Patent Publication Number: US-6655812-B2

Title: Floating electronic light display for use in ponds and swimming pools

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to the design of a buoyant, waterproof flashing light array that is battery powered and used as decorative lighting for ponds, pools and swimming pools. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     With the increased installation of backyard garden ponds, fishponds and swimming pools, homeowners are looking for lighting alternatives that will enhance these areas during night hours and especially during festive outdoor occasions. This invention incorporates a battery powered light array in a buoyant, waterproof, translucent case that will float on water and either drift with the current or be anchored by tether to a given spot. As compared to existing “floating lights”, these displays are self-contained battery powered devices and require no outboard electrical harnessing or power supplies. Also, these light displays are flashing while in use rather than in a constant “on” mode, the produced effect being from complex blink patterns to simple “fireflies in a jar”. An alternative design would be used indoors as a children&#39;s night-light or a tabletop piece. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, a formed translucent shell that is waterproof and can incorporate light array circuitry and battery packs in its confines. One end of the shell will incorporate a removable, reseal-able cap to provide component maintenance and insure protection from the outdoor environments. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     a) to provide a decorative light array that is battery powered and does not require external power supplies and/or power harness cords, 
     b) to provide a decorative light array that can float in water-filled pools, ponds and swing pools, 
     c) to provide a light array that is capable of many different light flashing programs, producing an active, energetic light array. 
     d) to provide a decorative light array that is convenient to use and maintain, 
     e) to provide a decorative light array that can be anchored by a tether in one position while floating, 
     f) to provide decorative light array that incorporates a reseal-able cap for easy access to internal components. 
     g) to provide a decorative light array whose shell is made from translucent material that provides for adequate buoyancy and circuit component protection. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 shows a typical light array printed circuit board 
     FIG. 2 shows a typical shell assembly (empty) without reseal-able cap 
     FIG. 3 shows a typical light array fully assembled in the translucent shell with battery pack, reseal-able cap and anchor. 
     FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment (floating or table-top) 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference Numerals in Drawings 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 10 
                 Integrated circuits 
               
               
                 12 
                 Light Sources (LED&#39;s) 
               
               
                 14 
                 Printed circuit board 
               
               
                 16 
                 Translucent shell 
               
               
                 18 
                 Translucent shell 
               
               
                 20 
                 Light array circuit assy. 
               
               
                 22 
                 Expected waterline 
               
               
                 24 
                 Battery(s) 
               
               
                 26 
                 Battery interconnect 
               
               
                 28 
                 Reseal-able cap 
               
               
                 30 
                 Anchor and tether 
               
               
                 32 
                 Light array circuit assy. 
               
               
                 34 
                 Translucent shell 
               
               
                 36 
                 Battery(s) 
               
               
                 38 
                 Reseal-able cap 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION—FIG.  3 —PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 (fully assembled light display). This assembly consists of a hollow, waterproof translucent shell  16 , typically made of blow-molded plastic, which encompasses a light array circuit assembly  20  and battery power source  24 . The light array circuit assembly is typically comprised of various electronic components  10  such as integrated circuits, resistors, diodes, etc., mounted on a printed circuit board  14 . This electronic circuit controls the light output attributes such as flash rate and frequency, period, brightness and sleep modes of the lamps or LED&#39;s  12 . Attached to the light array circuit assembly is a battery(s)  36  that powers the array. These batteries can be of the standard dry cell or rechargeable types. Sealing of the shell is done with press or screw-on cap  28  that fastens to the bottom of the shell. When in use in ponds or pools, the floating display can be left free to float with the current or fixed in position by means of a tether and anchor system  30 . 
     DESCRIPTION—FIG.  4 —ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT 
     An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 incorporates similar components but incorporates a shell design  34  that allows the display to float on the water or be placed on a tabletop or similar flat surface. 
     ADVANTAGES 
     From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of our floating light display become evident: 
     a) The display assembly is designed to be a sealed unit and impervious to water and the elements. 
     b) By changing the color, number and intensity of the light sources, an unlimited combination of light profiles can be achieved. 
     c) By changing the values of the pre-programmed circuitry, an unlimited combination of light flash duration rates and frequencies can be achieved. 
     d) By changing the color or texture of the translucent shell material an unlimited number of lighting effects can be achieved. 
     e) The display is designed to be battery powered and therefore self-contained, requiring no external cords or power sources. 
     f) The operation of the light display is simple and intuitive 
     g) The display is designed to float freely or be held in place by tether and anchor. 
     OPERATION—FIG.  8   
     Initially, the display assembly, consisting of the translucent shell  16 , light circuit assembly  20  battery interconnect  26 , and reseal-able cap  28  would arrive to the user in a pre-assembled state. The user would then remove the cap  28 , insert and connect the battery(s)  24  and replace the cap. The electronic circuitry  10  would be pre-programmed to sense the ambient light and determine the flash pattern, duration, frequency, and intensity of the light source  12  outputs. Before placing the display in the pond, pool or swimming pool, an anchor with a tether line  30  would be affixed to the shell if the display were to be held in a given position. (This is very desirable if several displays are to be arranged in a pattern). 
     CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that this floating light display invention can be used to decorate pools, ponds and swimming pools easily and conveniently without the need for bulky hardware, external wire harnesses or external power supplies. Designed to be sealed from the elements, buoyant in nature, totally self contained and pre-programmed, the display can provide an unlimited number of light flash pattern possibilities whether free floating in the current or anchored in place. The combination of color and flash pattern is intended to produce an “active” light display in a pool or pond rather than a “static” single mode operation. 
     Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as hating the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.