Patent ID: 6311353
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
A swimming pool cleaner comprising:a housing having a flow passage extending therethrough from an inlet to an outlet thereof;a flow control valve operable with the flow passage for movement between a seated position, wherein a fluid flowing through the passage is interrupted, to an unseated position for permitting the fluid to flow through the passage;a flexible flange extending around the inlet for frictionally engaging a submerged surface to be cleaned; andsteering means carried by the housing and operable therewith for rotating the housing about the flexible flange, wherein the steering means comprises:an upper member carried by the horsing;a lower member operable with the flexible flange, the lower member rotatably connected with the upper member about an axis of rotation; andratchet and pawl means operable between the upper and lower members for providing free rotation in one rotational direction about the axis in response to the interrupted flow through the flow passage, while biasing against rotation in an opposing rotational direction.