Pool Skimmer Opening Cover Assembly

Abstract

A skimmer opening cover assembly having an outer plate, an inner support brace, and a threaded connecting rod. The plate and brace are attached to the threaded rod, with a tightening member used to adjust the distance between the two components on the threaded rod. Preferably, the outer plate includes a sealing material about a periphery on one surface. In use, this sealing material abuts the pool sidewall to form a tight seal. The seal is made most effective when the plate is sufficiently biased in place by the tightening of a threaded member on either the front face of the plate or at the brace.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pool skimmer opening cover assembly for preventing water ingress into a pool skimmer through the skimmer opening, the assembly comprising:
 an outer cover plate having a front surface and a back surface, and configured to sealingly cover a pool skimmer opening in an interior sidewall of a swimming pool;   a rod connected by a first end to a central area of the back surface of the outer cover plate; and   a support brace adjustably connected to a second end of the rod and configured to engage a surface within the pool skimmer;   wherein the rod extends into a pool skimmer when the outer plate is positioned to cover the pool skimmer opening, and the support brace secures the outer plate in position by engaging a surface within the skimmer.   
     
     
         2 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is threaded on at least one end. 
     
     
         3 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover plate comprises a sealing gasket on the back surface. 
     
     
         4 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support brace is adjustable along a length of the rod to bias the outer cover plate against the interior sidewall of the swimming pool. 
     
     
         5 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the support brace comprises a plurality of orifices for alternate attachment to the rod. 
     
     
         6 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism which allows tightening and loosening of the outer cover plate against the interior sidewall of the swimming pool. 
     
     
         7 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded second end of the rod and an attached nut. 
     
     
         8 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a locking collet attached to the second end of the rod. 
     
     
         9 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a locking pin and a plurality of apertures in the second end of the rod. 
     
     
         10 . A pool skimmer opening cover assembly for preventing water ingress into a pool skimmer through the skimmer opening, the assembly comprising:
 a cover plate having a front surface, a back surface, and a sealing gasket positioned on the back surface and configured to create a seal around a pool skimmer opening located in an interior sidewall of a swimming pool when the cover plate is positioned over the opening and against the sidewall, and   a biasing assembly for securing the cover plate to the sidewall by maintaining a constant force against the pool sidewall.   
     
     
         11 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the biasing assembly comprises a rod connected by a first end to the cover plate and a support brace adjustably connected to a second end of the rod and configured to engage a surface within the pool skimmer. 
     
     
         12 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rod extends into a pool skimmer when the outer plate is positioned to cover the pool skimmer opening, and the support brace secures the outer plate in position by engaging a surface within the skimmer. 
     
     
         13 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism which allows tightening and loosening of the cover plate against the interior sidewall of the swimming pool. 
     
     
         14 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded second end of the rod and an attached nut. 
     
     
         15 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a locking collet attached to the second end of the rod. 
     
     
         16 . The pool skimmer opening cover assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a locking pin and a plurality of apertures in the second end of the rod.