The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 10, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 07, 2000
Gloria Erlich, North Caldwell, NJ (US);
Seth M. Chilton, Caldwell, NJ (US);
Aqua Products, Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided for removing undesired coiling or twisting that has developed in a power cable attached to a robotic swimming pool cleaner during the cleaner's pre-programmed or random movement over the bottom and/or side walls of the pool. A rotatable grip assembly is permanently or removably affixed to the power cable adjacent one or both ends of the power cable that can be disconnected from the power supply or the pool cleaner. The rotatable grip assembly includes one or more bearings, at least a portion of which bearings is fixed with respect to the power cable, and a gripping member that is in contact with the one or more bearings. When the coils or twists are to be removed, the end of the power cable to which the grip assembly is attached is disconnected and a longitudinal or axial force is applied to the gripping member in the direction of the free end, which force is translated by the bearings to a rotational movement of the power cable that passes axially through the annular grip assembly. The axial force is maintained until the rotation of the power cable ceases.