Patent ID: 6922855

Claim:
An apparatus for cleaning a swimming pool, said apparatus comprising: a water pump connected in fluid communication with the swimming pool, the connection being selectable from a pressure side of said pump to thereby generate water flow having positive pressure from the pump toward the pool or selectable from a suction side of said pump to thereby generate suction water flow toward the pump from the pool; a pool cleaner in fluid communication with said water pump and adapted for cleaning submerged surfaces of the swimming pool responsive to suction water flow generated upon selection of the suction side of said pump; a flexible hose fluidly connecting said water pump with said pool cleaner; a housing associated with a submerged surface of the swimming pool, said housing having sufficient capacity for therein receiving said pool cleaner; at least one conduit connecting said housing and said water pump for therethrough conducting the water flow generated by said water pump; a piston connected to an end of said flexible hose opposite from said cleaner and positioned within said at least one conduit so that said piston is movably responsive to the water flow generated by said water pump through said conduit, whereby said piston is urged toward said housing by a positive pressure water flow and toward said pump by a suction water flow; and a retaining member positioned to releasably retain said piston adjacent said housing so as to prevent movement of said piston toward said pump responsive to suction water flow.