Swimming pool light

Abstract

A light assembly for a swimming pool which comprises a solar panel (46) for generating electricity, the solar panel being located exteriorly of the swimming pool, a battery (52) electrically connected to the solar panel, a low voltage light (36) mounted in the swimming pool, and electrical wires (68) extending between the battery (52) and the low voltage light (36) to supply power thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the light assembly may be incorporated in a retrofit stair assembly.

Claims

1. A light assembly for a swimming pool having a stair assembly and a water return duct comprising: a solar panel (46) for generating electricity, said solar panel being located exteriorly of said swimming pool; a battery (52) electrically connected to said solar panel; a low voltage light (36) mounted in said swimming pool; electrical wires (68) extending between said battery (52) and said low voltage light (36) to supply power thereto, said batter and said low voltage light being mounted on one of said stair assembly and said water return duct, said solar panel being mounted on said stair assembly.

2. A light assembly for a swimming pool having a stair assembly having a water return duct comprising: a solar panel for generating electricity, said solar panel being mounted on a escutcheon (118) for said stair assembly; a battery (52) electrically connected to said solar panel; a low voltage light (130) mounted in said swimming pool; and and an electrical wire (68) extending between said battery (52) and said low voltage light 36 to supply power thereto, said battery and said low voltage light being mounted on one of said stair assembly and said water return duct.

3. The light assembly for a swimming pool have a stair assembly and a water return duct comprising: a solar panel (46) for generating electricity, said solar panel being located exteriorly of said swimming pool; a batter (52) electrically connected to said solar panel; a low voltage light (36) being formed on a foot of said stair assembly; and electrical wires (16) extending between said battery (52) and said low voltage light (36) to supply power thereto, said solar panel and said battery being mounted on one of said stair assembly and said water return duct.

4. A light assembly for a swimming pool having a water return comprising: a solar panel (46) for generating electricity, said solar panel being formed as a cover for a skimmer assembly of said water return duct; a battery (52) electrically connected to said solar panel; a low voltage light (36) mounted in said swimming pool; and electrical wires (68) extending between said battery (52) and said low voltage light (36) to supply power thereto; said battery and said low voltage light being mounted on one of said stair assembly and said water return duct.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stair assembly mounted in a pool and incorporating the light assembly of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the light portion of the light assembly;

(4) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the photovoltaic assembly;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates various views of the assembled light assembly;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of three further embodiments of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a still further embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective and sectional views of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment; and

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of a solar lamp for pools.

(13) FIG. 12 is a side elevational of a ladder assembly used for a swimming pool;

(14) FIG. 13 is a perspective view thereof;

(15) FIG. 14 is a front elevational of a further arrangement for a ladder having lights incorporated therein;

(16) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the ladder assembly of FIG. 14;

(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective of a different arrangement of a escutcheon incorporating a solar panel;

(18) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a ladder assembly;

(19) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a further embodiment thereof;

(20) FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a portion of a skimmer cover;

(21) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a skimmer cover incorporating a solar panel on a skimmer; and

(22) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a clip-on light which is attached to a ladder assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(23) Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a pool 10 into which there is mounted a step assembly 12. In the example, pool 10 may be of an above ground pool although the practice of the present invention can also be utilized with inground pools.

(24) Stair assembly 12, as is conventional, provides handles to assist the bather entering the pool as well as exiting therefrom. The handles comprise a rear shaft 14, a front shaft 16, and a top shaft 18 forming a U-shaped handle. The shafts may be interconnected with conventional shaft connectors 20.

(25) A pair of straps 22 functioning as anchors may be provided to secure stair assembly 12 in place to a pool deck or other substrate. One could also use brackets for the same purpose. Stair assembly 12 includes steps 24 while step assembly 12 sits on support 26.

(26) Light assembly generally designated by reference numeral 30 includes a light housing 32. As may be seen, light housing 32 is semi circular in configuration and is designed to fit about front shaft 16. Light housing 32 may either be mounted on the surface of shaft 16 or in the alternative, may be recessed within shaft 16 by utilizing a suitable cut-out.

(27) A recess 34 is provided in light housing 32 to receive the remaining components which comprise a light housing 32, LED board assembly 36, reflector 38, a clear lens 42 and an O-ring 40 which is designed to fit about light housing 32 to provide a waterproof seal.

(28) There is also provided a photovoltaic panel generally designated by reference numeral 46. Such panels are also known as solar panels. A housing 48 is provided along with a lens 50. A plurality of rechargeable batteries 52 are utilized to store power from photovoltaic panel 46. A door 54 may be utilized to seal the batteries within housing 48.

(29) As may be seen in FIG. 4, screws 56 may be utilized to secure the assembly to front shaft 16. The assembly can also be secured to top shaft 18. Alternatively, the assembly may be formed as an integral part of the stairs. The arrangement is such that, as shown in FIG. 1, water level 58 is located between light assembly 30 and photovoltaic panel 46.

(30) If desired, there may be a switch utilized to turn light assembly 30 on and off Alternatively, other arrangements such as timers, light sensors, and the like may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

(31) In the embodiment of FIG. 5, there is provided a stair assembly generally designated by reference numeral 62. Mounted in the riser of one of the steps is a light 64 while exteriorly of the pool there is a solar panel 66. The two are interconnected by means of electrical cord 68.

(32) Turning to FIG. 7, there are illustrated three different arrangements designated by reference characters A, B and C. In the arrangement of A, there is provided a light 72 and a solar panel 74 which are interconnected by cord 73. Alternative arrangements are shown by reference characters B and C. Similar reference numerals are utilized for similar components. In the arrangement of B, there is provided a mounting bracket 76 which has a recess 78 which may be used to place the light 72 on the edge of an above ground pool.

(33) In the arrangement of C, light 72 is associated with a water return outlet 80. Again, cord 73 interconnects light 72 and solar panel 74 which could form the cover.

(34) Turning to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a light 86 mounted in a water return 84. The solar panel 88 is used to provide power to light 86 while electrical cord 90 interconnects the two.

(35) FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 8.

(36) In FIGS. 10 and 11, a light 88 is connected to a solar panel 90 as in previously described embodiments.

(37) A further embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 and reference will now be made thereto. As illustrated, there is provided a stair assembly generally designated by reference numeral 110. Stair assembly 110 is provided with handrails 112, 114 in a conventional manner. On one of the handrails, there is provided a conventional escutcheon 116. On handrail 112, there is provided a solar panel escutcheon generally designated by reference numeral 118. Escutcheon 118 is provided with vertically extending solar panels to provide electrical power.

(38) Stair assembly 110 also includes a plurality of steps 120, 122 and 124. The steps extend between side rails 126, 128 in a conventional manner.

(39) A light assembly 130 is provided and provides light extending both upwardly and downwardly. A light assembly 130 is provided between step 124 and the side of the pool.

(40) In the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15, a similar stair assembly is shown. Similar reference numerals are utilized for similar parts, but with a prime. Thus, there is provided a ladder assembly 110 with handrails 112,114. The handrails have an escutcheon 116 and a solar panel escutcheon 118. A plurality of steps 122 and 124 are mounted between guard rails 126, 128. In this embodiment, a pair of LED lights 134 are provided, one at each of the feet of the ladder.

(41) In the embodiment of FIG. 17, a similar ladder assembly is shown except that a single LED light 136 is provided. LED light 136 stems from the top of the ladder.

(42) In the embodiment of FIG. 18, a further arrangement is shown wherein there is provided a first LED light 138 mounted in step 122 while a plurality of lights 140 are mounted on the side rails 126, 128.

(43) As shown in FIG. 16, the solar panel is such that it may be formed in an arcuate manner rather than the rectangular structure shown in previous embodiments. As seen in this arrangement, the structure is formed of two halves 146, 148 suitably secured together. In the above described ladder assemblies, the wiring will run from the escutcheon 118 through the handrail and side rails 126 to the light assembly. Thus, all of the wiring is provided interiorly and no wiring is visible.

(44) As shown in FIG. 19, the present invention may utilize a solar panel 152 which is mounted on a skimmer frame 150. Thus, as seen in FIG. 20, the skimmer frame 150 is hingedly connected to cover a skimmer generally designated by reference numeral 156. In this embodiment, an electrical cord 154 will extend between solar panel 152 and a light mounted in the skimmer.

(45) FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment wherein a clip-on light 160 may be attached to the rail of a ladder assembly. In this embodiment, the solar panel will be attached to an upper portion of the stair assembly with the wiring running through the rails.

(46) It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.