POOL CLEANER ACCESSORY

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a pool cleaner accessory. In particular the invention concerns a pool cleaner accessory for use in suction pool cleaners of the type making use of a suction hose to feed water from a cleaning head of the pool cleaner to a filter.

Owners of swimming pools will be well aware of a number of pool cleaning systems. In South Africa the most common type of pool cleaners are suction cleaners which comprise a cleaning head which is submerged in a swimming pool. The cleaning head is connected to a pump with the use of a suction hose. The pump, in turn, is typically in fluid communication with a sand filter. In use, the pump is activated to create a suction force inside the suction hose thereby to draw water into the cleaning head, through the suction hose and into the sand filter. The water which is drawn from the swimming pool into the cleaning head will normally include any debris that may lie on the surface of the swimming pool. When the water enters the sand filter the debris will be removed and the water, now free of any debris, will be re-circulated to the swimming pool.

In order to cause the cleaning head to move across the surface of a swimming pool, the cleaning head includes an actuating arrangement. The actuating arrangement serves to open and close the mouth of the cleaning head periodically, such opening and closing creating pulses in the suction hose which in turn causes the cleaning head to undergo incremental movements along the surface of the swimming pool during each opening and closing cycle.

Owners of suction pool cleaners will have noticed that there are often certain areas on the surface of their swimming pools which are very infrequently traversed by the cleaning head of their pool cleaners. It also

frequently happens that the cleaning head of the pool cleaner becomes stuck at a certain corner in the swimming pool. These problems can normally be attributed to the fact that the suction hose will have a tendency to follow the same path continuously across the swimming pool during the cleaning cycles of the pool cleaner.

It is an object of the invention to address the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a pool cleaner accessory for installation in a suction line connecting a cleaning head of a pool cleaner with a pump, the pool cleaner accessory comprising:

a first conduit;

a second conduit for pivotal connection to the first conduit;

a drive assembly having a first drive configuration for causing the first conduit to move in a first direction relative to the second conduit, and a second drive configuration for causing the first conduit to move in a second direction relative to the second conduit; and

a switch movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in its first position the switch causes the drive assembly to be located in its first drive configuration, while in its second position the switch causes the drive assembly to be located in its second drive configuration.

Preferably the pool cleaner accessory includes an actuator for cooperation with the switch for causing the switch to move the drive assembly from its first drive configuration to its second drive configuration once the first

conduit has undergone a predetermined amount of movement relative to the second conduit.

Advantageously the drive assembly is housed inside a drive assembly housing.

More advantageously the drive assembly housing includes water inlets through which water can be drawn via the drive assembly housing into the suction line of the pool cleaner.

Typically the drive assembly includes an energy source in the form of a turbine which can be caused to rotate when water which is drawn through the water inlets acts thereon.

Preferably the drive assembly includes a transmission system for conveying rotational movement from the turbine.

More preferably the transmission system includes a number of gears.

Advantageously the transmission system includes a second conduit gear and a toothed rack on the second conduit which can mesh with the second conduit gear.

In an embodiment of the invention the turbine is housed inside a turbine chamber, the turbine chamber having a first inlet and a second inlet.

Typically the switch includes a closure member which is configured such that it can open the first inlet of the turbine chamber while closing the second inlet of the turbine chamber, and such that it can close the first inlet of the turbine chamber when the second inlet of the turbine chamber is open.

In an embodiment of the invention the switch includes a biasing means chamber in which a guide pin is connected to a switch pin. The biasing

means chamber further includes biasing means, typically a spring, which can be caused to be compressed inside the biasing means chamber and wherein continued compression of the biasing means inside the biasing means chamber will cause the switch to move from its first position to its second position.

Preferably the actuator includes a first actuator member which is carried by the second conduit.

More preferably the actuator includes a second actuator member which can be connected to the switch.

Typically the second conduit includes a number of adjustment positions between which the second actuator member can be adjusted.

In an embodiment of the invention, rotation of the first conduit will cause the second actuator member to act upon the first actuator member thereby causing the biasing means inside the biasing means chamber to be compressed.

Advantageously the pool cleaner accessory includes a valve for preventing water to be drawn into the drive assembly housing thereby to provide a means by which the rotational speed of the turbine, and as a consequence the speed at which the first conduit can move relative to the second conduit, can be controlled.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pool cleaner accessory for installation in a suction line connecting a cleaning head of a pool cleaner with a pump, the pool cleaner accessory comprising:

a first conduit;

a second conduit for pivotal connection to the first conduit; and

a drive assembly including an energy source for driving a transmission system which in turn can cause the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit in a plane substantially parallel with the surface of water in a pool.

Preferably the energy source is a turbine.

Alternatively the energy source is an electric motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a pool cleaner accessory in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of the pool cleaner accessory;

Figure 3 shows a top view of the pool cleaner accessory;

Figure 4 shows a top cross-sectional view of the pool cleaner accessory;

Figure 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of the pool cleaner accessory;

Figure 6 shows a top cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a pool cleaner accessory in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 show a side cross-sectional view of the pool cleaner accessory of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a further top cross-sectional view of the pool cleaner accessory of Figure 6;

Figure 9 shows a top cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a pool cleaner accessory in accordance with the invention;

Figure 10 shows a side cross-sectional view of the pool cleaner accessory of Figure 9;

Figure 11 (a) shows a diagrammatic representation of the pool cleaner accessory in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention located in a pool and moving from a first position to a second position; and

Figure 11 (b) shows a further diagrammatic representation of the pool cleaner accessory in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention located in a pool and attached to a suction hose of a pool cleaner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTARED EMBODIMENTS

In the description which follows below like reference numerals will be used to indicate like components.

Figures 1 , 2 and 3 show a pool cleaner accessory in accordance with the invention, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10. The pool cleaner accessory 10 comprises a first conduit 12, having a mouth 13, and a second conduit 14, having a mouth 15. The first conduit 12 is pivotally connected to the second conduit 14. In use the pool cleaner accessory 10 will be installed in a suction line connecting a cleaning head of a pool cleaner with a pump of a swimming pool, not shown, wherein the first conduit 12 is connected on the cleaning head side of the suction line and the second conduit 14 is connected on the pump side of the suction line.

Although not shown in the drawings, it is envisaged that an elongate pipe may be connected to the second conduit 14, thereby to ensure that the pool cleaner accessory 10 will be spaced apart from the side wall of the swimming pool to be located in a predetermined position inside the swimming pool for reasons that will become apparent from the description that follows below.

A drive assembly housing 16 is secured to the first conduit 12 as shown, and includes a number of water inlets 18. The drive assembly housing 16 also includes a valve 19 which will govern whether water will be drawn into the drive assembly housing 16 via the water inlets 18.

The operation of the pool cleaner accessory 10 can be summarised as follows:

Valve 19 in Open Position

The suction force exerted by the swimming pool pump will cause water to be drawn from the surface of the swimming pool via the cleaning head of the pool cleaner, through the suction line, not shown, and to enter the pool cleaner accessory 10 through the mouth 13 of the first conduit 12. The water will continue to be drawn through the first conduit 12 and through the second conduit 14 to exit the pool cleaner accessory 10 at the mouth 15 of the second conduit 14. Hereafter the water will continue to be drawn through the suction line until it is passed through a filter to be cleaned, whereafter it can be re-circulated to the swimming pool.

Simultaneous to water being drawn through the first and second conduits 12 and 14, water will also be drawn into the drive assembly housing 16 through the water inlets 18. The water which is so drawn into the drive assembly housing 16 will act upon a drive assembly 20, shown in Figures 4 and 5, which will cause the first conduit 12 to be moved in a first direction relative to the second conduit 14. Once the water has passed through the

drive assembly housing 16 it will feed into the first conduit 12 to be drawn to the filter of the swimming pool pump.

The pool cleaner accessory 10 includes a switch 22, shown in Figures 4 and 5, which is movable between a first position in which the switch 22 causes the drive assembly 20 to be located in a first drive configuration, and a second position in which the switch 22 causes the drive assembly to be located in a second drive configuration. The pool cleaner accessory 10 further also includes an actuator 24, shown in Figures 4 and 5, which cooperates with the switch 22 for moving the switch 22 from its first position to its second position, and consequently also the drive assembly 20 from its first drive configuration to its second drive configuration, when the first conduit 12 has undergone a predetermined amount of movement relative to the second conduit 14.

When the actuator 24 now causes the switch 22 to be located in its second position, the drive assembly 20 will also be located in its second drive configuration such that the first conduit 12 will be caused to move in a second direction relative to the second conduit 14.

Valve 19 adjusted from its Open Position towards its Closed Position

By adjusting the valve 19, the amount of water which is allowed to pass therethrough can be adjusted such that the rotational speed of a turbine 26, in this embodiment providing an energy source for the drive assembly 20, and as a consequence the speed at which the first conduit 12 can move relative to the second conduit 14, can be controlled.

Valve 19 in its Closed Position

When the valve 19 is located in its closed position, no water can be drawn into the drive assembly housing 16 under the influence of the suction force exerted by the swimming pool pump. As a consequence, the first conduit 12 will not move relative to the second conduit 14.

The components constituting the drive assembly 20, switch 22 and the actuator 24 will be described with specific reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The drive assembly 20 includes the turbine 26 which is pivotally secured inside a turbine chamber 28. The turbine chamber 28 includes a first and a second inlet, indicated respectively with the reference numerals 30 and 32. With the switch 22 located in its first position as shown in Figure 4, water which is drawn into the drive assembly housing 16 will pass through the first inlet 30 to impart clockwise rotation on the turbine 26 before exiting the drive assembly 16 housing through the valve 19. It is also pointed out that with the switch 22 located in the position shown in Figure 4, the second inlet 32 is closed.

The drive assembly 20 also includes a transmission system 34 comprising a number of gears 36 for transmitting rotational movement of the turbine 26 to a second conduit gear 38. The second conduit gear 38 meshes with a toothed rack 40 on the second conduit 14 such that when the transmission system 34 transmits rotational movement from the turbine 26, the second conduit gear 38 will rotate, thereby causing the first conduit 12 to move in a first direction relative to the second conduit 14. As shown in Figure 5, a connecting formation 42, here in the form of a bearing, facilitates relative movement between the first and second conduits 12 and 14.

The actuator 24 of this embodiment of the invention comprises a first actuator member 44, here in the form of a pin, which is carried by the second conduit 14. The second conduit 14 includes a number of adjustment positions 46 in which the other first actuator members 44 can be located in activated positions in order to regulate the predetermined amount of movement which the first conduit 12 can undergo relative to the second conduit 14 in either the first or the second direction.

When the first conduit 12 has undergone the predetermined amount of movement relative to the second conduit 14, the first actuator member 44 will abut a second actuator member 48 which is connected to the switch 22,

The switch 22 firstly comprises a closure member 50 for respectively opening and closing the first inlet 30 of the turbine chamber 28 and the second inlet 32 of the turbine chamber 28. The switch 22 further includes a biasing means chamber 52 in which a guide pin 54 is connected to a switch pin 56. The biasing means chamber 52 further holds biasing means 58, here a spring, which can be compressed inside the biasing means chamber 52.

Continued movement of the first actuator member 44 on the second actuator member 48, will cause the spring 58 to be compressed inside the biasing means chamber 52, while the direction in which the spring exerts a force will be altered. When the first actuator 44 has undergone a specified amount of movement, the force exerted by the spring 58 will cause the closure member 50 to undergo an amount of movement to allow the spring 58 to return to its non-compressed state. The nature of the movement undergone by the closure member 50 will be such that the first inlet 30 of turbine chamber 28 will now be closed with the second inlet 32 of the turbine chamber 28 being opened.

With the second inlet 32 of the turbine chamber 28 being open, the turbine 26 will rotate in an anti-clockwise direction with the consequential effect that the first conduit 12 will move in a second direction relative to the second conduit 14.

The pool cleaner accessory of the invention will typically be produced from a plastics material which will allow the pool cleaner accessory to float in water. The fact that the pool cleaner accessory is produced from a plastics material will also address potential problems caused by rust and the corrosive effects of swimming pool water.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a pool cleaner accessory in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, generally indicated with the reference numeral 110. The pool cleaner accessory 110 comprises a first conduit 12 and a second conduit 14 which is pivotally secured to the first conduit 12 with the use of a connecting formation 42. The connecting formation 42 is, as in the case with the pool cleaner accessory 10, provided in the form of a bearing.

The pool cleaner accessory 110 further also includes a drive assembly housing 16 which houses a drive assembly 20 having an energy source 26. As with the pool cleaner accessory 10, the energy source in this embodiment is provided in the form of turbine. Finally the pool cleaner accessory 110 also includes a transmission system 34 for converting rotational movement of the turbine 26 into relative movement between the first conduit 12 and the second conduit 14. The transmission system 34 of this embodiment firstly comprises a gear train 36 having a second conduit gear 38 and secondly a toothed rack 40 on the first conduit 12.

The pool cleaner accessory 110 operates in a manner similar to that of the pool cleaner accessory 10. The pool cleaner accessory 110 is, however, in effect a simplified version of the pool cleaner accessory 10 in that it includes no valve 19, switch 22 or actuator 24 with the result that the first conduit 12 will always move in one direction relative to the second conduit 14. It is further important to point out that the first conduit 12 will undergo movement in a plane which is substantially parallel with the surface of the water in a swimming pool, see Figure 11 (a) and Figure 11(b) of the drawings in this regard, such that as the first conduit 12 is caused to move it will also cause a suction hose 114 of a pool cleaner 116 to undergo movement. The inventor has found that causing the first conduit 12 to move in a plane which is substantially parallel with the surface of the water inside a pool will have the most desired results in an attempt to cause a pool cleaner to traverse the entire surface of the swimming pool and not just certain areas.

Figure 9 and Figure 10 show a pool cleaner accessory in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, generally indicated with the reference numeral 112. Similar to the pool cleaner accessory 110, the pool cleaner accessory 112 comprises a first and a second conduit 12 and 14 which are pivotally connected. The pool cleaner accessory 112 also includes an energy source 26 for driving a transmission system 34 which in turn will cause the first and second conduits 12 and 14 to move relative to one another. However, unlike the pool cleaner accessories 10 and 110 described above the pool cleaner accessory 210 includes as its energy source 26 an electric motor.

A pool cleaner accessory in accordance with the above description addresses the problems highlighted in the background portion of the specification.