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[0001]     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/922,126 filed Aug. 16, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs, reflection pools, and other water features.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Outdoor swimming pools are often exposed to sources of contamination. Leaves and sticks fall from surrounding trees, grass clippings eject from lawn mowers, and dirt and other trash are commonly near a swimming pool. Wind blows the grass, sticks, dirt, and other trash into the swimming pool, making the pool unsanitary and unpleasant to swim in.  
         [0006]     To help maintain proper sanitation, swimming pools commonly include a circulation pump and filter system. The circulation pump draws water from the pool, pumps the water through a filter, and then returns the water to the pool. A strainer is typically installed where the circulation pump draws water from the swimming pool. The strainer is designed to strain leaves and other debris from the water in order to protect the circulation pump.  
         [0007]     When many leaves and debris fall into the swimming pool, the pool requires additional cleaning beyond the installed filter system. Many pool-cleaning devices are available to move along the swimming pool bottom and lift debris from the bottom. Some pool-cleaning devices are categorized as suction type pool cleaners; other pool-cleaning devices are categorized as pressure type pool cleaners.  
         [0008]     Present suction type pool cleaners typically use the swimming pool&#39;s circulation pump to develop suction, and some use the swimming pool&#39;s filter system to remove debris. Typical examples of suction type pool cleaners include U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,024 to Supra, U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,068 to Clark, and U.S. published patent application 2003/0208862 to Henkin. However, suction type pool cleaners that use the pool&#39;s filter system can put a heavy burden on the circulation pump and filter system. As leaves and debris accumulate in the strainer, the flow of water to the circulation pump is reduced. The strainer must be cleaned out repeatedly to prevent clogging, which reduces suction and potentially can cause harm to the circulation pump. In addition, circulation pumps typically need to be primed, which is inconvenient and time consuming for the operator. Because of the demands on the circulation pump, present suction type pool cleaners commonly have low suction and are limited in their ability to pick up heavy debris such as pebbles or sand. When the swimming pool&#39;s filter system is used to remove debris, the additional load on the filter makes filter maintenance and cleaning more frequent.  
         [0009]     Pressure type pool cleaners operate on pressurized water that is supplied to the pool cleaner through a hose. The pressurized water is used to drive blades of a turbine that induce a flow of pool water into a collection bag. Some pressure type pool cleaners use a booster pump to generate added water pressure because the circulation pump used in many swimming pools does not create sufficient water pressure for effective cleaning. Typical examples of pressure type pool cleaners include U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,899 to Campbell, U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,856 to Van Der Meyden, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,479 to Greskovics. While all of the pool-cleaning devices and systems available have furthered the art of swimming pool cleaning, none of the known prior art addresses a pool cleaner that can quickly and efficiently remove a large quantity of debris from a swimming pool or other water feature. There remains a need for a powerful and efficient pool cleaning system and apparatus that does not rely on the circulation pump and filter system of the swimming pool for its power, is easy to use, and which is inexpensive to maintain.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In response to the foregoing concerns, the present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning swimming pools, spas, fountains, and other water features. One embodiment of the pool cleaning apparatus includes a pump with an inlet and an outlet, suited to pump a mixture of contaminants (such as leaves and pebbles) and liquid (such as water). A gasoline or electric engine is coupled to the pump to drive the pump. The pump provides suction to draw the mixture of contaminants and liquid into a vacuum wand that is connected to the pump inlet. The vacuum wand is designed to lift debris and water from the bottom of a swimming pool and may be configured with a long handle, or may be configured to move about the bottom of a swimming pool automatically when the pump is operating.  
         [0011]     The mixture of contaminants and liquid entering the pump inlet are expelled through the pump outlet into a transfer pipe, then through a filtering device. The filtering device includes a trap to strain large debris and items such as leaves, grass clippings, worms, coins, and pebbles, and a primary filter for straining smaller particles, such as sand, algae, small bugs, and dirt. The filtered water flows out of the filtering device through a discharge hose, and back into the swimming pool. In one embodiment, the primary filter comprises a permeable foam or fibrous material. In a further embodiment, the pool cleaning apparatus includes a pump with an inlet and an outlet, and a filtering device with an inlet and an outlet. A vacuum wand is attached to the inlet of the filtering device. The outlet of the filtering device is attached to the pump inlet. In this embodiment, suction from the pump draws a mixture of contaminants and liquid from a pool of water through the vacuum wand and through the filtering device comprising a leaf trap and a filter, where the contaminants are filtered out. The suction of the pump then draws filtered water from the filtration device through the pump. The filtered water is expelled out of the pump outlet and back to the pool.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, the pool cleaning apparatus is mounted to a cart or hand truck so that the apparatus is portable, and may, during swimming season, be attachable to an above ground pool where it functions both as a water purification system and as a pool cleaner. In another embodiment, the pool cleaning apparatus is permanently installed pool-side, where it functions both as a water purification system, and as a pool cleaner.  
         [0013]     The following description sets forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view in partial cross section of a first embodiment of the pool cleaning apparatus;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view in partial cross section of a vacuum wand for the pool cleaning apparatus;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view in partial cross section of a trap for the pool cleaning apparatus;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of the pool cleaning apparatus;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the pool cleaning apparatus;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a partially elevated perspective view of the pool cleaning apparatus, reflecting a third embodiment of the invention, showing the operation of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the pool cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 6  showing the front right side thereof;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the pool cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 , showing the back left side thereof;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the filtration device located on the pool cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a cross section of the filtration device shown in  FIG. 9 , with arrows illustrating the flow of water through the filtration device;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the filtration element contained in the filtration device of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments described herein;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the pool cleaning apparatus, showing the front right side thereof;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross section of the filtration device shown of the pool cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 12 , with arrows illustrating the flow of water through the filtration device;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is a partially elevated perspective view of the pool cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 , reflecting the fifth embodiment of the invention, depicting the annexation thereof to an above-ground swimming pool;  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  is a top schematic view of the pool cleaning apparatus, reflecting the sixth embodiment of the invention, depicting the incorporation thereof into the filtration and cleaning system of a pool or water feature;  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is a top schematic view of the general set up of the pool cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 15 , showing a diagram of the pump, motor, filtration device, heater, mineral filterchlorine pack combination unit, water control valves and water control unions;  
         [0030]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the filtration device depicted in  FIGS. 6-10  and  12 - 16 , showing the modified frame on which the filtration device is mounted;  
         [0031]      FIG. 18  is a partially elevated perspective view depicting the modified basket which is used with the filtration and cleaning system shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 19  is a partially elevated perspective view of the suction disc, showing tapering nipple and gasket, which covers the pool drain during cleaning; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of a pump. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the word debris means particles and substances that contaminate pool water, including larger items such as, but not limited to, leaves, grass clippings, worms, trash, coins, and pebbles, and smaller particles such as, but not limited to, sand, algae, small bugs, and dirt.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a first embodiment of the pool cleaning apparatus of the present invention includes a pump  1  that has a pump inlet  2  and a pump outlet  4 . The pump  1  is driven by a motor  6 , and is configured to pump a mixture of contaminants and liquid. A vacuum wand  8  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The vacuum wand  8  includes a hose  10 , an intake aperture  12 , and a handle  14 . The hose  10  is connected to the pump inlet  2 , whereby the pump  1  can draw a mixture of contaminants and liquid from a pool of water through the intake aperture  12  and into the pump inlet  2 . The pump  1  expels the mixture of contaminants and liquid through the pump outlet  4  into a transfer pipe  13 . The mixture of contaminants and liquid flow through the transfer pipe  13  to a trap inlet  16 , located inside of a filtering device  18 .  
         [0036]     The filtering device  18  includes a vessel  20  and a lid  22 . The lid  22  is secured to the vessel  20  by a lid clamp  24 . Inside the vessel  20 , the mixture of contaminants and liquid discharge through the trap inlet  16  into a trap  26 .  
         [0037]     The trap  26  is situated to strain larger contaminants such as leaves and pebbles out of the mixture. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the trap  26  includes one or more peripheral surfaces  28  defining a container shaped to capture debris. The peripheral surfaces  28  include a plurality of holes or perforations to allow water to flow through the trap  26  but to retain contaminants such as leaves and pebbles inside of the trap  26 . The trap  26  is removable for cleaning when the lid  22  is opened. In one embodiment, trap  26  further comprises an access door  30 . The access door  30  is hinged to allow the operator to push the access door open as shown by position  30   a . The access door may be spring loaded to hold the access door  30  closed.  
         [0038]     The partially separated liquid mixture passes through a primary filter  32 . The primary filter  32  is a permeable foam or fibrous material in one embodiment. The primary filter  32  acts to further separate contaminants from the liquid before the liquid is expelled through a discharge hose  34 . In a normal operation, the discharge hose  34  returns filtered water back to the pool of water.  
         [0039]     In one embodiment, the filtering device  18  sits on a base  36 . In another embodiment, the filtering device  18  includes features to sit without a base  36 .  
         [0040]     In one embodiment, the foregoing components are mounted to a cart  38 , which has wheels  40  and a cart handle  42 . The cart  38  makes the pool cleaning apparatus portable.  
         [0041]     A second embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The second embodiment includes a filtering device  44  with a filtering device inlet  46  and a filtering device outlet  48 . The hose  10  of the vacuum wand  8  is connected to the filtering device inlet  46 . The second embodiment includes a pump  1 , with a pump inlet  2  and a pump outlet  4 . The pump inlet  2  is connected to the filtering device outlet  48 . The pump outlet  4  is connected to a discharge hose  50 . The pump  1  is driven by a motor  6  and is sized so that the suction from the pump  1  will draw a mixture of contaminants and liquid from a pool of water through the intake aperture  12 , through the hose  10 , and through the filtering device  44 . The filtering device  44  removes the contaminants from the mixture, and filtered water passes through the filtering device outlet  48  and into the pump inlet  2 . The filtered water is expelled through the pump outlet  4  and through the discharge hose  50 .  
         [0042]     In the first embodiment, the pump  1  is a pass through pump suited to transferring a mixture of debris and liquid. In one embodiment, the pass through pump  1  is a type of pump commonly known in the art as a trash pump, which is configured to pass a mixture of debris and liquid. A trash pump has benefits over a regular pump because a trash pump is more durable and reliable for water that contains debris such as leaves and small pebbles. In the first and second embodiments, the pump  1  is self-priming.  
         [0043]     In one embodiment, the motor  6  is a gasoline engine. Gasoline engines of this type are commonly available from manufacturers such as Briggs and Stratton or Honda and are well known in the art. Other types of engines or motors may be used as well. Some embodiments of the pool cleaning apparatus may use a suitable electric motor, or might operate with an engine of an alternate fuel, such a diesel engine.  
         [0044]     The design of the filtering device  18  includes a method for removing the trap  26 . As the trap  26  fills with leaves or other contaminants, it will become clogged, reducing the effectiveness of the apparatus. By unlatching the lid clamp  24 , the operator can open the lid  22 . Once the lid  22  is opened, the trap  26  can be removed and cleaned.  
         [0045]     The primary filter  32  may be comprised of a permeable foam or fibrous material. The permeable foam or fibrous material is removable when the lid  22  is open for cleaning or replacement. The operator can remove the permeable foam or fibrous material and clean it with a garden hose.  
         [0046]     The handle  14  on the vacuum wand  8  is elongated so the operator can reach to the bottom of a swimming pool. The intake aperture  12  and hose  10  are of large enough diameters to draw in water with leaves and small sticks. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum wand  8  does not have the elongated handle  14 . Instead, the vacuum wand  8  is designed to automatically move around the bottom of the pool when the pump is operating. Automatic propulsion of pool-cleaning devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,809 to Roumagnac and U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,899 to Campbell, which are herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0047]     In another embodiment, the pool cleaning apparatus is mounted onto a cart  38  with wheels  40 . The wheels  40  may be suited to roll over grass and gravel. The cart  38  has four wheels  40 , but other designs could utilize two or three wheels  40  in alternate configurations. In alternate embodiments, the water filtrating system is permanently installed next to a pool of water and does not use a cart  38 .  
         [0048]     Many backyard pools have narrow walks with tight turn radiuses through which the homeowner may need to maneuver. Pool ladders, planters, plants, and other structures present added obstacles. For improved maneuverability and weight, the cart  38  may be a two-wheel hand truck, and additional embodiments are shown below to more clearly depict the various embodiments associated with the two-wheel version of the apparatus.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 6-11  and  15 , a third embodiment of the invention, includes the pass through pump  1  that has a pump inlet  2  and a pump outlet  4 , and a motor  6 . The pass through pump is configured to pass debris directly through the pump. The motor may be gas or electric. In this embodiment, the motor  6  is electric. Electric power is often available pool side, the electric motor is quieter and generally maintenance free, and electric power may be cheaper than gasoline. Nonetheless, a gas engine may be utilized where it is impractical to use electric power, such as where the operator is in the business of cleaning pools, and must provide his own power.  
         [0050]     In one embodiment, the pass through pump  1  has a semi-open to open (depending on the size of solids being passed), clog-resistant impeller, which allows leaves and debris to pass through the pump  1  without getting caught therein. In this embodiment, the pass through pump  1  uses a pump style commonly known in the art as a trash or semi-trash pump, which is configured to pass a mixture of debris and liquid. If the pump  1  does not come with an internal mechanism for maintaining pump prime, then a check valve  137  having a check valve inlet  138  and a check valve outlet  139  may be fitted onto the pump inlet  2  to maintain prime. A tapering plastic nipple  101  is fitted onto the check valve inlet  138 .  
         [0051]     The vacuum wand  8  or an automatic vacuum wand  402  fits onto the tapering plastic nipple  101  during operation. Leaves and debris enter the vacuum wand  8  through an aperture  12  in the brush head which is a part of the vacuum wand  8 . In one embodiment, the brush head is hingedly attached to the elongated handle  14 , and is removable from the elongated handle  14 .  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , water containing leaves and debris are drawn through the vacuum wand  8  and the pump  1 , and through a transfer pipe  113  into a filtration device  718 . In this embodiment, the filtration device  718  features a water tower design. The filtration device  718  comprises a modified leaf trap  726  and a filter  732 . Water laden with leaves and debris enters the filtration device  718  through a filtration device inlet  746 , which may be positioned beneath the filter  732 , and enters a vessel  720  through an inlet tube  102 . The inlet tube  102  extends into a leaf trap spout  900  positioned to dispense the water laden with leaves and debris into the modified leaf trap  726 . In this embodiment, the inlet tube  102  is positioned vertically within the filtration device  718 , passing through the center of the vessel  720  and the filter  732 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the central inlet tube  102  is connected to the outlet of the pump by way of the transfer pipe  113  and the inlet  746 .  
         [0053]     The vessel  720  has a side wall having a positive stop  104  around its perimeter and a gasket  105  around the positive stop  104 , and the inlet tube  102  has a tube flange  144 . A flange gasket  145  may be placed on the tube flange  144  to seat and seal against the filter  732 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the modified filter  732  sits on the gasket  105  and positive stop  104 , and the flange gasket  145  and tube flange  144 .  
         [0054]     The filter  732  comprises a filter container  729  having peripheral surfaces, and a recess  112 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The filter  732  may have one or more handles  115  to aid in its removal from the vessel  720 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the filtration element  114  has apertures and slits that enable it to fit over the handles  115  and the inlet tube  102 . In alternate embodiments, the filtration element  114  may be shaped to fit around the handles  115  and the inlet tube  102 . The filter  732  and the filtration element  114  are held securely to the vessel  720  by a flange nut  103 , which screws unto the inlet tube  102 .  
         [0055]     The filter container  729  may be manufactured from a metal or plastic material, or a stainless steel screen suitable for housing a filtration element  114 . The filter container  729  may be manufactured by thermoplastic injection molding, or by other techniques, and may comprise one or more apertures for allowing the flow of water through the filter container  729  of the filter  732 .  
         [0056]     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10 , the filtration element  114  is positioned in the recess  112  of the filter  732 . In this embodiment, the filtration element  114  is a fibrous polymer filtration element comprising polyester fibers. In alternate embodiments, other thermoplastic or polymer fibers may be used in the filtration element  114 , producing a product that filters fine particles and is conducive to backwashing. In one embodiment having a polyester fiber filtration element, particles that are greater than 5-10 microns are removed by the filtration element  114  without any noticeable reduction in flow.  
         [0057]     In one embodiment, the leaf trap  726  is omitted, and the filter  732  comprises the filter element  114 .  
         [0058]     The leaf trap  726  has surfaces  728  comprising a screen suitable for catching leaves and debris. The modified leaf trap  726  may be manufactured from a plastic, or a metal such as stainless steel, or a combination of plastic and metal. The modified leaf trap  726  may match the interior shape of the vessel  720 . In the embodiment exemplified by  FIG. 9 , the vessel  720  and the modified leaf trap  726  have a round shape, with the diameter of the modified leaf trap  726  being approximately ⅛ of an inch smaller than the inside diameter of the vessel  720 . Debris which passes through the modified leaf trap  726  is trapped in the filter  732 . It is contemplated that the leaf trap  726  may be larger in diameter than the filter  732 .  
         [0059]     As depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the central inlet tube  102  passes through the center of the modified leaf trap  726 , and having an outlet  146  extending into the leaf trap spout  900 . The modified leaf trap  726  rests on the periphery of the filter  732 , which in turn sits on the positive stop  104 . The leaf trap has two or more leaf trap handles  116  that are used to remove it from the vessel  720 , and during cleaning operations.  
         [0060]     In one embodiment, the filter container  729  comprises a stainless steel screen having apertures larger than ⅛ of an inch. A lower peripheral edge of the filter container  729  rests on the gasket  105  on the positive stop  104 , sealing the filter  732  against the side wall around the perimeter of the vessel. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the positive stop  104  orients the filter  732  in a substantially horizontal orientation.  
         [0061]     The operator may invert the filtration element  114  to backwash the filtration element  114  inside the filtration device  718  without the use of garden hose or other external water source. When the filter  732  is removed, the modified leaf trap  726  may also be inverted inside the vessel  720  during backwashing. Alternately, the operator may backwash the filtration device  718  with a garden hose.  
         [0062]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the vessel  720  has an access opening, closed by a lid  722 . The lid  722  comprises a lid gasket  106 , and one or more hold down latches  109  to tighten the lid  722  against the lid gasket  106 . Hold down bumpers  107  protect the vessel  720  during loosening of hold down latches  109 . A lid handle  108  is used to gain access to the interior of the vessel  720 . The vessel  720  contains a drain  111  to remove water during cleaning or storage. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the lid  722  is hingedly attached to the vessel  720  by one or more hinges  141 .  
         [0063]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , water, leaves and debris enter the filtration device  718  from the pump  1 , enter into the transfer pipe  113 , then pass into the filtering device inlet  746 , through the central inlet tube  102 , into the leaf trap spout  900 , and upward, to an area under the lid  722 . From there, water laden with leaves and debris starts to flow downward, into the modified leaf trap  726 , where larger debris is strained out. The water flows downward through the filtration element  114  of the filter  732 , out of the vessel  720  through the filtering device outlet  748 , through the discharge tube  734 , and back into the pool or water feature. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a discharge extension tube  35  may be attached to the discharge tube  734  to more effectively return treated water back to the source. This embodiment may be described as a “pressurized vessel” water filtration system, and may use a pressure gauge  110  to measure the pressure that is in the vessel  720 .  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the filtration device  718  may be fastened onto the hand truck  123  by one or more vessel support brackets  130 . In one embodiment, the vessel support brackets comprise threaded rods and nuts to secure the filtration device to the hand truck  123 . A longitudinal support bracket  131  may be used to support the filtration device  718 , and to prevent the filtration device from falling forward. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , anti-slip grips  121  cover the handles, and one or more rubber lid bumpers  125  support the hingedly attached lid  722  when in an open position.  
         [0065]     A vacuum wand pole clip  135  may be provided as shown in  FIG. 7 , to hold the pole and to free up the operator&#39;s hands as needed. The vacuum wand pole clip  135  comprises a knob  136  that is used to adjust the position of the vacuum wand pole clip  135 . The discharge extension tube  35  may be held to the hand truck  123  by one or more discharge extension tube clips  117 .  
         [0066]     Further, many home owners like to sweep off their pool deck and walkways. Consequently, some of the embodiments may feature a broom holder  119 , and a broom boot  120 . It is also possible to wrap the vacuum hose  10  onto the hand truck  123  by securing the brush head component of the vacuum wand  8  into the brush head holder  140 , wrapping the hose  10  around the hand truck handles and the vacuum hose hook  124 , and finally, by securing the end of the hose  10  unto the hose clip  122 . During cleaning, the modified leaf trap  726 , the flange nut  103  and the filter  732 , may be placed onto small hooks  129 .  
         [0067]     The hand truck  123  may be made with an elongated toe plate  126 , which accommodates the motor  6 , and a carrying case  128  suitable for keeping chlorine, water testing devices, cleaners, a priming cup, and other objects fit for operating the apparatus, and for pool maintenance. Two handles  127  are located on the either side of the toe plate which assists in lifting the pool cleaning apparatus. In one embodiment, the hand truck  123  comprises flat-free tires  740  and a vibration insulator  132  to make the apparatus more suitable for use on hard surfaces such as concrete. The motor  6  is operated by a control box  133  having a ground fault interrupter (GFI), which prevents accidental shocks. An electrical cord  134  supplies power to the motor  6 .  
         [0068]     In another embodiment, which is illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the vessel supply tube  202 , is connected to the filtering device inlet  746 , the check valve outlet  139  is connected to the vessel supply tube  202 , and the plastic nipple  101  is attached to the check valve inlet  138 . A pump supply tube  204  is attached to the pump inlet  2  and the filtering device outlet  748 . A small discharge tube  203  having a shut-off valve  201 , is attached to the pump outlet  4 . The shut-off valve  201 , is useful in maintaining prime of the vessel  720  and the pump  1 , as needed. The lid may be fitted with a vacuum gauge  200  that measures the vacuum pressure in the vessel  720 .  
         [0069]     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , in this embodiment (and with the attachment of a vacuum wand  10  as previously disclosed) water laden with leaves and debris is pulled from the pool/water feature  400  through the vacuum hose, through the tapering plastic nipple  101 , the check valve  137  and the vessel supply tube  202 , through the filtering device inlet  746  into the central inlet tube  102 , upward toward the lid  722 ; then it is pulled downward through the modified leaf trap  726 , removing larger debris, into the filtration element  114  and filter  732 , which removes dirt and smaller particles, through the filtering device outlet  748 , into the pump supply tube  204 , into the pump inlet  2  and pump  1 , out of the pump outlet  4 , through the small discharge tube  203 , and back into the pool/water feature.  
         [0070]     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 12 , hard objects, such as small stones and coins, are filtered out before they reach and possibly damage the pump. This embodiment is useful for use in reflection pools and fountains, and situations where it is difficult to see the type of debris that is being removed. It is generally necessary to prime the vacuum wand, vessel, and pump to create suction to clean the water feature. A shut-off valve may be used in priming the apparatus. This embodiment may be described as a “vacuum vessel” pool cleaner.  
         [0071]     A fifth embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 14 , and may be described as a portable water filtration and cleaning unit. Such an embodiment could be used on a seasonal basis with an above-ground pool  313 . In this embodiment, the pressurized vessel type pool cleaner of  FIG. 7  is adapted for use with an above-ground pool. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 , may also employ the “vacuum vessel” type pool cleaner shown in  FIG. 12  instead of the “pressurized vessel” type pool cleaner. Nonetheless, the “pressurized vessel” type pool cleaner may be easier to prime.  
         [0072]     In adapting the “pressurized vessel” type pool cleaner for use with an above-ground pool  313 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , it is necessary to refer to  FIGS. 14, 6 ,  15 ,  18 , and  19 , which correspondingly depicts a portable water filtration and cleaning system attached to an above-ground pool  313 , a vacuum wand  8 , a self-propelled vacuum wand  402 , a modified basket  310 , and a suction disc  404 .  
         [0073]     The above-ground pool  313  is equipped with a skimmer  308  having a drain  309 . Polymer tubing  311  is attached to the drain  309 , which transports unfiltered water and leaves and debris  405  out of the modified basket  310  which is housed in the drain  309 , through polymer tubing, and through water control valves  300  and a check valve  137  into the pump  1 . A modified basket  310 , having apertures large enough to pass leaves and debris but not larger objects that may clog the polymer tubing  311 , is useful in this embodiment. The polymer tubing  311  may be made from polyvinyl chloride or other suitable material. Then, untreated water enters the filtration device  718 , wherein leaves and debris are removed, as discussed above. Clean water exits the filtration device  718 , the discharge tube  734  and the discharge extension tube  35 . Treated (or untreated) water may be drained from the waste water discharge tube  301 , by the adjusting the flow of the water with water control valves  300 . Treated water flows through a heating unit  302  which may be solar, electric, or other, by entering in at the heater inlet  303 , where it is heated, and then flows out of the heater outlet  304 , into a mineral filter/chlorine pack combination unit  305 , where the treated water enters the filter/chlorine pack inlet  306 , is treated, and exits through the filter/chlorine pack outlet  307 . Treated water is then pushed back toward the pool via polymer tubing. A check valve  137  is connected to the polymer tubing  311  to prevent possible flooding of the filtration device  718  when the motor  6  is turned off. Treated water then enters the pool or water feature through return jets  312 .  
         [0074]     The fifth embodiment operates on a full-time basis to circulate, sanitize, and treat water during the season; however, it is also capable of operating as a pool cleaner by inserting a suction disc  404  over the drain  309 , and using a vacuum wand  8  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , to remove leaves and debris that have sunken to the bottom of the above-ground pool. This eliminates the need for a homeowner to separately purchase an above-ground pool cleaner. Alternatively, cleaning may be accomplished by using a self-propelled vacuum wand  402 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The pool cleaning apparatus may be removed for winter storage, and reattached in spring. Finally, the apparatus may be backwashed as discussed herein.  
         [0075]     The pool cleaning apparatus which is the subject of this invention, may also be permanently mounted pool side. In a permanent installation, the apparatus may be used as the pool&#39;s primary filtration system and also as a cleaner. This sixth embodiment would also eliminate the need for a homeowner to separately purchase and install a filtration system and a pool cleaner, and may be installed when the pool is being constructed.  FIG. 15  illustrates a typical pool/water feature  400 , equipped with the skimmer  308  and the drain  309 . The modified basket  310  fits down into the drain. The modified basket  310  is made with larger holes, approximately ¾ inches in diameter to allow for the passage of leaves and debris which would otherwise clog the common unmodified basket having apertures which are approximately ⅛ th   of an inch in diameter. The polymer tubing  311  is used as a conduit to circulate debris laden and treated water through the pool cleaning system. During circulation and filtration, unfiltered water is drawn by the pump  1  from the pool/water feature  400 . Water exits the skimmer  308  and the drain  309 . Larger objects such as sticks and small balls, which may get stuck in the polymer tubing  311 , are removed by the modified basket  310 . Water enters the polymer tubing  311 , and is carried to the check valve  137  if the pump does not have an internal check valve. The check valve  137  helps to keep the pump, which is self-priming, primed.  
         [0076]     The motor  6  should be electric since it would be running on a full-time basis, and a 1 or 2 hp electric motor is generally suitable for an approximately 40 feet by 20 feet pool or water feature. In this embodiment, the pump  1  is configured to allow for the passage of leaves and debris without damaging internal mechanisms of the pump. In this embodiment, the pump  1  has an open or semi-open clog-resistant impeller  800 . Water and debris leave the check valve  137 , enter the pump inlet  2 , and is pumped through and out the pump outlet  4 . Water leaves the pump  1  and passes through the polymer tubing  311  toward the filtration device  718 . The system has water control unions  401  which gather and distribute the flow of treated or untreated water. There are also various water control valves  300  which shut off, and controls the direction and flow of water.  
         [0077]     Water enters the filtration device  718  where leaves and debris  405  are removed by the modified leaf trap  726  and smaller particles are removed by the filter  732  and the filtration element  114  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Filtered water then leaves the filtration device  718  and flows toward a waste water discharge tube  301 , which may be used to drain the pool, and to aid in backwashing operations as described below. Treated water then enters a heating unit  302  which may be solar, electric, or other, circulates, and further enters the mineral filter/chlorine pack combination unit  305  which adds water stabilizing minerals and chemicals, including chlorine, to the treated water before the same is returned to the pool/water feature  400 . Treated water enters and exits a water control union  401  by the polymer tubing  311  and enters the pool via return jets  312 .  
         [0078]     The permanently mounted or installed apparatus is capable of manual cleaning and removal of leaves and debris  405 , by putting a suction disc  404  over the drain  309 , and attaching the end of the vacuum hose  10  unto the aperture of the suction disc  404  as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 15 . Alternatively, the pool/ water feature  400  may be cleaned by a self-propelled vacuum wand  402  which may be more appropriate for larger pools/water features. The automatic vacuum hose  710 , which tends to be less stiff than the vacuum hose  10 , goes over suction disc  404 . It may be necessary to prime the vacuum hose  10 , or the automatic vacuum hose  710  and or the pump  1  to create suction and cleaning of pool walls and floors.  
         [0079]     The pool cleaning apparatus may be permanently mounted pool-side, as shown in  FIG. 15 . This may be accomplished by pouring the concrete over the modified frame  403  and allowing the concrete to set-up, forming a concrete base  407 ; or by the use of hardware such as bolts, screws and nuts. The modified frame  403  has  2  rubber lid bumpers  125 , small hooks  129  on which to hang the modified leaf trap  726 , the filter  732 , and other objects. Also, the modified frame  403  has a brush head holder  140 , and a hose clip  122 , so that the vacuum wand  8  may remain pool-side. Power to the motor  6  is supplied pool side by an electrical power source  406 .  
         [0080]     The present invention utilizes a self-priming pump. During cleaning and use, air may get into the vacuum hose  10  causing a loss of prime. In that situation, a self priming pump would quickly re-prime so that operation of the apparatus may continue.  FIG. 20  illustrates a pump  1 , which comprises a clog-resistant impeller  800  (which may be partially to completely open, depending on the size of the leaves, debris, and solids being passed), housed inside a volute  801 , with the volute  801  designed to extend to the pump inlet  2 , with the said volute  801  having a flapper valve  802  which is in contact with the pump inlet  2 . This design is capable of creating a greater vacuum which helps to more quickly regain prime. Ideally, the pump will only need an initial prime at the beginning of the season. The pump  1  may be designed so that some water will remain therein after use. The small amount of water which stays in the pump should be sufficient to prime a dry vacuum hose  10 , and to begin suction and cleaning my merely turning on the pump  1 . This pump  1  also contains a drain  118 , a drain plug  804 , a pump fill  805  which helps with the initial priming of pump  1 , a pump fill plug  803 , and a pump outlet  4 . The pump  1  shown in  FIG. 20  eliminates the need to separately purchase a check valve  137 , because the flapper valve  802  located inside the pump  1 , functions to keep water inside the pump  1 , and to maintain and regain prime. Priming of the pump may be achieved in many ways, including putting water into the inlet tube  102  opening when the lid  722  is open, via the pump fill  805 , by submerging the hose into the water being cleaned to remove air, and by putting the end of the vacuum hose  10 , or automatic vacuum hose  710 , over the return jets  312  to fill the hose  10  with water, thereby removing air.  
         [0081]     The modified leaf trap  726 , and the filtration element  114 , are capable of being backwashed by inverting them in the filtering device (the filtration element  114  is inverted and placed in the filter  732 ), securing the lid  722  to the vessel, and starting the motor  6 . Leaves, debris, and dirt will then leave the filtration device through the discharge tube  734 , or the waste water discharge tube  301 , depending on the embodiment being used. The filter container  729  has peripheral surfaces containing sufficiently large apertures that allow dirt and debris trapped in the filtration element  114  to wash away. Alternately, the filtering device, leaf trap, filter, and filtration element may be cleaned by spraying and washing these components with a garden hose or other suitable source of water.  
         [0082]     Although the principles, alternate embodiments, and operation of the present inventions have been described in detail herein, this is not to be construed as being limited to the particular illustrative forms disclosed. It will thus become apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiments herein can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Summary:
A pool cleaning apparatus is provided that employs a pump and a filtering device. An engine or motor drives the pump. The pump draws water and debris into the pool cleaning apparatus through a wand. The pump moves the water through the filtering device to remove debris. The filtering device comprises a vessel having a sealable lid. The vessel contains a tube for transporting water and debris into the vessel, a leaf trap for catching debris, a primary filter of polyester fiber, and a positive stop having a gasket. The primary filter sits on the gasket, with the leaf trap resting above the primary filter. Both the leaf trap and the primary filter have a hole through which the tube extends, and handles. The primary filter houses a filtration element which is washable and disposable. The pool cleaning apparatus may be mounted onto a cart, or be permanently installed.