Rotating Pop Up Pool Cleaning Head

• US 20090000021A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James H. Martin
• Original Assignee: James H. Martin
• Inventors: Martin, James H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,571,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/490
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/169 Pool nozzles

Abstract

A pop up nozzle assembly useful for cleaning swimming pool surfaces is disclosed. The present invention includes a continuously rotating spray nozzle, a water driven impeller, gearing to move the pop up head, interchangeable heads, and means for returning back within the floor or wall. The present invention includes important features for efficient cleaning, easy removal for repair, and the prevention of vandalism.

Claims

1. A rotating cleaning assembly useful for cleaning the inside surface of a pool by agitation comprising:

a. a pop up head including three aligned parts in order;

an upper piston, a middle cylindrical portion, and an annular beveled flange,

b. wherein said three aligned parts are each longitudinally aligned to an axis,

c. wherein said upper piston and said middle cylindrical portion are closely adjacent and are connected together by friction in a manner to allow both to independently rotate about said axis,

d. wherein said annular beveled flange is closely adjacent to said middle cylindrical portion,

e. at least one nozzle opening on the radial surface of said upper piston,

f. an impeller, impeller shaft, and mechanical gearing disposed to cause said upper piston and said middle cylindrical portion to rotate around said axis when water flows around said impeller, wherein said impeller shaft is substantially parallel to said axis,

g. an insert assembly which contains said pop up head, wherein said insert assembly is placed substantially within a floor or wall of said pool,

h. an intermittent water flow from a pump source to said insert assembly,

i. wherein said axis is substantially perpendicular to said floor or said wall,

j. wherein when said water flow is active,

i) said pop up head moves out of said insert assembly along the direction of said axis,

ii) said insert assembly restricts the motion of said pop up head out of said insert assembly to a fixed distance,

iii) wherein said annular beveled flange and said insert assembly contact in a manner to provide a significant water sealing contact,

iv) said impeller rotates about said impeller shaft by the motion of said water flow, and

v) a substantial amount of said water flow exits out of said at least one nozzle opening perpendicular to said axis, and

k. wherein when said water flow is inactive,

i) said pop up head is retracted into said insert assembly by use of a spring or weight, and

ii) said pop up head is substantially flush with said floor or said wall,

whereby the water flow through said at least one nozzle opening provides for agitation along the inside surface of a pool.

2. The rotating cleaning assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pop up head is connected to said middle cylindrical portion by use of pins to provide for disassembly by a tool.

3. The rotating cleaning assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insert assembly comprises two parts, a fixed part that is rigidly attached to said floor or said wall, and a removable part that contains said significant water sealing contact.

4. The rotating cleaning assembly according to claim 3 wherein said insert assembly additionally includes said spring or said weight.

5. The rotating cleaning assembly according to claim 1 wherein a sweeping jet of water from said at least one nozzle opening has a productive cleaning diameter of at least eight feet.

6. The rotating cleaning assembly according to claim 1 wherein the majority portion of said water flow through said pop up head is directed through chambers so that it does not principally flow around said mechanical gearing.