Apparatus for Facilitating Maintenance of a Pool Cleaning Device

• US 20110302728A1
• Filed: 08/19/2011
• Published: 12/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Sumonthee, Jirawat
• Granted Patent: US 8,307,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

Advantageous apparatus, are provided for facilitating maintenance of a automated pool cleaning device. More particularly, an improved automated pool cleaning device is provided, according to the present disclosure. The device, generally, includes a facially accessible quick-release roller assembly, a bucket-type filter assembly, and a windowed top access lid assembly. The improved roller assembly and filter assembly are easily accessible for maintenance purposes. Furthermore, the windowed lid assembly provides visual feedback as to when the filter assembly needs to be cleaned.

Claims

1. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a housing assembly;

a roller in secured relationship with said housing assembly;

a plurality of end joints secured relative to ends of said roller; and

a plurality of mounts in secured arrangement with said housing assembly, said mounts and end joints cooperating to allow rotation of said roller and provide a quick-release mechanism for facially accessible detachment thereof.

2. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein said quick-release mechanism comprises a tongue and groove configuration.

3. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein said roller includes a core and an outer disposable brush.

4. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein said mounts include an axel for transferring a driving force to said roller.

5. The pool cleaner of claim 4, wherein said axel is in secured arrangement with a wheel assembly for transferring the driving force to said wheel assembly.

6. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a housing assembly with a drive transfer system; and

a roller assembly powered by said drive transfer system and including (a) a first mount extending along an axis in secured arrangement with said housing, and a second mount extending along said axis in secured arrangement with said housing, (b) a roller configured to clean a pool wall and provided with first and second end joints at ends of said roller, and (c) at least one facially-accessible fastener releasably securing at least one of said mounts with at least one of said end joints.

7. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein said first mount is in secured arrangement with a sidewall of said housing, and wherein said second mount is in secured arrangement with another sidewall of said housing.

8. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein at least one of said end joints includes a lipped protrusion received by said roller.

9. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein said roller includes a core receiving at least one of said end joints.

10. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein said at least one fastener is radially-extending.

11. The pool cleaner of claim 10, wherein said at least one fastener is unobstructed from release.

12. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein said at least one fastener is one of a pin, a screw, a rod, and a bolt.

13. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein at least one of said end joints includes a first tongue and groove element and a respective one of said mounts includes a second tongue and groove element corresponding with said first tongue and groove element.

14. The pool cleaner of claim 13, wherein said tongue and groove elements receive said at least one fastener to secure said at least one of said end joints with said respective one of said mounts.

15. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein said mounts include axels extending along said axis.

16. The pool cleaner of claim 15, wherein said axels are secured to wheel assemblies.

17. The pool cleaner of claim 16, wherein said roller assembly and said wheel assemblies are configured to rotate in cooperation around said axis.

18. The pool cleaner of claim 16, wherein said drive transfer system drives said roller assembly and said wheel assemblies.

19. The pool cleaner of claim 15, wherein said drive transfer system is in mechanical communication with said axels.

20. The pool cleaner of claim 15, wherein said drive transfer system includes at least one bushing assembly receiving at least one of said axels.

21. The pool cleaner of claim 20, wherein said drive transfer system includes at least one drive belt configured to turn said at least one bushing assembly.

22. The pool cleaner of claim 21, wherein said at least one drive belt is configured to be driven by a drive shaft.

23. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein a source of power for said drive transfer system is at least one of electrical power and other power.

24. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a housing assembly; and

a roller assembly including (a) a first mount having a first axel extending along an axis through a sidewall of said housing, and a second mount having a second axel extending along said axis through another sidewall of said housing, (b) a roller configured to clean a pool wall and provided with first and second end joints at ends of said roller, and (c) first and second facially-accessible fasteners releasably securing said first and second mounts with said first and second end joints.

25. The pool cleaner of claim 24, wherein said end joints include lipped protrusions, and where said roller includes a core receiving said lipped protrusions.

26. The pool cleaner of claim 24, wherein said housing system is provided with a drive transfer system including a bushing assembly positioned proximal one of said sidewalls and driving at least one of said axels.

27. The pool cleaner of claim 26, wherein said drive transfer system includes a drive belt configured to turn said bushing assembly.

28. The pool cleaner of claim 27, further comprising wheel assemblies secured to said axels.

29. The pool cleaner of claim 28, wherein said roller assembly and said wheel assemblies rotate in cooperation around said axis.

30. The pool cleaner of claim 29, wherein a source of power for said drive transfer system is at least one of electrical power and other power.

31. The pool cleaner of claim 24, wherein said end joints .each include a first tongue and groove element and a respective one of said mounts each include a second tongue and groove element corresponding with said first tongue and groove element, and wherein said tongue and groove elements receive said fasteners to secure said end joints with said respective one of said mounts.

32. The pool cleaner of claim 31, wherein said fasteners are radially-extending.

33. The pool cleaner of claim 32, wherein said fasteners are unobstructed from release.

34. The pool cleaner of claim 24, comprising a second roller.

35. The pool cleaner of claim 34, comprising wheel assemblies configured to rotate in cooperation with said second roller.