Undercarriage for automatic pool cleaner

• US 7,520,282 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pentair Pool Products, Inc. (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Stoltz, Herman
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIGGLEMAN, JASON PAUL
• Application Number:
  US10/482,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20040211450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,490 Days
• Field of Search: 15/17, 134/45
• US Class Current: 134/45
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/40 Gearings for reversal only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19665 Bevel gear type

Abstract

An automatic swimming pool cleaner includes a body (18) and a wheeled undercarriage (42) for the body. The undercarriage comprises a first submerged surface (14) engaging section (50) and a normally leading second section (52). The second section is pivotable in elevation (α) relative to the first section. The pivotable second section enables the cleaner to negotiate sharp corners between a floor (14) and a wall (16) of the pool and further lengths a wheelbase provided by the first section during reverse motion of the cleaner. A surface engaging brake (81) on the second section facilitates change of direction during reverse motion of the cleaner.

Claims

1. An automatic cleaner for surfaces submerged in a liquid, the surfaces including a substantially vertical wall of a pool, comprising:

a body;

a wheeled undercarriage for the body;

the wheeled undercarriage comprising a first submerged surface engaging section and a second section;

the second section being pivotable in elevation relative to the first submerged surface engaging section;

wherein the first submerged engaging surface section extends between a first axle on the body and a second axle,

wherein the second section extends between the second axle and a third axle,

wherein the second axle and the third axle are mounted on a front assembly which is pivotable relative to the body in order to engage and climb the substantially vertical wall of the pool,

wherein the first axle is coupled to a rear part of the body and wherein the front assembly is pivotably mounted on a front region of the cleaner,

wherein first and second axially spaced endless tracks are provided to extend about the first axle, the second axle, and the third axle,

wherein the first endless track extends about respective first wheels on the first, second and third axles and wherein the second endless track extends about respective axially spaced second wheels on the first, second and third axles, and

wherein a surface engaging roller is provided on at least one of the first, second and third axles to extend between the first and second wheels on the at least one of the first, second and third axles wherein the first axle is driven by a turbine mounted in the body, and the turbine is driven by liquid flowing through the cleaner body under the influence from a remote suction pump which is connectable to the body in order to clean the pool by filtration.

2. A cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second section leads the first section during normal forward motion of the cleaner.

3. A cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the front assembly comprises first and second spaced arms between which the second and third axles extend.

4. A cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine is connectable to the first axle via a gear change mechanism to cause the axle to rotate in a selected one of a first direction to cause the cleaner to move in a forward direction and a second direction to cause the cleaner to move in another direction.

5. A cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second axially spaced endless tracks have formations thereon to cooperate with formations on at least some of the wheels on the second and third axles to drive the second and third axles.

6. A cleaner as claimed in claim 1 comprising a ratchet wheel associated with one of the second and third axles for arresting the associated axle during reverse motion of the first axle, to enable the tracks to cause the front assembly to pivot from a first position to a second position.

7. A cleaner as claimed in claim 6 wherein when the front assembly is in the first position, the first section provides a short wheelbase and when the assembly is in the second position, the first section provides a longer wheelbase.

8. A cleaner as claimed in claim 6 wherein a surface engageable brake is provided on one of the first and second arms of the front assembly and wherein the assembly causes the brake to engage a surface while the assembly is pivoting towards the second position.

9. A cleaner as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ratchet wheel is mounted on the third axle, and further comprising a cooperating pawl mounted on the body, the pawl allowing the wheel to rotate in a first direction.

10. A cleaner as claimed in claim 9 wherein the body comprises a release mechanism for causing the pawl to release the ratchet wheel when the front assembly is in the second position.

11. A cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine eomprises three equi-spaced curved vanes.