A SELF PROPELLED POOL CLEANER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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 US Patent 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 US Patent No 4,351 ,077 is an illustration of hammer or flapper type valve. 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.

US 4,023,227 is another example of an oscillating hammer type cleaner.

Other arrangements utilised to open and shut the opening into the suction tube are illustrated in, for example, US Patent Nos 4,769,867 and 4,807,318.

The two specifications of 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.

US Patent No 4,642,833 describes a pool cleaner which provides a diaphragm which opens and closes. US Patent No 4,742,593 also describes a pool cleaner utilising diaphragm type valve for its operation.

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 US patents.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 forflowthrough 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.

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. 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.

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. 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:

(a) opening said hollow body;

(b) removing said hammer valve member from said hollow;

(c) removing said divider from said hollow;

(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

(e) applying said top cap to the body at said outlet end. The process may include a further step of:

(f) applying a securing element to secure said inner tube in position. Other steps for the process may include any one or more of:

(g) removing said top cap from the body; (h) replacing a wear ring insert (i) connecting a swivel tube to said top cap,

(j) applying a lock nut to lock said swivel tube in position; and

(k) applying a solidifying floatable material in said hollow or a space in said body.

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.

In preference, said diaphragm holder has a retention aperture adapted to frictionally retain said diaphragm member in position.

The diaphragm holder may be formed so that it is fixed in said hollow at an angled orientation.

Said diaphragm member may be tubular in shape. Preferably, one or both ends of the tubular diaphragm member terminate at an angle. 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.

The kit may also have a swivel tube adapted for connection to a top cap at said outlet end.

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.

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 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:-

Figure 1 is a cut-away perspective view showing components in a prior art pool cleaner; Figure 2 shows the process of removing certain components from the prior art pool cleaner shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 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 Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows the kits of parts shown in Figure 3 in an assembled state; Figure 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 Figure 1; Figure 6 shows the kits of parts shown in Figure 5 in an assembled state;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment from above and in front;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from above and behind; Figure 9 is an exploded view and part section of one embodiment; Figure 10 is an exploded view and part section of a second embodiment; and

Figures 11 and 12 are longitudinal sections through the embodiments of Figures 8 and 9 respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The prior art swimming pool cleaner 10 shown in Figure 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° and has an outwardly extending flange 30 to which a flexible disc (not shown) is attached.

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.

Referring to Figure 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.

The first embodiment of the kit of parts for retrofitting the prior art pool cleaner 10 shown in Figure 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.

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 Figure 4.

The second embodiment of the kit of parts for retrofitting the prior art pool cleaner 10 shown in Figure 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. The process steps of retrofitting the kit of parts shown in Figure 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. Figure 6 shows the retrofitted pool cleaner 100 using the parts of the second embodiment. 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 Figures 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 Figures 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 counterweight 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.

The illustrated embodiment uses the two diaphragm type valve members as depicted in US Patent No 4,742,593 the contents of which are included herein by reference and as can be seen in Figures 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 Figures 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 Figures 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.

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".

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.