"POOL CLEANING APPARATUS"

THIS invention relates to a pool cleaning apparatus. In particular the invention relates to the cleaning of submerged pool surfaces, typically the surfaces of a swimming pool. The invention also relates to a swimming pool installation.

Submerged surfaces of swimming pools are prone to settling of debris such as leaves, dust, or sand particles. Submerged swimming pool surfaces are traditionally cleaned either by a manually operated suction device or by way of an atuomatic suction type swimming pool cleaning device connected to a return flow inlet of the swimming pool pumped circulation system which provides the required suction action to draw leaves, dirt, or sand from the submerged surface.

The known automatic suction type pool cleaners are generally effective at removing smaller particles, leaves and the like from the submerged surface. However their inlets and internal passages can easily be blocked by stones, longer twigs, larger leaves and the like, with the result that the pool cleaner stops working altogether or its performance may be compromised.

It is an object of the present invention to address these shortcomings of existing suction type pool cleaners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pool cleaning apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces which includes

- a cleaning head with an inlet leading into the head, an outlet leading from the head at a position spaced apart from the inlet and a flow path extending between the inlet and outlet to connect the inlet and outlet in flow communication;

an adaptor which is coupled to the head and which is connectable to a suction source, typically a suction pump in a swimming pool filtration system, such that the outlet of the head is connected in flow communication with the suction source through the adaptor, the head and the adaptor being relatively rotatable; and

- drive means which is arranged to be operated by a flow of water sucked through the apparatus by the suction source to cause relative rotation to take place between the head and the adaptor.

The head may include a hollow body having a bottom, the inlet including at least one opening at or towards the bottom of the body. The bottom of the body may be in the form of a foot in which at least one opening is provided. The foot may define a generally circular swimming pool contact surface through which the at least one opening extends. The foot may be outwardly convex i.e. it extends operatively upwardly in a direction away from the centre thereof.

The head may include an annular skirt which protrudes from the body. The skirt may be of a resiliently deformable material which protrudes from the body at a position above the foot. The skirt may be rotatable relative to the body.

The inlet may include a plurality of circumferential Iy spaced holes provided in the body at a position above the foot. The skirt may be mounted on the body between the holes and the foot. At least part of an operatively lower or swimming poo! contact surface of the skirt may be of a scrubbing material in order to dislodge dirt from a surface of a swimming pool with which it comes into contact.

The pool cleaning apparatus may include weighting means provided in or on the head to maintain the head in a desired orientation. The weighting means may include an annular weight positioned inside the head around the opening in the foot. Instead, or in addition, the weighting means may include a plurality of weights mounted on the foot at spaced apart positions.

The drive means may include a water driven turbine configured such that in use water flowing through the pool cleaning apparatus causes relative rotation between the head and the adaptor. The turbine may include a sleeve mounted in the body and forming part of the flow path such that at least part of the water flowing from the inlet to the outlet flows through the sleeve and a vane arrangement configured such that water flowing through the sleeve causes a torque to be applied thereto and hence also to the head to rotate the head relative to the adaptor.

The turbine may include a vane arrangement mounted in the adaptor and configured such that water flowing through the adaptor causes a torque to be applied thereto to cause relative rotation between the head and the adaptor.

The adaptor may include a tubular spigot member which is mounted on the head via a bearing arrangement and which is connectable spigot-socket fashion to an end of a suction hose thereby connecting the suction hose and hence a swimming pool pump to which it is connected in flow communication with the outlet of the head.

The head may have a central axis which is inclined relative to an axis of the adaptor.

The invention extends to a swimming pool installation which includes a swimming pool, a pump having a suction side and a discharge side which are connected in flow communication with the swimming pooi, a pool cleaning apparatus as summarised above, and a flexible suction hose which connects the pool cleaning apparatus in flow communication with the suction side of the pump.

Other features of the invention are set forth in the claims, which form part of the description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 shows a sectional side view of a pool cleaning apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the pool cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 , in use;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a pool cleaning apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view, from below, of a swimming pool cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a swimming pool cleaning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view, from below, of the apparatus seen in Figure 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a pool cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention. The apparatus 10 includes a head generally indicated by reference numeral 12, an adaptor generally indicated by reference numeral 14 and drive means generally indicated by reference numeral 16. The head 12 is rotatable relative to the adaptor 14 as described in more detail below.

The head 12 includes a hollow body 18 which has an upper portion 20 and a lower portion 22. The lower portion 22 has a circular bottom or foot 24 and a side wall 26 which extends upwardly from the periphery of this foot. The upper portion 20 is generally hemispherical in shape and is connected to the upper edge of the side wall 26. The foot 24 is outwardly convex, i.e. curves upwardly in a direction away from a central axis 28 extends. A centrally disposed hole 30 extends through the foot 24 on the axis 28.

An annular pad 32 of a suitable material, such as a synthetic plastics material, is connected to the foot 24. The pad material may be selected for the pad to apply a scrubbing action to a submerged pool surface, or to improve friction between the head and the submerged surface. The pad may be connected to the foot 24 by engagement of corresponding clip formations on the foot and pad, or the pad may be overmoulded on the foot. The pad 32 has a centrally disposed hole 34 therethrough which is in register with the hole 30. An annular weight 36, typically of metal, such as stainless steel or lead, or of a relatively dense plastics material, such as a

loadecl or filled polymer, is attached to the inside of the foot 24. The weight has a hole 38 therethrough which is in register with the holes 30 and 34 so that the holes 30, 34 and 38 form an inlet opening which allows water to flow axially from outside the apparatus into the interior of the body 18.

The single, circular, centrally disposed holes 30, and the other corresponding holes, may in other embodiments be replaced by one or more holes of different shape, position and size. Some examples of alternative hole configurations are described below.

Depending on the actual design of the apparatus, the weight 36 may also be omitted in some embodiments of the invention.

In addition to the hole or holes at the bottom, a plurality of annulariy spaced openings or holes 40 is provided in the side wall 26 to connect the interior of the body 18 in flow communication with the external body of water in which the apparatus 10 operates in a swimming pool. The holes 30, 34, 38 and holes 40 together form an inlet through which water from the body of water can enter the interior of the head 12.

In the illustrated embodiment there is an annular skirt 42, made of a flexible synthetic plastics material, which is mounted on the head 12 such that it protrudes transversely from the head at a position between the holes 40 and the foot 24. The skirt may be rotatable on the body. Alternatively it may be moulded in one piece with, or overmouided on, the lower portion of the head. As described below this skirt may be omitted in some embodiments of the invention.

The drive means 16 includes a turbine generally indicated by reference numeral 44. The turbine 44 includes a tubular sleeve 46 which extends through and is secured to the upper section 20 of the body 18 and defines an outlet. A pair of diametrically opposed, spiral vane elements 48 is carried on the internal surface of the wall of the sleeve as illustrated.

The adaptor 14 includes a tubular spigot member 50 one end of which which is rotatably connected to the sleeve 46 by means of a bearing arrangement 52. The bearing arrangement 52 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced bearing elements 54 which are held captive between annular bearing surfaces defined on annular shoulders 56, 58 provided on the sleeve 46 and the relevant end of the member 50.

In use of the apparatus 10, an end of a length of flexible suction hose (not shown), typically extending from a return flow inlet of the swimming pool, is connected spigot and socket fashion to the opposite end of the spigot member 50, i.e. the upper end in Figure 1.

Thus the suction source, i.e. suction side of the pump of the pumped filtration system of the swimming pool, is connected in flow communication with the interior of the head 10 via the adaptor 14. With the pump running, water is drawn from the pool and through the holes 30, 34, 38 and 40 into the interior of the body 18 in the direction of arrows 60. From there, the water flows in the direction of arrow 62 through the sleeve 46 and the adaptor 14 into the flexible hose.

Water flowing over the spiral vane elements 48 causes a torque to be applied to the sleeve 46 and hence to the head 12, causing the head to rotate relative to the adaptor 14 about the axis 28. It will be appreciated that the movement of water in the direction of arrows 60 as well as the rotation of the head 12 tends to stir up matter on a submerged surface 64 (Figure 2) of the swimming pool in the vicinity of the head 12. This matter is sucked into and through the head 12 and through the adaptor 14 and flexible hose to the filtration system of the swimming pool.

In practice, the hose attached to the apparatus 10 will extend upwardly and laterally from the apparatus 10 to the return flow iniet. The weight and orientation of the hose together with other factors including the spiral flow of water induced by the turbine vane elements and the convex shape of the foot, tends to tilt the apparatus such that the axis 28 is not normally at right

angles to the surface 64 on which the apparatus operates This is illustrated in Figure 2. As a result of its inclination and rotation the head 12 tends to describe an erratic precessional motion on the surface 64, i.e. it rotates about the axis 28 in the manner somewhat similar to that of a spinning top as the top loses speed and becomes unstable.

Figure 2 shows the apparatus tilted to an angle at which an edge of the skirt 42 is in contact with the surface 64 such that the head tends to rotate instantaneously about the point of contact. As the head 12 rotates, contacts between the skirt and the surface 64 may be periodic will occur at different points on the edge of the skirt. By coming into contact with the surface of the pool, the skirt also serves both to stir up deposits lying on the surface, which will then be sucked into the body 18 in the manner described above. Periodic contact between the skirt and the pool surface also contributes to causing erratic head movements and even a degree of bouncing movement of the head on the submerged surface.

Instead of a skirt, the head 12 may carry localised, lateral protrusions which can make contact with the submerged surfaces of the pool. As another alternative the head may carry no skirt or other protrusions at all. In the latter case it has been observed that with the head 12 at a tilted orientation the precessional motion and irregular contact between the side wall 26 and/or between the zone at which the sections 20 and 22 meet one another and the submerged surfaces of the pool are sufficient to generate the desired erratic movements of the head.

In each case, the movements of the head cause it move generally randomly about the pool in order to apply a cleaning action to the accessible submerged surfaces.

It has also been observed that the apparatus 10 is able to remove particles and objects which could cause blockages and failure of conventional suction type pool cleaners. For instance, in the case of long items of vegetable matter, such as long twigs, it has been found that even if the item

is not sucked away immediately but is only drawn partially into the head, the irregular motions described by the head tend to cause any protruding portion of the item to be chopped up or pulverised by the cutting action of the sides of the openings 40 and periodic impacts of the head with the pool surfaces, with the result that the smaller pieces thereof can be sucked away without difficulty.

It has also been observed that a pool cleaning apparatus such as that described above has the ability to remove fairly large, solid particles such as stones or the like. The ability to remove larger particles is attributable to the fact that that the apparatus has no overly restrictive passages in which the particles could block. This in contrast to known suction type cleaners which employ narrow slit diaphragms or reciprocating hammers to achieve random motion and in which only small openings are present to allow passage of larger particles.

It is believed that if a larger particle should for any reason become jammed in the head 12, for instance in the turbine section, this will create an unbalanced flow through the head. The unbalanced flow will in turn lead to pressure variations at different points in the flow passage and even more erratic head movements, which will have the tendency to dislodge the particle.

The turbine vane elements 48 may be moulded integrally with the sleeve 46. Alternatively, the vane elements may be separate components which are mountabie inside the sleeve, for instance by location of edges thereof in appropriate slots in the inner surface of the sleeve.

Although the embodiment seen in Figure 1 has two vane elements 48 it is envisaged that a suitable result may be obtained with a single vane element, with more than two such elements or, in fact with any other suitable structure designed to generate the required rotation, for example an Archimedes screw. It is also envisaged that different vane configurations may be employed to achieve different results. For instance, with a vane

element with a relatively slow spiral turn, i.e. a large pitch dimension, the rotational speed of the head will be reduced compared to arrangements employing a vane element with a faster spiral turn, i.e. a smaller pitch dimension. It is within the scope of the invention for the vane element(s) to be interchangeable for optimisation of the performance of the apparatus.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 of the drawings, in which reference numeral 100 refers to another swimming pool cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals used above are used to designate similar parts.

The main difference between the apparatus 100 and the apparatus 10 is that, in the case of apparatus 100, the skirt 42 is positioned closer to the foot 24 thereby inhibiting the tilt of the head of the apparatus 100. If desired, cϊrcumferentially spaced holes (not shown) can be provided in the skirt 42 to permit the flow of water and hence entrained matter therethrough and into the head through the openings 40.

Reference is now made to Figure 4 of the drawings, in which reference numeral 1 10 refers generally to another swimming pool cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention. Once again, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals used above are used to designate similar parts.

The main difference between the apparatus 1 10 and the apparatus 10 is that in the case of the apparatus 110, the single, circular, centrally disposed hole 30 in the foot 24 is replaced by a multi-lobed, generally clover-leaf shaped hole 102. In addition, three part-spherical members 104 are embedded in the foot so that they protrude therefrom. The members 104 are positioned between the lobes of the hoie 102 and provide the bottom of the head 12 with an effective convexity, even in the absence of a convex curvature as in Figure 1. The members 104 may be of a material selected to apply a scrubbing or gripping action to the submerged pool surface as the head moves over that surface.

Reference is now made to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, in which reference numeral 200 refers generally to another swimming pool cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention. Once again, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals used above are used to designate similar parts.

in the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the central hole 30 in the foot 24 is replaced by a multi-lobed, in this case generally S-shaped, hole 202. The orientation of this hole will be selected to optimise the removal of matter from the surface of the swimming pool depending upon the direction of rotation of the head, as determined by the design of the turbine vane elements 48.

!n addition, in this embodiment of the invention, the adaptor 14 has a first portion 204 which is coaxial with the axis 28 and a second portion 206 which is inclined relative to the axis 28. A spigot 207 at the end of the adaptor is connectable to a length of flexible hose (not shown) by means of a thrust bearing arrangement 208.

In use, the apparatuses 100, 110 and 200 function substantially in a similar fashion to the apparatus 10. However, in the case of the apparatus 200, the angular inclination between the parts 204 and 206, i.e. the cranked shape of the adaptor, causes the flexible hose to apply a varying lateral force to the apparatus. This varying force contributes to randomising the motion of the apparatus 200 on the submerged pool surfaces.

Non-circular hole shapes such as those seen in Figures 4 and 6 will, it is believed, reduce the risk of blockage of the hole by leaves or other solid objects that the apparatus may suck up during operation.

If desired the turbine arrangement can be provided in the adaptor instead of in the sleeve 46. As another alternative, turbines operating in opposite senses may be incorporated in both the head and the adaptor. In yet

another alternative, turbines in order operating in the same sense, but designed to generate rotation at different speeds, could be incorporated in the head and adaptor. In each case the turbine arrangement is selected, possibly in the light of the shape of the pool in which the apparatus will operate, to promote random movement of the apparatus about the full extent of the pool and/or to allow the apparatus to extricate itself should it ever tend to get stuck in a corner or against some other surface of the pool.

In the case of an apparatus having a cranked adaptor as shown in Figure 5 it is considered particularly advantageous to have opposed turbines in the head and adaptor. In this case, the counter-rotation of the adaptor relative to the head, possibly at a slower rate, combined with the cranked nature of the adaptor, will generate forces suitable to redirect the apparatus should it get stuck against a wall or in a corner of the pool and, in general, promoting randomisation of the movement of the apparatus.

The Inventor believes that a swimming pool cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention will, by virtue of its simplicity, be reliable in operation and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, in addition, by virtue of the unstable nature of the movement of the apparatus, the risk that it will become stuck in the swimming pool is greatly reduced. The cyclonic action which is induced in the body by the turbine vanes will, it is believed, achieve an efficient cleaning action.