US4642833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve assembly
Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
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Filing: 1985-06-28
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2005-06-28
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a valve assembly including a hollow body housing a tubular flexible diaphragm therein to provide a passage for fluid flow through the body. The assembly includes means whereby pressures within the diaphragm and in the chamber between the diaphragm and the hollow body are controlled so that, in use with fluid flowing through the diaphragm, it will be caused to automatically and repeatedly contract and expand. This will result in a pulsating flow of fluid through the assembly. Such a valve assembly finds particular application in a swimming pool cleaner operating off the reduced pressure provided by the pump for the conventional pool filtration plant and this invention includes a cleaner of this type including a valve assembly as set forth.
Inventors
- 👤 Andries J. Stoltz
- 👤 Dieter H. F. Kallenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:07
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H4/00; E04H4/14; E04H4/16; E04H4/1654; E04H4/1663; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7879; Y10T137/7888; Y10T137/7889; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A valve assembly comprising: a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet at least partly defined by a tubular member which is transversely contractible and expansible over at least part of its length to control the flow of fluid through the passage, the body forming a chamber around the tube and being made of elastic material less elastic than the contractible and expansible part of the tubular member; and means, responsive to variation in pressure internally and externally of the tubular member, for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A valve assembly comprising: a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet at least partly defined by a tubular member which is transversely contractible and expansible over at least part of its length to control the flow of fluid through the passage, the body forming a chamber around the tube and being made of elastic material less elastic than the contractible and expansible part of the tubular member; and means, responsive to variation in pressure internally and externally of the tubular member, for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the part of the tubular member which is contractable and expansible is circumferentially contractable and expansible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular part is made from elastomeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular member includes a flexible insert capable of contracting or expanding the flow passage through the body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular member includes parts of different flexibility.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the body forms a sealed chamber of compressible fluid around at least the contractable and expansible part of the tubular member to provide the means responsive to pressure internally and externally of the tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
A valve assembly comprising: a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet at least partly defined by a tubular member which is transversely contractibel and expansible over at least a portion of its length to control the flow of fluid through the passage; the body forming a chamber around the tube and including a flexible panel of material biased to be less flexible than the contractibel and expansible part of the tubular member; and means, responsive to variation in pressure internally and externally of the tubular member, for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A valve assembly comprising: a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet at least partly defined by a tubular member which is transversely contractibel and expansible over at least a portion of its length to control the flow of fluid through the passage; the body forming a chamber around the tube and including a flexible panel of material biased to be less flexible than the contractibel and expansible part of the tubular member; and means, responsive to variation in pressure internally and externally of the tubular member, for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
A swimming pool cleaner of the type wherein an interruption of the flow of water through the cleaner is utilized to prodive a propulsive force to cause the cleaner to move automatically across the surface to be cleaned characterized in that the flow path through the cleaner includes a valve assembly comprising: a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet at least partly defined by a tubular member which is transversely contractible and expansible over at least part of its length to control the flow of fluid through the passage, the body forming a chamber around the tube; and means, responsive to variation in pressure internally and externally of the tubular member, for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow passage, the means controlling the flow of fluid comprising a fluid path from the chamber externally of the tubular member into the fluid outlet downstream of the contractible and expansible part of the tubular member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
167 words
A swimming pool cleaner of the type wherein an interruption of the flow of water through the cleaner is utilized to prodive a propulsive force to cause the cleaner to move automatically across the surface to be cleaned characterized in that the flow path through the cleaner includes a valve assembly comprising: a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet at least partly defined by a tubular member which is transversely contractible and expansible over at least part of its length to control the flow of fluid through the passage, the body forming a chamber around the tube; and means, responsive to variation in pressure internally and externally of the tubular member, for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow passage, the means controlling the flow of fluid comprising a fluid path from the chamber externally of the tubular member into the fluid outlet downstream of the contractible and expansible part of the tubular member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which the part of the tubular member which is contractable and expansible is circumferentially contractable and expansible.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which the tubular part is made of elastomeric material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which the tubular member includes a flexible insert capable of contracting or expanding the flow passage through the body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which the tubular member includes parts of different flexibility.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which the body forms a sealed chamber of compressible fluid around at least the contractable and expansible part of the tubular member to provide the means responsive to pressure internally and externally of the tubular member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which the fluid path includes a secondary control valve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which the fluid path includes an inlet into the chamber from outside the body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A swimming pool cleaner as claimed in claim 15 in which the inlet through the outer chamber wall is controlled by a secondary valve.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for cleaning the submerged surface of a swimming pool, said device comprising: a head having an open mouth to fit against the surface to be cleaned, said head having an outlet for connection with a flexible hose to permit suction to be applied to the head from the hose to suck water through the head; and an automatic valve between said mouth and said outlet comprising a contractible tubular member adapted to contract sufficiently to create an interruption in water flow to said outlet, said interruption of flow being sufficient to produce a movement of said device along said submerged surface; said tubular member being a flexible tubular member enclosed in a chamber adapted to contain water and including a connection passage between said chamber and the suction source applied to said outlet.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for cleaning the submerged surface of a swimming pool, said device comprising: a head having an open mouth to fit against the surface to be cleaned, said head having an outlet for connection with a flexible hose to permit suction to be applied to the head from the hose to suck water through the head; and an automatic valve between said mouth and said outlet comprising a contractible tubular member adapted to contract sufficiently to create an interruption in water flow to said outlet, said interruption of flow being sufficient to produce a movement of said device along said submerged surface; said tubular member being a flexible tubular member enclosed in a chamber adapted to contain water and including a connection passage between said chamber and the suction source applied to said outlet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said tubular member is a flexible member enclosed in a closed chamber, and wherein said chamber is filled with a compressible fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said chamber is provided with an opening to the water of the pool surrounding said device when in use to permit said chamber to be filled with water.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said opening in said chamber is provided with a valve which will close when water is sucked from said chamber through said connection passage at a sufficient rate.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for cleaing the submerged surface of a swimming pool, said device comprising: a head having an open mouth to be disposed proximate the surface to be celaned and having an outlet for connection with a flexible hose to permit liquid to be sucked through the head by suction applied to the outlet; and an automatic valve between said mouth and said outlet including a contractible tubular member adapted to contract sufficiently to create an interruption in water flow to said outlet, said interruption of flow being sufficient to produce a movement of said device along said submerged surface, a chamber enclosing the tubular member and adapted to contain water at ambient pressure, and a passage for establishing pressure communication of the chamber with the outlet to provide for a reduction in pressure in the chamber below ambient upon interruption of liquid flow.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for cleaing the submerged surface of a swimming pool, said device comprising: a head having an open mouth to be disposed proximate the surface to be celaned and having an outlet for connection with a flexible hose to permit liquid to be sucked through the head by suction applied to the outlet; and an automatic valve between said mouth and said outlet including a contractible tubular member adapted to contract sufficiently to create an interruption in water flow to said outlet, said interruption of flow being sufficient to produce a movement of said device along said submerged surface, a chamber enclosing the tubular member and adapted to contain water at ambient pressure, and a passage for establishing pressure communication of the chamber with the outlet to provide for a reduction in pressure in the chamber below ambient upon interruption of liquid flow.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
160 words
A device for cleaning the submerged surface of a swimming pool, comprising: a head having an open mouth to be disposed proximate the surface to be cleaned, having an outlet to be coupled with a flexible hose, and having a passage defined between the mouth and the outlet to permit liquid to be drawn therethrough by suction applied to the outlet; the wall of said passage being defined at least in part by a flexible member for autonomous deflectable movement to sufficiently restrict said passage upon the application of suction to the outlet to create an interruption of liquid flow adequate to impart motive force to the head and move the head along the submerged surface; said flexible member being enclosed by a chamber adapted to contain water at ambient pressure, said chamber being in pressure communication with the suction applied to the outlet to cause a reduction in pressure in the chamber below ambient upon interruption of liquid flow.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
160 words
A device for cleaning the submerged surface of a swimming pool, comprising: a head having an open mouth to be disposed proximate the surface to be cleaned, having an outlet to be coupled with a flexible hose, and having a passage defined between the mouth and the outlet to permit liquid to be drawn therethrough by suction applied to the outlet; the wall of said passage being defined at least in part by a flexible member for autonomous deflectable movement to sufficiently restrict said passage upon the application of suction to the outlet to create an interruption of liquid flow adequate to impart motive force to the head and move the head along the submerged surface; said flexible member being enclosed by a chamber adapted to contain water at ambient pressure, said chamber being in pressure communication with the suction applied to the outlet to cause a reduction in pressure in the chamber below ambient upon interruption of liquid flow.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said chamber is provided with an opening to admit water of the pool surrounding said device when in use to permit said chamber to be filled with water.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said chamber is provided with an opening to admit water surrounding said device when placed in a pool for use, said opening being adapted to close when pressure is reduced within said chamber.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
227 words
A device for cleaning the submerged surface of a swimming pool, said device comprising: a head having an open mouth to be disposed proximate the surface to be cleaned and having an outlet for connection with a flexible hose to permit liquid to be sucked through the head by suction applied to the outlet; an automatic valve between said mouth and said outlet comprising a contractible tubular member adapted to contract sufficiently to create an interruption in water flow to said outlet, said interruption of flow being sufficient to produce a movement of said device along said submerged surface, the head including a body defining a chamber enclosing the tubular member and adapted to contain water at ambient pressure; the outlet of the head including first and second conduits of differing diameter concentrically disposed relative to one another to form an annulus, the first, inner conduit being in communication with the tubular member of the automatic valve and the second, outer conduit being attached to the body of the head; and a plate carried by the body of the head to define the downstream end of the chamber, said plate having a port opening therein to place the interior of the chamber in pressure communication with the annulus between the concentric pipes to provide for a reduction in pressure in the chamber upon interruption of liquid flow.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
227 words
A device for cleaning the submerged surface of a swimming pool, said device comprising: a head having an open mouth to be disposed proximate the surface to be cleaned and having an outlet for connection with a flexible hose to permit liquid to be sucked through the head by suction applied to the outlet; an automatic valve between said mouth and said outlet comprising a contractible tubular member adapted to contract sufficiently to create an interruption in water flow to said outlet, said interruption of flow being sufficient to produce a movement of said device along said submerged surface, the head including a body defining a chamber enclosing the tubular member and adapted to contain water at ambient pressure; the outlet of the head including first and second conduits of differing diameter concentrically disposed relative to one another to form an annulus, the first, inner conduit being in communication with the tubular member of the automatic valve and the second, outer conduit being attached to the body of the head; and a plate carried by the body of the head to define the downstream end of the chamber, said plate having a port opening therein to place the interior of the chamber in pressure communication with the annulus between the concentric pipes to provide for a reduction in pressure in the chamber upon interruption of liquid flow.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 25 wherein the plate has a plurality of port openings between the chamber interior and annulus of the conduits.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 25 wherein the outer conduit is attached by a bushing carried thereon and adapted to be inserted into a receptacle formed on the body of the head.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 25 wherein the bushing includes a fitting providing for rotation of the outer conduit about its longitudinal axis
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |