Filter element in a pool cleaning device

Abstract: A filter element (2) for a swimming pool cleaning device which obviates the need to turn the device upside down and for non-return valves to prevent dirt or unfiltered water being returned to the pool has a basket-like shape including a tubular central stem (4) configured to be seated on an exit tube (26) of the cleaning device. The central stem (4) is surrounded by an annular trough (8) constituting the active filtering portion of the element and the outer rim of the trough is detachably affixed to an inner shell (18) of the cleaning device. During operation of the device solids-entraining water drawn in by an impeller (22) of the device enters the annular trough (8) from above and is passed through the active filtering portion and clean water is expelled through the exit tube (26) and returned to the pool.

Description: Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a filter element for devices for cleaning the floors of swimming pools or other water-covered surfaces. Background of the Invention Pool cleaning devices are known, e.g., from U.S. Patent No. 4,169,557, and comprise a small, electrically driven, track vehicle equipped with rotary brushes which clean the floor, with the water containing the dirt pried loose being drawn through apertures at the bottom of the device and through a filter, the water thus cleaned being returned to the pool through an exit at the top of the device. . A serious disadvantage of this and similar devices resides in the fact that in order to clean or replace the filter element, the device, having been removed from the water, has to be turned upside down for filter removal and return. Furthermore, there is a need for non-return valves on the bottom of the device, to prevent the high concentration of dirt returning to the pool together with the still unfiltered amount of water present in the space downstream of the filter element. Disclosure of the Invention It is thus one of the objects of the present invention to provide a filter element that can be removed from and returned to the cleaning device for cleaning or replacing, without any need to turn the device upside down. It is a further object of the invention to provide a filter element of such configuration that the solids-entraining water reaches it from above, and that the high solids concentration inside the filter can never return to the pool, obviating the need for non-return valves. According to the invention, the above objects are achieved by providing a swimming pool cleaning device comprising an outer shell with a detachable lid at its upper part, said outer shell being open at its lower end, and an inner shell spaced apart therefrom, open at its upper end and accommodating an impeller and a clean-water exit tube, the device further comprising a filter element having a basket-like shape including a tubular central stem configured to be seated on said exit tube, said central stem being surrounded by an annular trough constituting the active filtering portion of said element, with the outer rim of said trough being detachably affixed to said inner shell, wherein, during operation of said device, water enters the device through the opening at said lower end, solids-entraining water drawn by said impeller enters said annular trough from above and, passing said active filtering portion, emerges therefrom as clean water to be expelled through said exit tube and returned to said pool, and wherein for cleaning or replacement, the filter element is removed by removing the detachable lid at the upper part of said outer shell. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood. With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the filter element according to the invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pool-cleaning device accommodating the filter element. Detailed Description Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 the filter element 2 according to the invention. Filter element 2 is seen to have a basket-like shape, including a tubular central stem 4 projecting beyond the peripheral rim 6 of an annular trough 8 that constitutes the active filtering portion of element 2. Stem 4 is provided with a similar rim 10. Both rims 6 and 10 are advantageously beaded, the beads being produced by wrapping the filter cloth around a stainless steel wire ring 11, which imparts both some stiffness and flexibility to the element. Both properties are required for the mounting and dismounting of element 2 from the interior of the cleaning device. The asymmetrical shape of the present embodiment of element 2 is a pure design choice, dictated by aesthetic considerations related to the outer shape and appearance of the cleaning device. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device. There is seen an outer shell 12 including a detachable lid 14 with an opening 16. Shell 12 is open towards the underside of the device. There is further seen an inner shell 18, closed towards the underside, but open towards the upper side. Shell 18 further comprises a space 20, hermetically sealed against the penetration of water, which accommodates an electric motor (not shown) for an impeller 22, as well as the guiding electronics. Between them, the outer shell 12 and inner shell 18 define a quasi-annular space with a large, permanently open, annular opening 23, through which the solids-laden water is drawn by impeller 22 into the active filtering portion 24 of filter element 2 (see dashed lines and arrows). The water leaves the filter element as cleaned water (see dashed lines) to be expelled by impeller 22 through an exit tube 26, back into the pool. Filter element 2 is seen located in the upper, bowl-shaped portion 28 of inner shell 18. The inside wall of portion 28 is provided with a plurality of vertical ribs 30, which provide lateral support for filter element 2 without interfering with the filtering action of the outside wall of annular trough 8. At their upper ends, ribs 30 are provided with recesses 32 covered by a broad flange 33. Beaded rim 6 snaps into recesses 32, thereby supporting element 2. Central stem 4 is pulled over exit tube 26, thereby conforming to the shape of the latter, its upper rim 10 being seated on a shoulder 34 provided for that purpose. To remove filter element 2 for cleaning or replacing, lid 14 is removed and rim 6 is progressively pulled out from recesses 32. With rim 10 now being lifted off shoulder 34, the entire element 2 is easily removed for cleaning. The cleaned filter element is returned with equal ease: rim 6 is snapped into recesses 32 and central stem 4 is stretched over exit tube 26 until rim 10 is seated on shoulder 34. Lid 14 is then replaced. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrated embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims: A swimming pool cleaning device comprising an outer shell (12) with a detachable lid (14) at its upper part , said outer shell (12) being open (23) at its lower end, and an inner shell (18) spaced apart therefrom, open at its upper end and accommodating an impeller (22) and a clean-water exit tube (26), the device further comprising: a filter element (2) having a basket-like shape including a tubular central stem (4) configured to be seated on said exit tube (26), said central stem (4) being surrounded by an annular trough constituting the active filtering portion of said element, with the outer rim (6) of said trough being detachably affixed to said inner shell (26), wherein, during operation of said device, water enters the device through the opening (23) at said lower end, solids-entraining water drawn by said impeller (22) enters said annular trough from above and, passing said active filtering portion, emerges therefrom as clean water to be expelled through said exit tube (26) and returned to said pool, and wherein for cleaning or replacement, the filter element (2) is removed by removing the detachable lid (14) at the upper part of said outer shell (12). The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer wall of said annular trough terminates in a beaded rim (6). The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central stem terminates in a beaded rim (10). The device as claimed in claims 2 and 3, wherein said beaded rims (6, 10) are reinforced by elastically resilient wire means (11).

Inventors: DERFLER FREDDY, ZELAS SHIMON, DERFLER, FREDDY, ZELAS, SHIMON
Applicants: MAYTRONICS LTD, MAYTRONICS LTD.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E04H4
IPC codes: E04H4