(19)
(11) EP 0 476 413 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
17.06.1992 Bulletin 1992/25

(43) Date of publication A2:
25.03.1992 Bulletin 1992/13

(21) Application number: 91114781.7

(22) Date of filing: 02.09.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: E04H 4/16
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 21.09.1990 US 586425

(71) Applicant: Rief, Dieter J.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Rief, Dieter J.
    Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (US)
  • Frentzel, Herman E.
    Sansalito, CA 94965 (US)
  • Wright, Jerauld G.
    Ottawa, Ont. K1P 5A9 (CA)
  • Sebor, Paul
    Johannesburg 2195 (ZA)

(74) Representative: Körner, Ekkehard, Dipl.-Ing. 
Patentanwalt Maximilianstrasse 58
D-80538 München
D-80538 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
     
    Remarks:
    A request for correction of figure 5a has been filed pursuant to Rule 88 EPC. A decision on the request will be taken during the proceedings before the Examining Division (Guidelines for Examination in the EPO, A-V, 2.2).
     


    (54) An automatic swimming pool cleaner


    (57) A suction head (1) for a swimming pool cleaner comprising a housing (2) which is open at its lower side and has inclined bristles (9) attached to its lower edge for supporting on a surface to be cleaned. The housing (2) has a rotary sleeve (4) mounted to its top for connection of a suction hose in turn to be connected to a water suction pump. Said sleeve opens (4) in a chamber (32) within the housing (2) in which a vibratory element (11) is pivotally mounted, said element (11) having a crescent or air-foil shape. By a flow of water sucked through said chamber (32), the vibratory element (11) is automatically brought into a vibrating movement which imparts pulsations on the suction head (1). Thereby, the inclined bristles (9) are bent and straightened repetitively, resulting in a forward thrust moving the suction head over the surface to be cleaned. At least one foot is disposed in the housing (2) which is cyclically displaced vertically by a driving mechanism driven by the movement of the vibratory element (11) and returned by return springs (29). Said foot cyclically lifts off the suction head (1) at one side, resulting in a rotational movement of the suction head (1) about a vertical axis so as to change the direction of forward movement of the suction head.






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