EP1466551A2 - Aspirateur à évacuation automatique pour le nettoyage de bassins ou piscines - Google Patents

Aspirateur à évacuation automatique pour le nettoyage de bassins ou piscines Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1466551A2
EP1466551A2 EP04290110A EP04290110A EP1466551A2 EP 1466551 A2 EP1466551 A2 EP 1466551A2 EP 04290110 A EP04290110 A EP 04290110A EP 04290110 A EP04290110 A EP 04290110A EP 1466551 A2 EP1466551 A2 EP 1466551A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vacuum cleaner
liquid material
inlet
hose
debris
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04290110A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1466551B1 (fr
EP1466551A3 (fr
Inventor
Mark Baer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shop Vac Corp
Original Assignee
Shop Vac Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shop Vac Corp filed Critical Shop Vac Corp
Publication of EP1466551A2 publication Critical patent/EP1466551A2/fr
Publication of EP1466551A3 publication Critical patent/EP1466551A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1466551B1 publication Critical patent/EP1466551B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
    • A47L7/0023—Recovery tanks
    • A47L7/0038—Recovery tanks with means for emptying the tanks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
    • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
    • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
    • A47L5/36—Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
    • A47L5/365—Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
    • A47L7/0014—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners with additional means or devices between nozzle and casing

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly, to a self-evacuating vacuum cleaner for cleaning ponds or swimming pools.
  • Tank-type self-evacuating vacuum cleaners typically have the capability to vacuum debris and liquid material into a holding tank, and pump liquid material out of the holding tank.
  • Such vacuum cleaners have a filter to prevent the collected debris from entering the motor assembly. If the vacuum cleaner is used to collect dry debris, such as dust, a user can open the tank and empty the collected dust out of the tank. However, when vacuuming liquid material or continuously vacuuming and pumping liquid material, the debris that is flowing with the liquid material or floating therein will be sucked into the holding tank with the liquid material and pumped out of the tank with the liquid material. Thus, the debris that is in the liquid material is not collected to effectively filter the liquid material.
  • the vacuum cleaner 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is generally shown.
  • the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a tank 12 and an upper vacuum assembly, indicated generally at 14.
  • the tank 12 further includes casters 13 that may be used to move the tank 12 on a surface.
  • liquid material is filtered prior to being drawn into the tank 12, to then be pumped out of the tank 12.
  • liquid material is drawn into the tank 12 and is filtered when being pumped out of the tank 12.
  • the upper vacuum assembly 14 includes a lid 22 releasably attached to the tank 12. Attached to the lid are a cover 20, a motor housing 24, and a baffle 25. A motor 23 is disposed inside the motor housing 24.
  • the lid 22 makes up the bottom of the upper vacuum assembly 14 and may carry one or more latches 23 for attaching the upper vacuum assembly 14 to the tank 12.
  • the motor housing 24 is disposed between the lid 22 and the cover 20.
  • a handle 28 is provided on the upper vacuum assembly for facilitating transportation of the assembled vacuum cleaner 10.
  • the motor 23 drives both the air impeller 33 and the pump impeller 35.
  • the tank 12 includes an inlet 40 and an outlet 42, which are both in fluid communication with the tank.
  • the inlet 40 can be disposed either on the tank 12 or on the upper vacuum assembly 14.
  • the outlet can be disposed either on the tank 12 or on the upper vacuum assembly 14.
  • the air impeller 33 creates a low pressure in the tank when driven by the motor 23.
  • the low pressure creates suction at the inlet 40 to draw liquid material into the tank 12.
  • the pump impeller 35 ejects liquid material out of the tank 12 through the outlet 42 when operating by the motor 23.
  • the vacuum cleaner 10 includes an inlet hose 50 having an inlet end 52 and a nozzle end 54.
  • the inlet end 52 is removably connected to the inlet 40, and a cleaning tool 55 removably connects to the nozzle end 54.
  • the vacuum cleaner 10 also includes an outlet hose 56 having an outlet end 58 and a disposal end 60. The outlet end 58 of the outlet hose 56 removably connects to the outlet 42.
  • a filter housing 70 is disposed in the flow path of the inlet hose 50.
  • the inlet hose 50 includes two sections--a first inlet hose section 72 that fluidically connects the inlet 40 to a filter housing outlet 74, and a second inlet hose section 76 that fluidically connects the cleaning tool 55 to a filter housing inlet 78.
  • first inlet hose section 72 that fluidically connects the inlet 40 to a filter housing outlet 74
  • second inlet hose section 76 that fluidically connects the cleaning tool 55 to a filter housing inlet 78.
  • the filter housing 70 includes a filter housing lid 80 and a filter 82 that removes debris from the liquid material.
  • the filter 82 includes a mesh material (shown in FIG. 3) disposed in the flow path between the filter housing inlet 78 and the filter housing outlet 74 to intercept any debris that may be in the liquid material.
  • the mesh density of the filter 82 the smaller the size of particles the filter 82 can intercept.
  • a filter 82 that has a very fine mesh can impede the flow of liquid material from the filter housing inlet 78 to the filter housing outlet 74.
  • the filter 82 can include a mesh material from a range of mesh densities to provide desired filtering of the debris from the liquid material without impeding the flow of liquid material through the filter housing 70.
  • the filter 82 may be constructed from a variety of materials, including metal and plastic.
  • the mesh material of the filter 82 is preferably constructed from a plastic material to prevent corrosion thereof as a result of continuous and repeated contact with liquid material.
  • the mesh material of the filter 82 is preferably constructed from a flexible plastic material to facilitate easy removal of the filter 82 from the filter housing 70 for cleaning.
  • the filter housing 72 is disposed in the flow path of the outlet hose 56.
  • the outlet hose 56 includes two sections--a first outlet hose section 84 that fluidically connects the outlet 42 to a filter housing inlet 78, and a second outlet hose section 86 that fluidically connects the filter outlet 74 to the disposal end 60.
  • first outlet hose section 84 that fluidically connects the outlet 42 to a filter housing inlet 78
  • second outlet hose section 86 that fluidically connects the filter outlet 74 to the disposal end 60.
  • the vacuum cleaner 10 may include a metering device 90 (shown in FIG. 2).
  • the metering device 90 regulates the in-flow of liquid material into the tank 12.
  • the metering device 90 can be disposed anywhere in the flow path of the liquid material prior to entering the tank 12. In the first example of the vacuum cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 1, the metering device 90 is disposed in the filter housing 70 (shown in Fig. 1). In the second example of the vacuum cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 2, the metering device 90 is disposed in the flow path of the inlet hose 50.
  • any one of the described first and second examples of the disclosed vacuum cleaner 10 can be optionally practiced by a user. For instance, if a user chooses to operate the vacuum cleaner 10 in accordance with the first example, he can place the filter housing 70 in the flow path of the inlet hose 50 by connecting the first and second inlet hose sections 72 and 76, respectively, to the filter housing 70. Alternately, the user can operate the vacuum cleaner 10 in accordance with the second example by placing the filter 70 in the flow path of the outlet hose 56 between the first outlet hose section 84 and the second outlet hose section 86.
  • first and second inlet hose sections 72, 76 may be provided between the first and second inlet hose sections 72, 76 and the first and second hose sections 84, 86.
  • inlet hose sections 72 and 76 can be identical to the outlet hose sections 84 and 86. Accordingly, a user can simply use these hose sections interchangeably to easily and optionally practice the above-described first and second examples.
  • the cleaning tool 55 can be one of many vacuum cleaning tools that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. However, to clean contoured surfaces of ponds or swimming pools, a head 57 of the cleaning tool 55 is preferably flexible to conform to the contour of the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, the cleaning tool 55 can be constructed in a non-linear shape, such as a curved shape, to closely match the contour of the surface to be cleaned. As is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the bottom surfaces of ponds or swimming pools need to be cleaned occasionally to remove a variety of debris and deposits therefrom. To dislodge such debris, the cleaning tool 55 can include a scrubbing brush 59.
  • a user can dislodge debris from the bottom surface by scrubbing the cleaning tool 55 on the bottom surface.
  • the dislodged debris and the surrounding water are then drawn into the inlet hose 50.
  • the filter housing 70 is attached to the inlet hose 50 in accordance with the first example of the present disclosure, the debris is removed from the water prior to reaching the tank 12.
  • the filtered water is then pumped out of the tank 12 and back into the pond or swimming pool through the outlet hose 56. If the filter housing 70 is attached to the outlet hose 56 in accordance with the second example of the present disclosure, the debris and water are deposited into the tank 12.
  • the debris Prior to being ejected from the disposal end 60 of the outlet hose 56, the debris is removed from the water by the filter 82.
  • a user can also remove debris that is floating in the water in a pond or swimming pool by simply placing the nozzle end 54 of the inlet hose 50 (if no cleaning tool 56 is attached, or the cleaning tool 56 if it is attached to the nozzle end 54) near the debris to draw the debris and the surrounding water into the inlet hose 50.
  • the user can at anytime or when necessary clean the filter 82 by opening the lid 80 of the filter housing to either remove the debris from the filter housing 70, or take the filter 82 out of the filter housing 70 to clean.
  • the inlet hose sections 72 and 76, the outlet hose 56 or the outlet hose sections 84 and 86, the filter housing 70, and the metering device can be used with any self-evacuating tank-type vacuum cleaner, as long as the inlet hose 50 and the outlet hose 56 are sized to provide removable connection to the vacuum cleaner's inlet and outlet, respectively. Accordingly, any tank-type self-evacuating vacuum cleaner can be modified to provide the function of pond or swimming pool cleaning.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
EP04290110A 2003-04-10 2004-01-15 Aspirateur à évacuation automatique pour le nettoyage de bassins ou piscines Expired - Lifetime EP1466551B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US410714 1995-03-27
US10/410,714 US20040200030A1 (en) 2003-04-10 2003-04-10 Self-evacuating vacuum cleaner for cleaning ponds or swimming pools

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1466551A2 true EP1466551A2 (fr) 2004-10-13
EP1466551A3 EP1466551A3 (fr) 2005-04-06
EP1466551B1 EP1466551B1 (fr) 2010-03-03

Family

ID=32869213

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04290110A Expired - Lifetime EP1466551B1 (fr) 2003-04-10 2004-01-15 Aspirateur à évacuation automatique pour le nettoyage de bassins ou piscines

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20040200030A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1466551B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE459282T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2452248C (fr)
DE (1) DE602004025760D1 (fr)
HK (1) HK1068238A1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA04002416A (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2969721A1 (fr) * 2010-12-23 2012-06-29 Fontaine Piscines Dispositif de vidange soufflant et procede de vidange par soufflage
CN107456159A (zh) * 2016-06-06 2017-12-12 天佑电器（苏州）有限公司 自清洁吸尘器及操作该自清洁吸尘器的方法
US10869586B2 (en) 2016-11-17 2020-12-22 Karcher North America, Inc. Portable vacuum and related accessories
USD1039230S1 (en) * 2023-04-20 2024-08-13 Hongbo Luo Vacuum cleaner

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7235121B2 (en) * 2003-12-26 2007-06-26 West Timothy J Externally removable vacuum cleaner filter apparatus
US8381347B2 (en) * 2009-12-09 2013-02-26 John P. Grottodden Vacuum attachment for the collection of liquids
US11412707B1 (en) * 2020-01-27 2022-08-16 Noel Garcia Food and water dispensing system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3231679A1 (de) * 1982-08-26 1984-03-01 Lothar 5800 Hagen Hess Staubsauger fuer den haushaltsbedarf
WO1994008502A1 (fr) * 1992-10-13 1994-04-28 Kipley Roydon Marks Separateur
US5465455A (en) * 1994-05-27 1995-11-14 Allen; Harold Overload controlled wet and dry vacuum apparatus
EP0894467A1 (fr) * 1997-07-31 1999-02-03 Shop Vac Corporation Aspirateur comportant une pompe de vidange de liquides
US6112366A (en) * 1999-01-20 2000-09-05 Shop Vac Corporation Outlet priming self-evacuation vacuum cleaner

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3231679A1 (de) * 1982-08-26 1984-03-01 Lothar 5800 Hagen Hess Staubsauger fuer den haushaltsbedarf
WO1994008502A1 (fr) * 1992-10-13 1994-04-28 Kipley Roydon Marks Separateur
US5465455A (en) * 1994-05-27 1995-11-14 Allen; Harold Overload controlled wet and dry vacuum apparatus
EP0894467A1 (fr) * 1997-07-31 1999-02-03 Shop Vac Corporation Aspirateur comportant une pompe de vidange de liquides
US6112366A (en) * 1999-01-20 2000-09-05 Shop Vac Corporation Outlet priming self-evacuation vacuum cleaner

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2969721A1 (fr) * 2010-12-23 2012-06-29 Fontaine Piscines Dispositif de vidange soufflant et procede de vidange par soufflage
EP2469095A3 (fr) * 2010-12-23 2012-12-26 Fontaine Piscines Dispositif de vidange soufflant et procédé de vidange par soufflage
CN107456159A (zh) * 2016-06-06 2017-12-12 天佑电器（苏州）有限公司 自清洁吸尘器及操作该自清洁吸尘器的方法
US10869586B2 (en) 2016-11-17 2020-12-22 Karcher North America, Inc. Portable vacuum and related accessories
USD1039230S1 (en) * 2023-04-20 2024-08-13 Hongbo Luo Vacuum cleaner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HK1068238A1 (en) 2005-04-29
ATE459282T1 (de) 2010-03-15
EP1466551B1 (fr) 2010-03-03
DE602004025760D1 (de) 2010-04-15
MXPA04002416A (es) 2004-10-14
EP1466551A3 (fr) 2005-04-06
US20040200030A1 (en) 2004-10-14
CA2452248C (fr) 2008-01-29
CA2452248A1 (fr) 2004-10-10

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