Automated swimming pool cleaner with stationary projecting pivot member
First Claim
1. A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surfaces of a pool or tank, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) reversible drive means for propelling the apparatus in opposite directions corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;
(b) a housing formed by a top wall, depending front and rear walls and depending side walls, the front, rear and side walls defining the periphery of the apparatus, said front wall being defined with respect to forward directional movement of the apparatus; and
(c) at least one stationary projecting pivot member affixed directly to the housing, wherein at least a portion of the at least one projecting pivot member projects outwardly beyond a peripheral side wall of the housing in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, said projecting pivot member having a free end formed of a frictional material having a high coefficient of friction, said frictional material being stationary with respect to the housing and serving as a pivot when it contacts a side wall of the pool that is adjacent the side wall of the housing from which said free end extends, to thereby pivotally change the orientation of the apparatus.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surfaces of a pool or tank in a predetermined regular pattern includes a reversible drive means for propelling the apparatus in opposite directions corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A housing is formed by a top wall, depending front and rear walls and depending side walls, where the side walls defining the periphery of the apparatus. At least one projecting pivot member extends from a side wall of the housing, wherein the end of the projecting pivot member serves as a pivot point in contact with a side wall of the pool to change the orientation of the apparatus with respect to the side wall of the pool.
114 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surfaces of a pool or tank, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) reversible drive means for propelling the apparatus in opposite directions corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus; (b) a housing formed by a top wall, depending front and rear walls and depending side walls, the front, rear and side walls defining the periphery of the apparatus, said front wall being defined with respect to forward directional movement of the apparatus; and (c) at least one stationary projecting pivot member affixed directly to the housing, wherein at least a portion of the at least one projecting pivot member projects outwardly beyond a peripheral side wall of the housing in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, said projecting pivot member having a free end formed of a frictional material having a high coefficient of friction, said frictional material being stationary with respect to the housing and serving as a pivot when it contacts a side wall of the pool that is adjacent the side wall of the housing from which said free end extends, to thereby pivotally change the orientation of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surfaces of a pool or tank, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) reversible drive means for propelling the apparatus in opposite directions corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus; (b) a housing formed by a top wall, depending front and rear walls and depending side walls, the front, rear and side walls defining the periphery of the apparatus, said front wall being defined with respect to forward directional movement of the apparatus; and (c) at least one stationary projecting pivot member that is directly affixed to the housing, wherein at least a portion of the at least one projecting pivot member projects outwardly beyond the periphery of a side wall of the housing in a direction that is generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, said projecting pivot member having a free end formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction, said free end being stationary with respect to the housing and serving as a pivot when it contacts a side wall of the pool to thereby rotatably change the orientation of the apparatus to a position in which the front wall of the apparatus faces towards the side wall of the pool contacted by the pivot member.
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18. A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surfaces of a pool or tank, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) reversible drive means for propelling the apparatus in opposite directions corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus; (b) a housing formed by a top wall, depending front and rear walls and depending side walls, the front, rear and side walls defining the periphery of the apparatus, said front wall being defined with respect to forward directional movement of the apparatus; and (c) at least one stationary projecting pivot member affixed directly to the housing and extending outermost beyond a peripheral side wall of the housing, wherein said at least one projecting pivot member extends generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, said projecting pivot member having a free end formed of a frictional material having a high coefficient of friction, said frictional material being stationary with respect to the housing and serving as a pivot when it contacts a side wall of the pool that is adjacent the side wall of the housing from which said free end extends, to thereby pivotally change the orientation of the apparatus such that as the apparatus moves, the apparatus is rotated with respect to the side wall of the pool being contacted. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification