Standards compliant unblockable anti-entrapment pool main drain cover

Abstract

Anti-entrapment drain cover [A] for pools is formed by a molded wheel-like cover unit [ 10 ] of radial dimensions greater than the radius of any pool sump or drain [ 10 ] to be covered, so as to extend over the drain floor radially beyond the drain. Radial ribs [ 14 ] below the cover unit define channels opening at the periphery to provide a side inlet [ 18 ] between each rib pair so that the periphery stands off the surface sufficiently for water flow through the inlets but with spacing insufficient for user grasping of the cover. Arcuate inlet recesses [ 20 ] open periphery between rib pairs, so water flows into the channels for draining without potential for pool user entrapment even if a pool user attempts to block them. Securements are such that the cover, which is user unbreakable, cannot be pulled away by the user.

1 . An effectively unblockable anti-entrapment sump or drain suction protecting cover, providing secure suction protection for users of water-containing facilities exemplified by swimming pools, wading pool and other water-containing facilities, the cover comprising;
 an integral cover unit of wheel-like configuration having a center and extending radially outward in all directions relative to the center to an extent substantially larger than the radius of any pool drain or sump which the drain cover must overlie in covering relationship, so that the cover unit extends out over the pool floor or other surface having the drain or sump, radially beyond the drain;   the cover unit carrying beneath it a plurality of evenly spaced radial ribs which define between them channels opening at the periphery, such that there is a side inlet between each pair of ribs;   the ribs supporting the cover on the pool surface in which the drain or sump is located so that the cover unit periphery stands off that surface for water flow intake beneath through the side inlets;   the cover unit periphery being provided with multiple arcuate recesses opening to the periphery, at least one such recess being between each rib pair, so that each arcuate recess also opens into the channel between each rib pair;   the ribs and channels controlling water flow beneath the cover unit so that water flows relatively evenly in the channels from the periphery and then into the drain or sump without potential for pool user entrapment;   the arcuate recesses further precluding entrapment by allowing flow to enter the channels beneath the cover unit even when any of the side inlets is blocked by the body of a pool user or other object;   multiple sets of securements, comprising a first set of screw-receiving openings receiving attachment devices therein for direct screwing to flange portions of a drain or sump to be protected, and a second set of screw-receiving openings receiving attachment devices therein for direct screwing into a floor or other surface having the drain or sump to be protected, such that the first and second sets of securement provide at least four points of securement of the suction protecting cover over the drain or sump.   
     
     
         2 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the cover being an integral unit formed of strong, durable, crack-resistant material having resistance to chemicals in the water and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the strength being sufficient that no user who might grasp an edge of the drain cover and attempt could pull it away, or break it, from the pool floor or wall to which the suction protecting cover is attached. Or such a swimmer might attempt, out of abundant mischief, to break the drain cover away. 
     
     
         3 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the cover being of molded thermal plastic or polymeric synthetic resin material. 
     
     
         4 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 3 , the cover being of molded polypropylene. 
     
     
         5 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the cover being certified to handle a flow rate of 80 gpm (gallons per minute) at 0.8 fps (feet per second) and 100 gpm at 1.2 fps. 
     
     
         6 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 5 , the cover being type classified as, and complying ANSI/ASME specification A112.19.8 standard. 
     
     
         6 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the cover being to be capable of use, for guarding and protectively covering either round or square/rectangular sumps, and where round sumps or drains can be up to 13 inches in diameter, and with flow rates being such that they would not under any circumstances ever be deemed dangerous to a user, no matter the size of the user. 
     
     
         7 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the cover being capable of providing user protection even if a pool or spa user were capable, as in terms of size and extent of providing a “body block” to as much as 18 in. by 23 in., which is commonly specified or measured as a maximum block which a user might provide, and yet even if so “body blocked” the new drain cover provides such flow rate of less than one foot/sec. 
     
     
         8 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the cover being to be capable nearly or about 400 pounds of weight without cracking or damage. 
     
     
         9 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , comprising two concentric rings of securement, the rings being concentric relative to the center of the cover, and providing thereby inner and outer rings of securement. 
     
     
         10 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the rings of securement, comprising a first, inner ring for screw securement of a flange of the drain or screw anchor engagement of the pool surface just outward of the periphery of the drain; and a second, outer ring radially outward from of the first ring, the second ring providing for multiple screw anchor securement to the pool surface farther outward of the periphery of the drain so as to be arcuately equidistant around the periphery of the cover, whereby the cover is tightly clamped in position and securely attached by multiple rings of fastening elements. 
     
     
         11 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , the cover securements providing attachment to the pool surface at attachment locations which minimize any possibility that a pool or spa user, such as a curious child, would pry at the pool cover in a misguided or mischievous attempt to lift it from the pool or spa surface and so endanger the curious or misguided user. 
     
     
         12 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 11 , the cover being of height and character that a user in the water cannot pry the cover from its secured position. 
     
     
         13 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 11 , the cover being secured at least in part by plurality of screw anchors extending through the cover into the pool or spa surface, the screw anchors being are such as to withstand more than about 2100 pounds of pull-out force, so that no person would be of sufficient strength to pull them loose. 
     
     
         14 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 12 , the ribs supporting the cover on the surface being of height of the ribs such that the vertical gap spacing at the periphery, that is of the channels opening at the periphery relative to the surface to which drain cover is secured, is less than 0.5 inch so that a gap spacing at the periphery is insufficient for inserting the fingers or a user. 
     
     
         15 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 12 , the cover being about 0.49 in. in height. 
     
     
         16 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each arcuate recess opens upwardly through the cover unit between each pair of ribs peripherally of the cover unit, such that flow of water may occur downwardly either through the respective recesses or laterally through the side openings, or both. 
     
     
         17 . A suction protecting cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ribs all are of substantially constant height to extend from the underside of the cover unit into engagement with the pool surface to which the cover is for water flow intake primarily through side inlets rather than passing into through-holes in face of the cover, so as to support the cover in its operating position on the pool surface;   the ribs, by cooperating by engagement with said pool surface, essentially compartmentalize each of the water flow channels for guiding flow of water from the periphery of the cover unit to the drain which the cover unit is secured. The water flow channels being arranged in equal quarters or sectors beneath the cover, as defined by the ribs; and   wherein a plurality of principal ribs define the sectors.   
     
     
         18 . A drain cover as set forth in claim I wherein the drain cover includes securement slots extending through its upper surface that are of relatively small cross-section as compared with inlets at the periphery of the cover so that only a relatively small amount of water may flow through the securement slots which accordingly do not substantially contribute to water flow into the drain, as compared to water flowing beneath the cover unit from its periphery.