公开(公告)号：US06854148B1

公开(公告)日：2005-02-15

申请号：US10296778

申请日：2000-05-26

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief ,  Manuela Rief

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief ,  Manuela Rief

IPC: E04H4/16

CPC classification number: E04H4/1654

Abstract: A four-wheel pool cleaner (20) motivated by water flow to move along a pool surface, and having: a body (24); the four wheels rotatably mounted thereon and including two sets of two wheels (22) each, one wheel of each set on each side; a drive mechanism (36) in position to be moved by water flow and having a rotatable drive member (76); a drive train extending to the first wheel set (22a, b) and to the second wheel set (22c, d), to drive all four wheels. Preferred embodiments include: wheel-to-wheel drive links (88) along the side; a turbine (36) as drive mechanism; a pair of spaced wheelgears (32, 34), preferably integrally formed with the wheel, facilitating drive linkages and steering; a pair of end-to-end drive shafts (80, 82) joined by a coupler (84c), one shaft end (80a) being a ball joint allowing fore-and-aft movement of a drive-shaft distal end; a spring (102) and cam (100) for alternately moving that distal end between a driving position engaging one of the spaced wheelgears (32), and a steering position engaging the other of the spaced wheelgears (34); wheel treads (108) with radial fingers (110), some (110a-c) of longer length; and a segmented articulated skirt (56) to help enclose a plenum beneath the pool cleaner.

Abstract translation: 一个由水流动的四轮游泳池清洁器（20），沿泳池表面移动，并具有：身体（24）; 所述四个车轮可旋转地安装在其上，并且包括两组两个轮（22），每个轮在每一侧各设一个轮; 驱动机构（36），其位置被水流移动并具有可旋转的驱动构件（76）; 延伸到第一轮组（22a，b）和第二轮组（22c，d）的传动系，以驱动所有四个轮。 优选实施例包括：沿着侧面的轮对轮驱动连杆（88）; 涡轮（36）作为驱动机构; 一对优选与轮一体形成的间隔开的齿轮（32,34），有助于驱动联动和转向; 由耦合器（84c）连接的一对端对端驱动轴（80,82），一个轴端（80a）是允许驱动轴远端前后移动的球形接头; 一个弹簧（102）和凸轮（100），用于将该远端交替地移动在接合一个相互间隔的齿轮（32）的驱动位置与接合另一个间隔开的齿轮（34）的转向位置之间。 具有径向指状物（110）的轮胎胎面（108），较长长度的一些（110a-c） 以及分段铰接的裙部（56），以帮助围绕泳池清洁器下方的气室。

公开(公告)号：US06733046B1

公开(公告)日：2004-05-11

申请号：US10279544

申请日：2002-10-24

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief

IPC: F16L2700

CPC classification number: F16L27/0828 ,  E04H4/1654 ,  E04H4/1672 ,  F16L25/0045 ,  Y10S285/903 ,  Y10S285/921

Abstract: A hose swivel connection apparatus for connecting a pair of hose sections, the swivel member having male and female swivel members with underlap and overlap portions, respectively, forming radially-facing annular ball grooves between which bearing balls are captured to provide swiveling and to hold the swivel device together, and a seal between the swivel members, preferably a ring seal positioned between a pair of axially-facing opposed seal-abutment surfaces. The invention also involves hose-end couplings on swivel members of a swivel device, the couplings each having a sleeve member over and permanently secured to a hose section and being adapted for snap-engagement with one of the swivel members.

Abstract translation: 一种用于连接一对软管部分的软管旋转连接装置，该旋转构件具有分别具有凹陷和重叠部分的阳和阴旋转构件，其形成径向朝向的环形球槽，在其间捕获支承球以提供旋转并保持 旋转装置在一起，以及在旋转构件之间的密封，优选地是位于一对轴向面对的相对的密封邻接表面之间的环形密封件。 本发明还包括在旋转装置的旋转构件上的软管端联接器，每个联接器具有套筒构件，并且永久地固定在软管部分上并且适于与其中一个旋转构件卡扣接合。

公开(公告)号：US6131227A

公开(公告)日：2000-10-17

申请号：US316846

申请日：1999-05-21

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief ,  Hans Raines Schlitzer

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief ,  Hans Raines Schlitzer

IPC: E04H4/16

CPC classification number: E04H4/1654

Abstract: An improved skirt for use with an automatic or robotic pool cleaner head comprising at least one or a row of double-hinged flaps, each of the flaps comprising a receiving member affixed to the pool cleaner head, an upper articulating member pivotally coupled to the receiving member, and a lower articulating member pivotally coupled to the upper articulating member. The pivotally connected members form upper and lower hinges which allow free radial movement upward to, but not beyond, the bottom surface of the pool cleaning head, and further allow the cleaning head to navigate uneven surfaces or pieces of debris while maintaining effective suction.

Abstract translation: 一种用于与自动或机器人游泳池清洁器头一起使用的改进的裙部，包括至少一排或一排双铰链翼片，每个翼片包括固定到游泳池清洁器头部的接收构件，可枢转地联接到接收器的上铰接构件 以及枢转地联接到所述上铰接构件的下铰接构件。 枢转连接的构件形成上和下铰链，其允许自由径向向上移动到池清洁头的底表面但不超过池清洁头的底表面，并且还允许清洁头导航不平坦的表面或碎片，同时保持有效的抽吸。

公开(公告)号：US20140319389A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-30

申请号：US14222892

申请日：2014-03-24

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief ,  Hans Rainer Schlitzer ,  Manuela Rief

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief ,  Hans Rainer Schlitzer ,  Manuela Rief

IPC: E04H4/16 ,  F16K31/122

CPC classification number: E04H4/1645 ,  F16K24/06 ,  F16K31/1221 ,  Y10T137/2567 ,  Y10T137/2572 ,  Y10T137/4252 ,  Y10T137/773

Abstract: An automatic vacuum-relief apparatus for liquid suction systems includes a vessel defining a chamber filled with liquid in communication with a liquid flow line, a rotary shaft extending through the chamber to support a valve device adjacent to the liquid flow line and to move the valve device to open a relief-air flow channel to relieve increased suction caused by inlet blockage, and a piston on the rotary shaft responsive to suction increases within the liquid flow line and chamber to actuate shaft rotation. The valve device, chamber and relief-air flow channel are configured and arranged to cause a spurt of liquid from the chamber into the inlet while the valve device is moving from its isolating position toward its opening position upon inlet blockage, whereby the spurt of liquid pushes the blockage away from the inlet and the relief air reduces the suction. The valve includes a liquid-flow barrier secured with respect to the liquid flow line such that the barrier is in an open position allowing flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet during normal operation and in a closed position isolating the inlet from the outlet in response to suction increases upon inlet blockage.

Abstract translation: 用于液体抽吸系统的自动真空释放装置包括容器，该容器限定充满与液体流动管线连通的液体的腔室;延伸穿过腔室的旋转轴，以支撑与液体流动管线相邻的阀门装置，并移动阀门 打开释放空气流动通道以减轻由入口堵塞引起的增加的吸力，并且响应于吸力的旋转轴上的活塞在液体流动管线和腔室内增加以致动轴旋转。 阀装置，腔室和排气流通道被构造和布置成使得液体从腔室涌入入口，同时阀装置在入口堵塞时从其隔离位置向其打开位置运动，由此液体喷出 将堵塞物推入入口，并且减压空气减少吸力。 阀包括相对于液体流动管线固定的液体流动阻挡件，使得阻挡件处于打开位置，从而允许液体在正常操作期间从入口到出口流动，并且在关闭位置将入口与出口隔离 入口堵塞时对吸力的响应增加。

公开(公告)号：US20140042063A1

公开(公告)日：2014-02-13

申请号：US13568838

申请日：2012-08-07

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief

IPC: C02F1/00

CPC classification number: E04H4/1672

Abstract: A debris-capturing apparatus for a cleaner device having an outflow port through which debris-laden liquid flows. The debris-capturing apparatus has an entry annulus and a debris cavity to receive flow of debris-laden liquid. A collapsible elongate back-flow restrictor, which is substantially erect in the flow direction during inflow, has an annular proximal-end portion secured about the entry annulus and a free-end portion within the debris cavity. The free-end portion has at least one discontinuity along the length thereof to relieve resistance to debris-laden fluid flow into the cavity and to facilitate collapse of the restrictor for back-flow restriction.

Abstract translation: 一种用于清洁器装置的碎片捕获装置，其具有通过其流过碎屑的液体流出的流出口。 碎片捕获装置具有进入环和碎屑腔以接收载满碎屑的液体流。 在流入期间在流动方向上基本上直立的可收缩的细长的后流限流器具有围绕进入环的固定的环形近端部分和碎屑空腔内的自由端部分。 自由端部分沿着其长度具有至少一个不连续部分，以减轻对流入空腔的碎屑流体流动的抵抗力，并且便于限流器的塌缩以用于回流限制。

公开(公告)号：US20120074050A1

公开(公告)日：2012-03-29

申请号：US12890069

申请日：2010-09-24

Applicant: Manuela Rief ,  Dieter J. Rief

Inventor： Manuela Rief ,  Dieter J. Rief

IPC: E04H4/16 ,  C02F1/00 ,  C02F103/42

CPC classification number: E04H4/1209 ,  C02F2103/42 ,  E04H4/1654

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner of the type movable along an underwater pool surface to clean debris therefrom. The pool cleaner includes a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet. A rigid debris-collection canister is secured to the body over the debris outlet to collect debris in the rigid canister and pass filtered water either back into the pool or to a remote suction system such that the collected debris remain at the pool-cleaner body for easy maintenance while allowing free flow of water through the rigid canister. The rigid canister is shaped to minimize obstructions to the pool cleaner movement in the pool by providing improved buoyancy and limiting entrapment of the cleaner by underwater pool structures. The cleaner body is adapted for securement of either a water-suction hose connected to a remote suction system or a venturi-line structure connected to a water-flow line fed by a remote pump such that the pool cleaner is interchangeably usable as a suction cleaner and as a pressure cleaner.

Abstract translation: 一种游泳池清洁剂，可沿水下游泳池表面移动，以清洁碎屑。 游泳池清洁器包括具有碎屑入口和碎屑出口的主体。 刚性碎片收集罐被固定在碎屑出口上的主体上以收集刚性罐中的碎屑，并将过滤的水通过回流池或远离抽吸系统，使得所收集的碎屑保留在池清洁器体上 容易维护，同时允许水自由流动通过刚性罐。 刚性罐被成形为通过提供改善的浮力和限制由水下池结构吸收清洁器来最小化池中清洁器运动的障碍物。 清洁器主体适于固定连接到远程抽吸系统的抽水软管或连接到由远程泵馈送的水流管线的文丘里管结构，使得池清洁器可互换地用作抽吸清洁器 并作为压力清洁剂。

公开(公告)号：US06289918B1

公开(公告)日：2001-09-18

申请号：US09327913

申请日：1999-06-08

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief ,  Hans Raines Schlitzer

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief ,  Hans Raines Schlitzer

IPC: F16K1708

CPC classification number: F16K35/00 ,  Y10S137/907 ,  Y10T137/2572 ,  Y10T137/5109 ,  Y10T137/7734 ,  Y10T137/7834

Abstract: An automatically-locking bypass valve (10) of the type including a valve body (12), an inner member (11) in sliding engagement with the valve body (12) and having a bypass opening (48), the valve body (12) and inner member (11) having first and second vacuum-reactive surfaces (18a and 18b respectively), and a spring (60) between the valve body (12) and the inner member (11) against which the vacuum-reactive surfaces (18a and 18b respectively) move axially relative to each other. The valve body (12) has a guide (26) and the inner member (11) has a guide-follower (50) which is (a) slidably engaged with the guide (26) in one rotational alignment with the valve body (12) in a normal operating range of relative axial positions of the valve body (12) and inner member (11) and (b) out of sliding engagement with the guide (26) beyond such normal operating range. The spring (60) is in rotational tension such that it rotates the valve body (12) into a locked bypass position with respect to the inner member (11) when the guide (26) and guide-follower (50) are out of sliding engagement.

Abstract translation: 一种自动锁定旁通阀（10），其包括阀体（12），与阀体（12）滑动接合并具有旁通开口（48）的内部构件（11），阀体（12） ）和具有第一和第二真空反应表面（分别为18a和18b）的内部构件（11）和在阀体（12）和内部构件（11）之间的弹簧（60），真空反应表面 18a和18b）相对于彼此轴向移动。 所述阀体（12）具有引导件（26），并且所述内部构件（11）具有引导从动件（50），所述引导件从动件（50）与所述阀体（12）以一个旋转对准的方式与所述引导件（26） ）在阀体（12）和内部构件（11）的相对轴向位置的正常操作范围内，和（b）超出该正常操作范围与导向件26的滑动接合。 弹簧（60）处于旋转张力，使得当引导件（26）和引导件从动件（50）不滑动时，其将阀体（12）相对于内部构件（11）旋转到锁定旁路位置 订婚。

公开(公告)号：USD444280S1

公开(公告)日：2001-06-26

申请号：US29126777

申请日：2000-07-24

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief ,  Manuela Rief ,  Rosemarie Rief

Designer： Dieter J. Rief ,  Manuela Rief ,  Rosemarie Rief

公开(公告)号：US5293659A

公开(公告)日：1994-03-15

申请号：US52699

申请日：1993-04-27

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief ,  Herman E. Frentzel ,  Jerauld G. Wright ,  Paul Sebor

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief ,  Herman E. Frentzel ,  Jerauld G. Wright ,  Paul Sebor

IPC: E04H4/16 ,  E04H3/20

CPC classification number: E04H4/1654 ,  E04H4/1663

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

Abstract translation: 一种用于游泳池清洁器的吸头，包括一个在其下侧开口并具有附着在其下边缘上的倾斜刷毛的壳体，用于支撑在要清洁的表面上。 壳体具有安装到其顶部的旋转套筒，用于依次连接抽吸软管以连接到抽水泵。 所述套筒在壳体内的腔室中打开，其中振动元件枢转地安装在其中，所述元件具有新月形或空气箔形状。 通过通过所述腔室吸入的水流，振动元件被自动地进入振动运动，其在吸头上施加脉动。 因此，倾斜的刷毛被重复地弯曲和拉直，导致向前的推力将吸头移动到待清洁的表面上。 至少一只脚设置在壳体中，该壳体通过由振动元件的运动驱动并由复位弹簧返回的驱动机构而被循环地位移。 所述脚在一侧周期性地抬起吸头，导致吸头围绕垂直轴线的旋转运动，以便改变吸头的向前运动的方向。

公开(公告)号：US07506770B2

公开(公告)日：2009-03-24

申请号：US11770831

申请日：2007-06-29

Applicant: Dieter J. Rief

Inventor： Dieter J. Rief

IPC: A47F7/00

CPC classification number: E04H4/1654 ,  A47L9/0009 ,  E04H4/14

Abstract: The wall-mountable device for convenient and compact storage of an automatic pool cleaner and related hose sections. The wall-mountable device includes a body which has a shelf portion with a substantially-vertical upper surface sized to receive the pool cleaner, a back-edge portion having a substantially-vertical surface securable to a wall, and hose-mounting portion(s) which has substantially-horizontal ledges defining open-sided notches. Each ledge is size to receive and support a hose section for uncoiled vertical storage.

Abstract translation: 一种壁挂式设备，方便紧凑的存放自动泳池清洁器和相关软管部分。 壁挂式装置包括主体，该主体具有搁架部分，该搁板部分具有尺寸适于接收池清洁器的基本上水平的上表面，具有可固定到壁的基本上垂直的表面的后边缘部分和软管安装部分 ），其具有限定开口侧凹口的基本上水平的突出部。 每个凸缘的尺寸可以接收和支撑用于展开垂直存储的软管部分。