Pool cleaners

Abstract

Wheeled automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. These cleaners may include mechanisms for tensioning drive chains associated with one or more of the wheels. They also may drive one or more wheels directly. Water-management systems within the cleaners may locate most or all wearing components so that merely removing a bottom cover causes these components to be accessible for repair or replacement.

1 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 a. a first wheel having a first drive sprocket associated therewith;   b. a second wheel having a second drive sprocket associated therewith;   c. a chain engaging the first and second drive sprockets; and   d. means, comprising coupled first and second rollers, for tensioning the chain.   
     
     
         2 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 1  further comprising a spring to which the second roller is connected. 
     
     
         3 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 2  in which the spring biases the second roller downward when the cleaner is upright. 
     
     
         4 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 3  further comprising an internal frame to which the spring is connected. 
     
     
         5 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 4  in which (a) the first roller rotates about a first axis, (b) the second roller rotates about a second axis, and (c) the first and second rollers are coupled so that the linear distance between the first and second axes remains constant. 
     
     
         6 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 5  in which, when the cleaner is upright, the chain contacts (a) the first roller below the first axis and (b) the second roller below the second axis. 
     
     
         7 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 6  further comprising an idler sprocket which the chain engages. 
     
     
         8 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 7  further comprising a turbine for driving at least one of the first and second drive sprockets. 
     
     
         9 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 1  further comprising a body having a rear portion defining a multiplicity of spaced openings through which at least some water within the body may exit as the cleaner moves forward. 
     
     
         10 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 1  further comprising a turbine for directly or indirectly driving the first and second wheels, the turbine comprising:
 a. a first side wall; and   b. a base assembly comprising:
 i. a second side wall; 
 ii. an upstanding wall; and 
 iii. a plurality of curved blades extending from the upstanding wall. 
   
     
     
         11 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 1  (a) further comprising a housing comprising (i) an internal frame, (ii) a cover, and (iii) at least one fastener removably connecting the cover to the internal frame and (b) in which removing the cover allows ready access to the first and second drive sprockets and the first and second rollers. 
     
     
         12 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 a. a body having a rear portion defining a multiplicity of spaced openings through which at least some water within the body may exit as the cleaner moves forward;   b. a thrust jet directing water rearward of the cleaner as the cleaner moves forward; and   c. at least one wheel connected directly or indirectly to the body.   
     
     
         13 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 a. a body;   b. at least one wheel connected directly or indirectly to the body; and   c. a turbine for directly or indirectly driving the at least one wheel, the turbine comprising:
 i. a first side wall; and 
 ii. a base assembly comprising:
 A. a second side wall; 
 B. an upstanding wall; and 
 C. a plurality of curved blades extending from the upstanding wall. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 13  in which the first side wall is attached to the base assembly. 
     
     
         15 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 14  in which the base assembly further comprises a boss centrally positioned radially relative to the second side wall. 
     
     
         16 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 15  further comprising a bearing placed within the boss. 
     
     
         17 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 a. at least one wheel;   b. a housing comprising:
 i. an internal frame; 
 ii. a cover; and 
 iii. at least one fastener removably connecting the cover to the internal frame; and 
   c. a multiplicity of wearing components within the housing; and in which removing the cover allows ready access to the multiplicity of wearing components.   
     
     
         18 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner according to  claim 17  in which the internal frame has a lower portion, the at least one fastener removably connects the cover to the lower portion of the internal frame, and removing only the cover from the lower portion of the frame allows ready access to the multiplicity of wearing components.