Pool skimmer apparatus and method

Abstract

A pool skimmer apparatus and method for maintaining continued flow of pool water through a pool skimmer intake opening and a pool skimmer basket when debris clogs the skimmer intake opening and/or the skimmer basket. A conduit device extends from an outer end beneath the pool water surface adjacent the skimmer intake opening and extends adjacent to, connects to or extends through the skimmer basket, preferably to a lower end adjacent to the bottom or side of the skimmer basket. The conduit device may be removably connected to the skimmer basket. In another embodiment, the conduit device may comprise a first conduit section connected to the skimmer basket and one or more additional conduit sections removably connected to the first conduit section.

1 . Pool skimmer apparatus for maintaining continued flow of pool water through the opening of the pool skimmer intake and the skimmer basket, said skimmer apparatus comprising a conduit device having an outer end disposed adjacent to the skimmer intake opening and being disposed beneath the surface of the pool water, said conduit device extending along said skimmer intake to a position adjacent to said skimmer basket, thereby enabling flow of pool water through said conduit device to the skimmer basket. 
   
   
       2 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said conduit device extends into said skimmer basket. 
   
   
       3 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said conduit device has an inner end disposed adjacent to the bottom or side of said skimmer basket. 
   
   
       4 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said conduit device is removably connected to said skimmer basket. 
   
   
       5 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said conduit device is removably connected to the bottom or side of said skimmer basket. 
   
   
       6 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said conduit device comprises a first conduit section connected to said skimmer basket, and one or more additional conduit sections removably connected to said first conduit section. 
   
   
       7 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first and additional conduit sections are tubular in shape. 
   
   
       8 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first conduit section is fixedly connected to the bottom of said skimmer basket. 
   
   
       9 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said first conduit section extends through the bottom of said skimmer basket. 
   
   
       10 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first conduit section extends upwardly from said skimmer basket, and said one or more of said additional conduit sections has an inner end extending downwardly into said skimmer basket and is removably connected to said first conduit section. 
   
   
       11 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first conduit section extends upwardly from the bottom of said skimmer basket and terminates in a laterally extending upper end portion disposed above the upper surface of said skimmer basket, and said one or more additional conduit sections is removably connected at its inner end to said upper end portion of said first conduit section. 
   
   
       12 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the outer end of said conduit device extends below the lower portion of said pool skimmer intake opening. 
   
   
       13 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said one or more additional conduit sections is further connected to said first conduit section by a tether to prevent said one or more additional conduit sections from falling into the pool in the event it is unintentionally separated from said first conduit section. 
   
   
       14 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first conduit section and said one or more additional conduit sections are adjustably connected. 
   
   
       15 . The pool skimmer apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said conduit devices. 
   
   
       16 . A method of maintaining continued flow of pool water through a pool skimmer intake opening and a pool skimmer basket, comprising providing a conduit device that extends from an outer end beneath the pool water surface adjacent the skimmer intake opening to an inner end adjacent to the skimmer basket. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the outer end of the conduit device is disposed below the lower portion of the skimmer intake opening. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the conduit device is removably connected to the skimmer basket. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the conduit device comprises a first conduit section connected to the skimmer basket, and one or more additional conduit sections removably connected to the first conduit section and extending to said outer end beneath the pool water surface.