Apparatus for facilitating maintenance of a pool cleaning device

• US 8,343,339 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2008
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Sumonthee, Jirawat
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Fred
• Application Number:
  US12/211,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20100065482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 210/167.1, 210/167.15, 210/167.16, 210/232, 210/416.1, 210/416.2, 15/17
• US Class Current: 210/167.16
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

Advantageous apparatus, are provided for facilitating maintenance of a automated pool cleaning device. More particularly, an improved automated pool cleaning device is provided, according to the present disclosure. The device, generally, includes a facially accessible quick-release roller assembly, a bucket-type filter assembly, and a windowed top access lid assembly. The improved roller assembly and filter assembly are easily accessible for maintenance purposes. Furthermore, the windowed lid assembly provides visual feedback as to when the filter assembly needs to be cleaned.

Claims

1. A top-accessible pool cleaner, comprising:

(a) a housing assembly having a closable top opening;

(b) a bucket-type filter assembly configured to be removably received by said housing assembly, said bucket type filter assembly including at least one intake channel for receiving unfiltered fluid and a vent channel for outflow of filtered fluid; and

(c) a motor, said bucket-type filter assembly including (i) a frame over said motor between said closable top opening and said motor, (ii) a body, and (iii) at least one filter element in secured arrangement with said frame, said at least one filter element cooperating with said body to define at least one intake flow region configured for fluid communication with said at least one intake channel, said at least one filter element at least partially defining a vent flow region configured for fluid communication with said vent channel;

wherein said body has a saddle-shaped elevation.

2. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein said at least one filter element, includes a plurality of filter elements defining said vent flow region therebetween.

3. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein said filter assembly includes a handle for lifting said filter assembly out from said housing assembly.

4. The pool cleaner of claim 1, comprising a roller assembly and a fluid passage (i) defined through said housing assembly and said filter assembly proximal said roller assembly and (ii) in fluid communication with said at least one intake region.

5. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein said at least one filter element includes a plurality of cartridge filters.

6. The pool cleaner of claim 1, including a lid movable between a first position allowing said filter assembly to be removably lifted out from said housing assembly and a second position further defining said at least one intake flow region.

7. A cleaner for use at least on a swimming pool or spa bottom and that provides for access to an interior of the cleaner through a top thereof, the cleaner comprising:

(a) a housing assembly including (i) a cleaner bottom wall with an intake aperture for receiving fluid to be filtered from a swimming pool or spa bottom, and (ii) a closable top opening;

(b) a motor; and

(c) a filter assembly configured to be removably received by said housing assembly through said closable top opening, said filter assembly including;

(i) a body with an intake channel for receiving fluid to be filtered from said intake aperture;

(ii) a first filter element having a top and configured to extend transversely with respect to said cleaner bottom wall and cooperate with said body to at least partially define an intake flow region for receiving fluid to be filtered from said intake channel;

(iii) a second filter element configured to face a direction toward said cleaner bottom wall and to extend along an elevation proximal said top of said first filter element, said second filter element cooperating with said first filter element to at least partially define a vent flow region configured to receive filtered fluid from said intake flow region; and

(iv) a frame over said motor between said closable top opening and said motor and configured to support said first and second filter elements.

8. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said first filter element comprises a cartridge filter.

9. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said filter assembly includes at least one finger element removably securing said first filter element with said frame.

10. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said frame includes a frame member configured to extend transversely with respect to said cleaner bottom to support said first filter element.

11. The cleaner of claim 10, wherein said first filter element is removably securable to said frame.

12. The cleaner of claim 10, wherein said frame includes a second frame member configured to support said second filter element.

13. The cleaner of claim 12, wherein said second frame member is configured to support said second filter element.

14. The cleaner of claim 12, wherein said second frame member of said removable filter assembly defines a vent channel configured to exhaust filtered fluid from said vent flow region.

15. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said cleaner bottom wall defines a second intake aperture and said body defines a second intake channel configured to receive fluid to be filtered from said second intake aperture.

16. The cleaner of claim 15, comprising a third filter element configured to extend transversely with respect to said cleaner bottom wall and cooperate with said body to at least partially define a second intake flow region configured to receive fluid to be filtered from said second intake channel.

17. The cleaner of claim 7, including a hinge and a lid movable about said hinge between an open position allowing said filter assembly to be removably lifted out from said housing assembly and a closed position in which said lid further defines said intake flow region.

18. The cleaner of claim 17, wherein said lid has first and second opposing ends, wherein said hinge is proximal said first end, and wherein said second end is provided with a latch mechanism with a button.

19. The cleaner of claim 7, including a handle for lifting up said filter assembly out from said housing assembly.

20. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said frame is integral with said body.

21. The cleaner of claim 20, wherein said vent flow region is between said first filter element and said second filter element.

22. The cleaner of claim 21, wherein said first filter element comprises a cartridge filter.

23. The cleaner of claim 21, wherein said filter assembly includes at least one finger element removably securing said first filter element with said frame.

24. The cleaner of claim 21, wherein said frame includes a frame member configured to extend transversely with respect to said cleaner bottom to support said first filter element.

25. The cleaner of claim 24, wherein said first filter element is removably securable to said frame.

26. The cleaner of claim 24, wherein said frame includes a second frame member configured to support said second filter element.

27. The cleaner of claim 26, wherein said second frame member is configured to support said second filter element.

28. The cleaner of claim 26, wherein said second frame member of said removable filter assembly defines a vent channel configured to exhaust filtered fluid from said vent flow region.

29. The cleaner of claim 21, wherein said cleaner bottom wall defines a second intake aperture and said body defines a second intake channel configured to receive fluid to be filtered from said second intake aperture.

30. The cleaner of claim 29, comprising a third filter element configured to extend transversely with respect to said cleaner bottom wall and cooperate with said body to at least partially define a second intake flow region configured to receive fluid to be filtered from said second intake channel.

31. The cleaner of claim 21, including a hinge and a lid movable about said hinge between an open position allowing said filter assembly to be removably lifted out from said housing assembly and a closed position in which said lid further defines said intake flow region.

32. The cleaner of claim 31, wherein said lid has first and second opposing ends, wherein said hinge is proximal said first end, and wherein said second end is provided with a latch mechanism with a button.

33. The cleaner of claim 21, including a handle for lifting up said filter assembly out from said housing assembly.

34. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said filter elements are formed of mesh with holes defined therethrough.

35. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said motor is positioned in said vent flow region at least partially between said cleaner bottom wall and said second filter element.

36. The cleaner of claim 7, including a hinge and a lid movable about said hinge between an open position allowing said filter assembly to be removably lifted out from said housing assembly and a closed position.

37. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said filter elements are removable with respect to said body.

38. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein said frame is sized and dimensioned to fit over a motor drive assembly including said motor to divide said vent flow region into a plurality of vent flow regions.