Water suction powered automatic swimming pool cleaning system

• US 6,280,611 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henkin-Laby, LLC
• Original Assignee: Jordan M. Laby, Melvyn L. Henkin
• Inventors: Laby, Jordan M., Henkin, Melvyn L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US09/532,136
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 15/17, 153/19, 210/85, 210/87, 210/91, 210/97, 210/138, 210/143, 210/169, 210/241, 210/416.2, 210/525, 210/739, 210/740, 210/776, 210/800, 134/18, 134/21, 134/22.1, 134/24, 134/107.R, 134/166.R, 134/167.R, 134/168.R, 134/198
• US Class Current: 210/143
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1636 Suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1645 Connections to the pool water circulation system
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

A method and apparatus powered from the suction side of a pump for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body and a controller for selectively causing the body to move either in a forward direction or a non-forward direction. The controller includes (1) a periodic control device for alternately defining forward and non-forward states and (2) a motion responsive control device defining a first condition when the forward motion of the body exceeds a certain threshold and a second condition when the forward motion of said body is less than said threshold.

Claims

1. Apparatus configured to be driven by a negative pressure water source for cleaning a water pool contained by a containment wall having an interior surface, said apparatus comprising:

a unitary body configured for immersion in and movement through said water pool;

a controller for selectively causing said body to move either in a forward direction or in a second direction different from said forward direction;

said controller including (1) a periodic control device for alternately defining first and second conditions and (2) a motion responsive control device for defining a first condition when the forward motion of said body is greater than a certain threshold and a second condition when the forward motion of said body is less than a certain threshold; and

wherein

said controller causes said body to move in said second direction when said periodic control device and said motion responsive control device concurrently define said respective second conditions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a turbine for driving said periodic control device;

and

a negative pressure water source for driving said turbine.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller defines a first aperture;

and wherein

said periodic control device alternately opens and closes said first aperture.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said controller defines a second aperture;

and wherein

said motion responsive control device includes a paddle mounted for pivotal movement between a first position closing said second aperture and a second position opening said second aperture.

5. Apparatus configured to be driven by a negative pressure water source for cleaning a water pool contained by a containment wall having an interior surface, said apparatus comprising:

a unitary body configured for immersion in and movement through said water pool;

a controller for selectively moving said body to in either in a forward direction or in a second direction different from said forward direction;

said controller including (1) a periodic control device for alternately defining a forward state and a non-forward state and (2) a motion responsive control device for defining a first condition when the forward motion of said body is greater than a certain threshold rate and a second condition when the forward motion of said body is less than a certain threshold rate; and

wherein

said controller causes said body to move in said second direction when said periodic control device defines said non-forward state and said motion responsive control device concurrently defines said second condition.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a turbine for driving said periodic control device;

and

a negative pressure water source for driving said turbine.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said motion responsive control device includes a paddle mounted for pivotal movement between a first position defining said first condition and a second position defining said second condition.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said controller discharges a jet directed rearwardly to move said body in a forward direction and a jet directed other than rearwardly to move said body in a second direction.

9. A method for propelling a body through a water pool contained by a containment wall including:

periodically switching between a first control state and a second control state distinguishable from said first control state;

determining whether the forward motion of said body is greater or less than a certain threshold rate; and

propelling said body in a non-forward direction when said first control state is defined and said forward motion is concurrently less than said certain threshold rate.