Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a pool light assembly having structure for providing cooling to pools having illumination features. The light assembly includes a water inlet housing having a portion on the dry side and a portion immersed in the pool water. A threaded assembly having sealing structure creates a leak proof connection with the pool wall. On the portion of the housing immersed in pool water, the housing includes a flange defining a base. The base has an exterior exposed to the pool water and an enclosed interior including the illuminating structure. A notch is provided in the exterior of the base and extends into the interior for allowing pool water in the proximity of the illumination structure. Sealing structure prevent water from entering the electrically active elements of the illuminating structure while allowing close proximity for cooling pool water to act as a cooling element for the illuminating structure. A retaining member locks and encourages further waterproof sealing of the electrically active elements from those exposed to and immersed in water. Each of the elements is provided with structure as necessary to facilitate the free flow of water through the housing and the separation of water from electrically active elements and the electrical conduit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is related to application Ser. No. 12/854,170, filed by co-inventor, Wing-kin HUI, for A POOL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, filed on Aug. 11, 2010. This application is specifically incorporated herein and is to be used for all purposes consistent with incorporation by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to the field of pool equipment, either above or in-ground pools. More particularly, this invention relates to pool fixtures designed for adapting a pool light assembly to a pool. Most particularly, this invention relates to the field of such devices, which offer pool illumination plus cooling of the illumination device and surrounding structure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Recently, pool lighting has become more and more popular. While, pool lighting has been around for many years, the issues associated with such lighting have not been fully appreciated. For example, some illumination devices, especially in the beginning, used lighting elements that would get extremely hot and cause rapid deterioration of the entire lighting assembly. Such heat would lead to increased maintenance by the pool owner and constant replacing of not only the light assembly unit, but also the entire inlet housing. Sometimes a pool would need to be drained just to do the necessary maintenance. 
         [0004]    Despite these and other issues, pool lighting has become increasingly popular. Initially pool lighting was used strictly for safety purposes. Nighttime swimming, although not terribly popular, was done with much greater safety at night with lighted pools for obvious reasons. 
         [0005]    After adding lighting, perhaps initially for safety reasons, pool owners and visitors, and others noticed the calming effort of nighttime lighting on the pool water. Visitors and pool owners alike noticed the tranquil effect sitting by the pool at night had with such lighting. 
         [0006]    The increased popularity led to additional enhancements. For example, color lighting has frequently been added to create nighttime pool water as a home&#39;s water feature. Such lighting provided viewers with greater interest and had the same or greater benefits to peaceful and tranquil viewing. Additional enhancements such as sequential color lighting have also been added. 
         [0007]    While, the above and other enhancements have clearly made lighting swimming pools, more desirable and even more readily available, none of the above have focused on the issue of heat dissipation. For example, halogen lighting has commonly been used until quite recently. However, the energy demands for such lighting have prompted government officials to discourage and even ban their usage. Today, high and ultra high intensity LED&#39;s are the main source of pool illumination lighting elements. These heating elements give off a tremendous amount of heat individually and exponentially additional heat when combined in series such as that favored in colored pool illumination systems. 
         [0008]    Additionally, many of today&#39;s pool illumination systems use a reflector or reflector plate. This increases the focus and intensity of the lighting for greater and more desirable effects. However, as can be appreciated, such a reflector does not relieve, but rather increases the amount of heat in the illumination system. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a structure for allowing a pool lighting installation to be cooled without resorting to undue structure or expensive maintenance. The ideal structure would conform in general physical appearance and dimensions of existing pool water inlets or returns, while providing cooling to the needed structure of the illumination structure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The structure of the improved pool light assembly with cooling structure in accordance with the present invention includes using the existing pool inlet or return with a few structural modifications. These structural modifications include providing a housing inlet having a first portion on the dry side of the pool wall and a second portion immersed in the pool water. The second portion includes a flange exterior and the interior defining a base. One or more openings on the flange allow pool water into the base. The housing is secured to the pool water by means well known in the art. The base is provided with a series of ridges, which encourage pool water circulation through the base. Sealing and retaining members separate the water from the electrical elements and retaining the unit together in working order. This way pool water is used to circulate around the light assembly in close proximity to the lighting elements. Using this structure, the cooling of the light assembly occurs without undue modifications to the existing pool and lighting structures. 
         [0011]    It is an object of this invention is to provide a pool light assembly, which uses pool water to cool the assembly. 
         [0012]    It is another object of this invention to provide a pool light assembly, which includes the basic existing light assembly and allows modifications to both improve reliability of the assembly and allow the latest illumination elements to be used. 
         [0013]    In accordance with the objects set forth above and as will be described more fully below, the pool light assembly in accordance with this invention, comprises: 
         [0014]    A pool light assembly for use with swimming pools for connection to a pool side wall, the pool including a water inlet housing having a water conduit, the pool light assembly comprising: 
         [0015]    the water inlet housing having a base and the base having an interior, the base having a notch for allowing water to enter the interior, the interior of the base having a series of ribs and a central opening for allowing water to communicate with the water conduit; 
         [0016]    a sealing plate for sealing water between the base interior and the sealing plate, the sealing plate including a central opening sized and shaped for compatible connection with the central opening of the base and allowing water to communicate with the water conduit; 
         [0017]    a light sub-assembly including means for pool illumination, the light sub-assembly defining a ring fitting sized and shaped to fit within the periphery of the sealing plate; and 
         [0018]    a retaining means for retaining the light sub-assembly in place with the aforementioned components. 
         [0019]    In one exemplary embodiment, the light assembly interior base includes a series of series of radially extending ribs, which are separated by opposed dividers. This pattern has been found to facilitate the flow of pool water in the proximity to the light sub-assembly and in so doing adds to the cooling effect of the structure. 
         [0020]    In another exemplary embodiment, the light assembly includes the light assembly includes a reflector plate as part of the retaining ring. The reflector plate reflects light and facilitates a brighter and more intense lighting display. The reflector plate focuses and concentrates the light as desired and this can especially enhance a lighting pattern with multi-colored lights. 
         [0021]    In still another exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes a plurality of lighting elements; each of the lighting elements being positioned around the ring in a rotary extending pattern. The light elements are, in one embodiment unevenly spaced apart. In another embodiment the lights are of various colors. In these and other embodiments, the lighting elements are high intensity LED&#39;s. 
         [0022]    Of course, various other exemplary embodiments are possible to achieve various objects of the invention within the spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0023]    It is an advantage of the pool light assembly of this invention to provide a structure that uses pool water to cool the heat generated by high intensity lighting elements. 
         [0024]    It is an additional advantage of the pool light assembly in accordance with the instant invention to provide to both above and in-ground pools with such a lighting assembly having cooling structure. 
         [0025]    It is an additional advantage of the pool light assembly in accordance with the instant invention to provide to new and existing pool structures with such a lighting assembly having cooling structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0026]    For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of the pool water return inlet which includes a power supply head and the pool light assembly in accordance with this invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the pool return having a light assembly in accordance with this invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the pool light assembly housing in accordance with this invention, shown in perspective from the front and rear. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of an exemplary embodiment of the pool light assembly housing in accordance with this invention, shown in perspective from the front and rear. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates, in schematic, the flow of water through the housing and the operation of the cooling structure of the light assembly. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 6 &amp; 7  illustrate in cross-section, one embodiment of the water conduit of the light assembly housing in accordance with this invention. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 8 &amp; 9  illustrate two embodiments of the nozzle used in connection with the pool light assembly in accordance with this invention. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 10 &amp; 11  illustrate side and perspective views, respectively, of the directional nozzle used in connection with the pool light assembly in accordance with this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    In order to appreciate the invention herein, one must appreciate the need in the art as set forth in the Background. Most importantly, the structure herein for resolving the long felt need to dissipate heat from water inlet return devices having illumination abilities. 
         [0036]    With particular reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a pool return  100 . The pool return  100  includes a power supply head  110  and the pool light assembly in accordance with this invention, and generally denoted by the numeral  20 . The pool return  100  includes a water inlet  102 , which leads to a water channel  104 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pool light assembly  20  includes a water inlet housing  30 . The housing  30  has a central opening  31  defining the water channel  104 . The power supply head  110  mates with the housing  30 , as shown particularly clearly in  FIG. 1 . The power supply head  110  has an electrical channel  112  and is shown in  FIG. 1  with electrical wires  114  extending to an electrical source (not shown) such as an electrical outlet (also, not shown). The power supply head  110  distributes power to the light assembly  20  through electrical conduit shown clearly in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    The light assembly housing  30  has an exterior  32 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the housing  30  is mounted on a pool wall  50 . The housing  30  has a first portion  40  located on the dry side of the mounting and a second portion  42  immersed in pool water. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  two washers  33  on the pool side and a tightening nut  35  on the dry side form a water tight seal around the opening in the pool where the housing  20  is inserted. 
         [0039]    The second portion  42  of the housing  30  includes a flange member  36 . The flange member  36  has an interior  34  as best seen in  FIGS. 2-4 . The interior  36  has a central opening  38  allowing water to pass therethrough and communicate with the water channel  104  through inlet  102 . The interior  36  defines a base  39  for the light assembly  20 . 
         [0040]    The flange member  36  sits, during operation, immersed in pool water. At least one notch  45  is provided in the exterior  32  of the flange member  36  extending into the interior  34 . Thus, constructed, the notch  45  that allows pool water to communicate freely between the interior  34  and exterior  32  and throughout the flange member base  39 . 
         [0041]    The interior  36  includes a raised pattern of ribs  60  and dividers  62 . The ribs  60  and dividers  62  can, of course, be made to have any particular pattern within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the pattern may well be non-symmetrical or zigzagged within the spirit and scope of the invention herein. The functional requirement for such a pattern is to ensure that water flows freely through the base  39  to provide a cooling effect for the light sub-assembly as described below. 
         [0042]    With respect to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the terminus  120  for the electrical wires  112  within the electrical channel  110 . Thus, the light assembly in accordance with this invention includes both an electrical channel and a water channel. This is particularly well described with respect to Applicant&#39;s earlier related invention and incorporated herein and referred to here as if set forth in full and incorporated herein for all purposes consistent with full disclosure and establishment of an antecedent basis. 
         [0043]    A nozzle  70  fits over the water channel  104 . As is well known in the art, such a nozzle defines an eyeball nozzle and can be useful in directing a limited amount of water flow in the pool. More recent developments in pool technology include Applicants&#39; invention of vented directional nozzle as shown particularly with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The eyeball nozzle can either be replaced by such a directional nozzle or used in conjunction therewith as will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0044]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , the base has two notches  45 . It will be appreciated that only one such notch is required: However, two notches have been found to facilitate the flow of water through the base  39 , which, of course, aids in the cooling of the light assembly. While, more notches are within the spirit and scope of the invention, such have not been found to greatly aid the cooling effect of pool water through the base and therefore, the best mode of carrying out the invention has to date been found by using the two notch embodiment illustrated by the drawing herein. 
         [0045]    A sealing plate  80  covers and seals the base  39  when the light assembly is fully assembly as will be more fully appreciated below. The sealing plate  80  has a central opening  82  for allowing pool water to enter the water channel  104  and for maintaining open communication with pool water and the pool return  100 . 
         [0046]    The central opening  82  is also sized and shaped for compatible overlay with the nozzle  70  as also clearly shown in  FIG. 2 . The central opening  82  is large enough to allow some slight rotation movement of the nozzle  70  while providing a snug fit to discourage water leak paths through the base and into the other elements of the light assembly  20 . 
         [0047]    Additionally, the sealing plate  80  includes in the embodiment shown an electrical plug-in connection member  84 . The member  84  is sized and shaped for compatible and mating connection with the electrical channel  112  and the plug-in connector therein. The member  84  fills the electrical channel  112  and the wiring  114  connects with the member allowing electrical connection there between. 
         [0048]    A light sub-assembly  90  fits within the outer periphery of the sealing member  80 . The light sub-assembly  90  includes a plurality of lighting elements  92  on a circuit board  94  in the shape of ring. The circuit board  94  includes a plug-in connector  96 . As shown, the plug-in connector is sized and shaped for a mating force fit with the electrical wiring as shown. The lighting elements  92  obtain electrical power for the electrical power head  110  through the wiring  112  when the plug-in connector  96  is plugged in also as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0049]    As discussed above, halogen lighting elements have become frowned upon because while they generate adequate light, they do so at a high energy costs. Lighting elements such as high intensity LED&#39;s are preferred in most situations. However, both types of lighting elements as well as others are within the spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0050]    A retaining member  91  is designed to snap fit over the light sub-assembly  90 . In the embodiment shown, the light sub-assembly  90  includes posts  93  and the retaining member has female projections  95 , which create a secure snap, fit there between. Additionally, the retaining member  91  has a central opening  97  for allow water to pass therethrough to the water channel  104 . Additionally, the lighting elements, regardless of type, typically project from the light sub-assembly  90 . Therefore, the retaining member  91  has a series of matching opening for allowing the lighting elements  92  to pass therethrough. Once assembled the retaining member  91  snap fits to the light sub-assembly  90  providing a secure assembly for the entire light assembly  20 . 
         [0051]    A lens cover  140  is provided to cover retaining member  91 . Similarly, the lens cover  140  has a central opening  142  allowing communication of the pool water into the water channel  104 . The lens cover  140  has periphery with a groove and as is known in the art snap fits into the outer periphery of the retaining member  91 . The fit is secure to discourage any water from entering into the light assembly  20  except, of course, through the central opening  142 . 
         [0052]    As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the retaining member  91  in a preferred embodiment includes a reflective surface  99  surrounding the projecting lighting elements  92 . Thus, structured, the retaining member  91  thereby defines a reflector plate. 
         [0053]    Such a reflector plate is particular useful and desirable when colored lighting elements are used. As is known in the art the lighting elements may be of different colors by adapter different lighting element covers over the LEDS. Additionally, the lens cover  140  may be of different colors, having different color segments and shapes to provide more enhanced pool lighting. 
         [0054]    As shown, the water channel  104  extends through the body of light assembly  20 . The central openings in each of the above elements are aligned so as to create a single water channel  104 . 
         [0055]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is shown the housing  30  outside of the pool wall  50 . The flange  36  has an external screw exterior with an open channel for communicating with the water channel  104 . With the additional of the washers  33  on the pool side of the pool wall  50 , the housing is secured for leak proof connection. This is especially important on thin walled above ground pools. It is critical to create a connection that will not compromise the pool wall while providing a connection that also seals and prevents water leakage to the dry side of the pool. 
         [0056]    As seen with particular reference to  FIG. 4 , the housing  30  is adapted to provide the power supply head  110  a location for easy and convenient plug-in connection. The housing  30  includes a flat surface  130  have head opening  132  which match and mate with the male connectors of the power supply head  110 . Additionally, the flat surface  130  is provided with a locking member  134 , which securely connects the power supply head  110  to the housing  30 . 
         [0057]    With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the schematic operation of the light assembly in accordance with this invention. As is conventional in the art, a water pump for filtering pool water is provided. The pump pumps water through the water channel of the light assembly and through the various central openings of the elements as described with respect to  FIGS. 1 through 4 . As the water, both fresh and pool flow through the light assembly and into the pool and are returned, water enters and exits through the notches  45  and swirls about the base  39  in close proximity to the light sub-assembly  90  and lighting elements  92 as described above. Fresh water flows through the water channel  104  and pool water through the return and into the pool. 
         [0058]    Clearly, the source of the intense heat in the light assembly  20  are the lighting elements  92 . The heat from these lighting elements  92  can be quite extreme. In an effort to cool the source of the heat, it is advantageous to locate the cooling source as close to the heating source as possible. However, this must been without compromising the electrical integrity of the light assembly  20  as a whole and without resorting to structures and devices which will not work within conventional structure already established in the art. 
         [0059]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , there is shown a novel concept for an advanced water channel return. The water channel  104  feeds into a filter and a fresh water source. In various known designs, there has been considerable leakage from the source and/or filter and the water channel. Applicants herein provide the housing  30  with dry side screw threads  137  for such connection. The novel concept includes an adapter  200  at the end of the water channel  204 , which is provided with screw threads  202 . The threads  202  mate compatibly with housing threads  137 . 
         [0060]    Between the end of the adapter  200  and the water channel  104 , a compression ring  206  is provided. The adapter  200  includes a seat  208 , sized and shaped for compatible compression fit with the adapter the ring  206 . 
         [0061]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 7 , as the ends of the channel  104  and the adapter  200  are threaded. The compression ring slides compatibly into the seat  208 . Further tightening of the adapter  200  to the channel  104  causes a secure water tight seal for the prevention of any leakage. 
         [0062]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , there is shown the eye-ball nozzle  70  in accordance with the instant invention. The nozzle  70  has a central opening consistent with allowing water to enter the water channel as described above. In an exemplarily embodiment of the nozzle  70 , the central opening includes internal screw threads  72 . As will be more fully appreciated from the description below with respect to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the novel aspects of providing a directional nozzle are facilitated by such threads  72 . 
         [0063]    Additionally, the oblong and symmetrical shape of the nozzle  70  provide greater durability and reliability as well as providing the nozzle  70  with a degree of rotate. The shape results in more functionality over a simple round or spherical nozzle. 
         [0064]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is shown the vented directional nozzle  170 . The nozzle  170  includes a main body  172  and a directional head end  174 . The main body  172  has a series of vents  176 . These vents  176  allow pool water to pass through without disturbing the flow to a great degree. 
         [0065]    The head end  174  is partially closed and includes a hood, which deflects water at a right angle to the main body  172 . The head end is rotated to the desired position to direct pool flow. 
         [0066]    The main body has an end  178  opposite the head end  174 . The end  178  screws into the nozzle  70  of  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , using the threaded end. As a result of the vents  176  being present, over rotation of the directional nozzle  170  into the nozzle  70  does not result in breakable. The directional nozzle  170  simply bends or gives and no harm is done to either nozzle  70  or  170 . 
         [0067]    The directional nozzle  170  is screwed in the nozzle  70  until tightened and then backed off to provide the directional flow of pool desired. 
         [0068]    As a result of the light assembly being made of various assembled components the nozzle  170  is adaptable to the novel light assembly in accordance with this invention. 
         [0069]    While the foregoing detailed description has described several exemplary embodiments of the pool light assembly in accordance with this invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.