CA1271902A - Cleaning head for apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid - Google Patents
Cleaning head for apparatus for cleaning a body of liquidInfo
- Publication number
- CA1271902A CA1271902A CA000501713A CA501713A CA1271902A CA 1271902 A CA1271902 A CA 1271902A CA 000501713 A CA000501713 A CA 000501713A CA 501713 A CA501713 A CA 501713A CA 1271902 A CA1271902 A CA 1271902A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- body portion
- liquid
- cleaning head
- main jet
- hose
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 37
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000006854 communication Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
- 230000009182 swimming Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000270295 Serpentes Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010349 pulsation Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
CLEANING HEAD FOR APPARATUS
FOR CLEANING A BODY OF LIQUID
ABSTRACT
A cleaning head for an apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid includes a hollow body portion that carries a main jet member which defines a main jet wherethrough liquid may be discharged, thereby to propel the body portion through the liquid. A connector connects the body portion to a supply hose for supplying pressurized liquid, the connector and the main jet member being in fluid communication, the main jet pointing away from the connector so that, in use, liquid discharging from the main jet causes the body portion to move towards the supply hose. A foraminous structure is fast with the body portion and is displaceable therewith for collecting detritus as the foraminous structure passes through the liquid. The structure has an inlet opening facing in an operative opposed direction to the main jet. An auxiliary jet member is also carried by the body portion and is also in fluid communication with the connector and is directed towards the inlet opening of the foraminous structure.
FOR CLEANING A BODY OF LIQUID
ABSTRACT
A cleaning head for an apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid includes a hollow body portion that carries a main jet member which defines a main jet wherethrough liquid may be discharged, thereby to propel the body portion through the liquid. A connector connects the body portion to a supply hose for supplying pressurized liquid, the connector and the main jet member being in fluid communication, the main jet pointing away from the connector so that, in use, liquid discharging from the main jet causes the body portion to move towards the supply hose. A foraminous structure is fast with the body portion and is displaceable therewith for collecting detritus as the foraminous structure passes through the liquid. The structure has an inlet opening facing in an operative opposed direction to the main jet. An auxiliary jet member is also carried by the body portion and is also in fluid communication with the connector and is directed towards the inlet opening of the foraminous structure.
Description
This invention relates to the cleaning of a body of liquid such as a swimming pool. In particular, it relates to a self propelled cleaning head capable of movement through the body of liquid.
The inventor provides a cleaning head for an apparatus for cleaning a body of li~uid, which includes a hollow body portion that carries a main jet member which defines a main jet wherethrough liquid may be discharged, thereby to propel the body portion through the liquid. A
connecting means connects the body portion to a supply hose for supplying pressuri~ed liquid. The connecting means and the main jet member are in fluid communication.
The main jet points away from the connecting means so that, in use, liquid discharging from the main jet causes the body portion to move towards the supply hose. A
foraminous structure is fast with the body portion and is displaceable therewith for collecting detritus as the foraminous structure passes through the liquid. The structure has an inlet opening facing in an operative opposed direction to the main jet. An auxiliary jet member is also carried by the body portion and is also in fluid communication with the connecting means and is directed towards the inlet opening of the foraminous structure.
Preferably, the auxiliary jet member defines an auxiliary jet which has a smaller orifice than the main jet.
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The main jet member may be located on one side of the body portion with at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the other side of the body portion.
A scraping member is preferably engageable with a surface of a container in which the liquid is contained.
In a preferred form, the connecting means includes a coupling for connection to the hose.
The invention is now described, by way of an e~ample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a swimmingpool cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows a plan view of a cleaning head of the apparatus;
Figure 3 shows an underneath plan view of the cleaning head;
Figure 4 shows a sectioned view of part of a surface unit of the apparatus;
Figure 5 shows an oblique plan view of the surface unit;
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Figure 6 shows an oblique underneath view of the surface unit;
Figure 7 shows a sectioned view of a jet connector which connects together two sections of hose of the apparatus;
Figure 8 shows a sectioned view of a wheeled connector;
Figure 9 shows a sectioned view of a swivel connector; and Figure 10 shows schematically how the surface unit is utilized to store hoses of the apparatus.
Referring to the drawings, the swimming pool cleaning apparatus is designated generally by reference numeral 10. As will be explained below, the apparatus 10 operates by means of a pressure principle.
The apparatus 10 has two prime components - a cleaning head 12 and a surface unit 14. The cleaning head 12 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3 and the surface unit 14 is shown in more detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6. The cleaning head 12 is connected to the surface unit 14 by means of an underwater hose 16 and the surface unit 14 is connected to an inlet of the swimming pool that i~
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is to be cleaned (not shown) through which water returns to the pool, by means of a surface hose 18 and a swivel connector 20.
The connector 20 has a tubular inlet 22 which is engaged with the inlet of the swimming pool and an outlet 24 which is connected to the hose 18 by means of a connector 26. The inlet 22 and outlet 24 are swivably connected to one another. The hose 18 comprises sections 28 which are connected to one another by means of connectors 26, 30 and 32. The connectors 26 have buoyant elements which cause the hose 18 to float on the surface.
The connectors 30 are swivel connectors and are shown more clearly in Figure 9. The connectors 32 have jets and are shown more clearly in Figure 7.
Similarly, the underwater hose 16 has sections 28 that are the same as those for the surface hose 18, the sections 28 being connected to one another by jet connectors 32, the swivel connectors 30 and wheeled connectors 34. The wheeled connectors 34 are shown in more detail in Figure 8.
Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, the cleaning head 12 is shown. The cleaning head 12 has a body portion 36 that comprises a curved section 38 and a hollow central section 40. The curved section 38 is curved to define a convex side 42 and a concave side 44. At the ends of the :: ' ~ ~'7~3~)~
curved section 38 wheels 46 are provided. A curved support member 48 is also connected to the ends of the curved section 38 to define a mouth 50. The support member 48 also performs a scraping function. A woven bag 52 is secured to the support member 48 and the curved section 38 such that, as the body portion 36 is displaced through the water (in a manner which will be described below) water with detritus suspended therein flows into the bag 52 through the mouth 50, with detritus being collected in the bag 52. A scraper member 54 which is angled with respect to the body portion 36 and which is hingedly attached thereto, on the convex side 44 of the body portion 36, is also provided. The scraper 54 is angled such that it is displaced away from the body portion 36 as the body portion 36 is displaced through the water. The body portion 36 is displaced through the water by means of a main jet 56 which projects from the convex side 42 of the body portion 36 and is angled thereto, pointing in the general direction of the bag 52 and keeping the wheels ~6 in contact with the walls or floor of the pool. The jet 56 communicates with the interior of the hollow section 40. A smaller auxiliary jet 58 is provided on the other side of the body portion 36 and is angled towards the mouth 50 to assist the passage of detritus into the bag 52. It will be appreciated, that in use, water flowing out of the main jet 56 causes the cleaning head 12 to be displaced through the water and to have a component of thrust towards the wheels 46.
~7~ )2 Turning now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the surface unit 14 is shown therein. The surface unit 14 has a tubular inlet member 60 that is cranked and a tubular outlet member 62 that is also cranked. The surface hose 18 is connected to the inlet member 60 and the underwater hose 16 is connected to the outlet member 62. The two members 60 and 62 are connected together by means of a bearing arrangement 64 so that they are swivelable with respect to a swivel axis which is vertically disposed in use. The inlet member 60 further has an aperture 66 through which water is supplied to further jets incor-porated in the surface unit 14. Thus, the surface unit has a main tray 68 which is rotatably attached to the inlet member 60 by means of a further bearing arrangement 64 and carries two displacing jets 70 (only one of which is shown in Figure 4) which project from the underneath surface of the -tray 68 at an angle, as is shown in Figure 6. The tray 68 is secured to a first tubular carrier 72 which in turn is connected to the inlet member 60 by means of a further bearing arrangement 64, to be in communica-tion with the aperture 66. This carrier 72 has two spigots 74 which are connected to-the jets 70 by means of pipes 76. Although the jets 70 are equally spaced from a central axis of the tray 68, and are angled in the same direction, one of the jets is smaller than the other.
Thus, in use, as water exits from the jets 70 the tray 68 will ~e displaced linearly through the water and will also be rotated about the inlet member 60, which in turn will .. : .
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cause the above-mentioned vector of linear thrust to change its alignment relative to the pool-shell.
Secured to the periphery of the central tray 68 is a ring 78 of foamed plastic which causes the surface unit 14 to float in the water. Further, the central tray 68 has two outer compartments 80 for the dispersal of liquid or powdered chemicals, two openings 82 and an annular dished region 84 for the containment of chemical tablets. A cover 86 closes off this dished region 84.
The cover 86 has four openings ~for the insertion of tablets which are closed by removable lids 88).
A second tubular carrier 90 is secured to the first carrier tube 72 by means of a further bearing arrangement 64 such that the carriers 90 and 72 are in communication with one another. The second carrier 90 is closed off by means of a cap 92. An off-balance spinner 94 is secured to the second carrier 90. The spinner 94 has two opposed jets 96 which are connected to spigots 98 of the second carrier 90 by means of pipes 100. In use, the spinner 94 is caused to rotate due to water exiting the jets 96. Because the spinner 94 is not balanced, this imparts a vibration to the surEace unit 14 which inhibits sticking of the bearing arrangements 64, thus facilitating the constant and random re-alignment of the asymmetrical jets 70 of the surface unit 14 relative to the surface hose 18, and of the surface hose 18 relative to the , ,.~ ~ i , ' o~
underwater hose 16. Additionally, this vibration causes a pulsation down the length of both hoses 16 and 18, inhibiting their coming to rest against the pool-shell.
Referring now to Figure 7, a jet connector 32 is shown therein. The connector 32 has thread formations 102 at each end by means of which the hose sections 28 are secured thereto, and also incorporates cavities to hold weights for the attainment of optimum buoyancy of under-water hose 16. The connector 32 also has either one or two angled jets 104 which communicate with the interior thereof. It will be understood that in use water flows out of the jets 104 causing the connector 32 to be displaced in the water, thereby also moving the hose sections 28. Where two jets 104 are employed, the resultant line of thrust is along the longitudlnal axis of the hose 16, but where only one jet 104 is employed there is an additional component of thrust at right angles to this axis. The two or three jet connections 32 closest to the cleaning head 12 will have only one jet 104 each. The section of underwater hose 16 on which they occur will remain unswivelably fixed relative to the cleaning head 12, but swivelably fixed relative to the rest of the underwater hose 16. The line of thrust of each will be in the same plane as that of the main jet 56, and in view of the transverse component of thrust possessed by all these jets, the cleaning head 12 will be mostly held in contact with the walls and floor of the pool, and when it does break away will soon automatically correct its attitude and restore its wheel-to-wall/floor contact.
Referring to Figure 8, the wheeled connector 34 is shown therein. The connector 34 has a tubular body 106 which has threaded formations 102 for a connection to the hose sections 28, as with the connector 32. A cage 108 is rotatably mounted on the body portion 106 to be rotatably mounted on the body portion 106 to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of 106. The cage 108 carries is rotably mounted on the body portion 106 to be rotatable about axles 112 that are longitudinal axis. Thus, as the hose displaced through the water, every now and again the hose sections 28 will tend to rub portions of the swimming pool. At these times, the wheels of the connectors 34 will engage the wall or floor thereby protecting the hose sections 2 facilitating movement of the underwater hose through the water both in the direction of its longitudinal axis and at right angles to it.
Referring to Figure 9, a swivel connector 30 is shown. The swivel connector 30 has tubular portions 114 and 116 which each have threaded regions 102 and are swivably connected to one another by means of a bearing arrangement 118. By means of the bearing arrangement 118 the members 114 and 116 are able to rotate with respect to one another. Thus, adjacent hose sections 28 may rotate with respect to one another, thus randomly altering the .
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resultant directions of thrust of those jet connectors 32 having only one angled jet 104.
Finally, referring to Figure 10, the surface unit 14 is shown in an inverted position with a reel unit 120 that is utilized to roll up the surface hose 18 and underwater hose 16 about a core 122 that has feet 124 which project through the apertures 82 in the central tray 68.
It will accordingly be understood that when the apparatus 10 is in use, the cleaning head 12 is caused to move through the water collecting dirt therein. Due to the action of the main jet 56 and the jets 104 of the connectors 32 the underwater hose 28 and the cleaning head 12 move randomly through the swimming pool. Further, due to the inter-dependent action of the jet connectors 32, the swivel connectors 30 and the wheel connectors 34 the possibility of the cleaning head 12 being caught in any part of the pool is extremely small. Further, due to the constant and random re-alignment of these components the possibility of the cleaning head 12 moving through a repeating pattern is also very small. Further, as the surface unit 14 itself moves randomly around the pool the randomness of movement of the cleaning head 12 is enhanced. It will also be appreciated that if the surface unit 14 comes into contact with a wall portion of the swimming pool, it will rotate as it moves along the wall, , - . ~ ~ ,.
f~ 3~)2 thus overpowering the lesser tendency to rotate caused by the asyrnmetrical jets 70 (in conjunction with the vibration caused by the spinner 94). The more sudden and vigorous re-alignment of the linear thrust vector of the jets 70 further enhances the randomness of the entire system. When this line of linear thrust is opposed to the direction of movement of the underwater hose 16, the latter slows down and "snakes" randomly in both the hori~ontal and vertical planes. When the linear thrust of these jets 70 is i.n the same direction as the movement of the underwater hose 16, the latter speeds up and proceeds from one area of the pool to another by a more direct route, tending to follow the equally rapid passage of the surface unit 14.
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The inventor provides a cleaning head for an apparatus for cleaning a body of li~uid, which includes a hollow body portion that carries a main jet member which defines a main jet wherethrough liquid may be discharged, thereby to propel the body portion through the liquid. A
connecting means connects the body portion to a supply hose for supplying pressuri~ed liquid. The connecting means and the main jet member are in fluid communication.
The main jet points away from the connecting means so that, in use, liquid discharging from the main jet causes the body portion to move towards the supply hose. A
foraminous structure is fast with the body portion and is displaceable therewith for collecting detritus as the foraminous structure passes through the liquid. The structure has an inlet opening facing in an operative opposed direction to the main jet. An auxiliary jet member is also carried by the body portion and is also in fluid communication with the connecting means and is directed towards the inlet opening of the foraminous structure.
Preferably, the auxiliary jet member defines an auxiliary jet which has a smaller orifice than the main jet.
:
The main jet member may be located on one side of the body portion with at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the other side of the body portion.
A scraping member is preferably engageable with a surface of a container in which the liquid is contained.
In a preferred form, the connecting means includes a coupling for connection to the hose.
The invention is now described, by way of an e~ample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a swimmingpool cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows a plan view of a cleaning head of the apparatus;
Figure 3 shows an underneath plan view of the cleaning head;
Figure 4 shows a sectioned view of part of a surface unit of the apparatus;
Figure 5 shows an oblique plan view of the surface unit;
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Figure 6 shows an oblique underneath view of the surface unit;
Figure 7 shows a sectioned view of a jet connector which connects together two sections of hose of the apparatus;
Figure 8 shows a sectioned view of a wheeled connector;
Figure 9 shows a sectioned view of a swivel connector; and Figure 10 shows schematically how the surface unit is utilized to store hoses of the apparatus.
Referring to the drawings, the swimming pool cleaning apparatus is designated generally by reference numeral 10. As will be explained below, the apparatus 10 operates by means of a pressure principle.
The apparatus 10 has two prime components - a cleaning head 12 and a surface unit 14. The cleaning head 12 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3 and the surface unit 14 is shown in more detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6. The cleaning head 12 is connected to the surface unit 14 by means of an underwater hose 16 and the surface unit 14 is connected to an inlet of the swimming pool that i~
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is to be cleaned (not shown) through which water returns to the pool, by means of a surface hose 18 and a swivel connector 20.
The connector 20 has a tubular inlet 22 which is engaged with the inlet of the swimming pool and an outlet 24 which is connected to the hose 18 by means of a connector 26. The inlet 22 and outlet 24 are swivably connected to one another. The hose 18 comprises sections 28 which are connected to one another by means of connectors 26, 30 and 32. The connectors 26 have buoyant elements which cause the hose 18 to float on the surface.
The connectors 30 are swivel connectors and are shown more clearly in Figure 9. The connectors 32 have jets and are shown more clearly in Figure 7.
Similarly, the underwater hose 16 has sections 28 that are the same as those for the surface hose 18, the sections 28 being connected to one another by jet connectors 32, the swivel connectors 30 and wheeled connectors 34. The wheeled connectors 34 are shown in more detail in Figure 8.
Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, the cleaning head 12 is shown. The cleaning head 12 has a body portion 36 that comprises a curved section 38 and a hollow central section 40. The curved section 38 is curved to define a convex side 42 and a concave side 44. At the ends of the :: ' ~ ~'7~3~)~
curved section 38 wheels 46 are provided. A curved support member 48 is also connected to the ends of the curved section 38 to define a mouth 50. The support member 48 also performs a scraping function. A woven bag 52 is secured to the support member 48 and the curved section 38 such that, as the body portion 36 is displaced through the water (in a manner which will be described below) water with detritus suspended therein flows into the bag 52 through the mouth 50, with detritus being collected in the bag 52. A scraper member 54 which is angled with respect to the body portion 36 and which is hingedly attached thereto, on the convex side 44 of the body portion 36, is also provided. The scraper 54 is angled such that it is displaced away from the body portion 36 as the body portion 36 is displaced through the water. The body portion 36 is displaced through the water by means of a main jet 56 which projects from the convex side 42 of the body portion 36 and is angled thereto, pointing in the general direction of the bag 52 and keeping the wheels ~6 in contact with the walls or floor of the pool. The jet 56 communicates with the interior of the hollow section 40. A smaller auxiliary jet 58 is provided on the other side of the body portion 36 and is angled towards the mouth 50 to assist the passage of detritus into the bag 52. It will be appreciated, that in use, water flowing out of the main jet 56 causes the cleaning head 12 to be displaced through the water and to have a component of thrust towards the wheels 46.
~7~ )2 Turning now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the surface unit 14 is shown therein. The surface unit 14 has a tubular inlet member 60 that is cranked and a tubular outlet member 62 that is also cranked. The surface hose 18 is connected to the inlet member 60 and the underwater hose 16 is connected to the outlet member 62. The two members 60 and 62 are connected together by means of a bearing arrangement 64 so that they are swivelable with respect to a swivel axis which is vertically disposed in use. The inlet member 60 further has an aperture 66 through which water is supplied to further jets incor-porated in the surface unit 14. Thus, the surface unit has a main tray 68 which is rotatably attached to the inlet member 60 by means of a further bearing arrangement 64 and carries two displacing jets 70 (only one of which is shown in Figure 4) which project from the underneath surface of the -tray 68 at an angle, as is shown in Figure 6. The tray 68 is secured to a first tubular carrier 72 which in turn is connected to the inlet member 60 by means of a further bearing arrangement 64, to be in communica-tion with the aperture 66. This carrier 72 has two spigots 74 which are connected to-the jets 70 by means of pipes 76. Although the jets 70 are equally spaced from a central axis of the tray 68, and are angled in the same direction, one of the jets is smaller than the other.
Thus, in use, as water exits from the jets 70 the tray 68 will ~e displaced linearly through the water and will also be rotated about the inlet member 60, which in turn will .. : .
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., :
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cause the above-mentioned vector of linear thrust to change its alignment relative to the pool-shell.
Secured to the periphery of the central tray 68 is a ring 78 of foamed plastic which causes the surface unit 14 to float in the water. Further, the central tray 68 has two outer compartments 80 for the dispersal of liquid or powdered chemicals, two openings 82 and an annular dished region 84 for the containment of chemical tablets. A cover 86 closes off this dished region 84.
The cover 86 has four openings ~for the insertion of tablets which are closed by removable lids 88).
A second tubular carrier 90 is secured to the first carrier tube 72 by means of a further bearing arrangement 64 such that the carriers 90 and 72 are in communication with one another. The second carrier 90 is closed off by means of a cap 92. An off-balance spinner 94 is secured to the second carrier 90. The spinner 94 has two opposed jets 96 which are connected to spigots 98 of the second carrier 90 by means of pipes 100. In use, the spinner 94 is caused to rotate due to water exiting the jets 96. Because the spinner 94 is not balanced, this imparts a vibration to the surEace unit 14 which inhibits sticking of the bearing arrangements 64, thus facilitating the constant and random re-alignment of the asymmetrical jets 70 of the surface unit 14 relative to the surface hose 18, and of the surface hose 18 relative to the , ,.~ ~ i , ' o~
underwater hose 16. Additionally, this vibration causes a pulsation down the length of both hoses 16 and 18, inhibiting their coming to rest against the pool-shell.
Referring now to Figure 7, a jet connector 32 is shown therein. The connector 32 has thread formations 102 at each end by means of which the hose sections 28 are secured thereto, and also incorporates cavities to hold weights for the attainment of optimum buoyancy of under-water hose 16. The connector 32 also has either one or two angled jets 104 which communicate with the interior thereof. It will be understood that in use water flows out of the jets 104 causing the connector 32 to be displaced in the water, thereby also moving the hose sections 28. Where two jets 104 are employed, the resultant line of thrust is along the longitudlnal axis of the hose 16, but where only one jet 104 is employed there is an additional component of thrust at right angles to this axis. The two or three jet connections 32 closest to the cleaning head 12 will have only one jet 104 each. The section of underwater hose 16 on which they occur will remain unswivelably fixed relative to the cleaning head 12, but swivelably fixed relative to the rest of the underwater hose 16. The line of thrust of each will be in the same plane as that of the main jet 56, and in view of the transverse component of thrust possessed by all these jets, the cleaning head 12 will be mostly held in contact with the walls and floor of the pool, and when it does break away will soon automatically correct its attitude and restore its wheel-to-wall/floor contact.
Referring to Figure 8, the wheeled connector 34 is shown therein. The connector 34 has a tubular body 106 which has threaded formations 102 for a connection to the hose sections 28, as with the connector 32. A cage 108 is rotatably mounted on the body portion 106 to be rotatably mounted on the body portion 106 to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of 106. The cage 108 carries is rotably mounted on the body portion 106 to be rotatable about axles 112 that are longitudinal axis. Thus, as the hose displaced through the water, every now and again the hose sections 28 will tend to rub portions of the swimming pool. At these times, the wheels of the connectors 34 will engage the wall or floor thereby protecting the hose sections 2 facilitating movement of the underwater hose through the water both in the direction of its longitudinal axis and at right angles to it.
Referring to Figure 9, a swivel connector 30 is shown. The swivel connector 30 has tubular portions 114 and 116 which each have threaded regions 102 and are swivably connected to one another by means of a bearing arrangement 118. By means of the bearing arrangement 118 the members 114 and 116 are able to rotate with respect to one another. Thus, adjacent hose sections 28 may rotate with respect to one another, thus randomly altering the .
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resultant directions of thrust of those jet connectors 32 having only one angled jet 104.
Finally, referring to Figure 10, the surface unit 14 is shown in an inverted position with a reel unit 120 that is utilized to roll up the surface hose 18 and underwater hose 16 about a core 122 that has feet 124 which project through the apertures 82 in the central tray 68.
It will accordingly be understood that when the apparatus 10 is in use, the cleaning head 12 is caused to move through the water collecting dirt therein. Due to the action of the main jet 56 and the jets 104 of the connectors 32 the underwater hose 28 and the cleaning head 12 move randomly through the swimming pool. Further, due to the inter-dependent action of the jet connectors 32, the swivel connectors 30 and the wheel connectors 34 the possibility of the cleaning head 12 being caught in any part of the pool is extremely small. Further, due to the constant and random re-alignment of these components the possibility of the cleaning head 12 moving through a repeating pattern is also very small. Further, as the surface unit 14 itself moves randomly around the pool the randomness of movement of the cleaning head 12 is enhanced. It will also be appreciated that if the surface unit 14 comes into contact with a wall portion of the swimming pool, it will rotate as it moves along the wall, , - . ~ ~ ,.
f~ 3~)2 thus overpowering the lesser tendency to rotate caused by the asyrnmetrical jets 70 (in conjunction with the vibration caused by the spinner 94). The more sudden and vigorous re-alignment of the linear thrust vector of the jets 70 further enhances the randomness of the entire system. When this line of linear thrust is opposed to the direction of movement of the underwater hose 16, the latter slows down and "snakes" randomly in both the hori~ontal and vertical planes. When the linear thrust of these jets 70 is i.n the same direction as the movement of the underwater hose 16, the latter speeds up and proceeds from one area of the pool to another by a more direct route, tending to follow the equally rapid passage of the surface unit 14.
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Claims (8)
1. A cleaning head for an apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid, which includes:
a hollow body portion that carries a main jet member which defines a main jet wherethrough liquid may be discharged thereby to propel the body portion through the liquid;
a connecting means for connecting the body portion to a supply hose for supplying pressurized liquid, the connecting means including a coupling connected to the hose, the connecting means and the main jet member being in fluid communication, the main jet pointing away from the connecting means so that, in use, liquid discharging from the main jet causes the body portion to move towards the supply hose;
a foraminous structure fast with the body portion and displaceable therewith for collecting detritus as the foraminous structure passes through the liquid, the structure having an inlet opening facing in an operative opposed direction to the main jet;
an auxiliary jet member also carried by the body portion and that is also in fluid communication with the connecting means and is directed towards the inlet opening of the foraminous structure; and a secondary jet member that defines a secondary jet, fast with the hose intermediate its ends and in communication with the interior thereof.
a hollow body portion that carries a main jet member which defines a main jet wherethrough liquid may be discharged thereby to propel the body portion through the liquid;
a connecting means for connecting the body portion to a supply hose for supplying pressurized liquid, the connecting means including a coupling connected to the hose, the connecting means and the main jet member being in fluid communication, the main jet pointing away from the connecting means so that, in use, liquid discharging from the main jet causes the body portion to move towards the supply hose;
a foraminous structure fast with the body portion and displaceable therewith for collecting detritus as the foraminous structure passes through the liquid, the structure having an inlet opening facing in an operative opposed direction to the main jet;
an auxiliary jet member also carried by the body portion and that is also in fluid communication with the connecting means and is directed towards the inlet opening of the foraminous structure; and a secondary jet member that defines a secondary jet, fast with the hose intermediate its ends and in communication with the interior thereof.
2. The cleaning head as claimed in Claim 1, in which the auxiliary jet member defines an auxiliary jet which has a smaller orifice than the main jet.
3. The cleaning head as claimed in Claim 1, in which the main jet member is located on one side of the body portion and at least one wheel is rotatably mounted on the other side o-f the body portion.
4. The cleaning head as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a scraping member engageable with a surface of a container in which the liquid is contained.
5. The cleaning head as claimed in Claim 1, in which the coupling is swivelably attached to the body portion.
6. The cleaning head as claimed in Claim 1, which has a floatation member secured to the hose.
7. The cleaning head as claimed in Claim 1, which has a wheeled member secured to the hose, the wheeled member having a wheel.
8. The cleaning head as claimed in Claim 7, in which is rotational about an axis that is traverse to the longitudinal axis of the hose.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000501713A CA1271902A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1986-02-12 | Cleaning head for apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid |
| CA000580047A CA1264209A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Surface cleaning unit for a body of liquid |
| CA000580046A CA1264208A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000501713A CA1271902A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1986-02-12 | Cleaning head for apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid |
Related Child Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000580047A Division CA1264209A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Surface cleaning unit for a body of liquid |
| CA000580046A Division CA1264208A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1271902A true CA1271902A (en) | 1990-07-24 |
Family
ID=4132463
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000501713A Expired - Fee Related CA1271902A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1986-02-12 | Cleaning head for apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid |
| CA000580046A Expired - Fee Related CA1264208A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid |
| CA000580047A Expired - Fee Related CA1264209A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Surface cleaning unit for a body of liquid |
Family Applications After (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000580046A Expired - Fee Related CA1264208A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Apparatus for cleaning a body of liquid |
| CA000580047A Expired - Fee Related CA1264209A (en) | 1986-02-12 | 1988-10-13 | Surface cleaning unit for a body of liquid |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (3) | CA1271902A (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-02-12 CA CA000501713A patent/CA1271902A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1988
- 1988-10-13 CA CA000580046A patent/CA1264208A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-10-13 CA CA000580047A patent/CA1264209A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1264209A (en) | 1990-01-09 |
| CA1264208A (en) | 1990-01-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |