Chlorine Tablet Holder

Abstract

Some embodiments can include a tool. In a number of embodiments, the tool can comprise a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet. In many embodiments, the housing can comprise one or more grips circumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet. In some embodiments, the housing can further comprise a release button disposed from a top side of the housing to the bottom side of the housing and configured to selectively release the chlorine tablet from the one or more grips. Other embodiments of related apparatuses are also provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to tools for cleaning pools, and relates more particularly to chlorine tablet holders.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning pool tiles clean from dirt and algae can take lot of effort when using typical cleaning tools, such as brushes or scrubbing sponges. Some users may use chemicals, such as chlorine to clean pool tiles. The ability to use a handheld tool and chlorine tablets to clean pool tiles is beneficial for pool cleaners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front-side perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a tool according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 depicts the tool of FIG. 5 along the cross-sectional line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom-side, perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. “Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.

As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments can include a tool. In a number of embodiments, the tool can comprise a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet. In many embodiments, the housing can comprise one or more grips circumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet. In some embodiments, the housing can further comprise a release button disposed from a top side of the housing to the bottom side of the housing and configured to selectively release the chlorine tablet from the one or more grips.

Some embodiments can include a tool. In a number of embodiments, the tool can comprise a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet. In many embodiments, the housing can comprise one or more grips circumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet. In some embodiments the tool further can comprise a handle comprising at least one handle button adapted to actuate the one or more grips.

Many embodiments comprise a tool for cleaning a pool. In some embodiments, the tool can comprise a housing. In a number of embodiments, the housing can comprise one or more grips adapted to grip a tablet. In some embodiments, the tool further can comprise a handle releasably coupled to a hinge portion. In many embodiments, the hinge portion can be operably coupled to the housing.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tool 100. In a number of embodiments, tool 100 can comprise a housing 102 configured to hold a chlorine tablet (not shown) or any other type of tablet. In many embodiments, housing 102 can comprise one or more grips 104 circumferentially disposed at a bottom side 106 of housing 102 and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet (not shown). In many embodiments, bottom side 106 can be configured to hold any shaped chlorine tablet. In a number of embodiments, bottom side 106 can be the same or similar shape as the chlorine tablet. In many embodiments, tool 100 can be used to scrub or erase the chlorine tablet directly on a pool wall in order to clean algae and other contaminants off the pool wall. When finished scrubbing the pool wall, the chlorine tablet can be released and used in a pool floater or floating chlorine dispenser, so as to not waste the remainder of the chlorine tablet. In many embodiments, one or more grips 104 can be configured to hold a standard 3-inch chlorine tablet. In some embodiments, one or more grips 104 can be configured to hold a differently-sized chlorine tablet. In some embodiments, bottom side 106 can be one shape, and one or more grips 104 can approximate a different shape.

In many embodiments, one or more grips 104 can be equally dispersed around bottom side 106. In some embodiments, one or more grips 104 can comprise one or more sets of two grips. In a number of embodiments, one or more grips 104 can comprise three sets of grips. In many embodiments, each of one or more grips 104 can comprise an edge 124 and a lip 126. In some embodiments, edge 124 and lip 126 can further secure the tablet within bottom side 106. In some embodiments, a width of lip 126 (e.g., lip width 674 (FIG. 6)) can be greater than a width of one or more grips 104. In some embodiments, lip 126 can extend within bottom 106.

Turning briefly to FIG. 3 through FIG. 6, which show tool 100 in different views, and discussing these figures together, in some embodiments, the diameter 330 of one or more grips 104 circumferentially disposed at bottom side 106 of housing 102 can be approximately 70 millimeters (mm) to 90 mm. In many embodiments, height 440 of tool 100 can be approximately 40 mm to 60 mm. In many embodiments, a tool length 450 can be approximately 160 mm to 200 mm. In some embodiments, a handle width 580 can be approximately 20 mm to approximately 30 mm. In a number of embodiments, a grip edge height 670 can be approximately 15 mm to approximately 20 mm, a release button height 660 can be approximately 18 mm to approximately 25 mm, and an inner diameter 682 of the one or more grips can be approximately 70 mm to 80 mm. In some embodiments, inner diameter 682 can be approximately 77.3 mm. In some embodiments, a lip height 672 can be approximately 2 mm to 4 mm and a lip width 674 can be approximately 2 mm to 4 mm.

Returning to FIG. 1, in many embodiments, housing 102 can further comprise a release button 108 disposed from a top side 110 of housing 102 to bottom side 106 and can be configured to selectively release the chlorine tablet from one or more grips 104. In some embodiments, release button 108 can comprise a rod 122 disposed through housing 102 and which can contact the chlorine tablet (not shown). Briefly turning to FIG. 7, which illustrates a bottom perspective view of tool 100 by showing the bottom view of bottom 106, in some embodiments, rod 122 can press the chlorine tablet (not shown) out of housing 102 and one or more grips 104, when release button 108 is depressed.

In a number of embodiments, tool 100 can further comprise a handle 112 operably coupled to housing 102. In some embodiments, handle 112 can be operably coupled to housing 102 by a hinge 114. In some embodiments, hinge 114 can comprise a pivot rod 116. In many embodiments, hinge 114 can be coupled to housing 102 at a pivot point 118. In some embodiments, hinge 114 can be configured to rotate approximately 0 degrees to 180 degrees about pivot point 118. In the same or other embodiments, hinge 114 can be configured to rotate approximately 0 degrees to 90 degrees about pivot point 118. In some embodiments, hinge 114 can be configured to rotate about pivot point 118 in approximately 10-degree, 15-degree, 20-degree or 30-degree increments.

In many embodiments, handle 112 can comprise a handle button 120. In a variety of embodiments, handle 112 can be selectively disconnected from the remainder of tool 100 by depressing handle button 120. In the same or other embodiments, the one or more grips 104 can be actuated or spread when handle button 120 is depressed. In a number of embodiments, a first handle (e.g., handle 112) can be replaced with a second handle. In some embodiments, the second handle can be longer than the first handle. In a number of embodiments, the second handle can be a pole from another pool tool (e.g., a pole from a pool skimmer). In some embodiments, tool 100 can comprise a handle 112. In some embodiments, handle 112 further can comprise at least one handle release button adapted to actuate one or more grips 104 to release the chlorine tablet.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of tool 200, which can be similar to tool 100 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, tool 200 can comprise housing 202, which can be similar to housing 102 (FIG. 1), pivot rod 216 (which can be similar to pivot rod 116 (FIG. 1)), and handle 212 (which can be similar to handle 112 (FIG. 1)). In many embodiments, tool 200 further can comprise a release button 208, which can be similar to release button 108 (FIG. 1). Release button 208 can comprise a rod 222, which can be similar to rod 122 (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, pivot rod 216 can comprise one or more sprocket sets comprised of at least one sprocket 250. In some embodiments, the one or more sprocket sets further comprises at least one button 252. In many embodiments, at least one sprocket 250 can comprise a sprocket rod 253. In many embodiments, hinge 214 can further comprise a spring 254 which can be set or coupled to sprocket rod 253. In many embodiments, sprocket 250 and button 252 can be used to adjust the angle of handle 212. In some embodiments, at least one button 252 can be depressed in order to compress spring 254 allow handle 212 to pivot by rotating sprocket 250 about pivot point 218. In many embodiments, pivot point 218 can comprise one or more pivot slots 257 and sprocket 250 can comprise one or more sprockets 255. In a number of embodiments, the angle of handle 212 can be adjusted by depressing button 252, which can compress spring 254, allowing the one or more sprockets 255 to be removed from one or more pivot slots 257 and allowing the one or more sprockets 255 to rotate. The one or more sprockets 255 can then be temporarily set into the one or more pivot slots 257 at a new location when button 252 is released. In some embodiments, one or more sprockets can be configured to rotate about pivot point 218 in approximately 10-degree, 15-degree, 20-degree or 30-degree increments.

Although a tool for holding a chlorine tablet has been described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element of the FIGS. 1-7 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.

Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A tool comprising: a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet and comprising: one or more grips circumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet; anda release button disposed from a top side of the housing to the bottom side of the housing and configured to selectively release the chlorine tablet from the one or more grips.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein: each of the one or more grips comprise an edge and a lip.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein: a diameter of the one or more grips circumferentially disposed at the bottom side of the housing is approximately 70 mm to 90 mm.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein: a height of the housing is approximately 40 mm to 60 mm.

5. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: a handle operably coupled to the housing.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein: the handle is configured to selectively disconnect from the housing.

7. The tool of claim 5, wherein: the handle is operably coupled to the housing by a hinge.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein: the hinge comprises a pivot rod.

9. The tool of claim 7, wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; andthe handle is configured to rotate up to 180 degrees about the pivot point.

10. The tool of claim 7, wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; andthe handle is configured to rotate about the pivot point in approximately 30-degree increments.

11. A tool comprising: a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet and comprising one or more grips circumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet; anda handle coupled to the housing and comprising at least one handle button adapted to actuate the one or more grips.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein: each of the one or more grips comprise an edge and a lip.

13. The tool of claim 11, wherein: a diameter of the one or more grips circumferentially disposed at the bottom side of the housing is approximately 70 mm to 90 mm.

14. The tool of claim 11, wherein: a height of the housing is approximately 40 mm to 60 mm.

15. The tool of claim 11, wherein: the handle is operably coupled to the housing by a hinge.

16. The tool of claim 15, wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; andthe handle is configured to rotate up to 180 degrees about the pivot point.

17. The tool of claim 15, wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; andthe handle is configured to rotate about the pivot point in approximately 30-degree increments.

18. A tool for cleaning a pool, comprising: a housing comprising one or more grips adapted to grip a tablet;a handle releasably coupled to a hinge portion; andthe hinge portion is operably coupled to the housing.

19. The tool of claim 18, wherein: the hinge portion is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; andthe handle is configured to rotate up to 180 degrees about the pivot point.

20. The tool of claim 18, wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; andthe handle is configured to rotate about the pivot point in approximately 30-degree increments.