Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Submerged cleaners with ambient flow guides
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-05-08
Warden, Sr., Robert J. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Submerged cleaners with ambient flow guides
C015S246000, C114S219000, C210S167150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226826
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to (automatic) swimming pool cleaners and in particular to bumpers for and other components of such cleaners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of devices exist that move automatically over surfaces of swimming pools to be cleaned. One such pool cleaner operates in cooperation with the reduced pressure caused by a pump to induce debris-laden fluid within a pool to flow through the cleaner (and other filtration equipment if desired). The cleaner functions by causing a valve, or diaphragm, to oscillate, periodically interrupting the fluid flow through the cleaner. This periodic interruption in turn causes movement of the device over the surface to be cleaned. Exemplary cleaners of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,642,833 and 4,742,593, which patents are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,382 (“the Kallenbach patent”), also incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, discloses another fluid-interruption version of an automatic swimming pool cleaner. Illustrated in the Kallenbach patent as being attached to the cleaner are a bumper and a retainer that includes a weight. The retainer, which is integrally formed with a portion of the body of the cleaner, thereby fixes the position of the weight relative to the body. Moreover, rigid plastic is used to form the bumpers of commercially-available cleaners made according to the Kallenbach patent. As noted in the Kallenbach patent (col. 3, line 65 through col. 4, line 3), the bumper, when it contacts an obstruction, assists in lifting the flexible disc of a cleaner
from the surface and thus breaking the pressure holding the disc . . . to the surface being traversed. This allows the cleaner . . . to move freely until it disengages from the obstruction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, by contrast, provides alternative bumper assemblies for swimming pool cleaners. Unlike the bumper of the Kallenbach patent, for example, that of the present invention may include a flexible edge, or fin, attached to the main frame of the bumper. The fin and contour of the main frame facilitate deflection of the associated cleaner when obstacles are encountered. They also aid in the cleaner transitioning from traversing the bottom of the pool to cleaning its sides. The ability of the cleaner to climb steps sometimes found in pools additionally is enhanced by the shape of the frame.
Further features of the present invention include side wings connecting the frame to the body of the cleaner. These wings too may have flexible leading edges to promote deflection of the cleaner when obstacles (particularly steps and ladders) are encountered. The side wings, as well as the frame, also reduce cleaner body wear that otherwise would occur from frictional contact with the walls of and obstacles placed within swimming pools.
Unlike the cleaners of the Kallenbach patent, moreover; those of the present invention include a mobile—rather than stationary—weight. The weight, in some embodiments positioned about a tapered section of the main frame of the bumper assembly, is adapted to slide, or move, in two axes: longitudinally along the length of the section and laterally across its (tapered) width. Such movement occurs automatically as the cleaner operates, effectively continuously rebalancing it depending on its location and orientation within the pool. The action of the weight can also result in increased pool coverage per unit time by the cleaner.
Additionally optionally included in cleaners of the present invention is another, “belly” weight as well as a lower bumper assembly. Positioned above and adjacent the flexible disc, the lower bumper facilitates operation of a cleaner by reducing the likelihood of the cleaner becoming trapped against an object such as a step located within a swimming pool. More or less horizontal when the cleaner is upright and generally parallel to the disc, the lower bumper forms the leading edge of the bottom of the cleaner body when the cleaner approaches an object other than perpendicularly. It thus is able to function as a sacrificial member, itself wearing by contact with objects rather than permitting the cleaner body to do so.
In some embodiments of the invention, the lower bumper may be comprised of two sections, the sections being integrally or otherwise connected at one, “first” end and connectable at the other, “second” end of each. The first end may effectively function as a hinge, permitting expansion of the interior of the bumper to allow it to be placed about the exterior of a cleaner body. Once so placed, the second ends of the sections may be brought into contact and latched, or connected, in position. The lower bumper additionally may attach to the main frame of the finned bumper at one or more locations, utilizing protrusions fitted into (and, if desired, interlocking with) corresponding bosses or collars included as part of the main frame.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide bumpers or bumper assemblies for an automatic swimming pool cleaner.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide bumper assemblies adapted to facilitate deflection of the cleaner when obstacles are encountered in use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide bumper assemblies in which such deflection is facilitated by a flexible fin, which in at least some embodiments is attached to a rigid, contoured frame.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide side wings, or similar wear-preventing structures, connecting the frame to the body of the cleaner.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system, repositionable in use, for balancing the cleaner with which it is associated.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a system that includes a weight adapted to move along two axes.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide such a system in which the action of the weight can result in increased pool coverage per unit time by the cleaner.
It is, moreover, an object of the present invention to provide bumpers positioned more or less parallel to flexible discs of cleaners and adjacent such discs.
It is furthermore an object of the present invention to provide a bumper comprised of two sections, the sections being effectively hinged at one end and connectable at the other.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4463468 (1984-08-01), Chauvier
patent: 4642833 (1987-02-01), Stoltz et al.
patent: 4742593 (1988-05-01), Kallenbach
patent: 4761848 (1988-08-01), Hofmann
patent: 5014382 (1991-05-01), Kallenbach
patent: 5398362 (1995-03-01), Chauvier
patent: 5655246 (1997-08-01), Chang
patent: 6049933 (2000-04-01), McLaughlin
patent: 0721033 (1996-07-01), None
patent: 0745744 (1996-12-01), None
patent: 2005993 (1979-05-01), None
Bauckman Mark J.
Gregg Michael J.
Rice Chris A.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Olsen Kaj K.
Russell Dean W.
Warden, Sr. Robert J.
Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
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