U.S. patent application number 15/578389 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for ramped pontoon for retrieving a pool cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aqua Products, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Aqua Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kameshwar Durvasula, Ethan Hanan, Aleksandr Klebanov, William Londono, Anthony Meletta.
Application Number | 20180208278 15/578389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57441605 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180208278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klebanov; Aleksandr ; et
al. |
July 26, 2018 |
RAMPED PONTOON FOR RETRIEVING A POOL CLEANER
Abstract
A floating platform dimensioned and configured to receive and
transport an automated pool cleaner on the surface of the water is
disclosed. For convenience, the floating platform is referred to as
a pontoon. The pontoon is also configured to control the retrieval
of the pool cleaner. The pontoon includes a buoyant housing having
a first end and a second end. An inclined platform or ramp is
positioned in the pontoon housing at an angle from the first end
towards the second end. The pontoon includes a winch for winding
and unwinding a cable connected to the pool cleaner to thereby
selectively release and retrieve the cleaner.
Inventors: |
Klebanov; Aleksandr;
(Bloomfield, NJ) ; Hanan; Ethan; (Teaneck, NJ)
; Meletta; Anthony; (Little Falls, NJ) ; Londono;
William; (Wayne, NJ) ; Durvasula; Kameshwar;
(Garfield, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aqua Products, Inc. |
Cedar Grove |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Aqua Products, Inc.
Cedar Grove
NJ
|
Family ID: |
57441605 |
Appl. No.: |
15/578389 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
May 26, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US16/34266 |
371 Date: |
November 30, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62169360 |
Jun 1, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B08B 3/04 20130101; B63B
35/34 20130101; B08B 1/04 20130101; B63B 2205/06 20130101; E04H
4/1654 20130101; C02F 1/004 20130101; B63H 5/02 20130101; C02F
2103/42 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 35/34 20060101
B63B035/34; E04H 4/16 20060101 E04H004/16; B63H 5/02 20060101
B63H005/02; C02F 1/00 20060101 C02F001/00 |
Claims
1. A pontoon for controlling the retrieval of a pool cleaner
connected to the pontoon, comprising: a. a buoyant housing
configured to float in water of a swimming pool and having a first
end and a second end; b. a ramped platform positioned in the
housing and angled down from the first end towards the second end;
c. a winch adapted for winding and unwinding a cable connected to
the pool cleaner.
2. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising at least one driven
wheel positioned near the first end.
3. The pontoon of claim 2, wherein the driven wheel includes
extendable paddle blades which extend when the wheel rotates in a
given direction against the frictional force of the pool water.
4. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising a power source for
powering the winch.
5. The pontoon of claim 4, wherein the power source includes a
battery.
6. The pontoon of claim 5, further comprising a solar panel
positioned on the ramped platform for charging the battery.
7. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising a touch sensor
positioned to sense when the pool cleaner has reached the
pontoon.
8. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising a range sensor for
detecting the distance between the pool cleaner and the
pontoon.
9. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising a distance sensor for
detecting the length of cable that has been retracted.
10. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising at least one passive
wheel positioned near the second end for supporting the buoyant
housing while traversing a solid surface.
11. The pontoon of claim 1, wherein the ramped platform includes a
high-friction surface for preventing the pool cleaner from sliding
down after docking.
12. The pontoon of claim 1, further comprising at least one
vertical side wall extending laterally between the first end and
the second end.
13. A method for controlling the retrieval of a pool cleaner while
submerged in pool water comprising: a. providing a buoyant housing
having a winch in a swimming pool; b. attaching a cable between the
winch and the pool cleaner; and c. winding up the winch to retrieve
the pool cleaner from the pool water.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the buoyant housing includes at
least one driven wheel and the method further comprises the step of
rotating the driven wheel for moving the buoyant housing along the
surface of the pool water.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of winding
out the winch to release the pool cleaner from the buoyant
housing.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the buoyant housing includes at
least one driven wheel and the method further comprises the step of
rotating the driven wheel for enabling the buoyant housing to climb
up a sidewall and out of the pool.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/169,360, filed Jun. 1, 2015, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a ramped pontoon for
retrieving a pool cleaner from a swimming pool or other water
container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pool cleaners that remain in the pool can be problematic
while swimming, diving, playing and/or enjoying the pool.
Therefore, many pool owners remove the pool cleaners from the water
before they and/or their guests enter the pool. Many pool cleaners
require human intervention for removing the cleaner from the pool
water after the cleaning cycle has completed. One such method for
retrieving the pool cleaner requires a user to manually pull the
device up out of the water by its cord. This can be a tedious and
bothersome task because it requires human labor each and every time
the pool cleaner is removed from the pool. The present invention
provides a solution to the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is directed to a floating platform dimensioned
and configured to receive and transport an automated pool or tank
cleaner on the surface of the water. For convenience, the floating
platform is referred to below as a pontoon. The pontoon is also
configured to control the retrieval of the pool cleaner. The
pontoon includes a buoyant housing configured to float in water of
a swimming pool and having a first end and a second end. An
inclined platform or ramp is positioned in the pontoon housing at
an angle down from the first end towards the second end. The
pontoon includes a winch for winding and unwinding a cable
connected to the pool cleaner.
[0005] In one embodiment, the pontoon includes at least one driven
wheel positioned near the first end. Each driven wheel preferably
includes extendable paddle blades which extend when the wheel
rotates in a predetermined direction against the frictional force
of the pool water.
[0006] In one embodiment, the pontoon includes a power source for
powering the winch. In one embodiment, the power source includes a
battery. In one embodiment, the pontoon includes a solar panel
positioned on the ramped platform for charging the battery.
[0007] The pontoon can include one or more sensors, including: a
touch sensor positioned to sense when the pool cleaner has reached
the pontoon; a range sensor for detecting the distance between the
pool cleaner and the pontoon; and/or a distance sensor for
detecting the length of cable that has been retracted.
[0008] In one embodiment, the pontoon includes at least one passive
wheel positioned near the second end for supporting the buoyant
housing while traversing a solid surface.
[0009] In one embodiment, the ramped platform includes a
high-friction surface for preventing the pool cleaner from sliding
down after docking.
[0010] In one embodiment, the pontoon includes at least one
vertical side wall extending laterally between the first end and
the second end.
[0011] The invention further discloses a method for controlling the
retrieval of a pool cleaner while submerged in pool water
comprising: (a) providing a buoyant housing having a winch; (b)
attaching a cable between the winch and the pool cleaner; and (c)
winding up the winch to retrieve the pool cleaner from the pool
water.
[0012] In one embodiment, the buoyant housing includes at least one
driven wheel and the method further comprises the step of rotating
the driven wheel for moving the buoyant housing along the surface
of the pool water.
[0013] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of
winding out the winch to release the pool cleaner.
[0014] In one embodiment, the buoyant housing includes at least one
driven wheel and the method further comprises the step of rotating
the driven wheel for enabling the buoyant housing to climb up a
sidewall and out of the pool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The teachings of the present invention will be readily
understood from the following detailed description when considered
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a ramped pontoon in
accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pontoon of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the pontoon taken
along section 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the pontoon taken
along section 4-4 of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of a driven wheel of the pontoon in
its closed position;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the driven wheel of the pontoon in
its expanded position;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a top view of an illustrative pool cleaner
suitable for use in the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side view of the pool cleaner of FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the pool cleaner
taken along section 7-7 of FIG. 7;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pool cleaner combined
with the pontoon in a docked position;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of the pool cleaner combined with the
pontoon in a docked position;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a side view of the pool cleaner combined with the
pontoon in a docked position; and
[0028] FIGS. 13a through 13i illustrate the operational procedure
of the present invention.
[0029] To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical
reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate
the same or similar elements that are common to the figures.
Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures
are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes
only.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The present invention will be described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 1-6.
[0031] As shown in the top view of FIG. 1, the floating pontoon 10
is formed from a buoyant housing 9 configured to float in water of
a swimming pool or other water container, and having a first end 12
and a second end 13. An electric power cable 14, which is
preferably reinforced to provide adequate tensile strength, is
retractably and removably connected to a rotatable
unwinder/retractor (e.g., a winch; see FIG. 3) positioned inside
the housing 9 near the first end 12. In one embodiment, the power
cable 14 is reinforced with a coated (water impermeable) steel wire
or the like. The power cable 14 is configured to be connected to a
pool cleaner (see FIGS. 7-12), wherein electrical power can be fed
from the pontoon to the pool cleaner via the power cable 14. In one
embodiment the cable 14 does not carry electricity and the pool
cleaner receives its power from another source. The pontoon housing
includes two vertical side walls 11a and 11b that extend between
the first end 12 and second end 13, and prevent the pool cleaner
from sliding off the platform 20 after it has been docked on the
platform. The platform 20 is preferably a flat surface positioned
between the sidewalls 11a and 11b of the housing 9 and inclined at
an acute angle from the first end 12 towards the second end 13 for
providing a ramped entry/exit for the ingress/egress of the pool
cleaner to and from the pontoon 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In one
embodiment, the surface of the platform 12 includes a high-friction
material or coating or one or more protruding elements (not shown)
and the like that engage with, and prevent the pool cleaner from
sliding down the ramp after it has docked on the platform 12 at a
predetermined position. In one embodiment, a series of solar panels
20 are positioned on the surface of the ramp, or elsewhere on the
pontoon, for charging an on-board battery (see FIG. 3) when the
pool cleaner is in the pool water. A pair of driven (active) wheels
15a and 15b (collectively forward wheels 15) are positioned
proximate the first end 12. A person of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the number of driven wheels 15 is not
considered limiting and can include one, two, three, four, five or
more driven wheels. In another embodiment (not shown), the pontoon
10 does not include any driven wheels, such that the pontoon has no
self-propulsion capability.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pontoon 10 showing the first
driven (active) wheel 15a positioned proximate the first end 12. In
one embodiment, the housing includes a pair of smaller non-driven
(passive) wheels 16a and 16b (collectively rear wheels 16) at the
second (rear) end 13 (see FIG. 4). The driven wheels 15 and the
free smaller wheels 16 allow the housing to roll along a rigid
surface while the pontoon 10 is travelling under its own power
outside of the pool. In addition, the smaller wheels 16 allow the
housing 9 to roll over the pool deck or other hard surface, while
the pontoon is being pulled by a user during transport.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the ramped pontoon
taken along section 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing an on-board battery 22
which powers a geared motor 18 for rotating an axle 17 that (i)
drives the forward pair of wheels 15, and/or (ii) rotates the winch
19 (see FIG. 4) for winding/unwinding the cable 14 that is
connected to the robotic pool cleaner. In another embodiment, a
separate motor (not shown) can be included for allowing separate
control of the driven wheels 15a and 15b and the winch 19. A
transformer 21 can also be used in recharging the battery 22. In
another embodiment, the power source can be an external battery or
an external power supply (not shown) that is connected to the
pontoon 10 via a conventional floating power cable.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the pontoon taken
along section 4-4 of FIG. 2. The housing can include a charging
socket 23 for manually recharging the battery 22 while the unit is
not in use. The user can recharge the battery 22 by plugging a free
end of a second (e.g. poolside) power cable (not shown) into the
socket 23 on the pontoon. In this view, the cable 14 is shown wound
on the winch 19 in a retracted state. The motor 24 is connected to
the winch 19 via a gear 25 for rotating the winch 19. The pair of
smaller non-driven (passive) wheels 16a and 16b are shown
positioned near the second end 13.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a side view of the driven wheel 15a of the ramped
pontoon in its closed position, wherein three paddle blades 26, 27,
28 are collapsed and rest flush against the circumference of the
wheel. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the number of paddle blades is not considered limiting and can
include one, two, three, four, five or more blades. In one
embodiment, the paddle blades are hinged and biased to assume the
closed position by springs (not shown).
[0036] FIG. 6 is a side view of the driven wheel 15a of the pontoon
10 in its extended operational position, wherein the rotating
paddle blades 26, 27, 28 will exert a propelling force to move the
unit over the surface of the water. In one embodiment, the paddle
blades extend when the wheels 15a and 15b rotate in a given
direction against the frictional force of the pool water. Each
paddle blade rotates open about a hinge (e.g. pivot about an axis)
until it reaches a predetermined position, upon which further
rotation is prevented by a stop element (not shown).
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 7-9, a description will be provided of an
exemplary pool cleaner in use with the pontoon 10. It should be
understood that the pool cleaner described below is but a single
non-limiting example. For example, the pool cleaner can include
motor driven impellers that create a high pressure water jet to
propel the cleaner on the pool surface being cleaned.
Alternatively, the pool cleaner can include motor driven wheels,
brushes and/or tracks for supporting, moving and guiding the
cleaner on the pool surface to be cleaned, as illustrated in FIGS.
7-9.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a top view of the pool cleaner 30. The pool
cleaner has a front end 32 and a rear end 33. The electric power
cable 14 is connected from the pontoon housing to the cable
socket/strain relief fitting 31 located on the front end 32 of the
pool cleaner housing. The pool cleaner 30 includes a pair of motor
driven tracks 34a and 34b, an outlet 35 for discharging filtered
water, a filter, e.g., a top access filter cartridge 36, and one or
more bottom intake ports 37.
[0039] More specifically, the pool cleaner 30 includes at least one
inlet port 37 provided on the bottom of the cleaner. When electric
power is provided to the electric motor of the pump 40 via the
power cable 14, the propeller of the pump rotates and causes water
and debris at the surface beneath the cleaner to be drawn through
the inlet and into the interior chamber of the cleaner, where the
filter 41 captures and retains the debris and allows filtered water
to be discharged back into the pool via the outlet 35.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a side view of the pool cleaner of FIG. 7,
illustrating a first side plate 29a, self-contained drive motors
(not shown), and two driven brushes 38 and 39. The power cable 14
supplies electrical power from the battery 22 housed onboard the
pontoon 10 to the drive motors which power the tracks 34a and 34b
and/or the brushes 38 and 39.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the pool cleaner 30
taken along section 9-9 of FIG. 7 showing illustratively a vertical
pump motor 40, a filter cartridge/media 41, a secondary internal
wall/filter area confinement 42, and driven axle/drive brushes 38
and 39 that transfer power to both driven tracks of the unit. Other
configurations using the same or different elements can be used in
the construction of the pool cleaner without limitation.
[0042] FIGS. 10-12 show a perspective view, top view, and side
view, respectively, of the pool cleaner 30 in a docked position on
the ramp 20 of the pontoon 10, being joined together with the cable
14.
[0043] A method for the practice of the invention will now be
described. After the pontoon carrying the pool cleaner is placed in
the pool, the power cable 14 is unwound from the spool of the winch
19 to enable the pool cleaner 30 to descend to the bottom of the
pool and initiate a cleaning program to clean the submerged pool
surfaces. In one embodiment, a programmed controller transmits a
signal to activate the pontoon winch 19 to retrieve the pool
cleaner by winding the power cable 14 around the spool when the
battery reaches a predetermined low voltage level, when the
cleaning operation is completed, and/or after a predetermined time
following the descent of the pool cleaner from the platform 20.
[0044] After the cable lifts and retrieves the cleaner off the
bottom surface of the pool and docks it on the pontoon platform,
the forward pair of wheels 15 is activated causing the extendable
paddle blades (see FIGS. 5 and 6) to extend when encountering the
frictional force of the pool water. The extended paddle wheels
rotate and enable the pontoon to move across the water's surface to
the pool wall and climb to exit the pool after the cleaning
operation. In an alternative embodiment, the pontoon does not have
any self-propulsion capability and requires that the user manually
retrieve the pontoon from the pool. The user can then recharge the
battery 22 by plugging a free end of a second (poolside) power
cable (not shown) into a socket 23 on the pontoon (see FIG. 4). In
an alternative embodiment, the pontoon includes solar panels which
charge the battery 22 while not in use.
[0045] An embodiment of a detailed operational procedure of the
invention is shown in FIGS. 13a through 13i, and described below as
follows:
[0046] With reference to FIG. 13a, the pontoon carrying the pool
cleaner is manually placed by a user in the pool on the top surface
of the pool water. In another embodiment, the pontoon drives itself
into the pool water while carrying the pool cleaner in a docked
position.
[0047] With reference to FIG. 13b, the pool cleaner drives off the
ramped pontoon under its own power. In another embodiment, the user
can release the pool cleaner manually from the pontoon.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 13c, the cable connecting the pool
cleaner to the ramped pontoon is unwound from the spool of the
winch 19, thereby allowing the pool cleaner to descend to the
bottom of the pool.
[0049] With reference to FIG. 13d, the pool cleaner operates its
cleaning cycle as a self-propelled robotic pool cleaner while
remaining tethered to the floating pontoon. In one embodiment, the
pontoon generally remains in a position that is vertically above
the pool cleaner so that the power cable will not become twisted or
wrapped around the pontoon.
[0050] With reference to FIG. 13e, when the cleaning cycle is
completed, the retractable cable is wound on the spool of the winch
and the pool cleaner is pulled up towards the pontoon. In a
preferred embodiment, the pool cleaner has neutral buoyancy. In
other embodiments, the pool cleaner has negative or positive
buoyancy. The pool cleaner is held against the bottom of the pool
during the cleaning cycle because the cleaning pump creates a low
pressure environment at the pool surface proximate the inlets, and
an upwardly projecting jet stream of water which creates a
downwardly directed force sufficient to keep the cleaner along the
surface being cleaned. When the cleaning pump is shut off, the pool
cleaner can float to the surface because of its neutral buoyancy
with the assistance of the winch. The winch can be used to assist
the pool cleaner to rise to the surface of the pool, but the winch
is preferably shut off when the pool cleaner nears the surface of
the water to allow the pool cleaner to float to the surface under
its own buoyancy. In one embodiment, the pool cleaner includes a
pair of laterally extending fins which assist in keeping the pool
cleaner oriented in the normally upright position while it travels
to the water surface. Once the pool cleaner has reached the water
surface of the pool, the retractable cable is wound on the winch
and the pool cleaner is pulled along the surface of the water
towards the pontoon.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 13f, the pool cleaner is self-docking
on the pontoon via its internal driving system once it reaches the
edge of the pontoon, so as to prevent excess strain on the power
cable during the final docking sequence when the pool cleaner exits
the pool water. The cable is connected to the pool cleaner at a
predetermined position at its front end so that the pool cleaner
automatically becomes oriented in the upright position facing
forward when it reaches the edge of the pontoon. The pontoon
includes sufficient buoyancy so that it will remain level with the
surface of the pool and is configured so that it will not tip over
when the pool cleaner begins its docking sequence. In one
embodiment, ballast members can be positioned at the bottom of the
pool cleaner and floating members can be positioned at the top of
the pool cleaner to maintain an upright orientation. In one
embodiment, the pontoon has on-board electronics which assist in
properly docking the pool cleaner. The electronics can include a
microprocessor and sensors. One or more touch sensors can be
positioned around the edges of the pontoon for sensing when the
cleaner has reached the edge of the pontoon. A range sensor can
detect the distance between the pool cleaner and the pontoon.
Another sensor can detect the length of cable that has been
retracted and therefore the length of cable that remains between
the winch and the pool cleaner. The sensors can transmit the data
to the microprocessor for automatically controlling and adjusting
the docking and undocking sequences in real time.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 13g, after the pool cleaner is
docked, the driven wheels on the pontoon begin to rotate so that
the blades expand to enable the pontoon to move to the edge of the
pool. In another embodiment, the user manually pulls the pontoon to
the edge of the pool, e.g. via a line (not shown) that tethers the
pontoon along the side of the pool or by using an extension pole
having a tool at its end (not shown) that engages with the
pontoon.
[0053] With reference to FIG. 13h, when the pontoon reaches the
side wall of the pool, the expanded blades of the driven wheels
engage with the pool wall to enable the pontoon to automatically
climb the pool wall and exit the pool. In one embodiment, the
blades expand radially to a distance that is sufficient so that the
uppermost blade can engage the top edge of the side wall of the
pool, thereby providing a stationary surface for the blades to grab
onto for enabling the pontoon to be pulled upwardly as the driven
wheels turn. In another embodiment, the user manually retrieves the
pontoon from the water surface at the edge of the pool, e.g. by
grasping the pontoon by hand and lifting it out of the pool.
[0054] With reference to FIG. 13i, once the pontoon is fully
emerged from the pool so that it is level on the ground, the
expanded paddles on the drive wheels return to the closed/collapsed
position and drive the pontoon to a position from the pool and then
the pontoon shuts down. Unlike when the pontoon is floating on the
pool water, outside of the pool the weight of the pontoon combined
with the pool cleaner allows the outer surface of the drive wheels
to frictionally engage with the ground to propel the unit without
the need to have the paddles in their expanded position. In one
embodiment, the outer surface of the drive wheels includes a high
friction material or coating or one or more protruding elements
(not shown) and the like to ensure that the wheels maintain
adequate traction, even while travelling over a smooth surface
outside of the pool, such as outdoor patio tiling or the like. In
another embodiment, the user manually transports the pontoon to a
desired resting location, e.g. by carrying it or pulling it along
the ground by hand.
[0055] From the above description, it will be understood that the
invention is directed to a floating pontoon and pool cleaner
combination, wherein the pontoon is configured to control the
retrieval of the pool cleaner. In addition, the pontoon can be
configured to control the release and/or operation of the pool
cleaner. The pontoon can exit the pool automatically after the
cleaning operation or can be manually retrieved by a user.
[0056] Although an exemplary description of the invention has been
set forth above to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to
make and use the invention, that description should not be
construed to limit the invention, and various modifications and
variations can be made to the description without departing from
the scope of the invention, as will be understood by those with
ordinary skill in the art, and the scope thereof is determined by
the claims that follow.
* * * * *