Motorised Pool-Cleaning Device Comprising Freewheel Rotary Movement Means

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorised pool-cleaning device ( 1 ) comprising suction means ( 30 ) and rotary movement means ( 4 ) which define first ( 2 ) and second ( 3 ) bearing axles. Moreover, the rotary movement means, which define at least one ( 2 ) of the first and second bearing axles, comprise first ( 5 ) and second ( 6 ) rotating rollers having respective axes of rotation ( 7, 8 ) which are aligned with said at least one ( 2 ) of the first and second bearing axles. Furthermore, the first ( 5 ) and second ( 6 ) rotating rollers are connected by means of a freewheel connection ( 9 ).

1 . Motorised pool-cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) comprising:
 suction means ( 30 ),   rotary means ( 4 ) for displacing said apparatus and defining first ( 2 ) and second ( 3 ) bearing axles, characterised in that:   said rotary means, for displacing the apparatus and defining one bearing axle ( 2 ) at least of said first and second bearing axles, comprise a first ( 5 ) and a second ( 6 ) rotating roller, the respective axes of rotation ( 7 ,  8 ) of which are aligned on said one bearing axle ( 2 ) at least of said first and second bearing axles, and in that   said first ( 5 ) and second ( 6 ) rotating rollers are connected by a freewheel connection ( 9 ).   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a single reduction motor ( 15 ), and first means ( 16 ) for rotationally entraining one of said first ( 5 ) or second ( 6 ) rotating rollers by said single reduction motor. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterised in that said rotary means ( 4 ), for displacing said apparatus and defining the other bearing axle ( 3 ) of said first ( 2 ) and second ( 3 ) bearing axles, comprise a third ( 10 ) and a fourth ( 11 ) rotating roller, the respective axes of rotation ( 12 ,  13 ) of which are aligned on said other bearing axle ( 3 ) of said first ( 2 ) and second ( 3 ) bearing axles, and in that
 said third ( 10 ) and fourth ( 11 ) rotating rollers are connected by a freewheel connection ( 14 ).   
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , characterised in that it comprises in addition second means ( 17 ) for rotationally entraining one of said third ( 10 ) or fourth ( 11 ) rotating roller by said single reduction motor ( 15 ). 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterised in that it comprises a support ( 18 ) on which is secured said single reduction motor ( 15 ), first ( 19 ) and second ( 20 ) caterpillar means lateral to said support on both sides thereof, first ( 22 ) and second ( 23 ) means for entraining said first and second caterpillar means respectively, associated with one at least of said first ( 2 ) or second ( 3 ) bearing axles, said first and second entrainment means being connected to said support by means of a connection with a degree of rotational freedom. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterised in that said support ( 18 ) comprises a first portion ( 24 ) in the form of a U, on which is secured said single reduction motor ( 15 ), a first ( 25 ) and a second ( 26 ) lateral casing closing the open lateral ends of the U, secured respectively in a releasable manner on said first portion of the support and carrying said rotary means ( 4 ) for displacing the apparatus. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterised in that said first ( 25 ) and second ( 26 ) lateral casings respectively carry, in addition, the first ( 22 ) and second ( 23 ) means for entraining said first ( 19 ) and second ( 20 ) caterpillar means, in that said first ( 5 ) and second ( 6 ) rotating rollers and said third ( 10 ) and fourth ( 11 ) rotating rollers are placed in an overhanging manner on the side of said first ( 25 ) and second ( 26 ) lateral casings respectively turned towards the first U-shaped portion ( 24 ) of the support ( 18 ), said first ( 22 ) and second ( 23 ) entrainment means of said first ( 19 ) and second ( 20 ) caterpillar means being respectively placed in an overhanging manner on the opposite side of said lateral casings. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said freewheel connection or connections ( 9 ,  14 ) comprises or comprise, respectively, a helical resilient washer and at least one lug capable of abutting against one end ( 39 ) of said helical washer in a first direction of rotation, and of sliding on said helical washer in the second opposite direction of rotation. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said suction means ( 30 ) comprise a pump ( 31 ) of the centrifuge type. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterised in that said first ( 22 ) and second ( 23 ) means for entraining said first ( 19 ) and second ( 20 ) caterpillar means comprise respectively four driving wheels connected in groups of two by means of a first ( 27 ) and a second ( 28 ) transmission belt. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , characterised in that said first ( 16 ) and second ( 17 ) means for rotationally entraining one of said first ( 5 ) or second ( 6 ) rotating roller, and of one of said third ( 10 ) or fourth ( 11 ) rotating roller, comprise a first ( 27 ) and a second ( 28 ) transmission belt. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises two fixed gripping handles ( 57 ), disposed below an upper level which is defined by the highest surface of said apparatus. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , characterised in that said two fixed gripping handles ( 57 ) are parallel to said first ( 2 ) and second ( 3 ) bearing axles and disposed above these bearing axles. 
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a rotary electric connector ( 62 ) for a connection to an electric supply cable ( 61 ), which connector permits this supply cable to be connected to said apparatus according to a connection which has a degree of rotational freedom. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said rotary means ( 4 ), for displacing said apparatus and defining the other bearing axle ( 3 ) of said first ( 2 ) and second ( 3 ) bearing axles, comprise a third ( 10 ) and a fourth ( 11 ) rotating roller, the respective axes of rotation ( 12 ,  13 ) of which are aligned on said other bearing axle ( 3 ) of said first ( 2 ) and second ( 3 ) bearing axles, and in that
 said third ( 10 ) and fourth ( 11 ) rotating rollers are connected by a freewheel connection ( 14 ).   
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , characterised in that it comprises a support ( 18 ) on which is secured said single reduction motor ( 15 ), first ( 19 ) and second ( 20 ) caterpillar means lateral to said support on both sides thereof, first ( 22 ) and second ( 23 ) means for entraining said first and second caterpillar means respectively, associated with one at least of said first ( 2 ) or second ( 3 ) bearing axles, said first and second entrainment means being connected to said support by means of a connection with a degree of rotational freedom. 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , characterised in that it comprises a support ( 18 ) on which is secured said single reduction motor ( 15 ), first ( 19 ) and second ( 20 ) caterpillar means lateral to said support on both sides thereof, first ( 22 ) and second ( 23 ) means for entraining said first and second caterpillar means respectively, associated with one at least of said first ( 2 ) or second ( 3 ) bearing axles, said first and second entrainment means being connected to said support by means of a connection with a degree of rotational freedom.