Cleaning system for swimming pools and the like

• US 4,907,610 A
• Filed: 05/08/1989
• Issued: 03/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ciro-U-Vac, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Crystal Pools, Inc.
• Inventors: Meincke, Jonathan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/348,957
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 134/111, 134/166 R, 134/167 R, 134/168 R, 134/22.1, 134/22.18, 134/57 R, 134/58 R, 134/172, 15/1.7
• US Class Current: 134/56.00R
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/12 Devices or arrangements for circulating water , i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1645 Connections to the pool water circulation system
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1672 Connections to the pool water circulation system
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1681 Cleaning whips
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/169 Pool nozzles

Abstract

A cleaning system for a swimming pool which includes a mobile cleaning unit and/or stationary cleaning heads. Manual and automatic modes are included. The system is suitable for both gunnite and polymer liner pools, spas and the like. No energy is required other than that normally required for circulation of water through the conventional filtration apparatus.

Claims

1. An improved cleaning system for a swimming pool or the like in which a water circulation system is employed including at least one suction water line connected between said pool and a water pump, a filter system connected to said pump and at least one water return line connected between said filter and said pool, comprising:

(a) further filter means associated with a suction water line connected to the suction side of said pump for filtering at least large debris from water passing therethrough;

(b) a mobile cleaning unit connected to said suction water line having said filter means associated therewith and being operable on water being sucked through said line to move about said pool and perform a cleaning function;

(c) at least one cleaning water line connected between a discharge side of said pump and said pool;

(d) at least one stationary cleaning unit connected to said at least one cleaning return line at said pool; and

(e) control means included in said circulation system for diverting water flow through said mobile cleaning unit and through said at least one cleaning return line during predetermined times for instituting operation of said cleaning units and consequent cleaning of said pool.

2. A cleaning system as defined in claim 1 wherein said further filter is associated with a skimmer mounted in a wall of said pool.

3. A cleaning system as defined in claim 2 wherein said further filter is a cartridge filter.

4. A cleaning system as defined in claim 1 wherein said further filter is a cartridge filter.

5. A cleaning system as defined in claim 1 wherein said further filter means is a strainer and during operation of said mobile cleaning unit water from the pool is allowed to pass through said filter system.

6. A cleaning system as defined in claim 1 wherein said further filter is a cartridge filter located in said system between said mobile cleaning unit and said pump.

7. A cleaning system as defined in claim 6 wherein said control means operates to bypass said filter system during operation of said mobile cleaning unit.

8. A cleaning system as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means operates to initiate operation of said stationary cleaning units and said mobile cleaning unit sequentially.

9. An improved cleaning system for a swimming pool or the like in which a water circulation system is employed which includes suction water lines connected between the pool and a suction side of a water pump, the pump connected to a water filtration system and water return lines connected between the filtration system and the pool, comprising:

(a) a further filter means located in said system before said suction side of said pump;

(b) at least one cleaning water return line located in said system with at least one stationary cleaning unit connected thereto at said pool;

(c) a mobile cleaning unit connected to one of said suction water lines before said further filter means, said mobile cleaning unit being operable to move and clean said pool by the passage of water therethrough; and

(d) control means associated with said system for diverting water flow at predetermined times to operate said mobile cleaning unit and said at least one stationary cleaning unit.

10. A cleaning system as defined in claim 9 wherein a suction water line is provided for operation of said mobile cleaning unit only and being adapted for connection to the suction side of said pump during operation of said mobile cleaning unit, and a plurality of cleaning return lines are connected to the discharge side of the pump with a plurality of stationary cleaning units being connected at the pool to each of said cleaning return lines, and wherein said control means diverts water flow from said pool through said mobile cleaning unit suction line for operation of same and through said cleaning return lines, by-passing said filter system for operation of said stationary cleaning units.

11. A cleaning system as defined in claim 9 wherein said movable suction powered cleaning unit is associated with said at least one cleaning suction line at a wall of said pool, and wherein a strainer is located along a line between said mobile cleaning unit and said wall of said pool.

12. A cleaning system as defined in claim 9 wherein said further filter is associated with a skimmer.

13. A cleaning system as defined in claim 9 wherein said control means comprises valves located in said lines and means for operating said valves for diverting water flow.

14. A cleaning system as defined in claim 13 wherein said valves are timer controlled.

15. A cleaning system as defined in claim 13 wherein said control system further includes actuator means for said valves.

16. A cleaning system as defined in claim 15 wherein said actuator means is electrical.

17. A cleaning system as defined in claim 15 wherein said actuator means is hydraulic.

18. A cleaning system as defined in claim 9 wherein said at least one stationary cleaning head unit is mounted in a bottom wall of said pool, and upon receipt of water from said cleaning return line is raised from said bottom wall and is rotated with water exiting therefrom and forcing dirt, leaves and the like away from same.

19. A cleaning system as defined in claim 9 wherein said at least one stationary cleaning head is mounted in a side wall of said pool and is positioned to direct water from said cleaning return line in a predetermined direction.

20. An improved cleaning system for a swimming pool or the like in which a water circulation system is employed including suction water lines connected between the pool and a water pump, a filter system connected to the pump and water return lines connected between the filter system and the pool comprising:

(a) a mobile cleaning unit connected to one of said cleaning suction lines and being operable to move about and clean said pool by the passage of water therethrough;

(c) a further filter means located between said mobile cleaning unit and said pump for removing at least nonsuspendable debris from water passing therethrough;

(d) a plurality of cleaning return lines connected between said pool and said system on the pressure side of said pump;

(e) a plurality of stationary cleaning units located in said pool and being connected to said cleaning return lines, said stationary cleaning units being operable to perform a cleaning function upon receipt of water from said cleaning return line to which they are connected; and

(f) control means associated with said system for diverting water flow through said suction cleaning line and said cleaning return lines at predetermined times to affect cleaning of the pool.

21. A cleaning system as defined in claim 20 wherein said further filter is a cartridge filter.

22. A cleaning system as defined in claim 20 wherein said further filter is a strainer.

23. A cleaning system as defined in claim 20 wherein said cleaning return lines are connected to the pressure side of the pump whereby when water is diverted therethrough, the filter system is by-passed.