Manual aquatic vacuum cleaner for cleaning hydromassage spa baths and similar
The manual aquatic vacuum cleaner with a suction hose and bellows coupling addresses inefficiencies in whirlpool spa tub cleaning by using the Venturi effect for powerful suction, effectively removing dirt and contaminants, saving water and time, and ensuring durability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- US19/284833
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-08-01
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing cleaning solutions for whirlpool spa tubs are inefficient, time-consuming, require significant water waste, and are not suitable for the undulating and crevice-rich surfaces, failing to effectively remove dirt and contaminants from the bottom of the tub, which poses health and equipment risks.
A manual aquatic vacuum cleaner with a suction hose and bellows coupling that utilizes the Venturi effect for powerful suction, featuring corner and seat nozzles to clean hard-to-reach areas, eliminating the need for electrical devices and reducing water usage.
Efficiently cleans the whirlpool spa tub in minutes, saving water and time, while being durable and cost-effective, without requiring maintenance or electrical components.
Smart Images

Figure US20260035945A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a manual water vacuum cleaner for cleaning a whirlpool spa tub and similar, wherein, notably, said vacuum cleaner comprises a bellows coupling connected to one side of a suction hose and attachable to the drain at the bottom of the whirlpool spa tub, and said receiving hose on the opposite side of the vacuum nozzle. Connecting the bellows coupling to the open drain drain allows for strong suction, intensified by the Venturi effect resulting from the pressure of the open drain drain in relation to the narrowing of the vacuum hose, and the vacuum nozzle collects the dirt accumulated on the sides, seats, and bottom of the whirlpool spa tub, eliminating the need for electrical devices, pumps, filters, or any other cleaning accessories.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known in the art that using a hot tub offers users moments of relaxation, well-being, and leisure. However, these benefits can only be fully enjoyed when the equipment is properly cleaned, which isn't always the case for a variety of reasons.
[0003] One of the reasons why hot tubs cannot be fully utilized is that they are installed outdoors and require frequent cleaning due to exposure to rain and wind, which brings dirt such as soil, twigs, leaves, dust, airborne contaminants, and insects into the water. While floating debris can be easily removed with a manual strainer or by filtering the water through skimmers, heavier debris that settles at the bottom of the tub poses a greater challenge.
[0004] In both indoor and outdoor facilities, there is also concern about contaminants from the users themselves, usually from dirty feet, amplified by coming and going in and out of the equipment, including skin, hair, body oils, and residue from hygiene products, as well as often from food brought into the tub during social occasions. These contaminants accumulate at the bottom of the hot tub, creating localized spots of dirt or a layer of grime that are difficult to remove, visually unsightly, and harmful to health.
[0005] Keeping hot tubs in optimal condition is crucial not only for aesthetic reasons but also for health and well-being. Regularly cleaning the bottom of the tub is one of the most critical aspects of this maintenance due to factors such as (i) Microorganism Proliferation, as hot water and constant humidity create a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, and accumulated dirt can serve as a breeding ground for these microorganisms, increasing the risk of infections and skin irritations; (ii) Water Quality, as the tub water should be crystal clear and inviting. However, the presence of dirt on the bottom can affect the water quality, making it cloudy and unpleasant; (iii) Equipment Damage, as dirt buildup not only affects the water and the health of users but can also damage the tub equipment. Debris can clog jets and filtration systems, reducing the efficiency and lifespan of the equipment.
[0006] Therefore, removing dirt from the bottom of your spa tub is essential to ensuring water quality, user health, and the equipment's durability. Incorporating this practice into your maintenance routine provides a more pleasant and safer experience, in addition to helping to preserve your investment in the equipment.
[0007] Given the importance of preventing aesthetic risks and, most importantly, the health of users, it is essential that whirlpool spa tubs be properly cleaned, especially the bottom of the tub, where the skimmer doesn't work. However, cleaning these types of tubs can be exhausting and time-consuming, requiring, first, complete draining, which can involve discarding a thousand liters of water, or even much more, depending on the tub's capacity. After draining, which takes around 30 minutes, the tub is sanitized for around 15 minutes and refilled again in an average time of two hours. This process can take up to three hours or more, results in considerable water waste, and discourages frequent use due to the preparation time required.
[0008] There are several solutions on the market that aim to prevent dirt from falling into the water, such as hot tub covers, available in different models, such as rigid folding models, airtight models, and others. Generally, covers protect the tub from branches, dust, and dirt brought in by wind and rain. However, these covers often accumulate water on top, trapping dirt over the course of days. When removing them, there is a high risk of this dirt falling into the tub, contaminating the water and settling at the bottom, with no possibility of being removed by the skimmers.
[0009] Furthermore, although covers partially help protect against dirt from falling in, they are not sufficient to eliminate other types of contamination in the hot tub water, such as body oils, skin and external dirt brought in by users, among others, and do not eliminate the need to clean the bottom of the tub, which is necessary after each use.
[0010] Alternatively, there are electric suction vacuums on the market, which essentially consist of a robust cleaning nozzle connected to a telescopic rod that collects dirt by activating an electric motor. While efficient, these devices are expensive, their batteries frequently discharge, the nozzle is unsuitable for the undulating, crevice-filled surface of a hot tub, and they are fragile and require washing the dirt collection filter.
[0011] Another available solution is a manual pressure-assisted water vacuum, which uses a head connected to a hose connected to a water source. As the head passes over the bottom of the tub, the water injected into the head creates an internal curve that sucks up the tub water and, consequently, the dirt. While efficient, this device can be difficult to install, and its suction power depends on water pressure. The nozzle is not suitable for the undulating and crevice-rich surface of a whirlpool spa tub, and the collection filter also requires cleaning.
[0012] Finally, the gravity vacuum, whose construction is like the pressure vacuum, operates with pressure generated by the water exiting through a tube connected to the suction head. Operating this vacuum can be complicated, requiring specific techniques to initiate gravity, such as nozzle suction, which is not only unhygienic but also inefficient. Furthermore, these vacuums only work properly when positioned on a lower surface to allow water to drain, making them less practical.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0013] A search for specialized databases uncovered documents relating to manual water vacuums, such as that presented in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,947A, which refers to a hydrofoil attachment for pool vacuum heads that provides downward thrust during push and pull strokes. The hydrofoils are pivotally supported by a lateral extension rod. The rod is supported by triangular plates that mount to the axles of the vacuum head wheels.
[0014] Another document, GB1082620A, refers to a suction cleaner for cleaning a swimming pool. It consists of a plate movable by a handle over the pool walls and floor and formed by a suction nozzle connected by a hose to a suction pump. The plate is spaced by adjustable rollers from the surface to be cleaned, and the side of the plate that faces that surface during use is formed with arcuate grooves that extend partially around the nozzle opening to cause water to move in a rotating motion toward said opening.
[0015] Another document, US2023013995A1, discloses a pool vacuum cleaner that includes a main body with a housing with an impeller driven by an electric motor, an inlet opening in a lower region of the housing, and an outlet opening on an outlet side of the housing. The vacuum cleaner further includes a collection container housing a collection container disposed in the region of the outlet opening, a rod container connected to a guide rod disposed in the region of the outlet side, and a guide fork pivotally connected to the housing about a pivot axis. The rod container is disposed of on the guide fork. The pivot axis is arranged at a distance from the center of mass of the main body, and the center of mass is arranged between the pivot axis and the outlet opening.
[0016] Another technical document is JPH11267056, which consists of a manual bathtub cleaning device using suction designed to act both on the surface of the water and on the bottom of the bathtub. To this end, the device consists of a hose equipped with an open / close valve that, at one end, has a collection device with specially developed characteristics, more precisely a box with a side opening, float and weight / ballast, while at the other end of the hose, the plug / connector is installed that attaches to the water outlet / drainage device (11), that is, it must be adapted for this purpose, allowing it to flow into the sewage pipe.
[0017] Thus, the documents cited above, despite belonging to the same field of application, are not intended for cleaning whirlpool spa bathtubs, and do not present any of the characteristics of the object now improved, thus ensuring that it meets the legal requirements for patentability.MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The objective of this invention is to present a manual aquatic vacuum cleaner for cleaning a whirlpool spa bath or similar, comprising a suction hose with one or more vacuum nozzles and a bellows coupling, forming a device that is easy to assemble and does not require the use of any type of pump, electrical energy, battery or other electrical devices for operation.
[0019] Another objective of this invention is to present a manual aquatic vacuum cleaner for cleaning a whirlpool spa bathtub or similar that presents cleaning efficiency, mainly due to the powerful suction force caused by the Venturi effect and the existence of at least two vacuum nozzles, being a corner nozzle for reaching dirt lodged in small recesses or crevices and a seat nozzle that promotes cleaning of other areas, efficiently removing dirt from the sides, seats and bottom of the bathtub in a few minutes.
[0020] Another objective of this invention is to present a manual aquatic vacuum cleaner whose parts are easy to assemble in the hydromassage spa bath, simply by connecting the accordion coupling to the drain, which, after opening the drain, allows suction to start, while the opposite end of the hose performs suction with one of the installed nozzle models.
[0021] Another objective of this invention is to present a manual water vacuum cleaner that saves water for the user, since it eliminates the need to empty and refill the bathtub each time it is cleaned, preserving significant amounts of water, since it only discards an average of five to ten liters of water, thus ensuring sustainability practices.
[0022] Another objective of this invention is to present a manual water vacuum cleaner that saves the user time, since it can vacuum all dirt in a few minutes, saving up to 3 hours of work for the enjoyment of the whirlpool spa bath or similar.
[0023] Another objective of this invention is to present a manual water vacuum cleaner comprised of resistant and durable parts, as well as not requiring maintenance, repairs or replacements, in addition to presenting a reduced acquisition value when compared to those available on the market.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] To obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of this invention and in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment of the same, the description is accompanied by a set of drawings where, in an exemplified, although not limitative, manner, its operation is shown:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the parts that make up the water vacuum cleaner;
[0026] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the vacuum nozzles;
[0027] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the vacuum nozzles;
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an assembled perspective view of the water vacuum cleaner;
[0029] FIG. 4A shows a schematic view of the accordion coupling applied to the bottom drain of the hydromassage spa bath and with the respective enlarged details;
[0030] FIG. 4B shows another schematic view illustrating one of the nozzles vacuuming the dirt;
[0031] FIG. 4C shows a side view of the vacuum cleaner, illustrating the path of the water sucked together with the dirt by means of the aquatic vacuum cleaner installed in the whirlpool spa bath.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] This invention refers to a manual aquatic vacuum cleaner for cleaning hydromassage spa bath and similar, manual aquatic vacuum cleaner (10) for cleaning hydromassage spa bathtubs (BH) and related items.
[0033] According to the present invention, said manual aquatic vacuum cleaner (10) is comprised of a suction hose (12) made of Polyvinyl Chloride—PVC—polypropylene or other with an end (12a) receiving an adapter (13A) of the quick-coupling type or similar for coupling a corner vacuum nozzle (11A) or seat vacuum nozzle (11B) and an opposite end (12b) with a spigot coupling (13B) for assembling the accordion coupling (14), in turn, attachable to the drain drain (DN) for evacuating the water (AG) of the whirlpool spa bathtub (BH). The coupling of the accordion coupling (14) to the drain drain (DN) and the suction (AP) between the diametrical narrowing (ED) provided between the drain drain (DN) and the hose (12) configures the ‘venturi effect’ (EV) for suctioning the dirt (SJ) after opening the drainage drain (DN).
[0034] Said corner vacuum nozzle (11A) and seat nozzle (11B) are made of polypropylene or other material, with the nozzle (11A) comprising an ordinarily tubular body (11a1) with a sector (11a2) fitted with a narrowing from which a rectangular extension (11a3) develops with an oblique end (11a4) for vacuuming narrow spaces.
[0035] The seat vacuum nozzle (11B) has a body ordinarily in the shape of a “T” with a central tubular extension (11b1) to be coupled to the quick-connect adapter (13A) from which a perpendicular member (11b2) with a rectangular cross-section develops and with a suction nozzle (11b3) with an edge (B1) fitted with a brush (11b4) to sweep the contact surface, while the edge (B2) / (B3) / (B4) is free for the entry of dirt (SJ).
[0036] Both the corner vacuum nozzle (11A) and seat nozzle (11B) can be presented in different dimensions depending on the need and cleaning demand of the bathtubs (BH), as well as the nozzle (11B) can present edges (B2) / (B3) / (B4) equipped with respective brushes (not illustrated).
[0037] Said accordion coupling (14) is comprised of a flexible body (14a) with a central accordion sector (14b) with an end (14c) equipped with an opening (14c1) for coupling to the drainage drain (DN) and the opposite end (14d) with a tubular projection (14d1) equipped with an opening (14d2) for coupling a spigot (13B) and of a smaller diameter than the opposite opening (14c1) for configuring the ‘venturi’ effect (EV).
[0038] To install the manual water vacuum cleaner (10), simply attach the accordion coupling (14) to the water evacuation drain (DN) of the whirlpool spa tub (BH) or other similar equipment. When opening the drain drain (DV), causing the water (AG) to be evacuated from the whirlpool spa tub (BH), with the narrowing of the hose (12), the Venturi effect (EV) is configured, causing the opposite end of the hose (12) with one of the nozzles (11A) / (11B) connected to reach a considerable suction force, sucking up the dirt (SJ) from inside the whirlpool spa tub (BH) or similar equipment. After sucking up all the dirt (SJ) accumulated on the sides, seats and bottom of the whirlpool spa tub (BH), the drain drain (DN) is closed to automatically release the accordion coupling (14) of the water vacuum cleaner (10).
Examples
Embodiment Construction
[0032]This invention refers to a manual aquatic vacuum cleaner for cleaning hydromassage spa bath and similar, manual aquatic vacuum cleaner (10) for cleaning hydromassage spa bathtubs (BH) and related items.
[0033]According to the present invention, said manual aquatic vacuum cleaner (10) is comprised of a suction hose (12) made of Polyvinyl Chloride—PVC—polypropylene or other with an end (12a) receiving an adapter (13A) of the quick-coupling type or similar for coupling a corner vacuum nozzle (11A) or seat vacuum nozzle (11B) and an opposite end (12b) with a spigot coupling (13B) for assembling the accordion coupling (14), in turn, attachable to the drain drain (DN) for evacuating the water (AG) of the whirlpool spa bathtub (BH). The coupling of the accordion coupling (14) to the drain drain (DN) and the suction (AP) between the diametrical narrowing (ED) provided between the drain drain (DN) and the hose (12) configures the ‘venturi effect’ (EV) for suctioning the dirt (SJ) after ...
Claims
1-2. (canceled)3. A manual aquatic vacuum cleaner comprising:a suction hose comprising: an end and a first opposite end;a quick-connect adapter removably attached to the end of the suction hose, wherein the quick-connect adapter is configured to selectively couple with at least one of: a corner vacuum nozzle and a seat vacuum nozzle; anda spigot coupling attached to the first opposite end of the suction hose, wherein the spigot coupling is configured to connect to an accordion coupling (14), wherein the accordion coupling is adapted to be fluidly connected to a drainage drain (DN) of a hydromassage spa bathtub (BH) for evacuating water (AG) and dirt.
4. The manual aquatic vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the accordion coupling comprises a flexible body comprising:a central accordion section;a first end with a first opening configured for connection to the drainage drain (DN); anda second opposite end having a tubular projection with a second opening configured to receive the spigot coupling, wherein the second opening has a smaller diameter than the first opening.
5. The manual aquatic vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the suction hose is made of a polymeric material selected from one or more of: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene.
6. The manual aquatic vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the quick-connect adapter is configured to selectively couple either a corner vacuum nozzle or a seat vacuum nozzle, wherein the corner vacuum nozzle comprising a tubular body with a sector terminating in a rectangular extension having an oblique end adapted for vacuuming narrow spaces.
7. The manual aquatic vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the seat vacuum nozzle is comprised of the shape of a “T” with a central tubular extension to be coupled to the quick-connect adapter from which a perpendicular member with a rectangular cross-section develops and with a suction nozzle with an edge fitted with a brush to sweep the contact surface.