Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device for automatically cleaning a submerged surface includes a forwardly inclined housing forming a flow passage including a flow control valve. A flexible planar disc extends around an inlet to the flow passage for engaging the surface to be cleaned. The flexible planar member includes slits extending from the peripheral edge inward toward the central opening to form a pedal-like segmented flange for splaying of each segment in response to travel of the cleaner over an irregularly contoured surface and facilitate an effective frictional contact with the surface. A steering mechanism driven by fluid flow through the housing causes the housing to rotate about the planar disc.

Abstract: A device is operably attached to a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering of the swimming pool cleaner away from obstacles within a swimming pool. The device includes a coupling slidably attached to the swimming pool cleaner near its hose coupling. An upper, generally horizontally positioned, resilient elongate bumper has its opposing ends affixed to the coupling to form the upper bumper into an arcuate shape extending partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner. A second resilient, elongate vertical bumper has one end attached to the upper bumper and an opposing end attached a weight assembly of the pool cleaner at a location proximate the sealing flange. A roller is attached to the vertical bumper near the upper bumper for rotation thereabout when the swimming pool cleaner encounters an obstacle such as a step from which it is to be dislodged.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner is operable through a vibratory movement of its housing through a flow of water past a vibratory element carried within the housing. A friction support is carried by the housing and engages a surface to be cleaned. The friction support has a first end pivotally attached to the housing and a second free end in frictional contact with the surface to be cleaned. The friction support is further biased toward a first orientation and limited in its movement therefrom as the friction support is displaced during vibration of the housing and movement of the pool cleaner.

Abstract: A device is operably attached to a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering of the swimming pool cleaner away from obstacles within a swimming pool. The device includes a coupling slidably attached to the swimming pool cleaner near its hose coupling. An upper, generally horizontally positioned, resilient elongate bumper has its opposing ends affixed to the coupling to form the upper bumper into an arcuate shape extending partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner. A second resilient, elongate vertical bumper has one end attached to the upper bumper and an opposing end attached a weight assembly of the pool cleaner at a location proximate the sealing flange. A roller is attached to the vertical bumper near the upper bumper for rotation thereabout when the swimming pool cleaner encounters an obstacle such as a step from which it is to be dislodged.

Abstract: A device is operably attached to a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering of the swimming pool cleaner away from obstacles within a swimming pool. The device includes a coupling slidably attached to the swimming pool cleaner near its hose coupling. An upper, generally horizontally positioned, resilient elongate bumper has its opposing ends affixed to the coupling to form the upper bumper into an arcuate shape extending partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner. A second resilient, elongate vertical bumper has one end attached to the upper bumper and an opposing end attached a weight assembly of the pool cleaner at a location proximate the sealing flange. A roller is attached to the vertical bumper near the upper bumper for rotation thereabout when the swimming pool cleaner encounters an obstacle such as a step from which it is to be dislodged.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device for automatically cleaning a submerged surface includes a forwardly inclined housing forming a flow passage between a surface to be cleaned and a suction hose. A flow control valve is operable within the flow passage and includes a flap pivotable from a seated position against the front wall of the housing for blocking flow through the passage to an unseated position in a spaced relation to the forward wall, permitting. A shoe is carried at an inlet to the flow passage and a flexible planar disc extends around the shoe for engaging the surface to be cleaned. A groove within the shoe bottom surface forms a channel with the surface for passage of debris and fluid flow through the channel.