FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cleaners for water-containing vessels such as swimming pools and spas, and more particularly to automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) for swimming pools and spas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous cleaning devices capable of autonomous movement within swimming pools and spas currently exist. The most common of these devices are APCs, which often are either hydraulic or robotic in type. Hydraulic cleaners vary water flow for movement, while robotic cleaners typically employ electric motors to cause motion. Hydraulic APCs, furthermore, subdivide into “pressure-side” and “suction-side” cleaners, with pressure-side cleaners being fluidly connected to outputs of pumps of pool water circulation systems and suction-side cleaners being fluidly connected to inputs of such pumps.
SUMMARY
The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.
According to certain embodiments, a turbine positionable on a bottom portion of an APC includes a shaft, a body with a plurality of blades at a first end of the shaft, and a gear at a second end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the body includes a non-uniform height such that a maximum height of the plurality of blades is at a center axis of the turbine.
According to various embodiments, a turbine positionable on a bottom portion of an APC includes a plurality of blades arranged around a center axis of the turbine, and the turbine has a non-uniform height with a maximum height of the plurality of blades at the center axis.
According to some embodiments, a turbine positionable on a bottom portion of an APC includes a plurality of blades arranged around a center axis of the turbine, and each blade of the plurality of blades has a convex curvature.
According to certain embodiments, an APC includes (a) a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned, (b) two wheels, each wheel at an opposing end of the body, and (c) a turbine on a bottom portion of the body with a non-uniform height such that the turbine is within a perimeter of one of the two wheels.
According to certain embodiments, an APC includes (a) a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned, (b) a turbine on a bottom portion of the body, and (c) a skirt attached to the body proximate to a front of the body. In some cases, the skirt is movable between a closed position and an open position, and, in the open position, the skirt is configured to redirect water flow from the turbine.
According to various embodiments, an APC includes (a) a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned and including a wheel perimeter at an end of the body, (b) a turbine on a bottom portion of the body, and (c) a skirt attached to the body. The skirt may be movable between a closed position and an open position, and, in the open position, the skirt extends outside of the wheel perimeter.
According to certain embodiments, an APC includes a body, a turbine, and drive assembly for rotating the turbine. In some cases, the body is configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned, and the turbine is provided on a bottom portion of the body. The drive assembly may include a gearbox with a gearbox miter gear and a drive assembly miter gear interfacing with the gearbox miter gear and for causing rotation of the turbine. In some embodiments, the drive assembly miter gear is biased into contact with the gearbox miter gear.
According to various embodiments, an APC includes a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned and a turbine on a bottom portion of the body and including a first miter gear. The APC additionally includes a drive assembly for rotating the turbine, and the drive assembly includes a second miter gear interfacing with the first miter gear and configured to cause rotation of the turbine. In some embodiments, a shaft of the second miter gear is locked from rotation.
According to some embodiments, an APC includes a gearbox with a gearbox miter gear and a drive assembly miter gear interfacing with the gearbox miter gear. IN some cases, the drive assembly miter gear is biased into contact with the gearbox miter gear.
According to certain embodiments, an APC includes a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned and defining an inlet. The APC also includes a wheel assembly supported at a first end of the body. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly includes a wheel bearing cartridge mounted to the body and including a support aperture for receiving a fastener. The wheel assembly additionally includes at least one bearing within the wheel bearing cartridge and a wheel supported by the at least one bearing. In various embodiments, the wheel includes an end face with at least one end face aperture, and the end face aperture is configured to align with the support aperture to provide access to the support aperture.
According to some embodiments, a wheel assembly for an APC includes a wheel with an end face and at least one end face aperture defined in the end face and a wheel bearing assembly attached to a side of the wheel opposite from the end face. In some embodiments, the wheel bearing assembly includes a cartridge and at least one bearing, and the housing includes at least one support aperture for receiving a fastener. In certain embodiments, the at least one end face aperture is configured to align with the at least one support aperture based on rotation of the wheel.
According to certain embodiments, an APC includes a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned and a lid hingedly attached to the body. In various embodiments, the lid may selectively prevent or provide access to an interior of the body. In some embodiments, the APC includes a latch assembly with a latch, and the latch assembly may selectively retain the lid in a closed position relative to the body. In certain embodiments, the latch assembly may convert vertical motion to rotational motion to disengage the latch from the lid.
According to some embodiments, an APC includes a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned and a turbine on a bottom portion of the body. The turbine includes a plurality of blades with a non-uniform height, and a maximum height of the plurality of blades is at a center axis of the turbine. In some embodiments, at least one brush extension extends outwards from at least one blade of the plurality of blades.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
FIG. 1 illustrates an APC according to embodiments.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 3 illustrates a latch assembly of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 6 illustrates a wheel assembly of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of the wheel assembly of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 9 is another side view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 16 illustrate a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 18 illustrates a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 19 illustrates a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a portion of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
FIG. 22 is a side view of the APC of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Described herein are improved APCs, and more particularly improved components of such APCs. Improved components described herein may include, but are not limited to, turbines (or scrubbers), drive assemblies for turbines, wheel assemblies, flow impeding flaps or skirts, and/or lid assemblies. Such components may provide compact and modular APCs that may provide improved cleaning while also being easily assembled or disassembled (e.g., for maintenance or repair) as desired. Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems, devices, and methods provided herein, and the aforementioned advantages should not be considered limiting.
FIGS. 1-22 illustrate an example of an APC 100 according to embodiments. The APC 100 generally includes a body 102, an optional lid 104, one or more motive assemblies 106, one or more turbines 108, and a drive assembly that utilizes the pump of the APC 100 for driving the one or more motive element 106 and/or the one or more turbines 108. In some embodiments, the APC 100 may include one or more skirts 110. In other embodiments, the APC 100 may include fewer and/or additional components as desired, such as but not limited to a controller, a filter assembly, a communication module, combinations thereof, and/or other components as desired. In some embodiments, the APC 100 may include one or more components such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,920,546 to van der Meijden, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 10,480,205 to van der Meijden, et al., both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The body 102 of the APC 100 generally includes a first end 112, a second end 114, a front side 116, and a back side 118. In some embodiments, the body 102 may have a generally cylindrical profile or shape, although in other embodiments, the body 102 may have other shapes or profiles as desired. The body 102 of the APC 100 includes one or more inlets 120 for receiving water of a swimming pool or spa and one or more outlets 122 through which water may exit the APC 100. In the embodiment illustrated, the APC 10 includes one inlet 120 and one outlet 122. Conduit 121 and/or other hosing may be attachable to the outlet 122 using various mechanisms as desired.
As mentioned, in some embodiments, the APC 100 includes the lid 104. In such embodiments, the lid 104 may include the outlet 122, although it need not in other embodiments. The lid 104 may be pivotably or hingedly attached to the body 102 using various mechanisms as desired such that the lid 104 is movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the body 102. In the embodiment illustrated, the lid 104 is movable about a pivot point 124. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated the lid 104 in the closed position, and FIG. 5 illustrates the lid 104 in the open position. In the open position, the lid 104 may expose and/or otherwise provide access to components of the APC 100 housed within the body 102, such as but not limited to a pump, filter, etc. The particular lid 104 illustrated should not be considered limiting, and in other embodiments, other lids and/or other means of exposing and/or providing access to the interior of the body 102 may be utilized as desired.
Referring to FIGS. 2-5, in certain embodiments, the APC 100 optionally may include a latch assembly 126 that may selectively engage the lid 104. In such embodiments, in an engaged position, the latch assembly 126 may be engaged with the lid 104 and may prevent or limit movement of the lid 104 relative to the body 102 (e.g., to retain the lid 104 in the closed position). In a disengaged position, the latch assembly 126 may be disengaged from the lid 104 such that the lid 104 is movable relative to the body 102. Various types of latch assemblies 126 may be utilized as desired.
FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a non-limiting example of a latch assembly 126 that converts linear motion to rotational motion to move the latch assembly 126 from the engaged position (see FIG. 2) to the disengaged position (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In this embodiment, the latch assembly 126 includes a latch 128 and a button 130. The latch 128 may engage a tab 136 or other suitable feature on the lid 104 as desired. A biasing member 132 may be connected with the latch 128 and optionally may be integral with the latch 128. The button 130 is linearly movable (represented by arrow 133 in FIG. 2) from a first position (illustrated in FIG. 2) to a second position (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5) with the application of a force (e.g., from a user pushing on the button 130). In the second position, a foot 134 (or other component) of the button 130 contacts and compresses the biasing member 132, thereby causing the latch 128 to rotate and/or pivot (represented by arrow 135 in FIG. 2) from the engaged position to the disengaged position. In some embodiments, the biasing member 132 may bias the latch 128 towards the engaged position such that an absence or removal of the force on the button 130 may automatically return the latch 128 to the engaged position. However, as mentioned, the latch assembly 126 illustrated should not be considered limiting and in other embodiments, other types of latch assemblies 126 may be utilized as desired to selectively secure the lid 104 relative to the body 102.
Referring to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the motive assemblies 106 of the APC 100 may be supported at the opposing ends 112, 114 of the body 102. In some embodiments, the motive assemblies 106 may be an outermost extent of the APC 100 in a lateral direction, although they need not be in other embodiments. The motive assemblies 106 may be various suitable devices or mechanisms for enabling movement of the APC 100 along a surface. Non-limiting examples of motive assemblies 106 include, but are not limited to, wheels, tracks, rollers, feet, combinations thereof, and/or other suitable motive assemblies 106 as desired. In the embodiment illustrated, each motive assembly 106 includes a wheel 138. In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the APC 100 need only include two wheels 138; however, in other embodiments, the APC 100 may include more than two wheels 138 as desired and when wheels 138 are included as the motive elements 106.
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, in some embodiments, the motive assembly 106 with the wheel 138 may have a mounting system 140 facilitating support of the motive assembly 106 on the body 102 and improving modularity of the APC 100. As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, in certain embodiments, the mounting system 140 includes a bearing cartridge 142 housing one or more bearings 144. The bearing cartridge 142 includes one or more support apertures 146 for receiving fasteners 148 that mount the bearing cartridge 142 to the body 102.
In these embodiments, the wheel 138 includes an end face 149 having a first side 150 and a second side 152, and the second side 152 may include an axle 154 or other suitable structure for engaging the one or more bearings 144 and such that the wheel 138 may ride along the one or more bearings 144. Optionally, the second side 152 includes one or more teeth 153 that may be engaged by a gear of the drive assembly for driving the motive assembly 106. As best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the end face 149 includes one or more end face apertures 156 (three end face apertures 156 are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9) that may align with the one or more support apertures 146 based on rotation of the wheel 138. As non-limiting examples, FIG. 8 illustrates one of the end face apertures 156 aligned with one of the support apertures 146 such that the fastener 148 in that support aperture 146 is visible and/or accessible. In this example, the other support aperture 146 is not aligned with one of the end face apertures 156 and thus is not visible and/or accessible, and to access the other support aperture 146, the wheel 138 may be rotated (represented by arrows 157) until the other support aperture 146 is aligned with one of the end face apertures 156. The mounting system 140 with the support apertures 146 and end face apertures 156 may provide improved access and ability to mount the bearing cartridge 142 on the body 102, thereby facilitating assembly, maintenance, and/or removal as desired. The mounting system 140 may also provide improved protection to the fasteners 148 and/or other components mounting the motive assembly 106 to the body 102 as such features are generally covered by the wheels 138 and are indirectly accessed through the wheels 138.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10-12, the one or more turbines 108 may be provided on a bottom portion of the body 102 of the APC 100 (e.g., the portion of the APC 100 proximate to a surface along which the APC 100 is travelling). While two turbines 108 are illustrated, any number of turbines 108 may be provided on the APC 100 as desired. Each turbine 108 includes a body 158, a shaft 160 defining a center axis 161 (see FIG. 11), and a gear 162. The body 158 includes one or more blades 164 that extend outwards from a center 166 of the body 158 (e.g., aligned with the center axis 161). In use, the turbines 108 rotate about their shafts 160 so as to move water and/or debris towards the inlets 120 of the APC 100. Such rotation may be caused by interaction with the gear 162 (such as but not limited to a miter gear) with a corresponding gear or device within the body 102 and as discussed in detail below.
The blades 164 may have various shapes or provides as they extend outwards from the center 166 of the body 158. In the embodiment illustrated, the blades 164 have a non-linear shape or profile, although other shapes and profiles may be used. In a similar manner, while each turbine 108 is illustrated with six blades 164, the number of blades 164 on a particular turbine 108 should not be considered limiting.
In various embodiments, the blades 164 may be a semi-rigid such that they have sufficient flexibility to accommodate passage into and/or about the inlets 120 of the APC 100, without blockage, of at least some debris often found in swimming pools or spas, while having sufficient rigidity to move volumes of water towards the inlets 120 as they rotate about the shafts 160. A non-limiting example of semi-rigid material suitable for the blades 164 may include molded thermoplastic polyurethane, although other materials may be utilized alternatively and/or in combination.
Optionally, one or more blades 164 may include a brush extension 168 clipped onto the blade 164 and/or integrally formed with the blade 164. In one embodiment, the brush extensions 168 are clipped on using various mechanisms systems as desired, such as but not limited to friction fit engagement, snap-fit engagement, clips, clasps, hooks, pins, snaps, combinations thereof, and/or other systems or mechanisms as desired. In another embodiments, at least one brush extension 168 is natively formed (e.g., is monolithic and/or integral with) the blade 164. When included, the brush extensions 168 may facilitate movement of water and/or gathering of debris. In other embodiments, the brush extensions 168 may be omitted.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, in various embodiments, the body 158 of the turbine 108 is shaped with a non-uniform height across its width. In certain embodiments, the body 158 is shaped such that a maximum height of the blades 164 is at the center 166 of the body 158 and/or at the center axis 161. Various non-linear profiles and/or non-uniform heights may be utilized as desired. As non-limiting examples, the body 158 may be domed and/or have a convex curvature, have a shape of a truncated cone, have a shape of a frustum, etc. In such embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 12, the shaped turbine 108 may stay within a perimeter of the wheels 138 (represented by dash-dot line 169), thereby providing a more compact APC 100 compared to traditional approaches.
As mentioned, the turbines 108 and/or motive assemblies 106 may be driven by a drive assembly that utilizes the pump of the APC 100. Referring to FIGS. 13-19, a drive assembly 170 for driving at least one turbine 108 may include a gearbox 172 having at least one gearbox miter gear 174, a drive assembly miter gear 176 for engaging the at least one gearbox miter gear 174, and a turbine miter gear 178 for engaging the miter gear 162. Any number of intermediate gears 180, including no intermediate gears, may couple the drive assembly miter gear 176 to the second turbine miter gear 178. The embodiment of FIGS. 13-19 illustrates at least three intermediate gears 180. FIG. 13 also illustrates a motive element gear 171 for driving the motive element 106 (e.g., by engaging the teeth 153).
Referring to FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the drive assembly miter gear 176 optionally includes a biasing member 182 that biases the drive assembly miter gear 176 into engagement with the gearbox miter gear 174. In such embodiments, the biasing member 182 may provide a constant force providing improved mating and/or engagement between the drive assembly miter gear 176 and the gearbox miter gear 174, which in turn may provide an improved transfer of force to rotate the turbine 108.
Referring to FIGS. 14-19, in various embodiments, the turbine miter gear 178 may be provided on a shaft 184. In some embodiments, a locking system 186 may lock the shaft 184 in use to minimize and/or prevent rotation and/or axial movement of the shaft 184 as the turbine miter gear 178 rotates. In certain embodiments, and as best illustrated in FIGS. 14, 17, and 18, the locking system 186 includes a channel 188 that receives a bent portion 190 of the shaft 184 when the shaft 184 is assembled and inserted into the body 102. In some embodiments, the shaft 184 with the bent portion 190 may be L-shaped; however, in other embodiments, the shaft 184 may have other shapes as desired. In these examples with the bent portion 190, the bent portion 190 positioned within the channel 188 may limit and/or prevent rotation of the shaft 184 as the turbine miter gear 178 rotates. Additionally, or alternatively, the locking system 186 includes a stopper 192 that overlaps the shaft 184 in an axial direction to limit or prevent linear movement of the shaft 184 while the turbine miter gear 178 rotates. In the embodiment illustrated, the stopper 192 is a flanged screw that overlaps the bent portion 190 (see, e.g., FIGS. 14 and 16); however, other types of stoppers 192 may be utilized as desired. As illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, when the stopper 192 is removed, the shaft 184 may be removed, thereby facilitating access to, removal, and/or maintenance of the gears and/or the turbine 108 and improving modularity of the APC 100 compared to other approaches.
In certain embodiments, and as best illustrated in FIG. 15, the APC 100 may include various mechanisms or systems further promoting and/or improving performance of the drive assembly 170. As a non-limiting example, and as illustrated in FIG. 15, one or more gears (such as but not limited to one or more intermediate gears 180) optionally may include an internal bushing 198. In one non-limiting example, the intermediate gear 180 coupled with the shaft 184 may include one or more internal bushings 198. Additionally, or alternatively, the drive assembly 180 optionally may include one or more thrust bearing assemblies 101 with a bracket 103 retaining a bearing 105 therein. In other embodiments, other mechanisms or systems may be utilized to further promote and/or improve performance of the drive assembly 170.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 20-22, in certain embodiments, the APC 100 includes the one or more flaps or skirts 110. In various embodiments, the skirts 110 may be provided on the front side 116 of the body 102 and/or between the turbines 108 and the front side 116. In embodiments with more than one turbine 108, a corresponding skirt 110 may be provided for each turbine 108; however, in other embodiments, a plurality of skirts 110 need not be included.
Referring to FIG. 20, the skirts 110 are generally movable relative to the body 102 between an open position and a closed position. FIG. 20 illustrates one skirt 110 in the open position and one skirt 110 in the closed position. In various embodiments, in the open position, the skirt 110 may extend in a forward direction relative to the turbine 108, and, in the closed position, the skirt 110 may extend rearwards towards the turbine 108. In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 20, the skirt 110 in the closed position may at least partially cover the turbine 108 in the forward direction. In various embodiments, the skirt 110 and/or body 102 may include one or more travel limits that contact the skirt 110 in the closed and open positions, thereby defining a range of motion of the skirt 110. As best illustrated in FIG. 20, in the current embodiment, a first travel limit 194 engages the skirt 110 in the open position and a second travel limit 196 engages the skirt 110 in the closed position. In embodiments with a plurality of skirts 110, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the skirts 110 may move independently from each other. In such embodiments, independent movement may minimize or prevent the APC 100 from becoming stuck if one of the plurality of skirts 110 becomes stuck.
In various embodiments, positioning of the skirts 110 between the open position and the closed position may depend on a tilt or angling of the APC 100 (e.g., tilting forward or rearward). In such embodiments, and referring to FIG. 21, the skirts 110 may impede, redirect, and/or block water that is moved (represented by arrows 195) from the rotation of the turbines 108 (represented by arrows 197). Impeding, redirecting, and/or blocking water may minimize and/or prevent debris in front of the APC 100 from being blown or otherwise directed away from the APC 100 as the APC 100 approaches the debris, thereby improving the cleaning performance of the APC 100.
Optionally, and referring to FIG. 22, the skirts 110 may at least partially support the APC 100 when the APC 100 is not in use. In such embodiments, the skirts 110 may function as a kickstand and allow for the APC 100 to be self-supporting when not in use.
Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include:
- A. A turbine positionable on a bottom portion of an APC, the turbine comprising a shaft, a body comprising a plurality of blades at a first end of the shaft, and a gear at a second end of the shaft, wherein the body comprises a non-uniform height such that a maximum height of the plurality of blades is at a center axis of the turbine.
- B. The turbine of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the body is domed or comprises a truncated cone.
- C. The turbine of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising a brush extension extending from one or more blades, wherein the brush extension is removable from or monolithic with the blade.
- D. The turbine of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the gear is a miter gear.
- E. The turbine of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein each blade extends outwards from the center axis and comprises a non-linear profile.
- F. A turbine positionable on a bottom portion of an APC, the turbine comprising a plurality of blades arranged around a center axis of the turbine, and wherein the turbine comprises a non-uniform height and a maximum height of the plurality of blades is at the center axis.
- G. A turbine positionable on a bottom portion of an APC, the turbine comprising a plurality of blades arranged around a center axis of the turbine, and wherein each blade of the plurality of blades comprises a convex curvature.
- H. An APC comprising one or more turbines of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements.
- I. An APC comprising:
- i. a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned;
- ii. two wheels, each wheel at an opposing end of the body; and
- iii. a turbine on a bottom portion of the body, wherein the turbine comprises a non-uniform height such that the turbine is within a perimeter of one of the two wheels.
- J. An APC comprising:
- i. a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned;
- ii. a turbine on a bottom portion of the body; and
- iii. a skirt attached to the body proximate to a front of the body, the skirt movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the open position, the skirt is configured to redirect water flow from the turbine.
- K. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the skirt is a first skirt of a pair of skirts, and wherein a second skirt of the pair of skirts is movable relative to the body independent from the first skirt.
- L. An APC comprising:
- i. a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned and comprising a wheel perimeter at an end of the body;
- ii. a turbine on a bottom portion of the body; and
- iii. a skirt attached to the body proximate to a front of the body, the skirt movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the open position, the skirt extends outside of the wheel perimeter.
- M. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein, in the closed position, the skirt at least partially covers the turbine in the forward direction.
- N. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein, in the open position, the skirt is configured to redirect water flow from the turbine when the APC is in use or to at least partially support the body on a surface when the APC is not in use.
- O. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising travel limits for contacting the skirt in the open position and the closed position and defining a range of motion of the skirt.
- P. An APC comprising:
- i. a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned;
- ii. a turbine on a bottom portion of the body; and
- iii. a drive assembly for rotating the turbine, the drive assembly comprising:
- a) a gearbox comprising a gearbox miter gear; and
- b) a drive assembly miter gear interfacing with the gearbox miter gear and for causing rotation of the turbine,
- c) wherein the drive assembly miter gear is biased into contact with the gearbox miter gear.
- Q. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising a biasing member biasing the drive assembly miter gear into contact with the gearbox miter gear.
- R. An APC comprising:
- i. a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned;
- ii. a turbine on a bottom portion of the body and comprising a first miter gear; and
- iii. a drive assembly for rotating the turbine, the drive assembly comprising a second miter gear interfacing with the first miter gear and configured to cause rotation of the turbine, wherein a shaft of the second miter gear is locked from rotation.
- S. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the shaft is an L-shaped shaft.
- T. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein a stopper maintains a rotational position and an axial position of the shaft as the second miter gear rotates.
- U. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the stopper comprises a mechanical fastener.
- V. An APC comprising:
- i. a gearbox comprising a gearbox miter gear; and
- ii. a drive assembly miter gear interfacing with the gearbox miter gear,
- iii. wherein the drive assembly miter gear is biased into contact with the gearbox miter gear.
- W. An APC comprising:
- i. a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned and defining an inlet;
- ii. a wheel assembly supported at a first end of the body, the wheel assembly comprising:
- a) a wheel bearing cartridge mounted to the body and comprising a support aperture for receiving a fastener;
- b) at least one bearing within the wheel bearing cartridge; and
- c) a wheel supported by the at least one bearing, the wheel comprising an end face with at least one end face aperture, wherein the end face aperture is configured to align with the support aperture to provide access to the support aperture.
- X. A wheel assembly for an APC, the wheel assembly comprising:
- i. a wheel comprising an end face and at least one end face aperture defined in the end face;
- ii. a wheel bearing assembly attached to a side of the wheel opposite from the end face, the wheel bearing assembly comprising a cartridge and at least one bearing, wherein the housing comprises at least one support aperture for receiving a fastener, and wherein the at least one end face aperture is configured to align with the at least one support aperture based on rotation of the wheel.
- Y. An APC comprising:
- i. a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned;
- ii. a lid hingedly attached to the body, the lid configured to selectively prevent or provide access to an interior of the body; and
- iii. a latch assembly comprising a latch and configured to selectively retain the lid in a closed position relative to the body, wherein the latch assembly is configured to convert vertical motion to rotational motion to disengage the latch from the lid.
- Z. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the latch assembly further comprises a button engaged with the latch such that vertical movement of the button pivots the latch from an engaged position to a disengaged position relative to the lid.
- AA. The APC of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the latch is biased towards the engaged position.
- BB. The turbine of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising a brush extension extending outwards from one blade of the plurality of blades.
- CC. The turbine of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the brush extension is removable from the one blade of the plurality of blades.
- DD. An APC comprising a body configured to travel along a surface of a pool to be cleaned, a turbine on a bottom portion of the body, wherein the turbine comprises a plurality of blades with a non-uniform height and a maximum height of the plurality of blades is at a center axis of the turbine, and at least one brush extension extending outwards from at least one blade of the plurality of blades.
These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive in any way, and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of any claims ultimately drafted and issued in connection with the invention (and their equivalents). For avoidance of doubt, any combination of features not physically impossible or expressly identified as non-combinable herein may be within the scope of the invention. Further, although applicant has described devices and techniques for use principally with pools and spas, persons skilled in the relevant field will recognize that the present invention conceivably could be employed in connection with other objects and in other manners. Finally, references to “pools” and “swimming pools” herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels used for recreation or therapy and for which cleaning of debris is needed or desired.
Patent Application
20240401357
