WO2003046316A1 - Apparatus for use with a pool cleaner - Google Patents

Apparatus for use with a pool cleaner Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003046316A1
WO2003046316A1 PCT/ZA2002/000166 ZA0200166W WO03046316A1 WO 2003046316 A1 WO2003046316 A1 WO 2003046316A1 ZA 0200166 W ZA0200166 W ZA 0200166W WO 03046316 A1 WO03046316 A1 WO 03046316A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hose
flexible
elongate member
pool cleaner
limbs
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2002/000166
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Barry John Mason
Original Assignee
Barry John Mason
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 Barry John Mason filed Critical Barry John Mason
Priority to AU2002365597A priority Critical patent/AU2002365597A1/en
Publication of WO2003046316A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003046316A1/en

Links

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
    • E04H4/1654—Self-propelled cleaners
    • E04H4/1663—Self-propelled cleaners the propulsion resulting from an intermittent interruption of the waterflow through the cleaner

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the operation of a pool cleaner and more particularly is concerned with apparatus for use with a pool cleaner of the kind which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose.
  • a pool cleaner of the aforementioned kind is intended to move with a substantially random pattern over a submerged surface of a swimming pool.
  • This type of cleaner which can take on different forms, is well-known in the art and is not further described herein. It is has been found that the nature of the flexible hose which connects the pool cleaner to a suction source influences the path of movement. This can have at least two adverse effects.
  • the suction hose has a stiffness or shape which is dependent at least upon a memory effect, relating inter alia to the moulding of the hose, and this can restrict the randomness of movement of the pool cleaner.
  • a cleaner may become jammed at one or more locations in a pool, depending on the geometry of construction thereof. For example a pool cleaner may become locked at a particular position at which the motive force which tends to move the cleaner is balanced by a force arising due to the hose bending or flexing in a particular way or becoming trapped at a given location in the pool. Once the cleaner is released, It inevitably becomes trapped in the same way sooner or later.
  • the invention provides apparatus for use with a pool cleaner which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose, the apparatus including an elongate member and at least two devices at spaced locations on the member for attachment to the hose.
  • the devices may be such that, when attached to the hose, the elongate member is substantially parallel to the hose.
  • the elongate member may be made from any appropriate material and preferably is made from a flexible plastics material.
  • the elongate member may be substantially more rigid than the flexible hose.
  • the elongate member may have any suitable shape in cross section but preferably is slightly arcuate so that an inner surface thereof conforms generally to a portion of an outer surface of the flexible hose.
  • the apparatus may include more than two of the devices and, in this event, the devices may be spaced from one another at regular intervals along the length of the elongate member.
  • Each device may be of any suitable shape and preferably is releasably engageable with the elongate member.
  • each device is resilient and can be engaged with a clip action with a portion of the flexible hose at a chosen location.
  • the invention also extends to a flexible hose for use with a pool cleaner which includes apparatus of the aforementioned kind attached to the hose.
  • the invention further provides a flexible hose for use with a pool cleaner in combination with an elongate flexible member which is substantially parallel to the hose and which is attached to the hose at a plurality of spaced locations.
  • the invention also provides a method of varying a path of movement of a pool cleaner which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose which includes the step of rigidifying a selected portion of the hose to restrict its tendency to flex.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of apparatus according to the invention
  • Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 engaged with a length of flexible hose
  • Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale of the arrangement shown in
  • Figure 2 taken on a line 3 - 3; and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a variation of the invention.
  • Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates apparatus 10 according to the invention which includes an elongate rod or member 12 and a plurality of clip attachment devices 14 at regular spaced intervals along the length of the member.
  • the member 12 may have any suitable length but it has been found that an appropriate length is of the order of 1 ,2m. This corresponds to a standard length of a flexible hose 16 of a kind which is used to connect a suction type pool cleaner 18 to a suction source 20 in a typical swimming pool installation, see Figure 2.
  • the elongate member 12 has a shallow arcuate cross section, see Figure 3, which conforms generally to a portion of an outer surface 22 of the suction hose 16.
  • Each device 14, in this example, .includes two flexible limbs 24 which extend upwardly from the elongate member 12. As is shown in Figure 3 the limbs 24 present a generally circular shape and upper ends of the limbs which oppose each other are spaced by a distance 26, or may substantially contact each other.
  • the apparatus 10 may be made in any suitable way and for example may be moulded as an integral component from a suitable plastics material eg. polypropylene.
  • a suitable plastics material eg. polypropylene.
  • the elongate member 12 may be extruded and the devices 14, which are formed separately from the elongate member 12, are attached to the member using a suitable adhesive, rivets, ultrasonic or heat welding, or any other appropriate form of attachment.
  • the apparatus 10 is used in the manner shown in Figure 2. Initially the pool cleaner 18 is observed to determine where in the pool in which the cleaner is used it becomes locked in position. Such locking in position may be due to a variety of factors. Normally however when the pool cleaner becomes locked in position a portion of the hose 16 is curved in a particular shape and, almost invariably, the curved portion of the hose abuts a structural component of the swimming pool, a step, a ladder, or other object. The bent portion of the hose is marked and the apparatus 10 is then connected to that portion of the hose to prevent it bending in the way which led to the pool cleaner becoming locked in position, in the first instance.
  • the hose is simply pushed through the various gaps 26 so that the limbs 24, in each instance, are forced apart.
  • the hose then lies on the shallow arcuate base defined by the elongate member 12 and the limbs snap back to their original shapes thereby securing the hose to the apparatus with a clip fit.
  • the apparatus 10 over its length, rigidifies the hose and so restricts the tendency of the hose to flex or bend. It has been found that in most instances this rigidifying effect prevents the pool cleaner from becoming jammed at the location originally identified.
  • the apparatus 10 may be shifted along the length of hose 16 to the most appropriate location to obtain maximum benefit.
  • a first apparatus 10 at one position on a length of hose and a second apparatus at a second position on a length of hose.
  • the invention is not limited in this regard.
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating a variation of the apparatus 10.
  • the member 12 is extruded and suitable lengths are cut from the extrusion,' according to requirement.
  • Each device 14, on the other hand, is formed in an injection moulding process.
  • the device includes flexible limbs designated 24A and a base clip portion 30.
  • the base portion has two relatively small inwardly extending arms 32 which are separated by a gap 34. If the limbs 24A are pushed towards each other then the gap 34 is extended slightly and the member 12 can easily be pushed into an opening 36 formed between a lower side of the limbs 24A and the arms 32. If the force on the limbs 24A is released then the limbs move to their neutral positions and the arms 32 move slightly towards each other and thereby are brought into frictional engagement with the member 12, holding it in position. On the other hand when the limbs are moved apart in order to insert the hose 16 through the gap 26 the arms 32, are, if anything, urged tighter into engagement with the member 12 which therefore remains in position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus for rigidifying a flexible pool cleaner hose which includes an elongate flexible rod and a number of clips at spaced intervals along the length of the rod which are used to secure the rod to the hose.

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE WITH A POOL CLEANER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the operation of a pool cleaner and more particularly is concerned with apparatus for use with a pool cleaner of the kind which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose.
A pool cleaner of the aforementioned kind is intended to move with a substantially random pattern over a submerged surface of a swimming pool. This type of cleaner, which can take on different forms, is well-known in the art and is not further described herein. It is has been found that the nature of the flexible hose which connects the pool cleaner to a suction source influences the path of movement. This can have at least two adverse effects.
In the first instance the path of movement of the pool cleaner is not necessarily random. The suction hose has a stiffness or shape which is dependent at least upon a memory effect, relating inter alia to the moulding of the hose, and this can restrict the randomness of movement of the pool cleaner.
Secondly a cleaner may become jammed at one or more locations in a pool, depending on the geometry of construction thereof. For example a pool cleaner may become locked at a particular position at which the motive force which tends to move the cleaner is balanced by a force arising due to the hose bending or flexing in a particular way or becoming trapped at a given location in the pool. Once the cleaner is released, It inevitably becomes trapped in the same way sooner or later. SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention provides apparatus for use with a pool cleaner which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose, the apparatus including an elongate member and at least two devices at spaced locations on the member for attachment to the hose.
The devices may be such that, when attached to the hose, the elongate member is substantially parallel to the hose.
The elongate member may be made from any appropriate material and preferably is made from a flexible plastics material. The elongate member may be substantially more rigid than the flexible hose.
The elongate member may have any suitable shape in cross section but preferably is slightly arcuate so that an inner surface thereof conforms generally to a portion of an outer surface of the flexible hose.
The apparatus may include more than two of the devices and, in this event, the devices may be spaced from one another at regular intervals along the length of the elongate member.
Each device may be of any suitable shape and preferably is releasably engageable with the elongate member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention each device is resilient and can be engaged with a clip action with a portion of the flexible hose at a chosen location. The invention also extends to a flexible hose for use with a pool cleaner which includes apparatus of the aforementioned kind attached to the hose.
The invention further provides a flexible hose for use with a pool cleaner in combination with an elongate flexible member which is substantially parallel to the hose and which is attached to the hose at a plurality of spaced locations.
The invention also provides a method of varying a path of movement of a pool cleaner which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose which includes the step of rigidifying a selected portion of the hose to restrict its tendency to flex.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 engaged with a length of flexible hose; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale of the arrangement shown in
Figure 2 taken on a line 3 - 3; and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a variation of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates apparatus 10 according to the invention which includes an elongate rod or member 12 and a plurality of clip attachment devices 14 at regular spaced intervals along the length of the member. The member 12 may have any suitable length but it has been found that an appropriate length is of the order of 1 ,2m. This corresponds to a standard length of a flexible hose 16 of a kind which is used to connect a suction type pool cleaner 18 to a suction source 20 in a typical swimming pool installation, see Figure 2.
The elongate member 12 has a shallow arcuate cross section, see Figure 3, which conforms generally to a portion of an outer surface 22 of the suction hose 16.
Each device 14, in this example, .includes two flexible limbs 24 which extend upwardly from the elongate member 12. As is shown in Figure 3 the limbs 24 present a generally circular shape and upper ends of the limbs which oppose each other are spaced by a distance 26, or may substantially contact each other.
The apparatus 10 may be made in any suitable way and for example may be moulded as an integral component from a suitable plastics material eg. polypropylene. Alternatively the elongate member 12 may be extruded and the devices 14, which are formed separately from the elongate member 12, are attached to the member using a suitable adhesive, rivets, ultrasonic or heat welding, or any other appropriate form of attachment.
The apparatus 10 is used in the manner shown in Figure 2. Initially the pool cleaner 18 is observed to determine where in the pool in which the cleaner is used it becomes locked in position. Such locking in position may be due to a variety of factors. Normally however when the pool cleaner becomes locked in position a portion of the hose 16 is curved in a particular shape and, almost invariably, the curved portion of the hose abuts a structural component of the swimming pool, a step, a ladder, or other object. The bent portion of the hose is marked and the apparatus 10 is then connected to that portion of the hose to prevent it bending in the way which led to the pool cleaner becoming locked in position, in the first instance.
The hose is simply pushed through the various gaps 26 so that the limbs 24, in each instance, are forced apart. The hose then lies on the shallow arcuate base defined by the elongate member 12 and the limbs snap back to their original shapes thereby securing the hose to the apparatus with a clip fit.
The apparatus 10, over its length, rigidifies the hose and so restricts the tendency of the hose to flex or bend. It has been found that in most instances this rigidifying effect prevents the pool cleaner from becoming jammed at the location originally identified.
The apparatus 10 may be shifted along the length of hose 16 to the most appropriate location to obtain maximum benefit. Clearly it is possible to install a first apparatus 10 at one position on a length of hose and a second apparatus at a second position on a length of hose. The invention is not limited in this regard.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating a variation of the apparatus 10. In this case the member 12 is extruded and suitable lengths are cut from the extrusion,' according to requirement.
Each device 14, on the other hand, is formed in an injection moulding process. The device includes flexible limbs designated 24A and a base clip portion 30. The base portion has two relatively small inwardly extending arms 32 which are separated by a gap 34. If the limbs 24A are pushed towards each other then the gap 34 is extended slightly and the member 12 can easily be pushed into an opening 36 formed between a lower side of the limbs 24A and the arms 32. If the force on the limbs 24A is released then the limbs move to their neutral positions and the arms 32 move slightly towards each other and thereby are brought into frictional engagement with the member 12, holding it in position. On the other hand when the limbs are moved apart in order to insert the hose 16 through the gap 26 the arms 32, are, if anything, urged tighter into engagement with the member 12 which therefore remains in position.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a pool cleaner which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose, the apparatus including an elongate member and at least two devices at spaced locations on the member for attachment to the hose.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, when the devices are attached to the hose, the elongate member is substantially parallel to the hose.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the elongate member is flexible.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the elongate member is substantially more rigid than the flexible hose.
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the elongate member, in cross section, is slightly arcuate so that an inner surface thereof conforms generally to a portion of an outer surface of the flexible hose.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 which includes a plurality of the devices which are spaced from one another at regular intervals along the length of the elongate member.
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein each device is releasably engageable with the elongate member.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each device is resilient and can be engaged with a clip action with a portion of the flexible hose at a chosen location.
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each device has two flexible limbs which together present a generally circular shape with opposed ends of the limbs being spaced from each other, and which are resiliently deformable to engage with an outer surface of the hose when it is passed between the opposed ends of the limbs.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein each device is engageable with a clip fit with the hose.
11. Apparatus for rigidifying a flexible pool cleaner hose which includes an elongate flexible rod and a number of clips at spaced intervals along the length of the rod which are used to secure the rod to the hose.
12. A flexible hose for use with a pool cleaner which includes apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 attached to the hose.
13. A flexible hose for use ,with a pool cleaner in combination with an elongate flexible member which is substantially parallel to the hose and which is attached to the hose at a plurality of spaced locations.
14. A method of varying a path of movement of a pool cleaner which is connected to a suction source by means of a flexible hose which includes the step of rigidifying a selected portion of the hose to restrict its tendency to flex.
PCT/ZA2002/000166 2001-11-09 2002-11-05 Apparatus for use with a pool cleaner WO2003046316A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002365597A AU2002365597A1 (en) 2001-11-09 2002-11-05 Apparatus for use with a pool cleaner

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2001/9260 2001-11-09
ZA200109260 2001-11-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003046316A1 true WO2003046316A1 (en) 2003-06-05

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ID=25589373

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2002/000166 WO2003046316A1 (en) 2001-11-09 2002-11-05 Apparatus for use with a pool cleaner

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002365597A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003046316A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0783633A1 (en) * 1995-07-26 1997-07-16 Automotive Products (Usa) Inc. Method and apparatus for testing a fluid pressure apparatus
US6299700B1 (en) * 1997-05-24 2001-10-09 Johannes Stephanus Grobler Method of and a device for operating a pool cleaner
US20010035382A1 (en) * 2000-02-21 2001-11-01 Mccullagh Patrick Swimming pool cleaning apparatus and method of operating the apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0783633A1 (en) * 1995-07-26 1997-07-16 Automotive Products (Usa) Inc. Method and apparatus for testing a fluid pressure apparatus
US6299700B1 (en) * 1997-05-24 2001-10-09 Johannes Stephanus Grobler Method of and a device for operating a pool cleaner
US20010035382A1 (en) * 2000-02-21 2001-11-01 Mccullagh Patrick Swimming pool cleaning apparatus and method of operating the apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002365597A1 (en) 2003-06-10

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