AU2008202422B2 - Automatic pool cleaner power conduit including stiff sections - Google Patents

Description

- 1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant/s: Henkin-Laby, LLC. Actual Inventor/s: Melvyn L. Henkin and Jordan M. Laby Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER POWER CONDUIT INCLUDING STIFF SECTIONS Details of Original Application No. 2003284226 dated 15 Oct 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: File: 45944AUP01 -2 AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER POWER CONDUIT INCLUDING STIFF SECTIONS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates generally to a pool cleaner having a power conduit coupled thereto for enabling the cleaner to travel through a water pool for cleaning the water surface and/or the wall surface of a containment wall containing the water pool. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an improved conduit assembly for coupling a power source (e.g., positive pressure fluid and/or negative pressure fluid 10 and/or electric) to a cleaner for supplying energy for propulsion and/or cleaning. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common 15 general knowledge in the field. Automatic cleaners configured to travel through a water pool for cleaning the pool water surface and/or containment wall surface are well known in the art. Such cleaners include units which operate (1) solely at the wall surface (which shall be understood to include side and floor portions), (2) solely at the water surface, or (3) selectively at the 20 wall surface and water surface (e.g., US Patents 5985156; 6039886; 6090219). Such automatic pool cleaners are generally powered by energy delivered to the cleaner via a flexible elongate conduit, e.g., a pressure hose, a suction hose, an electric wire, etc. The delivered energy functions to propel the cleaner, typically along a substantially random travel path, while pulling the conduit behind it. Regardless of the 25 energy form used, the flexible conduit can on occasion physically interfere with and hinder the cleaner's ability to freely travel through the pool. To avoid such interference, cleaner systems are generally configured to maintain the conduit out of the normal travel path of the cleaner. For example, a conduit used with a wall surface cleaner is generally configured (i.e., effective specific gravity < 1.0) to float near the water surface to avoid 30 the cleaner having to climb over the conduit. Water surface cleaners generally use a conduit configured (i.e., effective specific gravity > 1.0) to sink to the wall surface, i. e., pool floor, to avoid obstructing the cleaner. Cleaners configured to selectively travel at the water surface and wall surface preferably use a conduit configured to situate the -3 major length of the conduit at a level between the pool water surface and containment wall surface to avoid obstructing the cleaner's movement along its travel path. The desired specific gravity for the conduit can be achieved by an appropriate choice of conduit materials and/or a proper utilization and placement of positive and/or negative 5 buoyancy members (e.g., floats and/or weights) along the conduit length. Typical prior art conduit assemblies are comprised of one or more elongate flexible sections which form a continuous path extending from a power source, generally via a stationary fitting mounted adjacent to the containment wall, to the cleaner. The conduit should be of sufficient length (typically, 15 - 45 feet) to enable the cleaner to 10 travel to any point in the pool. A typical conduit for use with a positive pressure fluid power source comprises a hose of axially flexible material having an inner diameter of about 3/8" - 1". A typical conduit for use with a negative pressure (i.e., suction) fluid source comprises an axially flexible hose having an inner diameter of about I - 2". The smaller diameter pressure hose is typically formed of soft wall material which is able to 15 maintain easy axial flexibility in the pool environment (wet with large temperature excursions) over an extended period of time. The larger diameter suction hose is typically formed of a corrugated wall material which affords axial flexibility. Typical prior art conduit assemblies include one or more swivels located between the power source and the cleaner to enable the conduit and/or conduit sections to swivel 20 axially to minimize the tendency of the conduit to form persistent coils which can hinder the cleaner's freedom of movement. Despite the aforementioned efforts to prevent the cleaner from engaging the conduit and efforts to facilitate conduit axial flexibility and axial swivelability, in practice, a typical conduit over an extended period of operation may develop persistent 25 coils and/or knots which can hinder the cleaner's ability to freely and fully travel throughout the pool. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. 30 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots.

-4 According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a power conduit for transferring energy from a power source via a stationary fitting to a pool cleaner body for propelling said body through a water pool to capture debris from the surface of said water pool and/or the surface of a wall containing said water pool, said conduit 5 comprising: a first conduit end adapted for coupling to said stationary fitting; a second conduit end spaced by at least fifteen feet from said first end adapted for coupling to said pool cleaner body; said conduit including: 10 at least one axially stiff elongate section; and at least one axially flexible elongate member coupled between said stiff elongate section and at least one of said conduit ends for enabling said stiff section to variably angulate relative to said fitting and/or said pool cleaner body; and swivel means in said conduit for enabling said stiff section to swivel axially 15 relative to said fitting and/or pool cleaner body for avoiding the formation of persistent coils and/or knots in said conduit. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a power conduit for transferring energy from a power source via a stationary fitting to a pool cleaner body for propelling said body through a water pool to capture debris from the surface of 20 said water pool and/or the surface of a wall containing said water pool, said conduit comprising: at least one first elongate member configured to transfer energy therealong from a first to a second end thereof; at least one second elongate member configured to transfer energy therealong from 25 a first to a second end thereof; at least one third elongate member configured to transfer energy therealong from a first to a second end thereof; means coupling said first, second, and third elongate members in tandem to form a conduit having a length greater than fifteen feet for extending between said fitting and 30 said pool cleaner body; said second elongate member having a length greater than one foot and configured to exhibit a significantly greater axial stiffness than said first and third elongate members; and -5 means for enabling at least one of said elongate members to swivel axially relative to said fitting and/or pool cleaner body for avoiding the formation of persistent coils and/or knots in said conduit. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a power conduit for 5 supplying energy to a pool cleaner body to cause said body to travel through a water pool along a substantially random travel path and to capture debris as it moves along said path, while avoiding the formation of persistent coils or knots in the conduit, said conduit comprising: first and second axially stiff elongate members each having first and second ends 10 spaced by greater than one foot, each of said stiff elongate members configured to transfer energy therealong from its said first to its said second end; a first axially flexible elongate member having first and second ends and configured to transfer energy therealong from its said first to its said second end; said first and second axially stiff members being respectively connected to said 15 first and second ends of said axially flexible member to form an energy transfer path for transferring energy from said first axially stiff member first end to said second axially stiff member second end; a proximal coupling means for coupling said first axially stiff member first end to a stationary fitting; 20 a distal coupling means for coupling said second axially stiff member second end to said cleaner body; and wherein said proximal and distal coupling means includes swivel means for enabling at least one of said axially stiff members to swivel axially relative to said fitting and said cleaner body and axially flexible means for enabling at least one of said axially stiff 25 members to variably angulate relative to said fitting and said cleaner body. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided in combination: a pool cleaner body responsive to energy supplied thereto for moving through a water pool along a substantially random travel path and for capturing debris as it moves along said path; 30 a stationary fitting for supplying energy; and a conduit configured to couple energy from said stationary fitting to said cleaner body for enabling said body to move along said travel path without forming persistent coils or knots in said conduit, said conduit comprising: -6 first and second axially stiff elongate members each configured to transfer energy therealong from a first end to a second end; a first axially flexible elongate member having first and second ends and configured to transfer energy therealong from its said first to its said second end; 5 said first and second axially stiff members being respectively connected to said first and second ends of said axially flexible member to form an end transfer path for transferring energy from said first axially stiff member first end to said second axially stiff member second end; a proximal coupling means for coupling said first axially stiff member first end to 10 a stationary fitting; and a distal coupling means for coupling said second axially stiff member second end to said cleaner body. According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a power conduit having a length greater than fifteen feet for coupling a stationary fitting to a pool 15 cleaner for propelling the cleaner through a water pool for capturing debris from the surface of the pool and/or the surface of a wall containing the pool, said conduit including: at least one axially stiff elongate section having first and second ends spaced by greater than one foot, said stiff elongate section configured to transfer energy therealong 20 from said first to said second end; and coupling means respectively coupling said first and second ends of said stiff elongate section to said stationary fitting and said pool cleaner for avoiding the formation of persistent coils and/or knots in said conduit, said coupling means including a swivel coupling for enabling said stiff elongate section to swivel axially relative to said 25 fitting and/or pool cleaner and an axially flexible section for enabling said stiff elongate section to variably angulate relative to said fitting and/or pool cleaner. According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided in combination: a pool cleaner configured to move along a travel path through a water pool for 30 capturing debris from the surface of a wall containing the pool and/or the water surface of the pool; and a conduit assembly for supplying energy to said pool cleaner from a power source via a stationary fitting for propelling said pool cleaner along said travel path; -7 said conduit assembly comprising: at least one axially stiff elongate section having first and second ends spaced by greater than one foot, said stiff elongate section configured to transfer energy therealong from said first to said second end; and 5 coupling means respectively coupling said first and second ends of said stiff elongate section to said stationary fitting and said pool cleaner for avoiding the formation of persistent coils and/or knots in said conduit, said coupling means including a swivel coupling for enabling said stiff elongate section to swivel axially relative to said fitting and/or said pool cleaner and an axially flexible section for enabling said stiff 10 elongate section to variably angulate relative to said fitting and/or said pool cleaner. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". 15 Whereas prior art conduits are characterized by the use of elongate hoses which exhibit substantially uniform axial flexibility along substantially their entire length, embodiments of the present invention are configured to restrict axial flexibility to designated locations spaced along the conduit length. In other words, embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff 20 elongate sections in combination with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff section between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible and axially swivelable means can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, the desired axially flexible and swivelable behavior can be afforded by an integrated universal joint, e.g., ball, or by separate devices such as a soft hose or a hinge 25 affording axial flexibility and a sleeve swivel affording axial swivelability. The stiff elongate section in accordance with the invention provides a large moment arm assuring the production of sufficient torque around the swivelable means to assure adequate axial swiveling between the cleaner and the power source to thus avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. 30 A preferred conduit embodiment in accordance with the invention is comprised of two or more elongate axially stiff sections arranged in series with an axially flexible and axially swivelable means. Axial flexibility is preferably provided by a flexible elongate section and axial swivelability by a sleeve swivel. Multiple elongate stiff sections and -8 flexible sections are arranged in series to form a length sufficient to extend between astationary power source fitting and a cleaner configured to travel throughout a water pool. In a preferred implementation for use with a positive pressure power source (e.g., 5 water pump), each stiff elongate section comprises a substantially rigid tube defining a central lumen for carrying a fluid (e.g., water) under positive pressure and each flexible elongate section a soft hose which also defines a central lumen for carrying the positive pressure fluid. The preferred implementation is comprised of alternating rigid tubes and soft hoses connected between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The 10 lengths of the rigid tubes are preferably considerably greater than the lengths of the soft hoses between adjacent rigid tubes. For example, a typical embodiment uses rigid tubes having a length of about four feet, connecting soft hoses having a length of about 1/ 2 feet, and longer proximal and distal soft hose lengths respectively coupled to the power source fitting and to the cleaner. 15 In operation, as the cleaner travels along a substantially random path through the pool, it pulls the conduit and continually reorients the stiff members relative to one another. This action produces a dynamic display of randomly oriented essentially straight line segments (i.e., the stiff elongate members) which is visually interesting and pleasing. The visual aspects of the display can be enhanced by illuminating the sections, 20 e.g., by providing an illumination source on each stiff section. Such sources can comprise an electrically energizable element such as a bulb, LED, etc., or a light energizable surface such as photoluminesent material mounted on the stiff section exterior surface which absorbs light energy during daylight and glows after dark. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side sectional view schematically representing a water pool showing an exemplary pool cleaner tethered to a power source via a prior art flexible conduit; 30 Figure 2 is a plan view of the prior art pool cleaning system depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic representation similar to Figure 1 showing a preferred conduit assembly in accordance with the present invention including stiff elongate members; -9 Figure 4 is a plan view of the system depicted in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic representation of the preferred conduit assembly of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the plane 6-6 of 5 Figure 5 showing how elongate members are coupled in series; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the coupling means of Figure 6; and Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D schematically represent various conduit assembly configurations in accordance with the invention. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Attention is initially directed to Figures 1 and 2 which schematically illustrate a conventional water pool 10 contained by a containment wall 12. The pool 10 defines a water surface 14 and the wall 12 defines a wall surface 16 including side portions 18 and a bottom or floor portion 20. 15 Many automatic pool cleaners are described in the literature which include a cleaner body for travelling through a pool for cleaning a pool's water surface 14 and/or wall surface 16. Figures 1 and 2 schematically depict an exemplary pool cleaner body 22 (shown in dashed line 22A) configured to travel along the water surface 14 and an exemplary pool cleaner body 22 (shown in solid line 22B) configured to travel along the 20 wall surface 16. It should be understood that the cleaner bodies (hereinafter, generally referred to as "cleaners") schematically represented at 22A and 22B can comprise separate alternative physical units or the same physical unit operating in different modes; i.e., in a water surface mode (22A) and wall a surface mode (22B). Typically, the pool cleaner 22 is coupled to a deck mounted power source 24 which supplies power to the 25 cleaner via a flexible elongate conduit 28. Power supplied to the cleaner 22 typically functions to propel the cleaner through the pool along a travel path enabling it to capture water and debris as it moves along the path pulling the conduit behind it. Various types of power sources 24 have been used in the prior art for powering pool cleaners. For example, power source 24 can supply a positive pressure fluid 30 (typically water) to cleaner 22 via conduit 28. Alternatively, power source 24 can apply a negative pressure (i.e. , suction) to cleaner 22 via conduit 28. Still further, power source 24 can supply an electric voltage to cleaner 22 via conduit 28, configured as an electric wire.

-10 Figures 1 and 2 depict a conduit 28 as having a first or proximal end 30 coupled to the power source 24 via a stationary fitting 31 mounted adjacent to the wall portion 18 of wall surface 16. The second or distal end of the conduit 28 is coupled to the cleaner 22. Prior art conduits 28 intended to operate with wall surface cleaners are generally 5 configured to float near the water surface to avoid obstructing the cleaner as it travels along the wall surface. On the other hand, conduits intended to operate with water surface cleaners may be configured to sink to avoid obstructing the movement of the cleaner along its water surface travel path. An exemplary positive pressure conduit can be comprised of multiple flexible sections, typically about 10 feet in length, connected 10 together in series by fixed and/or swivel couplings 32. Swivel couplings are intended to allow conduit sections to swivel axially relative to one another and to the stationary fitting 31 and cleaner 22 to prevent the formation of coils in the conduit. That is, as the cleaner travels along its generally random path, the conduit 28 is subjected to various forces e.g., axial twisting forces, which, if not relieved 15 by relative axial swivelling will act to coil the conduit. Normally, the cleaner propulsion force pulling axially on the conduit is adequate to produce sufficient swivelling at the swivel couplings to straighten the conduit and avoid significant coiling. However, over extended periods of operation, it is not unusual for coils to form in prior art conduits which are not readily removed by the axial pulling force provided by the cleaner. The 20 formation of persistent coils in the conduit hinders the cleaner's ability to freely and fully travel throughout the pool. Similarly, the formation of knots in the conduit, attributable to the cleaner passing over and then under the conduit will also hinder the cleaner's ability to freely and fully travel throughout the pool. The present invention is directed primarily to an enhanced conduit assembly 25 particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and knots to thereby facilitate the cleaner travelling unhindered throughout the pool. Embodiments of the invention are compatible with cleaners configured to operate (1) solely at the wall surface, (2) solely at the water surface, and (3) selectively at the water surface and wall surface and also with a variety of power sources including positive pressure fluid, 30 negative pressure fluid, and electric. A conduit assembly in accordance with the present invention, is comprised of one or more elongate axially stiff, e.g. , rigid, sections connected in series with axially flexible and axially swivelable mechanisms, between a stationary power source fitting - 11 and a cleaner. A conduit assembly 50 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, which are identical to Figures 1 and 2, respectively, except for the details of the illustrated conduit assembly. Note in Figures 3 and 4 that the proximal end 52 of the conduit assembly 50 is 5 coupled to stationary fitting 54 typically mounted proximate to the containment wall surface. The distal end 56 of the conduit assembly is coupled to the cleaner 60 for supplying energy thereto. The conduit assembly 50 depicted in Figures 3 and 4 is comprised of elongate axially stiff sections 62, e.g., rigid tubes; elongate axially flexible members, e.g., soft hose lengths, 64; axially swivelable couplings 66; and fixed 10 couplings 68. Optionally, the conduit assembly 50 can incorporate one or more propulsion devices 67 along its length for producing a thrust to reduce the drag of the conduit assembly on the cleaner 60. For example, the propulsion device 67 shown in Figure 3 can be configured to produce a thrust on the conduit tending to move it toward the 15 cleaner. In a positive pressure embodiment, the device 67 can discharge a water stream by extracting a small portion of the water flow being delivered by the conduit to the cleaner. In a suction and/or electric embodiment, thrust can be produced, for example, by a propeller driven by a small turbine or motor. Attention is now directed to Figure 5 which depicts a preferred conduit assembly 20 embodiment comprised of multiple modules, 72 where each module (i.e., 721, 722, 723, 724) includes an elongate axially stiff member 62 and an elongate axially flexible member 64 coupled in tandem by an axially swivelable coupling 66. Adjacent modules 72 are connected in series by fixed couplings 68. The proximal end 74 of module 72, is coupled to stationary fitting 54 by an elongate axially flexible member 76. The distal 25 end 77 of module 724 is coupled to the cleaner via axially flexible members 78 and 80, coupled by a swivel coupling 82. The aforementioned elements are connected in series to form a conduit length appropriate to the size of the pool to be cleaned to enable the cleaner to travel to any point in the pool. Typical embodiments of the invention will have conduit lengths 30 within a range of about 15-45 feet and will include stiff members having lengths greater than 1% feet. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the structural details of a module 72 configured for use with a positive pressure fluid source. The module 72, includes an elongate axially stiff - 12 member 62 comprising a rigid tube 86 preferably having outwardly flared ends 88, 90. The tube 86 can be formed of any stiff material, e.g., PVC, and will be assumed to have an inner diameter of about 3/8" - 1 "for positive pressure applications. The proximal end 88 of tube 86 is shown coupled to flexible member 76 by a fixed coupling 68 comprising 5 a short rigid tube 94. The tube 94 is dimensioned so that the end 96 of flexible member 76 fits snugly therearound. The proximal end of the tube 94 is preferably provided with a circumferential groove 98 formed on the outer surface thereof. A band 100 is secured around flexible member 76 to clamp the end 96 to the groove as shown in Figure 6. The distal end of coupling tube 94 is provided with a pair of radial pins 102, 104 10 adapted to be received within slots 106, 108 formed in the flared end 88 of rigid tube 86, to form a "bayonet" connection. A sealing washer 110 is preferably captured between the distal end of tube 94 and the flared interior surface of tube 86 to prevent leakage. The distal end 90 of rigid tube 86 is slotted at 122, 124 for receiving in a "bayonet" connection pins 126, 127 extending radially from the tubular end 128 of swivel coupling 15 82. The tubular end 128 is dimensioned to be snugly accommodated in flared end 90 of rigid tube 86 and to capture a sealing washer 132 therebetween. The swivel coupling 82 is comprised of an outer housing 136 axially aligned with an inner body 138. Bearings 140 contained between the housing 136 and body 138 permit the housing and body to swivel axially relative to one another. The outer housing 20 136 is preferably formed integral with the aforementioned tubular end 128. The inner body 138 is preferably formed integral with a tubular end 142 having a circumferential groove formed therein for clamping to the proximal end of axially flexible member 78 using clamping band 144. Additional sealing material 146 is disposed between housing 136 and body 138 to prevent leakage. 25 In the operation of the pool cleaning system depicted in Figures 3 and 4, the cleaner 60 will be propelled by energy delivered from the power source 24 via the conduit 50. As the cleaner is propelled along its travel path through the pool, it will pull the distal conduit end 56 axially causing the rest of the conduit to follow. The path of the cleaner will be defined by a multiplicity of forces including the direction of the 30 propulsion force on the cleaner body, the contours of the wall surface, the drag forces created by the conduit, etc. Small forces act on the elongate stiff members 62 as they follow the travel path with sufficient leverage to assure adequate torque around the swivel couplings 66 to prevent the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Moreover, - 13 the stiff members 62 experience lateral forces as they move through the pool as a consequence of their being axially non- compliant. These lateral forces create additional tension in the conduit tending to pull it straight to unwind coils and twists therein. Figures 3-7 illustrate a preferred conduit embodiment in accordance with the 5 invention for a typical pool configuration. Many other variations can be used. For example, Figure 8A shows an arrangement where a single long elongate axially stiff member 150 is connected between first and second axially flexible members 152 and 154 respectively coupled to the stationary fitting 156 and cleaner 158. Figures 8B, 8C, and 8D respectively show alternative configurations in which the conduit includes two, 10 three, and four stiff members. In all cases, the stiff members are separated by axially flexible means, shown as elongate flexible members. The dimensions of the stiff members and flexible members should be selected to enable the cleaner to travel to any point in the pool, including being able to reach the location of the stationary fitting. In operation, as the cleaner travels along a substantially random path through the 15 pool, it pulls the conduit and continually reorients the stiff members relative to one another. This action produces a dynamic display of randomly oriented essentially straight line segments (i.e., the stiff elongate members) which is visually interesting and pleasing. The visual aspects of the display can be enhanced by illuminating the sections, e.g., by providing an illumination source on each stiff section. Such sources can 20 comprise an electrically energizable element such as a bulb, LED, etc., or a light energizable surface such as photoluminesent material, on the stiff member 62 exterior surface, which absorbs light energy during daylight and glows after dark. It is pointed out that embodiments of the present invention are compatible with the teachings of applicant's U.S. Application 10/133,088 which describes attaching 25 buoyancy (positive or negative) members to the conduit for situating the conduit at a level between the pool water surface and wall surface to avoid obstructing the cleaner's travel. Although applicants have disclosed a limited number of embodiments herein, it should be understood that many other variations can be used within the scope of the 30 invention. For example, although the mechanism to introduce axial flexibility has been illustrated as comprising an elongate flexible member such as a soft hose, other devices can be used for axial flexibility, e.g., a universal joint. Similarly, although the illustrated embodiments have introduced axial swivelability by incorporating swivel couplings -14 distributed along the length of the embodiment, swivelability can be introduced at the power source end and/or the cleaner end, e.g., a swivel coupling can be integrated into the stationary fitting proximate to the wall surface and/or integrated into the cleaner assembly. Moreover, although the illustrated embodiments use separate elements to 5 introduce axial flexibility (i.e., elongate flexible members) and axial swivelability (i.e., swivel couplings), it is recognized that these degrees of freedom can be integrated in appropriate alternative mechanisms, e.g. ball joint. Accordingly, from the foregoing, it should be understood that applicants have described an automatic pool cleaning system characterized by a conduit for transferring lo energy from a power source to a pool cleaner where the conduit includes at least one axially stiff elongate member and axially flexible and/or axially swivelable means for minimizing the formation of persistent coils in the conduit.

Claims (14)

1. A power conduit for transferring energy from a power source via a stationary fitting to a pool cleaner body for propelling said body through a water pool to capture debris from the surface of said water pool and/or the surface of a wall containing said 5 water pool, said conduit comprising: a first conduit end adapted for coupling to said stationary fitting; a second conduit end spaced by at least fifteen feet from said first end adapted for coupling to said pool cleaner body; said conduit including: 10 at least one axially stiff elongate section; and at least one axially flexible elongate member coupled between said stiff elongate section and at least one of said conduit ends for enabling said stiff section to variably angulate relative to said fitting and/or said pool cleaner body; and swivel means in said conduit for enabling said stiff section to swivel axially 15 relative to said fitting and/or pool cleaner body for avoiding the formation of persistent coils and/or knots in said conduit.

2. The conduit of claim I wherein said axially flexible member has a length shorter than the length of said stiff section.

3. The conduit of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said stiff section comprises a rigid 20 member defining an interior flow path and said axially flexible member comprises a flexible hose defining an interior flow path coupled in series with said rigid member flow path.

4. The conduit of any one of the preceding claims wherein said stiff section includes an electrically conductive path. 25

5. The conduit of any one of the preceding claims wherein said stiff elongate section carries a source of illumination.

6. The conduit of any one of the preceding claims further including at least one propulsion device carried by said conduit.

7. A power conduit for transferring energy from a power source via a stationary 30 fitting to a pool cleaner body for propelling said body through a water pool to capture debris from the surface of said water pool and/or the surface of a wall containing said water pool, said conduit comprising: - 16 at least one first elongate member configured to transfer energy therealong from a first to a second end thereof; at least one second elongate member configured to transfer energy therealong from a first to a second end thereof; 5 at least one third elongate member configured to transfer energy therealong from a first to a second end thereof; means coupling said first, second, and third elongate members in tandem to form a conduit having a length greater than fifteen feet for extending between said fitting and said pool cleaner body; 10 said second elongate member having a length greater than one foot and configured to exhibit a significantly greater axial stiffness than said first and third elongate members; and means for enabling at least one of said elongate members to swivel axially relative to said fitting and/or pool cleaner body for avoiding the formation of persistent coils 15 and/or knots in said conduit.

8. The conduit of claim 7 wherein said second elongate member exhibits high axial stiffness and said first and/or third elongate members exhibits high axial flexibility.

9. The conduit of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein each of said elongate members includes an elongate lumen defining a fluid path. 20

10. The conduit of any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein each of said elongate members includes an electrically conductive path.

11. The conduit of any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein said first and/or third elongate members comprises a tube exhibiting high axial flexibility and defining an interior fluid flow path. 25

12. The conduit of any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein said second elongate member comprises a tube exhibiting high axial stiffness and defining an interior fluid flow path.

13. The conduit of any one of claims 7 to 12 wherein said means coupling said members in tandem includes swivel means for enabling at least one of said elongate members to swivel axially relative to another of said elongate members. 30

14. The conduit of any one of claims 7 to 13 wherein said second elongate member carries a source of illumination.