Abstract:
An apparatus for inducing variable randomized patterns of traversing a floor of a swimming pool by a suction cleaner device; said apparatus comprising a water flow driven mechanism for axial rotation of a pool cleaner hose; said hose located between a suction pump inlet and said suction cleaner device.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to suction devices for automatically scavenging debris from the bottom of swimming pools and, more particularly to means for randomizing the path followed by such devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Swimming pool suction cleaners, which randomly roam the bottom of a pool, have become a common feature of domestic swimming pools. Such cleaners are connected by a hose to the pool filtration system and motion of the cleaning head of the device [in some systems] is imparted by pulsating the flow of water through the hose. Other means for achieving some form of motion over the pool bottom surface have included intermittent or a brief turning of the hose, for example at the switching on of the filtration suction pump, or a “flicking” action induced by release of spring energy. 
         [0003]    The effect of these pulses or other dynamic inputs on the path taken by the cleaning head is a function of the hose length, its curl-set, the currents in the water and the shape of the pool. Since these parameters are fairly constant, the path of these cleaners tends to be repetitive and areas of the pool floor may be left uncleaned. For the same reasons, at certain corners and at steps, the cleaner may become stuck for lengthy periods. 
         [0004]    Moreover, in systems where a hose is fixed to the cleaning head tends to have predominantly sides of the hose continuously scraping along the sides of a pool, with the upper side predominantly exposed to ultraviolet radiation, with the result of excessive wear and deterioration leading ultimately to premature failure of the hose. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for inducing variable randomized patterns of traversing a floor of a swimming pool by a suction cleaner device; said apparatus comprising a water flow driven mechanism for axial rotation of a pool cleaner hose; said hose located between a suction pump inlet and said suction cleaner device. 
         [0007]    Preferably, said at least one connector element comprises an angled connector; said connector comprising an inlet pipe end and an outlet pipe end, respective axes of said inlet pipe end and said outlet pipe end intersecting at an angle. 
         [0008]    Preferably, said at least one connector element comprises said angled connector and a suction hose, 
         [0009]    Preferably, said apparatus is installed coaxially between an outlet end of said suction hose and said suction pump inlet; said apparatus provided with an inlet pipe connected to said outlet end of said hose and an outlet pipe connected to said pump inlet. 
         [0010]    Preferably, said outlet pipe of said apparatus is connected to a non-rotating first chamber; said first chamber housing a turbine rotationally reactive to said water flow. 
         [0011]    Preferably, an output shaft of said turbine is connected to a reduction gear train; said gear train adapted to rotate said inlet pipe. 
         [0012]    Preferably, said reduction gear comprising at least one input worm drive and an output spur gear. 
         [0013]    Preferably, said inlet pipe is concentrically mounted to a disc; said disc rotationally mounted to said first chamber; said disc provided with a ring gear meshing with said output spur gear. 
         [0014]    Preferably, said outlet pipe is provided with circumferential apertures; said apertures provided with closure means for selectively opening one or more of said orifices to an inflow of water so as to vary said flow of water impacting said turbine. 
         [0015]    Preferably, said gear train is substantially enclosed in a gear train housing adjoining said first chamber. 
         [0016]    Preferably, said at least one input worm drive includes a primary and a secondary worm drive. 
         [0017]    Preferably, an angled connector element is interposed between an outlet port of said suction cleaner device and an inlet end of said suction hose. 
         [0018]    Preferably, an inlet end of said angled connector is attached via a swivelling connection to said outlet port. 
         [0019]    Preferably, said angled connector is arranged with respective axes of said inlet end and an outlet end intersecting at a supplementary angle in a range of 15 degrees to 45 degrees. 
         [0020]    Preferably, said apparatus is mounted within said suction cleaner device; said apparatus adapted for rotation of an outlet port of said suction cleaner device, said outlet port comprising said angled connector. 
         [0021]    Preferably, a flow of water induced by said suction pump is arranged to impact on a turbine mounted between an intake orifice of said suction cleaner device and said outlet port. 
         [0022]    Preferably, an output shaft of said turbine is connected to a reduction gear train; said gear train adapted to rotate said outlet port. 
         [0023]    Preferably, said gear train comprises at least one input worm drive and an output spur gear. 
         [0024]    Preferably, an inlet end of said outlet port is concentrically mounted to an output disc; said disc rotationally mounted within said suction cleaner device; said disc provided with a ring gear meshing with said output spur gear. 
         [0025]    Preferably, said suction cleaner device communicates with said suction pump via a flexible suction hose. 
         [0026]    Preferably, an inlet end of said suction hose is attached via a swivelling connection to said outlet port. 
         [0027]    Preferably an outlet end of said suction hose is affixed to an inlet pipe of said suction pump. 
         [0028]    Preferably, said angled connector is arranged with respective axes of an inlet end and an outlet end intersecting at a supplementary angle in a range of 15 degrees to 45 degrees. 
         [0029]    Preferably, said rotation is at a rate in a range of 1 to 6 revolutions per hour. 
         [0030]    Preferably, said rotation is uni-directional, 
         [0031]    In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for randomizing traversing of a swimming pool floor by a head of a suction cleaner device connected to a suction pump inlet by a suction hose; said method including the steps of:
       (a) interposing a suction hose rotation inducing apparatus coaxially between an outlet end of said suction hose and an inlet pipe of said suction pump,   (b) interposing an angled connector between an inlet end of said suction hose and an outlet port of said suction cleaner device; said angled connector affixed to said suction hose and attached via a swivelling connection to said outlet port.       
 
         [0034]    Preferably, said rotation inducing apparatus is driven by a flow of water impacting on a turbine; said turbine activating a gear train adapted to induce a torque between said inlet pipe of said suction pump and said suction hose. 
         [0035]    In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for randomizing traversing of a swimming pool floor by a head of a suction cleaner device connected to a suction pump inlet by a suction hose; said method including the steps of:
       (a) including a rotation inducing apparatus within said head of said suction cleaner device,   (b) providing said suction cleaner device with an outlet port comprising an angled connector,   (c) causing said rotation inducing apparatus to rotate said angled connector.       
 
         [0039]    Preferably, said rotation inducing apparatus is driven by a flow of water impacting on a turbine; said turbine activating a gear train adapted to induce a torque between said head of said suction cleaner device and said angled connector. 
         [0040]    In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of reducing deterioration of a suction hose of a suction cleaner device for a swimming pool; said method including the steps of:
       (a) interposing a mechanism for continuous axial rotation of said hose between an inlet pipe leading to a suction pump and said suction cleaner device,   (b) utilizing flow of water through said hose to drive a turbine; said turbine inducing a torque via a reducing gear train between said inlet pipe and said hose.       
 
         [0043]    In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for randomizing traversing of a swimming pool floor by a head of a suction cleaner device connected to a suction pump inlet by a suction hose; said method including the step of:
       i) interposing an angled connector between an inlet end of said suction hose and an outlet port of said suction cleaner device; said angled connector affixed to said suction hose and attached via a swivelling connection to said outlet port.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0045]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0046]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a swimming pool, a pool water filtering suction pump and the head of a suction cleaner device connected to the pump by a suction hose, with a rotation apparatus interposed between the hose and the inlet pipe for the pump. 
           [0047]      FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the geared, water flow driven mechanism of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0048]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an angled connector between an end of the hose and the outlet of the scavenging head of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the head of a suction cleaner device provided with a rotation apparatus. 
           [0050]      FIG. 5  is an perspective exploded view of a further embodiment of a geared water flow driven mechanism, 
           [0051]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the geared water driven mechanism of  FIG. 5  when assembled. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Preferred Embodiment 
       [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a swimming pool  10  is provided with a suction pump  12 , drawing water from a suction cleaner device  14  via hose  16 . Hose  16  is normally directly connected to a pump inlet pipe  18  at a side wall  20  of swimming pool  10 , but in this first preferred embodiment of the invention, hose  16  is connected to an inlet pipe  22  of a geared, water flow driven mechanism  24 . Mechanism  24  is in turn, connected by its outlet pipe  26  to inlet pipe  18  of pump  12 . The inlet end  15  of suction hose  16  is connected, for example as a press fit, to an angled connector  17 , which in turn is attached, again for example as a press fit, to the swivelling outlet port  19  of suction cleaner device  14 . 
         [0053]    Mechanism  24  provides for rotation of inlet pipe  22  together with hose  16 , relative to outlet pipe  26  and outlet port  19  so as to induce axial rotation of hose  16  and of angled connector  17 . Preferably, rotation is at a rate of between one and six revolutions per hour. By this means the curl-set of hose  16 , together with the angled connector, continually redirect the suction cleaner head to all areas of the pool floor  21 . The rotation induced by mechanism  20  in effect acts as power steering for the suction cleaner device. 
         [0054]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , outlet pipe  26  is rigidly connected to a first chamber  28  housing a turbine in the form of a paddle wheel  30 . Paddle wheel  30  is forced to rotate by flow of water (as indicated by dashed line A-B) drawn in trough inlet pipe  32  and passing through chamber  28 . A first worm gear  34  is mounted to the rotation shaft of paddle wheel  30 , and drives first pinion  36  mounted on shaft  38 . Shaft  38  also carries a second worm gear  40 , which in its turn drives second pinion  42 . Pinion  42  drives an output spur gear  44  via shaft  46 . Shaft  46  passes through the end  48  of chamber  28  and through cover plate  50  (when cover plate  50  is assembled to charter  28 ) to mesh with a ring gear  52  provided at the periphery of output disc  54 . Inlet pipe  32  is rigidly mounted to output disc  54 , so that when paddle wheel  30  rotates and drives the gear train made up of the worm gears, pinions, spur and ring gear, inlet pipe  32  rotates relative to outlet pipe  26 . 
         [0055]    Preferably, output disc  54  is enclosed by outer cover  55 , provided with a central aperture  57  through which inlet pipe  32  projects when the components are assembled together. 
         [0056]    Outlet pipe  26  may be provided around a section of its lo circumference with a number of apertures  59 . A slip ring  60 , is adapted to partially encircle outlet pipe  26  at the level of apertures  59 . Slip ring  60  has a gap  61  which is such as to expose all of apertures  59  when the ring is rotated about inlet pipe  26  to a first appropriate position, or fully cover all of apertures  59  when rotated to a second appropriate position. Thus slip ring  60  may be adjusted to expose none, one or more, or all of apertures  59  to an inflow of water created by suction in outlet pipe  26  by the suction pump  12 . This allows an adjustment of the flow of water impacting the paddle wheel  30  and hence the rate of rotation of inlet pipe  32  relative to outlet pipe  26 . 
         [0057]    Angled connector  17  is arranged such that the axes of ,its inlet and outlet ends intersect to form a supplementary angle between them of α°. The value of a preferably lies in the range of 15° to 45°. 
         [0058]    It will be appreciated that the rotation of the hose tends to distribute wear of the hose due to scuffing on the sides of the pool, rather than having that wear concentrated primarily along sides of the hose, A particular further advantage is that an upper side of the hose is not continually subjected to the effect of ultra-violet radiation. 
         [0059]    In at least one form of this embodiment, inlet pipe  32  and outlet pipe  26  are so formed as to allow a push-fit connection between hose  16  and inlet pipe  32 , and between pump inlet  18  and outlet pipe  26 , so that the mechanism can be readily retro-fitted to existing pool cleaning equipment. 
       Second Preferred Embodiment 
       [0060]    In a second preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 4 , the head  100  of a suction cleaner device  110  for the floor  112  of a swimming pool incorporates a rotation mechanism  102  comprising a turbine and reduction gear train substantially as described above for the first preferred embodiment. 
         [0061]    In this embodiment also, the turbine is activated by flow of water entering the underside  104  of head  100  and passing through hose  116  under the influence of a swimming pool filtration system suction pump (not shown). In this embodiment of the invention the output disc driven by the paddle wheel of the turbine via the reducing gear train, carries the inlet end  118  of an outlet port  120 . Outlet port  120  is in the form of the angled connector previously described. Hose  116  is attached via a swivelling connection to the output end  122  of the port  120 , and its output end is affixed as a press fit to the inlet pipe (not shown) at the wall of the swimming pool leading to the suction pump. 
       Third Preferred Embodiment 
       [0062]    In this embodiment also, the rotation mechanism is incorporated in the head of a suction cleaner device  110  as described above for the second preferred embodiment. In this case however, hose  116  is affixed to output end  122  of outlet port  120  so that hose  116  is caused to rotate axially as port  120  is rotated by mechanism  102 . The outlet end of hose  116  is, in this embodiment, rotationally connected to the inlet pipe (not shown) at the wall of the swimming pool leading to the suction pump. 
       Fourth Preferred Embodiment 
       [0063]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , this embodiment of the invention is a variation on the First Preferred Embodiment described above and like features in  FIGS. 5 and 6  are similarly numbered as those of  FIG. 2  with the addition of one hundred. 
         [0064]    In this embodiment as seen in  FIG. 6 , the drive mechanism is enclosed by first body section  128 , second body section  129  and third body section  131 . Cover plate  150  is in this embodiment integral with third body section  131 . For clarity,  FIG. 5  shows only first body section  138  which is integral with outlet pipe  126 . 
         [0065]    In this embodiment also a flow of water, induced by a suction pump (not shown), indicated by arrows, passes through inlet pipe  132  to impact and urge rotation of paddle wheel  130 . Rotation of paddle wheel  130  in like manner to that of the First Preferred Embodiment, sets in motion a reduction gear train made up of first worm gear  134 , first pinion  136 , second worm gear  140 , second pinion.  142  to finally urge output disc  154  into rotation. However in this embodiment the teeth of output disc  154  are set internally in a recess  160  of disc  154 . 
         [0066]    Again it will be understood, that by attaching outlet pipe to the inlet opening of a pool filtration system at the side wall of a swimming pool, and attaching a pool cleaner suction hose to inlet pipe  132 , the hose will be urged into rotation. 
         [0067]    The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.