Pool cleaner

Abstract

A push side pool cleaner ( 1 ) has a spheroidal overall shape, within this shape two outer segments ( 9, 10 ) serve as wheels and a central zone ( 8 8) carries a suction passage ( 33 ) and a debris collector ( 32 ) also located entirely within the overall shape. The wheels are driven directly by water jets ( 44, 45 ) without any gears or other transmission. A flow splitter is provided in the cleaner ( 1 ) to divide push side water flow between the jets ( 44, 45 ) which drive the wheels and jets ( 43 ) which provide impulsion to the suction passage ( 33 ).

1 .- 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . An automatic pool cleaner comprising: 
 a. a body having a width and a rear end;    b. first and second wheels, each having a peripheral edge and a central portion remote from the peripheral edge;    c. an axle spanning the width of the body and connected directly or indirectly to the central portion of each of the first and second wheels, at least a portion of the axle defining an axis about which the first and second wheels rotate;    d. means, positioned on the rear end of the body, for connecting a water-input hose to the body; and    e. a jet positioned on the rear end of the body and which, in use, directs water exiting the body to assist movement of the cleaner.    
   
   
       13 . An automatic pool cleaner comprising: 
 a. a body having a width and a rear end;    b. first and second wheels, each having a peripheral edge and a central portion remote from the peripheral edge;    c. an axle spanning the width of the body and connected directly or indirectly to the central portion of each of the first and second wheels, at least a portion of the axle defining an axis about which the first and second wheels rotate;    d. means for connecting a water-input hose to the rear end of the body; and    e. a jet positioned on the rear end of the body and which, in use, directs water exiting the body to assist movement of the cleaner.    
   
   
       14 . An automatic pool cleaner defining a central longitudinal axis and comprising: 
 a. a body having a width and a rear end;    b. first and second wheels symmetrically disposed about the central longitudinal axis;    c. means, positioned on the rear end of the body, for connecting a water input hose to the body; and    d. a jet (i) positioned on the rear end of the body and (ii) configured, when the body is upright, to direct water exiting the body downwardly of the body and at an angle laterally of the central longitudinal axis so as to assist lateral movement of the cleaner.    
   
   
       15 . An automatic pool cleaner according to  claim 14  in which the jet is further configured to direct the exiting water rearwardly of the body.  
   
   
       16 . An automatic pool cleaner defining a central longitudinal axis and comprising: 
 a. a body having a width and a rear end;    b. first and second wheels symmetrically disposed about the central longitudinal axis;    c. means, positioned on the rear end of the body, for connecting a water input hose to the body; and    d. a jet (i) positioned at a location closer to the rear end of the body than the first and second wheels and (ii) configured, when the body is upright, to direct water exiting the body downwardly of the body and at an angle laterally of the central longitudinal axis so as to assist lateral movement of the cleaner.    
   
   
       17 . An automatic pool cleaner according to  claim 16  in which the jet is further configured to direct the exiting water rearwardly of the body.