Swimming pool overflow device and method

Abstract

A pool overflow device controls water level in a swimming pool. The swimming pool includes an interior wall having an upper end. An overflow port passes through the interior wall at an elevation below the upper end of the interior wall. A drain member has a drain passage therethrough in fluid communication with the overflow port for passing fluid from the pool. One embodiment of the device comprises a 90-degree elbow having a first port, a second port, and a flow passage for passing water between the first and second port. The elbow rotatably mates with a tubular segment about an axis of rotation passing through the first port. The second port is radially spaced from the axis of rotation. The body may be selectively rotated to adjust the elevation of the second port, and thus to control the elevation at which water passes from the pool through the overflow port.

1 . A pool overflow device for controlling water level in a swimming pool, the swimming pool including an interior wall for retaining water, the interior wall having an upper end and an overflow port passing through the interior wall at an elevation below the upper end for passing fluid from the pool, the pool overflow device comprising: 
 a body having a first port, a second port, and a flowpath for passing water between the first and second port, the body rotatable about an axis of rotation passing through the first port, the second port being radially spaced from the axis of rotation;    a connecting member having a throughbore in fluid communication with the first port for rotatably securing the body to the swimming pool about the axis of rotation with the first port in fluid communication with the overflow port; and    a sealed flowpath between the first port and the overflow port.    
   
   
       2 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises: 
 a pipe fitting defining the flowpath between the first and second port, the flowpath having at least one bend.    
   
   
       3 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe fitting comprises: 
 an elbow.    
   
   
       4 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member comprises: 
 a pipe segment rotatably mating with the body and the axis of rotation passing through the throughbore.    
   
   
       5 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a seal ring for sealing between the body and the connecting member, an axis of the seal ring being substantially aligned with the axis of rotation.    
   
   
       6 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the seal ring seals between an OD of the body and an ID of the connecting member.  
   
   
       7 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member comprises: 
 a flange securable to the interior wall.    
   
   
       8 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a gasket for sealing between the flange and the interior wall.    
   
   
       9 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a pair of threaded fasteners passing through the flange and into the interior wall, the threaded fasteners opposite one another with respect to the first port.    
   
   
       10 . A pool overflow device for controlling water level in a swimming pool, the swimming pool including an interior wall for retaining water, the interior wall having an upper end and an overflow port passing through the interior wall at an elevation below the upper end for passing fluid from the pool, the pool overflow device comprising: 
 an elbow having a first port, a second port, and a flowpath with at least one bend between the first and second port;    a pipe segment having a throughbore, the elbow rotatably mating with the pipe segment about an axis of rotation passing through the first port, the second port being radially spaced from the axis of rotation;    a flange secured to the pipe segment, the flange securable to the interior wall of the pool with the first port in fluid communication with the overflow port; and    a sealed flowpath between the first port and the overflow port.    
   
   
       11 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a seal ring for sealing between an ID of the pipe fitting and an OD of the pipe segment.    
   
   
       12 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a gasket for sealing between the flange and the interior wall.    
   
   
       13 . A pool overflow device as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a pair of threaded fasteners passing through the flange and into the interior wall, the threaded fasteners opposite one another with respect to the first port.    
   
   
       14 . A method of controlling water level in a swimming pool, the swimming pool including an interior wall for retaining water, the interior wall having an upper end and an overflow port passing through the interior wall at an elevation below the upper end for passing fluid from the pool, the method comprising: 
 providing a body having a first port, a second port, and a flowpath therethrough for passing water between the first and second port, the body rotatable about an axis of rotation passing through the first port, the second port being radially spaced from the axis of rotation;    rotatably securing the body to the swimming pool with the first port in fluid communication with the overflow port;    providing a sealed flowpath between the first port and the overflow port; and    selectively rotating the body about the axis of rotation to adjust the elevation of the second port.    
   
   
       15 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein rotatably securing the body to the swimming pool comprises: 
 securing a flange to the connecting member about the first port; and securing the flange to the interior wall.    
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 positioning a gasket between the flange and the interior wall for sealing between the flange and the interior wall.    
   
   
       17 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 securing the body with a pair of threaded fasteners passing through the interior wall, the threaded fasteners opposite one another with respect to the first port.    
   
   
       18 . A method for controlling water level in a swimming pool, the swimming pool including an interior wall for retaining water, the interior wall having an upper end and an overflow port passing through the interior wall at an elevation below the upper end for passing fluid from the pool, the method comprising: 
 providing an elbow having a first port, a second port, and a flowpath for passing water between the first and second port;    providing a pipe segment having a throughbore;    rotatably mating the elbow with the pipe segment about an axis of rotation passing through the first port, the second port being radially spaced from the axis of rotation;    securing a flange to the pipe segment;    securing the flange to the interior wall of the pool;    providing a sealed flowpath between the first port and the overflow port; and    selectively rotating the elbow about the axis of rotation to adjust the elevation of the second port.    
   
   
       19 . A method as defined in  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 positioning a seal ring between the elbow and the pipe segment.    
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein securing the flange to the interior wall comprises: 
 passing a pair of threaded fasteners through the flange and into the interior wall, the threaded fasteners opposite one another with respect to the first port.