A bypass mechanism for automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) is detailed herein. The bypass mechanism may be a valve or other mechanical device that limits operation of the APC by diverting water away from the APC or otherwise ceasing operation of the APC after a predetermined period of time (e.g., after the desired run-time for the APC has been reached). In this way, the bypass mechanism limits the time the APC operates, even if the pump that otherwise would drive the APC remains energized.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an improved underwater vacuum cleaning system. Urging elements are provided on a vacuum head to encourage debris, especially large pieces of underwater debris, to matriculate under the head or otherwise toward the vacuum opening, rather than traveling over the head or otherwise NOT toward the vacuum opening. Various embodiments of engagement elements are disclosed between the vacuum head and a vacuum hose to improve the connection therebetween.

A hot tub vacuum attachment apparatus for cleaning debris from a hot tub utilizing the integrated pump system includes an attachment head to selectively engage a filter housing of a hot tub or pool. A tubular stem has a stem outlet end coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the attachment head. A filter mount is coupled to the tubular stem. The filter mount has an output end coupled to a stem inlet end of the tubular stem, an input end, and a filter receiver coupled between the output end and the input end. A filter system is coupled the filter receiver of the filter mount. All fluid flowing from the input end to the output end passes through the filter system to collect particles and debris. A flexible hose has a hose proximal end coupled to the input end of the filter mount and a hose distal end.

Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an improved underwater vacuum cleaning system. Urging elements are provided on a vacuum head to encourage debris, especially large pieces of underwater debris, to matriculate under the head or otherwise toward the vacuum opening, rather than traveling over the head or otherwise NOT toward the vacuum opening. Various embodiments of engagement elements are disclosed between the vacuum head and a vacuum hose to improve the connection therebetween.

The pool safety device includes a front wall and a rear wall connected together by a cylindrical shaped main section and a tapered section to form an outer shell with an interior. The front wall has a center hole sized to receive a standard flexible pool vacuum hose and a front door sized to cover the same when the hose is not connected to the device. A rear mounting pipe is connected to the rear wall at a rear opening such that the rear mounting pipe is in fluid communication with the interior of the pool safety device. The front door, front wall and tapered section are fitted with a plurality of holes which act as inlets to the interior of the pool safety device. Similarly, the cylindrical shaped main section has a plurality of main section slots which act as inlets to the interior of the pool safety device.

A device for cleaning a swimming pool, containing water and comprising a bottom surface thereof, comprises a vacuum head defining a sweeping side, an inlet port, an outlet port and an internal cavity in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The sweeping side provides for being swept along the bottom surface of the swimming pool and defines an opening leading to the internal cavity. The outlet port provides for being in fluid communication with a vacuum for subjecting the internal cavity to a vacuum force for suctioning water and debris. The inlet port provides for being in fluid communication with a water source for injecting water into the inner cavity during suctioning. The vacuum force via the outlet port in tandem with water injection via the inlet port provides for the vacuum head to suction water and debris via the opening for discharge via the outlet port.

A reconfigurable vacuum attachment may include a bell-shaped housing. The bell-shaped housing may have a bell-opening and a hose-interface. The hose-interface may be configured to hydraulically couple with a vacuum hose. A skimmer-plate may be attachable to the bell-opening and include a skimmer-aperture extending through the skimmer-plate. The reconfigurable vacuum attachment may further include a removable brush assembly. The brush assembly may host a rotatable brush coupled to a brush driver. The brush driver may be configured to hydraulically couple with the vacuum hose and convert water flow into a torque and spin the bristles. A buoy may be attached to the housing allowing the reconfigurable vacuum attachment to be used as a pool skimmer. The reconfigurable vacuum attachment is useful for skimming a pool surface and dislodging and vacuuming matter from a pool wall.

A universal device for capping and mounting a motor within a motorized pool cleaner housing that allows a motor pump to be installed in different brands of pool cleaners and used at increased depths underwater. An improved motor can seal has an outer seal having a first diameter, an inner seal having a second diameter and an intermediate seal connecting the outer seal to the inner seal where the inner seal is tapered towards the distal end of the inner seal. An improved motor shaft is used having a head section, a body section and a seal area, wherein the seal area is hard chrome plated.

A liquid-submersible vacuum system includes a housing canister enclosing a filtration element and a water pump. Power comes from a power converter that plugs into a standard AC power supply. The vacuum system further includes a diffuser cap and a discharge hose cap, with each providing the vacuum system with a discrete mode of operation