Undercarraige for automatic pool cleaner

• US 20040211450A1
• Filed: 06/16/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Pool Products, Inc. (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Pool Products, Inc. (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Stoltz, Herman
• Granted Patent: US 7,520,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/166R
• 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 () 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 comprising:

a body;

a wheeled undercarriage for the body;

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

the second section being pivotable in elevation relative to the first section.

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 [or claim 2] wherein the first 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 and wherein the second axle and third axle are mounted on a front assembly which is pivotable relative to the body.

4. A cleaner as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first axle is journaled to a rear part of the body and wherein the front assembly is pivotably mounted on a front region of the cleaner.

5. A cleaner as claimed in claim 3 [or claim 4] wherein the front assembly comprises first and second spaced arms between which the second and third axles extend.

6. A cleaner as claimed in claim 3 [any one of claims 3 to 5] wherein first and second axially spaced endless tracks are provided to extend about the first, second and third axles.

7. A cleaner as claimed in claim 6 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.

8. A cleaner as claimed in claim 7 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 said at least one axle.

9. A cleaner as claimed in claim 3 [any one of the preceding claims] wherein the first axle is driven by a turbine mounted in the body.

10. A cleaner as claimed in claim 9 wherein 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.

11. A cleaner as claimed in claim 9 [or claim 10] 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.

12. A cleaner as claimed in claim 11 wherein at least one track has 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.

13. A cleaner as claimed in claim 6 [any one of claims 6 to 12], comprising a clutch 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.

14. A cleaner as claimed in claim 13 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.

15. A cleaner as claimed in claim 13 [or claim 14] 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.

16. A cleaner as claimed in claim 13 [any one of claims 13 to 15] wherein the clutch comprises a ratchet wheel mounted on the third axle and a cooperating pawl mounted on the body, the pawl allowing the wheel to rotate in a first direction.

17. A cleaner as claimed in claim 16 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.

18. A cleaner as claimed in claim 9 [cleaned in any one of claims 9 to 17] wherein the turbine comprises three equi-spaced curved vanes.