Automatic swimming pool cleaning system
OwnerMelvyn L. Henkin, Jordan M. Labyinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pool cleaning method and apparatus for selectively positioning a unitary body either close to the water surface or close to the bottom wall surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the body rests at the bottom and the subsystem lifts the device to the water surface for operation in a water surface cleaning mode to collect floating debris. A propulsion subsystem is preferably incorporated to move the body along the wall surface and/or water surface.
Claims22
Apparatus for use with a containment wall having bottom and side portions containing a pool of water, for cleaning the surface of said water and the surface of said wall, said apparatus comprising:
- a unitary body capable of being immersed in said pool water;
- means for supplying a fluid flow to said body;
- a level control subsystem responsive to said fluid flow for producing a vertical force to selectively place said body either (1) proximate to said water surface or (2) proximate to said wall surface below said water surface;
- at least one pool water inlet in said body;
- and
- a propulsion control subsystem responsive to said fluid flow for selectively moving said body either (1) along a path adjacent to said water surface for collecting pool water through said inlet from adjacent to said water surface or (2) along a path adjacent to said wall surface for collecting pool water through said inlet from adjacent to said wall surface.
Apparatus for cleaning both the interior wall surface of an open container and the water surface of a water pool contained therein, said apparatus comprising:
- a unitary body immersible in said water pool;
- a level control element for defining either a wall surface cleaning mode or a water surface cleaning mode;
- automatic control means for selectively switching the mode defined by said level control element
- means for maintaining said body adjacent to said interior wall surface when said level control element is in said wall surface cleaning mode;
- means for supporting said body proximate to said water surface when said level control element is in said water surface cleaning mode;
- at least one pool water inlet in said body;
- and
- means for collecting pool water through said inlet from (1) adjacent to said interior wall surface when said level control element is in said wall surface cleaning mode and (2) adjacent to said water surface when said level control element is in said water surface cleaning mode.
Apparatus for cleaning the surface of a water pool contained in a vessel defined by a wall having bottom and side portions, said apparatus comprising:
- a unitary heavier-than-water body capable of being immersed in said water pool;
- a level control subsystem carried by said body;
- means for supplying a fluid flow to said body to lift said body to proximate to said water surface;
- a water surface inlet carried by said body configured to collect pool water from adjacent to said water surface;
- and
- a propulsion control subsystem for moving said body along a path adjacent to said water surface.
A method of cleaning both the interior wall surface of an open container and the water surface of a water pool contained therein, said method comprising:
- placing a body in said water pool;
- supplying a fluid flow to said body for producing a vertical force thereon to selectively move said body to either (1) proximate to said water surface or (2) proximate to said wall surface below said water surface;
- urging said body against said interior wall surface when said body is proximate to said wall surface;
- supporting said body proximate to said water surface when said body is proximate to said water surface;
- and
- collecting pool water from (1) adjacent to said water surface when said body is proximate to said water surface and (2) adjacent to said wall surface when said body is proximate to said wall surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.