POOL CLEANER SWIVEL WHEEL ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A pool cleaner attachment device includes a bracket and at least one caster. The caster is mounted pivotably within the bracket. The bracket spaces the caster from a pool cleaning apparatus frame. A swivelable pool cleaner includes a cleaner body with a mounting frame; a bracket mounted to an edge of the frame; and a caster assembly mounted pivotably in the bracket. The caster assembly is spaced from the mounting frame by the bracket. The pool cleaner rolls in all directions around the pool, making it easier for the operator to clean hard to reach places.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pool cleaners and, more particularly, to a pool cleaner swivel wheel attachment.

Some areas of pools are extremely difficult to clean. Existing pool cleaning devices have limited maneuverability—they only roll forward or backward. This limitation makes it easy to miss areas of the pool.

As can be seen, there is a need for a pool cleaning device that can move in additional directions beyond forward and backward.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a pool cleaner attachment device comprises a bracket and at least one caster mounted pivotably within the bracket. The bracket is configured to space the at least one caster from a pool cleaning apparatus frame.

In another aspect of the present invention, a swivelable pool cleaner comprises a cleaner body having a mounting frame; a bracket mounted to an edge of the mounting frame; and a caster assembly, mounted pivotably within the bracket. The caster assembly is spaced from the mounting frame by the bracket.

The present invention provides a vacuum having pivoting wheels for improved maneuverability. The vacuum rolls in all directions around the pool, making it much easier for the operator to cover hard to reach places.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a maneuverable pool vacuum according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a detailed bottom view thereof, showing caster movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a pivoting wheel attachment for existing pool vacuums comprising a bracket with pivoting wheels. Pool vacuums manufactured with a cleaner body and pivoting wheels are also contemplated.

As used herein, the term “T” shape indicates the well-known shape of a T letterform in the typography arts. In other words, the shape has two opposing colinear arms extending perpendicularly from a top end of a stem; the bottom end of the stem is the terminal.

A bracket may be fabricated from a piece of aluminum configured to a predetermined shape and size suitable to bolt to a pool vacuum. The manufacturer may then bolt wheel assemblies, comprising wheels mounted to a rotatable mounting system, to the bracket. The wheel assemblies are also referred to herein as casters.

To use the inventive attachment, the user may remove the existing wheel bracket from a pool vacuum and replace it with the inventive attachment. The existing bracket on the vacuum may have, for example, 3 nuts and bolts. The inventive bracket is configured to bolt into the same place as the existing bracket with the existing fasteners. Once the new bracket is bolted into place, the user may place the pool vacuum into a pool for operation. The pivoting wheels allow the vacuum to move in all directions.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, FIG. 1 illustrates a pool vacuum 10 mounting frame or apparatus frame with swivelable or pivotable pool cleaner attachment devices according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a bracket 14 and two casters 18 each, installed at opposite edges. The casters 18 are spaced from the pool vacuum 10 mounting frame so that they may move freely.

As more clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each attachment comprises a bracket 14 with a pair of casters 18 bolted thereto with nuts 20 installed on the caster 18 bolts inserted through fastening apertures or bolt holes 16 in the bracket 14. The bracket 14 comprises bolt holes 16 that align with bolt holes on the pool vacuum 10 mounting frame. As the inventive device is not particularly limited to a particular style of pool vacuum, the bracket 14 may be manufactured to align with other mounting frame configurations. The bracket 14 is bolted to the pool vacuum 10 mounting frame with bolts 22 inserted through fastening apertures or bolt holes 12 in the pool vacuum mounting frame and holes 16 in the bracket 14. The bolts 22 are secured with nuts 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 14 is a unitary component having an attachment region that conforms to the shape and size of the pool vacuum mounting frame. In this case, the attachment region comprises a central planar portion with two parallel arms, each lying on a plane bent 90° from the central planar portion. The central planar portion and both arms have a central bolt hole 16. A “T” shaped portion having a stem of the “T” extending perpendicularly from the central planar portion and coplanar thereto, with the terminal of the “T” joined with the central planar portion, the arms ride atop the casters 18. Each arm of the “T” has a central bolt hole 16.

The bolt portion of each caster assembly 18 is aligned with a vertical sidewall of the vacuum's mounting frame and the arms of the “T” shaped portion extend beyond the mounting frame. See FIG. 4.

Once the bracket 14 is installed, the vacuum 10 may be moved in any direction as seen in FIG. 5, as the casters 18 pivot a full 360° from their respective bolt hole 16.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A pool cleaner attachment device, comprising a bracket and at least one caster mounted pivotably within the bracket, wherein the bracket is configured to space the at least one caster from a pool cleaning apparatus frame.

2. The pool cleaner attachment device of claim 1, wherein the bracket conforms to a pool cleaning apparatus frame and has fastening apertures aligned with existing fastening apertures in the pool cleaning apparatus frame.

3. The pool cleaner attachment device of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a central planar portion, with two parallel arms bent along a plane 90° from the central planar portion, and a “T” shaped portion, coplanar with the central planar portion, having a stem of the “T” shaped portion extending perpendicularly from the central planar portion and colinear arms extending from the stem.

4. The pool cleaner attachment device of claim 3, wherein the at least one caster is two casters, each caster being pivotably mounted within an arm of the “T” shaped portion.

5. The pool cleaner attachment device of claim 3, wherein a bolt portion of the at least one caster is aligned with a vertical sidewall of the pool cleaning apparatus frame and one of the colinear arms of the “T” shaped portion extend beyond the vertical sidewall of the pool cleaning apparatus frame.

6. A swivelable pool cleaner, comprising: a cleaner body having a mounting frame;a bracket mounted to an edge of the mounting frame; anda caster assembly, mounted pivotably within the bracket, wherein the caster assembly is spaced from the mounting frame by the bracket.

7. The swivelable pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein the bracket conforms to the mounting frame and has fastening apertures aligned with existing fastening apertures in the mounting frame.

8. The swivelable pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein the bracket comprises a central planar portion, with two parallel arms bent along a plane 90° from the central planar portion, and a “T” shaped portion, coplanar with the central planar portion, having a stem of the “T” shaped portion extending perpendicularly from the central planar portion and colinear arms extending from the stem.

9. The swivelable pool cleaner of claim 8, wherein the caster assembly is pivotably mounted within an arm of the “T” shaped portion.

10. The swivelable pool cleaner of claim 8, wherein a bolt portion of the caster assembly is aligned with a vertical sidewall of the mounting frame and one of the colinear arms of the “T” shaped portion extend beyond the vertical sidewall of the mounting frame.