U.S. patent number 3,860,518 [Application Number 05/312,053] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-14 for apparatus and method for cleaning swimming pools.
Invention is credited to Evan R. Henricksen.
United States Patent |
3,860,518 |
Henricksen |
January 14, 1975 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING SWIMMING POOLS
Abstract
Apparatus and method for cleaning swimming pools, including the
water surface and submerged surfaces, utilizing pressurized water
to propel a buoyant skimmer and to activate one or more water whips
to flush settled material from submerged surfaces. Surface debris
is trapped in a perforated collector propelled selectively in
either direction along the perimeter as well as in loops centrally
of the pool at other times. Settled foreign matter is flushed
toward the pool drain by water whips and withdrawn to a place of
disposal or to a filter after which the clean water is pressurized
and returned to the skimmer. The apparatus preferably includes a
relatively long, sluggish whip operating to flush settled material
from the pool bottom and a shorter, livelier whip which flushes the
wall, steps and the like surfaces.
Inventors: |
Henricksen; Evan R. (Arcadia,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
26869213 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/312,053 |
Filed: |
December 4, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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173497 |
Aug 27, 1971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/776;
210/167.15; 15/1.7; 134/34; 210/242.1; 4/490; 134/24; 210/806 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H
4/1654 (20130101); B01D 21/2433 (20130101); E04H
4/1263 (20130101); E04H 4/1681 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01D
21/24 (20060101); E04H 4/16 (20060101); E04H
4/00 (20060101); B01d 037/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;210/242,169,65
;15/1.7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Granger; Theodore A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sellers and Brace
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending
application for United States Letters Patent Ser. No. 173,497,
filed Aug. 27, 1971, entitled SELF-PROPELLED FLOATING DEBRIS
SKIMMER, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A jet-propelled meandering swimming pool skimmer comprising:
buoyant means including a perforated debris collecting receptacle
having a forwardly facing wide shallow water and debris inlet
having its lower edge submerged when said skimmer is buoyantly
supported in a swimming pool, and means, including at least one
flexible water whip, carried by said skimmer and adapted to be
connected via a flexible hose to a stationary source of pressurized
water for jetting a plurality of streams of pressurized water
rearwardly and effective to propel said skimmer forwardly in a
generally meandering path over the surface of a pool of water with
said water and debris inlet facing forwardly in the direction of
travel to collect floating debris entering said collecting
receptacle through said water and debris inlet.
2. A meandering pool skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in
that said means for jetting a plurality of streams of water are
effective at times to advance said skimmer along the sidewall of
the pool, and the drag forces imposed on said skimmer by said
flexible hose as the skimmer advances sufficiently to drag a longer
length of said flexible hose being temporarily effective to divert
said skimmer into a looping path of travel away from the pool
sidewall and over surface areas spaced inwardly from said
sidewall.
3. A meandering pool skimmer as defined in claim 2 characterized in
that said flexible water whip is sufficiently long that the free
end thereof rests on and whips crosswise of a pool bottom and is
thereby effective to impart variable and changing drag forces on
said skimmer.
4. A meandering pool skimmer as defined in claim 3 characterized in
that said flexible water-powered whip thereon effective to direct a
water jet against submerged surfaces of a pool to displace foreign
matter lying thereagainst.
5. A meandering pool skimmer as defined in claim 2 characterized in
that said flexible whip is effective to sweep settled debris on the
pool bottom toward a drain outlet in the deepest area of the
pool.
6. A meandering pool skimmer as defined in claim 2 characterized in
the provision of a second flexible water-powered whip means
trailing behind said skimmer and effective to whip vigorously as
the skimmer advances thereby to flush away debris settled on
submerged steps adjacent a perimeter area of a pool.
7. A meandering pool skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in
the provision of a plurality of flexible water-powdered whip means
trailing behind said skimmer including a relatively long sluggish
whip having its free end adapted to rest in part on the bottom of a
swimming pool being skimmed and a relatively short lively whip
which has a zone of activity both below and above the water surface
of the pool whereby said whip means is effective to flush the pool
side walls and the submerged steps when present in a pool
undergoing skimming.
8. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
of closure means crosswise of said water inlet operable to permit
flow into said skimmer through said water inlet and for
substantially preventing all flow outwardly therethrough thereby to
trap collected debris within said skimmer.
9. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
of closure means for closing said water inlet comprising a weir
extending crosswise of said inlet and pivotable about a horizontal
axis through the lower edge portion thereof and provided with
buoyancy means along the upper edge thereof effective to hold said
closure means closed unless said skimmer is being propelled
forwardly.
10. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in that one of
said water jet means includes adjustable means cooperating with
water discharging therethrough for varying the path of travel of
said skimmer.
11. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said
water jet means includes means for securing said water jet means to
said skimmer selectively in first and second positions whereby said
water jet means is effective to propel said skimmer optionally and
selectively in a clockwise and in a counterclockwise direction
about a pool.
12. A skimmer as defined in claim 11 characterized in that said
water jet means includes means for securing the same to said
skimmer selectively in different positions lengthwise of the
skimmer thereby to vary the path of travel thereof.
13. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
of normally inactive water jet means on said skimmer operable when
activated to divert said skimmer laterally, and sensor means at the
forward end of said skimmer operable to activate said last
mentioned water jet means briefly upon contacting an obstacle in
the path of travel of said skimmer.
14. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
thereon of means for diverting said skimmer laterally of its path
of travel upon contact with an obstacle in the path of travel
thereof.
15. A skimmer as defined in claim 14 characterized in that said
diverting means includes spring pressed means held normally
extended in position to engage an obstacle in the path of travel
and operable in response to said contact to operate means for
imparting a thrust to one end of said skimmer thereby to change the
path of travel.
16. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
of curved bumper means on the forward end thereof effective to cam
said skimmer laterally thereby to travel past obstacles.
17. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
of barrier means effective to cause water entering said water and
debris inlet to escape from said skimmer in a submerged path
whereby any floating debris escaping from said skimmer is assured
of being wet on all surfaces and sinks to the bottom of the
pool.
18. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
of readily adjusted means on said supply hose means and shiftable
therealong to change the path of travel taken by the skimmer.
19. A skimmer as defined in claim 18 characterized in that said
adjustable means is attached to said supply hose means adjacent the
end thereof in communication with a source of pressurized
water.
20. A skimmer as defined in claim 18 characterized in that said
adjustable means comprises a weight mounted on said hose means and
adjustable lengthwise along said hose means.
21. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision
of means for adjusting the position of said water jet means
relative to the center of gravity of said skimmer thereby to vary
the effective lever arm of said water jet means tending to rotate
said skimmer about a vertical axis through said center of
gravity.
22. A skimmer as defined in claim 8 characterized in that the lower
leading edge of said closure means is hinged to the bottom of said
water inlet below the water surface with its trailing upper edge
inclined rearwardly into said collector whereby the entrance of
water into said collector during the propulsion of said skimmer is
effective to hinge said closure means rearwardly and downwardly and
to hold the same depressed so long as said skimmer is being
propelled.
23. A skimmer as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said
debris collecting receptacle is readily detachable from said
buoyant means and includes a multiplicity of perforations in the
bottom and sidewalls thereof.
24. A skimmer as defined in claim 23 characterized in that said
buoyant means is formed of plastic material and provides a support
frame for said debris collecting receptacle.
25. A swimming pool skimmer comprising an elongated plastic main
body designed to float and having forward and rearward transverse
ends, floating flexible hose means for supplying pressurized water
to said skimmer, a perforated debris collector supported on said
main body having a wide shallow water inlet across said forward end
of said main body, water whip means connected to and trailing
behind said skimmer, water jet means on said main body cooperable
with said water whipe means to propel said skimmer in a meandering
path over the pool surface with said water inlet foremost and
including means for connecting said jet means and said water whip
means to said floating flexible hose means.
26. A skimmer as defined in claim 25 characterized in that said
main body has a large area opening underlying the bottom of said
debris collector through which water leaving said collector
escapes.
27. A skimmer as defined in claim 26 characterized in the provision
of adjustable means operatively associated with said water jet
means for changing the path of travel of said skimmer.
28. A self-propelled buoyant swimming pool skimmer having debris
collector means having a wide shallow water inlet facing forwardly,
means on said skimmer for propelling the same forwardly in a
meandering path over the surface of a pool including a floating
flexible pressurized water supply hose cooperating with a
relatively long sluggish whip having its outlet end resting against
a pool bottom and effective to flush settled debris toward the pool
drain and a relatively short lively whip effective to flush debris
from the pool sidewalls and submerged steps, seats and the like
surfaces customarily present in a swimming pool, buoyant flexible
water supply hose means having one end connected to a source of
pressurized water and its other end connected to said propelling
means and to said water whip means, and the longer one of said
whips being positioned to periodically pass over and impose a drag
force on said water supply hose means while being dragged
thereacross whereby said skimmer is diverted into a different path
of travel and generally toward areas of the pool spaced near the
perimeter thereof.
29. A skimmer as defined in claim 28 characterized in that said
skimmer includes water jet means in communication with said supply
of pressurized water and disposed to propel said skimmer over the
surface of the pool and along a path of travel which at times
crosses said supply hose means.
30. A skimmer as defined in claim 29 characterized in that said
water jet means is disposed to urge said skimmer to travel closely
along the perimeter of a pool when said longer whip is imposing a
drag force on said skimmer in a direction tending to divert the
same toward the perimeter of the pool.
31. A skimmer as defined in claim 28 characterized in the provision
of bumper means across the forward end thereof effective to aid in
camming said skimmer around corners and about obstacles.
32. That method of cleaning a swimming pool which comprises
recirculating water from a pool through a filter and returning
clean pressurized water to the pool at least in part via water jet
propulsion means mounted on buoyant debris collector and debris
storage means attached to said propulsion means utilizing said
water jet means to propel said collector means over the pool
surface to entrap floating debris therein, and utilizing other
portions of said pressurized water to operate water whip means
trailing behind said debris collector means and effective to flush
submerged surfaces free of settled debris and into the pool
drain.
33. That method defined in claim 32 characterized in the step of
withdrawing water from the bottom of the pool along with settled
debris dislodged by said whip means and filtering out the debris
carried thereby.
34. That method defined in claim 32 characterized in utilizing said
water whip means and means returning pressurized water to water jet
propulsion means to maneuver said buoyant collector means in loops
over the central portion of the pool to expedite the skimming and
removal of debris from the pool.
35. That method defined in claim 32 characterized in the steps of
propelling said buoyant collector means along the periphery of the
pool at times followed by other periods in which said collector
means is propelled in loops centrally of the pool by the
cooperating drag effect of the said water whip means and of
flexible hose means supplying pressurized water to said collector
means.
36. That method defined in claim 32 characterized in the steps of
utilizing at least one long relatively sluggish water whip means to
flush settled debris from the bottom of the pool and at least one
relatively short lively water whip means operating near the pool
surface and effective to flush debris from the pool wall and
submerged steps and the like surfaces.
37. That method defined in claim 35 characterized in the step of
dragging said water whip means at times over a floating water
supply line for said collector means thereby to apply an off-center
drag force on said collector means causing it to travel toward the
pool walls.
38. A skimmer as defined in claim 32 characterized in the steps of
supplying water to said buoyant debris collector means at a
pressure in the range of 45 to 60 psi and at a rate of 10 to 15
gpm.
Description
This invention relates to swimming pool cleaning devices and more
particularly to a self-propelled, buoyant skimmer powered by
pressurized water and including at least one and preferably a
plurality of water whips for sweeping submerged surfaces.
The collection and removal of foreign material from swimming pools
continues to present vexatious problems the solution of which has
thwarted the efforts of many designers. Foreign material, leaves
and trash carried into the swimming pool by air currents collects
in considerable volume and has proven difficult and time consuming
to remove. Various schemes have been advanced for dealing with the
problem and these have varying degress of effectiveness leaving
much to be desired. A wide variety of surface skimmers have been
proposed designed for location in the coping along the sides of the
pools. Attempts have also been made to provide floating debris
collectors utilizing both motor driven and water operated
entraining devices as well as devices located along the coping and
operated to induce migration of surface layers and floating debris
into collector baskets located in pockets along the coping.
However, these proposals as made heretofore have limited effective
ranges and are easily thwarted by unfavorable conditions, adverse
wind currents, and other conditions. Excessive water flow rates are
usually required necessitating the use of large motor driven pumps
to circulate the water. Other proposals have been made for
utilizing both hand manipulated and power driven suction devices
operating over submerged surfaces and intended to entrain settled
debris in a stream of rapidly flowing water. These devices use
motor driven pumps located on the collection apparatus and require
costly waterproofed motors and power leads. Nevertheless, such
equipment is hazardous both as respects the equipment and operating
personnel owing to the risk of arcing, grounding and short
circuits. Furthermore, this type of skimmer is objectionably large,
heavy, costly and must be lowered into and lifted out of the pool
by hand.
The foregoing and other serious shortcomings of prior skimming
expedients are avoided by the present invention which is simply
constructed from lightweight components and designed to be
buoyantly supported on the surface of the pool. The skimmer is
propelled in an ever-changing path of travel and at a lively pace
by pressurized water jet means. A wide area water inlet crosswise
of the forward end opens into a large area reticulated or
perforated debris collector from which the water escapes below the
pool surface thereby ensuring wetting of any floating fines not
held captive by the collector. Once wetted, these fines then settle
to the pool bottom from which they are flushed into the drain by
water whips attached to and trailing behind the skimmer. The water
whips include a relatively long sluggish whip having its outlet
disposed to flush the pool bottom as well as a shorter lighter whip
operating near, above and below the pool surface and effective to
sweep the sidewalls as well as steps, under water seats and the
like.
The jet propelling the skimmer is preferably located off-center and
therefore tends to urge the skimmer to travel toward and along the
pool perimeter. The propelling means includes adjusting means for
varying the sidewise deflection of the skimmer as well as means for
aiding movement of the skimmer about obstacles and around corners.
Additionally, a sensor projecting from the forward end of the
skimmer operates upon impact with an obstacle to impart a
deflective movement to the forward end of the skimmer to facilitate
the continued forward movement of the skimmer past the
obstacle.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of automatic
closure of weir means for the water inlet which opens to admit
debris in response to forward propulsion and which closes
automatically as propulsion ceases thereby to trap collected
debris. In the illustrative embodiment, this closure comprises a
pivoting panel crosswise of the inlet which is depressed by the
weight of inflowing water. The closure is sufficiently buoyant to
return to an upright closed position instantly that water ceases to
enter. Preferably the main body of the skimmer is formed of molded
plastic and includes flotation chambers along the opposite sides of
the debris collector, the latter being readily removable for
emptying.
The propelling jet means for the skimmer is readily invertable and
securable to the skimmer to propel the latter in either a clockwise
or counterclockwise direction as found most expedient and effective
in a particular pool construction.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide an improved highly efficient and effective self-propelled
pool cleaning apparatus and method powered solely by pressurized
water.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a water jet
propelled and activated pool cleaning method operating to skim and
collect floating debris while flushing settled debris into the pool
drain for disposal.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a floating
debris collector powered by pressurized water and utilizing water
whip means arranged to direct the skimmer through an ever-changing
meandering path of travel both along the perimeter and centrally of
the pool.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a
self-propelled floating pool skimmer having closure means for its
water inlet which remains open so long as the skimmer is propelled
and which automatically closes when it is not propelled.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a
self-propelled floating skimmer with means effective when
encountering a pool corner or other obstacle to divert it into a
different path of travel.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a
self-propelled pool skimmer supplied with pressurized water through
a floating flexible hose and including a trailing water whip which
from time to time passes across the pressurized hose thereby
imparting off-center drag forces on the skimmer effective to divert
the skimmer from loop-like paths of travel to travel along the
perimeter of the pool.
These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the
following specification and claims and upon considering in
connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.
Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the
invention is illustrated:
FIG. 1 is a generally diagramatic top plan view of an illustrative
embodiment of the invention skimmer in use in a conventional pool
and indicating typical portions of its characteristic ever-changing
path of travel;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the skimmer per se with
portions broken away to show details of its construction;
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 on FIG.
2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 on FIG. 2;
and
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the right hand corner of FIG. 1
showing one of the water whips sweeping the steps.
Referring initially more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an
illustrative embodiment of the invention pool cleaning and skimming
apparatus designated generally 10. The skimmer proper 11 is
attached to a source of pressurized water at poolside by a floating
flexible hose 12 equipped with a pair of swivels 13,13 between its
opposite ends. Trailing from the rear portion of skimmer 11 are one
or more water whips including a relatively long sluggish whip 16
and a relatively short lively whip 17. Whip 16 has a length
approximately two-thirds the longer length of the pool to be
cleaned, whereas whip 17 is much more flexible and has a length
typically 6 to 8 feet long. These whips and their functions will be
described in greater detail presently.
As herein shown, skimmer 11 has a molded plastic main body of
generally rectangular configuration provided with a pair of long
narrow flotation chambers 20,20 (FIGS. 2 and 5) along either side
interconnected crosswise of their opposite ends by bottom plates
21,22 (FIG. 3). The rectangular area between the two flotation
chambers and between plates 21,22 is cut out to provide a water
outlet opening 23 and the area rearward of plate 22 is likewise cut
out to provide the water outlet 24.
The forward end of skimmer 11 is provided with a wide water inlet
26 best shown in FIG. 4. This inlet has a width extending from the
adjacent inner sidewalls of the flotation chambers 20,20 and a
height coextensive therewith. A closure plate or weir 27 has its
lower forward edge hinged to the bottom of inlet 26 by a hinge 28.
When the skimmer is not in the water closure plate or weir 27
pivots downwardly against the top surface of bottom plate 21 of the
main body. As herein shown, closure 27 comprises a rigid plaque of
sheet plastic and is provided with buoyancy means 29 effective to
support the closure in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined
position, such as that indicated in dot and dash lines in FIG. 4
when the skimmer is stationary and floating in the water. The
buoyancy could be provided by a hollow chamber extending along the
trailing edge of the closure member. The flotation means 29 is so
designed that a flow of water rearwardly along the inclined closure
during forward propulsion of the skimmer suffices to depress and
hold the closure open as in the full line position shown in FIG. 4.
A typical position of the skimmer relative to the water level is
indicated in FIG. 4 by the dot and dash line 30 representing the
surface of the water in the pool.
A reticulated or perforated debris collecting basket 32 is
supported loosely on portions 33 of the bottom plate projecting
inwardly from the inner sidewalls of the flotation chambers 20
(FIG. 5). This basket has an open forward end aligned with the rear
end of the water inlet 26. The sidewalls and rear end wall of
basket 32 may have inturned rim edges at 34 to strengthen the
basket. The basket is normally covered by a removable cover plaque
35 held in place by thumb nuts 36. When this cover is detached
basket 32 along with any collected debris is readily lifted from
the skimmer for disposal of its contents. It will be noted that the
rear end of the skimmer body is closed by a sidewall 37 having its
lower edge normally submerged for a purpose to be explained more
fully presently. As is best shown in FIG. 2, collector 32 is held
against sidewise and lengthwise movement by a pair of flanges
projecting laterally from its sidewalls and seating between a pair
of ribs 40,40 projecting inwardly from the sidewalls of the
flotation chambers 20,20.
The propulsion unit 45 of the skimmer will now be described by
reference to FIGS. 3-5. This tubular unit is generally U-shaped and
is held releasably and adjustable in place against the bottom of
the skimmer by clips 46 and thumb nuts 47. When the latter are
loosened, clips 46 can be shifted to different positions lengthwise
of the skimmer or rotated out of holding position permitting unit
45 to be detached and inverted. When inverted, the unit operates to
propel the skimmer over the pool surface in the opposite direction,
it being understood that the direction of travel is controlled by
the side of the skimmer to which the supply hose 12 is attached.
Thus, when attached to the right hand side as shown in FIG. 1, the
skimmer travels clockwise around the pool 48 whereas if unit 45 is
inverted so that hose 12 extends from the left hand side, the
skimmer will travel counterclockwise about the pool.
Movement of the skimmer along the pool wall and about obstacles is
facilitated by a pair of rollers 50,50 detachably held in place by
shouldered bolts 51. These rollers are located at the corners
remote from the side of the skimmer to which hose 12 is connected.
Referring to FIG. 2 it will be noted that each corner of the main
body is provided with holes 52 in which the rollers 50 and
supporting bolts 51 are mountable. The rollers bear against the
sidewall of the pool and aid materially in guiding the skimmer
around corners, obstacles and the like.
Propulsion unit 45 is provided with a main water jet 55 discharging
rearwardly adjacent one rear corner of the skimmer and preferably
against an adjustable deflector 56. This deflector is mounted on a
shaft 57 extending upwardly through the main body of the skimmer to
an adjusting thumb nut 58 which may be rotated to rotate deflector
56. The water issuing from jet 55 provides a propulsion force
urging the skimmer forwardly. Likewise, the issuing water jet
strikes the adjustable rudder 56 and imparts a deflecting force to
the rear end of the skimmer. Accordingly, the combined effect of
these forces is to propel the skimmer forwardly and laterally into
contact with the sidewall of the swimming pool. Since this lateral
urging force is applied to the rear corner, there is a component
having a tendency to urge the forward end to the right as viewed in
FIG. 1. This aids materially in maneuvering the skimmer around
corners and obstacles. When the propulsion unit 45 is inverted it
will be understood that the adjustable rudder 56 is transferred to
the mounted holes therefor in the other rear corner of the skimmer,
it being noted that the rudder is always on the same side of the
skimmer as supply hose 12.
Additional forward movement may be imparted to the skimmer by the
provision of a supplemental water jet opening 58 centrally of the
bight portion 59 of the propulsion unit. Water issuing from this
jet also preferably strikes an adjustable rudder 60 although this
rudder may be omitted if desired.
The propulsion unit preferably includes means for automatically
imparting a laterally-directed turning impulse to the forward end
of the skimmer upon contact with an obstacle. One suitable means
for this purpose comprises a jetting valve 63 in communication with
the interior of the propulsion unit and having a normally closed
jet orifice in fitting 64 which is directed outwardly from one side
of the skimmer. Valve 63 is opened to issue a jet of water through
fitting 64 for a brief period if and when the sensing plunger 65
strikes an obstacle. When this occurs valve 63 is opened for a
brief period, as 10-15 seconds, before its spring mechanism closes
it. So long as open, water issues from the jetting fitting 64 and
provides a force effective to rotate the forward end of the skimmer
counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3. A slow-closing valve of the
type indicated at 63 is well known in public washrooms and remains
open for a brief period after an operating plunger or button is
depressed.
Referring to FIG. 3 it is pointed out that the water whips 16,17
are connected to fittings mounted in the second leg of the U-shaped
propulsion unit 45. The connection of each of these whips to the
skimmer will be observed as offset to one side of the longitudinal
center line of the skimmer.
The operation of the skimmer will be readily apparent from the
foregoing description of its construction. In a typical
installation, the inlet of the supply hose 12 is connected in
circuit with the pool water purification system. Normally, water is
withdrawn from the drain underlying the debris catcher 70 at the
deep end of the pool through a conduit 71 leading into a filter
indicated at 72, and via pipe 73, into the inlet of a pressurizing
booster pump 74 having a capacity of 10-15 gpm at a pressure of
about 45 to 60 psi. The clean pressurized water issuing from this
pump flows through duct 75 to a fitting 76 to which supply hose 12
can be coupled. Preferably the connection to hose 12 is located
below the water level in the pool in order that the adjacent end of
hose 12 will not interfere with the movement of the skimmer about
the entire perimeter of the pool.
The clean, pressurized water supplied through the floating hose 12
enters the propulsion unit 45. A portion of this water discharges
through propulsion nozzle 55 and against rudder 56. Another portion
issues through the jetting orifice 58, and other portions supplied
to each of the water whips 16,17, issues from nozzles of well-known
construction at the ends of each of these whips. Whip 16 is
relatively long and heavy with the result that major portions of
this hose are submerged with a length of its free end resting
against the bottom of the pool. In consequence, the water jet
issuing from its nozzle causes this end to whip back and forth
crosswise of the bottom of the pool as the water jet flushes
settled debris and foreign matter toward the deeper end of the pool
and into the drain inlet. The movement of the skimmer about the
pool and this rather sluggish whipping action enables whip 16 to
sweep all portions of the pool bottom.
Before skimmer 11 completes its first circuit about the perimeter
of the pool, whip 16 will normally underlie supply hose 12 which
has sufficient buoyancy to float on the surface of the pool. As the
skimmer advances clockwise along the pool wall, the drag imposed by
supply hose 12 diverts the skimmer into a clockwise loop thereby
causing whip 16 to be dragged across the top of hose 12. The
skimmer may resume its travel along the pool wall or it may make
another loop. Under certain conditions this drag force does not
alter the course of the skimmer, but at other times the drag force
imparted by whip 16 as it crosses supply hose 12 is sufficiently
great to divert the skimmer into a different path temporarily.
Typical paths of travel are indicated by the arrows 80 in FIG. 1.
The skimmer may travel in overlapping loops briefly before
returning to its closed loop circuit closely adjacent the pool
sidewall. The path taken can be varied by adjusting unit 45
lengthwise of the bottom of the skimmer after loosening clamps 46,
as well as by adjusting deflectors 56 and/or 60 and weight 88.
As will be recognized from a consideration of FIG. 3, the reaction
of the water issuing from the jet will tend to rotate the skimmer
about a vertical axis through the center of gravity of the skimmer.
By varying the size and length of jet 55, or by varying the
distance thereof from the center of gravity, one changes the
effective reaction force or the length of the arm through which it
acts with a resulting change in the path along which the skimmer is
propelled.
During propulsion of the skimmer, water enters the wide inlet 26 at
the front of the skimmer and rides up onto closure plate 27 forcing
the latter to pivot downwardly against the bottom of the water
inlet. So long as the skimmer is being propelled forwardly the
weight of water flowing over closure 27 holds the latter depressed
to the full line position shown in FIG. 4. Under these
circumstances quantities of water along with any floating debris
flows into the collector basket 32 and exits through the
perforations distributed throughout this basket.
All except very fine floating material is retained by the basket
and collects at its far end. Any small particulate which can pass
through the perforations in the basket must flow downwardly and
about the lower rim edges of the main body. This assures that any
floating matter which has not previously become fully wetted will
now be wet, whereupon such material settles to the bottom of the
pool and into the path of the water from whip 16 sweeping settled
dirt and the like into the pool drain.
Water whip 17 comprises a small diameter very flexible hose which
is sufficiently light and short that it is extremely lively. These
characteristics, taken with the action of the water jet issuing
from the nozzle at its tip, causes this whip to thrash and flail
about very actively and lively. Substantially all action is located
above the pool bottom and at times the outer end of the whip
emerges above the water surface. This lively action of whip 17
renders it very effective in flushing the sidewalls of the pool and
in particular the surfaces of the steps 81 customarily present at
the shallower end of the pool as shown in FIG. 6. The foreign
matter flushed from these steps settles against the bottom of the
pool and gravitates and is flushed toward the drain outlet by whip
16.
Should the skimmer strike an obstacle, sensing plunger 65
projecting from the forward corner of the skimmer is depressed to
open valve 63 to jet water from fitting 64. This water jet, taken
with the cooperative action of the jets issuing from nozzle 58 and
55, quickly and effectively diverts the skimmer around the obstacle
so that it resumes its forward movement.
If the delay in forward movement is more than momentary, the
closure plate 27 for the water inlet pivots to its closed position
as shown in dotted line in FIG. 4 thereby blocking any possibility
of collected debris escaping from basket 32. The moment that the
skimmer resumes forward movement the water rising along the
inclined surface of the closure member depresses this member
permitting water and any floating debris therein to overflow the
plate and collect at the rear of the basket. As the water escapes
through the multiplicity of perforations the inflowing water
continues to retain the debris collected in the rearmost corner of
the basket thereby avoiding blocking the perforations except in
this end.
The described skimmer is extremely simple in construction, without
moving parts or electrical connections. The movement of the skimmer
along or close to the pool wall produces a wake which impinges on
the side walls and wipes away leaves, foreign matter and litter
which may have become attached to the wall. The detached debris is
then carried out into the pool and into the path of the skimmer on
subsequent passages into that area. It is completely self-powered
and inherently proceeds over an ever-changing random path
repeatedly covering all portions of the pool and effectively
cleaning all surfaces and collects both floating and settled
foreign material.
Other features of the skimmer include a bumper 85 of rounded
contour extending beyond the forward end of cover 35. This bumper
serves to cam the skimmer around corners and to divert it past
obstacles in the path of travel.
Another feature found most useful is a weight 88 (FIG. 1) having a
snug but adjustable fit about supply hose 12. This weight may be a
collar or a split ring having a close fit about the hose as to
retain any adjusted position therealong. This weight and its
location on the hose with respect to the connection of this hose to
the water inlet has several functions. Thus its adjustment permits
a supply hose of standard length to be used satisfactorily with the
skimmer in pools of different contours and sizes. Another advantage
is that its adjustment along the hose has a pronounced effect on
the path of travel. For example, the hose may be somewhat longer
than desirable in a smaller pool. In this case, weight 88 is
usually found to compensate for the excess length if the weight is
shifted outwardly away from the pool wall. Likewise, a similar
adjustment usually causes the skimmer to loop more frequently or in
smaller diameter loops. The location of the weight close to the
pool wall facilitates changes in the adjustment until a position is
found which provides optimum results for the particular pool
conditions.
While the particular apparatus and method for cleaning swimming
pools herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of
attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore
stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of
the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no
limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design
herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.
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