Abstract:
Disclosed herein is cleaning structure attachable to a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV). In one exemplary embodiment the PCV has an endless loop track and a chassis therefore. The cleaning structure attaches to the chassis and acts as a cap covering the drive wheels and track. The cleaning structure includes a base and bristles extending outwardly therefrom. The bristles define fingers. In one embodiment, the fingers are of a uniform length. In another embodiment, the fingers are of a graduated length. Others embodiments include the fingers being distributed on the base in a random pattern. 
     In one embodiment, the cleaning structure defines a single insert. In another, the cleaning structure includes multiple inserts.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to application Ser. No. 12/1272,730, filed by co-inventor, Wing-kin HUI, for POOL CLEANING VEHICLE WITH ENDLESS LOOP TRACK, filed on Nov. 18, 2008. This application is specifically incorporated herein and is to be used for all purposes consistent with incorporation by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to the field of automated pool products. More particularly, this invention relates to structure attachable submersible automated swimming pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) for facilitating thorough cleaning of the pool water and pool surfaces. More particularly, this invention relates to devices and cleaning structure used in cooperation with a PCV having an endless loop track drive and wherein such cleaning structure is attachable to the PCV. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well accepted that submersible automated pool cleaning devices, such as self propelled pool cleaning vehicles (PCV&#39;s) are essential to the proper maintenance of a pool, whether the pool be above or below ground. The typical vehicle includes a housing and drive members. The drive members attach to the housing usually through connection to a chassis. Drive members include wheels, endless loop tracks and combinations of each. Additionally, vehicles have included two and four wheel drive vehicles in various combinations and variations. In the case of a belt or endless loop track, the track wraps around the drive and/or idler wheels or rollers. 
     It will be appreciated that such vehicles may also have some combination of wheels and/or rollers and the vehicle may also be a two or four-wheel drive vehicle. The endless loop track may be fitted over any combination of two or four wheel drive vehicles. Such tracks have been found to be an effective means for moving the vehicle around the surface of the pool while the vehicle is submerged. 
     Of course, the primary purpose for all PCV&#39;s is to clean the pool and pool water. In order to properly maintain clean, pool water, the water itself as well as the pool surfaces must be cleaned and kept clean. It is imperative to keep the pool surfaces free from the build up of dirt and debris. Once dirt and/or debris is allowed to settle in on the pool surface, algae forms. Marge enough build-up of such algae can cause the pool pH to become unbalanced and the pool water unstable, in terms of cleanliness. 
     Sometimes drastic efforts caused by “dirty” water result in the entire contents of the pool being drained and starting again. As can be appreciated this is an expensive and time consuming process. Additionally, without thorough cleaning and maintain, the situation will simply be repeated. There is no guarantee, without proper maintenance methods, that the water will not simply revert to the same “dirty” condition. 
     Of special concern in this regard, is the fact that embedded particles can be particular concern. As noted by others, these embedded particulates can cause fatal consequences in term of “dirty water” requiring the emptying of the pool for dry cleaning. Clearly, a condition that is primary to avoid. 
     Clearly, there is a strong industry-wide need to prevent the build up of particulates in the pool water. There is even a stronger need to prevent the embedding of such particulates in the surface of the pool. Cleaning each and every square millimeter of the pool&#39;s surface is simply not a practical solution. Therefore, Applicant has developed a structure for using the automated pool cleaning vehicle to remove even embedded particulates in the surface of the pool. Additionally, the cleaning structure, in accordance with the invention, facilitates the PCV to thoroughly clean the dirt and debris thus dislodged from the pool&#39;s surface. This not only serves the short term goal of keeping the water clean and free from dirt and debris, but also is helpful in accomplishing the long term goal of preventing the build up of such particulates on and in the surface of the pool. 
     What is needed is cleaning structure for a submersible automated pool cleaning vehicle (PCV), which is adapted to clean the pool surface by dislodging dirt and debris from the surface of the pool and further to dislodge even embedded dirt and debris from the surface of the pool using the automated motion of the PCV. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cleaning structure, in accordance with the present invention, is connected to a pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) having a track drive. The cleaning structure is attached to the chassis of the PCV and therefore, it can also be used with PCV&#39;s without a track drive. In effect, the cleaning structure acts as a cap for the drive wheels and when present, the track of the PCV. As the PCV with the cleaning structure in accordance with the invention, moves about the pool surface, the cleaning structure runs into the pool walls and obstacles and obstructions in the pool dislodging dirt and debris so that the PCV can suck up the same. 
     It is an object of this invention is to provide cleaning structure attachable to the PCV through the chassis of the track drive for thoroughly cleaning a pool. 
     It is an additional object of this invention to provide such cleaning structure, which is attachable to a PCV and thereby uses automated means to dislodge dirt and debris from the pool surface. 
     It is an additional object of this invention to provide such cleaning structure, which is attachable to a PCV and thereby uses automated means to dislodge dirt and debris embedded in the pool surface. 
     In accordance with the objects set forth above and those that will be described hereinafter, the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention is attachable to the PCV having an endless loop track and the cleaning structure being attachable to the track, the vehicle with the cleaning structure comprising: 
     the PCV having a chassis for the endless loop track, which has an exterior and an interior; 
     cleaning inserts attachable to the chassis, the cleaning inserts having a base and having a plurality of bristles, the bristles outwardly extending from the base and the endless loop track; and 
     means for connecting the cleaning inserts to the chassis, 
     whereby, as PCV moves around the pool surface the bristles contact the surface of the pool and dislodge dirt and debris to facilitate thorough cleaning of the pool. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the vehicle in accordance with this invention has a track drive, which includes the drive members and associated members for moving the vehicle having a series of ridges with the same pitch as the track ribs. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention includes a single insert. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention has multiple inserts. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention, the bristles include fingers and the fingers are of the same length. In a related embodiment, the fingers are of a graduated length. In other embodiments, the fingers have a uniform pattern and in other embodiments, a random pattern. 
     It is an advantage of the invention to provide cleaning structure, which attaches to a pool cleaning vehicle, which moves about the pool in an automated fashion to dislodge particulates from the surface of the pool. 
     It is an advantage of the invention to provide cleaning structure which attaches to a pool cleaning vehicle which moves about the pool in an automated fashion to dislodge particulates embedded in the surface of the pool. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pool cleaning vehicle having the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention attached to the PCV. 
         FIGS. 2  is side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention illustrating bristles defining fingers, where the fingers are of approximately the same length. 
         FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention, where the fingers are of a graduated length. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a multiple insert exemplary embodiment of the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With respect to  FIG. 1  there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV)  10  having the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention generally denoted by the numeral  20 . The cleaning structure  20  is mounted to the tracks of the. PCV  10 . 
     The PCV  10  includes a housing  11  and a chassis for the drive tracks  12 . Attached to the chassis are drive tracks  12 . The drive tracks  12  define an endless loop drive belt or track and in various exemplary prior art embodiments overlap drive wheels (not shown). For further information and background concerning endless loop track PCV&#39;s, Applicant has specifically incorporates U.S. application Ser. No. 12/272,730 hereto. Further, the full extent of the disclosure therein is read into this specification and specifically into the Detailed Description of the Invention herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cleaning structure  20  defines an insert  21  and includes a base  22 . Extending from the base  22  are bristles  24 . The bristles  24  extend outwardly from the base  22 . As the PCV moves around the pool, the bristles  24  run into the side walls and objects extending from the pool surface, such as stairs and the like. As the bristles run in the pool surfaces and side walls, dirt and debris are dislodged, allowing the PCV to suck up the same. 
     The bristles  24  define fingers. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the fingers is approximately the same size. As will be described below, the fingers can be of different lengths, randomly selected or organized in some fashion as noted with respect to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . Each of these embodiments is within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The cleaning structure  20  is attached to the chassis for the track  12 . The exterior of the chassis track  12  includes an inside race  26 . The base  22  of the insert  21  has a compatible outside, race  28 . Each of the races  26  and  28  is compatible and when pressed together form a force fit. The force fit is strong enough to withstand bumping into walls and obstructions and obstacles on the pool surfaces. While there is flexibility in the fingers, the fingers are strong enough to dislodge particles and dirt and even embedded particulates. The fingers also serve, to some extent as shock absorbers, allowing the force fit to the tracks to be maintained despite repeated such contacts and even, collisions with the pool surface. In effect, the cleaning structure acts as a cap of the drive wheels and track. 
     The insert  21  is generally of a relatively soft engineering plastic. However, the insert  21  while being flexible is also durable and the fingers are likewise durable and flexible. The fingers are flexible enough to bend and yet durable enough not to break off even after repeated contacts and collisions with the various pool surfaces. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , there is shown another embodiment of the cleaning structure in accordance with the invention, generally designated by the numeral  30 . In this embodiment, the insert  32  defines bristles  34  comprising fingers  36 . The fingers  36  are of graduated length. The row of fingers  40  are shorter than the row of fingers  42 . Likewise the row of fingers  42  are shorter than the row of  44 . 
     Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , the center-most row of fingers  44  is the longest and the outer most row of fingers  40  is the shortest. As noted above, the finger length could be random or organized in other ways than graduated, all within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The means and structure for attachment of the cleaning structure  30  of  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  are the same as previously described with respect to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 . The same force fit through the races as set forth above works equally well for the graduated length embodiment described with respect to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . 
     With particularly reference to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the multiple insert embodiment of the cleaning structure, generally designated by the numeral  50 . The cleaning structure  50  includes four identical inserts  52 . Each of the inserts  52  has a series of bristles  54 . The bristles  54  comprise fingers  56 . 
     The fingers  56  as well as the inserts  52  generally conform to the standards and functions described previously with respect to the form and function of the earlier embodiments. Likewise, the finger length and pattern of placement of the fingers on the insert can be random or organized and the description previously set forth is equally applicable to this embodiment. 
     Likewise the material from which the fingers  56  are made conforms to the same standards and functions in a manner consistent with that previously described. Each of the inserts  52  includes flexible and durable fingers just as described previously. Also as described above, the inserts  52  are attached to the track  12 . The means and structure for attachment of each of the inserts.  52  to the track  12  include the track  12  having female connector members  58 . Additionally, the inserts  52  include male connection members  60 . The male members  60  are force fit to the female members  58  and form a force fit connection. 
     As with the force fit connection described with reference to the earlier embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the force fit connection here is also capable of withstanding repeated collisions with the walls of the pool as well as irregular and objections, structures and obstructions on the pool surface. The collisions allow the fingers to engage the surface of the pool and thereby dislodge dirt and debris that may have attached itself to the pool surface or may have even become embedded therein. In so dislodging such dirt and debris, the PCV is then able to suck up the same and thereby clean the water thoroughly. 
     Additionally, as illustrated in the  FIG. 5 , the attachment structure includes the chassis of the endless loop track  12  having an insert holder  70  for each insert  52 . In this embodiment, each of the male members  60  has an opening  72  through its center. The opening  72  is large enough to allow a screw  74  to be inserted therethrough. Consistent with this embodiment, the insert holder  70  has a screw receiving member, defining a female opening  76 , which in other exemplary embodiments has screw threads compatible with the screw  74 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the screws  74  are force fit into male and female openings,  74  and  76  respectively. 
     The screws  74  and cooperating structure allow the collisions to occur with greatly ferocity and more frequently. The screws  74  provide additional security for such collisions and rollovers and the like. It will be appreciated that other forms of attachment not specifically mentioned herein are equally within the spirit and, scope of the invention and that the specific structure may be conventional or novel as long as the function of remaining connected during PCV operation is achieved. 
     While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Particularly, there are varieties of different combinations of inserts and tracks and even wheels and/or rollers that can be used successfully with the cleaning structure in accordance with this invention. Each such combination, although not specifically recited and described above is within the spirit and scope of this invention. It also will be appreciated that there are various modifications to the track and cleaning structure are also within the spirit and scope of the invention herein and that of particular interest is the ability of the cleaning structure to dislodge dirt and debris using the side of the drive wheels, rollers or tracks in order for the same to be sucked up and removed from the pool during PCV operation. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.