Swimming pool cleaning device

Abstract

The swimming pool cleaning device is a submergible structure for drawing water from a tank, such as a swimming pool, to be cleaned, and further for cleaning a submerged surface of the tank, such as the swimming pool floor. The swimming pool cleaning device includes a pair of suction tubes, which communicate with a pressurized source, such as a pump, to suck water from the swimming pool for cleaning and later return to the swimming pool. A flapper valve controls entry of water into the suction tubes, alternating water flow between one tube and the other. The oscillatory flow between the two suction tubes imparts horizontal momentum to the swimming pool cleaning device, allowing the swimming pool cleaning device to travel along a surface of the pool without further user-provided motive force.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/759,618, filed Jan. 18, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for cleaning tanks, pools, and other large water reservoirs, and particularly to a swimming pool cleaning device that provides a submergible structure for drawing water from the swimming pool while cleaning the swimming pool floor.

2. Description of the Related Art

A wide variety of systems have been utilized for cleaning swimming pools. Such systems typically include some sort of cleaning head, which is submerged within the swimming pool and rests on the pool bottom. An upper portion of the system is connected to an external pump, which provides suction to remove water from the pool for filtration and subsequent reentry into the swimming pool. The head of the device not only provides a suction head for the removal of water, but also cleans the surface upon which it rests.

In order to clean the entire pool, rather than just a small portion, various drive systems have been added to the cleaning heads of such swimming pool cleaners. Basic drive systems include a towing line or other simple devices for the user to manually pull the cleaning system across the floor of the pool. Various automated systems have also been utilized, including basic propeller driving systems and systems that divert the flow of the water under suction pressure to an outlet, thus creating a driving jet stream. Such systems, however, are inefficient and their multiplicities of moving parts cause them to be vulnerable to misalignments and other mechanical failures. Further, such systems tend to create vortices, turbulence and other negative fluid flow effects, which will obstruct the movement of the cleaning head and can cause the cleaning head to become dislodged from the floor of the swimming pool. Thus, a swimming pool cleaning device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The swimming pool cleaning device is a submergible structure for drawing water from a large receptacle, such as a swimming pool, to be cleaned, and further for cleaning a submerged surface of the receptacle, such as the swimming pool floor. The swimming pool cleaning device includes a pair of suction tubes, which communicate with a pressurized source, such as a pump, to suck water from the swimming pool for cleaning and later return to the swimming pool. Water is drawn through a lower head portion, through one of the two suction tubes, and then through a regulating ball valve before being delivered to the separate pump and filter systems.

A flapper valve is mounted to the lower ends of the suction tubes and controls entry of water into the suction tubes, alternating water flow between one tube and the other. The flapper valve alternates between sealing one suction and the other through application of Bernoulli's principle. The oscillatory flow between the two suction tubes imparts horizontal momentum to the swimming pool cleaning device, allowing the swimming pool cleaning device to travel along a surface of the pool without further user-provided motive force. Further, a base plate is mounted within the head portion below the flapper valve and regulates water by providing a pair of passageways, each in alignment with one of the two suction tubes. Drawing water through the openings in the base plate reduces the formation of vortices and other turbulence within the head portion.

The swimming pool cleaning device may include an outer housing for protecting the components within the head portion and the suction tubes. The housing may include elements, such as rings, allowing the user to tie or tether the swimming pool cleaning device, so that the device can only move within a restricted area. Further, a buoyant member may be affixed to the housing, thus providing an upward buoyant force and decreasing the friction of the device against the swimming pool floor.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swimming pool cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view in section of the swimming pool cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view in section of the swimming pool cleaning device shown in FIG. 2, showing an enlarged view of the head portion.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a base plate of the swimming pool cleaning device according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The swimming pool cleaning device 10, shown in FIG. 1, cleans and purifies water contained within a large, manmade receptacle, such as a swimming pool, and further cleans the submerged surfaces of the receptacle. The upper end of the swimming pool cleaning device 10 includes a connector 240 for connection with a pressurized tube or hose. The tube or hose is connected to a conventional pump and purification system, as is often associated with the cleaning of swimming pools. The water is drawn out of the swimming pool by the pump, delivered to the purification system, and then returned to the swimming pool, once cleaned. Preferably, connector 240 is threaded, for connection to a conventional threaded hose, although any suitable connector may be utilized, dependent upon the nature of the tube or hose.

Water from the swimming pool is drawn through the lower portion of device 10, as indicated by directional arrows 270. As will be described in greater detail below, the water is drawn upwards through device 10, and exits at the upper end thereof, under the pressure created by the attached pump, as indicated by directional arrows 300. The suction of water through the lower end of device 10 causes the lower surface of head portion 20 to adhere to a surface of the receptacle, such as the floor of the swimming pool. Further, as will be described in greater detail below, the suction of water through device 10 causes device 10 to move across the surface of the swimming pool, thus allowing for automatic cleaning of the entire swimming pool without a separate user-applied pushing or pulling force.

As shown in FIG. 1, once water has been drawn through head portion 20, it is delivered to the upper end of device 10 through a pair of suction tubes 110, 120. In a manner that will be described in greater detail below, water flow alternates between suction tube 110 and suction tube 120; it is this oscillation of water flow path that creates a driving force for device 10 to move within the swimming pool. Head 20 and suction tubes 110, 120 are preferably formed from a durable, waterproof material, such as plastic, that will not corrode when submerged in water, and further, that will not cause damage to the receptacle walls or floor. Alternatively, in order to protect suction tubes 110 and 120, an outer casing, also formed from plastic or the like, may be provided, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Housing 330, shown in FIG. 2, covers and protects suction tubes 110 and 120, and provides further protection for the internal elements of head portion 20, which will be described in greater detail below. A buoyant region 310 is formed in housing 330, which is a hollow region containing air, foam or other buoyant materials (with the buoyancy preferably being taken with respect to water, particularly in use with swimming pools or the like). In operation, the suction of water through device 10 causes the lower wall 230 (best shown in FIG. 3) of device 10 to adhere to a surface of the swimming pool, such as the pool's floor. However, device 10 also experiences a lateral force, which moves the swimming pool cleaning device 10 around the swimming pool, thus the buoyant region 310 is provided to decrease the force of friction against lower wall 230, caused by the swimming pool floor, allowing the device 10 to move relatively freely.

Further, at least one connection element 340 may be formed on the lower end of housing 330. In FIG. 2, connection elements 340 are shown as rings for receiving a rope, tether or the like, thus allowing the user to tether device 10 to a particular region of the swimming pool. Although shown as rings, connector elements 340 may be any suitable connectors for attachment of a rope, tether or the like. Additionally, a stabilizing fin 250 may be formed on housing 330 and project outwardly therefrom. Stabilizing fin 250 provides for additional stability for device 10 in the event device 10 should move into a region of water containing vortices, turbulence, relatively high-velocity fluid flow or other destabilizing currents.

As shown in FIG. 2, once water is sucked into head portion 20 of device 10, as indicated by directional arrows 270, a flapper valve 30 allows water to flow either through suction tube 120 (shown by directional arrow 290) or through suction tube 110 (shown by directional arrow 280). The upper ends of suction tubes 110 and 120 join within a manifold or juncture chamber 111, where flow through connector portion 240 may be first regulated with a ball valve 320.

As best shown in FIG. 3, flapper valve 30 is pivotally connected, at an upper end thereof, to support member 151. Flapper valve 30 is pivotally mounted through use of a pivotal connector 150, which may be a pivot pin or the like. Water is drawn through opening 220 formed in lower wall 230 of the head portion 20. The water enters chamber 85, where it is then drawn through openings 40, 50 (illustrated by directional arrows 60 and 70, respectively), formed through base plate 80. Openings 40, 50 are aligned with the lower ends of tubes 110, 120, respectively, as shown. The flow of water through openings 40, 50, rather than directly from chamber 85 into chambers 90 and 100, acts to smooth and regulate the water flow, decreasing the possibilities of turbulence, vortices and other negative effects associated with fluid flow, which could disrupt operation of system 10.

As best shown in FIG. 4, base plate 80 has a substantially rectangular contour and includes a main plate portion 180, which has a substantially planar configuration. Openings 40 and 50 are formed through main plate portion 180 and, although openings 40 and 50 are shown as having a substantially oval contour, it should be understood that this is for exemplary purposes only, and openings 40 and 50 may have any suitable contour, for example, a rectangular contour.

It should be noted that in conventional pool cleaning systems, base plates similar to base plate 80 are typically provided with only a single opening formed therethrough. A single opening system provides a rather limited flow of water and, due to the Venturi Effect and other causes of turbulence and vortices of dynamic fluid flow, tends to cause interruption in the fluid dynamic effect that causes the system to move. By contrast, the dual openings 40, 50 formed in the base plate 80, however, provide for a continuous fluid flow, with a greater volume of water passing therethrough at a greater rate, thus maintaining system 10 in continuous motion. This continuous motion provides for optimal cleaning of the swimming pool surface.

The laterally opposed edges of base plate 80 include a raised rim portion 190. Further, an opening 160 is formed centrally through one edge of base plate 80, and a pair of engaging tabs 200 are formed on the opposite edge of base plate 80 and project outwardly therefrom. Returning to FIG. 3, base plate 80 is positioned at an angle with respect to lower wall 230, and the first end of base plate 80 is secured by a fastener 170, which may be a rod or the like, which is received through opening 160. Further, a pair of recesses 210 are formed in lower wall 230 for receiving tabs 200, thus securing base plate 80 within head portion 20 and dividing the interior of head portion 20 into lower chamber 85 and upper chambers 90, 100.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, flapper valve 30 is shown as contacting wall 130, thus causing fluid to flow into chamber 100 (and subsequently through suction tube 120), and preventing fluid flow into chamber 90. Due to Bernoulli's principle, the flowing water passing into chamber 100 and suction tube 120 is under lower pressure than the water at rest in chamber 90. Thus, flapper valve 30 will experience a motive force, rotating flapper valve 30 so that it contacts wall 140, thus sealing chamber 100 and tube 120, and allowing water to flow under pressure into chamber 90 and tube 110.

The water in sealed chamber 100, however, still retains an upward momentum and the horizontal component of this momentum is transferred into device 10, causing slight horizontal movement in the direction shown by directional arrow 260, in FIG. 2. It should be noted that this driving force in the horizontal direction is relatively weak, but not negligible, and will cause device 10 to move across the floor of the swimming pool in the direction indicated. Following a similar process, the pressure of the moving water in chamber 90 and suction tube 110 is now at a lower pressure than that in chamber 100, thus causing flapper valve 30 to rotate in the opposite direction and, once again, make contact with wall 130, sealing of chamber 90 and allowing water to flow into chamber 100. The water in chamber 90 and tube 110 also retains upward momentum with a horizontal momentum component, which is transferred to device 10 in the manner described above, creating horizontal movement in the direction of arrow 260.

The oscillatory nature of the water flow between suction tubes 110 and 120 generates a small but non-negligible horizontal movement of device 10, thus allowing device 10 to automatically travel through the swimming pool and cover the entire surface to be cleaned, such as the swimming pool floor, without additional user-applied driving force.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A swimming pool cleaning device, comprising:

first and second suction tubes, each of the tubes having opposed upper and lower ends;

a head portion defining an open inner chamber, the head portion having a lower wall, the lower wall having a water inlet formed therethrough, each of the first and second suction tubes being mounted on the head portion and being in fluid communication with the open inner chamber;

a base plate mounted within the open inner chamber, the base plate separating the open inner chamber into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the base plate having first and second openings formed therethrough, the first opening being aligned with the first suction tube and the second opening being aligned with the second suction tube;

a connector portion in fluid communication with the upper ends of the first and second suction tubes, the connector portion being adapted for fluid-tight connection to an external pressurized source; and

a head valve pivotally mounted within the head portion, the head valve pivoting between a first position blocking fluid flow into the second suction tube while permitting fluid flow into the first suction tube, and a second position blocking fluid flow into the first suction tube while permitting fluid flow into the second suction tube;

whereby, when the swimming pool cleaning device is submerged in fluid and the connector portion is connected to the external pressurized source, the fluid is drawn into the open inner chamber through the water inlet, and the head valve oscillates to alternately permit the fluid to flow into the first and second suction tubes as pressure in the upper chamber on opposite sides of the head valve rises and drops, the fluid being drawn through the connector portion for purification, the oscillating fluid flow through the first and second suction tubes driving the head portion in a substantially horizontal direction across a swimming pool floor.

2. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a housing enclosing said first and second suction tubes.

3. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 2, wherein said housing includes a buoyant portion for providing a vertical buoyant force to said swimming pool cleaning device when the swimming pool cleaning device is submerged in the fluid.

4. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 2, further comprising means for securing said housing to an external tether.

5. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 2, further comprising a stabilizing fin mounted on said housing, the fin projecting outwardly from said housing.

6. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an upper valve positioned between said connector portion and the upper ends of said first and second suction tubes.

7. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 6, wherein the upper valve comprises a ball valve.

8. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, wherein said head valve comprises a flapper valve.

9. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base plate has opposed first and second ends, the first opening being formed adjacent the first end of said base plate, and the second opening being formed adjacent the second end of said base plate.

10. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for securing the first end of said base plate to the lower wall of said head portion.

11. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 10, wherein at least one recess is formed in the lower wall of said head portion, said means for securing the first end of said base plate comprising at least one tab mounted to the first end of said base plate and projecting outwardly therefrom, the at least one tab being received within the at least one recess.

12. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for securing the second end of said base plate to a sidewall of said head portion.

13. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 12, the second end of said base plate has a fastener opening defined therein, said means for securing the second end of said base plate comprising a rod mounted adjacent the sidewall and projecting through the fastener opening.

14. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably joining said connector portion to the external pressurized source.

15. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 14, wherein the means for releasably joining said connector portion to the external pressurized source comprises a threaded connector.

16. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an upper valve positioned between said connector portion and the upper ends of said first and second suction tubes; and

a junction chamber formed between the upper ends of said first and second suction tubes and said connector portion;

whereby the fluid from said first and second suction tubes feeds into the junction chamber and is drawn out of the junction chamber through said connector portion.

17. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 16, wherein the upper valve is positioned within the junction chamber.

18. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base plate has opposed first and second ends, the first opening being formed adjacent the first end of said base plate, and the second opening being formed adjacent the second end of said base plate, said base plate having a pair of laterally opposed side edges, each of the side edges having a raised rim formed thereon.

19. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a buoyant portion for providing a vertical buoyant force to said swimming pool cleaning device when the swimming pool cleaning device is submerged in the fluid, the device further comprising a buoyant material disposed within said housing.

20. The swimming pool cleaning device as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one ring mounted to an external surface of said housing for securing said housing to an external tether.