Deflector for a pool cleaner sweep tail hose

Abstract

A pool cleaner having a sweep tail hose has a deflector at a downstream or discharge end thereof, wherein the deflector comprises a relatively flexible structure in comparison with the sweep tail hose. During normal submerged operation as the pool cleaner and sweep tail hose travel over submerged pool floor and side wall surfaces, water jetted from the sweep tail hose flows substantially without restriction through the deflector. However, when the discharge end of the sweep tail hose breaks the surface of water within the swimming pool, the relatively flexible deflector falls by gravity over the otherwise open discharge end of the sweep tail hose to deflect water jetted therefrom. Accordingly, the deflector effectively knocks down and prevents water jetted from the sweep tail hose from spraying over any significant distance or area of a surrounding pool deck region.

1 . A deflector for a pool cleaner sweep tail hose, comprising:
 a relatively flexible element, in comparison with the flexibility of the sweep tail hose, at a downstream end of the sweep tail hose, whereby said relatively flexible element falls by gravity to block and obstruct water discharged from the sweep tail hose, when the sweep tail hose breaks the pool water surface.   
   
   
       2 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein said relatively flexible element is adapted for mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose. 
   
   
       3 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a mounting collar adapted for mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, in combination with a plurality of flexible fingers extending in a downstream direction from said mounting collar. 
   
   
       4 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein said mounting collar is adapted for wrapped mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, and further comprising means for retaining said mounting collar in wrapped assembled relation with the sweep tail hose. 
   
   
       5 . The deflector of  claim 4  wherein said mounting means comprises interengageable hook and loop fastener elements. 
   
   
       6 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein said relatively flexible element is constructed from a silicon elastomer material. 
   
   
       7 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said flexible element is formed from a foam material. 
   
   
       8 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein said relatively flexible element is formed integrally with the downstream end of the sweep tail hose. 
   
   
       9 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a plurality of downstream-extending flexible fingers. 
   
   
       10 . The deflector of  claim 1  wherein said relatively flexible element defines a plurality of longitudinally elongated and radially spaced slots. 
   
   
       11 . In combination:
 a sweep tail hose for a pool cleaner, said sweep tail hose being adapted to pass a jet of water under pressure and to discharge said water jet from a downstream end thereof; and   a deflector generally at said downstream end of said sweep tail hose, said deflector defining a relatively flexible element in comparison with the flexibility of the sweep tail hose, at least a portion of said relatively flexible element trailing said sweep tail hose in a submerged state to substantially avoid blocking and obstructing water discharged therefrom, said relatively flexible element falling by gravity when the sweep tail hose downstream end breaks the water surface whereby the relatively flexible element extends generally across the sweep tail hose downstream end to block and obstruct water discharged therefrom.   
   
   
       12 . The deflector of  claim 11  wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a mounting collar adapted for mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, in combination with a plurality of flexible fingers extending in a downstream direction from said mounting collar. 
   
   
       13 . The deflector of  claim 12  wherein said mounting collar is adapted for wrapped mounting generally at the downstream end of the sweep tail hose, and further comprising means for retaining said mounting collar in wrapped assembled relation with the sweep tail hose. 
   
   
       14 . The deflector of  claim 11  wherein said relatively flexible element is constructed from a silicon elastomer material. 
   
   
       15 . The deflector of  claim 11  wherein said relatively flexible element is formed integrally with the downstream end of the sweep tail hose. 
   
   
       16 . The deflector of  claim 11  wherein said relatively flexible element comprises a plurality of downstream-extending flexible fingers. 
   
   
       17 . The deflector of  claim 11  wherein said relatively flexible element defines a plurality of longitudinally elongated and radially spaced slots.