Patent Publication Number: US-9410337-B1

Title: Swimming pool filter water return fitting

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/730,250, filed on Nov. 27, 2012, entitled SWIMMING POOL FILTER WATER RETURN FITTING. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to fittings installed in swimming pool walls for returning filtered water into the pool. More specifically, it relates to pool water return fittings installed in poured concrete swimming pool walls. 
     2. Background &amp; Description of the Related Art 
     In-ground swimming pools can be built using a variety methods and materials. Pool walls can be made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, vinyl-lined metal or wood frames, spray-applied gunite, poured concrete and concrete lined with a polymeric sheet material. The present invention is intended for use in swimming pool walls created by pouring a wet concrete mixture into a mold consisting of interlocking wall forms held in place with wall ties including such concrete walls lined with a liner. 
     Typically, poured concrete swimming pool walls are made by building a mold for the walls utilizing engineered modular forms. The forms are interconnected with one another to outline the sides of the pool wall. The wall is created by filling the space between the modular forms with wet concrete and allowing the concrete to cure. The forms are then removed and the cured concrete wall remains. The forms are modular or sectional in nature which means that they are interconnected as necessary to form a continuous mold for the poured wall. Each section of the wall is molded by an opposing pair of forms. An inner form molds the inside face of the wall and an outer form molds the outside face of the wall. The paired forms are positioned in an opposing and spaced apart configuration, the space between the forms being the desired wall thickness. 
     The forms are held at the desired wall thickness by wall ties spanning the space between the forms and connecting the inner form to its paired outer form. The wall ties typically connect to the forms by engaging pins projecting horizontally from the vertical sides of each form. Each tie engages a pin on an inner form and a corresponding pin on the paired outer form. The wall ties prevent the paired forms from moving closer together or further apart when concrete is poured into the space between the forms. Typically, a wall tie remains embedded in the concrete wall when the forms are removed and the part of the tie projecting out of the wall is removed so the end of the tie is generally flush with the face of the wall. 
     Many swimming pools utilize a filtration system for keeping the pool clean and free of debris. The filtration system generally takes the form of a pumped system that removes water from the pool and draws or pushes the water through a filter. The filtered water is returned to the pool through the filtered water return system. The return system piping connects to a return fitting installed in the pool wall which allows the return water to flow back into the pool. 
     A pool water return fitting typically comprises a flanged tubular body with a round face plate that connects the pool return water system to the swimming pool. The flange of the fitting installs nearly flush with the interior face of the pool wall, and the face plate attaches to the flange with the pool liner and a gasket located between the face plate and flange. A problem with currently available pool water return fittings is that they are not long enough to span the width of a poured concrete wall. Spanning the width of the wall is necessary to ensure the fitting can be connected to the return system piping on the back of the pool wall after the concrete has cured and the forms have been removed. Because currently available fittings are not long enough to span the width of a poured concrete wall, a makeshift extension must be created and attached to the fitting if such a wall is desired. The pieces in a typical return fitting extension are a male adapter screwed into the return fitting, a short section of pipe glued to the male adapter, and a slip coupling glued to the short section of pipe. These extensions are often made on site with leftover fittings and piping, and because each extension is made on an as-needed basis, they lack uniformity in size and quality. 
     When a fitting and extension assembly is mounted in a poured concrete form system it can only be secured from one end. This is because the fitting is the only part of the assembly designed to receive a threaded fastener which is the common method for mounting the apparatus prior to pouring the concrete. Typically, the return fitting is screwed to the inner form which leaves the extension unsupported and cantilevered out from the form, making it susceptible to damage from poured concrete. Pouring concrete on top of the cantilevered extension can cause it to become vertically or horizontally angled and misaligned. Also, because the return fitting must be screwed to the inner form, mounting holes must be drilled in the form which results in permanent damage to the form. 
     If the extension ends up being slightly shorter than the distance between the forms, concrete may surround the unsupported end of the extension and incase it inside the wall, or concrete could leak into the extension&#39;s interior. Conversely, if the extension is too long, it can break when squeezed between the forms. Even if the extension is presumed to be the proper length, duct tape is usually wrapped around the end of the extension as a precautionary measure to prevent concrete from inadvertently leaking into the assembly. 
     It is undesirable to use custom-made return fitting extensions every time a poured concrete wall is constructed. Creating extensions adds time and expense to a swimming pool construction project. The extensions also face potential damage from the concrete pouring process. What is needed in the swimming pool industry is a return fitting designed for installation in poured concrete walls. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a fitting for a pool wall which is adapted to be secured to and supported on a wall tie used with a wall form assembly for forming a poured wall for the swimming pool. The fitting includes a tubular stem or body with a bore extending therethrough. A wall tie is inserted through the bore of the fitting and into or through one or more grooves associated with the fitting to prevent rotation of the fitting relative to the wall tie with the wall tie supporting the fitting to prevent it from being dislodged vertically or horizontally when concrete is poured in to the wall form assembly and around the fitting. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of grooves are formed in the fitting, projecting radially outward from the bore in planar alignment. Upper and lower edges of the wall tie are then received in the grooves either directly or indirectly through one or more extenders secured on the wall tie. 
     The fitting is sized to span the gap between inner and outer forms of the wall form assembly such that once the concrete poured therebetween sets and the forms are removed the fitting provides a conduit through the poured concrete wall. The fitting may include a glue socket or hub formed in the outer end thereof so that the fitting may be coupled to a pipe forming part of the water return system for the pool so that water may be directed out the fitting and into the pool. In such an application, an externally threaded flow directing nozzle assembly is coupled to an internal thread formed in the tubular stem near the inner end thereof. The fitting may also serve as a niche for a pool light assembly, with the light threaded into the fitting and wiring for the light assembly extending through the outer open end of the fitting and through the pool wall for coupling with electrical leads on the outside of the pool wall. 
     A face plate mounting flange may be formed on the tubular stem to facilitate connection of a face plate to the fitting and to form a water tight seal between the fitting and a pool liner extending therearound by compressing the pool liner against an annular gasket positioned between the pool liner and the mounting flange. The tubular stem or body in combination with the mounting flange may be considered the fitting body. The face plate may be of any desired geometry, however, the fitting is particularly well adapted for use with a square mounting flange and a square face plate as mounting of the grooved fitting on a vertically oriented wall tie allows the fitting to be properly oriented with the upper and lower peripheral edges of the mounting flange and the face plate extending horizontally and the sides extending vertically. More specifically, the grooves in the fitting preferably lie in a plane extending parallel to two of the sides of the mounting flange and perpendicular to the remaining sides. A keyway formed on the back of the face plate aligns with a key formed on the mounting flange to orient the sides of the square face plate in parallel alignment with the sides of the mounting flange. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a flanged tubular return fitting installed between two wall forms and secured in place by a wall tie mounted to the form connection pins for each form. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the return fitting with portions removed to show interior detail. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the return fitting with a wall tie held in the return fitting by a wall tie sleeve surrounding the wall tie. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the return fitting with the wall tie and the wall tie sleeve removed from within the fitting. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view showing a wall tie received in a wall tie sleeve. 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the wall tie sleeve. 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of alternate embodiment of the wall tie sleeve in the form of a C-shaped channel. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a wall tie having wall tie extenders in the form of U-shaped strips mounted on upper and lower edges of the wall tie. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1  after concrete has been poured around the fitting. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded, front perspective view of the installed fitting with a directional nozzle assembly to be secured within the fitting and showing a square face plate for compressing a pool liner and a gasket against a flanged face of the fitting. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the square face plate. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded, front perspective view of the installed fitting being used as a light niche with a threaded light to be secured within the fitting and showing a round faceplate for compressing a pool liner and a gasket against a flanged face of the fitting. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the fitting installed in a finished wall and being used as a light niche with a threaded light fixture installed in the fitting. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” and “leftwardly” will refer to the installed position of the item to which the reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference numeral  1  refers to a swimming pool return fitting or tubular fitting adapted for use with a wall form assembly  2  for forming a conduit through a poured concrete swimming pool wall  3 . A primary use of the installed fitting  1  is to couple it to the return water system of the pool for directing filtered water back into the pool. The fitting  1  may also serve as a niche for receiving a pool light therein and it is foreseen that other uses for the fitting  1  may be developed. 
     The fitting  1  is preferably molded from plastic and includes a tubular stem or body  4  with a central bore  6  and a mounting flange  8  projecting radially outward from a first or inner end  11  of the tubular body  4 . A glue hub or socket  13  is formed in the second or outer end  16  of the tubular body  4 . The socket  13  is cylindrical and is sized for connection of a water return conduit therein. An internal thread  19  is formed in the tubular body  4  around bore  6  and extends inward from the inner end  11  approximately one to one and a half inches. As shown in  FIG. 10 , a nozzle assembly  20  may be secured within the fitting  1  and is threadingly coupled to the internal thread  19  when the fitting  1  is used as a water return conduit. Alternatively, a light assembly  21  may be secured within the fitting  1  and threadingly coupled to internal thread  19  when the fitting is used as a light niche as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . As best seen in  FIGS. 2-4 , a pair of wall tie receiving slots or grooves  24  are formed in the interior surface of tubular body  4  along the central bore  6  in planar alignment or one hundred and eighty degrees apart to facilitate mounting or securement of the fitting  1  on a wall tie  25  as described in more detail hereafter. 
     The mounting flange  8  of fitting  1  is configured and shaped for securement of a face plate  28  against the flange  8  with a gasket  29  and a pool liner  30  compressed between the face plate  28  and the flange  8  to form a decorative water tight seal around the pool liner  30 . The face plate  28  is generally annular and may be of a wide variety of geometries including square with rounded corners as shown in  FIG. 10  or round as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     As noted previously, fitting  1  is adapted for use with a poured concrete wall form assembly  2  for constructing swimming pool walls. The wall form assembly  2  generally comprises inner and outer forms  34  and  36  connected together in spaced apart relationship by a wall tie  25  mounted on pins  38  projecting through sidewalls  39  of the forms  34  and  36 . Although only a single inner and outer form  34  and  36  are shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that multiple inner and outer forms  34  and  36  are positioned in end to end alignment and interconnected by pins  38  and wall ties  25  to create the pool wall form assembly  2 . 
     The fitting  1  is adapted for use with standard sized wall form ties or wall ties  25  which are formed as relatively thin, rectangular bands of metal having mounting holes  42  extending through end segments  43  of each wall tie  25 . Most wall ties have notches  45  at various positions along their longitudinal edge to facilitate shearing off segments  43  of the tie  25  at the notched location after removal of the forms  34  and  36  such that the resulting ends of the tie  25  extend flush with the finished pool wall. Fitting  1  can be used with a wide variety of wall ties  25  including ties  25  with or without notches  45 . The term wall tie as used herein refers to any type of thin band that is supported from a pin or other type of connector used with forms. The term includes conventional metal wall ties which are typically used with a poured concrete wall form system as well as any other thin band of any material that can support a fitting regardless of whether the band helps hold forms in place. 
     The stem  4  of the fitting  1  is sized to be supported on a wall tie  25  such that the tubular fitting  1  is supported on and retained in position by the wall tie  25  during pouring of the pool wall between inner and outer forms  34  and  36 . The length of fitting  1  is preferably selected such that when fitting  1  is installed on a wall tie  25  secured to the inner and outer forms  34  and  36 , the fitting  1  spans the gap between inner and outer forms  34  and  36 . More specifically, when the fitting is supported on the wall tie  25 , the second or outer end  16  of stem  4  preferably contacts an inner surface of the outer form  36  and the outermost edge of the flange  8  of fitting  1  preferably contacts and abuts against an inner surface of the inner form  34 . 
     The fitting  1  is restrained from rotating relative to the wall tie  25  by extension of outer edges of the wall tie  25 , directly or indirectly, within the opposed, tie receiving grooves  24  formed in the stem  4  of fitting  1 . In the embodiment shown, the stem  4  is formed as a cylindrical wall  51 . However, it is foreseen that wall  51  could also be tapered in a conical or frusto-conical fashion. It is also foreseen that the wall  51  could have a cross sectional shape other than circular or that the cross sectional shape might vary along its longitudinal axis. Stem  4  is preferably fabricated as a single continuous part. 
     As noted previously, the fitting  1  is preferably sized such that a light assembly  21  may be secured within the bore  6  extending through the fitting  1  and its stem  4 . The diameter of commercially available light assemblies  21  may be wider than the height of a standard sized wall tie  25 . The bore  6  of a fitting  1  sized to receive a conventionally sized pool light assembly  21 , is therefore too wide for the edges of a standard sized wall tie  25  to extend into the tie receiving grooves  24  formed in such a fitting  1 . To accommodate this discrepancy in sizes, each wall tie  25  is inserted into a wall tie sleeve  54  to increase the height of the tie  25  to be greater than the diameter of the fitting bore  6 . The tie receiving grooves  24  are sized slightly wider than the sleeve  54  so that upper and lower ends of the sleeve  54  fit snugly within the tie receiving grooves  24 . The sleeves  54  are preferably sized no longer than the length of the fitting  1  such that when the sleeves  54  are centered on the ties  25 , both ends of the ties  25  and their corresponding mounting holes  42  remain uncovered to allow mounting of the ties  25  on form mounting pins  38 . 
     The primary purpose of sleeves  54  is to serve as extenders that attach to ties  25  and span the distance between the tie and the valleys of the tie receiving grooves  24  when the ties  25  are inserted inside of fittings  1 , thus allowing the ties  25  to indirectly engage the tie receiving grooves  24 . It is foreseen that other types of extenders may be used to hold tie  25  securely in the tie receiving grooves  24 . It is also foreseen that a larger than standard size wall tie  25  could be used to engage the grooves  24  directly or the tubular stem  4  could be reduced in size so that a standard size wall tie  25  would engage the grooves  24  directly. However, because fitting  1  is sized to accept certain pool accessories and equipment, it is believed that the best method for engaging grooves  24  with ties  25  is by using the sleeves  25  or other extenders as discussed herein. 
     It is understood that a groove  24  may or may not extend the length of the interior surface of tubular body  4  depending on the configuration of the interior of the tubular body. For example, if tubular body  4  includes a socket  13 , groove  24  may not extend through the socketed portion of tubular body  4 . Conversely, if tubular body  4  does not include a socket, groove  24  may extend the entire length of the tubular body. It is also foreseen that one or more protruding discontinuous structures (not shown) such as rings or pedestal like supports may be formed in or fused to the interior of tubular body  4 , and these discontinuous structures may have grooves  24  formed therein. Regardless of the location of the grooves  24 , it is understood that the grooves will be adapted to permit sliding of the wall tie  25  relative to the tubular body  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , sleeves  54  may be formed as a relatively flat extruded rectangular sleeve into which wall tie  25  is inserted. The sleeves  54  may be formed from plastic, metal, paper or other suitable material. It is foreseen that instead of completely wrapping around tie  25 , sleeves  54  could be formed with a cross sectional shape similar to a C-channel  59  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The C-channel  59  includes relatively short legs  60  on one side with a gap  62  extending therebetween and is formed from a flexible material such as plastic such that the C-channel  59  can generally be snapped over a tie  25  instead of having to slide the C-channel  59  onto a tie  25 . It is also foreseen that slotted strips or U-shaped end caps  65 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , which are not connected together, could be mounted on and across each edge of the ties  25 . The sleeves  54 , C-channels  59  and slotted strips  65  generally function as extenders to increase the height of the ties  25 . The tie  25  inserted into sleeve  54 , C-channel  59  or clips  65  may be referred to as a tie and extender assembly  67 . 
     To secure one of the fittings  1  to a tie and extender assembly  67 , the fitting is first oriented so that the tie receiving grooves  24  are aligned with the tie and extender assembly  67 . The tie  25  and extender assembly  67  are then slid through the bore  6  of the fitting  1  until the distal end of the tie  25  extends out through the opposite end of the fitting  1  to expose the end segment  43  and mounting hole  42  at the opposite end of the wall tie  25  while leaving the end segment  43  and mounting hole  42  at the near end of the wall tie  25  exposed as well. The end segments  43  may then be secured on form mounting pins  38  with the fitting  1  extending between the inner surfaces of the inner and outer forms  34  and  36 . The next set of inner and outer forms  34  and  36  are then secured on the mounting pins  38  such that the tie  25  is trapped between adjacent sets of inner and outer forms  34  and  36  respectively with the second end  16  of the fitting  1  abutting against the inner surface of the outer forms  36  and the flange  8  abutting against the inner surface of the inner forms  34 . Concrete may then be poured and allowed to set between the forms  34  and  36  and around the fitting  1  without concrete entering the fitting bore  6 . 
     Fittings  1  may be located at any point along the wall form assembly  2  where a wall tie  25  is used to hold forms  34  and  36  in place. After the concrete has set and the forms have been removed the wall tie assembly or tie and extender assembly  67  may be removed from fitting  1 . 
     In the embodiment shown, mounting flange  8  is integrally formed with tubular stem  4  and extends outward from the stem  4  proximate the first end  11  thereof. Mounting flange  8  in combination with tubular stem  4  may be referred to as the fitting body. Mounting flange  8  includes a face  69  and a back  70 . In the embodiment shown, flange  8  is square with rounded corners. A peripheral wall  73  extends around the flange  8  and projects forward from the face  69 . A forward facing surface  75  of peripheral wall  73  angles slightly forward from the face  69  to a peripheral edge  77  of the flange  8 . The peripheral edge  77  of the flange  8  is adapted to be positioned in engagement with and flush against an inner surface of the inner forms  34  of a wall form assembly  2  when installed. 
     A circumferential wall or ridge  80  encircles opening  82  where bore  6  extends through flange  8 . Ridge  80  is shorter than and does not project forward from the face  69  of flange  8  as far as peripheral wall  73 . A lateral protrusion or key  85  projects radially outward from the ridge  80  to aid in the alignment of a face plate  28  and gasket  29  against face  69 . 
     Four fastener receivers  87  are integrally formed on fitting  1  projecting rearwardly from flange  8  in equally spaced relation around the stem  4  and outward from ridge  80 . Each receiver  87  comprises a boss  89  with a fastener receiving hole  90  formed therein and opening through the face  69  of flange  8 . The fastener receiving holes  90  are adapted to receive threaded fasteners or screws  92  used to attach the face plate  28  and gasket  29  to the mounting flange  8  with the pool liner  30  trapped therebetween. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the face plate  28  shown is a generally square shaped plate with rounded corners similar to the shape of flange  8 . The face plate  28  can be formed in other shapes including circular as shown in  FIG. 11 . Face plate  28  has four fastener holes  95  equally spaced around a centrally located circular opening  97 . It is foreseen that opening  97  could be other shapes as well. Each mounting hole  121  is counter sunk to allow the head of the threaded fastener  92  to extend flush with or recess below an outer surface  99  of the face plate  28 . One or more keyways or mating indentations  101  are formed in the back  103  of face plate  28  for mating engagement with the key  85  on the face  69  of mounting flange  8  to properly orient the face plate  28  relative to the mounting flange  8 . Four keyways  101  are shown, spaced ninety degrees apart with opposed keyways  101  located in a plane extending perpendicular to two of the sides and parallel to the other two sides of the face plate  28 . 
     The tie receiving grooves  24  in the fitting  1  generally lie in a plane extending parallel to two sides and perpendicular to the other two sides of the flange  8 . Therefore, when the fitting  1  is mounted on a wall tie  25  extending vertically, the fitting will be set in the concrete with the upper and lower edges of flange  8  extending horizontally and the side edges of flange  8  extending vertically. The key  85  is preferably aligned with or lies in the same vertical plane that extends through the tie receiving grooves  24 . The keyway  101  similarly lies in a plane that extends parallel to two of the straight sides of the face plate  28  such that when the face plate  28  is mounted against the flange  8  with the key  85  received in keyway  101  the upper and lower edges of face plate  28  extend horizontally and the sides of the face plate extend vertically. In addition, extension of the key  85  within keyway  101  brings the holes  95  in the face plate  28  into alignment with the fastener receiving holes  90  in flange  8 . Face plate  28  is connected to mounting flange  8  by installing threaded fasteners  92  through fastener receiving holes  95  in face plate  28  aligned with fastener receiving holes  90  in the flange  8 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , adjacent pairs of the fastener receiving holes  90  are aligned in perpendicular or parallel alignment relative to the plane extending through the tie receiving grooves  24  in fitting  1 . 
     Before attaching the face plates  28  to the fittings  1  set in the pool wall  3 , gaskets  29  are attached to the face  69  of the flange  8  of each fitting  1  and the liner is installed over the pool wall  3 , the gaskets  29  and fittings  1 . A preferred gasket  29  may be formed from a closed cell foam with an adhesive back so that the gasket  29  will stay in place until the liner  30  and face plates  28  are installed. The gasket  29  has four fastener receiving holes  107  formed therethrough around a central aperture  109  which is sized slightly larger in diameter than the ridge  80  extending around opening  82 . The fastener receiving holes  107  in gasket  29  are spaced similar to the spacing of fastener holes  95  in face plate  28  and fastener holes  90  in flange  8 . A keyway or cutout  111  is formed in the gasket  28  for reception of the key  85  which then aligns fastener holes  107  in gasket  28  with the fastener holes  90  in flange  8 . Once the gaskets  29  are attached to all of the fittings  1 , the pool liner  30 , which is formed from a polymeric material such as vinyl, is installed over the inner surface of the pool wall  3 . A vacuum is pulled between the liner and pool wall  3  to pull the liner  30  tight against the pool wall  3 . The location of the fittings  1 , including keys  85 , are visible through the liner  30  by the indentations made by the liner being drawn through opening  82  and into bore  6  of the fitting  1 . 
     A face plate  28  is attached to each fitting  1  over the liner with the keyway  101  in the back of each face plate  28  registered with the key  85  on the face  69  of the fitting flange  8 . Fasteners  92  driven through the face plate  28 , liner  30  and gasket  29  and into the flange  8  drive the face plate  28  against the liner  30  and gasket  29 , compressing the liner between the gasket  29  and face plate  28  to form a water tight seal therearound. Once the face plate  28  is attached, a utility knife or the like may be used to cut and remove the portion of the liner  30  extending over the opening  82  in fitting  1  by tracing around the edge of the opening  82  with the knife to form the hole  113  in liner  30 . 
     If the fitting  1  is intended to be used as a return fitting, a length of pipe (not shown) forming part of the water return assembly is secured within the glue hub or socket  13  formed in the second end  16  of the fitting  1 . The fitting  1  is preferably formed of a plastic which allows the return assembly pipe to be chemically welded or glued in place in socket  13  of fitting  1 . A directional nozzle assembly  20  is installed in the bore  6  of fitting  1  through the opening  82  in flange  8 . The nozzle assembly  20  may include a spherical flow directing nozzle mounted within a socket in the nozzle assembly  20  to allow selected orientation of the nozzle to direct water in a selected direction to project the return water out of the fitting  1  and into the pool. The base  115  of the nozzle assembly  20  shown includes an external thread  117  which can be threadingly coupled to the internal thread  19  formed in the first end  11  of bore  6  in fitting  1 . 
     If fitting  1  is intended to operate as a light niche, an external thread  121  formed on an outer surface of the light assembly  21  may be threadingly mated with the internal thread  19  formed in tubular stem  4  proximate the first end  11  thereof to secure the light assembly  21  within the fitting  1 . Wires  123  for electrical power may be routed to a low voltage power supply (not shown) through electrical conduit  125  secured at a first end within the glue hub or socket  13  of fitting  1 . The electrical conduit is preferably formed from PVC or other solvent weldable plastic to allow the PVC electrical conduit  125  to be chemically welded or glued in place in socket  13 . 
     It is foreseen that nozzle assembly  20 , light assembly  21 , and other pool equipment or accessories could be mounted in and attached to fitting  1  using fastening methods other than threads. Fitting  1  may be constructed from various materials however plastic is believed to be the preferred material because it is relatively corrosion resistant, durable, and economical. Threaded fasteners  92  would likely be made of a corrosion resistant metal such as stainless steel. 
     It is also foreseen that the grooves or slot for connecting the wall tie to the fitting could be formed in end caps inserted into the ends of the fitting prior to pouring the pool wall and then removed from the fitting with the wall tie once the concrete sets and the forms are removed. In addition, although the fitting is preferably molded as a single piece, sized to span the gap between inner and outer wall forms, it is foreseen that different contractors may prefer slightly different pool wall thicknesses and extenders inserted in the socket  13  in the outer end of the fitting could be used to accommodate larger gaps between the forms, although the integrally formed stem  4  and flange  8  of the fitting  1  would still span substantially the entire gap between the inner and outer forms.