Abstract: A pressure type pool cleaner includes a head propelled forwardly over a surface. Different portions of water pumped to the head inducts debris into a cleaner system, and is ejected via a thrust nozzle onto a deflector and thence along a thrust line to thrust the head along the line. The deflector is pivotal via a saddle about a longitudinal axis such as to be displaced laterally relative to the thrust nozzle. The deflector includes obliquely opposed deflection surfaces which are respectively aligned with the nozzle in dependence on its relatively laterally displaced position to deflect the water ejected along the line to respectively different oblique directions to adjust the direction of thrust and to effect lateral steering.

Abstract: Devices for cleaning vessels, especially swimming pools, are discussed. The devices may include a non-linear flow path in a gap surrounding an in-line valve. This non-linearity permits lengths of concentric pipes forming the gap to be decreased without sacrificing operational performance of the devices. Valves forming parts of the cleaning devices may be diaphragms but shaped, sized, reinforced, or configured differently than existing valves and may have collapsible segments whose interior shape resembles an ellipse in transverse cross-section. Co-molding of diaphragms and pipes may occur, and inner and outer cups may be used to fix relative positions of various components of the devices.

Abstract: A push side pool cleaner (1) has a spheroidal overall shape, within this shape two outer segments (9, 10) serve as wheels and a central zone (8) carries a suction passage (33) and a debris collector (32) also located entirely within the overall shape. The wheels are driven directly by water jets (44, 45) without any gears or other transmission. A flow splitter is provided in the cleaner (1) to divide push side water flow between the jets (44, 45) which drive the wheels and jets (43) which provide impulsion to the suction passage (33).

Abstract: Mobile apparatus, typically in the form of automatic swimming pool cleaners, capable of indicating temperatures (or pressures) of the pool water in which they are deployed are discussed. The indication may, but need not necessarily, occur through change in color of one of more components of the cleaners. Some versions may have floats adapted to provide this color change. These or other versions may include floats that are not spherical in shape as well. Alternatively, temperature (or pressure) indication may be provided by other aspects of a water-circulation system.

Abstract: A pressure type pool cleaner includes a head (10) propelled forwardly (34) over a surface (12). Different portions of water pumped (14, 16) to the head inducts debris into a cleaner system, and is ejected via a thrust nozzle (42) onto a deflector (68) and thence along a thrust line (80) to thrust the head along the line (80). The deflector (68) is pivotal via a saddle (48) about a longitudinal axis such as to be displaced laterally relative to the thrust nozzle (42). The deflector includes obliquely opposed deflection surfaces which are respectively aligned with the nozzle in dependence on its relatively laterally displaced position to deflect the water ejected along the line (80) to respectively different oblique directions to adjust the direction of thrust and to effect lateral steering.

Abstract: A pressure type pool cleaner includes a head (10) propelled forwardly (34) over a surface (12). Water pumped (14, 16) to the head drives wheels (22) turbine fashion; inducts debris into a cleaner system; and is ejected via a thrust nozzle (42) onto a guide (68) and thence along a thrust line (80) to thrust the head along the line (80). A pivoted director (44) mounts the guide (68) and includes a surface member (56) exposed to the water. During forward movement, water pressure on the member (56) counteracts jet stream pressure on the guide and maintains the guide's orientation for the thrust line (80) to above a wheel rotation axis (24). When an obstacle stops forward motion, pressure on the member (56) and its counteracting stop, the guide (68) is reoriented and redirects the thrust to well below the axis (24) to pivot the head (10) about the axis to assist the wheels (22) to scale the obstacle.

Abstract: A push side pool cleaner (1) has a spheroidal overall shape, within this shape two outer segments (9, 10) serve as wheels and a central zone (8) carries a suction passage (33) and a debris collector (32) also located entirely within the overall shape. The wheels are driven directly by water jets (44, 45) without any gears or other transmission. A flow splitter is provided in the cleaner (1) to divide push side water flow between the jets (44, 45) which drive the wheels and jets (43) which provide impulsion to the suction passage (33).

Abstract: A push side pool cleaner (1) has a spheroidal overall shape, within this shape two outer segments (9, 10) serve as wheels and a central zone (8) carries a suction passage (33) and a debris collector (32) also located entirely within the overall shape. The wheels are driven directly by water jets (44, 45) without any gears or other transmission. A flow splitter is provided in the cleaner (1) to divide push side water flow between the jets (44, 45) which drive the wheels and jets (43) which provide impulsion to the suction passage (33).

Abstract: This invention provides an accessory for an automatic pool cleaner, to increase the randomness of movement of a suction head of the pool cleaner, and a method therefor. The method comprises looping a section of the cleaner hose and allowing the hose sections leading up to the loop to vary in length. Particularly, the hose section leading from the pump to the loop is varied. The accessory comprises two connection parts, one for connection to each respective section of hose to form the necessary hose loop. Preferably one of the parts is slidable along the hose length to enable the hose to vary its length. The sliding action of the hose occurs between two stops in the length of the hose, and a pawl mechanism is provided to enable the slide to occur in one direction towards a stop. Contact with the stop causes the pawl mechanism to switch over and slide the hose in the opposite direction.