Swimming pool cleaner

• US 7,213,287 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2003
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smartpool Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Smartpool Incorporated
• Inventors: Hui, Joseph Wing-Tak
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham; Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US10/345,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20030159723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 15/17, 210/169, 210/167.16
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

A self-propelled swimming pool cleaner which randomly covers the bottom of the pool. Water pumped from the bottom of the unit filters dirt carried thereby, then uses the pumped water to propel the device either forward or backward. A pivoted front axle causes the path of the unit to vary when changing from forward to backward so that the unit randomly covers the entire pool bottom. Spring loaded doors may be provided to allow water to exit when the unit is lifted out of the pool. A sealed motor unit has a metal portion to transfer heat from the motor.

Claims

1. A swimming pool cleaner, comprising:

a hollow body mounted on wheels;

a pump for moving water from the pool into the hollow body and outwardly again;

a filter for removing dirt from water pumped into said body;

inwardly swinging doors mounted on the bottom of said body for allowing water to enter;

outwardly swinging spring loaded doors constructed of a rigid material and mounted on said hollow body for allowing water that has been filtered to include dirt removed from the swimming pool to exit when the swimming pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool by the weight of the water acting against the outwardly swinging spring loaded doors to open the outwardly swinging spring loaded doors when the swimming pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool.

2. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said outwardly swinging spring loaded doors are mounted on sides of the hollow body.

3. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said inwardly swinging doors are spring loaded.

4. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 3, wherein spring loaded inwardly swinging doors are a check valve for preventing water contained within the hollow body to exit from the inwardly swinging doors when the pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool.

5. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the inwardly swinging doors permit a suction from the pump to open the inwardly swinging doors during use within the pool to permit a flow of water through the filter for filtering dirt therefrom.

6. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 1, and further including handles mounted on side portions of the hollow body for grasping the pool cleaner.

7. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the outwardly swinging doors are mounted adjacent to the handles.

8. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 1, wherein when the swimming pool cleaner is disposed in the swimming pool, the weight of the water within the swimming pool and the springs maintain the outwardly swinging spring loaded doors in a closed position.

9. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 8, wherein when the swimming pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool, the outwardly swinging spring loaded doors act against a spring force maintaining the outwardly swinging spring loaded doors in a closed position for permitting water that has been filtered to include dirt to be exit from the swimming pool cleaner.

10. A swimming pool cleaner, comprising:

a hollow body mounted on wheels;

a pump for moving water from the pool into the hollow body and outwardly again;

a filter for removing dirt from water pumped into said body;

at least one inwardly swinging door mounted on the bottom of said hollow body for allowing water to enter into a space formed within the hollow body;

at least one outwardly swinging spring loaded door constructed of a rigid material and being mounted on said hollow body for allowing water that has been filtered to include dirt removed from the swimming pool to exit when the swimming pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool by the weight of the water within the hollow body acting against the at least one outwardly swinging spring loaded door to open the at least one outwardly swinging spring loaded door when the swimming pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool.

11. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 10, wherein said at least one outwardly swinging spring loaded door is mounted on a side of the hollow body.

12. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 11, wherein said at least one inwardly swinging door is spring loaded.

13. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the at least one spring loaded inwardly swinging door is a check valve for preventing water contained within the hollow body to exit from the inwardly swinging doors when the swimming pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool.

14. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the at least one inwardly swinging door permit a suction from the pump to open the at least one inwardly swinging door during use within the pool to permit a flow of water through the filter for filtering dirt therefrom.

15. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 10, and further including handles mounted on side portions of the hollow body for grasping the swimming pool cleaner.

16. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the at least one outwardly swinging door is mounted adjacent to the handles.

17. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 10, wherein when the swimming pool cleaner is disposed in the swimming pool, the weight of the water within the swimming pool and the springs maintain the at least one outwardly swinging spring loaded door in a closed position.

18. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 17, wherein when the swimming pool cleaner is removed from the swimming pool, the at least one outwardly swinging spring loaded door acts against a spring force maintaining the outwardly swinging spring loaded doors in a closed position for permitting water that has been filtered to include dirt to exit from the swimming pool cleaner.