Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling the water level of a pool includes a first tank having a first water level, the first tank including a first float valve connected to a high pressure water source. A second tank has a second water level that is below the first water level, thereby defining a pressure head between the two tanks. The second tank includes a second float valve that is supplied by the pressure head between the two tanks, so that the second float valve receives low pressure water and is adapted to open and close within a range that spans a fraction of an inch. The second tank also includes an adjustable drain opening. The second tank water level varies between an upper limit set by the drain opening and a lower limit set by the opened position of the second float valve. The second tank is connected directly to the pool in open flow communication, so that the water level set in the second tank in turn sets the water level of the pool.

Abstract: A device for moving the hose of an automatic pool cleaner in and out of a swimming pool using water power. The device includes a rotatable hose reel disposed within a tank spaced from the pool. In one embodiment, the tank communicates with the pool through an under-the-deck tunnel. In another, the tunnel extends from the tank and over the deck of the pool, for discharge into the pool. The hose reel is connected to a rotatable water wheel having vertically-oriented blades disposed around its circumference. To move the hose from the storage position into the pool, a stream of water from a blow out jet nozzle flushes the hose into the pool and rotates the hose reel in a first direction, causing the hose to unwind and travel into the pool.

Abstract: In conjunction with a pool cleaning apparatus having a flexible hose supported by floats, an apparatus for deploying the hose into the pool includes at least one tube through which the hose extends. A cylindrical water jet discharges into the tube toward the outer, pool end of the tube. The jet interact with the floats to drive the floats and the hose into the pool. A donut-like pressure chamber at the inner end of the tube has an annular vent to create the cylindrical water jet.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a desired pool water level is provided. The device includes a tank in communication with a pool containing a automatic fill device and an overfill drain device in fixed relation to each other. The height of the automatic fill device and overfill drain device can be simultaneously adjusted.

Abstract: A device for moving the hose of an automatic pool cleaner in and out of a swimming pool using water power. The device includes a rotatable hose reel in communication with a pool. The hose reel is connected to a rotatable water wheel having vertically-oriented blades disposed around its circumference. During storage, the hose of the pool cleaner is wrapped around the hose reel. To move the hose from the storage position into the pool, a stream of water from a blow out jet nozzle tangentially swipes the coiled hose and is directed at a cleaner head attached to the hose. The water flushes the cleaner head into the pool and rotates the hose reel in a first direction, causing the hose to unwind and travel into the pool.

Abstract: An improved storage receptacle for an automatic swimming pool cleaning device that incorporates a cleaning head secured to a retractable hose includes a barrier that is selectively operated to block the opening of the storage receptacle and prevent the cleaning head from entering the storage receptacle during use and becoming trapped. The barrier is a rod slidably disposed within a tube adjacent to the receptacle opening, and hydraulic action drives the rod upwardly to block the opening of the storage receptacle.

Abstract: In conjunction with a pool cleaning apparatus having a flexible hose supported by floats, an apparatus for deploying the hose into the pool includes at least one tube through which the hose extends. A plurality of water jets extend into the tube downstream from the entrance and are angled obliquely toward the outer, pool end of the tube. The jets interact with the floats to drive the floats and the hose into the pool. A pressure chamber may be provided surrounding the tube to supply the jets.

Abstract: An emergency exit revolving door apparatus includes a revolving door assembly that is generally comprised of a ceiling panel, a floor panel, and a pair of curved vertical panels extending therebetween to form a rigid, conjoint assembly. The revolving door assembly is disposed in a door opening of a building, and is mounted on a dolly that is disposed within a channel inset in the floor and extending outwardly from the exterior of the door opening. In an emergency situation, if a throng of people rush to the revolving door and push outwardly on it with sufficient force, the door assembly will be driven outwardly by the force. The dolly will translate along the channel so that the entire revolving door assembly translates outwardly from the door opening of the building and clear the door opening to enable a substantially unobstructed emergency exit path.

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.

Abstract: A water supply hose has one or more jets operable to maintain that part of the supply hose which is upstream from the jet in tension, the supply hose having its free end supported by a surface float. Another length of hose smaller in diameter extends from the float in line with the larger-diameter water supply hose, the other hose terminating also in a surface float and having a jet disposed adjacent the latter float to maintain the smaller-diameter hose normally under tension. Alternatively, a length of the water supply hose upstream from the first mentioned float may be made of smaller diameter than the balance of the water supply hose and this smaller-diameter portion is then provided with a drive jet adjacent the float adapted to keep the smaller-diameter portion of the hose under tension. The cleaner may be or may not be provided with one or more cleaning hoses.

Abstract: A tool handle is fitted with a spring member having thumb buttons extending through one set of handle apertures and locking buttons extending through another set of handle apertures, and a pool pole is connected to the handle by being fitted within the handle and provided with a set of apertures through which the locking buttons also extend.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner has a submergible transporter comprising a three piece assemblage having a rotatable intermediate fender wheel to engage the pool side walls and having generally pie-shaped fender members disposed above and below the fender wheel. The outer fender members are provided with pool bottom engaging wheels and with stabilizer fins and are connected to a water supply hose by a swivel connection.

Abstract: A jet-powered submerged cleaner runs along the bottom of a pool and also up and down the side walls and does not require a booster pump for proper operation. It travels on idler wheels and has a jet drive system which is under the control of pressure-responsive elements. The latter so operate that when the cleaner is sufficiently impeded against further movement in a given direction the jet drive system commences driving the cleaner in another direction. The cleaner discharges water under pressure in such a way that dirt is either vacuumed or blown free from adjacent pool wall surfaces, and the pressurized water is so directed and controlled as to cause the cleaner to be pressed against adjacent pool wall surfaces to thereby enable the cleaner to travel along and to climb inclined and vertical pool surfaces.

Abstract: A timer device is connected into the water supply hose of an automatic swimming pool cleaner to control the flow of water to the drive jets. The controlled flow varies over the range of full, restricted and minimum or no flow so that the speed of the cleaner may be varied. The timer device includes a bypass outlet which serves as another pool cleaning jet when the drive jets are turned off and which also serves to bodily move the timer device and to impart an axial shifting movement to the supply hose whereby the cleaner may be moved free of a trapped position before the next cycle of drive jet operation commences.

Abstract: A new type of swivel connection is used to rotatably relate a pair of concentric tubes to minimize friction forces and enable fool-proof operation of automatic swimming pool cleaners and swivel-joint hoses therefor which employ such concentric tubes.