Pool cleaner check valve

• US 10,364,905 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2017
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Hayes, Graham M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Fred
• Application Number:
  US15/592,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20180328502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 2101671, 21016716, 21016717, 210136, 15 17
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/004 using large scale industrial sized filters
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/38 by centrifugal separation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/005 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/02 with guided rigid valve members

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.

Claims

1. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a canister body including an inlet, the canister body defining an inner chamber;

a filter medium disposed within the inner chamber of the canister body;

a cyclone block including a plurality of cyclone containers, the cyclone block disposed within the inner chamber of the canister body and at least partially surrounded by the filter medium; and

a check valve secured within the inlet, the check valve comprising;

a frame;

a medium having a proximal end, a distal end, a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a pocket in the body of the medium that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end of the medium being secured to the frame; and

a rigid rod positioned within the pocket of the medium,

the check valve being positioned in a first position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a first direction wherein debris is permitted to flow through the check valve, and positioned in a second position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a second direction wherein debris is prevented from flowing through the check valve;

wherein a first cyclonic flow is generated between the canister body and the filter medium, and a second cyclonic flow is generated within each of the plurality of cyclone containers.

2. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the inlet includes an inner latching shoulder and the frame includes a flexible locking tab, the check valve being removably securable within the inlet through engagement of the flexible locking tab with the inner latching shoulder and can be removed from the inlet by flexing the flexible locking tab to disengage the flexible locking tab and the inner latching shoulder.

3. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein when in the first position the rigid rod is substantially horizontal and does not obstruct the frame with the medium, and when in the second position the rigid rod is substantially vertical adjacent the frame and obstructs the frame with the medium.

4. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the medium is constructed of a flexible mesh material.

5. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the medium is sewn around the frame.

6. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the medium is overmolded to the frame.

7. A check valve for a pool cleaner, comprising:

a frame;

a medium having a proximal end, a distal end, a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a pocket in the body of the medium that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end of the medium being secured to the frame; and

a rigid rod positioned within the pocket of the medium,

the check valve being positioned in a first position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a first direction wherein debris is permitted to flow through the check valve, and positioned in a second position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a second direction wherein debris is prevented from flowing through the check valve;

wherein the frame includes a flexible locking tab configured to releasably secure the check valve within an inlet of a hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly.

8. A check valve for a pool cleaner, comprising:

a frame;

a medium having a proximal end, a distal end, a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a pocket in the body of the medium that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end of the medium being secured to the frame; and

a rigid rod positioned within the pocket of the medium,

the check valve being positioned in a first position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a first direction wherein debris is permitted to flow through the check valve, and positioned in a second position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a second direction wherein debris is prevented from flowing through the check valve;

wherein when in the first position the rigid rod is substantially horizontal and does not obstruct the frame with the medium, and when in the second position the rigid rod is substantially vertical adjacent the frame and obstructs the frame with the medium.

9. The check valve of claim 8, wherein the medium is constructed of a flexible mesh material.

10. The check valve of claim 8, wherein the medium is sewn around the frame.

11. The check valve of claim 8, wherein the medium is overmolded to frame.

12. The check valve of claim 8 in combination with the pool cleaner.

13. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a canister body including an inlet, the canister body defining an inner chamber;

a filter medium disposed within the inner chamber of the canister body;

a cyclone block including a plurality of cyclone containers, the cyclone block disposed within the inner chamber of the canister body and at least partially surrounded by the filter medium; and

a check valve secured within the inlet, the check valve comprising;

a frame; and

a medium having a proximal end, a distal end, a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end of the medium being secured to the frame; and

the check valve being positioned in a first position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a first direction wherein debris is permitted to flow through the check valve, and positioned in a second position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a second direction wherein debris is prevented from flowing through the check valve;

wherein a first cyclonic flow is generated between the canister body and the filter medium, and a second cyclonic flow is generated within each of the plurality of cyclone containers.

14. The pool cleaner of claim 13, wherein the inlet includes an inner latching shoulder and the frame includes a flexible locking tab, the check valve being removably securable within the inlet through engagement of the flexible locking tab with the inner latching shoulder and can be removed from the inlet by flexing the flexible locking tab to disengage the flexible locking tab and the inner latching shoulder.

15. A check valve for a pool cleaner, comprising:

a frame; and

a medium having a proximal end, a distal end, a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end of the medium being secured to the frame;

the check valve being positioned in a first position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a first direction wherein debris is permitted to flow through the check valve, and positioned in a second position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a second direction wherein debris is prevented from flowing through the check valve;

wherein the frame includes a flexible locking tab configured to releasably secure the check valve within an inlet of a hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly.

16. The check valve of claim 15 in combination with the pool cleaner.

17. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a canister body including an inlet, the canister body defining an inner chamber;

a filter medium disposed within the inner chamber of the canister body;

an impeller assembly at least partially positioned within the canister and removable therewith from the cleaner; and

a check valve secured within the inlet, the check valve comprising;

a frame; and

a medium having a proximal end, a distal end, a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end of the medium being secured to the frame; and

the check valve being positioned in a first position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a first direction wherein debris is permitted to flow through the check valve, and positioned in a second position when fluid is flowing through the check valve in a second direction wherein debris is prevented from flowing through the check valve;

wherein a cyclonic flow is generated between the canister body and the filter medium.

18. The pool cleaner of claim 17, wherein the inlet includes an inner latching shoulder and the frame includes a flexible locking tab, the check valve being removably securable within the inlet through engagement of the flexible locking tab with the inner latching shoulder and can be removed from the inlet by flexing the flexible locking tab to disengage the flexible locking tab and the inner latching shoulder.