US 5,554,277 A · In-line leaf trap

Abstract

An in-line leaf trap captures the leaves and debris that are gathered by a manual or automatic suction-type swimming pool cleaner before they can enter the swimming pool's water filtering system. The leaf trap is placed in-line with the flexible hose that conducts the leaves and debris between the pool cleaner and the poolside suction connection. The in-line leaf trap is a two-piece closed container having inside a removable or integrated perforated or mesh screen debris basket. The body of the trap has two cylindrical tapered openings to mate with commonly used swimming pool cleaner hoses. The openings are oriented to ensure proper flow direction through the trap. The device floats in the pool with its top section just above the water line. The flexible hose is held floating just under the top surface of the water. By the use of flotation and ballast materials, the trap maintains a vertical operating position, with its body seal held below the water line, after being placed in that position by the pool owner or maintainer. The transparent material used in making the in-line leaf trap permits one to see when the basket is filled. Preferably, the lower body, with the attached or integral basket, is separated from the upper body and the leaves and debris are dumped out and disposed. The unit is then rejoined for further use in the pool cleaning system.

Claims16

Dependent claims

Leaf trap apparatus for use in combination with a swimming pool filter system joined in fluid communication with a suction-type automatic pool cleaner by a swimming pool cleaner hose in a pool having a water line, including:

an rigid upper body;
a lower body;
means for mating the upper and lower bodies together to form a face seal, the apparatus having no O-ring or other seal;
a body assembly foraged by the upper and lower bodies, the body assembly having an exterior and a hollow interior;
an open mesh basket in the hollow interior;
means for adapting the body assembly in line with the swimming pool cleaner hose;
and
means for maintaining the seal entirely below the water line.

5 more elements

In combination with a swimming pool filter system joined in fluid communication with a suction-type automatic pool cleaner by a swimming pool cleaner hose in a pool having a water line, in-line leaf trap apparatus including:

a first portion of the hose;
a second portion of the hose;
an upper rigid molded-plastic body;
a lower rigid molded-plastic body;
means for mating the upper and lower bodies together to form a face seal, the apparatus having no O-ring or other seal;
a body assembly formed by the upper and lower bodies, the body assembly having an exterior and a hollow interior, a substantial portion of the body assembly being transparent or translucent;
an open male end on the body assembly, the male end insertable into the first portion of the hose;
an open female end on the body assembly which is larger than the male end, the second portion of the hose insertable into the female end;
an open mesh basket in the hollow interior, the basket having an enlarged opening disposed in fluid communication with one of the open ends;
and
at least one downwardly depending water-flow diversion baffle passing perpendicularly through a plane that passes axially though the open ends,
wherein all pans of the in-line leaf trap apparatus are made of rigid plastic.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

In-line leaf trap

Life of this patent

In-line leaf trap

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16