Swimming pool cleaning method and apparatus

• US 4,449,260 A
• Filed: 09/01/1982
• Issued: 05/22/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brackston T. Whitaker
• Original Assignee: Brackston T. Whitaker
• Inventors: Whitaker, Brackston T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Artis, Henry K.
• Application Number:
  US06/413,708
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 4/492, 4/490, 134/167 R, 134/168 R, 134/168 C
• US Class Current: 4/490
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1681 Cleaning whips

Abstract

Hydraulically operated low pressure reservoir or pool cleaning method and apparatus wherein, by the controlled passage of water through actuating valves, plural water exhaust whips are submersibly extended from a pool shell into the closure to agitate the pool water and scour the shell walls and floor, thereby to perform the cleaning function. The whips may thereafter be retracted into the walls and floor and retained, pending further useage as extended cleaning elements. Method and apparatus present economies of operation and installation, hitherto unknown.

Claims

1. In the hydraulic cleaning of fluid reservoirs, said reservoirs having a fluid circulating system, comprising in sequence reservoir, reservoir drain line, pump, filter and return line, interconnected to each other:

(A) plural, extensible and retractable, open-end flexible conduits removably housed in walls of the reservoir, said conduits each having a pressure-responsive head fixed to ends thereof, responsive to the flow of fluids therethrough, to extend and retract said conduit means into and out of the fluid reservoir, for submersible fluid injecting interruption contact with each other;

(B) a valve assembly having in-line valves interposed within the fluid circulating system, comprising multichambered control to regulate modes of;

first, normal filtering run of the reservoir with retracted conduits;

secondly, cleaning and filtering same with extended conduits and thirdly, retracting the conduit means, precedent to return to normal run;

(B

     1) a first of said valve assembly having as single control stem, said first valve interconnecting reservoir, pump return and conduits, said valve connecting the reservoir return and pump in the normal run and connecting to open end conduits in the cleaning mode;

(B

     2) a second of said valve having a single control stem, interconnecting the conduits, drain and pump, whereby upon coordinate actuation of the respective valves the three modes of operation may be effected;

whereby the volume and pressure applied to the conduits may be selectively controlled to effect the speed of extension for retraction and the distance of extension thereof.

2. Reservoir cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-responsive heads on each end of the respective conduits are rigid, each defining a bulbous nozzle which is of enlarged cross-section relative to the flexible conduit.

3. Reservoir cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, including rigid spiral housings for the storage of the flexible conduits, said housings being set vertically within walls of the reservoir and having direct connection with the fluid circulating system.

4. Reservoir cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressure-responsive heads on each end of the respective conduits are rigid, each defining a bulbous nozzle which is of enlarged cross-section relative to the flexible conduit.

5. Reservoir cleaning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the said housing each define an adapter at an open end to seat the flexible conduits in the respective extension contraction modes.

6. Reservoir cleaning apparatus operatively connected to a fluid reservoir, the reservoir having a circulating system therein and wherein a plurality of flexible hollow tubular conduits are interconnected to a source of contained fluid in the circulating system, said conduits having automatic means responsive to the flow of water therethrough to extend and retract same:

(A) rigid spiral housings for the storage of water of one each of the flexible conduits, said housings being set vertically within the walls of the reservoir and having connection with the circulating system;

(B) means to regulate directional flow of fluid in the circulating system through the hollow flexible conduits, whereby the volume and pressure applied to the conduits may be selectively controlled to effect the speed of extension and/or retraction and to control the distance of extension thereof.

7. Reservoir cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pressure-responsive head on each end of the respective conduits are rigid, each defining a bulbous nozzle which is of elipsoid configuration in side elevation enlarged cross-section and of relative to the flexible conduit.

8. Reservoir cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the regulating means comprises:

(A) valvular control means with in-line valves interposed within the fluid circulating system comprising multichambered control to regulate modes of;

first, normal filtering run of the reservoir with retracted conduits;

secondly, cleaning and filtering same with extended conduits and thirdly, retracting the conduit means, precedent to return to normal run;

(B) a first of said valves having a single control stem said first valve interconnecting reservoir, pump and flexible conduits, said valve connecting the reservoir drain and pump in the normal run and the connecting to open end conduits, in the cleaning mode;

(C) a second of said valve interconnecting the conduits, drain and pump, whereby upon coordinate actuation of the respective pairs of valves the three modes of operation may be effected.

9. Reservoir cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressure-responsive head on each end of the respective conduits are rigid, each defining a bulbous nozzle which is of enlarged cross-section, relative to the flexible conduit.

10. Reservoir cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the spiral housings each terminate in the reservoir walls, said housings each defining an adapter at an open end to seat the flexible conduits in the respective extended and retraction modes.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pressure-responsive head on each end of the respective conduit are rigid, each defining a bulbous nozzle which is of enlarged cross-section relative to the flexible conduit.