Pool surface cleaning device

Abstract

When this new and unique pool surface cleaning device is introduced into the market of pool cleaning products there will be no concern about damaging the surface of pools during the act of cleaning. This device incorporates a unique easily replaceable head system that may be as wide and long as necessary and composed of one or more sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads attached to a conventional extension handle commonly used in the cleaning process of swimming pools or a handle designed specifically to mate with the unique pool surface cleaning device. These heads can be quickly, easily and economically replaced when necessary and come in a variety of geometric shapes and sizes. A wide variety of pools exist beyond just swimming pools that require systematic cleaning of the surface. Spas are normally constructed of fiberglass, a great number of pools have vinyl liners and fiberglass, water parks have a variety of rides constructed with a vinyl rubberized and fiberglass surfaces and most bumper boat ponds have a fiberglass material on the sides.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of devices used in the process of cleaning pools, specifically but not limited to the cleaning the bottom and sides of pools such as swimming pools, spas or water ride attractions. More specifically this device incorporates a unique easily replaceable head system composed of one or more sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition head or heads that use a wiping motion and can be attached to a conventional extension handle commonly used in the cleaning process of swimming pools or a handle designed specifically to mate with the unique pool surface cleaning device. In addition this device may be made as wide and long as the operator desires and may be used in combination with a brush head and a soft composition head or heads together on a dual head cleaning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In order to maintain a swimming pool or any other pool in proper condition it is necessary to periodically clean the sides and bottom of the pool of algae and accumulated debris. The conventional method of cleaning a pool would be to use an apparatus, which comprises an extension handle attached to a metal adapter upon which to attach different brush heads. Brush head units have worked well for years on gunite pools, although they tend to leave lines or traces of algae and must be worked back and forth to clean the surface adequately. The fibers of the brush heads are gripped and held in place by the means of a metal strip terminating at each end of the brush head. When these metal adapters and brush heads are used on vinyl liners or fiberglass pools with a smooth or rubberized surface where a great deal of care must be taken not to tear the vinyl liner or scratch the fiberglass surface with the sharp ends of these brush heads. The problem is compounded when trying to get into tight corners and confined areas. Additionally these brush heads do not work as effectively on the smooth surfaces of the vinyl, fiberglass or rubberized pool surface.

[0003] The scope of the present patent is to provide a device or devices that fits on a compatible metal adapter head, or a broad range of existing conventional metal adapter heads that are attached to an extension pole or a handle designed specifically to mate with the unique pool surface cleaning device as wide and long as necessary for the cleaning of pools, especially vinyl liners, fiberglass or rubberized pool surface, without the possibility of damaging the surface.

REFERENCES CITED

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,087 of Andrew S. Feinberg describes a water foil attached to a swimming pool brush or vacuum cleaning head. The foil has a check valve structure incorporated therein so that the foil urges a cleaning device against a swimming pool surface when pushed down through the water while presenting a minimum surface area during an upward stroke, thereby increasing the efficiency of a pool cleaning operation. This device uses the conventional brushes for the scrubbing of the surface of a swimming pool, not the unique sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed within this patent.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,917 of Allan Landsman teaches of an underwater vane attached to a special support bracket, which is clamp-mounted on a standard pool broom pole. The vane is bent to form two equal planes joined together at a central axis. The axis has pivot holes from which the vane is transversely suspended over the pool broom pole. When the pool broom pole is pushed or pulled through the water, the vane is caused to tip by water pressure until one side and then the other touches the pole. The angle formed between the vane and the pole in either direction of motion causes the deflection of the pole and the attached cleaning device toward a surface being scrubbed. This device uses the conventional brushes for the scrubbing of the surface of a swimming pool, not the unique sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed within this patent.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,431 of Eli Meshulam discloses an attachment for a conventional swimming pool brush, which is designed to continuously urge the bristles into engagement with the sidewall of a pool using a novel, immovable hydrofoil. The hydrofoil comprises an upstanding fin having a plurality of flow apertures and is connected to a base portion by a plurality of triangularly shaped support members. This is another device using the conventional brushes for the scrubbing of the surface of the swimming pool, not the unique sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed within this patent.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,466 of Joseph J. Smitelli, III et al. describes a pool brush for cleaning all narrow areas of a pool such as corners, stairs, seals, and where walls intersect as well as the intersection of where all floor areas meet the walls. The brush has a head with a substantially cylindrical body and semi-spherical rounded ends. All the brush bristles are perpendicular to and uniformly mounted approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch center to center from one another across all rounded surfaces of the brush head. Each of the adjacent bristles on the rounded surfaces is angled approximately 10 degrees from one another. The bristles expand outward at approximately 280 degrees. This patent exemplifies the need for the protection and utility value of the ends of the pool cleaning devices, although it still uses the brush method of cleaning and does not incorporate the unique sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed within this patent.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,241 of Carl K. Anumah tells of a bathtub brush having a lower bristled surface with a flat central portion, upwardly angled, flat end portions, and convex curved surfaces between the central and end portions. The curved portions are configured to conform to the rounded corner between the bottom and sides of a bathtub, thereby allowing simultaneous, effective cleaning of the bottom, sides, and rounded corner therebetween. The brush includes an elongated handle to allow the user to stand while cleaning the tub. This patent does not describe a device that would be usable to clean pools or the unique sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed within this patent.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,737 of Kevin Morse discloses a hydrodynamic attachment for use with a pool brush having scrubbing bristles at a brush head portion connected to a elongated pole. The hydrodynamic attachment has a base fin connected to the pool brush opposite the scrubbing bristles, and an outer fin connected to the base fin to form a scoop pocket. The scoop pocket has a generally C shaped cross-section such that the scoop pocket can temporally trap water when the pool brush is pushed in a downward motion. In this manner a transverse force is produced against the brush head, which is then urged toward the target surface of a pool. This is another device using the conventional brushes for the scrubbing of the surface of the swimming pool, not the unique sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed within this patent.

[0010] Consequently there exists a need for an apparatus that will clean the sides, bottom corners and tight locations of pools without the possibility of damaging the surface. None of the foregoing prior art teaches or suggests the particular novelty of the pool surface-cleaning device described within this patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The preferred embodiment of this invention consists of a pool surface cleaning device with a tubular cleaning head having an internal tubular member and sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element. The internal tubular member may be constructed of rigid plastic, or material known to those in the industry, or it may be made of a flexible plastic or other material that will conform to the irregular shapes in the bottom of some pools and spas. The external surface of the internal tubular member will be secured to the internal surface of the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element by means of adhesive bonding or in some conventional way fixed into place. A conventional extension handle mounting head with mounting screws can be used as a means to attach the tubular cleaning head to an extension handle. The external and internal tubular surfaces of the pool surface cleaning device may come in a variety of geometric shapes including fluted, round, round with grooves, square, hexagonal, or any other conventional geometric shape including a variety of diameters, widths and lengths and still be covered within the scope of this patent. Along with adapting to conventional extension handle mounting heads, the tubular cleaning head or heads will mount on a variety of long and short handles for the cleaning operation on all pools and spas, specializing in those constructed with vinyl, fiberglass and rubberized surfaces. All the handles will have some means of anti-rotation, so that the cleaning head maintains a smooth even surface against the pool surface.

[0012] An alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device has two tubular cleaning heads sliding over a conventional extension handle mounting head from either side with a relief in one end of each cleaning head to allow the two tubular cleaning heads to come together over the central portion and gussets of the extension handle mounting head. The internal tubular members are recessed to maintain a soft cushioned end configuration of the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element. Two opposing internal grooves within the alternate embodiment of the internal tubular member act as an anti-rotation elements when the alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning heads are slid over the rectangular arm of the extension handle mounting head from either end.

[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0014] The object of this invention is to create a means to clean a pool without damaging the surface.

[0015] Another object of this invention is to create a device that does not incorporate a brush, but consists of one or more sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads.

[0016] Another object of this invention is to create a device that can be used on pools made with soft vinyl or rubber liners without the concern of tearing or otherwise damaging the material surface.

[0017] Another object of this invention is to create a device that can be used on pools constructed of fiberglass without the concern of scratching the surface.

[0018] Yet another object of this invention is to create a device or devices that fit on a compatible adapter head, or a broad range of existing conventional metal adapter heads attached to conventional handle or extension pole.

[0019] A further object of this invention is to create a device made of a sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads where the ends can safely be used to clean corners and tight places.

[0020] Still another object of this invention is to create a device that will not make brush marks on the surface of a pool but clean in one simple wiping motion.

[0021] And still another object of this invention is to create a device that can after one side is worn, can be rotated to produce a fresh surface.

[0022] And yet another object of this invention is to have a brush head in combination with the soft composition head or heads used together in a dual head cleaning system.

[0023] A final object of this invention is to ease and speed up the operation of cleaning a wide variety of pools and spas.

[0024] These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the pool surface cleaning device with the cleaning head shown in cross section with the extension handle mounting head and mounting screws.

[0027] FIG. 2 depicts a view of the pool surface cleaning device with a short handle and the cleaning head in cross section.

[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a section through the cleaning head of the pool surface cleaning device shown in a fluted configuration, with the understanding that the shape can be round, round with slots, square, hexagonal, or any outer conventional geometric shape and still be covered within the scope of this patent.

[0029] FIG. 4 depicts a section of the cleaning head, illustrating the anti-rotation element of the internal support member.

[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device with two cleaning heads sliding over a conventional extension handle mounting head and coming together in the center.

[0031] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a single cleaning head for the pool surface cleaning device with a segment of the short handle and anti-rotation element.

[0032] FIG. 7 depicts a section through the cleaning head of the pool surface cleaning device shown in the optional circular configuration with a plurality of grooves.

[0033] FIG. 8 depicts an end view of the internal tubular member of the cleaning head of the pool surface cleaning device, illustrating one form of the anti-rotation elements.

[0034] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of a conventional extension handle mounting head.

[0035] FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of the alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device with the two cleaning heads.

[0036] FIG. 11 depicts a section through an alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device with the extension handle mounting to a square solid internal member by the means of screws.

[0037] FIG. 12 depicts a section of an alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device with a square tubular internal anti-rotation member.

[0038] FIG. 13 depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of the conventional extension handle mounting head with square arms.

[0039] FIG. 14 depicts a side view of another alternate embodiment of the extension handle mounting head with the added brush mounting arm.

[0040] FIG. 15 depicts a section through another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device with an oval tubular internal support and anti-rotation member.

[0041] FIG. 16 depicts a side view of another alternate embodiment of the conventional extension handle mounting head with oval arm configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 an exploded view of the pool surface cleaning device 10A with the tubular cleaning head 12A shown in cross section illustrating the internal support member 14A and sponge, cellular material, fabric fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16A. The internal support members' 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E may be constructed of rigid plastic, or material known to those in the industry or it may be made of a flexible plastic or other material that will conform to the irregular shapes in the bottom of some pools and spas. Additionally the internal support members' 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E may be tubular or solid and shaped circular, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal or any other geometric configuration that will prevent rotation. The external surface 18 of the internal support members' 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E will be secured to the internal surface 20 of the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16A, 16B, and 16C by means of adhesive bonding, screwed or in some other way fixed in place. FIG. 1 also illustrates the convenience of using the conventional extension handle mounting head 22 and mounting screws 24 as a means to attach the tubular cleaning head 12A to an extension handle.

[0043] FIG. 2 depicts a view of the alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 10B with a short handle 26 and the tubular cleaning head 12A in cross section. FIG. 3 depicts a section through the cleaning head 12A of the pool surface cleaning device 10A showing the fluted configuration 26, with the understanding that the shape can be round, round with grooves, square, hexagonal, or any other conventional geometric shape and still be covered within the scope of this patent. FIG. 4 depicts a section of the tubular cleaning head 12A, illustrating the anti-rotation element 30 of the internal support member 14A. The support bar 32 of the short handle 26 slides within the anti-rotation slot 34 located within the anti-rotation element 30. The anti-rotation element 30 and the anti-rotation slot 34 can be on both sides of the internal support member 14A so that the tubular cleaning head 12A may be removed and rotated to produce a fresh cleaning surface on the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16A.

[0044] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 10C with another alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head 12B, sliding over a conventional extension handle mounting head 22 with a relief 36 in one end of the alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head 12B to allow both tubular cleaning heads 12B to come together over the support head 22 and the handle gussets 40 attaching to extension handle 38. FIGS. 5 and 6 endeavors to clarify the recessed ends 42 of the alternate embodiment of the internal support members 14B maintaining a soft cushioned end configuration of the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16B and the optional plurality of longitudinal grooves 44 with the optional cylindrical shape of the alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head 12B. FIG. 6 also depicts the capability of using a short handle 26 with a rectangular anti rotation member 45. It must be reemphasized here that the external and internal shape of the tubular cleaning heads 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D can be fluted, round, round with grooves, square, hexagonal, or any outer conventional geometric shape and still be covered within the scope of this patent. Two opposing internal grooves 46 within the alternate embodiment of the internal support member 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E can be fluted, round, round with grooves, square, hexagonal, or any outer conventional geometric shape and act as an anti-rotation element and still be covered within the scope of this patent when the alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head or heads 12A, 12B, 12C, or 12D can be made to slide over the arms 48 with the mating configuration.

[0045] FIG. 11 depicts a section through another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning head 12C with the extension handle mounting to another alternate embodiment of a solid internal support member 14C by the means of screws 24. FIG. 12 depicts a section of another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 12C with another alternate embodiment of the internal support member 14D within either the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16A or the alternate embodiment of the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16B with a square internal orifice 50. FIG. 13 depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of the conventional extension handle mounting head 22A with square arms 48B. It must also be understood that the arms of the extension handle mounting head 22 may be any geometric configuration that will retard rotation and still be covered within the scope of this patent. FIG. 14 depicts a side view of still another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 10D with the extension handle mounting head 22B and the added brush mounting arm 52 and a brush 54.

[0046] FIG. 15 depicts a section through another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 12D with an oval tubular internal support and anti-rotation member 14F. FIG. 16 depicts a side view of another alternate embodiment of the conventional extension handle mounting head 22C with oval arm configuration 48.

NUMBER LIST

[0047] 10A—Pool surface cleaning device

[0048] 10B—Alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device

[0049] 10C—Another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device

[0050] 10D—Still another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device

[0051] 12A—Tubular cleaning head

[0052] 12B—Alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head

[0053] 12C—Another alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head

[0054] 12D—Another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device

[0055] 14A—Internal support member

[0056] 14B—Alternate embodiment of the internal support member

[0057] 14C—Another alternate embodiment of the internal support member

[0058] 14D—Another alternate embodiment of the internal support member

[0059] 16A—Sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element

[0060] 16B—Alternate embodiment of the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element

[0061] 18—External surface of 14

[0062] 20—Internal surface of 16

[0063] 22—Extension handle mounting head

[0064] 22A—Alternate embodiment of the extension handle mounting head

[0065] 22B—Another alternate embodiment of the extension handle mounting head

[0066] 22C—Another alternate embodiment of the extension handle mounting head

[0067] 24—Mounting screws

[0068] 26—Short handle

[0069] 28—Fluted configuration of the cleaning head

[0070] 30—Anti-rotation element

[0071] 32—Support bar

[0072] 34—Anti-rotation slot

[0073] 36—Relief in 16B

[0074] 38—Handle

[0075] 40—Handle gussets

[0076] 42—Recessed ends

[0077] 44—Grooves

[0078] 45—Rectangular anti-rotation member

[0079] 46—Internal grooves within 14B

[0080] 48 arm of 22

[0081] 50—Square internal orifice

[0082] 52—Brush mounting arm

[0083] 54—Brush

[0084] The pool surface cleaning devices 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a pool surface cleaning devices 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D in accordance with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A Pool Surface Cleaning device comprising:

a. A soft composition head that uses a wiping motion, an internal support member for the soft composition head, an anti-rotation device, and a means of attachment to a pole or extension pole used for cleaning pools, spas, etc.

b. One or more soft composition cleaning heads with the cleaning heads having an internal support member, a means of attachment to extension handle mounting head, or handle for a pole.

c. The soft composition cleaning head or heads having an internal support member can have a kind of handle specifically made for the soft composition cleaning head or heads.

d. The soft composition cleaning head or heads can be used in combination with a brush head where the soft composition cleaning head or heads and the brush head would be set at opposing angles and have a means of attachment to the extension handle mounting head so that it can easily be attached to a pole or extension pole.

2. The pool surface cleaning device as in claim 1 whereas having soft composition head or heads can come in a variety of geometrical shapes, diameters, widths, and lengths.

3. The pool surface cleaning device as in claim 1 whereas having an internal support member, the internal support member can also come in a variety of geometrical shapes, diameters, widths, and lengths.

4. The pool surface cleaning device as in claim 1 whereas having an internal support member, the internal support member can be tubular or solid and can be used as a means of attachment to the extension handle mounting head.

5. The pool surface cleaning device as in claim 1 whereas having an internal support member, the internal support member can be recessed inwardly from the ends of the soft composition head or heads so as to safety be used to clean corners and tight areas without concerns of damaging the pool or spa surface to be cleaned.