Pool filter systems including pool jet fittings

Abstract

Disclosed is a pool jet fitting configured to direct flow of water in a closed loop pool pumping filtration system. The pool jet fitting may include a housing, and a valve positioned in the housing. The housing may include a housing body that defines a bore that extends through the housing body. The housing body may include a coupler that is configured to mate with a coupler of a wall mount so as to releasably couple the housing to the wall mount. The valve may be positioned in the bore of the housing and may be configured to receive water flow from a water pump. The valve may define an adjustable opening having a dimension capable of automatically adjusting between a first dimension and a second dimension to facilitate a predetermined outflow velocity of the water received from the pump.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A valve configured for a pool jet fitting that is configured to direct a flow of water into a pool, the valve comprising:
 a valve body including an input end, an output end spaced from the input end in a first direction, a plurality of flexible members that converge toward a central axis, and an adjustable opening, each flexible member including a proximal end and a distal end opposed to the proximal end, each distal end being spaced apart from the central axis along a second direction that is perpendicular to the central axis so as to define the adjustable opening, the adjustable opening having a first dimension that extends from a first distal end of the plurality of flexible members to a second distal end of the plurality of flexible members along the second direction, and through the central axis, and an entirety of the adjustable opening being unobstructed,   wherein the valve is configured such that a force applied to the plurality of flexible members along the first direction causes the adjustable opening to transition between the first dimension and a second dimension that is greater than the first dimension.   
     
     
         2 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the first dimension is centered about the central axis and is capable of automatically increasing from a nonzero first dimension to a second dimension that is greater than the first. 
     
     
         3 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible members include an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, wherein the plurality of flexible members are configured to flex in response to the force applied to the inner surface, wherein the force is the impingement of the flow of water when the valve is disposed on the pool fitting and water is flowing through the pool jet fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The valve according to  claim 1 , where application of the force causes the plurality of flexible members to flex outwardly away from the central axis to thereby increase the first dimension of the adjustable opening to the second dimension. 
     
     
         5 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve further includes a plurality of extendable sections, each extendable section being coupled to a respective pair of adjacent members of the plurality of flexible members. 
     
     
         6 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein each flexible member is wedge shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve body includes a plurality of slits, wherein an adjacent pair of the plurality of slits define a respective one of the plurality of flexible members. 
     
     
         8 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the first dimension is about 0.25 inches and the second dimension is about 1.25 inches. 
     
     
         9 . A pool jet fitting configured to direct flow of water, the pool jet fitting comprising:
 a valve defining an adjustable opening configured to permit the flow of water to pass therethrough, the adjustable opening defining a dimension that is centered along a central axis and is unobstructed along an entirety of the dimension so that water is flowable therethrough, and the adjustable opening is capable of automatically adjusting between a first dimension and a second dimension so as to facilitate a predetermined outflow velocity of the water from the valve, wherein the adjustable opening is unobstructed in the first dimension and the second dimension so as to permit the flow of water to pass therethrough.   
     
     
         10 . The pool jet fitting according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible members include an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, wherein the plurality of flexible members are configured to flex in response to the impingement of the flow of water on the inner surface of the flexible members when the valve is disposed on the pool jet fitting and water is flowing through the pool jet fitting. 
     
     
         11 . The pool jet fitting according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality flexible members are configured to flex away from the central axis to thereby increase the first dimension of the adjustable opening. 
     
     
         12 . The pool jet fitting according to  claim 9 , wherein the first dimension is about 0.25 inches and the second dimension is about 1.25 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The pool jet fitting according to  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined outflow velocity is a range of velocities. 
     
     
         14 . The pool jet fitting according to  claim 9 , further comprising a housing including a housing body and a bore that extends through the housing body, wherein the valve is aligned the bore along the central axis, the housing body including a coupler that is configured to be releasably coupled to a wall mount, the bore configured to receive a flow of water from a water pump when the housing is coupled to the wall mount and the water pump pumps the water flow. 
     
     
         15 . The pool jet fitting according to  claim 14 , wherein the dimension of the adjustable opening is capable of automatically adjusting in response to a change in the output of the water pump. 
     
     
         16 . The pool jet fitting according to  claim 14 , wherein (i) the water pump is a variable flow water pump that is capable of pumping the water at different flow rates, and (ii) the predetermined outflow velocity is maintained within a predetermined range of velocities as the flow rate of the variable flow water pump changes.