Abstract: A valve is disclosed. The valve has a housing that defines a central area and has at least two flow ports therethrough. A cover is provided that has a flapper assembly pivotally attached thereto. The cover is removably attachable to the housing in a plurality of orientations to selectively orient the flapper assembly adjacent any one of the ports such that fluid is permitted to flow into the central area of the housing through the adjacent port. The flapper assembly prevents the fluid from flowing back out of the central area through the adjacent port. The cover may have a transparent portion to permit the flapper assembly to be viewed and inspected during operation. A double seal arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A waterfall fixture for expelling water in sheet form comprises a housing having a cavity divided into chambers by apertured plates extending across the cavity. The plates are apertured and spaced from each other and from the inlet and outlet of the fixture to define multiple chambers within the cavity separated from one another by the plates. A first plate is opposed to the inlet and acts as a screen to block debris and as a barrier to incoming water to distribute the water into a laminar flow through the chamber defined between the first plate and the inlet. A second plate is opposed to the first screen and helps to further distribute the water into laminar flow and may be valved to assure a perfect laminar sheet style water flow pattern.

Abstract: A pool sweep having a continuously-cycling, flow-interrupting valve at the upstream entrance to an inertial flow chamber. The valve has an entrance mouth with one or more closure lips pivoting been open and closed positions to open and close the mouth. The lips are biased towards closure with low creep biasing means, as by materials having a strain at its elastic limit of below 0.5 such as one or more metal springs urging the lip toward closure. The magnitude of the opening bias throughout the range of movement of the lips between open and close under dynamic flow conditions is substantially less than the closing force created by the water flow through the valve mouth urging the lips towards closure and substantially greater than the closing force imparted by flow through the mouth during lip travel from full closure to the open position.

Abstract: A vacuum pool cleaning device of the interrupted flow type having a valve in the form of a pair of lips biased to an open position by the inherent elasticity of the plastic material forming a portion or all of the valve in which an auxiliary biasing structure with low creep properties is applied to the lips of the valve and function to compensate for the memory loss during a cycle of operation of the valve in the plastic, due to its relatively high creep properties, by returning the lips substantially to their open position when the operation of the unit is stopped, so that during the at-rest period prior to the next cycle the plastic material can reestablish its memory.

Abstract: A low profile carriage is mounted on widely spread wheels to roll along the underwater surfaces of a swimming pool. The carriage is propelled by a high velocity stream of water projecting from a rearwardly directed thrust nozzle. There is a venturi restriction just forward of the thrust nozzle, creating a low pressure zone that induces flow of water through the bottom of the carriage, drawing in leaves and other debris. The water so drawn in passes through a screen, trapping the debris in a removable pod or bin depending from the carriage. The top of the carriage is relatively flat and the depending debris pod is curved downward to form an inverted air foil, whereby the pressure differential between the top and bottom of the carriage biases the carriage against the swimming pool surface traversed thereby.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for dispensing a chemical wherein a stack of dry chemical tablets are contained within a receptacle. Sealing means are provided to seal around each tablet and the inner wall of the canister so that only the upper surface of the top tablet is exposed to the circulating water. The tablets are not exposed to the flowing water until the tablets above have been eroded away successively to provide leak paths around them.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a ball check valve comprising a valve body with a flow passageway completely through it. The flow passageway is counterbored at one end to form a conical seat and at the other end to form a radial shoulder. The valve member comprises an integral ball and stem of an elastomer. The stem is inserted through the valve passageway and stretched to function in the nature of a tension spring, with lateral extensions on the stem seated against the radial shoulder of the valve body.

Abstract: A rotary plug valve having a smooth, cylindrical inner sealing surface between the flow passageways with a grease fitting port opening through it. When the valve plug is turned to an intermediate position in alignment with the grease fitting, a charge of grease may be introduced through the fitting to be confined by a seal ring on the plug. When the plug is thereafter turned, a quantity of grease is distributed over the inner surface to facilitate valve operation.

Abstract: A fitting for a swimming pool return line comprising a housing with a cylindrical extension that may be inserted into the return line and an outer end closure in which the main nozzle is swiveled for directional control of surface circulation. A slot in the bottom of the housing is of adjustable size for bottom circulation. The fitting is secured in place by pulling sloping, radial legs toward planar disposition which would bear against the inner surface of the return line.

Abstract: An electrical device in a buoyant, watertight housing, with electrical circuitry, including a battery, to illuminate an incandescent lamp to project either dispersed light or a beam through the translucent bottom of the housing, and to power a radio, as well as a water temperature thermometer. A handle is provided so that the device may be used as a portable lantern and/or radio.

Abstract: A three-way rotary plug valve comprising upper and lower radial arms carried on top and bottom shafts and supporting an integral arcuate closure member between them. The upper shaft extends through a bearing in the top closure and carries a sector position indicator having an arcuate outer surface which overlies and is coextensive with the arcuate closure sealing surface so that the precise position of the closure is apparent at all times. Marks on the top cover depict the locations of the flow passages and cooperating stop means on the cover and the position indicator prevent complete blockage of the inlet passageway from the pump.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a therapeutic tub that utilizes an aerating intake for jet nozzles located around the tub. A vacuum hose is connected to the air intake so that its capacity to draw in air is utilized to draw in spa water and expell it at the jet nozzles. A vacuum head, which is connected at the other end of the hose, is moved along the bottom and sides of the tub to draw in the water, as well as leaves and debris, which are trapped at a filter screen.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner of the random movement type having a surface transporter which rollingly engages the pool walls and a jet drive which reverses or changes direction when the transporter is stopped or slowed is provided with additional controls which as a consequence of the turning movement of the transporter against the deep end pool wall causes the transporter to travel back and forth along said deep end wall and thereby spend more time along said wall.