Automatic swimming pool cleaner systems with brush holder removal

Abstract

A self-propelled pool cleaner may include a brush holder assembly which is removable from the self-propelled pool cleaner without requiring removal of one or more wheels of the self-propelled pool cleaner. The self-propelled pool cleaner may allow for easy removal of hairs and/or other debris accumulated on brush gears and/or brush bearings without requiring the disassembly of many parts of the self-propelled pool cleaner.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A self-propelled pool cleaner comprising a brush assembly and at least one wheel for moving the self-propelled pool cleaner along a surface, wherein the brush assembly is removable from the self-propelled pool cleaner without removing the at least one wheel. 
     
     
         2 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel overlaps a side of the brush assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a brush holder for supporting a brush of the brush assembly;   a brush support; and   a mechanical fastener securing the brush holder to the brush gear,   wherein the wheel comprises a removal aperture configured to align with the mechanical fastener such that the mechanical fastener is accessible through the wheel.   
     
     
         4 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein the removal aperture is offset from an axis of rotation of the wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a brush holder for supporting a brush of the brush assembly;   a brush support; and   a brush coupler on at least one of the brush holder or the brush support and such that the brush holder is detachable from the brush support.   
     
     
         6 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein the brush holder and the brush coupler each comprise an engagement interface such that the brush holder is detachable from the brush coupler via radial movement. 
     
     
         7 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement interface further comprises a locking feature configured to control radial movement of the brush holder relative to the brush coupler. 
     
     
         8 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 7 , wherein the locking feature comprises at least one of a dovetail, a radial mechanical fastener, or a clip. 
     
     
         9 . A self-propelled pool cleaner comprising:
 a brush holder for supporting a brush;   a brush support; and   a brush coupler on at least one of the brush holder or the brush support and such that the brush holder is detachable from the brush support.   
     
     
         10 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 9 , wherein the brush coupler connects the brush holder with the brush support, and wherein the brush holder is detachable from the brush coupler. 
     
     
         11 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein the brush holder and the brush coupler each comprise an engagement interface such that the brush holder is detachable from the brush coupler via radial movement. 
     
     
         12 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the engagement interface further comprises a locking feature configured to control radial movement of the brush holder relative to the brush coupler. 
     
     
         13 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 9 , wherein the brush coupler is supported by the brush holder and is configured to selectively engage and disengage the brush support such that the brush holder and the brush coupler are detachable from the brush support. 
     
     
         14 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the brush coupler is slidably supported on the brush holder. 
     
     
         15 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the brush coupler is slidable on the brush holder between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, and wherein the brush holder and brush coupler are removable from the self-propelled pool cleaner when the brush coupler is in the retracted configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the brush coupler is linearly movable relative to the brush holder, and wherein the self-propelled pool cleaner further comprises a biasing member applying a biasing force positioning the brush coupler relative to the brush holder. 
     
     
         17 . A self-propelled pool cleaner comprising:
 a brush holder for supporting a brush; and   a brush coupler configured to couple the brush holder with a brush support, wherein the brush holder is attachable to and detachable from the brush coupler in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation of the brush holder.   
     
     
         18 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 17 , wherein the brush holder is linearly movable in the radial direction to detach the brush holder from the brush coupler. 
     
     
         19 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 17 , further comprising a locking feature for controlling radial movement of the brush holder relative to the brush coupler. 
     
     
         20 . The self-propelled pool cleaner of  claim 19 , wherein the locking feature comprises at least one of a dovetail, a radial screw, or a clip.