Self-powered pool vacuum with remote controlled capabilities

• US 5,454,129 A
• Filed: 09/01/1994
• Issued: 10/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard T. Kell
• Original Assignee: Richard T. Kell
• Inventors: Kell, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBERTS JR, EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US08/299,341
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 15/1.7, 15/319
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

A self-powered pool vacuum with remote controlled capabilities. The vacuum including a head having a lower base in a generally rectangular configuration with side openings extending vertically therethrough and an enlarged leading edge. The head also includes an intermediate cover positionable over the base with a central aperture extending therethrough with an apertured peripheral flange and a gasket positionable between the flange and the base. Also included is a top cover positionable over the intermediate cover and base for constituting a plenum zone. The top cover includes an aperture for coupling to a suction hose and an antennae extending upwardly therefrom. A brush is peripherally positionable downwardly from the lower face of the base. Parallel axles extending transversely through the base with drive wheels on one of the axles. Steering wheels are pivotally coupled to others of the axles with a steering rod for pivoting the wheels to change directions. A drive motor is within the housing to rotate the drive wheels. A steering motor is provided for axially shifting the steering rods. A receiver is within the base to drive the steering motor in one direction or another in response to signals from the antennae and receiver.

Claims

1. A new and improved self-powered pool vacuum with remote controlled capabilities comprising, in combination:

a head having a lower base in a generally rectangular configuration having a closed bottom portion and upwardly extending side portions with passageways adjacent said side portions and extending through said bottom portion and extending to the upper edge of said side portions and an enlarged leading edge, the head also including an intermediate cover positionable over the base except for the passageways and an apertured peripheral flange with a gasket positionable between the flange and the base for the coupling therebetween, said intermediate cover forming with said bottom and side portions of said lower base an enclosed chamber and the head also including a top cover positionable over the intermediate cover and base for constituting a plenum zone for the withdrawing of air and water through said passageways, the top cover including an aperture for coupling to a suction hose and an antennae extending upwardly therefrom, the periphery of the base and top cover being coextensive, with the periphery of the intermediate cover being interiorly thereof;

a brush peripherally positionable downwardly from the lower face of the base;

parallel axles extending transversely from said chamber through the side portions of said chamber with drive wheels on one of the axles and steering wheels pivotally coupled to others of the axles with a steering rod for pivoting the wheels to change directions, the wheels extending downwardly to an elevation essentially equal to the lower edge of the brushes;

a drive motor within the enclosed chamber for rotating the drive axle to rotate the drive wheels to move the head along the floor of a pool for cleaning purposes;

a steering motor within said enclosed chamber with an output shaft having a pinion gear and a rack for axially shifting the steering rods;

a receiver within the enclosed chamber coupled between the antennae and the steering motor to drive the steering motor and rack in one direction or another in response to signals from the antennae and receiver;

a battery sealed within the base for powering the drive motor and the steering motor and the receiver; and

a control mechanism with an upstanding joy stick extending in a vertical orientation and movable to an angular orientation at the discretion of a user, the face of the control mechanism including indicia for movement of the joy stick forwardly, rearwardly, left, right or an off position for inactivating the drive of the head and an automatic position for allowing the movement of the head in a pre-programmed manner, the control mechanism also including an off/on switch.

2. A self-powered pool vacuum with remote controlled capabilities comprising:

a head having a lower base in a generally rectangular configuration having a closed bottom portion and upwardly extending side portions with passageways adjacent said side portions and extending through said bottom portion and extending to the upper edge of said side portions and an enlarged leading edge, the head also including an intermediate cover positionable over the base except for the passageways and an apertured peripheral flange with a gasket positionable between the flange and the base for the coupling therebetween, said intermediate cover forming with said bottom and side portions of said lower base an enclosed chamber, and the head also including a top cover positionable over the intermediate cover and base for constituting a plenum zone for the withdrawing of air and water through said passageways, the top cover including an aperture for coupling to a suction hose and an antennae extending upwardly therefrom, the periphery of the base and top cover being coextensive with, the periphery of the intermediate cover being interiorly thereof;

a brush peripherally positionable downwardly from the lower face of the base;

parallel axles extending transversely from said chamber through the side portions of said chamber with drive wheels on one of the axles and steering wheels pivotally coupled to others of the axles with a steering rod for pivoting the wheels to change directions, the wheels extending downwardly to an elevation essentially equal to the lower edge of the brushes;

a drive motor within the enclosed chamber for rotating the drive axle to rotate the drive wheels to move the head along the floor of a pool for cleaning purposes;

a steering motor within said enclosed chamber with an output shaft having a pinion gear and a rack for axially shifting the steering rods;

a receiver within the base coupled between the antennae and the steering motor to drive the steering motor and rack in one direction or another in response to signals from the antennae and receiver.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and further including:

a source of electrical potential for powering the drive motor and the steering motor and the receiver.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 and further including:

a control mechanism with an upstanding joy stick extending in a vertical orientation and movable to an angular orientation at the discretion of a user, the face of the control mechanism including indicia for movement of the joy stick forwardly, rearwardly, left, right or an off position for inactivating the drive of the head and an automatic position for allowing the movement of the head in a pre-programmed manner, the control mechanism also including an off/on switch.