US 5,473,786 AGranted

Swimming pool cleaning tool, and related method

OwnerEric Reshinventor

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Abstract

A tool for cleaning debris from swimming pools includes a frame, a corresponding net, and retaining means for retaining the net on the frame. The preferred retaining means is an elongated strip of resilient, flexible material, having a generally U-shaped cross-section. The web portion of the cross-section includes an exterior surface smoothly shaped between its two edges to urge debris from the pool into the net. The leg portions of the cross-section include gripping portions to assist in engaging and/or disengaging the retaining means from the frame, to permit the net to be assembled, changed or replaced. The preferred frame of the tool is fabricated from metal and includes an elongated, curved frame portion with its ends welded to a tubular attachment member, to permit attachment of the tool to a handle, pole or similar structure. A corresponding preferred method of use is also disclosed.

Claims9

Dependent claims

In a tool for cleaning debris from swimming pools, the combination of:

frame means forming a mouth portion, said frame means including a substantially flat forward surface which is the leading surface of said frame means and being oriented at an angle to form said mouth portion as said frame means is normally moved through a swimming pool and further including an outer surface radially outward with respect to said mouth portion;
net means for covering said mouth portion;
and retaining means for retaining said net means in operative relationship with said frame means, said retaining means having a first portion extending from said frame means when said retaining means is assembled with said frame means, said first portion including a front surface having a first edge for contacting a surface of the pool, said first edge located forward of said substantially flat forward surface of said frame means, and radially outward of said outer surface of said frame means, said first portion further including a second edge positioned rearwardly with respect to said first edge as said tool is normally moved through the pool water, said second edge being positioned inwardly from said first edge with respect to said mouth of said frame, said front surface constituting a smooth transition between said first and second edges, and said front surface and said first and second edges being configured to scoop debris from said pool surface and direct it away from said first edge and toward said second edge, and thereafter into said net means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.