Patent Description:
Often times, it is useful, beneficial, and/or entertaining to circulate water within a pool and/or spa, such as by way of a fountain. However, not all spas and/or pools have fountains or other water circulating devices integrated therein. Instead, a fountain, sprayer, or waterfall providing device, which circulates water, provides entertainment, etc., that may be easily added to an inflatable pool and/or spa represents an improvement in the art.

In the current state of the art, fountain-type attachments may be added to existing pump and/or filter mechanisms natively incorporated into hardside pools. However, such attachments are not universally portable to inflatable pools and/or spas, especially inflatable pools and/or spas having relatively small filters more suitable for storage/transport and having structural considerations different from those of hard-sided pools. For instance, the document "<NPL> discloses a water fountain, which may be clamped to the side of a pool, which comprises various additional LED lighting elements.

To solve this challenge, the below disclosure sets forth a waterfall producing apparatus and/or a system for producing a waterfall effect according to claim <NUM>. Still further, the apparatus and system contemplated herein may be easily added to a side of an inflatable pool/spa to produce an entertaining arc of water.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a waterfall system for use with an inflatable spa includes a housing further comprising two retention legs and two mounting arms. A pump is arranged within the housing, and the system also includes a water sprayer and a water collection attachment. Still further, the housing is arranged proximal the spa and is held in place by the two retention legs. Each of the two retention legs curves about a side surface of the inflatable spa. Additionally, a water collection attachment collects pressurized water from the spa and provides the water under pressure to the water sprayer, which is mounted above the spa by the two mounting arms and sprays the water into the spa.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the attached drawings wherein like numerals designate like structures throughout the specification.

In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized as long as the resulting embodiments fall within the scope of the claims.

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various implementations and is not intended to represent the only implementations in which the subject technology may be practiced. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described implementations may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Still further, modules and components depicted may be combined, in whole or in part, and/or divided, into one or more different parts, as applicable to fit particular implementations without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Referring to <FIG>, a waterfall system <NUM> and an apparatus for producing a waterfall effect are illustrated. <FIG> depicts an example embodiment of the waterfall system <NUM> disposed on a side surface <NUM> of an inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. The waterfall system <NUM> has a housing body <NUM> comprising first and second retention legs <NUM>, <NUM> and first and second mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM>. A water sprayer <NUM> is mounted between the first and second mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM>. Water is collected from the pool/spa and supplied to the water sprayer <NUM> by a water collection attachment/component <NUM>. The water sprayer <NUM> operates to project water <NUM> out and away therefrom. The projected water <NUM> may travel in an arcuate projection or pattern and re-enter the inflatable pool/spa <NUM> thereby creating a waterfall effect.

In further example embodiments, the projected water <NUM> may travel over and beyond the leg (s) <NUM>, <NUM> of the housing body <NUM>, particularly according to a configuration wherein the water sprayer <NUM> is elevated above the side <NUM> of the pool/spa <NUM>. Further in accordance with example embodiments, the projected water <NUM> may land on one or more portions/surfaces of the housing body <NUM>, such as one of the leg(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, before re-entering the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. The water sprayer <NUM> is positioned above the inflatable pool/spa <NUM> such that the projected water <NUM> may be released straight downward and carried into the inflatable pool/spa <NUM> by gravity in a relatively passive manner as compared with projection of water under pressure, such as might be used to project water laterally.

The water collection attachment <NUM> is operatively connected to the water sprayer <NUM> by a pump <NUM> disposed exterior to the waterfall system <NUM>. The pump may be a filter system disposed on, within, or exterior to the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may also be operatively coupled to one or more power sources <NUM>. The one or more power sources <NUM> may comprise a battery, a solar panel, a plug-in for 120V and/or 240V standard outlet(s), and/or another suitable power source. Relatively low voltage may be suitable for powering the pump <NUM>. In an example embodiment, power for the pump <NUM> may be supplied by a circulation or filtration system already present in, or compatible with the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. Specifically, a given amount of water, already under pressure from the ciruclation/filtration system, may be bleed off of the circulation/filtration system. Thusly, the water sprayer <NUM> may be supplied with a pressured flow of water. In further example embodiments, the pump <NUM> may be self-contained, such as within the housing body <NUM>, and may not require connection with any filter/circulation components of the inflatable pool/spa.

The water collection attachment <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>, may be inserted into the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. In example embodiments, the water collection attachment <NUM> comprises a hose <NUM> disposed over the side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. The hose <NUM> may be formed from plastic, PVC, metal, water-resistant fabric, coated fabric, and/or another suitable material for collecting and transporting water. In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the hose <NUM> may be a combination of flexible and rigid materials. <FIG> shows a flexible portion <NUM> of the hose <NUM> disposed within an arcuate saddle <NUM>. The arcuate saddle <NUM> may have at least one retention ring for affixing the flexible portion <NUM> of the hose <NUM> to the curved saddle <NUM>. The arcuate saddle <NUM> may be arced or shaped such that it corresponds to the rounded side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. The shape of the arcuate saddle <NUM> may hold same in place when hung or placed on the rounded side surface <NUM>.

The arcuate saddle <NUM> may be rigid, and, therefore, impart the generally curved shape thereof to the flexible portion <NUM> of the hose <NUM>. In this manner, the flexible portion <NUM> of the hose <NUM> is fixedly attached to the inflatable pool/spa <NUM> and positioned such that a water intake end/component <NUM> thereof is inserted into the water. The water intake end <NUM> may be wider than the hose <NUM> and may further have a grille and/or grating disposed therein to prevent debris from entering the hose <NUM> and/or reaching the pump <NUM>. Referring once again to <FIG>, the flexible portion <NUM> of the hose <NUM> bends into a rigid portion <NUM> disposed along an exterior sidewall <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. The rigid portion <NUM> is formed from flexible hose and may be rigidly held against the exterior sidewall <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. The rigid portion <NUM> may carry water directly to a pump intake on and/or within the housing body <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the hose <NUM>. A second flexible portion of the hose <NUM> may link the rigid portion <NUM> to the housing body <NUM>.

The saddle <NUM> depicted in <FIG> may also provide additional attaching features for securing the saddle <NUM> and the hose <NUM> to the side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. In example embodiments, the saddle <NUM> may have clips disposed thereon that correspond to a clipping/securing surface (such as a hook, mating clip, and/or indentation) on the side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. Further according to example embodiments, the saddle <NUM> may have hook and loop fastener (such as Velcro®) positioned on an underside thereof and corresponding to a strip/patch of hook and loop fastener disposed on the side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. Still further in accordance with example embodiments, the saddle <NUM> may be spring-loaded and/or have elastic/resilient qualities such that the entire body of the saddle <NUM> acts as a clip/fastener and clips over the side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM> thereby holding the hose <NUM> in position to extract water for use by the waterfall system <NUM>. According to example embodiments, one or more small sleeves may be pre-formed in the side surface <NUM> and/or exterior sidewall <NUM>. The saddle <NUM> may further have one or more complementary finger projections disposed on an underside thereof, such that said finger projections slide into the one or more small sleeves on the inflatable pool/spa <NUM> coupling the saddle <NUM> therewith.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the water sprayer <NUM> is mounted between the first and second mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM>. A dispensing outlet <NUM> of the water sprayer <NUM> is arranged to extend laterally between the first and second mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM> and along an extent of the water sprayer <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may supply water to the water sprayer <NUM> through water passage(s) <NUM> (<FIG>) disposed in one or both mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM>, through a sprayer hose <NUM> operatively coupled to a rear or bottom portion of the water sprayer <NUM>, through the rear, second retention arm <NUM>, and/or by some combination of these elements. Referring ahead to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sprayer hose <NUM> may traverse a water passage <NUM> disposed in the mounting arm <NUM>. The water sprayer <NUM> may produce a wide, flat projection of water, as depicted in <FIG>. Alternatively, the water sprayer <NUM> may produce a thinner stream of water.

Referring ahead to <FIG> and <FIG>, the water sprayer <NUM> may rotate about first and second mounting points <NUM>, <NUM> disposed on the first and second mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM>. Still further according to example embodiments, the water sprayer <NUM> may incorporate one or more lighting elements <NUM>, such as one or more LED elements (<FIG> and <FIG>). The waterfall system <NUM> may direct the light from said lighting element(s) towards the projected water <NUM> thereby developing a hue within the water and producing a desirable coloration effect. The one or more lighting elements <NUM> may change the color of light produced so as to produce a rainbow or color-shifting waterfall effect. In accordance with example embodiments, the waterfall system <NUM> may have a hydroelectric element for harnessing energy produced by the falling water. This hydroelectric element then provides power to the one or more lighting elements <NUM>, and/or other features and amusements that are compatible with the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>.

Referring once again to <FIG>, the shape of the housing body <NUM> may facilitate attachment of the waterfall system <NUM> to the side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM>. One or more additional fasteners may be disposed along the housing body <NUM>, such as on the first and second retention legs <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated example embodiment of <FIG>, the first and second retention legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the first and second mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM> are rotated about a central axis (or a generally/substantially central axis) of the housing body <NUM> about <NUM> degrees, such that the arms and legs are offset <NUM> degrees relative one another.

Referring now to <FIG>, the system <NUM> for producing a waterfall effect is depicted from another side thereof. The flexible portion <NUM> of the hose <NUM> is shown extending over the side surface <NUM> of the inflatable pool/spa <NUM> and into the water contained therein. Further, a control button <NUM> is visible on the side of the water sprayer <NUM>. The control button <NUM> may provide on/off control of the water sprayer <NUM>, the one or more lighting elements <NUM>, and/or other suitable accessories. The control button <NUM> may have relatively simple on/off capabilities for the one or more features noted. However, in embodiments, the control button <NUM> may respond to pressing sequences and/or durations so as to control additional or more complex accessories. For example, a single press of the control button <NUM> may turn on the water sprayer <NUM>, a second press of the control button may turn on the one or more lighting elements <NUM>, and a third press may turn off both the water sprayer <NUM> and the one or more lighting elements <NUM>. Additional or alternative sequences are further contemplated hereby. Still further, sequences and/or durations of presses of the control button <NUM> may turn on/off particular strings of LEDs. Additionally, presses the control button <NUM> may change a quality of the light emitted by the one or more light elements <NUM>. For example, each press of the control button <NUM> may change the color of the emitted light. Also in embodiments, presses of the control button <NUM> may change the brightness of the emitted light.

An exploded view of the water sprayer <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this example embodiment, the water sprayer <NUM> is exploded laterally out from the first and second mounting arms <NUM>, <NUM> that hold the water sprayer <NUM> during operation (<FIG>, and <FIG>). The water passage <NUM> through which the sprayer hose <NUM> traverses is disposed through the mounting arm <NUM>. <FIG> further depicts the arrangement of the sprayer hose <NUM> within the housing <NUM>. The control button <NUM> is depicted as exploded away from the mounting arm <NUM>. Further, the water sprayer <NUM> includes a sprayer housing <NUM> (<FIG>), which is further exploded into first and second sides 154a, 154b of the sprayer housing <NUM> in <FIG>. The water dispensing outlet <NUM> extends along the sprayer housing <NUM>. One or more sections of printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> may be mounted within the sprayer housing <NUM> on a PCB mounting <NUM>. The one or more lighting elements <NUM>, such as one or more LEDs <NUM>, may be disposed on the PCB(s) <NUM> along with control circuitry <NUM> for driving and operating the one or more LEDs <NUM>. Further, the PCB(s) <NUM> and the one or more lighting elements <NUM> may be protected from water passing through the water sprayer <NUM> by a transparent, or partially transparent, window <NUM>. The window <NUM> may be a component of the PCB mounting <NUM> disposed between the PCB(s) <NUM> and the water dispensing outlet <NUM>. A gasket or other water-tight seal may be disposed about the one or more PCBs <NUM> to prevent water from contacting the electronic components. Included with the electronic components is a power source <NUM>, such as a battery, for energizing the one or more LEDs <NUM> and the control circuitry <NUM>. The one or more lighting elements <NUM> may emit light through the window <NUM> and, in turn, through the water and the water dispensing outlet <NUM>. Accordingly, a coloration/illumination effect of the waterfall provided by the system <NUM> may be produced. As previously described hereinabove, the control button <NUM> may energize the one or more lighting elements <NUM> when pressed and/or may change the lighting color emitted by the one or more lighting elements <NUM>.

The embodiment(s) detailed hereinabove may be combined in full or in part, with any alternative embodiment(s) described, as long as the resulting embodiments fall within the scope of the claims.

The above disclosure may represent an improvement in the art because it allows for addition of the disclosed waterfall producing system and apparatus to the side of an inflatable pool/spa. Further, this disclosure provides the user with improved water circulation and an entertaining arc of water. Still further, the disclosure improves the art by supplying an alternative water source for pumping water through a sprayer, such as that used by the device. That the hose for accessing pool/spa water is separate, and not necessarily integrated into the pool/spa, may represent even further portability, convenience, and user satisfaction.

It is to be understood that all described elements and features in this disclosure can be formed of any number of materials including, but not limited to, polymers, rubbers, foams, ceramics, metals, metal alloys or any other material known to those skilled in the art. In particular, the material forming the hose <NUM>, and/or inflatable pool/spa <NUM> may be plastic, vinyl, coated fabric, and/or another suitable material or combination of materials. Valve(s) disposed an these components may be formed from extruded plastic, machined aluminum, another metal alloy, and/or another materials or combination of materials suitable for manufacturing valve(s) for inflatables.

To the extent that the term include or have is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprise as comprise is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

The disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee.

In one aspect, a term coupled may refer to being directly coupled. In another aspect, a term coupled may refer to being indirectly coupled. Terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, horizontal, and vertical refer to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, such a term may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference.

The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

Claim 1:
A waterfall system (<NUM>) for use with an inflatable spa (<NUM>), the waterfall system (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>), the housing comprising:
two retention legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to retain the housing (<NUM>) to a side of the inflatable spa (<NUM>), wherein each of the two retention legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) curves about a side surface (<NUM>) of the inflatable spa (<NUM>); and
two mounting arms (<NUM>; <NUM>);
a water sprayer (<NUM>) held above an elevation of the side of the inflatable spa (<NUM>) by the two mounting arms (<NUM>, <NUM>); a water collection attachment (<NUM>); and
a pump (<NUM>) configured to pump water from the inflatable spa (<NUM>), through the water collection attachment (<NUM>), and to the water sprayer (<NUM>), wherein the water collection attachment collects pressurized water from the spa and provides the water under pressure to the water sprayer; and wherein the water sprayer sprays the water into the spa.