EP4012138A1 - Appareil de nettoyage pour piscine - Google Patents

Appareil de nettoyage pour piscine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4012138A1
EP4012138A1 EP20000465.3A EP20000465A EP4012138A1 EP 4012138 A1 EP4012138 A1 EP 4012138A1 EP 20000465 A EP20000465 A EP 20000465A EP 4012138 A1 EP4012138 A1 EP 4012138A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning apparatus
head assembly
submersible cleaning
cleaner head
assembly
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP20000465.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Freeman
Rick Barnett
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.)
Wowvacpro Ltd
Original Assignee
Wowvacpro Ltd
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 Wowvacpro Ltd filed Critical Wowvacpro Ltd
Priority to EP20000465.3A priority Critical patent/EP4012138A1/fr
Publication of EP4012138A1 publication Critical patent/EP4012138A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
    • E04H4/16—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
    • E04H4/1618—Hand-held powered cleaners
    • E04H4/1636—Suction cleaners
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
    • E04H4/16—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
    • E04H4/1618—Hand-held powered cleaners

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of equipment for cleaning surfaces that are beneath a body of water. More particularly, it relates to a cleaning apparatus for use in swimming pools and the like, providing both surface vacuuming and environment filtration, with improved filtration capacity and vacuum (or suction) strength regulation.
  • Submersible cleaning apparatus are commonplace within the industrial and domestic pool cleaning sectors.
  • Such cleaning apparatus can include: automatic pool cleaners (such as that of Hayward, WO2018208303 ); pressure pool cleaners and vacuum pool cleaners (such as that of SERVICE IND SOLUTIONS, US2018148946 ).
  • a submersible cleaning apparatus comprising: A cleaner head assembly, said cleaner head assembly comprising: an outer housing, configured to provide an internal void for housing a vacuum (or suction) producing assembly; and a power source port, for water-tight connectivity of the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly to a power source; and debris collection means, said debris collection means being releasably attached to an upper periphery of the cleaner head assembly and arranged to collect debris that passes through the cleaner head assembly under vacuum (or suction); characterised in that said debris collection means is provided with floatation means and head assembly attachment means.
  • the debris collection means of the submersible cleaning apparatus comprises an elongate microfibre bag filter, having a proximal open end and a distal closed end.
  • the microfibre material allows for finer filtration of collected debris and aggregates, through using different ppm filtration meshes according to the environment / cleaning requirements.
  • the microfibre bag filter is releasably attachable to the cleaner head assembly about either one of or each of two circumferential port flanges.
  • Releasable attachment allows replacement and maintenance of the bag filter, whilst attaching to two circumferential port flanges gives greater binding to the apparatus, preventing the bag filter accidentally detaching whilst in use.
  • the two circumferential port flanges are arranged about a central port and are laterally spaced apart. Arrangement allows for easier attachment of the bag filter, providing the open end over the central port. Vertical spacing of the flanges facilitates either double attachment of the bag, or for selective higher or lower attachment of the bag relative to the housing, which in turn adjust the suction power of the vacuum (or suction), which further allows for tailoring the setup relative to the cleaning environment and demands.
  • the floatation means is releasably attached to the microfibre bag filter. This allows for replacement of the float, or for using larger/smaller floats relative to the micron levels and size of the bag to which they are to be attached, allowing for further tailoring of the filtration capabilities and buoyancy of the bag setup. This is further useful in salt water pools vs freshwater pools.
  • the floatation means is releasably attached to the microfibre bag filter adjacent its distal end. Locating the float towards the distal end of the bag filter increases the floats ability to lift the bag away from the vacuum head.
  • the head assembly attachment means comprises a cord and releasable fastening member, said cord passing through a peripheral channel adjacent the proximal open end of the debris collection means.
  • cord and fastener allows for infinite attachment points along the length o said cord, thereby allowing the bag to be attached to different sized housings and retrofittable as an individual item.
  • the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly is releasably housed within the outer housing and comprises interchangeable propellors. Releasable attachment of the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly allows removal for maintenance or replacement.
  • the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly is configured to facilitate the use of different sized interchangeable propellors.
  • Use of different sized propellors allows for further alteration of the suction power of the apparatus, allowing for further regulation of filtration and cleaning capabilities relative to the requirements of the job at hand.
  • the cleaner head assembly further comprises transportation means arranged about an underside of the cleaner head assembly.
  • the transportation means separating an underside of the vacuum head from the pool surface and facilitating easier movement of the head across the pool surface.
  • the cleaner head assembly is provided with means for adjusting the ride height of the assembly with respect to the surface being cleaned.
  • means for adjusting the ride height of the assembly with respect to the surface being cleaned For further adjustment of the suction power and facilitation further modulation of bag size and bag filtration material for finer particulates.
  • the outer housing is provided with a plurality of transportation means fixing points. Allows for selective location of the transportation means relative to the shape of the cleaning head. This allows for adjustment of the cleaner dimensions, through use of smaller or larger wheels.
  • the transportation means fixing points are provided within at least one of two transportation means mounting brackets.
  • Use of mounting brackets allows the user to have pre-set wheel arrangements on different brackets and to exchange brackets and or wheels for more prompt setup between cleaning scenarios / environments.
  • the transportation means mounting brackets are releasably attached to first and second lower edges of the outer housing. This location allows the user to remove one set of wheels if cleaning steps of a pool.
  • the transportation means fixing points are spatially arranged to provide alternate fixing points, both vertically and horizontally about an outer face of the respective mounting bracket. Further allowing adjustment of ride height and number / size of wheels, allowing further adjustment to suction and filtration capabilities.
  • a submersible cleaning apparatus (indicated generally at 101), comprises a cleaner head assembly (indicated generally at 102) an a debris collection assembly (indicated generally at 103).
  • the cleaner head assembly 102 primarily comprises: an outer vacuum / suction housing 104; a vacuum (or suction) producing assembly (indicated generally at 105); a power source port (indicated generally at 106); first and second wheel assemblies (indicated generally at 107 and 108); and a pole connection port (indicated generally at 109).
  • the debris collection assembly 103 comprises: an elongate bag filter 110, having an open end and a closed end (remote from the first); and a bag float 111.
  • the vacuum housing 104 of the cleaner head assembly 102 is profiled and dimensioned so as to provide an internal void for housing the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly 105.
  • the vacuum housing 104 is made of plastics in the present example for the primary properties of: speed and cost of manufacture; cleanliness; resistance to breakage. Other materials such as metals might reasonably be used.
  • the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly 105 is typical of that known in the art, with the exception that said assembly may be disassembled by the user, so as to allow the user to use different sized propellors (not shown) within the housing (referenced in later figures) of the vacuum (or suction) assembly 105.
  • the vacuum (or suction) assembly 105 is of the motor type assembly, capable of producing a vacuum (or suction) through a central bore in the cleaner head once connected to a power supply by way of the power source port 106.
  • the vacuum (or suction) assembly 105 is designed to provide a vacuum (or suction) to remove debris from the surface of a pool floor and project said debris through the central bore to be collected in the debris collection assembly 103.
  • the vacuum (or suction) assembly has conventional function, with a motor, propellors or blades, and a means for mounting the vacuum (or suction) assembly to an interior surface of the vacuum housing 104 within the internal void of said housing.
  • the motor housing is provided with a power inlet port and a stabilising bracket and a mounting bracket.
  • the elongate bag filter 110 of the debris collection assembly 103 comprises a micro fibre mesh bag filter.
  • Various sizes and grades of bag filter may be provided, so as to give the user the ability to tailor the finer degree of filtration of the bag system (the pore size of the mesh) and the size required of the filter (smaller pools and / or less soiled pools will not require a larger bag).
  • finer or coarser filtration bags gives the user the ability to modulate the suction of the vacuum system (with finer filters leading to stronger vacuums/ suctions power and coarser filters leading to weaker vacuums / suction power). This gives the ability to increase or decrease the cleaning power of the system, relative to whether it is primarily intended to remove large debris such as leaves, or finer debris such as mud or silt.
  • the elongate bag filter 110 is provided with a means for releasably attaching said bag 110 to the vacuum head (indicated generally at 122).
  • the bag filter 110 is provided with a peripheral channel 112 running about its circumference at the open end. This channel has two openings (113, 114) adjacent one another on an external surface of the bag filter 110.
  • a cord or length of rope 115 is passed through this channel 112, leaving first and second remote ends (116, 117) of said cord / rope hanging from the respective first and second openings (113, 114) of the channel.
  • the cord / rope 115 is provided with a releasable fastening member 118 (such as a toggle), which is passed over the first and second remote ends 116, 117 of the cord / rope 115, allowing the user to manually narrow the opening of the bag filter by adjusting the position of the togger (which has a manually depressible releasing member for positioning said toggle about the length of rope / cord).
  • the user can thus releasably attach the bag filter 110 to the vacuum head 102 by passing the open end of said bag 110 over the central bore of the vacuum head 102 and tightening the opening of the bag 110 to said bore by way of the cord 115 and fastener 118.
  • the central bore or central port of the vacuum head (indicated generally at 119) is provided with two circumferential port flanges (120, 121) about its outer body. These circumferential flanges 120, 121 extend the entire diameter of the outer body of the central bore 119 and are laterally (or vertically) spaced apart. The user may therefore select which flange 120, 121 to releasably attach the bag filter 110 over, giving the choice of a higher or lower mounting position of the bag 110 relative to the body of the vacuum head 102. This gives further modulation of the vacuum / suction strength exerted by the apparatus 101 for further adjustment of the cleaning properties of the apparatus 101 relative to the demands of the job at hand.
  • a bag with two channels, cords and toggles could be used (with the second channel, cord & toggle assembly provided at a pint intermittent the first end and the second end of the bag filter 110), or the user can attach a second corded system external to the bag 110 (such additional cord and toggle systems might reasonably be provided as a kit of parts).
  • the bag filter 110 is provided with the bag float 111.
  • the bag float 111 comprises any buoyant material (such as cork or foam) and is releasably attached to the bag filer 110 at its distal (closed) end.
  • the releasable attachment in the present case is a cord system.
  • the bag float 111 comprises a cylindrical foam with central channel.
  • the cylindrical foam has a length of cord/rope 125 pass through it, and is tied to securing tabs (123, 124) situated at the upper corners of the bag filter 110, adjacent its distal (closed) end. Said securing tabs 122, 124 are sewn to the bag filter 110 and have apertures for receiving the cord/cable which passes through the cylindrical foam float 111. Other systems might reasonably - be used, such as hook and loop fasteners.
  • the submersible cleaning apparatus 101 previously identified in Figures 1a to 1c is shown in a plan and exploded views in figures 2a to 2c , for better representation and disclosure of internal components.
  • the motor 201 is provided with: a power inlet port 202; a stabilising bracket (not shown); and a mounting bracket 203.
  • the stabilising bracket provides a framework for supporting the motor housing 201 within the void of the vacuum housing 104.
  • the power inlet port 202 is slotted through
  • the motor 201 may be powered by an external power source (in particular, a battery).
  • the power inlet port 202 passes through an aperture 209 in the vacuum housing 104 and is connected to a power supply assembly 204 which is in turn provided with a quick release system 205 for connection to a waterproof power cable (which in turn is connected to a power supply, such as a battery, above ground and away from water).
  • a waterproof power cable which in turn is connected to a power supply, such as a battery, above ground and away from water.
  • a power supply such as a battery
  • the motor 201 is further fixed in place by way of its mounting bracket 203.
  • Said mounting bracket 203 is disposed at an upper end of the motor 201 and is reliably fixed to the inner body of the vacuum housing 104 by way of a mounting plate and screws (206, 207).
  • the mounting plate 206 is arranged so as to also facilitate attachment of a handle attachment port 208, thereby allowing the user to attach any reasonable sized handle / telescopic handle to the vacuum head 102 by way of the handle attachment port 208.
  • said assemblies each comprise: a pair of wheels (210, 211 and 212, 213 respectively) and first and second wheel mounting brackets (214, 215 respectively).
  • Each of the wheel mounting brackets 214, 215 are provided with a plurality of fixing points for attachment of the respective wheels.
  • the user may choose whether: to attach single or multiple wheels each side or both sides, as well as whether to locate the wheels centrally, or further up or down the respective brackets.
  • the user is able to vary: the size of wheels that are attached; the number of wheels that are attached; and the location of the wheels that are attached relative to the bracket 214, 215.
  • the user is able to adjust the ride-height of the vacuum head 102 relative to the surface being cleaned, which again modulates the strength of the vacuum / suction and the finer or coarser nature of filtration / cleaning provided.
  • the user can remove one bracket entirely and / or wheels from one bracket to give a single wheeled variant for step cleaning.
  • the user can have multiple brackets pre-set, so that the user can inter-change said brackets for quicker and easier setup relative to the cleaning task / environment at hand, giving further refinement and speed of transition.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
EP20000465.3A 2020-12-14 2020-12-14 Appareil de nettoyage pour piscine Pending EP4012138A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20000465.3A EP4012138A1 (fr) 2020-12-14 2020-12-14 Appareil de nettoyage pour piscine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20000465.3A EP4012138A1 (fr) 2020-12-14 2020-12-14 Appareil de nettoyage pour piscine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4012138A1 true EP4012138A1 (fr) 2022-06-15

Family

ID=73854513

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20000465.3A Pending EP4012138A1 (fr) 2020-12-14 2020-12-14 Appareil de nettoyage pour piscine

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4012138A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6942790B1 (en) * 2004-06-10 2005-09-13 Edward Dolton Open-air filtration cleaning device for pools and hot tubs
US20180148946A1 (en) 2016-11-30 2018-05-31 Service Industry Solutions, LLC Pool Cleaning System, Pool Cleaning Device, and Pool Cleaning Transportation Cart
WO2018208303A1 (fr) 2017-05-11 2018-11-15 Hayward Industries, Inc. Nettoyeur de piscine et composants associés
US20200080331A1 (en) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-12 Michael Todd Dufilho Pool cleaner
WO2020072200A1 (fr) * 2018-10-02 2020-04-09 Water Technology, Llc Aspirateur électrique à feuilles submersible

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6942790B1 (en) * 2004-06-10 2005-09-13 Edward Dolton Open-air filtration cleaning device for pools and hot tubs
US20180148946A1 (en) 2016-11-30 2018-05-31 Service Industry Solutions, LLC Pool Cleaning System, Pool Cleaning Device, and Pool Cleaning Transportation Cart
WO2018208303A1 (fr) 2017-05-11 2018-11-15 Hayward Industries, Inc. Nettoyeur de piscine et composants associés
US20200080331A1 (en) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-12 Michael Todd Dufilho Pool cleaner
WO2020072200A1 (fr) * 2018-10-02 2020-04-09 Water Technology, Llc Aspirateur électrique à feuilles submersible

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