AU2006233280A1

AU2006233280A1 - Suction-type pool cleaner

Info

Publication number: AU2006233280A1
Application number: AU2006233280A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Jesse Dodd
Original assignee: Integrated Pool Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Integrated Pool Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-14
Filing date: 2006-03-27
Publication date: 2006-10-19
Also published as: US20080276388A1; EP1875018A1; WO2006109118A1

Description

WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -1 SUCTION-TYPE POOL CLEANER BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION THIS invention relates to a suction type pool cleaner. Suction-type pool cleaners are well known and have been in widespread use for a number of years. Generally suction-type pool cleaners are connected by a flexible hose to a suction point, typically a suction inlet at the weir of a swimming pool. The cleaner operates on the submerged surface of the pool and water is sucked through it by the pump of the swimming pool filtration unit. One particularly popular suction-type pool cleaner has a valve chamber with an inlet which in operation is situated near to the submerged surface and through which a water flow is sucked. The chamber accommodates a valve member or hammer which oscillates under the influence of the suction flow and which directs the flow alternately to one or the other of a pair of outlet passages leading away from the valve chamber to the hose. The resulting variations in momentum of the water flow as well as variations in the suction effect at the inlet cause the cleaner to move, preferably in a random manner, over the submerged surfaces of the pool. Problems which are frequently experienced with suction-type pool cleaners are the following: 1. Inability of the cleaner to climb the upright walls of the swimming pool in order to perform a cleaning action there. 2. Jamming of the pool cleaner in tight spots in the pool, for example against steps leading into the pool, and inability of the cleaner to extricate itself.

WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -2 3. In the case of suction-type pool cleaners which incorporate an oscillating hammer, failure of the hammer to seat properly at either end of its stroke in the valve chamber. Such failure is generally attributable to particulate matter, for example grass seeds or stone particles, that come to rest on the valve chamber surfaces against which the hammer is designed to seat. Improper seating of the hammer can distort the suction effects to the extent that pool cleaner can come to a complete standstill. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a suction-type pool cleaner having an elongate body, a float structure including a float, arms carrying the float and means for connecting the arms releasably to the body at a selected one of a plurality of different positions along the length of the body. Preferably the connecting means is configured to allow the float structure to pivot relative to the body both about a lateral axis transverse to the body and about the longitudinal axis of the body. The connecting means may comprise a bracket which is shaped to make releasable, clipping engagement with the body at any one of a plurality of positions along the length of the body and which carries laterally projecting pivot shafts, and the float structure comprises a pair of laterally spaced arms formed with elongate slots through which the shafts extend, the float being supported between the arms at a position remote from the slots and the slots being oversize with respect to the shafts to allow the float structure to pivot and tilt relative to the bracket and hence relative to the body. The arms themselves may be of adjustable length. Further according to the invention, the cleaner comprises a valve chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a hammer arranged to oscillate in the chamber under the effects of suction flow through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet, the chamber having side walls each formed with spaced WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -3 apart shoulders against which side edge surfaces of the hammer seat during oscillation of the hammer, at least portions of the shoulders sloping at an acute angle relative to the side walls of the suction chamber. Each shoulder may include a first portion oriented at right angles to the relevant side wall and a second portion which extends from the first portion at an acute angle relative to the side wall. Still further according to the invention, the cleaner comprises a valve chamber of tapering shape having an inlet and an outlet and a wedge shaped hammer arranged to oscillate in the chamber under the effects of suction flow through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet, the chamber having side walls each formed with spaced apart shoulders against which side edge surfaces of the hammer seat during oscillation of the hammer, wherein the shoulders converge in a downstream direction towards a relatively narrow end of the chamber in which a relatively narrow end of the hammer is located, the shoulders being rebated at positions towards the narrow end of the chamber end so as to define flushing channels through which particulate matter can be flushed from the chamber by the suction flow. The cleaner may have a suction head and an elongate body extending in a downstream direction from the head, a balancing weight and means for attaching the balancing weight releasably to the elongate body at a selected one of a plurality of different positions along the length of the body. The attaching means may be a bracket which carries the weight and which can be clipped selectively to the body at any selected one of the different positions. The weight may be encapsulated in a sheath carried by the bracket. Advantageously, the pool cleaner includes, at an operatively downstream end of the elongate body, a swivel arrangement by means of which the cleaner is attachable in use to a flexible suction hose, the swivel arrangement including a first flanged member engagable with the end of the body, a second flanged member engabable with the hose, a swivel ring WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -4 located between the flanges of the first and second members and means for holding the assembly of members and swivel ring together such that the flanges of the members can slide rotationally on the ring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a suction-type pool cleaner according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the suction-type pool cleaner of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-section at the line 3-3 in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a fragmentary perspective view of the head of the body of the pool cleaner; Figure 5 shows a cross-section at the line 5-5 in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a cross-section at the line 6-6 in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a cross-section at the line 7-7 in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a pool cleaner according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 shows a side view of the pool cleaner seen in Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the swivel arrangement; and WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -5 Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a swivel ring forming part of the arrangement seen in Figure 10. DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The pool cleaners 10 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 and in Figures 8 and 9 have many similarities to the cleaner described and illustrated in international patent application PCT/IB2004/002338 (=WO 2005/038170), to which reference should be made. Referring to Figures 1 to 7, the cleaner 10 has a cleaner or suction head 12 and a tubular structure 14 which mates, as described in WO 2005/038170, with the head 12 to form a composite, elongate body 16. The head terminates at its operatively lower end in a circular foot 18 to which an annular footpad 20 is fitted. The inner extremity of a flexible, annular skirt 22 is fitted over the foot 18 as illustrated. The footpad and skirt are not shown in Figures 4 and 5. The foot 18 defines an entrance opening 19 leading through an entrance space 24 to an inlet 26 in a cover member 28. Side openings 21 also lead into the space 24. The inlet 26 leads into a valve chamber 30 which is of tapering shape. The chamber has a relatively narrow downstream end 33 and a relatively wide upstream end 34 adjacent the inlet 26. Located in the valve chamber 30 is a wedge-shaped hammer 32 having a relatively narrow end 38, locating at the relatively narrow end 33 of the chamber, and a relatively wide end 40. The tubular structure 14 has side-by-side internal passages 14.1 and 14.2 of oval or elliptical shape as shown in Figure 3. These passages communicate at their upstream or operatively lower ends, via an outlet space 15, with the downstream end 33 of the valve chamber when the tubular structure 14 is connected to the head 12 as shown in Figure 1.

WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -6 The downstream end of the tubular structure 14 is connected in use, via a swivel arrangement 17, to a flexible hose 114 (Figure 10) extending from a suction point in a swimming pool, typically the suction inlet in the weir structure of the pool. The swivel arrangement 17 is described below in more detail with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In use, the footpad and skirt locate against a submerged surface in the pool. Suction applied at the suction inlet of the pool by the associated pool pump and filtration unit draws water from the region of the submerged surface through the entrance opening 19, side openings 21, entrance space 24, inlet 26, valve chamber 30, outlet space 15 and passages 14.1, 14.2. The suction flow through the valve chamber causes the hammer 32 to oscillate back and forth in the chamber as indicated by the arrow 42 in Figure 5. As described previously, this oscillation of the hammer causes the cleaner to move, preferably in a generally random manner, about the submerged surface of the pool. Submerged debris is extracted from the pool by suction through the pool cleaner and hose. It is important for a suction-type pool cleaner to maintain an appropriate attitude relative to the submerged surface inter alia so that the footpad and skirt can locate properly against the submerged surface in order to achieve the desired suction effect. It is conventional practice in a suction-type pool cleaner to incorporate some or other means providing appropriate buoyancy, and also weighting, to the cleaner body to maintain it at the desired attitude. In WO 2005/038170 the necessary buoyancy is incorporated in the moulded walls of the body itself. In addition to internal buoyancy as described in the international application, or as an alternative thereto, the illustrated embodiment includes a float structure indicated generally by the numeral 44. It also includes an underslung weight 45 as described in WO 2005/038170. The float structure 44 includes a pair of elongate, parallel arms 46 and a float 48 attached to and supported between the arms. The lower ends of WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -7 the arms are formed with elongate slots 50 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The float structure is mounted to the cleaner body 16 by a connecting means in the form of a U-shaped bracket 52 having laterally projecting pivot shafts 54 with enlarged heads 56. The shafts 54 pass through the slots 50, with the arms 46 being held captive by the enlarged heads 56. The slots are substantially oversize with respect to the shafts. This enables the float structure 44 not only to slide on the shafts in the direction indicated by the arrow 58 in Figure 2 but also to tilt laterally about the longitudinal axis of the body 16. Figure 2 shows the cleaner 10 at the attitude it would normally have when operating on a horizontal submerged surface of the pool. In this situation, the float 48 lifts the float structure to the maximum elevation allowed by sliding movement of the shafts 54 in the slots 50. It will be understood that the float urges the arms 46 to assume a vertical orientation. Figure 3 illustrates the situation when the cleaner moves onto an upright surface such as a wall of the pool. In this situation, the freedom of movement of the float structure relative to the bracket 52, permitted by the oversize nature of the slots 50 relative to the shafts 54, allows the float structure to slide and tilt to the illustrated orientation. At this orientation, the float applies an upward component of force to the cleaner in order to assist the cleaner to climb the wall. It will be understood that the interaction of the shafts 54 and slots 50 allows the float structure to tilt in the opposite direction, indicated by the broken lines 60, should the cleaner encounter a wall when the cleaner is moving in the opposite direction. The buoyancy effect provided by the float structure can be adjusted to suit particular swimming pools. The bracket 52 is made of a somewhat resilient plastics material. Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that the arms 52.1 of the bracket 52 carry re-entrant clipping formations 62 which, as a result of the resilience of the material, make clipping engagement in longitudinally WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -8 extending recesses 64 in the tubular structure 14. By drawing the arms 52.1 apart from one another it is possible to unclip the bracket from the tubular structure. The float structure can then be relocated on the tubular structure at different longitudinal positions as indicated, by way of example, by the broken outline 66 in Figure 2. As described in WO 2005/038170 the recesses 64 are formed with a series of transverse, longitudinally spaced ribs 68 defining a plurality of longitudinal positions at which the float structure can selectively be attached to the cleaner body. The adjustability of the longitudinal position of the float structure on the cleaner body enables a user to tune the operation of the cleaner to suit the particular swimming pool in which the cleaner is used. It is anticipated that selective adjustments to the position of the float structure can enable a user to modify the performance of the cleaner to enhance its ability to extricate itself from tight spots in the pool where the cleaner might otherwise jam. it is believed that the ability of the float structure to slide and tilt relative to the cleaner body will also enhance the chances of the cleaner freeing itself from particularly tight spots. The cleaner body has a bump strip 70, the purpose of which is described in WO 2005/038170, attached to it. It may in addition include a part-circular bumper as described in that application. The hammer 32 has flat sides 80, 81. During oscillation of the hammer in the valve chamber 30, edge regions of these flat sides seat against upper and lower shoulders 82, 84 in the chamber. As shown in Figure 5 the shoulders converge towards one another in a downstream direction. As also shown in Figure 6, the shoulders are rebated at positions close to the narrow downstream end 33 of the chamber. As a result channels 86, 88 are formed which extend from the interior of the chamber into the downstream outlet space 15 leading to the tubular structure 14. In use water flow is sucked through the valve chamber and causes the hammer to oscillate. At the end of the upward stroke of the hammer the WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -9 edge regions of the side 80 seat on the shoulders 82. A portion of the water flow can flow through the open channels 86, 88 at high velocity, thereby assisting in flushing through the chamber any particulate matter which has found its way into the chamber. A similar action takes place on the downward stroke of the hammer. The flushing of particulate matter as just described will, it is believed, reduce the chances of the hammer being prevented from seating propertly by particles in the valve chamber. Figure 7 shows the cross-sectional shape of a shoulder, in this case one of the shoulders 84. It will be seen that the shoulder has a portion 84.1 which is parallel to the edge region of the flat hammer surface 81. Thus this edge region can make a good seal on the shoulder at the end of the downward stroke of the hammer. In addition, the shoulder has a sloping portion 84.2 which makes an acute angle with the side wall 92 of the valve chamber 30. It is anticipated that the presence of this sloping portion will make it more difficult for particulate matter to rest permanently on the shoulder and thereby prevent proper seating of the hammer. Particles will tend to fall laterally off the shoulder. Also, as the hammer surface approaches the shoulder, water displaced laterally will, it is believed, tend to move any particulate matter sideways into the chamber to be removed therefrom in the main suction flow. In practice, all the shoulders 82, 84 will be provided with similar sloping portions. In other embodiments, the entire shoulder 82, 84 may be arranged at a slope. In combination, it is anticipated that the channels 86, 88 and the sloping portions of the shoulders 82, 84 will contribute advantageously to preventing stoppage of the cleaner as a result of improper seating of the hammer in the valve chamber. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. The arms WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -10 46 of the float structure 44 in this embodiment have a fixed length and the float 48 has a somewhat more rounded and aesthetically pleasing shape. This is provided by a moulded plastic casing which can either be hollow or house lightweight foam material. As in the first embodiment, the slots 50 are oversize with respect to the pivot shafts 54, thereby allowing the float structure to slide and tilt in the preferred manner. The underslung weight 45 in the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 is somewhat shorter than the corresponding weight in the first embodiment. This provides for greater clearance between the underside of the weight and the footpad 20 and skirt 22, thereby allowing the skirt 22 to flex more than otherwise would be the case in situations where the cleaner has to negotiate sharp transitions between, say, the floor and side wall of a pool. In the operation of conventional suction type submerged pool cleaners it is recognized that buoyancy forces acting on the suction hose itself can detrimentally affect the balance and random movement of the cleaner as whole. This is particularly so when the pool is relatively deep and there is accordingly a substantial length of submerged hose. To counter these buoyancy forces on the hose it has been conventional practice to mount a weight on the hose itself. Generally the weight includes a lead ring which can be adjustably positioned along the length of the hose in order to achieve optimum balance of the cleaner. Apart from difficulties in achieving the required balance at the outset, wear may make it possible for the weight to migrate downwardly on the hose, thereby upsetting that balance. The embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 includes a different solution in which a balancing weight is located adjustably on the cleaner itself. The adjustable weight 100 includes a lead body 102 encapsulated in a plastic sheath 104 attached to a clipping bracket 106 similar to the bracket 52. In Figures 8 and 9 the bracket 106 is shown clipped to the tubular structure 14 at a relatively high position. Such a position would be selected in situations where relatively large buoyancy forces are in operation.

WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -11 However, as indicated by the broken line position in Figure 9, it is possible to reposition the bracket, and hence the weight, selectively at a lower position in order to achieve appropriate balance for situations in which the buoyancy forces are smaller. The swivel arrangement 17 is illustrated in cross-section in Figure 10. It includes an annular insert 110 having a spigot 110.1 which fits into the end of the tubular structure 14 and a flange 110.2. It also includes another tubular insert 112 having a spigot 112.1 onto which the end of the flexible hose 114 fits and a flange 112.2. Between the inserts 110 and 112 there is a swivel ring 116 made of a low friction plastics material such as acetal. The surfaces of the ring 116 are formed with annular grooves or recesses 116.1. Finally, the arrangement 17 includes a union nut 118 through which the spigot 112.1 projects and which is internally threaded at 118.1 for engagement with the externally threaded end 14.1 of the tubular structure 14. The union nut holds the components of the swivel arrangement together as seen in Figure 10. The assembled arrangement is such that when the union nut is tight the flanges 110.2 and 112.2 can slide freely on the opposite surfaces of the ring 116. The presence of the recesses 116.1 reduces the contact area between the respective flanges and the ring and thereby limits the frictional resistance to free sliding. The sliding movement which is achieved at the two interfaces is sufficient to allow substantially free rotation of the hose 114 relative to the pool cleaner, and hence obviates undesirable twisting of the hose which could detract from random movement of the pool cleaner, even when suction in the hose urges the components of the swivel arrangement towards one another. The terms "upper", "lower" and like used in this specification refer to an orientation of the cleaner as seen in Figure 2, i.e. with the cleaner acting on a horizontal surface.

Claims

1. A suction-type pool cleaner having an elongate body, a float structure including a float, arms carrying the float and means for connecting the arms releasably to the body at a selected one of a plurality of different positions along the length of the body.

2. A pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means is configured to allow the float structure to pivot relative to the body both about a lateral axis transverse to the body and about the longitudinal axis of the body.

3. A pool cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the connecting means comprises a bracket which is shaped to make releasable, clipping engagement with the body at any one of a plurality of positions along the length of the body and which carries laterally projecting pivot shafts, and the float structure comprises a pair of laterally spaced arms formed with elongate slots through which the shafts extend, the float being supported between the arms at a position remote from the slots and the slots being oversize with respect to the shafts to allow the float structure to pivot and tilt relative to the bracket and hence relative to the body.

4. A pool cleaner according to claim 3 wherein the arms are of adjustable length. WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -13

5. A pool cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleaner comprises a valve chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a hammer arranged to oscillate in the chamber under the effects of suction flow through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet, the chamber having side walls each formed with spaced apart shoulders against which side edge surfaces of the hammer seat during oscillation of the hammer, at least portions of the shoulders sloping at an acute angle relative to the side walls of the suction chamber.

6. A pool cleaner according to claim 5 wherein each shoulder includes a first portion oriented at right angles to the relevant side wall and a second portion which extends from the first portion at an acute angle relative to the side wall.

7. A pool cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleaner comprises a valve chamber of tapering shape having an inlet and an outlet and a wedge-shaped hammer arranged to oscillate in the chamber under the effects of suction flow through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet, the chamber having side walls each formed with spaced apart shoulders against which side edge surfaces of the hammer seat during oscillation of the hammer, wherein the shoulders converge in a downstream direction towards a relatively narrow end of the chamber in which a relatively narrow end of the hammer is located, the shoulders being rebated at positions towards the narrow end of the chamber end so as to define flushing channels through which particulate matter can be flushed from the chamber by the suction flow. WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -14

8. A pool cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleaner has a suction head and an elongate body extending in a downstream direction from the head, a balancing weight and means for attaching the balancing weight releasably to the elongate body at a selected one of a plurality of different positions along the length of the body.

9. A pool cleaner according to claim 8 wherein the attaching means is a bracket which carries the weight and which can be clipped selectively to the body at any selected one of the different positions.

10. A pool cleaner according to claim 9 wherein the weight is encapsulated in a sheath carried by the bracket.

11. A pool cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleaner includes, at an operatively downstream end of the elongate body, a swivel arrangement by means of which the cleaner is attachable in use to a flexible suction hose, the swivel arrangement including a first flanged member engagable with the end of the body, a second flanged member engabable with the hose, a swivel ring located between the flanges of the first and second members and means for holding the assembly of members and swivel ring together such that the flanges of the members can slide rotationally on the ring.

12. A pool cleaner according to claim 11 wherein the swivel ring has opposite surfaces formed with recesses therein. WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -15

13. A pool cleaner according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the means for holding the assembly of member and swivel ring together is a union nut engagable with a threaded end of the elongate body.

14. A suction-type pool cleaner having an elongate body, a valve chamber in the body having an inlet and an outlet and a hammer arranged to oscillate in the chamber under the effects of suction flow through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet, the chamber having side walls each formed with spaced apart shoulders against which side edge surfaces of the hammer seat during oscillation of the hammer, at least portions of the shoulders sloping at an acute angle relative to the side walls of the suction chamber.

15. A pool cleaner according to claim 14 wherein each shoulder includes a first portion oriented at right angles to the relevant side wall and a second portion which extends from the first portion at an acute angle relative to the side wall.

16. A suction-type pool cleaner having an elongate body, a valve chamber of tapering shape in the body having an inlet and an outlet and a wedge shaped hammer arranged to oscillate in the chamber under the effects of suction flow through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet, the chamber having side walls each formed with spaced apart shoulders against which side edge surfaces of the hammer seat during oscillation of the hammer, the shoulders converging in a downstream direction towards a relatively narrow end of the chamber in which a relatively narrow end of the hammer is located, the shoulders being rebated at positions towards the narrow end of the chamber end so as to define flushing channels through which particulate matter can be flushed from the chamber by the suction flow. WO 2006/109118 PCT/IB2006/000679 -16

17. A suction-type pool cleaner having an elongate body formed by a suction head and an elongate, tubular structure extending from the suction head, a balancing weight and means for attaching the balancing weight releasably to the tubular structure at a selected one of a plurality of different positions along the length of the structure.