Patent Description:
Submersible cleaning apparatus are commonplace within the industrial and domestic pool cleaning sectors. Such cleaning apparatus can include: automatic pool cleaners (such as that of Hayward, <CIT>); pressure pool cleaners and vacuum pool cleaners (such as that of SERVICE IND SOLUTIONS, <CIT>). Other cleaners forming part of the state of the art are disclosed by <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. <CIT> disclose a submersible cleaning apparatus comprising all technical features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Common issues and limitations are known in the art for existing pool cleaning apparatus. Key issues which exist are: preventing any included filtration bag system from collapsing on itself; preventing any filtration bag system from being sucked back towards the motor of the vacuum head; and how to adjust / regulate the vacuum (or suction) pressure between the head of the vacuum and the surface being cleaned prior to and/or during cleaning. The common source which links the above issues is that the motor responsible for generating the vacuum (or suction) is regularly only capable of operating at one strength, thereby only providing the user with one vacuum / suction strength, which might be too strong in some environments or too weak in others.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaning system for use in submersed environments for improved cleaning of submersed surfaces, such as the floors in swimming pools.

According to the present invention, there is provided a submersible cleaning apparatus. Said submersible cleaning apparatus comprising:.

Through incorporation of a means of floating the debris collection means prevents the same from being sucked down toward the vacuum head when starting the equipment or during use, allowing the use of finer ppm filtration systems and obviating the issue of the collections means collapsing.

Advantageously, the debris collection means of the submersible cleaning apparatus comprises an elongate microfibre bag filter, having a proximal open end and a distal closed end. The microfibre material allows for finer filtration of collected debris and aggregates, through using different ppm filtration meshes according to the environment / cleaning requirements.

Releasable attachment of the microfibre bag filter allows replacement and maintenance of the bag filter, whilst attaching to two circumferential port flanges gives greater binding to the apparatus, preventing the bag filter accidentally detaching whilst in use.

The arrangement of the two circumferential port flanges allows for easier attachment of the bag filter, providing the open end over the central port. Vertical spacing of the flanges facilitates either double attachment of the bag, or for selective higher or lower attachment of the bag relative to the housing, which in turn adjust the suction power of the vacuum (or suction), which further allows for tailoring the setup relative to the cleaning environment and demands.

Preferably, the floatation means is releasably attached to the microfibre bag filter. This allows for replacement of the float, or for using larger/smaller floats relative to the micron levels and size of the bag to which they are to be attached, allowing for further tailoring of the filtration capabilities and buoyancy of the bag setup. This is further useful in salt water pools vs freshwater pools.

Advantageously, the floatation means is releasably attached to the microfibre bag filter adjacent its distal end. Locating the float towards the distal end of the bag filter increases the floats ability to lift the bag away from the vacuum head.

Advantageously, the head assembly attachment means comprises a cord and releasable fastening member, said cord passing through a peripheral channel adjacent the proximal open end of the debris collection means. The use of cord and fastener allows for infinite attachment points along the length o said cord, thereby allowing the bag to be attached to different sized housings and retrofittable as an individual item.

More advantageously, the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly is releasably housed within the outer housing and comprises interchangeable propellers. Releasable attachment of the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly allows removal for maintenance or replacement.

Most advantageously, the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly is configured to facilitate the use of different sized interchangeable propellors. Use of different sized propellors allows for further alteration of the suction power of the apparatus, allowing for further regulation of filtration and cleaning capabilities relative to the requirements of the job at hand.

Preferably, the cleaner head assembly further comprises transportation means arranged about an underside of the cleaner head assembly. The transportation means separating an underside of the vacuum head from the pool surface and facilitating easier movement of the head across the pool surface.

More preferably, the cleaner head assembly is provided with means for adjusting the ride height of the assembly with respect to the surface being cleaned. For further adjustment of the suction power and facilitation further modulation of bag size and bag filtration material for finer particulates.

More preferably, the outer housing is provided with a plurality of transportation means fixing points. Allows for selective location of the transportation means relative to the shape of the cleaning head. This allows for adjustment of the cleaner dimensions, through use of smaller or larger wheels.

More preferably, the transportation means fixing points are provided within at least one of two transportation means mounting brackets. Use of mounting brackets allows the user to have pre-set wheel arrangements on different brackets and to exchange brackets and or wheels for more prompt setup between cleaning scenarios / environments.

More advantageously, the transportation means mounting brackets are releasably attached to first and second lower edges of the outer housing. This location allows the user to remove one set of wheels if cleaning steps of a pool. Most advantageously, the transportation means fixing points are spatially arranged to provide alternate fixing points, both vertically and horizontally about an outer face of the respective mounting bracket. Further allowing adjustment of ride height and number / size of wheels, allowing further adjustment to suction and filtration capabilities.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are purely schematic and not to scale, of which:.

An example of the present invention is illustrated in <FIG>. A submersible cleaning apparatus (indicated generally at <NUM>), comprises a cleaner head assembly (indicated generally at <NUM>) an a debris collection assembly (indicated generally at <NUM>).

In the example, the cleaner head assembly <NUM> primarily comprises: an outer vacuum / suction housing <NUM>; a vacuum (or suction) producing assembly (indicated generally at <NUM>); a power source port (indicated generally at <NUM>); first and second wheel assemblies (indicated generally at <NUM> and <NUM>); and a pole connection port (indicated generally at <NUM>). The debris collection assembly <NUM> comprises: an elongate bag filter <NUM>, having an open end and a closed end (remote from the first); and a bag float <NUM>.

The vacuum housing <NUM> of the cleaner head assembly <NUM> is profiled and dimensioned so as to provide an internal void for housing the vacuum (or suction) producing assembly <NUM>. The vacuum housing <NUM> is made of plastics in the present example for the primary properties of: speed and cost of manufacture; cleanliness; resistance to breakage. Other materials such as metals might reasonably be used. The vacuum (or suction) producing assembly <NUM> is typical of that known in the art, with the exception that said assembly may be disassembled by the user, so as to allow the user to use different sized propellors (not shown) within the housing (referenced in later figures) of the vacuum (or suction) assembly <NUM>. The vacuum (or suction) assembly <NUM> is of the motor type assembly, capable of producing a vacuum (or suction) through a central bore in the cleaner head once connected to a power supply by way of the power source port <NUM>.

Accordingly, the vacuum (or suction) assembly <NUM> is designed to provide a vacuum (or suction) to remove debris from the surface of a pool floor and project said debris through the central bore to be collected in the debris collection assembly <NUM>. It will be understood that the vacuum (or suction) assembly has conventional function, with a motor, propellers or blades, and a means for mounting the vacuum (or suction) assembly to an interior surface of the vacuum housing <NUM> within the internal void of said housing. As will be discussed in greater depth with reference to <FIG>, the motor housing is provided with a power inlet port and a stabilising bracket and a mounting bracket.

The elongate bag filter <NUM> of the debris collection assembly <NUM> comprises a microfibre mesh bag filter. Various sizes and grades of bag filter may be provided, so as to give the user the ability to tailor the finer degree of filtration of the bag system (the pore size of the mesh) and the size required of the filter (smaller pools and / or less soiled pools will not require a larger bag). Furthermore, through use of finer or coarser filtration bags gives the user the ability to modulate the suction of the vacuum system (with finer filters leading to stronger vacuums/ suctions power and coarser filters leading to weaker vacuums / suction power). This gives the ability to increase or decrease the cleaning power of the system, relative to whether it is primarily intended to remove large debris such as leaves, or finer debris such as mud or silt.

The elongate bag filter <NUM> is provided with a means for releasably attaching said bag <NUM> to the vacuum head (indicated generally at <NUM>). In this regard, the bag filter <NUM> is provided with a peripheral channel <NUM> running about its circumference at the open end. This channel has two openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) adjacent one another on an external surface of the bag filter <NUM>. A cord or length of rope <NUM> is passed through this channel <NUM>, leaving first and second remote ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) of said cord / rope hanging from the respective first and second openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the channel. The cord / rope <NUM> is provided with a releasable fastening member <NUM> (such as a toggle), which is passed over the first and second remote ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the cord / rope <NUM>, allowing the user to manually narrow the opening of the bag filter by adjusting the position of the togger (which has a manually depressible releasing member for positioning said toggle about the length of rope / cord). The user can thus releasably attach the bag filter <NUM> to the vacuum head <NUM> by passing the open end of said bag <NUM> over the central bore of the vacuum head <NUM> and tightening the opening of the bag <NUM> to said bore by way of the cord <NUM> and fastener <NUM>.

Regarding the fastening of the bag filter <NUM>, the central bore or central port of the vacuum head (indicated generally at <NUM>) is provided with two circumferential port flanges (<NUM>, <NUM>) about its outer body. These circumferential flanges <NUM>, <NUM> extend the entire diameter of the outer body of the central bore <NUM> and are laterally (or vertically) spaced apart. The user may therefore select which flange <NUM>, <NUM> to releasably attach the bag filter <NUM> over, giving the choice of a higher or lower mounting position of the bag <NUM> relative to the body of the vacuum head <NUM>. This gives further modulation of the vacuum / suction strength exerted by the apparatus <NUM> for further adjustment of the cleaning properties of the apparatus <NUM> relative to the demands of the job at hand. Moreover, should the user need to, they can attach the bag by way of both flanges, providing a back-up attachment system to the bag filter should one fail. In this case, either a bag with two channels, cords and toggles could be used (with the second channel, cord & toggle assembly provided at a pint intermittent the first end and the second end of the bag filter <NUM>), or the user can attach a second corded system external to the bag <NUM> (such additional cord and toggle systems might reasonably be provided as a kit of parts).

To obviate the issue of the bag filter <NUM> collapsing on itself during start up, or indeed, from collapsing under the strength of the vacuum / suction passing through the system, the bag filter <NUM> is provided with the bag float <NUM>. The bag float <NUM> comprises any buoyant material (such as cork or foam) and is releasably attached to the bag filer <NUM> at its distal (closed) end. The releasable attachment in the present case is a cord system. In particular, the bag float <NUM> comprises a cylindrical foam with central channel. The cylindrical foam has a length of cord/rope <NUM> pass through it, and is tied to securing tabs (<NUM>, <NUM>) situated at the upper corners of the bag filter <NUM>, adjacent its distal (closed) end. Said securing tabs <NUM>, <NUM> are sewn to the bag filter <NUM> and have apertures for receiving the cord/cable which passes through the cylindrical foam float <NUM>. Other systems might reasonably - be used, such as hook and loop fasteners.

The submersible cleaning apparatus <NUM> previously identified in <FIG> is shown in a plan and exploded views in <FIG>, for better representation and disclosure of internal components.

The motor <NUM> is provided with: a power inlet port <NUM>; a stabilising bracket (not shown); and a mounting bracket <NUM>. The stabilising bracket provides a framework for supporting the motor housing <NUM> within the void of the vacuum housing <NUM>. The power inlet port <NUM> is slotted through.

The motor <NUM> may be powered by an external power source (in particular, a battery). In this regard, the power inlet port <NUM> passes through an aperture <NUM> in the vacuum housing <NUM> and is connected to a power supply assembly <NUM> which is in turn provided with a quick release system <NUM> for connection to a waterproof power cable (which in turn is connected to a power supply, such as a battery, above ground and away from water). Each of these connections are completely water-tight. Accordingly, power is supplied through the body of the vacuum head <NUM> in a water-tight manner so as to power the vacuum / suction motor <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> is further fixed in place by way of its mounting bracket <NUM>. Said mounting bracket <NUM> is disposed at an upper end of the motor <NUM> and is reliably fixed to the inner body of the vacuum housing <NUM> by way of a mounting plate and screws (<NUM>, <NUM>). Furthermore, the mounting plate <NUM> is arranged so as to also facilitate attachment of a handle attachment port <NUM>, thereby allowing the user to attach any reasonable sized handle / telescopic handle to the vacuum head <NUM> by way of the handle attachment port <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A submersible cleaning apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a cleaner head assembly (<NUM>), said cleaner head assembly (<NUM>) comprising: an outer housing (<NUM>), configured to provide an internal void for housing a suction producing assembly (<NUM>); and a power source port (<NUM>), for water-tight connectivity of the suction producing assembly (<NUM>) to a power source; and
debris collection means (<NUM>), said debris collection means (<NUM>), in use, being releasably attached to an upper periphery of the cleaner head assembly (<NUM>) by way of head assembly attachment means (<NUM>) and arranged to collect debris that passes through the cleaner head assembly (<NUM>) under suction;
characterised in that
said debris collection means (<NUM>) is provided with floatation means (<NUM>);
said debris collection means (<NUM>) comprises an elongate microfibre bag filter (<NUM>), having a proximal open end and a distal closed end;
wherein said microfibre bag filter (<NUM>) is releasably attachable to the cleaner head assembly (<NUM>) about either one of, or each of two circumferential port flanges (<NUM>, <NUM>) and
said two circumferential port flanges (<NUM>, <NUM>) are arranged about a central port (<NUM>) and are laterally spaced apart.