Constructions of automatic swimming pool cleaners

Abstract

Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) may include separate chassis and bodies. Such constructions may facilitate assembly and disassembly of certain components of the APCs, with or without using tools. APCs with separate chassis and bodies may enable quick and easy access to motor assemblies of the APC, and bodies of the APCs may be readily interchanged on a common chassis.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 a housing comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the housing defines a housing cavity having a bottom surface opposite from the top end, wherein the housing is configured to receive a filter within the housing cavity between the top end and the bottom surface; and   a chassis, wherein the housing is attachable to and detachable from the chassis without the use of tools.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis comprises a chassis cavity, wherein the housing comprises a body and an engagement section extending downwardly from the body, and wherein the engagement section of the housing is positionable within the chassis cavity such that the housing is removably attached to the chassis. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the chassis further comprises a first engagement feature within the chassis cavity, wherein the housing comprises a second engagement feature on the engagement section that is complimentary to the first engagement feature, and wherein the engagement section of the housing is positionable within the chassis cavity such that the first engagement feature selectively engages the second engagement feature. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein one of the first engagement feature or the second engagement feature comprises a recess or a first rib, and wherein the other one of the first engagement feature or the second engagement feature comprises a second rib. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis comprises a chassis cavity, wherein the housing comprises a housing cavity, and wherein the automatic swimming pool cleaner further comprises a motor block positioned at least partially within the chassis cavity and extending at least partially into the housing cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein the housing cavity comprises a bottom surface recessed relative to a top end of the housing, wherein the bottom surface defines an aperture, and wherein the motor block extends at least partially through the aperture and into the housing cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a motor block positioned at least partially in the chassis; and   a flow outlet configured to attach to the motor block such that at least a portion of the housing is retained between the motor block and the flow outlet.   
     
     
         8 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing comprises a body and an engagement section extending downwardly from the body; and   a chassis, wherein the housing is removably attached to the chassis, wherein the chassis comprises a chassis cavity, and wherein the engagement section of the housing is positionable within the chassis cavity such that the housing is removably attached to the chassis.   
     
     
         9 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein the chassis further comprises a first engagement feature within the chassis cavity, wherein the housing comprises a second engagement feature on the engagement section that is complimentary to the first engagement feature, and wherein the engagement section of the housing is positionable within the chassis cavity such that the first engagement feature selectively engages the second engagement feature. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 9 , wherein one of the first engagement feature or the second engagement feature comprises a recess or a first rib, and wherein the other one of the first engagement feature or the second engagement feature comprises a second rib. 
     
     
         11 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 8 , further comprising a motor block positioned at least partially within the chassis cavity and extending at least partially into the housing cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the housing cavity comprises a bottom surface recessed relative to a top end of the housing, wherein the bottom surface defines an aperture, and wherein the motor block extends at least partially through the aperture and into the housing cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a motor block positioned at least partially in the chassis; and   a flow outlet configured to attach to the motor block such that at least a portion of the housing is retained between the motor block and the flow outlet.   
     
     
         14 . An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising a housing, a chassis, and a sub-assembly, wherein the housing is removably attached to the chassis, and wherein attachment of the housing to the chassis holds the sub-assembly on the chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein the sub-assembly comprises a battery block. 
     
     
         16 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein the housing is removably attached to the sub-assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein the sub-assembly is positioned at least partially within the chassis. 
     
     
         18 . The automatic swimming pool cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the sub-assembly is retained between the housing and the chassis.