Hose reel automatic storage

A device for moving the hose of an automatic pool cleaner over a pool deck and into and out of a swimming pool, comprising:

• a rotatable hose reel disposed within a tank adapted to be located in spaced relationship to the swimming pool, the hose being wound around the hose reel during storage and extending partially therefrom through a tunnel adapted to be disposed over the pool deck, said tunnel having a first end in communication with the tank and a second end adapted to be disposed for discharge over an edge of the pool, the hose having a cleaner head at an end thereof extending form the second end of the tunnel for movement with the hose between a storage condition hanging from the second end of the tunnel and an extended operating condition;
• a water jet disposed in stationary relationship to the tank for directing a stream of water into the tunnel to rotate the hose reel in a first direction, unwind the hose from the hose reel, flush the hose through the tunnel, and dispose the cleaner head in the extended operating condition;
• and,
• rotation means for rotating the hose reel in a second direction to withdraw the hose through the tunnel, and rewind the hose around the hose reel to a position wherein the cleaner head is disposed in the storage condition.

A method for moving the hose of an automatic pool cleaner over a pool deck and into and out of a swimming pool, comprising:

• providing a rotatable hose reel in a tank adapted to be located in spaced relationship to the pool;
• providing a tunnel adapted to be disposed over the pool deck, said tunnel having a first end in communication with the tank and a second end adapted to be disposed to discharge over an edge of the pool;
• winding the hose around the hose reel to store the hose in the tank, with a portion of the hose extending partially through the tunnel, the hose having a cleaner head at one end disposed for movement with the hose between storage and operating positions;
• and
• jetting a stream of water into the first end of the tunnel, from a water jet disposed in stationary relationship to the tank, to rotate the hose reel in a first direction and flush the hose through the second end of the tunnel for extension, with the cleaner head.