Contact forcing fins for swimming pool brushes and the like

Abstract

A pool cleaning implement for cleaning a submerged surface is provided that includes an implement body having a coupling shank attached thereto and an elongate pole connected to the coupling shank. A fin is also connected to the implement body, such that a force generating portion of the fin is aligned along a line that is transverse to the length of the implement body, wherein the force generating portion of the fin urges the implement into contact with the submerged surface in response to movement of the implement in a selected direction along the submerged surface

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pool cleaning implement for cleaning a submerged surface, the implement comprising: 
 an implement body;    a coupling shank attached to the implement body in which an elongate pole can be connected to the implement body; and    a fin connected to the implement body, such that a force generating portion of the fin is aligned along a line that is transverse to the length of the implement body, wherein the force generating portion of the fin urges the implement into contact with the submerged surface in response to movement of the implement in a selected direction along the submerged surface.    
     
     
         2 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin extends upwardly from the implement body generally in the same direction as the coupling shank.  
     
     
         3 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin is aligned along a line that is transverse to the length of the implement body at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the width of the body.  
     
     
         4 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the fin is mounted to the implement body.  
     
     
         5 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling shank includes a connecting member that is mounted to the implement body and the fin includes a mounting margin that is mounted between the connecting member and the implement body.  
     
     
         6 . The implement of  claim 5 , further comprising a stiffening strip mounted between the connecting member and the mounting margin.  
     
     
         7 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling shank includes outwardly biased, retractable pins.  
     
     
         8 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the pool cleaning implement is a pool cleaning brush having bristles that extend from the body in a pattern along a vertical axis of the brush body.  
     
     
         9 . The implement of  claim 8 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin is biased in a direction that is generally away from the coupling shank.  
     
     
         10 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the fin is rotatably connected to the implement body.  
     
     
         11 . The implement of  claim 9 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin is aligned along a line that is transverse to the length of the implement body at an angle of approximately 45°.  
     
     
         12 . A pool cleaning implement for cleaning a submerged surface, the implement comprising: 
 an implement body;    a coupling shank attached to the implement body by which an elongate pole is removably connectable to the body; and    a fin connected to the implement body, such that a force generating portion of the fin is aligned along a line that is transverse to a vertical axis of the implement body, wherein the force generating portion of the fin urges the implement into contact with the submerged surface in response to movement of the implement in a selected direction along the submerged surface.    
     
     
         13 . The implement of  claim 12 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin extends upwardly from the implement body generally in the same direction as the coupling shank.  
     
     
         14 . The implement of  claim 12 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin urges the implement into contact with the submerged surface in response to movement of the implement in a direction that is generally away from the coupling shank.  
     
     
         15 . The implement of  claim 12 , wherein the fin is rotatably connected to the implement body.  
     
     
         16 . The implement of  claim 15 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin is biased in a direction that is generally away from the coupling shank.  
     
     
         17 . The implement of  claim 16 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin urges the implement into contact with the submerged surface in response to movement of the implement in a direction that is generally towards the coupling shank.  
     
     
         18 . A pool cleaning brush for cleaning a submerged surface, the brush comprising: 
 a brush body having bristles that extend generally along a vertical axis of the brush body    a coupling shank attached to the brush body by which an elongate pole is removably connectable to the body; and    a fin connected to the brush body, such that a force generating portion of the fin is aligned along a line that is transverse to the brush bristles, wherein the force generating portion of the fin urges the brush bristles into contact with the submerged surface in response to movement of the brush in a selected direction along the submerged surface.    
     
     
         19 . The brush of  claim 18 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin extends upwardly from the implement body generally in the same direction as the coupling shank.  
     
     
         20 . The implement of  claim 18 , wherein the fin is rotatably connected to the implement body.  
     
     
         21 . The implement of  claim 20 , wherein the force generating portion of the fin is biased in a direction that is generally away from the coupling shank.  
     
     
         22 . An accessory useful in association with a cleaning implement attached to the end of an elongate handle for movement along a submerged surface in response to motion of the handle by a person at or near other end of the handle, the accessory functioning in response to such movement to generate forces which urge the implement into contact with the submerged surface, the accessory comprising a base element having a mating surface dimensioned and concavely shaped concentric to an axis thereof for stable mating with the exterior of the handle proximate to the implement, the base element defining a pair of coaxially aligned holes adapting the accessory, for stable connection to the handle with its concave surface mated to the handle, a fin connected to the base element and having a length extending transversely of the mating surface axis, the fin having a force generating surface which in a direction transversely of the fin length has a desired angular relation to the mating surface axis; the axis of the accessory's mating surface being located substantially centrally of the length of the fin.  
     
     
         23 . An accessory according to  claim 22  in which the transverse extent of the fin is inclined relative to the mating surface axis by an angle of about 15°.  
     
     
         24 . An accessory according to  claim 22  in which the fin is fixedly connected to the base element.  
     
     
         25 . An accessory according to  claim 22  in which the fin is movably connected to the base element.  
     
     
         26 . An accessory according to  claim 25  in which the connection of the fin to the base element is a spring biased connection.  
     
     
         27 . An accessory according to  claim 22  in which the line along which the holes are aligned is parallel to the length of the fin.  
     
     
         28 . An accessory according to  claim 22  in which the base element is defined as a collar for encircling the handle.  
     
     
         29 . An accessory according to  claim 22  in which the base element is defined substantially as a saddle.