Abstract:
An underwater light for use with soft-sided aboveground pools includes a watertight light fixture utilizing a low voltage (12V) current for use in underwater illumination of a swimming pool. A mounting assembly is provided that is attached to the light fixture for allowing attachment of the assembly to a support frame of a soft-sided aboveground pool. A transformer is provided for containing controls for an automatic timer and for providing variable intensity lighting to the system.

Description:
[0001]     This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) on U.S. Provisional Application No(s). 60/509,537 filed on Oct. 9, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an underwater light combined with an integral mounting structure for attachment to the support frame of a soft-sided aboveground pool.  
       DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART  
       [0003]     With the introduction of a “soft-sided” aboveground pool, the ability of the pool owner to add an underwater light has been reduced to only one type: an integral light structure which fits into the return water fitting of the pool wall. This type of light was originally designed for hard-sided aboveground pools with flat vertical sides.  
         [0004]     Due to the curved profile of the soft-sided pool, most wall fittings have a tendency to leak, especially when the bulk of a light fitting is added to the return water fitting. In addition, the location of the return fitting may not provide the optimum location for lighting the pool.  
         [0005]     Another common difficulty of any existing lights for soft-sided pools is the difficulty of installing the light on an existing pool. Draining the pool is required to insert the light fitting through the wall.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     There is a need for a specially mounted, easily installed underwater light for use on soft-sided pools that eliminates the possibility of creating a leak in the wall fitting; is easily installed without draining of the pool; and allows for installation anywhere on the pool for optimum lighting of the water.  
         [0007]     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an underwater light for a soft sided pool according to the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view illustrating the underwater light for a soft sided pool according to the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating an attachment for the underwater light for a soft sided pool according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 3  illustrating the range of adjustment for the attachment for the underwater light for a soft sided pool according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the preferred embodiment, the light fixture  10  is combined with an integral mounting structure  12  that encases the wiring  14  from the lightbox  16  over the pool wall to the outside of the pool. The integral mounting structure  12  may include a protective pad  18  that may be constructed of a rubber padding for protecting the pool frame  40  and liner from abrasion. An adjustment mechanism  24  allows the device  10  to be secured properly to various diameters of pipe frames commonly used in this type of pool.  
         [0019]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cover  124  of the lightbox  16  is removed to permit a bulb  20  and a special concave reflective backing  22  to be seen. The mounting structure  12  contains the wiring  14  therein and is connected to a transformer (not illustrated) in compliance with UL  676  standards governing electrical devices on storable pools, which include an automatic timer that switches off the light after three hours and internal electronics which allow the user to choose a lower (20 watt) or higher (50 watt) light intensity. The cover  124  may be secured to the lightbox  16  by means of screws  125 A and  125 B to permit the cover  124  to be mounted on the lightbox  16  in a water tight arrangement.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view illustrating the underwater light for a soft sided pool according to the present invention wherein the light fixture  10  includes the integral mounting structure  12  that encases the wiring  14  from the lightbox  16  over the pool wall to the outside of the pool and that protects the pool frame  40  and liner from abrasion by using the protective pad  18  as part of the mounting assembly. The protective pad  18  together with the adjustment mechanism  24  allows the device  10  to be secured properly to various diameters of pipe frames commonly used in this type of pool.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are schematic views illustrating an attachment for the underwater light for a soft sided pool according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the integral mounting structure  12  is formed to include a section that is greater than 180° in diameter. In this way, the integral mounting structure  12  may be positioned over the pipe frame  40  of the pool with the adjustment mechanism  24  being disposed adjacent to a lower surface of the pipe frame  40 . The adjustment mechanism  24  may be a screw that is tightened to secure the mounting structure  12  to the pipe frame  40 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a range of adjustment is available with the adjustment mechanism  24 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light. Again, the integral mounting structure  12  is formed to include a section that is greater than 180° in diameter. In this way, the integral mounting structure  12  may be positioned over the pipe frame  40  of the pool with the adjustment mechanism  24  being disposed adjacent to a lower surface of the pipe frame  40 . A protective pad  26  may be positioned between the adjustment mechanism  24  and the pipe frame  40  for ensuring a proper attachment of the mounting structure  12  to the pipe frame  40 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of mounting structure  12  that is formed to include a section that is greater than 180° in diameter. The opening that is provided in the lower section of the mounting structure  12  must be larger that the diameter of the pipe frame  40  to permit the mounting structure  12  to be positioned over the pipe frame  40  of the pool.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light wherein the mounting structure  12  includes a member  12 A that is secured to the mounting structure  12  by means of an securing mechanism  24 A. The securing mechanism  24 A may be a screw for securing the mounting structure  12  to the pipe frame  40  of the pool.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light wherein the mounting structure  12  includes a member  12 A that is secured to the mounting structure  12  by means of an securing mechanism  24 A. The securing mechanism  24 A may be a screw for securing the mounting structure  12  to the pipe frame  40  of the pool. In addition, the adjustment mechanism  24  may be provided to ensuring the mounting of the mounting structure  12  to the pipe frame  40  of the pool.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the attachment for the underwater light wherein the mounting structure  12  includes a projection  30  extending inwardly therefrom for accurately positioning the mounting structure  12  relative to the pipe frame  40  of the pool. The projection  30  provides a larger contact area for the clamping angle of the mounting structure  12  and permits an easier use of the adjustment mechanism  24  that is provided for ensuring that the mounting structure  12  is affixed to the pipe frame  40  of the pool.  
         [0027]     The present invention is also directed to a method for installing the mounting structure  12  onto a vessel of water such as a soft side pool by using a single mounting point. It is preferable to make the single mounting point to be positioned at the top rail or the frame of the vessel structure. The frame of the vessel could be made of the pipe frame  40 . The most commonly used pipe frame  40  is generally of a round shape. In order to secure the mounting structure  12  to clamp the pipe frame  40  the mounting structure  12  should be over 180° in cross-section. In this way, the mounting structure  12  will fit over the pipe frame  40  to permit the mounting structure  12  to be able to be positioned over a variety of diameters of the pipes used to construct the pipe frame  40 . In the drawings the mounting structure  12  is illustrated as being used together with a lightbox  16 . However, the mounting structure  12  may be used together with a variety of apparatus that are desired to be mounted relative to a vessel.  
         [0028]     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3-9 , the adjustment mechanism  24  may be covered with a decorative cover to cover the clamping mechanism for holding the mounting structure  12  relative to the pipe frame  40  of the soft-sided above ground pool. A threaded connection may be provided for attaching the decorative cover to the mounting structure  12  for hiding the attachment mechanism  24 . A conduit may be provided within the mounting structure  12  for providing a channel for permitting the passage of the electrical cable  14  to pass outside the soft-sided above ground pool.  
         [0029]     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.