Cable storage concepts principally for use in connection with automatic swimming pool cleaners

Abstract

Automatic swimming pool cleaners may include cable storage systems for storing an electrical cable on, in, or near a body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. Some cable storage systems may include a cable storage device on the body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or on a cover for the body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. Cable storage systems may additionally or alternatively include a cable storage device on the electrical cable. The automatic swimming pool cleaners may be configured and balanced to be supported by their rear portions essentially upright when stored.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) comprising a body, an electrical cable, and a cable storage system for storing the electrical cable on, in, or near the body. 
     
     
         2 . The APC of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical cable has an end that is permanently or removably attached to the body. 
     
     
         3 . The APC of  claim 1 , wherein the APC further comprises a cover on a top side of the body, and wherein the cable storage system comprises a storage device for engaging the electrical cable on the cover. 
     
     
         4 . The APC of  claim 3 , wherein the storage device comprises a hook or clip on the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The APC of  claim 1 , wherein the cable storage system comprises a hook or clip on the body that extends outwards from the body. 
     
     
         6 . The APC of  claim 1 , wherein the cable storage system comprises a storage device on the electrical cable, wherein the storage device is configured to engage a portion of the body of the APC for storing the electrical cable. 
     
     
         7 . The APC of  claim 6 , wherein the storage device comprises a clip with a cable-engaging portion and an APC-engaging portion. 
     
     
         8 . The APC of  claim 6 , wherein the storage device is movable along the electrical cable. 
     
     
         9 . The APC of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the APC comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the APC is configurable between an operating orientation and a storage orientation, wherein, in the operating orientation, the first end and second end are arranged horizontally, and wherein, in the storage orientation, the first end and the second end are arranged vertically. 
     
     
         10 . The APC of  claim 9 , wherein the cable storage system is configured to store the electrical cable at least when the APC is in the storage orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The APC of  claim 9 , wherein the cable storage system is configured to store the electrical cable in both the operating orientation and the storage orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The APC of  claim 1 , wherein the cable storage system comprises a winding system for storing the electrical cable relative to the body. 
     
     
         13 . The APC of  claim 12 , wherein the winding system is within the body of the APC. 
     
     
         14 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) comprising:
 a body comprising a first end and a second end;   motive elements on the body; and   a roller supported at the first end,   wherein the APC is configurable between an operating orientation and a storage orientation, and   wherein, in the storage orientation, the first end and the second end are arranged in a vertical direction, the APC is supported by the roller and a first subset of the motive elements, and second subset of the motive elements is vertically above the first subset of the motive elements.   
     
     
         15 . The APC of  claim 14 , further comprising an electrical cable and a cable storage system for storing the electrical cable on, in, or near the body. 
     
     
         16 . The APC of  claim 15 , wherein the cable storage system is configured to store the electrical cable at least while the APC is in the storage orientation. 
     
     
         17 . The APC of  claim 15 , wherein the cable storage system comprises a storage device on the body of the APC or on the electrical cable. 
     
     
         18 . The APC of  claim 14 , wherein, in the operating orientation, the motive elements are configured to contact a floor or a wall of a swimming pool or spa, and the first end and the second end are arranged in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) having a connected electrical cable and an on-board cable storage system, the method comprising:
 (i) connecting the electrical cable to a source of electricity;   (ii) causing operation of the APC within a swimming pool;   (iii) removing the APC from the swimming pool; and   (iv) winding the electrical cable onto the cable storage system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the cable storage system comprises a hook on a body of the APC, and wherein winding the electrical cable comprises winding the electrical cable on the hook while the APC is supported in a vertical direction.