Mobile pool skimmer

Abstract

A mobile skimmer that can be propelled by either human manipulation or wind power to capture debris floating on or near the surface of a body of liquid, and more particularly, a swimming pool. It further comprises a unique netted trap design to trap and retain debris even while floating freely in the water. A hinged buoyant flap has one end positioned below the surface of the water, with another end that moves above and below the surface depending on the movement of the skimmer, thereby collecting and trapping debris. A sail may be used to move the skimmer.

1 . A mobile floating pool skimmer for collecting debris on or below the surface of the water, comprising:
 two parallel pontoons, each with corresponding first ends and second ends;   a first buoyant flap extending between the corresponding first ends of the pontoons, said first buoyant flap comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is positioned below the surface of the water and the top edge moves between a position above the surface of the water and a position below the surface of the water; and   a first netted trap positioned between the pontoons, said first netted trap comprising a first end, a second end, and two sides, wherein the first end is fastened to the top edge of the first buoyant flap;   wherein the top edge of the first buoyant flap moves to the position below the surface of the water when the skimmer is propelled in the direction of the first ends of the pontoons to permit collection of the debris, and moves to the position above the surface of the water when not so propelled so as to retain the debris in the first netted trap.   
     
     
         2 . The skimmer of  claim 1 , further comprising a first submerged beam extending across the corresponding first ends of the pontoons, wherein the bottom edge of the first buoyant flap is hingedly connected to the first submerged beam. 
     
     
         3 . The skimmer of  claim 1 , wherein the first submerged beam is positioned to create an upward surge or wave of water when the skimmer is propelled in the direction of the first ends of the pontoons. 
     
     
         4 . The skimmer of  claim 1 , further comprising a first cross beam extending across the corresponding first ends of the pontoons above the surface of the water. 
     
     
         5 . The skimmer of  claim 4 , further comprising a second cross beam extending across the corresponding second ends of the pontoons above the surface of the water. 
     
     
         6 . The skimmer of  claim 5 , further comprising a third cross beam extending across the corresponding centers of the pontoons above the surface of the water. 
     
     
         7 . The skimmer of  claim 4 , further comprising a latch or rod on the first cross beam, wherein the latch or rod is adapted to connect with a latch tool. 
     
     
         8 . The skimmer of  claim 7 , wherein the latch or rod comprises a stem with a ball at the top. 
     
     
         9 . The skimmer of  claim 8 , wherein the underside of the ball comprises a flat angled section where it meets the stem. 
     
     
         10 . The skimmer of  claim 9 , wherein the angle is approximately 45 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The skimmer of  claim 10 , wherein the flat angled section corresponds to a matching flat angled section inside the latch tool. 
     
     
         12 . The skimmer of  claim 11 , wherein the latch tool is attached to a pole. 
     
     
         13 . The skimmer of  claim 12 , wherein the skimmer is manually pushed. 
     
     
         14 . The skimmer of  claim 13 , wherein the weight of the pole is borne by the skimmer. 
     
     
         15 . The skimmer of  claim 1 , further comprising a sail positioned on the skimmer above the surface of the water. 
     
     
         16 . The skimmer of  claim 15 , wherein the skimmer is moved by wind power. 
     
     
         17 . The skimmer of  claim 1 , further comprising a second buoyant flap extending between the corresponding second ends of the pontoons, said second buoyant flap comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is positioned below the surface of the water and the top edge moves between a position above the surface of the water and a position below the surface of the water;
 wherein the top edge of the first buoyant flap moves to the position below the surface of the water and the top edge of the second buoyant flap moves to the position above the surface of the water when the skimmer is propelled in the direction of the first ends of the pontoons; and   the top edge of the first buoyant flap moves to the position above the surface of the water and the top edge of the second buoyant flap moves to the position below the surface of the water when the skimmer is propelled in the direction of the second ends of the pontoons.   
     
     
         18 . The skimmer of  claim 17 , wherein the top of the second buoyant flap is attached to the second end of the first netted trap. 
     
     
         19 . The skimmer of  claim 17 , further comprising a second netted trap, wherein the top of the second buoyant flap is attached to one end of the second netted trap. 
     
     
         20 . The skimmer of  claim 1 , wherein the pontoons are hydrodynamically shaped.