Swimming pool cleaner operating head

• US 5,450,645 A
• Filed: 07/06/1994
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems Incorporated (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Zarina Holdings C.V.
• Inventors: Atkins, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Randall E.
• Application Number:
  US08/271,366
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 15/1.7, 15/404, 137/843, 137/846
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1663 the propulsion resulting from an intermittent interruption of the waterflow through the cleaner
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7882 Having exit lip

Abstract

Swimming pool cleaner components are provided to form a unitary combination of a body housing a diaphragm in communication with an inner tube and the body in communication with an outer tube around the inner tube and secured to the body to locate the diaphragm and inner tube with a rotatable coupling collar on the outer tube to position the components in an outer body of the swimming pool cleaner.

Claims

1. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components comprising:

a. a hollow body having an axial inlet and an axial outlet;

b. a tubular diaphragm having inlet and outlet ends, the diaphragm housed within the body;

c. an inner tubular member having a first end located in the outlet end of the diaphragm;

d. an outer tubular member, positioned over the inner tubular member, and having a first end longitudinally adjustably positioned in the axial outlet of the body;

e. means, positioned between the inner and outer tubular members and within the axial outlet of the body, for adjustably connecting the first ends of the inner and outer tubular members and the outlet end of the diaphragm relative to each other and to the axial outlet of the body; and

f. a coupling member freely rotatable around the outer tubular member.

2. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 1 in which the first end of the outer tubular member is tapered and the inner tubular member has a radially projecting rib adjacent the first end of the inner tubular member.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 which the tapered first end inserts over and holds the adjustably connecting means in position.

4. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 2 in which the means between the inner and outer tubular members comprises a radially and longitudinally contractible cantilever ring located between the tapered first end and the radially projecting rib.

5. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 1 in which the outer tubular member and body are in screwthreaded engagement with each other.

6. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 1 in which the outer tubular member has a second flange, and a stop projecting radially therefrom and the coupling member comprises a collar having a first flange, the collar located between the second flange and the stop.

7. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 6 in which the collar further comprises an axial thrust ball bearing located between the first flange on the collar and the second flange on the outer tubular member.

8. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 7 in which the ball bearing further comprises a lower and upper ring each having a plurality of open ended ball receiving formations formed therein with a ball located within each pair of opposing ball receiving formations.

9. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 8 in which the balls and ball receiving formations are moulded from acetyl synthetic resin.

10. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 1 in which the inlet end of the diaphragm is in frictional engagement with the body and has a flange which abuts against the axial inlet to the body.

11. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components comprising:

a. a body having an inlet and an outlet through which fluid passes;

b. a removable valve positioned within the body for periodically interrupting fluid flow therethrough;

c. a first tube;

d. means for coupling the first tube to the valve;

e. a second tube surrounding the first tube and having a first end adjustably positioned in the outlet of the body and a second end coupled to a hose; and

f. a collar positioned on the second tube for allowing relative rotation of the body and hose, the collar comprising a first flange and means for absorbing thrust.

12. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 11 in which the first tube has a series of ribs.

13. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 11 further comprising a second flange located on the second tube and the absorbing means comprises a bearing located between the first and second flanges.

14. An assembly of swimming pool cleaner components according to claim 11 in which the valve comprises a tubular diaphragm having an inlet end that is in frictional engagement with the body and a flange which abuts against the inlet to the body.

15. An assembly for providing intermittent fluid flow comprising:

a. a body having an inlet and an outlet through which fluid passes and a removable valve for periodically interrupting fluid flow through the body;

c. a first tube, coupled to the valve;

d. a second tube, surrounding the first tube and having a tapered inner end and a first flange;

e. a longitudinally and radially contractible cantilever ring located between the first and second tubes;

f. a collar, positioned on the second tube for allowing rotation of a hose connected to the second tube, the collar comprising a second flange; and

g. means, located between the first and second flanges, for absorbing thrust.

16. An assembly for providing intermittent fluid flow according to claim 15 in which the tapered inner end inserts over and exerts pressure on the cantilever ring.