Patent GB-599030-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus by means of which dirt and other solid matter can be removed from underwater floors such as those of swimming pools
IPC: E04H4/16
Filed: 1945-09-12
Abstract: 599,030. Cleaning underwater floors. CANDY, F. P., and CANDY, F. B. Sept. 12, 1945, No. 23478. [Class 138 (i)] Apparatus for cleaning the floors of swimming pools and comprising a container for moving over the floor, one or more mouths for the ingress of water and dirt, and means, such as a filter to retain the dirt, is constructed so as to function effectively in more than one direction of movement. In one form of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, the sweeper is of substantially rectangular box form, measuring approximately 2 ft. 6 ins. long, 1 ft. 6 ins. wide and 4 ins. high, and comprising spaced side plates 1, a central well 3 and at either end a hollow nose 2 formed by top and bottom plates 4, 5 and an inner wall 6. The opening between the plates 4 and constitutes a mouth 7 having a scraper 8 and rearwardly extending plate 10 supported on the plate 5. Strips 14 projecting from the walls 6 act as supports for a reticulated basket 15 in which is arranged a filter bag 16 carried by a frame 17 on the strips 14, while a filter screen 19 sandwiched between reticulated sheets 18, 20 is supported on transverse angle-bars 11 to which at each end of the well 3 is hinged at 13 a non-return flap 12 which in its closed position rests against the wall 6. The sweeper runs on two wheels 21 supported on a central axis, and on one of two wheels 22 arranged centrally of the breadth of the sweeper, and is propelled by a handle 25 operating in a slot 26 so as to bring the leading wheel 22 into contact with the floor. In operation, water and dirt entrained therein or loosened by the scraper, enters the mouth 7 at the leading end, forces open the flap 12 and enters the well 3, the water then flowing out upwardly and downwardly while the dirt is trapped by the filters 19, 16 and is retained in the latter for later removal. The pressure of the water holds the flap 12 at the trailing end closed so as to prevent escape therethrough. Heavier solids are carried up the plate 10 and deposited on the plate 5 to be removed later. In order to restrict the volume of water entering the mouth to that which can be dealt with by the filters, the effective height of the mouth may be reduced by a flap which can be opened by the impact of a larger solid, or the plate 4 may extend down so as to define a restricted opening, which is then provided with a central aperture for the admission of larger solids, and baffle plates adapted to guide the solids to the aperture. On lifting the sweeper out of the pool, the walls 6 ensure that the water flows out through the filter bag 16, so as to prevent the escape of dirt. In the form of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4, one mouth 36 is provided on the underside of the sweeper, associated with a double-edged scraper 37 and non-return flaps 39. In operation, the dirty water passes underneath the sweeper, forces open the leading end flap 39, enters the mouth 36 into the well and passes over the rearward of two walls 45, flowing out upwardly through a filter screen 51 and downwardly through a filter bag 48 and a channel 44 formed between partition walls 41 and angle-bars 43, the dirt being retained in the bag 48. This form of apparatus also operates in either of two opposite directions, but is not adapted to pick up such large solids as the previous form. The form illustrated in Fig. 5 is provided at the front end with a nose 2 constructed and operating in the same way as that illustrated in Fig. 1, and adjacent thereto an underside mouth 60 adapted to operate during rearward motion only, being provided with a scraper 61 and non-return flap 64. The rear end of the sweeper is constructed in the same way as the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4. Larger solids are picked up only during forward motion and in both directions of motion the water over a partition 62 and out through filters 51, 67. In a further form of the invention, the sweeper is octagonal and provided with eight mouths, each having a scraper and non-return flap leading into a central well, the top of the well being covered with a filter screen, and the dirt there intercepted is deposited at the bottom of the well. The sweeper runs on ball bearings and is adapted to operate with any direction of motion. Specification 578,354 is referred to.