Apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces

• US 4,193,156 A
• Filed: 11/24/1978
• Issued: 03/18/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kreepy Krauly USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Daniel Jean Velere Denis Chauvier
• Inventors: Chauvier, Fernand L. O. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roberts, Edward L.
• Application Number:
  US05/963,529
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 15/1.7, 15/319, 15/320, 15/321, 15/322, 15/338, 15/375, 15/397, 15/399, 15/415, 15/417-422
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1663 the propulsion resulting from an intermittent interruption of the waterflow through the cleaner

Abstract

This invention provides improvements to apparatus for automatically cleaning surfaces submerged in a liquid. Thus, there is provided an apparatus having a pivotally displaceable float by means of which the apparatus is caused to turn around when migrating up an upright surface so as not to break the surface of the liquid. The pivotal axis of the float is further tiltable, a tilting float being provided to tilt the pivotal axis to assist in displacing the float. The apparatus further has a sealing flange which has perimetral concertina-like folds so as to be resiliently extensible. Still further, the apparatus has a cleaning head, the region thereof that engages the surface to be cleaned having zones with differing frictional characteristics to cater for various surfaces. In a preferred embodiment this is effected by providing sockets in the cleaning head in which studs having the required frictional characteristics are secured.

Claims

1. A flexible disc for a cleaning head of an apparatus that cleans a surface submerged in a liquid, said cleaning head including a mouth engageable with the surface to be cleaned, said disc comprising

a substantially planar member fabricated from a resiliently flexible material, said member including a central aperture within which said cleaning head is receivable for detachably interconnecting said disc and said cleaning head,

a series of concertina-like folds in an outer annular portion of said disc, said concertina-like folds extending radially outward relative to said central aperture, and said concertina-like folds permitting the outer periphery of said disc to be resiliently extensible around the outer periphery of said disc, and

a series of grooves in one surface of said disc which extend from the outer periphery of said disc through said outer annular portion into an inner annular portion of said disc, said grooves also extending radially outward relative to said central aperture, and said grooves being located in that disc surface adapted to engage the surface to be cleaned,

said flexible disc cooperating with said cleaning head during use of said apparatus for retaining said mouth in cleaning proximity with the surface to be cleaned and for assisting in removal of dirt from that surface.