Baracuda International Corporation

Hunter Douglas,inc.

Zarina Holdings C.v.

Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.

Zarina Holding C.v.

Chris A Rice

James D Scott, Ii

Desroy D Smith

Alain J Gazzola

William T Clark

Graham M Barton

Jeffrey A Park

Shawn M McLaughlin

John T Evans

Andrew W Dawson

Raymond P Denkewicz, Jr

Mark J Bauckman

Roger H Gagnon

Michael J Gregg

William W Stone

Robert W Marklew

Robert L Eggleston

Robin O Ellis

Cover for a mounting bracket for a retractable shade

A removable clip for suspending a vane in a vertical vane covering for an architectural opening from a carrier in a control system comprises a neck for connection to the carrier and spaced downwardly projecting fixed and movable legs having a system for releasable interconnection. The movable leg is connected to the necks of the clip through a living hinge so as to be pivotal about the hinge between open and closed position. In the open position, a vane having a hole adjacent to the top edge thereof can be inserted into the clip connection thereto. The neck of the clip has an opening therethrough for suspension from a hook or ledge on the carrier.

Vertical vane support clip for coverings for architectural openings

A tensioner for the control element of a covering for an architectural opening includes a base member attachable to a support surface adjacent to the architectural opening with the base member supporting an upstanding plunger about which a surrounding housing is adapted to slide. A coil spring biases the housing downwardly relative to the plunger and a rotatable pulley is mounted in an open top of the housing around which an endless operating element for a covering for an architectural opening extends. Operation of the covering by pulling on the endless element raises the housing relative to the plunger permitting free rotation of the pulley. Upon completion of operation the housing lowers under the bias of the coil spring so that the pulley is seated in engagement with the plunger and restrained from rotation. The angular spacial orientation of the pulley can also be changed by raising the housing relative to the plunger a predetermined distance and rotating the housing into a desired angular spacial orientation relative to the plunger.

Cord tensioner for covering for architectural openings

Bumpers and assemblies for swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. Such assemblies may include contoured frames to which flexible fins are attached to facilitate deflection of cleaners when obstacles are encountered. Side wings connecting the frame to the body of a cleaner may additionally be employed as part of the assemblies, as may a weight moveable about two axes. In use, the side wings both promote cleaner deflection and reduce body wear that otherwise would occur. The non-stationary weight permits continuous rebalancing of the cleaner depending on its location and orientation within a pool. An optional lower bumper facilitates operation of the cleaner by reducing the likelihood of its becoming trapped against objects such as steps located within swimming pools.

Bumper assemblies for swimming pool cleaners

Systems and apparatus for cleaning swimming pools or other vessels are disclosed. Exemplary systems may include an automatic swimming pool cleaner adapted not only to filter debris from water mechanically, but to dispense water sanitizing chemicals as well. Fluid drawn into the cleaner in operation contacts or otherwise passes through media containing the chemicals, purifying the fluid at least partially within the cleaner itself.

Automatic swimming pool cleaners and associated components and systems

The swivel assembly of the present invention employs a thrust bearing configuration that provides smooth operation under non-axial and axial load conditions. The assembly comprises two opposing bearing surfaces, one on the end of a hose pipe and the other on a bearing race. A cylindrical housing interlocks with the bearing race and includes a flange to keep the bearing surface of the hose pipe in contact with the bearings. Thus, the hose pipe may rotate freely relative to the bearing race and housing. Because only the end of the hose pipe is in contact with the housing or bearings, non-axial bending loads centered in the bearing are resolved through relatively short moment arms thereby reducing friction creating by the non-axial loading condition. A sealing and lubricating thrust washer may be introduced between the flange in the housing and the hose pipe to seal the swivel assembly and to reduce further the friction between the hose pipe and the housing flange and bearing race.

Swimming pool cleaner swivel assembly

Automatic swimming pool cleaning systems are disclosed. The systems include an automatic swimming pool cleaner incorporating one or more curved wipers protruding from its lower surface. The wipers and flat bottom of the cleaner induce a vortex as fluid flows to its central inlet, entraining debris in the flow. A fluted throat surrounding the inlet additionally assists the interior of the base of the cleaner in retaining debris when opened for cleaning, additionally providing an improved flow path for enhanced debris pick-up. Also disclosed is a valve useful for controlling and indicating the rate of fluid flow to a cleaner. Included within the valve is a plunger attached to a spring, with the spring force opposing fluid flow through the valve. Flow sufficient to overcome the spring force compresses the spring, however, thereby moving the plunger within the tube and providing a dynamic indication of the rate of fluid flow. A diffuser and fluid release ports permit the valve to be adjusted to achieve a desired flow rate.

Automatic swimming pool cleaners and associated components

Discs for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs incorporate one or more flutes, or raised areas (arched protrusions), extending generally radially from adjacent their central portions to their peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, may include upturned areas (lips) between flutes, and both the discs and footpad may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces.

Fluted swimming pool cleaner discs

Discs and a footpad for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs incorporate upwardly-extending, non-truncated fins protruding radially from their peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, define a plurality of tongues for increased flexibility, and both the discs and footpad may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces. Also disclosed are discs having series of slits spaced along portions of their peripheries. Each such disc may be part of an assembly including a 'bib,' or cap, that too may be slitted if desired. The slits of each component, when present, permit its effective surface area to increase as the associated cleaner climbs the side of a swimming pool, enhancing the maneuverability of the cleaner. By contrast, unslitted portions of the cap seal, or cover, the slits present in the disc to provide adequate suction for the disc against the pool surface.

Swimming pool cleaner discs and assemblies

Discs and a footpad for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs incorporate upwardly-extending, non-truncated fins protruding radially from their peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, define a plurality of tongues for increased flexibility, and both the discs and footpad may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces.

Swimming pool cleaner discs

Discs for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs includes slots (or other suitable apertures) positioned near their rimmed peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, incorporate rounded edges or beads, and both the discs and associated footpads may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces.

Growing community of inventors

Boca Raton, FL, United States of America

Chris A Rice