U.S. patent application number 12/503906 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for deflector for a pool cleaner sweep tail hose.
Invention is credited to Patrick T. Collins.
Application Number | 20100011521 12/503906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41528953 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100011521 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; Patrick T. |
January 21, 2010 |
DEFLECTOR FOR A POOL CLEANER SWEEP TAIL HOSE
Abstract
A pool cleaner having a sweep tail hose has a deflector at a
downstream or discharge end thereof, wherein the deflector
comprises a relatively flexible structure in comparison with the
sweep tail hose. During normal submerged operation as the pool
cleaner and sweep tail hose travel over submerged pool floor and
side wall surfaces, water jetted from the sweep tail hose flows
substantially without restriction through the deflector. However,
when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of
water within the swimming pool, the relatively flexible deflector
falls by gravity over the otherwise open discharge end of the sweep
tail hose to deflect water jetted therefrom. Accordingly, the
deflector effectively knocks down and prevents water jetted from
the sweep tail hose from spraying over any significant distance or
area of a surrounding pool deck region.
Inventors: |
Collins; Patrick T.; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KELLY LOWRY & KELLEY, LLP
6320 CANOGA AVENUE, SUITE 1650
WOODLAND HILLS
CA
91367
US
|
Family ID: |
41528953 |
Appl. No.: |
12/503906 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61081895 |
Jul 18, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/1.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/1654 20130101;
E04H 4/1672 20130101; E04H 4/1681 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/1.7 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/16 20060101
E04H004/16 |
Claims
1. A deflector for a pool cleaner sweep tail hose, comprising: a
relatively flexible element, in comparison with the flexibility of
the sweep tail hose, at a downstream end of the sweep tail hose,
whereby said relatively flexible element falls by gravity to block
and obstruct water discharged from the sweep tail hose, when the
sweep tail hose breaks the pool water surface.
2. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible
element is adapted for mounting generally at the downstream end of
the sweep tail hose.
3. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible
element comprises a mounting collar adapted for mounting generally
at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, in combination with a
plurality of flexible fingers extending in a downstream direction
from said mounting collar.
4. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said mounting collar is adapted
for wrapped mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep
tail hose, and further comprising means for retaining said mounting
collar in wrapped assembled relation with the sweep tail hose.
5. The deflector of claim 4 wherein said mounting means comprises
interengageable hook and loop fastener elements.
6. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible
element is constructed from a silicon elastomer material.
7. The deflector of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
flexible element is formed from a foam material.
8. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible
element is formed integrally with the downstream end of the sweep
tail hose.
9. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible
element comprises a plurality of downstream-extending flexible
fingers.
10. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible
element defines a plurality of longitudinally elongated and
radially spaced slots.
11. In combination: a sweep tail hose for a pool cleaner, said
sweep tail hose being adapted to pass a jet of water under pressure
and to discharge said water jet from a downstream end thereof; and
a deflector generally at said downstream end of said sweep tail
hose, said deflector defining a relatively flexible element in
comparison with the flexibility of the sweep tail hose, at least a
portion of said relatively flexible element trailing said sweep
tail hose in a submerged state to substantially avoid blocking and
obstructing water discharged therefrom, said relatively flexible
element falling by gravity when the sweep tail hose downstream end
breaks the water surface whereby the relatively flexible element
extends generally across the sweep tail hose downstream end to
block and obstruct water discharged therefrom.
12. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible
element comprises a mounting collar adapted for mounting generally
at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, in combination with a
plurality of flexible fingers extending in a downstream direction
from said mounting collar.
13. The deflector of claim 12 wherein said mounting collar is
adapted for wrapped mounting generally at the downstream end of the
sweep tail hose, and further comprising means for retaining said
mounting collar in wrapped assembled relation with the sweep tail
hose.
14. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible
element is constructed from a silicon elastomer material.
15. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible
element is formed integrally with the downstream end of the sweep
tail hose.
16. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible
element comprises a plurality of downstream-extending flexible
fingers.
17. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible
element defines a plurality of longitudinally elongated and
radially spaced slots.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to improvements in pool
cleaner devices of the type designed to travel over submerged floor
and wall surfaces of a swimming pool to dislodge and/or collect
fine particulate and other debris settled thereon. More
particularly, this invention relates to a deflector designed for
installation onto the downstream or discharge end of a sweep tail
hose carried by a pool cleaner device, wherein the deflector is
designed to obstruct or deflect water jetted from the sweep tail
hose in the event that the discharge end of the sweep tail hose
breaks the surface of the pool water. Accordingly, the deflector
effectively prevents water from being sprayed over any substantial
distance or area of a surrounding pool deck region.
[0002] Pool cleaner devices are generally known in the art for use
in maintaining residential and commercial swimming pools in a clean
and attractive condition. In this regard, swimming pools
conventionally include a water filtration system having a pump for
drawing or suctioning water from the pool for circulation through a
filtration canister having filtration media therein to remove and
collect water-entrained or water-suspended debris such as leaves
and twigs as well as fine particulate including sand and silt. From
the filter canister, water is recirculated to the pool via one or
more return lines. Such filtration system is normally operated for
several hours on a daily basis and serves, in combination with
traditional chemical treatments such as chlorination and the like,
to maintain the pool water in a clean and sanitary state.
[0003] However, the conventional pool filtration system is
generally ineffective to collect and filter out debris which
settles onto submerged floor and side wall surfaces of the swimming
pool. In the past, such settled debris has typically been removed
by coupling a vacuum hose to the suction or intake side of the pool
water filtration system, such as by connecting the vacuum hose to a
skimmer well located near the pool water surface at one side of the
pool, and then manually moving a vacuum head on the vacuum hose
over submerged pool surfaces to vacuum settled debris directly to
the filter canister where it is collected and separated from the
pool water. However, manual vacuuming of a swimming pool is a labor
intensive task and thus is not performed on a daily basis by the
pool owner or pool cleaning service personnel.
[0004] Automatic pool cleaner devices have been developed for
cleaning and/or dislodging settled debris from submerged pool floor
and side wall surfaces, thereby substantially eliminating the need
for labor intensive manual vacuuming. Such automatic pool cleaners
typically comprise a relatively compact cleaner housing or head
coupled to the pool water filtration system by a hose and including
water-powered means for causing the cleaner to travel about within
a swimming pool to dislodge and collect settled debris. In one
popular form, the pool cleaner is connected to the return or
pressure side of the filtration system for receiving positive
pressure water which powers a turbine for rotatably driving cleaner
wheels, and also functions to induce a vacuum by venturi action to
draw settled debris into a removable filter bag. See, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,574; 4,558,479; 4,589,986; 4,734,954;
5,863,425; and 6,665,900. This venturi action enables the pool
cleaner to climb relatively vertical submerged side wall surfaces
of the swimming pool, before breaking the water surface to
interrupt the venturi action whereupon the pool cleaner falls
downwardly within the pool water to resume travel over submerged
floor and side wall surfaces.
[0005] In pool cleaner devices of this general type, a sweep tail
hose is normally included to trail the cleaner housing or head as
it travels over submerged pool surfaces. The sweep tail hose
comprises an elongated and at least somewhat flexible hose having a
typical length on the order of about 3-4 feet. A portion of the
positive pressure water supplied to the pool cleaner is jetted
rearwardly from a downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail
hose, thereby causing the hose to displace and whip about as the
pool cleaner travels within the swimming pool. This combined
jetting and whipping action functions to further dislodge fine
particulate and debris from submerged pool surfaces for suspension
within the pool water so that the now-suspended debris can be drawn
into and collected by the main pool filtration system.
[0006] One disadvantage associated with a sweep tail hose is that
water jetted therefrom can spray over a substantial distance or
area of a surrounding pool deck region, as the pool cleaner breaks
the water surface upon climbing a submerged side wall. That is, as
the venturi action is interrupted when the pool cleaner breaks the
water surface, the pool cleaner is normally balanced to turn for
generally front-first descending back toward the pool floor. As a
result, during this movement of the pool cleaner, the sweep tail
hose can whip upwardly so that its downstream or discharge end can
also break the water surface whereby the water jetted therefrom can
spray over the surrounding pool deck region. With modern positive
pressure pool cleaners, the distance of the water spray can be
significant--on the order of about 20-30 feet--resulting in
undesirable spraying of pool furniture and/or persons located
within this range. Such water spraying typically occurs quickly,
and with little or no prior warning.
[0007] There exists, therefore, a need for further improvements in
and to pool cleaners of the type having a sweep tail hose, wherein
undesirable spraying of water over nearby-located pool deck regions
is substantially prevented. The present invention fulfills this
need and provides further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the invention, a deflector is provided at
a downstream or discharge end of a sweep tail hose on an automatic
pool cleaner, wherein the deflector comprises a relatively flexible
structure in comparison with the sweep tail hose. During normal
submerged operation as the pool cleaner and sweep tail hose travel
over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces, water jetted from
the sweep tail hose flows substantially without restriction through
the deflector. However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail
hose breaks the surface of water within the swimming pool, the
relatively flexible deflector falls by gravity over the otherwise
open discharge end of the sweep tail hose to deflect water jetted
therefrom. Accordingly, the deflector effectively knocks down and
prevents water jetted from the sweep tail hose from spraying over
any significant distance or area of a surrounding pool deck
region.
[0009] More particularly, the pool cleaner comprises, in a
preferred form, a pressure-side pool cleaner of the general type
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,574; 4,558,479; 4,589,986;
4,734,954; 5,863,425; and 6,665,900, which are incorporated by
reference herein. In such pool cleaner, positive pressure water is
provided via a hose or the like from a main water filtration system
and functions to power drive means for causing the pool cleaner to
travel over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces. Such
positive pressure water additionally provides, by venturi action, a
suction effect at the bottom of the pool cleaner which vacuums
settled debris into a removable filter bag, and additionally
functions to enable the pool cleaner to climb substantially
vertical submerged side wall surfaces within the pool. The sweep
tail hose trails the pool cleaner as it travels over submerged pool
surfaces, and has a sufficient length and flexibility to whip about
when supplied with water under pressure from the pool cleaner to
dislodge settled debris for suspension within the pool water.
[0010] The deflector is carried at the downstream or discharge end
of the sweep tail hose. In one form, the deflector is mounted onto
the discharge end of the sweep tail hose, and comprises a
relatively flexible structure in comparison with the sweep tail
hose. In a preferred form, the deflector comprises a mounting
collar for quick and easy mounting onto the discharge end of the
sweep tail hose, in combination with a large plurality of highly
flexible elongated fingers protruding in a downstream direction
from the mounting collar. During normal submerged operation of the
pool cleaner and sweep tail hose, these deflector fingers extend
generally in parallel with the direction of a water jet discharged
from the sweep tail hose, whereby the deflector fingers do not
significantly obstruct or restrict the water jet flow. However,
when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of
the pool water, the deflector fingers have sufficient length and
weight to fall by gravity over the otherwise open discharge end of
the sweep tail hose, to extend generally perpendicularly across and
through the discharged water jet, thereby blocking or obstructing
and knocking down the water jet. As a result, the deflector fingers
prevent significant projection of the water jet over any
substantial pool deck region.
[0011] In one alternative form, the deflector may be integrally
formed at the downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail hose,
as by forming a slotted segment defined by multiple longitudinally
elongated slots in the sweep tail hose at a location at or near the
discharge end thereof. Such slotted segment may be spaced a short
distance from the sweep tail hose discharge end to define a region
of relatively increased hose flexibility. In operation, the
deflector comprises a downstream region of the sweep tail hose
beginning at the upstream extent of the longitudinal slots. During
normal submerged operation, the deflector trails substantially
in-line with the upstream portion of the sweep tail hose to prevent
any significant restriction on the water jetted therefrom. However,
when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the water
surface, the deflector falls by gravity so that the slotted segment
overlies and obstructs the water jetted therefrom resulting in
substantial prevention of any significant spray distance.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such
drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view showing a
pool cleaner of the type having a sweep tail hose shown in
operation traveling along a floor surface of a swimming pool,
wherein a deflector embodying the novel features of the invention
is mounted at a downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail
hose;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear side perspective view of the pool
cleaner shown in FIG. 1, including the sweep tail hose and
deflector mounted thereon;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a further enlarged and fragmented perspective view
showing the deflector mounted onto the discharge end of the sweep
tail hose;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view depicting operation
of the deflector to deflect or block a water stream discharged from
the sweep tail hose, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose
breaks the surface of water within a swimming pool during normal
pool cleaner operation;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a fragmented perspective view showing construction
of a mounting collar on the deflector, in accordance with one
preferred form of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a fragmented top plan view of a downstream or
discharge end of a sweep tail hose, wherein the hose includes
multiple vents formed therein to define an integrated deflector, in
accordance with one alternative preferred form of the invention;
and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken generally on the line
7-7 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] As shown in the exemplary drawings, an automatic pool
cleaner referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS.
1 and 2 is provided for dislodging and/or collecting debris and
sediment from within a swimming pool 12 or the like. The pool
cleaner 10 includes a sweep tail hose 14 trailing therefrom as the
pool cleaner 10 travels over submerged pool surfaces, including a
pool floor 16 and side walls 18. A deflector 20 is provided in
accordance with the invention at a downstream or discharge end of
the sweep tail hose 14. This deflector 20 permits substantially
unobstructed or unrestricted flow of a water jet from the sweep
tail hose 14 during normal operation of the pool cleaner 10 as it
travels over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces (as viewed
in FIG. 3). However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose
14 breaks the surface of water within the swimming pool, the
deflector 20 falls by gravity (as viewed in FIG. 4) over the
otherwise open discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14 to deflect
water jetted therefrom. Accordingly, the deflector 14 effectively
knocks down and prevents water jetted from the sweep tail hose from
spraying over any significant distance or area of a surrounding
pool deck region.
[0022] The automatic pool cleaner 10 comprises, in one preferred
form, a so-called positive pressure or pressure-side pool cleaner
constructed generally in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,574;
4,558,479; 4,589,986; 4,734,954; 5,863,425; and 6,665,900, which
are incorporated by reference herein. Such pool cleaners are
designed for generally random travel over submerged pool floor and
side wall surfaces of the swimming pool 12 having virtually any
conventional construction and configuration. In this regard, as
depicted in FIG. 1 by way of example, the swimming pool 12 commonly
includes the pool floor 16 which may be generally horizontal or of
sloping contour to define relatively shallower and deeper pool
regions. The pool floor 16 blends generally smoothly with the side
walls 18 which extend upwardly to appropriate pool decking 22 or
the like above the surface of water 24 filling the pool.
[0023] A swimming pool 12 of this general type is typically
provided with a main filtration system 26 depicted schematically in
FIG. 1 for filtering particulate and other foreign matter from the
pool water 24 to maintain the water in a relatively clear and
sanitary state. This filtration system 26 is normally installed at
a convenient location near the swimming pool 12, and includes a
main pump (forming part of a main pump and filter unit 28) for
drawing pool water 24 through one or more suction ports such as a
skimmer well 30 located generally at the water surface at one side
of the pool and/or a floor drain 32 located in the pool floor 16.
The pool water 24 is drawn through these suction ports 30, 32 for
passage through appropriate suction conduits 34 into a filter
canister (forming part of the main pump and filter unit 28) having
a selected filtration media therein for separating and collecting
entrained particulate from the pool water (as is known in the art).
The filtered pool water is then recirculated from the filter
canister through one or more return conduits 36 to the pool 12 via
one or more return ports 38 positioned typically along the pool
side walls 18 slightly below the water surface.
[0024] In general terms, the pool cleaner 10 is hydraulically
operated by a portion of the filtered water returned to the
swimming pool 12, so that the pool cleaner 10 travels back and
forth in a generally random pattern over the submerged pool
surfaces, including the floor 16 and side walls 18. In this regard,
the pool cleaner 10 includes an hydraulic drive system (not shown)
coupled via an elongated flexible hose 40 to a supply port or
fitting 42 at one side of the pool, wherein this port 40 is coupled
in turn via a pressure supply conduit 44 with the return conduit
36. In many cases, a booster pump 46 is installed along the length
of the supply conduit 44 for boosting the pressure of water
supplied to the pool cleaner 10 to a predetermined minimum.
[0025] In normal operation, the hydraulic drive system of the pool
cleaner 10 responds to the inflow of positive pressure water (via
the supply hose 40) for driving cleaner wheels 48 (FIG. 2) for
movement over submerged pool surfaces. In addition, some of this
positive pressure water is used to create a venturi effect or
venturi action at the bottom of the pool cleaner 10 for use in
vacuuming settled debris from an underlying pool surface 16, 18
into a removably mounted filter bag 50. Also, another portion of
this positive pressure water is diverted for flow as a water jet
through the sweep tail hose 14 comprising an elongated and at least
somewhat flexible hose structure trailing the pool cleaner 10 with
a length of about 3-4 feet. This sweep tail hose 14 has sufficient
flexibility to whip back and forth during normal submerged pool
cleaner operation to dislodge and suspend uncollected settled
debris within the pool water 24 for subsequent collection by the
main filtration unit 28. This whipping action of the sweep tail
hose 14 also beneficially circulates and distributes pool chemicals
such as chlorine more uniformly throughout the pool water 24, for
improved overall water sanitation. FIG. 2 shows multiple wear rings
52 mounted along the length of the sweep tail hose 14 to reduce
abrasion wear to the hose.
[0026] The venturi action at the bottom or underside of the pool
cleaner 10 beneficially enables the pool cleaner to adhere to and
climb the substantially vertical side walls 18 to vacuum and
collect settled debris therefrom. In this regard, the pool cleaner
10 will climb the pool side walls 18 until the venturi effect is
interrupted as the pool cleaner 10 breaks the surface of the pool
water 24. When this occurs, the pool cleaner 10 will fall gently in
a downward direction, with a ballast float 54 (FIG. 2) insuring
that the pool cleaner turns to fall front-first to land upon the
pool floor 16 for resumed cleaning operation. As the pool cleaner
10 turns for this descending movement, the sweep tail hose 14 may
whip upwardly so that the downstream or discharge end thereof
briefly breaks the water surface for a short time period which may
be about 1-2 seconds. During this brief moment when the sweep tail
hose discharge end is above the surface of the pool water 24, water
jetted through the sweep tail hose 14 can spray a substantial
distance (up to about 20-30 feet) in an uncontrolled direction and
manner to result in undesired and unexpected wetting of a
significant pool deck region and its occupants.
[0027] The deflector 20 of the present invention is designed to
permit normal submerged operation of the pool cleaner 10 and the
associated sweep tail hose 14, without obstructing or significantly
restricting the waterjetted from the sweep tail hose. However, when
the sweep tail hose 14 breaks the water surface, the deflector 20
functions to obstruct or block the water jetted from the hose 14 in
a manner preventing water jet projection as a unified stream over
any significant distance. Accordingly, the deflector 20 effectively
prevents uncontrolled water spray over any substantial distance to
correspondingly prevent undesired and unexpected wetting of the
pool deck region or its occupants.
[0028] The deflector 20 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3-4. As
shown, the deflector 20 comprises in one preferred form a generally
cylindrical mounting collar 56 at an upstream end thereof and
having a size and shape for secure mounting onto the downstream or
discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14. In this regard, the entire
deflector 20 may be constructed from a highly flexible and
resilient or stretchable plastic material, such as a silicone
elastomer, to permit the mounting collar 56 to be slide-fitted onto
the sweep tail hose 14 in a radially stretched condition. If
desired, the mounting collar 56 can be stretched over and axially
seated on the sweep tail hose 14 at a location disposed at the
upstream side of a wear ring 52 (FIGS. 3-4) securely mounted at the
hose discharge end. With this construction, the mounting collar 56
can be installed quickly and easily, and without the use of any
separate fastening device or component. Alternately, if desired,
the mounting collar 56 can be securely affixed to the discharge end
of the sweep tail hose 14 as by means of a separate fastening
device or component, such as a suitable adhesive (not shown), or an
externally mounted clamp ring (also not shown) or the like.
[0029] From the mounting collar 56, the deflector 20 comprises a
large plurality of elongated and highly flexible fingers 58
projecting in a downstream direction, and extending at least
several inches beyond the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14.
In one preferred form, the deflector fingers 58 extend about 6-8
inches beyond the discharge end of the sweep tail hose. Each
deflector finger 58 has a flexibility that is significantly greater
than the comparative flexibility of the sweep tail hose 14. As
noted above, in one preferred form, the deflector 20 (including the
mounting collar 56 and the fingers 58) may be formed from a highly
flexible material such as a silicone elastomer.
[0030] In normal submerged operation of the pool cleaner 10 as it
travels over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces 16, 18,
the deflector fingers 58 generally trail the sweep tail hose 14 in
an in-line or parallel configuration (as shown in FIG. 3) with the
water jet emanating from the discharge end of the sweep tail hose.
In this configuration, the deflector fingers 58 have sufficient
buoyancy within the pool water to collectively define a generally
open tubular pathway for water flow therethrough in a manner to
avoid any significant restriction or obstruction to the discharged
water jet. Accordingly, the deflector fingers 58 do not interfere
with normal whipping action of the sweep tail hose for dislodging
debris settled upon the submerged pool surfaces. In this regard,
the deflector 20 can be constructed at least in part and/or include
a porous foam material for gently scrubbing submerged surfaces of
the swimming pool during normal submerged operation of the pool
cleaner 10.
[0031] However, in the event that the discharge end of the sweep
tail hose 14 breaks the water surface (as shown in FIG. 4), the
deflector fingers 58 have sufficient flexibility and sufficient
mass to fall by gravity over the discharge end of the sweep tail
hose 14. In other words, the deflector fingers 58 fall by gravity
to extend generally across the hose discharge end, and thereby
block or obstruct the water jet emanating therefrom. FIG. 4 shows
the multiple deflector fingers 58 draped across and then extending
downwardly from the hose discharge end, resulting in effective
blocking of the waterjet. In general, the blocked waterjet will be
guided downwardly by the draped deflector fingers 20 to fall back
into the pool water 24, with a minor proportion of the water jet
escaping in multiple low velocity streams 60 having insufficient
energy or cohesion for projection over any substantial distance or
area. Accordingly, significant wetting of any substantial area of
the pool deck and/or pool deck occupants is prevented.
[0032] As the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14 follows the
pool cleaner 10 back to a submerged location, the deflector fingers
58 bouyantly return to the generally in-line or parallel
configuration shown in FIG. 3 to avoid further obstruction of the
discharged water jet.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates one preferred alternative embodiment,
wherein a modified deflector 120 is constructed from a lightweight
plastic material such as a silicone elastomer or the like with an
axially split construction to include a mounting collar 156 and
multiple flexible deflector fingers 158 projecting therefrom. A
fastener band 62 such as a Velcro strap or the like is wrapped
externally about, or co-molded with the mounting collar 156. With
this construction, the modified deflector 120 is mounted quickly
and easily onto the discharge end of a sweep tail hose 14 by
wrapping the collar 156 and associated band 62 about the sweep tail
hose discharge end, and then securely interconnecting a pair of
fastener elements such as Velcro hook and loop fastener elements 64
and 66.
[0034] FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a further alternative preferred form of
the invention, wherein a further modified deflector 220 is
constructed integrally with the sweep tail hose 14 by forming a
plurality of axially elongated and radially spaced slots 68 in the
sweep tail hose 14 near the discharge end thereof. More
particularly, multiple slots 68 are formed integrally in the sweep
tail hose near the discharge end thereof to define a section or
segment of substantially increase flexibility. In this
configuration, the modified deflector 220 is defined by the slots
68 in combination with the length of the sweep tail hose extending
downstream from the slots 68 by several inches. During normal
submerged operation of the pool cleaner 10 and sweep tail hose 14,
the modified deflector 220 does not obstruct a water jet emanating
from the sweep tail hose 14. However, when the discharge end of the
sweep tail hose breaks the surface of the pool water, the slots 68
define a sufficiently and highly flexible region such that the hose
portion downstream thereof has sufficient mass to fall by gravity
toward an orientation substantially perpendicular to the direction
of the water jet flow. As a result, the modified deflector 220
effectively obstructs or blocks the water jet to prevent any
significant wetting of an adjacent pool deck region or its
occupants.
[0035] Persons skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate
that a variety of further alternative deflector geometries may be
used. Without limitation, the axially formed and radially spaced
slots 68 shown in FIGS. 6-7 may be elongated to extend several
inches to the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14. Alternately,
if desired, a deflector having a slotted geometry as viewed in
FIGS. 6-7 may be separately formed and separately mounted onto the
discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14, in lieu of the integral
deflector as shown. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is
intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying
drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *