Polaris Pool Systems Inc.

Zodiac Pool Systems LLC

Mark D Van Etten

Thomas E Veloskey

Christopher Edward Hatch

Gerhardus J Stoltz

Kevin J Braidic

Timothy D Herlehy

Isian S Monge

Christopher E Hatch

A floating skimmer is provided for use with a pool cleaner of the type powered by a suction or vacuum source, such as by connecting the pool cleaner via a vacuum hose or the like to the suction side of conventional pool water filtration equipment, wherein the floating skimmer is coupled along the vacuum hose and functions to collect debris picked up by the pool cleaner as well as floating debris such as leaves and the like on the pool water surface. The floating skimmer comprises a buoyant housing having a perforated collection basket therein defining a primary debris collection chamber adapted for in-line connection along the vacuum hose to capture debris entrained with water drawn from the suction-powered pool cleaner to the filtration system. The perforated basket additionally defines a secondary debris collection chamber for capturing floating surface debris drawn over at least one weir, with a flow control valve assembly regulating the weir surface flow to insure that a sufficient flow is drawn through the pool cleaner for proper pool cleaner operation. A water level regulator float responds to the water level within the skimmer housing to variably open and close submerged auxiliary intake ports therein to maintain the water level generally between predetermined maximum and minimum limits. The collection basket is mounted within the buoyant housing for quick and easy removal as needed to dispose of collected debris.

Floating skimmer

A pool cleaner is provided of the type powered by a suction or vacuum source, such as by connecting the pool cleaner via a vacuum hose or the like to the suction side of a conventional pool water filtration system. The pool cleaner comprises a compact housing carried on wheels for rolling movement along a submerged pool surface. A debris intake nozzle is formed at a lower end of the housing in close proximity with the pool surface, and communicates through a turbine chamber in the housing to the vacuum hose for water-borne vacuuming of debris from the pool surface. Water draw through the turbine chamber rotatably drives a turbine which in turn powers a drive train to rotatably drive the cleaner wheels together with a downforce fan for improved wheel traction. In addition, the drive train operates at least one timer cam for periodically actuating a reverse clutch assembly to drive at least one of the cleaner wheels in reverse for a brief time interval. The timer cam may also function to open a bypass door venting the turbine chamber to partially relieve the vacuum at the intake nozzle during the reverse drive mode.

Suction powered pool cleaner

Mounting collar for a pool cleaner filter bag

Growing community of inventors

Temecula, CA, United States of America

Mark D Van Etten