Abstract:
A device for moving the hose of an automatic pool cleaner in and out of a swimming pool using water power. The device includes a rotatable hose reel in communication with a pool. The hose reel is connected to a rotatable water wheel having vertically-oriented blades disposed around its circumference. During storage, the hose of the pool cleaner is wrapped around the hose reel. To move the hose from the storage position into the pool, a stream of water from a blow out jet nozzle tangentially swipes the coiled hose and is directed at a cleaner head attached to the hose. The water flushes the cleaner head into the pool and rotates the hose reel in a first direction, causing the hose to unwind and travel into the pool. To move the hose from the pool back into the storage position, the cleaner is first turned off then pressurized water is directed horizontally at the vertically-oriented blades of the water wheel, causing the water wheel and hose reel to rotate in a second direction to withdraw the hose from the pool and rewind the hose onto the hose reel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an automatic storage device for use in connection with a swimming pool cleaner. More specifically, the invention relates to an automatic storage device for moving the hose of an automatic pool cleaner in and out of a swimming pool using water power. The device can be used with both conventional suction pool cleaners and conventional pressure pool cleaners. 
   2. Related Art 
   Both suction and pressure-type pool cleaners are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,738 discloses a swimming pool cleaner including a length of hose attached at one end to a terminal cleaning nozzle and jet nozzle transport means for moving the hose along the bottom surface of a pool. 
   One problem associated with any type of pool cleaner is removal of the hose from the pool and storage of the hose when the cleaner is not in use. U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,738 discloses storage means including a cylindrical compartment containing a rotatable winding reel. The winding reel includes a drum portion attached to a base portion. Directing water through a first nozzle rotates the reel in a counterclockwise direction to wind up the hose and directing water through a second nozzle rotates the reel in a clockwise direction to reel out the hose. The device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,738 would not effectively return to the pool, because it does not disclose a means for turning off the cleaner while the rotation jets are in operation. The cleaner would act to unwind the reel in opposition to the rotation jet. Also, the device cannot accommodate the head of a standard cleaner. A standard cleaner head includes an impeller; as water passes through the head, the impeller rotates, which turns a set of wheels that are in contact with the pool floor or walls. This allows the cleaner head to move about the pool. If such a cleaner head were pulled into the device, it would be lying on its side, with no wall or floor contact for the wheels, and would not be able to aid in unwinding the hose reel. Finally, the device does not lend itself for automation. A solenoid valve could not be placed on the revolving line to the rotation jet. Therefore, there is a need to provide a device for moving the hose of a pool cleaner in and out of a swimming pool, and particularly for returning the hose to the pool. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a device for moving the hose of an automatic pool cleaner in and out of a swimming pool. The device includes a tank in communication with the pool through a passageway and a rotatable hose reel having a drum portion and a circular base portion. Water jets connected to a pressurized water source direct water at the cleaner head of the hose to rotate the hose reel in a first direction and flush the hose into the pool. The device further includes a circular, rotatable water wheel connected to the hose reel. The water wheel has a plurality of vertically-oriented blades disposed around its circumference. Directing water horizontally at the blades of the water wheel causes the water wheel and hose reel to rotate in a second direction to remove the hose from the pool and rewind it around the hose reel. 
   According to an alternative embodiment, the water wheel is replaced with a set of rotation jets that rotate the hose reel. A donut-shaped, hollow swivel is utilized having a rotatable upper portion connected to the hose reel and a fixed lower portion connected to a pressurized water source. Supplying water to the interior chamber of the swivel causes the rotatable upper portion and the hose reel to rotate in a second direction to remove the hose from the pool and rewind it around the hose reel. 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of this specification including the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is better understood by reading the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional elevational view of a first embodiment of the invention used in connection with a suction pool cleaner, showing the hose reel in cross-section, with the hose removed. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the first embodiment of the invention used in connection with a pressure pool cleaner, showing the hose reel in cross-section, with the hose removed. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention used in connection with a suction pool cleaner, showing the hose reel in cross-section, with the hose removed. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the second embodiment of the invention used in connection with a pressure pool cleaner, showing the hose reel in cross-section, with the hose removed. 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the second embodiment of the invention showing a hose wrapped around the hose reel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
   The first and second embodiments of the hose reel automatic storage device, designated  110 ,  100 , respectively, can be used in connection with either a conventional suction pool cleaner  50  or a conventional pressure pool cleaner  60 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1–3 , according to the first embodiment of the invention, device  10  includes a tank  12  having a removable cover plate  12   a  with a handle  12   b ; a hollow, rotatable hose reel  18  having an upper circular drum portion  18   a , a circular base portion  18   b  adapted to support hose  11  when it is wound around drum portion  18   a  and a lower cylindrical portion  18   c  extending vertically downwardly from base portion  18   b ; and a circular, rotatable water wheel  36  connected to the base portion  18   b  and having a central hole formed therethrough. Tank  12  further includes a drain passageway  21  connecting the lower portion of tank  12 , where water wheel  36  is located, to pool  16  and a support cylinder  13  concentric with the circular base portion  18   b . A bearing  46  supports circular base portion  18   b  on the cylinder  13 . 
   Tank  12  contains either suction cleaner  50  ( FIG. 1 ) or pressure cleaner  60  ( FIG. 2 ). Tank  12  is connected to swimming pool  14  through a horizontally extending passageway  14 . Passageway  14  is configured to receive the hose  11  of suction pool cleaner  50  or pressure cleaner  60 . Hose  11  is typically about 30 to 50 feet long and has a cleaner head  200  attached at one end. The cleaner head  200  of hose  11  may rest in passageway  14  during storage, when hose  11  is wound around hose reel  18 . The cleaner head  200  can be any conventional cleaner head, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,738 or the RAY-VAC® Automated Pool Vacuum sold by Waterpick Technologies—Jandy Products. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , suction pool cleaner  50  includes a leaf basket  54  contained in a sealed chamber  51  defined by the inner wall  19   a  of drum portion  18   a  of hose reel  18 , cover plate  51   a  and floor  51   b  of chamber  51 . Cover plate  51   a  is positioned over leaf basket  54  and held in place to seal off chamber  51  by circular shoulder  20   a . Circular shoulder  20   b  engages the outer edge of basket  54 . Hose connection  52  communicates with suction chamber  51  of suction pool cleaner  50  and terminates in cleaner fitting  52   a , which is adapted to engage first end  11   a  of hose  11  (see  FIG. 3 ). Pipe  58  is connected to a suction source (not shown) and extends vertically upwardly through lower cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18 , the central hole in water wheel  36 , floor  51   b  of chamber  51  and into chamber  51  via swivel  56 . Pipe  58  and hose connection  52  preferably have diameters of about 1¼ to about 1½ inches. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , pressure pool cleaner  60  includes an open chamber  61  defined by the inner wall  19   a  of drum portion  18   a  of hose reel  18 , and floor ledge  61   a  of chamber  61 , which is formed integrally as a part of cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18 . Pipe  68  is connected to a pressurized water source (not shown) and extends vertically upwardly through lower cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18 , the central hole in water wheel  36 , and into chamber  61 , terminating at swivel  66 . Elbow-shaped hose connection pipe  62  penetrates through an opening in hose reel  18 , connects to pipe  68  via swivel  66  and is rotatable around the axis of swivel  66 . Pipe  68  and hose connection pipe  62  preferably have diameters of about 1¼ to about 1½ inches. Hose connection pipe  62  terminates in cleaner fitting  62   a , which is adapted to engage first end  11   a  of hose  11 . Pressure pool cleaner  60  employs water pressure rather than suction. Therefore, it does not include a cover plate  51   a  or floor  51   b  as provided in suction pool cleaner  50 , and hose reel  18  does not include circular shoulders  20   a ,  20   b.    
   Tank  12  may be circular; preferably having a diameter of about 36 inches and a depth of about 12-to-16 inches. It is preferably constructed of stainless steel or plastic, but can be constructed of any other suitable material. Cover plate  12   a  is provided with handle  12   b  or any other suitable means, such as a central aperture, relative to the tank  12  to facilitate removal and replacement of cover plate  12   a  relative to the tank  12 . 
   Rotatable hose reel  18  is preferably constructed of plastic but can be constructed of stainless steel, or any other suitable material. It preferably has a diameter of about 33 inches. Cylinder  13  of tank  12  extends vertically upwardly from floor  12   c  of tank  12  and terminates at circular bearing  46 . Lower cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18  extends vertically downwardly through bearing  46  and cylinder  13  of tank  12  so that base portion  18   b  of hose reel  18  is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on bearing  46 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , hose  11  is connected at its first end  11   a  to suction cleaner fitting  52   a  or pressure cleaner fitting  62   a . Second end  11   b  of hose  11  is connected to a conventional cleaner head  200 . During storage, hose  11  is located in a first storage position, wound around outer surface  19   b  of drum portion  18   a  of hose reel  18  and resting on base portion  18   b  of hose reel  18 . In this position, second end  11   b  of hose  11  and the cleaner head  200  rest in passageway  14 . 
   When suction cleaner  50  or pressure cleaner  60  is in use, hose  11  is relocated to a second position in pool  16  (illustrated in  FIG. 3  and in  FIG. 7 , with reference to the second embodiment), as follows. Pipe  22  is connected to a pressurized water source (not shown) at one end and a blow out jet nozzle  26  at the other end. Pipe  22  preferably has a diameter of about ¾ inch. Blow out jet nozzle  26  is comparable to a fire hose nozzle. To unwind hose  11  from hose reel  18  and move hose  11  from the first storage position to a second position in pool  16 , the pressurized water source is turned on via solenoid valve  27   a  and water travels through pipe  22  and out blow out jet nozzle  26 . The water is directed toward the cleaner head (not shown) of hose  11 , and flushes cleaner head and hose  11  out of tank  12 , through passageway  14  and into pool  16 . This causes hose reel  18  to rotate in a first direction, and unwinds hose  11  from hose reel  18 . This allows hose  11  to be moved from the first storage position (wound around hose reel  18 ) to a second position wherein hose  11  is unwound from hose reel  18  and travels through passageway  14  to pool  16 , and second end  11   b  of hose  11  and the cleaner head (not shown) are located in pool  16 . 
   According to the first embodiment of the invention, hose  11  is returned to the first storage position from the second position as follows. Circular water wheel  36  includes a plurality of vertically extending blades  37  disposed about its circumference between its upper surface  36   a  and its lower surface  36   b . The water wheel  36  is configured to receive: (1) pipe  58  of suction cleaner  50  or pipe  68  of pressure cleaner  60 , respectively, (2) cylinder  13  of tank  12  and (3) lower cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18 . Hose reel  18  and water wheel  36  are preferably formed as a single unit by injection molding. Alternatively, if hose reel  18  and water wheel  36  are formed separately, upper surface  36   a  of water wheel  36  is connected to base portion  18   b  of hose reel  18  through any suitable connecting means, such as screws or other fasteners. Circular water wheel  36  is preferably constructed of plastic or any other suitable material. 
   Jet nozzle  41  is connected to pipe  48  which is connected to a pressurized water source (not shown). To rotate water wheel  36  and hose reel  18  in a second direction and rewind hose  11  onto hose reel  18 , suction cleaner  50  (or pressure cleaner  60 ) is turned off via a conventional solenoid valve  27   b . Then water is provided from the pressurized water source via conventional solenoid valve  27   c  through pipe  48  and jet nozzle  41  and directed horizontally at blades  37  of water wheel  36 , causing rotation of water wheel  36  and hose reel  18  in a second direction. The general direction of water from jet nozzle  41  toward blades  37  of water wheel  36  is indicated by arrow  41   a  in  FIG. 3 . Such rotation withdraws hose  11  from pool  14  and rewinds hose  11  around outer surface  18   b  of hose reel  18  to return hose  11  to the first storage position wound around hose reel  18 . Solenoid valves  27   a ,  27   b  and  27   c  may be any conventional valve, such as valves sold by Waterpick Technologies—Jandy Products. The lower portion of tank  12  is in communication with pool  16  via passageway  21  so that water from pipe  48  flows into pool  16 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 4–7 , according to the second embodiment of the invention, device  100  includes tank  12 ′ with removable cover plate  12   a  and a handle  12   b ; hose reel  18 ; and a hollow donut-shaped swivel  136  having a central hole formed therethrough and an inner chamber formed therein. Tank  12 ′ does not include passageway  21  of tank  12 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a suction source (not shown) is connected to pipe  58 . The pipe extends vertically upwardly through cylinder  13  of tank  12 ′, cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18 , the central hole in donut-shaped swivel  136 , floor  51   b  of chamber  51  and into chamber  51  via swivel  56 . Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The pipe  68  of pressure pool cleaner  60  is connected to a pressurized water source (not shown) and extends vertically upwardly through cylinder  13  of tank  12 ′, cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18  and the central hole in donut-shaped swivel  136 , and into chamber  61 , terminating at swivel  66 . 
   According to the second embodiment of the invention, hose  11  is returned to the first storage position from the second position as follows. Hollow, donut-shaped swivel  136  includes (1) a rotatable upper portion  138  having a first and second hollow rotation jet arms  140   a ,  140   b  extending horizontally outwardly therefrom and (2) a fixed lower portion  142 . Rotatable upper portion  138  and fixed lower portion  142  are connected to each other, for example, by four or more clamps (not shown) attached to lower portions  142  that carry rollers which ride on a ledge (not shown) provided around the circumference of the upper portion  138 . The central hole (not shown) formed in donut-shaped swivel  136  is configured to receive (1) pipe  58  of suction cleaner  50  or pipe  68  of pressure cleaner  60 , respectively, (2) cylinder  13  of tank  12  and (3) cylindrical portion  18   c  of hose reel  18 . Rotatable upper portion  138  of donut-shaped swivel  136  is connected to rotatable hose reel  18  via fasteners  144   a ,  144   b , such as screws or any other suitable means. Donut-shaped swivel  136  is preferably constructed of plastic or any other suitable material. 
   Lower fixed portion  142  of donut-shaped swivel  136  is connected to pipe  148  which is connected to a pressurized water source (not shown). To rotate upper portion  138  of donut-shaped swivel  136  and hose reel  18  in a second direction and rewind hose  11  onto hose reel  18 , suction cleaner  50  (or pressure cleaner  60 ) is turned off via solenoid valve  27   b . Then water is provided from the pressurized water source via solenoid valve  27   c  through pipe  148  into the inner chamber (not shown) of donut-shaped swivel  136 . The water travels through hollow first and second rotation jet arms  140   a ,  140   b  and out first and second water jets  141   a ,  141   b , causing rotation of upper portion  138  of donut-shaped swivel  136  and hose reel  18  in a second direction. Such rotation withdraws hose  11  from pool  14  and rewinds hose  11  around outer surface  18   b  of hose reel  18  to return hose  11  to the first storage position wound around hose reel  18 . 
   Although the preferred method for rotating hose reel  18  in a first direction to unwind hose  11  or a second direction to rewind hose  11 , under both the first and second embodiments of the invention is water jet propulsion as described above, other means of rotation can be used either in addition to or instead of water jet propulsion. For example, a conventional electric motor  17  can be attached to hose reel  18 . The motor  17  may include a drive belt  17   a  attached to hose reel  18 . The motor  17  can be located in a well adjoining tank  12  with the drive belt operating in a horizontal plane just above the water level in tank  12 . 
   According to a second example, one or more unwind jets  280  can be attached to pipe  22  to rotate upper portion  138  of donut-shaped swivel  136  and hose reel  18  in the second embodiment, in the first direction to aid the blow out jet in unwinding hose reel  18  and flushing the hose through the tunnel to the pool. 
   Device  10  is easily removed from tank  12  for maintenance as follows. Cover plate  12   a  of tank  12  or tank  12 ′ is removed. According to the first embodiment, hose reel  18  can be simply lifted up and out of tank  12 . According to the second embodiment, pipe  148  is disconnected at fastener  124  by utilizing access hole  18   d  (and, for pressure cleaner  60 , pipe  68  is disconnected from hose connection pipe  62  at fastener  164 ), and hose reel  18  is simply lifted up and out of tank  12 ′. Access hole  18   d  is preferably about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. 
   Modifications and variations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention are possible, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.