Sump extension assembly for preventing suction entrapment

Abstract

The invention relates in one embodiment to an extension for a sump assembly covering a main drain of a swimming pool or spa that prevents suction entrapment. More specifically, the invention relates to a sump extension having a frame, a plate defining a plurality of openings and positioned on the frame, a removable cross channel extending across the upper end of the frame, and a cover plate positioned on the frame substantially adjacent to the plate. In another embodiment the invention relates to a sump assembly for a main drain of a swimming pool or spa, and more specifically, to a sump assembly having a sump, a conduit passing through the sump, a frame, a plate defining openings and positioned on the frame, a removable cross channel extending across the upper end of the frame, and a cover plate positioned on the frame substantially adjacent to the plate.

1 . A sump extension assembly for a drain comprising:
 a hollow frame having an upper end and a lower end;   at least one plate defining a plurality of openings for directing a flow of water into said hollow frame, said at least one plate positioned on at last a portion of said upper end of said frame; and   at least one removable cross channel extending across at least a portion of said upper end of said frame and removably secured to sides of said frame, said cross channel positioned substantially between portions of said frame and said at least one plate such that said cross channel provides support for said at least one plate;   wherein said frame separates said plate from the drain at a desired distance; and   wherein said sump extension assembly reduces the velocity of water flowing through said sump extension, and prevents the formation of a vortex of flowing water substantially adjacent to said sump extension assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 1  wherein:
 said upper end of said frame is substantially rectangular in shape;   said lower end of said frame is substantially rectangular in shape;   said at least one plate is substantially rectangular in shape; and   said plurality of openings are substantially oblong.   
     
     
         3 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the uppermost diameter of said frame is greater than the lowermost diameter of said frame. 
     
     
         4 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the uppermost diameter of said frame is greater than the maximum diameter of said frame. 
     
     
         5 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said upper end of said frame defines a channel extending about an inner perimeter of said frame into which ends of said at least one cross channel extend such that said at least one cross channel is secured to and removed from said frame by rotating said at least one cross channel about its mid-point along a plane substantially coplanar with respect to upper edges of said frame. 
     
     
         6 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said frame is connected to a sump of the drain. 
     
     
         7 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the upper surface of said at least one plate is rendered flush with a bottom surface of a pool or spa. 
     
     
         8 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one cover plate for preventing a flow of water into said frame, said at least one cover plate positioned substantially adjacent to said at least one plate, said at least one cover plate and said at least one plate substantially coplanar with respect to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said at least one cover plate is substantially rectangular and substantially solid. 
     
     
         10 . The sump extension assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said frame, said at least one plate, and said at least one cover plate each define at least one opening for receiving a fastener such that said plate is removably secured to said frame, said openings corresponding with one another. 
     
     
         11 . A sump assembly for a drain comprising:
 a sump for collecting water, said sump defining at least one opening and having a flange at an upper portion;   at least one conduit, said first conduit passing through one of said at least one openings in said sump;   a hollow frame having an upper end and a lower end, said frame positioned on said flange of said sump;   at least one plate defining a plurality of openings for directing a flow of water into said hollow frame, said at least one plate positioned on at last a portion of said upper end of said frame; and   at least one removable cross channel extending across at least a portion of said upper end of said frame and removably secured to sides of said frame, said cross channel positioned substantially between portions of said frame and said at least one plate such that said cross channel provides support for said at least one plate;   wherein said sump extension reduces the velocity of water flowing through said sump extension, and prevents the formation of a vortex of flowing water substantially adjacent to said sump extension assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The sump assembly according to  claim 11  wherein:
 said upper end of said frame is substantially rectangular in shape;   said lower end of said frame is substantially rectangular in shape;   said at least one plate is substantially rectangular in shape; and   said plurality of openings are substantially oblong.   
     
     
         13 . The sump assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the uppermost diameter of said frame is greater than the lowermost diameter of said frame. 
     
     
         14 . The sump assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the uppermost diameter of said frame is greater than the maximum diameter of said frame. 
     
     
         15 . The sump assembly according to  claim 11  wherein said upper end of said frame defines a channel extending about an inner perimeter of said frame into which ends of said at least one cross channel extend such that said at least one cross channel is secured to and removed from said frame by rotating said at least one cross channel about its mid-point along a plane substantially coplanar with respect to upper edges of said frame. 
     
     
         16 . The sump assembly according to  claim 11  wherein said frame and said at least one plate each define at least one opening for receiving a fastener such that said plate is removably secured to said frame, said openings corresponding with one another. 
     
     
         17 . The sump assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the upper surface of said at least one plate is rendered flush with a bottom surface of a pool or spa. 
     
     
         18 . The sump assembly according to  claim 11  further comprising at least one cover plate for preventing a flow of water into said frame, said at least one cover plate positioned substantially adjacent to said at least one plate, said at least one cover plate and said at least one plate substantially coplanar with respect to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The sump assembly according to  claim 18  wherein said at least one cover plate is substantially solid.