Pool safety system

Abstract

The present invention provides a swimming pool safety system including a housing having a first opening for coupling to a pump, a second opening for coupling to a pool drain, and a third opening for receiving water form a surface of a pool. The present invention may include a skimmer basket positionable in the housing, where the skimmer basket defines a debris-retaining region and a member having a passage therethrough. A method of use of the present invention is also provided in which the housing may be configured to reduce an entrapment force experienced at a pool drain, and to further provide a fluid flow path through the debris-retaining region of the skimmer basket to place the first opening of the housing in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere. A collector vessel may also be included, the collector vessel having an adjustable extension element to modify a resulting entrapment force.

1 . A collector vessel for use with a swimming pool, comprising:
 a housing defining a port for coupling to a pool drain, wherein a vertical positioning of the port is selectively adjustable.   
   
   
       2 . The collector vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the port is defined by an extension element positionable within the housing. 
   
   
       3 . The collector vessel according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing defines a first opening for coupling to a pool drain, and wherein the extension element is coupled to the first opening such that the port is vertically offset from the first opening. 
   
   
       4 . The collector vessel according to  claim 3 , wherein the extension element is movable about the housing. 
   
   
       5 . A collector vessel for use with a swimming pool, comprising:
 a housing defining a first opening for coupling to a pool drain and a second opening for coupling to a pump; and   an extension element defining a first extension opening, a second extension opening, and a passage therebetween, wherein the first extension opening is coupled to the first opening of the housing, and wherein the second extension opening is vertically offset from the first extension opening.   
   
   
       6 . The collector vessel according to  claim 5 , further comprising a third opening. 
   
   
       7 . The collector vessel according to  claim 6 , wherein the first opening is located a first distance from the third opening, the second extension opening is located a second distance from the third opening, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
   
   
       8 . The collector vessel according to  claim 6 , wherein the first opening is located a first distance from the third opening, the second extension opening is located a second distance from the third opening, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance. 
   
   
       9 . The collector vessel according to  claim 6 , wherein the second extension opening is located a vertical distance of between approximately 5 inches and approximately 20 inches from the third opening. 
   
   
       10 . The collector vessel according to  claim 5 , wherein the extension element is movable about the first opening. 
   
   
       11 . A swimming pool system, comprising:
 a housing having a fluid therein defining a fluid surface, the housing further defining a port coupled to a pool drain, wherein a vertical distance between the port and the fluid surface is selectively adjustable.   
   
   
       12 . The swimming pool system according to  claim 11 , wherein the port is defined by an extension element positionable within the housing. 
   
   
       13 . The swimming pool system according to  claim 12 , wherein the housing defines a first opening for coupling to a pool drain, and wherein the extension element is coupled to the first opening such that the port is vertically offset from the first opening. 
   
   
       14 . The swimming pool system according to  claim 12 , wherein the extension element is movable about the housing. 
   
   
       15 . A swimming pool system, comprising:
 a housing having a fluid therein defining a fluid surface, the housing further defining a first opening in fluid communication with a pool drain and a second opening in fluid communication with a pump; and   an extension element defining a first extension opening, a second extension opening, and a passage therebetween, wherein the first extension opening is in fluid communication with the first opening of the housing, and wherein the second extension opening is vertically offset from the first extension opening.   
   
   
       16 . The swimming pool system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first opening is located a first distance from the fluid surface, the second extension opening is located a second distance from the fluid surface, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
   
   
       17 . The swimming pool system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first opening is located a first distance from the fluid surface, the second extension opening is located a second distance from the fluid surface, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance. 
   
   
       18 . The swimming pool system according to  claim 15 , wherein the second extension opening is located a vertical distance of between approximately 5 inches and approximately 20 inches from the fluid surface. 
   
   
       19 . A swimming pool system, comprising:
 a first conduit defining a first opening and a second opening, the first and second openings located on a submerged surface of a swimming pool;   a second conduit coupled to the first conduit at a junction, wherein the second conduit is in fluid communication with a pump; and   a third conduit coupled to the first conduit substantially proximate to the junction, wherein the third conduit is in fluid communication with atmosphere.