Abstract:
A swimming pool light assembly for connecting a light to a side wall of a pool where a pool light niche is not provided, said assembly comprises an interchangeable light, a watertight connector comprising a first end and a second end operable to deliver at least one of power and control signals to said light through said first end, and a cable with a first end connected to said connector for providing at least one of power from a power source and a control signal from a controller to said light, wherein said light is operable for connecting and disconnecting from said watertight connector while both said connector and said light are submerged in water.

Description:
This continuation-in-part application claims of Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/237,634, filed on Sep. 9, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to swimming pool lights and, more particularly, to a swimming pool light that is easily removable wherein a plurality of different light fixtures may be placed within the pool using a single connector for all light fixtures. 
     Currently water within a swimming pool is lighted by an incandescent light that is housed within a watertight fixture that is situated within a cavity that is within a pool wall, or a niche in a pool wall, below a water line. The cavity, or niche, is required in the wall of the pool because the incandescent light has a longitudinal length, wherein the niche is need to place the bulb so that it does not extend into the pool. Typically the niche is one of the greatest places for a leak to occur in a pool because of the size of the niche or area cut from the pool wall. Leaks occur because anytime you have a protrusion through a pool wall, such as a niche, the greater the protrusion, the greater the chance for a leak. The watertight fixture has an outer lens that may protrude slightly into the pool. When a new bulb is needed, the whole fixture is removed from the cavity, wherein a power cable supplying electricity to the light is long enough for the fixture to be safely positioned out of the pool water. 
     Typically, a clear, incandescent light bulb is placed in the fixture. If a colored effect is desired, such as blue, red or green, then a different color bulb is placed in the fixture. In another embodiment, typically used in spas, the outer lens is replaced with a colored lens, or a colored lens cover fits over the clear lens. In each of these situations, a user has to manually make a modification to the pool light to produce a desired color. However, if the user desires a continuously varying of colors where the intensity of the light is not lessened, such an option is not currently available. 
     Standard electrical wiring connects the watertight fixture to a 110-volt source. Providing a 110-volt source to such an underwater fixture presents an element of risk that many would prefer to avoid. Also, because of the illumination patterns of incandescent lamps, they frequently expose imperfections in the interior surface of the swimming pools as a consequence of the light&#39;s diffusion of light and the intensity of the light source. 
     It is known in the prior art to provide light emitting diode (“LED”) lighting assemblies for swimming pools, but such systems are frequently designed for aboveground pools and hot tubs. There are also known LED lighting assemblies for in-ground pools that house LED arrays that rotate to achieve variations of emitted color patterns. Typically such assemblies will employ a combination of red, green and blue LED arrays, which permit the generation of up to 26,000 colors, as is also well known in the art. For example, it is believed that U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,628 (the “&#39;628 Patent”) teaches the use of predetermined arrays of a plurality of different color LED bulbs to replace an incandescent pool light, where the plurality of different color LED bulbs are wired in such a manner that the predetermined rays of a plurality of different colored LED bulbs activate at predetermined sequences for predetermined time intervals wherein the bulbs are encased in a lens. Even though LED bulbs are used, providing LED lighting fixtures with brightness to rival incandescent bulbs is still an issue, especially when not all of the LED bulbs are illuminated, as suggested in the &#39;628 Patent. As is also evident with the &#39;628 Patent, the &#39;628 patent is disclosed for placement within a niche. Thus, removing the invention disclosed in the &#39;628 Patent from the niche is just as cumbersome as removing an incandescent light bulb from a niche and its enclosure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a detachable light assembly for a swimming pool, spa or another body of water where the light source does not have to be placed in a niche formed in a wall of a container holding the body of water, and where the primary light is removed and a plurality of other light assemblies may be connected to a power source while underwater. Towards this end, a swimming pool light assembly for connecting a light to a side wall of a pool is provided where a pool light niche is not needed. The assembly includes an interchangeable light, and a watertight connector to deliver power and/or control signals to the light. A cable for providing power from a power source and/or a control signal from a controller to the light is also provided. The light is operable for connecting and disconnecting from the watertight connector while both the connector and the light are submerged in water. 
     In another preferred embodiment, an underwater light system is disclosed. The underwater light system comprises a submersible light that is interchangeable with other lights and has a connection end. A watertight connector is also provided that is operable to receive power and/or a control signal for delivery to the light. A power source for providing power to the light and/or a controller for providing a control signal to the light is also provided. A cable with for providing power from the power source and/or a control signal from the controller to the light is also part of the system. The light may be connected and disconnected from the watertight connector while both the connector and light are submerged in water. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a submersible light system for replacing a niche light system in swimming pools wherein a niche is already cut into a side of the swimming pool is disclosed. The system comprises a plate to fit within the niche comprising a hole formed therethrough the plate. A submersible light comprising a lens cover and a connection end is provided. A watertight connector to receive power and/or a control signal and to deliver power and/or a control signal to the light is also part of the system. A cable with a first end connected to the connector for providing power from a power source and/or a control signal from a controller to the light is also part of the system. The plate closes the niche and the light is operable for connecting and disconnecting from the watertight connector through the plate while both the connector and light are submerged in water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like numbers represent parts throughout the drawings and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a removable light assembly connected to a waterproof connector positioned in a side of a swimming pool; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the watertight connector and adapter illustrating a locking notch; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a watertight connector with a light wherein the connection end of the light is displayed; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary embodiment of the preferred invention configured to fit within a pool with an existing niche; and 
         FIG. 5  displays exemplary embodiments of various light assemblies configurations that may be attached to the waterproof connector; and 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The scope of the invention disclosed is applicable to a plurality of uses. Thus, even though embodiments are described specifically to swimming pool light fixtures, the present invention is applicable to other uses or applications such as, but not limited to, spas, ponds, and man-made lakes. Additionally, other examples include uses in the area of architectural lighting such as interior and exterior lighting of residential homes, office complexes and/or other buildings. Similarly, the same or other embodiments may be used in landscaping, such as illuminating sidewalks, pools of water, waterfalls or any other area that needs to be illuminated, including underwater applications. Furthermore, though the present invention is disclosed specific to LED lights, other forms of lights, such as fiber optic lighting and laser lighting, but not limited to these three forms of lighting, are also applicable to the present invention. Finally, the present invention is illustrated primarily with respect for use with gunite swimming pools wherein certain aspects of the invention are specific to gunite pools. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a plurality of ways are available to implement the present invention depending on the type of pool the present invention is being applied to. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment in  FIG. 1  is specific to a pool made of gunite. As illustrated, an opening  9  is provided through a sidewall  12  of a container holding a body of water, such as a sidewall of a swimming pool. A pipe  10  is placed through the opening  9 . A power cable, or electrical conduit,  14  is fed through the pipe  10  and is connected to an underwater connector  16 . In a preferred embodiment, in addition to providing electrical power to a light fixture  20  through the power cable  14 , feeds are provided to connect the light  20  to a controller (not shown), which is used to control whether the light  20  is on or off, as well as to determine color patterns to be illuminated from the light  20 . 
     For a gunite pool, an adapter  22  is fitted into the pipe  10  and around the power cable  14  wherein the watertight connector  16  is fitted to the adapter  22 . In constructing the gunite pool, once the adapter  22  is placed within the opening  9  through the base wall  12 , gunite  25  is applied around the part of the adapter  22  that extends from the base wall  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the adapter  22  still has an edge that extends beyond the gunite  25  surface  32 . In another preferred embodiment, the edge does not extend beyond the gunite  25  surface  32 . In one preferred embodiment, at the area between the back surface  30  of a light  20  and the gunite  25  surface  32  of the pool, a foam insert (not shown) is positioned in this opening  40  prior to inserting the light  20  into the underwater connector  16 . The light assembly  20  is connected into the adapter  22  via connectors  42 , such as, in a preferred embodiment, by bolts, such as three bolts  42 . 
     In one embodiment, the bolts  42  engage respective receptacles  43  in the adapter  22 . In another preferred embodiment, connectors, such as bolts  42 , engage respective receptacles (not shown) in the swimming pool wall. In another preferred embodiment an adapter  22  and connector  16  are a single, integrated unit wherein the receptacles  43  are disclosed in this integrated unit. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the light  20 , connector  16  and/or adapter  22  will include an alignment pattern mark  45 , such as a notch  45 , wherein the light  20  may only be engaged into the connector  16  in one direction. The bolts  42  are tightened until a watertight seal is formed between the light  20  and the adapter  22  and/or connector  16 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, a watertight indicator  35  is provided, such as a reverse plunger, wherein when the light  20  is properly secured, the plunger  35 , which starts beneath the surface of the outer lens cover  33  of the light  20 , rises as the bolts  42  are tightened until the light  20  has achieved a secured watertight seal. When the watertight seal is achieved, the top of the plunger  35  is level with the top cover of the lens  33  or is flush with surface of the lens cover  33 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in a preferred embodiment, the end of the light or prongs  50  that engage the connector  16  extends from the back of the light and plugs into openings  52  in the connector  16 . In another preferred embodiment (not shown), the connector  16  has prongs that extend from the connector  16  and engages openings on the back of the light  20 . In another preferred embodiment (not shown), instead of providing bolts  42 , or other connectors, to secure the light  20  to the adapter  22  and/or connector  16 , the connector  16  is designed wherein the light  20  has prongs  50  on a back end that fit within openings  52  in the connector  16  and the light  20  is then rotated until the prongs  50  lock into the openings  52  of connector  16  and/or adapter  22 . In each embodiment, when the prongs  50  from the light  20  engage the openings  52 , or receptacles, of the connector  16 , the water is pushed out from the connector  16 ; thus, sealing the connection and forcing water from interfering with the connection of the light  20  to the power source and the controller provided through the connector  16  via the cable  14 . One skilled in the art will readily recognize a plurality of ways in which to connect the light  20  to the connector  16  and/or pool&#39;s side. 
     In another preferred embodiment, exemplarily illustrated in  FIG. 4 , where a niche  60  is already provided in the wall of a swimming pool, and a decision is made to use the present invention, a plate  62  is provided which fits within the niche  60 , in essence, closing off the niche  60  so that the light  20  will then fit on the plate  62  and the connector  16  and cable  14  are placed through an opening in the plate  62 . In one preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , instead of the plate  62  being positioned where the light  20  extends into the pool or body of water, the plate  62  is fixed further into the niche  60  and the light  20  is of a diameter wherein it fits within the niche  60 , so that the lens cover  33  of the light  20  is flush or is in the same plane as the surface of the pool. As discussed above, the connector  16  is still provided through the plate  62 ; however, the adapter  22  is not necessarily needed. Likewise, for other pools types, such as vinyl and fiberglass, the adapter  22 , described herein is not necessarily needed. 
     Thus, once the watertight connector  16  is properly secured and is in place, a user can easily exchange or remove the light  20  that is currently in place and replace it with a plurality of other lights  40  of varying sizes and shapes, as is exemplarily illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which illustrates a perspective view and side view of a plurality of lenses attached to a pool wall. 
     While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrated embodiment, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.