Device and method for cleaning leaves and debris from swimming pools

A system for cleaning leaves and debris from swimming pools comprising:

• an automatic swimming pool cleaner having a floating body and means, supplied by water pressure, for self-propelling itself about the swimming pool;
• a flexible inlet hose connected to a high pressure water supply and to the floating body for supplying water;
• a flexible outlet hose connected to the floating body and having a nozzle for discharging high pressure spray;
• a reticulated bag connected to the nozzle of the outlet hose for being drawn about the swimming pool by the automatic swimming pool cleaner;
• the bag having an open mouth and a closed opposite end;
• connection means for connecting the nozzle of the outlet hose to the mouth, the nozzle pointing towards the closed end of the bag for directing leaves and debris into the bag;
• and
• flotation means, attached to the mouth of the bag, for allowing the bag to float semi-submerged, with a portion of the bag being above the surface for receiving floating leaves and debris directed into the bag by the spray from the outlet hose.

In combination with an automatic swimming pool cleaner of the type having a floating body, an inlet hose connected to a high pressure water supply, a flexible outlet hose with a nozzle for discharging high pressure spray for cleaning, and means for the body to self-propel itself about the swimming pool, a leaf and debris collecting device comprising:

• a reticulated bag connected to the nozzle of the outlet hose for being drawn about the swimming pool by the floating body;
• the bag having an open mouth and a closed opposite end;
• connection means for connecting the nozzle of the outlet hose to the mouth so as to direct the high pressure spray towards the closed end of the bag to direct leaves and debris into the bag;
• flotation means, connected to the bag, for allowing the bag to float semi-submerged, with a portion of the bag being above the surface for receiving floating leaves and debris directed into the bag by the spray from the outlet hose;
• the flotation means being detachable so that the bag may be drawn about the bottom of the swimming pool for collecting submerged leaves and debris;
• and
• scraper means, on the mouth, for scraping against the swimming pool bottom to prevent leaves and debris from escaping as the automatic swimming pool cleaner drags the bag along the swimming pool bottom.

For use with an automatic swimming pool cleaner of the type having a floating body, an inlet hose connected to a high pressure water supply, a flexible outlet hose with a nozzle for discharging high pressure spray for cleaning, and means for the body to self-propel itself about the swimming pool, a leaf and debris collecting device comprising:

• a reticulated bag connected to the nozzle of the outlet hose for being drawn about the swimming pool by the floating body;
• the bag having an open mouth defined by a rectangular hoop and a closed opposite end;
• connection means for connecting the nozzle of the outlet hose to one side of the hoop pointed generally towards the closed end for directing leaves and debris into the bag, the connection means allowing the nozzle to pivot with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bag;
• the opposite side of the hoop from the connection means having an outer edge that defines a straight line substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag;
• and
• a float collar, having floats attached and received over the hoop, for buoying the bag in a semi-submerged state;
• the float collar being detachable so that the nozzle and bag may be drawn about the bottom of the swimming pool for collecting submerged leaves and debris;
• the outlet hose being of sufficient weight to be able to tip the closed end of the bag upwardly for cleaning the swimming pool bottom;
• the bag being oriented on bottom with the hoop facing generally towards the bottom of the swimming pool;
• the outer edge of the opposite side dragging against the swimming pool bottom as the automatic swimming pool cleaner drags the bag.