SCRUBBING DEVICE FOR SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS

Abstract

A manual or handheld scrubber device for swimming pools or spas may be used for waterline cleaning and/or deep cleaning of a surface of the swimming pool or spa. The manual or handheld scrubber device include one or more of (i) a pad support that may carry a plurality of types of pads, (ii) an onboard power source, and/or (iii) activation of a motor causing movement of the pad based on the application of a force.

Claims

1. A manual scrubber device for a swimming pool or spa, the manual scrubber device comprising a housing, a pad support, and a motor within the housing, the motor configured to move the pad support relative to the housing, wherein the manual scrubber device is waterproof and submersible.

2. The manual scrubber device of claim 1, further comprising an onboard power source.

3. The manual scrubber device of claim 1, further comprising a pad on the pad support.

4. The manual scrubber device of claim 3, wherein the pad comprises at least one of a scrubber, a sponge, or a brush.

5. The manual scrubber device of claim 3, wherein the pad is removable from the pad support.

6. The manual scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the pad support relative to the housing.

7. The manual scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to move the pad support responsive to an application of a pressing force moving the housing towards the pad support.

8. The manual scrubber device of claim 1, further comprising an activation button for controlling the motor between a deactivated state and a standby state.

9. The manual scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a gripping feature opposite from the pad support.

10. A cleaning system comprising a rod, a holder on the rod, and the manual scrubber device of claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to receive a portion of the housing of the manual scrubber device within a receiving area.

11. The cleaning system of claim 10, wherein the holder is configured to hold the housing via friction fit.

12. A waterproof, submersible manual scrubber device for a swimming pool or spa, the manual scrubber device comprising a housing, a pad support, and a motor, the motor configured to move the pad support relative to the housing based on linear movement of the housing relative to the pad support.

13. The waterproof, submersible manual scrubber device of claim 12, wherein the motor is configured to move the pad support based on linear movement from an expanded position to a compressed position relative to the pad support.

14. The waterproof, submersible manual scrubber device of claim 12, further comprising a pad on the pad support, wherein the pad comprises at least one of a scrubber, a sponge, or a brush.

15. The waterproof, submersible manual scrubber device of claim 12, wherein the motor is configured to move the pad support responsive to an application of a pressing force moving the housing towards the pad support.

16. A method of cleaning with a waterproof, submersible manual scrubber device comprising a housing, a pad support, and a motor within the housing, the method comprising (i) activating the motor from a deactivated state to a standby state by actuating a button and (ii) activating the motor from the standby state to an active state by applying a force moving the housing towards the pad support.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising operating the manual scrubber in the active state, wherein in the active state, the motor is configured to rotate the pad support relative to the housing.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising supporting the manual scrubber with a cleaning system comprising a rod and a holder on the rod, wherein supporting the manual scrubber comprises receiving a portion of the housing of the manual scrubber device within a receiving area of the holder.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising supporting a first pad on the pad support and replacing the first pad with a second pad, wherein the first pad and the second pad are different types of pads.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a scrubber device according to embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates additional views of the scrubber device of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates the scrubber device of FIG. 1 being used in a swimming pool or spa.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a cleaning system with the scrubber device of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates the scrubber device of FIG. 1 with a plurality of types of pads according to embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Described herein are manual or handheld scrubber devices for swimming pools or spas. The scrubber devices described herein may be used for waterline cleaning and/or deep cleaning of a surface of the swimming pool or spa as desired. The scrubber devices may be waterproof devices. In certain embodiments, the scrubber devices described herein allow for cleaning where an automatic cleaner has difficulty reaching, such as but not limited to at a waterline of the swimming pool or spa. The scrubber devices described herein may facilitate cleaning by providing one or more of (i) a pad support that may carry a plurality of types of pads, (ii) an onboard power source, and/or (iii) activation of a motor causing movement of the pad based on the application of a force (e.g., a pressing force). Various other advantages and benefits may be realized with the systems and methods described herein, and the aforementioned benefits should not be considered limiting.

[0017] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an example of a scrubber device 10 according to embodiments. The scrubber device 10 generally includes a housing 12 and a pad support 14.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the housing 12 is waterproof such that the housing 12 may be submerged within a swimming pool or spa. In various embodiments, the housing 12 includes one or more gripping features 16 that a user may engage to grip and/or otherwise handle the scrubber device 10 in use. The housing 12 may house a motor and one or more power sources (e.g., one or more batteries) within the housing 12. In various embodiments, and as best illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 12 may include electrical connectors 18 such that the scrubber device 10 may be selectively charged and/or recharged as desired.

[0019] The pad support 14 is movable relative to the housing 12, and the motor within the housing 12 may selectively move the pad support 14 relative to the housing 12. In certain embodiments, the motor causes rotation of the pad support 14 relative to the housing 12 and as discussed in detail below. In various embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the motor may be adjustable between a plurality of modes, such as but not limited to a deactivated mode, a standby mode, and/or an activated mode, among others. One or more pads 22 may be supported on the pad support 14 as desired. In certain embodiments, the pads 22 are removably connected to the pad support 14 using various features or mechanisms as desired and such that the pad 22 on the pad support 14 may be removed and/or replaced as desired. The removable pads 22 may allow for different types of pads 22 to be utilized with the scrubber device 10 as desired. FIG. 5 illustrates non-limiting examples of different types of pads 22 that may be utilized with the scrubber device 10, which may include a sponge pad 22A, a scrubber pad 22B, and/or a brush pad 22C. Various other types of pads with other cleaning elements and/or configurations for cleaning a surface of a swimming pool or spa may be utilized, and the pads illustrated should not be considered limiting.

[0020] As mentioned, the motor may be in various modes. In some embodiments, the housing 12 includes a switch or button 24 for controlling a mode or status of the motor. As a non-limiting example, the button may be movable between a first position, in which the motor is in a deactivated mode, a second position, in which the motor is in a standby mode but may be activated to rotate the pad support 14 in a clockwise direction, and a third position, in which the motor is in standby mode but may be activated to rotate the pad support 14 in a counterclockwise direction. Additionally, or alternatively, the button 24 may control the motor to be in an activated mode, in which the motor is actively moving (e.g., causing rotation of) the pad support 14.

[0021] In some embodiments, the scrubber device 10 requires a first action for changing the motor between the deactivated mode and the standby mode and a second action for changing the motor between the standby mode and the activated mode. In the example illustrated, the first action may be a positioning of the button 24, and the second action may be the application of force on the housing 12 and/or linear movement of the housing 12 relative to the pad support 14 between an expanded position and a compressed position relative to the pad support (see FIG. 2). In these embodiments, the motor may be in the standby mode in the expanded position and may be in the activated mode in the compressed position. The plurality of modes of the motor may provide improved cleaning for a user. As a non-limiting example, the scrubber device 10 may be in the standby mode when the user is ready to clean but is not cleaning to conserve energy (e.g., the pad support 14 is not moving). Moreover, the scrubber device 10 may easily switch to the activated mode in which the pad support 14 is activated based on the user pressing the scrubber device 10 towards the surface to be cleaned.

[0022] In some embodiments, the scrubber device 10 may be directly handled by a user for performing a cleaning operation (see, e.g., FIG. 3). Additionally, or alternatively, the scrubber device 10 may be handled using a rod 26 with a holder 28 or other mechanical device, which may allow for a user to clean submerged surfaces of the pool or spa using the scrubber device 10 while remaining outside of the pool or spa (see, e.g., FIG. 4). In such embodiments, the holder 28 may be various suitable devices or structures for selectively engaging and holding the scrubber device 10. In one non-limiting example, the holder 28 is a loop that defines a receiving area 30 that receives a portion of the housing 12. However, in other embodiments, the holder 28 may have other configurations as desired. The holder 28 may engage the scrubber device 10 using various techniques or mechanisms as desired. In one non-limiting example, the holder 28 may engage the scrubber device 10 via friction fit or frictional engagement. The rod 26 and holder 28 are for illustrative purposes only, and in other embodiments other types of rods (or supports) and holders may be utilized with the scrubber device 10 as desired.

[0023] Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include: [0024] A. A manual scrubber device for a swimming pool or spa, the manual scrubber device comprising a housing, a pad support, and a motor within the housing, the motor configured to move the pad support relative to the housing. [0025] B. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising an onboard power source. [0026] C. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising a pad on the pad support. [0027] D. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the pad comprises at least one of a scrubber, a sponge, or a brush. [0028] E. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the pad is removable from the pad support. [0029] F. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the pad support relative to the housing. [0030] G. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the motor is configured to move the pad support responsive to an application of a pressing force moving the housing towards the pad support. [0031] H. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the manual scrubber device is waterproof. [0032] I. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising an activation button for controlling the motor between a deactivated state and a standby state. [0033] J. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the housing further comprises a gripping feature opposite from the pad support. [0034] K. A cleaning system comprising a rod, a holder on the rod, and the manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the holder is configured to receive a portion of the housing of the manual scrubber device within a receiving area. [0035] L. The cleaning system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the holder is configured to hold the housing via friction fit. [0036] M. A manual scrubber device for a swimming pool or spa, the manual scrubber device comprising a housing, a pad support, and a motor, the motor configured to move the pad support relative to the housing based on linear movement of the housing relative to the pad support. [0037] N. The manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the motor is configured to move the pad support based on linear movement from an expanded position to a compressed position relative to the pad support. [0038] O. A method of cleaning with a manual scrubber device of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, the method comprising activating the motor from a deactivated state to a standby state by actuating a button and activating the motor from the standby state to an active state by applying a force moving the housing towards the pad support. [0039] P. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising operating the manual scrubber in the active state, wherein in the active state, the motor is configured to rotate the pad support relative to the housing. [0040] Q. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising supporting the manual scrubber with a cleaning system comprising a rod and a holder on the rod, wherein supporting the manual scrubber comprises receiving a portion of the housing of the manual scrubber device within a receiving area of the holder. [0041] R. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising supporting a first pad on the pad support and replacing the first pad with a second pad, wherein the first pad and the second pad are different types of pads.

[0042] These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive in any way, and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of any claims ultimately drafted and issued in connection with the invention (and their equivalents). For avoidance of doubt, any combination of features not physically impossible or expressly identified as non-combinable herein may be within the scope of the invention. Further, although applicant has described devices and techniques for use principally with pools and spas, persons skilled in the relevant field will recognize that the present invention conceivably could be employed in connection with other objects and in other manners. Finally, references to pools and swimming pools herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels used for recreation or therapy and for which cleaning of debris is needed or desired.