Pool skimmer 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 further 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.

1 . A swimming pool device, comprising:
 a container defining a rim, the container further defining a first opening below the rim;   a member extending from the first opening, the member defining a second opening located above the rim, wherein the member defines a passage therethrough providing fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the member defines a member sidewall extending between the first and second openings, the member sidewall being substantially void of any openings.   
   
   
       2 . The swimming pool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the container further defines a plurality of apertures for fluid flow therethrough. 
   
   
       3 . A housing for use with a swimming pool, comprising:
 a first opening for coupling to a pump;   a second opening for coupling to a pool drain; and   a third opening, wherein the third opening is positioned at a vertical distance of between approximately 6 inches and approximately 20 inches from the second opening.   
   
   
       4 . The housing according to  claim 3 , further comprising a fourth opening for receiving water from a surface of the swimming pool. 
   
   
       5 . The housing according to  claim 3 , further comprising a lid positionable about the housing, the lid defining an opening therethrough. 
   
   
       6 . A swimming pool safety system, comprising:
 a housing defining a first opening for coupling to a pump, a second opening for coupling to a pool drain, and a third opening;   a container positionable in the housing, the container defining a rim and a third opening below the rim; and   a member extending from the third opening, the member defining a fourth opening located above the rim, wherein the member defines a passage therethrough providing fluid communication between the third opening and the fourth openings, and wherein the member defines a member sidewall extending between the third and fourth openings, the member sidewall being substantially void of any openings.   
   
   
       7 . The swimming pool safety system according to  claim 6 , wherein the third opening of the housing is positioned at a vertical distance of between approximately 6 inches and approximately 20 inches from the second opening of the housing. 
   
   
       8 . The swimming pool safety system according to  claim 6 , further comprising a lid positionable about the housing, the lid defining a fifth opening therethrough. 
   
   
       9 . The swimming pool safety system according to  claim 6 , wherein the container includes a plurality of apertures for the passage of fluid therethrough. 
   
   
       10 . A method of reducing entrapment in a swimming pool, comprising the steps of:
 providing a housing defining a first opening in fluid communication with a pump, a second opening in fluid communication with a drain of the swimming pool, and a third opening in fluid communication with a water surface of the swimming pool;   limiting an entrapment force at the drain to between approximately 15 pounds and 25 pounds, wherein the entrapment force is limited by a predetermined dimension of the housing.   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined dimension of the housing is a vertical distance between a portion of the second opening and the water surface. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the vertical distance is between approximately 6 inches and approximately 20 inches. 
   
   
       13 . A method of reducing entrapment in a swimming pool, comprising the steps of:
 providing a housing, the housing defining a first opening in fluid communication with a pump and a second opening in fluid communication with a drain in the swimming pool;   positioning a skimmer basket in the skimmer housing, the skimmer basket defining a debris-retaining region;   providing a fluid flow path from the first opening to atmosphere, wherein the flow path is separated from the debris-retaining region of the skimmer basket.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the skimmer basket includes a member defining a first opening at a first end, a second opening at a second end, and a passage extending from the first opening to the second opening, and wherein the fluid flow path includes the passage defined by the elongate member.