Skimmer Construction

Abstract

A decorative pond which includes a pond area, a water feature for discharging water into the pond and a skimmer construction for receiving pond water, separating debris from the pond water and recirculating filtered water to the water feature. The skimmer construction includes: a housing which defines a fixed pond-water receiving aperture, an internal assembly positioned adjacent the fixed aperture defines a movable pond water receiving aperture that is selectively positionable relative to the fixed aperture. The combination of the fixed and movable apertures define an inlet opening to the skimmer for receipt of pond water in said housing. A debris collection member is positioned rearwardly of the inlet opening to receive incoming pond water from the inlet opening so as to collect debris. A controllably positionable discharge assembly is provided in association with the skimmer construction so as to permit control of water levels in the skimmer.

1 . A skimmer construction for use in a decorative pond to receive pond water comprising: 
 a housing defining a fixed aperture; and    an internal assembly within said housing which includes a movable plate that cooperates with the fixed aperture to define an inlet opening into the housing for receiving the pond water and for controllably varying the dimension of the inlet opening.    
   
   
       2 . The skimmer construction of  claim 1 , wherein the internal assembly is further provided with a collection member through which pond water entering the inlet opening passes and which member is fixed in position relative to the fixed aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The skimmer construction of  claim 1  wherein said movable plate is mounted adjacent the fixed aperture and is movable relative to said housing.  
   
   
       4 . The skimmer construction of  claim 1  wherein the movable plate is selectively and fixably securable so as to position said movable plate relative to said fixed aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The skimmer construction of  claim 1 , wherein there is provided an adjustment member that permits said movable plate to be vertically adjustable.  
   
   
       6 . A skimmer construction for use in a decorative pond to receive pond water comprising: 
 a housing defining a fixed aperture; and    an internal assembly and a movable plate within said housing, said movable plate cooperates with the fixed aperture to define an inlet opening into the housing for receiving the pond water and for controllably varying the dimension of the inlet opening.    
   
   
       7 . The skimmer construction of  claim 6  wherein said housing includes a bottom wall below said fixed aperture and a pump positioned adjacent the bottom wall.  
   
   
       8 . The skimmer construction as in  claim 6  wherein a filter is supported within said housing, said filter defining a cavity between said filter and said housing, said cavity adapted to accept a pump.  
   
   
       9 . A skimmer construction for use in a decorative pond to receive pond water comprising: 
 a housing defining a fixed aperture; and    a filter member within said housing and a movable plate, said movable plate cooperating with the fixed inlet aperture to define an adjustable inlet opening into the housing for receiving the pond water and for controllably varying the dimension of the inlet opening;    the filter member supported within said housing, said filter member defining a cavity between said filter member and said housing, said cavity adapted to accept a pump.    
   
   
       10 . The skimmer construction of  claim 9 , further including a basket type debris collector positioned within said housing to capture debris that enters said inlet.  
   
   
       11 . The skimmer construction of  claim 9 , further including a pump within said cavity.  
   
   
       12 . A skimmer construction for skimming debris from pond water comprising: 
 a skimmer housing having a fixed aperture for receiving pond water;    an assembly positioned adjacent the fixed aperture which assembly includes a moveable plate that is selectively positionable relative to the fixed aperture, wherein the fixed aperture and moveable plate in combination define an adjustable inlet opening to the skimmer construction for receiving pond water in said housing;    wherein said assembly further includes a debris collecting member positioned to receive pond water from the inlet opening.    
   
   
       13 . The skimmer construction of  claim 12 , further including a pump within said skimmer housing.  
   
   
       14 . The skimmer construction of  claim 13 , wherein said pump his a horizontal pump.