SWIMMING POOL STEPS WITH LIGHT

MARCHES DE PISCINE AVEC ECLAIRAGE

English Abstract

A light assembly for a swimming pool which has a stair assembly and a pump
recirculating water in the swimming pool, the system comprising a motion
detector which
is located proximate the stair assembly, a light mounted proximate the stair
assembly, and
a generator arranged to generate electricity from the circulating water, the
arrangement
being such that when the motion detector detects motion on the stairs, the
light is activated
for a predetermined period of time. The system can function as a safety
system, both from
the point of view of providing illumination for the pool user and also as a
visual alarm in
the instance where children activate the system.

Claims

The embodiments of an invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is
claimed is defined as follows:
1. A light system for a swimming pool having a stair assembly, and a pump for
circulating water in the swimming pool the system comprising:
a motion detector situated proximate said stair assembly;
a light mounted proximate said stair assembly;
a generator arranged to generate electricity from said circulating water;
the arrangement being such that when said motion detector detects motion, said
light is activated for a predetermined period of time.
2. The system of Claim 1 wherein said stair assembly includes risers and
treads, said
light being incorporated in one of said risers.
3. The system of Claim 2 wherein said stair assembly includes a pair of safety
rails on
either side thereof, said motion detector emitting a beam between said safety
rails such
that when a person passes between said rails, said motion detector is
activated.
4. The system of Claim 1 wherein said generator includes a turbine wheel.
5. The system of Claim 4 wherein said turbine wheel is mounted so as to be
powered
from water flow through a hose associated with said pump.
6. The system of Claim 1 wherein said generator is arranged to generate
electricity
below about 24 volts.
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Description

CA 02458003 2004-02-17
SWIMMING POOL STEPS WITH LIGHT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to swimming pools, and more particularly,
relates to
swimming pool accessories.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of backyard swimming pools is well established and extremely popular.
As
such, many accessories have been developed for use with such residential
swimming
pools.
The use of lights with swimming pools is well known in the art. The lights are
usually mounted within the wall of the swimming pool and connected to a
suitable power
source which is usually the electric power from the residence. Currently, such
lights are
fairly expensive since, as will readily be understood, precautions must be
taken with the
presence of water near electrical power.
The lights function both aesthetically and also to permit visual acuity
underwater.
Particularly where children are involved, the lights permit an adult
supervisor to readily
spot any children in the swimming pool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a swimming pool light
which
operates at a low voltage and which is automatically triggered upon someone
entering the
pool.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light
system
for a swimming pool having a stair assembly and a pump for circulating water
in the
swimming pool, the system comprising a motion detector situated proximate the
stair
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CA 02458003 2004-02-17
assembly, a light mounted proximate the stair assembly, a generator arranged
to generate
electricity from the circulating water, the arrangement being such that when
the motion
detector detects motion, the light is activated for a predetermined period of
time.
The device of the present invention may be used with either above ground or
in ground swimming pools. It will normally be more widely utilized with above
ground
swimming pools as they are the type which normally have separate stairs or
ladders.
The light can be incorporated in a set of stairs as will be described in the
preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Naturally, it will be understood that the
same
arrangement could be employed with a ladder going into and out of the pool.
However,
the use of the steps is quite popular in those arrangements wherein a deck or
other like
structure is built around at least a portion of the periphery of the swimming
pool.
The light may be any suitable and preferably is of the low voltage type to
minimize
any safety concerns. Such low voltage lights are well known in the art and
hence will not
be described in greater detail herein. It will also be understood that the
circuitry may
incorporate timers and the like which are user adjustable.
The generator is operable to generate electric current to power the light. The
generator preferably includes a water turbine which will be rotated by the
water
recirculating system of the swimming pool. The water turbine may be
conveniently
incorporated in one of the hoses leading from the pump of the water
recirculating system
though naturally other equivalent arrangements could be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, and wherein:
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CA 02458003 2004-02-17
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a swimming pool incorporating
the
system of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating some of the various components of
the
system according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is an electrical schematic of the electrical circuit;
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing mounting of the turbine; and
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the turbine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, there
is illustrated in Figure 1 a portion of an above ground swimming pool having a
stair
assembly therein.
As illustrated, there is an above ground swimming pool having a side wall 10
and a
bottom surface 12. A stair assembly generally designated by reference numeral
14 is
placed within the pool adjacent to side wall 10.
Stair assembly 14 includes a plurality of steps 16 and risers 18 in a
conventional
manner. A pair of railings generally designated by reference numeral 20 are
provided on
either side of the stair assembly 14. Each railing 20 includes a front post
27, a rear post 29
and a handrail 31 extending therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, there
is also
provided a deck 22 extending about a portion of the periphery of the side wall
10.
According to the present invention, there is provided a low voltage light 24
which is
integrated into one of the risers 18.
The system of the present invention also includes a motion detector 28 mounted
on
one of the front posts 27 of the handrail 20 and a reflector 30 on the other
front post.
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CA 02458003 2004-02-17
Motion detector 28 and reflector 30 are well known in the art and accordingly,
are not
described in detail herein.
The system will include the conventional components for an above ground pool
and
thus, as shown in Figure 4, there is provided a skimmer inlet 42 by means of
which water
46 is pumped by electric motor 48 through a filter 50. A generator generally
designated by
reference numeral 52 is mounted on output conduit 38.
As may be seen in Figure 3, generator 52 includes a turbine wheel 36 which is
rotated by means of moving water within conduit 38 as shown by arrows 40.
Again, such
generators are well known in the art.
The above described system is useful from many points of view. It can function
to
assist the adult user of the swimming pool by providing illumination in the
area around the
steps. This system can also function to alert an observer that somebody is
entering the
pool. This can be particularly useful when small children are present. Indeed,
in such an
instance, the system could incorporate an audio output which would include a
noise
emitting device.
The circuitry for the system is not complex. It can incorporate a timer which
will
maintain the lights on for a predetermined period of time after activation. If
desired, this
amount of time could be user adjustable. The system will operate at a low
voltage,
preferably under a 24 volts and even more preferably around approximately 12
volts as
there are many commercially available products adapted for this voltage.
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 the scope of the invention.
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Representative Drawing