Submerged surface pool cleaning device

• US 6,119,293 A
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian Phillipson Family Trust, Pavel Sebor Family Trust
• Original Assignee: Daniela Sebor Family Trust, Moyra A. Phillipson Family Trust
• Inventors: Sebor, Paul, Sebor, Daniela, Phillipson, Brian H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Sr., Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNeil, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US09/113,832
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 15/1.7, 15/246
• 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

Abstract

A swimming pool cleaning device for automatically cleaning a submerged surface includes a forwardly inclined housing forming a flow passage between a surface to be cleaned and a suction hose. A flow control valve is operable within the flow passage and includes a flap pivotable from a seated position against the front wall of the housing for blocking flow through the passage to an unseated position in a spaced relation to the forward wall, permitting. A shoe is carried at an inlet to the flow passage and a flexible planar disc extends around the shoe for engaging the surface to be cleaned. A groove within the shoe bottom surface forms a channel with the surface for passage of debris and fluid flow through the channel. The flexible planar member includes slits extending from the peripheral edge inward toward the central opening to form a pedal-like segmented flange for splaying of each segment in response to travel of the cleaner over an irregularly contoured surface and facilitate an effective frictional contact with the surface. A steering mechanism is operable between the housing and shoe for rotating the housing about the shoe and planar member, and includes a ratchet and pawl operable between upper and lower steering members for providing free rotation in one direction in response to a pulsating fluid flow through the flow passage, while biasing against rotation in an opposing direction.

Claims

1. A swimming pool cleaning device for automatically cleaning a surface submerged in liquid, the cleaning device comprising:

a forwardly inclined housing having rigid walls forming a flow passage extending therethrough from an inlet which in use is proximate a surface to be cleaned, to an outlet for connection to a flexible suction hose;

a flow control valve operable within the flow passage, the flow control valve comprising;

a rigid flap member having a pivot end pivotably connected to the housing and an opposing seat end movable from a seated position biased against a first wall portion of the housing, to an unseated position in a spaced relation to the first wall portion; and

a flexible flap member having first and second ends, and opposing sides therebetween, the first end of the flexible portion attached to a second wall portion of the housing opposing the first wall portion, the second end of the flexible portion attached to the seat end of the rigid flap member, the flexible flap member extending across the flow passage for blocking flow therethrough when the rigid flap member is in the seated position, and retractable from the second wall portion for permitting fluid flow through the flow passage when the rigid flap member is in the unseated position;

a shoe carried by the housing at the inlet for engaging a surface of a pool to be cleaned; and

a flexible flange extending around the shoe, when in use, the shoe and flange frictionally engaging the surface to be cleaned.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first wall includes a recess for receiving the seat end of the rigid flap member, and wherein the valve further comprises an impact absorbing buffer carried on the seat end for cushioning an impact of the seat end with the first wall.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first wall of the housing comprises a forward wall.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible flap member comprises:

an upstream portion having first and second ends, the first end of the upstream portion attached to the second wall portion of the housing and the second end of the upstream portion attached to the seat end of the rigid portion; and

a downstream portion having first and second ends, the first end of the downstream portion attached to the second wall portion of the housing at a position displaced downstream from the first end of the upstream portion, and the second end of the downstream portion attached to the second end of the rigid flap member, the upstream and downstream portions forming a fluid buffer chamber with the side wall portion.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the side wall portion includes an aperture therethrough, and wherein the aperture is positioned for providing fluid flow into the fluid buffer chamber.

6. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the valve further comprises a stop operable with the rigid flap member for limiting the spaced relation of the rigid flap member to the first wall and thus govern an arc through which the rigid flap moves and a rate of reciprocating movement thereof.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible flap member comprises at least two hingedly attached rigid elements.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a seal extending along an edge of the rigid flap member for biasing against a side wall of the housing in a sealing relationship between the rigid flap member and the side wall of the housing.

9. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises attaching means for removably attaching the first wall thereto, the first wall readily removable from the housing for access to the flow passage.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the shoe comprises a resilient body having a bottom surface for engaging the surface to be cleaned and a central opening for passage of debris and fluid flow therethrough to the inlet of the housing, the resilient body having a groove within the bottom surface extending from the opening radially outward to the periphery, the groove forming a channel with the surface to be cleaned for passage of debris and fluid flow through the channel.

11. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible flange comprises a generally disc shaped sealing flange having a central opening therethrough and a peripheral edge extending therefrom and around the opening, the flange further having an intake aperture and a flexible flap extending into the intake aperture, the flexible flap adjusting the size of the intake aperture in response to fluid flow therethrough.

12. The cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the flexible flange further comprises slits extending from the peripheral edge inward toward the central opening to form a pedal-like segmented flange for splaying of each segment in response to travel of the cleaner over an irregularly contoured surface and thus facilitate an effective frictional contact therewith, the slits extending to less than half a distance from the peripheral edge to the opening.

13. The cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein the flexible flange further comprises a pleat affixed across the slit for allowing the splaying while limiting seepage of fluid through the slits.

14. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is rotatable about the shoe and flange.

15. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising steering means operable for rotating the housing about the shoe and flange.

16. The cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein the steering means comprises:

an upper member carried by the housing;

a lower member carried by the shoe, the lower member rotatable with the upper member about an axis of rotation, when in use, the axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned; and

ratchet and pawl means operable between the upper and lower members for providing free rotation in one direction about the axis in response to a pulsating fluid flow through the flow passage, while biasing against rotation in an opposing direction.

17. The cleaning device according to claim 16, wherein the ratchet and pawl means comprise:

a pivot pin carried by the upper member;

the lower member having a cylindrical surface extending around the axis of rotation for engagement by the pawl; and

a pawl pivotally attached to the pin and engaging the cylindrical surface.

18. The cleaning device according to claim 17, wherein the cylindrical surface includes a smooth surface portion over which the pawl will slide and thus provide free rotation of the housing through an arc of the smooth surface.

19. The cleaning device according to claim 16, wherein the ratchet and pawl means comprise:

a tab carried by the upper member;

a pawl having first and second pawl portions pivotable about a center pawl portion for engaging the lower member with the first pawl portion for providing free rotation of the housing about the axis in the one direction while biasing against rotation in the opposing direction, and for pivoting about the center pawl portion for engaging the lower member with the second pawl portion for providing free rotation of the housing about the axis in the opposing while biasing against rotation in the one direction;

a lever arm extending from the center pawl portion, the lever arm biasing against the tab from a first side when rotated about the one direction for causing the first pawl portion to engage the lower member, and the lever arm biasing against the tab from an opposing second side of the tab when rotated about the opposing direction for causing the second pawl portion to engage the lower member, thus providing a steering of the cleaning device.

20. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a hose coupling rotatable carried by the housing at the outlet for connection of a flexible hose.

21. The pool cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a bumper assembly rotatable about the housing, the bumper assembly comprising:

a ring spaced from and extending around the housing;

a coupling rotatably attached to the hose coupling; and

elongated spokes extending radially outward from the coupling to the ring for holding the ring in a spaced relation to and around the housing.

22. The pool cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a buoyancy means operable with the housing for upwardly buoying a trailing edge portion of the housing.

23. The pool cleaner according to claim 22, wherein the buoyancy means comprises:

a float; and

a flexible rod having a proximal end hingedly attached to the housing trailing edge portion and a distal end attached to the float.

24. The pool cleaner according to claim 23, further comprising the housing trailing edge portion having an arcuate slot transversely extending across the housing and wherein the proximal end of the flexible rod is slidable within the arcuate slot.

25. The pool cleaner according to claim 22, further comprising a weight extending outwardly and forwardly from the housing for urging a leading edge of the housing downward, the weight positioned for cooperating with the buoyancy means in turning the cleaner downward when the cleaner is traveling along a swimming pool side generally vertical side wall.

26. A swimming pool cleaning device for automatically cleaning a surface submerged in liquid, the cleaning device comprising:

a forwardly inclined housing having rigid walls forming a flow passage extending therethrough from an inlet which in use is proximate a surface to be cleaned, to an outlet for connection to a flexible suction hose;

a flow control valve operable within the flow passage;

a shoe carried by the housing at the inlet for engaging a surface of a pool to be cleaned, the shoe having a resilient body having a bottom surface for engaging the surface to be cleaned and a central opening for passage of debris and fluid flow therethrough to the inlet of the housing, the resilient body having a groove within the bottom surface extending from the opening radially outward to the periphery, the groove forming a channel with the surface to be cleaned for passage of debris and fluid flow through the channel; and

a flexible flange extending around the shoe, when in use, the shoe and flange engaging the surface to be cleaned, the flexible flange having a central opening therethrough communicating with the central opening of the shoe and a peripheral edge extending therefrom and around the central opening, the flexible flange further having an intake aperture for providing fluid flow therethrough to the channel, and a flexible flap extending into the intake aperture, the flexible flap adjusting the size of the intake aperture in response to fluid flow therethrough.

27. The cleaning device according to claim 26, wherein the flow control valve comprises:

a rigid flap member having a pivot end pivotably connected to the housing and an opposing seat end movable from a seated position biased against a first wall portion of the housing, to an unseated position in a spaced relation to the first wall portion; and

a flexible flap member having first and second ends, and opposing sides therebetween, the first end of the flexible portion attached to a second wall portion of the housing opposing the first wall portion, the second end of the flexible portion attached to the seat end of the rigid flap member, the flexible flap member extending across the flow passage for blocking flow therethrough when the rigid flap member is in the seated position, and retractable from the second wall portion for permitting fluid flow through the flow passage when the rigid flap member is in the unseated position.

28. The cleaning device according to claim 27, wherein the first wall includes a recess for receiving the seat end of the rigid flap member, and wherein the valve further comprises an impact absorbing buffer carried on the seat end for cushioning an impact of the seat end with the first wall.

29. The cleaning device according to claim 27, wherein the first wall of the housing comprises a forward wall.

30. The cleaning device according to claim 27, wherein the flexible flap member comprises:

an upstream portion having first and second ends, the first end of the upstream portion attached to the second wall portion of the housing and the second end of the upstream portion attached to the seat end of the rigid portion; and

a downstream portion having first and second ends, the first end of the downstream portion attached to the second wall portion of the housing at a position displaced downstream from the first end of the upstream portion, and the second end of the downstream portion attached to the second end of the rigid flap member, the upstream and downstream portions forming a fluid buffer chamber with the side wall portion.

31. The cleaning device according to claim 30, wherein the side wall portion include an aperture therethrough, wherein the aperture is positioned for providing fluid flow into the fluid buffer chamber.

32. The cleaning device according to claim 27, wherein the valve further comprises a stop operable with the rigid flap member for limiting the spaced relation of the rigid flap member to the first wall and thus govern an arc through which the rigid flap moves and a rate of reciprocating movement thereof.

33. The cleaning device according to claim 27, wherein the flexible flap member comprises at least two hingedly attached rigid elements.

34. The cleaning device according to claim 27, further comprising a seal extending along an edge of the rigid flap member for biasing against a side wall of the housing in a sealing relationship between the rigid flap member and the side wall of the housing.

35. The cleaning device according to claim 27, wherein the housing further comprises attaching means for removably attaching the first wall thereto, the first wall readily removable from the housing for access to the flow passage.

36. The cleaning device according to claim 26, wherein the flexible flange further comprises slits extending from the peripheral edge inward toward the central opening to form a pedal-like segmented flange for splaying of each segment in response to travel of the cleaner over an irregularly contoured surface and thus facilitate an effective frictional contact therewith, the slits extending to less than half a distance from the peripheral edge to the opening.

37. The cleaning device according to claim 36, wherein the flexible flange further comprises a pleat affixed across the slit for allowing the splaying while limiting seepage of fluid through the slits.

38. The cleaning device according to claim 26, wherein the housing is rotatable about the shoe and flange.

39. The cleaning device according to claim 26, further comprising steering means operable for rotating the housing about the shoe and flange.

40. The cleaning device according to claim 39, wherein the steering means comprises:

an upper member carried by the housing;

a lower member carried by the shoe, the lower member rotatable with the upper member about an axis of rotation, when in use, the axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned; and

ratchet and pawl means operable between the upper and lower members for providing free rotation in one direction about the axis in response to a pulsating fluid flow through the flow passage, while biasing against rotation in an opposing direction.

41. The cleaning device according to claim 40, wherein the ratchet and pawl means comprise:

a pivot pin carried by the upper member;

the lower member having a cylindrical surface extending around the axis of rotation for engagement by the pawl; and

a pawl pivotally attached to the pin and engaging the cylindrical surface.

42. The cleaning device according to claim 41, wherein the cylindrical surface includes a smooth surface portion over which the pawl will slide and thus provide free rotation of the housing through an arc of the smooth surface.

43. The cleaning device according to claim 39, wherein the ratchet and pawl means comprise:

a tab carried by the upper member;

a pawl having first and second pawl portions pivotable about a center pawl portion for engaging the lower member with the first pawl portion for providing free rotation of the housing about the axis in the one direction while biasing against rotation in the opposing direction, and for pivoting about the center pawl portion for engaging the lower member with the second pawl portion for providing free rotation of the housing about the axis in the opposing while biasing against rotation in the one direction;

a lever arm extending from the center pawl portion, the lever arm biasing against the tab from a first side when rotated about the one direction for causing the first pawl portion to engage the lower member, and the lever arm biasing against the tab from an opposing second side of the tab when rotated about the opposing direction for causing the second pawl portion to engage the lower member, thus providing a steering of the cleaning device.

44. The cleaning device according to claim 26, further comprising a hose coupling rotatable carried by the housing at the outlet for connection of a flexible hose.

45. The pool cleaning device according to claim 26, further comprising a bumper assembly rotatable about the housing, the bumper assembly comprising:

a ring spaced from and extending around the housing;

a coupling rotatably attached to the hose coupling; and

elongated spokes extending radially outward from the coupling to the ring for holding the ring in a spaced relation to and around the housing.

46. The pool cleaning device according to claim 26, further comprising a buoyancy means operable with the housing for upwardly buoying a trailing edge portion of the housing.

47. The pool cleaner according to claim 46, wherein the buoyancy means comprises:

a float; and

a flexible rod having a proximal end hingedly attached to the housing trailing edge portion and a distal end attached to the float.

48. The pool cleaner according to claim 46, further comprising the housing trailing edge portion having an arcuate slot transversely extending across the housing and wherein the proximal end of the flexible rod is slidable within the arcuate slot.

49. The pool cleaner according to claim 46, further comprising a weight extending outwardly and forwardly from the housing for urging a leading edge of the housing downward, the weight positioned for cooperating with the buoyancy means in turning the cleaner downward when the cleaner is traveling along a swimming pool side generally vertical side wall.

50. A swimming pool cleaning device for automatically cleaning a surface submerged in liquid, the cleaning device comprising:

a housing having rigid walls forming a flow passage extending therethrough from an inlet which in use is proximate a surface to be cleaned, to an outlet for connection to a flexible suction hose;

a flow control valve operable within the flow passage;

a shoe carried by the housing at the inlet for engaging a surface of a pool to be cleaned;

a flexible flange extending around the shoe, when in use, the shoe and flange engaging the surface to be cleaned; and

steering means carried by the housing and operable therewith for rotating the housing about the shoe and flange, said steering means comprising an upper member carried by the housing and a lower member carried by the shoe, the lower member rotatable with the upper member about an axis of rotation, when in use, the axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned.

51. The cleaning device according to claim 50, wherein the steering means further comprising:

ratchet and pawl means operable between the upper and lower members for providing free rotation in one direction about the axis in response to a pulsating fluid flow through the flow passage, while biasing against rotation in an opposing direction.

52. The cleaning device according to claim 51, wherein the ratchet and pawl means comprise:

a pivot pin carried by the upper member;

the lower member having a cylindrical surface extending around the axis of rotation for engagement by the pawl; and

a pawl pivotally attached to the pin and engaging the cylindrical surface.

53. The cleaning device according to claim 52, wherein the cylindrical surface includes a smooth surface portion over which the pawl will slide and thus provide free rotation of the housing through an arc of the smooth surface.

54. The cleaning device according to claim 51, wherein the ratchet and pawl means comprise:

a tab carried by the upper member;

a pawl having first and second pawl portions pivotable about a center pawl portion for engaging the lower member with the first pawl portion for providing free rotation of the housing about the axis in the one direction while biasing against rotation in the opposing direction, and for pivoting about the center pawl portion for engaging the lower member with the second pawl portion for providing free rotation of the housing about the axis in the opposing while biasing against rotation in the one direction;

a lever arm extending from the center pawl portion, the lever arm biasing against the tab from a first side when rotated about the one direction for causing the first pawl portion to engage the lower member, and the lever arm biasing against the tab from an opposing second side of the tab when rotated about the opposing direction for causing the second pawl portion to engage the lower member, thus providing a steering of the cleaning device.

55. The cleaning device according to claim 50, wherein the flow control valve comprises:

a rigid flap member having a pivot end pivotably connected to the housing and an opposing seat end movable from a seated position biased against a first wall portion of the housing, to an unseated position in a spaced relation to the first wall portion; and

a flexible flap member having first and second ends, and opposing sides therebetween, the first end of the flexible portion attached to a second wall portion of the housing opposing the first wall portion, the second end of the flexible portion attached to the seat end of the rigid flap member, the flexible flap member extending across the flow passage for blocking flow therethrough when the rigid flap member is in the seated position, and retractable from the second wall portion for permitting fluid flow through the flow passage when the rigid flap member is in the unseated position.

56. The cleaning device according to claim 55, wherein the first wall includes a recess for receiving the seat end of the rigid flap member, and wherein the valve further comprises an impact absorbing buffer carried on the seat end for cushioning an impact of the seat end with the first wall.

57. The cleaning device according to claim 55, wherein the first wall of the housing comprises a forward wall.

58. The cleaning device according to claim 55, wherein the flexible flap member comprises:

an upstream portion having first and second ends, the first end of the upstream portion attached to the second wall portion of the housing and the second end of the upstream portion attached to the seat end of the rigid portion; and

a downstream portion having first and second ends, the first end of the downstream portion attached to the second wall portion of the housing at a position displaced downstream from the first end of the upstream portion, and the second end of the downstream portion attached to the second end of the rigid flap member, the upstream and downstream portions forming a fluid buffer chamber with the side wall portion.

59. The cleaning device according to claim 58, wherein the side wall portion include an aperture therethrough, wherein the aperture is positioned for providing fluid flow into the fluid buffer chamber.

60. The cleaning device according to claim 55, wherein the valve further comprises a stop operable with the rigid flap member for limiting the spaced relation of the rigid flap member to the first wall and thus govern an arc through which the rigid flap moves and a rate of reciprocating movement thereof.

61. The cleaning device according to claim 55, wherein the flexible flap member comprises at least two hingedly attached rigid elements.

62. The cleaning device according to claim 55, further comprising a seal extending along an edge of the rigid flap member for biasing against a side wall of the housing in a sealing relationship between the rigid flap member and the side wall of the housing.

63. The cleaning device according to claim 55, wherein the housing further comprises attaching means for removably attaching the first wall thereto, the first wall readily removable from the housing for access to the flow passage.

64. The cleaning device according to claim 50, wherein the shoe comprises a resilient body having a bottom surface for engaging the surface to be cleaned and a central opening for passage of debris and fluid flow therethrough to the inlet of the housing, the resilient body having a groove within the bottom surface extending from the opening radially outward to the periphery, the groove forming a channel with the surface at to be cleaned for passage of debris and fluid flow through the channel.

65. The cleaning device according to claim 50, wherein the flexible flange comprises a generally disc shaped sealing flange having a central opening therethrough and a peripheral edge extending therefrom and around the opening, the flange further having an intake aperture and a flexible flap extending into the intake aperture, the flexible flap adjusting the size of the intake aperture in response to fluid flow therethrough.

66. The cleaning device according to claim 65, wherein the flexible flange further comprises slits extending from the peripheral edge inward toward the central opening to form a pedal-like segmented flange for splaying of each segment in response to travel of the cleaner over an irregularly contoured surface and thus facilitate an effective frictional contact therewith, the slits extending to less than half a distance from the peripheral edge to the opening.

67. The cleaning device according to claim 66, wherein the flexible flange further comprises a pleat affixed across the slit for allowing the splaying while limiting seepage of fluid through the slits.

68. The cleaning device according to claim 50, further comprising a hose coupling rotatable carried by the housing at the outlet for connection of a flexible hose.

69. The pool cleaning device according to claim 50, further comprising a bumper assembly rotatable about the housing, the bumper assembly comprising:

a ring spaced from and extending around the housing;

a coupling rotatably attached to the hose coupling; and

elongated spokes extending radially outward from the coupling to the ring for holding the ring in a spaced relation to and around the housing.

70. The pool cleaning device according to claim 50, further comprising a buoyancy means operable with the housing for upwardly buoying a trailing edge portion of the housing.

71. The pool cleaner according to claim 70, wherein the buoyancy means comprises:

a float; and

a flexible rod having a proximal end hingedly attached to the housing trailing edge portion and a distal end attached to the float.

72. The pool cleaner according to claim 71, further comprising the housing trailing edge portion having an arcuate slot transversely extending across the housing and wherein the proximal end of the flexible rod is slidable within the arcuate slot.

73. The pool cleaner according to claim 70, further comprising a weight extending outwardly and forwardly from the housing for urging a leading edge of the housing downward, the weight positioned for cooperating with the buoyancy means in turning the cleaner downward when the cleaner is traveling along a swimming pool side generally vertical side wall.