 100 as disclosed and illustrated herein enables a homeowner or pool maintenance worker to quickly and easily assemble the siphon assembly 100 from its component parts, i.e., the pad 102, intake member 104, securement members 106 and hose 108. The disclosed siphon assembly 100 also enables the home owner or pool maintenance worker to quickly and easily replace worn component parts. In other embodiments, the siphon assembly 100 may be a factory-assembled device that is sold to the home owner or pool maintenance worker in a fully-assembled condition. In these embodiments the securement members may be replaced with a more permanent mechanism of securing the first section 102h and second section 102j to one another. For example, an adhesive or heat welding may be used to permanent bond the first and second pad sections 102h, 102j to one another. Any other suitable mechanism for permanently securing the pad 102 in the configuration shown in FIG. 2C may be utilized. In these embodiments, if the pad 102 wears out over time then the home owner or pool maintenance worker may cut the pad 102 free from around the intake member 104 and then purchase a replacement pad and securement members 106 to assemble a replacement siphon assembly 100.

[0056] Siphon assembly 100 may be sold as a kit comprising a pad 102, an intake member 104, and securements 106. The hose 108 and hose clamp 116 may be sold as part of the kit or the home owner or pool maintenance worker may utilize a hose and hose clamp that they already own. The kit may additionally include a hand pump or any other type of pump which can be operated by a user to initiate the siphoning action within hose 108.

[0057] Weights do not form part of siphon assembly 100. However, when siphon assembly is sold to the consumer, the consumer may be instructed that if they want to, rocks or some other suitable weighting material may be placed between the first section 102h and second section 102j, either above or below the intake member 104 prior to first section 102h and second section 102j being secured to one another with securements 108.

[0058] A method of using siphon assembly 100 may be summarized as a method of draining accumulated water 14 off a pool cover 12 which includes submerging a siphon assembly 100 in the accumulated water 14 to be drained from the pool cover 12 (as illustrated in FIG. 3A); providing a pad 102 as part of the siphon assembly 100, wherein the pad 102 is comprised of a water and air pervious material; embedding an intake member 104 at least partially within the pad 104; engaging a first end 108b of a hose 108 with the intake member 104; placing a bore 108d of the hose 108 in fluid communication with a passageway 104e defined through the intake member 104 and thereby placing the bore 108d of the hose 108 in fluid communication with air spaces 112 defined in the pad 102. The method further includes causing accumulated water 14 from the pool cover 12 to flow from outside the pad 102 into an interior of the pad 102; and causing water in the interior of the pad 102 to flow through the passageway 104e and subsequently through the bore 108d of the hose 108.

[0059] The method includes providing more than one inlet opening in the intake member 102, i.e., the openings to the passageway 104e defined in first arm 104a, second arm 104b, and third arm 104c. Water flows from the interior of the pad to the passageway 104e of the intake member through these openings in the first, second, and third arms 104a, 104b, and 104c. The method further includes providing only one outlet opening in the intake member 104 and through which water flows from the passageway 104e and into the bore 108d of the hose 108. The only one outlet opening is the opening defined in the end region 104d′ of the fourth arm 104d of the intake member 104.

[0060] The method further includes manufacturing the pad 102 from an open-mesh or open-weave material comprising a plurality of fibrous threads 110 and having air spaces 112 interspersed between and around the plurality of fibrous threads 110. The method includes surrounding at least a portion of the intake member 104 with the plurality of fibrous threads 110 of the pad 102 and preventing debris in the accumulated water 14, such as the leaves 16 from clogging the inlet openings of the intake member 104 with the plurality of fibrous threads 110. The pad 102, when submerged as illustrated in FIG. 3A has a lower surface which contacts the pool cover 12 and an upper surface which is located remote from the pool cover 12. Both the lower surface and the upper surface comprise regions of the second surface 102b of the pad as can be seen in FIG. 2C. The submerged pad 102 also has a perimeter side surface which extends between the upper surface and the lower surface of the pad. The perimeter side surface is comprised of the first end 102c and second end 102d of the pad illustrated in FIG. 2A along with the first side 102e and second side 102f. The fold 102k (FIG. 2C) of pad 102 also forms part of the perimeter side surface which extends between the upper surface and lower surface. When pad 102 is submerged, water 14 is able to flow into the interior of the pad 102 through air spaces 112 which are accessible in one or more of the upper surface, the perimeter side surface, and the lower surface of the pad. So, even if leaves 16 or other debris accumulate against one of the upper surface, lower surface or perimeter side surface of pad 102, water 14 is still able to be drawn into the interior of pad 102 through others of the upper surface, lower surface or perimeter side surface. The fibrous threads 110 of the pad 102 prevent the debris, such as leaves 16, from coming into contact with intake member 104 and blocking or clogging intake member 104. However, even if some smaller debris is sucked into the interior of pad 102 and does clog one of the inlet openings to the intake member, e.g., the opening in the first arm 104a, the inlet opening in the second arm 104b and or the inlet opening 104c in the third arm 104c will remain open and water 14 will continue to be drained through the intake member 104 and hose 108. The method further includes initiating a siphoning action in the hose 108 to cause accumulated water 14 from the pool cover 12 to flow from outside of the pad into the interior of the pad, as indicated by the arrows “A”, “B”, and “C” (FIG. 4). Initiating the siphoning action is preceded by charging the hose 108, i.e., filling the hose with water. This can be accomplished in any way known in the art such as engaging a pump (not shown) with the hose 108 and drawing some of the water 14 into the hose 108. In other instances, hose 108 may be filled with water before being engaged with the fourth arm 104d of intake member 104. After charging the hose 108, a second end 108c of the hose 108 is placed at an elevation vertically below the first end 108b of the hose 108 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Positioning the second end 108c of the hose 108 vertically below the first end 108b thereof naturally sets up the siphoning action which will continue until the water 14 is drained from the pool cover. The siphoning action in the hose 108 continues even when an upper surface of the submerged pad is exposed to air or when the upper surface becomes clogged with debris 16 located in the accumulated water. The siphoning action in the hose 108 will continue until all of the inlet openings in the intake member are exposed to air.

[0061] It will be understood that in other embodiments, not shown herein, a pump may be provided in the interior of pad 102 and may be used in conjunction with intake member 104 or instead of intake member 104. In the former situation, the pump may be positioned between intake members 104 and hose 108. In the latter situation, hose 108 may be directly engaged with pump. Pump will preferably be provided with more than one inlet through which water may be caused to flow from the water 14 collected on pool cover 12, through the fibrous threads 110 of pad 102 and subsequently into hose 108.

[0062] Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0063] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0065] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0066] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term “effecting” or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term “effecting” should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of “effecting an event to occur” would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur.

[0067] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0068] Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0069] Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0070] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

[0071] If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0072] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/-0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

[0073] Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

[0074] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0075] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0076] Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.