초록 ▼

Disclosed are a plurality of different fasteners that can connect a vacuum pole14to an automatic pool cleaner12so that the user can selectively relocate and direct the pool cleaner12to locations in a pool18that were previously missed or not yet cleaned. The vacuum pole14is an extending cylindrical p

Disclosed are a plurality of different fasteners that can connect a vacuum pole14to an automatic pool cleaner12so that the user can selectively relocate and direct the pool cleaner12to locations in a pool18that were previously missed or not yet cleaned. The vacuum pole14is an extending cylindrical pole having a throughbore34wherein a pole attachment26having a similar construction may be inserted and secured, being held structurally by a compression clip44having securing pins32that compress to then extend through securing holes34, and frictionally by protrusions38that align into depressions40. Secured within, and extending outward from the pole attachments is a universal ball joint26connected within a connection member42cavity43to provide a highly maneuverable surface wherein a selected fastener may be attached. To connect the pole attachment's mating fastener to the automatic pool cleaner, a fastener attachment plate56is provided. The fastener attachment plate56has a bottom surface replicating the structure of the automatic pool cleaner12so that it may be attached by an adhesive28. The top surface of the plate56has the mating fastener for the pole attachment24.

대표청구항 ▼

Disclosed are a plurality of different fasteners that can connect a vacuum pole14to an automatic pool cleaner12so that the user can selectively relocate and direct the pool cleaner12to locations in a pool18that were previously missed or not yet cleaned. The vacuum pole14is an extending cylindrical p

Disclosed are a plurality of different fasteners that can connect a vacuum pole14to an automatic pool cleaner12so that the user can selectively relocate and direct the pool cleaner12to locations in a pool18that were previously missed or not yet cleaned. The vacuum pole14is an extending cylindrical pole having a throughbore34wherein a pole attachment26having a similar construction may be inserted and secured, being held structurally by a compression clip44having securing pins32that compress to then extend through securing holes34, and frictionally by protrusions38that align into depressions40. Secured within, and extending outward from the pole attachments is a universal ball joint26connected within a connection member42cavity43to provide a highly maneuverable surface wherein a selected fastener may be attached. To connect the pole attachment's mating fastener to the automatic pool cleaner, a fastener attachment plate56is provided. The fastener attachment plate56has a bottom surface replicating the structure of the automatic pool cleaner12so that it may be attached by an adhesive28. The top surface of the plate56has the mating fastener for the pole attachment24. ne end of said first tread portion being configured to engage a first support surface at a first elevation, a second end portion at an opposite end of said first tread portion having a first plurality of apertured flanges extending therefrom to form a first hinge set, and means forming at least one integrally molded box-beam disposed beneath and extending along substantially the entire length of said first tread portion;a second molded ramp component including an elongated generally planar second tread portion having its lateral extremities folded up, out and then down to form upstanding side rails and downwardly extending lateral side walls, a first end portion at one end of said second tread portion having a second plurality of apertured flanges extending therefrom to form a second hinge set, a second end portion at an opposite end of said second tread portion being configured to engage a second support surface at a second elevation higher than said first elevation, and means forming at least one integrally molded box-beam disposed beneath and extending along substantially the entire length of said second tread portion; andat least one pivot pin adapted to extend through the apertures in said first and second hinge sets so as to pivotally join said first molded ramp component to said second molded ramp component,wherein said first and second molded ramp components may be rotated about said pivot pin between a folded configuration with said first and second molded ramp components lying in parallel side-by-side relationship, and an extended configuration wherein said first and second molded ramp components lie within a common plane such that upon placement of said first end portion on a first surface and placement of said second end portion on a second surface, said assembly forms a ramp along which a pet can walk.2. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 and further comprising means for locking said first and second molded ramp components in at least one of said first and second configurations.3. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for locking includes a keeper affixed to said first end portion of said first molded ramp component and a latch affixed to said second end portion of said second molded ramp component, whereby when said first and second molded ramp components are in said folded configuration, said latch can engage said keeper to lock said components together.4. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first end portion of said first molded ramp component is beveled to mate with a first supporting surface when the assembly is in its extended configuration and inclined to extend between supporting surfaces at different elevations.5. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said second end portion of said second molded ramp component angularly intersects said second tread portion so as to matingly engage a second supporting surface at a higher elevation than the first supporting surface.6. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second tread portions have non-slip means affixed thereto to improve frictional engagement between a pet's paws and the surfaces of said tread portions.7. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said non-slip means is provided by ribs of resilient material formed on said tread portions and extending transversally thereacross.8. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein an array of apertures is formed in said tread portions for facilitating the formation of said ribs.9. A ramp assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said ribs are formed by placing first molds having a plurality of first channels formed therein and extending along the lengths of said tread portions into engagement with the bottom surfaces of said tread portions, said first channels being placed in registration with said apertures, and by placing second molds having a plurality of second channels formed