Abstract:
A snap-fit connection assembly for use in a pool filtration system. The connection assembly includes a first connection receptacle, a second connection receptacle for insertion into the first connection receptacle, one or mores fingers extending circumferentially from the second connection receptacle, and one or more openings in the first connection receptacle for engaging the finger(s).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to pool filtration system, and more particularly to a snap-fit connection for connecting a filter pot to a pump in a pool filtration system.  
         [0002]     Swimming pool filtration systems commonly include strainer pots that must be securely connected to a pump housing. The connection must be watertight, but should be removable since servicing the filtration system often requires the strainer pot to be disconnect from the pump.  
         [0003]     Several designs exist in the prior art for connecting a strainer pot to a pump. One design involves the provision of a threaded connection between the pot and the pump. However, due to the threaded connection, this design lacks sufficient rotational stability. The pot can be made to turn over onto its side with very little external force.  
         [0004]     Another design includes a union nut that is threaded onto the pump face. The union nut is retained by a ring or clip. However, if the clip is overloaded, the connection will fail. Further, the addition of two parts, the union ring and the clip, adds to the cost of assembly.  
         [0005]     A further design uses through-bolts with nuts to connect the two parts. This design provides a secure connection, but involves additional material and labor expenses, is tedious to assembly and requires additional tools for assembly. Such complex assembly should be avoided, since the strainer pot and pump are normally assembled in the field.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a snap-fit connection assembly for use in a pool filtration system. The connection comprises: a first connection receptacle, a second connection receptacle for insertion into the first connection receptacle, a finger extending circumferentially from the second connection receptacle, and an opening in the first connection receptacle for engaging the finger. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation of a strainer pot having a connection tube with fingers according to an example embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation of a pump body having a connection tube with openings according to an example embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation of a strainer pot and pump assembly having a snap-fit connection according to an example embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the strainer pot of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the pump of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an example embodiment of a strainer pot  10  and pump  12  for a swimming pool filtration systems according to the present invention. The pot  10  includes a cylindrical outlet tube or duct  14  that fits into a cylindrical inlet tube or duct  16  of the pump  12 . As described hereinafter, a snap-fit style connection is provided for retaining a connection of the outlet tube of the strainer pot  10  to the inlet tube  16  of the pump  12 .  
         [0013]     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , four circumferentially extending fingers or retaining clips  18  are provided at the end of a outlet connection tube or receptacle  19  that is coaxial to and surrounds the outlet tube  14  of the pot  10 . Each of the fingers  18  includes a raised protrusion or button  20  that corresponds to a mating opening or hole  22  on an inlet connection tube or receptacle  24  that is coaxial to and surrounds the inlet tube  16  of the pump  12  (FIGS.  2  and  5 ).  
         [0014]     The buttons  20  are tapered outwardly from their leading edge so that they increasingly deflect the corresponding finger  18  inwardly as the outlet connection tube  19  is inserted into the inlet connection tube  24 . When the buttons  20  reach their corresponding mating holes  22 , the fingers  18  spring outwardly causing the buttons  20  to engage their respective holes  22 . Since the trailing edges of the buttons  20  are not tapered, each button  20  can be manually depressed while the connection tubes  19 ,  24  are pulled apart in order to disconnect the pot  10  from the pump  12 . For applications where it is not desirable for the connection to be disconnectable, blind mating holes can be provided, preventing the buttons from being manually depressed.  
         [0015]     Once the outlet connection tube  19  is filly inserted into the inlet connection tube  24 , the outlet tube is seated inside of the inlet tube  16 . An O-ring  26  is provided on the outlet tube  14  in order to form a watertight seal with the inlet tube  16 . It should be evident that other means of sealing could be used, such as an adhesive sealant or an integral sealing flange.  
         [0016]     Since the four fingers  18  and mating holes  22  are symmetrically provided around their respective conning tubes  19 ,  24 , the strainer pot  10  may be rotated for alignment of the discharge port  28  at 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees. Alternatively, different numbers of fingers and corresponding mating holes can be used, for example one, two, three, five, etc. in to allow alignment at different angles. For example, providing three symmetrically distributed fingers and mating holes would allow for rotation to 0, 120 and 240 degrees. Similarly, providing five symmetrically spaced fingers and corresponding mating holes would allow for rotation to 0, 72, 144, 216 and 288 degrees.  
         [0017]     Further the fingers and corresponding mating hole can be asymmetrically spaced to prevent relative rotation or misalignment of the connected parts. Further, a reserve construction is possible, such as where the fingers are provided at the pump outlet and the mating hole are provided at the strainer pot. Although the connection tubes  19 ,  24  and the inlet and outlet tubes  14 , 16  of the present embodiment are generally cylindrical in shape, other shapes of tubes can be used in the present invention, such as tube having elliptical, square or polygonal profiles, and the like.  
         [0018]     Further, the use of the snap-fit connection of the present invention is not limited to use for constructing a stainer pot to a pump housing. The snap-fit connection can be adapted for making any appropriate fluid connection between two vessels.  
         [0019]     It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.