Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaning system including a cleaner body intended to travel in a forward direction along a wall surface or on the water surface to substantially randomly traverse a swimming pool. The system includes a propulsion subsystem for producing a force to propel the body in a forward direction, a motion sensor for indicating when the velocity of the body, diminishes below a certain threshold rate, and a repositioning subsystem responsive to said motion sensor indication for producing a limited duration force to change the position of the body after which forward direction motion resumes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus powered from the suction side of a pump for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body and a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e.. lighter-than-water).

Abstract: A method and apparatus responsive to a positive pressure water source (10) for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall (3) and the upper surface (7) of a water pool (1) contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body (6) and a level control subsystem (124, 138) for selectively moving the body (6) to a position either proximate to the surface (7) of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface (8) of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e. lighter-than-water).

Abstract: A system for automatically cleaning swimming pools includes a unitary body having a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall, a propulsion subsystem operable to selectively propel the body in either a forward or rearward direction, and a cleaning subsystem operable in either a water surface cleaning mode for skimming or scooping or a wall surface cleaning mode for vacuuming or sweeping. The subsystems are powered by an electric source such as solar cells and/or rechargeable batteries and/or a wire extending to the unitary body from an external power source. An alternative embodiment uses separate top and bottom units tethered together by an electric conduit.

Abstract: A system for automatically cleaning swimming pools includes a unitary body having a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall, a propulsion subsystem operable to selectively propel the body in either a forward or rearward direction, and a cleaning subsystem operable in either a water surface cleaning mode for skimming or scooping or a wall surface cleaning mode for vacuuming or sweeping. The subsystems are powered by an electric source such as solar cells and/or rechargeable batteries and/or a wire extending to the unitary body from an external power source. The batteries can be charged from solar cells carried by the unitary body or via electric terminals in an appropriately configured docking station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus powered from the suction side of a pump for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body and a controller for selectively causing the body to move either in a forward direction or a non-forward direction. The controller includes (1) a periodic control device for alternately defining forward and non-forward states and (2) a motion responsive control device defining a first condition when the forward motion of the body exceeds a certain threshold and a second condition when the forward motion of said body is less than said threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus responsive to a positive pressure water source (10) for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall (3) and the upper surface (7) of a water pool (1) contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body (6) and a level control subsystem (124, 138) for selectively moving the body (6) to a position either proximate to the surface (7) of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface (8) of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e. lighter-than-water).

Abstract: A method and apparatus configured to be driven by a source of negative pressure for cleaning the interior surface of a containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes a unitary body suited for immersion in the water pool, a negative pressure source for producing a water flow in the body; a level control subsystem carried by the body responsive to the water flow for producing a vertical force to selectively place the body either (1) in a first mode proximate to the water surface or (2) in a second mode proximate to the wall surface below the water surface; at least one pool water inlet in the body; and a propulsion control subsystem responsive to the water flow for selectively moving the body either (1) along a path adjacent to the water surface for collecting pool water therefrom through said inlet or (2) along a path adjacent to the wall surface for collecting pool water therefrom through said inlet.

Abstract: A pool cleaning method and apparatus for selectively positioning a unitary body either close to the water surface or close to the bottom wall surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the body rests at the bottom and the subsystem lifts the device to the water surface for operation in a water surface cleaning mode to collect floating debris. A propulsion subsystem is preferably incorporated to move the body along the wall surface and/or water surface.

Abstract: A hand held apparatus particularly configured to derive maximum energy from a tap water supply (typically, .gtoreq.20 pounds per square inch) operating at a low flow rate (typically, .gtoreq.3.0 gallons per minute) to propel a discharge orifice along a travel path while discharging a water stream of sufficient intensity to impact a user's body to provide a pleasing massage. Preferred embodiments are characterized by a handle housing and a head housing mounted for relative movement with respect to one another for operating an internal mode selector valve. The selector valve directs the supplied tap water to either a hydromassage outlet or a shower spray outlet (e.g., continuous or pulsed spray).

Abstract: A system for administering anesthesia gas and for preventing gas overflow until the patient breathing reservoir is full in order to enhance ease of use, safety, and efficient utilization of anesthesia gas. Overflow from a patient Pop-Off valve is inhibited by an Overflow Blocker valve mounted downstream in series opposition to the patient Pop-Off valve. The Overflow Blocker valve is forced open when the patient bag is full. Thus, until the patient bag is full, the loss of patient exhaled dead space gas and fresh gas is prevented.

Abstract: An anesthesia gas delivery system including a patient circuit implemented primarily by a detachable structural portion and a control system implemented primarily by a permanent structural portion. The patient circuit includes a variable volume patient reservoir and a patient overflow tube. The control system includes a subsystem for preventing gas flow out of the overflow tube until the patient reservoir is full except when a pediatric breathing circuit is being used.

Abstract: A water recirculation system which derives energy from an available pressurized tap water supply to filter and return previously discharged water to a water discharge device. A system embodiment includes a shower head and a tap water powered pump for returning water discharged from the shower head to the pump for mixing with the supplied tap water for delivery to the shower head inlet.

Abstract: A water recirculation system which derives energy from an available pressurized tap water supply to filter and return previously discharged water to a water discharge device. A system embodiment for use in a new shower stall or shower/bathtub installation includes a shower head and recirculation means including a tap water powered pump for returning water discharged from the shower head via a return tube mounted behind the wall to the pump for mixing with supplied tap water for delivery to the shower head inlet.

Abstract: A water discharge apparatus configured to be held in a user's hand, and powered by a tap water source for selective operation in a continuous shower spray mode, a pulsed shower spray mode, or a submergible hydromassage mode.

Abstract: A hydrotherapy jet assembly capable of operating in either an air entrainment mode and/or a tub water entrainment mode. The assembly incorporates a valve including a rotatable control member which allows a user to selectively vary the amount of supplied water jet and/or air available for entrainment and/or tub water available for entrainment.

Abstract: A submergible hydrotherapy apparatus powered by an electric pump and configured to be held in user's hand for discharging a water stream underwater for massaging the user's body.

Abstract: An anesthesia rebreathing system including a single use structural portion and a reusable structural portion configured so as to be readily latched together to automatically couple respective fresh gas interface ports and patient overflow ports. The single use portion includes a patient bag which is mounted in a closed rigid container in the reusable portion. Gas pressure in the container is controlled by an anesthetist squeezing an outside bag or by a mechanical vertilator, as determined by the setting of a user operable control knob subassembly, which also functions to establish gas pressure and volume in both the patient circuit and the control circuit.

Abstract: A hydrotherapy jet assembly capable of operating in either an entrainment mode and/or a tub water entrainment mode. The assembly incorporates a valve means including a rotatable control member which allows a user to selectively vary the amount of supplied water jet and/or air available for entrainment and/or tub water available for entrainment.

Abstract: Hydrotherapy apparatus including a rigid elongated conduit having a supply orifice and a discharge orifice. The conduit is mounted for swivel movement to enable the discharge orifice to traverse a path characterized by a series of small circular or semicircular path segments linked by translational path segments. The conduit is moved along said path by reaction forces produced by the discharged stream. The stream is produced by a supplied water jet which entrains air and/or tub water, as selected by the user. Valve means are provided for selectively varying the amount of air entrainment and/or water entrainment and/or supplied water jet.