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  Cover for a swimming pool main drainUSPTO Application #: 20070061957Title: Cover for a swimming pool main drain Abstract: A main drain of a swimming pool has a housing, a removable cover, and one elongated opening formed therein. In one embodiment, the housing is oval in shape with the elongated opening running parallel to the major dimension of the housing to provide a single extended opening that would be difficult for a swimmer to obstruct. In an alternative embodiment, the elongated opening extends over a round cover and is H-shaped. Each elongated opening is formed to have an internally curved flange to provide a smooth edge and structural stiffness for the cover. The single extended opening with its smooth, rounded edges reduces the likelihood of entrapment and entanglement and allows large debris, such as leaves, to pass more easily into the main drain. (end of abstract) Agent: Nexsen Pruet Adams Kleemeier, LLC - Columbia, SC, US Inventor: Jonathan E. Meincke USPTO Applicaton #: 20070061957 - Class: 004507000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Pool Type, Construction Details, Including Water Inlet Or Outlet Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070061957. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to covers for swimming pool main drains. [0003] A swimming pool has one or more main drains that remove water continuously from the bottom of the pool. The removed water is subsequently filtered of both suspended particulate and sediment to keep it both clear and clean before it is returned to the pool. From time to time, larger debris, such as water-soaked leaves, will descend to the bottom of the pool and can be drawn into the drain through its cover for removal. [0004] However, main drains, because of the relatively powerful suction required for normal operation, pose hazards to swimmers, particularly small children. The suction can trap swimmers and sometimes hold them to the drain, which is commonly located in the deepest part of the pool. At other times, the configuration of the drain, in combination with the suction, will entangle the swimmer's hair or clothing. Either of these circumstances can be fatal to the swimmer. [0005] Drain covers are frequently designed with many small openings to avoid the aforementioned problems. However, they will then not be suitable for draining larger debris and may still cause entrapment and entanglement. [0006] A drain cover needs to have a total opening area sufficient to allow the pool to drain and to admit leaves and other larger debris, but avoid or at least reduce the possibility of the entrapment and entanglement of swimmers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] Briefly recited and according to its major aspects, the present invention is a main drain cover for a swimming pool. The particular feature of the present invention is its utilitarian shape, which is characterized by a gently domed overall shape and a single, extended opening with rounded edges. The present invention may also include an adaptor collar, to fit the cover to the main drain housing, and the housing itself. [0008] In two of the embodiments described herein, the pool is drained through a single extended opening characterized by smooth, curved edges. The first of these is a straight, elongated opening; the second is shaped roughly like the letter "H." The size and extent of the openings is an important feature of the present invention. Because of their size and extent, the openings are relatively more difficult for a swimmer to block than more compact openings would be. Because of their smoothly rounded edges, free of corners and projections, they are much less likely to entangle the hair or clothing of swimmers. Furthermore, larger debris will be more easily drawn in through the larger, rounded openings. [0009] An advantage of the second embodiment of the present invention is that the cover can be used on both new and previously existing drain housings and on housings with two and with three ports, such as those with entrapment relief ports in addition to suction ports and hydrostatic relief ports. [0010] Other features and their advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art of swimming pool water circulation system design from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments accompanied by the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] In the drawings, [0012] FIG. 1 is top view of a cover for a main drain of a swimming pool, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a side, cross sectional view of the main drain of FIG. 1, taken along lines 2-2; [0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of a cover for a main drain of a swimming pool, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention [0015] FIG. 4 is a side, cross sectional view of the main drain of FIG. 3, taken along lines 4-4; and [0016] FIG. 5 is a detailed, cross sectional view of the main drain of FIG. 3, taken along lines 5-5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0017] The present invention is a device for covering a swimming pool main drain; a main drain with a cover; and a cover and adaptor collar for covering a main drain. While specifically intended for use in swimming pools, the present drains could be used for a drain of a body of water in a tank or reservoir where entrapment, entanglement, or draining of larger debris is a concern. Two embodiments of the present main drain cover are presented in the figures and will be described below. [0018] Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a main drain 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and generally indicated by reference number 10. Main drain 10 is made of a material such as polyvinyl chloride that is substantially resistant to the environment of a swimming pool and to the typical chemicals used for maintaining the pool water free of bacteria and mold. [0019] Main drain 10 comprises a cover 12 and a housing 14 that are joined together in a way that allows cover to be removed periodically for cleaning the interior of housing 14, such as by a friction fit between the walls 16 of housing 14 and depending flanges 18 of cover 12. Alternatively, cover 12 and housing 14 can be formed with threads. Continue reading... Full patent description for Cover for a swimming pool main drain Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cover for a swimming pool main drain patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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