Abstract: A debris bag for a swimming pool cleaning device includes a body having a debris collection cavity, an upper end and a lower end. The lower end engages the pool cleaner to receive debris from the pool ejected by the cleaner into the bag. The debris bag also includes a float coupled to the body. The float is positioned outside of and adjacent to the debris collection region of the bag so as to be separate from the lower end.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device includes a fluid distribution system for controlling its operation. More particularly, the distribution system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a pair of outlet openings and a valve chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet openings. A piston, including a valve member, is movably mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a first position, in which the valve member closes one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the other one of the outlet openings, and a second position, in which the valve member closes the other one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the one of the outlet openings. A valve is provided for controlling the movement of the piston between the first and second positions. The piston has a passage extending therethrough so as to permit flow of pressurized fluid from the valve chamber to the valve.

Abstract: A filter/sanitizer has a filter housing, provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter cartridge with a hollow interior, located within the filter housing, and a sanitizer cartridge, with a hollow core, positioned within the hollow interior of the filter cartridge. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitizer cartridge is constructed with an outer fluid-permeable member and an inner fluid-permeable member, the outer and inner members substantially enveloping a space therebetween, with the space containing a sanitizing media bed. In operation, as fluid enters the filter housing through the fluid inlet, substantially the full flow of fluid passes through the filter cartridge, through the sanitizer cartridge and around the sanitizing media contained within the bed, into the hollow core of the sanitizer cartridge, and out of the filter housing through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A filter/sanitizer has a filter housing, provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter cartridge with a hollow interior, located within the filter housing, and a sanitizer cartridge, with a hollow core, positioned within the hollow interior of the filter cartridge. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitizer cartridge is constructed with an outer fluid-permeable member and an inner fluid-permeable member, the outer and inner members substantially enveloping a space therebetween, with the space containing a sanitizing media bed. In operation, as fluid enters the filter housing through the fluid inlet, substantially the full flow of fluid passes through the filter cartridge, through the sanitizer cartridge and around the sanitizing media contained within the bed, into the hollow core of the sanitizer cartridge, and out of the filter housing through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A dual chemical feeder device treats a fluid simultaneously with two different chemical compositions which may not be wholly compatible. In an exemplary embodiment for application in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas and the like, a chlorinator is combined with a sanitizing canister in a chlorinator/sanitizer to chemically treat the full flow of water through the apparatus with a chlorine-based chemical composition and another chemical composition. In alternate embodiments, the chlorinator/sanitizer is configured as a parallel treatment unit and as a series treatment unit. In the series treatment unit, the full flow through the chlorinator also flows through the sanitizing media in the santizing canister, so that all the water is both chlorinated and sanitized by the chlorinator/sanitizer. In the parallel treatment unit, the flow within the unit is divided into two streams which are separately treated.

Abstract: A device for filtering fluid includes a hollow housing (10) having a fluid inlet (26) and a fluid outlet (28). A filter element (50) formed of fluid permeable material is disposed within the housing (10) for filtering fluid entering the fluid inlet (26), the fluid passing through the element (50) and out the fluid outlet (28). The element has a generally cylindrical configuration with the permeable material forming a plurality of elongated, radially extending pleats (98). The pleats are supported by spacers (81) having a plurality of blades (102) attached to a web (106) with channels (104) therebetween. The element (50) is used as a septum for supporting a diatomaceous earth precoat. A regeneration piston (76) creates fluid flows within the filter that cause the element (50) to flutter, thereby displacing the diatomaceous earth precoat from the septum for regeneration.

Abstract: A folding ball hitch having a recessed safety chain latching mechanism is of the type normally mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. The ball is foldable from an upright or active position to a down or stowed position in which the ball does not interfere with the usage of the bed when the truck is not towing a trailer. To accommodate the safety chains of a trailer, the present invention provides a sliding rod mounted below the mounting plate of the hitch. Chain link sized slots are formed in the mounting plate. The end links of the safety chains can be inserted into the slots and the rod can be slid from one side to the other to securely lock the chains in respective slots. The rod is biased toward a latching position wherein the rod can be manually translated to open the slot for allowing insertion of a link of the safety chain, following which the rod can be returned to its center position in which the link is secured and any chain forces are transferred by the rod directly to the mounting structure.

Abstract: A housing for an underwater lighting fixture includes a wet niche formed from plastic and provided with three alternative grounding pathways. A conductor strap is attached to the niche by a threaded lug which extends through the strap and an adjacent wall of the niche to permit an internal ground wire and an external ground wire to be connected to the strap. As a further grounding assurance, the lighting fixture is grounded through a bracket which attaches to the conductor strap. The bracket also serves as a current collector to receive electrical charge from the surrounding water.

Abstract: A device for filtering fluid includes a hollow housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A filter element formed of fluid permeable material is disposed within the housing for filtering fluid entering the fluid inlet, the fluid passing through the element and out the fluid outlet. The element has a generally cylindrical configuration with the permeable material forming a plurality of elongated, radially extending pleats. The pleats are supported by spacers having a plurality of blades attached to a web with channels therebetween. The element is used as a septum for supporting a diatomaceous earth precoat. A regeneration piston creates fluid flows within the filter that cause the element to flutter, thereby displacing DE precoat from the septum for regeneration.

Abstract: A housing for an underwater lighting fixture includes a wet niche formed from plastic and provided with a grounding strap. The grounding strap is attached to the niche by a threaded lug which extends through the strap and an adjacent wall of the niche to permit an internal ground wire and an external ground wire to be connected to the strap. As a further grounding assurance, the lighting fixture may be grounded through the grounding strap, which mechanically and electrically attaches the lighting fixture to the niche.

Abstract: An outlet assembly for a water receptacle, such as a swimming pool, spa or the like, includes a pair of interchangeable discharge nozzles, one being a rotary discharge nozzle and the other being a linear discharge nozzle. A user may selectively interchange the rotary discharge nozzle and the linear discharge nozzle by withdrawing and inserting them through an outlet port sized and shaped so as to permit the user's hand to fit therein.

Abstract: A steam iron press employs first and second members and a lever mechanism connected to the second member and when manually actuated by an operator causing the second member to be moved to any position between a position of maximum separation and a position of engagement with respect to the first member. The second member receives water and converts the water into steam which is expelled through openings therein. A pump connected between the second member and a water reservoir feeds water to the second member. A cam mechanism is connected between the lever mechanism and the pump to only actuate the pump during a predetermined interval t between the instant of time T1 at which the lever mechanism has initiated movement of the second member toward the first member and the instant of time T2 at which an article to be pressed is squeezed between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A steam iron press employs first and second members and a lever mechanism connected to the second member and when manually actuated by an operator causing the second member to be moved to any position between a position of maximum separation and a position of engagement with respect to the first member. The second member receives water and converts the water into steam which is expelled through openings therein. A pump connected between the second member and a water reservoir feeds water to the second member. A cam mechanism is connected between the lever mechanism and the pump to only actuate the pump during a predetermined interval t between the instant of time T1 at which the lever mechanism has initiated movement of the second member toward the first member and the instant of time T2 at which an article to be pressed is squeezed between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A steam iron press employs first and second members and a lever mechanism connected to a second member and when manually actuated by an operator causing the second member to be moved to any position between a position of maximum separation and a position of engagement with respect to the first member. The second member receives water and converts the water into steam which is expelled through openings therein. A pump connected between the second member and a water reservoir feeds water to the second member. A cam mechanism is connected between the lever mechanism and the pump to only actuate the pump during a predetermined interval t between the instant of time T1 at which the lever mechanism has initiated movement of the second member towards the first member and the instant of time T2 at which the article to be pressed is to be squeezed between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A work manipulating mechanism for a sewing machine attachable to the presser bar thereof which utilizes a pair of spaced apart endless belts on a first drive plate to feed an endless quantity of work material through a sewing machine in the formation of an ornamental pattern or monogramming, the first drive plate being shiftable in an orthogonal direction by a second drive plate attachable to the presser bar of a sewing machine. The first drive plate may be shifted by a rack and pinion connection to a stepper motor supported on the second drive plate, and the work material may be shifted by a stepper motor connected to one of a pair of shafts carrying sprockets encircled by the endless belts in contact with the work material.

Abstract: An embroidery attachment for a sewing machine having electronic controls influencing the stitch forming instrumentalities. The attachment work holding frame is shifted by operative connections with the stitch forming instrumentalities. Alternative constructions are disclosed utilizing electronically controlled sewing machine needle bar and feed dog movements to drive the embroidery attachment.