ADJUSTABLE INTAKE PORT FOR SUBMERSIBLE POOL AND TANK CLEANER
First Claim
1. A base plate for a self-propelled robotic cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank, the base plate having a bottom surface and a water inlet formed therethrough and further comprising:
- an inlet extension member configured to mount in the water inlet, the inlet extension member being slidably retractable and extendable in a direction that is normal relative to the bottom surface of the base plate; and
a height adjustment mechanism coupled to the inlet extension member and configured to move the inlet extension member upwardly and downwardly in the normal direction relative to the bottom surface of the base plate.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A base plate for a self-propelled robotic cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank. The base plate includes a bottom surface and a water inlet formed therethrough, and an inlet extension member configured to mount in the water inlet. The inlet extension member is slidably retractable and extendable in a direction that is normal relative to the bottom surface of the base plate. A height adjustment mechanism is coupled to the inlet extension member and configured to move the inlet extension member upwardly and downwardly in the normal direction relative to the bottom surface of the base plate. The height adjustment mechanism can be adjusted manually. Alternatively, at least one sensor is operably coupled to a controller to automatically control the height adjustment mechanism.
26 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A base plate for a self-propelled robotic cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank, the base plate having a bottom surface and a water inlet formed therethrough and further comprising:
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an inlet extension member configured to mount in the water inlet, the inlet extension member being slidably retractable and extendable in a direction that is normal relative to the bottom surface of the base plate; and a height adjustment mechanism coupled to the inlet extension member and configured to move the inlet extension member upwardly and downwardly in the normal direction relative to the bottom surface of the base plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for extending and retracting an inlet extension member associated with a water inlet formed in a base plate of a self-propelled robotic cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank, the cleaning apparatus including a housing having a front portion, an opposing rear portion and adjoining side portions defining an interior and exterior periphery of the cleaning apparatus;
- rotationally-mounted supports coupled proximate the front and rear portions of the housing, and a base plate having a bottom surface and a water inlet formed therethrough;
the inlet extension member configured to slidably mount in the water inlet to slidably retract and extend in a direction that is normal relative to the bottom surface of the base plate; and
a height adjustment mechanism coupled to the inlet extension member and configured to move the inlet extension member upwardly and downwardly in the normal direction relative to the bottom surface of the base plate; and
a sensor mounted to the housing and operably coupled to the height adjustment mechanism, said sensor operable to send control signals to an electronic controller having at least one input for receiving output signals from the sensor and an output for transmitting control signals to the height adjustment mechanism to control the distance the inlet extension member extends relative to the bottom surface of the base plate, the method comprising;moving the cleaning apparatus along a cleaning path on the submerged surface of the pool; sensing an obstacle which is protruding upward from the submerged surface of the pool along the cleaning path and ahead of the cleaning apparatus; and in response to sensing the obstacle, automatically retracting the inlet extension member into the base plate a predetermined distance prior to the cleaning apparatus contacting the obstacle along the cleaning path. - View Dependent Claims (19)
- rotationally-mounted supports coupled proximate the front and rear portions of the housing, and a base plate having a bottom surface and a water inlet formed therethrough;
Specification