Cleaning system for above-ground container and methods thereof

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards devices combining swimming pool skimmers, pumps, and removable, disposable filters into integral, sidewall-mounted systems for above-ground pools and other above-ground liquid containment enclosures, and methods for the use of such systems to remove both larger floating debris and smaller particulate matter to maintain water clarity and hygienic safety within such pools or like liquid containment enclosures. The present invention is an above-ground pool comprising a base, a side wall, and at least a portion of a cleaning system solely supported by the side wall.

1 . An above-ground container capable of holding a fluid, the above-ground container comprising:
 a base;   at least one side wall in communication with the base; and   a cleaning system solely supported by a portion of the side wall.   
   
   
       2 . The above-ground container of  claim 1 , the cleaning system comprising a housing defining a hollow cavity, the housing fully supported by the portion of the side wall, wherein no portion of the cleaning system is supported by a ground surface upon which the base is supported. 
   
   
       3 . The above-ground container of  claim 2 , the cleaning system further comprising a filter assembly disposed within the hollow cavity of the housing, the filter assembly adapted to filter debris from the fluid of the above-ground container. 
   
   
       4 . The above-ground container of  claim 3 , the cleaning system further comprising a skimmer assembly disposed within the hollow cavity of the housing, the skimmer assembly adapted to skim debris off a top surface of the fluid of the above-ground container. 
   
   
       5 . The above-ground container of  claim 4 , the cleaning system further comprising a pump assembly removably secured to a first end of the housing, the pump assembly adapted to control the filter assembly and the skimmer assembly. 
   
   
       6 . The above-ground container of  claim 5 , the pump assembly further adapted to circulate fluid and debris of the above-ground container to be filtered by the filter assembly and be skimmed by the skimmer assembly. 
   
   
       7 . The above-ground container of  claim 6 , the cleaning system further comprising a vacuum controlled by the pump assembly for extracting fluid and debris from the fluid of the above-ground container. 
   
   
       8 . The above-ground container system of  claim 2 , further comprising an aperture in the side wall, the aperture having a frame therearound, and the housing secured and solely supported by the frame of the aperture. 
   
   
       9 . The above-ground container of  claim 1 , the side wall of the above-ground container being non-rigid. 
   
   
       10 . The above-ground container of  claim 1 , the side wall of the above-ground container being flexible. 
   
   
       11 . An above-ground swimming pool comprising:
 a base lying upon a surface;   a side wall coupled to the base and with the base forming a watertight pool; and   a water cleaning system solely supported by the side wall of the pool, the water cleaning system comprising:
 a housing defining a hollow cavity; 
 a filter assembly disposed within the housing for filtering debris in the water; and 
 a skimmer assembly disposed within the housing for skimming debris off a top surface of the water. 
   
   
   
       12 . The above-ground swimming pool of  claim 11 , the housing coupled to the side wall at an aperture in the side wall, and further comprising a pump assembly removably secured to the housing for controlling the filter assembly and the skimmer assembly, the pump assembly to circulate water from the pool to the skimmer assembly and the filter assembly in the housing via the aperture in the side wall. 
   
   
       13 . The above-ground swimming pool of  claim 12 , the water cleaning system further comprising a vacuum controlled by the pump assembly for extracting debris from the fluid of the above-ground swimming pool. 
   
   
       14 . The above-ground swimming pool of  claim 11 , the side wall comprising inner wall and an outer wall, and the housing mountable to a first gasket on the inner wall and a second gasket on the outer wall. 
   
   
       15 . The above-ground swimming pool of  claim 14 , the housing mounted to the side wall without a member penetrating the side wall. 
   
   
       16 . The above-ground swimming pool of  claim 11 , wherein no portion of the water cleaning system is supported by the surface upon which the base lies upon. 
   
   
       17 . An above-ground swimming pool comprising:
 a base;   a non-rigid side wall in communication with the base and with the base forming a watertight pool; and   a cleaning system comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity; and 
 a filter assembly for filtering debris in the swimming pool, the filter assembly being disposed within the cavity of the housing; 
 the housing solely supported by the non-rigid side wall, 
 wherein no portion of the cleaning system is supported by a ground surface upon which the base is supported. 
   
   
   
       18 . The above-ground swimming pool of  claim 17 , the cleaning system further comprising:
 a skimmer assembly disposed within the hollow cavity of the housing, the skimmer assembly adapted to skim debris off a top surface of fluid of the above-ground swimming pool; and   a pump assembly removably secured to a first end of the housing, the pump assembly adapted to control the filter assembly and the skimmer assembly, the pump assembly further adapted to extract fluid and debris of the above-ground swimming pool to be filtered by the filter assembly and be skimmed by the skimmer assembly.