Vacuum head for swimming pools and similar structures

Abstract

An improved vacuum head is defined by upper and lower sub-housings that are secured together to form the vacuum head assembly. A set of spherical balls are captured in appropriately sized ball-receiving pockets or sockets formed between the upper and lower sub-housings to support the vacuum head assembly a selected distance above the surface being swept. The ball-receiving sockets include a “stand-off” formation to minimize the probability of a ball-receiving socket becoming clogged with debris sufficient to the impair the ability of the ball to roll within its ball-receiving chamber. The use of balls as the rolling members allows omnidirectional control of the vacuum head while minimizing the propensity for disturbing the debris in the vicinity of the vacuum head and the formation of a undesired water-borne “cloud” of debris. The perimeter edges of the vacuum head are radiused to provide a low-resistance flow path to the underside of vacuum head to also allow the vacuum head to pull any water-borne debris from areas above the vacuum head in addition to vacuuming debris on the pool surface beneath the vacuum head.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 760,394 filed Jan. 20, 2006 by the applicants herein, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to vacuum heads of the type used to vacuum debris from the surfaces of swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, and the like and, more particularly, to such vacuum heads having improved operational efficiency and ease of use.[0003]Known vacuum heads typically include pivoting caster-type wheels, non-pivoting rollers, and / or bristle assemblies to support the vacuum head a selected distance above the surface being swept. One problem with existing designs is the propensity for the wheels, rollers, and / or bristles to disturb the debris such that a water-borne “cloud” of debris is created or formed above the vacuum head thereby limiting the efficiency of the device.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]An improved vacuum head is defined by upper and lower sub-housings that are secured together to form the vacuum head assembly. A set of spherical balls are captured in appropriately sized ball-receiving pockets or sockets formed between the upper and lower sub-housings to support the vacuum head assembly a selected distance above the surface being swept. The ball-receiving sockets include a “stand-off” formation to minimize the probability of a ball-receiving socket becoming clogged with debris sufficient to the impair the ability of the ball to roll within its ball-receiving socket. The use of balls as the rolling members allows omnidirectional control of the vacuum head while minimizing the propensity for disturbing the debris in the vicinity of the vacuum head and the formation of a undesired water-borne “cloud” of debris. The peripheral edges of the vacuum head are radiused to provide a low-resistance flow path to the underside of vacuum head to also allow the vacuum head to pull any water-borne debris from areas above or immediately adjacent the vacuum head in addition to vacuuming debris on the pool surface beneath the vacuum head.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with existing designs is the propensity for the wheels, rollers, and / or bristles to disturb the debris such that a water-borne “cloud” of debris is created or formed above the vacuum head thereby limiting the efficiency of the device.

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