Cleaning apparatus for pool cleaning vehicle with endless loop track

• US 8,661,594 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2010
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wing-Kin Hui
• Original Assignee: Multi Wisdom Limited
• Inventors: Hui, Wing-kin, Hui, Wing-tak
• Primary Examiner(s): SCRUGGS, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US12/939,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20120102665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,217 Days
• Field of Search: 15/17, 15/521, 153/47, 153/83
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

Disclosed herein is cleaning structure attachable to a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV). In one exemplary embodiment the PCV has an endless loop track and a chassis therefore. The cleaning structure attaches to the chassis and acts as a cap covering the drive wheels and track. The cleaning structure includes a base and bristles extending outwardly therefrom. The bristles define fingers. In one embodiment, the fingers are of a uniform length. In another embodiment, the fingers are of a graduated length. Others embodiments include the fingers being distributed on the base in a random pattern.

In one embodiment, the cleaning structure defines a single insert. In another, the cleaning structure includes multiple inserts.

Claims

1. A cleaning structure attachable to a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV), the vehicle including a housing and the housing including members for moving the vehicle around the pool surface, the vehicle with the cleaning structure, comprising:

the members for moving the vehicle around the pool surface defining an endless loop track;

a chassis for the endless loop track, the chassis having an exterior and an interior;

a detachable cleaning insert attachable to the chassis for the endless loop track, the cleaning insert defining a plurality of bristles, the bristles outwardly extending from the endless loop track, the cleaning insert defining a single member which is attachable to the endless loop track; and

means for connecting the cleaning insert to the chassis for the endless loop track;

whereby, as PCV moves around the pool surface the bristles contact the surface of the pool and dislodge dirt and debris to facilitate thorough cleaning of the pool; and

means for connecting the cleaning insert to the endless loop track including the chassis having a race associated with the exterior surface of the track and the single member of the cleaning insert having a compatible race for force fit connection with the track race.

2. The cleaning insert as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cleaning insert defines a plurality of members which are attachable to the endless loop track.

3. The cleaning insert as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means for connecting the each cleaning insert to the endless loop track includes the endless loop female connectors and each cleaning insert having male connectors, which form a friction fit with the female connector.

4. The cleaning insert as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bristles of the cleaning insert define fingers and wherein each of the fingers are of the same length.

5. The cleaning insert as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bristles of the cleaning insert define fingers and wherein each of the fingers are of graduated lengths and wherein the longest fingers are along the centerline of the insert.

6. A submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) including cleaning inserts attachable to the PCV, the PCV with cleaning inserts comprising:

a housing;

the housing including a chassis;

means for moving the PCV connected to the chassis, the chassis having an exterior and an interior;

cleaning inserts, attachable to the means for moving the PCV, the cleaning inserts including a base and fingers extending outwardly from the base, the cleaning inserts defining a plurality bristles, the bristles outwardly extending from the endless loop track;

means for connecting the cleaning insert to the means for moving the PCV chassis, the base is force fit on the means for moving the PCV,

whereby, as the PCV moves around the pool surface the bristles contact the surface of the pool and dislodge dirt and debris to facilitate thorough cleaning of the pool.

7. The PCV with cleaning inserts as set forth in claim 6, wherein the means for moving the PCV comprises an endless loop track.

8. The PCV with cleaning inserts as set forth in claim 6, wherein there are two cleaning inserts for the PCV, one for either side of the PCV and each insert proximate to the means for moving the vehicle.

9. The PCV with cleaning inserts as set forth in claim 6, wherein the chassis for the means for moving the PCV is modified to accept multiple cleaning inserts and wherein the PCV includes multiple cleaning inserts, each insert capable of being force fit into the chassis, proximate the means for moving the PCV.

10. The PCV with cleaning inserts as set forth in claim 9, wherein the chassis for the means for moving the PCV is modified to accept 4 circular cleaning inserts on each side of the PCV and wherein the PCV includes 4 circular cleaning inserts for both sides of the PCV, and wherein each insert is capable of being force fit into the chassis, proximate the means for moving the PCV.