Textiles: manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-04-24
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Textiles: manufacturing
C285S263000, C285S272000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220636
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to pool cleaning systems of the type including a so-called automatic pool cleaning device adapted to traverse submerged surfaces of a swimming pool or the like to pick up and collect accumulated debris such as leaves, twigs, sand and silt. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved swivel coupling for interconnecting a pool cleaner with a flexible hose or the like used for coupling the pool cleaner to an hydraulic power source such as a suction or vacuum source by connection to the suction side of a conventional pool water filtration system. The improved swivel coupling of the present invention is designed to provide substantial and relatively free rotational swivel displacement between the hose and the pool cleaner, substantially without binding or interference attributable to ingestion of debris and grit.
Pool cleaner systems and related devices are generally well known in the art for use in maintaining residential and commercial swimming pools in a clean and attractive condition. In this regard, swimming pools conventionally include a water filtration system equipped with a pump for drawing or suctioning water from the pool for circulation through a filter canister having filter media therein to remove and collect water-entrained debris such as leaves and twigs as well as fine particulate including sand and silt. In a typical arrangement, at least a portion of the pool water is vacuum-drawn over a weir mounted within a so-called skimmer well positioned substantially at the water surface to draw and collect floating debris to the filter equipment. From the filter canister, the water is recirculated to the pool via one or more return lines. Such filtration equipment is normally operated for several hours on a daily basis and serves, in combination with traditional chemical treatments such as chlorination or the like, to maintain the pool water in a clean and clear sanitary state.
The water filtration system is generally ineffective, however, to filter out debris which settles onto submerged floor and side wall surfaces of the swimming pool. In the past, settled debris has typically been removed by coupling a vacuum hose to the suction side of the pool water filtration system, such as by connecting the vacuum hose to the skimmer well located near the water surface at one side of the pool, and then manually moving a vacuum head coupled to the hose over the submerged pool surfaces to vacuum settled debris directly to the filter canister where it is collected and separated from the pool water. However, manual vacuuming of a swimming pool is a labor intensive task and is thus not typically performed by the pool owner or pool cleaning service personnel on a daily basis.
So-called automatic pool cleaner devices have been developed over the years for cleaning submerged pool surfaces, thereby substantially eliminating the need for labor intensive manual vacuuming. Such automatic pool cleaners typically comprise a relatively compact cleaner housing or head coupled to the pool water filtration system by a hose and including water-powered means for causing the cleaner to travel about within a swimming pool to dislodge and collect settled debris. In one form, the pool cleaner is connected to the return or pressure side of the filtration system for receiving positive pressure water which powers a turbine for rotatably driving cleaner wheels, and also functions by venturi action to draw settled debris into a filter bag. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,574; 4,558,479; 4,589,986; and 4,734,954. In another form, the pool cleaner is coupled by a vacuum hose to the suction side of the filtration system, whereby water is drawn through the pool cleaner to operate a drive mechanism for transporting the cleaner within the pool while vacuuming settled debris to the filter canister of the pool filtration system. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,803,658; 4,023,227; 4,133,068; 4,208,752; 4,643,217; 4,679,867; 4,729,406; 4,761,848; 5,105,496; 5,265,297; and 5,634,229. See also, copending U.S. Ser. No. 09/090,894, filed Jun. 4, 1998, and U.S. Ser. No. 09/176,532, filed Oct. 21, 1998.
In a typical pool cleaner installation, one or more swivel couplings are installed along the length of the flexible hose to enable the pool cleaner to travel a substantially random path to traverse and clean submerged pool surfaces, without significant hose twisting which could otherwise impact and restrict random cleaner travel. In this regard, the pool cleaner installation normally includes a swivel coupling for interconnecting a distal end of the flexible hose to a water flow port on the pool cleaner. Additional swivel couplings may also be installed in-line along the length of the hose, if desired. However, particularly with a suction powered pool cleaner wherein water is drawn through the flexible hose at a negative pressure, these swivel couplings are susceptible to ingestion of debris such as fine dirt and grit. Such ingested dirt and grit can accumulate between moving surfaces of the coupling and eventually cause the coupling to bind or lock up. When this occurs, it is necessary to disassemble the swivel coupling for cleaning, or to replace it.
The present invention relates to an improved swivel coupling for use with a pool cleaner, particularly of the suction powered type, wherein the swivel coupling is resistant to ingestion of debris such as dirt and grit, and further wherein any ingested dirt and grit is flushed through the swivel coupling to prevent accumulation therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, an improved swivel coupling is provided for connection along the length of a flexible cleaner hose coupled between a pool cleaner and pool water filtration equipment. The swivel coupling is particularly designed for use with a pool cleaner of the type powered by a vacuum or suction source, wherein the cleaner hose is coupled to the suction side of the filtration equipment. The swivel coupling comprises an inner ball segment rotatably supported with minimal surface contact area within an outer ball segment, and wherein the two ball segments cooperatively define therebetween recessed channels for flow of debris and grit away from the rotatable interface.
In the preferred form, the outer ball segment comprises a ball-shaped socket having a size and shape for snap-fit reception of a matingly shaped ball formed as part of the inner ball segment. The outer and inner ball segments each further include a sleeve-shaped cuff or fitting for suitable connection, for example, respectively to the flexible hose and to the pool cleaner, or alternately for in-line connection along the length of the hose. The assembled outer and inner ball segments define an uninterrupted flow passage therethrough, while accommodating substantially full circle rotation and a significant degree of angular deflection therebetween.
The socket of the outer ball segment includes a radially inwardly extending annular wiper seal formed substantially at a distal end thereof, for slidably engaging the exterior surface of the ball on the inner ball segment to restrict ingestion of dirt and grit to the ball-socket interface. This wiper seal has a relatively narrow axial width to minimize surface contact area between the ball and socket. A plurality of axially elongated and radially inwardly protruding ribs are also formed within the socket to extend axially from the wiper seal in circumferentially spaced relation toward the associated cuff of the outer ball segment, wherein these ribs have a relatively narrow circumferential width to minimize surface contact area with between the ball and socket. These ribs cooperatively define a plurality of axially elongated recessed channels within the socket, wherein any debris ingested to the ball-socket interface is drawn through these recessed channels for flow through the associated cuff and hose to the pool filtration equipment.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent
Stolz Gerhardus J.
Veloskey Thomas E.
Kelly Bauersfeld Lowry & Kelley LLP
Nicholson Eric K.
Polaris Pool Systems Inc.
LandOfFree
Swivel coupling for a pool cleaner does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Swivel coupling for a pool cleaner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Swivel coupling for a pool cleaner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2435955