Vacuum head and hose apparatus and related methods

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cleaning an underwater surface of a pool, including: a vacuum head having a body with a bottom surface and having a vacuum hole positioned within said body, said vacuum head including at least a pair of wheels and wheel mounting elements operatively affixing said wheels to said body; said vacuum head including at least one urging element, said urging element having a first portion mounted to said body at a plurality of connection ends and a second portion projecting outward from said body having an extended lower surface, said urging element configured to encourage debris to feed under said lower surface and under said bottom surface of said body toward said vacuum hole as said vacuum head is passed over said underwater pool surface, said projecting second portion of said urging element generally adjacent at least one of said wheels but spaced from and not contacting any of said wheels and any of said wheel mounting elements.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the plurality of connection ends are separate from each other.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one urging element is integrally attached to said body.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one urging element is removably attached to said body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one urging element is connected to at least one additional urging element mounted to said body.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one urging element is tapered.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, including a clip element operably attached to the vacuum head adjacent to the vacuum hole, said clip element sized and positioned to temporarily interlock with a corresponding structure on a vacuum hose to maintain desired engagement of the hose with the head.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, including a plurality of urging elements.

9. Apparatus for cleaning an underwater surface of a pool, including: a vacuum head having a body with a bottom surface and having a vacuum hole positioned within said body, said vacuum head including at least a pair of wheels and wheel mounting elements operatively affixing said wheels to said body; said vacuum head including at least one urging element permanently molded to said body, said urging element having a first portion molded to said body and a second portion projecting outward from said body, said second portion having an extended lower surface, said urging element configured to encourage debris to feed under said lower surface and under said bottom surface of said body toward said vacuum hole as said vacuum head is passed over the underwater pool surface, said projecting second portion of said urging element generally adjacent at least one of said wheels but spaced from and not contacting any of said wheels and any of said wheel mounting elements.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, including a plurality of said urging elements permanently molded to said body.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, including at least one removable urging element, in addition to said permanently molded urging element.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, including at least one removable urging element, in addition to said permanently molded urging elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a foreshortened elevation view of one embodiment of the invention, showing the assembled interlocking device engaging a hose 2 with a vacuum head 1.

(2) FIG. 1A is an enlarged, sectional view of some of the interlocking assembly details of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing one of the many embodiments of spring-loaded clips selectably holding the hose and vacuum head assembled to each other.

(3) FIG. 1B is similar to FIG. 1A, but shows only the upper cuff structure, as viewed when disengaged and separated from the mating structure on the vacuum head. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, in other embodiments (not shown) the joint illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1/1A/1B could be reversed (e.g., the clip elements can be provided on the head rather than on the hose cuff, and the structure shown on the head in FIGS. 1/1A/1B formed or provided on the hose cuff).

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates one of the many embodiments of an interlocking structure 5 on a vacuum hose cuff.

(5) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of another of the many embodiments of the invention, including a plurality of flared urging components 8.

(6) FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but is an end view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 5 is a foreshortened perspective view of one of the flare/urging elements shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, as it may be removably attached to the head via a wingnut-type assembly.

(8) FIGS. 3A, 4A and 5A are similar to corresponding FIGS. 3, 4, 5, respectively, but illustrate one of the many alternative embodiments of the inventions, in which the urging/flared elements are integrally molded with the body of the vacuum head.

(9) FIG. 6 illustrates one of the many alternative engagement hose cuff structures that may be used to provide the desired releasable engagement between a mating hose cuff and vacuum hole/head element.

(10) FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but is a partial cutaway drawing showing one of the many embodiments of the cuff of FIG. 6 as it might be engaged with a corresponding/mating element on the other of the head/hose joint. In this view, the female element 3 on the vacuum head is shown in solid black (with a central area of element 3 removed as a “cutaway” to show the preferred “internal” engagement between the joint elements). Among other things, FIG. 7 shows the male hose cuff of FIG. 6 as the upper element in FIG. 7, as it may be attached to or engaged with a female opening on the vacuum head (the female element being shown as the lower element in FIG. 7). The cuff includes a movable detent element with material memory that urges it radially outwardly to engage an inside edge of the female component. Preferably, the head/hose can be disengaged from each other as needed by squeezing that movable detent/lever radially inwardly, so that the hose/cuff structure can be removed (such as in the upward direction) from the lower female component of the vacuum head.

(11) FIG. 8 is a top view of a vacuum head in accordance with the invention. Among other things, this view illustrates the reinforcing ridges 10 across the vacuum head, and a cavity 7a sized and configured to engage with the hose cuff interlocking structure 7 in FIG. 2.

(12) FIGS. 9A and 9B are side elevation views of one of the many alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating an interlocking selectably engageable hose/head joint. As shown, a hose cuff (see FIG. 9A) includes a post 11, and that piece is inserted into a central vacuum hole as shown in FIG. 9B and interfits into a locking groove 12. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the parts can be reversed—the vacuum hole could have the post 11 and the hose cuff have the groove 12.

(13) FIG. 10 is a top view of a vacuum head in accordance with the invention.

(14) FIG. 10A is similar to corresponding FIG. 10, but illustrates one of the many alternative embodiments of the inventions, in which the urging/flared elements are integrally molded with the body of the vacuum head.

(15) FIG. 10B is similar to FIG. 10A, but illustrates one of the many further embodiments of the inventions, in which adjustable urging/flared members and/or integrally molded urging/flared members can be provided on a single vacuum head, in any of a wide range of combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(16) As indicated above, the inventions disclosed herein can be used in a broad range of applications and provide many benefits. One object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus and methods for vacuum-cleaning the underwater surfaces of swimming pools or similar bodies of water. FIG. 1 illustrates one of the many embodiments of the invention, and includes the two basic components discussed above (a vacuum head 1 and a vacuum hose 2). As further explained below, FIG. 1 and the other drawings illustrate just some of the many embodiments of using a vacuum head with flares and/or an interlocking hose/head to improve the apparatus and methods over the prior art vacuum systems of which the inventor is aware.

(17) In passing, FIG. 1 also shows a series of reinforcing ribs integrally formed into the vacuum head 1 and running across the upper surface of the body of the vacuum head. These small upward protrusions or ridges 10 are present in some prior art vacuum heads, and typically are positioned between the wheels on the vacuum head and extend the width of the vacuum head (FIG. 1 shows the “ends” of the ribs). Among other things, they enable the body of the vacuum head to be formed from a thinner web of plastic or other material (and therefore make the head more lightweight), because the ribs help strengthen the resulting thinner broad/flat/rectangular body of the vacuum head so that it does not flex too greatly when vacuuming. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, without such stiffening elements, the body of the vacuum head might get sucked onto (and even stuck or locked against) the bottom of the pool. In other words, for a given/desired vacuum strength (to provide sufficiently strong suction to pull the debris from the underwater surface being cleaned), the ribs can ensure that the body of the head stays spaced at least slightly from the underwater pool surface to prevent that vacuum force from locking the head against that pool surface.

(18) As used within the attached drawings, the following numbers refer generally to the following elements discussed herein: 1. Swimming Pool Vacuum Head 2. Swimming Pool Vacuum Hose 3. Central opening on vacuum head 4. Cuff on vacuum hose 5. Interlocking feature on vacuum head (i.e. protruding lip adjacent to edge of central opening) 6. Interlocking device (i.e. clip) on vacuum hose cuff. 6a: Spring type of element that enables clip to “grab” the lip 5. 6b: Head of clip, having a radially inwardly directed ‘hook’ or detent that operably engages with radially-external detent or lip 5 formed or provided on the mating element of the hose/head joint. 7. Keying element on hose cuff (i.e. protrusion designed to mate with cavity inside of central opening of vacuum head. 8. Flared component (in this case, adjustable). 9. Pin on which clip element rocks so a user can “lock/unlock” the clip around lip 5 that is formed on the other mating element of the joint. The curved arrow to the left of FIG. 1A illustrates this preferred rocking action to “engage/disengage” the hose and head from each other. 10. Upward protrusions or ridges positioned between the wheels on the vacuum head and extend the width of the vacuum head. 11. Post of a hose cuff. 12. Locking groove. 13. Handle that can be attached to a telescopic pole to enable a user to manipulate the head and vacuum the bottom (underwater surfaces) of a pool while standing above the pool on the pool deck.

(19) Certain embodiments of the invention (with or without the flared/urging elements discussed elsewhere herein) preferably provide a vacuum head and hose with one or more interlocking features that help prevent the unintentional separation of the hose from the vacuum head. This can be useful to address many of the problems discussed above, and to help extend the useful life of a desired/required “snug fit” between the hose and head of a vacuum system.

(20) In one example, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1/1A/1B, one or more clip elements 6 is molded into and/or attached onto the vacuum head near or adjacent to the central vacuum hole. The precise number, materials, shape, dimensions, position, and other properties of the clip element(s) can be selected depending upon a number of factors, including the parameters of the underwater surfaces to be cleaned. In any case, preferably the retaining/engaging structures are sufficient to retain the desired engagement between the vacuum hose and the vacuum head, but are relatively easy for a user to actuate when the user desires to disengage the head/hose from each other. As indicated, preferably the physical features of the hose cuff are such as to provide a temporarily interlock with the clip element that can be released easily when separation is desired.

(21) Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any of a wide variety of “releasably locking” structures can be used to provide the desired enhanced engagement between the hose and head. By way of example and not by way of limitation, any “quick connect” tubing engagements can be used, such as cooperating structures formed on the male/female elements that are engaged by inserting the male into the female and rotating the elements to engage those cooperating structures in a friction and/or interference fit with each other. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the selection of any particular embodiment of enhanced engagement apparatus between the hose and head will depend on a number of factors, which typically will be balanced by a product designer, user, and/or other person(s) involved in making and/or using the particular embodiment of the invention.

(22) Another embodiment provides for a locking feature on a hose cuff (i.e. a spring loaded clip) that automatically ‘snaps’ together with a corresponding feature on a vacuum head.

(23) Still another embodiment provides for the locking feature (i.e. spring loaded clip) being mounted on the vacuum head, with a corresponding locking feature (i.e. a ridge) on the hose cuff.

(24) Still another embodiment provides a vacuum head and hose with interlocking features that prevent the unintentional separation of the hose from the vacuum head. A clip element molded into or attached onto the hose cuff near or adjacent to where the cuff joins the vacuum head's central hole retains the hose on the vacuum head. Physical features of the hose vacuum head temporarily interlock with the hose cuff's clip element and can be released easily when separation is desired.

(25) A further embodiment of my invention provides a vacuum head and hose with a plurality of interlocking features between the vacuum head and hose.

(26) Yet another embodiment of my invention provides a vacuum head for cleaning swimming pools, the vacuum head further having a central hole to receive a vacuum hose, a vacuum hose with cuffs on its ends, and both the vacuum head and at least one hose cuff having interlocking/mating features that prevent the hose from unintentionally separating from the vacuum head.

(27) Still another embodiment of my invention provides a vacuum for cleaning swimming pools, in which a vacuum head and hose are tethered or otherwise held together to prevent unintentional separation. An additional component such as a strap, cord or loop holds the vacuum head and hose together in connected positions

(28) Another embodiment provides for the central hole of a vacuum head (which is normally round/circular in shape) having at least one additional feature/side/indentation/protrusion that is keyed with at least one corresponding feature/side/indentation/protrusion to prevent the cuff from rotating within the vacuum head's central hole.

(29) A further embodiment includes a vacuum head with a central hole that a) keys with a correspondingly shaped hose cuff, and b) further includes at least one interlocking feature between the vacuum head and hose.

(30) A further embodiment includes a vacuum head with a central hole that a) keys with a correspondingly shaped hose cuff, and b) further includes at least one interlocking feature between the vacuum head and hose.

(31) Yet another preferred embodiment includes a vacuum head with a central hole that a) keys with a correspondingly shaped hose cuff, and further includes at least one flared feature to urge debris under the vacuum head so that it may be sucked into the hose.

(32) Other embodiments include a vacuum for cleaning swimming pools in which any array/combination of flares described above is also used with any hose-to-body locking device described above, and/or a cuff that is keyed to the central hole.

(33) In certain embodiments of the invention, and independently of whether the embodiment includes any improved interlocking structure between the head and hose as discussed above, the vacuum head 1 preferably has one or more flared or otherwise extending features along various portions of its body, and the flared and/or extending features 8 are designed, shaped, sized, and positioned to urge targeted debris (including large leaves, etc. as mentioned above) under the vacuum head's body element so that that debris may then be pulled by suction into the vacuum hose and subsequently caught in a strainer basket or filter (and thereby be removed from the pool). The flared and/or extending features 8 may further be designed to extend upwards and away from the pool bottom so as to enable the vacuum head to overtake large debris such as leaves, twigs, etc., or otherwise prevent or make it less likely that those large pieces of debris will float “over” the vacuum head, be pushed away from the head, etc.

(34) In another embodiment (as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, and 10B, for example), the flared and/or extending features are permanently molded within and/or as part of the body of the vacuum head. In such instances, the flared portion 8 is located between the wheels of the vacuum head 1 and allows the vacuum head 1 to retain the flexibility needed to clean the curved surfaces of a swimming pool. The permanently molded flared feature 8 may also extend outward from the vacuum head's body, and it may be designed to extend upwards and away from the pool bottom so as to enable the vacuum head to overtake large debris such as leaves, twigs, etc., or otherwise prevent or make it less likely that those large pieces of debris will float “over” the vacuum head, be pushed away from the head, etc.

(35) Persons of ordinary skill in the art will further understand that the flares 8 need not always be permanently molded as part of the vacuum head 1, but instead can be operably attached to the body by any of a wide range of suitable methods, including gluing, tacking, snap-fit, interference fits, etc.

(36) One of the many alternative embodiments of the present inventions is illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, and 10A. Among other things, one or more integral urging/flared elements 108 can be provided, fabricated in any suitable manner to be integral with the vacuum head 102 (such as by injection molding, metal stamping, etc.).

(37) Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, among other things, FIG. 10B illustrates that embodiments of the inventions can include a mix of both integrally molded and adjustable urging/flared elements. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that this mix can be in any of a wide variety of permutations and combinations, including the one shown in FIG. 10B (with five adjustable flare elements 208 and three integrally molded urging elements 308). Persons of ordinary skill in the art also will understand that such arrangements can be designed and selected and useful, depending on the particular application and expected/intended use of the inventions/embodiments. For example, certain applications and embodiments might be less expensive to manufacture with fixed/integrally molded flare elements only in areas adjacent the connection to the vacuum hose, but may have no such flares (not even removable/adjustable ones) further from the hose connection. A given embodiment may have only removable/adjustable urging flares, in order to permit a user to customize the vacuum head for their particular needs.

(38) Another embodiment of my invention preferably includes flares 8 that allow the vacuum head to maintain its flexibility (so that the confronting surface of the vacuum head 1 can flex and better approach the shape of the underwater surface to be cleaned, thereby better positioning the vacuum hole nearer to the debris to be removed). Among the many ways this can be achieved, a flare 8 can be mounted so that there is a single contact point between it and the vacuum's body 1, the flares can have slots (as shown in FIG. 10), the flares can be made of rubbery/flexible material, etc.

(39) In yet another preferred embodiment, the flared and/or extending features are separate components and may be removed and/or reattached to the body of the vacuum head. Such removable/replaceable components are provided with flares of different sizes and shapes and enable a user to choose which flare/extended feature that is most appropriate for the cleaning conditions. Persons of ordinary skill in the art also will understand that such modular embodiments also permit ready repair of broken or damaged flares, and allow the user to customize the assembly for any given situation and/or needs.

(40) Tapering of the flared urging element 8 can be illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which the uppermost portion of the urging element is of a width “x” and the lowermost portion is of a narrower width “y”.

(41) Another embodiment provides for mounted flares 8 to be adjusted without removing them from the vacuum head 1 (i.e. a flare 8 may have an extended portion with a slot or groove and be locked into a desired position with a wing nut, snap, or other temporary locking/engagement device). FIGS. 4 and 5 both show threaded posts that can receive a wing nut or other locking/engagement device, around which a flare 8 with a hole or slot can fit and be adjusted, removed, and/or replaced. Mounting features molded into the vacuum head 1 may receive the flare 8 in a variety of ways. They may also allow for the flares 8 to be adjusted in their relation to the vacuum head 1 and/or wheels, or even removed should a user desire to remove one or more of them.

(42) Another embodiment provides for a mounting feature or features molded into the vacuum body (i.e. a threaded post onto which a flare, slotted or otherwise, can be attached/adjusted with a wing nut, pin, or other temporary locking/engagement device).

(43) In still another embodiment, the vacuum head has a combination of permanent and removable/replaceable flared/extending components, and such combinations may include at least some mounting features be molded into the vacuum head body.

(44) In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes the combination of the vacuum head, vacuum hose, and handle 13 that can be attached to a telescopic pole which enables a user to maneuver the vacuum head around the pool to remove dirt, leaves and other sorts of debris from the pool.

(45) The present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures, which serve as illustrations of some of the many embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Subject to the context and other factors (including for example the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the inventions), generally in those Figures and references similar reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout this description.

(46) Those Figures and references, and the other terminology used in these descriptions, are not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, various embodiments of the invention (whether or not specifically described herein) may include one or more of the novel features disclosed herein, no single one of which (a) is necessarily solely responsible for any particular desirable attribute(s) of the inventions or (b) is essential to practicing the inventions described.

(47) For the purpose of summarizing the invention, certain objects and advantages have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

(48) The apparatus and methods of the invention have been described with some particularity, but the specific designs, constructions, and steps disclosed are not to be taken as delimiting of the invention. A wide range of modifications and alternative structures and steps for practicing the invention will make themselves apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, all of which will not depart from the essence of the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the appended claims.

(49) Although the methods or processes of the present invention are illustrated herein with steps occurring in a certain order, the specific order of the steps, or any continuation or interruption between steps, is not required.