Device and method for maintaining swimming pools

Abstract

A device for winterizing pools comprises a compartment including a front portion having a periphery defining a first opening. An upper portion of the compartment defines a second opening. The periphery is to sealingly engage a wall of a swimming pool such that the first opening surrounds a return line aperture defined by the wall of the swimming pool. The second opening defined by the upper portion is to be disposed above a water level of the swimming pool. A pump is to be disposed within the compartment, and is energized by, for example, a DC power supply. A conduit includes a first end to be coupled to an outlet of the pump and includes a second end to be disposed outside of the compartment and adjacent to the upper portion thereof for directing fluid out of the compartment.

1 . A device for winterizing pools, comprising: 
 a compartment including a front portion having a periphery defining a first opening, and an upper portion defining a second opening, the periphery to sealingly engage a wall of a swimming pool such that the first opening surrounds a return line aperture defined by the wall of the swimming pool, the second opening defined by the upper portion to be disposed above a water level of the swimming pool;    a pump to be disposed within the compartment; and    a conduit including a first end to be coupled to an outlet of the pump and including a second end to be disposed outside of the compartment and adjacent to the upper portion thereof for directing fluid out of the compartment.    
   
   
       2 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply to communicate with and energize the pump.  
   
   
       3 . A device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the power supply includes a DC battery source.  
   
   
       4 . A device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the power supply includes an on/off switch to respectively energize and de-energize the pump.  
   
   
       5 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , further including a seal to be disposed on the periphery of the first opening.  
   
   
       6 . A device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the seal includes a resilient material for forming a generally watertight seal.  
   
   
       7 . A device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the seal includes a polyethylenepropylenediene weatherstrip tape for forming a generally watertight seal.  
   
   
       8 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a submersible bilge pump.  
   
   
       9 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is generally rectangular.  
   
   
       10 . A device as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the compartment includes a bottom wall, two sidewalls, a rear wall, an upper wall defining the second opening, and wherein front edges of the bottom wall, the sidewalls and the upper wall forming the periphery of the first opening.  
   
   
       11 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the conduit includes an elbow section to direct fluid away from the compartment.  
   
   
       12 . A device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the elbow section defines attachment threads.  
   
   
       13 . A device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the conduit includes a swivel section for adjusting an orientation of the elbow section.  
   
   
       14 . A method of winterizing swimming pools, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a compartment including a front portion having a periphery defining a first opening, and an upper portion defining a second opening;    providing a pump disposed within the compartment;    providing a conduit including a first end coupled to an outlet of the pump and including a second end disposed outside of the compartment and adjacent to the upper portion thereof;    placing the periphery against a wall of a swimming pool such that the first opening surrounds a return line aperture defined by the wall of the swimming pool, and positioning the second opening above a water level of the swimming pool; and    energizing the pump to create a vacuum to sealingly engage the periphery against the wall of the swimming pool, and to direct fluid through the conduit and out of the compartment until a fluid level within the compartment is at least below that of the return line aperture.    
   
   
       15 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , further including the steps of: 
 draining water from the return line aperture;    inserting a winterizing chemical fluid into the return line aperture; and    closing the return line aperture.    
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , further including the steps of: 
 opening the return line aperture;    draining a winterizing chemical fluid from the return line aperture and into the compartment; and    energizing the pump to draw the winterizing chemical fluid out of the compartment for recapture.