Sta-rite Industries Inc.

Gary L Brooks

Christopher S Labak

Terrel F Spencer

Automatic swimming pool cleaner

The invention is an improvement in a known cylindrical, annular fluid filter cartridge of the type having a lower end cap supporting spaced, concentric filter elements. The spaced elements define an effluent path therebetween. In known cartridges of the foregoing type, the inner and outer perimeters of the end cap (or either of them) have a significant circumferential 'Perimeter of engagement' which seats into a pocket with friction fit. As a result, significant force is required to remove a cartridge, especially a large cartridge, from the housing. The improvement comprises a channel (either a tube-like riser or a manifold) and a discharge port for receiving effluent, e.g., filtered water, from the effluent path. The discharge port (with its relatively small perimeter of engagement) is configured and arranged for attachment to and detachment from an outlet vent located near the bottom of the cartridge housing. Because of the relatively small engagement perimeter of the discharge port (and the resulting reduced 'frictional' forces), even large water-soaked cartridges are much more easily removed from the housing as when cleaning or replacing the cartridge.

Filter cartridge

An improved tank clamping mechanism includes a first tank shell which has at least one first flange projecting from it. The first flange has a first aperture configured to restrain an abutment member. A second tank shell has a second flange projecting from it which is positioned in general registry with the first flange. The second flange includes a second aperture in general registry with the first aperture and similarly configured to restrain the abutment member. A clamping assembly includes a clamp, an abutment member received in the two apertures and an adjusting means. The clamp is configured to engage the first flange and the second flange and urge the flanges toward clamped engagement with one another as the clamp is urged toward the abutment member by manipulating the adjustment means. The tank shells are thereby clamped together for confining a pressurized medium therewithin.

Tank clamping mechanism

A cartridge filter in a fluid system includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a filter assembly that includes a pair of concentric, telescoped filter elements positioned within the housing. Fluid from the inlet flows from outside and from inside the assembly radially in opposite directions through the filter elements to the region between the elements, which region communicates with the outlet. The pressure differentials resulting from flow through the filter elements results in radially directed forces tending to collapse the elements toward one another. A fluid carrier element positioned between the filter elements communicates with the housing outlet and maintains a distance between the concentric filter elements while allowing radial and longitudinal flow of filtered fluid to the outlet. The carrier element in maintaining a distance between the filter elements, transmits the radially directed forces exerted on the filter elements by the pressurized fluid thereby substantially cancelling the forces and preventing collapse of the filter elements.

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Lake Geneva, WI, United States of America

Gary L Brooks