DEFLECTOR FOR A POOL CLEANER SWEEP TAIL HOSE

Abstract

A pool cleaner having a sweep tail hose has a deflector at a downstream or discharge end thereof, wherein the deflector comprises a relatively flexible structure in comparison with the sweep tail hose. During normal submerged operation as the pool cleaner and sweep tail hose travel over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces, water jetted from the sweep tail hose flows substantially without restriction through the deflector. However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of water within the swimming pool, the relatively flexible deflector falls by gravity over the otherwise open discharge end of the sweep tail hose to deflect water jetted therefrom. Accordingly, the deflector effectively knocks down and prevents water jetted from the sweep tail hose from spraying over any significant distance or area of a surrounding pool deck region.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to improvements in pool cleaner devices of the type designed to travel over submerged floor and wall surfaces of a swimming pool to dislodge and/or collect fine particulate and other debris settled thereon. More particularly, this invention relates to a deflector designed for installation onto the downstream or discharge end of a sweep tail hose carried by a pool cleaner device, wherein the deflector is designed to obstruct or deflect water jetted from the sweep tail hose in the event that the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of the pool water. Accordingly, the deflector effectively prevents water from being sprayed over any substantial distance or area of a surrounding pool deck region.

Pool cleaner devices are generally known in the art for use in maintaining residential and commercial swimming pools in a clean and attractive condition. In this regard, swimming pools conventionally include a water filtration system having a pump for drawing or suctioning water from the pool for circulation through a filtration canister having filtration media therein to remove and collect water-entrained or water-suspended debris such as leaves and twigs as well as fine particulate including sand and silt. From the filter canister, water is recirculated to the pool via one or more return lines. Such filtration system is normally operated for several hours on a daily basis and serves, in combination with traditional chemical treatments such as chlorination and the like, to maintain the pool water in a clean and sanitary state.

However, the conventional pool filtration system is generally ineffective to collect and filter out debris which settles onto submerged floor and side wall surfaces of the swimming pool. In the past, such settled debris has typically been removed by coupling a vacuum hose to the suction or intake side of the pool water filtration system, such as by connecting the vacuum hose to a skimmer well located near the pool water surface at one side of the pool, and then manually moving a vacuum head on the vacuum hose over submerged pool surfaces to vacuum settled debris directly to the filter canister where it is collected and separated from the pool water. However, manual vacuuming of a swimming pool is a labor intensive task and thus is not performed on a daily basis by the pool owner or pool cleaning service personnel.

Automatic pool cleaner devices have been developed for cleaning and/or dislodging settled debris from submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces, thereby substantially eliminating the need for labor intensive manual vacuuming. Such automatic pool cleaners typically comprise a relatively compact cleaner housing or head coupled to the pool water filtration system by a hose and including water-powered means for causing the cleaner to travel about within a swimming pool to dislodge and collect settled debris. In one popular form, the pool cleaner is connected to the return or pressure side of the filtration system for receiving positive pressure water which powers a turbine for rotatably driving cleaner wheels, and also functions to induce a vacuum by venturi action to draw settled debris into a removable filter bag. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,574; 4,558,479; 4,589,986; 4,734,954; 5,863,425; and 6,665,900. This venturi action enables the pool cleaner to climb relatively vertical submerged side wall surfaces of the swimming pool, before breaking the water surface to interrupt the venturi action whereupon the pool cleaner falls downwardly within the pool water to resume travel over submerged floor and side wall surfaces.

In pool cleaner devices of this general type, a sweep tail hose is normally included to trail the cleaner housing or head as it travels over submerged pool surfaces. The sweep tail hose comprises an elongated and at least somewhat flexible hose having a typical length on the order of about 3-4 feet. A portion of the positive pressure water supplied to the pool cleaner is jetted rearwardly from a downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail hose, thereby causing the hose to displace and whip about as the pool cleaner travels within the swimming pool. This combined jetting and whipping action functions to further dislodge fine particulate and debris from submerged pool surfaces for suspension within the pool water so that the now-suspended debris can be drawn into and collected by the main pool filtration system.

One disadvantage associated with a sweep tail hose is that water jetted therefrom can spray over a substantial distance or area of a surrounding pool deck region, as the pool cleaner breaks the water surface upon climbing a submerged side wall. That is, as the venturi action is interrupted when the pool cleaner breaks the water surface, the pool cleaner is normally balanced to turn for generally front-first descending back toward the pool floor. As a result, during this movement of the pool cleaner, the sweep tail hose can whip upwardly so that its downstream or discharge end can also break the water surface whereby the water jetted therefrom can spray over the surrounding pool deck region. With modern positive pressure pool cleaners, the distance of the water spray can be significant—on the order of about 20-30 feet—resulting in undesirable spraying of pool furniture and/or persons located within this range. Such water spraying typically occurs quickly, and with little or no prior warning.

There exists, therefore, a need for further improvements in and to pool cleaners of the type having a sweep tail hose, wherein undesirable spraying of water over nearby-located pool deck regions is substantially prevented. The present invention fulfills this need and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a deflector is provided at a downstream or discharge end of a sweep tail hose on an automatic pool cleaner, wherein the deflector comprises a relatively flexible structure in comparison with the sweep tail hose. During normal submerged operation as the pool cleaner and sweep tail hose travel over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces, water jetted from the sweep tail hose flows substantially without restriction through the deflector. However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of water within the swimming pool, the relatively flexible deflector falls by gravity over the otherwise open discharge end of the sweep tail hose to deflect water jetted therefrom. Accordingly, the deflector effectively knocks down and prevents water jetted from the sweep tail hose from spraying over any significant distance or area of a surrounding pool deck region.

More particularly, the pool cleaner comprises, in a preferred form, a pressure-side pool cleaner of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,574; 4,558,479; 4,589,986; 4,734,954; 5,863,425; and 6,665,900, which are incorporated by reference herein. In such pool cleaner, positive pressure water is provided via a hose or the like from a main water filtration system and functions to power drive means for causing the pool cleaner to travel over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces. Such positive pressure water additionally provides, by venturi action, a suction effect at the bottom of the pool cleaner which vacuums settled debris into a removable filter bag, and additionally functions to enable the pool cleaner to climb substantially vertical submerged side wall surfaces within the pool. The sweep tail hose trails the pool cleaner as it travels over submerged pool surfaces, and has a sufficient length and flexibility to whip about when supplied with water under pressure from the pool cleaner to dislodge settled debris for suspension within the pool water.

The deflector is carried at the downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail hose. In one form, the deflector is mounted onto the discharge end of the sweep tail hose, and comprises a relatively flexible structure in comparison with the sweep tail hose. In a preferred form, the deflector comprises a mounting collar for quick and easy mounting onto the discharge end of the sweep tail hose, in combination with a large plurality of highly flexible elongated fingers protruding in a downstream direction from the mounting collar. During normal submerged operation of the pool cleaner and sweep tail hose, these deflector fingers extend generally in parallel with the direction of a water jet discharged from the sweep tail hose, whereby the deflector fingers do not significantly obstruct or restrict the water jet flow. However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of the pool water, the deflector fingers have sufficient length and weight to fall by gravity over the otherwise open discharge end of the sweep tail hose, to extend generally perpendicularly across and through the discharged water jet, thereby blocking or obstructing and knocking down the water jet. As a result, the deflector fingers prevent significant projection of the water jet over any substantial pool deck region.

In one alternative form, the deflector may be integrally formed at the downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail hose, as by forming a slotted segment defined by multiple longitudinally elongated slots in the sweep tail hose at a location at or near the discharge end thereof. Such slotted segment may be spaced a short distance from the sweep tail hose discharge end to define a region of relatively increased hose flexibility. In operation, the deflector comprises a downstream region of the sweep tail hose beginning at the upstream extent of the longitudinal slots. During normal submerged operation, the deflector trails substantially in-line with the upstream portion of the sweep tail hose to prevent any significant restriction on the water jetted therefrom. However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the water surface, the deflector falls by gravity so that the slotted segment overlies and obstructs the water jetted therefrom resulting in substantial prevention of any significant spray distance.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view showing a pool cleaner of the type having a sweep tail hose shown in operation traveling along a floor surface of a swimming pool, wherein a deflector embodying the novel features of the invention is mounted at a downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail hose;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear side perspective view of the pool cleaner shown in FIG. 1, including the sweep tail hose and deflector mounted thereon;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged and fragmented perspective view showing the deflector mounted onto the discharge end of the sweep tail hose;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view depicting operation of the deflector to deflect or block a water stream discharged from the sweep tail hose, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of water within a swimming pool during normal pool cleaner operation;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented perspective view showing construction of a mounting collar on the deflector, in accordance with one preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmented top plan view of a downstream or discharge end of a sweep tail hose, wherein the hose includes multiple vents formed therein to define an integrated deflector, in accordance with one alternative preferred form of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken generally on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the exemplary drawings, an automatic pool cleaner referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided for dislodging and/or collecting debris and sediment from within a swimming pool 12 or the like. The pool cleaner 10 includes a sweep tail hose 14 trailing therefrom as the pool cleaner 10 travels over submerged pool surfaces, including a pool floor 16 and side walls 18. A deflector 20 is provided in accordance with the invention at a downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14. This deflector 20 permits substantially unobstructed or unrestricted flow of a water jet from the sweep tail hose 14 during normal operation of the pool cleaner 10 as it travels over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces (as viewed in FIG. 3). However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14 breaks the surface of water within the swimming pool, the deflector 20 falls by gravity (as viewed in FIG. 4) over the otherwise open discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14 to deflect water jetted therefrom. Accordingly, the deflector 14 effectively knocks down and prevents water jetted from the sweep tail hose from spraying over any significant distance or area of a surrounding pool deck region.

The automatic pool cleaner 10 comprises, in one preferred form, a so-called positive pressure or pressure-side pool cleaner constructed generally in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,574; 4,558,479; 4,589,986; 4,734,954; 5,863,425; and 6,665,900, which are incorporated by reference herein. Such pool cleaners are designed for generally random travel over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces of the swimming pool 12 having virtually any conventional construction and configuration. In this regard, as depicted in FIG. 1 by way of example, the swimming pool 12 commonly includes the pool floor 16 which may be generally horizontal or of sloping contour to define relatively shallower and deeper pool regions. The pool floor 16 blends generally smoothly with the side walls 18 which extend upwardly to appropriate pool decking 22 or the like above the surface of water 24 filling the pool.

A swimming pool 12 of this general type is typically provided with a main filtration system 26 depicted schematically in FIG. 1 for filtering particulate and other foreign matter from the pool water 24 to maintain the water in a relatively clear and sanitary state. This filtration system 26 is normally installed at a convenient location near the swimming pool 12, and includes a main pump (forming part of a main pump and filter unit 28) for drawing pool water 24 through one or more suction ports such as a skimmer well 30 located generally at the water surface at one side of the pool and/or a floor drain 32 located in the pool floor 16. The pool water 24 is drawn through these suction ports 30, 32 for passage through appropriate suction conduits 34 into a filter canister (forming part of the main pump and filter unit 28) having a selected filtration media therein for separating and collecting entrained particulate from the pool water (as is known in the art). The filtered pool water is then recirculated from the filter canister through one or more return conduits 36 to the pool 12 via one or more return ports 38 positioned typically along the pool side walls 18 slightly below the water surface.

In general terms, the pool cleaner 10 is hydraulically operated by a portion of the filtered water returned to the swimming pool 12, so that the pool cleaner 10 travels back and forth in a generally random pattern over the submerged pool surfaces, including the floor 16 and side walls 18. In this regard, the pool cleaner 10 includes an hydraulic drive system (not shown) coupled via an elongated flexible hose 40 to a supply port or fitting 42 at one side of the pool, wherein this port 40 is coupled in turn via a pressure supply conduit 44 with the return conduit 36. In many cases, a booster pump 46 is installed along the length of the supply conduit 44 for boosting the pressure of water supplied to the pool cleaner 10 to a predetermined minimum.

In normal operation, the hydraulic drive system of the pool cleaner 10 responds to the inflow of positive pressure water (via the supply hose 40) for driving cleaner wheels 48 (FIG. 2) for movement over submerged pool surfaces. In addition, some of this positive pressure water is used to create a venturi effect or venturi action at the bottom of the pool cleaner 10 for use in vacuuming settled debris from an underlying pool surface 16, 18 into a removably mounted filter bag 50. Also, another portion of this positive pressure water is diverted for flow as a water jet through the sweep tail hose 14 comprising an elongated and at least somewhat flexible hose structure trailing the pool cleaner 10 with a length of about 3-4 feet. This sweep tail hose 14 has sufficient flexibility to whip back and forth during normal submerged pool cleaner operation to dislodge and suspend uncollected settled debris within the pool water 24 for subsequent collection by the main filtration unit 28. This whipping action of the sweep tail hose 14 also beneficially circulates and distributes pool chemicals such as chlorine more uniformly throughout the pool water 24, for improved overall water sanitation. FIG. 2 shows multiple wear rings 52 mounted along the length of the sweep tail hose 14 to reduce abrasion wear to the hose.

The venturi action at the bottom or underside of the pool cleaner 10 beneficially enables the pool cleaner to adhere to and climb the substantially vertical side walls 18 to vacuum and collect settled debris therefrom. In this regard, the pool cleaner 10 will climb the pool side walls 18 until the venturi effect is interrupted as the pool cleaner 10 breaks the surface of the pool water 24. When this occurs, the pool cleaner 10 will fall gently in a downward direction, with a ballast float 54 (FIG. 2) insuring that the pool cleaner turns to fall front-first to land upon the pool floor 16 for resumed cleaning operation. As the pool cleaner 10 turns for this descending movement, the sweep tail hose 14 may whip upwardly so that the downstream or discharge end thereof briefly breaks the water surface for a short time period which may be about 1-2 seconds. During this brief moment when the sweep tail hose discharge end is above the surface of the pool water 24, water jetted through the sweep tail hose 14 can spray a substantial distance (up to about 20-30 feet) in an uncontrolled direction and manner to result in undesired and unexpected wetting of a significant pool deck region and its occupants.

The deflector 20 of the present invention is designed to permit normal submerged operation of the pool cleaner 10 and the associated sweep tail hose 14, without obstructing or significantly restricting the waterjetted from the sweep tail hose. However, when the sweep tail hose 14 breaks the water surface, the deflector 20 functions to obstruct or block the water jetted from the hose 14 in a manner preventing water jet projection as a unified stream over any significant distance. Accordingly, the deflector 20 effectively prevents uncontrolled water spray over any substantial distance to correspondingly prevent undesired and unexpected wetting of the pool deck region or its occupants.

The deflector 20 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3-4. As shown, the deflector 20 comprises in one preferred form a generally cylindrical mounting collar 56 at an upstream end thereof and having a size and shape for secure mounting onto the downstream or discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14. In this regard, the entire deflector 20 may be constructed from a highly flexible and resilient or stretchable plastic material, such as a silicone elastomer, to permit the mounting collar 56 to be slide-fitted onto the sweep tail hose 14 in a radially stretched condition. If desired, the mounting collar 56 can be stretched over and axially seated on the sweep tail hose 14 at a location disposed at the upstream side of a wear ring 52 (FIGS. 3-4) securely mounted at the hose discharge end. With this construction, the mounting collar 56 can be installed quickly and easily, and without the use of any separate fastening device or component. Alternately, if desired, the mounting collar 56 can be securely affixed to the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14 as by means of a separate fastening device or component, such as a suitable adhesive (not shown), or an externally mounted clamp ring (also not shown) or the like.

From the mounting collar 56, the deflector 20 comprises a large plurality of elongated and highly flexible fingers 58 projecting in a downstream direction, and extending at least several inches beyond the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14. In one preferred form, the deflector fingers 58 extend about 6-8 inches beyond the discharge end of the sweep tail hose. Each deflector finger 58 has a flexibility that is significantly greater than the comparative flexibility of the sweep tail hose 14. As noted above, in one preferred form, the deflector 20 (including the mounting collar 56 and the fingers 58) may be formed from a highly flexible material such as a silicone elastomer.

In normal submerged operation of the pool cleaner 10 as it travels over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces 16, 18, the deflector fingers 58 generally trail the sweep tail hose 14 in an in-line or parallel configuration (as shown in FIG. 3) with the water jet emanating from the discharge end of the sweep tail hose. In this configuration, the deflector fingers 58 have sufficient buoyancy within the pool water to collectively define a generally open tubular pathway for water flow therethrough in a manner to avoid any significant restriction or obstruction to the discharged water jet. Accordingly, the deflector fingers 58 do not interfere with normal whipping action of the sweep tail hose for dislodging debris settled upon the submerged pool surfaces. In this regard, the deflector 20 can be constructed at least in part and/or include a porous foam material for gently scrubbing submerged surfaces of the swimming pool during normal submerged operation of the pool cleaner 10.

However, in the event that the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14 breaks the water surface (as shown in FIG. 4), the deflector fingers 58 have sufficient flexibility and sufficient mass to fall by gravity over the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14. In other words, the deflector fingers 58 fall by gravity to extend generally across the hose discharge end, and thereby block or obstruct the water jet emanating therefrom. FIG. 4 shows the multiple deflector fingers 58 draped across and then extending downwardly from the hose discharge end, resulting in effective blocking of the waterjet. In general, the blocked waterjet will be guided downwardly by the draped deflector fingers 20 to fall back into the pool water 24, with a minor proportion of the water jet escaping in multiple low velocity streams 60 having insufficient energy or cohesion for projection over any substantial distance or area. Accordingly, significant wetting of any substantial area of the pool deck and/or pool deck occupants is prevented.

As the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14 follows the pool cleaner 10 back to a submerged location, the deflector fingers 58 bouyantly return to the generally in-line or parallel configuration shown in FIG. 3 to avoid further obstruction of the discharged water jet.

FIG. 5 illustrates one preferred alternative embodiment, wherein a modified deflector 120 is constructed from a lightweight plastic material such as a silicone elastomer or the like with an axially split construction to include a mounting collar 156 and multiple flexible deflector fingers 158 projecting therefrom. A fastener band 62 such as a Velcro strap or the like is wrapped externally about, or co-molded with the mounting collar 156. With this construction, the modified deflector 120 is mounted quickly and easily onto the discharge end of a sweep tail hose 14 by wrapping the collar 156 and associated band 62 about the sweep tail hose discharge end, and then securely interconnecting a pair of fastener elements such as Velcro hook and loop fastener elements 64 and 66.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a further alternative preferred form of the invention, wherein a further modified deflector 220 is constructed integrally with the sweep tail hose 14 by forming a plurality of axially elongated and radially spaced slots 68 in the sweep tail hose 14 near the discharge end thereof. More particularly, multiple slots 68 are formed integrally in the sweep tail hose near the discharge end thereof to define a section or segment of substantially increase flexibility. In this configuration, the modified deflector 220 is defined by the slots 68 in combination with the length of the sweep tail hose extending downstream from the slots 68 by several inches. During normal submerged operation of the pool cleaner 10 and sweep tail hose 14, the modified deflector 220 does not obstruct a water jet emanating from the sweep tail hose 14. However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of the pool water, the slots 68 define a sufficiently and highly flexible region such that the hose portion downstream thereof has sufficient mass to fall by gravity toward an orientation substantially perpendicular to the direction of the water jet flow. As a result, the modified deflector 220 effectively obstructs or blocks the water jet to prevent any significant wetting of an adjacent pool deck region or its occupants.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that a variety of further alternative deflector geometries may be used. Without limitation, the axially formed and radially spaced slots 68 shown in FIGS. 6-7 may be elongated to extend several inches to the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14. Alternately, if desired, a deflector having a slotted geometry as viewed in FIGS. 6-7 may be separately formed and separately mounted onto the discharge end of the sweep tail hose 14, in lieu of the integral deflector as shown. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A deflector for a pool cleaner sweep tail hose, comprising:

a relatively flexible element, in comparison with the flexibility of the sweep tail hose, at a downstream end of the sweep tail hose, whereby said relatively flexible element falls by gravity to block and obstruct water discharged from the sweep tail hose, when the sweep tail hose breaks the pool water surface.

2. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible element is adapted for mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose.

3. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a mounting collar adapted for mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, in combination with a plurality of flexible fingers extending in a downstream direction from said mounting collar.

4. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said mounting collar is adapted for wrapped mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, and further comprising means for retaining said mounting collar in wrapped assembled relation with the sweep tail hose.

5. The deflector of claim 4 wherein said mounting means comprises interengageable hook and loop fastener elements.

6. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible element is constructed from a silicon elastomer material.

7. The deflector of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said flexible element is formed from a foam material.

8. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible element is formed integrally with the downstream end of the sweep tail hose.

9. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a plurality of downstream-extending flexible fingers.

10. The deflector of claim 1 wherein said relatively flexible element defines a plurality of longitudinally elongated and radially spaced slots.

11. In combination:

a sweep tail hose for a pool cleaner, said sweep tail hose being adapted to pass a jet of water under pressure and to discharge said water jet from a downstream end thereof; and

a deflector generally at said downstream end of said sweep tail hose, said deflector defining a relatively flexible element in comparison with the flexibility of the sweep tail hose, at least a portion of said relatively flexible element trailing said sweep tail hose in a submerged state to substantially avoid blocking and obstructing water discharged therefrom, said relatively flexible element falling by gravity when the sweep tail hose downstream end breaks the water surface whereby the relatively flexible element extends generally across the sweep tail hose downstream end to block and obstruct water discharged therefrom.

12. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a mounting collar adapted for mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, in combination with a plurality of flexible fingers extending in a downstream direction from said mounting collar.

13. The deflector of claim 12 wherein said mounting collar is adapted for wrapped mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, and further comprising means for retaining said mounting collar in wrapped assembled relation with the sweep tail hose.

14. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible element is constructed from a silicon elastomer material.

15. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible element is formed integrally with the downstream end of the sweep tail hose.

16. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a plurality of downstream-extending flexible fingers.

17. The deflector of claim 11 wherein said relatively flexible element defines a plurality of longitudinally elongated and radially spaced slots.