Multi-functional submersible vacuum

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner, comprising: a housing defining a chamber therein and having a rear end portion and a front end portion; a discharge hose cap configured to be detachably coupled to the rear end portion of the housing, wherein the discharge hose cap is configured to be coupled to a hose to allow for the passage of water out of the housing; a diffuser cap configured to be coupled to the rear end portion of the housing; a DC pump disposed within the chamber and configured to move water toward the rear end portion of the housing; a filter disposed within the housing, such that water moves through the filter during activation of the DC pump; and a power converter electrically connected to the DC pump for providing power to the DC pump, wherein the power converter is located remotely from the housing.

2. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the DC pump is configured to be activated upon actuation of the power converter.

3. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a low voltage power cord directly coupling the power converter and the DC pump.

4. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the low voltage power cord has a front end portion attached to the DC pump at a location within the housing.

5. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the DC pump is configured to generate a flow rate of between about 40 gallons-per-minute (GPM) and about 65 GPM of water.

6. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser cap defines a plurality of slits therein to allow for the passage of water out of the housing.

7. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the discharge hose cap and the diffuser cap are selectively exchangeable with one another, such that in a first operation mode, the discharge hose cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing, and in a second operation mode, the diffuser cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing.

8. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, further comprising a nozzle attachment configured to be coupled to the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the first operation mode and detached from the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the second operation mode.

9. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of clamps attached to the housing and being longitudinally spaced from one another, the pair of clamps configured to releasably couple the housing to a pool pole.

10. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible intake hose, wherein the housing includes a port configured to provide fluid communication between the chamber of the housing and the flexible intake hose.

11. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising an intake valve flap disposed within the housing for inhibiting debris from moving toward the front end portion of the housing.

12. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the power converter includes a fuse protector.

13. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a filter access cover detachably coupled to the housing, wherein the housing and the filter access cover collectively house the filter therein.

14. A liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner, comprising: a housing having a front end portion and a rear end portion; a DC pump disposed within the housing and configured to move water into, through, and out of the housing; a filter disposed within the housing, such that water moves through the filter during activation of the DC pump; a diffuser cap and a discharge hose cap, wherein the discharge hose cap and the diffuser cap are selectively exchangeable with one another, such that in a first operation mode, the discharge hose cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing, and in a second operation mode, the diffuser cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing; a nozzle attachment configured to be coupled to the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the first operation mode and detached from the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the second operation mode.

15. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 14, further comprising a power converter electrically connected to the DC pump for providing power to the DC pump.

16. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, further comprising a low voltage power cord directly coupling the power converter and the DC pump.

17. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein the low voltage power cord has a front end portion attached to the DC pump at a location within the housing.

18. The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the power converter is located externally of the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 Parts 20-24 20The discharge hose cap 21The pole clamp 22The housing mechanism 23The floor vac nozzle attachment 24The pole clamp for electric cable 11Bag Filter (Also referenced in FIG. 3)

(2) FIG. 2 Parts 0-4 0The water tight on/off switch 1The male 110 volt grounded plug 1.5The inline fuse protection 2The pig tail 3The 12-24 volt converter 4The underwater rubber insulated low voltage cord

(3) FIG. 3 Parts 5-19 5The diffuser cap 6The electric cord connector 7The full filter bag indicator 8The filter access cover 9The housing mechanism 10The debris blocking grid 11The bag filter 12The cartridge filter 13The intake valve flap 14The intake fitting 15The pole clamps with lock and rubber friction pad (2) 16 16The flex intake hose 17The hinge pins (2) 18The pump 19The o ring seal

(4) FIG. 4 9The housing mechanismTop View 9The housing mechanismFront View 9The housing mechanismSide View

(5) FIG. 5 The Complete Vacuum System with Labels

(6) The complete vacuum systemwith parts labeled

(7) FIG. 6 The Complete Vacuum System without Labels

(8) The complete vacuum systemwithout parts labeled

(9) FIG. 7

(10) The side view of the invention submerged in a pool

(11) FIG. 8

(12) The side view of the invention in a room vacuuming water from point A to point B

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(13) With reference to the drawings, a new and improved swimming pool vacuum apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

(14) As described herein, FIG. 1-4 illustrates an unlimited external power source, self-contained, pump and filter vacuum device (not battery operated).

(15) The vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) is capable of vacuuming debris (silt, sand, dirt, leaves and water from the bottom of pool) and filtering the water from the bottom of pool. The filtered water is then dispensed through the diffuser cap (FIG. 3, 5) back into the pool. As a secondary method of removing debris there exists a discharge hose cap (FIG. 1, 20) that allows water with debris to be removed out of the pool completely (vacuum to waste).

(16) The vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) has extremely powerful suction (40-65 gpm) and provides excellent removal of underwater debris (sand, leaves, silt, dirt, etc., and water). A second application of the vacuum is used for removing (to another location via a waste hose) water from a flood event or a pooling body of water. This application removes the water a sump pump cannot remove. The portable vacuum replaces a cumbersome wet/dry vacuum and the need to constantly empty the container.

(17) As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) is a light weight molded plastic approximately 24 inches long and 7 inches wide. The pump (FIG. 3, 18) inside the vacuum is powered by a 24 volt converter (FIG. 2, 3), the converter (FIG. 2, 3) has a pig tail attached (FIG. 2, 2) that is connected to a male 110 volt plug (FIG. 2, 1) that plugs into an outdoor extension cord or wall outlet. The converter (FIG. 2, 3) has water tight on/off switch (FIG. 2, 0) and built-in fuse protection (FIG. 2, 1.5). The converter (FIG. 2, 3) has a 50 foot underwater rubber insulated low voltage cord (FIG. 2, 4) that connects with the pump (FIG. 3, 18) in the housing mechanism (FIG. 3, 9). The vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) connects to a standard pool pole (not included) via 2 pole clamps (FIG. 1, 21) with rubber friction pad (FIG. 3, 15) and secured with hinge pins (FIG. 3, 17) is fastened to vac pole approximately 42 inches from the vac head. The intake fitting (FIG. 3, 14) connects to a 1.5 inch flex intake hose (FIG. 3, 16) then the 1.5 inch flex intake hose (FIG. 3, 16) connects to the vacuum head (not included). The vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) is engaged by plugging male plug (FIG. 2, 1) into standard 110/120 electric outlet via an outdoor extension cord. The vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) is clamped onto the pool pole, 1.5 inch flex intake hose (FIG. 3, 16) is connected to vacuum head and intake fitting (FIG. 3, 14) and the complete vacuum, pole and vacuum head are placed in the pool. The 50 foot underwater rubber insulated low voltage cord (FIG. 2, 4) is clamped onto the vacuum pole with the pole clamp (FIG. 1, 24) which is connected to the converter and then turn the converter (FIG. 2, 3) on and start vacuuming. The pump (FIG. 3, 18) is a 24 DC volt underwater pump capable of moving 40-65 GPM. The pump (FIG. 3, 18) is engaged and starts pumping water. Water suction is created in the intake fitting (FIG. 3, 14) and water begins its journey through the vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11). The intake valve flap (FIG. 3, 13) opens to allow water to run through the filter (FIG. 3, 11 and 12). The filter is interchangeable with a filter bag (FIG. 3, 11), a fine or coarse mesh bag filter, fine metal screen filter, or a pleated cartridge filter (FIG. 3, 12). After the water is filtered through the housing (FIG. 3, 9) of the vacuum it passes through a debris blocking grid (FIG. 3, 10) to protect the impeller of pump from damage. The water passes through the pump (FIG. 3, 18) and is released through a diffuser cap (FIG. 3, 5) into the pool. Theo ring seal (FIG. 3, 19) creates a water/air tight seal between the discharge hose cap (FIG. 1, 20) and/or diffuser cap (FIG. 3, 5). The discharge hose cap (FIG. 1, 20) replaces the diffuser cap (FIG. 3, 5) for the option to vacuum water and debris out of pool completely (vacuum to waste), using a waste hose connected to the discharge hose cap (FIG. 1, 20). The discharge hose cap (FIG. 1, 20) is used for the second application of removing pooling water from point A to point B. The floor vac nozzle attachment (FIG. 1, 23) is connected to the intake fitting (FIG. 3, 14) for this second application.

(18) The vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) easily assembles and has many advantages in function. The intake valve flap (FIG. 3, 13) stops debris from re-entering the pool when vacuum (FIG. 1, 22 and 11) is removed from the pool. The filter access cover (FIG. 3, 8) is for easy access and cleaning of the filter. For further ease of use, there is a full filter bag indicator (FIG. 3, 7) to notify user when to clean filter bag. The underwater rubber insulated low voltage cord (FIG. 2, 4) connector fitting (FIG. 3, 6) protects the cord (FIG. 2, 4) from being disconnected from the pump (FIG. 3, 18). The two vacuum pole clamps (FIG. 3, 15) attach to housing mechanism (FIG. 3, 9). The intake fitting (FIG. 3, 14) is a standard 1.5 inch fitting to accept large debris without clogging. A 24 DC volt converter (FIG. 2, 3) is a continuous power source . . . there is no charging batteries; mixing water with batteries is always a problem. No need to replace batteries, vacuum pump never loses power with direct external power source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

(19) The present invention consists of a cylindrical housing, a direct current (DC) underwater pump, a 120 volt AC to 24 volt DC converter, a filter, an underwater low voltage cord and a clamp system to attach to a universal pool telescoping pole.

(20) The cylindrical housing is attached via clamps parallel with a universal/standard pool telescoping pole and any vacuum head appropriate for the pool surface. A short length of 1.5 inch corrugated vacuum hose attaches to the vac head and suction side of cleaner. A DC volt pump enclosed in the housing (6-8 inches in diameter) produces 40-65 gpm of water suction, pulling water through a filter cartridge, bag or screen. The water discharges out the other end of the housing through a diffuser cap back into the pool and/or the discharge hose cap can be used to discharge the water to waste.

(21) This multi-purpose wet vacuum is al 10 v powered fully submersible multi-port discharge design system. The unit is designed to draw water through an inlet at the base of the unit by means of suction which is created by a centrifuge pump located in the general housing mechanism and is powered by an electric motor. The suction created pulls water to a filter housing which contains a reusable-cleanable wet particle filter that has a life expectancy. The water passes through the filter and can be discharged to its point of origin or it can be discharged to a point which is not part of the origin supply. The result is water containing suspended particulate in the origin supply will be filtered as it passes through the filter and the result is cleaner water will be discharged out of the unit. Water can also be passed to a different location by replacing the diffuser cap with the discharge hose cap. The unit can discharge water from a location (A) to a completely different location (B) through use of interchangeable caps connecting to the housing mechanism. The unit has the mobility of a vacuum and the ability to continually discharge water for extended periods of time.

(22) The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will be the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

(23) In this respect, before explaining at least two preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

(24) As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such in equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

(25) Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

(26) Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

(27) It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved swimming pool vacuum apparatus which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

(28) Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved swimming pool vacuum apparatus which vacuums the pool without using the pool filter apparatus.

(29) Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved swimming pool vacuum apparatus which avoids the use of a vacuum hose running from a vacuum source outside the pool to a vacuuming unit located on the bottom of the pool.

(30) Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved swimming pool vacuum apparatus that includes a submersible swimming pool vacuum unit which is not limited by a charge retained by rechargeable batteries.

(31) Even another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved swimming pool vacuum apparatus that protects a person outside the pool, who is using the underwater portion of the device, from electric shock or electrocution in the event that a short circuit develops in the underwater portion of the device.

(32) The main object of the present invention is to have a portable, powerful pool vacuum that eliminates the problems of the five current methods of cleaning a pool. The present invention is more powerful, more durable, longer lasting, much quicker and more convenient than any other method that exists.

(33) Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved swimming pool vacuum apparatus that employs an electrical protection in the electric circuit powering the submersible vacuum cleaner.

(34) Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved wet/dry vacuum apparatus that allows for the moving of standing water from point A to point B, while it protects a person, who is using the device, from electric shock or electrocution in the event that a short circuit develops in the device.

(35) These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.