Patent ID: 7464429
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: E04H,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In an automatic pool cleaner comprising a first gear and a second gear, a mechanism for changing between the first gear and the second gear, the mechanism comprising: an oscillatable gear carrying assembly moveable between a first position wherein the first gear is engaged and a second position wherein the second gear is engaged; a biasing mechanism for urging the assembly towards a first position when selected and to the second position when selected; and an actuating arrangement for selecting one of said positions by initiating movement of the assembly from another of said positions, to enable the biasing mechanism to urge the assembly towards the selected one of said positions; the first gear and the second gear being mounted on the assembly and when the first gear is engaged, the cleaner is driven to move in a first direction and when the second gear is engaged, the cleaner is driven in another direction; the biasing mechanism comprising a first magnet having a pole of a first kind and a pole of a second kind which is carried by the assembly and a second magnet having a pole of the first kind and a pole of the second kind mounted externally of the assembly, with the pole of the first kind of the first magnet facing towards the pole of the first kind of the second magnet, so that mutually repelling forces between said first poles urge the assembly towards the selected one of said positions.