Claims
- 1. A disc for an automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
- a. an upper surface;
- b. a lower surface;
- c. periphery comprising:
- i. a rim integrally formed with the upper surface; and
- ii. a semi-circular edge protruding from the rim;
- d. a plurality of apertures extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and spaced radially about the disc adjacent the periphery; and
- e. means for attachment to the automatic swimming pool cleaner.
- 2. A disc according to claim 1 in which the periphery further comprises a sloped region extending between the rim and the lower surface.
- 3. A disc according to claim 2 defining a central aperture for being received by a footpad of the automatic swimming pool cleaner and further comprising a central rim integrally formed with the upper surface and surrounding the central aperture.
- 4. A disc according to claim 3 further comprising a ramp integrally formed with and protruding from the lower surface.
- 5. A disc adapted for use as part of an automatic swimming pool cleaner having a footpad, comprising:
- a. an upper surface;
- b. a lower surface;
- c. a periphery comprising:
- i. a rim integrally formed with the Upper surface;
- ii. a rounded edge protruding from the rim; and
- iii. a sloped region extending between the rim and the lower surface;
- d. a plurality of apertures extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and spaced radially about the disc adjacent the periphery;
- e. at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface radially intermediate the central aperture and the periphery and radially nonaligned with the plurality of apertures;
- f. a central aperture for being received by the footpad of the automatic swimming pool cleaner;
- g. a central rim integrally formed with the upper surface and surrounding the central aperture; and
- h. a ramp integrally formed with and protruding from the lower surface.
- 6. A generally flexible disc adapted for use as part of an automatic swimming pool cleaner and having a first area having a selected rigidity and a periphery, comprising:
- a. means for increasing the rigidity of the periphery of the disc to greater than the rigidity of the first area;
- b. means for decreasing the rigidity of portions of the disc adjacent the periphery to less than the rigidity of the first area; and
- c. means for attachment to the automatic swimming pool cleaner.
- 7. A disc according to claim 6 further having an upper surface and a lower surface and in which the rigidity-increasing means comprises:
- a. a rim integrally formed with the upper surface;
- b. a rounded edge protruding from the rim; and
- c. a sloped region extending between the rim and the lower surface.
- 8. A disc according to claim 7 in which the rigidity-decreasing means comprises a plurality of generally-rectangular slots extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and spaced radially about the disc adjacent the periphery.
- 9. A flexible disc having a central aperture and adapted to receive a footpad of an automatic swimming pool cleaner, comprising:
- a. a planar upper surface;
- b. a lower surface;
- c. a periphery defining (1) a rim and (2) a rounded bead extending upward from the rim;
- d. a plurality of slots extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and through which fluid may pass when the automatic swimming pool cleaner is immersed in the fluid, which slots are spaced radially about the disc adjacent the periphery;
- e. a plurality of axes extending radially from the central aperture to the periphery and equal to the number of the plurality of slots, each axis passing through a slot;
- f. at least one opening radially interposed between the central aperture and the periphery and through which none of the plurality of axes passes;
- g. a central rim integrally formed with the upper surface and surrounding the central aperture; and
- h. an annular ramp integrally formed with the lower surface and concentric with the central aperture.
- 10. A disc according to claim 9 defining radii extending from the center of the central aperture to all points on the periphery and in which no such radius passes through both an opening and a slot.
- 11. A disc for a swimming pool cleaner comprising:
- a. a body defining an upper surface and a lower surface and having a thickness;
- b. means for attachment to the swimming pool cleaner;
- c. an unbroken periphery having a thickness greater than that of the body; and
- d. a plurality of apertures extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and spaced radially about the disc adjacent the periphery.
- 12. A disc according to claim 11 in which the attachment means comprises:
- a. a central aperture; and
- b. a central rim surrounding the central aperture, at least part of which has a thickness greater than that of the body and less than that of the periphery.
- 13. A disc according to claim 12 further comprising at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface radially intermediate the central aperture and the periphery and radially nonaligned with the plurality of apertures.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/103,930, filed Aug. 6, 1993, entitled "Swimming Pool Cleaner Discs and Associated Equipment."
US Referenced Citations (17)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (4)
Entry |
Two photographs of a beige disc and bearing the handwritten notation "Jandy" (product shown available to Applicants no later than Jan. 23, 1994). |
Two photographs of a blue disc and bearing the handwritten notation "Kreepy Krauley" (product shown available to Applicants no later than Jan. 23, 1994). |
One photograph of a black disc and bearing the handwritten notation "Baracuda" (product shown available to Applicants no later than Jan. 23, 1994). |
Two photographs of a blue disc for a swimming pool cleaner (product shown available to Applicants no later than Jan. 23, 1994). |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
103930 |
Aug 1993 |
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