US4133068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning apparatus for submerged surfaces
Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
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Filing: 1977-08-23
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Granted: 1979-01-09
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Expires: 1997-08-23
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises a simple compact automatically operating apparatus for cleaning swimming pools in a stepwise movement over the pool walls comprising a balanced operating head having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet adapted to be swivelably connected to a longitudinally resilient and flexible suction hose. The inlet axis is inclined at an angle of between thirty degrees and sixty degrees to that of the outlet. A pair of passages extend through the head from inlet to outlet, and an oscillatable valve in the head is adapted to alternately close said passages. A baffle plate is placed in the head between the inlet and valve to cause one of the passages to be more restricted and less direct between inlet and outlet than the other and the valve is shaped so that liquid flow through the passages will cause automatic oscillation thereof between terminal positions in each of which one of the passages through the head is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut J. Hofmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:26
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H4/00; E04H4/14; E04H4/16; E04H4/1654; E04H4/1663
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces comprising: a balanced operating head having an inlet and an outlet defining respective inlet and outlet axes, the outlet adapted to be swivelably connected to a longitudinally resilient and flexible suction hose, the inlet axis being inclined at an angle of between thirty degrees and sixty degrees to that of the outlet axis, a pair of passages through the head from inlet to outlet, an oscillatable valve in the head adapted to alternately close said passages, a baffle plate in the head between the inlet and valve to cause one of the passages to be more restricted and less direct between inlet and outlet then the other and the valve shaped so that liquid flow through the passages will cause automatic oscillation thereof between terminal positions in each of which one of the passages through the head is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces comprising: a balanced operating head having an inlet and an outlet defining respective inlet and outlet axes, the outlet adapted to be swivelably connected to a longitudinally resilient and flexible suction hose, the inlet axis being inclined at an angle of between thirty degrees and sixty degrees to that of the outlet axis, a pair of passages through the head from inlet to outlet, an oscillatable valve in the head adapted to alternately close said passages, a baffle plate in the head between the inlet and valve to cause one of the passages to be more restricted and less direct between inlet and outlet then the other and the valve shaped so that liquid flow through the passages will cause automatic oscillation thereof between terminal positions in each of which one of the passages through the head is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which parallel surfaces are formed in the head to guide the movement of the valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the inlet to the head is formed as a cylindrical part having openings into one end and through the side wall of this part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which an annular flexible disc with apertures therethrough is located on the cylindrical part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 having a bouyancy chamber and movable balance weight associated therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces comprising: a balanced operating head having an inlet and an outlet defining respective inlet and outlet axes, the oulet adapted to be swivelably connected to a longitudinally resilient and flexible suction hose, the inlet axis being inclined at an angle of between thirty degrees and sixty degrees to that of the outlet axis, value means comprising a pair of valves provided in the head, said valves adapted to close a first passage means between them or a second passage means defined by separate passages in the body on the opposite sides of the valves, a baffle plate in the head between the inlet and valve to cause one of the passages to be more restricted and less direct between inlet and outlet than the other and the valve means shaped so that liquid flow through the passages will cause automatic oscillation thereof between terminal positions in each of which one of the first and second passage means through the head is closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces comprising: a balanced operating head having an inlet and an outlet defining respective inlet and outlet axes, the oulet adapted to be swivelably connected to a longitudinally resilient and flexible suction hose, the inlet axis being inclined at an angle of between thirty degrees and sixty degrees to that of the outlet axis, value means comprising a pair of valves provided in the head, said valves adapted to close a first passage means between them or a second passage means defined by separate passages in the body on the opposite sides of the valves, a baffle plate in the head between the inlet and valve to cause one of the passages to be more restricted and less direct between inlet and outlet than the other and the valve means shaped so that liquid flow through the passages will cause automatic oscillation thereof between terminal positions in each of which one of the first and second passage means through the head is closed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4023227A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-08 | 1982-07-10 | 1983-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-08 | 1986-07-10 | 1987-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-08 | 1990-07-10 | 1991-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |