Abstract:
A vacuum apparatus ( 20 ) includes an intermediate chamber ( 30 ) interposed between inlet and outlet sections ( 28, 32 ). A fluid supply pipe ( 46 ) resides inside the intermediate chamber ( 30 ) and supplies fluid ( 62 ) under pressure toward the outlet section ( 32 ). An inner diameter ( 96 ) the outlet section ( 32 ) is smaller than an inner diameter ( 94 ) of the intermediate chamber ( 30 ). The introduction of the high pressure fluid ( 62 ) and the inner diameter of the outlet section ( 32 ) relative to the inner diameter of the intermediate chamber ( 30 ) creates a partial vacuum to induce a flow of water ( 98 ) and contaminants ( 22 ) from a submerged surface ( 24 ) of a reservoir ( 26 ) through the vacuum apparatus ( 20 ). The water ( 98 ) and contaminants ( 22 ) are subsequently discharged from the reservoir ( 26 ) through a discharge hose ( 44 ) coupled to the outlet section ( 32 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of fluid reservoirs, such as swimming pools. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning contaminants from the bottom of such reservoirs.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In swimming pools, a leaf skimmer is typically utilized to skim off leaves and other such contaminants that float on the surface and that are pulled into the skimmer by the currents of the recirculating water in the pool. Unfortunately, some debris often sinks to the bottom before it has an opportunity to be caught in the skimmer. In reservoirs, such as ponds, decorative pools, fountains and so forth that do not have a skimmer in them, contaminants blown in or dropped in the reservoirs ultimately sink to the bottom of the reservoir. Contaminants that accumulate on the bottom of a pool are unsightly. Moreover, such contaminants also accelerate the formation and growth of algae, and as the contaminants decompose, the water can become cloudy.  
           [0003]    Various devices are available for removing sediment, leaves, grass, rocks, and other contaminants from reservoirs, such as swimming pools, ponds, decorative pools, fountains, and so forth. Many devices are removably connected to the water intake of a pool recirculating system. The devices then vacuum the contaminants from the bottom of the pool and deliver the contaminants to the pool filter from which contaminants may be removed or backwashed.  
           [0004]    While removal of contaminants from the bottom of the pool in this manner may be effective, such an apparatus often necessitates the disassembly of part of the skimmer in order to connect the vacuum hose to the water return for the pool circulation system. In addition, since such devices only function when the reservoir includes a recirculating water supply, these vacuum devices cannot be utilized in reservoirs that do not have a recirculating water supply. Yet another problem is that the contaminants sucked up by the vacuum device can clog the pool filter, decrease filter effectiveness, and eventually damage filtration and pump system components, especially when backwashing is not performed on a regular basis.  
           [0005]    To circumvent the problems of the aforementioned vacuum devices, some prior art pool vacuum systems have been developed that do not couple to the swimming pool recirculating water supply. These pool vacuum systems are referred to herein as filter system bypass vacuums to differentiate them from the pool vacuums, discussed above, that are coupled to the water intake of a recirculating water supply for a pool. These filter system bypass vacuums use the addition of water into the pool to effect their operation. More specifically, water under pressure is supplied to the pool through a hose to force a stream of water through nozzles in the filter system bypass vacuum that are directed toward a debris pickup bag. The high pressure water creates a vacuum to suck up debris from the bottom of a pool. This debris passes through the filter system bypass vacuum and into a basket, filter, or other such debris pickup bag through the exit end of the vacuum. The filtered water then returns to the pool. In pools of all types, it is typically necessary to add additional water to replace water that has evaporated from the pool and/or has been splashed out of the pool. Thus, systems like this can serve the purpose of concurrently supplying the needed water to the pool while functioning to pick up debris from the bottom of the pool.  
           [0006]    Reservoirs, such as swimming pools, ponds, decorative pools, fountains, and so forth, can collect large amounts of leaves, rocks, dirt, and other contaminants through severe intentional or unintentional neglect. Additionally, large quantities of contaminants can rapidly collect in the bottom of a reservoir during a severe rainstorm and/or dust storm.  
           [0007]    Pool vacuums that are coupled to the water intake of a recirculating water supply for a pool may be able to pick up some of the debris. However, contaminants from a very dirty pool can rapidly clog the filter of a recirculating water supply system. Thus, an individual may have to stop frequently during the cleanup process to backwash the pool when the pool has large quantities of contaminants. Frequent backwashing during a single cleaning process is highly undesirable in terms of inconvenience, as well as wear and tear on the pump and filter system components.  
           [0008]    While a filter system bypass vacuum may satisfactorily suck up small amounts of debris, or lightweight debris, such as leaves, grass, and so forth, such a vacuum cannot effectively pick up the large quantities of contaminants found in a neglected or storm ravaged pool. That is, the filter system bypass vacuums tend to generate insufficient suction to pick up large quantities of contaminants and/or heavy contaminants, such as rocks. In addition, tiny particulates, such as dust, may be sucked up by the filter system bypass vacuum only to be released back into the pool through the filter bag of the vacuum. If the filter system bypass vacuum is able to pick up the contaminants, the filter bag of a filter system bypass vacuum rapidly fills with debris, thus necessitating frequent and inconvenient cleaning.  
           [0009]    Both filter system vacuums and filter system bypass vacuums tend to cause significant “kick” in very dirty pools. The term “kick” is referred to herein as the action in which dirt and dust is stirred up from the bottom in a cloud about the vacuum as the vacuum travels across the bottom of the pool. The kick results from the contact of the vacuum head with the bottom of the pool combined with insufficient suction of the vacuum. Contact occurs from the wheels of the vacuum head rolling on the bottom of the pool, as well as, from the conventional stiff bristles of the vacuum head rubbing across the bottom of the pool. Unfortunately, if the dirt and dust floats up from the bottom of the pool, it is less likely that the vacuum will be able to effectively suck up the dirt.  
           [0010]    Due to the problems incurred with both the pool vacuums that are coupled to the water intake and the filter system bypass vacuums, an individual may be compelled to drain their pool to clean the bottom of their severely soiled pool. The individual may then be required to shovel out the accumulated contaminants from the bottom of the empty pool. Such action is highly undesirable because such extreme action is time consuming, labor intensive, and wastes significant quantities of water. Thus, what is needed is a pool vacuum apparatus that is effective for removing large quantities of contaminants found in a neglected or storm ravaged pool.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that an improved vacuum apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a reservoir is provided.  
           [0012]    It is another advantage of the present invention that a vacuum apparatus is provided that cleans the pool using an external water source to generate suction.  
           [0013]    Another advantage of the present invention is that a vacuum apparatus is provided that effectively removes contaminants in a severely soiled pool.  
           [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is that a vacuum apparatus is provided that removes contaminants from the submerged surface of a reservoir while producing minimal kick.  
           [0015]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a vacuum apparatus is provided that is of simple construction and is easy to use.  
           [0016]    The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in one form by a vacuum apparatus for removing contaminants from a submerged surface of a reservoir. The vacuum apparatus includes an inlet section having a first inlet end and a second inlet end. An intermediate chamber has a first chamber end and a second chamber end, the first chamber end being in fluid communication with the second inlet end. The intermediate chamber exhibits a first inner diameter. An outlet section has a first outlet end in fluid communication with the second chamber end. The outlet section exhibits a second inner diameter that is less than the first inner diameter. A fluid supply pipe resides inside the intermediate chamber and has a fluid port directed toward the outlet section. The fluid supply pipe supplies fresh fluid under pressure from the fluid port toward the outlet section to induce a flow of fluid and the contaminants from the reservoir into the first inlet end of the inlet section and through the intermediate chamber and the outlet section. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 shows sectional view along a longitudinal dimension of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 4. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 2 , FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus  20  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of vacuum apparatus  20 . Vacuum apparatus  20  effectively removes contaminants  22  from a submerged surface  24  of a reservoir  26 . Reservoir  26  may be a swimming pool, spa, pond, decorative pool, fountain, and so forth. Contaminants  22  include leaves, grass, dirt, rocks, and other undesired debris in reservoir  26 .  
         [0024]    Vacuum apparatus  20  functions independent from a recirculating water supply (not shown). Thus, vacuum apparatus  20  may be utilized in reservoirs that do not have such a recirculating water supply. In addition, vacuum apparatus  20  is advantageously utilized for cleaning reservoirs that have become severely contaminated from intentional or unintentional neglect, or from severe weather phenomena.  
         [0025]    Vacuum apparatus  20  includes an inlet section  28 , an intermediate chamber  30 , and an outlet section  32 . Inlet section  28  has a first inlet end  34  and a second inlet end  36 . A first chamber end  38  of intermediate chamber  30  is in fluid communication with second inlet end  36  of inlet section  28 . In addition, a second chamber end  40  of intermediate chamber  30  is in fluid communication with a first outlet end  42  of outlet section  32 . A flexible discharge hose  44  is coupled to a second outlet end  46  of outlet section  32 .  
         [0026]    Vacuum apparatus  20  further includes a fluid supply pipe  46  having an interior portion  48  (shown in ghost form) residing inside of intermediate chamber  30  and an exterior portion  50  located outside of intermediate chamber  30 . A first end  52  of fluid supply pipe  46  at interior portion  48  includes a fluid port  54  (best seen in FIG. 3), and a second end  56  of intermediate chamber  30  at exterior portion  50  includes a coupling  58 . Coupling  58  is a standard threaded coupling configured for connection to a fluid supply hose  60 , such as a conventional garden hose, for supplying fresh water  62  to fluid supply pipe  46 .  
         [0027]    A conventional quick change handle  64  is coupled to vacuum apparatus  20 . Quick change handle  64  includes detents  66  that interconnect with corresponding holes on a pole  68 , such as that commonly used for a pool skimming net.  
         [0028]    Intermediate chamber  30  is desirably formed from a rigid plastic material and serves as a support structure for inlet section  28 , outlet section  32 , fluid supply pipe  46 , and quick change handle  64 . However, inlet section  28  is configured for direct contact with submerged surface  24 . Thus, in a preferred embodiment, inlet section  28  is formed from a flexible plastic material for enabling vacuum apparatus  20  to accommodate non-uniformities in the smoothness of submerged surface  24 .  
         [0029]    Inlet section  28  includes a head  70  that forms first inlet end  34 , and a flexible tubular member  72  that terminates at second inlet end  36 . Second inlet end  36  connects with first chamber end  38  of intermediate chamber  30  via a flanged coupling  74 . By way of example, flanged coupling  74  includes a first segment  76  that extends into second inlet end  36  and a second segment  78  that extends into first chamber end  38 . Flanged coupling  74  may be press-fit, glued, bolted or otherwise secured to each of flexible tubular member  72  and intermediate chamber  30  per conventional techniques.  
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, flexible tubular member  72  is formed from flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubing. Alternatively, flexible tubular member  72  may be formed from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, nylon, and so forth. In addition, head  70  may be formed from a flexible material, such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, nylon, and so forth, so that head  70  will also flex to accommodate non-uniformities of submerged surface  24 .  
         [0031]    Head  70  includes an extension member  80  formed at first inlet end  36  that is oriented transverse to inlet section  28 . In use, extension member  80  is brushed against submerged surface  24 . Extension member  80  may be approximately ten inches in length, so as to sweep an approximate ten inch swath along submerged surface  24 . A flexible rubber member  79  is coupled to a rear edge  81  of head  70  along the length of extension member  80 , and a pile material  82  is secured to flexible rubber member  79 . Pile material  82  may be a synthetic felt that is durable, odor resistant, mildew resistant, and will not break down from moisture. Alternatively, pile material  82  may be another fabric, such as chenille, having a fiber of wool, cotton, nylon, and the like, that stands up from the weave. Pile material  82  may be optionally removably coupled to flexible rubber member  79 . Pile material  82  is made removable by use, for example, of hook and loop fasteners so that pile material  82  can be replaced as it wears out. Flexible rubber member  79  and pile material  82  serve to sweep or direct contaminants  22  toward an opening  84  (see FIG. 3) in inlet section  28 . The use of flexible rubber member  79  and pile material  82  combined with the suction created using vacuum apparatus  20  (discussed below) results in a system that is effective at removing a thick coating of dust from submerged surface  24  with minimal kick, i.e. minimal generation of a cloud of dust in the water. In addition, the flexibility of member  79  enables effective cleaning of the vertical walls of the sides and, if present, stairs, of reservoir  26 .  
         [0032]    Head  70  and flexible tubular member  72  are described as separate parts of inlet section  28 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Rather, head  70  and flexible tubular member  72  may be formed as a single, integral unit utilizing fabrication and molding techniques known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of vacuum apparatus  20  along a longitudinal dimension. FIG. 3 draws attention to the variances of the inner diameters of inlet section  28 , intermediate chamber  30 , and outlet section  32 . These changes in inner diameter generate a Venturi effect that results in a high level of suction at first inlet end  34 . This high level of suction is particularly advantageous for removing contaminants from a severely soiled reservoir  26  (FIG. 1). Discharge hose  44 , handle  64 , and extension member  80 , shown in FIGS.  1 - 2 , are not shown in FIG. 3 for simplicity of illustration.  
         [0034]    As mentioned briefly above, interior portion  48  of fluid supply pipe  46  resides within intermediate chamber  30  with fluid port  54  of interior portion  48  being located proximate second chamber end  40  of intermediate chamber  30 . More specifically, interior portion  48  is approximately axially aligned with intermediate chamber  30 . In addition, interior portion  48  of fluid supply pipe  45  is radially positioned toward a center, longitudinal axis  88  of intermediate chamber  30 . In a preferred embodiment, fluid supply pipe  46  is formed from one quarter inch copper tube with the length of pipe  46  from an elbow  90  to fluid port  54  being approximately two and one half inches.  
         [0035]    Inlet section  28  exhibits a first inner diameter  92 . Intermediate chamber  30  exhibits a second inner diameter  94 , and outlet section  32  exhibits a third inner diameter  96 . First and second inner diameters  92  and  94 , respectively, are roughly equivalent, and third inner diameter  96  is smaller than second inner diameter  94 . In addition, discharge hose  44  (FIGS.  1 - 2 ) has a diameter that is smaller than second inner diameter  94 . With particular regard to third inner diameter  96 , third inner diameter  96  of outlet section  32  is in a range of twenty-five to fifty percent smaller than second inner diameter  94  of outlet section  32 .  
         [0036]    In an exemplary embodiment, first and second inner diameters  92  and  94 , respectively, are approximately one and one half inches, and third inner diameter  96  is approximately one inch. Discharge hose  44  friction fits onto outlet section  32 . Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, discharge hose  44  (FIG. 2) may have an inner diameter of approximately one and a quarter inches. This configuration, combined with the one quarter inch fluid supply pipe  46  supplying fresh water  62 , generates suction at first inlet end  34  of inlet section  28 .  
         [0037]    The suction results from a Venturi effect. That is, as fluid flows past a constricted opening or through a constricted pipe, the velocity of the fluid increases, and the pressure in the system decreases. Accordingly, a Venturi effect occurs when fresh water  62  enters intermediate chamber  30  at second chamber end  40  and immediately flows into the constricted outlet section  32 . The Venturi effect occurring at outlet section  32  results in a corresponding pressure decrease in inlet section  28  relative to the pressure outside of vacuum apparatus  20 . Consequently, this pressure decrease results in suction which induces a flow of water  98  mixed with contaminants  22  from reservoir  26  into first inlet end  34  of inlet section  28 . The relatively large size of first and second diameters  92  and  94 , respectively, allow large profile contaminants, such as leaves, to be drawing into vacuum apparatus  20 . Accordingly, water  98  and contaminants  22  are effectively drawn through intermediate chamber  30  and outlet section  32 . Water  98  and contaminants  22  are subsequently discharged from reservoir  26  through discharge hose  44 .  
         [0038]    To use vacuum apparatus  20 , a user attaches fluid supply hose  60  (FIG. 1) to coupling  58  and attaches pole  68  to quick change handle  64 . Vacuum apparatus  20  is submerged into reservoir  26 , with a distal end of discharge hose  44  remaining outside of reservoir  26 . A water source coupled to fluid supply hose  60  is turned on to supply fresh water  62  from fluid port  54  to into intermediate chamber  30  and out of outlet section  32 . When pressure drops sufficiently, vacuum apparatus  20  will begin to draw water  98  combined with contaminants  22  from submerged surface  24 . The user then sweeps head  70  across submerged surface  24  (FIG. 2) with tubular member  72  and rubber member  79  flexing to accommodate non-uniformities in submerged surface  24 , changes in depth of reservoir  26 , and distance from the edge of reservoir  26 . Once submerged surface  24  is clean, the suction can be stopped merely by turning off the water source supplying fresh water  62 . Although some of water  98  is removed from reservoir  26  through vacuum apparatus  20  (roughly nine gallons per minute), reservoir  26  need not be completely drained in order to clean a very soiled pool. Thus, significant savings in terms of time, labor, and water is achieved using vacuum apparatus  20 .  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS.  4 - 5 , FIG. 4 shows an-exploded perspective view of a vacuum apparatus  100  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of vacuum apparatus  100 . Vacuum apparatus  100  operates on the same principle as vacuum apparatus  20  (FIG. 1) to remove contaminants  22  from submerged surface  24  of reservoir  26 .  
         [0040]    Vacuum apparatus  100  includes an inlet section  102 , an intermediate chamber  104  in fluid communication with inlet section  102 , and an outlet section  106  in fluid communication with intermediate chamber  104 . A fluid supply pipe  108  resides in intermediate chamber  104 , and includes a coupling  110  configured for connection to fluid supply hose  60 . Discharge hose  44  is coupled to an outlet end  112  of outlet section  106 , and quick change handle  64  is coupled to vacuum apparatus  100  for interconnection with pole  68 .  
         [0041]    Inlet section  102  of vacuum apparatus  100  includes a head  114  and a tubular member  116 . Tubular member  116 , intermediate chamber  104 , and outlet section  106  are manufactured as an integral unit, and a sleeve portion  118  of head  114  slides over tubular member  116 . Head  114  readily friction fits onto tubular member  116  for engagement with or removal from tubular member  116 . In a preferred embodiment, head  114  includes extension member  80  and pile material  82 . However, pile material  82  surrounds inlet section  102  at an inlet end  119  of head  114 . More specifically, pile material  82  is coupled about extension member  80  and an opening (not seen) into inlet section  102 . Due to the friction fit of head  114  onto tubular member  116 , head  114  may be easily replaced as pile material  82  wears out, or as enhancements to the shape and/or size of head  114  evolve.  
         [0042]    Tubular member  116  and head  114  may be fabricated from a rigid plastic material. Alternatively, tubular member  116  may not be integral with intermediate chamber  104 , but may instead be fastened to intermediate chamber  104  through standard manufacturing methods. As such, tubular member  116  and head  114  can be produced from flexible material for enabling vacuum apparatus  100  to accommodate non-uniformities in the smoothness of submerged surface  24 .  
         [0043]    The inner diameters intermediate chamber  104  and outlet section  106  correspond respectively to second inner diameter  94  and third inner diameter  96 , discussed in connection with FIG. 3. However, tubular member  116  exhibits a first inner diameter  122  that is smaller than the inner diameter of intermediate chamber  104 . Although, suction is achieved due to the reduction of diameter from the larger second inner diameter  94  (FIG. 3) of intermediate chamber  30  (FIG. 3) to the smaller third inner diameter  96  (FIG. 3) of outlet section  32  (FIG. 3), it has been discovered that the smaller first inner diameter  122  of tubular member  116  relative to the inner diameter of intermediate chamber  104  further enhances this suction. Such enhanced suction is particularly advantageous when removing fine particulate contaminants  22 , such as, dust, from submerged surface  24  while producing minimal kick.  
         [0044]    Tubular member  116  forms an elongated neck through which water  120  and contaminants  22  travel as they are drawn through vacuum apparatus  100 . Vacuum apparatus  100  generates suction in a similar manner to vacuum apparatus  100 . However, the elongated neck of tubular member  116  with the smaller inner diameter relative to the inner diameter of intermediate chamber  104  may serve to further enhance the suction capability of vacuum apparatus  100 .  
         [0045]    In summary, the present invention teaches of an improved vacuum apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a reservoir, such as a swimming pool. The vacuum apparatus utilizes an external water source that generates suction through a Venturi effect to draw water and contaminants from the reservoir. The constriction of the inlet and outlet sections of the vacuum apparatus relative to the intermediate chamber, and the positioning of a fluid supply pipe within the intermediate chamber proximate the outlet section generates significant suction to effectively remove contaminants from a severely soiled pool. Moreover, unlike conventional apparatuses, the enhanced suction capability of the vacuum apparatus readily removes contaminants from deep reservoirs, such as, eight to ten foot diving pools. In addition, the shape of the vacuum head and the inclusion of the flexible rubber member and the pile material on the vacuum head serve to sweep, or draw in, contaminants from the submerged surface of the reservoir while producing minimal kick. The operation of the vacuum apparatus using an external water source is simpler than connection to the recirculating water supply of a pool, and enables the vacuum apparatus to be used in reservoirs that do not include a recirculating water supply system.  
         [0046]    Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the principles of the present invention may be adapted for use to remove particulate contaminants from the submerged surface of a reservoir containing a fluid other than water. In addition, the discharge hose of the vacuum apparatus can be adapted to couple to a water intake of a recirculating water supply for a pool, so that the water introduced into the vacuum apparatus can be returned to the reservoir.