Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a clamp lock to secure a clamp around a pressure vessel, such as a split tank pool filter. The clamp lock includes a drive rack with at least one notch, and a housing with a rotatable drive gear, a locking pawl, and a receiving hole. The rotatable drive gear is capable of laterally moving the drive rack through the receiving hole, and the locking pawl is capable of engaging the at least one notch when the drive rack has been inserted a distance into the receiving hole. The distance correlates to a diameter of the clamp sufficient to secure the clamp around the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A method for removing diatomaceous earth and contaminants from a filter, and for filtering liquid using diatomaceous earth is provided. Embodiments of the method can include a washdown process, a backwash process, and a filtering process. Some embodiments can include one or more filter cartridges with cartridge tubes to increase flow during the backwash process. Some embodiments can also include a backwash sprayer to disturb contaminants during the backwash process.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a pool cleaner includes a chassis, a housing supported by the chassis, at least one drive wheel supported by the chassis, and a turbine assembly that rotates in one of a first direction and a second direction to drive the at least one drive wheel. The pool cleaner also includes a timer disc assembly with at least one rotating timer disc. The timer disc assembly controls a flow of pressurized fluid away from the housing in a forward direction for backward propulsion assistance of the pool cleaner during a first time period, a rearward direction for forward propulsion assistance of the pool cleaner during a second time period, and a sideways direction for turning propulsion assistance of the pool cleaner during at least a portion of one of the first time period and the second time period.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hydraulic isolator to split a volute of a pump into two compartments. The hydraulic isolator is positioned within the volute and includes an inlet positioned around a volute inlet channel of the pump, and an outlet positioned adjacent to an outlet channel of the pump. The hydraulic isolator also includes a toroidal portion to at least partially surround an impeller of the pump.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for operating a pressure-driven pool cleaner. The system includes a hydraulic timer assembly and a venturi vacuum assembly. The method includes directing water to the hydraulic timer assembly and the venturi vacuum assembly, driving the pressure-driven pool cleaner with the hydraulic timer assembly according to a timed movement cycle including a combination of backward movement and forward movement, and suctioning debris with the venturi vacuum assembly. The venturi vacuum assembly is independent of the hydraulic timer assembly so that suctioning occurs during the backward movement and the forward movement.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for removing diatomaceous earth and contaminants from a filter and for filtering liquid using diatomaceous earth. Embodiments of the method can include a washdown process, a backwash process, and a filtering process. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more filter cartridges with cartridge tubes to increase flow during the backwash process. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a backwash sprayer to disturb contaminants during the backwash process. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a removable lid to access the filter cartridges during the washdown process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a light module for a pool cleaner. The light module can include a housing, a paddle wheel, a generator, and at least one light emitting diode (LED). The housing can be removably coupled to the pool cleaner and can include a flow directing portion positioned in a fluid path of the pool cleaner. The paddle wheel can be located adjacent to the flow directing portion and can rotate in response to fluid flow through the fluid path. The generator can be coupled to the paddle wheel and can generate power through rotation of the paddle wheel. The LED can be coupled to the generator and can receive the generated power from the generator to illuminate an area adjacent to the pool cleaner.

Abstract: A glueless union suitable for joining piping and other plumbing components. Several components are used to create the union. The portion of each plumbing component that is to be joined is a circular, thick-walled section which is centered on a central axis. This portion has a mating face that is perpendicular to the central axis. The union includes an annular face seal which is compressed between the opposing mating faces of the plumbing components to be joined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hydraulic isolator to split a volute of a pump into two compartments. The hydraulic isolator is positioned within the volute and includes an inlet positioned around a volute inlet channel of the pump, and an outlet positioned adjacent to an outlet channel of the pump. The hydraulic isolator also includes a toroidal portion to at least partially surround an impeller of the pump.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a clamp lock to secure a clamp around a pressure vessel, such as a split tank pool filter. The clamp lock includes a drive rack with at least one notch, and a housing with a rotatable drive gear, a locking pawl, and a receiving hole. The rotatable drive gear is capable of laterally moving the drive rack through the receiving hole, and the locking pawl is capable of engaging the at least one notch when the drive rack has been inserted a distance into the receiving hole. The distance correlates to a diameter of the clamp sufficient to secure the clamp around the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for operating a pressure-driven pool cleaner. The system includes a hydraulic timer assembly and a venturi vacuum assembly. The method includes directing water to the hydraulic timer assembly and the venturi vacuum assembly, driving the pressure-driven pool cleaner with the hydraulic timer assembly according to a timed movement cycle including a combination of backward movement and forward movement, and suctioning debris with the venturi vacuum assembly. The venturi vacuum assembly is independent of the hydraulic timer assembly so that suctioning occurs during the backward movement and the forward movement.

Abstract: A glueless union suitable for joining piping and other plumbing components. Several components are used to create the union. The portion of each plumbing component that is to be joined is a circular, thick-walled section which is centered on a central axis. This portion has a mating face that is perpendicular to the central axis. The union includes an annular face seal which is compressed between the opposing mating faces of the plumbing components to be joined.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for removing diatomaceous earth and contaminants from a filter and for filtering liquid using diatomaceous earth. Embodiments of the method can include a washdown process, a backwash process, and a filtering process. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more filter cartridges with cartridge tubes to increase flow during the backwash process. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a backwash sprayer to disturb contaminants during the backwash process. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a removable lid to access the filter cartridges during the washdown process.

Abstract: In a viewfinder for a camera, a first front finder lens forms an image of a subject including a background area of the subject, a second front finder lens forms an image of the subject including a background area of the subject that is greater than the background area of the subject included in the image of the subject formed by the first front finder lens, and a rear finder lens permits simultaneous viewing of the images of the subject formed by the first and second finder lenses, whereby dual images of the subject including greater and lesser background areas of the subject can be simultaneously viewed when looking through the rear finder lens. When one sees in the viewfinder the difference between the greater and lesser background areas of the subject, he or she is alerted to take care in composing the picture to be taken.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a camera having at least one image capture system. A timer latch is biased for movement between a lock position preventing image capture system from capturing an image and a release position that allows the image capture system to capture an image. An actuator is biased for movement between a first position separated from the timer latch and a second position moving the timer latch into the release position. A damper slows the movement of the actuator. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a camera having at least one image capture system having a movement actuated shutter and a lever biased to move the shutter. A timer latch is biased for movement between a lock position preventing the lever from moving the shutter and a release position permitting the lever to move the shutter.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a camera having at least one image capture system. A timer latch is biased for movement between a lock position preventing image capture system from capturing an image and a release position that allows the image capture system to capture an image. An actuator is biased for movement between a first position separated from the timer latch and a second position moving the timer latch into the release position. A damper slows the movement of the actuator.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism comprising a shutter that is operated to allow the passage of light, and a self-timer with a shaped memory alloy control that can be deformed and that when subjected to electrical current heats to recover from being deformed and after some delay during recovery initiates operation of the shutter, is characterized in that a manually set timer member is connected to the shaped memory alloy control and is supported to be manually moved to deform the shaped memory alloy control to set the self-timer and for the shaped memory alloy control to reverse-move the timer member during recovery of the shaped memory alloy control.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for metering a strip of film along a film transport path in a camera. The apparatus provides for the initial positioning, metering, and rewinding of the filmstrip. A movable metering member has at least one tooth adapted to engage a perforation disposed on the strip of film. A first and second tracking pin disposed on the metering member engages a first and second track, respectively, for slidable and pivotable movement therealong. A resilient member biases the metering member toward the film transport path.