Skimmer plug valve and method of using same

Abstract

A skimmer shut-off or plug valve includes an in-line water flow unit that is adapted to be secured in-line to a skimmer suction inlet and an in-line water flow control unit which is adapted to be secured in-line to the water flow unit, which units are rotated relative to one another between a fully open position and a fully closed position to adjustably control the flow of suctioned water through the skimmer suction inlet.

1 . In a pool skimmer system, a shut-off valve, comprising: 
 an in-line water flow unit adapted to be secured in-line to a skimmer suction inlet; and    an in-line water flow control unit adapted to be secured in-line to said in-line water flow unit and rotatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position to control the flow of suctioned water through the skimmer suction inlet.    
   
   
       2 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 1 , wherein said water flow unit is a ported water flow unit to facilitate the flow of different volumes of suctioned water through the skimmer suction inlet.  
   
   
       3 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 2 , wherein said water flow unit has a unitary construction.  
   
   
       4 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 3 , wherein said water flow unit includes a threaded base, which is adapted to be threaded in-line to the skimmer suction inlet.  
   
   
       5 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 2 , wherein said ported water flow unit is a quarter-sectioned ported water flow unit.  
   
   
       6 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 1 , wherein said water flow unit includes a pair of oppositely disposed stops for interacting with said water flow control unit to limit its rotation to about ninety degrees relative to said water flow unit.  
   
   
       7 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 1 , wherein said water flow control unit is a multi-position water flow control unit to facilitate adjusting the flow of suctioned water through the skimmer suction inlet to different volumes of suction water per minute.  
   
   
       8 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 2 , wherein said water flow control unit is a ported water flow control unit to further facilitate the flow of different volumes of suctioned water through the skimmer suction inlet.  
   
   
       9 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 1 , wherein said water flow unit has a unitary construction.  
   
   
       10 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 8 , wherein said water flow unit and said water flow control unit each have a unitary construction.  
   
   
       11 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 8 , water said ported water flow control unit is a quarter-sectioned water flow control unit.  
   
   
       12 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 1 , wherein said water flow unit and said water flow control unit are spring biased to provide a sufficient rotational resistance to allow relative rotation only under at least a predetermined force.  
   
   
       13 . The shut-off valve according to  claim 12 , wherein said predetermined force is a predetermined hand force.  
   
   
       14 . A plug valve, comprising: 
 a threaded base unit having at least two water path openings; and    a flow control unit mounted in-line with said threaded base unit for relative rotational movement to adjustably control the flow of water through said at least two water path openings.    
   
   
       15 . The plug valve according to  claim 14 , wherein said flow control unit includes a least two water path openings and at least two water path walls for facilitating adjusting the control of the flow of water through said base unit.  
   
   
       16 . The plug valve according to  claim 15 , wherein said base unit and said control unit are coupled together under a spring biased to provide relative rotational resistance for preventing relative rotation except under a direct predetermined force.  
   
   
       17 . The plug valve according to  claim 16 , wherein said direct predetermined force is at least a sufficient force to prevent accidental rotation due to the flow of water through said flow control unit.  
   
   
       18 . A method of adjustably controlling the flow of suctioned water through a skimmer system, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an in-line multi-position skimmer plug valve;    threadably mounting said skimmer plug valve in-line with a suction inlet associated with said skimmer system; and    adjusting said skimmer plug valve to provide a desired flow of suctioned water in the skimmer system.    
   
   
       19 . The method of adjustably controlling the flow of water through a skimmer system according to  claim 18 , wherein said step of adjusting includes hand adjusting said skimmer plug value between a fully open position and a fully closed position.  
   
   
       20 . The method of adjustably controlling the flow of water through a skimmer system according to  claim 19 , wherein said step of providing said in-line multi-position skimmer plug valve includes providing said in-line multi-position skimmer plug valve with a sufficient resistant force so that said step of adjusting is only possible under a predetermined hand and finger force.