Pool cleaning device with adjustable buoyant element

摘要

An automatic pool cleaner has a plurality of components, some of which have a density greater than water, giving the cleaner an overall negative buoyancy. The cleaner has a buoyant element which is adjustable in position relative to the center of gravity of the cleaner. Adjusting the position of the buoyant element changes the probable motion path of the cleaner on the pool floor and on the walls to allow the cleaner to execute a variety of motion paths to clean various parts of the pool. The adjustable element may be slidably positioned by a handle extending through a slot in the housing or be slidable on a slide band attached to the housing, which may be pivotable, translatable and rotatable, providing an additional range of position alternatives. A selected position is held by a detent or other holding mechanism. The adjustable element permits the cleaner to be adapted to clean various pool shapes and surfaces.

主权项

1. A cleaner for cleaning surfaces of a pool containing water and having a plurality of elements, including a housing directing a flow of water, the housing having a water inlet and a water outlet, said plurality of elements being composed at least partially of materials having a density greater than water, said cleaner having a center of gravity, comprising:
a plurality of buoyant elements including at least one buoyant element having a density less than water, said at least one buoyant element being positionable at a selected position of a plurality of alternative positions relative to the center of gravity of said cleaner, said at least one buoyant element being retained in said selected position while said cleaner moves over the floor and side walls of the pool until being selectively repositioned at another of said plurality of alternative positions, said at least one buoyant element exerting a buoyancy force contributing to a biasing of said cleaner toward at least one specific orientation when said cleaner is in the water; and said cleaner having an overall negative buoyancy.