Hydrodynamic pool brush

Abstract

An improved swimming pool brush employing a true wing shape. Consisting of a leading edge continuing to a wing surface that is decreasing in its radius, concave or continually converging toward its leading edge, terminating at the trailing edge. This decreasing radius will empart a greater down force as the liquid passes over the surface, urging the brush against the surface being cleaned. A plurality of slots are incorporated into the surface to allow water to pass through to the rear of the wing surface which acts to cancel out any drag producing low pressure areas. On the return stroke, these slots allow water to pass from back to front decreasing the drag on the brush for effortless retrieval.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/247339 filed Nov. 13, 2000.

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the care and maintainance of swimming pools, specifically tobrushes used to clean the sides, steps and floors.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0003] During required maintainance of a pool it beomes necessary to scrub or brush the walls, bottom and all surfaces of the pool. A simple brush attatched to a long pole enabeling the person to reach the bottom of the pool is used. A considerable amount of force by the user is needed to apply pressure to the brush head. As the brush is pushed deeper down the walls, the user loses force as the brush head is now at too great a distance from the torque provided by the user. As a result sufficient force effective for cleaning is only gained in the first few feet. No bristle force is able to be applied for botton cleaning. Early fatigue leads to an important job not getting adequately done.

[0004] Many attempts have been made in prior art to remedy this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,397 Bean Jan 30, 1996, has a hydrofoil that is attatched to the pole, thereby not applying forces until the brush head is way past the water line. This results in missing a large area to be cleaned. U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,427 Conrad Mar. 29, 1988, Uses a very large flat surface which is hinged and would prove to be cumbersome and fragile out of the water. The effects would be delayed waiting for the wing to come to its operating ranges. True force is not provided until late in the stroke. Both of the above patents have a “built in” mechanical delay. U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,592 Addona May 10, 1988, uses a flat and very large hydrofoil attatched to the pole with metal fasteners that are non durable for water use. The extra large hydrofoil has a wild return on pull back as the foil acts in reverse, flying away on pullback. U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,868 O'Callaghan Nov. 15, 1988, uses a vane with a narrow attatchment to the brush head which offers flex and uneven distribution of forces. There is also the repeated problem of moving parts which affects reliability, out of water durability, and ease of storage. U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,087 Feinberg Jan. 20, 1987, uses a vane that again has to be large to be effective, but also addresses the problems with pullback or retrieval. These flexable flaps appear to show signs of memory and will allow water to push them away during forward stroke. This flexable membrane would have to be made of thin materials for effectiveness, and would not be durable out of water in the sun and elements.

[0005] These patents have at their heart the same principle, but have made themselves far too complicated, cumbersome, and fragile to be usable. What is needed therefore, is a hydrofoil design that is not an attatchment, but an intregal piece of the brush head. It would be easier to use, require no tools for installation, and would be cheaper to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention offers an improved brush head design, not an after market attatchment. A swimming pool brush will be originally constructed with a wing shape as an intregal part of the brush head. Using hydrodynamic principle, forward movement will urge the brush against the walls and floors, thus removing the dirt, algae, or debris to the drain or vacuum system. Additionally, a slotted design reduces drag by allowing water to push out the low pressure area naturally occuring behind any wing shape. Also, it becomes obvious with its use that it eliminates any problems with uncontrolable return and pullback. Openings of varied sizes and numbers would allow fluid to flow through to the rear thereby eliminating a low pressure area to cancel out any turbulence or vorticies thereby increasing the wing's effeciency. Additional benefits become obvious at retrieval and pullback, eliminating uncontrolable retrieval.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0007] Objects and advantages of my invention are a designed wing consisting of a leading edge continuing to a trailing edge having either a constant, or more preferably, a decreasing radius. This decreasing radius will empart a greater downward force as the fluid passes over the surface. As opposed to a flat, one-dimensional plane, my design will enable the surface area to be substantially smaller than those embodiments of prior art. Objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0008] (a) a decreasing radius provides a greater force than that of prior art;

[0009] (b) effortless, one-handed operation. No more pushing down with one hand while pulling the pole with the other;

[0010] (c) slotted design eliminates the problem of uncontrolled return. Additionally this feature cancels out any low pressure areas behind the wing to incrase the hydrodynamic effeciency;

[0011] (d) the faster the user pushes the pole/brush, the greater the forces applied to the bristles for a deeper clean;

[0012] (e) greater durability afforded by one-piece construction;

[0013] (f) no moving parts to wear out or break;

[0014] (g) a greater and complete distribution of forces transmitted throughout the entire length of the brush head;

[0015] (h) no high-flying attatchments producing difficult pole control and uneven bristle contact;

[0016] (i) no moving or pivoting parts that have built in mechanical delays before any force is applied;

[0017] (j) hydrodynamically shaped to provide instant down force at the first forward or downward thrust;

[0018] (k) smooth flow and even distribution of pressure due to absence of attatchment points;

[0019] (l) decreased surface area will provide ease of storage and handling out of water due to decreased size and weight compared to previous art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates the hydrodynamic principles at work pushing the bristles against the pool surfaces during a full forward movement.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the wing, brush head and bristles.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a top left perspective of wing and brush head.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a front elevation of invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a top left perspective of a particular embodiment allowing for retrofitting said benefits.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a front elevation of above mentioned retro-fitted wing.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment showing the pressure reducing slots on the wing. 1 REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 20 brush head 34 handle stub 22 bristles 36 leading edge 24 wing 38 trailing edge 26 slots 40 decreasing radius 28 pole 42 screws 30 interior pool surfaces 44 operator 32 pool 46 water

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring first to FIG. 1 I show that the invention 20 on pole 28 forces the bristles 22 against the pool's 32 interior surfaces 30 when operator 44 pushes pole 28 downward or forward.This moves dirt, debris, and algae toward the pool 32 drain.

[0029] FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show the invention in bottom, top and front elevation respectively. The brush head 20 is originally constructed with a wing 24 shape. The wing 24 has in its design a concave or decreasing radius 40 that imparts greater forces than one dimensional, flat surfaces. In the preferred embodiment the brush head 20 is attached to the expandable pole 28. As the pole 28 is advanced the brush head 28 is urged against the pool 32 interior surfaces 30 by hydrolic principles. With forward movement water first contacts the brush head 20 at the leading edge 36, and then water travels over the wing's 24 decreasing radius 40, finally exiting the brush head 20 at its trailing edge 38. As the water passes over the decreasing radius 40 it runs into continual resistance in its travel, gaining substantially more bristle 22 pressure with lesser surface area than seen in prior art.

[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment wherein an after market wing 24 can be retro-fitted to an existing brush, thereby gaining the above mentioned benefits to any under water cleaning tool. Wing 24 has molded in it a leading edge 36, decreasing radius 40 and terminates at the trailing edge 38. Wing 24 can be affixed to an existing pool brush with screws 42 or any suitable fasteners.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment wherein the wing 24 surface has in its decreasing radius 40 slots 26. Said slots 26 allow for water to pass through to the back of brush head 20 cancelling out any low pressure areas inherant to wings, thereby increasing said wing's 24 downforce, in addition to reduced drag at pullback for tool retrieval.

[0032] A fixed angle of 30 to 45 degrees in respect to the brush head 20, has shown to have the best results in operation. Although with different applications, angles varying from 20 to 60 degrees can be useful.

[0033] The brush head 20 may be molded in one piece of light weight metal or thermoplastic such as, but not limited to polyvinyl chloride, high impact styrene, polyolefin, nylon polycarbonate or the like by those skilled in the art.

[0034] A wing 24 length has had great results at 2½ to 3 inches in length, but depending on the application and pressures needed at the bristles 22, 1 to 6 inches can be constructed. Alternitively, the desired benefits can be applied to any pole mounted, bristle, abrasive or scaper tool.

[0035] Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope of Invention

[0036] Thus the reader will see that the hydrodynamic pool brush provides a highly effective, reliable, durable, lightweight, yet economical device that can be used by persons of almost any age or skill.

[0037] When the invention is used by pool owners professionals alike, the highly effective wing not only provides a better, deeper cleaning, but also reduces the backbreaking work involved. Now this tedius job can be accomplished with only one hand. Also, and of great importance to the user, is the benefit of speed; cutting the user's work time dramatically.

[0038] Furthermore, the invention has the additional advantages in that

[0039] it permits the production of a variety of colors, matching producer's needs.

[0040] it provides in the molding/fabrication for different shapes, length and heights.

[0041] it permits the slots to be eliminated, altered in plurality, shape and size.

[0042] it permits the use of varied materials such as metals and/or plastics and can be stamped, molded, cast or otherwise shaped.

[0043] it can be fabricated to retro-fit any other produced pool brush, with attatchment to the front, top or back of previously purchased brush.

[0044] the scope of the wing design can be made to be elevated from the brush head allowing water to enter slots between brush head and leading edge of wing.

[0045] the advantages of the increased pressure provided can be applied to many under liquid cleaning applications; marine and boat hulls for example.

[0046] any other abrasive pads may be substituted for the bristles for more specific jobs.

[0047] plurality of wings can be used for adaptation to larger cleaning tools.

[0048] While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible.

[0049] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s)illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A swimming pool brush that is originally constructed with a shape to force said brush bristles against a pool's inner surfaces using hydrodynamic principles with forward movement, comprising:

a. an inverted wing design.

b. an upwardly curving radius from the leading edge to the trailin edge.

c. brush head mounted:

d. a slot as a means for the wing to allow fluid flow through on forward movement whereby cancelling any drag producing low pressures behind said wing, additionally minimizing effort needed upon retrieval.

2. The brush of claim 1 wherein said radius is constant in degrees.

3. The brush of claim 1 wherein said radius is decreasing in degrees.

4. The brush of claim 1 wherein said inverted wing angle can be adjusted to create variable downforces.

5. The brush of claim 1 wherein said brush head has a plurality of slots.

6. The brush of claim 5 wherein said slots can be horizontal in orientation.

7. The brush of claim 5 wherein said slots can be vertical in orientation.

8. The brush of claim 1 wherein said wing can be separately constructed.

9. The brush of claim 8 wherein said wing can be secured to a swimming pool brush by fasteners.

10. The brush of claim 1 wherein said brush molded from the group consisting of plastics.

11. The brush of claim 1 wherein said brush can be stamped from the group consisting of non-corrosive metals.

12. The brush of claim 1 wherein said brush uses flexible materials.

13. The brush of claim 1 wherein said brush is constructed with a plurality of said wing design.