Patents by Inventor Dieter J. Rief
Dieter J. Rief has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20210198914Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Patent number: 10947750Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Patent number: 10876318Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Patent number: 10837190Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Patent number: 10066411Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Publication number: 20180179774Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Publication number: 20180179773Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Patent number: 9784007Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner including a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet and defining an elongate slotted cavity pivotably holding proximal ends of flap members forming a segmented skirt which forms with the pool surface a plenum from which water and debris are drawn into the inlet. The slotted cavity is configured for strain-free insertion of the flap-member proximal ends into the cavity. A removable nozzle within the debris inlet and retaining the flap-member proximal ends in the cavity. A method for inlet to control debris-laden water flow. The cleaner further including a tool-free nozzle-mounting structure at the debris inlet removably retaining the nozzle within the debris inlet and a tool-free wheel-mounting assembly. a plurality of removable nozzles are interchangeably secured within the debris inlet, each nozzle having a flow opening sized differently from flow opening(s) of the other nozzle(s) to control debris-laden water flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer
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Patent number: 9758979Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner including a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet and defining an elongate slotted cavity pivotably holding proximal ends of flap members forming a segmented skirt which forms with the pool surface a plenum from which water and debris are drawn into the inlet. The slotted cavity is configured for strain-free insertion of the flap-member proximal ends into the cavity. A removable nozzle within the debris inlet and retaining the flap-member proximal ends in the cavity. A method for inlet to control debris-laden water flow. The cleaner further including a tool-free nozzle-mounting structure at the debris inlet removably retaining the nozzle within the debris inlet and a tool-free wheel-mounting assembly, a plurality of removable nozzles are interchangeably secured within the debris inlet, each nozzle having a flow opening sized differently from flow opening(s) of the other nozzle(s) to control debris-laden water flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer
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Patent number: 9593502Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner including a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet and defining an elongate slotted cavity pivotably holding proximal ends of flap members forming a segmented skirt which forms with the pool surface a plenum from which water and debris are drawn into the inlet. The slotted cavity is configured for strain-free insertion of the flap-member proximal ends into the cavity. A removable nozzle within the debris inlet and retaining the flap-member proximal ends in the cavity. A method for inlet to control debris-laden water flow. The cleaner further including a tool-free nozzle-mounting structure at the debris inlet removably retaining the nozzle within the debris inlet and a tool-free wheel-mounting assembly. a plurality of removable nozzles are interchangeably secured within the debris inlet, each nozzle having a flow opening sized differently from flow opening(s) of the other nozzle(s) to control debris-laden water flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer
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Publication number: 20150076048Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: PoolvergnuegenInventors: Manuela Rief, Dieter J. Rief
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Publication number: 20150059106Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGENInventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
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Publication number: 20150020368Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner including a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet and defining an elongate slotted cavity pivotably holding proximal ends of flap members forming a segmented skirt which forms with the pool surface a plenum from which water and debris are drawn into the inlet. The slotted cavity is configured for strain-free insertion of the flap-member proximal ends into the cavity. A removable nozzle within the debris inlet and retaining the flap-member proximal ends in the cavity. A method for inlet to control debris-laden water flow. The cleaner further including a tool-free nozzle-mounting structure at the debris inlet removably retaining the nozzle within the debris inlet and a tool-free wheel-mounting assembly. a plurality of removable nozzles are interchangeably secured within the debris inlet, each nozzle having a flow opening sized differently from flow opening(s) of the other nozzle(s) to control debris-laden water flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGENInventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer
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Publication number: 20150020322Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner including a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet and defining an elongate slotted cavity pivotably holding proximal ends of flap members forming a segmented skirt which forms with the pool surface a plenum from which water and debris are drawn into the inlet. The slotted cavity is configured for strain-free insertion of the flap-member proximal ends into the cavity. A removable nozzle within the debris inlet and retaining the flap-member proximal ends in the cavity. A method for inlet to control debris-laden water flow. The cleaner further including a tool-free nozzle-mounting structure at the debris inlet removably retaining the nozzle within the debris inlet and a tool-free wheel-mounting assembly. a plurality of removable nozzles are interchangeably secured within the debris inlet, each nozzle having a flow opening sized differently from flow opening(s) of the other nozzle(s) to control debris-laden water flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGENInventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer
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Publication number: 20140319389Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: POOLVERGNEUGENInventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief
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Patent number: 8784652Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: PoolvergnuegenInventors: Manuela Rief, Dieter J. Rief
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Patent number: 8678026Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Schlitzer, Manuela Rief
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Publication number: 20140042063Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGENInventor: Dieter J. Rief
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Patent number: 8402585Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner interchangeably usable as a suction cleaner and as a pressure cleaner. The cleaner is of the type movable along an underwater pool surface to clean debris therefrom, the pool cleaner including a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet. The body is adapted at the debris outlet for securement of either a water-suction hose connected to a remote suction system or a debris-collection device entrapping debris and passing water therethrough back into the pool. A venturi-line structure is secured with respect to the body. The venturi-line structure includes a venturi-line inlet adapted for connection of a water-flow line fed by a remote pump and a venturi jet located at the debris inlet to cause accelerated flow substantially thereacross and into the body when the cleaner is used as a pressure cleaner. The body includes a debris-inlet adjuster configured to reduce the debris inlet to adapt the cleaner for use as a suction cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: PoolvergnuegenInventors: Manuela Rief, Dieter J. Rief
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Publication number: 20120074050Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGENInventors: Manuela Rief, Dieter J. Rief