A swimming pool cleaner

Abstract

The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaner which is intermittently-turned from its path of travel along an underwater surface. A pair of side wheels ( 3 ) connected to be driven by a turbine ( 8 ) to move the cleaner in a direction of travel. A cam ( 12 ) is provided inwardly of and adjacent to each of the wheels. The cams are rotatably mounted on the wheel axles ( 5 ). Each cam intermittently extends a gripping formation ( 13 ) beyond the operatively supporting surface of the wheel. The cams and gripping formations are arranged so that, when they engage the pool surface, they impart movement to the cleaner which is in the opposite direction to the direction of travel. The cams are preferably arcuate, with at least one radial gripping formation. The rotation of the cams is opposite to that of the wheels and they are driven in a cycle retarded relative to that of the wheels. The gripping formations are removably securable for adjustment on the cams.

1 . A swimming pool cleaner having a pair of side wheels connected to be driven by a turbine to move the cleaner in a direction of travel along a submerged surface with a cam adjacent at least one of the wheels to intermittently extend a gripping formation beyond the operatively supporting surface of the at least one wheel and for the gripping formation to impart movement to the cleaner opposite to the direction of travel. 
   
   
       2 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the cam is rotatably mounted on an axle for the at least one wheel. 
   
   
       3 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the cam is rotated in the opposite direction to the at least one wheel. 
   
   
       4 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  which the cam is arcuate with at least one radial gripping formation on its outer surface. 
   
   
       5 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 4  in which gripping formations are removably securable to the cam. 
   
   
       6 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the cam is driven in a cycle retarded relative to that of the wheels. 
   
   
       7  A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which a turbine drive shaft is connected through gearing to the axle connecting the side wheels, which axle is connected through gearing to a ring gear on the cam. 
   
   
       8 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which a cam is provided adjacent each of the side wheels. 
   
   
       9 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the wheels are adapted to receive a flotation or ballast body. 
   
   
       10 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 9  in which the wheels have tread that securably engages over hub-caps. 
   
   
       11 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  which has a second pair of wheels also driven by the turbine. 
   
   
       12 . A pool cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the turbine is in a housing having an inlet at the underside of the cleaner and having a skirt arranged around the inlet, extending downwardly from the underside of the cleaner with at least part of the skirt movably suspended with a free edge of the skirt movable inwardly against a resilient bias. 
   
   
       13 . A swimming pool cleaner having a pair of side wheels connected to be driven by a turbine, with a cam adjacent at least one of the wheels to intermittently extend a gripping formation beyond the operatively supporting surface of the at least one wheel and in which the cam is rotatably mounted on an axle for the at least one wheel.