US 6,393,628 B1Granted

Valve assembly for swimming pool cleaning systems

OwnerJames Edward Kellogginventor

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Abstract

A valve assembly (23) for use with automatic swimming pool cleaners which is arranged in a skimmer and in series with the suction pipe (22) to the pool cleaner. It includes a branch passage provided with a biased pivoting flap valve (31) opening in accordance with the pressure demands in the system to relieve pressure and provide constant suction to the cleaner and permits the skimming action of the skimmer to continue whilst the swimming pool cleaner is operating. The bias is provided by a coil or leaf spring or an arcuate compression coil spring located substantialy within the passage. Two flap valves (optionally with different surface areas and spring constants) may be provided and optionally angled to the passage when closed. Hinge pins of the flap may snap fit into open sided sockets in the branch passage wall.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A valve assembly for use with pool cleaning apparatus connectable to a suction line, said valve assembly including

a main body defining a main flow passage, an inlet to the main flow passage for connection to said pool cleaning apparatus and an outlet from the main flow passage for connection to the suction line and
a branch body extending from said main body and defining a branch passage communicating with said main flow passage, said branch passage terminating in an inlet opening,
valve flap means mounted to said branch body for pivotal movement between a closed position closing said branch passage and an open position in which liquid flows from said inlet opening and through said branch passage into said main flow passage, said valve flap means having a first outer side and a second inner side,
pivot axle means for pivotally supporting said valve flap means in said branch passage, said pivotal means comprising a pair of opposite axles, and
spring biasing means disposed substantially within said branch body and biasing said valve flap means towards said closed position, said biasing means including a pair of coil springs around said respective axles,
said coil springs having first legs acting on said second inner side of said valve flap means and second legs acting against said branch body rearwardly of said valve flap means whereby said coil springs do not impede flow through said branch passage upon opening of said valve flap means,
said coil springs permitting said valve flap means to pivot between said open position and said closed position in response to suction pressure requirements of said pool cleaning apparatus,
wherein said coil springs are integrally formed and wherein said first legs thereof comprise a common U-shaped leg.

5 more elements

A valve assembly for pool leaning apparatus connect able a suction line, said valve assembly including

a main body defining a main flow passage, an inlet to the main flow passage for connection to said pool cleaning apparatus and an outlet from the main flow passage for connection to the suction line and
a branch body extending from said main body and defining a branch passage communicating with said main flow passage, said branch passage terminating in an inlet opening, said branch body having opposite side walls and
valve flap means pivotally mounted to said opposite side walls via a pair of opposite axles for pivotal movement between a closed position closing said branch passage and an open position in which liquid flows from said inlet opening and through said branch passage into said main flow passage, said valve flap means having an outer side and an inner side, and
a pair of coil springs around respective said axles and biasing said valve flap means towards said closed position, said coil springs having first and second legs, said first legs acting on said inner side of said valve flap means and said second legs acting against said branch body rearwardly of said valve flap means whereby said springs do not impede flow through said branch passage upon opening of said valve flap means, said springs permitting said valve flap means to pivot between said open position and said closed position in response to suction pressure requirements of said pool cleaning apparatus.

1 more element

A valve assembly for pool cleaning apparatus connectable to a suction line, said valve assembly including

a main body defining a main flow passage, an inlet to the main flow passage for connection to said pool cleaning apparatus and an outlet from the main flow passage for connection to the suction line and
a branch body extending from said main body and defining a branch passage communicating with said main flow passage, said branch passage terminating in an inlet opening,
valve flap means mounted to said branch body adjacent said inlet opening for pivotal movement between a closed position closing said branch passage and positions in which liquid flows from said inlet opening and through said branch passage into said main flow passage,
pivot axle means for pivotally supporting said valve flap means to said branch body, and said pivot axial means comprising a pair of opposite axles,
spring biasing means urging said valve flap means towards said closed position, said spring biasing means comprising a pair of coil springs located around said respective axles, said coil springs having first legs acting on an inner side of said valve flap means and second legs acting against said branch body rearwardly of siad valve flap means, said coil springs permitting said valve flap means to pivot towards and away from said closed position in response to suction pressure requirements of said pool cleaning apparatus, wherein said axles are formed integrally with said valve flap means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.