Patent Application
20120186612
Pool cleaning devices.
A swimming pool is a man-made opening (generally below ground level) or container (generally above ground level) filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. Chemical disinfectants such as chlorine, bromine or mineral sanitizers, and additional filters are often used in swimming pools to control the growth and spread of bacteria, viruses, algae and insect larvae. However, such chemicals do not completely prevent the growth and spread of these environmental constituents. Moreover, such chemicals cannot control the accumulation of leaves and other natural debris, which collects in pools on a regular basis (assuming vegetation in or around the pool). As such, pool cleaning and/or maintenance equipment is often used on a regular basis to maintenance swimming pools.
Many swimming pool owners use automatic cleaners, however, basic pool cleaning equipment is often still required. For example, a telescopic pole, a skim net, pool brushes and a test kit are considered a “must” for any pool owner. Telescopic poles usually extend and then twist lock in place. Most telescopic poles have two holes at the distal end which are designed to accept a wide range of accessories.
One of the most overlooked maintenance steps of pool care is brushing. Swimming pools should be brushed at least once per week. Brushing removes algae and other films and dirt on pool walls and pool floors that generally cannot be removed by vacuuming or by chemical treatment. A weekly brushing may avoid “slimy” walls and slick film that is common with pools and spas. However, brushing is very labor intensive and time consuming.
Consequently, a pool cleaning device which alleviates the disadvantages of prior art devices is needed.
A pool cleaning device, comprising: (a) a primary component comprising a proximal portion, a medial portion and a distal portion, the distal portion angled relative to the proximal and medial portions, the primary component allowing a fluid to flow therethrough; (b) a secondary component in fluid communication with the primary component, the secondary component comprised of an angled tubular member wherein the secondary component is angled between 15° and 30° relative to the primary component; and (c) a ball valve shut-off component in fluid communication with the angled tubular member, a proximal end of the ball shut-off valve component terminating in a hose connection component is herein disclosed.
The distal portion of the primary component may terminate in a nozzle. The proximal portion of the primary component may have a diameter less than a diameter of the medial portion of the primary component. The proximal portion of the tubular member may have at least two apertures distanced 180° from one another. At least two apertures are adapted to receive buttons from a push-button locking mechanism positioned within the proximal portion of the tubular member. The primary component may be adapted to couple to a telescopic pole. The hose connection member may be adapted to couple to a hose nozzle. The ball valve shut-off component may include an ON/OFF knob on an outer surface thereof.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out 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.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to pool cleaning devices adapted to simultaneously couple to a telescopic pole and a nozzle of a hose at separate openings, respectively. In one embodiment, the pool cleaning device comprises a primary component having a tubular configuration and terminating in an angled configuration therewith. A secondary component is in fluid communication with a medial portion of the primary component and angled at between 15° and 30° relative to the primary component. The secondary component is coupled to a ball valve for restricting or allowing the flow of water through the device. When a telescopic pole and a hose are simultaneously coupled to the separate openings on the primary component and the secondary component, respectively, the device may be use to create high pressure flow to clean submerged surfaces or water surface debris with little effort exerted by the user.
In one embodiment, a proximal portion 102a of the primary component 102 has a diameter less than a diameter of a medial portion 102b of the primary component 102. Also, proximal portion 102a may include at least two apertures 110 (only one aperture 110 shown) distanced about 180° from one another in order to receive push-buttons 112 (only one button 112 shown) from a push-button locking mechanism positioned therein (not shown). In this manner, the proximal portion 102a of the primary component 102 is able to reversibly couple and lock to a telescopic pole (explained in more detail below).
In one embodiment, a distal portion 102c of the primary component 102 is angled at about 45° relative to the proximal and medial portions 102a, 102b of the primary component 102. In this manner, when coupled to a telescopic pole, the pool cleaning device 100 may be directed to the submerged sidewalls of a swimming pool for cleaning thereof. According to embodiments of the invention, the distal portion 102c of the primary component 102 terminates in a nozzle 114 such as a threaded nip sweeper nozzle; however, other suitable nozzles as known by one of ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the invention. Materials comprising the primary component 102 include, but are not limited to, metal, metal alloys or synthetic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In some embodiments, the tubular members include an anti-bacterial material to mitigate, control and/or prevent bacterial build-up.
Continuing to refer to
The ball valve shut-off valve component 106 may have an ON/OFF knob 116 located externally thereto. In the ON position, an internal ball having an opening thereto (not shown) allows water flow-through. In the OFF position, the internal ball blocks the flow of water. The knob 116 may be turned between the ON and OFF position to control the amount of water flowing through the pool cleaning device 100. Similar to the materials comprising the primary component 102, materials comprising the secondary component 104 and the specialized components include, but are not limited to, metal, metal alloys or synthetic materials such as PVC.
The angled configuration as previously described confers numerous advantages over conventional pool cleaning devices. For example, when a hose is connected to the hose connection member and the device is in use, the angled configuration of the second assembly substantially or completely prevents kinking of the hose which restricts water flow. If the hose is kinked, there is not sufficient pressure to effectuate a spray jet to effectively clean, for example, algae and other material build-up on the submerged surfaces of the swimming pool. Additionally, taking into consideration the sloped inner surfaces of a pool, the angled configuration of the device according to embodiments of the invention helps to direct spray in the direction of the slope without the user having to hold the pole at an awkward angle. Additionally, when cleaning the surface water, the device according to embodiments of the invention directs water spray along the surface without the user being forced to hold the telescopic pole at knee-level. As the water gets deeper (shallow to deep end), the device moves surface debris to the deep end for easy retrieval.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
