U.S. patent application number 12/443307 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for self propelled pool cleaner.
Invention is credited to James Edward Kellogg.
Application Number | 20100043154 12/443307 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39229642 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100043154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kellogg; James Edward |
February 25, 2010 |
SELF PROPELLED POOL CLEANER
Abstract
A self propelled pool cleaner is of compact narrow construction
and comprises a diaphragm for propulsion and may be provided is a
kit of parts for retrofitting a pool cleaner of the hammer type,
the pool cleaner (10) having a hollow body (12) formed with a fluid
inlet end (16) and a fluid outlet end (18) opposite to said inlet
end, a divider (34) forming two separate flow passages in said
hollow (14), and a hammer valve member (32) arranged to pivotally
reciprocate about a pivot point to cause fluid to flow alternately
in the flow passages. The kit has a tubular diaphragm member (50)
for replacing the hammer valve member, an inner tube member (54)
for replacing the divider and one end of which being adapted for
connection to the diaphragm member, a diaphragm holder (52) adapted
for fixing in said hollow adjacent to said inlet end to hold the
diaphragm member in position in said hollow, a tube holder (56)
adapted for fixing in said hollow adjacent to said outlet end to
hold said tube in position in said hollow. A process for
retrofitting the pool cleaner is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Kellogg; James Edward;
(Brisbane, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
1290 Avenue of the Americas
NEW YORK
NY
10104-3800
US
|
Family ID: |
39229642 |
Appl. No.: |
12/443307 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
September 28, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU07/01446 |
371 Date: |
March 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/1.7 ;
29/401.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49716 20150115;
E04H 4/1663 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/1.7 ;
29/401.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/16 20060101
E04H004/16; B21K 23/00 20060101 B21K023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2006 |
AU |
2006100827 |
May 3, 2007 |
AU |
2007902335 |
Claims
1. A kit of parts for retrofitting a pool cleaner having a hollow
body formed with a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end opposite
to said inlet end, a divider forming two separate flow passages in
said hollow, and a hammer valve member arranged to pivotally
reciprocate about a pivot point to cause fluid to flow alternately
in the flow passages, the kit comprising a diaphragm member for
replacing the hammer valve member, an inner tube member for
replacing the divider and one end of which being adapted for
connection to the diaphragm member, a diaphragm holder adapted for
fixing in said hollow adjacent to said inlet end to hold the
diaphragm member in position in said hollow, a tube holder adapted
for fixing in said hollow adjacent to said outlet end to hold said
tube in position in said hollow.
2. A process of retrofitting a pool cleaner having a hollow body
formed with a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end opposite to
said inlet end, a divider forming two separate flow passages in
said hollow, and a hammer valve member arranged to pivotally
reciprocate about a pivot point to cause fluid to flow alternately
in the flow passages. The process comprising the steps of: (a)
opening said hollow body; (b) removing said hammer valve member
from said hollow; (c) removing said divider from said hollow; and
(d) fixing a diaphragm member and an inner tube in position in said
hollow with respective diaphragm holder and tube holder so that the
diaphragm member is adjacent to said inlet end and the inner tube
extending through said outlet end.
3. The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the diaphragm
holder is formed with an apertured face which is substantially
vertical or at an angled when fixed in said hollow, and where said
apertured face is angled the diaphragm is formed with a compatible
angled end section.
4. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein a
swivel tube is adapted for connection to a top cap positioned at
said outlet end, and the swivel tube is dimensioned to extend
outwardly from said top at a substantially distance from the top
cap.
5. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a
solidifying floatable material is applied in said hollow or a space
in said body.
6. A self propelled pool cleaner having a head adapted to hold a
disc, the head having an inlet, the head being coupled to a main
body extending longitudinally, the main body having a chamber, a
tubular diaphragm valve having an inlet adjacent the inlet to the
main body and an outlet connected to a longitudinally extending
tube, the diaphragm being separated from an interior wall of the
main body by a chamber, an outlet hose being secured to the main
body and being adapted to rotate with the tube from the tubular
diaphragm valve, the tube from the tubular diaphragm valve being
located within the rotatable outlet tube and there being suction
communication between the outlet tube and the chamber surrounding
the tubular diaphragm valve and also to the interior of the tubular
diaphragm valve for flow through thereby creating periodic changes
in the differential pressure across the diaphragm valve from its
exterior in the chamber to its interior to provide a pulsing action
to drive the self propelled pool cleaner across the surface to be
cleaned, the head having a foot connectable to the disc and being
connected to the main body by mating flanges, the main body having
an inlet and, an adaptor inserted into the main body and
connectable to one end of the tubular valve member.
7. A self propelled pool cleaner having a head adapted to hold a
disc, the head having an inlet, the head being coupled to a main
body extending longitudinally, the main body having a chamber, a
tubular diaphragm valve having an inlet adjacent the inlet to the
main body and an outlet connected to a longitudinally extending
tube, the diaphragm being separated from an interior wall of the
main body by a chamber, an outlet hose being secured to the main
body and being adapted to rotate with the tube from the tubular
diaphragm valve, the tube from the tubular diaphragm valve being
located within the rotatable outlet tube and there being suction
communication between the outlet tube and the chamber surrounding
the tubular diaphragm valve and also to the interior of the tubular
diaphragm valve for flow through thereby creating periodic changes
in the differential pressure across the diaphragm valve from its
exterior in the chamber to its interior to provide a pulsing action
to drive the self propelled pool cleaner across the surface to be
cleaned, the head having a foot connectable to the disc and being
connected to the main body by mating flanges, the main body having
an inlet and, the main body having a detachable pivoting float on
one side opposite a counter weight on the other side, a coupling
with an outlet into the main body comprising a threaded end, a
clamp, a bearing and a hand nut rotatable on the threaded end to
cause the clamp to press against the ridges in the central tube to
secure the rotatable outlet tube and engage it with the
bearing.
8. A self propelled pool cleaner according to claim 6 wherein the
inlet adaptor is insertable into the head and is one of two
interchangeable adapters each used to adapt the body to match a
tubular diaphragm valve member having an oblique inlet or a
straight across inlet.
9. A self propelled pool cleaner according to claim 6 or claim 7
wherein the main body has a top portion and an enlargement, the top
portion being of a size and dimension which is marginally greater
in cross-section than the central tube along a major portion of the
length of the main body, the main body terminating at the head end
with the enlargement which is marginally greater in cross-section
than the top portion, giving an overall appearance of being
relatively narrow.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to self propelled pool cleaners and
in particular to a new and useful combination giving rise to a
compact pool cleaner assembly, the invention further relates to an
improved pool cleaner and a kit of parts for retrofitting pool
cleaners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Submersible pool cleaners employing oscillating valves
within a housing and flexible discs engaging the surface to be
cleaned are generally well known as illustrated by way of example
with reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,023,227 and 4,351,077. Generally
pool cleaners are of two types, the first type employing a valve in
the form of an oscillating hammer and the second type which
utilises a diaphragm. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,077 is an
illustration of hammer or flapper type valve.
[0003] The configuration of the valve causes an intermittent cutoff
of flowthrough the head as the valve oscillates between its open
and closed position and this in turn causes pulsations which
results in longitudinal contractions and relaxations in the
longitudinal resilient suction pipe from the head to the outlet
from the swimming pool to its filter unit. In consequence of these
contractions and relaxations, a simultaneous reduction and increase
in the force applied to hold the disc against the surface to be
cleaned results in a step by step movement of the head over the
surface to be cleaned. Thus the pool cleaner is propelled across
the surface to be cleaned.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,227 is another example of an oscillating
hammer type cleaner.
[0005] Other arrangements utilised to open and shut the opening
into the suction tube are illustrated in, for example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,769,867 and 4,807,318.
[0006] The two specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,023,227 and
4,351,077 provide a buoyancy chamber to control the random movement
of the cleaner. The buoyancy chamber is in the form of a hollow
float. The buoyancy chamber is used to ensure that the cleaner, in
terms of its passage up side walls and so on, when it is released
from the side walls it will be correctly oriented as it sinks.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,833 describes a pool cleaner which
provides a diaphragm which opens and closes. U.S. Pat. No.
4,742,593 also describes a pool cleaner utilising diaphragm type
valve for its operation.
[0008] As is demonstrated by the prior art patent search, there is
an enormous amount of prior art related to the basic structure of a
self propelled pool cleaner of the type illustrated and described
in the above referenced U.S. patents.
[0009] In one form the applicant provides a new combination of old
features, which is basically a similar arrangement to the prior
art, but provides a compact, easily assembled pool cleaner with an
object of the invention to provide the public with a useful choice.
In another form by reason of the simplicity of the present cleaner
its form and in a modified form it may be used to reconfigure a
prior art hammer type cleaner as the more reliable suction
type.
[0010] A relatively large number of pool owners have a pool cleaner
with a wedge-shaped hammer valve member of the hammer type. Many
merchants trading in pool cleaners also have a large number of this
type of pool cleaners in stock. In operation, the hammer valve
member must reciprocate between two positions to cause fluid to
flow alternately in two fluid flow passages. The reciprocation is
necessary to cause the pool cleaner to move along the pool surface
to be cleaned. At times, the valve member does not move and the
cleaner therefore does not always function properly.
[0011] In view of the unreliability of the above mentioned pool
cleaners, many pool owners are left with the option of purchasing a
different type of pool cleaner at considerable additional costs or
revert to cleaning their pools manually.
[0012] The reliability issues also render these prior art pool
cleaners of substantially unmerchantable quality. Pool cleaner
manufacturers and traders are left with a large number of these
cleaners in stock and find them difficult to move.
[0013] It is therefore an object of a preferred form of the
invention to provide a pool cleaner which alleviates, at least to
some extent, one or more of the aforementioned problems of the
prior art.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit
of parts adapted for retrofitting the prior art pool cleaner so as
to alleviate, at least to some extent, one or more of the
aforementioned prior art problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a pool
cleaner having a simplified construction when compared to the prior
art, which resides in a pool cleaner having a head adapted to hold
a disc, the head having an inlet, the head being coupled to a main
body extending longitudinally, the main body having a chamber, a
tubular diaphragm valve having an inlet adjacent the inlet to the
main body and an outlet connected to longitudinally extending tube,
the diaphragm being separated from an interior wall of the main
body by a chamber, an outlet hose being secured to the main body
and being adapted to rotate with the tube from the tubular
diaphragm valve being located within the rotatable outlet tube and
there being suction communication between the outlet tube and the
chamber surrounding the tubular diaphragm valve and also to the
interior of the tubular diaphragm valve for flowthrough thereby
creating periodic changes in the differential pressure across the
diaphragm valve from its exterior in the chamber to its interior to
provide a pulsing action to drive the self propelled pool cleaner
across the surface to be cleaned, the head having a foot
connectable to the disc and being connected to the main body by
mating flanges, the main body having an inlet and preferably, an
adaptor inserted into the main body and connectable to one end of
the tubular valve member, the main body preferably having a
pivoting float on one side opposite a counter weight on the other
side, a coupling with an outlet into the main body comprising a
threaded end, a clamp, a bearing and a hand nut rotatable on the
threaded end to cause the clamp to press against the ridges in the
central tube to secure the rotatable outlet tube and engage it with
the bearing.
[0016] Preferably the inlet adaptor insertable into the head is
adapted to reconfigure the body to match a tubular diaphragm valve
member having an oblique inlet or a straight across inlet.
[0017] Preferably, the main body is generally having a top portion
and an enlargement, the top portion being of a size and dimension
which is marginally greater in cross-section than the central tube
along a major portion of the length of the main body, the main body
terminating at the head end with the enlargement which is
marginally greater in cross-section than the top portion, giving an
overall appearance of being relatively narrow.
[0018] In another aspect the present invention resides in a kit of
parts for retrofitting a pool cleaner having a hollow body formed
with a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end opposite to said
inlet end, a divider forming two separate flow passages in said
hollow, and a hammer valve member arranged to pivotally reciprocate
about a pivot point to cause fluid to flow alternately in the flow
passages. The kit comprises a diaphragm member for replacing the
hammer valve member, an inner tube member for replacing the divider
and one end of which being adapted for connection to the diaphragm
member, a diaphragm holder adapted for fixing in said hollow
adjacent to said inlet end to hold the diaphragm member in position
in said hollow, a tube holder adapted for fixing in said hollow
adjacent to said outlet end to hold said tube in position in said
hollow.
[0019] In a still further aspect, the present invention resides in
a process of retrofitting a pool cleaner having a hollow body
formed with a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end opposite to
said inlet end, a top cap at said outlet end, a divider forming two
separate flow passages in said hollow, and a hammer valve member
arranged to pivotally reciprocate about a pivot point to cause
fluid to flow alternately in the flow passages. The process
comprising the steps of: [0020] (a) opening said hollow body;
[0021] (b) removing said hammer valve member from said hollow;
[0022] (c) removing said divider from said hollow; [0023] (d)
fixing a diaphragm member and an inner tube in position in said
hollow with respective diaphragm holder and tube holder so that the
diaphragm member is adjacent to said end and the inner tube
extending through said outlet end; and [0024] (e) applying said top
cap to the body at said outlet end.
[0025] The process may include a further step of: [0026] (f)
applying a securing element to secure said inner tube in
position.
[0027] Other steps for the process may include any one or more of:
[0028] (g) removing said top cap from the body; [0029] (h)
replacing a wear ring insert [0030] (i) connecting a swivel tube to
said top cap, [0031] (j) applying a lock nut to lock said swivel
tube in position; and [0032] (k) applying a solidifying floatable
material in said hollow or a space in said body.
[0033] In a further aspect therefore the present invention resides
in a pool cleaner comprising a hollow body formed with a fluid
inlet end and a fluid outlet end opposite to said inlet end, a
diaphragm member adapted for positioning in the hollow adjacent to
said inlet end, a diaphragm holder fixed to said body and adapted
to hold the diaphragm member in position, an inner tube member
having one end thereof connected to the diaphragm member, and a
tube holder adapted for fixing in said hollow adjacent to said
outlet end to hold said tube in position in said hollow.
[0034] In preference, said diaphragm holder has a retention
aperture adapted to frictionally retain said diaphragm member in
position.
[0035] The diaphragm holder may be formed so that it is fixed in
said hollow at an angled orientation.
[0036] Said diaphragm member may be tubular in shape. Preferably,
one or both ends of the tubular diaphragm member terminate at an
angle.
[0037] The kit may have a securing element adapted to secure the
tube in position. The securing element may be a circlip, gland nut,
clamp or the like.
[0038] The kit may also have a swivel tube adapted for connection
to a top cap at said outlet end.
[0039] The swivel tube is preferably dimensioned to extend
outwardly from said top cap. Preferably, the swivel tube is
dimensioned to extend at a substantially distance from the top
cap.
[0040] The kit/cleaner may have a solidifying floatable material
for applying in said hollow or a space in said body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] In order that the present invention can be more readily
understood and be put into practical effect, reference will now be
made to the accompanying drawings which refer to preferred
embodiments of the invention and wherein:
[0042] FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view showing components in
a prior art pool cleaner;
[0043] FIG. 2 shows the process of removing certain components from
the prior art pool cleaner shown in FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment
of the kit of parts according to the present invention for
retrofitting the prior art pool cleaner shown in FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 4 shows the kits of parts shown in FIG. 3 in an
assembled state;
[0046] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another
embodiment of the kit of parts according to the present invention
for retrofitting the prior art pool cleaner shown in FIG. 1;
[0047] FIG. 6 shows the kits of parts shown in FIG. 5 in an
assembled state;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment from
above and in front;
[0049] FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above and behind;
[0050] FIG. 9 is an exploded view and part section of one
embodiment;
[0051] FIG. 10 is an exploded view and part section of a second
embodiment; and
[0052] FIGS. 11 and 12 are longitudinal sections through the
embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] The prior art swimming pool cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a
hollow body member 12 with a hollow 14 which forms a fluid inlet
end 16 at its lower part 17 and a fluid outlet end 18 at its top
part 19. The top part 19 has a slightly smaller external
circumference due to reduced wall thickness. A top cap 20 is
attached to the top part around the fluid outlet end 18. The top
cap 20 is formed with a connection opening 22 to which a swivel
tube 24 is connected by way of a wear ring 26 inserted in the
opening 22. A hand nut 28 is adapted to retain the swivel tube 24
in position. The lower part 17 is terminated at an angle of about
45.degree. and has an outwardly extending flange 30 to which a
flexible disc (not shown) is attached.
[0054] The body 12 as shown has been cut medially along its
longitudinal axis for accessing components in the hollow. The
components include a wedge-shaped hammer valve member 32 pivotally
connected to a divider 34 held by a T-shaped holding piece 36.
Provided upstream to the hammer valve 32 is a fluid flow guide
plate 38 and a foot attachment piece 40.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the process of retrofitting the prior
art pool cleaner 10 following cutting of the body 12 involves
removing and discarding the foot attachment piece 40, the guide
plate 38 and the hammer valve 32. The divider 34 is then cut and
removed. The divider holder 36 in the top cap 20 is also cut and
removed.
[0056] The first embodiment of the kit of parts for retrofitting
the prior art pool cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes a tubular
shaped diaphragm 50, a diaphragm holder 52, an inner tube 54, a
tube holder 56, a tube securing element 58 and a swivel tube 60
which is substantially longer than that in the prior art cleaner
10. While, not shown, the kit may include a flowable material which
will be become solid and floatable, such as an injectable foam.
[0057] The process of retrofitting involves inserting the diaphragm
holder 52 against the ledge 21 and securing thereat with an
industrial grade glue. Then attach the inner tube 54 to the
diaphragm 50 and positioning the threaded end 51 of the diaphragm
50 in the aperture 53 of the holder 52. The exposed end of the tube
54 is then inserted into the hole 57 of the tube holder 56 and the
holder 56 is positioned against the outlet end and secure thereat
with the securing element 58 which in this case is a circlip. The
process follows by attaching the top cap 20 onto the top end part
19 and replacing the wear ring 26, the swivel tube 60 and locking
the tube 60 in position with the hand nut 28. The retrofitted pool
cleaner 100 is shown in FIG. 4.
[0058] The second embodiment of the kit of parts for retrofitting
the prior art pool cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 5 includes a tubular
shaped diaphragm 50 with an angled upstream end 51, a box shaped
diaphragm holder 52 with an angled face 55 and an aperture 53 in
that face, an inner tube 54 with a relatively short attachment end
62, a tube holder 56 configured as a gland attachment to receive a
securing element 58 in the form of a gland nut, and a swivel tube
60 which is substantially longer than that in the prior art cleaner
10.
[0059] The process steps of retrofitting the kit of parts shown in
FIG. 5 are substantially similar to those described in relation to
the first embodiment and are considered to be readily understood by
a person skilled in the relevant art. FIG. 6 shows the retrofitted
pool cleaner 100 using the parts of the second embodiment.
[0060] Referring now to the remaining drawings the same general
form of cleaner is illustrated but made as a new unit rather than
from a retrofitted hammer cleaner, and firstly to FIGS. 7 and 8,
there is illustrated a pool cleaner 110 having a head 111 including
a surrounding flange 112, the flange 112 being insertable into a
foot as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the foot having a slot to
receive a disc which travels across the surface to be cleaned. The
cleaner 110 includes an outer body 113 and an outlet tube 114
secured to the outer body 113 by a coupling 115 to be described
below, which utilises a hand nut 116. A pivoting float 117 is used
to keep the pool cleaner correctly oriented and the float 117 is
connected by arms 118 and 119 to the main body 113 at the pivot
120. A counter weight is located within a housing at 121 and is
used to carry the pool cleaner to the bottom of a pool while the
float 117 located opposite the weight 121 will stabilise the body
as it sinks and keep it upright.
[0061] The illustrated embodiment uses the two diaphragm type valve
members as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,593 the contents of
which are included herein by reference and as can be seen in FIGS.
9 through 12, the respective diaphragms 122 and 123 are coupled to
a ridged central tube 124 and the only difference between the two
embodiments is in the nature of the adaptor 125 and 126 which fit
into the inlet opening 127 and have flanges 128 and 129 which abut
against the shoulder 130 inside the main body 113. A weight 131 is
located inside the weight housing 121 and the assembly of the pool
cleaner is as illustrated in the drawings. In particular to FIGS.
11 and 12 the inner tube 124 is spaced from the inner wall 131 of
the main body 113 so as to form a chamber 132 which may be
pressurised negatively due to the outlet tube 114 communicated with
the chamber 132 via the annular space defined between the tube 114
and the gaps in the clamp 133 which itself is held against shoulder
134 in the main body. The flange 135 is threaded and this
cooperates with an internal thread on the nut 116 and the outer
tube 114 has a flange 136 and there is a provided an annular
bearing surface 137 so that the tube 114 may rotate thus providing
a swivel in order to move with the hose (not shown). As can be seen
in FIGS. 11 and 12, a foot 138 having a channel 139 is fitted to
the peripheral flange 112 and any suitable disc may be positioned
inside the channel 139.
[0062] Thus it will be appreciated that the combination of a narrow
main body, enlarged at the head end and having a diaphragm in the
combination disclosed provides a compact pool cleaner not envisaged
by the prior art in a crowded field where the technology is "well
engineered".
[0063] Those skilled in the art will know or be able to ascertain
without undue experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
embodiments and methods of the present invention as described
herein. These and all other equivalents are intended to fall within
the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *