Device for dislodging a submersible pool cleaner

• US 6,691,362 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2000
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brian Phillipson Family Trust, Pavel Sebor Family Trust
• Original Assignee: Phillipson Family Trust, Sebor Family Trust
• Inventors: Sebor, Paul, Phillipson, Brian H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Sr., Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Balsis, Shay
• Application Number:
  US09/626,006
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 15/17, 152/46, 154/04, 137/119.07, 137/119.03, 137/119.06
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1663 the propulsion resulting from an intermittent interruption of the waterflow through the cleaner

Abstract

A device is operably attached to a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering of the swimming pool cleaner away from obstacles within a swimming pool. The device includes a coupling slidably attached to the swimming pool cleaner near its hose coupling. An upper, generally horizontally positioned, resilient elongate bumper has its opposing ends affixed to the coupling to form the upper bumper into an arcuate shape extending partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner. A second resilient, elongate vertical bumper has one end attached to the upper bumper and an opposing end attached a weight assembly of the pool cleaner at a location proximate the sealing flange. A roller is attached to the vertical bumper near the upper bumper for rotation thereabout when the swimming pool cleaner encounters an obstacle such as a step from which it is to be dislodged.

Claims

1. A device operable with a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering away from obstacles within a swimming pool, the device comprising:

a coupling adapted for slidable attachment to a swimming pool cleaner;

a first resilient elongate bumper member having opposing end portions affixed to the coupling so as to form the first elongate member into an arcuate shape for extending at least partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner;

a second resilient elongate bumper member having a first end attached to the first resilient elongate bumper member and a second opposing end for attaching to the pool cleaner proximate a lower portion thereof; and

a roller rotatably attached to the second resilient elongate bumper member for rotation thereabout, the roller operable proximate the first resilient elongate bumper member.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises a ring adapted to be carried within a flanged circular portion of the swimming pool cleaner.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein first and second elongate bumper members comprise resilient plastic rods.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the roller comprises a cylindrical shaped roller.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the arcuate shape of the first elongate bumper member comprises opposing left and right lobe portions for extending along side portions of the swimming pool cleaner.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the arcuate shape of the first elongate bumper member comprises a central portion carried closer to a surface to be cleaned by the pool cleaner than the left and right side lobe portions.

7. A device operable with a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering away from obstacles within a swimming pool, the device comprising:

a coupling, adapted for attachment to a swimming pool cleaner;

a first resilient elongate bumper member having opposing end portions affixed to the coupling so as to form the first elongate member into an arcuate shape for extending at least partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner; and

a second resilient elongate bumper member having a first end attached to the first resilient elongate bumper member and a second opposing end for attaching to the pool cleaner proximate a lower portion thereof.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the coupling comprises a ring adapted to be carried within a flanged circular portion of the swimming pool cleaner.

9. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a roller rotatably attached to the second resilient elongate bumper member for rotation thereabout, the roller operable proximate the first resilient elongate bumper member.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the roller comprises a cylindrical shaped roller.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein first and second elongate bumper members comprise resilient plastic rods.

12. The device according to claim 7, wherein the arcuate shape of the first elongate bumper member comprises opposing left and right lobe portions for extending along side portions of the swimming pool cleaner.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the arcuate shape of the first elongate bumper member comprises a central portion carried closer to a surface to be cleaned when operable with the pool cleaner than the left and right side lobe portions.

14. A swimming pool cleaner comprising:

a forward inclined housing dimensioned for carrying a flow control valve therein for providing a vibratory movement, which vibratory movement results in a movement of the swimming pool cleaner in a direction of travel;

a flexible flange member attached to a lower housing portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned;

a ballast assembly carried by the housing and extending outward therefrom;

a hose coupling carried at an upper housing portion;

a coupling attached to the upper housing portion;

a first resilient elongate bumper member having opposing end portions affixed to the coupling so as to form the first elongate member into an arcuate shape for extending at least partially around a forward portion of the housing; and

a second resilient elongate bumper member having a first end attached to the first resilient elongate bumper member and a second opposing end attached to the ballast assembly.

15. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 14, further comprising a roller rotatably attached to the second resilient elongate bumper member for rotation thereabout, the roller operable proximate the first resilient elongate bumper member.

16. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 14, further comprising a flanged circular portion formed within the housing upper portion, and wherein the coupling comprises a ring adapted to be carried within the flanged circular portion.

17. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the first and second elongate bumper members comprise resilient plastic rods.

18. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the arcuate shape of the first elongate bumper member comprises opposing left and right lobe portions for extending along side portions of the swimming pool cleaner.

19. A swimming pool cleaner comprising:

a forward inclined housing dimensioned for carrying a flow control valve therein for providing a vibratory movement, which vibratory movement results in a movement of the swimming pool cleaner in a direction of travel;

a flexible flange member attached to a lower housing portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned;

a ballast assembly carried by the housing and extending outward therefrom;

a hose coupling carried at an upper housing portion;

a coupling attached to the upper housing portion; and

a first resilient elongate bumper member having opposing end portions affixed to the coupling so as to form the first elongate member into an arcuate shape for extending at least partially around a forward portion of the housing; and

a second resilient elongate bumper member having a first end attached to the first resilient elongate bumper member and a second opposing end attached to a lower portion of the pool cleaner.

20. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 19, further comprising:

a roller rotatably attached to the second resilient elongate bumper member for rotation thereabout, the roller operable proximate the first resilient elongate bumper member.

21. The swimming pool cleaner according to claim 19, wherein the arcuate shape of the first elongate bumper member comprises opposing left and right lobe portions for extending along side portions of the swimming pool cleaner.

22. A device operable with a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering away from obstacles within a swimming pool, the device comprising:

a coupling adapted for slidable attachment to a swimming pool cleaner;

a first resilient elongate bumper member having opposing end portions affixed to the coupling so as to form the first elongate member into an arcuate shape having left and right lobe portions for extending at least partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner;

a second resilient elongate bumper member having a first end attached to the first resilient elongate bumper member and a second opposing end for attaching to the pool cleaner proximate a lower portion thereof; and

a roller rotatably attached to the second resilient elongate bumper member for rotation thereabout, the roller operable proximate the first resilient elongate bumper member.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the arcuate shape of the first elongate bumper member comprises a central portion carried closer to a surface to be cleaned by the pool cleaner than the left and right side lobe portions.

24. The device according to claim 22, wherein the coupling comprises a ring carried about an upper portion of the swimming pool cleaner.

25. The device according to claim 22, wherein each of the first and second elongate bumper members comprise a resilient plastic rod.