Abstract:
A submersible cleaner includes a valve within a flow passage for interrupting fluid flow and thus drive the cleaned over submerged surfaces to be cleaned. A retractable element moveable between the valve and a wall within the passage reduces a gap formed between them such that flow through the passage is directed along one side of the valve resulting in improved driving power and reduced clogging by debris passing through the passage. The retractable element may be attached to either the valve or the wall, and may make slidable engagement with between them. A flexible plate engaging the surface includes a plurality of tongues radially extending about the periphery with each tongue having a lower surface portion contacting the surface to be cleaned and an outmost portion contoured away from the surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/396,208 for Swimming Pool Cleaning Apparatus and Method, filed Jul. 16, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to self propelled swimming pool cleaners for cleaning submerged surfaces, and more particularly to a swimming pool cleaning apparatus incorporating a flow control valve for establishing intermittent flow of a fluid through the cleaner for causing the cleaner to travel across the surface to be cleaned.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Submersible pool cleaners employing oscillating valves within a housing and flexible discs engaging the surface to be cleaned are generally well known, as illustrated by way of example with reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,023,227 to Chauvier and 4,351,077 to Hofmann. What is also generally known are the problems associated with debris clogging fluid flow passages, wearing cleaner components rendering the cleaner ineffective or unusable, and the difficulty for a consumer attempting to replace such worn components. Embodiments of the present invention herein described provide an efficiently run submersible cleaner which includes components that are easily replaceable by the consumer.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    A submersible cleaner in keeping with the teachings of the present invention may include a housing moveable along a submerged surface to be cleaned through fluid flow past a valve operable for moving the cleaner. The housing may include a flow passage for a flow of fluid and debris from an inlet to an outlet with the fluid and debris constrained to flow through an opening defined within the passage. A wall may extend into the flow passage for defining the opening. A valve may be operable within the flow passage for interrupting fluid flow. A retractable element may be moveable between the valve and the wall for reducing a gap formed between them. The retractable element may be attached to either the valve or the wall, and may make slidable engagement.  
           [0005]    A flexible plate may be carried proximate the inlet for engaging the surface to be cleaned. The flexible plate may be described to include an upper surface, an opposing lower surface for contacting the surface to be cleaned, and a periphery defined by a plurality of tongues radially extending about the periphery. Each of the plurality of tongues may include a lower surface portion for contacting the surface to be cleaned and a contouring portion in a spaced relation with the surface to be cleaned during operation of the apparatus, thus upwardly lifting an outer most periphery of the plate from the surface to be cleaned. A plurality of reinforcing elements may be integrally formed with the flexible plate for upwardly contouring the periphery from the surface to be cleaned. The reinforcing elements may include a rib that may be integrally formed with the upper surface of the flexible plate with the rib extending radially outward while confined within the periphery of the flexible plate. Alternatively, the reinforcing element may comprise a flange extending along the peripheral edge of the tongue, or yet other reinforcing styled elements. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of one embodiment of a swimming pool cleaner according to the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the cleaner of FIG. 1;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a partial cross section view of a pool cleaner illustrating fluid flow therethrough;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial cross section view of a housing portion of the embodiment of FIG. 3 illustrating an enlarged view of the oscillator valve in a seated position and an unseated position, respectively;  
         [0011]    FIGS.  6  is an alternate embodiment of the valve in keeping with the teachings of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cover;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective and side views of an embodiment of a valve;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 10 is a partial top view looking down on the valve carried within the housing;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 11 and  11 A illustrate alternate embodiments having a retractable element carried by the valve and alternatively by a partition wall, respectively;  
         [0016]    FIGS.  13 - 20  illustrate alternate embodiments of the valve operable with the retractable element;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 21 is a partial top view of one embodiment of a flexible plate;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 22 is a partial cross section elevation view taken through lines  22 - 22  of FIG. 21;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 23 is a partial top view of one embodiment of a flexible plate;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 24 is a partial cross section elevation view taken through lines  24 - 24  of FIG. 23;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 25 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a flexible plate;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 26 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a flexible plate;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 27 is a partial top view of one embodiment of a flexible plate;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 28 is a partial cross section elevation view taken through lines  28 - 28  of FIG. 27;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 29 is a partial cross section view taken through lines  29 - 29  of FIG. 27;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 30 is an elevation and partial cross section view of a footpad of FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 31 is a side elevation and partial cross section view of the footpad of FIG. 30 illustrating front and rear lateral inlet ports; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 32 is an elevation view of the footpad of FIG. 30 illustrating dual lateral inlet ports. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numerals refer to like elements.  
         [0030]    With reference initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the present invention is herein described, by way of example, for a submersible swimming pool cleaner  10  having a housing  12  inclined toward a direction of travel, which housing carries a bumper  14  and weight  16  about a forward portion  18  with the bumper extending to left and right side portions  20 ,  22 . A float  24  is carried at an aft portion  26  for acting in conjunction with the weight  16  in allowing the cleaner  10  to fall to an upright position when dropping from a sidewall of a swimming pool. Vertical and horizontal bumper members  28 ,  30  are effective in having the cleaner avoid obstructions within the swimming pool, such as steps and sharp corners. The housing  12  further carries a flexible plate  32  via attachment with a footpad  34 .  
         [0031]    The housing  12  includes a single flow passage  36  extending from an inlet  38  to an outlet  40  for a flow of fluid and debris through the passage, as described with reference to FIG. 3. A partition wall  42  extends into the single flow passage  36  such that the flow of fluid and debris (illustrated with arrows  44 ) are constrained to pass through an opening  46  formed thereby and pass to the outlet  40 , which outlet is adapted for connection to a suction source  48 . The flexible plate  32  is carried about the inlet  38  for engaging a submerged surface  50  to be cleaned. A valve  52  is pivotally carried within the flow passage  36  for interrupting fluid flow  44  through the passage during an oscillation of the valve between a seated position  54  for interrupting the flow to an unseated position  56  permitting the flow, as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The valve  52  interrupts flow through the passage  36  resulting in a motion of the inclined housing  12  causing it to travel along the surface of the pool to be cleaned, the valve thus acting as the “motor” for the pool cleaner. With continued reference to FIG. 3, a suction of the fluid through the flow passage  36  causes an oscillating of the valve between the seated and the unseated positions and a resulting movement of the cleaner  10  across the submerged surface  50 .  
         [0032]    With continued reference to FIGS.  3 - 5 , a retractable element  58  is moveable between a valve distal end  60  and a surface  62  of the partition wall  42  for reducing a gap  64  formed between them, thus substantially limiting the flow of the fluid and debris to only one side  66  of the valve  52 . The retractable element  58  may be dimensioned such that the fluid flow through the passage  36  causes the retractable element to have slidably engagement between the valve distal end  60  and the surface  62  of the partition wall  42  during the oscillation of the valve, as illustrated with reference again to FIGS. 4 and 5, or alternatively may fully close or simply reduce the size of the gap  64 , as illustrated with reference to FIG. 6.  
         [0033]    With reference again to FIGS.  1 - 5 , the single flow passage  36  may be defined by opposing top and bottom walls  68 ,  70  in combination with opposing left and right sidewalls  72 ,  74 , wherein the distal end  60  of the valve  52  contacts the bottom wall  70  in the seated position  54  and oscillates between the seated position and a stop  76  formed with the distal end  60  for contacting the top wall  68 .  
         [0034]    As illustrated with reference again to FIGS.  1 - 5 , an access opening  78  within the top wall  68  provides entry into the housing  12  and the flow passage  36 . A detachable cover  80  encloses the opening  78 . Access to the flow passage provides a convenience when clearing out debris lodged therein or replacing the valve, by way of example. In one embodiment of the cleaner, as herein described by way of example, the partition wall  42  is integrally formed with the cover  80 , as further illustrated with reference to FIG. 7. The cover  80  includes a lock  82  and tab  84  located at ends of the cover for securing the cover to the housing  12  for covering the opening  78 . A pivot pin  86  is carried by the housing  12  for pivotal connection with a proximal end  88  of the valve  52 . As illustrated with reference again top FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve  52  may be constructed to include an elongate arm  90  having the proximal end  88  for connection to the pivot pin  86 . A head portion  92  is located at the valve distal end  60 . The distal end  60  is carried within the passage  36  upstream the proximal end  88 . In the embodiment illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, by way of example, the head portion  92  includes a slot  94  for slidably receiving the retractable element  58 . One embodiment of the retractable element  58  includes a slit  96  that is operable with a pin  98  carried within the slot  94 , as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Flexible side edges  100  extend along the longitudinal sides of the valve  52  for minimizing side gaps  102  on the sides of the valve and for providing a close fit, as further illustrated with reference to FIG. 10, thus enhancing control of the fluid flow along the one side  66  of the valve  52 , as earlier described with reference to FIGS.  3 - 5 .  
         [0035]    Alternate embodiments keeping within the teachings of the present invention, may include by way of example, the head portion  92  having a protrusion  104  extending radially outward from the valve distal end  60  for slidably receiving the retractable element  58 , as illustrated with to reference to FIG. 11. Further, the partition wall  42  may include a slot  106  extending for slidably receiving the retractable element  58 , as illustrated with reference to FIG. 12. Yet further, the partition wall  42  may include a protrusion  108  extending outward toward the valve  52  for slidably receiving the retractable element  58 , as illustrated by way of further example with reference to FIG. 11A. As herein illustrated, the retractable element  58  may have various shapes and may be attached to the valve  52  or to the partition wall  42  without deviating from the teachings of the present invention, and may or may not fully close the gap  64 , as illustrated with reference to FIGS.  13 - 20 .  
         [0036]    With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, by way of example, the generally circular cross sectional shape of the retractable element  58  and carried within a generally arcuate shape for the slot  94  supports a rolling motion for the retractable element during movement of the head portion  92 , thus reducing wear of the surface and element while remaining effective in directing fluid flow to the one side  66  of the valve  52 . The retractable element  58  is movably carried within the slot  94  making continuous contact with the  62  of the partition wall  42  or in close proximity as herein described. With reference again to FIGS. 6, 12, and  17 , an embodiment of the valve  52  includes the head portion  92  having an angled slot  94  tapering from outside toward a slotted hole  95 , or alternatively having the tapered slot within the partition wall as illustrated with reference to FIG. 18. The head contact element includes an elongate portion having one end extending out of the slot  94  and an opposing end having a bulbous portion for a sliding movement within the hole  95 . Such an embodiment allows the retractable element  58  to be secured within the slot  94  during installation and easily held therein during assembly of the valve. Further, a flexible arm portion  109  may be provided as a shock buffer that results in reducing noise generated by the oscillating valve  52 , as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 6.  
         [0037]    With reference again to FIGS.  1 - 3 , the flexible plate  32  may be described as having an upper surface  110  and an opposing lower surface  112  for contacting the surface to be cleaned  50 . A periphery  114  of the plate  32  includes a plurality of tongues  116  radially extending thereabout. Each tongue  116  includes a lower surface portion  118  for contacting the surface to be cleaned  50  and a contoured portion  120  in a spaced relation with the surface to be cleaned during operation of the cleaner  10 , as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 3, and to FIGS. 21 and 22, the outer most peripheral portion of the plate being upwardly lifted from the surface to be cleaned. In one embodiment, as herein illustrated, a rib  122  is integrally formed with the upper surface  110  of the flexible plate  32  at the tongue  116 . The rib  122  reinforces the tongue  116  for securing the contoured portion  120  in the convex shape. Alternate reinforcing element shapes may be formed with the flexible plate  32  for upwardly contouring the periphery  114  upwardly from the surface to be cleaned  50 , including a flange  124  extending along a peripheral edge of the tongue, as illustrated by way of example with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.  
         [0038]    As illustrates with reference again to FIG. 2 and to FIG. 25, embodiments of the plate  32  may include slots  126  radially extending from a center  128  of the plate. The slot  126  herein described is tapered so as to provide a diminishing gap as the taper extends radially outward from the center  128 . Alternatively, the plate  32  may include a slit  130 , as illustrated with reference again to FIGS. 22 and 24. Yet further, a combination of tapered slot  126  and slit  130  may be formed within the plate  32 , as illustrated with reference to FIG. 26, such slots and slits extending radially outward from the center  128  of the plate  32  provide added flexibility to the flexible plate  32  and improved maneuverability over contours within the surface to be cleaned  50 . A plurality of slots or slit may be symmetrically located as herein illustrated or located as desired for surface conditions.  
         [0039]    By way of further example, and as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 25, the plurality of slots may extend along a first imaginary line  132  centrally positioned between second imaginary lines  134  passing centrally through each of the plurality of tongues  116 . Further, the plate  32  may include grooves  136  within the lower surface  112  and extending radially outward for the center  128 . As illustrated, the grooves  136  may extend only partially between the center  128  and the periphery  114  of the plate  32 .  
         [0040]    Pleats  138  provide yet another alternative for adding flexibility to the plate  32 , as illustrated with reference FIGS.  27 - 29 . Each of a plurality of pleats  138  extending radially from the center  128  forms a groove  140  within the lower surface  112  and a protrusion  142  in the upper surface  110 .  
         [0041]    With reference to FIG. 26, by way of example, the plate  32  may include a plurality of holes  144  extending from the upper surface  110  to the lower surface  112  for modifying a suction provided by the flexible plate during operation of the cleaner  10  with the suction source.  
         [0042]    As earlier described with reference to FIGS.  1 - 3 , the cleaner  10  herein described by way of example, includes a foot pad  34  which carries the plate  32 . The foot pad  34  is attached to a flange  146  at the inlet  38  of the housing  12  as further illustrated with reference to FIG. 30. The footpad  34  is attached to the housing  12  and the flexible plate  32 , and easily replaced by the consumer. As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32 using arrows, fluid flow passes through openings within the footpad above the plate and below for providing an effective cleaning of debris from the surface to be cleaned. As illustrated with reference again to FIG. 1- 3 , a hose connector  148  is carried at the outlet  40  of the housing  12 . Under the influence of the vacuum source  48 , typically a pump, a flexible hose  150  connected to the connector  148  causes fluid and debris to flow through the housing  12 .  
         [0043]    As illustrated with reference again to FIGS.  1 - 3 , one embodiment of the hose connector  148  includes a swivel portion  152 , nut portion  154  and collar  156  for providing a swivel connection to the hose  150 . Such a combination permits easy replacement of parts. A key  158  is carried by the collar  156  to fix the bumper  14  in a forward position.  
         [0044]    Various embodiments of the present invention have been herein described in the drawings and specification, by way of example. Although specific terminology was employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in detail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made while keeping within the teachings and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification and as defined in claims.