Filter Device For A Submergible Swimming Pool Cleaner

Abstract

A filter device for a submergible swimming pool cleaner apparatus including first and second spaced apart end members detachably secured together and having a filter positioned therebetween. A central compartment area is provided within the filter which is in communication with an intake opening at one of the end members. The intake opening is in fluid communication with the water discharge conduit of the cleaner apparatus and has a check valve means mounted therein. An expanded metal frame extends around the exterior surface of the filter to maintain the filter in place and to permit the flow of water from the filter outwardly therethrough. A valve means is provided at the other end member for permitting the escape of air from the compartment area when the swimming pool cleaner is lowered into the pool.

Description

Swimming pool cleaners such as disclosed in United States Letters U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,368 include a pump or vacuum means which picks up dirt particles and the like from the bottom of the swimming pool. Heretofore, no convenient means was provided for collecting or filtering the dirt particles from the water being exhausted from the leaner.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a filter device for a swimming pool cleaner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a filter device for a submergible swimming pool cleaner which is efficient in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a filter device for a swimming pool cleaner which is conveniently mounted on the cleaner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a filter device for a swimming pool cleaner which is compact.

A further object of this invention is to provide a filter device for a swimming pool cleaner which may be easily disassembled for cleaning purposes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a filter device for swimming pool cleaners having means thereon to permit the cleaner to be lowered to the bottom of the pool.

A further object of this invention is to provide a swimming pool cleaner filter device which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a swimming pool cleaner having the filter of this invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the manner in which the filter is connected to the cleaner exhaust pipe;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filter device;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 6--6 of FIG. 4.

The numeral 10 refers generally to a swimming pool cleaner such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,368 It is to the cleaner 10 that the filter 12 of this invention is attached as seen in FIG. 1. Cleaner 10 is a random type cleaner having powered wheels 14 and a sensing means 16 at the forward end thereof for controlling the operation of the wheels at each side thereof. Cleaner 10 includes a pump means or vacuum means (not shown) which is adapted to pick up the dirt particles 18 from the bottom 20 of the pool. The dirt particles are drawn upwardly through the device and are discharged from the rearward end of an exhaust pipe 22 together with the water passing therethrough.

Filter 12 includes a pair of end members 24 and 26 which are preferably constructed of a plastic material. As seen in FIG. 3, end member 26 is provided with a peripheral groove 28 formed therein which is adapted to receive the bead 30 of intermediate member 32. Intermediate member 32 is provided with a groove 34 formed therein as seen in FIG. 3 which is adapted to receive a bead 36 extending from plate 38. Member 32 includes a pair of spaced apart openings 40 and 42 which receive rods 44 and 46 extending therethrough respectively. Rods 44 and 46 are secured to plate 38 and extend inwardly therefrom through the openings 40 and 42 and through the end members 26 and 24. Member 32 is provided with a flexible throat portion 48 which extends outwardly therefrom through opening 50 of plate 38. Throat portion 48 has a check valve means 52 at its inner end and has connector elements 54 at its outer end adapted to be connected to the rearward end of the exhaust pipe 22.

End members 24 and 26 are identical and have an expanded metal frame 56 extending therebetween as seen in FIG. 3. The numeral 58 refers to an accordion pleated cardboard type filter which extends between the end members 24 and 26 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4 so as to define a compartment 60. A reinforcing brace 62 secures the ends of the frame 56 together.

End member 24 has a groove 64 formed therein which receives bead 66 of end 68. End 68 has a pair of inwardly extending sleeves 70 and 72 which receive the rods 44 and 46 extending therethrough respectively. The filter is maintained in its assembled condition by means of the wing nuts 74 and 76 threadably mounted on the ends of rods 44 and 46 outwardly of end 68. The various beads and grooves of the end 68, end member 24, end member 26, intermediate member 32 and plate 38 provide a means for sealing the compartment 60 and also provide a means for preventing movement between the various components of the filter.

End 68 is provided with a central opening 78 formed therein as seen in FIG. 6. A pair of stubs 80 and 82 having enlarged inner end portions extend inwardly from end 68 on opposite sides of the opening 78 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Plate 84 is slidably movably mounted on the stubs 80 and 82 and may be moved from the position of FIG. 6 to a position closely adjacent end 68 so as to seal the opening 78.

In operation, the filter 12 is assembled as previously described and mounted on the cleaner 10 so that the throat portion 48 is in communication with the exhaust pipe 22. The cleaner is then lowered downwardly into the water so that it engages the bottom of the pool. As the device is lowered into the pool, the water will move the plate 84 away from opening 78 so that the air in compartment 60 can escape therefrom to eliminate any buoyant effect that air in the compartment would have on the device. The opening of the plate 84 permits the water to flow into the interior of compartment 60 and causes the device to remain on the bottom 20 of the pool. The check valve 52 prevents water flowing from compartment 60 downwardly into the exhaust pipe 22.

The cleaner 10 is then activated to begin the random cleaning of the pool bottom. The cleaner 10 draws the dirt particles 18 upwardly through the exhaust pipe 22 and forces the particles and the water inwardly into compartment 60 with the water being forced outwardly through the filter 58 and the dirt particles being trapped therein. The flexible characteristics of throat portion 48 permits the filter to yield somewhat upon the filter engaging the sides of the pool or the like. The water pressure in compartment 60 forces the plate 84 against end 68 so as to seal the opening 78.

After the pool has been cleaned, the cleaner may be removed therefrom and the filter disassembled so as to permit the filter to be cleaned. The filter may be rinsed to remove the dirt particles therein or may be replaced as needed. Not only is the filter extremely efficient in operation but it is extremely compact so as to eliminate any interference with the pool cleaning operation. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination with a submergible swimming pool cleaner having a water discharge conduit thereon, a filter compartment means in communication with said water discharge conduit, a first check valve means in said filter compartment means adjacent said water discharge conduit to permit the flow of water inwardly from said water discharge conduit into said filter compartment means while preventing the flow of water from said filter compartment means outwardly through said water discharge conduit, and a second check valve means in said filter compartment means spaced from said first check valve means, said second check valve means being normally closed during the operation of the cleaner, said second check valve means being movable to an open position to permit the escape of air from said filter compartment means and to permit water to flow inwardly into said filter compartment means as said cleaner is placed in the pool, said first check valve means being normally closed when said cleaner is not being operated to prevent water from flowing into said water discharge conduit when said cleaner is being placed in the pool.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a flexible tubular element interconnects said filter compartment means and said water discharge conduit to permit said filter compartment means to deflect with respect to the cleaner during the operation thereof.

3. In combination with a submergible swimming pool cleaner having a water discharge conduit thereon, a filter support means having a water intake opening in communication with said water discharge conduit, said filter support means having a central compartment area in communication with said intake opening, a filter on said support means extending around said central compartment area adapted to permit the flow of water outwardly therethrough from said compartment area and to filter foreign particles therefrom, a check valve means being secured to said support means in communication with said central compartment area, said check valve means being normally closed during the operation of the cleaner, said check valve means being movable to an open position to permit the escape of air from said compartment area as said cleaner is placed in the pool.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said support means comprises first and second spaced apart end portions, an outer frame extending between said end portions around said compartment area, said filter being positioned adjacent the inner surface of said outer frame, said intake opening being at said first end portion.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said support means comprises first and second spaced apart end portions, said intake opening being at said first end portion, said check valve means being at said second end portion, said second end portion having an opening formed therein which extends between said compartment area and the area outside of said support means, said check valve means comprising a plurality of supports extending inwardly from said second end portion, a valve plate slidably mounted on said supports adapted to seal said opening at times.