US20060064825A1

US20060064825A1 - Spa and pool step vacuum

Info

Publication number: US20060064825A1
Application number: US10/954,580
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Reed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-29
Filing date: 2004-09-29
Publication date: 2006-03-30

Abstract

A Spa and Pool Step Vacuum is disclosed. The vacuum device incorporates a submersible pump. The device is lightweight and portable and does not require a hardwired electrical supply. The device further includes a removable external filter sack or bag to provide maximum filtration capacity with the minimum of weight and drag. The vacuum further provides a tapered nozzle having a roller to create the desired air gap between the tip of the nozzle and the surface being cleaned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to submersible tools and, more specifically, to a Spa and Pool Step Vacuum.
2. Description of Related Art
Swimming pool and hot tubs (“spas”) need periodic cleaning to remove debris that either grows or falls into the pool or spa. When cleaning a pool, it is conventional to use a vacuum cleaning device that gets its suction from the pool's permanent filtration system. These “non-portable” vacuum cleaners will generally have a flexible hose that connects to one of the filter intake ports at the side of the pool. Items vacuumed up by the non-portable vacuum cleaners are taken out of the pool and into the main pool filter bank. The non-portable pool vacuum is very suitable for cleaning large, substantially flat and smooth expanses in the pool.
When smaller, more intricate areas, such as spas or pool steps, need cleaning, the non-portable pool vacuum is not very effective. In response, a variety of manual and electric “portable” pool vacuums have been introduced. Portable pool vacuums are typically smaller than the non-portable types, and they further do not require a long hose connected to the pool or spa's filtration system. One version of a portable pool vacuum is depicted below in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the prior art pool vacuum apparatus 10 of Goertzen, III et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,843. The Goertzen portable pool vacuum 10 has an onboard pump 26 that sucks water through the head 14 and hose 24, and then filters out any entrained debris in an encapsulated filtration unit 16. The pump 26 obtains its electrical power from an external battery 30, via a waterproof cable 32.
While the Goertzen apparatus 10 appears to be more maneuverable than a non-portable vacuum, it still has more than one problem related to it. First, the head 14 includes a pair of fairly large wheels, and is therefore fairly unwieldy to move around. Next, the battery 30 power supply is not incorporated within the device 10; as a result, the user has to manage the cable 32 and the cell 30. Further, the filter unit 16 is a specialized filter cartridge that is typically limited in availability and expensive. Finally, placing the pump 26 at the upper end of the apparatus 10 does not assist the user in forcing the vacuum against the bottom—placement at or near the bottom of the vacuum 10 (i.e. near the head 14) would be more advantageous. A portable pool vacuum is needed that solves at least these problems with the Goetzen vacuum 10. FIG. 2 depicts another prior pool vacuum.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the prior art pool vacuum cleaner 1 of Schuman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,559. The Schuman vacuum cleaner 1 has a brush head 2 which is defined by an integrated hose/pipe through its center. The pipe/hose leads to a filter housing 25 for retaining a pleated filter element. After being filtered, incoming water flows out through a gap formed between the filter housing 25 and the adjacent motor housing 39. Adjacent to the motor housing is the battery housing 53, which transitions into the handle 57 that is held onto by the user.
The Schuman device also has deficiencies. First, the battery housing 53 is located in a submerged portion of the device 1—this adds substantial weight to the device in a place that will interfere with easy movement around the pool, and will further make battery change-out more difficult the vacuum 1 in the vicinity of the battery housing 53 must be completely dry before, during and after any battery maintenance is done. Furthermore, like Goertzen device, the Schuman vacuum uses a filter housing having a filter cartridge. The large size of Schuman also prevents the convenient cleaning of intricate areas. What is needed is a portable pool vacuum that solves these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Spa and Pool Step Vacuum. The vacuum device should incorporate a submersible pump for maximum utility. The device should be lightweight and portable and not require a hardwired electrical supply. The device should further include a removable external filter sack or bag to provide maximum filtration capacity with the minimum of weight and drag. The vacuum should further provide a tapered nozzle having a roller to create the desired air gap between the tip of the nozzle and the surface being cleaned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the prior art pool vacuum apparatus of Goertzen;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the prior art pool vacuum cleaner of Schuman;
FIG. 3 is perspective view of the spa and pool step vacuum of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the vacuum of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway side view of the vacuum of FIGS. 3 and 4; and
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the head assembly of the vacuum of FIGS. 3-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Spa and Pool Step Vacuum.
The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is perspective view of the spa and pool step vacuum 11 of the present invention. The vacuum 11 comprises an elongated handle assembly 13, a head assembly 15 extending from the handle assembly 13, and a filter bag 17 attached to the head assembly 15. All of the submersible components are waterproof and suitable for submersing in water, and particularly in water having the chemical composition of a typical pool or hot tub/spa. If we now turn to FIG. 4, we can examine the present invention in more detail.
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the vacuum 11 of FIG. 3. The head assembly 15 comprises a motor/pump assembly 18, from which extends a nozzle 20 and a socket member 22. The socket member 22 is configured to accept an end of the handle assembly 13 therewithin, and more specifically, the extension member 25 element of the handle assembly 13. The extension member 25 is accepted within a coupling 28 at its other end; the coupling 28 also forms one end of the battery compartment 27. While the extension member 25 is detachable from the coupling 28 for storage, the coupling 28 is sealed to the battery compartment 27. At the other end of the battery compartment 27 is attached the control module 30. The control module 30 is sealed to the battery compartment 27, and provides a switch 34 for turning the device on and off. The control module 30 also has a battery access cap 32, which threadedly engages the head 30 to seal the interior of the compartment 27 against water intrusion. Still further, the head 30 has a power supply jack 36 for plugging in a DC power source for recharging the batteries within the battery compartment 27. Proceeding to FIG. 5, we can delve deeper into the features of this invention.
FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway side view of the vacuum 11 of FIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the rechargeable or nonrechargable batteries 38 are retained within the otherwise hollow extension member 25. The coupling 28 provides the interconnection between the battery compartment 27 and the extension member 25. The coupling 28 further provides electrical connection between the batteries 38 and the extension member 25 (for use in the head assembly 15).
The extension member 25 is essentially hollow except for the electrical leads running down its length from the battery compartment 27 to the head assembly 15. The head assembly 15 houses the battery-powered motor 49 which drives the pump impeller 46 to create water flow in through the mouth 42 and throat 40 of the head assembly 15.
Of particular note in this design are two features: the mouth 42 is at an angle to the axis defined by the extension member 25 in order to make it easier to place the opening of the mouth 42 flat or nearly flat against the surface being vacuumed. Second, the mouth 42 has a roller 44 extending slightly out from the throat 40 through the mouth 42. The roller 44 provides the user with a place to rest the device while vacuuming, while also creating slight standoff or gap between the mouth 42 and the surface being vacuumed so that larger items can be sucked into the mouth 42 even while resting or rolling on the roller 44. The gap created by the roller 44 also provides supplemental water flow into the throat 40 to assist in carrying debris through the pump and out through the discharge stem 48. The filter bag (see FIG. 3) is attachable to the discharge stem 48 to capture debris exiting the head assembly 15. Allowing the filter bag (see FIG. 3) to be attached to the exterior of the device 11 reduces the weight of the device 11, and also makes filter changes and cleanings very simple. Furthermore, bag material is inherently less expensive than a pleated filter cartridge.
In another non-depicted embodiment, the batteries 38 will be external to the device 11. In this embodiment, the control module 30 will include a socket for accepting a conventional solid state battery pack, such as those now commonly used for power drills or saws. When recharging of the battery pack of this second type of vacuum is needed, it is a simple matter to release it from the end of the control module 30, and then drop it into the charging base station (that came with the power tool). Finally turning to FIG. 6, we can review the elements of the head assembly 14.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the head assembly 14 of the vacuum 11 of FIGS. 3-5. The roller 44 has an elongate ovoid shape and is further defined by a pair of pegs 60, one each extending from the two ends. The pegs 60 cooperate with a corresponding pair of apertures 61 adjacent to the sides of the mouth 42. When the pegs 60 are snapped into place in the apertures 61, the roller 44 will be held firmly, while still being free to rotate (roll) around the axis formed by the pegs 60.
The nozzle 20 is defined by the mouth 42 at its leading end, and then transitions into the bell 56. The bell 56 is formed with a plurality of tabs 58 extending outwardly therefrom to engage the collar 52 formed in the housing 50, thereby by securely attaching the bell 56 to the housing 50.
Within the housing 50 is further found the motor 49 (within a waterproof container), to which the pump impeller 46 is attached. When the motor 49 is supplied with electrical power, its shaft will rotate and will drive the pump impeller 46 also to rotate. Rotation of the pump impeller 46 will create a suction within the bell 56, which will draw water and debris into the nozzle 20 and out through the discharge stem 48. As gasket 54 is held between the housing 50 and the bell 56 in order to prevent water leaking in through the point of connection between the two. The housing 50 then attaches to the extension member (see previous figures) via the socket member 22.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A spa and pool step vacuum device, comprising:

a handle assembly defining a first and a second end;

a control module attached to said first end of said handle assembly;

a head assembly attached to said second end of said handle assembly, said head assembly further defined by a mouth and a discharge stem; and

a filter bag attached to said discharge stem.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said head assembly is further defined by a nozzle, said nozzle forming a throat therein and further defined by said mouth at a leading end, said head assembly further defined by a bell extending from a rear end opposing said leading end.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein:

said head assembly is further defined by a housing, said housing defined by a collar; and

said bell has a plurality of tabs extending outwardly therefrom for engagement with said collar.

4. The device of claim 2, further comprising a roller rollably attached to said head assembly in said throat, adjacent to said mouth.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein:

said roller defines a generally elongate ovoid shape having a pair of ends, each said end comprising a peg extending therefrom; and

said nozzle is further defined by a pair of apertures formed therein adjacent to said mouth, said apertures design to cooperatively accept said pegs therein.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said handle assembly comprises a battery compartment and an extension member detachably interconnected by a coupling.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said battery compartment comprises an elongate tube having a first and second end, said coupling attached to said first end and said control module attached adjacent to said second end; and

said device further comprising at least one battery housed within said tube.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said extension member defines an axis along its length, and said mouth defines a plane, said plane being at an angle of less than ninety degrees and more than zero degrees to said extension member axis.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said control module further comprises a socket for accepting at least a portion of a solid-state battery pack therein.

10. A device, comprising:

an extension member defining a first and second end;

a submersible head assembly attached to said first end, said head assembly comprising:

a housing, within which are located a motor and a pump impeller;

a bell attached to said housing;

a nozzle extending from said bell and terminating in a mouth and further defining a throat, said mouth defining an edge;

a roller attached to said nozzle in said throat in close proximity to said edge.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein:

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a discharge stem extending from said housing and a filter bag attached to said filter stem.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein:

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said handle assembly comprises a battery compartment and an extension member detachably interconnected by a coupling.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said battery compartment comprises an elongate tube having a first and second end, said coupling attached to said first end and said control module attached adjacent to said second end; and

said device further comprising at least one battery housed within said tube.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said extension member defines an axis along its length, and said mouth defines a plane, said plane being at an angle of less than ninety degrees and more than zero degrees to said extension member axis.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein said control module further comprises a socket for accepting at least a portion of a solid-state battery pack therein.

18. A portable pool step and spa vacuum comprising:

a battery compartment defining a first and second end;

control module adjacent to said first end;

an extension member defining a first and second end attached to said battery compartment, said first end of said extension member attached to said second end of said battery compartment;

a motor/pump assembly attached to said second end of said extension member and defining an extension member end and a nozzle end; and

a nozzle extending from said nozzle end.