Skimmer protector with integral blow tube

Abstract

A skimmer protector with integral blow tube is a hollow, substantially closed, blow-molded body of resilient resin material having a cylindrical projection on one end with external screw threads for threading into the intake pipe of a swimming pool skimmer with an open integral tube running from and through said screw threaded portion to an opening elsewhere on its blow-molded body. The cylindrical projection on the body of the device is intended and designed to be threaded into the intake pipe or other part of a pool skimmer. When connected thereto, the skimmer protector is positioned to absorb/buffer the forces exerted by the expansion of ice as it freezes within the walled regions of the skimmer. The aforesaid integral tube serves to create a sealed air space between the tube and the outer walls. This sealed air space helps to resiliently stiffen the body of the skimmer protector, allowing it to better perform its function in absorbing ice expansion pressure. In addition, this sealed integral tube can be used as a blow-out tube to assist in the removal of water from the piping connected to the skimmer.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A skimmer protector for use in a swimming pool having a skimmer including a walled region and an intake pipe, comprising: 
 a. a hollow, substantially closed body of resilient material;    b. one end of said body having a screw threaded cylindrical projection that can be threaded into said intake pipe;    c. a hollow blow-out tube in communication with said intake pipe extending from said intake pipe through said cylindrical projection to an outer opening located on said body; and    d. said body extending from said intake pipe to be compressibly disposed within said walled region.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the outer opening is located at an end of the body opposite the cylindrical projection.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a substantially sealed air space exists between the blow-out tube and said body.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said body is generally cylindrical in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said body has a larger diameter than said intake pipe.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein a portion of said body arranged to confront a skimmer basket support rim is narrower in diametrical relationship to said cylindrical projection than a portion of said body adjacent to said cylindrical projection.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the end of said body opposite the cylindrical projection has gripping means to afford a finger grip for screwing said body into said intake pipe.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a removable cap for sealing an end of said hollow blow-out tube.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said screw threaded cylindrical projection has portions with different diameters, thereby enabling the device to be screwed into intake pipes having such different diameters.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a raised rim surrounds the outer opening.  
     
     
         11 . A skimmer protector with integral blow tube for use in a swimming pool having a skimmer including a walled region and an intake pipe, comprising a hollow body of resilient material having a cylindrical projection on one end with external screw threads for threading into the intake pipe of a swimming pool skimmer with an open integral blowout tube running from and through said screw threaded portion to an opening located at an end of the body opposite the cylindrical projection so as to form a substantially sealed air space between said blow-out tube and said body.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said body is generally cylindrical in shape and has a larger diameter than said intake pipe.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein a portion of said body arranged to confront a skimmer basket support rim is narrower in diametrical relationship to said cylindrical projection than a portion of said body adjacent to said cylindrical projection.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein an end of the body opposite the cylindrical projection has gripping means to afford a finger grip for screwing said body into said intake pipe.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising a removable cap for sealing an end of said hollow blow-out tube.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein said screw threaded cylindrical projection has portions with different diameters, thereby enabling the device to be screwed into intake pipes having such different diameters.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein a raised rim surrounds the opening.